Bottled Up
Flash Sentry sat on the raised chair at the edge of the pool. Summer had begun and the townspeople had already figured out where they wanted to be under the boiling sun. He wasn’t complaining. He liked watching people enjoy themselves and it made him feel good being responsible for them. But there was one person he would’ve liked to see more than the rest.
Forget her Flash, some part of his mind scolded him. She’s already got someone in her life.
Flash sighed. The strange-unknown-voice-inside-his-head was right. The girl he had fallen for was with another guy now and they were close friends, closer than he’d ever been to her.
He shook his head and returned his attention to the swimmers. It was particularly hot that day, even for the summer, and more people than usual had shown up. The head lifeguard had issued that more lifeguards be on duty to ensure zero accidents. On the other side of the pool, Flash could see his mates Epidote Lance and Javelina watching the crowd, keeping an eye out for any sign of trouble. First Aid administer Cadenza sat by the fence, hoping silently that her services wouldn’t be needed.
Doesn’t look like anything exciting’s gonna be happening today, Flash thought dryly. The kids were being carefully watched by either their parents or older siblings and everyone was well-protected from the sun’s rays. Nothing was too eye-catching for the young man on lifeguard duty, even if he was getting paid for it. But then they came in.
“Hurry up, guys! Do you even want to swim today?”
“We’re comin’, we’re comin’!”
“I say, Rainbow Dash, you really shouldn’t be so hasty.”
“She’s not being hasty, Rarity. She just wants to cool off.”
“Maybe this will help.” SPLOOSH!
“Um, hey Rainbow… Would you like to, maybe, give me your towel before you get in?”
Flash turned his head just as six girls entered the pool area. He recognized them immediately as the Rainbooms, the winning band in the school’s musical showcase. Seeing the Rainbooms allowed thoughts of her to wander back into his mind, making his heart flutter as he craned his neck in an attempt to find her, but he couldn’t see her among the crowd.
The girls quickly found a couple of seats, carefully claiming them with their stuff. The Rainbooms' lead guitarist, Rainbow Dash, didn’t waste another second and dived into the pool, splashing anyone who was dumb enough to stand nearby.
Rarity, the glamorous keytar player, who was wearing a green one-piece, frowned and yelled, “Rainbow Dash, you really are something else!”
“Something awesome, you mean!” she called back, sinking into the pool and swimming straight to the deep end before resurfacing.
“Ah say it’s too hot to be sitting in the shade arguin’,” said the country girl, Applejack. She stretched her arms and jumped into the water.
“WHEEEEEEEE!” Pinkie Pie squealed, throwing aside her empty bucket and leaping into the air. She flew halfway across the pool before cannonballing in, but she stopped suddenly and sank silently into the water with barely a ripple.
Flash shook his head. He remembered Pinkie. That crazy, eccentric party girl who had drummed the Rainbooms to victory with her mad beats. Rarity threw back her mane of purple hair and leaned back on her chair. “Those three truly are the limit,” she murmured. “Don’t you think so, Fluttershy?”
The timid, pink-haired, animal-loving girl had her towel draped over her shoulders. “Um, I really don’t mind it. They’re just having fun.”
Rarity raised her eyebrows, but didn’t say a word. “As long as they’re through disturbing me, I’ll be able to get-“
“HEY, RARITY!”
Rarity yelped as three young girls ran past, throwing their bags on top of her. They managed to put ten feet between Rarity, Fluttershy, Sunset and themselves before they were stopped by Epidote Lance. The tall, stocky teen crossed his arms and looked down sternly at the girls. “Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten one of the most basic pool rules?” he said kindly.
Sweetie Belle sighed. “Yeah yeah, we know.”
“Don’t run near the pool,” Scootaloo recited.
“Danger o’ slippin,” Apple Bloom finished.
Epidote smiled. “Well done. And now.” He gathered the three girls in his arms and threw them into the pool. “IN YOU GO!”
Scootaloo, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle slammed into the water with squeals of joy. Flash grinned and shook his head. Ever since their first visit, the Crusaders had built a strong bond with Epidote. Although he was big and burly and looked fierce, Epidote Lance had a kind heart second only to Fluttershy.
“And Epidote does it again,” Sunset Shimmer said. The Rainbooms’ vocalist, Sunset had caused a fair bit of mayhem at CHS, but thanks to the other band members she’d changed from a fiery bully to a helpful friend.
“As long as he doesn’t get too wild with them,” Rarity muttered disinterestedly. “He is a lifeguard. It would ruin his image.”
“Speaking of image, the picture’s missing something.”
Rarity looked confused. “Whatever do you mean, Sunset?”
“She’s right,” Fluttershy realized. “We’re missing two people.”
Sunset turned to look at the entrance. “No wait. There she is now.”
Flash also turned to see and he almost fell off of his chair. Entering the pool area, walking in with several other people, was Twilight Sparkle. Her purple two-piece swimsuit went perfectly with her pale orchid skin. Her dark blue hair ran down her back, the two streaks in it shining in the sunlight. A light blue shoulder bag hung from her arm. Flash couldn’t believe it. She was as beautiful as he remembered. Sure, they went to the same school, but seeing her wandering the school corridors with the other Rainbooms just wasn’t the same as now.
Why did she come in after the other girls? Flash wondered, but he didn’t dwell on this for long. Twilight Sparkle was close and he wanted to talk to her. Properly.
Flash clambered down from his lifeguard’s seat and walked around the pool. He nudged Epidote as he passed and whispered, “I’m taking my break now, Lance.”
