//------------------------------// // Crystal Kingdom, Crystal Love. Pt I. // Story: What Has Become Of Us? // by That_Rando_Cat //------------------------------// Twilight: He’s adorable when he sleeps. His hair messy but rather cute, the way he lays on his side practically fits my body. We were meant to be together. But, I doubt it. We found each other by chance. When he got up, he shook himself, as if trying to shake off a bad dream. “I’m fine… just, tired.” I nodded and walked out, bumping into Celestia. “Twilight! What’re you doing here?” she asked. “Better question, Celestia, what are you doing here?” I asked suspiciously. “I normally don’t see you here.” She nodded quickly, looking away. “I was just coming to check on you. A Guard told me you had come to check on Flash, your Guard for the trip, I presume?” I nodded. “Yep. I ought to pack up, though. Better now than never!” I said, dashing off to my room. She continued further towards Flash’s room after I ran off, but I didn’t look back. Celestia: This is wrong. Don’t terrorize him. Just consult him. I thought over and over, trying to clear my mind of pictures of him and the Princess together. It wasn’t okay, but at the same time, it was. Times are harder now, and she does need somepony she loves by her side, but… the best option would not be her own Guard. He’s been a Guard for five damn years. He’s fine, he knows what he needs to do. When I walked in, Flash was packing a fur coat into a duffel bag. “Princess Celestia!” he said surprised, bowing. “Why are you here?” I smiled warmly. “Just checking in on you. I just need to make sure that Twilight is being guarded by-” he raised a hoof to stop me. That insolent, rude prick! How dare he! “Princess, I’m sorry. But… I already went through this with Twilight’s friends, okay? They were much more obvious about hurting me if anything happened to her, so… I kind of know what’s coming for me, alright?” I nodded in understanding. I knew what it was like, sort of. Some Royals don’t expect me to rule fairly, seeing as I have been around for a very long time. But, then again, I have a great amount of experience. “Alright, Flash, you can go. But, again, make sure nothing happens to her, okay?” He nodded, and went back to packing his things, from a nice dress to a brush. His mane is quite shaggy, but it does look nice on him! I can see why Twilight likes him! And myself as well. “Um, Princess…?” he asked, blushing fiercely. “W-What’d you say?” I grabbed him by his neck and kissed him. What the fuck? He stayed there, frozen, and then pulled away. “You will speak none of this, okay, Flash? This never happened,” I said, looking away in shame. Not the first time. He nodded, and looked away in shame. “If Twilight finds out…” he said, and I face-hoofed. GODDAMNIT! How could you forget! “She will be so pissed if-” Twilight appeared at the doorway, her wings spread in anger. “If what, Flash?!” she said, looking between us. Can’t lie now, Celestia. You put yourself in the mess, you ought to be the one to fix it. “Twilight, I…” I sucked in a breath, and she stared at me intensely, her eyes ablaze with fury. “I kissed him Twilight! It’s not his fault, really, it’s all mine!” I wailed, and she grabbed Flash by the neck and practically dragged him out of the room, a frightened look on his face. What have you done? Twilight: How in the hell could Celestia do that? And Flash let it happen! No, he didn’t! She said it wasn’t his fault! “Explain yourself, Flash. I’d like to hear your explanation,” I said sternly, looking him in the eyes, and he shed a tear. “I… Twilight, I swear I had nothing to do with it! She just grabbed me and, well, you know, and I couldn’t do anything! I was far too shocked! I swear-” I cut him off sharply. “I believe you Flash. Just, prove it right-” he kissed me before I could continue, right in the hall. He pulled away quickly, forgetting where we were. Thankfully, there weren’t any Guards. “Alright, I forgive you, Flash. This time. Don’t be so sure on the next.” He sighed and turned away slightly. “I know, Twilight. I know that very well. But you believe me, don’t you?” I looked at him unsurely. If you do, he could be lying. If you don’t… he’s probably telling the truth anyways. “Yes, Flash,” I said, pressing my side against his. “I believe you.” He kissed my cheek and walked back to his room, probably to prepare for the Crystal Kingdom. Hopefully not to see Celestia, I thought, but when she walked came up behind me, she