Voir Dire — Part II
A minute before Flash Sentry’s scheduled dismissal, Prince Blueblood opened his bedroom door and stuck out his head.
“You can leave,” Blueblood spat, then slammed the door back shut.
“Yes, Your Highness,” Flash answered in a stiff bow.
As he left, nopony came to relieve him.
So Prince Blueblood knows he’s a figurehead. He knows it, and he… he hates it. So that’s why he does what he does. Why he hides. Why he eats. Why he has those mares dote on him. Who else will? I almost feel sorry for him.
… Okay, actually, I do. Flash’s ears flattened. I do, and I understand.
I’m sure if he gave me a chance, he would understand, too.
Sighing, Flash shook those thoughts away. No time for that now. Now, time for dinner, and then I’ll change into my dress uniform and meet Steel and Spear. Have a few drinks—What was that beer that Discord recommended? A pilsner?—maybe do some dancing, maybe see the Wonderbolts again, have some laughs…
Maybe Twilight will come for me after… Maybe…
The spring in his step returning, Flash hurried down to the Great Hall for dinner, his stomach rumbling.
~
One dinner, a conversation with Greyhoof, and a quick change of uniform later, Flash Sentry made his way to the castle courtyard.
There, Steel Wind and Sharp Spear, clad in the same dress blues, greeted him. “Hey, Flash! Looking sharp!” Steel said with a whistle.
Flash trotted down the steps to join them. “Thanks! You guys managed to clean up too!”
Grinning, Spear smacked him with a wing. “Hey! We can be fancy if we need to! Right, Steel?”
“Right, Spear!” Steel puffed out his chest. “As regal as they come!”
Flash snorted. After today, that isn’t hard to accomplish. He threw a forehoof around both of his friends’ necks and laughed. “Well then, gentlecolts, ready to head out?”
“Of course!” they said in union.
Flash led the way out of Canterlot Castle. “You know, it’s kinda scary when you two do that.”
“Do what?” they asked, in union once more.
Flash jabbed a forehoof at them. “That! That… weird… ‘talking at the same time’ thing you guys have done since basic!”
Both stallions caught up to him, flanking him on either side as they walked over the lowered drawbridge and headed for Canterlot’s business district. “You’re telling me you’ve never done that with anypony, Flash?” Steel Wind asked. “Never had somepony who could finish your—”
“Sandwiches?” Sharp Spear suggested.
Steel Wind facehoofed. “No, sentences! Somepony who could finish your sentences!”
Well, there is one, Flash thought, remembering the train ride back to Canterlot. Although he let a smile grace his face for but a second, he replied, “No, can’t say I have.”
“Don’t worry, Flash,” Spear said, “I’m sure you’ll find a mare like that soon. Maybe even tonight!”
This time, Flash let his grin show. “Maybe…”
The three continued their trek from Canterlot Castle, through town square, and to the business district, chatting all the way. The stallions that Flash had once avoided and found unrelatable, he now happily spoke with. They discussed the bar, shops they passed, and the absence of First Lieutenant Shooting Star and Second Lieutenant Argon.
“How long will it take to train up some Crystal Ponies?” Spear asked with a scoff. “I hope the Lieutenants get back before the Gala. I’m not sure if Ironhoof can handle everything on his own…”
“Or if he should,” Steel added with a pointed look.
He shouldn’t do anything, Flash wanted to say, but bit his tongue. He dodged Steel’s glance and pointed straight ahead. “Look’s like we’re here already.”
Thermals had received quite the makeover in Flash’s absence. A fresh coat of paint illuminated the letters of its facade, making them glow ghostly white in the moonlight. The walls were now jet-black, contrasting further against its name. A red carpet rolled out from the door out to the street. A violet velvet rope barrier sealed off the reinforced-steel door, as did its bouncer. The same buff, white pegasus stallion stood guard. A crowd of pegasi, with a few unicorns and Earth ponies in the mix, filed into the club at each nod from the bouncer.
Flash, Spear, and Steel took their places at the end of the line. Flash whistled as he took it all in. “Wow. Looks like they spruced up this place a bit.”
Spear grinned. “Didn’t they? They renovated everything the weekend after you left.”
Steel nodded. “We’ve been back a few times, but it was nothing like the first! Haven’t seen the Wonderbolts around again.”
“Oh?” Flash asked.
“Yup! But hey—” Spear nudge him in the side—“maybe you’ll draw ‘em back! Spitfire seemed to like you!”
Though Flash chuckled, his cheeks lit aflame. “Heh, well, I’m not exactly her type, y’know. Besides, there’s—” He slammed his jaw shut.
