A Stallion And His Mare — Part II
The play was an open act of rebellion.
If it wasn’t, Twilight would eat her crown.
Thunderous applause boomed through the theater, echoing off the gemstone spotlights shining down upon the cast and crew below. While the actors onstage plucked the crystal roses thrown their way and held them tightly in gratitude, Twilight stopped clapping.
While the play had delivered on its promise of entertainment, she had noted the obvious similarities to this and what awaited her in Canterlot. When she pushed aside what had honestly been a very entertaining tale, the intent was quite clear.
The names... The songs… The big twist at the end! It can’t be coincidence!
In the front row, Cadence was standing tall on her hindhooves, her form towering over her citizens as she clapped furiously and called for an encore. She, Shining, and the others continued cheering, even as the actors exited the stage and the curtain fell once more.
Twilight’s wings drooped as she sat back down in her seat. Of course it isn’t a coincidence. Cadence said it herself earlier today; this has been brewing for a while. I bet this play was in the works from the moment Cadence became the Crystal Princess.
But why? Why now, after all this time? Is there some prophecy I’m unaware of? Some lore that might explain this sudden change in attitude? If so, that’s news to me!
And if this attitude is widespread enough that nopony objects to this play—at least, not enough to have interrupted it or something, then—
“Twilight, everypony’s going backstage.”
She looked up to see Flash Sentry looking down at her. The buttons on his dress uniform glowed in the gemstone spotlights, but not as much as his eyes, which, although happy, were tinged with concern.
“Oh. Right.” From the corner of her eye, Twilight could see Cadence and Shining leading the others backstage. “Let’s not keep them waiting, huh?” she added with a sheepish chuckle.
Flash opened his mouth, then closed it. He stood aside, waiting as she moved to all fours again and began following after the group.
As before, Twilight and Flash brought up the rear of the pack. She followed the Royal Guard—Strong Command was his name?—directly in front of her through the auditorium and back up the stage.
On the way, Twilight noticed that most of the attendees were still in their seats, some of whom held notebooks or photographs. The actors here must be very popular. Despite… the ending, it was still a very good story. I won’t deny that. I just…
Twilight dismissed those thoughts. No. I can worry about all of this later.
Her mind, of course, had other plans.
Right now, I should try and have some fun. I sure wasn’t having any fun until the opening scene. But who could blame me? First, Cadence unleashes all of that on me, just like that, over what should have been a simple lunch! And then, we get back, and I get ready, and then I—
Twilight was grateful she ducked behind the red curtains after Strong Command at that very moment. The velvet masked her muzzle for a bit as she shook that particular thought out of her head.
N-nevermind that! It was involuntary! Just like what happened to him. Heh. Just the wings. Wings. Silly things. Ahahaha—oh dear Galaxia, am I laughing in my thoughts now? Get a grip, Twilight! Come back to—
Cadence’s voice brought Twilight back to the Crystal Empire. “That was an impressive production, Quartz. You did a fantastic job.”
Quartz bowed. “Thank you, Princess. I am glad to hear that you and your guests enjoyed it.”
His co-star, the unicorn mare whom Twilight didn’t recognize, bowed with him. “We’re very happy to hear that, Your Highness. Quartz and I worked very hard on the writing.” She chuckled and patted the stallion on the shoulder. “Poor stallion nearly worked himself to the bone on it!”
Apt Drop, standing beside Quartz, rolled his eyes. “Oh, yes, Your Highness, it’s true! Between directing, writing, and acting as the lead, I was afraid poor Quartz here would be too exhausted to perform! But you did really well, didn’t you?” he said, grinning at him.
Did Apt just… tease him?
… In not a friend way?
While Twilight raised an eyebrow, Shining just laughed. “Well, all that hard work paid off! Wouldn’t you say so, everypony?” he asked, turning to the other Royal Guards.
The guards nodded and praised the show, most of them coming forward to shake the hooves of both lead actors. Shooting Star, whom Twilight knew had a reputation for being somewhat terse with his own soldiers, shook both ponies’ hooves so hard they winced when he pulled away.
When it came to Flash’s turn, the stallion stepped forward and shook hooves with both as well. “That was… amazing. Thank you both, and everypony involved, for putting on this show tonight. I… I really enjoyed it.”
After both returned the gesture, Flash turned to Apt. “And thank you, Apt, for inviting us. Your friend is a great actor.”
