//------------------------------// // Chapter 5: Paving A New Road // Story: Shadows of the Past // by Double Rainbow //------------------------------// The sound of hooves slamming against the stone floor and armor jingling was the only thing heard as a large mass of Royal Guards trotted to the their captain in a neat, five-lane formation. When the guards all skidded to a halt, they stood at attention with their bodies as straight as a spear. An orange pegasus with a navy-blue mane walked back and forth in front of the crowd. "For those who don't know why you are here, I have received a death threat via an old letter to Captain Jagged Wing." The stallion told them. "Within said letter, it was told that I was suppose to be lured then abducted inside the main corridor in 5 minutes." Some of the guards gasped, but other remained silent. The stallion swept his gaze across his guards. "I entrust that you all will help me in ridding these ponies from the Canterlot Castle. Am I right?" "Yes sir!" Roared the crowd of guards. The stallion nodded. "Then follow me." As he turned and began marching a purple-colored stallion ran up to the Captain. "Flash, do you really think we should charge into this threat head on? Why not just not show up?" Flash looked at his friend. "Because I don't want to take a chance at my life again. You're a good and wise friend, Night Breeze. You understand why, right?" Night Breeze nodded. "Yeah, but I rather not think about it." Flash looked behind him at his guards, he stopped them one hall down from the main corridor. Flash looked at the a clock hanging on the wall. 2:27, 3 minutes until his 'ambush'. "Wait here." Flash instructed his guards. They nodded, and stood still. Flash turned the corner and saw a pony running towards him. "Captain! Sir!" He yelled, fear hinting in his voice. He ran up to Flash. "Sir! There is someone in the main corridor threatening the Princess' lives." Flash knew this was the pony who was suppose to lure him to his potential capture. "Show me." He played along. The pony ran away and as Flash started to follow him, he signaled Night Breeze who was behind him to bring the guards. Right before Flash turned the corner to see the door to the main corridor, he looked behind him and saw Night Breeze, his other friend Dust Storm, and the rest of his guards creeping along behind him. Flash stopped at the door to the main corridor, the pony turned to him. "He's right in here." He told Flash. "Shouldn't we get some back-up? In case this gets ugly?" Flash asked the pony. Who shook his head. "It won't be necessary. It's just one pony." Flash was now certain this pony was luring him. As the pony opened the door, he stepped aside to let Flash go first. Flash was hesitant to step into the main corridor, but he slowly walked into the great hallway. The pony followed close behind him, and closed the doors when they entered in fully. Flash gazed down the stairs and around the massive hall, not a single soul was in sight. "Where is everypony?" He asked, well aware of what is going to happen. The pony shuffled his hooves. "I dunno. I swear he was right there." He pointed his hoof to the center of the room. Flash looked at the Canterlot Clocktower in the distance, telling him it was 2:30. Flash sighed and turned around to the doors and when he began to open them, the pony shut them close. Flash looked at him. "Is there a problem?" He asked the stallion. The pony grinned. "You see Captain. I'm not suppose to let you leave." Flash looked at him quizzically. "Under who's authority?" On queue, ponies began to walk out from behind the pillars that lined the red carpet. There were at least 50 ponies surrounding Flash. "That would be the authority of the Red Fang." A musky voice called out to answer Flash. Flash spun around in surprise. All of the ponies that just seemed to appear out of nowhere began to corner him against the door. "The what?" He asked. A violet-colored mare with a red streak going down her side stepped forward. "The Red Fang." She said. "You must be Captain Flash Sentry." "And you must be Kingfish." Flash retorted. The mare smirked. "Hmph. The one and only." She snorted violently. Is she challenging me? Flash wondered. He wasn't about to give in to this mare. "You enjoy that name Fish-Face?" Flash taunted. The mare bared her teeth and flattened her ears at Flash. "You dare mock me! I'll have you know my real name much different." Flash smirked. "Then what is your real name?" He asked. The mare shook her head. "That is not important. What is important is how we get our money, and currently, we are getting money-" "By killing me. I know. Unfortunately, your payer isn't alive anymore." Flash intervened. "I killed him, and I found that letter you sent him." Kingfish smiled. "Well, you