Alright, now here's the edited chapter five to Risky Romance, and as of now, this is my favorite chapter of the story, because it's an idea I've had since watching "Three's a Crowd" when Flash Sentry made a cameo. And interestingly enough, this chapter takes place during said episode, and we're finally introduced to Shining Armor as well.

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Part 5: Cadance Learns the Truth

About two months had gone by since the race between Comet Tail and Vincent ended in disaster, and things returned to normal in Ponyville at this point. Not long afterward, Ponyville had qualified for the Equestria Games at Rainbow Falls, and the actual event had taken place at the Crystal Empire, with Ponyville narrowly beating Cloudsdale by one medal.

During that time, Comet Tail had been doing what he could to get Twilight to go out with him, but every time, she rejected him, and he got more and more frustrated. One such case was when he was tripped over and fell flat on his face.

"Who the hay just tripped me over?" he grumbled as he stood up on his hooves once again.

Because of Pinkie's outburst about Twilight's crush on Flash Sentry being exposed, Spike and the Mane Six wanted to help their alicorn friend by getting them to fall in love, and most other ponyfolk supported them all the way, except for one other stallion...

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"This is just a ludicrous idea," Vincent was saying, "it's completely pointless and it won't make things any better!"

He, Fictionary, Spike and the rest of the Mane Six were at Sugarcube Corner discussing the Twilight and Flash issue.

"Now, yer just complain' fer absolutely no reason at all, Vince," said Applejack, "after all, Ah spend lots o' time with Caramel and Big Macintosh is alright with it, since he and Fluttershy are going out. Why should it make a difference for Twilight and Flash?" The light yellow Pegasus blushed upon hearing Applejack's comment about her and Big Macintosh.

"There's obviously a difference between running a farm and ruling an empire whilst commanding royal guards," said Vincent.

"Why not try and set up a romantic atmosphere?" suggested Pinkie, "We can invite Flash and let him and Twilight have fun together!"

"No, no, no! Absolutely not!" snapped Vincent, shaking his head, "It is simply out of the question; besides, Flash could end up getting the sack if he was shirking his duties. I say we ought to leave them be and allow their feelings to blossom naturally, y'know."

"But what if something were to go wrong?" asked Fluttershy.

"Fluttershy's got a point," said Rainbow Dash, "Comet Tail would try and tear them apart. We're not letting it happen, are we?"

Spike, Fictionary and the other three mares agreed with Rainbow Dash.

"Well, don't count your chickens before they hatched just yet," said Vincent firmly, "Twilight would never approve if she knew you were forcing her and Flash to fall in love in the first place."

"Don't be ridiculous, big brother," said Fictionary, "they're only trying to help her and Flash."

"I'm not being ridiculous!" argued Vincent, "I'm being realistic… and safe!"

"Ah, come on, Vince," said Spike, "what's the worst that could happen?"

"Please don't say that!" groaned Vincent, "But either way, your silly idea isn't going to work."

"It's better than not trying at all, Vincent dear," insisted Rarity.

---

At Golden Oak Library, Twilight had been feeling bored and lay on the bed for about an hour. Soon, she was walking around anxiously in circles on the floor, deep in thought. Her pet owl, Owlowiscious, sat fast asleep on his perch.

"What can I do?" she thought anxiously, "I'm afraid to tell Shining Armor about my feelings towards Flash; goodness knows how he'll react since everypony in Ponyville's talking about it! Only Vincent understands what I'm going through, but Cadance…"

Then she stopped dead in her tracks, and an idea flew into her head.

"Perhaps I can spend a day with Cadance to soothe my nerves!" Twilight squealed in delight, "What does my calendar say?"

She looked at her calendar and saw that the Star Swirl the Bearded Traveling Museum was coming to Ponyville in about two weeks' time.

"Excellent," she told herself, "there's plenty of time to prepare for Cadance's visit… given that she agrees to it, of course." Twilight then set off to make plans.

---

A few days later, at the Crystal Empire, Shining Armor stood in front of the Crystal Empire royal guards, and that included Flash Sentry.