said, “It was my fault entirely, Twilight. Please, don’t blame Flash for it!” she added at the end, sounding desperate. “No, Celestia, I must. He could have stopped you-” I started, but she cut me off. “He didn’t know what I was doing, okay? I’ve done that plenty of times. Living for over a thousand years makes one grow desperate, Twilight,” she said sadly, looking away. “I truly hope it didn’t ruin your relationship. Speaking of, if it goes public, I must punish you I would anypony, alright?” “But why not change the law? Why not fix so many broken hearts?” I asked suddenly, and she was taken aback. “I… well… we can’t just change it like that, Twilight. We have to start suggesting it with young ones, start a new generation with fewer ponies who follow the old ways, who look sideways at anything abnormal in the laws of love,” she explained. “And hopefully, by a slim chance, can we even think of changing it, and with the public support of ponies, then we can begin to loosen the holds of the law, loosen the ruling of it over relationships, then get rid of it. It would take a long time, at least twenty years.” “Well, then I guess I’ll have to wait that long!” I said hopefully, but she gave a sorrowful look. “You will outlive Flash farther than you think. He is only twenty-three, and you twenty-one, but… twenty years is the fastest we can change, in my mind. The young adults have started to change, bringing a new era of enlightenment, but it is only half the population of Equestria, the oppressors of change are much more powerful, seeing as those who want change come mostly from the working-class, and those who oppose it are mostly Royalty. Flash will be nearly forty, probably fifty, and because you are now an alicorn, you are more like me. And that is supposing Flash lives long enough, Twilight. I’m sorry, but… you have to realize this.” I bit my lower lip, almost drawing blood. “But what if we change the minds of Royalty? What if we encourage change subtly? How would that change things?” I challenged, and she looked as if I were a goddess, the realization dawning on her. “Yes, Twilight, YES! You are thinking like a good ruler now! Why don’t we try and change the minds of Royalty, I hadn’t thought of that!” she said happily. “Oh, Twilight, I can’t thank you enough! I’ve been so stupid!” I blushed and smiled weakly. “You’re quite welcome, Celestia.” Now, can you try and get a start soon while I’m gone? I can do some research on the topic in the library at the Crystal Empire. See why we have these laws, change it, make our society better for everypony!” I said, encouraged again. “Yes, Celestia, I can do that!” She smiled brightly. “Okay, Twilight. I also want you to get ready for the Royal Court, as we will be having you there more often when you get back. Okay?” she asked hopefully. “We need more extra hooves.” I nodded timidly. I never liked Royal Court. It was rather depressing, and never enjoyable. “Yeah, I guess I could.” I looked over at the clock and saw it was almost eleven. “Well, look at the time! I ought to get going! Now, where’s… Oh, Flash, you’re here!” I said, running up to him. He looked around warily, and I laughed, hugging him. “Well, Celestia, we should be going!” I said quickly, running out with Flash quickly catching up to me. She called out behind us. “Have fun! Good luck on your studying, and take care of her, Flash!” she said light-heartedly as we ran out the door. I took off from the ground, Flash following quickly. We were both panting by the time we got to the station, and it was almost half past eleven. My friends were waiting there as well. “Twilight! It’s so good to see you again I can’t believe it Shining invited all of us but it was really Cadence’s idea she likes us more than Shining but you know-” I cut her off, laughing sillily. “Calm down, Pinkie! So, how long are you going to be staying there?” I asked. “Shining said a week, but Cadence said we could be there for two if we wanted. Figured we should do two, eh?” she said, elbowing Fluttershy, who was talking with Flash. “Hm? Oh, yes, we agreed to stay for two weeks. Looks like Flash is coming as well, huh?” she said hopefully, but for what reason, I don’t know. I nodded quickly. “So, did you ask to come along, or did they think to invite you as well?” Applejack spoke up. “Ayep! So nice of ‘em,” she said happily. “And, Flash, thank you again. For saving many other ponies’ lives on your visit.” He bowed in gratuity. “Just doing my