The Solider
Flash leaned against the wall lazily, his hoof grazing the pages of Twilight's journal. The stallion's face was solemn, as his half lidded eyes observed the past tares of missing pages. Almost unnoticeable, ripped, thick paper stuck out like mountains from the spine of the book. Small, brown threads traveled along side the paper alps. Delicately, the stallion stroked the lost story, his hoof gliding down the spine of the journal slowly. Flash consciously scolded himself, as if his inner being were stomping about in his very mind, yelling out and throwing a fit from the pain. At this point, he didn't even know why he still kept the journal; all it ever did was rehash old memories. The stallion could feel his muscles tense up, and his eyes closed reflexively before he quickly slammed the cover of the book and slid it in his pack beside him. He couldn't stand to read it right now. It seemed too soon, or maybe, it had been too long. Flash had spent many nights, reading till dawn, since swiping the journal from the library. He wanted to know how she was, the unicorn he thought he once knew.
Shouldn't waste my time. He thought to himself, trying to sweep away the memories of the yellow mare that taunted his mind. The pegasus fluffed his wings and dodged the temptations of the longing mind, his eyes veering out the nearest window of the castle. Equestria's sun had finally risen to a reasonable place in the sky and the pegasus guard himself felt a bit more rejuvenated from it. The guard lifted his chin so his face could feel the serene sunshine. His blue mane was damp from his earlier shower, little drops falling from him onto his crystal armor, and some loose water trickling down his lean, short-haired body. The young solider basked in the yellow calmness through the glass, and smiled a bit, his mind peacefully blank.
The door slammed beside him, and he stared at the irate alicorn with startled, large eyes.
"Tw-!"
"I can't believe the nerve of this-this prideful, stubborn, old stallion!" She complained, rather loudly, making Flash's ears flick back in annoyance.
"Sorry to hear that..." Was all the guard could muster. Though, Twilight was already neck deep in rage and wouldn't have paid much attention to any level of sympathy, no matter how low.
"I mean, for Celestia's sake he called me a 'bloated cake consumer' and that he refuses to cooperate with-!" Flash permitted his selective hearing to cut off the alicorn's streak of minor curses and irritated snorts. Blankly, he watched the princess act not so regally. If she weren't staring right at him, though she wouldn't actually pay attention to his facial ques, he would have rolled his eyes. He wasn't much for listening to mares' complaints and dramatizations.
"Would you like more coffee?" Flash interrupted the minor explosion of emotion; figuring it may be in the princess's best interest to sip on some caffeine, or perhaps gulp it down heavily.
"Wha-?" Twilight stopped mid-sentence and owlishly looked into the grey eyes of the obviously annoyed pony before her. Her ears fell back, a little aggravated herself that she was cut-off from explaining her troubles. Just as quickly had she expressed annoyance did she shake her feelings off and look at the stallion with a tiring expression.
"I already had a cup, thanks.” She paused for a moment before her head fell in a defeated manner. “Sigh. I'm sorry, I'm just a bit flustered by all of this, I didn't mean to...well...I don't want--"
"I'm just asking if you would like something to cheer you up a bit. You seem tense, so I just figured coffee would help." Flash yet again interrupted Twilight's frustrations, rerouting the conversation to hopefully more pleasant discussion.
"I doubt coffee would be a good substitute." At that moment, a low rumble from the empty pit in the mare's stomach ruptured crudely. Twilight looked at the ground embarrassed, holding herself with an awkward chuckle. "What I could use right now is some food."
The pegasus pondered on that for a moment, considering an idea of his. He then smiled, a bit mischievously, bringing his head down to her eyes, leaning in close.
"I could take you outta here and we can go get something to eat." He whispered, with a bit of determination in his tone, his brow risen with a smart look. Twilight eyed him curiously, but with a harsh breath mumbled.
"I can't. What about King Death Stare?" She scoffed, her eyes averting the tempting offer before her. The alicorn's face flushed a little at closer inspection of Flash Sentry. He was taller, yet close enough to her height, muscular, well maintained and his eyes anticipated excitement. Water still moved smoothly across his well groomed fur, making her throat run a bit dry. The alicorn’s eyes watched his, sinking in the depth and almost giving in to the impulsive behavior. Twilight huffed then, her aggravations distracting the heated thoughts. She then stressed her duties, but less sure of them. "I couldn't leave Spike here to tend to him. I need to watch after Sombra; he's my responsibility."