Epidote spun around and saw Twilight. “I gotcha,” he replied. “Just watch yourself, Sentry. There’s something else going on here.”
“Don’t worry about it so much. I’m just gonna go talk to her.”
Epidote shrugged and started back to his post. “Whatever floats your boat.”
Flash breathed in. This was his moment. His chance to get back with Twilight. He’d never forgiven himself for insulting her during the showcase, but even though she'd forgiven him for that and promised that their friendship still existed, he'd never gotten over it. But now he was ready to recreate the bond they’d had before.
Twilight had gone over to talk to Rarity, Sunset and Fluttershy and was now setting up a beach chair a short way from her friends. She propped up the back of the seat and sat down, looking out at the pool and the people swimming in it. Flash cautiously approached her from behind. “Hey, Twilight,” he said quietly.
The orchid-skinned girl jumped in her seat. “Flash!” she cried out. “You startled me.”
“Sorry, sorry!” he apologized hurriedly. “I didn’t mean to.”
Twilight settled back in her chair. “That’s all right.”
Okay, not as smooth as you would’ve liked, Sentry, Flash thought to himself. Let’s see if you can’t fix things here and now. “So the sun finally got you out of the house?”
“Oh, it was really quite silly,” Twilight replied. “Pinkie Pie was showing us her cake-tin drum-kit and ended up getting an MMMM stuck in the AC.”
Flash grinned. Pinkie had once made several MMMMs for the Canterlot High School Spring Fling. They were huge, sticky, delicious cakes and even though every student had gotten a slice, there was still an entire MMMM left over. If an MMMM had landed inside an air conditioner, it wouldn’t stand a chance.
“Yeah,” Twilight went on, “so with the AC busted, we decided to ‘chill at the pool’, as Rainbow Dash put it.”
“So did everyone else,” Flash commented.
Twilight stood up. She walked over to the edge of the pool, the water lapping over her bare feet. Flash, being careful not to spark any arguments, quickly appeared at her side. “You know,” Twilight began, “it’s funny.”
“What?”
“This.” She waved a hand, gesturing at the pool in general. “The way everyone is here. Friends, schoolmates, acquaintances, all here to cool off in the sweltering heat.”
“I heard that Principal Celestia and Vice-Principal Luna went off to the beach to meet an old friend,” Flash remembered.
Twilight tapped her chin. “I wonder who that could be.”
Flash shrugged. “Probably an old colleague.”
“Yeah, maybe. Meeting with old friends is really great.”
You got that right, Twilight, was all Flash could think. Standing so close to Twilight was making his heart beat faster and faster. The sudden rush of blood was messing with Flash’s thoughts, momentarily making him forget where the two of them were standing.
Feeling lightheaded and dizzy, Flash stumbled and fell towards the pool. His hand instinctively shot up and grabbed Twilight’s wrist, pulling her down along with him. Water gushed out of the pool, splashing all those in the immediate vicinity and causing more than a few complaints.
Rainbow Dash turned her head at the sight. “What just happened?” she asked incredulously.
“Was that Flash Sentry who just fell in?” Sunset wondered.
“With Twilight?” Pinkie added.
Applejack swam over to help as Twilight and Flash resurfaced. They quickly made their way to the steps, where they were met by the other lifeguards and Cadenza. Javelina chuckled as she pulled Flash upright. “A little head-over-heels today, ain’tcha Sentry?”
“Back to the pool with you, Javelina,” Cadenza scolded as Epidote dragged Twilight out of the water. “Where does it hurt, Flash?”
Flash put a hand over his head. He wasn’t sure what had happened back there, but all of a sudden he was overcome by a loss of control, resulting in his and Twilight’s falling in. There was no real cause of it, it just…. happened.
“Nothing, Cadenza,” Flash told the administer, “but I am worried about Twilight.”
Twilight tried to sit up, but immediately lay back down with a spluttering groan. She tried to speak, but all that came out was a weak gurgle. She had swallowed a bucketful of water during her unexpected dip and Epidote was still trying to get the last drops out. Twilight coughed violently and rocked back and forth on the ground, clutching her throat.
Epidote looked up. “I can’t dislodge it!” he grunted, sounding panicked. “She’ll suffocate if we can’t get it out.”
“Let me try.”
Flash wasn't sure what made him say it, but he was convinced he would succeed. Then again, he was a lifeguard; he was trained for this sort of thing. Nervously, Epidote and Cadenza stepped back and gave him space.
Flash carefully lifted Twilight until she was sitting up, then proceeded to execute the Heimlich Maneuver. Twilight continued to struggle and gag, showing no sign of improvement. Flash was beginning to panic. If he didn’t do something soon, Twilight would suffocate.
It’s not working, it’s not working! What now? Flash’s hopeless thoughts chugged like a steam engine and his hands started to sweat. But then suddenly, like a lighthouse through a heavy ocean fog, a bright blue light shone into his mind and Flash felt himself fill with confidence.
You can do it, a soft voice echoed in his mind. Flash wasn’t sure where he’d heard it, but he knew then what he had to do.
Flash closed his eyes and squeezed Twilight’s limp form in hopes of triggering recuperation. He pushed one hand on Twilight's diaphragm and she shot up suddenly, globs of water and phlegm shooting out of her mouth.
“Kaaahhkkk!” Twilight spluttered. She put one hand on her throat and the other on Flash’s shoulder to stabilize herself. When Flash saw her conscious and felt her touch, his heart began to beat faster and faster. Gripping her hand, Flash helped Twilight to her feet just in time for the Rainbooms.
“Twilight!” her friends cried as they rushed towards the orchid-skinned girl and caught her in a six-way embrace. Flash, feeling a little invasive, took a step back as the Rainbooms continued to converse.
