//------------------------------// // Landing // Story: How to Disappear Completely // by shortskirtsandexplosions //------------------------------// The flight back to Ponyville was delightful and liberating. It wasn't necessarily swift. By the time Flash Sentry had reached the crisp blue airspace above the village, the train from the Crystal Empire had long arrived and steamed off for its next destination. From high above, Flash could seen the glistening, crystalline spires of the purple-tinted Castle of Friendship. Off towards the northeast, a series of large buildings were being built along a ridge of steep hills. The teenager observed how the expert architects were redirecting a waterfall to flow through the fantastical structures-in-the-making. Flash was delaying the inevitable at this point and he knew it. The whole time Soarin and Derpy flew beside him, they were mercifully quiet and patient. He wasn't about to force them into making the first awkward move. He descinded slowly, fluttering towards the ground like a blue-and-yellow feather. Flash landed not far from town hall, his hooves tingling upon touching the springy green grass. Then Flash coiled his wings at his side—for perhaps the very last time. The realization spawned a lump in his throat, and he trudged ahead in a somber lurch, head hanging low as he squinted against the brightness of the sunlight against every wooden and woolly surface of the townscape. As things came into focus, Flash realized the streets were far from empty. Ponies—citizens both old and young—had completely stopped what they were doing. Several bodies stood on street corners and at storefronts, head turning to watch the otherworlder's march. When Soarin and Derpy joined him, the crowds gathered even sicker, their faces blank—yet innocent. All of the fear and uncertainty was missing, replaced instead with permeating curiosity... tinged with melancholy. It was a small town indeed. Flash lifted his head and straightened his spine. The rest of his trot was performed with relative dignity. This wasn't a march to the gallows, but he almost wished that it was. In an execution by decapitation—Flash thought—he'd be losing a whole lot less than he was actually about to. A pink shape blossomed in his peripheral. Flash refused to look directly at Sugarcube Corner as he passed it, for fear that the dignity would be lost under a fresh fountain of tears. It struck him odd that crying felt so easy now. He made a conscious effort to save it for the other side of the mirror. He was saving everything for the other side. The three ponies rounded a bend, and Flash's heart skipped. There—ahead of him, down a verdant green path—were the front gates to the Twilight's palace. And standing in clear view was Princess Twilight herself. She wasn't alone at the entrance. A darker shade of the alicorn stood a few paces over. Oddly enough, it was this pony whom Flash first addressed as he finally arrived. "Starlight Glimmer..." Flash tried putting on a smile. Starlight tried even harder. "Hey there, you." "I... uh..." Flash gulped. "...I'm sorry for not telling you the truth the moment you first saw me." "It's okay, Flash," Starlight said, her tone remarkably pleasant. "Worse lies have been spoken in Equestria... and for worse reasons." "Yeah." Flash nodded, his eyes darting anxiously towards the tall front doors looming above him. "Sure." "Sunset Shimmer's already been informed that you'll be arriving soon," Starlight said. "She and her friends will be there on the other side of the portal to make sure you get there safely." A slight chuckle. "It's always a rough landing. I know." "I... uh..." Flash fidgeted. "...h-hope it's not too big of a welcoming party." "It isn't." Starlight shook her head. "Believe me. Nobody's gonna make this..." She grimace halfway through the delivery. "...awkward." "Hmmm..." Flash managed a bittersweet smirk. "You're right. There are worse." He then looked to the side. Princess Twilight was biting her lip. Flash breathed. "Your Highness." "I was... somewhat expecting you to show up later," she stated. "Nah. No delaying the inevitable." Flash gulped. "Still... thanks so much for letting us—" "Say nothing of it." Twilight waved a hoof. "No reason you couldn't experience one of the greatest joys to be had here in Equestria." She winked over Flash's shoulder. "And somepony made sure that he didn't fly into any mountains along the way." "Darn tootin'," Soarin said with a wink. Derpy giggle. "I never flew into any mountains..." Flash kicked at the grass. "...just a falling brat." Twilight laughed slightly. "Well, you flew true in my book." Silence. Flash sighed. "Well..." he motioned towards the door. "...let's get this over with." "You..." Twilight blinked at him as her horn glowed. "You don't exactly have to hurry, Flash?" He was about to ask her what she meant by that. But when the Princess opened the door and Starlight gestured into the main chamber... ...Flash understood why.