certainly know your way around Mr. Sentry. Unfortunately I don't think you can stand against this many ponies." She threatened. "Surrender, and I'll won't kill you slowly and painfully." Flash stood his ground. "I was well aware about the ambush, and I knew I couldn't take you all on. That's why I didn't come alone." He told Kingfish. The mare began to laugh hysterically. "Where, and who? Only ponies I see are you, and my loyal ponies." Flash smiled. "Excellent question Kingfish. Where are they?" Her smile faded quickly, as she began to look around. Obviously searching for Flash's guards. When unable to find them, she turned back to Flash. "Nowhere! You're all alone you fool!" She laughed again. "Am I?" Flash challenged, and bucked the door with his back-right leg. On the outside, Night Breeze signaled Dust above him to begin the attack. When Dust disappeared from sight, Night Breeze put his hooves on the door and waited. Flash stood only a few meters from his opposition, still smiling, the mare had gotten tired of waiting. "You're coming with us Flash Sentry. Let's go." Flash backed up more, "I don't think so. Dust!" he yelled out. Dust and his squad of guards then dropped down unto the expecting ponies surrounding Flash. With a shriek of the ponies now fighting, the doors burst open and Night Breeze charged at the clan with his squad. "Protect at all costs!" Screamed Night Breeze as he and Flash charged side by side into the frenzy. Flash and a pony ran head on, as Flash got too close for comfort, he dropped down and slid under the pony, kicking out the stallions hooves, causing him to collapse. When he popped back up, Flash turned around and hit the back of the pony's head, knocking him out. Flash looked around him, at the furious battle between his Royal Guards and the rag-tag clan of ponies. His men were driving the ponies back with sheer numbers, for the clan was outnumbered 2 to 1. Flash spotted Kingfish, taking on two knights at once. When she beat down one of the them, she turned to the other, caught the guard's punch and twisted his arm and rammed a hoof into his elbow joint, snapping the bone like a twig. The guard fell to the ground screaming in agony. Flash has had enough for today, and he began to rush over to his wounded soldiers. As Flash neared Kingfish, she had no time to react as Flash dove at her, bringing her down will all of Flash's weight. Flash held onto the mare with all of his strength and they tumbled down the stairs into the center of the room. When the two ponies finally got back on their hooves, Flash charged Kingfish before she could react, slamming her into one of the great white pillars. Flash cocked back his hoof and threw it in Kingfish's direction, which she ducked and Flash's hoof smashed into the pillar, cracking the quartz frame. Flash reared back, his hoof felt like it was on fire. Kingfish took advantage of this brief moment, and she charged Flash. Startled, Flash was slammed by the mare, and he tumbled over his side. The two ponies rolled on the floor until Kingfish was able to kick Flash off of her. Flash stood up, dazed from the forceful attack he just endured. He looked at Kingfish, was was inspecting her troops, who were being badly beaten by the Royal Guard. She looked back to Flash, then to her troops again, and yelled out, "Red Fang! Retreat back! We will fight these ponies another day!" she turned to Flash. "Don't think this is over pony. You're going to pay for this." Flash smirked. "I await your arrival." He taunted. With that, Kingfish and her troops fled the castle. As the Royal Guard chased them, they stopped when they saw Flash wasn't with them. Night Breeze ran up to Flash. "Aren't we going to chase them out?" Flash shook his head. "I think we've taught them a lesson they won't soon forget." He stared at his friend's weary, amber eyes. Night Breeze nodded, then called out to the guards. "Guards! Leave them! Get the wounded to the infirmary!" Flash sat down in the middle of the corridor and looked around at the shuffling hooves of his guards. The wounded ponies being carried out of the corridor. Flash felt helpless to help them, like all of this was his fault. Night Breeze walked over to his friend, Dust close behind. He tapped Flash's shoulder. "We won Flash, why are you so disappointed?" He asked his friend. Flash sighed and stood up to turn around. "Because I know this was all my fault, I shouldn't have dragged you all into this." Dust spoke from behind Night Breeze. "Hey. Any one of us would have no problem defending our Captain. Don't care how you feel, we are there for you." Flash smiled at his friends. "Ever since I became Captain of the Royal Guard, I feel like I'm losing who I once was, and become a different pony. If you'd excuse me, I want to go talk to