“You had us so worried!” Fluttershy cried out, still trembling all over.
“When Applejack told us you’d fallen in, we came over as fast as we could,” Rarity informed.
“Are you alright, Twi?” Sunset asked her concernedly.
“I’m fine, Sunset.” Twilight looked past Sunset and Pinkie Pie until her gaze fell upon Flash. He looked up and the two locked eyes. “Excuse me, girls.” Twilight stepped out of her friend circle and slowly walked towards the lifeguard.
“I’m s-so glad you’re okay,” Flash stammered, nervous of how close she was to him.
“You saved my life, Flash,” Twilight said quietly.
“Well…” Something else happened, he was about to say, but didn’t think Twilight would believe him. Flash didn’t want her thinking he was crazy in case it made her leave again.
“Come,” Twilight said, taking his hand. “Let’s go.”
Flash stumbled, but regained his balance and walked with her. “Go where?”
The answer came immediately. Twilight had led Flash to the deep end of the pool. Here, the water went down fifteen feet and several people were jumping in either from the side or the diving board. Twilight and Flash stood a little way from the edge so that they wouldn’t fall in again.
Flash looked around. Everyone had gotten over the brief panic he and Twilight had caused and were now back to enjoying the pool to its fullest. Had Twilight brought him here just to talk or maybe to show him how important his job was? Flash didn’t know but he stopped thinking when Twilight spoke.
“Thanks, Flash.”
“Eh, what?” Flash responded distractedly.
Twilight turned and faced the lifeguard. Her large purple eyes showed compassion and knowledge. “Thanks for saving me.”
“You kind of said that already,” Flash reminded her, scratching the back of his head.
“I know, I know.” Twilight took a step closer. Flash noted the pink star emblazoned on her top. “I just feel like I need to thank you over and over so that I won’t forget it. If I had died, all my dreams and goals would have ended. I’d never graduate, never finish my studies and…. Never settle down with someone.”
Flash felt warm. He was sure he was blushing, but he wasn’t sure if it was because of what Twilight said or because she was standing so close to him they were almost touching. “Yeah, that would be a shame,” he said, trying to sound supportive.
“But I survived. You cleared my throat just in time.”
Now Flash really had the urge to tell Twilight what he’d seen while trying to save her. He wasn’t a conceited person and was more than happy to share a success. He just didn’t feel right taking credit for something that wasn’t all his doing, but he wasn’t sure how to explain what had happened. “Twilight,” he started to say. “I-“
“Shhh,” Twilight insisted, placing a finger over Flash’s lips. “Now’s not the time for it. Just accept this as my thank you.”
And with that, Twilight leaned in and threw her arms around him.
Flash was so shocked, he almost fell over again. His whole body seemed to heat up, as though Twilight was warming him inside and out. His heart pumped in his chest faster and faster, the sound almost audible. He looked down at Twilight, her head against his chest. He felt his arms rise up behind her and pull her in, accepting her hug properly. Enjoy the moment, he told himself. You deserve it, Flash. This could be a brand new start.
Suddenly, something caught Flash’s eye and he looked over Twilight’s shoulder, past the pool fence and into dense undergrowth. Two yellow eyes peered out of the darkness, glaring eerily at him. Flash shivered and he felt something snap. He quickly looked at Twilight but she hadn’t noticed, seemingly impervious to the odd looks they were getting from the other pool-goers. Flash looked back at the bush but the eyes had disappeared, leaving behind a dark mood.
Twilight had noticed his sudden silence and looked up. “Something the matter, Flash?”
Flash looked Twilight in the eye. Her face was full of concern, but for some reason he didn’t feel the need to tell her what had just happened. He didn’t want to.
“Nothing,” Flash replied halfheartedly, returning his attention to their embrace. Twilight got right back into it, but Flash was now unfocused. Something inside him hummed awkwardly. The young man felt weak, control over his body failing as his arms began to fall, slowly descending…
THWACK!
Pain filled Flash's head and he felt Twilight’s arms disappear as he went flying over the ground, crashing into the pool fence. He sat up and rubbed his head, stars spinning where only he could see them. The humming feeling grew stronger. “What the heck?”
Flash looked up and his heart sank. Twilight was standing in the same place, but now there was someone with her. A boy, roughly Flas's own age, with grayish sapphire-blue skin and piercing blue eyes. He was dressed in dark-blue shorts and a white shirt with a six-pointed star on it. The boy’s hair was Persian blue with a streak of brilliant cobalt blue. Flash recognized him at once: it was Spirit Guide, one of the three leading members of Abraham’s Tent at Canterlot High School, a devoted student…… and Twilight’s boyfriend.
“Your hands belong in many places, Flash Sentry,” he said in a stern voice. “Twilight’s butt isn’t one of them.”
Flash gaped and looked about, trying to gather what had happened. All around, people were turning their heads and staring, some in horror, others in amusement. Twilight was gripping Spirit’s shoulder, looking as though he were the only hero left in a land full of monsters.
What is he talking about? Flash complained inwardly, anger welling up inside of him. He hadn’t felt this angry since… since the school’s musical showcase.
“Why do you have to get yourself involved in everything?”
The words left Flash’s mouth barely a thought. His voice was calm but strained, and so quiet that only those close by could hear him.
Spirit stared. “Do you mean me?”
“Why do you have to get yourself involved in everything?” Flash repeated, louder this time.
“Well, your hand kinda was going where it shouldn’t be,” Rainbow Dash informed casually.
