How to Disappear Completely

by shortskirtsandexplosions


Pride

The group of guards escorted Flash Sentry up the shiny stairwell and onto the lobby floor of the Crystal Palace in utter silence, although their pace was still slow. Flash saw more guards standing at attention—this time non-crystal. Insignias that Flash had come to recognize as the Canterlot Crest were emblazoned off these ponies' breastplates. They flanked an enormous door that sealed off what Flash assumed was the Crystal Empire's throneroom. His suspicions were confirmed when he heard muffled, female voices murmuring from just beyond the frame.

"We are not too late," the lieutenant ahead of Flash spoke, eyeing the door. "They haven't returned to the festivities. They should be receptive to your presence."

Flash's hooves scuffled to a stop.

His doppelganger heard it. He turned to look neutrally at the teenager. "Is something the matter?"

"Look... before we... before I go in there, I just want to say..." Flash dug at the cold hard floor, sighing. "I'm sorry, man."

The lieutenant arched an eyebrow.

"For your loss, I mean," Flash clarified. "What happened to Mom and Dad..." He fidgeted. "What happened to your parents sucks super hard." He slowly shook his head. "I just can't imagine what it's like to have gone through that... to have to live with that."

The lieutenant calmly spoke: "You're assuming that I have much grief and pain to wrestle with."

"Well, don't you?"

"... ... ..." The lieutenant leaned back with a breath. "I did... and I would be lying if I said that there weren't nights of lonesome contemplation that still leave me crippled and wanting." He swallowed. "But I've since learned to put most of that behind me."

"It's why you became a soldier, huh?" Flash remarked. "A guard? So you could protect others? Keep them from having to suffer the same fate you did?"

"Perhaps at first," the lieutenant said, turning to face the teenager fully now. "But I soon realized that there are just some tragedies we cannot fix... no matter how strong or versatile we are. This... frustrated me, and I attempted to pass it off with a comedic, carefree attitude. I denied the fact that I was so angry... so sad..."

"What, did you learn to just... suck it up?"

"No." The soldier's eyes narrowed incredulously. "I had help."

Flash blinked.

"Captain Shining Armor... Her Majesty..." A breath. "My fellow comrades in both Canterlot and the Crystal Empire." A flicker of pride crossed the guard's blue eyes. "They supported me when I most needed it. We all make up an orderly company, after all. With their strength behind me, I found the courage to move forward. Because of this, I've managed to balance my emotions harmonically... and to spread that warmth to those around me."

Flash gulped. "And all it took was for you to stop being a silly douchebag..."

"Nopony is perfect," the lieutenant said, his muzzle curving slightly. "There is a time and a place for everything. Restraint... is key. So is timing. It's something that took me a while to learn."

"Something... I-I could do with learning as well," Flash said, his eyes falling slightly.

"Hrmmm..." The guard nodded. "Far be it from my place to say this..."

"Say anything, dude," Flash muttered.

"Wherever you come from... and—perhaps—wherever you end up staying... it might do you good to recognize the friends you have around you."

Flash's eyes darted back up.

The guard stared directly at him. "Surely you can find support from the world that exists around you," he said. His head shook. "It's never as hopeless as one thinks. This realm's reflection of you—for all that he's worth—is a living testament to that."

Flash thought on that for a bit. Eventually, he nodded. "Perhaps you're right."

"Perhaps I am."

"But..." Flash squinted one eye. "...you mustn't forget to believe in yourself first. Even with all the friends you could ask for, if you haven't got your own foundation to stand on... your own creed to follow..." He shrugged. "...how can you ever expect to go anywhere?"

"... ... ..."

"You pulled yourself out of the tragic shit that consumed your family. Friends helped you, yeah, but you gave them a direction to help you in." Flash shook his head. "Don't ever lose sight of that... and remember to thank yourself from time to time. Be confident. Embrace your own awesomeness. Or else you'll be twice as crippled on those 'lonesome nights' of deep contemplation."

The lieutenant glanced off. At some point, he too nodded. "Words of wisdom. Thank you kindly..."

"Flash..." Flash smiled. He tilted his head. "Flash."

"It... would help to find some harmony," the lieutenant mused. "To balance it all out."

"Easier said then done," Flash droned. He pointed. "You've got armor for the fight ahead."

"It weighs an awful lot, y'know."

"So does a lot of other crap."

Silence.

"We've wasted enough time as it is," the lieutenant spoke, moving towards the door.

"Heh... says you."

The guard paused again. "... ... ...it occurred to me."

"Hmmm?"

He glanced back at Flash through his helmet. "You said your parents were happy, yes?"

"Uhhhh... yeah?"

"If that is the case, then what precisely was it that convinced you to leave them and come here?"

Flash bit his lip. With a dry voice, he murmured, "You know... this job you have... protecting royal interests... earning armor... gaining the rank of friggin' lieutenant...?"

"Yes?"

"Let's just say that if you were in my place back home... being all those things... doing all those things..." He weathered a fuming breath. "...then they'd be a lot prouder than they really are now." He shuddered. "I'd be a lot prouder."

"... ... ..." The lieutenant spoke. "And if it was you in my place as a pleasant young foal, I greatly suspect my parents would have been happier right before they perished... and I would no longer look back at their passing with such remorse."

Flash blinked curiously at that.

The lieutenant allowed a final glance to linger between them. Then, he marched up to the door, spoke with the guards... and opened it to a glittering throneroom.

Flash's blue eyes lit up with ethereal grace. On timid hooves, he moved forward along with his escort... and into the shadow of three majestic figures.