some pony." He told his friends. Who nodded simply. "Take your time." Night Breeze added, before Flash took off out of the main corridor. Through the crowd of guards, Flash weaved in and out of them, making his way to the north-eastern corner of the castle. When he reached his destination he knocked on the door of the pony we wanted to see. When the door opened, a familiar, friendly lavender-colored pony stood in the doorway. Flash smiled at the familiar sight. "Hi Twilight." He began. The princess smiled back. "Hi Flash. What can I do for you?" She said in her cheerful voice. I wonder if she is aware of what just happened. He thought. "I need to talk to you about something." He told her. Twilight's smiled faded. "Of course." She beckoned him with a hoof. "Come in." Flash entered into the familiar room. It had been only two days since the dragon attack, and repairs were going on in her room. Only half the wall had been repaired, but no workers were in sight. They must be on break. Flash concluded. Flash sat down on a pillow and Twilight adjacent to him. She levitated over some tea cups. "Tea?" She offered Flash. He shook his head. "No thanks." Twilight set the cups and the pot in between them. Twilight shifted a little then looked up at Flash's weary eyes. "So what wrong?" Flash shuffled his hooves and looked at Twilight. "You know how I'm the Captain now?" He started. Twilight seemed to grin. "Of course, I was there when it happened." Then her smile faded again. "Flash, what's going on?" Flash sighed, he had to tell her. "Do you know we were just attacked?" Twilight nodded. "I knew, I sent all the guards I could spare to you." She replied. "Well, I know why they were here." He breathed. Twilight leaned closer, obviously intrigued. "Really? Why?" Flash sat back, and dropped his gaze to the ground. "It's because of me. It's my fault Twilight." Twilight put a hoof on Flash's and picked it up to where Flash was looking right at Twilight's eyes. "Flash, I'm sure it wasn't your fault." Flash yanked away. "No, Twilight." He argued. "I know that they came for me!" He almost sobbed. Twilight was taken back by Flash's tone. "Flash." She cooed. "Why would they come for you?" She got up and sat right next to him and softly stroked his navy-blue mane, which was ruffled from the fight, for Flash still didn't have his armor yet. Flash covered his eyes with his hooves. "Because I found a letter on the old Captain's desk. Captain Jagged Wing. Written on it was a letter to some clan leader. With a hit on me, for a thousand bits." He looked back up at the princess, his blue eyes watery. "They wanted me dead Twilight. Dead. As in - gone for good. Grave and all." Twilight had nothing to say, so she simply wrapped her hooves around him and pulled him into a hug. Flash accepted the gesture and hugged her back. "This position is already changing me, and I don't want to be a different pony from who I used to be." He sobbed, his muzzle in Twilight's mane. "Flash, you're no different from the day I first met you back in the Crystal Empire." She soothed Flash as she gently continue stroking his mane. "You're going to be ok Flash." She pulled away from the rather long hug and looked him in the eyes. "I promise you." To Flash it didn't seem so, and he wasn't afraid to admit it. He dropped his gaze again. "Twilight, I think they are going to come back for me, and strike me when I'm weakest." Twilight picked his chin up again. "You will be fine." With that, she leaned in and kissed Flash full on the lips. Flash, shocked by the sudden movement made by the princess, he jerked back a little, before he finally accepted the kiss. Both the ponies' cheeks burned crimson and hot with embarrassment. Flash's mind ran wild. THIS CAN NOT BE HAPPENING! Was the only thing running through Flash's thoughts. The pony he loved, loved him back, and she was a princess! The kiss lasted for a few brief seconds before Twilight finally pulled away. "Because if you go, I have no pony to love and talk to." She told him. Flash's heart exploded with joy. He couldn't believe what he had just heard. "T-Twilight." He stuttered. "I-I love you too." He admitted. "But this can't possibly happen. It's against Royal Guard Rules to love a pony you protect." Twilight giggled. "You really need to take a look at that 'rule book' again Flash. You realize that Princess Cadance is married to Shining Armor right?" Flash shrugged, still a little red from the kiss. "Yeah, what of it?" "Well, what was Shining Armor before he moved to the Crystal Empire?" Twilight asked him, grinning. That's when it clicked. Flash was the Captain of the Royal Guard, just as Shining Armor once was. And a Captain can...wait. No. His thoughts raced as he tried to process this. He stared back at Twilight's amethyst