Can friendship change with time?

Dusk Shine often wondered that. He valued every moment he spent with his friends, the five best ponies he had ever met. Five friends he was destined to met since that day that four ponies looked at the sky and saw a rainbow unlike any other, a rainbow created by a pony that never looked back, always pushing forward.

But despite that unbreakable bond they shared, despite being assured time and time again that they friendship will never fade; Dusk Shine couldn´t help but wonder, maybe friendship won´t disappear but it can change.

Just as ponies can change so can do their friendship, or so he wondered.

"Dusk Shine! Dusk Shine, I´m talking to you!"

"Oh, what? Sorry Spines, I was focusing on my work," he said and put down his quill, realizing he hadn´t actually wrote anything on the paper.

"Seriously Dusk Shine, ever since you got those wings you do nothing but stare into empty space," Spines, his trusty dragon assistant complained while she picked some scrolls and papers.

"Sorry, guess I have a lot on my mind lately."

"But look at you, you get so absorbed you forget to eat or bathe! Look at your mane, ugh!"

While she had the best intention, Dusk Shine didn´t exactly appreciate the dragoness words or the fact that she was poking him.

Spines got off of Dusk Shine and sighed. "Why can´t you be more like Elusive? Now that´s a true gentlecolt, always groomed and impecable."

"Woo?" asked the owl that rested on her perch next to Dusk Shine.

"Elusive, that´s who. The most wonderful colt in Ponyville and the most refined. You´ll never find him wearing anything tacky and always has the best manners in a table. He should be an example for you, Dusk Shine."

Dusk Shine rolled his eyes, already tired of constantly hearing his little sister fawning over his friend.

"Do you remember the attire he brought to your coronation? He looked so handsome!"

"Yeah, Sweepy Bell looked fine," he replied.

"Yes he did...no wait, I was talking about Elusive!"

"Woo?" asked the owl again.

"Elusive!" she yelled.

"Don´t you mean Sweepy? I recall you complimenting his suit as well," Dusk Shine said.

"No, I was only being polite when I said he looked handsome!"

"Woo?"

"Sweepy! Wait, no!"

Dusk Shine and the laughed while a blushed Spines was so frustrated that steam was coming out of her.

"Haha, calm down Spines. We were just teasing you but you´re right, maybe I should take a walk. I think I´ll check the market," Dusk Shine.

"Oh can I go with you? I need to buy some more dough for cookies."

"Sure."

"Oh and I need money to buy dough for cookies."

"What happened to your allowance?"

Spines looked around, desperately trying to come out with a lie.

"You spent it all in gems again, didn´t you?"

"N-no of course not! What give you that idea?" she replied.

Dusk Shine raise a hoff and his owl assistant flew over and handled him a bag with a half dozenz chewed on gems. Spines lowered her head ashamed.

Dusk Shine sighed. "Let´s go."

Before leaving Spines blew a raspberry at the owl but she replied by turning her head around.

"That´s still creepy."

Dusk Shine was actually that Spines had talked him over to get out. It was a beautiful day and seemed like the entire town was enjoying it. Dusk Shine wondered if some of his friends would like to hang out with him, maybe Applejack would need some help at the farm or Bubble Berry needed somepony to taste a new recipe. Dusk Shine was so distracted with his thought he didn´t noticed Spines suddenly stopping and crashed into her. He glared at her but she was too distracted to answer so Dusk Shine looked over to where she was looking.

"Hey, those are Elusive and Rainbow Blitz. Funny coincidence. Wait, are they arguing?" he wondered outloud.

And so it seemed since both stallions were face to face, exchanging words. Dusk Shine was too far away to comprehend what was going on, it didn´t seem like their usually bickering since both ponies looked more embarrassed that angry. Dusk Shine and Spines looked at both ponies discuss until the one with the rainbow mane did something unexpected.

He leaned forward and gave a full kiss on the lips to Elusive.

