//------------------------------// // Chapter 4: The New Princess's Request // Story: More Than Words // by Amethyst Sunset //------------------------------// You should read the last chapters, so this one makes since. But if you just don't remember where we were in the story, here's a recall from Chapter 3: "Hold on, did you just threaten me?" Twilight asked. Now at this point, everypony was standing by, horns ready to protect each other, most of all, Twilight. "Yes! Now I must be going! Goodbye!" Belladonna popped out of thin air. Every pony stared at the spot where Belladonna stood a few seconds ago. The room was quiet for a moment, until Cadence spoke. "Thank you, Twilight, I mean," Cadence stumbled over her own words, "For speaking up for me." "But...now...she...isn't...here... hehe. Whoops." Twilight said. What she wanted to say was that she was sorry because Belladonna could be anywhere, but she thought that might freak her brother out. "Twilight, do you realize," Cadence wasn't stumbling when she said this, "you were just threatened? I think you need some protection..." "Cadence, Flurry Heart needs more protection then I do." Twilight challenged. She didn't need protection. "Flurry Heart has her own protection, I mean, if her parents, and Pinkie Pie couldn't get to her, who can?" Shining said. He was in favor of getting Twilight and Flurry Heart personal protection. "But... BBBFF!?!" Twilight whined. She didn't want protection. "Let's see. Who's the best soldier for this job..." Cadence asked her husband. "Cadence! No, I don't need it.." "I think it should be you, Flash!" Shining exclaimed. Me? "Y...Yes Sir!" Flash said shakily. I can't handle this. I'm not dog enough for this job, am I? "Soldier Flash Sentry, I want Princess Twilight to be protected at all times. That means you are to be with her during the day, and be by her door as she wakes. You can get another trust worthy soldier to guard her during the night..." "Shining, I don't need..." "I wasn't done... You will find some pony to guard her in the night, and you shall be with her at all times, even when she isn't in the Crystal Empire. She is visiting her friends, guard her. Unless Princess Cadence or I let you have a day off, you will not have a day off. If she tries to give you a break, refuse..." "Cadence... Really? Is this necessary?" "Completely necessary. I'm sorry, Twilight, but Shining is right. You need protection. Also, Flash, you will have these shifts until Belladonna is gone." "Yes, Your Highness." Flash said, although having doubts. "Can I ask one thing, Cadence and Shining?" asked Twilight. "Sure." they said at the same time. "Does Flash have to call me 'Your Highness'? I mean, I hate it when other ponies do that..." "Fine. I will allow it." Shining grumbled. "Thanks brother!" said Twilight. I'm glad they let me at least have that much. I hate it when ponies are just like, "Hello Your highness." I just think it is rude. I guess should probably say hello to my new guard... "Hello, Flash. As you probably know, from listening to own conversation, I would like it if you called me Twilight. Thins is just something I feel strongly about. I want our relationship to more of a friendship, less formality. N...nice to meet you!" Twilight added awkwardly. "Good morning, your--- Twilight." Flash said. He was not sure how to react to calling a Princess by her first name. "We'll work on that..." Twilight said with a smirk. "Sorry, Twilight." Flash apologized. "It's fine, Flash. Now, Cadence, " Twilight said trotting up to her sister-in-law and niece, "I hope you really are not hurt! I didn't mean to make matters work." She looked down at her hooves, feeling guilty. "Don't feel guilty, Twilight! Flurry Heart is not allowing it!" she took Flurry Heart in her magic and waved her head in a small shake. "See?" "Baby-talking me (literally) will not work on me, Cadence, you know that! But I do want to go to bed, I didn't get much sleep last night. And I want to do some research in the library tomorrow." "Okay, Twilight. Goodnight!" Cadence said. "Night, Sis. See you in the morning. With your new guard." Shining added. "OK. Fine. Goodnight all of you ponies!" Twilight said, one last time. "Goodnight!" As soon as Twilight and Flash trotted out of the throne room, Twilight asked Flash, "Has a princess ever requested to be called by just their name, and not some form of royalty thing afterwards?" Flash looked at the new princess. Her face looked worried. "No, but I like the idea, Pr- Twilight. Still working on that." Flash said, trying to hide his blush. "Well, I'm glad it is ok with you. Now I'm not sure when I wake up, but um... I think it is around maybe..." Oh this is awkward, i have no idea when I wake up! Oh dear... "Um