Note: Happy Canada Day! Great things involving maple syrup will happen today, eh? Anyway, I threw together this chapter at the last minute when I realized that I needed a Flashback chapter today. However, I believe it still meets my standards of writing. Enjoy!

Flashbacks: Love Revealed

Dimension: My Little Pony

Planet: Equestria Earth

Specific Location: Ponyville

Time: A couple of months after the death of the Paradox

Twilight stormed through Ponyville in high dudgeon. It was unusual to see the purple alicorn in such a mood, but it did happen, and when it did, everypony knew that is was best to steer clear of her. And thus, the randomly picked path of stomping and snorting that Twilight had chosen was conveniently clear as she aimlessly tried to walk off her anger. After a bit more of storming, she finally sat down on a brightly painted bench next to a small rose bush.

She leaned against the back of the bench, much like Lyra did, and blew out a long breath. She began to try and calm herself down when she stiffened and glanced at the rose bush. Had it just… moved?

She shrugged off her suspicion and tried to calm herself again. And once again, the corner of her eye caught movement inside the rose bush. Eying it angrily, thinking it was one or two of the Cutie Mark Crusaders lying in wait, Twilight leaned forward to yell at them, but then she was stopped by someone.

This someone was Doxia. Unlike mostly everyone else, he was not even closed to being scared of her (which was a first, since even Flaming Star steered clear of her when she was mad), and he walked straight up to her and flopped down on the bench, covering most of it with his massive size.

Twilight blinked and looked at Doxia with an air of interest. He was covered in gooey candied cherry mush and pie crusts. In fact, it looked like he had been in a pie fight.

"Er… what have you been doing?" said Twilight, forgetting her anger for a moment.

Doxia chuckled. "Oh, I was having a pie-eating contest with the Cutie Mark Crusaders at the apple family farm."

Twilight cocked her head to one side. So, the CMC had an alibi. But then who had been moving the rose bush? It didn't matter now, she supposed. "Oh," she said, "But… you never eat, so how did you expect to even come close to winning?"

"I didn't!" Doxia laughed, "But Apple Bloom asked, and I couldn't say know. Geez, I love those fillies. They bring light to a sometimes dark and gloomy multiverse."

At the word "love," Twilight blew out another drawn-out breath. Doxia glanced over at her and said, "Something ales you, mate?"

Twilight nodded her head. "I suppose so."

"Well, as Finnian Jones always says," stated Doxia, "If you have troubles, it always helps to tell your troubles to someone who cares."

Twilight looked up at Doxia, her eyes sparkling with a couple tears. "Do you… do you care for me?"

Doxia put a hand on his chest in mock surprise. "What?! I'm Doxia! The one who saved you from Pictor and the Paradox. Granted I could never care for you as much as Flaming Star does, but I still love you like a sister. Hit me up with your troubles, pal, I can take it."

Twilight drew in a breath, held it for a moment, and then exhaled. Then she said, "It's about Flaming Star."

Immediately Doxia's tone of voice filled with tense concern. "What is it? Is everything okay between you two? Can I help?"

Twilight shook her head. "No, nothing is bad between us. It's just that we've been married for over two months now, and he still is terrified to even talk about having a foal."

Doxia nodded his head sagely. "Ahhh… The children problem. Well, Twilight, there is not much you can really do about that. Having a child is a huge commitment. It's not just one steamy night of pleasure, this is long-term commitment, patience, and sacrifice you are going for. Judging from Flaming Star's consistent reactions, I believe he understands that commitment to such an extent that he is terrified. I am guessing he does not think he's ready to be a father. Tell me… are you ready to be a mother?"

Twilight looked down at her hooves. "I-I-I guess…"

Doxia chuckled. "You cannot be guessing. You have to KNOW. If you want to enjoy sacred pleasures that come with marriage, then sure, go ahead, I am sure Flaming Star would not be averse to that. But having a foal is a whole new level, and that is why there cannot be guessing."

Twilight looked at Doxia with wondering eyes. "I really appreciate your insight, Doxia… but, no offense, how do you know anything about love?"

Doxia sighed. "I was married… once. Her name was Allison. She died a while ago. Nevertheless, she taught me more about commitment than anyone, even though our relationship never reached the level you are not at."

Twilight immediately regretted pressing that far. She looked down at her hooves again and said, "I'm so sorry."