job, really. And, um, you’re welcome,” he added after she bumped him on the shoulder playfully. “So, what’re you guys thinking of doing?” asked Rainbow. “Because we should probably get Twilight a little more flight lessons, just to be safe.” Flash nodded. “I’d be willing to help if you need it. As long as I’m not held up by anything. And, we did promise Celestia something, remember, Twilight?” He added at the end, and I nearly forgot. “Uh, yeah! So, maybe sometime after lunch there, or something? I want to get up early to study,” I said. We stood in awkward silence for a while, and when they gave the five minute call, “All aboard!” and we hustled on, only to find nopony on the train. “Private request, Princess,” said the pony working the snack cart. “Interested in anything?” I got a bagel, Flash ordered a sandwich, as well as Fluttershy, Pinkie and Rainbow, Applejack refused to get something, and Rarity got a bottle of water. She sent us off, and we found another lounge compartment after passing a car filled with beds. Flash dropped his bag on one of the beds before we walked in. Rarity pulled out Cards Against Ponykind again, and we laughed. “What? I do enjoy it! And, to be fair, we’ve got about another eleven hours ahead of us!” We nodded and set it up. The pony managing the cart came back in the room fifteen minutes later, and Fluttershy invited him to join. He looked unsure, but when we all invited him, he sat down next to Rainbow. He’s a pegasus, I thought as Rainbow gently laid a hoof on his leg. He looked kind of startled, but when he looked at Flash and saw him smiling kindly, he relaxed. Damn. I just wish I was next to Flash right now, was all I could think. He looked over at me knowingly, and invited me to sit by him. I complied, and he looked at us weirdly. “What? I do feel safe if I’m next to my Guard,” I said defensively, and he looked at Rainbow for reassurance. She nodded, smiling. We played for another good three hours, Rainbow and the stallion whispering to each other in between rounds, and we truly did enjoy ourselves. “Well! Me and Rapidstrike here will leave you guys be!” said Rainbow as she and Rapidstrike left. Flash and I followed them, leaving the rest to talk. They walked out onto the deck of the caboose, the wind howling slightly. Rapidstrike had his grey wing over Rainbow, their bodies pressed together. Flash walked next to Rapidstrike, and I walked up next to Flash. We were staring at the now fading farm hills of Ponyville, and the high mountains of the north were soon to be coming up. “So, how’re you two doing?” asked Flash, smiling. Rapidstrike kissed Rainbows’ forehead. “Quite well. It’s almost like love at first sight for us, huh?” Both Flash and I shook our heads in agreement. “I’m just glad I found my love, truly.” Rainbow nodded in agreement, resting her head on his shoulder. “Me too, I guess. I knew it’d happen eventually, but, I’m excited nonetheless,” said Rainbow. I pressed my flank against Flash’s, and he wrapped his wing around me. He kissed my head, and my body warmed up again from an unexplained place with an unexplainable feeling. Rapidstrike looked at us again with that look. “What? We love each other at least as much as you two,” said Flash, who had to admit it. There wasn’t any denying it in this situation. “And, yes, okay, we know why it’s not necessarily allowed. But who can deny true love? Not even you two.” Rapidstrike nodded. “I swear on my life that I won’t tell anypony,” he said, nodding his head slightly. “You need not worry.” We stood there for a good half an hour before Flash spoke up. “What’s your story, Rapidstrike? I swear I’ve heard you name before,” said Flash. Both Rainbow and I looked at them, and Rapidstrike tensed up. “Well, I… was in the newspaper. I was caught up in a robbery at a local store. He held us in there with a couple knives. I ran under a table once he looked away from me, and he threw two of his knives, one of which lodged itself into a table leg. I yanked it out and threw it back at him, catching him in the hind leg. I was seen as a hero that day, but it was looked down upon slightly. They thought it was an act, and I swear on my life I had no idea it was happening.” I felt sorry for the poor guy. I mean, not everypony gets attacked, especially not any normal pony. “I hated it. I knew then I definitely was glad I wasn’t a Guard. No offense, by the way,” he added on the end. “None taken. I do enjoy my job, because I met the love of my life, and before