//------------------------------//
// You Need a Vacation 
// Story: The Princess and the Sentry 
// by Neroson40 
//------------------------------//

Flash Sentry
Twilight and I agreed that the next time I got time off, I’d head down to Ponyville for a date according to her rules. I waited for five weeks for a scheduled leave from Commander Armor. He kept me busy for those five weeks, a couple of times I stopped a couple hungry foals from stealing from the castle… though I let them go with some money for food. There was also a very poorly thought out assassination attempt on Cadence’s life, but nothing more exciting than that.
Whenever I thought about Twilight, I worked harder than I was told too, if I couldn’t fly on my own, I would at least be fit everywhere else. I kept up the training with my Nagado (Way of the Dragon) teacher, Sentinel Dragon Scales and got my green belt the fourth week. It was about time for me to go get breakfast on the first day of the last week that Shining came and delivered a message from Princess Celestia herself.
“Sorry, Private,” Shining said. “I personally read all mail to the Guards to ensure safety among the sector.” I would call Bull… but I’ve seen him do it from time to time when brought into his office, even receiving the same explanation from other guards. I took the letter and read it.
Private Flash Sentry
Based on reports from Commander Shining Armor, you have been putting one-hundred-and-ten-percent of your effort into your training and general Guard Duty. As somepony who cares for every individual citizen of the Land of Equestria, I must tell you that you need a break. You are to go off-base and take a month off duty. The destination is your choice, but try not to leave Equestria until you’ve fully rested. By calculations according to the Council of Seven you should be leaving six days after you receive this letter.
I appreciate your efforts towards our country, and hope that you will continue them,
Princess Celestia.
After I registered that last punctuation mark, my muscles started to ache and I involuntarily stretched a little. 
“Go see the Medic tent after breakfast,” Shining ordered. “Report to me after their treatment.”



Shining Armor
I didn’t want to agree with the princess’ letter, we needed all the help we could get after that attempt on Cadence’s head, and he’s always been the best at getting the kids taken care of when they come to steal food or money or anything worth stealing (Hey, I’ve taken a few tips from him with the kids offering some jobs to work with).
But I did agree with Celestia on one thing, he wasn’t invincible. He was gonna break if he kept this up. Yeah he carried himself like he was fine from wake up to lights out, but there were a few things that my special talent told me that he was having trouble with. He was moving more slowly, tensing up now and then, breathing ever so slightly more painfully, the works. He needed this.
Of course there was something obvious about what he was going to do with this time… I wasn’t too on board with it, but I had to step aside and just let it happen.
That’s what trusting brothers like myself do.