//------------------------------//
// A Flurry of Emotions 
// Story: Flash Sentry, Defender of the Peace S7 
// by Banshee531 
//------------------------------//

It began within a dark, dreary laboratory, the pony known as Void wheezing as he walked up to a pod. A long hiss came next, the pony now implanting a piece of Corrupted Shadow into his latest creation and shutting the hatch.

"This is your target!" He held a hoof up to the glass, showing a familiar photo of a certain pegasus. The being inside stared at the image and growled, Void letting out a cough as the machine began to open. "Bring him...bring him to me, and destroy anything or anyone that gets in your way."





A couple of days later...

In Ponyville at the Castle of Friendship, Flash, Springer, Heart, Soul, Ace and Mira were sitting around in the entryway of the castle. It was a particularly hot day, so the group were all chilling by the open doorway to get a nice breeze. Flash was polishing Lightbringer, Springer doing some meditation exercises, Soul and Mira were both doing some artwork and Heart and Ace were playing cards.

"Ha!" Heart threw a card down, "Snap!"

"We're playing go fish," Ace deadpanned.

"We are?" The others chuckled at this, only for Twilight, Spike and Nurse Redheart to walk in from the hallway.

"Oh, the poor dears really do need cheering up." The nurse sighed, referring to the pony pox outbreak that had occurred to one of Cheerilee's classes, which had ruined a school picture day.

"We'll do our best," Twilight reassured her, "We'll bring snacks, I'll read to them, and get them gifts!"

Spike walked up between them, carrying a long list with him as he pointed to himself with a quill, "Food and presents always cheer me up."

Redheart walked up to the door next, Springer getting out of her way as she headed out. "We'll see you soon!" Twilight added before closing the door, getting moans from the others, "Oh, grow up."

"Okay," she turned to Spike as he looked over the list. "If we want to be at the hospital by lunch, then we have three hours to buy get-well presents, borrow a book from the schoolhouse..." He let out a sigh, "And pick up treats."

"It's a lot," Twilight continued, "But if we stick to the schedule, I know we can get it all done."

"Yeah, knock on wood."

But as he said that, the door began to unleash its own knocking sound. "Huh?" Flash raised an eyebrow, "You all expecting anypony?" They all shook their heads, causing Twilight to open the door. And when she did, they were greeted to the sight of a very frazzled looking Shining Armor and Cadance.

"Surprise!" The former Royal Guard Captain exclaimed as the pair pushed a baby carriage carrying a giggling Flurry Heart.

Twilight gasped as her eyes went wide. "Oh my gosh!" She immediately rubbed her nose against the baby's, "How's my favorite niece?"

"Isn't she your only niece?" Heart asked, Twilight glaring back at him.

"Flurry's fine," Shining replied, "And she's wondering if her favorite aunt wouldn't mind watching her for a few hours."

"Hope you're not too busy," Cadance added, Spike walking up with the list in response.

"Actually, we kind of are-" the drake tried to say before being muffled by Twilight's hoof.

"Busy?" She scoffed, "Would the best aunt ever be too busy to spend time with this adorable little one?" She pointed at Flurry while her parents smiled, Spike then jumping next to the baby carriage and holding up the schedule. "No!"

"Oh, this is not gonna end well." Flash commented as Twilight picked the baby up in her magic and started kissing her before giving Flurry a raspberry on her bellybutton.

"Flurry, I've got a surprise for you!" She giggled as she put her on her back, walking to a nearby closet before putting her down, the foal running on the spot, her tongue out like an excited dog. "Just a couple of toys that reminded me of Flurry..."

"Err...Twilight," Soul chimed in, "Maybe pull the baby back before-" Twilight opened the door and several wrapped boxes fell out, burying the baby. They all gasped for a moment, Twilight quickly pulling Flurry out, the foal just blinking at her.

"How'd you know that was gonna happen?" Mira asked, Soul rolling her eyes.

"I was the one who helped her cram them all in there."

Twilight turned to her brother and sister-in-law, "I'm excited to show you I've done some shopping for Flurry Heart."

"Oh-ho-ho," Cadance giggled, "You're so sweet. You didn't have to do all that."

"I know," Twilight exclaimed, "But I can't help myself! BEST AUNT EVER!" She then lifted up a box, "Open this one, Flurry." Flurry let out some baby noises before pulling the lid off, revealing a pink and blue pair of teddy bears. She giggled before picking up the blue one and letting out some growling noises.

"Exactly!" Twilight picked the other one up, "They're bears!" She winked, "You're one smart cookie." She then used her magic to make the bear float through the air, then dance upon a bookshelf. Flurry laughed at this and tried to do the same with her bear, though hers didn't look as elegant.

"Wow..." Heart commented, "She's almost as good as Soul." His sister growled at him as he laughed while Shining called out to Twilight.

"We'll just put Flurry's things over here, Twily!"

"Uh-huh," Twilight replied, not glancing back, "Totally."

Flash let out a sigh and moved over to Shining, knowing he would probably need to remember this in place of Twilight. Shining then pulled out several jar of green slime, "Mashed peas, her favourite."

"Good choice," Flash licked his lips.

"And diapers," Cadance floated a bag over to them, "Uh..." she then floated more over, "Extra diapers. Oh," followed by even more, "And backup extra diapers. Heh."

"I thought you were only leaving her here for the afternoon?" Ace asked.

"Oh? Do you think you'll need more?"

"Mashed peas, her favourite. Wait..." Shining commented as he took out another jar, "Did I say that already?" They turned to the pile of diapers and peas, which had formed a fort around Spike that the little dragon pushed a window out for before nodding. "Oops."

"Oh," Cadance then took out a cream colored snail toy with a green shell, "And this is the most important thing of all." She handed it to Flash, "Her Whammy."

"Huh," Flash looked it over, "Cute."

"I take it Flurry named it?" Spike asked, getting a nod from Cadance.

"Yup. If she gets fussy, just give her the Whammy and she'll calm right down."

"You getting all this, Twily?" Shining asked her sister, who was still playing with Flurry.