"Come on Twi." The stallion's eyes softened a bit, sympathetically calling her out with familiarity. A silence stuck to the conversation before Flash quirked a grin and teasingly raised his brow. "We all need a little break, and who said you're a foal-sitter."
"I know Flash, but the princesses--"
"Aren't here." He interrupted, continuing to present himself playfully to the stressed mare. The pegasus could see the night's work through the princess's weak expression, the messy mane, her swollen purple eyes, and even her precious lavender face, squandered by the tense atmosphere. "Don't be afraid to have a little fun. We'll only be gone for a few minutes. No harm in that, right? I don't think you should have to tell Spike or Sombra where you're gonna be for just a few minutes. Cut yourself some slack."
The alicorn went silent, considering the stallion's words for a moment with a fuzzy head, before smiling tiredly.
"Well, I guess just a few minutes wouldn't hurt my schedule." Flash closed his eyes, relieved, a large smile creasing the corners of his round, orange cheeks. He hummed at her, a small chuckle of amusement escaping him.
“However,” Twilight began, to which Flash’s smile then fell slightly. “I will not avoid Spike on this matter. He must know where I’m going, and to watch over Sombra’s room. As if leaving the tyra- I mean- the reformat doesn’t give me anxiety enough, I won’t be totally irresponsible.” She said strictly.
"Your call, Princess. Though, before we go out in public, you may want to--" Twilight watched Flash's hoof rise and gesture to her messy excuse for a mane, catching on to his observation.
"Ah, haha, I suppose you're right." Twilight lit her horn, a slow rhythmic aura enveloping it, humming softly as she brushed out her hair with her magic. The dark blue strands tugged lightly, and the colors of the mares streaks of pink and purple fell gently with the ocean of blue hair. It quickly bounced to it's natural state, on either side of her neck, and her bangs spaced away from her brow perfectly.
"Better?" She inquired of the pegasus, to which he responded with a silent nod of his head, his mouth slightly open. His mind had been lost when he observed Twilight fix herself, the imagination of the stallion swiftly coursing through him. The alicorn perked her wings and laughed lightheartedly. Flash coughed, subtly distancing himself from his thoughts, then turned to walk toward the library where Spike surely would be.
"I appreciate this, I really do.” Twilight said with a happy sigh, relieved to get away, not thinking of any consequences at the present. Flash smiled kindly, and spoke with a soothing voice.
“Of course. I’ve just noticed you’ve been kinda tired lately and how’ve you been running around like it’s the end of the world. I figured any pony acting like that could go for a break, and I’m happy to give you the company. And, I’m also obligated to, being your guard and all.” He chuckled, his eyes looking at his hooves as they pressed heavily against the crystal floors with a loud clang of each step.
“Oh.” Twilight murmured in slight disappointment. “Is that...the only reason?” She pressed, searching for something as if it were lost or not there to begin with.
“Oh, well, no...I mean...” Flash stumbled on his words, taken aback by her inquiries to his motives. Those curious eyes of his looked at her up and down heatedly, a small, mischievous grin forming. “There are other reasons.”
“Like?” She asked rather coyly, a twinkle in her eye.
“Well, like that we’ve never actually been properly ah-acquainted.” The Pegasus fumbled over his words a bit, trying to gain a naturalness.
“Ah, I see.” His efforts made her smile, and she couldn’t help but look at him for a moment.
“Hey guys.” Spike greeted, coming up to the pair in the hall.
“Um, Spike, would you mind looking after Sombra’s door for us while we go get something to eat. I wouldn’t ask if it were too much for you-“
“Oh...you and Flash?” Spike interrupted, his brow raised slightly.
“Yeah.” Flash stated dominantly. The Pegasus had caught on to Spike’s uneagerness to make him a part of the herd that was at Friendship Castle. Any intimacy Flash could gain with Twilight was surely dismissed by the adolescent dragon. Where it had seemed he would shake hoof and claw with the solider, Spike now seemed to lack joy in the guard’s presence. Twilight, too tired to take notice of Spike's demeanor, spoke with a yearning in her voice.
“It will only be for a little while, Spike. If it’s not possible for you to do it alone then I guess I could stay.” Twilight spoke tiredly.
