Flash woke up in a daze, he woke up sluggishly. He licked his lips a few times and yawned tiredly. He put his back hooves on the ground before scooting himself off the bed. He ran a hoof through his messy mane and walked over to the mirror to inspect himself.
It was the same as every morning, for when Flash looked at himself, his mane was in pieces. It was clumped together and not going in any particular direction. He turned on the sink and wet his hooves then ran them through is mane, forcing his navy-blue mane to be slicked back like Flash normally has.
He slumped over to his closet tiredly and opened it. Inside was his polished, purple and yellow armor that only Captain's had and his uniform. With a couple other casual clothes scattering the floor of the closet, which he ignored completely and pulled out his Royal Guard Uniform and slipped into it and walked out the door.
Flash took a deep breathe and looked over at a clock on the wall, which read 12:08. I really overslept. Flash thought to himself. He shrugged, and walked off to the headquarters.
As he passed the guards lining each corridor they saluted him. Flash smiled, I'll never get used to that. As he made it to his destination, he walked in, said 'hello' to the desk-pony, Moonshine, and went into his office.
Flash sat down at his desk and looked at the papers on his desk, a newspaper on top of everything, the headline reading "PRINCESS DISAPPEARED! POSSIBLY KIDNAPPED?". That's when the realization of the current events smacked Flash from his sleepy mood. He leaned back on his chair put a hoof over his mouth.
That's when he remembered, tonight was the search and rescue mission. A joint operation between the Royal Guard and the Wonderbolts' to get Princess Twilight back.
Flash slammed a hoof into his desk in anger. How could he let this happy to her. Flash began to blame himself for Twilight's kidnapping, but more matters were needed to be attended to. The press were going crazy over this story, and they needed to be satisfied. He stood up and walked out to Moonshine, writing out papers at her desk.
"Moonshine." The mare perked up and looked at Flash.
"Yes Captain?"
"Call for a press meeting in 30 minutes. They will tear down the castle if we don't give them something." Flash ordered. Moonshine nodded and took off out of the HQ and out of sight.
Flash walked out after Moonshine had left and walked down the hallway to the main castle gate. When he arrived, he was bombarded by ponies standing at the entrance. Flash looked around, at least 20 guards stood at the gate of the castle from shoulder to shoulder, spears in hoof and fully outfitted in golden plated armor.
He was impressed with his guard. They responded to the situation well and quickly. He walked to the front of the guard's defensive line to address the crowd. Cameras immediately flashed into his face and reporters screamed questions which were inaudible over the sounds that filled Flash's ears outside the castle.
Flash raised a hoof and began to address the anxious crowd. "All Press Ponies! Pay attention or lose valuable information!" All of the noise stopped instantly. Flash cleared his throat and shouted out. "We are having a press meeting in 30 minutes! Make sure you have a Castle Press Security Pass to gain entrance to the castle!" He yelled to the crowd. "That is all." With that Flash turned around and walked back into the castle, the guards immediately filled in the gap Flash had left when he walked through them.
Trotting down the corridors to the press room, Flash noticed a group of ponies carrying the Canterlot flag. The moon and sun aligned on the vertical axis with Luna and Celestia circling their respective stars on a background of blue stars and purple shading.
Even though Flash had seen the flag before, he was still stunned at how massive it was. At least a width of 20 feet and a length of 38 feet. Either way you slice it, the flag was huge. "Are you bringing that to the press room?" He asked the group. The leader nodded. "I'll accompany you." Flash told them and trotted alongside the group.
The ponies all carried the flag down to the press room, once there they hoisted it up and hung it from the ceiling right above the podium that Flash would stand at to address the press. He nodded to the ponies, and they left the press room. Flash looked at the clock on the wall. In 10 minutes the press would flood the room with questions regarding their princess.
Flash pivoted on his hooves and faced the door and walked out. He quickly trotted down the hallway to get back to the HQ before he had to return to the press room.
When he arrived, he was shocked to see that Moonshine was not at her post. In fact, nopony was even in the HQ, except for the two guards at the door. Flash walked around trying to find anypony, but it was useless, they were all gone. He rushed out the HQ and back to his room, quickly switched out of his Royal Guard Uniform and into his beautiful, polished armor. The purple backplate, helmet, and hoof guards all outlined with a yellow line.
Flash slipped into his armor easily, after he finished getting suited up, he rushed back to the press room with about a minute to spare. He waited off to the side of the podium, behind a curtain, where nopony in the audience could see him. Night Breeze was at the podium calming the press as Dust walked up behind Flash.
"Never did like standing in front of crowds, did ya Dust?" Flash asked his friend, aware of his presence.
Dust chuckled shyly. "You know me Flash. I hate public speaking." He ran his eyes up and down Flash's armor. "You look good."
Smiling at his friend, Flash responded. "Thanks, I did it in record time." The two shared a laugh before Flash was called to go up to the podium. He looked to Dust, "Wish me luck." and walked up to the podium, the entire room grew silent.
Flash cleared his throat and began to address the crowd. "Thank you all for coming to this meeting. I presume you all want to know about the whereabouts of Princess Twilight Sparkle." No pony moved as Flash darted his gaze among the press ponies. "The current situation is as follows. At approximately 1800 last night a group of rebels broke into the Canterlot Castle and kidnapped Princess Twilight."
