Headcanons: Flash Sentry · 3:18am Aug 10th, 2018
As I said previously, on my trip out West I had plenty of time to work on headcanons for the various Equestria Girls characters.
The Principals were the first set I finished, and after them I started work on two other EG characters.
Later, perhaps this weekend, I'll post the final set of headcanons I worked on during my trip.
But tonight, here are thoughts I've had about a certain, (unfairly) infamous guy with a love of playing the guitar.
Yep, tonight I'm gonna talk about Flash Sentry. 
Both versions of him, in fact. Human world, and Equestrian.
Human World Flash:
- Considering that nice car Flash had in the first movie (a Mustang, I believe? XD) I also see Flash Sentry from a pretty well-to-do, maybe upper middle class family.
- For his parents, I took from a mix of Jay David and Highlord Langslock's stories, with Flash having a deceased father who was in the military (from Jay) and his mother being a criminal lawyer (which I took from Highlord).
- For Flash's siblings though, I took from some other ideas. While the idea of him having a little brother named First Base is a pretty common bit of fanon, I also made up a sister for Flash, who I named Shooting Star. I know of two authors who've had the EG Scootaloo be Flash's sister (Jay David and Tale Swapper, to be specific), but I personally have her as a cousin to Flash rather than a direct sibling.
- A definite headcanon, bolstered by the little moment between Flash and Ditzy/Derpy from Legend of Everfree, is that the two of them are old childhood friends. I was also immensely inspired by Summer Dancer's hilarious story "Off the Market"... seriously, the chapter about their first meeting is adorable. 
- No idea yet what got Flash Sentry into music and the guitar. Though I like to imagine it had to do with seeing a rockstar on TV and getting fascinated with the music and instrument.
- In terms of his musical tastes, I think Flash probably has a good bit of variety. He can strum his guitar gently and also shred some riffs on it, after all... And also, I like the joke of gallant nice guy Flash Sentry having some serious hard rock, grunge and metal in his music collection. 
- I must say, that it is an endless source of fascination to me, to contemplate Flash's old relationship with Sunset Shimmer. I know that it may not be very interesting to some, but I do wonder a lot of things about it: after all, in the first movie, their breakup was still recent enough to be mentioned by Twilight's friends; Fluttershy even says that the breakup happened "just a few weeks ago." That means that Flash dated Sunset through a lot of her bully period... And considering that most of the school openly knew and feared Sunset in that time, I wonder about that a lot. Sunset says she went out with him because he was popular, but that still leaves a lot of room for interpretation: did she start dating him before going full-metal-bitch on everyone, and he stuck it out because he hoped or thought there was some good in her? Did she moderate her behavior when she was with him to keep up a façade? Hell, did he actually have something of a thing for bad girls, considering the tidbit in Forgotten Friendship about her being known as a meanie all the way back in freshman year? What was the breaking point for him? I'm always intrigued by the possibilities...
- I also shamelessly admit, readily and without any hesitation at all, that I am a big fan of the idea of Flash and Sunset getting back together now that she's changed her ways. Nothing at all against Flashlight, but I just like the idea. (And also, if we're gonna given Sunset a boyfriend, I'd rather it be with someone she has prior history with, and friendly interactions with now, rather than the writers making up another Timber Spruce.)
- Voice-actor joke here: while typically pretty easygoing, Flash Sentry strongly detests the teen pop singer Feather Bangs. This was much to Sunset's amusement when they were dating, and she sometimes feigned interest in going to one of his concerts because she liked seeing Flash choke back his ire at the thought.
- On their first date, Flash Sentry took Sunset to a horror movie. Any potential hope of her clinging to him backfired, as Flash was the one terrified by the film's gore and scares, and Sunset was fascinated. (I think this was a joke from Tarbtano's story "The Bridge," but I can't quite remember...)
- In terms of favorite movies, I see Flash as a guy who'd like a good variety of stuff, though I did pick out a few choice selections. I can see him as having a liking for some cheesy action movies, and having a unspoken fondness for some romantic films.