Friend? Why did he say it like—
Free of snow or darkness, Twilight saw Apt dig a forehoof at the floor and blush, as did the stallion standing behind him.
... Oh.
Oh.
“Yes,” Cadence chimed in, coming over to shake Apt’s hoof as well, “thank you, Apt Drop, for inviting us tonight. Your services in our library are invaluable, but I have come to value your friendship as well. Please, keep us informed of any future performances.”
The librarian’s son seemed to swell with pride and joy at the Princess’s acknowledgement, and at that of the Prince, officers, and guards who then took turns shaking his hoof. From the corner of her eye, Twilight saw Flash grinning widely but warmly, as if he had stumbled upon something wonderful he was grateful to share with the others.
Finally, the eyes of the group shifted to Princess Twilight.
“Oh… Uh…”
Focus! Even if you aren’t so sure how you feel about him, or his… friend… or this play—or why everypony is praising it to the moon and back! I mean, it was good, buuuuut—no, no, Twilight, focus. Thank him. A lot of work went into this. Be polite. C’mon.
Coughing into a forehoof, Twilight joined the actors’ side. With the summoning of a weak smile, she reached out and quickly shook the hooves of Quartz, the mare, and Apt. “Thank you all for this lovely event! I had a great time! Uh, please, um, be sure to—”
“Apt, honey, I brought the camera!”
Oh, thank you, Precise Jot, thank you.
The elderly mare trotted up to them, balancing a camera between her forehooves. Unlike the photography equipment she was familiar with, Twilight noticed that this one had a lens made of a reflective crystal, with a smaller, red crystal jutting out from its casing.
Precise Jot bowed as low as she could to the honored guests. “Apt said everypony was wanting pictures…? Err, right, son?”
“Right, mom!” Apt reached towards the camera. “Here, let me help you with—”
Precise Jot waved him off with a forehoof. “No, no, I’ve got it, son. Your Highnesses, sirs, if you all could just get in a circle now—”
With a shuffle of hooves—and a groan and many apologies as Argon stepped on one of Shining’s—the group lined up for the photo. Twilight alongside Flash, Shining, and Cadence in the front, the others filling out the circle.
Precise Jot raised a dull forehoof. “Okay, on the count of three, everypony…”
While the elderly mare counted, Twilight felt a wing wrap around her. Standing beside her, Cadence tightened the embrace, the look in her eyes sympathetic—almost if she could read the turmoil in Twilight’s thoughts.
Before Precise Jot got to three, Twilight embraced the moment and Cadence. The smile that spread across her features was genuine this time.
Right before the camera went off, she felt Flash sidle up closer to her. From the corner of her eye, she saw Flash and Shining mirroring herself and Cadence, Flash’s wing around her brother as they both beamed.
Her grin grew as a bright, white light filled her vision.
“Alrighty! That was a good ‘un!” Precise Jot chuckled. “Your Highnesses, we can take another if you like, or just make copies—”
“Copies are fine,” Shining answered, then turned to the group. “Everypony want one?”
“Me, Captain! Me, me, me, me!” Strong Command exclaimed, his forehoof raised high.
Shooting Star slapped the Corporal’s forehoof down. “C’mon, Command! This isn’t magic kindergarten! Put your hoof down!”
Twilight shivered at the mention of magic kindergarten.
Although the others playfully called out to Shining Armor like they were schoolcolts and he their headmaster—his guests’ sense of humor, Twilight noticed, seeming to be in full swing tonight—Flash Sentry simply said to him, “I would like two copies, if that would be alright, Shining.”
“Of course, Flash.” Shining and Cadence broke away from the group and headed over to Precise Jot. “Um, I think we’ll need about fifteen copies then, if that’s alright…”
While Shining and Cadence went over to discuss photography with the librarian and her son, Flash stood beside Twilight, standing still but his smile growing ever wider.
If Twilight was honest with herself, his brand of happiness felt infectious in this moment. She, too, smiled with him, though she had no idea why he was even smiling to begin with.
Strange… He always seemed so quiet back in Canterlot. I think tonight is the most I’ve heard him speak in… ever. I guess whatever he did with Shining went over much better than my little “outing” with Cadence…
The shuffling of hooves stole her attention away. The group was on the move again. “Uh… Where are we going?” she asked.
Shining joined her side and ruffled her mane. “Dinnertime, Twily! All that laughing made me hungry!”
“And the crying,” Cadence added with a smirk towards her husband.