Shining Armor was a pure white unicorn stallion with sapphire blue hooves, a sapphire blue mane and tail with lighter and darker streaks, light cerulean eyes, and his cutie mark was a pink six-pointed star over a purple shield with three small light blue stars above.

"Right boys," he said, "I shall be giving you lot your usual inspections."

Come on, Flash, the light orange Pegasus thought to himself, pull yourself together! Keep Twilight out of your thoughts, and he won't notice. You're good at keeping a straight, poker face.

Inside, Flash hoped his boss wasn't a mind reader and knew what was happening. Celestia knows how Shining Armor would react!

"Hey you!"

Flash jumped in surprise, and then gulped. Ah, jeez, this is it!

"I don't mean to sound rude, but… yeech! What a pong!" remarked Shining Armor, plugging his nose in disgust. Flash looked and saw he was talking to the guard next to him.

"It's not my fault," the guard sulked, "those guys hid my armor near a nest of skunks, and I didn't have time to find tomato juice!"

The two guards in question were snickering and pointing at one another. They stopped snickering when Shining Armor gave them a glare.

"I shall talk to you two later," he said sternly, and then when he inspected Flash, he gave a nod and moved on to the next guard. Flash breathed a sigh of relief.

That was a close one, he thought gratefully as Shining Armor inspected the next few guards.

"Right, boys, your inspections are complete," the white unicorn stallion declared, "you are all dismissed, except for you two," he said sternly to the two guards who played their tricks on the guard with now-smelly armor. They gulped nervously.

"I'll need a word with you in my office," Shining Armor continued, and he headed off in the direction to his office, the two guards following behind him.

"Now where can I find tomato juice?" asked the guard with smelly armor.

---

In the throne room, Princess Cadance was reading a letter that she had just received from Twilight. Just then, Shining Armor came in after having a talk with the two cheeky guards. He had punished them into performing kitchen patrol duties for a month.

"What'd you get, Cadance?" he asked.

"It's from Twilight," his wife explained, "she's asking me to spend the day with her at the Star Swirl the Bearded Traveling Museum!"

"Oh, I'm glad my little sister wants to spend time with you," Shining Armor smiled, "it has been a while after all."

"Why don't you come as well?" Cadance suggested, "You and Twilight don't spend much time together these days."

"That's true," said Shining Armor, "but an empire doesn't rule itself, you know. Although it might be a little lonely, I admit, but even a Princess needs to broaden her horizons every now and then."

Cadance nodded in understanding, and then kissed her husband's cheek before setting off to write her reply to Twilight. "Dear Twilight..."

---

Several days later, it was the day the Star Swirl the Bearded Traveling Museum was to arrive in Ponyville. Cadance kissed Shining Armor goodbye, and boarded the train with Flash and another guard behind. The light orange Pegasus felt nervous about seeing Twilight again, even if it was for a moment or two. The best plan, he thought, would be to confine in Cadance about his problem. Hopefully, he thought, she would understand, being the princess of love after all.

After the train departed from Canterlot and steamed towards Ponyville, Flash made his move.

"Princess Cadance," said Flash, "pardon me, but could I have a private word with you?"

"Of course, Flash," Cadance smiled, "what was it you wanted to me?"

Flash thought over what he was going to say. "It's got something to do with your sister-in-law, Twilight Sparkle," he began.

"You don't have any issues with her, do you?" asked Cadance, slightly concerned, "I mean, with her bumping into you a few times before, and all?"

"No, no problems with her at all, Princess," explained Flash, "it's just… well… I have a crush on Twilight…" He paused to let his confession sink into Cadance's mind.

"Oh… you're in love with Twilight?" she asked curiously. Flash nodded silently.

"Oh, that's wonderful to hear!"

"Not for me," muttered Flash.

"Why ever not?"

Flash took a big breath and explained his worries to Princess Cadence regarding Shining Armor.

"…and if her were to catch wind of this, I'd be sacked quicker than you can say 'Princess Celestia'."

"Oh," said Cadance, "I understand now."

