Flash trotted down the hallway of the castle to get to his post for the day. He was fully clothed in his guardian armour, as well as a light layer of underclothing for the cold, bitter winter wind. Only his face wasn't covered on this day. The winter weather had gotten worse, and not only in Equestria. Around the entire world the temperatures were a lot colder than normal, and even though the spring was now only a month away on the calender, it didn't seem like it.
Because of the poor weather conditions, Flash and Twilight were satisfied with their decision to get married in the springtime. The weather would be warmer, the trees and flowers would be in bloom, making for better pictures, and it was well before the Equestria Games were to happen, so they could have a nice honeymoon and first few months of married life without much interruption.
But because the day was fast approaching, the stallion was getting more and more nervous. Even though he loved the new princess with all his heart, and he knew she loved him back, he always had nagging thoughts about the pressures that being married to her would bring. He would have the title of prince added to his name, as Shining Armour did. He'd have to be strong, supportive, and caring to his wife at all times, even during the most difficult of times, which were sure to come. He would have to deal with helping lead a kingdom in certain ways, depending on what Celestia's plans for the two of them were, which still weren't fully decided yet.
But who could blame the young stallion for worrying about such things? After all, the last time there was a royal wedding the entire kingdom was almost enslaved by an army of dark-coloured alicorn pony-like creatures who, if it weren't for Twilight and her friends, could have enslaved the entire kingdom.
There was something else on his mind. Something important. Shining Armour was leaving the Royal Canterlot Guard to be with his wife in taking over the Crystal Empire Guard. It was Shining's final week in Canterlot, and a new captain was yet to be chosen.
Flash had seemed to have done a good job in befriending his future brother-in-law, and it made both his job and his personal life so much easier. The prince actually started to treat Flash as if they were brothers already. Shining's playful teasing of Flash made the pegasus feel hopeful for the new family he would be married into. It made him feel accepted, in an odd way. Shining Armour was the older brother that Flash Sentry never had, so having him leave to move so far away was going to be difficult.
Having to work under a new commander, however, was going to be a new challenge. And plus, he couldn't date the new captain's sister now that he was engaged to Twilight, so earning a new boss' trust would have to be done in a different way.
Still, the reasons to be optimistic about the future far outweighed the reasons to fear it.
The young guard made his way to his post, his hooves clad in the golden armoured horseshoes, clacking with every step down the tile floors of the castle. His job was to stand at the front doors of the castle on this day, which was where he was positioned more often than not recently.
He reached his hoof out to push one of the two massive front doors open for himself, but was halted by feeling another hoof grab him on the shoulder. He recognised the feeling of the hoof. The foreleg was soft and furry on his upper back. Flash used his own hoof to feel the one touching him. He touched the other pony's hoof softly with his own, almost flirtatiously.
He also took a deep breath through the nose and sniffed the soft lavender smell that he had grown accustomed to; the certain smell of the mare whom he loved most.
"Twily?" he asked as he turned around with a smile.
"Um, close enough, I guess," replied Shining Armour. At least Flash guessed that a member of the right family had stopped him.
Instantly blushing with embarrassment, knowing that he had caressed the hoof of his straight, married boss, he apologized, saying, "I'm so sorry, Captain. I was sure that you were Twilight."
"Twily's actually doing some training with Celestia right now. It's part of her training on how to be a leader. She's been doing it a lot lately, almost as if Celestia was preparing her for something without fully telling her." Shining took a deep breath and continued, saying, "I wanted to talk with you privately in my office. Is that fine with you?"
"Yeah, of course," Sentry responded. "But what about my post?"
"Don't worry, it'll only be a few minutes," Shining responded.
Flash Sentry followed the prince-by-marriage to his private quarters.
"Have a seat, please," Shining said while pointing one hoof to the chair on the other side of his desk. "So," he started again after Flash sat down and he closed the front door, "I'm sure you know that this is my last week here."
"Yes, sadly. I'm going to miss you, sir," Flash replied.
"Okay, for one- let's not get sappy yet. And two- you're going to be my brother soon, so you don't have to be so formal with me," Shining said while sitting down. He used his hooves to clear the central part of his desk of all the clutter, and continued again, "I'm sure you've been wondering who'll be taking over as my replacement."
"Yeah, it's crossed my mind a few times," Flash responded. It had actually crossed his mind multiple times every day for weeks.
"Well, I've thought about this for many nights. I've asked my sister, the two princesses here, and even other long time guards about who I should choose as my replacement. Celestia just told me that it was all up to me, while the others gave their suggestions of who they thought would be a good fit. I also asked my wife, because a number of you Canterlot guards were sent to the Crystal Empire when you first started."
"Yep, I remember that well," Flash said, thinking about the time when he first bumped into his fiancée-to-be.
"Yeah, well, I've thought about this so much, and I still need some advice on the matter. I thought about coming to you, because you're somepony whom I trust and value very much."
Flash smiled and moved his head to the side a few centimetres. "You really want my opinion?"
"Of course."
"Well, um, I honestly don't know. There are so many good guards in this force, some who have been here for decades. You even have the members of Luna's sector of the royal guard. There are honestly so many good candidates."