that, I felt like I was doing something really important,” said Flash, squeezing me lightly and quickly. I kissed his cheek, and he smiled at me. Rapidstrike nodded. “I’m happy with my job choice as well. I get to meet different ponies, talk with them, learn more about them, and really get to know what everypony’s life is like,” he said, and then, kissing Rainbow, he said, “And I met my special somepony.” He turned to leave, but he gave Rainbow a slip of paper. “My number, address, and contact info for you. Keep in touch,” he said and left. “I’m switching trains now, ought to get ready to go!” and with that, he left the three of us out here. “He seems really nice, Rainbow. Glad you finally met your love, along with Fluttershy,” I said happily. “Just wish the rest would find somepony they love,” I added with a sigh. “I just wish it was as easy for us as it is for them.” Rainbow nodded. “Yeah. Truly a shame. It’s such a good feeling to know somepony truly cares about you in a special way, you know?” Both Flash and I agreed, smiling. “I just wish I could always have him around, because it does get lonely sometimes. Like you know something’s missing, but you just can’t place your hoof on it.” Flash shook his head in agreement. “But, if your coltfriend was in the Guard, you’d be constantly worried about him, you know?” She shook her head in agreement. “And I can’t be with Twilight everywhere the way I’d want it to be, sadly.” All three of us nodded sadly, turning to look at the blank fields that stretched out for miles. The temperature dropped quickly, and I was shivering when Flash wrapped his wing around me. He led me back inside, Rainbow following close behind. I stopped outside the compartment my friends were in, hearing muffled shouting. “Come on Applejack, you know that Rainbow is just as vulnerable as you!” “Doesn’t mean I love nopony,” said Applejack defiantly. Pinkie Pie shouted, “Can you please just calm down?” “No! We all know Rainbow is being seduced by a criminal! Because Celestia almighty, he shows up and they fall for each other, just like with Flash, only he already loved Twilight, which, in my mind, is perfectly fine!” said Rarity accusingly. “And just because you haven’t found your love yet, Applejack, doesn’t mean you can be so toxic about others finding theirs!” There was silence for a while, and then Applejack spoke up. “Rarity, I’m not being jealous. I’m jus’ looking out fer everypony. I mean nothin’ against their relationships, but… I hate to say it, but Flash migh’ be wearing off on me! What he and Twilight went through that day really has put me on edge after he explained it. Does that make me paranoid?” Fluttershy laughed softly. “Of course not! You should just calm down. Maybe try and get some sleep, hm? Probably best that we all do, after the train leaves this station,” she suggested, and when they opened the door and saw us standing there, they went into a series of apologies. Rainbow had the hardest time being convinced they meant nothing they said was serious, and she had almost started to cry after hearing their quarrel. We all piled into the car, and Flash and I ended up having to share a bed. Not the worst thing ever, I thought as we settled in. The train had just pulled away from the station when the room was filled with silent snoring. Flash was fast asleep, his wing over my body, and I felt awkward. “Psst. Twilight. You still up?” whispered Rainbow from above us. “Yeah. Can’t fall asleep either. But… let’s try not to wake everypony up, okay?” I whispered back. “Okay. So, I just wanted to talk to you quickly about their argument. I know they’re looking out for me, but they really believe that Rapid is a criminal?” she asked quietly. “To be fair, you treated Flash kind of in the same way,” I responded, and she quietly agreed with me. Flash’s wings rustled, and I thought he had awoken, but we was still apparently awake. “Pretty damn good at pretending to sleep, huh?” I jumped slightly and nudged his shoulder playfully. “Flash, why’re you still up?” I asked. “Same reason you and Rainbow are,” he responded, sitting up. “I hate to say it, but Rainbow is kind of experiencing what they put me through with you, so… I sound mean when I say that, don’t I?” he said cautiously. “Well… kind of? I don’t really know,” I said unsurely. He nodded and laid back down, and soon everypony fell asleep. When we woke up, we were about half an hour from the Crystal Kingdom. When Flash woke up, he hit his head on