Quiet. Quiet, quiet, quiet! I know you’re getting relaxed, but you can’t just—
Steel cocked his head. “There’s just what?”
The bouncer stole their attention, opening the rope barrier and gesturing them inside. Flash scurried ahead through the heavy open door, letting the music drown out any hope of an answer for Steel.
Although walls and ceiling were still painted with the colors of the sky, sunrise, and sunset, the colors were far more vibrant. More seating had been added, all of it as plush and fancy as the couches and cushions in Prince Blueblood’s chambers. The club was filled with a sea of chatting, laughing, dancing bodies—more with wings than not, but enough of the latter to make Flash smile.
Music assaulted his eardrums, blaring from the stage. Flash headed towards the stage in awe. Last time, Flash had seen a pegasi band play with their wingtips for the first time in his life. This time, he experienced another first.
Instead of a troupe of pegasi, a band of mixed race—two unicorns, two pegasi, and an Earth pony—took the stage at the front of the room. With a bass, a guitar, a keyboard, drums, and a stallion with a soulful voice, they filled the club with an upbeat tune. Flash found himself tapping his forehooves to the beat as he stood before the stage, grinning.
Harmony, read the band’s bass drum. Their name. Their name is Harmony.
“Hey, Flash!” Spear called out.
Flash turned around. Both stallions had now caught up with him.
“Hey! Check out this band!” Flash flicked a wing towards the stage. “Ever seen anything like it?”
Steel shook his head. “Nope! Now, what do you want to drink? First round’s on us!”
“Yeah, get anything you want!” Spear chimed in.
“Unless it’s one of those mare drinks that Spear likes! Then I’ll be too embarrassed to buy it!” Steel guffawed. Spear smacked him upside the head with a wing.
With a laugh, Flash said, “Just get me a pilsner!”
“A pilsner?” Spear raised an eyebrow. “What the hay’s that?”
Steel smacked him across the nose with a wing. “Better than vodka and cranberry, Cosmo!”
“I dunno! A—friend recommended it. Just tell the bartender!” Flash replied. A friend after busting Ironhoof’s balls, that’s for sure. Plus, Discord seemed to know his alcohol, so… why not?
Saluting him, Steel Wind replied, “Alright, just give me a minute!” He nudged Sharp Spear hard in the shoulder. “C’mon, Cosmo! Let’s go get Flash his drink!”
“Hey, I’m getting one, too, whether you like it or not! And stop calling me Cosmo!”
As the two cantered off, Flash turned to the stage. Harmony finished their song to a round of booming applause. Cheers and whistles rang out amongst their thundering hooves.
“Thank you, Canterlot! Now, for our next song, we’re gonna need your help!” the lead singer, a pegasus, said into the microphone. He raised his forehooves and started clapping. “Clap your hooves to the beat!”
“Clap your hooves to the beat!” echoed the crowd, keeping time with his tempo.
“Alright, Canterlot! Here you have it, our newest song!”
Flash clapped along with the audience, leaning up to get a better view of the stage.
The band launched into their next number, crying electric guitars and steady bass guiding the soulful singer’s croon. The Earth pony drummer led the audience’s applause, smacking his drumsticks together at the start of each verse.
Everything faded away as Flash listened, clapped, and cheered. He had never been much of a music lover, nor a bar hopper, nor a drinker, but in that moment—not as Flash Sentry, but as a member of a different Order, as the friend of a Princess—he felt the music, felt it in his bones.
Felt Harmony. Experienced it.
And loved it.
~
By the time the song ended to the shouts and whistles of hundreds of ponies, Flash barely noticed his friends’ return. All he knew was that, one moment, he didn’t have a beer, and the next, one was shoved under his nose.
Flash spun around. “Whoa! Steel, what the—”
“They had one pilsner, so you better like it!” Steel laughed and shoved the beer into Flash’s open forehoof. He raised his own mug of beer. “Got my stout! And Mister Co—”
“If you call me that one more time, I’m never speaking to you again,” Spear said with a sneer, protectively covering his cocktail glass with a forehoof.
Steel blew a raspberry.
With a shake of his head and a true laugh, Flash raised his glass high. “You two crack me up! Now, c’mon! A toast! To tonight!”
”To tonight!” the two shouted.
To Harmony! Flash tipped his glass back.
The beer—a pale lager, golden in color, with a head of foam on top—was smooth as silk, going down far too easy. The ice-cold liquid tasted earthy and sweet, but not too much to be overpowering. Beneath that flavor was the thin, bitter taste of hops. Not too much, not too little. Just right. A far contrast to the bitter brown beer he had attempted last time.
No, this pilsner—whatever the Tartarus that was—flowed past his lips and down his throat without resistance, cooling as it settled in his stomach.