"Please don't mention it to him," begged Flash, "otherwise, if he fires me, I may never get a chance to see Twilight ever again."

Cadance thought the idea of Twilight having a coltfriend sounded wonderful and was willing to tell Shining Armor, but even she knew it sounded risky, and began to get a little worried.

"Don't worry, Flash," she said kindly, "I won't tell him." Their conversation was interrupted by the announcements.

"The morning service from the Crystal Empire to Ponyville shall be arriving shortly."

"That's our stop," said Cadance, "you better get ready."

Flash nodded in understanding and bowed, then walked out of her compartment.

---

The Crystal Empire locomotive's whistle sounded as it steamed into the station, coming to a stop at the platform, where Twilight, Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash stood.

The horns sounded, then Flash and the other guard walked out of the coach, and the red carpet rolled out. Twilight felt her heart skip a beat the moment she saw Flash. Then walking out of the coach was Princess Cadance herself. Twilight's mouth opened wide the moment she saw her sister-in-law.

"Your Highness," said Cadance, bowing before Twilight. The light purple alicorn and her friends thought they should do the same.

"Your Highness," Twilight replied in kind, bowing. Rainbow, Pinkie, Rarity and Applejack followed suit by bowing before Cadance. There was a pause before anypony spoke up again.

"I'm teasing, Twilight," Cadance giggled, standing up again, "we're sisters-in-law. We don't have to be so formal."

She turned to the two guards and nodded. Flash gave a small smile before following the other guard into the coach. The red carpet was rolled up, and the train quickly departed.

"Hey Flashy," the other guard teased, "you had one chance to talk to your fillyfriend and you missed it completely!"

"Oh, be quiet," Flash muttered. I should've mentioned that to Princess Cadance as well… Darn it…

After a few minutes of silence, something colored dark blue sped past the train in the opposite direction.

"Did you see that?" asked Flash.

"See what?" replied the other guard.

"Something blue just flew right past our train," remarked Flash.

"Ah, don't worry about it," said the other guard, "I'm sure, whatever it is, it's not gonna mess up the Princesses' day out, right?"

"I guess," sighed Flash. Little did they know that Twilight and Cadance's day out hadn't gone according to the former's plan...

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Meanwhile, later in the evening, Twilight and Cadance finally had some time to themselves after Discord, the former spirit of chaos, faked an illness to have somepony attend to him in Fluttershy's absence, the light yellow Pegasus being away to observe rare, magical creatures known as Breezies.

"Erm, Cadance?"

"Yes, Twilight? What is it?"

"There's something I should tell you," the light purple alicorn said nervously. She paused to gather her thoughts. "Do you remember when I came back from the other world a few months ago?"

"Yes, Twilight, I do. Was it when you bumped into the new guard, Flash Sentry?"

"Hit the nail on the head," said Twilight, "a few weeks afterward, he and I talked at the Crystal Empire, and since then… well…"

"Take your time," Cadance soothed.

"I… I think I'm falling in love with him!"

Cadance squealed in delight. "I just knew it!" she cried in excitement, "You two would make a really sweet couple."

"Please don't tell Shining Armor about this, though," Twilight begged, "I don't want my B.B.B.F.F. to get angry at Flash."

"Don't worry, Twilight," smiled Cadance, "I'm won't tell him. Sisters-in-law don't rat out each other." She had nearly told Twilight about what Flash said, and decided not to… just in case.

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The following morning, Cadance departed for the Crystal Empire, and after biddng Twilight and her friends goodbye, she boarded her coach, followed by two Crystal Empire guards. (Flash wasn't one of them.)

Unknown to the two princess alicorns, a certain light yellow unicorn was also aboard the train.

"I'm not letting this Flash Sentry take her away from me," Comet Tail said angrily to himself, "I won't! No matter what it takes or what I do, Twilight Sparkle will be mine!"

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You'd think after his foolish race with Vincent that Comet Tail would've given up, right? Nope! He's not gonna give up without a fight, but what intentions does he have at the Crystal Empire? Wait and find out!