//------------------------------//
// Gauntlet 
// Story: How to Disappear Completely 
// by shortskirtsandexplosions 
//------------------------------//

Ponies, friends, and familiars stood in two thick lines across the atrium.  A squat purple dragon could be seen arranging them in places with various clawed gestures.  Realizing that the front doors were opening, the whelp jumped with a start and scampered off to join one of the lines.  All eyes were on Flash Sentry as he marched slowly down the central walkway that had been forged for him.

Flash's muzzle hung open, and his ears folded back with a touch of unsure emotion.  He proceeded forward slowly, humbly.  Soarin's and Derpy's hoofsteps accompanied him... and that was solacing enough.  The mirror was situated in the castle basement, and that was at least a full hallway's stroll from where he currently was.  At the moment, Flash was preoccupied with surviving a gauntlet of adoring faces.

The first equines he approached were the Cakes.  Cup and Carrot stood closely side by side with parental smiles.  Each cradled an infant foal in the crook of their fetlock.  A colt and a filly—the last one discerned by a pretty bow.

"Friggin' a..."  Flash muttered, approaching the two.  "...they could make a playset out of you all."

"Heheheh..."  Carrot Cake blushed slightly.  "We'll take that as a compliment."

"Thank you for coming into our lives, Flash," Cup Cake said, sending the teenager's heart a'flutter.  Her eyes were glossy as she propped her smile against the fluffy head of her daughter.  "You've done so much for our business... and for us."

"Well, it's a good business... and a good us."  Flash breathed in as he paused before the group.  "I... never did get to sample any of that banana bread, huh?"  His ears folded slightly.  "Sorry."

"Oh, it's quite alright, dear."  Cup Cake giggled, eyes darting in Soarin's direction.  "Somepony sure enjoyed it!"

"Errr... yeah..."  Soarin looked aside, blushing.  Derpy playfully batted at his wings, winking.

"Promise to ask for help the next time you clean out the gutters?" Flash asked, looking at the Mister.

"You better believe it."  Cup Cake winked.  "You take care of yourself, son."

"Thanks... Dad."  Biting his lip, Flash pressed on.

Next stood Filthy Rich and Fancy Pants.  The two business stallions stood side by side, tall and proud.

"Yeesh..."  Flash smirked crookedly.  "You guys are friggin' inseparable."

"It's rather ironclad now, Flash, ol' chap," Fancy Pants said.  "Besides... I'll be working out of Ponyville more now that all of the dignitaries have sampled this town's finest artistry."

"And now that he's let go of his favorite golfing retreat," Filthy added with a wink.

Fancy rolled his monocled eye.  "Yes, well..."  He smiled at the teenager.  "Downsizing is really a poetic synonym for 'simplifying.'  Besides, I'm thinking of starting a new resort not that far from here.  I've already moved most of the staff over from the golf retreat.  Half of them have already been contracted to construct the new school on the outskirts of town!"

"New... school...?"  Flash looked over his shoulder.

"It's..."  Twilight shifted where she stood next to Starlight.  "...a work in progress."

"Gonna have posters of cats dangling from trees in the guidance counselor's office?" Flash asked.

"Saaaaay..."  Starlight rubbed her chin.  "That's a cute idea!"

"Yeah.  Good luck with that."  Flash turned to the two stallions again.  "Hey... when you guys get the idea of starting a new amusement park—Hoofworld Studios or whatever—just give me a call."

"Heheheheh..."  Filthy Rich chuckled.  He reached forward and patted Flash's shoulder.  "Your charming wit and charisma will be sorely missed, my boy."

"Same here."  Flash smiled gently.  "Thanks for giving me a new appreciation for the word 'Filthy.'"

"By the way, Captain Typhoon sends his best regards," Fancy Pants said.

"Yeah?  No shit?"  Flash smirked.  "I always sorta figured the ol' frowny-face didn't like me."

Fancy Pants leaned forward with an arched eyebrow.  "Did you ever burn the Midnight Oil?"

"Uh... no?"

"There you have it!"  Fancy stood back, grinning beneath his mustache.  "Felicity all around!"

"Heheheheh..."

"Yes yes..."  Fancy Pants' smile gave way to a warm expression.  "Goddess speed to you in your future endeavors, ol' chap.  We've most certainly... learned a fine lesson on peace, compromise, and sacrifice thanks to you."

"Yeah..."  Flash exhaled.  "...haven't we all..."

He turned to march down the line, and already he was wincing.

For he could already see the tears glistening on Lyra's face...