"Whammy. Got it." She then lifted Flurry onto her back, "Where are you two headed anyways?"

"You remember my friend from the royal guard, Spearhead?" Twilight and Spike raised an eyebrow at this, Flash smirking at this.

"Oh yeah. He had the fastest time in the forest obstacle course." Flash's eyebrows began to hop up and down at this, "Until I beat it, of course."

The others rolled their eyes at this, remembering Flash gloating about that for a week afterwards. "Well..." Shining continued, "He has a pop-up art show at the Ponyville Cafe, and we decided to go at the last minute."

Cadance nodded at this, "We're not exactly art enthusiasts, but we could really use a night out."

"You mean day?" Spike corrected.

"That's what I said!" Cadance replied, "Wait...isn't that what I said?" Twilight nodded while Spike shook his head. "Either way, are you sure you can watch her?" Twilight smiled, especially when Flurry climbed onto her head and started nibbling at her ear. But then Spike made a noise that made her turn to him and see the drake pointing at the list.

Twilight grimaced at this, especially as Flurry gave her a hug, but then Flash spoke up. "Don't worry about it." They all turned to him, "We can handle this. Together, the eight of us will have no problem looking after her."

"Err..." Springer poked him on the shoulder, "Flash." He turned to him, Springer gesturing to where Heart, Soul, Ace and Mira had been...as in, they had all vanished.

"Where'd they go?"

"They booked it," Springer replied while Flash stared at the doorway.

"COWARDS!" He yelled, "Come on Heart! What kind of Royal Knight runs away from looking after a baby?!" He then pointed a hoof at Springer without looking at him, "Wipe that smirk off your face." Springer had been smirking as Flash turned to Shining. "Don't worry. We can still look after her for a couple of hours."

"He's right," Twilight nodded, "Have no fear. The best aunt ever has everything under control." Shining and Cadance both smiled at this before Cadance pulled Flurry over to her, the pair kissing her on the cheek before the baby flew back to her aunt.

"Thanks again, Twily."

With that, the royal couple trotted out the door. Once they were gone, Spike turned to Twilight, "Okay, let's grab that Whammy thing and go." Twilight nodded, only for Flurry to teleport herself in front of her.

"Uh-uh!" She shook her head, then picked her blue bear and growled.

"Oh...you want to pretend we're the bears." Flurry nodded, "I suppose we have time for a quick game." The pair then walked off, leaving Spike to sigh.

"Do we, though?" Flash watched Twilight and Flurry play with one another, then turned to a nearby clock.

"Twilight." The alicorn glanced back at him, "What if we split up?" He took the scroll from Spike, "Springer and I will get everything you need while you stay with Flurry. Then, we'll come back and take over babysitting while you go to the hospital."

Twilight gasped at this and flew over, giving him a hug. "YOU'RE THE BEST!" She kissed him before returning to her game, Flash and Springer running to the door.

"Alright," Flash told his partner, "Let's do this thing. We need toys, a book and treats!"

"Got it," Springer nodded back as they left the castle, both running through the town as the jakhowl asked, "But are you sure you can handle looking after a baby? I mean, remember when the Cakes needed you to babysit?"

"Yes, yes," Flash rolled his eyes. "That was a long time ago. After everything I've come up against, looking after a foal for a few minutes shouldn't be too much of an issue. I mean, it's not like this one can breath fire."

"No, she can just fly, teleport and unleash a blast of magic so strong that it once destroyed a relic that has the power to trap umbrum and push away cataclysmic blizzards."

"We can handle it," Flash replied as they arrived at the toy store. "Just as long as nothing else tries to cause any issues, we'll be fine."





At that exact moment, a cloaked figure was making its way through the Everfree Forest.

The figure simply marched through the area, going straight ahead as a Timberwolf stepped out from the darkness of the trees. The beast's terrible breath polluted the air as it stalked the pony. And as it turned their hooded head to the beast, the wolf pounced with primed claws. But before it could get close, the pony raised its hoof, revealing a faded brown leg with metal on the bottom with a small hole in the very bottom.

From that hole came a blast of water, striking the wood monster with enough force that it completely shattered in one shot. And as the debris hit the dirt, the pony turned back to the path, slowly walking through the forest as it continued to go for its target.





Flash and Springer had managed to get everything Twilight needed for the foals. They had gotten a bunch of toys from the toy store, making sure to get a good balance of ones that colts and fillies would like, then headed to the school house and borrowed a book from Cheerilee. The book they decided on was called Burnferno, Warrior from Within. It was the only book they found that Twilight could possibly read completely in the time she had, and then they headed to Sugarcube Corner to get the treats from Pinkie. Apparently, the pair had just missed Heart and Soul, the two jumping out the window when they spotted Flash and Springer coming, making the pair roll their eyes.

With everything in hoof, they returned to the castle. "Nice. I think that's everything, and we got it all with thirty minutes to spare."

"Now for the hard part," Springer replied as they walked into the castle, "Looking after Flurry until Twilight gets back."

"Oh, come on," they headed for the dinning room. "I'm sure Twilight's already dealt with all the difficult stuff, so we shouldn't have too many problems." Springer glared back at him, making Flash shrug, "If Twilight can handle all the insane situations we've been through, looking after a baby will be easy. I mean...how much trouble could one little pony cause." In that moment, he opened the door, only to get hit in the face by something green. "Gyah!" He staggered back, Springer's eyes going wide.

"You okay?" Flash then used his tongue to scoop the stuff up and pull it into his mouth.

"Mashed peas. Nice." He hummed before seeing the room that was now covered in the green slop, including Twilight and Spike.

"When they said mashed peas were her favorite-" Spike started before getting hit in the face by more, Flurry letting out a giggle as she walked on the chair she was standing on. "...did they mean her favorite thing to decorate a room with?!" Flurry then picked up more peas and threw it at them, the pair barely dodging as it instead struck the wall.

"Aw, come on Spike. That wasn't too bad."

"I guess," Spike sighed before turning to see Flash and Springer. "You're back."