Both stallions remained there in silence for about twelve seconds before Rainbow Blitz backed off and then jumped into the air, leaving behind a lightning shape trail and a white unicorn with rose tinted cheeks.

Dusk Shine and Spines, along with the rest of the market, just stared at the mute Elusive until Dusk Shine finally asked:

"Okay, what just happened?"

******

Every city in Equestria had a different landmark that made it famous. Canterlot had the castle of course, Manehattan the Statue of Equinity, Las Pegasus the Sunrise Boulevard and Baltimare had of course the Baltimare Stadium, that always hosted the biggest games every season.

Being a hardocore fan of air hockey, Rainbow Blitz was the type of pony that was willing to fly over to Baltimare in one day to catch a game. Being the type of pony that always waited until the last minute before doing something, he always ended up last in the line for tickets and had later to be chased by angry security guards when he trained to sneak into the game from inside a cloud. Taking that into account, his answer to Elusive´s question if he wanted to accompany to the game was to grab his friend and almost flew him all the way to Baltimare, ignoring Elusive´´s constant yelling and complaints.

Now that the game was over, Elusive and Rainbow walked the streets of Baltimare, both of them still wearing their Cloudsdale Colts shirts.

"That game was so awesome!" yelled theenthusiasticc pegasus.

"Much better than last year, I agree. The new coach is doing wonder this season," Elusive commented.

"Yeah, hey how come you´re rooting for the Cloud Colts instead of the Canterlot Cavalry?"

"You forget my friend that, despite being a Canterlot Colt at heart, I was still born and raised in Ponyville under the roof of a very enthusiastic mother who is also a football coach. That woman spent years educating me on the best teams in Equestria and, if she says that the Cloud Colts are the best air-hockey team, then they are."

Rainbow Blitz laughed. "I´m not sure if that proves that you know about sports or that you´re just a momma´s boy."

Elusive responded with a faked "Hmph!" gesture and Rainbow Blitz laughed some more.

"Anyways, thanks so much for the invitation. But why did you ask me to come with you instead of Dusk Shine or Scotch?"

"Well, a client gave me these two tickets and I felt it would be a shame to let them waste. Scotch is not much of a fan of sport so he was out. Applejack like this type of events but he´s always busy at the farm and so is Dusk Shine, who I presume isn´t too much into sports anyways. And Berry will probably get so excited that we´ll get expelled from the stadium," Elusive explained.

"Oh I see, so I was simply the last option. That´s cool," Rainbow Blitz said, frowning.

"On the contrary, you were the first one."

Rainbow Blitz replied by arching an eyebrow.

"I didn´t asked myself which friend will make this more tolerable, I asked which friend will enjoy the game the most. And since you´re the biggest Cloudsdale Colts fan in Ponyville..."

"In all of Equestria, dude!"

"Well, then it was obvious. Besides, I really had fun today. Games are more fun with friends, I didn´t wanted to be all alone in the stairs. You make it even more enjoyable when the way you yell at the referees," Elusive said.

Rainbow Blitz couldn´t hide his red cheeks while he scratched his head.

"Hey, since we have a while before the train leaves, wanna do something?" he asked.

"Uh uh, there´s this hat store that I always wanted to visit! It´s famous for his four feet hats!" Elusive answered, sporting a grin so big it would turn Berry green with envy.

"O-okay. Hat store it is," Rainbow Blitz said, not very convinced.

With a very ridiculous laugh, Elusive bounced his way into the store. Rainbow Blitz smiled, adjusted his cap and followed after his friend.

****

"My life is ruined!" Rainbow Blitz announced and fell into the ground, covering his head with his hooves.

Butterscotch patted his friend on the back while Bubble Berry, who was sitting at his bed since the three were at his bedroom, crossed his forelegs.

"Well, aren´t you bold Blitzie..."

"I´m not bold, Berry! I´m dumb! What was I thinking?" he replied in sobs.

"Don´t be so harsh with yourself," Butterscotch said.

