One day Flash get noticed that he is going to be a Princess Twilight's personal guard. Once they both find out who they are, they have a hard time being together. Twilight and Flash both have feelings for each other, but who will confess them first?
Flash Sentry is called, and transfered to be the Princess of Friendship's guard. Aka, Twilight Sparkle. He wants to do everything in his power to protect the young princess, but in doing so, he slowly falls in love with Twilight. He's never felt like this for any pony else, and doesn't want to loose that feeling. But there is a few things standing in the way him with his love for her, and Twilight. First, his history, most ponies that know his background, hate him. Second, himself, Flash is too afraid of getting to close to her. Which could lead her danger. Third, a specific pony who says that he is in love with the young princess. (Twilight). And last, fear, Flash is too afraid that even if the truth does come out that she won't except him. He thinks it is too bizzard that a princess would fall in love with a stallion like him. But little does he know that Twilight is in love with him, but is too shy to admit it. So the battle of love is who will admit their feelings first, without getting hurt.
Flash was eating lunch with his friends in the park. While his friends were talking, Flash's head was in the clouds.
"Okay, we got this all settled." Winny said, "Are you with us Flash?"
He looked up at her. "Umm....what are we talking about?" Flash asked, smiling nervously.
Winny buckheaded herself and Thunderlane laughed quietly. Flash looked to the ground.
"Flash can you please focus, and not have your head in the clouds?" Winny asked.
"Yeah bro, you need to stop daydreaming, about her." Thunderlane smirk.
Flash thought for a minute. He knew who he was talking about. Thunderlane was talking about the new princess, Princess Twilight Sparkle. But ever since they bumped into each other Flash thought about her all the time. He couldn't help it.
"I am not thinking about her." Flash stated.
Winny and Thunderlane looked at each other, then back at Flash. "Are you sure?" Winny asked.
Flash nodded, then he realized what time it was. He had the go back on duty. "Hey, I'll see you later, I have to go on duty."
They all said their good-bye's, and Flash left to go to the Crystal Empire.
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While Flash was guarding another guard was trotting towards him. When he in front of Flash, he told him, "The Captain wants to see you in his office." And with that he trotted away.
While Flash was walking to his Captain's office he wondering, what he did wrong. Finally he got to the door, he paused, took a deep breath, and knocked. He only waited a few moments, when there was a voice on the other side said, "Come in." When Flash entered he saw his Captain sitting in a chair, staring down at him, like a hawk after his prey.
"Please, have a seat Sentry." His Captain told him politely. He close the door, and sat down. His Captain started looking at some papers while saying, "My wife brought something to my attention, and....."
"I'm sorry Captain Armor." Flash interrupted "I didn't mean to do anything wrong." He apologized.
The Captain just looked at him, confused in a way. "Umm... excuse me?" Flash just looked to the ground. "You're not here because you're in trouble." Captain Armor clarified "I want to tell you that you are transferring somewhere else."
'Well that means I'll be farther away from Princess Twilight'. Flash waited to where he was going to transfer to.
"You are going to be a personal guard to one the princesses." Captain Armor told him.
This got Flash confused. "But don't all the princesses have personal guards?" He asked.
"All except one." Captain Armor told him "You are going to be Princess Twilight's guard."
Flash was surprised. He was all like, 'Are you sure you got the right guard?' and 'Is this real?'. But all he could say was, "Yes, Sir."
"Good, just know this." Captain Armor rushed over to him "If she gets hurt, then you will regret it all your life. DO YOU HEAR SENTRY!?!?" He yelled
"Umm... Yes sir." Flash answered, trembling.
"Good, you will be leaving tonight." Captain Armor returned to sitting down. "Now you may go."
Flash left, still trembling, across the office. He went to the door, and left. Once he left, he gathered his stuff and left to go to the train station.
It was around 10 o'clock in the morning, and Twilight was waiting for the Ponyville train to come to the station. Spike of course was with her and all, but Twilight just couldn't wait for the train.
"I wonder when the train is coming?" Twilight asked
"It's suppose to be here anytime now,so just be patient." Spike told her.
And in that moment the train pulled in the station.
"Spike stay right here, okay?" Twilight said, then walked into a crowd of ponies. "Okay, I just need to find somepony in armor, and...." She looked around and kept walking.
Then she bumped into something, and fell to the ground. She looked up and saw a pony with golden armor, an orange coat, and a two-toned mane. "And I think I found him." Twilight stated, while blushing.
"Oh, I am so sorry princess." Flash apologized. He put out his hoof and Twilight put her hoof in his.
"It's okay, Flash." Twilight said while getting back up.
"You know my name?" Flash asked in shock.
Twilight just smiled, "It's a long story."
"Oh, alright then." Flash said
"Well, shall we?" Twilight asked
"After you." Flash offered.
They both started walking. When Spike saw Twilight walking toward him, he ran up to her and saw Flash. Spike looked at Twilight, then Flash, and looked at Twilight again. They all started walking again. Spike and Twilight walked beside each other, while Flash walked behind them.
'This is not the kind of impression I wanted to make on the princess.' Flash thought to himself.
"So, you got the guard you wanted, huh?" Spike teased
"No, I didn't." Twilight said, while blushing.
"Oh, come on." Spike smirked, "I know you like him."
"No, I don't." Twilight insisted
"Fine then." Spike said
While Spike and Twilight talked, Flash was looking around him, at Ponyville. Then he looked ahead of, and the castle. The Castle of Friendship.
It had been about a week, or so, since Flash had been Twilight's guard. While Flash was guarding in front of the library, Twilight was reorganizing all the books again. But instead of thinking of all the books she loved, all she could worry about Flash. Not for a particular reason, but just because she was wondering if her sister in law was behind this, of course Cadence was. For all she knew, Cadence was The Princess of Love.
"Cadence has to be behind this." Twilight said aloud. She levitated another book to its shelf. "I mean it has her name written all over this." She thought again. "It's even in her name, for pony sake."
Then in that moment, there was a knock at the door.
"Come in." Twilight called. The door opened, and Spike was on the other side. He came in, and just sat down. Twilight found this suspicious, he didn't even say anything. "Okay, what's going on." Twilight asked. She kept levitating books to their shelves.
Spike shrugged. "Nothing." He stated. "It just feels boring in the castle right now."
"Well.." Twilight started saying. "Maybe you can help me reorganize all these books with me." She suggested.
Spike shook his head. "No way am I doing that again." He stated. Spike stood up, and walked over to Twilight. "Maybe you can go talk to Flash?" Spike smirked. Twilight dropped all the books, that she was holding with her magic with, and blushed. Spike fell to the ground. He was laughing so hard that he was crying.
"Stop it, Spike." Twilight stated still blushing. "That's not funny."
Flash heard all this go on, but he told himself not to look. Eventually he couldn't help himself, so he peeked just around the door. He could see Twilight telling Spike, that dropping all the books everywhere isn't funny. Finally he saw Spike exiting the library, so he stood like he was supposed to. When Spike passed him, and turned the corner, Flash looked into the library again. He saw that Twilight was picking up all the books off the ground, all by herself. For some reason, Flash felt bad for her. Finally Flash found the found the strength to knock on the door.