Shining scoffed, sticking his snout in the air as they descended the stairs off the stage. “Don’t listen to her, Twily. She just doesn’t want to admit that she was crying at that scene all alone. Just like when I loaned her that copy of Where The Red—”
Cadence smacked his side with a wing. “Oh, hush, Shining! You were crying more than me during that final scene, and when you read that book too!”
Shining just snorted, brushing past her as he led the way out of the theater.
Flash laughed, shaking his head. “Heh… I’ve read that book too…”
“So have I,” Twilight said, giggling behind her forehoof at her brother and sister-in-law’s antics. Oh, they’re too cute together sometimes, I swear. “It’s a good book.”
Flash nodded. “Sure is.”
The two were silent on their continued journey out of Quartz Center. This time, they made up the middle of the pack as the rest of the Royal Guards followed them out of the auditorium. Something about this arrangement made Twilight feel a little more uneasy, but she didn’t comment on it.
Ponies bowed and waved as they passed. More attention was paid to the Royals this time around, Twilight observed, than on earlier occasions during her stay here so far. Why, Twilight did not know. Still, the extra attention added to her discomfort, and she turned to her thoughts again as her hooves met the snow outside.
~
The walk from the theater to the restaurant—a rather tall building whose neon-pink gemstones christened it the Hearthside Pub—could have taken hours or days for all Twilight cared. Gone was the enjoyment and slight relaxation the play had provided (up until the ending, of course) for her. Back again were thoughts of her conversation with Cadence and the implications of the play…
And… what had happened at the door with Flash.
Quick to dismiss that occurrence as a mere side effect of being both a mare and a winged pony, something from Twilight’s subconscious wasn’t so sure. You almost called him “cute” the other day when you went on that flight with Cadence, a rather upstart part of herself argued. You do like looking at him; don’t deny that.
Maybe I do, her rational, moral mind argued back, but it doesn’t mean anything. It’s just a proximity thing. He’s been stuck at my side for… what, a week now? If I found him hideous, I would drive myself crazy! So that’s all it is. A little warped psychology, is all.
Even as Twilight tromped up another set of stairs behind Cadence and Shining into the restaurant, she was lost to her own inner world.
A cascade of warmth and welcome washed over her as the excited wait-pony led the group to a set of tables beside a roaring fireplace. She paid it little heed. Twilight took the stool Flash pulled up for her, muttered a quiet thanks, and grabbed the menu at her seat reflexively. The others began chatting and ordering even as her nose was still deep in the appetizers page, her stomach empty but unacknowledged.
Again, her thoughts seemed determined to sabotage her, replaying that encounter at the door over and over again, to the point that she hoped the blazing hearth beside her would conceal what her lavender fur might not.
”Warped psychology, huh?” Like Cadence would say… A little brash coming from the filly who had a crush on the Earth pony colt next door—
“That was one time!”
A set of silverware clattered to the floor.
Shining Armor cleared his throat. “Um… one time, what, Twilight?”
Twilight looked up from her menu in horror. Oh, HORSEAPPLES! Did I just say that out loud?! Oh Galaxia, I really did, didn’t I?! Sh—horseapples! Horseapples!
Sinking down into her seat, Twilight felt about ten inches tall. A table full of wide eyes stared back at her, many of them unblinking. Cadence seemed especially concerned, her magic retrieving the dropped utensils while she locked eyes with Twilight.
Twilight coughed and fidgeted in her chair. “Uh… Um… Er…”
“Your Highness, are you alright?” Strong Command asked. “You… You smacked the table there rather hard, Princess.”
“S-smacked the table?” Twilight winced as she fidgeted again, one of her forehooves throbbing with ache. “Oh… Um.”
Wishing that she could disappear, Twilight swallowed hard. Beside her, Flash Sentry sat stone still, looking at her with concern reflecting in his eyes. His sapphire eyes…
Can’t—need to—
Without thinking, Twilight dropped her menu and left her seat. “I—I’m not hungry! G-gonna go get some fresh air! Okay! Thanks, bye!”
Flash Sentry immediately dropped his menu and jumped from his chair, hurrying after her. “P-Princess Twilight, wait!”
Shining Armor lit his horn as she climbed up the stairs towards the exit, but Cadence laid a forehoof on her chest, shaking her head. “No, Shining. Flash will lead her home. She’ll be fine. She simply needs time to process all this.”
After a long sigh, Shining bit his lip and gave her a slow nod.