"Yup," Flash nodded. "I'd show you what we got...but you might wanna take a shower first." The pair glanced each other over as Flash and Springer pushed the cart of toys and treats out of the room before they could get struck. Once that was done, they returned to the dinning room and Twilight handed him the baby.

"Here you go," she said before she and Spike teleported to the bathrooms.

Flash and Flurry smiled at one another, the pegasus holding the baby up as she giggled. As this happened, Springer asked, "Do you think maybe we should clean the place up?"

"We could," Flash nodded before turning to the jakhowl with a curled devious grin, "Or we could get Heart and the others to do it when they finally show their faces." Springer mimicked the look, Flurry seeing this and giggling before trying to make the same face.

The pair then began playing with Flurry, using the bears and Whammy to keep her thoroughly entertained until Twilight and Spike returned. "Okay," the princess chimed in before looking over everything Flash and Springer got. "Toys, check. Treats, check. Book..." She saw the book before glaring at the defender, "Really?!"

"What?! It's the perfect length for you, and it looks really good. Trust me. They'll love it."

Twilight rolled her eyes before putting it down. "Well, I guess we don't have much of a choice now." She then turned to Flurry, "Flurry, your favorite aunt has to leave for a bit." Hearing this made the baby tear up, "Don't worry, I'll be back. And until I am, you've got uncle Flash to keep you company."

"Fla?" Flurry looked like she was trying to say Flash's name.

"Alright," Twilight grabbed the cart as Spike picked up the book, "We'll be off." She gave Flash a kiss on the cheek, "Have fun." With that, the two left the castle, only for Flurry to let out a cry as she saw them leave.

Twilight turned back to her, frowning before seeing Springer grab the bears. "Flurry." The baby turned to see him make the pair dance, causing her to laugh as Flash let her go and she flew over to them.

Flash nodded back at Twilight, the alicorn nodding before teleporting herself and Spike away. And as this happened, Flurry was too focused on the bears and Whammy to realize her aunt had vanished, Springer giving her the toys as she made them fly around.

"See?" Flash told Springer, "We got this."

Springer smiled at this, "You're right. After everything we've been through, we've got this. Whatever Flurry throws at us, we can handle it."

But as soon as he said that, the room was filled with a particular popping sound coming from Flurry. This made the pair's eyes go wide before they slowly turned to Flurry, seeing an uncomfortable look on her face.

"Oh no," they said in unison before sniffing the air. When they did this, they were both assaulted by a powerful stench more potent than that one time Springer asked Zecora for a super anti-flea potion. They both grimaced as Springer moaned, "Ahhh! Anything but...that."

"How the heck did she turn mashed peas into that?" Flash asked, Springer quickly disappearing before returning with a peg on his nose. He gave one to Flash and he placed it on his nose, the pair then turning to Flurry and seeing she was still uncomfortable. "What do we do?"

"Well, we can't just leave it," Springer replied, "Which means one of us is gonna have to go and grab the bull by the horns...so to speak."

"You're right," Flash gulped, "Are we not stallions?"

Springer glanced himself over, "Well technically, I'm a jakhowl." He then looked Flash over, "You at least dress like a stallion." Flash nodded, "Apart from Saturday nights."

"Oh, shut up." Flash grumbled, only to hear Flurry begin to tear up, "Anyways....I happen to know exactly what a real stallion would do in this situation."

"And what's that?"

"Get a mare to do it for him."

This caused Springer to burst out laughing, only a mare to walk into the room. It was Starlight, who had returned from Maud's to collect a book she had forgotten. When she arrived, Flash and Springer handed the foal over to her.

"Okay you two," she stated while holding Flurry in her magic. "I know what the problem is here. The baby needs changing."

"Yeah...we kinda figured that part out. So..."

"So," Starlight gave Flurry to him, "Take it back to the store and change if for a new one." Flash and Springer turned to one another, only for her to give Flurry a sniff, "Preferably one that doesn't honk as much. Did you keep the receipt." With that, she grabbed the book she had come for and teleported away, leaving Flash and Springer to fall over in defeat.

"Do we know any sane mares?" Springer asked as Flurry pulled herself out of Flash's grasp and flew into the air.

"No such thing mate," Flash replied.

"Oh well," they both sat up as Springer turned to Flurry. "That means one of us is gonna have to go and...deal with it."

"Oh great," Flash moaned, "It's gonna be me, isn't it? Bound to be."

"Not necessarily," Springer responded as an idea popped into his head. "Let's draw straws for it."

Flash raised an eyebrow at this before nodding, "Okay."





Flash and Springer were in the training room, which had been converted into an art studio. There the pair were each sitting in front of an easel with a canvas, both dressed in painters clothes and holding pencils. They were working on a piece of art before staring at their subjects.

Two large straws that were both of different lengths.

Springer looked at the two before turning to Flash's portrait, seeing the straw he had drawn was the smaller one, "Looks like you've drawn the short one." He laughed while Flash just growled.

"Hilarious...not!" He picked up the portrait and smashed Springer's head through it, the jakhowl's eyes now spiraling as Flash got up to leave.





Back with Flurry, she was still sitting in her own mess, only for some interesting entertainment about to come in. "Psst," Springer whispered as him and Flash re-entered the room wearing hazmat suits. "We are go for removal of diaper one."

Flash lifted up a pair of plastic tongs, using it to undo the straps on Flurry's diaper and pull it from her, making the baby laugh as she was finally freed from the smelly confines. He quickly wiped the area of interest, putting the wipe in the diaper before putting them into a bin bag. "Diaper one successfully detached." He lifted the bag with the tongs as Springer held up a metal bin. "Prepare hazardous waste disposal."

"Ready waste bin," Flash dropped the bag into the bin, both then staring at the tongs for a moment, only to drop them in too. "Waste disposal complete."

Flash nodded and picked up a fresh diaper, "Preparing diaper two." Flash managed to get Flurry's wildly kicking legs into the clean garment and pulled it up, only to find him unable to properly close it. "Prepare alternate sealing method." Springer picked up a roll of duct-tape and pulled off a strip, Flash grabbing it before locking the diaper's sides into place.