Ponies started shouting questions at Flash, who simply raised a hoof to silence them. "For the safety of the Princess, I am not going to disclose anymore information except that we are breaking all available resources to get her back. I entrust that you understand."
The press began shouting at Flash again, who interrupted them abruptly. "Please! I ask that all ponies all over Equestria hope, and wish for the safe return of Princess Twilight Sparkle. Thank you." He finished.
Night Breeze took the podium again as Flash left it. The press shouted more and more questions at Night Breeze as he tried to settle them.
Flash rustled in his armor, he wasn't used to wearing armor ever since he became Captain, he had been wearing his uniform all the time. In fact, he hadn't even worn armor since he was an ordinary guard, but Flash's thoughts about how uncomfortable his armor was were interrupted by Dust rushing up to him.
"Don't like your armor huh?" He smirked.
Flash grinned at his friend. "Shut up. I haven't work this stuff in ages."
Dust rolled his eyes. "Then I guess your definition of 'ages' is a few weeks?"
Flash shoved his friend playfully, then looked up to see the Canterlot Clocktower, which read 2:00 PM. "Dust, get Night Breeze and go find all the top-ranking Senior Royal Guards. I need you to tell them about tonight meeting with the Wonderbolts. Tell them its urgent too."
Dust nodded, then saluted, and ran off to get Night Breeze, who was probably still arguing with the press. Then again, Night Breeze had a way with words. A voice of reason, he could be considered. Flash trotted back to the HQ, this time seeing Moonshine at her post.
"Where were you earlier Moonshine?" Flash questioned the mare.
Moonshine pulled out a letter from her desk. "Mail room. This came in for you." He handed Flash the letter, who took it and read the address label that said "Wonderbolts' Headquarters, Cloudsdale".
Flash stared at the letter. Well this is my response from Spitfire. Instead, he mutter out a simple, "Hmph. Thank you Moonshine."
"You're welcome sir."
Flash trotted back into his office and tore open the envelope and pulled out the letter, which he proceeded to read quietly -
"Captain Flash Sentry,
Me and my Wing Commanders will be there at 2100 tonight. We understand the necessity of the mission and will have all our troops ready.
Captain Spitfire
Flash looked over the short letter with satisfaction. With the Wonderbolts on their side, they had a very high chance of winning this fight.
On the clock, Flash noticed it read 2:15, and decided to go back to his room to rest up. He trotted out of the his office and stopped just before he left he Headquarters. He looked at the door that lead to the briefing room. Maybe I should review the intel a little more before the Wonderbolts get here.
Flash walked over to the door, and stepped into the large room with an oval table in the center of it. There was a board at the front of the room with a map on it, and folders had been neatly placed in front of each of the chairs around the table. Someone did I good job of setting this place up for the meeting. He thought to himself.
He walked over to the map, made sure all the places were correct, then went to each individual folder to make sure it had the proper, and informative information inside it.
Flash even went back to his office to make sure everything was ready, and after hours of running back and forth between the briefing room and his office, Flash was exhausted went he finished, and decided to go back to his room for some rest.
Passing all the saluting guards as usual, Flash took a scenic route to his room. Going the longer way around the castle to enjoy the stained-glass hallway of all the important moments in history. Flash took his time as he passed the stained-glass masterpieces.
This route Flash took would intertwine with the Royal Chambers, and Flash knew they wouldn't mind him passing through. As Flash passed Princess Luna's bed chambers she stepped out of her room. Flash immediately stepped aside and bowed.
"Ah. Flash Sentry, I was just going to look for you." Luna told Flash. "You may rise."
Flash got back on his hooves and looked at Luna. "For what purpose, Princess?"
Luna looked antsy, for she was almost digging her hooves into the rug layering the floor. "I wanted to notify you on some more information regarding Princess Twilight Sparkle. For the kidnappers have sent me a letter as well."
"Well that's kind of a shocker." Flash flattened his ears.
Luna saddened her look. "Unfortunately, the state of the letter is grim. They promise if you don't show up at the specified time, they will kill the Princess." She obviously was worried about Twilight as much as Flash, if not more.
Flash gritted his teeth in anger. "They just sent the worst letter of their lives." He stared at Luna. "We will make them pay for endangering the Princess's life." He promised.
Luna nodded swiftly. "I entrust you Flash Sentry. Tis' most important that she be returned unscathed. She is precious to my sister and me."
"Of course." Flash nodded his understanding. "Don't worry Princess. She will be good as new when she returns."
Luna shook her head. "You are a voice of reason, Flash Sentry, but do not make promises you cannot keep. She will not return the same." With the flick of her tail she turned and headed back into her room.
Flash stood there in for a second, a ring of confusion going around his head. What does she mean? He started walking slowly back to his room. Luna's words rang in his head, Do not make promises you cannot keep. She will not return the same.
He sluggishly walked into his room and walked over to his mirror. Flash looked at the figure standing in the purple-yellow armor with the blue star on his chest-plate. Flash slid off his helmet and ran a hoof through his hair. He then proceeded to take the rest of his armor off and hang it up in his closet.
Flash crawled into his bed and closed his eyes and let his exhausted body rest for the time being. For tonight, was going to be the most extreme night Flash will ever spend.
~
Nightmares ran ramped through Flash's dreams. He watched in agony as he was helpless to help his beloved Twilight. The worst possible scenario, Flash lived them through his dreams. The major problem was, he couldn't wake up from these dreams. It seemed like he couldn't open his eyes.