Coupled with the refreshment was a rush of warmth that washed over him right after, spreading through his veins and limbs. Flash felt at ease, contentment enveloping him and hugging him tight.
Flash Sentry looked around Thermals, at the stage with the band Harmony, at the hordes of happy ponies around him, at his friends grinning like draconequui at him, and smiled.
Sharp Spear looped a forehoof around his neck. “Looks like he likes it, Steel!”
Steel flung his forehoof around the other side of Flash’s neck. “Sure looks like he does, Spear!”
Flash laughed. “How about we go get another?”
A round of whoops, high-hooves, and they were headed back to the bar.
~
A circle of empty beer mugs surrounding him on the bar counter, Flash raised a full one high. “... And that’s when Quartz said, ‘That’s no miner, that’s my dad!’”
Steel and Spear, a pair of empty glasses each beside them, cackled. “Pffft! And that was after they were down in the mines for a week?”
“Yup!” With a hiccup and a laugh, Flash threw back his beer. The lager was as smooth as ever, his tastebuds overjoyed at the latest coating of barley and hops. “Oooooh, wow...” He slammed the mug down and grinned at the two. “I’m really—hic!—I’m really glad you guys took me—hiccup!—out here.”
“No need to thank us, Flash!” Spear sipped at a third cosmopolitan. “After all, we were just glad you came out!”
Steel nodded. “Yeah! I mean, no offense, but…” He chewed on his lip. “Well, you been acting kinda strange for the past few months.”
“Strange?” Flash leaned against the counter, his head swaying. Everything was light and warm and pleasant. “Naw, nothin’ strange! I’ve just been…” Careful… “Busy, is all.”
The two stallions looked at each other, eyebrows raised, while Flash called the bartender over. “‘Ey! Barkeep! ‘Nother round for me and the colts, eh?” he asked, flashing some bits.
Once the bartender came over to the group, he shook his head. “You had enough there, Sir.” He nodded to Steel and Spear. “Make sure your friend gets home safe, eh, Sirs?” he said, before trotting off.
Flash’s eyes widened as he turned back to his friends. “Home?” Oh, horseapples! “Wait, what time is it?”
“Uh…” Steel pulled out a pocket watch. “Almost ten o’clock.”
“Ten?!”
Steel and Spear flinched at Flash’s screech, then jumped down from their stools as their friend stumbled from his own. “Hey, hey! Take it easy, Flash!” Spear said, grabbing him by the shoulders.
Pushing him away, Flash spread his wings. “I gotta get back!”
Steel grabbed at him. “You can’t be flying right now!”
Snorting and stomping a forehoof, Flash wiggled out of their grasp and growled, “Then both of you, fly me back, now!”
Both stallions raised their forehooves. “Easy, easy! What the hay’s gotten into you?” Steel asked, slightly narrowing his eyes. “We’ve got a few hours! We’ll make it back in time, don’t worry!”
Reeling for a reply, Flash could only stammer. ”But then I’ll—I might—I might miss—”
“Miss who?” asked a voice from behind him.
As Flash spun around, he tripped over his own hooves, only to be caught by a pair of rough forehooves. “Whoa, you okay there, bud?”
Looking up, Flash’s jaw dropped. “S-Soarin?”
Clothed in his full uniform, Soarin smiled down at Flash, then helped him back on his hooves. “The one and only!” He ran a forehoof through his windswept mane. “Heh, met you last time. Sir Flash Sentry, right?”
“That would be him.”
Turning back around, Flash found Spitfire, a sly smirk on her face. She, too, wore her full gear, her short mane tangled and wild.
Spitfire stuck out her forehoof to Steel Wind and Sharp Spear. “And, you two are…?”
“Steel Sharp!”
“Spear Wind!”
Spitfire blinked and pulled her forehoof away. “Er… Right.” She shot a glance towards Soarin, who shrugged. “Well, nice to meet you, Sir Steel Sharp, Sir Spear Wind.” Throwing a forehoof around Flash’s neck, she asked, “Mind if we steal your friend here for a moment?”
Staggering, Flash blinked as her eyes met his. “Errrr… wha?”
Plastering beaming grins over their petrified bodies, both stallions nodded vigorously.
“Good.” Motioning towards the door, Spitfire said, “Soarin?”
Soarin saluted. “On it!” He snapped his goggles over his eyes, jumped up, and kicked off into the air, zipping out the bar door.
Did he just… What. Flash blinked again. “Wha—huurk!”
There was a tug on his forehoof, and then, he was airborne.
Steel Sharp and Spear Wind called out after him, ”We’ll be right here!”
“I love you, Spitfire!”
“Shuddup, she’s mine!”
BONK!
“OWWWW!”