The boys stepped back with big grins, "We've changed a diaper," Flash cheered before he and Springer high-fived, only for Flurry's face to scrunch up, a familiar sound filling the air as Flash let out a moan, "Oh, come on!"

"Ready diaper three," Springer added.

Twelve diapers later...

Flash and Springer slumped over, Flurry giggling at the sight. The waste bin beside them were currently overflowing with bin bags full of used diapers, the smell making Flash groan, "I'm gonna need therapy."

But as he said that, Flurry heard a bird as it flew past the window, she giggled before spreading her wings. The alicorn instantly went for the window, Flash and Springer slowly turning to see her leave.

.

..

...

"AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!" They screamed at the top of their lungs, both jumping up. "Grab the baby bag!" Flash yelled before shooting out the window, quickly seeing Flurry just a ways off. "Oh, no you don't little lady!"

"Fla!" She yelled as Flash grabbed her, Springer running up with the baby bag in paw and Flash's Celestic Gear in the other. He quickly pulled out her Whammy and started waving it in front of her, calming her down.

"That was close," Flash sighed as Springer handed him his sword. "I don't wanna think what Twilight, Shining or even Cadance would do to us if they found out we let that happen."

"Maybe keeping her locked in the castle all day isn't such a good idea," Springer added, "Why don't we show her around town?"

Flash nodded before looking down at Flurry. "Promise not to run off and we'll explore Ponyville, okay?" Flurry let out a raspberry, making Flash roll his eyes, "I'll take that as a yes." With that, the three began to make their way through town, getting to Sugarcube Corner first. There they found Pinkie still minding the counter while the Pound and Pumpkin were playing in the corner.

"Flash!" Pinkie cheered, "You're back!" She then spotted Flurry, "Hey there! Your auntie Pinkie Pie's happy to see you." Flurry laughed at this while Flash placed her down next to the Cake Twins. The pair turned to her, giving the baby a curious look before holding their toys up to let her play.

"Ha!" Flash cheered, "They're friends already."

"I guess," Springer responded before the pair moved over to the counter. "Pinkie, please tells us you have something that can keep up."

"Tough day, huh?" The pair nodded and Pinkie ran into the kitchen, "Be right back." The boys sighed, feeling like they might fall asleep any second, only for a block to hit the side of Flash's head.

"Hey!" He glared at Flurry, who had thrown it, only to see the baby pointing at the Cake Twins. Pound and Pumpkin were both fighting over a balloon toy, "Come on you two." Flash leaned down and took the toy, "If you can't share, then you can't have it." This only caused the Cake Twins to turn to them, then start tearing up. "Oh no...don't do that."

"Maybe there's another one!" Springer went over to a toy chest, the jakhowl digging through while the twins started to cry.

"Hurry Springer!" Flash cried before covering his ears. As this happened, Flurry turned to him as his horn began to glow. And just as the twins were about to explode into a full on hissy fit, their sobs vanished. "Huh?" Flash commented as he saw the pair were now in a golden bubble, which blocked out their screams. Turning to Flurry, he saw her laughing as she flew up to him. "Nice one." He held up a hoof and Flurry actually responded by bumping it.

"Yes!" Springer pulled another balloon out of a toy chest, "Got one." He then saw the bubble and raised an eyebrow, "Did I miss something?" Flash shrugged and took the balloon from him as Flurry dropped the force-field.

The twin's crying filled the air, only for it stop as Flash gave them both a balloon. "See?" The twins began to play at this, "Isn't it better to share than fight?" The twins didn't respond to him, too focused on their toys as Pinkie came back.

"I heard crying!"

"Relax," Flash assured her, "We got it under control."

"Kinda," Springer replied before sniffing the air and seeing the earth pony carrying a tray. "Are those brownies?"

"Coffee brownies," she corrected. "Perfect for ponies on the go that are lacking energy." She leaned over to whisper into Springer's ear, "Don't worry, there's no sugar."

"You're a genius," Flash told her before he and Springer started munching them down.





Meanwhile...

The cloaked figure had arrived at the edge of the forest, now walking into the town. Its movements were slow, trotting up to a building and glancing around. Its eyes darted around, scanning everypony it saw.

But despite this and going up to another building, it didn't find the pony it was targeting.





Having finished their brownies and the twins now getting sleepy, Flash and Springer picked Flurry up and left the shop. They had hoped she would start to get tired, but it seemed playing with the twins had only got her more excited. "Good thing Pinkie hooked us up with those brownies," Flash sighed as the three walked through the town. "If she didn't, we'd probably be walking zombies at this point."

"How do Shining and Cadance do this every day?" Springer asked as they passed a nearby fountain, Flurry's eyes going wide at it.

"Watt!" She yelled before jumping off Flash's back.

"Flurry!" Flash yelped as she tried to dive into the water, only to be caught by the pegasus. "Oh, no you don't. I don't want your diaper getting wet."

Flurry moaned at this while Springer pulled out a diaper made of rubber. "Here. Water proof diaper." Flash smirked and took it to place over Flurry's own diaper, the rubber one fitting perfectly. Thankfully, the fountain wasn't deep, so he plopped her down, the baby laughing at the cool water soaking into her.

As she splashed around in it, Flash and Springer splashed her back, only for the tiny alicorn to grab the water as it was spurted out of the fountain and redirected it at Flash. "Gyah!" He cried as he staggered back, Springer laughing at this before getting soaked himself.

Flurry laughed as well, clapping her hooves, "Fla...Spree..." She laughed some more, Flash and Springer now shaking themselves off. They continued to play around for a few more minutes before deciding to take her out of the water. Flash then used his sword as a makeshift lamp, lighting it up so the heat dried them all off, Flurry laughing the whole time as the boys discussed what to do next.

"How about the park?" Springer asked.

"Eh, why not?" Flash nodded as he put his sword away. "And hopefully, it'll finally tire her out." The pair grabbed Flurry's bag and headed off for the park, the baby now back on the defender's back.

