Chapter 22

“Flash”

“Yeah, we made Flash a jerk. It’s a different dimension, remember?”

One fine day in the music room, Twilight had stayed behind to help clean up after the Rainbooms had a particularly good practice session. Her obsession with order was coming in handy to keep all the power cords sorted and in their proper place. Meanwhile Rainbow Dash was putting the instruments into their cases and putting them on the designated shelves.

“Awesome session, Twi. D’ya got it from here? I’ve gotta book to Soccer practice before I’m late,” Rainbow said, as she slid her guitar into its shelf.

“Can’t wait till after it’s done though. Dad’s gonna pick me up.” Rainbow said, grinning.

“Course,” Rainbow said proudly. “My dad is the best there is, can’t imagine life without him.”

“What about you-” Twilight stopped herself as she saw Rainbow’s shoulder’s slump a little. “Oh...I shouldn’t hav-”

“It’s okay, you didn’t know Twilight.” Rainbow said with a shrug. “Yeah, my mom died when I was real little. Dad and I have lived by ourselves ever since.”

“It’s fine Twilight, I didn’t even really know her.” Rainbow said. “And I grew up just fine.”

“Aside from the ego, the brashness, the ignoring of people’s feelings…” Twilight said, ticking them off with her fingers.

“Hey nobody’s perfect,” Rainbow said, chuckling. “Anyways, see ya, Twilight.” She proceeded to walk out.

Twilight pondered this for a moment. “Growing up without a parent, I guess I should count myself lucky.” She said to herself.

“Uhm… Hello?” came a male voice from the door. Standing there was a fairly good-looking boy with blue hair that kind of stood straight up, and blue eyes. He was wearing a black jacket with a white and red stripe horizontally across his upper chest, blue jeans, and black sneakers. Underneath the jacket he wore a white t-shirt with a shield underneath a lightening bolt.

“Hm? Oh. Hello. Were you wanting to use the music room?” Twilight asked, looking up at him. “I’ve just about finished putting away our power cords.”

He stopped when he saw her, and stared at her for a while. “It’s...really you…” He said, almost astonished. “Twilight Sparkle...right?”

“Uh… Ye-e-es… I am Twilight Sparkle,” Twilight said, looking back at him with a distinct feeling of unease.

“Sorry if I freaked you out,” He said apologetically. “It’s just I’ve heard so much about you. My name’s Flash Sentry, I go to Cloudsdale High.”

“Really? I… I didn’t know I was so famous,” Twilight said eyeing the strange boy. “Uhm… Any particular reason why you’re here, Mister Sentry?”

“Well, it was to find you really.” He said, closing the door behind him, checking to make sure nobody was there. “I’ve been looking for you for a long time. I...know about your um...after school activities. Truth is...” Suddenly his back glowed, just like Rainbow when she summons her wings...which is exactly what came out of Flash’s back. A pair of orange colored wings presented themselves before Twilight.

“I… see… You’re another Guardian. Again, I don’t see how I’m so special, Mister Sentry,” Twilight observed. “I’m one of seven Guardians at this school. I’m part of a team.”

“Well yeah sure,” Flash said, his wings disappearing. “But you’re going to need all the help you can get. In fact I’ve been fighting probably longer than you have, so you can relax a little as I take some of the edge off.”

“Yeah, no. I don’t think so,” Twilight said crossing her arms. “I have a responsibility to the world and the people in it. It would not be a good thing for me to just shirk my duties on the say-so of some random stranger from a rival high school.”

He blinked, totally not expecting that reaction. “I’m offering to help, I don’t see why that’s a problem. And hey, maybe even with the extra time, we can hang out and stuff.”

“The problem is that I don’t know you. Before Sunset Shimmer’s heel-face turn, she proved that not all guardians are trustworthy,” Twilight said crossing her arms. “You come here, specifically to find me, and for some reason that just makes me suspicious, not relieved. So I will have to say ‘no’ to your gracious offer. And I don’t think we can hang out, either… You are from a rival high school, after all.”

“Don’t let that stop you. Look I know I just came out of the blue, but I do genuinely want to help.” He explained. “I’m not saying we’re going to immediately trust each other, but I’m pretty sure if you give me a chance you might find we...click I guess.”

“‘Click’... I sincerely doubt that. I’m already dating somebody. I’ve already ‘clicked’ with them,” Twilight said with a frown. “You, I just don’t trust at all. Yes it’s because you came out-of-the blue, and waited until I was alone before showing yourself. If you knew so much about me and my, quote unquote, after-school activities, you would know that Rainbow Dash is a guardian, too.”

“That lesbian chick is a guardian?” Flash said, almost dismissively. “Come on, you’re the only one that really matters in the group.”

