//------------------------------// // Best Stallion to the Rescue // Story: Side A - The Guard // by daOtterGuy //------------------------------// It was the day of the wedding. Flash was dressed in his best - a custom tailored black suit with a polka dot bowtie - and was attempting, for the umpteenth time, to see his brother, Shining Armour, before the wedding. He was in the hallway connecting to Cadence’s and Shining’s private chambers and was addressing the guard standing at attention by the door. Flash recognized the guard as one of the new recruits. He looked forward to pranking him later. Flash had saluted, asked politely, and said so in the most friendly way possible. Surely this guard would let him finally talk to Shining. With no hesitation and a smile on his face, the guard replied, “No.” Flash’s eye twitched and he forced his grin to stay in place despite the strain, “Why?” “Captain Shining Armour and Princess Mi Amore Cadenza are both busy preparing for the wedding,” The guard answered, “They do not have time to entertain random passerby.” “They don’t have time to see me?” Flash scowled, “Shining’s brother? The best stallion? Me?” “Yes,” The guard answered. Flash felt his eye twitch again, “Let me guess, they’re getting their manes done? Having their hooves clipped?” Flash snorted, “With how many reasons I’ve been given over the last two weeks for why they couldn’t see me, I wouldn’t be surprised if I was told Cadence was assisting Shining with his pole technique for the after party.” “He is discussing the marriage ceremony with the Princess,” The guard impassively stated, “As per the Princess’s orders, they are not to be disturbed.” “Okay, well if they’re discussing the ceremony, shouldn’t I be there to find out what I’m doing for the wedding?” Flash reasoned, “I still haven’t been told anything.” “My orders are to not allow anypony in,” The guard narrowed his eyes, “That includes you.” Flash was about to protest, but knew it wouldn’t get him anywhere. He wanted to, and forcibly, because this was driving him insane, but he wouldn’t cause problems for Shining. He deserved his special day even if Flash had no idea what the he was thinking lately. He sighed heavily and trotted away. He could always wait until the wedding rehearsals in an hour to talk to him. Shining couldn’t avoid him then. Flash perked his ears as he heard the guard snort, “Idiot.” Flash stopped. That guard had called him an idiot. A Private. In the Royal Palace Guard. He outranked the greenhorn. He was in a special unit. He was Shining’s second. He was just trying to see his brother because he was worried. He had been denied so many times already and now he was denied again. By a Private. How did that make him the idiot? Flash turned around. He was twice the size of the little shit and a Pegasus. Brave pony for a pipsqueak. He could squish him under a single hoof. As Corporal, he should discipline his under guards. Really, it was for his own good. Clearly, he hadn’t learned to respect his superiors back in basic so it was his duty to ensure that the lesson sank in this time. He would start with several broken ribs and then maybe end with a concussion. That will teach him to not disrespect his superiors. He felt heat spread throughout his body and he snorted derisively. He must have looked intimidating as the guard had started backing away from him with a nervous look on his face. The guard dropped his spear. Hah! He dropped his weapon. Now, who was the idiot? Flash advanced on the guard who had already backed himself up against the wall. He was mad. He was angry. He wanted that pony to hurt and to pay for all the others who kept barring him from seeing Shiny, his brother. Flash lunged forward, but felt strong hooves grapple him around his neck from behind and force him to stop. “I think that’s enough, Luv,” Cocoa calmly said as he struggled against Flash’s continuous thrashing, “I don’t think the guard deserves it despite his lapse in judgement.” “He disrespected me,” Flash growled, “I’m his superior. It’s my duty to teach him what Steel Bastion told me: Don’t pick on ponies bigger than you.” Cocoa sighed in exasperation, “Flash, calm down.” “No!” Flash shouted back. Flash knew he was throwing the equivalent of a temper tantrum right then, but he wasn’t going to let his colt friend stop him from doing what he wanted to. No, what he needed to. Cocoa growled and slammed Flash into the floor. He kept Flash pinned as he tried to stop him from charging at the now shaking guard. Flash redoubled his efforts to escape and pound the little jerk into paste. “Flash, you are making a scene,” Several ponies had in fact wandered into the corridor to see what was causing the commotion, “This is not going to help you see Shining.” “And?” Flash retorted angrily as he attempted to wriggle out from under his colt friend, “Never stopped me before.” “Let’s try a different approach,” Cocoa