Twilight groaned. "Go away, and stop bothering me." She stated, while her back was towards the door.
Flash looked to the ground. "Um... okay, I'll just leave you alone right now, Princess." He said awkwardly.
Then Twilight realized that it wasn't Spike at the door, it was Flash. She turned around. "I am so sorry, I thought you were Spike." Twilight apologized.
Flash shrugged. "It okay, Princess." He told Twilight. "Although, I've never been mistaken for a dragon." He joked. Twilight just giggled.
Flash started walking inside, and helped Twilight pick up the books off the ground.
"Twilight." She said.
"Excuse me?" Flash asked.
"Call me Twilight." Twilight said once again.
"Flash shook his head. "I have respect your title, while I am in my armor."
"Oh, that sounds fair enough." Twilight said.
Soon all the books were put on their shelves. Flash and Twilight kept talking about a whole bunch of things, and Twilight found out that they many things in common. Like how they both love history, and love to gaze at the stars. Flash looked all over the room, and found a book in the corner of the library. Twilight saw the same book, and was going to get it. But what they didn't know that they were both getting it. When they both went to get the book, their hooves touched about it. They both looked at each other in shock. A few seconds later they took their hooves away, while blushing, and looked the other way. Twilight took the book with her magic, and put it on the shelf, where it was suppose to.
"Well, I should get back on duty." Flash said.
"Yeah." Said Twilight, Facing Flash. "I should get back to studying." She smiled.
Flash nodded. He started walking to the door, but before he could leave he turned, and said. "Good-bye, Princess." He smiled. "I enjoyed the time that we spent together." That is when he wanted to buckhead himself.
Twilight's smile just got bigger. "I enjoyed the time we spent together too." She sighed. Twilight was glad that she wasn't the only one thinking the same thing.
Flash turned around, and went out of the library. Twilight closed the door after him. She sighed again. For all she could think about was Flash, for the rest of the day.
It was a quiet day in Ponyville, well for the rest of it. And it was a regular day for Flash, for guarding of course. But around lunch time, there was a knock at the door. Flash, of course, went to open it. On the other side, there Twilight's friends stood.
Rarity was the first to speak, saying. "We are here to see Twilight." Flash nodded.
He lead them all he lead them all, and close the door behind them. While they were walking, Rainbow Dash piped up, and said. "This not like Twilight to have the castle so quiet." She looked around. Applejack nudged her, and mouthed out, 'Be polite.' And Rainbow just grumbled a little.
Eventually they got to the library, but before Flash could reach to knock on the door, there was a clatter. Flash had no time to think, he opened the door and rushed in.
"I'm fine!" Twilight called out. Flash walked into the room, and found Twilight getting out of a pile of books. He rushed over to help her up.
When Twilight was up her face flushed. "Thank you." She said, and realized that her hoof was in Flash's. He had a warm smile on his face, which made Twilight's face blush even more. But when she heard her friends giggling, that is went she the most embarrassed.
"It's my job." Flash nodded, but in his head he was all like. What am I doing? I'm making the princess embarrassed, in front of her friends. But all he could do was walk out of the library, and closed the door behind himself.
"So this is why you have stayed in your castle the whole week." Rarity said.
Twilight looked at her confused. "I don't know what you are talking about." She picked up a book and started reading it.
"So you can see your new guard, like all the time!" Rainbow exclaimed.
Twilight blushed. "That is not the reason." She levitated another book. "I just need to read about the meteor shower that is coming to Ponyville."
Fluttershy walked up to Twilight. "I'm sure that is the reason, well because I believe you." She said meekly.
"Right." Applejack said, rolling her eyes.
"Well we are all going to go to Sugarcube Corner!" Pinkie exclaimed. "Do you want to come with us?"
Twilight shook her head. "I have to stay behind." She said, and picked up a scroll and a feather, and started writing on it.
Everypony else looked at each other, and shrugged. "Well, if you say so, Twi." Applejack said. they all turned around, and went out of the door.
It was around 8 o'clock at night, and Twilight was just staring outside on the balcony. Gazing up at the stars. Flash was off duty for a while, and went to the balcony to see the stars. But when he got there, he found Twilight. Just hopefully gazing at the stars. He was startled, and started walking backwards, but bumped into the wall behind him. Twilight heard it, and quickly turned around.
She saw Flash, and took a deep breath. "Flash, don't take this the wrong way but, what are you doing?"
Flash's eyes darted down the dark hallway, and then at Twilight. "I-I j-just came look outside, b-but I don't want to bother you so, maybe I-I should j-just go." Flash stammered. He started heading the opposite way.
"NO!" Twilight called. Flash turned around confused. "I mean, please don't go." Flash kept staring at her. "What I mean is, you don't have to go." Twilight said bashfully.
Flash smiled, and started walking back towards the balcony. Twilight just looked back at the stars, when her guard was on the balcony. There was a bit of awkward silence, that was until Flash spoke.
"I'm sorry for embarrassing you, you know in front of your friends." Flash apologized, looking off the side of the railing.
"It's fine." Twilight said back looking up at the sky. Then again there was silence. Twilight wanted to say something, but just couldn't. Flash was having the same problem.
"Flash" "Twilight" They both said each other's name in unison. "You go first." Twilight said. "No you." Flash insisted. Twilight took a deep breath, and let it out. "It's just feels nice to have something in common, with somepony." Said Twilight.
Flash looked up at her, as Twilight did the same. "Really?" He asked. Twilight nodded.
"It's just." Twilight shrugged. "None of my friends, like the same things as I do. Either they don't understand it, or don't want to." Flash kept staring at her. Twilight crossed her forelegs, and rested her head upon the railing.
"Are you okay?" Flash asked. Twilight nodded, she closed her eyes and tears started streaming down her face. Flash couldn't manage to see her cry, so he went closer to her. Flash took her hoof in his. Twilight opened her eyes and looked at him. "You can always talk to me." Flash told her.
Twilight smiled. "Why are you telling me this?" She asked, while blushing.
"Because I want you to know I am always here." Flash replied. He let go of her hoof, and looked to the ground. Twilight did the same thing. "I really must get back on duty." Flash said. He looked at her, so did Twilight. That is when she noticed that this was the first time she saw Flash without his armor on. He had a warm smile on his face, which made Twilight blush.
Twilight nodded. "I probably should be getting some sleep." She smiled. "Good-night, Flash."
"Good-night, Twilight." Flash said back, which made Twilight smile. And with that she left to go to her room.
Flash watched Twilight walk out, into the dark hallway. Then looked back into the night sky. Flash saw one star, and closed his eyes. "I wish I was something to Twilight." He wished. "I wish she would see me other than her guard." He said. "I wish..."
