Here we go with the last chapter of the new and improved Risky Romance!

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Part 9: Love is in Bloom

Shining Armor looked at his sister in confusion. "You and Lieutenant Flash Sentry are in love?" he asked after what felt like an eternity.

"Yes, we are," Twilight said, worrying how he would take the news.

"Did you know about this?" Shining Armor asked Cadance.

"Yes, I did," his wife admitted sadly.

"Why didn't either of you tell me?" asked Shining Armor.

"Well, we were afraid you'd be angry," replied Twilight.

"Why would I be angry?" asked Shining Armor.

"Because Twilight's your sister and you're my boss," said Flash, "plus it would be like dating your boss' daughter."

He turned to Princess Celestia and Shooting Star, wanting to know their opinion on the matter at hoof.

"When Shining Armor married my niece Cadance," said Celestia, "at a time, I was considered his superior, but I was alright with it."

"That sort of thing is perfectly natural," added Shooting Star, "it's not the first time a royal guard's dated a Princess, but it definitely won't be the last."

"How could I have forgotten about Shining and Cadance's case?" remarked Twilight, feeling embarrassed.

"That's okay, Twilight," said Cadance reassuringly, "sometimes we forget the little things."

"And yes, I do care very much for my little sister," said Shining Armor, "and I'd get upset if anything bad were to happen to her, not to mention that Changeling nearly done so. And to be fair, you did leave your post without my acknowledgement…"

"Yeah, sorry about that," Flash said sheepishly.

"But you helped in saving my sister from getting hurt, and you stood up for Twilight as well, so I'm letting it slide."

"Oh, thank you, sir."

"First things first," said Shining Armor, "I suggest you take some time off till your wing's better."

Flash looked at his right wing; the damage the Changeling had done to it looked pretty bad. He knew better than to argue against his superior's orders.

"What mares want from a stallion," Princess Celestia said wisely, "is their honesty, bravery, kindness, and their will to put the needs of others ahead of their own. That Changeling relied on his selfish ways to get what he wanted."

"Not to mention he tried to make me look bad," added Comet Tail.

"Why don't you stay in Ponyville while you heal, Flash?" suggested Twilight.

"That's a nice idea," said Flash, "and it would give me the chance to get to know your friends."

"I love that idea!" Pinkie squeaked excitedly, "I should tell you about when Twilight and I first met, or maybe our fun time at the Grand Galloping Gala! Ooh! How about when Rainbow Dash pulled off that sonic rainboom?!"

"Easy there, sugarcube," said Applejack, "there's gonna be plenty of time to do that later."

"For now, let's just go home," said Rainbow Dash, and soon everypony headed towards Ponyville.

---

As they made their way back to Ponyville, Comet Tail trotted closer to Twilight and Flash.

"Sorry about what went on," he said.

"It wasn't your fault," said Twilight, "it was that Changeling."

"Yeah, he deceived us all," added Flash.

"Indeed," agreed Comet Tail, "and to be honest, I once had a foalhood crush on Twilight."

"Is that true?" Twilight seemed rather surprised.

"Yes," said Comet Tail, not looking at Flash for fear of how he'd react, "but I eventually grew out of it. I can see that Flash is the perfect stallion for you."

"Well, thank you, Comet Tail," said Flash.

"Besides, I don't think I'd stand much chance against a royal guard." The trio chuckled.

Let's hope he doesn't go crazy like Sunset Shimmer did, Flash thought to himself.

"I hope you'll take it easy on both of them," Cadance told Shining Armor, "after all, you are their superior."

"Oh, we'll see about that," Shining Armor smirked, "just because he's with my sister doesn't mean I'll be less hard on him."

---

When they got back to Ponyville, Pinkie Pie had already set up a huge party.

"Three cheers for the new couple!" the pink Earth pony cheered.

"Did you really throw us a party?" asked Twilight.

"Do I giggle in the face of danger?" asked Pinkie. Twilight said nothing.

Before long, everypony was partying. During the party, Comet Tail accidentally bumped into Berry Punch.

"Hey! Watch it, dude!" she snapped.