Around the table, the other members of the Order of the Silver Guard read between the lines, and hoped for a swift and wise end to their Princess’s internal struggle with tonight’s revelations.
For now, after the last murmurs of doubt and concern faded, there was more joy to be had. The rest of the group ordered fine food, wine, and music in celebration of what would be a new chapter in their lives, started on this snowy evening.
~
“Twilight!”
Twilight Sparkle kept running.
“Twilight! Please!”
Towards the Crystal Palace, she cut through the streets like a knife, either oblivious to or disregarding his words.
Reluctant to resort to his wings, Flash Sentry churned his hooves harder against the snow-covered cobblestones. His golden horseshoes cut through the frost well, giving him the traction he needed to catch up to the fleeing alicorn.
I thought everything was going well! Okay, maybe not that well! She did fall silent again, but I was meaning to talk to her about it later, and—
Oh, you fool, Flash! This is later! Now catch up to her and find out what’s wrong! Might not be an assassin or usurper, but the Princess is still in trouble!
Though he loathed the idea of scaring Twilight by pursuing her on wing, Flash knew that no escort worth his salt would let the one he was supposed to protect out of his sight for even a second. The fact that he hadn’t flown after her already was unbecoming of his duty, and he kicked himself as he kicked off his hooves and took to the air.
He made up for lost time quickly, zipping through the air and joining Twilight’s side within seconds. He hovered there, putting on the best smile he could, as she continued to gallop, her eyes closed, head to the ground. “Er, Twilight, you can stop no—”
Twilight finally looked up and, with a gasp, pulled her hooves up. She skidded to a stop, creating a rather sizable path through the fresh snow, but managed to hold herself up.
“Flash! I—I’m so sorry! I—I didn’t hear you!” Twilight sputtered. With a flick of her horn, she cleared her muzzle of snow. Yet, a few flakes remained, which she spat rather gracefully onto the ground.
Flash moved back down to the ground, looking away as Twilight cleaned her mouth and herself of the snow. He offered her an apologetic smile when she finally met his eyes. “Oh… It’s alright, Twilight,” he said with a cough. “The wind was blowing pretty hard, so you probably couldn’t hear me over it.”
Twilight blinked. “There’s no wind here.”
“Oh… Right.”
Flash looked around. They were in a clearing of sorts, sitting at the base of the hill upon which the Crystal Palace sat. On the other side of the hill, the Crystal Guard recruits would have finished their dinner and gone to sleep an hour ago. Other than that, nopony was here to hear them.
Now is as good a time as ever.
Flash approached her, brushing snow from his shoulders and wings. “Hey, Twilight?”
“Hm?” Lost in thought once more, Twilight slowly turned to him. “Yes, Flash?”
Flash swallowed hard. “I was wondering… Would you like to go on a flight with me?”
“A flight?” Twilight asked.
Flash nodded. “Ye—yeah. I mean… It seems like something might be bothering you, and I was thinking that could… help?”
I was going to ask you what happened earlier, and what’s bothering you, but this might be a better route.
Besides… I would lo—like to see you smile again.
Rustling her wings, Twilight looked away from him. She rubbed her neck, saying, “O-oh, I don’t know. I’m not that great of a flier, after all. I wouldn’t want to hold you back and all.”
“You wouldn’t hold me back. I promise.”
Twilight turned back to him. “Are you sure?”
Flash opened and extended his wings fully. “Of course! It’s no trouble at all.”
Well, unless by “trouble,” you mean “potentially breaking a promise to Shining Armor”—
No. This is a friendly thing. Just like how she invited you to the play tonight. And there’s nothing against being friends with her! Especially since it might help things.
Right?
Twilight seemed to look up at the hill, then the Crystal Palace, then at the skies, before she finally stood and opened her wings. “Alright. I suppose it can’t hurt to get a little more practice in. Heh, heh.”
Flash jumped up and hovered himself alight. “Heh, yeah! Practice… making perfect… all that.” A familiar heat flowed through him as he prepared to take off into the night sky. “Would you like me to lead, or should I follow you?”
With an awkward kick of her hooves and a few mismatched flaps, Twilight joined his side. “Actually, how about I show you the place where Cadence took me? It’s very… nice.”
At his nod, Twilight pumped her mighty wings, stretched out into a flying stance, and began to gain altitude. Flash waited until she was a safe distance away before following after her, focusing on the stars in the sky rather than the ones in her mane.
