//------------------------------//
// Epilogue 
// Story: The Good, the Bad, and the Sentry 
// by Tumbleweed 
//------------------------------//

“Flash, you're awake!”

Thankfully, by the time Princess Twilight Sparkle stuck her head in the room, Carrot Top and I had concluded our dalliance. Since the hospital bed was too narrow for the both of us, Carrot Top had just pulled her chair in close enough for some hoof-holding. Which, to judge by the blush on the Princess' purple cheeks, was just as bad as if she'd caught us en flagrante delicto.  

“Oh!”  Princess Twilight said. “I'm not, uh ... interrupting anything, am I?” And, while she tried to hide it, there was just the faintest twinge of disappointment, of jealousy in her voice. I suppose she was somewhat justified in her heartbreak, to learn that the handsomest stallion in the land (and a Hero of Equestria, to boot), was spoken for. But there's something to be said for living and learning and moving on and all of that, which no doubt made Princess Twilight Sparkle a better pony in the long run, helping her become the benevolent ruler she is today. In fact, I'm halfway tempted to claim credit for subtly sculpting the Princess of Friendship's character, except that I'm sure if I did, somepony would use it as an excuse to send me somewhere horrible.  

“It's alright, Princess.” Carrot Top said. “Flash hasn't been awake for long, but he's already recovering.”

“Right, right.” I said. “Just give me a glass of brandy and a sandwich, and I'll be right as rain.”

“I don't doubt that." The Princess shook her head, pushing past whatever embarrassment and/or heartbreak she no doubt felt.  “But for now, I think you'd better rest. Especially since you seem to be really bad at it. I mean, I can't think of very many other ponies who go out on a routine survey mission, only to come back with a whole gang's worth of prisoners. If I didn't know any better, Flash, I'd say you were looking for trouble.”

“I can assure you that nothing is farther from the truth.” I said.  

“I'm not quite sure if I believe you.” Princess Twilight Sparkle said with a wink. “But I'm glad you're awake, and even more glad you're feeling better. I, uh-- I won't take up too much of your time. I'd hate to impose.”

“You could never impose on us, Twilight.” Carrot Top just smiled a sunny smile, the very image of an innocent mare from Ponyville. Honestly, was as if the mare could just flip a switch between 'background pony' and 'deadly operative.'  

“Thanks.” Princess Twilight smiled, and nodded. “But I'll still try to make this brief. We can worry about the ceremony once Flash's fully recovered.”

“Ceremony?” I said. To me, word didn't exactly have the most pleasant of connotations. It suggested business with cultists and chanting and the summoning of horrible monsters, or big fancy to-dos in which various Princesses would pin some medals onto my uniform (often for some kind of to-do involving aforementioned chanting cultists).

“Of course!” Princess Twilight beamed. “It's been a long time coming, honestly. Anypony can see just how much you've done for Equestria-- and it goes without saying you'll do something even bigger and more selfless in the future. But you still deserve recognition beyond just a silly medal, don't you think?”

“Beg pardon?”

“Of course, there will be added responsibilities that come with it-- but you've already proven yourself more than pony enough to handle them. Though in theory, you won't be out in the thick of it as much as you were before, but I'm sure you'll be leading from the front in no time--”  

“Hold on.” Somehow, my voice didn't crack. “Are you saying what I think you're saying?”

“That's right.” Princess Twilight said, and drew herself up to some semblance of regal bearing. Her horn glowed, and an official-looking scroll snapped into glowy purple existence next to her head. “Normally, I'm not one for formality, but in this instance, it is my royal privilege to be the first to congratulate you on your promotion, Major Sentry.”







	So ends the eighth volume of the Flash Sentry Papers.