"Yeah, what are you complaining? Lucy is like the most handsomier pony in all of Ponyville and you snatch a smooch with him, lucky you!" Bubble Berry said.

"I don´t think that´s what´s bothering him," Butterscotch said.

"And I did it right in the middle of the market! The entire town saw me!" Rainbow Blitz said, still lost on his sorrows.

"That was a little embarrassing to watch," Butterscotch admitted, recalling watching the incident and chasing after Blitz when he took off.

"I still don´t get why you´re upset, Blitzie. Being attracted to another stallion is the most logical thing!" Berry said.

"Why would you said that, Berry?" Butterscotch asked.

"It´s elementary, my dear friend. The ratio in Ponyville is four stallions over one mare, with those numbers it makes more sense for stallion to pin for each other that look after a mare," Bubble Berry explained, having pulled glasses and a bubble pipe out of nowhere.

"That doesn´t sound entirely right. There´s as many stallions interested on mares as they are those interested on stallions," Butterscotch countered.

"You can´t argue with statistics, Scotchie. Just take a look outside and you´ll see plenty of stallion standing next to each other, obviously couples."

"Just because two ponies are standing next to each other doesn´t necessarily mean that they´re dating."

"Oh really? What if the situation was reversed and we were all mares, will you still argue with my theory?"

"If you were a mare..." Butterscotch started but he soon went quiet as he started to imagine Bubble Berry as a mare. His friend grinned noticing the obvious blush on his face.

"Umh guys, aren´t you two supposed to be helping me? The guy who just confessed his love to one of his best friends in the middle of the road?" an annoyed Rainbow Blitz asked.

"Yeah yeah, in a sec Blitzie. So tell me Scotchie, do I still have this nice curly hair in your head?"

Butterscotch tried not to laugh while Rainbow Blitz fell into the ground.

"I should have go ask Applejack..."

*****

Be it the Grand Galloping Gala or the Garden Party, Elusive always had a suit prepared. He admitted his current attire wasn´t his best work, he usually would have go with some more frills, but for this type of event it worked. Elusive stood proud with his light blue jacket, showing the same level of composure as a Royal Guard.

Too bad the same couldn´t be said about his partner.

"Rainbow Blitz, would you please stop struggling? It´s a bow-tie not a snake."

"I Can´t...help it! This thing...is...too...tight!" Rainbow Blitz complained, pulling his bow-tie and yelling when it bounced back and hit him on the face.

Elusive rolled his eyes, glad that none of the guest noticed Blitz´s uncouth behavior.

"Now Elusive, remember than the Wonderbolts are in this party so you better not make me look bad, got that?"

Instead of pointing the obvious hypocrisy, Elusive simply asked, "Why are you so nervous? You are already a Wonderbolt."

"There´s a big difference between a simple cadet and member of the A Team. All the high ranking members of the Wonderbolts are her today and I have to make a good impression because I´m leader of my cadets squads and if they get the wrong impression of me I could get demoted and...and..."

Elusive realized Blitz was having a panic attack so he magically handled hima a paper bag that he always had for these type of emergencies.

"Calm down, Blitz. You don´t need to worry about making a good impression. The Wonderbolts already know everything about you and they´re already impressed with your skills."

"Fou shink?" he asked from inside the paper bag.

"I´m sure of it. After all, it´s hard to ignore the one pony able to pull a Sonic Rainboom. Now, relax," Elusive said and smiled as Blitz took off the paper bag. "Hey look, isn´t that Flamethrower?"

Upon hearing the name of the Wonderbolts captain, Rainbow Blitz froze in place, the paper bag landing atop of him like a hat.

"Hey there Blitz! Elusive, right? Havin fun guys?" the bearded pegasus asked them.

"Sir, yes sir!"

"Relax Blitz, this is a party. When we´re outside the uniform there´s no need for formalities."

"Sir, understood sir!"

Both Elusive and  Flamethrower rolled their eyes and the unicorn commented, "That´s a fine looking tux, captain."