Flash was dumbfounded. He looked down at his hands. He couldn’t remember what had happened a moment ago when Twilight was hugging him. His mind was clouded and rage consumed him.
“You took her from me,” Flash said viciously, pointing a finger at Spirit.
The Rainbooms looked around, but all the other people had gone back to enjoying the pool to its fullest. Twilight was watching Flash concernedly, Spirit likewise. “Flash, what’s wrong?” Twilight asked gently.
“I’ll tell you what’s wrong,” Flash replied, his tone dangerous. “Him!”
The young lifeguard charged the grey boy and pushed him, the momentum carrying them both over the water and into the pool. People just drifted away, seeing the attack as a fancy jump. Spirit and Flash resurfaced, the former trying to keep them both afloat while the latter tried to drown Spirit regardless of the consequences.
Twilight and the other Rainbooms ran along the pool, calling out to the brawling boys. “Spirit, be careful!” Twilight called out.
“Flash, knock it off!” Sunset yelled.
“Give it to ‘em, Spirit!” Rainbow egged on.
Spirit swam away as Flash tried to dunk him again. “I’d rather not!”
Flash chased Spirit around the pool and up the steps, pursuing him towards the diving board. The Rainbooms followed after them. The two boys danced around the thick column holding up the board.
“Ever since you came to the school, my life took a turn for the worse!” Flash shouted, directing his speech towards Twilight just as much as to Spirit. “I lost my girlfriend to a freak with his head in a book and the sky at the same time. I didn’t take her to the Fall Formal for this!”
“Flash, it was just a dance!” Twilight insisted, starting towards him. “You were still my friend. You still are!”
“Quiet!” Flash raised his hand to strike her and Twilight recoiled. “You left me for him, admit it! That one mistake during the showcase and I’m suddenly out of your life.”
Twilight was in tears, but she wouldn’t pull away. “Th-that’s not how it was…” she choked.
“Come on, Twi,” Sunset coaxed, pulling the other girl away from the fight. “They need to settle this between themselves.”
“But, but, but….”
“But nothing.”
“Besides,” Rainbow Dash added, flexing her limbs, “the fight just went to a whole new level. Look.”
Twilight turned back to the fight. Flash had picked up the net used to fish dirt and garbage out of the pool and was chasing Spirit with it, swinging it through the air. Spirit was zipping about, having no clunky weapon to slow him down, doing his best to avoid Flash’s blows.
“I don’t understand how you attracted Twilight more than me!” Flash thundered. “What do you have that I don’t that could possibly interest a girl?”
Spirit seemed surprised by the question. “Book smarts,” he replied quietly. “A history... Less spiky hair.”
“Brargh!”
Clang!
“You need to calm down!” Spirit called from behind the umbrella pole. He ran around the pool and Flash charged after him, shouting incomprehensibly.
“Flash’ll catch him eventually,” Applejack noted as the Rainbooms watched the chase. “Spirit needs a way to protect himself.”
“Until they stop fighting, he at least needs to be on equal footing,” Rarity decided.
“But how?” Fluttershy asked.
The Rainbooms were silent while they all thought. Then Rainbow grinned. “I got it!” She ran over to the pool’s supply shed and tugged on the door, but it was locked. “Dammit,” Dash grunted, pulling with all her might. “Open, open, open, open, open!”
“Ahem.”
Rainbow Dash looked up. Standing atop the shed was a grey-skinned boy with black-and-green streaked hair, a screwdriver poking out of his fist and a set of keys attached to his swimming trunks.
“What’cha doing, Rainbow Dash?” the boy asked her.
“Trying to get Spirit a weapon,” she replied, having another go at the door. She tried it a few more times, grunting and pulling, until she was breathing heavily. “Cyberspace, could you help me with this?”
Cyberspace frowned unsurely. “Well, I usually only open the shed for swimming lessons, but warring friends takes its precedence.” Cyberspace leapt down beside Rainbow and bent down in front of the lock. But instead of taking out his keys, he started picking the lock with his screwdriver.
“I know this shed back to front,” Cyberspace explained to a baffled Rainbow Dash. “I could pull the lock out of the door, the door off its hinges and the light from its fitting and still be able to put everything back the way it was. Ah, there we go!”
The door swung open and Rainbow rushed into the shed. Inside were piles of stacked foam boards, plastic rings, floatation rings and…. Score! Lying on the floor, like so much multicolored spaghetti, were the items Rainbow desired. She grabbed what she wanted, shot a quick ‘thank you’ at Cyberspace and rushed back to the pool, which had emptied substantially since the boys had started fighting.
While Rainbow Dash was off collecting arms, Flash had cornered Spirit by the diving board, forcing the grey-skinned youth to climb up while avoiding Flash’s polearm. “You come here and let me give it to you!” Flash snarled.
“That won’t solve anything!” Spirit shouted. “We need to talk this out.”
“You’re an obstacle,” Flash hissed. “You came between Twilight and me. Hanging out at her favorite aisle in the library; that was all to get her alone with you.”
Spirit dodged another blow and raised an eyebrow. “I was in the History section to add some works from out of town at Cheerilee’s request. Twilight asked me about my interest in books, catching me completely off-guard. She opened my eyes to what I was missing in my secluded, exclusive life.”
“Gah!” Flash jabbed again with the net. He flailed about wildly like a wounded animal, ignoring everything but his target. “I don’t care how it happened. It happened and that’s the problem.”
“If you’d just let me tell you-!”
“NO!”
Twilight watched the two boys brawl, cringing every time the net clacked against something. “This needs to stop,” she decided. “They’re never going to resolve anything if they don’t stop fighting.”
