The Sparkle's Flash

by Water Sky

Chapter 1: A Crush at First Sight

It was nighttime at the Crystal Empire. Twilight Sparkle and her sister-in-law, Cadance, are walking through the halls of the Crystal Castle, discussing Flurry Heart’s upcoming birthday.

“I can’t believe Flurry is almost two years old," Twilight said, smiling at Cadence. "She keeps growing every time I see her.”

Cadance chuckled. “I know Twilight," she said. "And I’m so glad you and your friends came to help us set up the party.”

“Well, of course, Cadance," Twilight said. "After all, I am the best aunt ever," With a flash of magic, she retrieved the list she had made for Flurry Heart's party. “We’re going to start the party with some fun games, and then we'll have cake after singing "Happy Birthday" to Flurry before she blows out her candles. After that, we'll let Flurry open her presents. Ohhh, I can’t wait to show you the cake Pinkie is maki-.”

Suddenly, Twilight bumped into somepony and fell to the floor. When she looked up to see who she bumped into, she blushed. The pony was Flash Sentry, the same pony Twilight bumped into a few years ago. “We've got to stop bumping into each other like this,” Flash said as he helped Twilight back on her hooves.

"Y-Yeah, um... Thanks." Twilight said nervously.

"You're very welcome, your highness," Flash said before walking down the hallway from which Twilight and Cadance had come. As he passed by the princesses, Twilight couldn't help but blush as she stared at Flash from behind, unaware that Cadance had noticed her reaction.

“So, has he asked you out yet?” Cadance asked Twilight mischievously.

Twilight widened her eyes and asked Cadance, “Who are you talking about?”

“Flash Sentry, of course," Cadance said. "I've noticed you have a crush on him ever since you got your crown back from Sunset Shimmer in the other world.”

“What?!" Twilight shouted, feeling a mix of panic and denial. "I don't have a crush on Flash!"

"Are you sure about that?" Cadance asked, smirking.

"Yes, I'm sure," Twilight said. "And even if I did, it wouldn't work out."

"What do you mean?" Cadance asked, genuinely curious.

Twilight took a moment to explain, "Cadance, I’m the Princess of Friendship and the headmare of the School of Friendship; I don’t have time to be in a romantic relationship.” Despite Twilight's attempts to rationalize her emotions for Flash, Cadance, the Princess of Love, knows when somepony is in love.

Twilight started to yawn and covered her mouth with her hoof. “Look, It's getting late, and I'm getting tired. I’ll see you in the morning to start setting up the party."

“All right then. Good night, Twilight,” Cadance said.

Good night!” Twilight replied before heading to her guest room for the night. As she left, Cadance smiled to herself and thought, “No time to be in a romantic relationship, huh? We’ll see about that.”

---

It's Flurry Heart’s second birthday, and the party is taking place in the throne room. Twilight, her friends, Spike, Shining Armor, Cadance, Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, her parents, and a few castle guards, including Flash, have gathered to celebrate. Twilight and her friends, excluding Rainbow Dash, who is drinking a cider from the food table and Spike, who is talking to some of the royal guards and staff about his heroic deeds of saving the empire from King Sombra, are seated at one of the tables talking with her parents.

Shining Armor and Cadence approached the group, with Flurry happily munching on a piece of cake while riding on Shining’s back. “Wow, Twylie, you and your friends outdid yourselves. Flurry is enjoying her birthday,” Shinning Armor said, impressed by the party preparations his sister and her friends did.

Twilight chuckles, “You know me, big brother. I am the best aunt ever!" She turns to Flurry and asks, "Isn't that right, Flurry?" Flurry Heart responded by finishing her cake and letting out a little burp, causing everypony to laugh.

Twilight Velvet turns to Twilight, “You know, Twilight, you should consider having kids of your own someday."

"Mom!" Twilight said, blushing with embarrassment.

“Oh, come on, dear," Velvet said, "After seeing how well Cadence takes such good care of Flurry, I think you would make a wonderful mother.”

“Your mother is right, sweetie.” Night Light said. “But first, you should get yourself a coltfriend to marry.”

“Dad, not you, too!” Twilight exclaims, using her wing to cover her face in embarrassment.

Shining Armor levitated Flurry from his back onto Cadence’s lap and walked over to Twilight, “No advance, Dad, but Twylie hasn’t shown interest in anypony for as long as I can remember. The only thing she ever loved is her books." He then wraps his hoof around the back of Twilight's head. "And besides, no pony will date my sister on my watch.”

“Cut it out, Shining," Twilight laughs, trying to free herself from her brother's grasp. "I appreciate you looking out for me, but I’m not a filly anymore.”

Cadence then turned to Twilight's friends and redirected the conversation. “Speaking of which, what about you girls?"

"I believe Fancy Pants and I will become a couple soon." Rarity said. "After all, we truly enjoyed each other’s company."