Different scenarios kept forming into Flash's eyes, he ran into the compound, was ambushed and taken hostage with the Princess, then he would be executed so they could get their money.
Another scene would be Flash negotiating inside the compound when a guard calls out that he sees multiple Wonderbolts. The guards converge on Flash, overpowering him, he would be brought to his knees, they would kill Twilight in front of Flash, then execute Flash, keeping their promise to the letter they sent Luna.
Flash tossed and turned in his bed for the hours he slept. Mumbling in his sleep, Flash kept reliving his horrific nightmares as to what could possibly go wrong in the mission.
Night Breeze walked into the room at around 8:28 PM to wake Flash up. He was shocked when he saw the mess Flash had made of his bed, but he was still tossing and mumbling in his sleep.
When Night Breeze went to wake him up, he was hesitant. Then he tapped Flash's shoulder with a hoof, which didn't wake Flash up. Then night Breeze shook Flash violently, eventually waking him up with a scream of terror and fear.
Flash panted heavily. Night Breeze stared at him in shock. "Flash! Are you ok?" He almost yelled at him friend in extreme concern.
"What were you dreaming?"
Still panting and sweating heavily, Flash stared at his friend wide-eyed. "The worst. Possible. Scenarios." He curled up into a ball and lied back down on his bed. "I don't want to see anymore of it Night Breeze." He shivered as he laid there.
Night Breeze sat on the edge of the bed. "Flash." He started. "What exactly did you see in these dreams?"
Tears started to well in Flash's eyes as he described the horrific images he saw. The death of him, Twilight, and possibly members of the Royal Guards and Wonderbolts. Night Breeze sat back and took it in. He thought for a moment before responding to Flash's description. "Flash. None of those scenarios are ever going to happen." He soothed. "We will do this. Princess Twilight will be home again by the end of the night."
Flash sat up and sighed. He wiped his eyes and looked to his friend. "Thank you, Night Breeze." He rubbed his eyes again. "What time is it?"
Night Breeze looked over at the clock, then back to Flash. "8:43. We should probably start rallying the guards. The Wonderbolts should be arriving soon."
With a swift nod, Flash stood up out of bed and went over to his closet, pulled out his armor set and began to slid it on. Night Breeze helped him after Flash found himself dropping the piece of armor several times. Flash walked over to the mirror and inspected himself. Night Breeze smiled in admiration. "You really do look ravishing in that armor, if I do say so myself." He commented.
Flash smiled back at his friend, then lifted his helmet and slid it on. "Rally the guards, meet me at the mission briefing room on time." He ordered. Night Breeze saluted his superior and trotted out of the room. Flash followed closely behind him, and followed Night Breeze for a while before they parted ways and Flash headed to the HQ.
When he finally arrived, Moonshine was sitting at her desk. When she noticed him walk him, she stood up and saluted. "Sir. The Wonderbolts are here and waiting for you."
Flash nodded to her. "Thank you." He frowned as he looked in the door window and saw 3 Wonderbolts sitting in chairs. Since when are the Wonderbolts early to something? I thought they would be 'Fashionably Late' or however they call it. He was about to walk in when Night Breeze came down into the HQ with the high-ranking Senior Royal Guards tailing close behind. Dust was among them.
With a nod, Flash opened the door and allowed his ponies to enter the room, and he tailed them. The Wonderbolts stood up as they 4 Royal Guards entered, Flash included. They all exchanged hoof-shakes as Flash waited in the back as the Royal Guards sat down in their respectively tagged seats.
Flash walked up to the first Wonderbolt, a mare with a white mane. She stood up and shook his hoof. "Wing Commander Fleetfoot, pleasure to meet you Captain Sentry."
With a curt nod, Fleetfoot sat down and the next Wonderbolt walked over to Flash. A stallion this time, with a jet-black mane that was slicked back much like Flash's mane-style. He spoke as they exchanged a hoof-shake. "Hey, I'm Soarin. Nice meetin' you Captain Sentry."
Flash smiled and nodded, to him. "As to you Soarin." He walked over to the last pony, a mare, was easily recognizable when she stood up, her light brilliant-orange mane combined with her orange eyes gave her identity away. Flash smiled. "Nice to see you again Spitfire. Been a while."
Spitfire smirked and chuckled a little. She shook his hoof. "It has Flash. Since the night outside the club of ridiculously loud music." The two shared a laugh, then Spitfire pointed a hoof at Flash's armor. "I see you've got a promotion."
Flash shrugged. "You could call it that." Spitfire then sat down and Flash went to the front of the room. He took his helmet off and placed it on the table, then cleared his throat as he looked at the ponies seated in the room. "As you already know this meeting is to discuss a plan in regards to recovering Princess Twilight Sparkle safely, and unharmed." He darted his eyes among the ponies. "If you open the folders in front of you there is a debriefing packet on a possible plan regarding the mission."
The ponies all opened the folders in front of them and read through them. Flash refocused their attention by tapping the map he had set up. "This is how I think it should go, and I'm open to suggestions." He tapped a circle on the map. "This is the compound the Princess is held in. Now they've told us that if anypony but me goes in, they will kill the Princess."