"Thanks. I would actually prefer to not wear anything at all but, you know, fancy Canterlot party. We need to look our best for those stiff unicorns, am I right? No offense, Elusive," Flamethrower said.

"None taken," Elusive said, knowing too well about what kind of stiff unicorns he was referring.

"Sir, yes sir!" Rainbow Blitz said but after Elusive poke him he changed his answer. "I mean, yeah man. Stiff unicorns, heh. No offense Lucy."

"I already said none taken."

The three of them shared a laugh. Flamethrower was about to ask them if he wanted some drinks when he noticed another team member waving him to join a group of high society ponies. Sighing, Flamethrower said:

"Wish I could catch a break tonight. Gotta go but you two enjoy the party."

"Will do," Elusive said.

"Have fun Blitz, don´t just stand in a corner all night. Circle around. The guys were eager to meet you," Flamethrower said.

"They are?"

"´course they are. When else are they going to meet the one pony who can pull off a Sonic Rainboom?"

Elusive poked Rainbow Blitz again and he beamed while still managing to blush.

Flamethrower smiled and turned around but before he left he mentioned, "You know, you two look good together."

Rainbow Blitz and Elusive blinked a few times, trying to process those last words. Finally, they looked at each other and realized they were both blushing.

"I´m sure he met that we look together from an aesthetic point, our jackets and coats colours combining," Elusive said.

"Yeah sure, rainbow and plain they make contrast and stuff..."

A minute of awkward silence fell into them.

"You know, I´m going over there to talk to the guys and you know," Rainbow Blitz said.

"Sure and I will get some drinks from that table over there."

"Cool!"

"Fine."

Not sure what else to say they both turned over and headed to opposite sides of the room.

They spent the rest of the night away from each other except for that very awkward ride on a cab back home.

****

Applejack lifted a haystack and threw it into the pile with no effort. "Right in the middle of tah market? Well, that there does sound like Blitz alright," he commented.

"It caused quite a commotion. I teleoperated Elusive into the library before anybody could get to him. He´s right now taking a shower, a long shower," Dusk Shine explained.

Applejack made no comments and grabbed another haystack.

"Applejack, what do you think of all this?"

"Well, if it was any other pony ah said that Blitz took a dare or something but being Lucy..." Applejack noticed Dusk Shine confused look and explained. "Yah see, those two spend an awful lot of time together. Now, ahn´t saying there´s anything wrong with that. You and me spent plenty of time together as well, ahm´m right? But ever since that dy Blitz saved Lucy from crashing after getting too close to tah sun well, ah noticed something was going on between them two."

"What do you mean noticed? I never noticed anything strange between them," Dusk Shine asked.

"Little things, haystasck. Looks, words, common interests they suddenly shared; yah know, the kind o´ stuff that goes on with couples, like with Applebuck and that freckled colt, Twirls."

"Oh, you noticed that too?" Dusk Shine said, remembering a certain Pinkie Promise he made some time ago.

"Ah ain´t blind, Dusk."

Dusk Shine wings fluttered, a clear signs that he was nervous and embarrassed.

"So, what are we going to do with this business?" he asked.

"Should we do something? Way ah see it, this is Blitz and Lucy´s deal. Ah said we should let them handle the issue alone."

"Maybe you´re right," Dusk Shine said and took a look around the orchard, his sight resting on a tree house a few meters away from the farm.

Inside the clubhouse, three young colts rested in a circle with their forelegs crossed in concentration. Finally, the pegasus one couldn´t take it anymore and he yelled:

"I can´t believe it! Right in the middle of the street! He kissed Rainbow Blitz right in front of everypony!"

"Uh wasn´t Rainbow Blitz who kissed my brother?" Sweepy Bell asked.

"Whatever. The point is that somepony kissed Blitz!"

"Yeah and ah bet yah´re mad ´cause said pony ain´t you," Applebuck said.

"What? Of course not!" Scooteroll replied while his friends laughed.