Twilight was having trouble sleeping one night. She kept tossing and turning, but couldn't sleep. Eventually she gave up, and started walking around the castle. When Twilight got to the library, she reached for the doorknob, and heard somepony shout. "HALT! SHOW YOURSELF!" When she turned around, there was spear pointing at her. Twilight was scared to death. "I'm Twilight Sparkle. I wasn't doing anything wrong." Twilight responded, trembling. Then she realized that it was just Flash, but he looked like he was upset at her. "I'm sorry?" Twilight apologized in question. Flash lowered his weapon of defense, to the ground.
"What are you doing out here, Princess?" Flash asked. "Aren't you suppose to be asleep by now?"
Twilight look to the ground, ashamed. "I couldn't." She answered.
"You couldn't, what?" Flash question.
"Sleep." Twilight answered, again. "So, I just came to read. You know for awhile, just to occupy my brain."
Flash shook his head. "You should still get some sleep." Flash told her. "It is dangerous out here, and you need to be awake tomorrow, for the parade, your majesty."
"Oh, right." Twilight said. "I forgot about that. And this is my own castle, it's not dangerous."
Flash looked at Twilight, embarrassed. "Well... anything could happen."
"Yeah, I guess you are right." Twilight smiled. "But I still can't sleep."
Flash thought for a moment. "Well maybe this might work, come with me." Flash said. "That's if you want to?"
Twilight smiled, but didn't say anything. Flash turned around, and started walking. Twilight followed him. Soon enough Flash had lead Twilight to the balcony. He opened the doors, but Twilight looked at him in confusion.
"Flash, why did you..." But Twilight's words were cut off.
"Shh... look at the sky." Flash said, pointing to where he was talking about. Twilight was still confused, until she looked at the sky. She gasped in shock.
"I... I don't believe it. It's the meteor shower." Twilight went on. "How did you know it was tonight? I mean, I didn't even know. But I'm not saying that, you know, your unskilled or anything but, this is amazing."
Flash smiled. "Let's just say, I remembered it from somepony." Flash told her. He was just happy that Twilight was excited to watch the meteor shower. But then a question popped into his head. "May I take off my helmet, your majesty?"
Twilight looked back at Flash. "Of course you can." Then Twilight got curious once more. "When did you start calling me, your majesty?"
After Flash took his helmet, he thought for a moment. "Umm.... I guess, right now." He try explain. Twilight's smile just got bigger. Finally Flash couldn't take it anymore. He started flying, and hovered in front of Twilight. He held out his hoof, and asked. "Do you trust me?"
Twilight stared at him. "Excuse me?" Twilight asked.
"Do you trust me?" Flash asked again.
Twilight looked into Flash's eyes. "Yes." Twilight answered. She spreaded out her wings, and placed her hoof in his. Flash tried to pull her closer, Twilight just walked. Finally Twilight realized that Flash wanted to fly in the night, with her. Twilight started flapping her wings, to reach where Flash was flying. Flash looked into Twilight eyes, they shined brighter than the night stars. They both started flying through the sky, and smiled. To Twilight this was a dream come true, well kind of. That went more for Flash. He was just soaring through the clouds, with Princess Twilight. The mare that warmed his heart with joy, happiness, and love.
"Let's stop here." Flash suggested, pointing at the cloud close to them. Twilight smiled and nodded, once more.
Flash let Twilight sit on the cloud before him. Twilight still smiled, not saying anything. Flash landed on the cloud, beside Twilight. She was just looking at the sky with amazement. Flash smiled, when Twilight started shivering.
"Are you cold, Princess?" Flash asked.
Twilight shook her head. "It's not that cold." She answered.
Flash kept looking at her. He could still see Twilight shivering, so he did the only thing he knew. Flash scooted closer to Twilight, and draped his wing around her. When he did that, Twilight face turned a bright red, but she didn't dare look at Flash. Eventually she got use to having Flash's wing over her, that she scooted closer and rested her head on Flash's shoulder, and looked into the sky with pleasure. He looked down at her. She was right beside him, he couldn't think of anything more perfect, than this moment. Twilight nuzzled him, as he did to her back. About forty-five minutes went by, and all Flash and Twilight did was nuzzling, small chuckles and giggles, and smile at each other. Finally Flash piped up.
"You should really be getting some sleep, Princess." Flash insisted.
Twilight nodded. "I have to be awake, when I am organizing a parade." She replied.
Flash smiled, as Twilight did the same. The two flew back. Flash helped Twilight, as she was a little drowsy. Soon enough they both got to the castle, safely. Twilight was so sleepy by then, that she was tripping over her own hooves. Flash helped Twilight get to her bedroom, when they both got there to the door Twilight said something surprising.
"Can you tuck me in?" Twilight asked.
Flash was confused. What she asked, was something a filly would asked their parents. Was he suppose to say yes or no. Walk away or not. He was never so stumped in his life, until this moment. Twilight just look at him. But finally he gave up, and nodded his head. Twilight opened the door with her magic, and walked in, Flash followed. He didn't think this was a good idea, but to him since he already said yes, there is no turning back. Twilight slipped into her bed, and looked at Flash. He walked over to her, and sat at Twilight's bed side. Flash then saw Twilight close her eyes, and say her last words before going to sleep.
"Good-night, Flash." Twilight said, then she went into a deep sleep. Flash could see the smile on her face.
Flash smiled, while saying, "Good-night, my beloved princess." And with that he went out of her room, and closed the door behind himself. "And these are how moments are made." Flash said to himself, quietly. He put on his helmet, and looked back at Twilight door, saying. "I will do whatever it takes to keep you safe my princess." He looked around the castle, with nothing in sight, and began to guard the princess's door. "I promise."
Twilight woke up the next morning, awake and on a schedule. She freshened up, and started heading down the castle hallways. Twilight had her day all planned out, and written on a scroll. She was so focused on writing on her scroll, that she bumped into something and fell to the ground. She looked up, and saw Flash. Twilight blushed, while Flash held his hoof out. Twilight placed her hoof in his, and Flash helped her up.
Flash said. "As I said before, we got to stop bumping into each other like this." He gave her a warm smile, which made Twilight even blush harder.
"Flash." She said. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to bump into you." Twilight apologized. "I was just so focused on my what I am going to do today, because I'm on a very tight schedule today, and...." She stopped. "Well what I mean to say is sorry."
Flash chuckled. "It's fine, Princess." He said. "I know your role as princess is a tough job, and if I do say so myself, you are doing a mighty good job at it."
Twilight giggled and smiled. "Well, thank you." Twilight said.
Flash nodded. "Now, if you excuse me, I have to get back to to guarding." Flash told her. Twilight nodded. Flash smiled, turned around, started walking the other way. Twilight looked back, and sighed.
"Well, what just happened here?" Asked a familiar voice.
Twilight turned her head, and saw Spike. "Spike, what are you doing?" Twilight asked.
"Meh... nothing." Spike smirked.
Twilight didn't like the look on Spike's face one bit. "That face doesn't make me believe you." Twilight said.
"I know." Spike answered. "I just wanted to know if you were awake, that's when I saw you talking Flash. It was interesting, so I stayed there to listen till you were done. That's not a crime, is it?"