~
The thermals were calm tonight, offering little resistance as the two cut across the night sky. Flash had to constantly remind himself that it was spring, rather than winter, on nights like this, where the backdrop of the galaxy seemed to only amplify the gossamer glow of the new dusting of white upon the Earth.
The fact that the Grand Galloping Gala, which commemorated the construction of Canterlot, was about three months away seemed unbelievable as he soared over the Crystal Mountains and their peaks of pure, untouched white. Back in Canterlot, winter had long been wrapped up by unicorn magic, but here it reigned still, wild, free, and beautiful.
More remarkable still were Twilight’s flight patterns. Beyond the occasional weave or bob, she kept in control of the thermals and her wings, leading the two of them to a high cliff jutting out from one of the mountains.
Flash enjoyed the flight itself, no need for words. If anypony would have told him three months ago, when the Princess of Magic took up residence in Canterlot Castle, that he would share a night flight with her, he would have laughed until he wept.
He had already wept once tonight, but the sheer majesty of the Empire below made him want to do so a second time.
Twilight began diving towards that outstretched cliff. Flash opened his wings to catch more air as he slowed his pace on the descent. Matching Twilight’s speed, he came to a landing only a few moments before she did.
Twilight cried out as she stumbled, her landing wobbly and uncertain. Flash held her up by the shoulders as she steadied, her eyes spinning in a dizzy haze.
Once she stood tall, he removed his forehooves from her, but not before looking down at them in a mix of surprise and horror. I… I did it again.
I need to stop doing this.
“Thank you,” Twilight said, breathing deep.
Flash was the one to look away this time. “You’re welcome,” he replied, almost in a mumble.
While she continued to catch her breath, Flash looked down from their perch on the cliff to the sprawling empire below. The city was much larger than he had realized, as were the wildlands surrounding it. All was Princess Cadence and Prince Shining Armor’s domain. Only a fraction of it had been seen with his own eyes; Flash silently vowed to see as much of it as possible, before heading home to Canterlot.
Perhaps if I focus more on this place, I can keep that promise to Shining… I know it’s going to be much more difficult than I said.
I just… I don’t want to lose this sense of home, he thought with a slump of his shoulders. It’s strange, how much it has eluded me, but tonight… it just feels… right.
Maybe that’s silly. Maybe I’m just fooling myself.
Twilight chuckled beside him.
Flash looked up.
“Guess I’m not the only pony with a lot on their mind,” she said quietly, staring down at the slumbering city with him.
Flash paused, wondering how to respond.
He had drank no more wine since Shining’s meeting, so any courage that burned in his belly would have to come from within. That no longer seemed impossible. The spark had been lit a few hours ago; it would not be dowsed easily. Still, what he wanted to say and what he knew he would say were universes apart from each other.
Yet, when he looked over to see Twilight staring down at that Crystal city like she had lost not only a friend, but a part of herself, he made his decision.
She needs a friend.
… I can be a friend, can’t I?
“... No,” Flash said at last, scooting closer to her on the cliff, “you’re not.”
Twilight looked up at him.
“It’s been an… interesting night for me, too. To say the least,” he said, finishing with a sigh, becoming a dragon in the night again.
“... Oh?” she asked, her words creating a little smoke of their own.
Twin dragons they were, perched from on high, looking down on the city and nation that both could destroy, if they wanted to.
Flash waited before beginning his reign of destruction, letting the skies speak their mind as the snow began to fall again.
Flash nodded. “Yeah. I… I can’t really talk about much, though. But I can say that tonight has definitely made me think about a lot of things.”
“Heh, that’s how I feel, too,” Twilight said, running a forehoof in a circle through the snow. “I… I can’t talk about anything either. I guess that’s really—”
“—what makes it hard—” they both finished.
They looked up, then shared a laugh.
“Yeah! It’s… Oh, wow. That’s so weird, isn’t it?” Twilight began. “That you and I both got whisked away for the day, and we both have things we can’t talk about!”
Guilt rose in Flash’s chest. He swept his gaze back down to the pure city again. Except… I know what you were told. Well, the idea of it, anyway. And from your reaction… you wouldn’t be fond of my own.
He simply replied, “Yes, that is… strange.”
She sighed. “I mean… I do have somepony I can try and talk this out with, but her mind is made up. It’s just mine that isn’t.”
Flash nodded.
“It’s one of those things I haven’t really thought about,” Twilight said. “Something I always took for granted, as a given. As just part of the way things were.”