“No, no it’s okay. You go. You both go. Have fun.” The scaley beast smiled a toothy grin at them, sharp teeth bearing a little too hard.
“Well, alright, thank you.” The alicorn said a bit unsure, her worries coming back. She tried to calm herself, breathing more slowly as her and Flash made their way to the large double doors of the castle and to a restaurant.
There was a break of awkward pause between the two of them, both not sure what to say to ignite a conversation. One was highly knowledgeable of science and math while the other was of physical training and survival skill. It seemed there would be nothing in common. Twilight tried her best to recall anything they had talked about before, but to no avail.
“You like books, right?” Twilight almost jumped in surprise at the sudden initiation.
“I-yes. I...I like books.” Twilight squeaked, stuttering a bit, another pause following.
“What’s you favorite type of book?” Flash questioned, developing the conversation as much as he could.
“I like...astronomy? The stars and planets....things that we can only see through a scope. I also enjoy history and artifacts too, though many might not guess it. It’s obvious I’m more of a mathmetition and science advocate.”
“Oh. Right, obvious.” Flash replied, shaking his head a bit and chuckling at the mares out of touch ways. The solider spoke again, digging more material from his mind. “I like fiction books. Daring Do, Anna Donkey, J.K. Reining....to name some of my favorites.”
“Oh yes, they’re pretty good. I may like non-fictional writings but from time-to-time, I find it relaxing to read a fiction work.” Twilight smiles politely to the stallion, to which he grinned and continued.
“I like moving pictures too, mostly the action types, they’re more interesting. It’s a great, um, I guess you’d say...innovation! Moving pictures.”
“I’ll admit it’s cool, I am more fond of plays though. Perhaps that’s old fashioned, hehe.” Twilight watched Flash’s face fall a bit. The alicorn felt the conversation fading but she continued. “M-my friend...Rainbow, she really likes the action films. She recently went to see the Daring Do based film, ‘The Crystal Horn.’”
“Oh? That’s neat, I haven’t seen it yet.” The two walked again in silence, both trying to figure what was causing such tension when they could talk just fine before. It seemed a regular conversation couldn’t be handled as well, like there was more pressure though no ex-tyrant or moody dragon hovered over them.
“This is a little tense, huh?” Flash said gently, coming clean.
“A little....I think I’m just nervous. Which is silly, I’ll admit. I’m the princess of friendship and all....but, it feels like I haven’t been out of that castle in a long time.” The lavender mare nodded and talked with more casualness.
“Yeah. I know what you mean. Back in the Crystal Empire, I never did get out much. I knew few ponies but most ponies knew me. I focused a lot on my training....not really on a social life....though I can’t say the same for my yearling stage.” The pegasus chuckled, Twilight's giggle dancing along with his.
“I was the same way for a long time. Back when I was still in college, still just a young unicorn, studying under Celestia. I focused too much on my studies and never really developed friendships.” Twilight looked up at Flash and smiled nostalgically. “I moved to Ponyville and then, everything changed. I met my best friends, sprouted wings, and became a Princess.”
“That’s pretty climatic.” The two chuckled, Flash adding to the discussion. “You and your friends seem really close....what to you guys like to do together?”
“Oh many things! With the six of us and so many interests there’s a lot we can do with one another. We would go to plays, do sleepovers, travel, go to the spa-“
“Well, what do you do now?” Flash inquired, his interest somewhat peaked.
“Uh, well...” The lavender mare thought on it, her head lowering slightly every second that passed. “Not much. Once you’ve aged and you move or, you grow, you lose spare time.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be!” Twilight blurted, laughing awkwardly. “We’re still the best of friends! We may only see one another once a week or-or whatever but anytime we meet up ....it’s as if time hasn’t passed.” The alicorn walked at a slower pace, her smile never failing. She knew it hurt her to say that, she told herself that's how it's supposed to be. The subtle loneliness in her life was nothing if not normal for all ponies. Telling herself that made her feel better about it, and saving the memories of her friends made it easier. Though, at the present, she didn't feel as alone.
“Well, I wouldn’t know. I don’t have too many ponies I’d call friends. I’m too busy pumping iron.” The stallion made the princess chuckle as he flexed his leg in the air, baring a white grin and easy eyes.
“You say the strangest things.” Twilight giggled.