"Scoots, you´re completely in love with Blitz, " Sweepy said.

"Yeah," Applebuck added.

"I´m not!"

"Yes, you are," Sweepy said.

"Yeah."

"I told you I´m not in love with Blitz! Stop saying those things!"

"Why are you making such a huge deal out of it? Applebuck here is totally crazy in love with Twirls and I don´t mind," Sweepy said.

"Yeah. Wait, yah knew that?"

"Umh Bucks, the entire school knows about it," Scooteroll said.

"They do?"

"Yeah, remember when we got detention last week? That was because we punched Diamond Crown and Silver Ladle for making fun of you two, even when they´re totally dating each other."

"Evidently," Sweepy Bell added.

"Don´t try to sound smart using fancy words!"

"They´re not fancy!"

"Guys! Yah have to promise me not tell anypony about this, especially mah brother!" Applebuck insisted.

"Why?" Sweepy asked.

"Is your brother against it or something?" Scooteroll asked.

"The opposite actually, if he finds out he´s going to do all sorts of embarrassing things like invite Twirls to meet tah family and make Grandpa show him all mah embarrassing baby photos."

Both colts looked at each other and couldn´t avoid bursting into laughter.

"Stop it, guys! As a Cutie Mark Crusaders Founding member ah order you two to stop it and not tell anypony!"

"We´re Founding Members too," Scooteroll reminded him.

"Just promise not to tell!"

"Okay, we won´t," Sweepy said.

"Berry Promise?"

"Berry Promise!" they both said and did the gesture, which managed to calm down Applebuck a little.

"Hey Scoots, I just realized something! If Blitz and my brother get married will be like brothers!" Sweepy suddenly said.

"Woah woah, nopony is talking about marriage here! And why would be become brothers again?" Scooteroll asked.

"Well, Blitz already kind of adopted you after that camping trip, which makes your crush on him sort of creepy." Applebuck made an "ugh" face to accompany Sweepy´s arguments. "And you know my brothers, if they´re really dating he´s not going to waste any second getting the wedding ready. Hey, we can help him with the preparations! It would not only make him happy but we might even get our Cutie Marks as wedding planners!"

"Cutie Mark Crusaders Wedding Planners? Sounds great!" Applebuck said.

"Sounds lame," Scooteroll said.

"Oh come on Scoots! A wedding is like the most awesome kind of party with all the fancy guests and the broom and the bride and the food and..."

"Umh Sweeps, yah might wanna keep it down?" Applebuck said and pointed at one corner of the clubhouse where a little dragoness was still locked in shocked, not really looking at the wall and holding her tail.

"Pfft, drama queen," Scooteroll said. When he noticed the others glare he added, "What?"

****

Elusive didn´t say a word as he wrapped the wings in bandages. Rainbow Blitz was equally quiet but for different reasons. He kept quiet until he was finally unable to hold it anymore and bursted:

"WHAT?"

"I said nothing."

Rainbow grumbled for a little bit before saying, "I´m sorry okay."

"No need to apologize to me. You should apologize to those poor Crystal Ponies you gave a beating or should I say tried to beat but they beat you instead."

"They have it coming! They insulted you! And for the record, I won the fight."

Elusive wrapped another bandage and said, "Your reaction was still uncalled for, Blitz. They never call me any names."

"They still insulted you. Insulting your hats, they insulted you."

"They´ve been away from a thousand years, Rainbow. It´s obvious they will find the current trends a little...shocking."

"I should have schock them with a lightning bolt," Rainbow Blitz mumbled but quickly regretted it when he noticed how Elusive was glaring at him.

Sighing, Elusive put the final bandage on him. "Rainbow, it´s good to know that you will stand up for me but I don´t need you to fight my battles. Especially when there isn´t a battle to begin with."

Rainbow Blitz turned her head, avoiding contact with him.

"There, all set," Elusive said once he finished with his wing. "Thanks for defending me, Rainbow."

Rainbow didn´t turned around.