gritted his teeth as Flash continued to struggle under him, “If you don’t knock it off, I’m going to whoop your sorry flank until you do and I know you won’t hit back.” Flash didn’t care. He could take a few hits from Cocoa. It wasn't anything new for him. All he needed was for Cocoa to slip up then he could go beat up that mean guard. Payback would be swift and oh so great. Said guard was whimpering and covering his head with his hooves. “Fine, last resort it is,” Cocoa leaned in close to Flash’s ear to ensure he heard him, “If you don’t stop right now, I will throw myself out the nearest window and see how the ground breaks my fall from a ten story drop.” That finally snapped Flash out of his rage. His eyes widened in shock as he twisted around underneath Cocoa to look at him. “You can’t do that!” Flash exclaimed, “You’ll hurt yourself.” Cocoa rolled his eyes, “That’s the point, Flash. If I can’t stop you with threats against you then the next best thing is to threaten myself.” Flash whimpered and felt his ears droop. Cocoa was being unfair. The stupid guard had been a jerk, and deserved a kick in the flank. “He was mean!” Flash whined. “And? Hasn’t bothered you before,” Cocoa glared, “You’re bigger than most earth ponies, Luv. You can’t be fighting some greenhorn guard half your size. You could seriously hurt them.” Flash pouted, he knew that already. Cocoa, seeing that Flash had mostly calmed down, helped him to stand up and tsked as he looked over Flash’s attire. “You’ve ruined your suit. It took all morning to get you ready for the wedding,” Cocoa frowned disapprovingly, “There’s a private room down the hall and on the left. Head over there, and I'll join you shortly to help get you cleaned up.” Flash sniffed as he dejectedly trotted in the direction Cocoa had noted. He noticed out of the corner of his eye that Cocoa had walked over to help the guard stand back up. Flash perked his ears to better hear their conversation. “Thank you for saving me,” The guard shakily said, “That stallion would have ripped me apart.” “Yes, he would have,” Cocoa responded, “Flash is known for being very strong for a Pegasus. Though not violent prone.” “Well, I can’t thank you enough,” The guard laughed, “I could never have stopped that idiot on my own.” “Hm, yes, though,” Cocoa could hear the strained smile in Cocoa’s voice, “I would like to make something very clear.” “Uh, what’s that?” The guard nervously asked. “If you ever insult my colt friend again, I will personally ruin your life and ensure you will never be able to set so much as a single hoof in Canterlot without you suffering grave misfortune,” Cocoa snarled, “Are we clear?” “Y-Yes, Sir,” The guard answered, terrified. “Wonderful,” Cocoa said happily, “Have a lovely day.” Flash smiled to himself. Always good to confirm that Cocoa had his back. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Flash frowned at himself in the mirror. The spare room was a sitting room that happened to include a fireplace, several lounge chairs, and a full length mirror. He was fussing with his mane and trying to use his hooves to flatten it back into its slicked back look. At that moment, Cocoa trotted into the room and made his way over to where Flash was standing. “You need mane gel to fix that, Luv,” Cocoa dropped his saddlebags and pulled out a comb and a small container of gel, “Hold still.” “Thanks, Bugaboo,” Flash smiled and did as he was asked. Cocoa smiled back and applied a liberal amount of the clear gel into Flash’s mane. Using the comb, Cocoa brushed Flash’s unruly locks into its previous look. “I’m surprised you lost your cool so easily,” Cocoa noted as Flash flinched from Cocoa combing through a particularly rough knot of mane, “You tend to keep your cheery disposition even when other ponies are being jerks.” Flash scowled, “I’m just really worried about him. Every guard I talk to says he’s busy and won’t let me see him. Pine Sap, Status, and Silver Mist couldn’t even get in and they’re his subordinates.” “I’m worried about him as well, Luv,” Cocoa grinned in satisfaction as he finished off Flash’s mane, “I can’t understand his current train of thought in recent weeks.” “I know!” Flash huffed, “On the train back from the Outpost, he had said he wanted to take his time in planning the wedding, but after proposing to Cadence he suddenly wants to have the wedding in two weeks.” “Maybe he just wants to get it over with?” Cocoa reasoned as he started to smooth out the creases in Flash’s suit, “I’ve seen ponies get swept away in romance.” “Shining Armour? The pony with a need for order second only to Twilight Sparkle?” Flash raised an eyebrow, “I don't think so. Cadence, I could see doing a sporadic wedding, but she would respect that Shining would want to take his time,” Flash furrowed his brow ,”Or at least I think she would from what little I’ve seen of her.” Cocoa did a final inspection of his working