“One, Rainbow Dash is not a lesbian. Two, no I am not. Like I said I’m part of a team. I don’t consider myself the leader, or anything, either. My team and I work best when working together, and I will not have some stranger coming in and dismissing them out-of-hand,” Twilight said beginning to actually look angry.

“This a joke right? Because this is not how it was supposed to go down at all. And who’s the twit dating you? He should know that he doesn’t have a chance in the world now that I’m around,” Flash said, completely serious which only ticked off Twilight more.

“This is no joke, MISTER Sentry,” Twilight said coming up to him, and poking him in the chest. “And you are the one who doesn’t have a chance. I would not go out with you if you were the last guy on earth, because you sound like a self-entitled little brat who doesn’t like it when things do not go his way. Now if you would excuse me, I do have other things to attend to. You will simply have to go back to your nursemaid and wail to her how the world isn’t revolving around you, like you believe it should!”

Flash stood there, stunned…”That...how...she was supposed to be all over me…” He clenched his fists as a rage entered his heart…

Prism Dash drove along the streets of Canter City on his way to get his daughter. Work had run over, so he was probably going a little faster than he should have. However he wanted to not be too late because he never wanted to disappoint his daughter. He was on his way to pick up his daughter Rainbow from Soccer Practice, while she could normally drive herself home fine, he promised that tonight would be his treat for ice cream...however all his plans would be derailed when a police motorcycle pulled up behind him, lights flashing. "Aww shit..." He grumbled.

The rider of the motorcycle waved for him to pull over, and pulled up behind him, as he did so. The police officer dismounted, and walked up to him taking their time and apparently giving him time to find his documents.

“Okay Prism, just play it cool, and hope he doesn’t give you a ticket.” Prism said, reaching to snag his license and registration. He looked up, and found to his surprise that it wasn’t a male officer he was dealing with. She just stood there, waiting for him to roll down his window, an amused smile on her face.

As he lowered the window he got a better look at the lady cop. Under her helmet she had light blue hair, and a pair of bright lilac eyes gazed at him. She wore the white uniform top of the Canter City police very well as far as he could see. On one front pocket was her police badge, on the other one was a pair of blue lightening bolts.

“Got a hot date you’re late for?” she asked her amused smile still in place.

“Uh, kind of?” He said, then sighed. “Look, babe, can we do this whole spiel some other time? I really gotta get to my daughter’s soccer practice! I promised I’d pick her up and if I’m late who knows how disappointed I’ll make her!”

“Oh, I suppose. I mean not disappointing your daughter is a better reason for speeding than I usually get,” she observed. “So I suppose I could let you go, this time, handsome.”

“Handsome huh? Well you aren’t too bad looking yourself,” He said, relaxing a little now that the fear of the ticket had passed.

“Thanks. Just sad that all the good-looking ones have already been snatched up,” she retorted with a half-grin. “Though, with that hair, somebody would think you’re totally batting for the other team.”

Prism groaned. “It grows like this naturally. Has been a distinct feature of my family for generations. We have no idea why, it’s just how we function.” He said as if he said it a dozen times.

“Get that a lot, huh?” the lady cop asked with a mild look of sympathy. “Anyway, you’ve got a daughter to pick up, and a wife to get home to…”

“Well...you’re half right…” He said a little sadly. “I don’t have a wife anymore, she died not long after my kid was born.”

“Oh! I’m so sorry… Now I feel like a total heel… Oh… I’m Firefly, by the way,” the officer said with a smile.

“Prism Dash…” He said, smiling back. “And don’t feel bad about it, it’s natural to think a guy as handsome as me snagged a hot wife already.” He laughed a little.

“Well of course! Somebody has to put up with your incredible humility,” Firefly retorted with a laugh, and then pulled out a card writing something on the back. “Look, I’ve still got my shift to do, or else I’d stand here chatting with you all day. Nevermind you do have a kid to pick up. Here. Give me a call, sometime. Maybe we can meet and have coffee?”

“Sure…” He said with a smile, taking the card. “Was nice talking to you!” He then drove off, slower but still at a good pace in the hopes of catching his daughter.

Rainbow was sitting on the sidewalk in front of Canterlot High, waiting. Her Dad was a little late, but she was sure he’d be here pretty soon. She bounced the soccer ball a bit, as she waited, bored with sitting still, as she tended to get when forced into inactivity. Suddenly she saw her dad pull up, he stuck his head out of the window to look at her. “I’m not too late am I?” He asked worriedly.

“No way,” Rainbow said, hopping up. “Just finished a little bit ago. Was just looking forward to you getting here.” She trotted to the car and got in, grinning at her father. “I’d wait for you, anyway, Dad.”

“Dammit kid, you have to make me feel all sappy inside.” He laughed, ruffling her hair affectionately.

“My friend, Twi, says it’s all right to be sappy with friends and family,” Rainbow said rolling her eyes. “She says it’s how they stick together.”

