//------------------------------// // Chapter 4: I'm Always Here // Story: One Guard, One Princess // by Ember Flare //------------------------------// It was a quiet day in Ponyville, well for the rest of it. And it was a regular day for Flash, for guarding of course. But around lunch time, there was a knock at the door. Flash, of course, went to open it. On the other side, there Twilight's friends stood. Rarity was the first to speak, saying. "We are here to see Twilight." Flash nodded. He lead them all he lead them all, and close the door behind them. While they were walking, Rainbow Dash piped up, and said. "This not like Twilight to have the castle so quiet." She looked around. Applejack nudged her, and mouthed out, 'Be polite.' And Rainbow just grumbled a little. Eventually they got to the library, but before Flash could reach to knock on the door, there was a clatter. Flash had no time to think, he opened the door and rushed in. "I'm fine!" Twilight called out. Flash walked into the room, and found Twilight getting out of a pile of books. He rushed over to help her up. When Twilight was up her face flushed. "Thank you." She said, and realized that her hoof was in Flash's. He had a warm smile on his face, which made Twilight's face blush even more. But when she heard her friends giggling, that is went she the most embarrassed. "It's my job." Flash nodded, but in his head he was all like. What am I doing? I'm making the princess embarrassed, in front of her friends. But all he could do was walk out of the library, and closed the door behind himself. "So this is why you have stayed in your castle the whole week." Rarity said. Twilight looked at her confused. "I don't know what you are talking about." She picked up a book and started reading it. "So you can see your new guard, like all the time!" Rainbow exclaimed. Twilight blushed. "That is not the reason." She levitated another book. "I just need to read about the meteor shower that is coming to Ponyville." Fluttershy walked up to Twilight. "I'm sure that is the reason, well because I believe you." She said meekly. "Right." Applejack said, rolling her eyes. "Well we are all going to go to Sugarcube Corner!" Pinkie exclaimed. "Do you want to come with us?" Twilight shook her head. "I have to stay behind." She said, and picked up a scroll and a feather, and started writing on it. Everypony else looked at each other, and shrugged. "Well, if you say so, Twi." Applejack said. they all turned around, and went out of the door. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It was around 8 o'clock at night, and Twilight was just staring outside on the balcony. Gazing up at the stars. Flash was off duty for a while, and went to the balcony to see the stars. But when he got there, he found Twilight. Just hopefully gazing at the stars. He was startled, and started walking backwards, but bumped into the wall behind him. Twilight heard it, and quickly turned around. She saw Flash, and took a deep breath. "Flash, don't take this the wrong way but, what are you doing?" Flash's eyes darted down the dark hallway, and then at Twilight. "I-I j-just came look outside, b-but I don't want to bother you so, maybe I-I should j-just go." Flash stammered. He started heading the opposite way. "NO!" Twilight called. Flash turned around confused. "I mean, please don't go." Flash kept staring at her. "What I mean is, you don't have to go." Twilight said bashfully. Flash smiled, and started walking back towards the balcony. Twilight just looked back at the stars, when her guard was on the balcony. There was a bit of awkward silence, that was until Flash spoke. "I'm sorry for embarrassing you, you know in front of your friends." Flash apologized, looking off the side of the railing. "It's fine." Twilight said back looking up at the sky. Then again there was silence. Twilight wanted to say something, but just couldn't. Flash was having the same problem. "Flash" "Twilight" They both said each other's name in unison. "You go first." Twilight said. "No you." Flash insisted. Twilight took a deep breath, and let it out. "It's just feels nice to have something in common, with somepony." Said Twilight. Flash looked up at her, as Twilight did the same. "Really?" He asked. Twilight nodded. "It's just." Twilight shrugged. "None of my friends, like the same things as I do. Either they don't understand it, or don't want to." Flash kept staring at her. Twilight crossed her forelegs, and rested her head upon the railing. "Are you okay?" Flash asked. Twilight nodded, she closed her eyes and tears started streaming down her face. Flash couldn't manage to see her cry, so he went closer to her. Flash took her hoof in his. Twilight opened her eyes and looked at him. "You can always talk to me." Flash told her. Twilight smiled. "Why are you telling me this?" She asked, while blushing. "Because I want you to know I am always here." Flash replied. He let go of her hoof, and looked to the ground. Twilight did the same thing. "I really must get back on duty." Flash said. He looked at her, so did Twilight. That is when she noticed that this was the first time she saw Flash without his armor on. He had a warm smile on his face, which made Twilight blush. Twilight nodded. "I probably should be getting some sleep." She smiled. "Good-night, Flash." "Good-night, Twilight." Flash said back, which made Twilight smile. And with that she left to go to her room. Flash watched Twilight walk out, into the dark hallway. Then looked back into the night sky. Flash saw one star, and closed his eyes. "I wish I was something to Twilight." He wished. "I wish she would see me other than her guard." He said. "I wish..."