“Cheese and I are having a great time together." Pinkie said, "We’re even planning on starting a party-planning business together,” she then took a bit of her cake.

“Um, I don’t think I'd like to tell anypony,” Fluttershy said nervously.

Pinkie turned to Fluttershy, “Oh, come on, Fluttershy. What about Discord? I mean, the two of you are practically dating.”

“Pinkie!” Fluttershy shouted as she blushed, causing everypony around the table to laugh except for Fluttershy and Applejack.

“What about your other Pegasus friend, Rainbow Dash?" Night Light asked Twilight.

“She’s not dating anypony; she's been too busy with the Wonderbolts," Twilight said. "Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever seen her on a date.”

Cadance turned to Starlight and asked, “What about you, Starlight?”

Feeling nervous, Starlight places her right hoof on the back of her head. “To be honest, I do have feelings for Sunburst. But... I don’t know how to tell him how I feel.”

“Don’t worry, Starlight," Candance said, comforting Starlight. "I have a feeling things will work out between you two. Trust me; it always works out."

“Thanks, Princess,” Starlight said, appreciating Cadance's support.

Rarity then turned to Applejack and asked, “What about you, Applejack?”

Applejack didn’t respond. She seems lost in her thoughts, facing away from her friends.

“Applejack!” Rarity repeated, louder this time, snapping Applejack out of her trance.

"Huh, what?" Applejack said, clearly confused.

“We were asking if you are seeing anypony?” Rarity said.

“Oh...sorry," Applejack said. "No, I'm not seeing anypony, not yet.” She takes a sip of the cider in front of her. As everypony continues to talk, Rarity notices that Applejack has been staring directly at Rainbow Dash, who is talking to one of the royal guards. It takes Rarity a moment to realize what kind of pony Applejack is interested in.

---

A few hours later, everypony begins cleaning up after the party. Flash is stationed at the entrances to the throne room alongside another royal guard.

"Hey, Flash, is it true that Princess Twilight accidentally bumped into you again?" The guard asked Flash.

"Yeah, she did," Flash said. "I think it's the third time it happened. Why do you ask?"

The guard turned to Flash and said, "By any chance... did you happen to... ask her out?"

Flash's face immediately flushed with embarrassment, "W-What?! No! Why would I say something like that to a princess?"

"Well, me and some of the other guards think you might have a chance with her."

"Seriously? Flash asks curiously.

"Yeah," The guard insisted. "Come on, man, what the problem?"

Flash took a deep breath before telling the guard, "Look, I do think that Princess Twilight is cute, and I think it is cool that she saved Equestria many times. But she lives in Ponyville, and I'm station her. Besides, I don't think she would be interested in anypony, not even me."

As Flash and the other guard continued their conversation, Cadence overheard them. She then looks at Twilight, who is playing with Flurry. After a brief moment, Cadance comes up with an idea. She walks over to Princess Celestia, who is talking with her sister Princess Luna.

“Hey, Aunt Celestia. Can I talk to you in private?” Cadence asked.

“Sure, Cadence. Just give me a moment, Luna.” Celestia said.

"Of course, sister," Luna said.

Celestia and Cadence then walked into a corner of the throne room.

“What do you want to talk about, Cadence?” Celestia asked Candace.

Cadence whispered into Celestia's ear and explained everything to her. Within a few seconds, Celestia gets the idea.

Celestia chuckled before smiling at Cadance, "Okay, I'll initiate the transfer in a few days,"

"Thanks, Auntie," Cadance said. "Oh, and if you ever let Twilight know, please don't mention me. I want it to be a surprise.

"Of course, Cadance," Celestia said. With the plan in motion, they headed back to the other ponies.

---

A few days later.

Rarity is in the Ponyville market, shopping for some much-needed supplies. Suddenly, she spotted Rainbow Dash leaving the market with Spitfire, captain of the Wonderbolts. "Is that Rainbow Dash? What is she doing with Spitfire?" Rarity thought.

Curious about this, Rarity decided to follow them. The two Pegasus stopped in an ally in Ponyville. Rarity decided to eavesdrop on them, so she hid behind a barrel so no one could see her.

"So, Spitfire, what do you want to talk about?" Rainbow Dash asked Spitfire.

"Well, Dash, I need to talk to you about some things," Spitfire said. "First thing first, I decided to promote you to second-in-command of the Wonderbolts."

"Seriously?" Rainbow Dash said with excitement. She flew up in the air, full of excitement. "This is awesome!" After landing on the ground, she asked, "But why take me to this ally just to tell me I'm become second in command?"

"That's the other thing you want to talk about?" Spitfire then took a moment before telling Rainbow Dash, "Well, I've been noticing that you are trying to impress some certain fans of yours," Spitfire was talking about some of the mares in the audience.