"Oh! Sorry," Comet Tail replied sheepishly. Then Berry Punch turned to face him, coming closer to him as he backed nervously up. "Uh, why are you walking towards me?"

"Anypony ever tell you you have a cute face?" Berry Punch's expression left little doubt that she'd had a bit too much cider.

"Uh, B-Berry Punch?" Comet Tail asked in a bit of surprise, "W-what are you doing?"

Suddenly, Berry Punch pounced on Comet Tail and began kissing him.

"Uh, guys?! Help?!"

"Ah, come on, Comet Tail," chuckled Caramel, "just be glad you've got a mare that wants you."

Comet Tail just rolled his eyes. Celestia help me... he thought with dismay.

---

While Comet Tail was being kissed by Berry Punch, Shining Armor arrived at the party with Cadance.

"I hope they're doing alright," Shining Armor said to himself.

"Oh relax," said Cadance, "look, they're having a great time."

"Hi, B.B.B.F.F.," Twilight smiled.

"B.B.B.F.F.?" Flash asked, confused.

"Big Brother Best Friend Forever," Twilight explained, before turning back to Shining Armor, "what brings you two here?"

"Just wanted to see how you're getting along," Cadance smiled.

"If you're asking, my wing's much better than it was before," said Flash, "a bit of pain, but not as serious."

"Glad to hear," said Shining Armor, "also, I wanted to thank you for saving my sister."

"Not the first time I've done it," said Flash modestly. Shining Armor looked confused.

"Do you remember when I ended up lost and you wanted to thank the colt for helping me find my parents?" asked Twilight.

"Yes, I do," answered Shining Armor, "You said somepony helped you."

"Well," said Twilight, "that somepony who helped me is right in front you." She gestured to Flash.

"You mean," Shining Armor began to ask Flash, "that you're the one who helped Twilight all those years ago?"

"The same," replied Flash, feeling a little nervous inside. Oh jeez, I didn't say anything to upset him again, did I?

But to his relief, Shining Armor just smiled.

"Well, I guess that's two things I ought to thank you for, one of them many years overdue," he added with a chuckle.

"Just doing my job," smiled Flash.

---

Twilight had asked Spike to fetch the journal she and the rest of the group wrote friendship reports in to the party so she could write down what had been learnt through this latest adventure.

"Over the last few weeks," she wrote, "I've learned a very strong lesson not just about friendship, but more importantly, love. While it's true that jumping right into a relationship with somepony you've just met isn't the smartest thing to do, if you take the time to get to know one another and bond, then it'll be worth all the time in the world.

However, jealously from others is very serious for it can affect your relationship in terrible ways. But thankfully, one's jealously can lead to his or her downfall. I'm sure that Changeling learned his lesson about that the hard way.

But what he hadn't learned, and Princess Celestia summed that up perfectly, 'what mares want from a stallion is their honesty, bravery, kindness, and their will to put the needs of others ahead of their own.'"

"Uh, Twilight?" asked Flash once the princess had finished writing, "Would you mind watching the stars with me?"

"I'd love to go with you, Flash," said Twilight.

The two trotted peacefully along until they came across Vincent and the rest of the Mane Six.

"Evening, everypony," Twilight waved.

"Hiya Twilight!" Pinkie bounced in excitement, "Whatcha doin'?"

"We're just taking a stroll," said Flash.

"We're absolutely proud that you two are together now," said Rarity.

"As am I," said Shining Armor, walking up to them, "my little sister, she grows up so fast…" Twilight noticed a tear running down her brother's face.

"Are you crying?" she asked innocently.

"Ah, no," he replied hastily, wiping his eye, "just liquid pride is all; totally different thing!"

Twilight just chuckled; she'd heard that before.

"It's a good thing you two were able to work things out naturally and without our help," smiled Vincent, "I did suggest it to five certain mares, but they didn't listen…"

He gave a knowing look to Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Pinkie, Rarity and Fluttershy.

"We only wanted to help," Fluttershy said sheepishly, and then noticed Twilight and Flash walking off.

"They're just having a bit of quiet time together," Shining Armor told them.