just be at my door around 5:45 ish. If...if you wouldn't mind." Twilight said. "Sure, Twilight!" Flash said. "Do you know any guards who you would like guarding you during the night, until I get here in the morning?" "I don't know any pony here, except you, and my family. Oh, and the librarian..." She added with a blush. "I would rather there be no guard at all, though, but if you could find any pony you think best, that's fine with me." "Okay. Would you like me to go find some pony, now, or are you not going to go to bed now, or..." THIS IS SO AWKWARD! Flash screamed in his head. "Sure, after you find some pony to do the job," Oh my Celestia, this is awkward... "You may go." Who am I giving orders? This is new. she thought. "Yes, Twilight." Flash stopped himself from saying 'Your Highness'. Just barely. He walked away briskly, trying to think of a pony to do this job. If couldn't find a guard who wanted the job, he would have to do it. Day and night, no sleep. Never. That would be maddening. He finally thought of some pony, Moonshadow Sprint. She was a unicorn who could run so fast, she got the nickname 'Sprint' within the guard community. Her coat was gray, and her mane was a dark blue. They went through royal guard training together. They were actually pretty good friends. If you could call sitting at the same breakfast table being friends. Flash trotted over a clipboard stuck to the wall in the main area for the guards. The clipboard says where all of the guards live in the castle. He searched for Moonshadow Sprint's name in the west wing of the guards' quarters: Mister Bristle- 100 Moonshadow Sprint- 102 Midnight Haze- 104 Astral Thunder- 106 Comet Jester- 108 Master Facade- 110 Flash Century- 112 Mythic Hunter- 114 102 that's where she lives. Okay, welp, this is going to be awkward. Flash thought, Here goes nothing... He knocked on the door that said 102. "Flash Century! Hey! What are you doing here?" Moonshadow Sprint greeted him. "Hey, Moonshadow Sprint! This is awkward, um... well, I don't know if you have heard, but Cadence's mother just had a short visit to the Crystal Castle..." Flash said nervously. "That's nice..." She said, not getting what he was saying. "... and that's not a good thing." Flash looked around, hoping no pony else was in the hallway. "Would you like to come in, Flash?" She asked. "Yes please." Moonshadow Sprint let him in the door and Flash was amazed at her small apartment. It's not that it was small, it was so nice looking, with wooden floors and blue counter tops in the kitchen. Next to the kitchen, the living room had a pretty good-sized TV, a little couch and a rocking chair. "I love your place!" Flash said, totally off subject. "Oh, thanks! When I was little, I wanted to be an interior designer. So I took that love and applied it here!" she said, not expecting the comment form Flash. "Ok, as much as I love your awesome place, I have to ask you something about Princess Twilight." Flash said. "Wait, is this the same topic as Princess Cadence's mother?" Moonshadow asked. "Somehow yes. But anyways, here is the as much of the situation that I know in a nutshell: Cadence's mother came to see Flurry Heart, and Cadence and Shining Amour don't like her, also her name is something that starts with a 'B' but if you say it, the name somehow gives her power. Anyways, they had this fight until the mother said she didn't care for Cadence and Princess Cadence started crying. Then Twilight was like, "No, don't hurt her!" So then Twilight got threatened, and then she popped out of thin air, as unicorns do. Then, after that, Captain Shining Amour volunteered me as a guard until she is gone, every day and night. This is where you come into play. I need you to guard Princess Twilight during the night, when I will be sleeping." "Woah. Okay, sure, but I have one question. Do I keep my other hours? Or do I just not show up or what?" Moonshadow asked, taking it all in. "I was really thinking you were going to freak out. But your only duty, if you take this job, is to guard Princess Twilight during the night until she is gone." "Ok, when do I start?" "Right now." As Flash Century and Moonshadow Sprint trotted down the hall to Princess Twilight's room, they tried to get to know each other better. When they came to her door Moonshadow Sprint asked Flash, "Do I knock or do I just stand here?" "I'll knock, then I'll induce you to her." "Ok." Flash knocked on the door briskly. Twilight opened it cautiously saying, "Yes?" "It's me, Twilight." Flash said Moonshadow suddenly gasped, she bowed and said, "Princess Twilight Sparkle, it is a pleasure to meet you." "Oh dear." Twilight said, "Did you forget to tell my new night guard that I like to be called 'Twilight'?" "Haha... Whoops!"