"Yes, well....it might also be because I'm starving." He masked the awkwardness and excitement with a joking demeanor. The pegasus stuck his tongue out in mock death, and sighed heavily, his stomach rumbling. Twilight looked to the side with a shy smile and began to walk for the door of the Crusty Hayfry, Ponyville's best hayburger joint. It was a bit loud when walking in, there seemed to be an outnumbered, imbalanced attendance, being more foals than adults. They ran about noisily, with utter chaos and fun, which made Flash reflexively hold back his ears and hang his head low in annoyance. Twilight, meanwhile, smiled at the young ones, some of them gasping in delight at the sight of a princess.
"Look, it's Princess Twilight!" One whispered to her filly friend, an excited twinkle in her eye. The lavender mare looked the child's way and smiled, which gained a girly giggle with exaggerated conversation.
"Wowie! Princess Twilight-" The young cashier said through braces, shocked to see royalty stroll through the restaurant. However, Twilight handled it whilst Flash observed from the alicorn’s side.
"Just Twilight is fine." The alicorn reassured the anxious teenager. However, the younger mare couldn't help but shakily nod and smile nervously.
"A-Alright....may I take your order?" Flash took lead, smiling politely, gingerly taking some bits from a place in his armor and sliding it across the counter.
"We'll just have two hayfry burger deluxe meals, with fizzy drinks."
"Ah, r-right....let's see." The young mare hastily tapped her little cashier box with a wooden pin, enveloped in her magical aura, sweat visibly dripping from her forehead. Embarrassingly, the small machine beeped loudly, making the employee squeak.
"Oh, fudge nuggets.” The maroon mare panicked, breathing unevenly. “I-I'm really sorry. This is kinda my...first time."
“Wouldn’t doubt it.” Flash whispered under his breath. Due to the chaos of the restaurant, no one could have heard his snide remark. Twilight again smiled and spoke softly to the cashier.
"Don't worry, you're alright. Take your time." Flash inwardly sighed and his eyes gazed at the cashier critically, which Twilight took notice of. The alicorn patted his hoof to reassure him, and he couldn't help but relax for her, acting more patient, only to please his princess.
"Right. And, with the fizzy drinks, um, which one's do you have in mind?" Twilight looked over at the large wooden sign, where the meals and drinks were displayed, eyeing them carefully.
"I think I'd like to try the orange, berry pop, please. Flash?"
"Oh uh, I'll have the cherry whip one."
The mare nodded and tapped the little buttons poking out of the metal box, to which the machine responded with a low beep, yet again.
"Fiddlesticks....” The mare mumbled, stressing more and more by the second. “I don't know why this thing is acting up, I'm t-terribly sorry. Let me just...uh, hehe, type that in again...." Flash's head fell, an annoyed sigh escaping him.
"R-right....and that will be fifteen bits."
"Fifteen??" Flash perked his head at that, shocked.
"Y-yes sir?" The young mare's sweat seemed to increase ten-fold, her smile failing to stay on her face, looking as though she was ready to run and hide.
"I-geez. Raising the prices, huh?” Flash angrily muttered.
“I-I don’t know mister solider, dude, sir. I’m j-just the cashier.”
“I don't even know if I have that much on me." He whispered to himself, acting as though he were handing over his kidney. The alicorn could tell this conversation was going nowhere and so took matters into her own hooves.
"Here you are." She stated casually, making bits appear out of mid air onto the counter, unnerving the cashier more than she already had been. The two grabbed their orders after having paid and made their way outside for one of the tables.
Twilight levitated a napkin to her muzzle and lightly dabbed her lips, clearing away any mess. Flash held a burp in his hoof and then pressed his chest in reaction, his wings flaring.
"That was good grub....though expensive." Flash stated, still slightly annoyed. He watched Twilight silently pile her trash and wrap leftovers in a clean napkin. She seemed upset, that the stallion had noted. Throughout the entire lunch, she was very quiet and hadn't spoken hardly at all. The pegasus coughed awkwardly in his hoof and leaned against the table, an apologetic smile forming on his face.
"So tell me, what exactly made you want to study magic?" Twilight eyed him for a moment, debating speaking at all. The alicorn wasn't happy with his attitude earlier, but her eyes softened. She submitted to the ideal that it would be better to try and have a good time instead of creating stress, which she could use less of.