eyes. "Twilight, you don't really want me do you? I mean, there are so many better ponies out there that-" Flash was interrupted by a lavender hoof being lifted in front of his mouth. "Hush Flash." Twilight spoke softly. "I don't want any other pony. I want one I know I can trust, and one that is close to me." Flash couldn't speak. He didn't know what to say. He finally thought of something, but he had trouble getting the words out. "Twilight, I-I don't -" He was cut off once again from his struggle to speak by Twilight. "Shhh." She soothed him, and then wrapped her forehooves around Flash. With a smile from both of them, Flash and Twilight both leaned in for a relaxed, long kiss. ~ Flash opened the doors to the Royal Guard HQ. He sighed happily, and smiling. He trotted into his office, not caring about the looks his fellow guards gave him. He sat down at his desk and began throwing old newspapers and letters of insignificant importance into the trash. He kept the letter about his hit though. That could come in handy later. He thought as he looked at it again. After Flash spent a few minutes organizing his work-place, he sat back in his chair and closed his eyes. He only thought of one thing, his new true love, Twilight. Flash's thoughts and dreams were interrupted by a knocking at his door. He opened his eyes, to see Night Breeze and Dust Storm standing at the door, smiling and waving. Flash beckoned them to come in, which they did. "What brings news on our fellow guardsmen." He asked his friends. Night Breeze stepped forward. "They're alright Flash. All the wounded are recovering from only minor wounds. Nothing major." Flash nodded. "Good good. Anything else?" Dust began to get a grin across his muzzle. Flash lost his own smile when he saw it. I don't like that grin at all. He thought. That grin could only mean one thing, he knew something and was going to call Flash out on it. Flash gulped. "Dust, why are you looking at me like that?" He asked his friend. "Oh I'm pretty sure you know why." Flash's heart sank to the pits of his stomach. He probably did, but he didn't want to talk about it. "Um - I don't?" Flash lied. Dust's grin started to shrink. "Where were you for the past half and hour? Who was the pony you needed to talk to?" Flash rubbed the back of his neck as he turned away from them. Buck. I knew he was gonna get me on this. Maybe I should think of a side-story. Eh, they're my friends, I can trust them. He sighed, then turned back to his friends. "I went to talk to Princess Twilight." Dust put a hoof over his muzzle and turned his head to cover his smile. Even Night Breeze grinned, but quickly took it off. Flash was angered by their reactions. "What's so funny about the Captain talking to a princess?" Night Breeze scrapped the ground with a hoof. "It's just that you choose that specific pony to go talk to." Dust continued snickering uncontrollably, this agitated Flash a lot. "Dust, what is the problem with me talking to her?" Flash almost shouted. Dust whipped around to see Flash's angered face. His smile slipped off his muzzle. "Nothing, Flash. It's fine." Flash nodded. "That's what I thought." Night Breeze tilted his head. "Flash. Why are you so defensive? We never did anything. I'm assuming you talked to her about the attack, no?" "Yeah, that's all we talked about." He shot a glance at Dust, "And only that." who nodded humbly in return. Dust sighed. "Chill dude. I was only joking. I'll leave now." With that Dust turned and left, Night Breeze went to follow him out. Flash cleared his throat. "Night Breeze, can you stay for a second." Night Breeze turned around to look at Flash. "Sure." He closed the door and sat back down on one of the chairs in front of Flash's desk. "What's up?" He asked calmly. Flash sighed. "I'm gonna be straight up with you, and this is VERY personal. I'm telling you because you're the only one I know can keep a secret." He leaned forward. "I can trust you. Right?" He asked, making Night Breeze shift in his chair. "Of course Flash. I'm you're friend. What's on your mind?" Night Breeze asked Flash. Leaning in so they could speak softer. Flash exhaled slowly, preparing to let loose a dark secret. "Night Breeze, I know for certain that Twilight loves me." Night Breeze's eyes went wide with what seemed like shock. "How can you be so sure?" He asked Flash. "Because - well," Flash hesitated. "She may or may not of kissed me when I went to talk to her." Night Breeze couldn't help but cover his smile with a hoof. "Flash, do you love her back?" Flash sighed. "Yeah, Night Breeze. I do. The thing is, when I was a regular guard, I wasn't allowed to even think about loving her, but when I was up there, she told me that since I was the new Captain, I could love her. She used her brother, Shining Armor, as