“Hate to disagree with ya there, sugarcube,” Applejack said, “but in Flash’s eyes, Spirit’s the only thing in the way of him gettin’ back together with you.”
Rarity crossed her arms. “You would think a boy would get the message after being dumped the first time.”
“I never dumped him.”
The Rainbooms all faced Twilight. “Then how come we never saw you two together after the showcase incident?” Rarity inquired.
“We could never find the time. Either Flash had lifeguard training or I was pulling all-nighters. During one of my study evenings, I bumped into Spirit and we struck up a conversation. Ever since then, we’d meet up at the library or visit historical monuments with his friends. Now that I think about it, I really saw less of Flash after that…” Twilight gasped. “Maybe he saw the two of us together and thought I’d abandoned him!”
“He must’ve really taken things seriously after the Fall Formal,” Sunset deduced. “And now he’s out for blood.”
Fluttershy looked away as Flash swung at Spirit again. “I dunno why Flash’d want blood unless he were a vampire,” Pinkie commented cluelessly, “but he’s gonna get that blood he wants if Spirit doesn’t find a way to block his attacks.”
“On it! Coming through!”
Rainbow Dash ran over to the Rainbooms, two long pool noodles under her arms. The Rainbooms parted, allowing their lead guitarist through. Flash had scampered up the ladder and now stood opposite Spirit on the diving board, both boys struggling for balance while sustaining either offence or defense.
“Come on, Flash, cut it out!” Spirit implored, spreading his arms out to balance himself.
“What, before somebody gets hurt?” Flash joked cruelly as he took another swing, and then stopped to stabilize himself. “Somebody has to get hurt, Guide, and that somebody is gonna be you.” Flash attacked again but Spirit blocked with his arm.
“Ouch!” The pole had left a long red welt on the underside of his arm. I won’t last much longer if I keep stopping his attacks at the price of my arms, Spirit thought to himself. What I wouldn’t give for a microphone stand or a big stick right now.
“Oy, Spirit!”
Spirit glanced downwards. Rainbow Dash stood directly below the diving board, hefting a pair of pool noodles. “Catch!” she yelled, tossing up the floatation aids.
Spirit reached out and caught the two lavender pool noodles. I guess these’ll do. He leaned back and experimentally swung the noodles about, then turned his eyes on his attacker. “Bring it on, Flash.”
The lifeguard faltered for a moment, examining his target with new interest, then shuffled forwards with a harsh cry. As Flash brought his polearm down, Spirit crossed both his noodles in front of him, effectively catching the net in a vicegrip. Flash tugged backwards, but Spirit didn’t budge.
“You think you’re so clever, now that you have some foam poles in your hands,” Flash sneered. “You just catch whatever comes your way, just like you did with Twilight.”
“All right. That. Is. It.” Spirit shoved with his noodles, knocking Flash backwards to the top of the ladder. “It’s time you knew the truth.”
“I know the truth!” Flash barreled forwards, heedless of the danger, and engaged Spirit again.
The Rainbooms had moved closer to the ever-shifting battlefield, intending to be nearby should one of the combatants topple from their precarious position. “They need to stop now,” Twilight insisted, "before one of them does fall!”
“They’re not going to fall,” Pinkie announced.
“How do you know?”
“Firstly, they both have excellent balance, since Flash has trained in athletics and Spirit too. Also, I’m not getting a twitchy feeling in my-“
“Then why’s your leg shaking?” Sunset interrupted.
Everyone looked down. Indeed, Pinkie’s leg was vibrating back and forth, originating halfway up her leg. “Pinchy knee!” the Rainbooms’ drummer declared. “Something scary’s gonna happen soon!”
“What?” Twilight said desperately, glancing up at the diving board.
Pinkie’s arm shot outwards, bopping Rainbow Dash on the nose. “Must have something to do with that yellow-eyed person hiding in the bushes,” the energetic girl informed.
Six heads turned to follow Pinkie’s finger. Past the pool, over the perimeter fence and into the undergrowth, a figure could be seen crouching down, a yellow glint visible on its face. When the figure saw the Rainbooms looking back, it bolted away through the trees.
“Oh, no you don’t!” Rainbow Dash yelled defiantly, running towards the fence. “C’mon, girls! Let’s get ‘em!”
Applejack and Sunset followed in the guitarist’s tracks, leaving Twilight, Pinkie, Rarity and Fluttershy to choose which encounter they wanted to watch more. Rainbow Dash made it to the fence and saw the yellow-eyed figure jump over the chain-link barrier into the pool area, heading towards the diving board where Spirit and Flash were locked in combat.
“Come back here!” Rainbow shouted.
The figure ignored her, staying on its course, and Rainbow pursued. Now that it was in the light, Rainbow Dash could see that the person was female, with dark-blue swimming gear and vicious-looking yellow eyes below a wave of blue hair.
Running alongside the pool now, Rainbow was catching up to the girl, but with how close she was to the diving board, she knew she wouldn’t catch up in time. This made Dash worry even more, as she didn’t know what the girl had planned.
Where are AJ and Sunset? Rainbow wondered, glancing around for a sign of her two orange-skinned friends.
The answer came quickly and suddenly. As the dark girl skirted around the lounging chairs, an open umbrella slipped from its cement holder and closed, trapping her inside it. Sunset stood up from behind the now-empty concrete block, a determined smile on her face.
“Got her.”
“Nice work, sugarcube,” Applejack said, emerging from the water with three rubber rings. The bass player walked over to the parasol-bound girl and looped the floaties over the top, binding it even tighter.