the bed Rainbow was sleeping on, which startled her awake, and woke everypony else up. He tried apologizing, but it was for the best anyways. Didn’t need the new cart pony to find me and Flash sleeping together, and it gives us time to get ready to leave. “Augh! That was the worst sleep I’ve ever had in ages!” said Rarity, being her usual drama queen self. “Here, here,” said Applejack, rubbing her back. Flash was sniffing the air. “What? Do we really smell that bad, Flash?” asked Pinkie Pie, laughing. “No. I smell smoke,” he said, pointing to the door on the right. “I should go check it out.” He left with Applejack and Fluttershy following close behind. They ran back in within ten seconds, and all they said was “fire” as they quickly grabbed their things and ran. We followed them to the caboose again, where a new cart pony was waiting. “You came here to escape too?” she asked, and we nodded. “Let’s try and detach these cars, alright?” Flash nodded and went, followed again by Applejack. “Be safe!” I called to them as they left, and they only nodded. They came back a minute later, panting. “Wouldn’t budge. He have to jump,” was all Flash said, and everypony looked frightened. “Okay! Fluttershy, you take the cart pony, Twilight, you take Rarity, Flash, you take Applejack, and I’ll get Pinkie Pie,” said Rainbow. We grabbed our assigned ponies, and Rainbow counted down. “We gotta jump in three… two… one… now!” as an explosion shook the train, and as we jumped, we were wobbly, and I sort of crash-landed after slowing down to a safe speed, especially with the snow. Flash ran up to me, a worried look on his face, Applejack and Fluttershy following close behind. Shrapnel soon shook us, and I was hit pretty heavily, small cuts and larger ones soon leaking blood on to the snow. “Twilight, no!” shouted Flash as he ran up, picking me up, and trying to stop the blood flow, but there were too many cuts. He took off his coat and wrapped me in it, which did a better job, but my hearing was muffled and my vision was dimming, so when he picked me up, I remember the flaps of wings and a rush of wind as we flew fast to the Crystal Kingdom. It took less than ten minutes, and when we arrived at the castle, both Flash and I were escorted to the hospital. He had a rather small piece of wood sticking out of his side, but wasn’t bleeding badly. He was more focused on getting up. Probably to protect me. Sheesh, Flash, you don’t always need to be protecting me. “Look, I’m fine,” he said, struggling to get up. “Or not.” He flopped over, stopped trying, and looked over at me. One pony quickly pulled the wood out of his side, and I smiled weakly and awkwardly, and he did the same. “Can you send a retrieval party to the wreck again?” I asked weakly, and one of the doctors broke away to talk to a Guard, who quickly gathered up about six and flew out the nearest window. My vision blurred a little, sounds became a little more muffled, and I saw Shining running up to us. I felt blood running down the side of my face, blood trickling down my exposed flank, and he ran up to me, crying. “Twilight, don’t go!” Was I going? I couldn’t tell. My vision dimmed further, and my legs went numb. Shit. I might me. Flash noticed and practically jumped off the stretcher. “And why the fuck haven’t you tried to stop the blood flow?” he asked angrily, looking a little unstable on his hooves. “You know perfectly well she’s dying!” The medics looked insulted, but covered me anyways and put me on a breather. He huffed in approval, and walked with us the rest of the way there, sticking close to my side. Even in the emergency room, he was there. They tried to convince him to leave, but he was exceptionally stubborn, and sat down in a chair in the corner. He rested his chin on his hooves and stared at me intently. My vision was coming back slowly, and I heard plenty of voices, but, suddenly, I blacked out. The room opened up to a Court hearing, blood spattered the floor, and the Guards were panting, bleeding out, dead ponies’ bodies scattered about. Celestia had a small cut on her flank and was trying to stop the blood flow, and looked at me. “Twilight! Run! You need to do this without me!” and the half of the room she was on blew up, ponies storming in, quickly changing into graves that toppled and rolled around me. A pegasus that looked similar to Flash, but had Rainbow’s tail and mane flew down. “Have you not taken heed to what I said? Death will come in great numbers, Twilight! Follow