"Interesting," Shining said while putting a hoof on his chin and leaning his foreleg on the armrest, slightly spinning his rotating chair. "So, what do you think would be the best qualities I should look for in a new captain?"
Flash thought for a second. "Well, I would have to say that he would need to have an extreme loyalty to the kingdom. He'd also have to have a massive amount of respect for the princesses and be willing to protect them no matter what, even to the point of death. He'd have to be a good leader to keep his workers happy, positive, and focused. Yet I think he'd have to be approachable as well so as to listen to what his guards have to say."
"Very, very interesting. That actually covers just about it," Shining said as he got up and looked out his window through the blinds. "There's obviously more to it, but those things you mentioned are very important." He let out a sigh as he continued to look out the window, adding, "And I think you have a lot of those qualities. That is why you're going to be the new captain."
"Uh, what?" Flash asked, not sure if he heard the current captain properly.
"That's right. I chose you as my replacement a few weeks ago, actually. I just haven't told you yet. The princesses are all on board. Twilight is actually excited at the prospect. And even better is the fact that I'll be the captain of the royal guard in the Crystal Empire to go along with my prince duties, so we will be able to work together still quite a bit."
"No, really, what?"
"Flash," Shining said while staring Flash dead in the eyes as the young stallion was still sitting down and obviously confused. "Let me say this in terms you'll understand: you, Flash Sentry, are the new captain of the Canterlot Royal Guard.
"Wait, really? Really?"
"Yes, you stupid cheeseball."
Still confused, Flash looked around the ground in front of him, lost in thought. "But... why?"
"To be honest, I asked myself the same question many times after I came up with the decision. I'm still hoping it's the right one. There's not a stallion in the force I trust more than you. Sure, you're not experienced and you're a complete goof, but your heart is in the right place, you've made my sister very happy, and I know that you'll do whatever it takes to keep the princesses safe and happy."
"I honestly don't know what to say. It's a pretty daunting task."
"You don't feel up for it? Well, I could ask somepony else."
"No!" Flash yelled back. "I'm up for it, I promise. I'm just shocked." He got up and approached the current captain, staring him directly in the eyes. He reached his hooves around and hugged Shining as hard as he could. At first the prince was hesitant, but he eventually softened up and returned the hug.
"Uh, Flash? Are you crying?" Shining asked as they continued to hug.
"No no... this is liquid pride," Flash said as he broke off the hug and faced Shining Armour once again.
"I never gave you permission to use that term," Shining said.
"Okay, fine, I'm a little emotional because I never thought I'd be given this opportunity. I won't let you down. I promise."
"Geez, if you're getting this emotional now, how will you be at the wedding?"
Flash chuckled at the thought. "I'll try to keep it all together." He then pondered something else that had been on his mind for a while. He had wanted to wait for the right moment to ask. "Hey, I was thinking, do you want to be the Best Stallion at my wedding?"
"I'd be delighted to," Shining replied happily. He still had more to add about the role of Flash's new job, so he continued, "We have to call a meeting to tell the other guards about you being their new captain. You're still a little cheeseball to me, but you're going to be great here, and I'll be proud to call you my brother when you make your vows."
"Thank you. You have no idea how much that means to me."
ohh a chapter that wasn't there a few seconds ago *click
new captain? well i guess shining is moving to the crystal empire
3882744 Haha, yeah that has been in the discussion for a few chapters prior
Let's hope this wedding doesn't go to disaster like Shining's and Cadance's wedding.
3882860 Mmmmmm... no comment.
Nice chapter.
Small scenes in the human world should be, a school dance, Twilight's first date. Maybe even her and flashes first kiss. As for Ponies. Twilight's friends at her bachorette party. Cadence teasing Shinning when he freaks out about the wedding. Flash's and Twilight's families exchanging embarrassing stories. Sentiles and Ophius reactions of hearing Flash being the new captain. Twilight about to blow up the castle being nervous. Celestia and Luna gorging on cake at the cake testing that they decreed they have to come along.
There are some may ideas. Pick and choose.
3882885 A bunch of those are already coming :)
3882901 Great minds think alike. Best of luck writing the next chapter.
3882902 Thank you
Love this fic
well written
3882908 Thank you
Keep writing. NEED MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I don't care HOW, or WHEN, you NEED to use this song. Maybe for the wedding.
Don't ask, just do it. Or else YOU WILL BE EXTERMINATED!
Just going to call this right now: Cold hooves
3882978 Hmm... I don't follow. Cold hooves?
3882966 I would, trust me I would, because Coldplay is my favourite band of all time, but I can't use song lyrics in stories. They said that on the site in a blog post a few months ago. I'm actually going to go back to my Violet Hill story and change it when I'm done this story to take out the few song lyrics I did use in the that one. I'm also going to improve a few things in that story. Not a lot, but just a little bit. It stinks, but it is what it is.
What can I say, my fellow Brony? You've worked long and hard on this FimFic, and It goes w/o saying, you did it well! It's actually bittersweet knowing it's almost over...