"I see. Well, anyway," said Vincent, before giving a cheeky grin to the five mares, "I'm sure four of you would be in the same situation with your crushes, right?"

"Er, what crushes?" asked Rainbow Dash, looking a little nervous.

"Hmm, let's see – a Wonderbolt, a baby dragon, Applejack's big brother, and some bloke named Caramel, if I'm not mistaken?"

This caused four mares to blush and groan in embarrassment while Pinkie just giggled in her silly way.

"Caramel's a sweet guy and all," Applejack admitted, "but-"

"I told you, I don't have a crush on any Wonderbolts!" Rainbow Dash protested.

"Spike's cute for a dragon," said Rarity, "but-" She couldn't finish her sentence. Fluttershy just squeaked out of shyness. Twilight, Pinkie, and the two stallions had a laugh.

"Oh, he's just teasing," said Twilight.

"Or am I?" Vincent commented in a mischievous way.

"Fluttershy," said Rarity, "weren't you supposed to tend to Discord?"

"Oh!" the light yellow Pegasus cried, "I almost forgot about him!"

And she flew away quicker than you could say Nightmare Moon.

---

Pretty soon, Twilight and Flash were along watching the stars in the nighttime sky.

"Beautiful tonight, isn't it?" asked Flash.

"It sure is," smiled Twilight.

"But not as beautiful as your eyes," Flash smiled as he held her hoof. Twilight's cheeks flushed as red as an apple.

"Oh, Flash," she giggled bashfully. Before Flash could say anything else, Twilight reached over and kissed him right on the lips.

Their kiss lasted about fifteen seconds before Twilight pulled away.

"I know you're watching us!" she called to a nearby bush. Within seconds, four small fillies, two unicorns, one earth, and one Pegasus popped out from behind.

"How'd ya know it was us?" asked Apple Bloom.

"Cause I know you all too well?"

"Got us there," said Scootaloo, and then made a gagging noise, as if in disgust.

"Oh, lighten up, Scoots," said Fictionary, and said cheekily, "anyway, we just wanted to see you and your coltfriend kiss."

"Just some harmless fun," added Sweetie Belle. The four trotted away, but then Twilight spoke up again.

"You too, Pinkie," she said. About three seconds later, the pink Earth pony mare bounced out of the bush.

"Aww, you're no fun!" she moaned.

"What a silly mare, that Pinkie," said Flash.

"Yeah, but she's still my friend," Twilight chuckled. She and Flash smiled as they continued watching the stars. This was a night they hoped would last forever…

---

Meanwhile, at Canterlot, the Changeling was being led to his prison cell.

"Hmm, strange," said one of the guards.

"What is it?" asked the other.

"There's something not right about this cell," said the guard.

"Like what?"

"Well, this one looks a lot roomier than the other cells."

As the two guards inspected the inside of the cell, they were suddenly encased in ice. The chains that kept the Changeling from escaping also froze, giving him the chance to break free. At that moment, Queen Chrysalis and Golden Lass appeared from behind them.

"Good work, Icy Heart," said Golden Lass.

The blue unicorn mare stepped out of hiding.

"I cannot believe you failed your mission," Chrysalis hissed at the Changeling.

"It was hardly my fault!" protested the Changeling, "That yellow Pegasus stallion-!"

"No tales!" snapped Chrysalis angrily.

"Yes, your majesty," the Changeling sighed in defeat.

Golden Lass was not happy. "Curse that Vincent Van Colt," she mumbled, "curse him for spoiling my plans! No matter - we'll have to think of something craftier. When I'm through with Vincent, his life will be so miserable he'll wish he never existed!"

---

Good news; a happy ending for Flash and Twilight. YAY! Bad news; two royal guards have gone "missing". Oh no!

Well, that's the ending to the new and improved Risky Romance! A pretty suspenseful one, to be honest, but the epilogue will serve a role in future RF&L chapters and stories; I might even feature King Sombra at some point!

Spoiler alert: The third chapter will feature Fluttershy, Fictionary, the Cutie Mark Crusaders, Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon, and four new characters playing major roles.