Doxia attempted to brighten the mood again. "Ah, don't worry about it, kid. You worry about your own life. Back to the matter at hand… or hoof… or whatever. Anyway, I think you should really have a deep conversation with your husband about the commitment first, before you talk about the acts. When you can show him that you are fully able to shoulder your side of the responsibilities as a mother, mayhap Flaming Star will see that you are fully ready. Seeing someone else without fear will most certainly help him dispel his own doubts and fears."

Twilight brightened, and her eyes filled with determination. "Okay. I understand. Thank you, Doxia!"

Doxia patted one of her hoofs gently. "Anytime, kid. Now I suggest you go over to Sunset and Fluttershy's house. Sunset is making his famous lemonade, and if you get there first, you might be able to have two servings before the rest of Equestria comes and drains his lemonade reserves dry."

Twilight wiped away a tear and smiled. "Okay. Thank you again."

She got up and trotted away from the bench in a much better mood than when she had first arrived.

Doxia stretched and settled down on the bench as she rounded a corner. As soon as he was sure she was out of earshot, Doxia said out loud, "You know, Flaming Star, rose bushes don't generally breathe. Did you seriously make a mouth for your bush?"

The rose bush shimmered and transformed back into Flaming Star. His face was bright red from embarrassment.

"Hey… look… I'm sorry for getting you into that," he mumbled.

Doxia shook his head. "Look, Abimael, don't apologize to me. Apologize to your wife. I mean, seriously, can you NOT see how devoted she is? She is a beautiful mare with an understanding of responsibility to those she loves and cares for. Of course she is young and inexperienced, but that is part of the adventure of being a young couple. If you can't see the joy that is waiting for you over the horizon, than I suggest you pray to God that I don't turn you into a gerbil, because you are hurting Twilight deeply by your cowardice, and it is really starting to tick me off."

"I… I can't!" burst out Flaming Star, "I don't know what to think! And the problem is on so many levels! My heart already speeds up tenfold when she insists that I touch her belly or leg! If I went any more intimate than that… I would have a heart attack! And what if I'm a terrible father? What if I screw up my child's life with my past mistakes? There are way too many things that could go wrong that could potentially destroy my, Twilight, and our child's life!"

"Woah… Slow down there Speed Racer," said Doxia, now trying to sound soothing, "I see now that you really have a lot of doubt stocked up in that head of yours… but you really need to understand that you might end up destroying you, Twilight's, and your unborn child's life if you DON'T get a grip on yourself. Look, I understand that you might not want a child, and I am sure there are couples out there that don't have kids, but I am sure that there has never been a whole family when one parent want the ultimate gift that can be given to oneself, and one parent doesn't. Anyway, I've learned from experience that when your wife wants one thing, and you want something else, you both compromise and do what she wants anyway. Unless its beer and American Football. In that case you need to draw up your manliness reserves and make a stand."

Flaming Star sighed. "I just can't force myself to stop being scared. I can't get rid of the terrible thoughts of what could go wrong!"

"And that there is a fight you are going to have to fight, partner," replied Doxia, "But you're not going to have to fight it alone. It is a major commitment, and I am glad you see it, but now is the time to stand up to your fears. Are you going to march up to Twilight and tell her that you simply cannot have a foal, or are you going to tell her that you are ready to take the next step?! Are you ready? Let's do this! FOR NARNIA AND THE NORTH! REEEDDWWAALLLLL! FOR PONY! RESISTANCE IS FUTILE!"

Doxia leapt up, ran off a couple of meters, stopped, turned around, and looked at Flaming Star.

Flaming Star was looking off into space, thinking hard. "I don't know… I guess I need to think about it."

Doxia grabbed Flaming Star and hauled him to all fours. "Yeah, great. You can think about it after you get your sorry rump over to Susnet's house. Twilight is there. You go there, you apologize, you promise to not transform into a plant, couch, or Rubik's cube again, and then you have a long, intensive talk with your loving wife."

Flaming Star sighed, but then straightened up. "You're right," he said, "It is time I got a hold of myself."

Doxia nodded. "That's right! Come on! I haven't got all century!"

Doxia and Flaming Star strolled off to Sunset's house. Already a large group of ponies had gathered around on the porch, drinking Sunset's famous lemonade. Twilight was sitting with Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash.

Flaming Star trotted up to Twilight and said, "H-hey Twilight… Could I talk to you about something?"

Twilight stuck her muzzle in the air and turned pointedly around. Fluttershy winced.