smoothing out Flash’s suit and nodded in satisfaction, “Well, regardless, you obviously trusted him enough to tell him about me, so his decisions can’t be too in question.” Flash flinched, “I’m still sorry about that, Cocoa.” “Don’t be,” Cocoa smiled softly back, “I trust you and by extension those you trust. Though, next time I would prefer if you ask me first. Turn toward me.” “I definitely will,” Flash did as asked, “And I trust him, especially after he had done that promise, but this doesn’t seem like him at all. Tartarus, he only told Twilight and Spike yesterday.” “Well, if you’re that concerned, then have you talked to Princes Celestia about it?” Cocoa undid Flash’s bow tie and started tying it again around his neck. “I did, and she said Shining was just stressed out,” Flash frowned, “I also tried asking her what was wrong since I could tell she was bothered by something.” “Something was bothering the Princess?” Cocoa frowned as he inspected his work on the tie and instead untied it to start over, “She seemed to be smiling regally as she usually did when I saw her earlier today.” “Well, that’s the thing, she was smiling regally all day,” Flash furrowed his brow in worry, “Usually she can’t stand being the ‘perfect Princess’ all the time and tries to goof around when nopony is watching, but she hasn’t slipped once in the last two weeks,” Flash bit his lip nervously, “And honestly, nopony is acting right and I’m really worried.” Cocoa grinned as he finished tying Flash’s bowtie, “Flash Sentry, worried? Well, now I’ve seen everything.” “Cocoa, this is serious. My,” Flash leaned in closer, “Mark has been going off this past week and it's telling me that I need to see Shining.” Cocoa’s eyes widened in shock, “Flash, if your mark has been going off, why didn’t you say something sooner?” “Well, it’s random,” Flash flattened his ears, “It will go on and off throughout the day, and I don’t know why. It’s not even intense pain, just small bursts,” Flash whimpered, “I’m really worried, Cocoa.” Cocoa kissed Flash on the snout, “It’s okay, I’ll help you. We have the wedding rehearsal soon and we can ask him then.” “Thanks, Bugaboo,” Flash smiled warmly at his colt friend, “I don’t know what I’d do without you.” “Be in prison from assaulting that guard earlier and making it impossible to help Shiny,” Cocoa responded with a smirk, “Though, you would be the most presentable prisoner in Canterlot’s history.” “Presentable?” Flash grinned sleazily, “Don’t you mean sexy?” “I mean presentable. I prefer your au natural look myself. I get a nice view of your chest when you do that,” Flash giggled, “Anyways, come along, Luv. We have a rehearsal to go to.” ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The wedding hall was a large open room with a high vaulted ceiling and a raised platform for the impending marriage. Marble columns marked the room at set intervals and the room was decorated with flowers and banners as per Cadence’s specifications. Twilight’s friends, the other Element Bearers, and Spike stood to one side and several other ponies stood on the other, which was strange because he didn’t see the other members of Shining’s and his squad present even though they were supposed to be among the bridesmaids and groomsponies. Flash wasn’t too concerned about who was present at that moment as he was back to being angry. Cocoa was already moving closer to him to be in a better position to stop his inevitable lunge. “Haha,” Flash laughed obnoxiously, “Sorry, I don’t think I heard you right.” The poor earth pony mare in front of him adjusted her wire rim glasses. She was nervous. She didn’t want to tell the pony in front of her the bad news. She liked having all her limbs in place. “M-Mr. Sentry,” The mare stuttered as she hid behind her clipboard, bracing for impact, “It has been requested by the bride and groom that you be removed as best stallion.” “Are you bucking kidding me?” Flash shouted, “Why? Shining asked me to be the best stallion, so why is he changing that decision now?” “Well, Sir, it seems the bride didn’t appreciate your behaviour earlier in front of their private chambers,” The mare said shakily. “That’s-” Flash started then sighed in resignation, “Fair. I shouldn’t have gotten mad. Who’s replacing me then?” “A stallion by the name of Soaring Skies,” The mare answered. “Soaring Skies?” Flash scrunched his muzzle in confusion, “Who’s that?” “An acquaintance of Cadence’s.” Flash frowned, “Weird, don’t know any stallion named that, but I guess it’s fine,” Flash sighed, “At least I can sit with the rest of the family for the ceremony.” The mare shook in front of him. She was sweating profusely and darting her eyes around the room. She clearly had more to say and Flash felt he probably wouldn’t like it. “What?” Flash asked. “Well, actually, Sir,” The mare said fearfully, “Y-You’re actually sitting… Well, you’re not sitting… That is to say-” “Spit