As Rainbow Dash joined her friends beside their captive, a tear formed in the umbrella’s material and the girl poked her head out, sneering unpleasantly. “Let me go!” she snarled, her yellow eyes blinking behind her goggles.
“Wow!” The three Rainbooms turned to see the Crusaders running towards them. “You caught the mysterious person watching the battle!” Apple Bloom cheered.
“Now we just need to figure out who she is,” Sweetie Belle mused.
“I bet it’s Trixie!” Scootaloo declared. “Wait, maybe she’s one of the Dazzlings.”
Sunset sighed. “Twilight and Spirit would know who she is without taking off her mask, but they’re both preoccupied.”
“Let’s git her on over there for when things calm down a bit,” Applejack suggested.
With the Crusaders yammering behind them, Rainbow Dash, Sunset and Applejack dragged the umbrella-bound individual toward the diving board, where the battle was even more heated than before. Flash swung wildly, not seeming to care whether his blows struck or not. Spirit was doing his best to keep the both of them on their feet and protect himself at the same time.
“Give. Up!” Flash grunted as the net clacked against the board beneath his feet.
“Flash, you need to listen to me!” Spirit insisted.
“NO! You ruined my life in its prime. My joy became despair and loneliness. All the light I knew turned to darkness. You destroyed my paradise with a book!”
“That’s not TRUE!” In a furious display of strength and dexterity, Spirit crossed his noodles together and trapped Flash’s polearm. With a flick of his arms, Spirit knocked the net out of Flash’s hands and it splashed into the pool. Spirit aimed his noodles at Flash’s chest and spoke with as much clarity as he could muster.
“Listen, Flash. Listen now! Everything that’s happened has led you to believe in false realities. You’ve fooled yourself into seeing things the wrong way.”
“No…” With no way of blocking Spirit’s prodding, Flash could only stand his ground, staying on guard in case the other boy attacked. “You took Twilight from me.”
Twilight couldn’t take it anymore. She ran from the Rainbooms, climbed up the diving board ladder and stood up behind the one who sought her. “Flash, please listen!” she begged. “Ever since the day we met at CHS, we were friends. Every day we’d see each other, every time we’d spend time together, we were friends. Even after we stopped seeing each other, we were still friends. It was an accident, Flash.”
“No… the library…”
“The day I met Twilight, I could tell she was as lonely as you were,” Spirit said quietly, his hands falling to his sides. “I thought I could make her feel better by giving her the companionship she was used to. I’d seen the two of you before and tried to think of everything you’d done together. If I hadn’t seen you interact with Twilight before, I doubt I’d have been able to keep her happy.”
Flash slumped, taking in what Spirit and Twilight had said. The guitarist had lost the drive to attack Spirit and now felt completely in control of his emotions. But he couldn’t stop the realization of his past actions from bringing back the sadness. “I’d always thought…. If this were to happen… that I could get over it…”
“I’m sorry, Flash,” Twilight said, slowly walking towards him. “I never meant to cause you pain. I made a mistake that day, thinking you would just forget me.”
“I’d do anything to make you happy, Twilight,” Flash whispered, staring into the now-still waters of the pool. “Even if it means letting you go to someone more suitable.”
Spirit drew nearer, dropping his noodles into the pool. “All I wanted was for my fellow students to be happy while at CHS,” he clarified. “I never meant for any of this to happen.”
“But it did,” Flash said casually. “It happened and I’m okay with it.”
“You are?”
“After watching you take her around, Spirit, I saw just how much more she enjoyed your company. I was a good friend, but not a very good partner. I’m made for other things than reviewing novels and studying late at night,” he said with a small smile.
From both sides, Flash got strange looks. Twilight’s face was composed of relief and amazement, while Spirit’s indicated surprise. Then the grey-skinned boy spoke. “You probably noticed that I came in later than Twilight and the others, but when I arrived and saw the two of you standing by the pool together, I asked the Rainbooms what had happened.”
“They told you how Flash managed to clear my throat after falling in,” Twilight guessed.
“About that…” Flash sat down, his legs dangling over the pool. Twilight and Spirit did the same. “When I was trying to save you, Twilight, I was panicking. I only wanted to help, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t get the water out. I can't remember a time I was ever more frightened in my life. Then out of nowhere, I heard a voice. Your voice, Spirit.”
The two students looked at Flash. “It told me I could do it. Right after hearing the voice, I tried CPR again and managed to clear Twilight’s throat just in time.” Flash returned Spirit’s curious gaze. “It must have been from the times I watched you two studying together. You were encouraging Twilight to succeed. You always encourage people to succeed, and you helped me, Spirit.”
“Flash, do you really think that’s what helped you?” Twilight asked, in awe.
“I’d bet my guitar on it. You inspired me to save Twilight, Spirit, and we all came through because of it.”
Spirit stared at Flash with his deep blue eyes, his face devoid of expression. Then he smiled. “I wonder if that’s what happened,” he replied. “But everything considered, it makes sense.”
“I know it’s right,” Flash insisted, glancing back and forth between Spirit and Twilight. “It’s gotta be.”
"It's a strange world we live in," Spirit remarked.
"Mm hmm," Twilight hummed in agreement.
Flash nodded, then frowned. “The only thing I don’t get is why I suddenly went ballistic and insisting you ruined my life, Spirit. I was cool with it beforehand.”
“We were wondering that too,” Twilight said, casually looking down at the Rainbooms and counting additional heads.
“We’ve both expressed ourselves on the matter,” Spirit reminded. “Neither of us would have normally attacked each other. What happened, Flash?”