“Yeah, really though I’m sorry I was late.” He said as he started to drive home. “I got...pulled over.”

“Nah, I explained to her I was on my way to practice, we chatted and she sent me on my way,” Prism explained. “A real cool cop…”

“‘She’, huh?” Rainbow said with a grin. “Naturally, she let you go. You’re, like, the coolest guy ever.”

“Well yeah, when you still got the moves you use them, Rainbow.” He said with a laugh.

“Course, anything for the best daughter ever…”
___________________________________________________

The next morning Prism got up, and wandered into the living room. He picked up a picture of his wife, gazing at her with a smile, as he sat down by the phone. “Babe, it’s just been so long. I know you’d, want me to be happy. But...I mean it’s just..lonely…”

He heard his daughter sleeping nearby. He did his best to raise her, for sixteen years it worked. But, now that Rainbow was getting older, Prism just shook his head at the thought. He, had to give this a shot...he finally set down the picture of his wife, and picked up the phone...dialing Firefly’s number.

Prism? Oh no, no no no no.. I was totally bright-eyed and bushy-tailed before you called. It’s not like I worked the Friday night shift by the Canter City University or anything, Firefly said, with obvious sassy sarcasm.

Prism tried not to laugh too much. “So, think I can take you up on that coffee offer? Help save you from the horrors of life without caffeine?” He asked.

You dear, wonderful, sweet, heaven-sent man, you. If we hadn’t just met, last night, I’d totally kiss you, I swear. Meet me at Sugarcube Corner? This pink-haired kid they got working there makes the best muffins, Firefly replied, sounding a little more alert.

“I’ll be right over, just give me a sec.” He said, chuckling. When Firefly hung up, Prism looked over at Rainbow’s room again, left a note, then headed out on the first date he’s had in over sixteen years.
___________________________________________________________

“So you’re the guy who TP’d the oak trees at Canterlot High?” Firefly asked looking stunned. “How did you get it all the way to the top? Spitfire was furious!”

“Talent and a whole lot of rope.” Prism said chuckling as the pair sat in Sugarcube Corner. “And to rub salt in the wound I made off with their mascot, drew a big smiley face on it.”

“Oh wow. I never knew what you looked like, either. You were just that good,” Firefly laughed. “But yeah, both the principal, and Spitfire were mad for days after that.”

“Prankster Prism, that was my moniker,” He said with a chuckle. “Course, had to leave that life behind after marriage settled me down. Got a better job anyways, being a dad.”

“You seem pretty determined to be good at it,” Firefly observed with a smile.

“GAAAAAAAASP! You’re Rainbow Dash’s daddy?!” Pinkie gasped, as she set their coffees on the table. “Oh, and I know you didn’t order these. Dagi’s learning how to make pumpkin spice lattes. So be sure to tell us how she did. Personally I think she was kiiinda light on the nutmeg…” With that Pinkie zoomed back behind the counter where stood an anxious looking young woman with orange curly hair.

“Hey, free sample is a free sample,” Firefly said with a shrug, sipping the drink.

“Rainbow sure has made interesting friends.” Prism said with a chuckle, sipping the drink.

“Your kid’s name is Rainbow Dash, huh?” Firefly asked. “Wait, does she go to Canterlot High? Man, no wonder you were in such a hurry. That place is weirdness central, lately.”

“I’ll say,” Prism said, then looked at Firefly for a minute. “I’m... having a great time Firefly.”

“Hey, me too,” Firefly said with a smile. “You made it worth getting up so damn early.”

“Yeah…” He sighed. “Listen, Firefly I... this is really great. But, I just want to take things slow okay? I haven’t dated since Rainbow entered my life. So, really this is all big for me...I mean you’re a great woman from what I’ve seen...but...I’m worried about handling it all.”

“Hey, I understand. We’ll just take things one-day-at-a-time. At the very least, I made a new friend, and that’s always cool,” Firefly said with a smile.

“Yeah...always cool…”
_______________________________________________________

“Where did he go? He never gets up this early, unless he was called in,” Rainbow said as she paced the living room worriedly. Sure she had read the note, but still there were a thousand things that could have happened.

Suddenly the door opened, a smiling Prism coming inside. “That was…” he stopped when he saw Rainbow. “Oh, hey Rainbow, sorry I didn’t meet you when you woke up.”

“Hey, Dad… Uh… So… You went out, this morning?” Rainbow asked, running her fingers through her hair nervously.

“Yeah...Rainbow I’m…” He sighed as he knew this would come sooner or later. “I’m seeing somebody…”

“Dad! How can you just go and DO that?! We’ve been great, just you and me, and now you want to bring in a stranger?!” Rainbow asked.

“Rainbow I’m not going to run out and marry this person. I was just going to give this a shot…” Prism said, trying to keep Rainbow calm.