it out,” Flash demanded. “You aren’t sitting with the rest of the Sparkle family,” The mare cowered under clipboard, “You’ll be sitting in the back.” Flash was unsure what his current facial expression was. Spike was running towards him, Twilight’s friends gawked at him fearfully, Cocoa had grabbed him by the neck again, and the mare in front of him was in fetal position. By the actions of those around him he presumed his expression was probably not happy. The mare really didn’t deserve any of this. Flash was stressed and worried about his brother, but the mare was just doing her job. He hadn’t really meant to imply all those things about her mother nor her upbringing under said mother. By the time he had calmed down, Spike and Cocoa had managed to drag him to the back of the wedding hall and forced him to sit down in one of the many chairs that had been set up for the wedding later that day. “I’m fine,” Flash said through gritted teeth, “I’m not going to do anything.” “I don’t believe you,” Spike said, “I’ve known you almost as long as Shining and you aren’t known for doing nothing.” “I’m siding with Spike on this one,” Cocoa added. “Seriously guys, I’m good now,” Flash said in his most even tone, “When my dearest, bestest brother trots in, I will calmly and rationally grab him by the mane and bash his face into the floor repeatedly until he explains to me what the actual buck he’s thinking.” Flash attempted to stand up, but was forced back down by both Cocoa and Spike on either side of him. “Yeah, no,” Spike deadpanned, “If we let you go now, you’ll end up burning down the wedding hall. Normally, somepony would think that burning down a stone building would be impossible, but its you.” “I agree with Spike, and would prefer to not have to visit you in the Canterlot dungeons,” Cocoa added. “Well, I have to talk to Shining eventually,” Flash retorted grumpily with his hooves crossed over his chest. “And you can do so once you calm down, and when he arrives,” Cocoa evenly replied. Flash was about to retort, but stopped himself. Cocoa was right. Getting riled up and angry wasn’t going to help him confront Shining. He took a deep breath and let it out, feeling his anger fade away and be replaced by his usual calm. His usual calm being bubbly and energetic. “Okay, now I’m good,” Flash said, “I promise I won’t do anything stupid,” Flash pondered a moment then added, “-er.” Cocoa and Spike both looked skeptical, but let Flash go. To prove his point, Flash continued sitting calmly and grinning from ear to ear. “See?” Flash gestured to himself with a hoof, “I’m all good now.” Cocoa nodded as the doors of the wedding hall swung open. Princess Celestia, regal in her regalia and a smile on her face, trotted through the door with Cadence and Shining beside her. The blushing bride was squeezed up against her husband to be and was laughing at something Celestia had said. Shining was staring straight ahead and seemed to not be focusing on his surroundings. Probably pre-wedding jitters. Flash sighed in relief. He finally had a chance to talk to Shining about what was going on. As he stood up to go and talk to him, Cocoa slammed him back down onto his chair. Flash turned to his colt friend in surprise and was about to ask why he did that, but was stopped by his expression. He was staring at Cadence with a look of sheer terror. “Cocoa, what’s wrong?” Flash asked worriedly. “Flash, sit still, be quiet, and please, whatever you do,” Cocoa leaned in close to Flash to whisper in his ear, “Do not draw attention to yourself.” Flash blinked confusedly, but didn’t say a word. He had no idea what was happening, but if Cocoa was scared then so was he. Cocoa leaned over Flash to get closer to Spike, “Do you know where Twilight is, Spike?” Spike furrowed his brow in worry at Cocoa’s strange actions, “I don’t know. She had said she was going to find evidence that Cadence was evil.” Cocoa cursed, “We need to find her and stop her from causing a ruckus. She has to be in the castle and I-” Cocoa was interrupted by a large bang as the wedding hall door’s were slammed open once more and Twilight Sparkle strode into the room. All the assembled ponies plus one dragon turned to stare at her. Cocoa’s eyes shrunk to pinpricks, “Oh no.” “I’m here! I’m not gonna stand next to her and neither should you!” Twilight shouted across the room with one outstretched hoof. Cocoa stood up and galloped towards Twilight as Shining replied, “I’m sorry, I… I don’t know why she’s acting like this.” Before Twilight could respond, Cocoa shoved his left hoof into her mouth. Everypony looked at him shocked with the exception of Twilight who looked offended. “Sorry, don’t mind her,” Cocoa smiled, “She’s just stressed with having to help with the wedding.” “She is?” Shining said in surprise as Cadence narrowed her eyes in suspicion. “She is?” Flash repeated as he and Spike trotted up to the group. Twilight