"Well...no. It isn't." Answered Twilight. "But you still shouldn't eavesdrop on everypony."
"I don't do on everypony, just on you." Convinced Spike.
"Why?" Twilight asked.
"Because it's funny when you talk to Flash." Spike answered, laughing. "He always talks all lovey-dovey to you, and it's funny to see your reaction." Spike thought again. "But at the same time, it's kinda gross." He stopped laughing.
"Flash doesn't talk to me all lovey-dovey!" Twilight demand.
Spike shrugged. "Okay, whatever you say." He gave up.
"Good, now if you excuse me, I running on a tight schedule, so I am just going to eat some breakfast." Twilight said, and started walking away.
"So... are....." Spike's words were cut of by the knock on the castle doors. Twilight went to see who it was, but Flash got there first. When the door was open, Twilight saw her friends. She smiled.
They all saw her too and shouted. "TWILIGHT!" They all rushed in, almost knocking down Flash, and hugged her.
"It's so nice to see you guys." Twilight said, smiling. Then she got curious, and broke the hugged. "Don't take this the wrong way but why are you all here?"
Her friends all looked at each other, then at Twilight.
"Well, you called us over here, sugarcube." Applejack answered in a confused way.
"I never called you all over. Not that I don't want to, it's just I was going to do that after I ate breakfast, that's all." Twilight answered.
"Yes, you did." Rainbow Dash added. "You said that there was a dire emergency, and you needed our help."
"I never sent or said anything like that. Unless...." Twilight thought, turned around, and shouted. "SPIKE!?!?!" But he never came down.
"Wait, you think Spike did this?" Rarity asked.
Twilight rolled her eyes. "It's kinda obvious. That makes sense why he was talking to about..." Twilight froze.
"Umm.. talking to you about what, Twilight?" Fluttershy asked.
Twilight blushed. "Nothing." She said, shaking her head. "Let's just go somewhere else." Twilight turned and started walking the other way. The rest of them shrugged, and followed her. When they arrived to the dinning room, they all went in, and sat down. "Look I'm sorry that you all were called here, under false circumstances."
"It's okay, Twilight." Pinkie Pie said. "This means that we all get to spend time with you." Then she appeared behind Twilight's chair. "As FRIENDS!!! EEEEE, ISN'T THIS SO EXCITING!?!?!" Pinkie squealed, then disappeared, into her own chair. Twilight smiled and rolled her eyes once more.
"Umm... forgive me for asking but, what was Spike talking about?" Fluttershy asked.
Twilight blushed again. "Nopony." She answered.
"Oh." Rarity swooned. "And who was this, somepony."
Twilight looked at them in shock.
"Can I take a shot at the guess of Flash?" Rainbow Dash asked.
Twilight was still shocked. "Did I say nopony, I meant nothing." Twilight said, laughing nervously. "So no it's not him." She sighed.
All her friends looked at her, Twilight knew that they weren't buying it.
"Are you sure about that, Twi?" Applejack asked.
Twilight started laughing nervously, again. "Yeah." Twilight hesitated. "Why do you ask?"
"Because you were here the whole week "studying"." Rainbow answered.
"What, you don't believe me?" Twilight asked
Rarity shook her head. "Nopony could ever study for that long, darling."
Twilight didn't know what to do, or say. Her friends were all staring at her. Twilight was thinking of an excuse to hide her secret. "Well, I can study for that long, so I just proved your point wrong." Said Twilight. She looked around, and saw her friends. They still weren't buying it.
"Twilight, why have you stayed inside this week?" Pinkie asked.
Twilight looked around, and started hesitating. Finally she gave up. "Fine, I admit it." Twilight shouted. "I don't want to be followed around Ponyville, by my guard, Okay? Are you happy now?" Twilight dropped her head on the table, and groaned.
"That's it? That's what the big fuss is about?" Rainbow complained. "Because you don't want to to be followed around by your guard. That is his job for CELESTIA’S SAKE!!!" Everypony, with the exception of Twilight, stared at Rainbow. "What?" She asked. "It's true." They all looked back at Twilight.
"Twilight, dear." Rarity tried to reason with her. "It's not that bad having a guard around, and following you. It just means you have protection 24/7, that's all."
Twilight raised her head. "I guess you're right, but what happens if a friendship problem comes up. It's not like he could come with us, right?" Everypony stared at each other, once more, then looked back at Twilight.
"Well, we don't know yet." Fluttershy answered, and smiled. "I guess that is something we can find out in the future."
"That's true, sugarcube." Applejack agreed. "You shouldn't get too much ahead of yourself, Twi." Twilight smiled.
"I guess you girls are right." Twilight said, and took a deep breath. "Well the parade isn't going to organize itself, we're half-an-hour off schedule. Come on, girls."
After Twilight quickly ate her breakfast, everypony headed to the town square. When they got there, the floats were already being worked on. Twilight looked around and pulled out a quill and scroll, and started checking things off. While she was doing that, two mares ran up to her. One was a unicorn with a bright pink coat, and a dull blue mane, and her mane color match her eyes, with a flower as a cutie mark. The other one was a earth pony that had light blue coat, with a purple mane, and pink eyes, and hearts as a cutie mark.
"Princess, we need have a problem!" The pink pony exclaimed.
"We need advice on what kind of bows we should use!" The blue mare said.
The pink mare took them out. "Which one? The ultramarine or the rose quartz?" She asked
Twilight took a good look at both of them. "I like the ultramarine." She answered.
They both looked at the ultramarine bow, and smiled. "Thank you, Princess Twilight." They both said in union. They bowed and walked away.
Rainbow rolled her eyes. "What's the difference." She complain. "It's just blue and pink. That's it."
Rarity gasped. "Just blue and pink?" She asked. "They both show elegance and class. It is not just blue and pink. That's what's the difference." Rarity scoffed.
"Okay, settle down y'all." Applejack reasoned. "The reason we came here was to help organize the parade, not argue about colors. Now let's get to work, okay?"
They all agreed, and Twilight assigned them to where they were suppose to do. Everypony went, which left Twilight and Flash alone. Flash looked at Twilight. He took a deep breath, and let it out.
"Umm.. Princess?" Flash asked.
Twilight looked at Flash. "Yes, Flash."
"Well it's about last night." Flash said. "All that was just between us, right? That's not going to be told?"
Twilight shook her head. "I won't tell anypony, if you don't?"
"Agree." Flash said. Twilight smiled.
Twilight looked in front of her, and handed the scroll to Flash. "Can you hold this, Flash?"
Flash nodded, and took it. Twilight started walking towards one of the floats, and started talking to one of the ponies that were putting it together. Flash wasn't that far to not hear what they were talking about. Twilight was just asking some questions about it, and the stallion was answering them. Flash looked up above Twilight, and saw that some other ponies were put heavy duty speakers on the float. He rolled his eyes, but then noticed that they were tipping over. Off the side of the parade float, and Twilight was underneath it.
"WATCH OUT!!!" The stallion called.