"And what's wrong with that?" Rainbow asked nervously.

"It's nothing." Spitfire said, "I was just wondering."

"Wondering about what?"

"That if you're a filly fo-"

Suddenly, Rainbow Dash swiftly covers Spitfire's mouth with her hoof before she can finish her sentence. "SHHH, be quiet." she urged in a hushed tone. "Do you want everypony to overhear us?" She then looked around to see if anyone was nearby, unaware that Rarity was hiding behind the barrel around the corner.

"Sorry about that." Rainbow sign before saying to Spitfire, "It's true, I liked mares."

Rarity couldn't help but widen her eyes, knowing that one of her best friends was also a filly fooler (a pony attracted to the same gender).

She removed her hoof from Spitfire's mouth and asked, "Please don't tell the others Wonderbolts, especially any of my friends; I haven't told them yet."

"It's okay, Dash. I had no idea you were keeping it a secret," Spitfire said sympathetically.

"It's okay." Rainbow Dash said. "I'll see you at practice tomorrow."

"All right, see you later, Dash," Spitfire said before flying away from leaving the ally.

Just as Rainbow Dash thought she was alone, Rarity emerged from her hiding spot and approached her cautiously. “Is everything all right, darling?” Rarity asks.

Rainbow startled a little and turned towards Rarity, “Oh, hey, Rarity, Yeah, everything is fine,” she said, trying to remain calm.

Rarity gently places her hoof on Rainbow’s wing and says, “Rainbow, you don't have to lie to me. I saw everything.”

Rainbow stutters as she widened her eyes, “You what?” she then asked Rarity, “Then you heard that I’m-”

“Rainbow, would you like to talk about it?” Rarity asked.

“No, thanks, Rarity. I don’t feel like telling you anything.” Rainbow Dash responds. She then flapped her wing, preparing to take off.

Before Rainbow Dash could fly away, Rarity said, " Look, Rainbow, I won't tell anypony. You take your time when you ready."

"Thanks, Rarity," Rainbow said. "See ya." She then flew off.

Rarity then waved her hoof as Rainbow soared away; before she made a smile on her face knowing this was good to be news to Applejack, even though she just said she wouldn't tell anypony.

---

Meanwhile, in the Crystal Empire.

Flash Sentry was patrolling the halls of the Crystal Empire alone when a loud noise was heard behind him. “Flash Sentry!” Shining Armor said, echoing. Flash quickly turned around and saluted as Shining Armor and Cadence approached him.

“Captain Armor, Princess Cadence, is something wrong?” Flash asked.

“No, nothing is wrong." Shining Armor said. "But Cadence has something to say to you.” He stepped aside, allowing Cadence to address Flash directly.

“Flash Sentry, Princess Celestia and I have decided to select a royal guard to serve as Princess Twilight’s personal guard." Cadance said before moving closer to Flash, "And after careful consideration, the guard we have selected... is you."

“M-Me?” Flash said, stuttered and surprised. "You're picking me to be Princess Twilight's personal guard?"

“Yes. I don't know why, but Cadence thinks you’re a good candidate for this position.” Shining Armor explained. He then approaches Flash and places his hoof on Flash’s chest. “However, there are a few things I want to make clear with you. So, pay attention.”

Shining Armor proceeds to explain the rules to Flash. “1.) Whenever Twilight leaves her castle, you must always be with her at all times. 2.) You are responsible for protecting my sister at all costs if something terrible happens anywhere in Equestria. 3.) No touching, staring, or kissing my sister. If you break any of these rules, so help me, Sentry, I will knock your-”

Cadence quickly intervened by placing her hoof in front of Shining Armor’s mouth to prevent him from finishing his sentence. “What Captain Armor means to say is that your main focus will be on protecting Twilight while you are at her castle in Ponyville.”

Flash was startled by Shining Armor's stern warning. He cleared his throat, remained calm, and asked, “When do I leave?”

Shining Armor removed Cadence’s hoof and promptly responded, "You will depart in a few days. I suggest you take this time to get ready. Dismissed!” Shining Armor turns away and begins to walk away.

Cadence took a moment to speak with Flash privately. She whispered into his ear, “Don’t worry about him, Flash. He’s just being overprotective of his sister.” She then walks away to catch up to her husband.

Flash felt slightly apprehensive about Shining Armor's words. He nervously gulped before heading to his room and prepared to pack for his upcoming assignment.

---

A couple of days later...

Twilight was in her office at the School of Friendship, grading her students’ papers, with Spike sitting beside her, looking over a scroll containing a list of tasks Twilight needed to complete.

“And, done. That’s the last one,” Twilight said, levitating the final graded paper onto the stack.

Feeling exhausted, Twilight sighed and wiped her forehead with her hoof, “Phew. Who knew grading hundreds of tests could be so tiring? I have no idea how Celestia manages this?” She turns to Spike and asks, “So, what else do I have to do today, Spike?”