Celestia! You must look into the old readings, discover why society is this way! Change the wrong to right!” he shouted, and was shot down. Where did these weapons come from? I turned to the ponies, their rifles trained on me. I screamed and it changed to an open field, Flash’s arm wrapped around me, both of us laying in the grass, staring up at the sky. The stars sparkled brightly against the almost black sky. “This is what suffering and trial leads to, see? Times are hard now, but what you work for changes your life and the rest of everypony’s lives, for all the future generations. And our two on the way,” he said, and I looked down. I’m pregnant? Oh. It’s just a dream. He gave me a squeeze. “Twilight, we all beg of you to change.” And then, thousands upon thousands of ponies came out thin air, smiling, and each had a partner, no matter the race or gender. “You see, Twilight, there are millions out there suffering under the current rule. On behalf of everypony, I ask you to help us.” I nodded, and the field dissipated, leaving just Flash and I floating in a black abyss. “Know this, if you don’t act fast enough, many others will die and live in a depressed state because their loved ones left and or died for their beliefs. And I will wither away slowly as a pegasus, and unless wedded to you, will remain as such,” he said, and he fell over and disintegrated. I cried out, and his voice came back once more. “I am your true love, and will remain so if I die, and until you return to me, I will remain alone. I will remain loyal to my first and only love in Celestia’s realm above the sun and the stars if I get there. But, until then, this life I spend with you.” I woke up startled, hearing both my brother and Flash arguing. “... Chill Shining! Twilight and I are doing just fine, I swear it wasn’t my fault!” I heard, my entire body beaded in sweat. Flash and Shining were the only ones in the room, so when Flash got up suddenly, Shining held him back. “Woah, easy, Flash! It can wait, alright?” He nodded reluctantly. “So… sister, how have you been?” he asked, looking between Flash and I. “Seems still you are together,” he added with a hint of disgust. I shot him a glare. “Almost nopony knows, so shut your mouth, brother. And, really, I did just pass out. Could Flash and I have some alone time as well?” I asked desperately, and he turned and left, looking back uncomfortably. Flash walked to my side. “Well, we did make it,” he said matter-of-factly. “But… how long are you going to be here? It’s almost four in the morning now, and… not five hours after, but a whole day you were out, Twilight.” I laughed. “Wow. Really took a beating, huh?” I said playfully. He looked grim. “You lost almost a half liter of blood, Twilight,” and I gasped. “Yes, I know, incredible. But it was slow, and your cuts were small, but there were a lot of them.” “Since when did you care about stuff like this, Flash?” I asked suspiciously. “Doctors filed a report, that’s all,” he said, staring me down. I doubt he’s lying, I thought, and gave him a sideways look. He blushed and looked away. “Okay, I guess I looked about a hundred times over it.” I blushed as well. “Well, at least you care about me Flash,” and I beckoned for him to come closer. “I just wish we had more time today,” I whispered in his ear, and kissed him. He smiled under it, and kissed back, when Shining walked in. “Shit guys! Could you just not do that when I’m around?” he said incredulously. “I mean, seriously, every time I see you two together, one of you is injured or acting romantic in some way!” “Can you keep it down?” asked a doctor as he walked past. “It’s four in the morning, if you haven’t forgotten.” Shining nodded, and lifted me out of bed. I grunted a little, and was unsteady on my feet. Flash supported me as we walked around the hallways. “So, I got you two a room. And I suddenly regret it,” he said, facehoofing. “I put you two in the same room.” Both Flash and I looked happy, but he turned around. “No. Funny. Business. At all. Okay?” he asked sternly, and lowered his voice. “I don’t care if you two sleep together, but for now, that’s as far as you are allowed to take it without Flash getting hurt, alright?” We nodded  quickly and ran off. He sighed and shook his head, saying, “Just don’t stay up too much later!” We didn’t pay attention. Flash clearly wanted his armor off, and when he finally unstrapped his chestplate, I grabbed him by the mane. “What the hell-mmph!” he said as