It stormed down on the small village of Ponyville. Thunder boomed and white lightning flashed brightly in the sky, lighting up everything in sight, while two ponies took shelter under an oak tree on a tiny hill.
"I don't think it's gonna let up soon," sighed Twilight. Flash Sentry stood there watching the rain pour. "Can't you make it stop?" she asked.
"It's been a rough summer. We need all the rain we can get," replied the royal guard.
The young princess leaned back against the tree, relaxing. It had been a busy day, she and Flash had spent the entire day together performing royal duties while enjoying each other's company.
"Might as well relax then. It's actually rather calming, dear," she said with a bright smile. He beamed back at the mare and sat down next to her, wrapping his wing around her. The rain kept pouring, the lights of Ponyville shone in the distance making such a relaxing scene.
Twilight closed her eyes. Intently listening to the rain. While Flash, stared off into the distance, thinking deep about his royal career. A few raindrops hit his nose, disturbing his thoughts. He looked down at the purple mare under his wing. She looked fast asleep, which didn't surprise him, they did have an energetic day.
"I'm not asleep dear, in case you're wondering," stated the mare, slightly yawning.
"Oh haha, I thought you were. I assumed you would be tired after today," snickered the stallion.
"It takes alot more than a few royal duties to wear me down," giggled Twilight, twitching her ear. Flash smiled and watched the rain again. When Twilight spoke up, "How's your guard career going?"
"Oh fine. It's really honoring to be able to protect royalty, especially you," beamed Soarin. "My entire family has been in the royal guard career actually," he explained. Twilight nodded in understanding, and thought for a second until speaking up once more, "Your entire family, huh?"
"Yep! Kinda like a family tradition," he replied.
It was still raining, thunder still blasting in the distance, giving Twilight a perfect time to think deep into what Flash was telling her.
"Why the sudden interest, sweet?" he asked her, glancing at her.
"It's just that... Did your family influence you? Was it like you had to become a guard and nothing else?" softly spoke Twilight, in a sweet tone of voice. Flash restrained from answering, but he didn't want to lie to her.
"They always told me, 'Flash when you get older, you can the most powerful and strong guard ever. We believe in you. Don't let us down' so I guess, in a way... They did want me to become a guard and nothing else," explained the stallion.
Twilight was in awe. She remained silent for a while, thinking about the best way to go at this.
"So, if it wasn't for them and their traditions, would you have become a guard?" questioned the princess. She looked into the distance, and kept speaking, "If they hadn't influenced you, would you have chosen something else? Something else that you could've possibly liked better?" Flash had a concerned expression as he looked out into the rain, what Twilight was saying was something he had never thought about. "If it wasn't for them... Would you had chosen a different path?"
The rain had finally stopped and Flash walked the princess home to her crystal castle.
"It was a nice evening to spend with you, Flash."
"It was. I'm glad we got to spend some time together. You certainly gave me something to think about," he giggled nervously. They kissed goodbye before departing. He watched as Twilight completely entered her castle before leaving, but while he was heading home, one thing she said stuck in his mind...
[I] "If it wasn't for them... Would you had chosen a different path?"