Spike checks his list for Twilight, “Let’s see, the last thing you have to do is...” Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

“Were you expecting any creature?” Spike asked.

“No, I wasn't,” Twilight said before calling out, “Come in!”

The doors opened, and an orange mare unicorn with a red and yellow mane and a sun cutie mark with yellow on the left and red on the other half entered Twilight’s office.

“Hey, Twilight,” Sunset said.

“Sunset!" Twilight exclaimed. She left her chair and walked over to Sunset Shimmer, warmly hugging her. "What brings you here?”

“Well, I was getting bored in my room, doing nothing. So, I thought I would come by and see if you needed my help,” Sunset explained. She looked around Twilight's office and complimented, “Wow, your office is much bigger than Principal Celestia’s.”

Twilight chuckles, "I know."

“Speaking of which," Twilight asked Sunset, "Do you miss your friends at Canterlot High?” A couple of months ago, Sunset Shimmer had graduated from Canterlot High and decided to return to Equestria to help Twilight as her royal advisor.

Sunset sighs, “Yeah. I do miss them. But I know they're happy with me returning to Equestria.”

“Yeah, and not only did Twilight make you her royal advisor, but you also get to live in the castle with her, me, and Starlight,” Spike said. He sighs, realizing he is the only male among the four creatures living in the castle. “We got to get a stallion to live with us.”

Twilight and Sunset chuckled in response. Sunset then said, “Thanks, Spike. By the way, how are things with you and Rarity going?”

“Well, actually, I'm planning on asking her...” Suddenly, Spike was interrupted as he burped out a scrolled letter.

Twilight levitated the letter to her and opened it to see the sender. “It’s from Celestia,” Twilight said, revealing the sender.

“What does it say?” Sunset asked curiously.

“Not sure, let’s see.” Twilight then began to read the letter.

Dear Princess Twilight,

I hope you and your friends are doing well. I'm writing this letter to you to let you know I have decided to assign you a royal guard. Considering everything that has happened to you since becoming a princess, I believe it's the best way to ensure your safety; The guard will arrive in Ponyville tomorrow morning.

Sincerely,
Princess Celestia.

“Celestia is sending me a royal guard?” Twilight said curiously.

"Wow, Twilight, you’re getting a royal guard!” Spike exclaimed, "That's amazing!"

"Huh, I thought you didn't need a royal guard?" Sunset said.

“I never needed one, but if Celestia suggested it, then I suppose it's okay,” Twilight said. Looking at the letter again, she thought, “I wondered which royal guard Celestia is sending over?”

---

The next day, Twilight and Sunset were at the Ponyville train station, waiting for the train to drop off the guard that was assigned to Twilight.

“So, any idea who this pony might be?” Sunset asked.

“I'm not sure." Twilight said, "But I hoped this guard knows all the basics and takes his job seriously, just like my brother did.”

“Oh, there it is,” Sunset pointed at the approaching train. As soon as Twilight saw the train, she recognized it as the Crystal Express, realizing the guard must be from the Crystal Empire.

The Crystal Express stopped at the station, the passenger car doors opened, and a pony stepped out. It was Flash, without his armor, carrying a duffle bag on his back. As soon as Twilight and Sunset saw him, they slightly opened their mouths and blushed. Twilight blushed even more than Sunset.

“Flash Sentry, reporting for duty, Princess,” Flash said, saluting to Twilight.

Twilight didn’t move a muscle and didn’t know what to do or say. She worried she might do something stupid or embarrassing, or both. Sunset decided to talk to Flash first after clearing her throat.

“H-Hi, I’m Sunset Shimmer, Twilight’s royal advisor," Sunset said, greeting Flash. "On behalf of her and me, we welcome you to Ponyville.”

“Thank you, Sunset. It's an honor being here," Flash said. "Is there a place where I'll be staying?”

Sunset answered, “That’s easy; you'll be staying at the Castle of Friendship with us, Starlight Glimmer and Spike. It’s right this way,” she pointed toward the Castle of Friendship.

“Thank you,” Flash said.

The three of them began their walk toward the castle, with Twilight and Sunset walking beside Flash. Along the way, Sunset noticed that Twilight was still blushing. Sunset couldn't help but smile, realizing that Twilight had a crush on Flash, just as she had on his human counterpart.

Meanwhile, a Phoenix with dark fur and red eyes sat on a tree branch near the Castle of Friendship, observing as the three ponies entered the castle. After a moment, the phoenix spread its wings and flew away from the castle, heading out of Ponyville.

Comments

[DarthSylar12]

Good start. Excited to see how this fic develops going forward.

[MelonJar]

No way, this is probably the best Fanfic on Flashlight I’ve seen since 2013, keep updating!