- If we're going to be specific about any movies, I mainly ended up thinking of superhero movies with Flash. Particular examples include Sam Raimi's Spider-Man films, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Captain America films. (I'm pretty sure Flash would be more of a Steve Rogers fan than that of Tony Stark. XD)
Equestrian Flash:
- While we've seen even less of the pony Flash Sentry, I have had some thoughts for him. One of which involves his role in the Royal Guard.
- In terms of the pony Flash Sentry's family, I was inspired by Tarbtano's excellent story "The Sentry Legacy," which has Flash come from a family with a long history of distinguished service in the Royal Guard. The young Flash feels a heavy burden of looking up to his famous ancestors and hoping to measure up to their example. If you haven't read it, I highly recommend it, as there's really no outside reading required.
- As to his place in the Royal Guard... I'm torn. Considering we've mainly seen him in Cadence's guard, that suggests to me that Flash was probably a new recruit, although one who doubtless did very well in order to be assigned to the guard of an alicorn princess. He might have still been in training when the Changelings invaded Canterlot, and later received his own posting in the Crystal Empire due to good performance during Chrysalis' invasion. (A concept I give credit to EchoWing's Quiververse stories.)
- Given his unique appearance compared to the standard white unicorns of the Canterlot Royal Guard, I've also been tempted to make the pony Flash part of a special section of the Canterlot Guard. In Tatsurou's story "Sons of Damas" there Flash is mentioned as being in training for "First Strike" guard unit, who are intended as a front-lines force in the event of war. (Since they're meant to go out and fight, the First Strike ponies lack the uniformity of traditional Canterlot guards, as recognizing each other in battle is more important than looking the same.)
- Like I said above, I imagine the Pony Flash to have First Base for a little brother. First Base is an earth pony, while I pictured my original character Shooting Star to be a Pegasus like Flash himself. (I remember, though the title escapes me right now, this absolutely wonderful fan-comic, where Flash gives his little brother a ride among the clouds. It was such a sweet moment!)
- As for Flash's cutie-mark story... considering the shield emblem of his cutie-mark, and the lightning bolt emblazoned over it, I figure it was for quick action taken on behalf of others; a notion I credit EchoWing's story "A Wing and a Prayer" for. Although my headcanon about the specific circumstances of Flash getting his mark are different than Echo's, I will say.
- In terms of Pony Flash and Pony Twilight... I don't know. The way I see it, I kind of headcanon that Princess Twilight may have tried to see Flash once (perhaps at Cadence's suggestion XD), but decided that she was more attracted to the human Flash (or panicked about the idea of trying to date another world's version of someone; and let's face it, Twilight would tie herself in knots over the ethics and such of that) and they didn't see each other again, thought it was a parting on pretty amicable terms. Again, nothing against the people who DO ship Twilight and Flash (indeed, I can support it just because I'm so sick of that STUPID "waifu-stealer" garbage), but I can't really imagine Princess Twilight Sparkle really settling herself into a romantic relationship.
Anyway, those are just my thoughts.
I'll be interested to see what response I may get for this batch of headcanons anyway.
Huzzah, I've inspired more headcanons!
4917527
Indeed you have!
I like to imagine little Flurry likes to comically torment Pony Flash and he very much sympathizes with Sunburst. As for human Flash, while a very chill guy, when he does actually get mad, it's terrifying. Nobody's seem him get properly mad in ages, but those who remember know to stay as far away from his warpath as possible.
Hum... I will have to get back to you
4917594
I love that idea about Pony FLash and Flurry Heart. That's just great. I can totally see that.
And yeah, I agree 100% percent about Human Flash's temper. Definite "Beware the Nice Ones" with that guy.
4917711
I like to imagine Sunburst sometimes just invites pony Flash over so they can commiserate over cookies. Because when YOU have to deal with a magic flying baby with far too much goddamn energy, you just need some chocolate.
And yeah, I very much peg Flash as Beware the Nice Ones. Actually getting him to that boiling point is very difficult, even Sunset couldn't get him that mad, but when he DOES, well, let's just say that it's a good thing he respects authority enough that should one of the teachers intervene, he'd at least be able to reign it in long enough to go somewhere to cool off.
I like to imagine the whole Flashlight ship was more they're both attractive teenagers with a relative level of emotional stability, and Flash was the first person to be nice to Twilight when she came to the human world so, there is that. I don't personally think the ship can work out, and I don't believe human Twilight's shown any interest in him, but I like to imagine that they remain friends and sometimes communicate via Sunset.