~
Above Canterlot on a cloud, Flash was high.
Inside his mind he flew, soaring, free of any responsibilities or fears or worries. Outside his mind, he sat on a cloud beside two Wonderbolts.
“So… Looks like you had a good night,” Spitfire said with a cough.
Flash hiccuped. “Yup! Thanks for bring—bringing me up here.”
Soarin chuckled. “Yeah, I don’t think you should be doing any flying, bud. Your friends will take you home, right?”
“Right!” Flash pumped a forehoof. “They’re—they’re good guys, yeah.”
“Well, that’s good.” Spitfire reached a forehoof inside her flightsuit.
With a hiccup and a tilt of his head, Flash asked, “Wha—what’re you doin’ there, Spits?”
Soarin started laughing.
“What?” Flash rolled over to face Soarin. “What did I saaaaaay?”
Snorting, Soarin shook his head. “Dude, if you weren’t drunk, I’m pretty sure she would have smacked you for calling her that. Only I can call her that.”
“You’re not as privileged as you think, Soarin,” Spitfire said, smirking as she pulled out two envelopes—one red, one white. “Now, Flash, can you do me a favor?”
Rolling back over to face her, Flash exclaimed, “Suuuure, Spits! Any—hic!—thing you want!”
Spitfire stared hard at him, the envelopes still tight in her grip. “I need you to give the white one to your Captain, and the red one to your boss. Okay?”
“... What?”
Spitfire rolled her eyes. “Okay, I know you’re drunk—”
“No.” Stumbling up to his hooves, Flash looked her in the eye. “Even if I wasn’t drunk,” he said, raising a forehoof, “I would still say ‘What’? ‘Cause… heh… no offense, Spits—”
Spitfire narrowed her eyes.
“—But I’m not, heh, a—hic!—mailpony.”
Soarin cleared his throat. “What Spitfire means is you need to send the white one to your Captain—” he paused, winking—”and to the stallion you’re guarding.”
Even in his haze, Flash heard the stress on those two words. “Wait… Captain? You mean, not that—” Flash made an obscene gesture—”Captain? Not the same one who—hic!—oversees the ‘Bolts?” Not Ironass?
“Took you long enough.” Spitfire snorted, then pushed the envelopes into his forehooves. “Try to remember this tomorrow, okay?”
“Al-alright.” As carefully as he could, Flash put the envelopes in his pocket. Somehow, he managed to remember how forehooves worked enough to get them without crumpling them too much. When he was done, he looked up at them with cockeyed confusion. “Waaaaaaiiiiiiit… How do you know ‘bout the—” he made air quotes with his wingtips—”’Captain’? Or the stallion I’m guarding?”
Spitfire snapped her goggles on. Soarin followed suit. “Remember our conversation last time? About those in the low places?” she asked.
Flash swayed as he sat on his haunches. “Yeah… I think?”
“Well, consider us friends in the high.” Soarin patted Flash’s shoulder.
Spitfire spread her wings for takeoff, then grabbed one of Flash’s forelegs. “Speaking of friends, let’s get you back down to ‘em. We’ll see you next time, Flash. Don’t forget to deliver those letters.”
“I won’t! Though…” Flash looked at her through falling eyelids. “One more question…”
“Shoot.”
“How did you know I was gonna be here?”
Spreading his wings, Soarin grabbed Flash’s other foreleg. “Got lucky. Let’s go!”
Airborne between two Wonderbolts, Flash should have realized every pegasus’s dream. All he had on his drunken mind were further questions.
~
Darkness, silent and comforting, covered the void. She knew nothing, and that was the best knowledge of all.
She was warm. She was safe. She was happy.
And then she woke up.
Twilight Sparkle coughed as she raised her head. A cold roughness brushed against her chin. She looked down to see Starswirl’s book. The ugly symbol brought everything back.
With a pained groan, Twilight rubbed at her forehead and stood up. Her last candle had burned to a stump, leaving moonlight her only reprieve from the darkness. She looked around the room as she fully came to.
That’s it… That’s everything… That’s all. That’s all that ever was.
Twilight looked back down at the tome. Or is it?
~
Between two pegasi again—Royal Guards this time—Flash flew over Canterlot, the sprawling city below him foal’s building blocks. “Thank you, guys… Aaaga—hic!—iiiiiin.”
They laughed.
“No problem, Flash! You got us both back last time, so it’s the least we could do,” Sharp Spear said.
“Plus,” Steel Wind added, “this way, you can tell us all about your convo with the Wonderbolts!”
At his words, both stallions looked down at their charge with toothy grins.
Chuckling, Flash flopped a forehoof at them. “Oh, thaaaaaat? Naw, I can’t tell y-you guys ‘bout… thaaaat.”