“Something like that,” Prism said with a sigh. “I just.. want to try this Rainbow. Nobody could replace your mom but...well, I guess you could say I got...a little lonely.”

“And it’s the kind of lonely that you can’t cure hanging out with your kid?” Rainbow asked, trying to understand. “Like when Twi and Private get all goofy about missing each other?”

“I guess, Rainbow. I just... want you to be okay with this.” Prism said, “I need this Rainbow.”

“She’s got to be pretty awesome to get you up this early on a Saturday,” Rainbow said with a nod. “I’ll have to meet her, sometime. She knows you’ve got a kid, right?”

“You kidding me?” He said with a grin, and started ruffling her hair. “Like I could go five minutes without saying how awesome you are.”

“Still, I’ll have to see for myself how awesome she is. Just sayin’. Gotta look out for my old man, after all. Can’t have him dating a girl who’s just mediocre. I think that’s the right word…” Rainbow said, chuckling.

“Love you too, Dad,” Rainbow said, hugging him.
________________________________________________________

The end of the weekend came around and most of the Rainbooms found themselves inside the band room after classes. Pinkie, Aj, Rarity and Fluttershy were waiting on the others.
“Wonder what’s takin’ them so long?” Aj said, “Rainbow’s been actin’ weird all day, sure hope she’s got an explanation.”

“Can you believe she didn’t want to go pranking with me?” Pinkie said. “And when I asked how come she didn’t answer!”

“I just hope all of our friends are okay,” Rarity said. “Who knows what could happen nowadays.”

Twilight came in, looking a little troubled. Sunset was right on her heels, and she looked a touch nervous, like she had news to share.

“Sorry we’re late,” Sunset said. “Somebody got Mrs. Harswhinny going on about professionalism.”

“That’s alright, Sugarcube. We’re jus’ waitin’ on Rainbow Dash, anyhows,” Applejack said with a sigh.

“Oh… I guess I can wait… Something happened, and I was wanting to share the news with everybody,” Sunset said going and sitting on the piano.

“I should tell you guys what happened, Friday, too,” Twilight said, looking pensive. “But everybody should be here.”

“I’m fine Flutters, just got some stuff on my mind.” Rainbow said with a sigh.

“Seems we got a runnin’ theme goin ere.” Aj said, shaking her head. “What’s yer thing Sunset?”

Pinkie sudden contorted her face, as if she was eagerly waiting for Sunset to tell and was trying everything she could not to spill. Pinkie did not take to secrets very well…

Sunset took a deep breath and said before Pinkie exploded: “I’m dating Adagio Dazzle.”

“Bisexual, Rainbow, remember? I told you that, when you saw me first crushing on Adagio, after they first arrived,” Sunset uttered with an eyeroll.

“Well I for one am happy that Sunagio is off the ground!” Pinkie cheered. “Yay Sunny!”

“Ah gave them food cuz they were starvin,” Aj said, “But datin one of them? Sunset are ya nuts?”

“You know those pendants we broke?” Sunset asked. “Turns out they were suppressing their positive emotions. And… Adagio… kinda started crushing on me as bad as I was crushing on her. We’re just taking it one day at the time, but I’m helping her and the others turn themselves around, like you guys helped me.”

“Suppressing their emotions huh? And I thought Harshwhinney was in desperate need of getting laid,” Rainbow quipped.

“Okay, I’m seeing Adagio,” Sunset said, then looked to Rainbow. “What’s your... thing, I guess?”

Rainbow sighed, “Guys, it’s about dating too. My dad, he’s dating again.”

“Darling, you said he’s never been out since your mother died,” Rarity observed. “Are you, at least, keeping an open mind about it?”

“I’m trying,” Rainbow said with a hopeless shrug. “But, it was always me and Dad. Now some stranger is going to come into our lives…”

“It will be alright Rainbow,” Fluttershy said with encouragement. “Your father wouldn’t date somebody you wouldn’t like I’m sure.”

“If you say so Flutters, but I’m a little appre….appresomething about it.”

“Apprehensive?” Twilight suggested. “And are you working on your vocabulary?”

“Shut it egghead…” Rainbow grumbled in a familiar tone. “What’s your thing?”

“This past Friday, some guy just came in here, after you left, Rainbow. He was a Guardian, but… something about him... He made me really uneasy. He came from Cloudsdale High just to meet me, and acted I should just be fawning all over him, because I was in his presence,” Twilight explained. “He acted like a real jerk, too, and even called Rainbow a lesbian. He went as far to completely dismiss the rest of you. I’m but one part of a greater whole. Somebody who just… dismisses that is… just despicable!”

“Eh, just let me at him.” Rainbow said, slamming her fist. “I’ll fix em real good!”