forced Cocoa’s hoof out of her mouth, “No, I’m not!” Cocoa turned to Twilight and gave her his patented ‘do not buck with me’ look. The glare was intense and powerful. It was the angry version of Flash’s super pout. Twilight caved immediately and shrunk into herself to get away from Cocoa’s withering gaze. Flash grinned. He could last way longer than Twilight. A whole three seconds, in fact. Cocoa turned back to the others, “Yes, she is. I’ll take her back to her room and help her calm down. We’ll back in time for the wedding.” While grinning brightly and without waiting for a response, Cocoa dragged Twilight after him, out of the wedding hall; shortly followed by Flash and Spike. Once they had left the chamber and found a private room away from any listening ears, Cocoa stopped and let Twilight go. Before Twilight could give him a piece of her mind, Cocoa said, “Where are the Elements of Harmony?” “Why did you-What?” Twilight faltered, “Why are you asking that? Also, why did you stop me from confronting Cadence? She’s evil!” “She is, but we don’t have much time to discuss the specifics,” Cocoa stared intently at Twilight, “Where are the Elements?” Twilight paused and looked to Flash who shrugged. He had no idea what had gotten Cocoa so panicked. “In the royal vault, but it can only be opened by an alicorn,” She hesitantly answered. “If you need an alicorn, Luna would suffice, yes?” Cocoa reasoned, “Where is she?” “On a diplomatic mission to Minos. She was invited to attend some festival called ‘Oktoberfest’ and she seemed really excited to be going,” Twilight looked at Cocoa with concern, “Cocoa, what’s going on?” “Cadence has been replaced,” Cocoa stated grimly, “By the worst possible creature in Equestria.” Twilight and Spike looked at Cocoa in confusion, but Flash quickly connected the dots. “Oh no,” Flash shook his head, “Oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no, Queen Chrysalis cannot be here. She can’t be. Shining wouldn’t have fallen for it, he knew about Changelings. He has that barrier up from when we had reported to Celestia about our mission to the Outpost. Tartarus, you even said that she was terrible at espionage.” “She is, but she’s also a Queen,” Cocoa stressed, “She doesn’t need to trick Shining, she just needs to get close enough to mind control him,” Cocoa pondered a moment, “Actually with how powerful she would be from feeding off of Shining continuously the last two weeks, she probably has a large portion of the guard under her control as well.” “Wait, stop,” Twilight interrupted, “Who’s Chrysalis?” “She is the queen of a race of bug-like ponies known as Changelings that can change their form into other creatures,” Cocoa replied, “And before you ask, no, I have no idea why she’s here.” “‘Changes forms’?” Spike tilted his head in puzzlement, “Like a shapeshifter?” “Exactly,” Cocoa nodded in confirmation. “A shapeshifter?” Twilight cried out, “You mean Cadence has been replaced? As in that thing marrying my brother is some bug?” “Yes, and knowing how Chrysalis operates, I would presume she’s still close by,” Cocoa said. “We have to save her!” Twilight exclaimed. “No, you have to get the Elements of Harmony,” Cocoa corrected, “I’ll find Cadence, but we can’t do anything if we don’t have a weapon to fight the Queen.” “No, I need to save her,” Twilight said desperately, “She’s my old foalsitter, and my future sister. I need to save her and my brother. I can’t leave them alone.” “Twilight, we need the elements,” Cocoa stated calmly, “Saving Cadence won’t help if we can’t stop Chrysalis from enacting whatever she plans to do.” Twilight looked like she wanted to argue, but instead hung her head in defeat, “Alright, I’ll try and get the Elements from the vault, but please save Cadence.” “I will find her,” Cocoa resolutely answered. Twilight nodded and threw Spike onto her back. Spike said ‘good luck’ as Twilight galloped out of the room in the direction of the royal vault. Cocoa turned to Flash, “I need you to get Shining Armour away from Chrysalis. If you can keep her away from him, her mind control might wear off.” “Changelings feed on love,” Flash said quietly, “I didn’t want to ask with Twilight in the room, but Cocoa,” Flash looked at Cocoa with worry, “How does Chrysalis feed off of Shining?” Cocoa frowned, “Just get Shining away from Chrysalis, Flash. I’m going to go find Cadence. She can’t be too far away.” Flash wanted to question Cocoa further, but instead nodded his head, “How do I get him away from her?” Cocoa smirked, “Just be you, Luv.” ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “Hey, Cadence, what’s up?” Flash threw a hoof around the shoulders of the disguised Queen Chrysalis and resisted the urge to shudder. They were trotting down the corridor to the wedding hall. The couple were to be wed in less than an hour and they needed to be dressed for the part. Shining looked exhausted and was staring blankly ahead without saying anything. It was obvious that he wasn’t okay, and Flash felt a surge of anger that he quickly suppressed. Chrysalis could sense his emotions and it would do no good for her to catch on to what he was planning. “Why are you touching me?” Chrysalis said in revulsion. If he hadn’t been a hundred percent sure that this was Chrysalis, he was now. There was no way that the real Cadence would be disgusted by his touch. For Celestia’s sake, she read his letters about his sexy time with Cocoa as foreplay. She had to be at least somewhat attracted to him if she was doing that. “Can’t a guy hang out with his future sister-in-law and best brother before their big day?” Flash grinned widely, “Not everyday my brother gets married,” Flash blinked as a thought occurred to him, “At least I hope not. Shining doesn’t seem the type to have multiple wives.” “You’re related?” Chrysalis’s eyes went wide in surprise, but quickly switched to a far too wide and forced grin, “I mean, of course you can hang out with us… Flash.” Flash grinned as he resisted the urge to kick the Changeling in the face. She was terrible at impersonating Cadence. Cadence always treated everypony as if they were the best pony there was, but Chrysalis couldn’t stand to even look at those around her with anything more than revulsion. He has no idea how she managed to fool anypony with her terrible acting. Regardless, it was time to enact his plan. He stealthily stuck out one of his hooves in front of Shining. True to his graceful form, Shining tripped tail over hoof and landed flat on the floor with his hooves spread out under him. He didn’t so much as flinch. “Oh, sweet Celestia!” Flash exclaimed overdramatically, “Shining, are you alright my dearest brother?” “Seriously?” Chrysalis deadpanned, “I just saw you-” “Shhh,” Flash stuck a hoof into the Queen’s mouth to stop her from finishing whatever stupid and probably logical thing she was about to say, “It’s alright Cadence, don’t worry. I’ll get Shining to the wedding.” Flash crawled underneath Shining and lifted him onto his back. Shining groaned from the movement while Chrysalis just looked at him, unimpressed. Flash took a moment to settle im snugly between his shoulder blades so he wouldn’t fall off. He was going to be doing a lot of running soon. “I’ll get him safely to the wedding,” Flash stated with resolve. “Why are you acting like this is some kind of military drama at the theater, you just tripped him,” Chrysalis rolled her eyes in disgust, “He can walk on his-” Flash stuck his hoof in the Queen’s mouth again and was met with a vehement glare, “It’s okay, I am willing to take this sacrifice for the greater good of my brother’s happiness.” With poise, grace, and some other epic thing to describe him, Flash trotted off down the corridor to get Shining as far as away possible from the evil Queen. “You know the wedding hall is in the other direction, right?” Cadence angrily shouted after him. “No, it’s definitely in this direction,” Flash lied, “I know where I’m going. I work here.” There was a long pause as Flash continued to trot away. “You know I’m the Queen of the Changelings, don’t you?” Flash broke into a cold sweat, “Well, I applaud your sheer audacity in coltnapping your own brother.” Dammit. “I have no idea what you’re talking about, Cadence,” Flash replied nervously. He turned back to look at Chrysalis. She was still in her Cadence disguise and had raised a single eyebrow. Flash grinned back. “I’ll give you a ten second head start before I call the guards to arrest you just for the sheer stupidity of this entire plot,” Chrysalis narrowed her eyes, “Make it count, idiot.” Wasting no time, Flash galloped off. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Flash breathed in and out with a practised rhythm from several long years of training in the guard as he charged down the hallways of Canterlot Castle. He had been galloping for Celestia knows how long and he was starting to wear down. Though he was used to carrying heavy loads with his armour everyday, Shining was awkward to carry and not the lightest pony around. Flash was going to have him lay off on the sweets after this. It was clearly doing him no favours. Chrysalis had not been lying when she said she would call the guards. More than half of the royal guard was chasing after him and he could feel himself being herded to a specific point. Every time he got close to one of his escape points, a guard would block his path. As he came upon a T junction in the corridor, a guard appeared to block his path forward. “Halt!” The guard shouted. He could turn right and presumably be brought closer to where Chrysalis wanted him, or charge forward and throw Chrysalis’s plan into disarray. The charging option sounded more fun. Flash lowered his head into a headbutt. He picked up speed as the guard’s eyes widened in shock and Flash sent him flying