“Why not?” Steel asked.
“Because—”
“Because why?” Spear asked.
“It’s a… seeeecret,” Flash whispered, before bursting into laughter. His loud was raucous and roaring, piercing the silent night, bouncing off the cloudless skies.
The others didn’t laugh.
“Aw, c’moooooooooon!” Flash nudged them both.
The two tightened their grip on him and flew on.
Flash sighed. “Aw, don’t be maaaaaad, guys. It’s not like that.”
Their wings beat on in the silence.
Flash sighed again and stared down at the ground far below his dangling hooves. Dear Celes—Celes—Celly, please, don’t let me fall. “Spitfire’s not into me, hic, you know.”
Steel snarled. “Sure.”
Spear chuckled. “That’s why she’s met with you twice now, huh?” He sighed. “Aw, well, you’re the standout among us, Flash. We’ve known that for a while.”
“Leave it to the stallion who drinks like a mare to talk about his feelings,” Steel muttered with a snort.
“Hey! At least I’m not acting like a jealous lover—”
“Spitfire’s not my lover!” Flash snapped, glaring up at them.
“Then who is it?” Steel shot back, returning the leer. “Gotta be something making you all weird, right?”
“Weird? What do you—”
“Dammit, Steel, we already said we weren’t going to bring that up!”
Steel jabbed his free forehoof at Spear. “Well, it’s true!” Gritting his teeth, he glared back down at Flash. “You said you’re busy, but busy with what? You go from being our friend all through basic, through advanced, through the five years we’ve been cutting this, and then—” he threw both his forehooves into the air, yanking Flash’s with his—”then, once the Princess of Magic is crowned, you suddenly—mmmrf!” Steel shoved a forehoof off his muzzle. “Spear, what the hell!”
Spear let go of Flash’s foreleg. Flash yelped and nearly fell sideways, coughing as Steel threw a forehoof around his neck and pulled him back up. Wings beating furiously, Spear hovered in front of Flash, staring him down. “That’s it, isn’t it? It’s her!”
Flash’s heart kicked at his ribcage, making him cough. “Wh-what—”
“It’s her, Steel!” Spear hissed through his teeth.
His eyes widening, Steel’s tight grip on Flash loosened.
Flash clung to his friend’s foreleg. “G-guys…”
Spear lowered himself and rounded on Flash, eyes wild. “You... You’ve…” He gasped. “And that trip…”
Pulse thumping in panic, Flash struggled to both keep ahold of Steel Wind and maintain what little composure he could. “I-it’s! Hic! I-it’s not what you… think!” he managed, his wings unfurling, his eyes darting between the stallion holding him and the ground so very far below.
Please… Please don’t…
As much as he wanted to think otherwise, his inebriated mind especially so, Flash Sentry was a horrible liar. What his words conveyed what his fearful heart—beating so fast it drowned out the whisper of the wind in his ears—suggested through his terrified eyes, leading them to the truth.
“I can’t believe it,” Spear whispered. “You…”
They froze, hovering miles high in the decaying winter night. Steel Wind looked between Flash Sentry, to Sharp Spear, and back again. His eyes were wild as his counterpart’s—wide and narrowed in the same instance, shock roaring cold fire in their pupils.
Though Steel locked eyes with Flash, he didn’t tighten his grip. The stallion hung there, his wings flapping to keep himself alight, as they hovered above the city.
Flash stared back up at him with pleading eyes. “Please…”
Spear hovered beside Steel, then grabbed his other foreleg.
His grip, like Steel’s, was loose.
“Please…” Alcohol may have made Flash even more of a fool, but it couldn’t wash away the consequences. He knew them all too well, even as he spun. “Please… Don’t…”
They didn’t move, nor speak.
But they didn’t drop him.
“I… It’s a long story,” Flash whispered, knowing the wind had ears.
“You know what will happen to you if anypony finds out, right?” Spear whispered. “You’ll be on the streets. Your whole career, gone! You, a pariah! All for what?” He threw up his forehooves. “Nothing!”
The chilling wind blew through their feathers.
“... Maybe,” Flash replied after a dizzying pause. “M-maybe, but… maybe not.”
Steel growled. “What is wrong with you?”
Flash grabbed his shoulder. “Pull me up, an’ I’ll tell you.”
~
A sharp pain shot through Twilight’s forehead when she sparked her horn. She clenched her teeth and pushed on, bringing Starswirl’s book before her eyes. The ancient text splayed open as she examined it, using her forehooves to ease some of the burden on her magic.