But as they left, the hooded figure stared at them from between two buildings, only to walk away.





"See? Look at all the pretty flowers," Flash commented as he put her down by a flowerbed. The baby giggled at the sight, only to point at a blue flower with red edgings. "That's...err..." Flash mumbled out, "No idea. This is why I need Twilight here..."

"Fla!" Flurry giggled as she flew back up and landed on his head, then covered his eyes with her wings.

"Hey!" He yelped, staggering back as he was now unable to see. He almost stepped on one of the flowers, but Flurry then grabbed his ears and pulled it back, now steering the pegasus around.

And as she began to direct him around, Springer was sitting on a bench, laughing at their antics. This was followed by a few minutes of wondering around before Flurry directed Flash over to the bench, now letting him see as she flew off his head and landed in Springer's lap. The pair smiled as the jakhowl handed her the Whammy, which she hugged tightly while rubbing her face into his furry stomach.

"You think she's finally starting to fall asleep?" Flash asked.

"I hope so," Springer chuckled, "Cause I'm about to fall nod off soon myself." They kept staring at the baby as Springer took her in his arms and stood up. "She might be a hassle, but she's certainly cute."

"Eeyup," Flash nodded, only to think back at the images of Cadance and Shining's exhausted looks. He then wondered if he could do this whole parenting thing, the image of Twilight and him with their very own bundle of joy appearing in his brain...and the two ponies now exhausted and broken. He felt a shiver down his spine, making him shuffle the thought into the back of his brain.

"Let's get back to the castle," Springer chimed in, Flash nodding again.

But as they turned to go for the building, Flash's eyes went wide as he saw something coming for them, "Look out!" He tackled Springer and Flurry as a blast of high pressure water shot past them, smashing into the bench behind them. Flurry let out a cry of laughter at the sudden movement, only for Flash and Springer to quickly get back up and now see a certain cloaked figure stepping out from behind the trees.

"Oh no..." Flash growled, "So which Trial are you?"

Springer held up his paw, aura surging from it before going wide-eyed, "Tidal?" Flash turned to him with a raised eyebrow, "I'm getting traces of Tidal's aura. But it's just like Mecha-Flash, completely lacking any type of soul."

As if realizing its cover was blown, the figure reached up and pulled the cloak off its body. The being looked like Tidal, only his fur was much paler and he had the same ventilator, neck and chest that the other two had. His front hooves had similar metal coverings like Mecha-Heather, though his back hooves her normal while his back had a pair of large glass containers sticking out of it that were full of water. His flank was also covered in metal and instead of a tail, he had a long hose-like appendage.

"Now that looks weird." Springer commented while Flash covered Flurry's eyes, "Who comes up with these designs?" Before Flash could reply, Trial-T raised its right hoof and revealed a hole in the bottom before a blast of water exploded out of it.

"MOVE!" Flash leapt up while Springer jumped to the side, the water flying past them and hitting a tree with enough force to cut it in half. "Whoa!" He whispered as Flurry saw the tree fall. Flash then flew down and dropped the foal into Springer's grasp. "Get her out of here! I'll lead this thing away!"

"But...you can't beat that thing on your own!" Springer yelped as he saw Flash now charging at Trial-T.

"I don't have to! Just find Twilight or somepony else to give her too and come back!" Flash took out his sword at this, "Flash Cutter!" A light blade flew at the clone, who raised its hose-tail and fired another blast of water that stopped it midair just as Flash glanced back at the two, "GO!"

"Raah!" Springer moaned as he grabbed the baby bag, "Come on Flurry!" He cut into a sprint at this, the baby alicorn squirming in his arms while trying to look over the jakhowl's shoulder.

"Fla!" She cried, "Fla!"





Flash began to fly over to the most remote location of the park, Trial-T chasing him, "Alright you over grown sprinkler system!" He pointed the blade at it, "Come and get me!"

The cyborg's response was to shoot blast after blast of water, firing from either his hooves or tail. Flash quickly zipped around, deflecting the attacks with Lightbringer, "Take this! Flash Force!" He fired the laser from the sword, but Trial-T fired a long stream from its tail, which began to push the laser back.

"Oookay." Flash grumbled, dodging another stream of water as he stared at the cyborg. His eyes glared at the water containers on its back, seeing them slowly drain as Trial-T kept firing water. And as the water disappeared, the defender fired a Flash Force, only for the cyborg to leap away.

"Aw, what's the matter? Running on empty?" Flash smirked as he swung his sword, "Too bad!" A Flash Cutter went for the cyborg, but it raised its hooves and blocked the blade while the horn on his head began to glow. "Huh?"

He raised up his sword to block an attack...only for nothing to happen. Blinking at this and a few seconds passing, Flash lowered his blade, "Uh...okay. Are you sure your creator was finished with you? You seem to be a little-" He didn't get to finish as Trial-T raised its hoof and fired another blast of water, hitting Flash straight in the chest. "GYAH!" He was thrown back into a tree, moaning as he slumped over, "What the heck?!" He forced his eyes open and saw the water containers now both half full and continuing to fill. "How did-" He stopped when he saw the clone's horn now shining, "Are you...getting the water from the air?"

Trial-T didn't reply, only to charge at Flash as it tried to slam its hoof into the defender. "Whoa!" Flash yelped as he leapt away, barely avoiding another water blast. He rolled to the side and held his sword up as Trial-T fired a stream of water. The pegasus swung his sword, cutting the stream in half as the water began to push him back, "Springer..." he moaned, "Hurry up and get here already."





The jakhowl had exited the park, sending out his aura as he kept running. "Springer, calling all defenders!" He yelled as he came to as stop, holding his head. "Grand, Lightning, Iron...anypony?" He then sent the aura further, trying to connect to anypony he could.

"Springer?"

"Twilight!" He yelped, Flurry glancing around for any sign of her aunt. "Great! I need you to meet me outside the park, right now."