“Maybe we should have him call you a lesbian again so you won’t hold back,” Sunset added.

"UGGH!! I am not a lesbian! I've told people a hundred times! My hair is perfectly natural! I have a flat chest! I dress like I do because I'm comfy! That doesn't mean I'm gonna sweep Fluttershy off her feet anytime soon!" Rainbow yelled.

"So much for that fan fic idea...." Pinkie sighed, crossing something off on a clipboard.

“That Flash Sentry may be a guardian… But something about him just makes me suspicious,” Twilight said with a sigh.

“Hey, I’m proof that just because you’re a Guardian doesn’t mean you’re a good guy,” Sunset said with a nod.

“We’ll help ya keep an eye out fer tha varmit,” Applejack said with a nod.

“Indeed. He sounds like an utter ruffian, and should be run off at every opportunity,” Rarity asserted.

“Maybe you should ask Principal Celestia about him?” Sunset suggested. “If he was a guardian, she may know about him, and know a way to keep him away.”

“I hope so, I’d like to find a way to get rid of him before he tries anything…” Twilight said firmly.
___________________________________________________________

Private sighed as he looked at the picture of him and Twilight in his locker. One of the many taken during Fall Formal but he kept it around. His inner romantic loved the sight of Twilight every day.

When he closed his locker however, he did not expect to see Flash standing there. “Can I help you…?” Private asked.

“You’re the pathetic piece of crap that’s trying to date Twilight Sparkle…” Flash uttered

“And you must be the jackass that’s been spooking her…” Private said, turning to glare at Flash. “I suggest you stop before things get ugly. She’s not interested.”

“You don’t get it. She’s supposed to be mine! You’re just in the way of making that a reality,” Flash said glaring at him.

“Where do you get off by saying she’s supposed to be yours?” Private asked, crossing her arms.

“Yeah, because there’s no way Twilight Sparkle, in all of her power and might, would date a loser human lik-” He was cut off when Private suddenly summoned his gun, pointing it at Flash.

“Careful who call a mundie, you could easily be proven wrong.” Private said, flicking his wrist and causing the gun to disappear.

“Don’t mean a thing. We were meant to be together! She’s not for the likes of you, or anybody else,” Flash growled, glaring at Private.

“I suggest you move on, and leave Twilight alone. She decides who she wants to be with, not you.” Private said firmly, then turns to walk off.

“Don’t think this is over! She will be mine!” Flash yelled.
_________________________________________________________

“Flash Sentry you say…” Celestia said as she stood in her office, Twilight having told her what happened.

“Yes, Professor. He came to the band room, last Friday, and he walked right in, and acted like I should just be fawning over him because he was there,” Twilight uttered. “Something about him just rubbed me the wrong way, so I told him off.”

Celestia waved her hands to lock the door and shut the windows with magic. “Twilight, Private was not the first guard who protected you in the other world. Nor was Sunset the first guardian I taught. Both beings went by the name of Flash Sentry.” She explained.
“Who was he before, Professor?” Twilight asked.

“He was a guard, much like Private, though more of the conventional kind.” Celestia explained. “Not long after your counterpart became a princess, you had to be assigned a guard. It was a formality really, but a precaution I was willing to take nonetheless. Flash was listed as a prime candidate, chosen for his skill in combat and decorum as a guard. Not my personal choice but…” She sighed, “Nobility is Nobility…”

“What was he like, there?” Twilight asked. “There is just something about him that makes me not trust him at all.”

“By all accounts he was the perfect guard, loyal, dedicated to the job. The problem was he was too dedicated for your counterpart’s liking. She would come to me with complaints about how Flash followed her everywhere, and he even started insisting she spend time with her friends less and less.” Celestia said gravely. “It ultimately lead to your counterpart up and disappearing with him one day. I sent Private after him, but Flash didn’t come back when you two did. I’m guessing he knew he would be hunted down...but your counterpart refused to talk about what happened there…only that Private saved her from a very dark fate…”

“Flash kidnapped my counterpart, and had something nefarious planned,” Twilight observed thoughtfully. “I just hope that he doesn’t have similar plans, here…”

“I found Flash a few years ago, before Sunset. He was among the first guardians I discovered. He showed a talent for monster fighting. I thought him a good candidate to fight alongside you.” Celestia said, “That was, until he discovered this…” She waved her hand, and a large tome appeared before her. “This, is the book of memory. A very powerful artifact that can allow one to see memories...even ones that belonged to another version of themselves…”

“He found out about me,” Twilight stated. “From that book, he found about me, and how he was my guard.”

“He however, saw an incomplete memory, of only himself as your guard, not all what his counterpart became.” Celestia explained. “He became obsessed, every conversation I had with him ended up becoming about you. Where you were, what powers would you have, when would you two end up together…”

Twilight sighed. “I knew it. I knew he couldn’t be trusted. Apparently he doesn’t know about the Elements of Harmony, either.”