4917714
Amen to that. At least they have a bit of a break from Flurry - Cadence and Shiny have to live with her and raise her, after all.
Pretty much how I feel. I do like the idea of them remaining in contact through Sunset. That'd be nice.
4917721
And I'm sure they'll do a great job.
I mean, last they saw they parted on friendly terms, she probably explained that due to her position, she simply isn't ready to start dating, plus, odds are in her pony form she's in her 20s, Flash is, what, 16? Ish?
4917723
Maybe. I'd definitely say 16 during the first movie, but enough time has passed that I'm sure Flash has had a birthday at some point.
But yeah, the age gap between the Equestrians and the human world characters is something to really think about. I'll admit, while I do ship Flash and Sunset getting back together, I have had thoughts about Flash's reaction to the realization that Sunset is really like, 26 or something, in Equestria.
4917728
"Wait, so you're what, ten years older than me?"
"In Equestria yes, and to answer the next question, no, I don't know why I was given a teenage body, maybe it's because the portal is next to CHS, maybe Starswirl thought it'd be funny, I don't fucking know."
"Huh. Weird."
"Very."
4917731
Damn.
I may have to use something like that. But yeah, who knows how that portal works? Part of me sometimes imagines that turning Sunset into a teenager was either A) a weird attempt at helping her, given its proximity to a high school in the human world, or B) a prank, kind of a "you're acting like a bratty teen, so you'll become a teen!" XD
4917735
While that's valid, there's one thing, or rather 3, that nixes that. Spoilers, it that with The D and ends with Azzlings.
4917736
I guess. In a weird way I can still see it happening with the Dazzlings, either because they were actually teenagers by Siren standards, or because Starswirl was in one of his moods that day. (Wizards do like dealing in karmic transformations.)
For human Flash, I think one of his favorite guitar instrumentals is Silent Night (while a German 'song' it was composed to be played on a guitar), as for his taste, I agree he like variety. As for him and Sunset, she played nice to Flash, but bullied one of his friends one too many times or said that he had to leave them for her. He chooses his friends. The Power of Friendship everyone. I am torn about his relationship with younger students at CHS. As for him and Sunset, I am not sure they will get back together, yeah he lived through her worst but I see the two more like siblings in spirit at this point.
For Pony Flash. For the invasion of Canterlot, he was stationed elsewhere and was not deemed needed. I am not sure that Flash and Twilight have actually met, I generally view EQG as a separate but dependant cannon to FiM proper. Princess Twilight so far doesn't seem to have a romantic arc and odds are FiM at this point won't do it until Season 9 at the earliest, assuming that there will be a Season 10, assuming no Season 10, that would be the only season with that arch. I doubt he's the one task with Princess Flurry duty, but it would be nice to have an episode where Flash walks into a... donut shop... his mane an utter mess and at the bench he sees Sunburst and he sits down next to him. Sunburst ask, "Flurry?"
"yep."
" (Donut Joe), another for my friend."
Personally, I think Flash Sentry is a descendant of Flash Magnus.
4918295
That's perfectly fair. Got nothing against you for that opinion
I actually kind of feel that way myself. I definitely can see it. ^_^
4917739
To further the joke about him and Feather Bangs, Sunset liked to poke him about the resemblance between the two, just to nettle him. Because there was something infinitely amusing about seeing good guy Flash, the teenage pretty boy who always acts so cool, get so choked up from sheer rage.
5052465
Oh man. I can SO see that. Now I might have to write a scene with that or something.
5052540
Please. One teenage pretty boy getting irrationally pissed off by the existence of another. Kinda feel bad for Vincent Tong though, he tends to play a lot of hated characters, barring Steven Magnet, and a lot of them don't really deserve the hate. Nor does he.
5052549
Yeah, I feel bad for Vincent Tong as well. Oh wait, he's Steven Magnet? Wow. XD
5052552
Yeh.
5052553
Dang. XD
How about that. But then, it's been a LONG time since I last saw "Slice of Life" or any of the other appearances Steven's made.