A moment later, there was a bright flash of light and the princess of friendship appeared. "What's wrong?" She asked as Flurry flew over to her, "I was just in the middle of a pretty good story with the kids."

"A Trial showed up." Twilight's eyes went wide at this as he continued, "Flash lead it away, but I needed to get Flurry out of there. Can you look after her while I go help him?"

Twilight nodded back, "Just be careful. The last two times those things appeared, they were barely beaten. I'll try and get the others to come help you." Springer nodded before running back into the park, Flurry turning and squirming at the sight.

"Spree!" She cried as Springer disappeared. "Fla!"

"It's okay Flurry," Twilight told her while patting her back, "Uncle Flash and Springer will be fine. And once they're done showing that faker who's boss, they'll come back and start playing again." She then opened the baby bag and took out the whammy, giving it to Flurry as she began to clung to it, Twilight glancing back at the park. "Flash..."





"Flash Driver!" The Royal Knight spun into a light drill, charging at Trial-T. But before it could hit, the clone raised its hooves and the holes unleashed a mist-like vapour that filled the air. The drill shot into the mist, blocking Flash's vision and forcing him to pull out of the spin.

"Seriously?! He can do that?!" He growled before flying straight up, shooting out of the mist just as Trial-T fired a powerful blast of water. "WHOA!" He yelped, blocking it with the side of the blade, only for the water to push him back, sending him flying down. "Ahhh!" He cried, his sword flying out of his grip as he hit the dirt, "Ow."

And once the world stopped spinning, he turned to see the cyborg fire a jet of water into the weapon, sending it flying into the trunk of a tree. He turned to Trial-T as it began to move for him, Flash spreading his wings, but getting blasted with water before he could escape.

"GYAH!" He screamed, now being slammed into a nearby tree as he kept getting bombarded with the high-pressure stream. Trial-T kept blasting him as much as possible, even using his magic to grab the water after it struck Flash and sucking it back into its containers.

But as this happened, a new voice roared out, "Steel Paw!" Springer yelled as he appeared above the clone, only for Trial-T to unleash a blast of water from his hooves that propelled him out of the Steel Paw's way. And as the cyborg hopped back, Flash got up in a coughing rage as Springer asked, "You okay?"

"I'm fine," Flash groaned, "Though I think I might have just been put off showers for life." They both then ducked down to avoid another water blast, Flash rolling over to his sword. "Careful. This thing has an almost unlimited water supply." He pulled the blade out of the tree. "Whenever he gets low, he uses his magic to make more."

"Then we won't give him the chance too," Springer added before his body glowed. "Mega Mode Power!" He charged as light exploded off him to reveal his evolved form while creating a Bone Breaker. But just as he swung it, the Tidal clone fired a jet of water at the ground, causing it to explode and bombard Springer with flying bits of earth. "Ahhh!" He yelped, the mud hitting his eyes.

"Springer! Duck!" Flash yelled, Springer leaning back just in time to avoid the water blast. Flash then fired a laser, which Trial-T side-stepped before standing still. It froze for a moment, as if hearing somepony say something, then spun around to run away, "What the-where's it going? We just got started!"

Springer wiped the mud out of his eyes to see the clone fleeing, only to open his aura sense and go wide-eyed, "He's gonna attack the town!"

"Why that little..." Flash growled as he and Springer cut into a sprint, "It must have realized we can't fight at full strength with other ponies around us."

"Then we gotta stop it now!"





Twilight had ran Flurry as far from the park as she could, the baby alicorn squirming as much as she could. "Come on Flurry," she told her. "I need you to work with me here." As she said that, she turned to see a certain earth pony walked down a street. "Iron!"

The Royal Knight turned to her with a raised eyebrow. "What's up?"

"Flash and Springer are fighting against one of those Trial things!" This made him go wide-eyed, "They need your help!"

"Alright." He took out his Celestic Gear, "Where are they?"

"In the park!" But as soon as she said that, a loud smashing sound rang out, making them turn to see a jet of water explode out of a building several streets away. "Or they could be over there." Iron ran off at this, Twilight taking a deep breath before feeling Flurry squirm again, "No Flurry!"

"Twilight!" said another voice, making her turn to see Soul and Heart running up to her, "What's going on?"

"Flash is in trouble," Twilight replied as Heart's eyes went wide.

"I'm gonna go help!" He responded, flaring his wings. But before he could take off, Twilight's magic grabbed his tail.

"Oh, no you don't!" She pulled him back before placing Flurry's baby bag into his hooves, "You two are gonna take Flurry back to the castle and stay there!" The two grimaced at this, "I'm gonna go help Flash."

"Hey! Babysitting isn't in the Royal Knight job description!"

"But following a princesses orders is," she handed Flurry to Soul. "And I'm ordering you to keep her safe until I get back." With that, she teleported away as the pair turned to the still squirming baby.

"I don't get payed enough for this."

"You don't get payed period," Soul replied before flying off with the baby.

"Oh yeah," Heart added as he began dragging the heavy bag through the air. "I gotta talk to somepony about that."





When Flash and Springer had found the clone, it was blasting everything in sight, screams crying out as it continued. "Get away from them!" Flash yelled, "I'm the one you want!" The clone turned to him and started firing water blasts, the duo ducking under the attacks as Springer threw an Aura Blast.

Trial-T crossed its hooves over its chest, tanking the attack as it pushed it back into the side of a nearby fountain. "Gotcha now!" Springer yelled as he and Flash charged at him.

But as this happened, the cyborg's horn glowed before the ground beneath their hooves began to shake. Flash and Springer skidded to a stop as the fountain exploded, unleashing a massive geyser that then curved down and slamming into the pair.

"WHOA!" They yelped as they were knocked back, crashing into a nearby stall. As they did this, Trial-T began to draw the water from the fountain to refuel itself, only for another voice to ring out.

"Iron Lance Fury!" It turned to see a large number of metal spikes coming for it, the clone using the water from the fountain to wrap around its body, stopping the attack. Once that was done, the clone made the water explode, shooting the metal at Iron, only for Twilight to teleport in and create a forcefield that stopped the water.

