//------------------------------// // ~V~ // Story: Twilight's Sentry // by GemstoneTheUnicorn //------------------------------// “Hey, Thunderlane, have you seen my hat?” “It’s next to your saddlebag, Flash,” Thunderlane called, his voice somewhat slurred. “Of course it is,” Flash muttered to himself. “Thank you!” “When’s Twilight comin’ over?” Thunderlane asked. “She should be here any--” Knock! “--minute. That’s probably her,” Flash said. “‘Kay. I’m going back to bed. It’s--” Thunderlane yawned, “--really early.” “You do that. I’ll be right there!” Flash called, grabbing his saddlebag from the floor. He put it on his back, got his hat, and rushed to the door. “Hi, Flash,” Twilight greeted. “Are you ready to go?” “Eeyup,” he replied. “I thought only Big Mac said that,” Twilight stated. “What?” “Nevermind. Shall we?” she asked. “Let’s.” ********** “Are we there yet?” Flash Sentry asked with a foalish tone. “Almost,” Twilight Sparkle replied. “But we’ve been riding the train for hours.” “Relax. It’s been an hour,” Twilight corrected. “Can you at least tell me where we’re going?” Flash asked. “Ah, ah, ah! I told you, it’s a surprise,” Twilight reminded. “Fine,” Flash complained, still in a foalish manner as the train lurched to a halt. “What was that?” Twilight inquired, a hint of nervousness in her voice. Flash swiftly trotted over to the window with Twilight right behind him. “We’re here!” he concluded. “Umm, Flash? We’re far from there. We weren’t even headed the right direction.” Twilight started breathing heavily. “Calm down, Twilight,” Flash said, reverting to a serious tone. He wrapped his wing around Twilight, and her panic left as fast as it appeared. “Thank you.” Flash ended the embrace and trotted to the windows again. “Okay, if we’re not in...wherever--” “Rainbow Falls,” Twilight interrupted. “If we’re not in Rainbow Falls, then where are we?” Flash asked, some of his guard instincts kicking in. Twilight remained silent for a while. When she finally spoke, there were quivers in her voice. “We’re in Dodge Junction.” “What’s so bad about--” A group of ponies dressed all in black boarded the train. “Outlaws,” he whispered. Under her breath, Twilight said, “They ran Cherry Jubilee out of business a year or two ago. There have been Royal Guards from the Solar, Lunar, and Crystal Guards trying to stop these criminals. I would have sent some of my own guards, but I don’t have a Guard.” Flash audibly gulped. “Don’t worry, Flash. They only really come after important--” Realization dawned on Twilight. “We’ve gotta get you out of here, Twilight!” Flash whispered urgently. “What about everypony else?” “None of them are princesses!” Flash stated. “So?” Twilight quietly breathed. “Fine. I’ll take care of this, but you have to go and hide,” Flash insisted. “What about you? I can’t have you getting hurt! And what about everypony else? How are we--” “Shhh, Twilight. I can take care of myself,” Flash gently promised. “Just tell me you’ll stay hidden.” “I believe you. But how--” Flash interrupted with her a kiss. “Okay, I’ll go.” ********** “Princess?” a dark grey unicorn mare asked. She was wearing a black stetson, a black bandana, and a saddle of the same color. “Who said princess?” Nopony spoke. “Okay, maybe I wasn't clear. Who...said...princess?!” She slammed her hoof into the floor of the train car, creating a new seam in the wood. “I-I said C-Celestia,” Flash responded, wearing a false nervous face. “As in ‘Oh, Celestia.’ As in, ‘I’m fearing for my...life.'” “Grab him,” the unicorn said, and two large earth ponies, adorning the same outfit as the mare, entered the train car and grabbed Flash. "Everypony else I want out by the time I reach ten!” The other passengers scrambled towards the exit. “Seven, TEN!” The train car was deserted. “C’mon boys. Help me grab this loot,” the mare ordered; no response. “I said--” As she turned around, the unicorn saw two unconscious earth ponies next to an orange pegasus preening his wings. “Do you mind?” Flash asked. “What the... What?” She was out cold before her brain had even begun to process the situation. “Twilight?” “Yes, Flash?” “You can come out now.” “Flash? What was that? You seemed to knock her out by just staring at her. It’s a bit scary.” “It’s…it’s my special talent.” Flash pointed to his Cutie Mark. “When I was little, I was fast. And I mean fast. It’s magic, I’m sure.” “What happened next?” Twilight asked. “That’s a story for another time, Twilight.” “What about the fighting?” “Also part of my special talent,” Flash added. “Remind me, and I’ll tell you later. But right now, we need to get this train headed to Rainbow Falls. Do you think your magic can fix that?” “Sure it can! Oh, and, Flash?” “Yes, Twilight?” “Next week we should go see my brother. I’ll bet he could use a guard like you,” Twilight said. Oh, you have no idea… ********** After getting all the passengers back on board and turning the train around, they were finally set for Rainbow Falls. An hour had passed and Twilight had the conductor stop in Canterlot to leave the outlaws with the Royal Guards. Another three hours, and the train pulled up to Rainbow Falls. “So, Flash, we have about seven minutes until the other train comes to bring us back to Ponyville!” Twilight said enthusiastically. “What do you want to do first?” “This,” Flash said, pulling Twilight into another kiss. It wasn’t anything special, yet it sent their hearts soaring. Flash gently pulled away. After a few seconds of silence, he asked, “How was that?” “That was...amazing, to put it simply,” Twilight answered. “Hey, should we go get ice cream?” “I love ice cream,” Flash confirmed. ********** The train ride back to Ponyville was uneventful. When Flash and Twilight returned, it was about 11:00 PM. “Hey, Twilight, I’m curious. If I asked you to be my fillyfriend, what would you say?” “Probably ‘yes.’ Why?” Twilight responded. “Oh, no reason. Actually,” he paused, “will you be my fillyfriend?” “Of course, Flash.” Twilight kissed his cheek. “How could I not, after today?” “I don’t know,” Flash shrugged as the library came into view. They walked in silence for a few minutes. “Here we are. Good night, Twilight.” Flash turned to leave. “Oh, no you don’t! It’s too dark to fly home. Stay here.” Flash blushed. “Like, sleep here? Huh?” “Oh, not like that,” Twilight clarified, blushing in turn. “No, the couch is super comfy.” “Umm...I guess.”