across the room. It was immensely satisfying. “And now you can’t escape me,” Chrysalis laughed, “Excellent job getting trapped like this.” Flash found himself in the center of a large open ballroom with tall floor to ceiling windows on one side and a large contingent of guards blocking him on all others. Chrysalis, still disguised, stood smug nearby. Buck. “Be a good little pony and hoof over my husband-to-be,” Chrysalis sneered. “Yeah, no,” Flash looked around the room for an escape route, but he was pinned in on all sides, “I’d rather not see my brother married off to a bug queen.” “Then rejoice,” Chrysalis grinned, “For you will not live to see it,” Flash gulped and dropped Shining to the floor as gently as he could. He stood over top of him protectively. He could still do this. All he needed to do was stall until Twilight retrieved the Elements of Harmony. “Let me guess, you’re thinking you only need to hold out until Twilight gets the Elements?” Cadence laughed, “It was a good plan, and I wouldn’t have expected it from the brat, but she wasn’t subtle in her attempts to retrieve them,” Chrysalis tapped a hoof against her muzzle in contemplation, “Although, the idea of using dragon fire and magic to destroy everything around the vault in order to enter was an interesting idea.” Flash felt a coldness in the pit of his stomach, “You better not have-” “Hurt her?” Chrysalis interrupted, “No, I haven’t, she’s a delectable food source and an adorable one besides. She’s been stored away for safekeeping. I will personally indulge on her after the marriage.” Flash growled as his fur stood on end. He was cornered, Twilight had been captured, and Shining was still passed out underneath him. The odds were not in his favour. But there was one more pony, or rather Changeling, he could depend on to turn this around, and Chrysalis had no idea about him. Cocoa, please hurry. “So, will you be so kind as to surrender now?” Chrysalis chuckled darkly, “I heard you ponies are ever so kind and generous.” Instead of responding, Flash braced himself and readied to fight. He had already focused his mark to protect both Shining and himself, and it was already screaming at him to prepare for an attack. He had to hold out until the real Cadence was found. He had to believe in Cocoa. “No?” Flash snorted and pawed at the floor in response, “Then we get to do this the fun way.” Chrysalis stomped her hoof once on the ground and the guards immediately surged forward with the intent of harming him. Though, considering they were being controlled by Chrysalis, Flash was certain that they wouldn’t stop at ‘harm’. BEHIND YOU. Flash bucked behind him with his rear legs. He heard a crunch as he hit the guard behind him right under the jaw and a clang as the guard crumpled to the ground. Not even pausing to take a breath, Flash headbutted the next closest guard in front of him, and gave the guard to his right a punch in the gut. The battle flowed seamlessly as guard after guard came to attack Flash. He continued to defend Shining underneath him as he kicked, punched, and heabutted his assailants back one by one. His mark gave him orders one after the other as the seemingly never ending tide of guards charged at him. As the battle wore on, Chrysalis became more and more irritated. She was being stopped by a single stupid orange pegasus and she had enough. With a burst of green flames and a fwoosh, the Queen of the Changelings in all her terrifying glory was revealed. Chrysalis was a sight to behold. She had a pitch black chitin with ridges and glowing green flesh. Long thin strands of green gossamer like mane flowed from her head, adorned with a single jagged horn and a black crown. A pair of moth wings fluttered by her side as she looked at Flash with her hateful green eyes. “This has gone on long enough,” Chrysalis stomped a hoof, “I will finish you myself.” The guards drew back to give her a clear line of attack to Flash as he continued to stand protectively over his brother. He snorted and growled. He fought to control the rising wave of fear welling up inside him as the Queen of the Changelings trotted, no, glided towards him. It was the most beautifully terrifying thing he had ever seen. RUN. Flash blinked. His mark had told him to run. His mark never told him to run. RUN. His mark was becoming more insistent. It was telling him he couldn’t win. He would never win. Not against her. Not against a Queen. He had two choices. He could stay, fight, and then lose or he could run and leave Shining to his fate at the mercy of Chrysalis. He was on his own. Cocoa would find Cadence, Flash believed that as much as the sky was blue, but he also understood that it won’t be in time to save him. Flash could die. He was up against a monster that had every intention of destroying him and, though he may be strong, he couldn’t fight her. Not a creature that could mind control half the royal guard and