“Even if he did, I doubt he would care…” Celestia said. “After I had enough of his constant questions and demands to know about you. I gave him a test, I sent him into a witching hour, but cast a spell on one of the civilians to look like you. He did whatever he could to protect ‘you’...but after the monster was defeated, he walked away...and left an unstable pillar behind which would have killed anybody who came out of the hour…”

“Oh yeah.” Celestia said, nodding. “I expelled him from training and warned him that if he ever came near you, I was going to call the police and have him arrested as a stalker.”

“And, funnily enough, my overprotective older brother is on the police force,” Twilight said with a smile. “He’s definitely come near me. I just hope we don’t end up having to do something drastic to get him to leave me alone.”
____________________________________________________

“So that’s the deal,” Twilight said as she and Sunset walked home. “Now we’ve just got to keep an eye out for him, and keep him from doing something to hurt me, or try to kidnap me or… something.”

“Dang… This guy is real bad news. I’ll be sure to help keep an eye out, especially now,” Sunset said with a determined nod. “We should totally sic Shining on him, if we can get the drop on him.”

“I just hope we’ll catch him sooner rather than later.” Twilight said, hugging herself as she looked over her shoulder. “It’s really starting to freak me out.”

“Don’t worry, Twi, we’ll use the buddy system so you’re not alone, where that jerk can get you,” Sunset said reassuringly. “That’ll be something, at least.”

The people stopped in the street as the witching hour began. The sisters looked up at a...frankly horrifying looking spider like creature. It’s long legs walked down the wall towards them, it’s mandibles clicking. It spat a web at them, Sunset threw up a flame to burn it to a crisp.

“I’ll take this thing! Call the others!” Sunset said, summoning her sword and diving into the fray.

Twilight pulled out her phone, quickly bringing up her contacts to send them all an emergency text about the witching hour. Just as she was about to hit send however…

“Let me GO, you jerk!” Twilight said thrashing about, unwilling to let him get a good grip on her,but she dropped her phone in the struggle. That moment of surprise however, gave Flash the edge he needed to pin her against the wall. Twilight glared back at him as he held her there.

“You’re not playing your part Twilight...you’re supposed to be the happy little princess who’s grateful I saved her…” He said in a very creepy tone. “I’m going to make sure you learn to play your part...your worthless friends won’t get in the way, or that wannabe guardian who claims he’s even worthy to breath the same air as us. You will worship me when I’m through with you Twilight…”

Twilight glared defiantly, anger etched in every fiber of her being. “Like fucking hell I will, you worthless bastard!” she declared, finally provoked enough to swear. “I don’t want to have anything to do with you, and your fucking obsession! I am NOT some prize for you to display, you asshole!”

“You dare...you dare speak out against me?!” He yelled, his wings coming out of his back. Madness was in his eyes… “I am meant to have you! I guarded you my whole life… I deserve to have you! Your pathetic losers for friends, that stupid boytoy of yours..none of them deserve you! Because you belong to-"

BANG!!! A magic bullet hits Flash in the wing he turns..and Private walks forward like a western gunslinger...a very dead serious look in his eyes... "Leave...her...alone…” Private said, an anger in his voice that was almost, tranquil. That made it even more scary.

“Well look who it is!” Flash said, glowering at Private as he nursed one of his wings. “The uninvited intruder to our perfect story! The villain here to steal what’s mine!”

“She doesn’t belong to you… she doesn’t belong to anybody…” Private said, still glaring at Flash.

“I’ll END YOU!!” Flash yelled, throwing Twilight aside and charging at Private, fists raised. Private deftly dodged and weaved around Flash’s attacks.

“You’re used to fighting monsters I reckon,” Private said after dodging another punch. “Big targets with flashy attacks.”

Private grabbed Flash’s wrist, and put him into a hold. He twisted Flash’s arm painfully, causing the obsessed ex guardian to scream. “Thing is, I practice on a regular basis how to deal with punks like you!”

“No...and I plan to make it my job to ensure that filth like you doesn’t hurt anybody,” Private said, dead serious.

“YOU FUCKING GNAT!!” Flash yelled, suddenly conjuring a gust of wind that sent Private into a nearby wall.

“Oh no you don’t!” Twilight yelled, a magic missile hitting Flash’s hand. “You’re not going to hurt him, you bastard!”

“GET OUT OF MY WAY YOU BITCH!!” Flash said, launching a terrible gust of wind.

Everything seemed to slow down in Private’s vision as Twilight took the blow. She fell back, on the ground, her clothes torn up from the gust. She pressed her hand to her side...as it started to bleed…

“Pathetic...you’ve earned your place on the ground…” Flash mocked, and began walking over to Private. He grabbed Private by the cuff of his shirt, lifting him up. “Now I will set everything right. I WILL HA-GAAAH!!!