So soon? It can’t be over yet. Flipping through the pages, Twilight checked every one. Translated… Translated… Translated… She eyed her stack of notes. I guessed five hundred pages, but the parchment is so thick… It’s barely a hundred. Even with the large text…
Not only was Starswirl a renowned mage and incredible writer, he was also an amateur artist. Several sketches illustrated different sections of the text: the Tree of Harmony; the Elements of Harmony; the Everfree Forest; various stages of the construction of the Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters; homes and businesses in the ancient Crystal Empire; the Eternal Wall…
A unicorn stallion, gray in coat, black in mane, beside a smiling Crystal mare, the caption bearing his name...
Regent Shadow, the defector, and his mare.
Shadow. Sombra.
Twilight’s forehooves and aura shook as she turned the page.
The Crystal Heart.
In Twilight’s haste to capture the text, she had overlooked the Heart’s long caption, which read:
The Crystal Heart, situated near the Crystal Palace, in the frozen north, where the Council meets. Legend says that, long before the three, or the day and night, there ruled a Queen in the north. The Queen filled those of gem with the power of love, for love was the law.
When the Queen passed, she left behind the Crystal Heart as protection for those of gem. Legend states that only the Council shall rule until the Crystal Princess shall come and finish the Queen’s work.
Those of gem told the mage in secret: “When the Crystal Princess comes, that Crystal Star, born of chaos, soon shall rise.”
Bile rose in Twilight’s throat, her stomach churning. She remembered the Heart, how it activated, and how they bowed.
”The Crystal Princess!” the ponies had said, as they drove back Sombra—the Regent.
Cadence is the Crystal Princess.
Twilight leafed through to the ugly black symbol.
Though her heart was racing, and her wilted salad was rising, her thoughts were crisp and clear as the night, her only lucidity:
”A Crystal Star shall shine on the horizon, born of chaos, and the world shall know love and truth.”
Crystal.
Star.
Chaos.
Four points up. A compass rose. Blueblood’s mark.
Four points across. Four… tribes. Four alicorns.
The circle. Ouroboros? No. The serpent.
Discord.
Discord. Cadence. Blueblood. Celestia. Luna.
Me.
Another burst of pain shot through her horn, making her cry out. Everything fell to the floor, including Twilight, who caught herself with her forehooves.
“Aaaah… Haaaah… Can’t…” Sucking down breaths, Twilight trembled as she stood up.
Can’t… Impossible… I can’t! I can’t just… What if—
Flash.
Shaking her head clear, Twilight brought her forehooves to her temples.
Flash. Flash would want to know. And he said he would help me, right? And I want him to.
And Cadence. And my friends.
But right now.
Flash.
I can’t, right now, I can’t—
Twilight charged up her horn. A scream of agony ripped across her vocal cords. She caught it at the last minute, throwing her forehooves over her mouth. No magic… Too tired, stressed… Hungry… Sick… I can’t…
Hooves. Wings!
Before she could stop herself, Twilight opened her door with her forehooves.
~
By the time they neared Canterlot Castle, Flash was parched. The altitude, combined with his whispers, dried his throat, sore and aching. Despite this, he was thankful.
He was in one piece.
And they had listened.
He had only told them a few things. How things had changed when Twilight arrived. How he felt himself drawn to her, fascinated by her—even when he knew he shouldn’t, he couldn’t. How he fought with himself, determined to free her from his mind. How he withdrew, avoiding them, avoiding everypony—everypony but Greyhoof, who was kind enough not to ruin him when he finally dragged the truth from him.
And… How, throughout their trip to the Crystal Empire, his feelings only grew.
The stallions listened during that slow-moving flight back to Canterlot, holding him by the forelegs and leaning in to his words. Their expressions were blank, their eyes aimed for the castle, until, just as the spires came into view, Flash fell silent.
Coming face-to-face with certain doom was sobering, but not enough. Flash struggled to keep his eyes open, his weary head lolling down towards his chest more than once.
“So… What are you going to do?” Spear asked.
Flash looked up at him. “Depends on… what you do.”
Steel stiffened, his forehoof digging into Flash’s skin. “What do you mean?”
Flash winced. “I mean… Am I still… your friend?”
Only a brief pause followed.
“Well…” Meeting Flash’s gaze, Spear said, barely above the wind, “Flash, you’ve helped me so much, and we have good memories together. I… don’t agree, but… I don’t think friends should let each other go so easily.”
A warmth separate from liquor spread through Flash’s veins, fighting the cold. “Th-thank you, Spear…” He sighed. “Steel…? What do you—”
“You’re a fool. A damn fool. Why you wouldn’t just get over it—”
“Can you say you’ve never felt for somepony you shouldn’t, Steel?” Spear asked.
Silence.
Then, Steel sighed. “I suppose I can’t.”
