"The Twilight of His Life"

by TheTalentlessPony


The Flash of Her Life

Twilight was slowly finding that she was correct. No matter how still the atmosphere or how relaxed she tried to be, sleep wouldn't fall upon her. If anything, it only made her desire Flash's company more. It was rare for her to be so needy, but she was so very tired from her princess duties. Tearful nights had become a typical occurrence.

She clutched her pillow to her chest as the hours passed by, though it made her more aware of her unsteady heartbeat. She considered using magic to force herself to sleep, but feared it wouldn't be stable enough in her current state.

Then, suddenly, a loud thud cut through the silence, making Twilight jolt up on alert. Her ears perked up and she was quick to abandon her pillow and blanket. Was there an intruder? Was it Starlight? Did something simply fall?

Twilight leapt off her bed and galloped out of the hallway. It didn't matter; a distraction was more than welcome in such a situation. Regardless of what it came from, it would help keep her mind occupied.

She turned a corner. The sound was continuing every now and then, and she could feel a residual magic in the air... a spell? No, that wasn't it...

Another sharp turn, and Twilight suddenly collided with something unknown, knocking her back slightly while the opposite force went straight to the ground.

She shook her head, rubbing her snout with a small groan. She stared down in front of her, looking unamused, but was met with surprise.

An amber pegasus laid on the ground, looking sufficiently exhausted. Twilight figured she had knocked the wind right out of him. His blue mane was even slightly unkempt, which she assumed to be from the fall as well.

Seeing his condition, she felt bad. "I-I'm sorry! I didn't mean to--" She stopped herself. "W-wait, hold on, I shouldn't be apologizing! This is my castle! What are you..."

Her voice trailed off as she saw him shift. There wasn't anything on him; no tools of any kind. No window smashing noises were heard earlier either, so how...?

He got up finally, his legs shaky. His mouth opened up to speak, but both ponies felt a sudden spark as blue eyes met violet.

This feeling...

Twilight felt her heart skip several beats, backing up slightly, though her eyes never left the stallion.

After a moment, a small but relieved laugh left his mouth. He retracted his gaze for only a moment, to stare sheepishly at the floor.

"...Whoa, we've got to stop bumping into each other like this."

The silliest grin grew on Twilight's face, the excited alicorn nearly knocking him over again as she rushed him into a hug.

"FLASH! It's really you! You're here!"

She paused, however, realization hitting. She released him, hoof at his chest.

"Wait, you're... here? How did you get here? Why are you here?"

He snorted. "The second answer's obvious." He smiled at the blush that came to Twilight's cheeks, but he grew serious immediately after. "I asked Sunset to activate the portal herself, so I could pass through."

The residual magic I felt...

"Though..." He cleared his throat, embarrassment all over his face as he looked upon the knocked over chairs and tables. Twilight understood where the noises had come from immediately. "I'd planned on sitting over there to wait for you, but I had a bit of trouble getting used to this."

"That's okay. I did too when I came to your world," Twilight assured, the memory of meeting him for the first time still fresh in her mind. Her gaze was fond, but sad, as she nuzzled him. "You shouldn't stay here. I'll take you back."

She began to walk towards the portal, but he shakily stepped in front of her. "Twilight, I..." He was stiff all of a sudden, needing a moment to breathe before getting any more words out. "...I don't want to go back. That's why I came."

"What? Flash, you..." Her eyes widened in realization. "W-wait, no! Flash, you can't possibly stay! Your world is—"

She found herself silenced as he placed a hoof on her chest, echoing her earlier motion. He looked hurt by her words. "I never wanted you to jump back and forth just to see me. I wanted to be with you all the time, and when you left, I...I couldn't take it." He pressed on her chest a bit harder. "Didn't you feel that way too?"

His eyes were searching hers, as if praying to every higher power out there that she felt the same.

Twilight opened her mouth, but immediately closed it, avoiding his gaze. "This isn't about me, Flash. I can't let you do this. You have your own purpose in your own world, just as I do in mine. To give it all up for me... I won't allow it."

"Sunset said you would say that. She tried to talk me out of it, but I still convinced her to let me go through the portal anyway. You two are close, so if I could talk her into it, doesn't that mean you should at least give me a chance to talk too?"

She wanted to. She so badly wanted to, but the second she let go of her stance on the matter...

"I-I'm sorry! I can't! You have a life there, Flash! There's nothing else for you here!" It was taking all her self-control to stop herself from accepting him wholeheartedly. "I'm... I'm not worth it."

Another few steps forward, and Flash was in front of her again. He looked offended now.

"You want me to just stand here and let you talk like that? I didn't come here on some sort of impulse, Twilight!"

Twilight stepped back. It was so unusual to see Flash get heated over something.

"I took as long as I could to think about it, I really did, but there was nothing in me that wanted things to stay like this! So..." His gaze softened. "I said good-bye to everyone. Heh, honestly, I think they were expecting it from the very start. They weren't even surprised." He blushed. "It was like you were all I talked about. You're so brave... amazing... selfless..."

He shook his head, realizing that he was getting off track. "I don't know whether I love or hate that part of you. You give everything so no one else has to worry about you." He paused, his gaze turning sharp again. "Why can't you let yourself be selfish for once? You want me to go back to my world just so you can put all your focus into your work and never think about yourself? You want me to go because you think I'll stop you from over-doing it?" He huffed. "Because I would."

His words hit Twilight hard. She turned her gaze away, not giving a proper response. What was she meant to say?

Flash's eyes turned gentle, his hoof gingerly reaching up to bring her attention back to him. His eyes were watering. "You don't get it, do you? I can't go back to my world. I'm already here."

He nuzzled her, the best that he could for someone who had only just become a pony. As his face brushed against hers, warmth filled their chests. His voice was quiet, his shyness clear.

"You're my world, Twilight. I...I love you."

That did it. Twilight's eyes widened. She teared up. Her forelegs wrapped around him as her face buried itself into him. She let out a happy sob.

"I...I love you too. Please stay."

His smile was wide and loving as he pressed his muzzle to her forehead.

"Hey, that was my plan all along, remember?"