Private suddenly grabbed Flash’s neck...squeezing real hard. He pushed off the wall, knocking them both down. Then when the tumbling was over, they stood up. Private suddenly glared at Flash...his eyes flashing green.

“What the hell…?” Flash said, feeling an aura coming off Private. “Where did...where did this power come from? I’m stronger than you!” He sent a gust of wind...but Private simply stood there.

Private spat at the ground, “Blustering wind...how fitting…” He said, in a rather sinister sounding voice that wasn’t his.

“What the…” Flash said, taking steps back as Private loomed over him, Flash tripped on a piece of garbage, falling to the ground before Private.

Private grinned with a smile that would make Alucard from Hellsing proud, “What the fuck is wrong Sentry? You were talking such a big game earlier? Where’s the bravado? The blustering idiocy? Is it all gone now that you see what a real guardian can do?!”

“You’re a monster! Plain and simple!” Flash yelled. “You don’t even deserve to be-” He was cut off when Private suddenly slammed his foot down on Flash’s wing, crushing the bones. Flash screamed in pain.

Private roughly kicked him, pulled out his gun, and fired the wings full of holes. There was a, sinister, sadistic pleasure that Private was feeling. A rush of somebody getting what they deserved. The power he felt, so intoxicating…

He grabbed Flash’s wings roughly, and began to pull on them with his newfound might. Flash’s screams slowly pulled Twilight out of her stupor. As she did, she heard a wet sounding…

Private tossed Flash’s wings aside, they disappeared into dust...the bloody stumps left behind fading from Flash’s back. “WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU DO!?” Flash yelled, looking back in fear at Private.

“Just what you were going to do to her...only fitting…” Private said, the cruel grin still adorning his face. He slowly summoned his gun again.

“Wha...what are you doing…?” Flash said, looking up in total horror at Private.

“My job as a guardian apparently….Killing Monsters…” Private said….aiming the gun at Flash’s forehead.

“Private! No! Don’t bring yourself down to his level!” Twilight yelled, as she got up. “You are not a murderer!”

Private blinked as the feeling of power faded away. He looked at himself, realizing what he had done. “What...was I doing…?”

“Se-see Twilight! This guy is a total freak!” Flash yelled, pointing at Private. “He’s swinging around dark magic! See! You’re safe with me! Everything will be fine with me! YOU BELONG WI-”

“You…” Twilight growled, glaring at him. She stomped over, and gave him a swift kick to the gonads. “Shut the fuck UP, and get out of here, before I do something worse than he was planning!” She added, spreading her hands , a giant ball of energy suddenly appearing between them. “Now flee from my power, you jerk! You knew not the might you were messing with! Run away, before I show you how much bitches love cannons!”

Flash took the hint for once, running off like a scared coward. Twilight smirked, watching him, dismissing the illusion. However as he did, Sunset stood in his way. Sunset glared at him, her sword aflame. “So...heard you were going to do some nasty things to my sister. I suggest you be a good little boy, and sit down so big brother Shining will take care of you…”
____________________________________________________________

“So. Stalking my little sister, huh?” Shining said as he roughly cuffed Flash.

“Arrest her boyfriend! He’s the monster! She’s supposed to be mine!!” Flash yelled.

“Yeah get in there before I taze you.” Shining said, unceremoniously chucking him into the car, dusting off his hands.

Twilight was sitting on a park bench nearby, her friends around her as Shining came over. “We’ll make sure he won’t get anywhere near you Twili.” He said firmly, then looked to see Rainbow there. “Hey, aren’t you Rainbow Dash?”

Shining suddenly yelled back at the car. “Hey Firefly! It’s Prism’s kid!”

“Really?” Firefly said, coming around the cruiser, and grinned, nodding. “Yeah, she’s got the same hair. Oh! Hey! I remember you!”

“Hey, you! You still got that pretty-boy stalker of yours?” Firefly asked with a grin.

“Kind of sort of, but hey, how do you know my…” It suddenly clicked in Rainbow’s brain. “Wait! YOU are dating my dad?!”

“Yeah… I pulled him over, one night, and we… just kind of clicked, you know?” Firefly said running her fingers through her blue hair. “You… You okay with that?”

There was a little voice of doubt that plagued Rainbow throughout the whole ordeal. A voice of doubt that said that Prism would either end up hurt or Rainbow would end up getting left behind because of this dating fiasco….That voice was subsequently kicked in the gonads by another voice that shouted “I HAVE A COP MAMA!!”

“I AM TOTALLY COOL WITH THIS!!” Rainbow yelled, her eyes sparkling. Firefly blinked in surprise at Rainbow’s enthusiastic response, then laughed.