He slid his hoof down to a long line on the map. "What they have overlooked is the terrain of the area. There is a nice hill on the south side of the compound. This will be our staging area." He looked back at the ponies in the room, who's eyes were fixated on the map. Flash looked back to the map and continued. "We will prep here, then wait on the top of hill. I will go approach the compound."
"Um, that's pretty much suicide you know." Soarin interrupted Flash, who rolled his eyes.
With a sigh Flash continued. "Maybe you should let me finish." Soarin sunk back into his chair and continued reading the packet that had been handed out. "As I was saying. After I go into the compound, that's when you guys, as Wonderbolts, will be signaled by Dust Storm here," Flash pointed a hoof at Dust, who raised his hoof to signify himself. "to fly high into the clouds, then fly down onto their position, and take out the guards silently." He strained the last word. "I can't stress stealth enough, because if anyone but me is detected, mission over, me and the Princess are going to be dead."
Fleetfoot leaned onto the table, obviously intrigued in the plan. "Then we better not mess this up."
Soarin nodded his agreement, but kept his muzzle buried in the packet.
Flash darted his vision across the room, but when nopony else spoke he turned back to the map. "After the Wonderbolts take out the hostiles on the roof, Night Breeze's squad will form up at the front entrance. While the Wonderbotls and Dust Storm's squad rendezvous on the roof and prepare for entry."
Night Breeze raised a hoof, which Flash nodded to him. "So, what is the plan for entry?"
"This is the part where I need help on." Flash admitted. "We have multiple options. Dust's team can silently take the guards on the second floor out and you move in after that's done." He listed. "Or we can just all go in at once in a big fight."
Spitfire spoke for the first time in the meeting. "We can start it stealthily, but if we are detected, we go full out."
Flash nodded at Spitfire. "That's actually a good idea, since if we are spotted, we'll have no choice but to go full out." He agreed. "Does anypony have any questions, comments, or suggestions?" When nopony spoke, Flash cleared his throat. "Then go back to your Headquarters and prepare your forces. Meet at the Great Hall where you will debrief your forces on the mission."
The ponies stood up from their chairs and began emptying the room. The only pony that didn't leave was Spitfire. Flash turned to her. "Can I help you Captain Spitfire?"
"Are you sure this is gonna work? Can't we devise a plan that doesn't involve you sacrificing yourself?" Spitfire expressed an unusual amount of concern when she spoke her words.
Flash sighed and smiled at Spitfire. "We all have to sacrifice something, Spitfire. It's what we do for the Princess', and Equestria."
Spitfire smiled back. "You always were one loyal pony, Flash. I hope this works too." She then turned and left the room to fly off with Fleetfoot and Soarin.
Flash left the room and met up with Night Breeze and Dust and left the HQ. When the were out in the hallway Flash turned back to his friends. "Get some rest. Lay down for 10 minutes. It'll do you wonders." The two ponies nodded and walked off to their respective rooms.
A great sigh leaped from Flash's mouth. He was extremely worried about tonight, and hoped with all of his heart that he, Twilight, and his ponies, along with the Wonderbolts be ok at the end of the night. Flash journeyed to the Canterlot Garden and looked out at the great city of Canterlot. He smiled, he loved this place, but he would risk his life to defend it, and that will be proven tonight.
~
The Great Hall was half filled with the entire Royal Guard. Flash oversaw Night Breeze and Dust briefing their squads on the mission, which Flash had stressed how high the stakes were.
The Wonderbolts came in a little later, when the clock read 11:20 PM. Flash walked over to Spitfire. "Captain." He greeted her.
Spitfire nodded to him. "Captain Flash Sentry. I hope we aren't late."
Flash shook his head. "No, you're on time. Just brief your ponies on the mission. We'll talk later."
Spitfire nodded, and rallied up the Wonderbolts and began briefing them when Dust and Night Breeze came up to Flash. "We're all ready Capn'." Dust almost slurred out.
Flash nodded to his friend. "You too, Night Breeze?"
Night Breeze nodded. "All set to go sir."
"Good." Flash smirked. "The Wonderbolts are prepping for the mission."
After some time passed, and the minute hand at rotated on the clock to 40, Spitfire walked up to Flash. "All set to go Flash."
Flash nodded. "Right." He leaped up onto a table and began to address the crowd. "Ponies!" He started, all eyes went on him. "Of the Wonderbolts, and the Equestrian Royal Guard." He darted his eyes among the ranks. "Tonight. We will embark on a mission never before done in Equestrian history. A group of rouge ponies have taken one of our Princesses hostage for ransom."
All eyes were trained on Flash. The only group that wasn't really looking at him were the Royal Guards, who were standing in a formal line and standing at attention. "We will promise them that they have made a big mistake for what they have done, and will the ultimate price for their crimes! Now, I can't promise a free ticket home for everypony. This is going to be a dangerous battle, and not everypony might make it, but I ask for one thing! That you fight, and give it your all! This is what you have signed up for! This is why, you are part of Equestria's finest! Because courage isn't the absence of fear. Courage is the ability to face your fears head on! I know that we will all be afraid to go into battle, but we must stand vigilante, and face our foes head on! Am I right?" Flash yelled out.
The room seemed to erupt with cheers and patriotic screams. Flash smiled as he looked down at the ponies before him, then he ran his vision across Spitfire, who simply nodded. "Now!" He finished. "Into formations! Let's move!" Ponies began flooding out of the room and out of the Canterlot Castle. Marching down the streets in the knight, with the Wonderbolts flying in their own formation above the guards.