Flash’s ears flicked at those words, but he said nothing again. What swirled in him was not anger, as it would have if he had heard these words from another, but, to his surprise, sympathy.
As little as he knew of Twilight, what he did know was that she never meant to abuse her position in life, as a unicorn then or an alicorn now. While he was willing to accept Apt and Quartz’s relationship—how could he not, when both seemed so happy, and happiness was in short supply?—it had been obvious to him that Twilight was not so sure.
If she is not sure about them, then I don’t have much to worry about coming in between the mission and myself.
Taking another breath before continuing, Twilight then said, “And I never really had a problem with things as they were! It was explained to me so long ago, and it made sense then, and it makes sense now. But now, I’ve meet what seems like tons of ponies who disagree, explicitly or implicitly, and I don’t know where I should go from here.”
A frustrated sigh escaped her lips. Frowning, she shook her head at him. “I’m sorry, Flash. I know this is all so terribly vague. I don’t even know why I’m venting if I can’t even tell you.”
“No, it’s alright,” Flash replied, giving her a small smile. “We all need to vent, right? And…” And I’m honored you trust me enough to vent to me. “... And maybe, um, we could talk about something similar, that could maybe help you work it out?”
Twilight tapped her chin for a moment, then brightened. “That’s a great idea! And I have the perfect example! Do you remember when I was talking about my friends back in Ponyville?”
“Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie, right? Oh, and Spike, too?”
Twilight looked elated at his correct answer. Flash couldn’t help but feel elated right along with her.
“That’s right! Well, Spike has been my friend for much longer than I’ve been in Ponyville, but yes, you were right about the others. Well, anyway,” Twilight said, growing excited as she spoke, “the first year that I was there, I wanted to help with Winter Wrap-Up. But you know how Winter Wrap-Up is in Canterlot, right?”
A lifelong citizen of Canterlot, Flash nodded. “Yes. At the end of winter, the unicorns use their magic to melt the snow, plant the seeds, and awaken the animals. It all takes less than an hour.”
“Right! But, you see, Ponyville was founded by Earth ponies. So even though they had pegasi manipulating the seasons, there were no unicorns to get rid of winter! … Well, not for a long time at least. The city didn’t become more diverse until—sorry, getting sidetracked there a bit…
“Anyway, Winter Wrap-Up was always done by Earth ponies. No magic, no wings, no shortcuts, nothing. And well… I had didn’t know of any of this, so I used my magic when I tried to help. And it was a disaster.”
Visibly shuddering, Twilight shook her head. “I had no talent in making birds’ nests, or waking up animals, or ice skating. Worse still, I tried to enchant a snowplow that was meant to be pushed by Earth pony hooves and ended up spreading more snow than removing it!”
Twilight sighed. “That part… that last part is what I’m most ashamed of. That was a tradition, especially in Applejack’s family—her grandmother was one of the first to come to what eventually became known as Ponyville—and I just stomped all over it. I could tell Applejack was upset with me, but I was even more upset with myself. Not only because I wanted to help so badly, and failed at doing so, but because I had taken something important, sacred even, to my friend and told her that my way was better.”
A long silence followed the end of Twilight’s story. She looked back down from her perch again, draconic in breath but not in stature.
Flash watched her with shared sorrow. Taking something sacred and telling the others that your way is better… Betraying tradition… And feeling guilty for it.
Never would I have guessed you would feel the same as me, Twilight.
He searched for the right words while the snowflakes thickened around them, creating little piles on their shoulders.
He found the words, and they escaped him, rolling with the wind that had begun to blow through the mountaintops.
“I… I know what it feels like, to question tradition, to try a different way.”
From his peripherals, Flash saw Twilight be struck dumbfounded.
“You… you do?”
“... Yes,” Flash said after a long pause. “I… I wasn’t exactly an… easy colt to raise.”
Another pause.
Flash ran his tongue over his teeth, still facing away from her. He spoke up only loud enough to be heard over the increasing wind. “My father taught me the values of a Royal Guard very early. As long as I can remember, he was raising me to take his place in the Guard.”
“Who is your father?” Twilight’s voice was soft too, barely discernible from the whispers of the wind.
“Sentinel,” Flash answered. “He was a Knight like me. He retired before Prince Shining Armor entered the Guard.”
“... Oh. Is he—”
“He’s still around,” Flash replied, turning to face her at last. “So… that’s not where this story is going, don’t worry.”
