//------------------------------// // Why Must We Always Meet Like This? // Story: One Bump Too Many // by Killjoy_Writer //------------------------------// Why Must We Always Meet Like This? One day in the quaint little town of Ponyville, transferred guards from the elegant Crystal Kingdom to the posh streets of Canterlot exited the station and headed to their new destination: The Castle of Friendship. Most of the guards were awestruck with the new palace as they approached the large crystal doors. All of the guards entered practically at the same time and were more awestruck with the interior. Inside, the main hall was decorated with banners that sported Twilight's cutie mark and the halls were decorated with elegant pots of pure crystal flowers that glistened in the sunlight which reflected onto and bounced off of equally elegant chandeliers. The group of transfers walked along until they heard some heavy footsteps. They looked down a hall and saw a large purple and green dragon walking along with another pony. "Welcome, transfers!" the pony greeted as he and the dragon met up with the group, "I am Flash Sentry, your new captain. Follow me, if you please." The dragon separated from the Flash as he led the group down the hall. They walked along until Flash bumped into another pony. "Sorry, Princess Twilight." Flash apologized as he helped the princes up, "Wasn't watching were I was going." "Are the transfers here?" Twilight asked as she dusted herself off, "and we need to stop bumping into each other." "In fact," the captain smiled, "They're right here." He turned with a hoof out pointing to them as the group of transfers bowed. Twilight nodded and gestured them to rise from their bow. "Greetings, transfers." Twilight greeted with a smile, "As you all know, I am Princess Twilight Sparkle. The dragon you saw earlier was my assistant, Spike." The guards sighed in relief. "Now," the princess continued, "Today will just consist of welcomes and patrol assignments. Tomorrow, you will be doing your first patrols." Twilight looked around at the group and they saw that there was more guards that they had expected. She turned to Flash Sentry and he started to whisper. "We'll need more captains." he sighed, "Got a plan?" She nodded. Twilight smiled and turned back to the new guards. "Again, welcome to the Castle of Friendship." she greeted again before trotting off, "Show them around a little more before sending them to their quarters." With that, Flash Sentry saluted and lead the guards around. By sunset, he had given a much needed tour and then led him to the Royal Guard Wing of the Castle. "And this is where all of the guards will be staying." he concluded as the group sighed, "Now, all morning patrols start at sunrise and end at sunset, which is when the Night Guard will take over." A guard raised his hoof. "Yes....?" Flash started. "Arrow Head." the guard introduced himself, "Who's in the Night Guard?" "Check behind you." Flash answered as he pointed a hoof to another group being lead by Spike. Spike was leading a group of equal size of batponies. "Your patrols begin at sunrise, see you then." Flash concluded as he trotted off. "Flash." Spike began as the groups met up and started to converse, "Twilight wishes to see you." "Thank you, Spike." Flash nodded as he headed to the throne room. Spike walked along the halls with Flash like before, minus meeting the transfers. "So, Flash," Spike started, wanting to break the awkward silence, "How are you liking the castle?" "Bigger on the inside." Flash admitted as they entered the main hall, "But really cool. The crystals remind me of my old post at the Crystal Kingdom." "I can understand." Spike agreed, "Wanna hang sometime? I can help you get used to Ponyville better." "Thanks but no thanks." Flash smiled, "I'm pretty used to the town already." "Okay." Spike smiled back as he pushed a set of massive doors open that lead to the Throne Room. The massive room had large murals on either side. Some with the Bearers of the Element of Harmony by themselves and others telling of their triumphs over the evil that attempted to plague Equestria and its neighbors. In the middle of the square room, there was a ring of six thrones, one for each of the Bearers with their cutie mark on the seat, surrounding a table. Twilight was sitting hers, her mane tied up so it din't fall in front of her face, holing a quill with her magic, writing on several documents, signing and mailing. Spike gave a small cough to get her attention. "Spike," Twilight began as she looked up from the documents, "Please leave us to talk in private." Spike nodded and left the captain and the Princess alone. "You asked to see me, Twilight?" he asked. In private, he was able to call the Princess by her real name without the formalities. "Yes," Twilight answered as she set the quill down, "About the Captains and the patrols." She levitated him two pieces of rolled parchment. "One has a list of the morning patrol captains and their patrol groups." she informed, "And the other is to be given to a batpony by the name of Firefly. This has his selected captains and their groups." Flash nodded and put them in a special slot in his armor for papers. "Anything else, ma'am?" he asked. "One more thing." she smiled, "We really need to watch where we're going." "Agreed, Twilight." he chuckled. "See you around, Captain Flash Sentry." Twilight smiled. With that Flash trotted back to the Guard Wing with the parchments. After he arrived at the designated Wing, he had to find Firefly, who he now remembered because they would hang out whenever Flash was in Canterlot. Believe it or not, Firefly was the first batpony he encountered. "Captain Firefly?" he asked as he tapped the pony's shoulder. The batpony turning caused his dark golden mane to flip. His amber eyes looked at Flash. "Yes, Captain Sentry?" the batpony answered as he grabbed his helmet. Firefly was unlike any other batpony in his previous position in the Lunar Royal Guard. His dark yellow coat could make him stick out in a crowd of batponies. His mane was like Spitfire's, minus the fact that his was longer and styled so it came down over one eye while Spitfire's was like a windswept mane. Plus the red orange streak in his mane went down the entire length.His cutiemark was that of a firefly but it looked like it could be used as a faction insignia. "Message from Princess Twilight." Flash handed him the parchment. Fly opened it and looked through it. "Thank you, Captain." he nodded, "Nice to see you again, Flash." "Same to you, friend." Flash saluted. Firefly saluted back and trotted off to meet his Patrol Captains. Flash turned and walked the opposite way to his quarters. He entered the door and sighed. How long am I going to have these feelings for her? he thought as he remembered her sweet smile. Flash took off his helmet and placed it on the display near his personal desk. When he turned to the desk, he noticed a scroll on his desk. Out of curiosity, he grabbed it and examined it. After a few minutes, he unrolled the scroll and read it: Flash Sentry, I would like to meet you in my quarters tomorrow for a little chat. Nothing business related. Just want to chat to with my personal Captain. -Twilight Sparkle The Captain smiled as he folded it and placed it in a drawer. Tomorrow will be fun. he thought as he read over the list of Patrol Captains. I'm sure of it.