Flash lead the entire platoon of Royal Guards all the way to the hill where the staging point was marked. Upon arrival, Flash signaled the Wonderbolts to ground themselves, which they did.
The Royal Guards crawled up the side of the hill so they could peer over. They were definitely in the right place, for guards were all over the top of the building. Shining lights on the ground in all directions.
Flash slid back down the hill to where Night Breeze, Dust, and Spitfire were. "Get ready." He whispered. "I'm going in. As soon as I'm in the compound," He pointed to Dust. "you know what to do."
Dust nodded, then told Spitfire to get in the air, which she signaled the Wonderbolts to do.
Flash exhaled slowly, then got up, put his helmet on, and began walking out. When he became uncomfortably close to the compound, the lights went on him. "Stop there! State your name and business!" A voice called out to him.
Flash put a hoof over his eyes from the blinding light. "Captain Flash Sentry! I was told to come here for Princess Twilight Sparkle!"
The solid wooden doors to the compound opened up, giving way to a dark room. Flash then walked in, and the doors shut behind him.. It's you're turn to dance Spitfire. He thought to himself.
The next door opened to a large room. Flash stepped into it, and a light went on in the middle of the room. Flash's jaw dropped when he saw what he saw. It was Twilight, tied down to a chair. Her horn was covered to prevent her from using magic.
Flash peered closer. Is she sleeping or - great Galaxia... Twilight was unconscious, and a stream of blood ran down the side of her head.
Without thinking, Flash ripped off his helmet, threw it on the ground and galloped as fast as he could to Twilight. When he reached her, he grabbed her head. "Twilight!" He almost pleaded. "Twilight wake up!" He shook her violently, but his efforts were futile, she was knocked out cold.
"You were brave to come here alone Flash Sentry." A voice called out to Flash.
Flash gritted his teeth in anger. "Where are you. Who are you? Show yourself!" He called out to the darkness.
"Oh, Flash, don't you recognize my voice? We've already met." With that line the lights flickered on all around the huge room. Flash stepped back in awe as he looked around him. He was completely surrounded by ponies, armed with spears.
Flash was even more shocked when he looked at the ponies on the second floor. They were wearing Royal Guard armor, just without the helmets, but when he looked closer at their faces, it felt like he got punched in the stomach.
The faces of Senior, and Retired Royal Guards lined the room. Flash stumbled in shock, staring wide-eyed at his once trusted ponies. "You're all Royal Guards?"
"That's - correct." A horribly voice rasped from the second floor. Flash felt his heart skip a beat when he look at the pony who was strapped in a wheel chair.
Flash stared horrified at the pony, the worst part was, he recognized the bent wing on the pony. "J-Jagged W-Wing?"
Jagged Wing managed to crack a smile. "Precisely." He struggled to breathe.
Flash looked around at all the other ponies. "And you all follow his lead? Why?"
"Because he was a good leader. He made us strong." One pony on the second floor replied.
Flash was angered by this. "Even if he did do that, that doesn't give you the right to mutiny!"
The pony yelled back at Flash. "You call it what you want Captain! You're down there, we're up here! We've got the advantage!"
Flash gritted his teeth at the pony. Not for long. He thought. He looked out the window as he saw one of the lights go out. Perfect. He refocused his attention to Jagged Wing. "How are you alive. I snapped you neck!" The memories flooded back to Flash, the night where he broke his Captain's neck and supposedly killed him.
"I thought you would be smarter - than this Flash Sentry. A pony can live - with a broken neck. It just causes - limitations." He rasped a reply.
Flash continued to question the stallion. "Why are you doing this?"
Jagged Wing paused a moment. "Because the Princesses are weak. They don't allow their guards to be strong for the possible threats outside the borders of Equestria. They have sent soldiers to places they don't belong, which have ended in lives being wasted! They need to be disposed of, and that's what the Red Fang is for." He explained.
"Now that you see the reason - behind our cause, Flash Sentry. Would you join our cause." He proposed to Flash.
Flash flattened his ears in disgust. "Jagged Wing. I understand your cause, and Galaxia knows I agree with you, but like all of you I took an oath, to defend Equestria from all enemies. Foreign - Jagged Wing, and domestic. I plan to stay true to that oath and not commit mutiny like you have!" Flash stomped a hoof on the rough ground.
He looked around at the ponies around him. "All of you following this insane stallion. You're under oath as Equestrian Royal Guards. Have you forgotten that?!" He yelled at them. "You may have lost close friends or loved ones in stupid choices made by the Royals, but you all know that mistakes are made, and that doesn't mean to rebel against them! Wisdom comes with experience! For every mistake you make, you become a little smarter!" Flash furiously negotiated with the ponies.
Jagged Wing began to yell from the second floor. "Do not listen to him ponies! He trying to deceive you! Think of the loved ones you've lost due to careless decisions made by your superiors!
"Are you really going to listen to a crooked old Captain, who beat and abused the guards under his command?!" Flash cut in. "I promise you if you drop the weapons now I will see to it that you aren't court marshaled and sent to jail for this!"
Flash noticed out of the corner of his eye bodies falling over, lifeless. I never wanted it to be this way. He looked to the top floor, as former guards were being dragged into the shadows one by one. Flash turned to Jagged Wing. "I never wanted this to happen. But you've given me no choice."