Lowering his wings, Steel hovered down to Flash’s level to look him straight in the eye. “I don’t understand you, Flash, but I don’t want to see you gone. And…”
Steel’s frown twitched into the most minute of smiles. “And you’re still my friend, but… please.” The frown returned. “Please, think of the future.”
Nodding, Flash said, “I will, Steel. I will.”
I am. More than you know.
Steel Wind returned the nod.
With a strong gust of powerful wings, the two stallions zeroed in on Canterlot Castle, aiming for the guard’s quarters. Still at their mercy, Flash clung tight, eyelids drooping, sleep beckoning with every passing second.
~
A lit candleholder in forehoof, Greyhoof trotted by the light of the flame through Canterlot Castle. His slow hoofsteps echoed through the abandoned corridors. Only a few night guards kept him company, none acknowledging him with more than a passing glance as they performed their patrols.
The stairs were far more difficult, challenging his old bones with every motion. His joints creaked like door hinges in need of oil, but he pressed on, using the dim light to guide him.
Sir Flash Sentry would never know it, but Greyhoof’s slumber was often restless, and full of nightmares. The old stallion opted not for warm milk, or good books, or counting stars on those nights.
No, instead, Greyhoof checked upon the one stallion who was not a burden to serve.
So far were the Guards’ quarters from the servants’ bunks that, by the time he returned, sleep would come easy and light. Beyond solving his insomnia, it was a small comfort to know that Flash—the stallion who seemed as old as himself, in some ways—was at peace, if only for a time.
Knowing the way by heart, Greyhoof let his candle instead illuminate the paintings on the walls that he passed. Commander Hurricane, Private Pansy, the First Pegasus Brigade… So much history lead the way to the Guards’ quarters that only—
“Shhhhhh! Shhh! Quiet, quiet! Before anypony sees!”
Pricking his ears, Greyhoof moved his candle back in front of his eyes and squinted through the dark. “Who’s there?”
“Oh! Horseapples!” The rustling of hooves through pockets followed. “Hurry up!” the voice hissed again—a stallion’s voice, not too far down.
Near Flash’s room.
Greyhoof called out again, “Who’s there? Show yourself!” He picked up his pace the best he could, rounding the corner, his bare hooves thumping against the floor.
”Dammit! Get the key! Go, go—”
“Stop!” Greyhoof held out the candle. “Stop, you—”
Three pegasus stallions, one slumped on another’s back, stood in front of Flash Sentry’s door.
The unconscious pegasus, of course, was none other than the stallion himself.
“What are you two doing?!” Greyhoof hissed, wielding the candle before Steel Wind’s and Sharp Spear’s eyes. His lips pulled back in a snarl, all pretense of manners or order shoved aside. “What happened to him?!”
“He’s just drunk!” Steel Wind snapped his head towards the stallion laying on his back. “Calm down!”
“We’re just trying to get him into bed! Honest, Greyhoof!” Spear whispered.
Greyhoof facehoofed. “It’s past midnight on a Tuesday…”
“I know! So, please, give us a hoof?” Spear clasped his forehooves together. “Pleeeeee—”
“Fine, fine!” Pushing past them, Greyhoof reached in the pocket of his night robe and pulled out a small, silver key. He unlocked the door and opened it after some effort.
The guards walked in and quickly laid Flash down into bed. Greyhoof closed the door behind himself and joined them at Flash’s side.
“How much did you let him drink?” Greyhoof said, his tone near a growl. He knew with every word that his tone, his phrasing, his posture—his lack of respect—were all damnably wrong, but he didn’t care.
This was Flash he was talking about.
The two flinched. “Errr…” Spear laid a wing over his hoof and started counting his feathers. “One… Two… Five… Errr… Eight beers?”
Greyhoof slammed the candleholder on the nightstand. “You didn’t think to take him home before that?! Do you know what tomorrow is?!” His thin hackles rose.
Steel Wind advanced on him, almost meeting him muzzle-to-muzzle. “Calm down, Greyhoof! Already had enough with one rebel tonight!” he shot back, pointing at Flash, who snored. “I won’t have another—”
“One rebel?” Greyhoof scoffed and advanced right back, jabbing at Steel’s chest. “If you even dare to try and get him discharged, Celestia help you, I will be sure to let Captain Ironhoof know about all the crap you’ve—”
Steel extended his wings, snorting hotly. “I will not be lectured by some Earth pony!”
Ears flattened, Spear yanked him away from Greyhoof. “Shut up, Steel! Flash is our friend, and Greyhoof is his, so show some damn respect!”
“Since when did you care about respect, Mister Cos—”
Knock, knock. ”Flash? Are you in there?”