5052554
His literal only other appearance is in Episode 2. Episode fucking 2. Then 100. And his name only ever came about because YouTube's auto subtitling system is more broken than the laws of physics after Pinkie's through with them.
5052555
Yeah. Funny how things are sometimes. And that's a heck of an analogy to make. XD
5052557
See, I'm not wrong though.
5052558
No, you're not wrong.
Oh, btw, just for fun? I once kicked around a joke about Human Flash having an Equestrian ancestor somewhere in his family tree. (Since hey, Starswirl and Clover seem to have used that world as a dumping ground.) Just as a joke about his two major crushes both being pony-girls. XD
5052563
I mean, that's not the WEIRDEST thing about his life.
5052564
No, it most certainly ISN'T.
Honestly, by that point he might even just accept it. "Well, this explains a lot..."
5052565
How would an Equestrian even have gotten THROUGH the mirror? Another of Starswirl's "convicts" that had a change of heart? Pure dumb luck?
I feel like just pure misfortune would be rather fitting for an ancestor of Flash's considering his own luck with love.
5052569
I'm leaning towards the idea of one of Starswirl's convicts myself. Just simply because I was in a silly mood and had the mental image of Human Flash Sentry having someone like Pony Kratos for an ancestor. A terrible villain who once threatened all of Equestria and was banished for it, but eventually gained enough perspective to mellow out and start a family. XD
5052573
You know, I can see that.
5052575
Thank you. XD
I must admit... part of me has been tempted to turn that into a story.
Especially in part when I think about the idea of the convict actually being Human Flash's father, just for the Dad of Boi comparisons there. I really get a kick out of the mental image of sweet dorky Flash Sentry having this big, brutal-looking lug for a dad - a guy that even evil Sunset would have known to tread lightly around back when they were dating.
I freely admit, I am silly in that way.
5052576
You know what, I dig it. I'm adopting that headcanon. I like the idea of Flash, the archetypal pretty boy, having this towering giant gruff father with a badass baritone. And a wife that's just a bit above 5 ft, this slender, soft voiced kindly woman, looks completely harmless, but she's the one you REALLY want to be scared of. Because when she gets mad, she gets MAD.
5052577
Yes, yes, exactly! XD
Oh Lord, I can just imagine it right now. I have this mental image of Mr. Sentry getting Flash from school after he's gotten into trouble (because hey, no one is ever always a good kid) and informing him on the drive home, "Your mother wants to talk to you."
And that's the real sign of danger right there. XD
5052578
And he just goes paler than Rarity. "I'm dead aren't I?"
"Yes."
"Do I get a Viking Funeral?"
"If she leaves enough of you to cremate, then yes. You'll get full honors."
"That's not very reassuring."
"It's your mother."
(I'm just picturing God of 4 Kratos in a suit. Complete with the marks and the pale white skin. And the glorious beard.)
5052579
That was a great skit. I love it. XD
(I pictured something pretty similar myself. Though I did kick around the beard being blue, since Flash has blue hair and all. But I can roll either way. Black beard, Blue beard... XD)
5052580
I figure his mother's the bluenette. He actually met her and was impressed by her fierce spirit. She might look harmless, but you spend any time around her and you KNOW that actually getting her angry is NOT a wise decision.
5052582
I can see it. Totally.
That works for me.
Oh, and here's a joke I've had for a while about Sunset's first meeting with Mr. Sentry...
Flash: "Dad's home."
(Sunset looks - and sees a hulking silhouette, framed in shadow, looming in the door like a fucking slasher movie villain.)
Sunset: o_0
5052584
And just the sound of his baritone rattles her BONES. Even at her worst, she never TOUCHED Flash.
"Aw relax Sunset, he's a big teddy bear when you get to know him."
"He looks like a character out of Mortal Kombat."
"Your point, Miss Shimmer?"
"Meep."
And to make it even funnier? He's best friends with Fluttershy's parents. Who are completely unintimidated by this gigantic man who's near 7 feet tall.
5052585
Indeed so. And again, that was a great skit. XD
Oh my God. I love that!
5052587
Even nowadays, Sunset is understandably weary around him, she's never SEEN him with weapons, but she has no desire to.
5052590
Of course. It's only common sense.