"You okay?" She asked Flash as he and Springer picked themselves up.

"Fantastic," Flash replied as Twilight dropped the shield, Iron charging with an Iron Saber, but Trial-T just propelled itself away with water. "Careful. That thing fires water at high speed and can use its magic to control-" He stopped as he turned to Twilight, "Where's Flurry?"

"I gave her to Heart and Soul." Twilight fired a magical blast at the clone, the cyborg leaping back before swinging its hose-tail around. Water flew everywhere, Twilight putting up a shield while Iron stabbed his spear into the ground.

"Iron Spike!" A line of meal shards exploded out of the ground at Trial-T, only for the cyborg to use its hoof jets to propel itself into the air.

"Flash/Aura Force!" The defenders roared as they fired their laser attacks while Twilight did the same with her horn. These blasts all struck the clone at the same time, hitting it in the chest plate, causing an explosion that blasted the clone back into a nearby river.

"We got him!" Twilight cheered as Iron pulled his spear out of the ground. But in that moment, Trial-T pushed itself up, now showing its chest completely undamaged. "No...how is that possible?!"

Flash growled at this, only to notice the clone's tail dip into the river, refilling its containers. "Get it! Can't let it refuel it's ammo!" He charged as the others did the same, only for Trial-T's horn to glow. Before any of them could stop it, the water in the river exploded upward to form a large wall. "Uh-oh."

The wall crashed down, creating a wave that came for the four. Flash managed to fly over it, but the wave took the others, sweeping them all back. "NO!" He yelled as he saw them slam into the sides of nearby buildings. And when the wave washed away, they were all slumped over, Springer no longer in Mega Mode. He turned to Trial-T, growling as he raised his sword, "That's it! You're done!"

He swooped down and slashed at the cyborg, Trial-T backpedaling at this before before thrusting its hose into his chest. Water exploded out next, striking him point blank. "AAAAAHHHHH!" He screamed as he was blasted back, sending him flying over the houses, Trail-T then following after the defender.





Heart and Soul were continuing to make their way through the town, Flurry still squirming in Soul's hooves. "Come on Flurry!" Soul said as the baby pulled herself free of her grasp, only for Soul to grab her by the tail with her magic. "No! We're going this way!"

Flurry let out a cry as she pulled against Soul, Heart then reaching into the bag, "Flurry, wanna play with whammy?" The baby turned to him as he showed the toy to her, "Whammy wants to play at the castle with your new bears." Flurry stared at the toy, only to pull against Soul's magic again. "What's wrong with her?"

"Do I look like a baby expert to you? I have no idea!" Soul barked back before grabbing the baby, pulling her down despite Flurry's protests. "Let's just get her home before-" She didn't get to finish as something suddenly shot down and slammed into the side of a building with a loud crash.

They turned to it and saw a certain pony fall over with a moan, "Fla!" Flurry cried, the others seeing it was the defender. But before they could run over to him, heavy hoof-steps made them turn to see Trial-T running up to them.

"Flash!" Heart gasped before glaring at Trial-T, his body exploding with fire. "Stay away from him!" He charged at the cyborg, but before he could get close, the cyborg pointed its hose-tail at him and unleashed a stream of water. "WHOA!"

"Heart!" Soul gasped as the stream hit her brother, slamming him into a building as his flames went out.

This cry seemed to sway Flash into consciousness, making him lift his head up and see Heart, Soul and- "Flurry," he whispered before pushing himself back to his hooves. He turned to his sword on the ground, reaching for it, only for another water blast to hit him in the chest. "AUGH!"

"Fla!" Flurry cried, her horn then shining as suddenly vanished.

"What the-" Soul gasped, only to see a light appear beside Flash, the baby now appearing by his side, "NO!" She screamed, trying to fly after the baby, only for another blast of water to fly across the street, "AUGH!" Soul screamed as the water hit flying into her brother.

Flurry shook Flash at this, but the defender didn't respond. The sight made the foal tear up, only to her metal hoof-steps, making her turn to the cyborg as it pointed its tail at them.

"Fla...fla...fla..." Her tears continued to well up as the cyborg charged up as much water as possible, only for Flurry to screech, "FLAAAAA!" Her horn glowed as a beam of light shot out, hitting the clone in the chest instantly. The blow made it cry out before getting blasted back, the sounds of metal clanging as it began to grind on the dirt road below.

The golden light from the horn was so bright that it could be seen by anypony over a mile away from the town. Flash's eyes opening up to see what Flurry was doing, "Flurry..." This statement caused the baby to cut her magic, glancing back at him.

"Fla!" She instantly hugged him, the defender embracing her back, only to then hear a new cry of pain. He glanced up to see the Trial clutching its chest, smoke clearing as he now saw the beast's metal chest had been dented and damaged beyond recognition. A large opening could be seen, revealing a bunch of blast dust...and one destroyed Corrupted Shadow rock.

"Good girl," Flash chuckled as he got up, only for a burst of light to appear beside him, revealing Twilight, Springer and Iron.

"Flash!" She exclaimed, "Flurry!" She pulled the baby over to her, "Are you okay?"

"She's fine," Flash replied, "Heck, better than fine. Look what she did to that thing." The others turned to see the damaged cyborg, smiles appearing on their lips. "Now I don't have to worry about using my Sacred Light," his body began to glow at this, "Time to finish this. Armorize!" In a brilliant burst of light, Flash was decked out in his Shining Guardian armor. Using his magic, he grabbed his sword, transforming it as soon as it touched his hoof.

The Trial began to fire water shots at this, but Flash cut right through them before spinning around like a top. With a single swipe, he slammed his hoof into the cyborg's face, making it stagger back before pointing its hose at him. It fired a long stream of water, but Flash's horn sparked and the water stopped in midair.

When Trial-T stopped firing, he dropped the water before vanishing in a flash of light. Another flash made the cyborg glance behind itself as the knight swung its sword down, cutting the hose-tail right near the base. This made it cry out and jump back, firing several blasts of water from its hooves, only for Flash to fire blasts of light from his horn, evaporating every bit of water.