"But next time, try to win the fight."

"Har har."

Elusive noticed Rainbow wasn´t really mad at him so he just kept laughing.

*****

Can friendship change into something else, the same ways that ponies can change?

Dusk Shine was examining his wings at the mirror. Ever since he got them he tended to do that at least once a day, pondering exactly what has changed on his life.

In one sense, his life had been drastically altered, having become a prince and obtaining the status of an alicorn. In another, he was still the same mild-mannered town librarian who liked reading books and having sleepovers with his friends.

He was the same and yet he wasn´t.

Can friends still be friends if they are also something else?

Before he could think of an answer, Elusive came out of the bathroom.

"Thank you so much for lending me your shower, Dusk Shine. I needed a good steam session but I dare not entering the gym, at least not right now. My apologies for hoarding the bathroom for so long," he said.

"Don´t worry. You should see how long are Spines´ bubble baths."

Elusive smiled but immediately worried upon remembering the dragoness that had an open crush on him. "How is she?"

"A little shocked, as you can guess. But she´ll get over it," Dusk Shine said.

"I better have a few words with her before she goes to sleep."

"She is at the Crusaders CLubhouse. I asked Applejack if he could look after her for this night. Even the Crusaders seemed worried for her."

This time Elusive couldn´t smile back, he just hang his head low. Ten seconds or so of awkward silence went by before Dusk Shine asked, "Would you like some tea?"

"Thought you will never ask."

Normally, Elusive will make a comment about how the zebra´s tea that Dusk Shine served was too strong for his tastes but right now he was feeling too upset to make any sort of comment. He was so distraught he wasn´t even using his magic to lift the cup, taking his tea earth pony style. Dusk Shine was quiet too, unsure of what to say or do.

"Just ask the question, Dusk Shine," Elusive suddenly bursts.

"Umh, got any new hats lately?"

Elusive obviously didn´t appreciate the attempt at comedy. Dusk Shine dropped the act and simply said:

"You don´t need to give me any explanations, Elusive."

Elusive looked surprised, almost hurt. Like he had wanted to give explanations, to come out with some kind of excuses. But Dusk Shine just looked at him with a gentle smile, not demanding or pressuring any answers out of him.

"Dusk Shine, do you think friendship can change?"

The sudden question took Dusk Shine off guard.

"Why do you ask me that?"

"You´re the expert on friendship, Dusk Shine."

"Not on that type of friendship," he replied. A few more seconds of silent later, he smiled and said, "Actually, maybe I am. This is a story I never shared with you or any of the guys. A few days after Nightmare Night I got invited into place by Prince Artemis. He wanted to thank me for helping him that night. When I arrived, I ended up confessing my love to him."

Elusive predictably spat his cup of tea.

"Let me explain. I wanted to give him a present so I studied some ancient text and wrote him a poem. The only problem is that the sources I used were a bit dated and my text could be interpreted as a marriage proposal. You should have seen the faces of the Princes as I spoke, Artemis blushing and Solaris trying not to chuckle."

"I can´t believe it...and what did the Prince said?"

"Well, he was at a loss of words at first, unlike Solaris who finally explained things to me. Suffice to say, I was equally embarrassed. I had a talk with Artemis later at the garden, he basically rejected me, arguing that there were too many differences. I didn´t even say a thing, jsut nodded along. It wasn´t until later that I realized that my mistake maybe wasn´t a mistake."

Elusive put his cup down, fearing that he might break it due to the shock of all these revelations.

"Back when I was studying I never gave romance a chance. I actually thought it was kind of corny. And I certainly never considered a stallion as a potential couple. But after Artemis let me know that nothing could happen between us, I felt sad because a part of me did wanted something to happen. I was smitten by him." Dusk Shine smiled but Elusive could tell me that smile was a little forced. "Guess I couldn´t help it. Such a tall and regal pony, not to mention handsome. I fell in love with him. But he was right, it was nothing but a childish dream. Letting it go was for the best."