Jagged Wing coughed a laugh. "What are you going to do Flash? You're heavily outnumbered and surrounded!"
Flash darkened his looked. "This." He whispered to himself. With that word, he lunged at the nearest target, and surprised the stallion as he kicked the spear out of his hooves and wrapped his arm around his neck and spun him around so when the pony next to him tried to kill Flash with his spear, the spear stabbed his ally instead.
Once the pony in Flash's arms was lifeless, he let him go. I'm sorry I had to do this. He weeped silently as he lunged at his next, unarmed opponent and managed to hook his hooves around his neck again, this time suffocating the pony, then dropping him to the ground.
Flash turned around to face his next opponent, but not before he could slam the steel spear into Flash's left forehoof. Flash screamed out in agony as he pulled the spear out of him. Blood flowed from the wound, but Flash didn't let that stop him. He charged the stallion, knocking him to the ground and climbing on top of him. Flash continuously shot forceful punches into the ponies muzzle until he was certain he was unconscious.
Flash climbed up, clinging to his wound as he looked around him. He hadn't noticed it but all of his forces were inside and engaging all enemies in the room. The rouge group was easily outnumbered 3 to 1 by Flash's forces.
Jagged Wing was trying to get out, and Flash noticed this, he ran as fast as he could, but stumbled because of his injury. He also had to climb a ladder with one forehoof, which took time, but Flash finally made it up to the second floor. He ran after Jagged Wing as fast as he could, and slammed head-first into him when he reached him.
Flash's arch enemy fell over limp on the floor and Flash walked over to him and looked him in the eye. "This time." He breathed. "You won't be alive, but, even after everything you have done to me. I will regret this." Flash sighed, and he flicked his right hoof, extending his hidden blade, and ran it through Jagged Wings neck. "Goodbye, Captain. I am sorry." He whispered in Jagged Wing's ear as he ended his life.
The battle was winding down now, as the once hostile ponies were surrendering, trying to run away, or the rest. Who, unfortunately, lay motionless on the ground. Flash panted as he was charged from behind. The force of the push from a new attacker forced Flash over the railing on the second floor and fall 10 feet to the first floor.
Flash landed with a crack onto the hard surface. One of his ribs snapped as Flash landed, and he laid on the ground, gasping for air. Blood began to trickle from his mouth as he fought for every bit of oxygen. Flash rolled over onto his stomach, cringing from the pain.
A pair of hooves walked up next to Flash. When he looked up, he saw the face of Kingfish. The pony who disappeared from that faithful day in the Canterlot Castle without a trace. "Hmph. Captain Sentry. I'd expect more of a fight from you."
Flash gritted his teeth. "You won't only get a fight from me. You're getting a fight from the entire Royal Guard, combined with the Wonderbolts. In other words -" He stopped time literally slowed down and Flash took his blade and slashed across Kingfish's forehooves with his blade. As she collapsed to the floor, Flash stood up and loomed over her. "You've met your worst nightmare."
Kingfish gritted her teeth at Flash and spat at him. "Finish me then."
Flash raised his blood-soaked blade once more. "You deserve do die." He told her as he slammed his blade into her chest. She gasped for air, and Flash twisted his blade, and Kingfish slowed her movements. "Any last words?"
Kingfish lifted a hoof to him. "I knew you would be an excellent soldier Flash. Remember my name, Blooming Dasie. Flash - I - I. " She coughed blood in search of oxygen.
Flash lifted her up. "What. You what?"
"I'm p-part of y-you. F-Flash." She gasped.
"What do you mean?!" Flash yelled at her.
She put a hoof on Flash's cheek. "We w-were f-filli-ies to-to-together. I - I w-was your s-s-sister, F-Flash. I - I love y-you, br-broth-er." That's when she slipped from the world of the living, bleeding out in Flash's hooves.
Tears streamed from Flash's eyes and he sat in shock at what he just discovered. I thought my sister died in a fire. That's what I was told. Flash flipped his head back and screamed. "NO!" He sobbed as he held his sister in his hooves.
He hugged his sister's limp body. "Such a waste of life! This should have never happened!" He cried into her mane, that no longer was purple, but pink. Flash leaned back and saw this. He licked his hoof and rubbed her pelt, making the black wear off, revealing her true, yellow fur. Flash sat up in shock. How did I slow time down? She could have easily deflected my knife attack! He questioned, but didn't really care.
Flash couldn't even cry anymore, he had lost all his tears. Night Breeze and Dust trotted over to Flash from behind. "We did it Flash! The plan worked!" They cheered. They grew dark immediately when they saw Flash holding Kingfish. "What's the matter Flash?" Night Breeze asked. "We destroyed the Red Fang, and you killed Jagged Wing and Kingfish! What could be better?"
Flash slowly laid Blooming Dasie's body down on the ground and stood up. He turned around, reviling the tears streaming from his eyes. "It only it was good." He sobbed.
Dust stepped forward. "Flash, what's wrong?"
Flash pointed to the body of Blooming Dasie. "Kingfish? What about her? She tried to kill you!"
Flash shook his head. "That's not true. She would have never killed me. She was my sister, and her name was Blooming Dasie."
Both Dust and Night Breeze's jaw fell to the floor in shock. "What? She. WHAT?" Dust couldn't seem to make sense of it.