Spear’s eyes widened. “Pr-Princess Twi—”
Greyhoof shoved a forehoof over both of their mouths. “Quiet,” he whispered, near inaudible. “Let me handle this.”
Shoving both stallions back, Greyhoof called back, “O-one moment, Your Highness!”
Outside the door, hooves and wings shuffled. “Fl-Flash? Is this the wrong room?”
Shooting a look meant to kill behind him, Greyhoof pointed at the wardrobe. Steel scowled, but Spear grabbed him, pulling him towards the closet. A quick rush of wings, the closing of a door, and the two were inside. Muffled mutterings aside, the only noise was that of Flash’s blissful snores and Greyhoof’s slow gait.
Once Greyhoof reached the door, he checked over his shoulder one last time before opening it. “Ah, Princess Twilight.” He gave a low bow. “How many I help you this evening, Your Highness?”
Princess Twilight looked anything but royal. Heavy bags under her eyes, an unkempt mane, frazzled feathers, and matted fur on her chin and chest reminded Greyhoof of Flash’s long nights and terrible mornings. His old heart gave a twinge of sadness as her tired eyes found the sleeping stallion.
“N-nevermind,” Twilight whispered, turning back to Greyhoof. “I…” He noticed something tucked beneath her wing. Her eyes followed his. “Oh… Um…”
Another rustling of feathers. She stretched her wing out to him, a book balanced on it. Of The Moon And Stars. “Can you give this to him, please? Mister… um…”
“Oh!” Greyhoof bowed again. “Greyhoof, Your Highness.” He accepted the book from her. “And of course I shall.”
“R-right. Thank you.”
One more bow. Perfect courtesy. “Not a problem at all, Your Highness.”
Twilight looked to her left, then to her right. Then, she leaned in close to him. “And… Can you please tell him also…”
Greyhoof raised his ear, nodding for her to continue.
“After… his shift… to find me in the maze?”
Greyhoof blinked. Maze?
Though Greyhoof wasn’t quite sure what that entailed, he nodded. “Of course, Your Highness,” he said as she pulled away. Offering her a smile, he added, “Please do get some rest, Your Highness. It is awfully late, and we must do the same.”
“Y-yeah… Rest…” Twilight’s eyes darted to Flash’s closet.
Greyhoof turned around.
Nothing.
“Well, I’d better be going… Uhh… Goodnight! Heh, heh…”
As Greyhoof started to turn back around, he said, “Ah, of course, Your—”
She was gone.
Greyhoof looked down the hallway to see her scampering around the corner. With a shrug, he closed the door. “Well, that was odd…”
The closet door flew open. Both stallions tumbled down, Spear landing on top of Steel with an “Ooof!”
“Sorry, Steel!”
“Get off me!”
Greyhoof laid the book on the nightstand. “Well, now that you’re both out of the closet, time to get a move on,” he said, smirking.
Both stallions rubbed at their shoulders as they stood. “I’m not forgetting that one,” Steel muttered, shooting the elder stallion a glare.
“I’m sure you won’t. Now, run along. I’ll make sure to have Flash thank you in the morning. After the hangover,” Greyhoof added, scowling.
Spear started for the door. “Thanks, Greyhoof. And don’t mind him.” He pointed at Steel. “I actually think you’re pretty cool.”
“Kiss-ass,” Steel grumbled.
Steel followed his companion out the door, but not before giving Greyhoof a few last parting words. “You know, as much as I hate to say it…” With a heavy sigh, he said, “I don’t know if you’ve met Sentinel, but I can see why Flash likes you so much.”
“Flash’s father?” Greyhoof asked.
Steel Wind nodded. “Yeah. Anyway… thanks.”
Steel Wind tried to hide it, but as he followed Sharp Spear out into the hallway, Greyhoof saw one little hint of a smile.
That was victory enough.
After closing the door, Greyhoof looked over at Flash. Thankfully, his dress blues didn’t appear to be stained, and while his mane was wild from the flight, it wouldn’t be too much to tame in the morning.
“No, poor boy’s going to be as sick as a dog,” Greyhoof muttered, sighing. “Better remember to bring a bucket and water in the morning.”
Before he left, Greyhoof trotted over and looked at the book Princess Twilight left. An astronomy book. One of the classics, if he remembered correctly. But why would the Princess…
Sticking out between the pages, only visible by the intense concentration of his candlelight, was a separate piece of parchment.
So… The trip went better than expected, Greyhoof thought. Or worse.
Sighing, Greyhoof picked up his candle. Do be careful, Flash. You’re getting into dangerous territory with this now. And I can’t follow you into it.
The moon at his back, Greyhoof returned to his own bed. Despite the exertion, sleep didn’t come easy.