"Why are you telling me all this?"

"Uh? You asked me and I thought that sharing my story night help..."

"No! You´re not helping me! Youre telling me to forget about Rainbow Blitz and I won´t do that?"

"You don´t want to forget about BLitz?" Dusk Shine asked.

"Of course not!"

"Because you love him?"

"YES!"

The library went quiet again as the weight of his confession sank on Elusive.

"I do. I do love him. But I also love him as a friend and I don´t want to lose that. I don´t want things to change. Dusk Shine, what should I do?"

Dusk Shine didn´t had an answer. He just got up, moved around the table and leaned next to Elusive. Elusive tried hard to fight back his conflicting feelings so Dusk Shine spread a comforting wing over him.

They stayed at the dark, not saying a word.

*****

"Thanks a lot for helping me move, guys!" Dusk Shine told his friends who smiled back. "I never realized how much stuff I have! Organizing it´s going to be a real task with just the two of us."

"Tell me about it," Spines said, causing the room to burst in laughter.

"Don´t worry, haystack. We´ll help you put everything on its place," Applejack said.

"Especially on the high places," Rainbow Blitz said, putting a book at the top of a shelf.

"I can reach with my magic but it´s a little hard to aim when looking up," Dusk Shine confessed.

"That´s why you need a pair of babes like these, right Scotch?" Rainbow Blitz said, extending a wing. "Don´t let me hanging..." Butterscotch tried to give him a wing-five but ended up losing balance and falling into the ground. Blitz rolled his eyes, frustrated.

"Well, I must admit that a pair of wings do sound handy. Not to mention it will look fine on me," Elusive said, helping Butterscotch stand.

"Wings are the best! Everypony who isn´t a pegasus must want a pair!" Rainbow Blitz said.

"Nah, ah´m pretty happy standing in tah ground mahself."

"Admit it, you´re envy."

"No, ah´m not."

"You are."

"Ah´m not."

"You are."

"Ah´m not!"

"Guys, relax. It´s not like there´s a spell to make wings or at least, I don´t know any. Mh, maybe I should look into it," Dusk Shine said.

"Uh uh, when you do give me wings first!" Bubble Berry shouted.

"NO!" all the ponies answered.

Ignoring the fight, Spines put a picture on a shelf. A pic of all six friends together.

"Hey, how come I´m not in that shot? Oh yeah, I took it."

Laughing she came back to pick some more books out of a box.

*****

Dusk Shine watched from a safe distance from behind a bush as two ponies met in a hill. Elusive and Rainbow Blitz looked liek they were ready to have a duel, Elusive especially carrying those saddlebags. Dusk Shine hoped that they won´t actually start a fight.

Both ponies looked at each other, not saying a word.

"Uh you can feel the tension in the air!" Bubble Berry commented, taking a bite of his popcorn.

"Oh I hope they can works things out," Butterscotch said.

"They need to have this talk, partner. Let´s just wait and see," Applejack said.

"Guys, what are you doin in here?" Dusk Shine asked.

"Watching," Butterocht causally answered while Applejack grab a few popcorn.

Rainbow Blitz took some air and finally said, "Okay listen, that whole thing about me kissing you? That was just a bet, okay? Berry tried to pull me into a dare telling me that I will never have the courage to kiss a stallion and I proved him wrong okay? That´s all there´s to it."

"He´s not being honest," Applebuck said.

"Why can´t he just say the truth?" Sweepy added.

"Come on Rainbow Blitz! You´re the most courageous pony I know! IF you really like him then don´t be afraid to say it!" Scooteroll said.

"When did you learn that word?" Sweepy mocked him.

Dusk Shine looked at the frozen Spines in front of him and had to ask, "Kids, what are you doing here?"

"Watching!" the three replied.

Meanwhile, Elusive remained quiet, his silence making Rainbow Blitz nervous. "Well, what do you have to say? Aren´t you mad at me or something? You wanna punch me? Because I wont´hold back! You wanna a fight, you´re gonna get it!"