Flash didn't know what to do, he ran, and pushed Twilight out of the way, as the speaker and other boxes were falling. The next thing Flash knew was he got hit, with all the stuff. The last thing he heard was Twilight calling out his name, then the rest was silence.
Flash woke up, having a headache and was sore. He barely opened his eyes, when he saw Twilight by his side. He smiled weakly. Flash was about to say something, when Twilight wrapped her forelegs around him. Flash didn't know what to do. Was he supposed to hug Twilight back, or not? Eventually he make up his mind. Flash wrapped his forelegs around her, and close his eyes. He sighed. The only thing that matter right now was this moment. Time passed of not saying anything, and Twilight broke the hug. Flash smiled, so did Twilight. But her smile turned into a frown seconds later.
"What were you thinking?" Twilight asked, in a angry tone.
Flash was confused by the question at first, but then realized what he was talking about. His answer was "I was thinking of helping you."
Twilight looked as angry, as every. "Well I can protect myself, I don't need my guard rescuing me." She shot back.
He was wondering why his princess was acting this way. "That is the reason I'm here." Flash replied. "To make sure you are safe at all times."
Twilight shook her head. "Then don't ever do that again, okay?"
Flash shook his head. "I have to protect and keep you safe, even if that puts myself in danger." He explained. "I can't have you hurt. First, it's my job to. Second I wouldn't be able to live with that guilt from something happened to the you, a princess, or something worst."
She thought for moment. "When you said something worst, do you mean?" Twilight asked, pointing to herself. Flash nodded, which made her gasped. "No."
"But I promise that will never happen to you." Flash said. "I will never let that happen to you." He tried to get off the couch, he was laying on, but couldn't. He was too sore.
"Don't get up." Twilight said. "Lay down, and get some rest."
Flash groaned in pain to lie down. "What happened?" He asked.
"You have a fraction in your wing, and have bruises and some scrapes on you." The princess explained.
"Ugh... that makes sense why I'm so sore." Flash said. He gave a small chuckle, and looked into the beautiful princesses eyes. Just the way Twilight looked at him, made him feel all warm inside.
Twilight let out a small, brief giggle. "I go get some ice and water for you." She said, before leaving the room.
Flash looked at his wing. It was wrapped up on a white bandage. He looked at his hooves, which had scrapes and bruises. That's when Flash realized that he didn't have his armor on. He wanted to look around for it, but Twilight told him not to. Finally he made up his mind, he got off the couch, and started walking around. At first he was a little wobbly, but then got the hang of it. Twilight came back in with some ice and water, and saw Flash walking around. He turned around and saw Twilight surprised.
"Flash, you know you should stay off your hooves right now." Twilight said.
He nodded. "Yes, Princess, but you need a guard with you at all times. " He explained. "The pain doesn't hurt that much, anyway I'm trained to endure injuries." Flash then got curious. "How did you take off my armor?"
"With my magic." She answered, her cheeks turning red a bit. "I just wanted to help you."
Flash looked to the ground, and started walking toward her. "You did, and I appreciate it." He said. "But if I may ask, why do you wanna help me?"
Twilight took a deep breath. "Well...because...umm... because..." Her sentence was interrupted by a familiar voice.
"TWILIGHT!?!?" Spike called. "A letter came in from...." He looked at both of them, with a confused look on his face. "Did I come at a bad time?"
Flash and Twilight looked at each other, then back at Spike. Twilight shook her head saying, "No, anyway..umm..who was the letter from?" She smiled innocently. Flash put on a fake smile, just to pretend that nothing was happening.
Spike held out the letter, and Twilight took it with her magic and opened it. She smiled at once. "It's from Cadence!" She squealed, and kept reading. While Twilight was reading the letter, Flash found his armor, and quickly put it on. Her smile slowly faded away while going over the letter. She took a deep breath. "We all have to go to the Crystal Empire."
"Excuse me, but what do you mean be "we"?" Spike asked.
"I mean you and all the elements of harmony." Twilight answered. "Also known as my friends. But how, the parade is in a few days." She started pacing. "I can't go, but at the same time I have too. How can I do this?" Twilight started to panic.
Flash and Spike looked at each other. Spike nudged Flash, and pointed to Twilight. Flash eyes opened widened, and shook his head. "I can't calm her down, why don't you?" He whispered.
"Or else I'll tell her, that you have a crush on her." Spike whispered.
Flash got a little embarrassed. "No I don't!" Flash said quietly.
"Yes, you do." Spike told him in a low voice, and gave him an evil grin. Flash literally had no choice here. He took a deep breath and tried to go up to her. Of course Twilight was so much in her panic attack, that she wasn't listening to anything else.
"Princess, it's going to be fine." Flash spoke. "Maybe you can get Mayor Mare to organize the parade while you’re gone."
Twilight paused, and smile. "Flash you're a genius." She laughed. "Why didn't I see that before? I'll just give the list of everything that needs to be done, and then tell my friends that we need to leave to the Crystal Empire." She started walking out the door saying, "Come on Flash."
Spike rolled his eyes, and followed Twilight, and Flash followed behind them. When they were out of the castle, Flash caught up with Spike. "Why did you say that I had a crush on the princess?" Flash asked quietly, to Spike.
"Because you clearly do." Spike responded back, in the same tone of voice. "Anyway you wouldn't have calmed Twilight down if you didn't."
Flash took a deep breath. "I guess you're right, but please don't tell her?" He begged quietly. "First, I don't even know if she likes me back. Second, if she does like me, I wouldn't know what to do. Third, what if I confess my feels, and she doesn't care about me. Then I could just ruin our friendship. Fourth, I am just getting ahead of myself, aren't I?"
Spike nodded. "Look just tell Twilight how you feel, and see how it goes." He answered silently. "Who knows, she might like you back."
Flash eyes lite up. "She does?"
"My lips are sealed." Spike smirked.
Flash looked at him and smiled. Then he asked. "What are you to Twilight? Like an adopted brother?"
"Well kinda, number one assistant/little brother."
"Oh, well that makes more sense." Flash then looked at Twilight, and took a deep breath. He started walking faster to catch up to her, but they were already at Town Hall, where Mayor Mare was. Twilight talk to her for some time, then thanked her for everything. Next they all made their way to Sugar Cube Corner. When Twilight opened the door, a pink pony was bouncing all around the place. The rest of the Elements of Harmony turned around, and judging by their faces, they were shocked. Twilight walked in, and sat down at the table were her friends were. Flash still watched her, but didn't sit at the same table. He tried to keep his distance, but Spike ended sitting with him.
"Aren't you sit with them?" Flash asked.
Spike shook his head. "I'm tired sitting with them, and if I sit with you we could talk about sports, music, and not fashion." He answered. "So what do you want to talk about, I for one want to talk about hoofball."
"But it isn't even the right season for hoofball."
"I don't care."
Flash and Spike kept talking and arguing about hoofball and other stuff, while Twilight gave her friends the news about the Crystal Empire.
"I got a letter from Princess Cadence, saying we all have to go to the Crystal Empire." Twilight explained. "But the parade will be soon, so I asked Mayor Mare if she could could do it, and she said yes."