"I thought she died in a fire, long ago. Turns out that was a lie." Flash stared at his sister. "She wanted me to become a guard all along, and she wanted me to kill her when she seemed like a bad guy to prove it."
Night Breeze put a hoof on Flash's shoulder. "The most damaged ponies, are the wisest."
Flash smiled at his friend. "Thanks."
Night Breeze nodded. Then pointed a hoof at Flash's injuries. "Might wanna get that checked out."
Flash nodded. "I want you to carry Dasie's body back to the Castle. Ready it for a proper burial."
"And Jagged Wing's body?" Dust asked.
Flash stopped as he began to walk away. He looked back. "I don't care what you do with him." Dust nodded and the two ran off. Flash walked over to Twilight, where she was fully conscious and sitting on the floor in front of a medical pony.
He ran up to her. "Twilight." He spoke softly. Twilight whipped around to see Flash. "Flash!" She simply smiled ear to ear. Flash ran to her and hugged her with all his might. "Are you ok?" He asked her.
She nodded, tears almost forming in her eyes. "I'm fine." She choked on her words. "How are you?"
Flash shrugged. "Scuffed up a bit. Need a doctor, but I need you right now."
Twilight stared at him, and her smile faded. "Flash, what are you saying?"
Flash stared at the mare he had loved for so long. "N-Nothing." He looked away. Not now. Not in front of everypony. Later. "I'll tell you some other time."
Twilight stared at Flash quizzically. "Uh. Ok."
Flash looked back at the princess. "I am glad that you are safe, Twilight. I would hate myself if I lost you." Twilight smiled and the two hugged once more, embracing each other.
When they finally separated, Flash stood back up and looked at Twilight, still smiling. "Have the doc pony fix you up. I'll see you back at the castle." He told her, and she simply nodded.
Flash limped out of the compound with the assistance of some guards. While he was leaving he noticed a brown figure out of the corner of his eye. Flash turned his head to see a familiar pony. Brown fur, with a slicked back brown mane and an hour glass for a cutie mark. Time Turner? Flash dropped his jaw in shock. Time Turner simple smiled and nodded at him. Flash nodded back.
Thank you so much Time Turner. Flash silently called out to him.
My pleasure Flash Sentry. A calm, soothing voice responded in Flash's thoughts.
He quickly perked up and looked back, but Time Turner was gone from sight, and nowhere to be found. Flash refocused himself ahead, as the ponies put him into a carriage with medical ponies that would take him back to the Canterlot Castle.
When he got out of the carriage, a bandage had been wrapped around his left forehoof and ponies were carrying him on a stretcher to the medical ward. Flash smiled at being in the familiar halls again, and with that, he closed his eyes and let his exhaustion take over, and he drifted into a deep sleep on the stretcher.
~
Flash awoke slowly in the hospital bed. Wires were attached to him and he had bandages lining his entire midsection and left foreleg. He looked over to the side slowly, to see Twilight standing at his bedside, smiling. "Good morning sleepy head." She whispered to him.
Flash smiled at his love. "Hi, Twilight. Why are you here?"
Twilight giggled a little. "Why wouldn't I be with the pony I love?"
Flash shrugged. "I dunno. Maybe sitting next to a sleeping pony isn't all that exciting."
"Well then I wouldn't be here for when you wake up." Twilight pointed out.
Flash smiled at her, and then the doors swung open, and a doctor walked in. "Ah good. You're awake." He grinned at Flash as he walked over to his bedside.
"How do you feel?" The doctor asked Flash.
Flash wrapped a hoof around Twilight, bringing her closer. "I couldn't be better doc." He responded, and Twilight smiled and hugged Flash back.
The doctor smiled at the new couple. "That's good." He checked the monitor and the IV's in Flash's arm before walking out. He stopped at the doorway and looked back. "Oh, Captain Sentry. You have one more guest."
Flash raised and eyebrow at this. He didn't say two, so it can't be Night Breeze and Dust. "Who?" He asked quizzically. Flash's question was answered when a brown pony entered the room, smiling at Flash, who's jaw dropped to the floor when he laid eyes on his visitor. "Time Turner..." Flash's voice faded out as he spoke to the pony with the familiar hour-glass cutie mark.
Time Turner simply smiled. "Yes, Flash Sentry." He responded in a calm, relaxing voice.
Flash was at a loss for words. "I - Did you slow down time during my fight?" He asked the only question on his mind.
Time Turner nodded. "How did you do that? Can you control time? Is that your cutie mark?" Flash stared at the hour-glass on Time Turners side.
With a smile, Time Turned nodded again. "Yes, Flash Sentry. Time - and existence of life itself. A Time Lord." He was such a relaxed pony, and understanding. Voicing reason, and logic, over opinion.
"I - I don't understand, why are you here?" Flash asked him.
Time Turner walked over his side. He put a hoof on his forehead. "Hush, Flash Sentry. You have done much for a good cause. Nopony is more deserving of a rest than you. Now, go to sleep." A bright golden light began to stream from Time Turner's hoof and Flash slipped into blackness once more, and his head dropped as he fell unconscious.
Flash woke with a startle, and Twilight rushed over to him. He was still in the hospital bed, but something was off. Flash ran a hoof along his body and his shoulder. No bandages? What happened?
Twilight was holding his hoof, and Flash looked at her as he sat up. "What did Time Turner do?