And as this happened, Trial-T suddenly found its water supply depleted. "You're out," Flash laughed as Trial-T's horn started glowing....only for it fizzle out, "Looks like you can't make new water without your power source. Too bad." His sword glowed as he glanced back at Twilight. "Cover Flurry's eyes."

Twilight nodded and did that with her wing, Flash turning back to the clone as his wings opened up before expelling the Sacred Light. This shot him forward as he held his sword back, his weapon now shining, "SHINING SWORD OF THE HEAVENS!" He screeched, the sword slashing through the area, the knight sliding to a stop behind Trial-T with his sword pointed ahead.

The cyborg screamed as the mechanical parts of its body began to spark and fizzle, short-circuiting until it reached critical mass and exploded. And as Flash glanced back at the now destroyed clone, his armor vanished as Flurry pushed Twilight's wing out of her view and laughed at him. Flash smiled back at her, taking the baby from Twilight as the others gathered around them. Flurry continued to giggle as Flash threw her up and down as the rest stared at the destroyed machine, not seeing a thing left were looking at.

"Who is doing this?" Twilight asked as she tapped the few pieces of metal left of the cyborg, "And why?"





Signal Lost...

Void growled as the computer went static. "Again?!" He roared, raising his hoof as he was about to punch the computer, "I lost again?! Why is *cough* *cough*-blaugh!" He leaned over and began to wheeze, only to glare back up at the computer, "All these annoyances...why can't they leave well enough alone and let me take what's rightfully mine?!"

He began to cough again, only to turn away from the machine and stared at the three remaining doors. "Why do they keep losing?! They're made specifically to counter his abilities..." He slumped over in his chair, "Maybe...maybe I'm sending them out too early?" He let out another cough, "Urgh...maybe that's right. Maybe I just need to...make more adjustments...more than enough to actually defeat their opponent." A long wheeze flowed through the room next as he hopped off his chair, "Very well. Enjoy the time whlie you have it, Flash Sentry. My next creation won't be so easily beaten."





Back in Ponyville, the damage done to the town was being repaired, Shining and Cadance now returning from their day out. The pair had been pulled away from the art exhibit when they saw the bright light, both recognizing it as Flurry's magic, and ran to the battlefield as they arrived only minutes after Flash had destroyed the Trial.

"You certainly had an eventful day, didn't you?" Cadance asked her daughter as Soul was busy seeing to Flash's injuries.

"I'm sorry Flurry got put in danger because of me," Flash replied before Shining shook his head.

"No, it wasn't your fault. You were able to fight off this opponent and keep her safe. Trust me, most parents have a hard time doing just one of those things at a time."

Flurry laughed at this, flying over to Flash's head, landing on it as everyone laughed with her. "Honestly," Flash responded, "As fun as today's been, it was exhausting."

Springer nodded in agreement, "And you have to do this every day? How do you guys not keel over every second?"

Cadance let out a giggle, "It might be tough, but it's worth it." Shining nodded, "And if today has taught Shining and me anything, it's that we'd take being this little one's parents over getting to do anything we want any day."

Twilight let out a sigh at this, "I just wish I hadn't been so busy today. I could have spent more time with Flurry and helped when that thing showed up."

"It's not your fault," Flash chimed in.

"Yeah," Shining responded, "We definitely should've given you more of a heads up."

"Yes!" Cadance added, "From now on, we'll give you plenty of notice."

"That would be great." She turned to Flash, "We're just lucky Flash and Springer were here to look after Flurry while I was busy. If they weren't, I might have ended up trying to take care of Flurry and do the hospital visit." She picked Flurry up and smiled at her, "That probably wouldn't have been very fun for you, huh?"

Flurry just giggled back before Springer said, "I guess being the best aunt ever is about more than just spending as much time as possible with your niece."

Twilight nodded, "It's about spending quality time with her." She then rubbed her nose against Flurry's, Cadance and Shining smiling at the sight.

"Hey, what are you doing next Tuesday?" The four all turned to Cadance as she asked this question, some grimacing before she added, "For dinner, not to babysit."

This made Twilight chuckle, "I'll have to check with Spike, but I think we're free."

Flash nodded while Cadance glanced around. "Where is Spike, anyway?" Twilight opened her mouth to respond, only to facehoof.

"Oh no..."

"You left him at the hospital, didn't I?" Flash deadpanned, making Twilight slowly nod back.





"The dashing dragon warrior breathed a scorching flame from his snout," Spike read to the ponies in the hospital. "Then chuckled to himself as he flew into the sunset." He got up and leapt onto a nearby trolley cart, "If you can't stand the heat, don't fight a dragon!"

"Hey," one of the ponies pointed at him, "You kinda look like him!"

"Thank you!" Spike laughed as he closed the book. "Now, who wants more cake?" The foals all cheered as Spike grabbed a knife, the little dragon now wondering how much longer Twilight was gonna be. Not that he wasn't enjoying himself.





"Excuse me," Twilight's horn glowed, "I'll be back...some time."

With that, she vanished just as Ace and Mira returned, the sight making Flash smirk, "Ah, good. Now that the four of you are here, we can discuss you ditching us earlier." The four younglings gulped at this, only to see Flash let out a groan, "Is what I would say...but I'm too tired to give you guys a big long lecture. How about this? Flurry made a small mess of the dinning room earlier. Clean it up and we're square."

The four all sighed in relief before running off, Cadance turning to Flash with a small smile, "That was very mature of you, Flash. I was kinda expecting some kind of petty revenge." She then saw Flash and Springer's smiles begin to curl, making her shake her head, "You have a petty revenge planned, don't you?"

Flash just closed his eyes and opened his ears, the others listening as cries of disgust and moans soon filled the castle. Flash couldn't help but laugh, "I love my life sometimes." He grabbed Flurry and lead everyone to the living room, wanting a rest of the chance to play some more. Despite everything, this day was definitely one worth remembering.