"Why didn't you just get Spike to do it?" Rainbow asked.
"Because last time he tried to helped organize something, it didn't turn out so well." Twilight looked at all them. "It's a very long story, but that is not the point."
"When do we have to go to the Empire?" Asked Fluttershy.
"Well by tomorrow."Twilight answered.
"Isn't there a reason why we have to go, darling?" Rarity looked worried.
"Well no. It doesn't say, but we still have to go." Twilight reasoned.
"Do yah think it might be because of the foul, Twi?" Applejack asked.
Twilight thought for a moment, there was silence.
Pinkie jumped right in saying, "Well duh, it has to be because of the foul." She said. "Or just because they just miss us so much, that they want us to come back."
Everypony looked at her.
"I think we'll take the first reason, Pinkie." Rainbow said, everypony else agreed.
Twilight sighed. "Well I should get back to my castle, to pack and stuff."
"You said "pack and stuff"." Rainbow said. "What does the "stuff" mean."
Everypony looked at her. "Nothing." Twilight blurted out. "It means nothing."
"You still have that crush on your guard." Rarity said.
All of the color drained out of Twilight's face. "No I don't."
Rainbow started laughing. "Yes you do."
"No, I don't."
"Yes, you do."
"No."
"Yes."
"NO!"
"YES!"
"I have to go pack, okay?" Twilight said starting walking. "Flash, Spike, come on."
The two guys looked at Twilight, then started walking away. While walking Twilight thought about what her friends said about Flash. It was true that Twilight had a crush on Flash, but always denied it. One reason was because it wasn't the same Flash from the crazy alternate universe. The other reason was she didn't know if Flash felt the same way for for her. Until she knew how Flash felt for her, nothing would be spoken of it by Twilight. Not even one like about him.
Twilight came to the Ponyville train station with all her stuff. Flash and Spike followed, not to far behind her. The rest of The Elements of Harmony were already there. Twilight went up to her friends and they asked her what the note was about, while Flash and Spike just talked about sports.
"I wonder if Shining Armor and Princess Cadence had there baby already!" Rarity cried out.
Rainbow jumped right in. "I wonder what they named him or her?"
Pinkie started bouncing and squealing. "Oooooo, I wonder if there foul likes super fun parties, so I can throw them one."
Twilight smiled and gave a brief snicker. "Girls, we can't get too ahead of ourselves." She explained. "We don't even know what the note was for."
Everypony thought for a moment. There was silence. A few seconds passed and the Ponyville train came into its station. The train came to a halt, and everypony entered. While they took a seat, the conductor yelled, "ALL ABOARD!" And with that the train started moving on the tracks. Twilight and friends sat together, while Flash and Spike took a seat further away from them. The six mares talked for a while, until one of them brought up the subject of Twilight's guard.
"Sooo, how are you and your "personal guard" getting along." Rainbow nudged her.
Twilight's face turned bright red. "He is just my guard, he’s nothing special."
Her friends all looked at each other and smirked.
"Hey, do I hear Flash talking about you now?" Rarity asked, pointing behind her.
Twilight turned around to where Rarity was pointing. "Really, he is?"
They rest of them giggled. Twilight turned around all embarrassed.
"Let's face the facts Twi..." Applejack said. "You have a crush on him."
"No, I don't..." The blushing alicorn said. "I was just surprised that he would be talking about me, that's all."
"Oh, come on Twilight you obviously like him." Pinkie blurted out, almost so the whole train could hear her.
Twilight covered her mouth, and everypony on that car look at them, even Flash. Which made Twilight more embarrassed than before. "Pinkie, don't say stuff that isn't true." Twilight said aloud. Everypony just looked at her, then went back to their own business.
Meanwhile Flash and Spike were talking about comics, sports, and other stuff. But when Twilight's friend, Pinkie Pie, started saying that Twilight liked somepony, Flash couldn't help but wonder.
I wonder if the Princess of Friendship likes me? Flash thought to himself, blocking out everything else around him. He shook his head. Nah, nopony could ever love me. I'm nothing compared with royalty, and the princess could never fall in love with me. Flash buckheaded himself for the thought of the princess liking him, and looked over at the purple alicorn. She's just so beautiful, kind, and... He buckheaded himself again, for that thought. He knew that it was wrong to think of the princess, he was suppose to protect, that way. He started to hear his name being called out.
"Flash... Flash... Flash" Spike called waving his claw in front of Flash. "HEY, EQUESTRIA TO FLASH!" Flash snapped out of his own world, and into reality.
"Hmm... yeah I agree with you." Flash went on. "I'm with you 100%. Yeah." He smiled nervously.
Spike smirked. "Okay, then what do you agree on?"
Flash's face started turning red, a bit. "Well, why do you need to know?" He asked. "You were the one talking about it."
"Don't you need to know what you agree on?" Spike asked.
"No, because I already know." Flash answered.
Spike was confused. "Then what just happened?" He shook his head.
"We agreed that Twilight was beautiful." Flash said, then went into shock. He remembered that all of that stuff was all inside his head. Flash's face was turning bright red, all the way up to his ears. Spike stared at him, and started laughing hysterically.
"That proves my point." Spike pointed out, still laughing. "You don't only have a crush, but you are in love with Twil- HMP!" He was cut off by Flash covering his mouth, with his hoof.
Flash looked around, then back at Spike. "Don't say it out loud." He backed off. "She can't know yet."
Spike looked quizzically at him. "But she has to one day."
"No, she doesn't." Flash answered. "First, why would she like me, out of all the stallions in Equestria. Second, it would be very unprofessional for a princess to date her guard. Third, that would mean that I would have to tell her one of the biggest secrets in my life, and then I would never have a chance with her." Flash sighed in disappointment. "I don't ever want to tell it, to her especially."
"Why?" Spike asked.
Flash looked over at Twilight with a sad look on his face. "Because she would know how much of a nopony I am."
Spike was confused. "Well can't you at least tell it to me?"
Flash looked back at Spike. "I can't."
"Why?" Spike asked again.
"Because you would judge me, like everypony else." Flash said under his breath.
-------------------------------------------
Hours later...
Twilight could see the sun setting, but could still see the top of the Crystal Empire glisten. She sighed, and looked back at her friends. She thought for a moment, looking back out the window. Does Flash like me?' She asked herself, mentally. I mean, at this point it's just a friendship, but can it be more? Flash is just different. He and I just have a strange relationship, he understands more than I could ever tell my friends, but at the same time I might just be overthinking things. Twilight broke out into a small smile. If I only knew the truth, then I probably not worry. Plus this might be a phase that I am going through, it'll be over soon, hopefully. Twilight saw that they were closer to the Crystal Palace, and started gathering her stuff up. The rest of the Elements of Harmony looked out the window, then gathered their stuff up as well. The train stopped at the station where they were greeted by Shining Armor.
"Shining!" Twilight called, running up to him, and hugged him.
Shining hugged her back. "Twily, how are you?"