But I want to say, Thank You, for making such a wonderful story, and I hope this isn't truly the end. I actually hope for a sequel. I'm trying to complet a fic of my own, "The Castle of Dreams", and wuld be honored if u wuld take the time to read the chapters I've got and give me some suggestions on where I shuld go next with it
Never stop dreaming, and keep being an inspiration to your fellow Bronies and writers
3883008 Thank you so much, I really appreciate it! It means a lot. I will check it out. I'll put it on my list of things to do soon. I'm just swamped right now so you might not hear about it for a little while. But I also will tell you that I am planning on making a shorter sequel for this story in the near future, and possibly a third one. I just need to gather enough material before I post anything, because I have to make sure that it will be good enough.
JOT notes? What are those, exactly?
I knew Flash would take Shining's place. Keep up the good work!
3883028 Do they not use that phrase outside of Canada? I'm not sure. I've always used that phrase.
Basically jot notes are just point form notes. I have a crapload of point form notes, ideas, quotes, and sections of the last chapter already written out. So the timeline is completed, I just need to form all the words in between, basically. Every time I think of a new idea or something the ponies will say I add it to the list of notes.
3883047 Thank you. I tried to hint at it a few times
I mean, there aren't really any other guards focused on in the show.
Yay! Mr. Thumbs Down is back. I missed you, buddy! Thanks for being a class citizen, as usual.
3883004 I mean, plant a link in there. It's what other writers here do, I mean, look at RazortheAwesome. I mean, WOW. He has more links in his stories than Nintendo.
I can just imagine the annoyance that some of the more experienced guards will have knowing that some young upstart got the job as Captain of the Guard. Can see them thinking he got it just because he's the fiance of one of the Princesses and a friend of Shining. They may argue with him over some of his orders, thinking that they're more experienced and know the right thing to do.
Realistically, Flash is going to have to do some winning-over with the other guard members.
Great chapter, I think it would be good if, as college students, went to a party, where twilight would be socially awkward(durr) and flash would have to help/comfort her, and some comedic exchanges could be shared. I was also thinking about what would happen if flash said something inappropriate to shining inadvertently when he was unaware that the person touching him was not his lover, but her extremely protective brother
The last time you said that for the last chapter you'd 20,000 words or more. So if this is the case, I advise you train your fingers. Good luck buddy.
(I hope you understand my sentence).
I'm amazed no one's pointed this out yet:
"There's obliviously more to it, but those things you mentioned are very important."
Should be "obviously". Some other niggles but not worth pointing them out.
Good job as per usual!
Flash's new nickname around Shining Armor, cheeseball, it made me laugh
3883463 Yep, and that'll be touched on in the last chapter.
3883649 A party... yes... colleges do have a lot of those. I'll try to do that.
3883868 Ah, thanks. Autocorrect.
3883862 Thank you, I will
3884334 I wish I could take credit for that, but I saw it on a picture of Flash and Shining. But now I can't remember what picture it was
You just know Celestia's trolling again
3885091 Or Celestia has figured out that she's not immortal after all and she's going to die in a few years :D
Kissass.
3885456 Lol.
I think you mean "experienced".
Oh the liquid pride!
Well, that was short and sweet and funny. I look forward to the concluding chapters and the promised epic to come next and stuff.
You want random. Did you see "Pinkie's Pride"? You have human Cheese Sandwich show up and sing Weird Al Yankovic songs!
Anyway, keep up the good work.
3886612 Thanks for finding that. I would like to make a Cheese Sandwich fic in itself some other time
3886642 Well that will be certainly fun to see.
3886648 I literally have about 8 huge story ideas or half-written stories right now that I want to figure out how to properly finish. I want to write a mystery, a superhero, and an old west story inspired by Dry County by Bon Jovi. One day those stories will get some progress
A nice, perfect, short chapter. Excellent work as always, Toronto.
3888884 Thank you ^.^
If you have any callbacks to the paintball war I will thank you forever.
3888909 I really, really, really want to write about that, and more. But I may even make that a total other story
Those episodes were amazing.
I foresee some accusations of nepotism when ponies find out that Shining is making his soon-to-be brother-in-law his successor.
Things could get ugly.
3889925 Everyone else seems to like it... I don't know. I'll try to improve but I've been finding it hard lately to make everybody happy.
Wait, last chapter for the human or for this story?
Is it just me or do I sense some sort of plot twist? Either way I love this story, you've certainly put a lot of effort into it and it definitely shows! Can't wait to see how this ends!
3890813 There's 2 left, one human and then the wedding chapter. But both chapters will be related somehow. That's all I'll say :)
3890886 Yes, your inclinations are correct
So, it won't end with the sad tag? (You know what I mean)
3891019 Oh no, it won't. It may have some deep parts, but nothing sad will happen in this one. There may be some really sad parts in future stories related to this, but those will have a sad tag from the beginning to warn you.
3891029 Thank God. I was worried since when you put a hint about Twilight's "life span".
Are you going to do more of the Equestria Girls Flash or was that a one time thing? What happens with him and Twilight now?
3891079 Oh yeah, I sure did. That's a hint for a future story