“I… don’t know.” Flash mashed a fist into his forehead. “All I remember from before is a pair of yellow eyes.”
“Did somebody say yellow eyes?” Pinkie asked from beneath the diving board.
“Ack!” Flash was so shocked by the pink-haired girl’s sudden appearance he toppled backwards, once more taking those nearby down with him. He, Twilight and Spirit splashed into the pool, leaving Pinkie hanging above them.
Rarity and Fluttershy came forward to help the three reunited friends out of the water. “This seems to be a new habit of yours, falling into the pool with people,” Rarity said, pulling Flash up. “So glad to see you’ve come to your senses.”
“I’m still trying to figure out what made me lose myself in the first place,” Flash admitted. He turned to the diving board. “What did you say, Pinkie?”
Pinkie Pie swung off the underside of the diving board and joined the others. “Over there,” she said happily, pointing towards the approaching trio of Sunset, Rainbow Dash and Applejack, tailed by the Crusaders. The others just stared as their friends came over with their still-yelling captive in tow.
“There really are too many of us,” Pinkie declared. “This is why the original cast was only six.”
Flash ignored this and slowly approached the bound girl. She glared at him through her goggles. “Who are you?” Flash asked, but the girl only spat at him.
“We couldn’t get her to spill the beans,” Rainbow explained. “All we got was her bad attitude.”
“I think we can figure this one out,” Twilight said. She and Spirit approached the umbrella and opened it up. Before their captive could escape, the twelve friends surrounded her. The girl looked about as if the whole thing were a joke.
Twilight pointed. “There, right on her back. Shadowcolts 1. We’ve got ourselves a rival school team member here.”
The others took a moment to remember. The Shadowcolts were the team of Crystal Prep Academy. Rainbow Dash remembered the time she’d almost gone to Crystal Prep after seeing the Shadowcolts on the playing field, but in the end she settled for her friends in Canterlot High.
“Trying to take out one of CHS’s guitarists?” Sunset guessed.
“I find her method intriguing. How did she get Flash to turn his back on absolutely everything?” Twilight wondered, imposing both a thought and a query.
The Shadowcolt grinned evilly. “I’m surprised you shook it off, Sentry,” she said venomously to Flash. “I was sure my glare would rile you up for good.”
“Nightingale!” Rainbow Dash roared, pointing a blaming finger. “I’m gonna knock your block off for trying that again!”
“You never could resist us, Rainbow Dash!” Nightingale yelled in reply. “And you can’t now either!”
Using Rainbow's resentful outburst as a distraction, Nightingale leapt up and pushed the cyan girl aside, running towards the other side of the pool. Eight people jumped over the gate, dressed in Shadowcolt uniforms, and surrounded Nightingale.
“The Crystal Prep Shadowcolts,“ Sunset muttered hatefully. “Assembling for another round.”
“Where’s the CHS team when you need them?” Rainbow said despairingly. “We're outnumbered right now.”
“You’ve got us!” Apple Bloom reminded.
Scootaloo air-punched. “Oh, yeah! Fighting rival school team. This is gonna be awesome!”
Spirit folded his arms. “Nothing doing, kids. This fight is a serious one. You need to get out of the way.”
“Aww man!” AB and Scoots groaned.
Sweetie Belle looked around. “But where do we go? We can’t get out of the pool area easily and the lifeguards are all gone.”
Applejack pointed. “Take the diving board, kids. Don’t come down until this is over. ”
With a few mumbled complaints, Scootaloo, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle took the ladder up to higher ground, hopefully out of the way of the upcoming fight. The nine teenagers watched the approaching team with a mixture of disgust and concern.
“We may equal in numbers, but the Shadowcolts are all athletes. Our side only has two robust girls,” Spirit announced, gesturing to Dashie and AJ. “God, I wish we had more friends to help right now.”
“Wish granted, Spirit Guide.”
Flash, Spirit and the seven Rainbooms spun around. Standing behind them were two boys, their arms laden with every noodle from the pool shed. One of the newcomers had sandy-blonde hair, golden-tan skin and bright blue eyes. Wearing everyday shorts and T-shirt, the only thing making him stick out was the cross-shaped necklace around his neck. The second of the two had his hair hidden beneath a dark head wrap, from which his sharp eyes peered out. His gear was similar to that of his companion, but the top-right of his shirt was emblazoned with a star and a crescent moon.
Spirit spread his arms out and moved towards the two boys. “Chris Hymn. Pilgrim Praise.”
The newcomers dropped the noodles and embraced Spirit, bringing a faithful three-way hug into effect. Chris and Pilgrim were the two other heads of Abraham’s Tent, the school group comprised of monotheistic students with one single similarity. The group was respected and admired for their strong bond between their distinct beliefs and often asked to perform together to show how even the most diverse of individuals can become the best of friends.
“Glad we made it here eventually,” Chris declared. “Sorry it took so long though.”
Pilgrim looked over at the Shadowcolts. “So the cowards have returned for more. Let us hope they’ve improved, for their sake.”
“At this point Pilgrim, we probably care little for that,” Spirit pointed out, to which everyone nodded in agreement.
Pinkie popped out of the noodle pile. “So we’re gonna fight them with noodles?” she asked excitedly, waving about several pink ones.
“Unless ya’d rather go into battle unarmed and get plenty bruised,” Applejack said.
“Oh, is fighting really what this has come to?” Rarity groaned dramatically. “Why must the Shadowcolts behave so violently?”
Flash put a hand on her shoulder. “Rarity, the next time Crystal Prep has a fashion showdown, I’ll make sure you’re the first on the CHS team.”