"Good." Twilight told her brother about everything that happened, with the exception of the speaker incident. Everypony else started walking after them, when Twilight and brother were walking toward the Palace. When they finally made it inside the Empire, the girls went to go see Cadence right away. While Shining had a meeting with Flash.
"So, how is everything..." Flash's captain asked. "With protecting my little sister and all?"
Flash told the honest truth, again with the exception with the speaker incident.
"Sentry, what is that on your wing?" Shining asked.
Flash looked at his wing, and looked back at his captain. He knew he was waiting for an answer.
"Well, you see the princess was organizing a parade, and a speaker was falling off a flout." Flash started answering. "So I pushed her out of the way, it landed on me and made a fracture in my wing."
Shining nodded. "I see, but is Twilight okay?"
Flash nodded back. "She wasn't hurt at all, Sir."
The two talked for a couple more minutes, then Flash was dismissed to keep guarding. Meanwhile Twilight, her friends, and Spike were talking to Cadence.
"How are doing, Cadence?" Fluttershy asked.
"I'm actually doing very well." The pink alicorn answered. "How are all you?"
"We're doing well." Rainbow said. "Twilight even has a coltfriend." She nudged the purple princess.
Twilight's face turned bright red. "He is not my coltfriend."
"But you want him to be your coltfriend,right?" Rarity asked.
"Can we please stop talking about my love life, please?" Twilight begged.
Everypony laughed.
Twilight smiled nervously. "I'll take that as a yes."
Thirty minutes passed, and everypony was still talking. Then Cadence noticed the time.
"Oh, goodness. You all should be getting ready for bed." Cadence told them.
They all nodded, and started walking toward the door, with their stuff.
"GOOD-BYE CADENCE!" Pinkie said at the top of her lungs.
"Good-bye Cadence." The rest of them said, before heading out of the door.
While they were walking, Twilight bumped into Flash once more. She looked up at him, and blushed. Flash took her hoof in his and lifted Twilight off the ground. It was normal to Flash by now, but he always loved the priceless look on the princess's face. It made his heart feel warm, and he got this fuzzy feeling seeing her. The problem was, they were just friends, and the princess didn't like him like he liked her. It was just so complicated, the way everything worked. Flash felt his heart sink to the pit of his stomach.
If only she liked me as I did for her. Flash told himself.
Twilight and her friends made their way toward their room quarters, and entered inside. Once Twilight went inside, she looked into a mirror, and put her crown on.
If only he liked me as much as I do for him. But we're only friends. She didn't want to give up hope, but Flash didn't have feelings for her. If he did, it was only friends. Twilight walked towards the closes window and closed her eyes.
"Star light, star bright, the first star I see tonight. I wish I may, I wish I might, have this wish I wish tonight. I wish Flash would have feelings for me." She opened her eyes, and looked upon Luna's night sky. Twilight looked closely at the star she wished on. It was almost like it gave her an answer through it's twinkle. She smiled. "Thank you." She said to the star, then went back to unpacking her things.
Meanwhile....
"Cady, what are you doing?" The blue maned unicorn asked asked his wife.
"Hmm... oh, nothing." She answered, and kept staring off into space.
Shining shook his head. "I know you're thinking of something."
"It's just..." Cadence explained. "Do you think Flash and your sister like each other?"
Shining got a little frustrated. "Oh, not this. And I know now why you had Flash be Twily's guard."
The pink alicorn smiled. "But I haven't been able to play matchmaker for a long time, this will be fun." She said. "Plus I am for certain that they are perfect for one another."
Shining made a pouty face. "But what if something happens, and he hurts her?"
"Believe me my dear, that won't happen."
"Mmm... okay then." Shining sighed, then gave his wife a kiss on the cheek. "I love you."
It was just a normal day at guarding, and Flash was standing in front of Twilight’s quarters. He looked around, and heard a scream. It was coming from Princess Twilight’s room. He rushed in, and Twilight being captured by a dark figure.
“Help me, Flash!” Twilight called out.
Flash had no time to lose. He ran up to the dark figure, but before he could could get to Twilight the figure threatened him.
“One step closer, and your beloved princess goes off the side of the balcony.” He said in a deep voice, then laughed evilly.
Twilight shook her head. “Don’t listen to him, Flash!”
He let out another evil laugh.“In other words, either way I was going to do it anyway.” The figure smiled. “Just for fun and a good laugh.”
He let go of Twilight. Flash dashed forward and caught her. He saw that she was all tied up. She looked into his eyes, breathing heavily.
“You saved my life.” Twilight said calmly.
Flash placed her safely on the ground, and shook his head. “Not yet.”
Twilight had a worried look on her face. “Flash, you have to be careful.” She insisted. “He’s like Tirek. He’ll take your powers and use them to his own benefit, like he did to me.”
Flash thought for that moment. “That doesn’t matter, all that matters is that you are safe.” He darted up back to Twilight’s balcony.
“Oh, so you came back to fight.” The dark figure said in his raspy voice.
Flash growled. “Of course I did.”
The figure laughed. “You’re only doing this to save your beloved princess aren’t you?”
“I’m doing this to protect her.” Flash answered.
The figure disappeared into a shadow, but Flash could still hear him trotting around.
“Show yourself, coward!” Flash called out.
It laughed. “Me a coward, no.” He reappeared Flash, knocking him over. “Face it, love has made you grow weak.”
“I’m not in love with her, I just want her safe.” Flash said.
The raspy voice laughed again. “That is coming from your head, isn’t it? Face it, you will never be her hero.” The figure disappeared into a shadow once more. “First, she is her own hero. Second, she already has a coltfriend.”
Flash paused and held his breath. “No, she doesn’t.”
“Then see for yourself.” The shadow insisted, while he pulled out a mystical mirror, putting in front of Flash’s face. Twilight was inside her room. There was a knock on the window. She went to go get it, and a stallion came in. He kissed her, and Twilight kissed him back. The magic faded away into a reflection of Flash.
The figure was right behind him. “So in other words, there's nopony who loves you.”
“There might not be, but I can still save her.” Flash punch him in the face, knocking him out. “Never had a chance to take my powers, huh?” Flash smiled. “And that’s enough tormenting for you, metapony.”
Flash flew down toward Twilight. She looked up at him, and smiled. Flash landed beside her, when she told those words, “You’re my hero, Flash.”
Twilight wrapped her forelegs around Flash in a hug, putting her forehead against his, looking into his eyes. Flash did the same, but something surprising then happened. Twilight closed her eyes and started giving him a kiss, like a real kiss. Not one that was on the cheek or forehead, one right on the lips. Flash first went wide eyed, then closed his eyes, relaxed, kissing her back. But a strange thing started happening. He started hearing his name being called out by the princess.
“Flash... Flash…. Flash?”
Flash found himself still in front on of Twilight’s quarters, snapping back into reality, and making out with the head of his spear. Twilight was in front of him, trying not to laugh. Flash instantly dropped his weapon on the ground, turning a bright red.
“P-princess, w-what a sur-rprise t-to see you h-here.” Flash stuttered nervously, while rubbing the back of his neck.