“Sweet. You and your Dad are both pretty awesome,” Firefly said grinning. “I’m glad you’re willing to give me a chance.”

“Sure Firefly, long as you make Dad happy, be cool, and taze Raiden on occasion everything will be great!” Rainbow said with a grin of her own.

“And suddenly I know what to get you for your birthday,” Firefly laughed. “Okay, you kids keep your friend company. We’ve got to get this scumbag in lockup… Personally I think they ought to take him to the local sanitarium, and lock him up… Guy’s a total nutter.”

As they all split up however, Twilight spotted Private sitting at another park bench. He seemed, distant and lost, looking down at his hands as if there was something on them…

“Twi…” He said, getting up and looking at her. “If...you don’t ever want to see me again...I’ll understand…” He started to walk away from her.

“When did I say anything like that?” Twilight asked, as she reached out, and taking a hold of his arm. “When did I even suggest that I didn’t want to ever see you again?”

“Twilight you saw what I was like back there. I’m a danger, a liability to the team. If I lost control...who knows what I would have done…” He said sadly.

“You went off, because Flash hurt me,” Twilight said, firmly. “Any other time, you’re in complete control, but Flash hurt me, and was threatening to do horrible things to me. I don’t blame you for snapping.”

“Yeah, I noticed. I stopped you before you could go too far. I will keep stopping you whenever you start to go too far, and if I can’t stop you from crossing the line… I’ll stop you from becoming a complete monster. I love you, Private, and I will do everything in my power to help you come back from the dark,” Twilight said determinedly.

“I...Twi…” Private said, losing his cool entirely, and...for the first time since they met...a tear fell down Private’s cheek.

Twilight sat beside him, wrapping her arms around him. “I don’t want to lose you, Private.”

“I don’t want to lose you either Twilight.” He said, wrapping his arms around her, pressing himself into her. There was a quiet desperation, a need for her to be there.

“I’m not going to lose you to the dark. I’m not going to lose you to anything. I love you too much,” Twilight said holding him tightly.

“I love you so much, Twilight, I don’t want to lose myself either,” He said, looking into her eyes as she reached up to wipe away the tears he was shedding. “I’m, just glad I had you to pull me out.”

“Nah, I don’t think I could…” He said, and tenderly took her hands. “In fact, before all this I was going to...hopefully get us to...take the next step.”

“The… the n-next step?” Twilight asked, looking worried. “Are… Are you sure we’re… We’re ready for that?”

“I think we are, honestly I’m surprised we haven’t gotten to it sooner considering how close we are,” He said, smiling.

“But… but… but…” Twilight uttered, looking panicked. “WE’RE NOT READY FOR THE THING!!”

“Twi? I was talking about meeting my parents.” Private said, blinking. “What were you thinking I was talking about?”

Private blinked, then smirked a little. “Oooh, the thing. Well Twilight, I love you very dearily, but I think the thing can wait. How about we just start with you meeting my parents who are desperate to see you?”

“Okay. Yes. I’d love to meet your parents,” Twilight said looking immensely relieved. “Seems fair, since you’ve met mine…”

“I think we can save the ‘thing’ until marri-” He stopped himself. “Man, I almost implied us getting, as AJ would say ‘hitched’ didn’t I?”

Private suddenly closed his eyes, and smiled. “Twi, I’m about to do the most nerdily romantic thing ever…” He said.

Private slowly stepped away from her, and started whistling a few notes. He then...started to sing…

"I'll swim and sail...on savage seas...with ne’re a fear of drowning...and gladly ride on the waves of life...if you would marry me..." He sang, smiling at Twilight.

"No scorching sun nor freezing cold, will stop me on my journey..." He took her hands again. "If you will promise me yooour heart..."

“And love me for eternity,” Twilight sang back, starting to dance a little bit. “My dearest one, my darling dear, your mighty words astound me. But I’ve no need for mighty deeds…” Twilight then spun herself into Private’s arms before singing: “When I feel your arms around me.”

He spun her out of his arms, and kneeled down, putting hand to his heart as he sang, "But I would bring you rings of gold.I'd even sing you poetry!” He took her hand, and held it to his heart. “And I would keep you from all harm! If you would stay beside me..."

“I have no use for rings of gold,” Twilight sang, pulling him to his feet. “I care not for your poetry. I only want your hand to hold…”

“I only want you near me….” Private said, gazing at her. The pair then began to dance together in that deserted street.

“To love, to kiss, to sweetly hold
For the dancing and the dreaming
Through all my sorrows and delights
I’ll keep your love beside me.
I’ll swim and sail on savage seas.
With ne’er a fear of drowning
And gladly ride the waves of life
If you would marry me…”

“If you..would marry me…” They sang together, as they pulled themselves in for a tender loving kiss.

Equestria Guardians

by Jacoboby1

Chapter 22 "Flash"