take down his brother. His mark wanted him to abandon Shining. The pony who helped him when he was on his own. The pony that stood by him through thick and thin. His truest friend that stayed by his side no matter what he did or how much he screwed up. Shining helped him. Shining saved him. It was time Flash returned the favour. He removed himself as one of the ponies to protect. It took his mark a moment, but it finally responded. FIGHT CHRYSALIS. Flash charged at the Queen. Empowered by having been continuously feeding off of Shiny for so long, she simply stopped him with a back hoof to his muzzle. He was stunned as he staggered back, but wasted no time in dashing to her open side. He couldn’t afford to stand still. If he did, Chrysalis would break him. He charged in again with a headbutt from her right side. Chrysalis scoffed and grabbed Flash by his head with a single hoof before impact. He raised him slightly off the ground and smashed him into the floor. Flash heard a ringing in his ears and his vision beginning to fade on the edges. He struggled to stand up. He tried to focus on what the Queen was doing, but his mind was fuzzy from the impact. ROLL. Flash dropped back to the floor and rolled out of the way of the Queen who stomped down on where Flash’s head used to be. He came up into a standing position and charged in once more. The Queen rolled her eyes and lit her horn with a sickly green aura. Flash felt himself grabbed by the throat. He was lifted off the ground by a shimmering green cloud of magic. He flailed his hooves as he was dragged to the Queen’s eyes. “I admit, you were a worthy adversary. Nopony has lasted nearly as long as you have,” Chrysalis smiled in genuine respect, “However, as with any adversary I have, you must now die. It was not a pleasure, Flash Sentry.” Flash felt her magic constrict his throat. Breathing became harder and harder as he gasped for every scrap of air he could manage. Black spots appeared in his vision. His mark had gone silent. There was nothing more it could do to help. He was going to die. He could feel tears well up in his eyes. He didn’t want this. He still had a full life ahead of him. He wanted to see Shining married to Cadence. He wanted to goof around with the Princess and his adoptive siblings once more. He wanted to tell Velvet and Night Light how much they meant to him. He wanted to tell Twilight that he didn’t really hate her. He wanted to go on missions with his friends in the squad. He wanted… he wanted to see Cocoa. He wanted him so badly. Why couldn’t he be here? He missed him. He wanted to tell him he loved him. He wanted to touch him, hold him, anything. He couldn’t hold out. He had failed. When it had mattered the most, he had failed. I’m sorry, Cocoa. I’m so sorry. His vision blacked out and he wet slack in Chrysalis’s magic. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Flash surged awake gasping for breath. He was in a sitting in a single bed surrounded by white tiles and beeping machinery. He was in the hospital. He noticed that he was bandaged all along his body. He could barely feel his bruised ribs or thundering headache, he was used to ignoring such trivial pain. What he was focused on was the throbbing form his mark. Cocoa was hurt. Cocoa was hurt and Flash didn’t know where he was. Cocoa was hurt and he wasn’t there to help him. Despite some protest form his body, Flash leapt out of bed and raced to the door. He yanked it open and saw a surprised pink furred nurse on the other side. “Oh, dear, you can’t be moving around yet. You’re hurt!” The Nurse grabbed Flash despite his protests and dragged him back to the bed, “Now stay here, dearie. We need to do a checkup.” “Where’s Cocoa?” Flash demanded. “Oh, dearie,” The Nurse looked at Flash with a sympathetic look, “I’m so sorry.” Flash felt a cold feeling in his gut. He imagined the worst, but Cocoa couldn’t have died. He would know if Cocoa had died, he would feel it. “What’s happened to him?” Flash felt tears welling up, “Please tell me he’s okay.” “Nopony knows, Dearie,” The Nurse flinched, “We’re still trying to find him.” They didn’t know where he was. Flash had to get out of here. He had to be looking for him. Now. “Please, let me go,” Flash begged, “I need to find him.” The Nurse smiled warmly, “I know, dearie, but you need to let the other guards handle this for now while you rest. They’ll find your friend once they interrogate that filthy bug in the dungeons.” That gave Flash pause, “‘Filthy bug’?” “Oh, yes,” The Nurse nodded her head fiercely, “The dreadful thing was found near the royal couple after Shining Armour and Princess Cadence repelled the invasion with their love.” “Which thing was that?” Flash asked as he felt the familiar rising tide of panic. “The bug that had replaced that poor Cocoa of yours,” The Nurse patted Flash’s hoof to comfort him. “He’s being interrogated in the dungeons as we speak.”