She was staring at him in the eyes. "He used some aura of golden energy to heal you. It was amazing, he took off the bandages and you were fine again."
Flash stared at Twilight. "How is that possible?"
Twilight shrugged. "I don't know."
Flash slid out of bed and stood on all fours. He rubbed his left hoof a little, in shock that he was perfectly healed. He looked back at Twilight. "Where did he go? I have to thank him."
"I don't know Flash. He left after he healed you. He seemed to be in a rush." She told him.
Flash stared out the door. "Let's go find him." Twilight nodded, and the two took off down the hall to find Time Turner.
The two ran out to the streets looking for him. Twilight tapped Flash's shoulder. "There!" She pointed a hoof to Time Turner who was running to a house. Flash and Twilight ran after him into the house, where they saw Time Turner run into the basement.
Flash ran after him and saw Time Turner leaning over on a table, like he was in pain. "Time Turner!"
Time Turner sat us and stared at Flash. "Stay back!" He yelled at him. Flash stepped back, and put a hoof across Twilight, keeping her back.
"What's going on Time Turner?" He asked him.
Time Turner fell to a hoof. "It's a little thing that Time Lords have, it's a way of cheating death, but with a consequence."
Flash didn't understand. "What do you mean?"
"I used what is called a 'regeneration ability' on you to mend your wounds, but sacrificing time left until my next regeneration. The way it works, is every 7 years, I undergo regeneration, to not die, ever." Time Turner explained. "Only problem is that when regeneration happens, I'm like a totally new pony. New look, and almost complete memory reset."
Flash couldn't believe what he was hearing. "So how did healing me effect you?" He called out to him.
Time Turner was cringing while leaning onto the table. "It used up time. Time until my next regeneration, and because of that. I'm going through regeneration now."
Two and two came together, and Flash understood everything. "Will you remember me?"
"I don't know Flash Sentry!" He almost sobbed. "I - I." He couldn't finish his sentence before he stared at his hoof, which was beginning to glow golden. The light began spreading throughout his body, till he was covered with what seemed like sparkling gold dust. Time Turner looked at Flash with helpless eyes. "I don't want to go." He sobbed to Flash and Twilight.
Flash stepped forward a little. "Time Turner!" He called out, but the Time Lord's body began glowing a bright yellow. The light blinded Flash and Twilight, as they were forced to look away to avoid being hurt by the ferocity of the light.
Time Turner screamed out through the light, but there was nothing Flash or Twilight could do. Once the screaming stopped the light began to dim down, and once it all faded Flash and Twilight looked at the new pony laying on the floor.
The new Time Turner had a bushy mane, curled over to one side, and a more combed, longer tail. Flash rushed over to him and shook him. "Time Turner! Speak to me!"
Time Turner woke up with a startle. "Huh! What? Who?" He looked at Flash. "Hey! You! I don't know you." He looked around the room. "Where am I?"
Flash let go of the new Time Lord and sat back. "You don't remember me."
The Time Turner stared at Flash for a brief moment, then he seemed to get hit by some wave, because he fell back to the ground holding his head, then immediately sat up again. "Ah! Hey! I was doing something!" Time Turner furiously tapped his the sides of his head. "Something of the sort -" He broke off then stared at Flash. "I just went through regeneration! And you! You caused it right?"
Flash darted his eyes around the room. "I guess so. You healed me, which caused you to undergo regeneration. Or something like that."
The new Time Turner stood and paced around quickly. "How badly were you wounded?"
"I had a impaled hoof, and a couple broken ribs." He told him.
Time Turner paced around some more, and spoke extremely fast. "If you had 1 impaled hoof, 2 broken ribs that would possibly take off, uh." He stopped talking and moving for a split second then continued. "Approximately 2.435 years off of my regeneration cycle which means." He stopped and gasped. "I still have approximately 67.23 percent of my memory from my previous life!"
The Time Lord rushed up to Flash. "You're Flash Sentry! Captain of the Royal Guard and hero of Canterlot! I saved your life in the battle of the compound against the Red Fang!" He ran over to Twilight and bowed. "You're Princess Twilight Sparkle! Originally home to Canterlot, you moved to Ponyville in search of the magic of friendship to make friends with Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie! You then moved back to Canterlot because you became a Royal after you finished an old spell started by Starswirl the Bearded! I do remember!"
Twilight and Flash exchanged glances at each other, unsure of what just happened. Flash looked at Time Turner. "So, should we just go?"
Time Turner looked at Flash. "Of yes if you don't want to stay you can go by all means!"
Flash and Twilight left the house quickly, not certain of what they just saw. The went back to the Canterlot Castle to retire to Twilight's bed chambers.
Once inside to two sat down next to each other and hugged. "I'm so happy that you're all ok Flash." Twilight broke the silence.
Flash separated from the hug and stared into Twilight's amethyst eyes. "I'm glad you're safe too. I love you Twilight."
Twilight blinked, then smiled, crimson forming at her cheeks. Flash closed the distance and kissed her, the two embracing each other after their experiences.
They separated for the need of air in their lungs. The two stared at each other, lovestruck. Flash smiled at her, his cheeks flaring a crimson color. "Love you, Twilight."
Twilight smiled back. "Love you more, Flashy." The two hugged again. They would spend much more time now, their love undeniable, and would spend countless years together.