Fluttershy looked about nervously. “Um, I’m really not the fighting type…. Maybe I should go join the girls… on the diving board.”
It was then that a ferret chose to cross the pool area on its way to the forest. The slinky mammal ran right in front of the Shadowcolts, whereupon one of the burly students gave it a kick, sending it squealing away towards the Rainbooms and company.
“Oh my goodness!” Fluttershy yelped, bending down to receive the ferret. She picked up the little predator and checked the bent fur on its side, whimpering when the ferret recoiled at her touch.
Fluttershy’s concerned face transformed into a hateful glare as she raised her eyes towards the Shadowcolts. “WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?” she thundered. “WHAT IN THE WORLD WOULD MAKE YOU KICK A TINY, NON-THREATENING FERRET?!?!”
The nine Shadowcolts flinched upon hearing the legendary timid student rage. Never before had they been exposed to such anger, not even on the playing field against the Canterlot Wondercolts. Nightingale looked about at her shocked allies. “Snap out of it, all of you! We can’t let this bunny hugger deter us. Shadowcolts, forward!”
Her teammates shook themselves and surged to their feet. Then as one, they slowly started making their way towards the Canterlot students, their pace becoming faster and faster. The ferret jumped from Fluttershy’s hands into her hair. Fluttershy herself bent over and picked up two yellow pool noodles, waving them about angrily. “Come on, everybody. Grab a noodle. We’re going to knock those jerks into next semester!”
“If, um, you’re ready for it, that is,” she said in her normal voice.
Flash, the leaders of Abraham’s Tent and the other Rainbooms grinned at each other as they all complied. By the time they were all armed with spongy floatation aids, the Shadowcolts were halfway around the pool.
“Well, the moment of truth is upon us,” Sunset said.
“Time to show them all the friendships we’ve made and the faiths we have that enrich our lives,” Chris exclaimed.
Flash looked unsurely at the flexible orange noodle he was holding. It felt far more familiar and balanced in his hand than the net had. “Does anybody have healthcare insurance?” he asked suddenly. “This fight is likely to leave marks.”
Everyone stared for a moment, then they all started grinning and laughing despite their situation. “Flash,” Spirit said calmly, walking over to his fellow student, “it wouldn’t be a school rivalry if there weren’t blows taken on both side.”
Pinkie exploded like a mirth bomb, Rarity, Applejack, Pilgrim and Rainbow Dash succumbing to it immediately. The sound of their amusement only enraged the Shadowcolts further, provoking them to run faster. “But we’ll definitely be taking less hits. We’ve all been through the same exercises at Canterlot High,” Twilight reminded.
“Attack plan ‘Friendship Through the Ages’?” Pilgrim inquired.
Twilight nodded. “Tag-team fighting. Fighting together to cover one another.”
The eleven friends stood in a line, facing their rapidly approaching foes. Flash looked right and left at the determined familiar faces from the school hallways, then at the unfortunately equally recognizable grimaces and snarls of the rival school. He looked back at the memories of Canterlot High School: learning in class, playing with the band, dancing at the Fall Formal. All that and more he’d done with the boys and girls at his side.
“Friendship really is a great thing,” he decided.
Spirit nodded in agreement. “It’s what keeps us together-“
“And what makes the time we spend together special,” Twilight finished.
Flash tapped their noodles with his own. “When we’re done here, all of us, Sugarcube Corner, cupcakes, shakes and MMMMs.”
“Mmmmmmm,” the Rainbooms and Abraham’s Tent exclaimed as one.
The Shadowcolts were almost upon them, screaming like demons and grabbing anything that came to hand: chairs, rubber rings, items left by the pool-goers. “Prepare to feel pain!” one of them shouted, positively foaming at the mouth.
“So uncivilized,” Rarity noted, scrunching her nose.
Thanks to her, the Canterlot High BFFs went into battle laughing.
*
The following week, when the Canterlot High newspaper was printed, the students at CHS got a great deal of satisfaction from the front page article.
Another school victory against Crystal Prep at local pool
By Gabby Gums (3)
On one of the hottest days of the summer, the Crystal Prep Shadowcolts had chosen to challenge our fair high-school once again to remind people ‘they are the best’, appearing unannounced at the pool with violent intentions. At first they sent their chicken of a team leader to stir up trouble by upsetting CHS guitarist Flash Sentry, who is one of the lifeguards at the pool, causing him to strike out against his friends and almost entirely clear the area. This can easily be seen as an attempt to sabotage the school musicians, taking into account Sentry's friendship with the vocalist of the showcase-winning Rainbooms, Twilight Sparkle.
After the seven Rainbooms and highbrow Spirit Guide brought Sentry back to his senses, the Shadowcolts assembled to begin their assault, determined to harm as many CHS students as possible. They were overwhelmed by the combined friendships of Flash Sentry, the Rainbooms and Abraham's Tent, who sent half the Shadowcolts to the Baltimare hospital with sores, head lumps, several broken legs and two fractured tailbones. Officials have decided not to hold the Canterlot High students responsible for the injuries, having received some ouchies themselves and altogether acting in defense.
"They lack talent on the playing field," says Pilgrim Praise, a representative of Abraham's Tent and one of the students in the clash between the schools. "The Shadowcolts tried to make up for that with brawn, but failed there as well. They don't know the true meaning of friendship."
Once more, friendship conquers all. What is with this social bond that makes it so powerful it vanquishes even the most vigorous attempts to quell it? What secrets do the bestest of friends hide in their joined hands that allow them to overcome problems? Why are the peanut butter crackers in the vending machine so expensive? Let's hope we find out before we all graduate.