I kissed him. Throwing us on a bed. He broke away quickly. “Can we just sleep tonight? Please?” I clearly looked hurt, because he laid a hoof on my cheek. “Take no offense Twilight, but I just am really tired, okay?” I nodded, turning so my back was against his chest, curled up, and fell back asleep. My dreams were just as troubled as before, with multiple scenes going through my mind of Flash getting killed in gruesome ways that I wouldn’t even think of, us together, him suddenly replaced with the pony who tried to kill me in an alley, holding a knife to my throat as he threatened unimaginable things, a river of blood washing away forbidden lovers, Celestia denying me and Flash the right to love each other a thousand times, and when I woke up, I had my face in Flash’s chest, sweat covering my body, and tears streaming down my face. He was calmly stroking my mane, trying to soothe me. I cried harder, now awake, and he just let me, without questions. He thinks I can’t control my emotions. Ugh! Pull. Yourself. Together! But I couldn’t, no matter how hard I tried. From the previous dreams to these, reality just seemed to warp itself. Am I going insane because of love? What is happening? Is Flash having similar dreams? Questions kept running through my head faster than the tears, now slowing, my sniffling going away. “Twilight. Twilight? Are you okay, Twilight?” he asked, looking down at me. I looked up and saw his face full of sorrow. Not pity. Not anger. Not awkwardness. Not uncomfortableness. But it wasn’t that he was an emotional block of wood. “It’s just… between earlier and now, there’s been too much awfulness in my dreams, okay? First it was Celestia dying, the Royal Court blown to bits, ponies rushing me, turning into graves, you, but with Rainbow’s hair, flying above me, giving warnings, and getting shot with I don’t know what, dropping dead in an instant, you and me in an open field, you leaving me behind with two unborn foals.” He looked away. “And… that was all from when you passed out?” he asked, not able to meet my eyes, and he was starting to tear up. “Y-Yes, it was. And then, just now, it was you dying in the most gruesome ways, the pony who tried to murder me in the alley in Ponyville, a river of blood whisking away forbidden love, and Celestia denying us our love over a thousand times, holding you in a cell.” He started to cry, the second time I’ve seen him do it compared to my hundredth. He buried his face in my head, weeping. “I-I thought I w-was only having th-the same ones t-too,” he said sobbing. I nodded letting him cry into my shoulder. We both started crying, both at the unfairness of the world and how much we’ve been put through. He wrapped his wings around me, and I did the same. Shining clearly walked in, and was surprised to find the both of us there. He looked away quickly, walking out, closing the door behind him. It was almost one, but I didn’t care. We still had twenty-eight days. You spent almost two days now. Pull it together! But I couldn’t. I didn’t want to. I just needed to let my built up feelings to run free. “Liquid pride,” would be what Shining would call it. When Fluttershy walked in with Applejack and Rainbow Dash, we both looked over at the door. “You two are so cute together,” said Fluttershy, her typical quiet voice coming back. “It’s fine, we can go…” I shook my head, and Flash agreed with me. “No, we should really get up. I’m hungry anyways,” I said, trying to come up with a different excuse than We’ve been here for a good hour now. “O-Okay. You guys sure?” asked Rainbow. “We can always leave-” “Nah. It’s best we get going anyways,” said Flash, rolling out of bed, literally. “Damnit! Forgot about that!” he said, laughing lightly. Me and my friends giggled, and Applejack fell over laughing. “Oh, Flash, yer jus’ too funny!” He grabbed his ruined armor. “Well, guess I ought to get a new set. I’ll be back!” he called, running off with his armor. Rarity appeared suddenly, poking her head in through the doorway, looking at Flash and the rest of us. “What was that about?” she asked. “No idea. His armor looked fine,” said Fluttershy. “He’s fine without it, too. He’s good looking without it no matter what.” We all nodded in agreement, even if awkwardly. Wait. “Where’s Pinkie Pie?” “She’s going to take a while longer to recover. She almost got a concussion after the explosion, the snow was icy where we landed, and bits of the explosion caught us badly,” said Rainbow, looking down at