How to Disappear Completely

by shortskirtsandexplosions

Butterflies

"So..." Flash Sentry tongued the inside of his muzzle. "...you know the stewards of the Crystal Empire personally, huh?"

The lieutenant's features darkened in the absence of starlight. The security procession had passed under the four-legged foundation of the Empire's massive Crystal Palace. Their pace had slowed, but the group was nevertheless heading towards an open stairwell at one of the four corners of the regal structure. Another group of guards stood there at the ready, adding extra security to the city's landmark in lieu of so many visitors.

"I am honored to serve the Prince and Princess in this time of great transition," the lieutenant eventually answered. "Prior to this post, I served with the Captain of the Guard in Canterlot."

"And he transferred you here with him, huh?"

The helmeted stallion nodded. "That is correct."

Flash squinted in mid-trot. "What was his name again? Shindig? Shinzon? Shinobi—?"

The lieutenant's features tightened slightly. "The name of my superior is Captain Shining Armor."

"Hah! Of course..." Flash smirked. "I guess 'Prince Charming' was taken."

The guard glanced aside, eyes narrowing. "Is that meant to be a joke?"

Flash paled ever so slightly. His ears folded back. "I... I'm sorry." He cleared his throat. "I meant no offense..."

The lieutenant took a deep breath. "I am not offended." He looked forward as they slowly walked. "I too used to be prone to cracking jokes... making mischief..."

"Oh yeah?"

"As a matter of fact..." The guard's eyes grazed the crystal floor beneath them as they passed a glittering pedestal. "I was forced to work two weeks of double-duty for making a wisecrack at the Princess of Friendship long ago... during my first month of being stationed here."

"Really?" Flash blinked at a levitating, glowing "heart" made out of polished stone that hovered above the pedestal as they passed. "What the Hell did you do?"

"I... bumped into her Royal Highness twice..." The lieutenant fidgeted in mid-step. "Completely by accident, I assure you. But... I-I made light of it on the second occasion. Another guard overheard me. I was reported to my superior officer, and Captain Shining Armor was quick to give me a stern lecture."

"That... sounds kinda harsh to me."

"The Captain is perfectly within his right," the guard said. "Considering the Princess of Friendship is his younger sister, his concern is more than warranted."

"Yeah—wait." Flash's eyes narrowed on the guard. "Princess Twilight Sparkle is Shining Armor's sister?!"

"Affirmative." The lieutenant glanced over. "Were you not aware of this?"

Flash Sentry's eyes momentarily lost themselves in the twinkle and glamour of that city. His mind wandered back to the Friendship Games... and the days at Canterlot High School immediately following such a calamitous event. He remembered seeing a certain bashful teenage girl with glasses—or more appropriately he remembered trying to avoid eye contact with a certain bashful teenage girl with glasses. She was new to the school, and the Dean from Crystal Prep was there by her side for the first few days. There was someone else present too... a tall young man with pale skin and dashing electric blue hair...

"Whoah..." Flash's eyes crossed. "'Crystal Preparatory Academy!'" He gawked at the belly of the Crystal Palace looming overhead. "I just now get it!" A goofy wheeze. "Yeesh... does it not get any weirder?"

The lieutenant blinked at him. "I beg your pardon?"

"Erm... forget it." Flash caught up with his escort. "Sorry you had to lose your silly side, bro."

The guard shrugged in his armor. "I am far better for it."

"I feel you." Flash clenched his jaws. He fought the urge to ask, but the question came out anyways: "Did... did the Princess of Friendship ever... I dunno... talk to you at all following that one week you two met?"

"No. She did not." The guard glanced back at him. "Why do you ask?"

Flash sighed... he sighed long and hard. "Just curious. That's all."

"... ... ..." The guard looked ahead. They were approaching the entrance to the Palace, but his features slouched slightly... as if he was suddenly regretting it. When he next spoke, it was in a noticeably breathy tone. "Would it be... alright if I was to ask you a question?"

Flash Sentry perked up. He looked at him. "Sure! Sure thing!" He nodded. "Ask away, dude."

"... ... ..."

Flash raised an eyebrow. "It's that embarrassing, huh?"

"Not... quite." Finally, with a courageous breath, the guard asked: "How are your parents?"

"Huh?"

"Mother and father," the lieutenant spoke firmly. "How are they doing these days?"

Flash felt a pit form in his stomach. The seconds ticked away, and he knew that he was delaying his answer. He brought a hoof up and ruffled his own blue mane, shrugging between each step. "Oh... they're uhm..." He coughed. "They're d-doing very well at their jobs! Y'know! Just... hammering away. Earning the dollars... or bits, in your case. I... uh..." He perked up. "Oh! Dad's finished bingeing Game of Thrones! He's been... he's been falling behind on that, I guess. I mean... I think he has..." Flash was grimacing at this point. He sought a way to salvage the awkward conversation. "I mean... if you wanna know the truth, dude... I-I really don't hang out with them that much. But... they're keeping true to their careers and they appear to be... uhm... relaxed most of the time. So... so there's that, I guess."

It wasn't until then that Flash noticed a slight tremble rolling through the guard's body. "So... they are alive, then?" he asked in a sober tone.

"What? Why, of course! Why wouldn't th—?" Flash's pupils shrank. His blood ran cold as he looked at the lieutenant... who had stopped in his tracks entirely. His mouth dried as he fumbled for the delicate words: "What... what happened to them?" He gulped. "Mom and Dad. Are they...?"

The lieutenant regained his strength, standing tall and resolute as he matter-of-factly stated: "Perished at the jaws of timberwolves when we... when I was only eight years old. That..." A sideways sigh. "...that would explain some things."

Flash wanted to respond to that, but he was encumbered by a knot in his throat.

"Well, here we are." The lieutenant signaled one of the guards at the door. The entrance was opened, and he marched up, signaling for Flash to follow. "Come," he spoke calmly, emotionlessly. "I shall take you to where the Princesses are holding their conference."

Numb, silent, Flash trotted after him on heavy hooves.

Comments

[bloons3]

Hoof, insert into mouth.

[Nopetrain]

Whoa

[IceKitsune]

Oh dear didn't expect that reveal.

[The Great Derpsby]

Watching is all that's left to both Flashes.
derpicdn.net/img/view/2018/3/16/1682042__safe_screencap_flash+sentry_princess+celestia_princess+luna_sunset+shimmer_twilight+sparkle_equestria+girls_forgotten+friendship_most+likely+t.gif

[RoboRed]

...Ouch.

[RadicalDishonesty]

So, wait. Lieutenant Flash made a not-even-crack at Twilight. Then was punished. And now he is relegated to humorlessness?

I can't decide whether this is overpunishment for it, or if the Flash in the Equestrian universe really is the same person and basically took getting reprimanded intensely seriously.

[Daring Starburst]

RIP Flash's sense of humor, I guess.

[MythrilMoth]

The grass is always greener, huh? Man...

[Galaxy of Equestria]

Oh f--- that terrible and the last 2 chapters were so happy why did you have to going do that?

[Booster Spice]

Theres more ways to suicide than just killing yourself.

[PinkiePieFox]

[djthomp]

"Yeah— wait ." Flash's eyes narrowed on the guard. "Princess Twilight Sparkle is Shining Armor's sister?! "

Hah!

It wasn't until then that Flash noticed a slight tremble rolling through the guard's body. "So... they are alive, then?" he asked in a sober tone.

Oh shit.

[FanOfMostEverything]

Awkwardness for everyFlash. I hope each takes the opportunity to learn from the other.