The slightest of smiles spread across her muzzle.
He managed half of one on his own.
A third pause. Flash was certain by now that the liquid courage had left his blood, but there was still a fire burning within him, and he would ride it out until only the embers remained.
I’ve never told anypony this… But I want to tell you.
Maybe because you need a friend.
Maybe because I need a friend.
“I am an only foal.” Flash brushed snow from one of his shoulders with a wing. “So, I spent a lot of time with my father. He taught me many things early: how to fly, how to fight, how to speak to royalty.” Although, with you, I often seem to forget that lesson…
Flash cleared his throat before continuing. “But one lesson I couldn’t take to heart was about… the order.”
The order. The words hung in the space between them.
He let them stay there for a while, as she waited, patient but expectant. His heart was rushing blood through his ears, making his breath come faster, more erratic.
“I… I didn’t really understand it, I guess. Being just a colt and all. And I lived in Canterlot, with him and my mom. We lived there instead of Cloudsdale because of his career. So I saw unicorns a lot. And… And I guess it’s natural that—”
“—You developed feelings for a unicorn?”
If he had been leaning any closer to the edge, Flash would’ve fallen, and he wasn’t sure if he would have opened his wings in time.
Unable to reply, the crimson on his muzzle said it all.
While he looked away in shame, she drew circles with both forehooves in the snow. Flash swore he heard her breath quicken too, right before she spoke up again.
“I-I had that happen once too. W-well, not a unicorn! But! A… A… E-Earth pony.”
Flash caught his jaw before it fell to the Crystal Empire. “R-really?” he asked, spinning around to face her.
Twilight flinched, avoiding his eyes. “I-I was just a filly! And he was really nice and quiet and—oh, Galaxia, why am I telling you this?”
Bringing both forehooves to her face, Twilight shook her head and groaned. Beside her, Flash fared not much better, rubbing his front horseshoes together rapidly enough to create sparks. The two of them endured their respective humiliations in silence, Flash especially wishing that the cliff was a faulty cloud.
Finally, with one, long, heavy sigh, Flash faced the moon and lowered his wings. “Her… Her name was Dusk Glow,” he muttered, “and she was… b-beautiful. And… and my father…
“He didn’t take it so well.”
Twilight peeked from behind her feathers enough to mutter a question. “... How old were you?”
“... Thirteen,” Flash muttered back with a snort. “She was just a neighbor for a while but… My father made it so clear that I would never forget that lesson.”
And I didn’t.
Until you.
Hooves scraped across rock.
Flash looked over to see Twilight, closer to him.
“I’m so sorry, Flash.”
The sadness in her eyes was the only thing stopping him right there—his heart slamming at his ribs, his muzzle flushed, and his breath a steady stream of steam in the night—from breaking not only his promise to Shining Armor, but to his father yet again.
For Flash Sentry did not only have a heart that beat just for unicorns.
He had lips that only kissed for them, too.
Time slowed. That temptation was too strong, too near.
Flash drew his head back from Twilight, against his instincts and towards everything of importance.
With the blink of his eye, Twilight took a step back, casting her gaze back down and away from him.
I too am sorry, Twilight.
Flash coughed, breaking the silence and his mask. “I-I… It’s okay. It… It wasn’t meant to be anyway.”
“H-huh?”
“Dusk,” Flash replied instantly. “She was… nevermind. Um… It’s getting late. We should probably—”
“Y-yeah, you’re right.” Twilight opened her wings. “We should get going.”
Forcing everything down that had been brought back up again, Flash rose to his hooves and opened his wings. “Please, lead the way, Twilight.”
“Of course.”
With that, Twilight was in the sky again, Flash trailing after her. They were twin streaks across the sky, purple and orange, a clash of colors above the Empire.
~
From the Crystal Palace entrance, up the stairs, through the hallways, and to their rooms, Flash Sentry was in a daze.
He knew that he had taken Twilight Sparkle to her room and bid her goodnight.
He knew that he had gone to his own room and locked the door.
He knew that he had done something in between the cliff and his mirror, but he couldn’t quite remember what.
All he knew was that conversation, and, more importantly, that moment where one or both of them had made a grave mistake.
She confided in me.
I told her about Dusk!
She told me about… some colt. Some Earth pony colt.
I told her that I fell for a unicorn before!
She stepped closer to me.
I told her something that could get me kicked out of the Guard!
She was going to kiss me.
I was going to kiss her!
She was—
I was—