"OOOOHHHH BUURRNNNNN!" exclaimed Doxia and Rainbow Dash simultaneously. However, after Doxia had gotten over geeking out over Earth's oldest form of rejection he said, "Hey, Twilight. It's fine. I had a chat with your wayward husband, and I think you two should REALLY talk. Like… really. Really as in being spelled with a capitol R. Like… really. Am I saying this right? How about yllaer? No? Maybe yllaer could be an adjective. Then I could say: yllaer really. Like… really."

Twilight sighed. She looked at Flaming Star, her eyes still full of hurt. Flaming Star plucked up some of his old Dimensional Traveler Warrior spirit and said, "Twilight, I'm sorry. I want to have that conversation again."

Twilight's eyes immediately brightened. Then she nodded. Unfortunately, it looked like the whole area was never going to be quiet. Doxia gave Sunset (who was standing by) a significant wink. Sunset understood. He then cleared his throat and said, "Anypony that clears this area in less than three seconds automatically is guaranteed a second serving!"

In a second and a half the entire vicinity was cleared save for Doxia, Twilight, and Flaming Star.

"Hey, thanks Doxia," said Flaming Star. Twilight nodded.

Doxia bowed. "Stuff me in a barrel and call be cupid. Wait… that is not at all how Applejack said it. Well… whatever. You are welcome. I care about you two deeply, so I hope you guys can sort things out."

Doxia then entered Sunset's house. It was crowded, but many ponies inherently got out of the way, yielding him a straight path to the lemonade barrels.

"Thank you my friends!" he said, "And, yes, if I could get drunk on lemonade… I would. But since I would really just end up pouring it on my head, I will spare you all the disparaging misuse of this liquid gold and simply help Sunset make more!"

The whole crowd erupted into cheers, though no one cheered louder than Pinkie Pie who loved Sunset's lemonade as much as she loved Applejack's apple cider.

Sunset went to the kitchen and began to help Sunset make the lemonade with Fluttershy.

"How did it go?" asked Fluttershy timidly, "It looked really bad."

"Oh, they are going to fix things up," said Doxia, "I am sure we won't be receiving empty cardboard boxes from Zerbrabwe that really turn out to be Flaming Star in disguise."

"I will have to admit," said Sunset with a chuckle, "That was the funniest thing I've ever seen in my life."

"I still have photos of it," said Doxia.

"You took photos of it?" squeaked Fluttershy, "I hope I wasn't in it! My mane was all messed up from that one night at the petting zoo!"

Sunset smiled and stroked her mane gently. "I'm sure he didn't. RIGHT DOXIA?"

"Oh, perish the thought!" said Doxia dramatically, "Now, are we going to continue squawking like a group of mousewives on a trip around the bay, or are we going to make lemonade like REAL MEN?!"

"Um… yay?" whispered Fluttershy.

The rest of the day consisted of lemonade making, lemonade drinking, and Doxia joke listening. However, as the sun finally set behind the western hills, Doxia decided to call it a day.

"Well, I am going to have to pogostick out of this burger-joint now," he said almost apologetically, "But I will be back eventually. Duty calls, and I have a meeting with my good old buddy Firestar from the Warriors Dimension, Mattimeo, Scottalius, and Libra."

Doxia left the room and exited the house. He found Twilight and Flaming Star still sitting on the porch, staring at the blood red sky. They were holding hooves, which was a good sign.

Doxia surreptitiously sidled up to them and said, "Sooooo… watcha doin'?"

Twilight turned to Doxia. Her eyes were bright. "Flaming Star said yes."

Doxia slapped his hands to the armor that covered his cheeks. "Oh my great orange juice lords! That is absaballyloutly awesome! Flaming Star?"

Flaming Star turned and smiled. "I thought about what you had said… and you were right. This is one of the greatest gifts we can give to ourselves. I think we both understand the commitment. We are ready for the next step."

Doxia bowed low. "Then my work here is done. Remember… this was all a dream…"

Doxia slowly faded away.

Both Flaming Star and Twilight blinked. Wait… had that actually been a dream?

Doxia suddenly rematerialized. "Just kidding. How lame would that be, this being a dream? Okay. But I really have to go now. I'll see you two lovebirds laaattteeerrrr!"

With that, Doxia opened a portal and dove headfirst through it for no reason whatsoever.

The portal closed with a "pop."

Twilight leaned against Flaming Star's shoulder and sighed.

"I love you," she said.

"I love you too," he replied.

Note: I would like to point out, once again, that I wrote this at the last minute. Literally. Anyway, leave me a review, please! If you leave me a review, I think a UNSC Battle Rifle could be yours. I just need you sign your name here, and here, and here, and here, and here, and here...