an example." Night Breeze's smile slipped off his muzzle, and he place his hoof on the floor again. "Flash, what are you going to do? Say no, or love her back?" Flash looked down at the hard wood floor. "I don't know. That's why I wanted to tell you, you're the smartest pony I know." He looked back up at his faithful friend. "What should I do?" Night Breeze tapped his muzzle with his hoof a couple times, indicating that he was in deep thought. After a few moments passed he returned his gaze to Flash. "You both love each other, and she's made that clear. I think you should definitely get her, love her back." "You sure?" Flash asked him, unsure of his answer. Night Breeze nodded. "She kissed you first, and it was full blown on the lips, right?" Flash nodded sullenly. "Well then it's obvious Flash. She loves you a lot, and you love her too. It couldn't be more perfect, you're like her knight in shining armor." Night Breeze forced a chuckle, but Flash couldn't smile, he was too stressed out by the situation. Eventually Flash brought himself to speak. "Ok, thanks Night Breeze, that's all. Thanks for talking with me." Flash thanked his friend, still sulking a little. Night Breeze stood up and smiled. "Anytime Flash. Anything you need, you got it." He said with a warm tone in his voice. He then proceeded to exit the room, leaving Flash alone in his office. Flash struggled through his thoughts. He laid his head down on the desk, specifically on papers, since his desk was full of them. A few minutes passed of Flash just staring at a blank stone wall, unsure of what decision he could make. Flash's thoughts were interrupted by a pony knocking on his door. Flash perked up and looked. The desk mare was standing at his door, waving. Flash beckoned the mare to come in, which she did. The mare opened the door and walked in quickly, closing the door behind her. "Sorry in interrupt Captain, but a letter has come from Northern Equestria. Specifically The Crystal Empire, it's addressed to you." She told him, handing him the envelope. Flash took the white envelope and looked at it. He immediately recognized the Crystal Empire stamp on it. The picture of the Crystal Heart, the one thing that powers the entire city. "Thank you. You can go now." He told the mare. "Yes sir." She saluted and left the room. Leaving Flash staring at the white envelope. He tore the top of the envelope off with a small knife on his desk. He pulled the letter out, and began to read - Captain Flash Sentry, Congratulations on the new position, I entrust Canterlot's safety and the well-being of all the guards to you. I ensure that any problems will be addressed to me if need-be, but I assure that you will be a fine Captain. Also, take good care of my sister, Princess Twilight Sparkle. If I hear of any mistreatment of her, you will hear from me personally. If you need any help, don't hesitate to send me a letter or meet me. With All My Support, (Former) Captain Shining Armor Flash folded up the letter and set it aside. He breathed sporadically for a few seconds, then he began banging his head on the desk, until finally resting his head on the desk. How the buck am I suppose to tell Shining that his sister and me are in love? He breathed in and out. Only one way. He grabbed a pen and paper off his desk and began writing back a letter. Dear Captain Shining Armor, I take great pleasure in being the one to take control of your vast and majestic Royal Guard. There is something I must discuss with you unfortunately. Something I would rather not risk somepony else getting their hooves on. If possible, I would like to meet in the Crystal Empire Castle with you alone in two days. Please respond as soon as possible. Captain Flash Sentry Flash looked over his letter grimly. He then pushed himself away from the desk and stood up, then walked out of his office and up to the desk pony. "Excuse me ma'am, but could do me a favor?" He asked the mare behind the desk. She looked up at him. "What is the favor?" She asked quizzically. Flash held up his letter, which he sealed in an envelope. "I need you to send this letter to the Crystal Empire. Addressed to Captain Shining Armor as soon as possible." The desk mare took the letter, scanned it's surface, then got and headed to the mail room. "Yes sir." She said as she stood up. Flash spun around and headed back into his office. He sat down at his desk and stared at the floor. How am I going to break this to Shining Armor? Would he allow it? He turned around and stared out the window of his office, which overlooked some of Canterlot. He watched the ponies thrive on the streets below. So happy, enjoying their time. I wish I could feel the same way. He sighed. I'll just have to be straight up with him. It's may be blunt, but it's the only way.