the ground in shame. “I should have been more careful with the landing, really. It’s my fault.” I wrapped an arm around her. “My landing was pretty bad as well, so it’s not your fault. It was the explosion’s fault.” She nodded, but wasn’t completely convinced. “I’m just glad Rapidstrike wasn’t on the train, you know?” We nodded in agreement. “Can’t say the same about Flash, though. He did take a beating. Not as bad as you though, Twilight,” said Fluttershy. There was a voice coming from down the hallway. “So, you’re saying, that the Captain from Canterlot is currently in love with Princess Twilight? And the Princess fell for him as well?” “No, no, not at all! Just, you know, he’s been hanging around her more and more closely. And I can’t help but wonder, even if he had saved her life plenty of times now,” said a different voice, clearly a mare’s. “Which I guess does make a good excuse, huh?” The stallion grunted in agreement. “But the rumors are quite insane. Some say he’s been doing it with her, some say that he’s a prostitute, but he’s the Captain, which can’t be true, some say that she just invites him in for Celestia know what, and, well, it does get crazier and crazier from there.” It was the mare’s turn to grunt in agreement. “You really believe that bullshit?” the stallion sighed. “Well, I mean, of course you do! Some may be partially true, if not entirely, but it’s just public gossip. You really shouldn’t believe it!” They passed by without a glance in our direction, as we stayed silent. Flash bumped into the pair, and they sort of talked to him, sort of made eye contact, sort of shrunk away from him, and entirely were afraid of him, even though he had a kind smile on and a genuine happy sparkle in his eyes. The mare gave him her address number, and he took it, acting nicely, and walked off back to our room. “Those two are… quite something, to say the least. Energetic is the least I can say about them right now.” Rarity giggled slightly. “Honestly, I didn’t think Guards could be so obsessed with such silly things.” I laughed, and so did Rainbow. “Aren’t you also caught up in it? Last I checked, you were caught in a scandal with a different designer.” She blushed. “It was nothing, really! We made a breakthrough in design, and he hugged me as soon as we completed it!” Flash laughed as he sat down beside me. “You have no idea how much other Guards love to argue over gossip. Really, it’s so funny it’s not funny.” “Then why are yeh laughin’ at it?” asked Applejack, finding contradictory statements. “Not laughing about the amount of gossip, just laughing at the idea,” he replied. Applejack could and would start an argument with him every time she saw him. “Oh,” was all she said, resting her chin on the ground. “I’m tired too, Applejack. I wish that yesterday could have been a little less dangerous,” said Fluttershy. We nodded in agreement, and Flash rolled on his side. “Egh. Need. Food.” was all he said before walking out. Rainbow just rolled her eyes in a “boys” kind of way. Everypony else giggled, and they did admit they were hungry. Thankfully, Flash was balancing seven different plates and a new spear for us on his way back. I almost hugged him, but I didn’t want to spill the food on the plates. “Damn! That looks mighty fine!” said Applejack, taking a plate off the pile hurriedly. “I could eat a whole barn right now!” We laughed and talked and ate for the next half hour, Flash’s wing over my back, his side against mine. None of my friends noticed, or just didn’t care anymore, and Rarity and Rainbow offered to take the plates back. “You carried them here, Flash. We should take them back,” was all Rarity said before the rest followed them out. Flash got up and fell down on the bed. “Im'a get some rest before tomorrow. How about you?” he asked, stretching out, and pulled the sheets over him. “I’m just so *yawn* tired.” I got in on the other side and kissed him. He gave in this time, and we laid there for a good while before I fell asleep, my lips on his, and his arms wrapped around me and a wing draped over me. I slept comfortably, but Flash had a little struggle in his sleep. “Kind of like earlier, but not as bad,” was all he said as morning light filtered in. Seven in the morning. I ended up folding my body against his to fall asleep, and he put an arm on my shoulder in his sleep. He’s probably used to it by now. “Well, time to get to studying!” I said cheerfully, getting out of bed in a hurry, Flash doing the same.