"Well, I had went to a Sun Festival." Twilight answered, then continued to clarify. "I was living in Canterlot, and I hadn't started school yet. My parents said I could go to the Sun Festival with Shining Armor that year instead of staying with Grammy- er - my Grandmother. They figured I was old enough to go. I could be with a large crowd of ponies and be involved in the festivities. So, I went, excited as any other filly would be to see Princess Celestia." The alicorn paused, nostalgia seeping through her voice as she spoke her next words. "Watching that powerful, majestic performance set me on a determination route to success. I learned how to levitate before I could pronounce floccinaucinihilipilification." Twilight smiled sarcastically, taking a sip of her fizzy drink. She watched from the corner of her eyes as Flash chuckled.
"Yeah, because all little unicorn fillies know how to say a word like flocksenoseapilipication before learning basic magic." Twilight almost spit her drink at Flash's attempt to pronounce such a large word.
"You should hear yourself try to pronounce it." The alicorn playfully stuck her tongue out at the stallion, to which he let his head fall in mock defeat. "Now you tell me...." Twilight started. "What prompted Flash Sentry, strong, average intelligent stallion-"
"Hey!" The said pony dramatized a blade piercing his chest and produced a low deathly sigh, making Twilight giggle fondly.
"Hehe, to become a solider at my Brother's command?" She finished. Flash stopped laughing, and his face fell slightly at the inquiry. He fiddled with his now empty glass of drink, thinking.
"I, uh, was a delinquent....and your brother saved my life when I was younger." The air got thick, seriousness blowing away the humorous atmosphere that once had inhabited the conversation. Twilight waited for more detail on it, but Flash only stared at his empty cup, his eyes blank and lost.
"Wow, I never knew....what happened?" The alicorn pressed, wanting more context. She wanted to see more of Flash's seriousness; to observe his attitude and listen to his story.
"Well, I was just a foal. A jock, but also a delinquent of sorts. I didn't get in trouble, because adults thought I was too honest and casual. Really, I was just a kid that wanted to mess around and do stupid stuff, heh. I took a dare to go into the Everfree on the outskirts of Canterlot, the city where I lived with my Uncle. It didn't take long before I was running for my life from some beast." Twilight scooted to the edge of her seat as she looked on at the stallion with anticipating eyes. Excitement, dread, and curiosity written on her face. "I start coming closer to the edge of the forest, still....running." Flash scoots to the edge of his chair as well, coming closer to the mare across the table. "All of a sudden, this nerd like yearling comes from the edge and shoots a beam." At this point, both were near inches away from one another's face, tension growing as Flash continued with his story. "This guy started fighting with this monster, protecting me, and that's when the monster comes at me." Twilight gasps silently. "But, you're brother jumped over me and made this shield to protect me and him from the attack....ever since then, I've felt in debt your brother but also, I was inspired to protect others....like you." Flash came one more inch closer to Twilight's face before the alicorn came to her senses and backed away slowly.
"Wow, that's-that's amazing. What an incredible story." The lavender mare fiddled with her hooves, looking on at them with a blushed face. Shyly, she ignored Flash for a moment before looking up at the sun. "And, uh, you lived in Canterlot?"
"Yeah." The stallion tried shrugging off the tension and frowned a bit. "I trained there and worked for a little while before transferring to the Crystal Empire."
"What was that like?" Flash's mind went blank at that, and he could only chuckle awkwardly.
"Uh, ahem, heh. It was....interesting. I uh, learned a lot of....techniques." Twilight's ear flickered whilst he replied, and she curiously wondered the meaning behind that stretched word.
The sun had made it's way in a decent place in the sky and Twilight knew it was time to adopt her duties again and stash away this memory for safe keeping.
"Well....this has been a very riveting time, but unfortunately, I think we have to get back." The mare smiled tiredly and watched as the stallion smiled back and began to get up from the table.
"Princesses first." The stallion remarked; and so they went, back toward the castle.
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Oh, this was great. I love this 'date' between the two.
Great to see this story continued. Certainly a increase in tension for team Twilight and Sentry. Wonder what Sombra will talk about with his supposed 'reformer'.
Seeing an update from this was great!
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Glad you enjoyed it! 😄
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Definitely something to look forward to!
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ikr.
I take an eternity to upload but y'all love these updates pffft
I love this ffic so much