"Violence is not the solution, Rainbow Blitz. We are disappointed at your behavior," Prince Artemis said.

"Give him a rest, the poor kid is nervous," Prince Solaris said.

"YOur majesties, what are you doing in here?" Dusk Shine asked.

"Watching," they both said.

"What did I mish?" Twirls added.

Dusk Shine facehoofed.

Back at the hill, Rainbow Blitz just couldn´t take it anymore. "Well, come on! Say something! Anything! ELusive, please! I don´t know why I did that but I know you´re my friend and I don´t want to lose you! I love you and I don´t want to lose you so please say something!"

All the ponies behind the bush held their breath.

"Say something, Elusive!" Spines suddenly bursts to everpony´s surprise.

Elusive took some air and then pulled a pair of tickets out of the saddlebags and levitated it in front of Blitz.

"What are those?"

"Tickets for the full season," Elusive explained.

Rainbow Blitz raised an eyebrow, confused.

"Front row."

"Really? Awesome!" Blitz said, taking the tickets having completely forgot everything about their discussion.

"And after the game, we´re going to that restaurant you almost got us thrown out last time. And you better behave this time, Rainbow. No fights!"

Rainbow now looked confused again, "Wait, so this means we´re dating or something?"

"If you want to call it that," Elusive said.

"But...we kissed."

"Yes, we did."

"And you still want to go to a game with me? Like if nothing had changed?"

"Things have changed, Rainbow Blitz. But I like the way they are now," Elusive said, smiling.

Rainbow Blitz smiled too and leaned closed to Elusive. "So you liked that kiss, right?"

"Meh, it could have been better."

"Oh really?"

"Maybe you should try it again. See if it works better."

Laughing, Rainbow Blitz leaned forward and locked kiss with Elusive.

From behind the bush, all the spectators were teary eyed, especially Spines.

"You okay with this?" Scooteroll asked her.

"If he can make him happy, I´m happy. But he better don´t make him cry or he´ll face my dragon wrath!"

"Yeah right, like you have dragon wrath!"

"I do!"

"You´re the most soft dragon ever! You look almost like a pony!"

"I do not!"

"Leave her alone Scoots. She is a dragon alright!" Sweepy Bell interrupted him.

"Thanks," Spines said and couldn´t avoid blushing when he smiled back.

"And who is this fine gentlecolt here?" Applejack asked.

"Hi Applejack! Applebuck invited me!" Twirls said.

"Since yah´re here, wanna have dinner at home?"

"Sure!"

"Big brother, please stop..."

"I´m happy they solve everything," Butterscotch said.

"I must confess certain envy at them finding happiness," Prince Artemis said.

"I´m jealous too! I want a boyfriend! Hey Arty, are you doing anything this saturday?"

"Berry, don´t talk like that to the prince..."

"Your higness, I know you said I was no longer your student but I think I have a story to share."

"I never said such thing, Dusk Shine. I said that you are now as much a teacher as a student. And I´ll always be happy to receive your letters."

Dusk Shine smiled back at the prince.

"Hey, you guys know we can hear you, right?"

"Yes, you´re not exactly good at being discrete."

Nopony said a word.

*****

Can friendship change over time?

Dusk Shine wasn´t sure. He knew about friendships that lasted over years, centuries even. He knew friendship that sustained long distances, even between dimensions. He knew about friendships between different ages and species.

Friendships could take many form and it didn´t had to stay in just one form forever.

"Dusk Shine, I´m going out!"

"Take care. And tell Sweepy I want my metal detector back!"

"Will do!" Spines yelled as she bounced away from the library.

Dusk Shine smiled and used his magic to move some books into another shelf. He looked over at the shelf and saw two picture frames. Their old picture together and another one where the only differences where a pair of wings on his backs, two ponies leaned their heads together in happiness and Spines jumping in frame with a big smile.

Dusk Shine kept smiling and went back to his everyday routine of books.