Twilight couldn’t help but let out a brief giggle at this time. “Well you are my guard, but if I may ask...” Twilight continued. “why were you making out with... umm…” Twilight pointed to Flash weapon.
Flash’ eyes grew wide.
“Umm… well…” Flash wasn’t able to finish his sentence, since the princess had started laughing.
Twilight was laughing so hard, she was crying. Flash smiled, forgetting about what happened, and chuckled a bit. He was glad to see the Twilight laughing, even if she was laughing at him. Twilight eventually stopped laughing, looking at Flash.
“Well… I should get going…” She smiled.
Flash was unsure about one problem. “Princess, how did you know… well… to come out here?”
Twilight smiled. “You were calling out “Princess”.” She chuckled. “And you’re the only one calls me that.” Twilight turned to go back in her chambers.
She turned around, but before she could go back into her quarters, Flash called out her name.
“Princess.” He called.
Twilight turned to look at him.
“Yes, Flash?” She asked.
Flash began to feel nervousness come over him. To himself he was in a panic mode. What am I doing? I can’t do this. I can’t do this. I CAN’T DO THIS!!! Flash told himself.
“Umm… do you want to hang out sometime?” Flash asked. “As in, can I show you around the empire?”
Twilight smiled, while nodding her head. “I would love that.”
Flash was shocked. “Umm… great, that’s great.” That was all he could say. “So, when shall the tour start?”
“Give me ten minutes.” She started walking backwards to her room. When she got back in her chambers, Twilight was breathing heavily. Knowing she wasn’t being asked on a date or anything like that. She looked around, and saw Spike sitting down in the corner, reading a comic. He looked up in curiosity.
“Is everything okay?” Spike asked.
Twilight nodded. “Yeah, I just need to get ready for something.”
Spike grinned. “For what?” He got up, and walked over to her. “Is it for a date with, oh I don’t know… Flash?”
“No.” Twilight face was turning a bright red. “I am just hanging out with him…” She sat in front of a full length mirror, looking at herself. “In ten minutes.” Twilight sighed.
Spike stood next to her. “What are you guys doing?”
Twilight used her magic to levitate a brush from out of her drawer, and started brushing through her mane. “He’s showing me around the empire.”
“But I thought you already knew all of the empire.” Spike said.
“I do.” Twilight sighed. “It’s just, I didn't want to say no to him.”
“Why?” Spike smirked. “Is it because you have a crush on him?”
Twilight eyes grew wide, stopping what she was doing. “I do not have a crush on him, okay?” Her face started turning a bright red.
“Are you sure about that?” Spike asked in a deleterious tone.
Twilight sighed. “Spike are you going to keep asking me these questions?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“Why don’t you go read your comic book… umm… what was it about?” Twilight glanced at his and levitated his comic over to Spike.
“Meh, really nothing’s happening.” Spike answered. “I thought of reading one of the comics that you bought but, it’s just really cheesy. What is this? Isn’t this the comic you got like, yesterday?”
Twilight looked at it with shock. It was the book she got the day before. “Spike you’re just a baby. You shouldn’t fill your head with this.” She took the book with her magic, putting it in the dresser drawer.
“Is that why it doesn’t make sense, I think it’s all like about hidden….” Then it clicked in Spike’s mind of what was happening. “This is about you and Flash, right?”
Twilight glanced at the floor. “Maybe... but he doesn’t like me.” She smiled nervously. “It’s not possible. He probably already has a marefriend.”
“What if I told you that, he did like you?” Spike asked with curiosity.
Twilight answered with the following question. “What if I told you Rarity liked you?”
Spike thought for moment. “Point taken.”
Meanwhile……
Flash buckheaded himself. This is what happens when I daydream about the princess. It’s impossible for me to be her hero. For Celestia’s sake, she saves Equestria every single day. I mean Princess Twilight is the Element of Magic, and is the newest princess in here. He sighed. She’ll just never she me the way I see her. He reached down to pick up his spear, when he had a vision of his past.
*FLASHBACK*
The eight year old Flash Sentry was looking out the window. Watching Luna’s night sky, in his room, which was the the drafty attic. It was always either too hot or cold up there.
“If only my parents didn’t leave me here.” Young Flash whimpered. “Why did I have to be an orphan?” Tears started running down his cheeks. “Why does nopony like or care me about me?”
“Brat, is that you?!” A voice yelled from the other side of the door. Pounding on the door so hard, almost knocking it down.
Flash looked over, across the dark room, at the door. He started walking, trembling with fear, toward the door, opening it. A dark, tall, stallion on the other side. The young colt didn’t dare look up at him.
“HEY, YOU DIDN’T ANSWER ME, BRAT!!!!!” The stallion throttled him by the throat. “What are doing up so late, on a school night?”
“I wasn’t tired.” Flash answered plainly.
The tall stallion growled.”Get to bed! You have school and a job tomorrow!“
Flash looked over at his bed. All it was a cardboard box, laid flat on the ground, and a blanket, spread over top of it. He sighed. “Why do you treat me this way?”
“Because we adopted you, now you pay us respect by doing things for us.” He answered. “And doing that is doing jobs for us.”
“Why?”
The stallion looked upon him angrily. “That’s it.” He grabbed something out of the room, and started beating him. “This is what you get for disrespecting me.”
Tears welded up in his eyes. “Please stop!” He pleaded.
The stallion let go of him. “Next time you’ll be smarter than talking back to me.”
Young Flash looked up at him, with a bruised face and tears in his eyes. “Yes sir.” He trotted to his bed.
“Now get to bed, brat.” The stallion turned around, slamming the door behind him.
Flash ran out of his bed, trying to open the door, but couldn’t. It was locked from the outside. Walking to his window once more, into the night sky.
“One day I’ll become a captain of the royal guard, and make it illegal for fillies and colts being treated this way.” The young colt said. “It’s not fare, for anypony.”
He touched his face and grimaced. “Why? Why am I not loved?” Tears ran down Flash’ face. “I’ll never be loved, ever.”
*END OF FLASHBACK*
Flash found himself breathing heavily, dumbstruck about what happened. Finding the princess in front of him.
“Are you okay, Flash?” She asked.
He nodded, with a fake smile. “Yeah, I’m fine.” Flash answered. “Are you ready? For hanging out I mean?”
Twilight nodded. “Yeah. Shall we?”
Flash bowed. “After you, princess.” He smiled.
The purple alicorn did the same. “Oh, whatever.”
Flash and Twilight started to walk out of the Crystal Empire, but neither of them knew that five pairs of eyes were watch them walk and talking all the way down the hallway. The rest of the Elements of Harmony were giggling, for later teasing a friend. That friend was Twilight Sparkle.
The two ponies were walking through the empire streets. Flash pointed out some of his favorite places, and asked Twilight some of her favorite places. She told him the library was, which was kind of obvious to him. After a few minutes of walking a silence crept in. Flash looked over at the princess, wanting to say something, but couldn’t. He just couldn’t find the words. The guard looked away from the purple princess. Twilight glanced at Flash, then looked away. Before they knew it they were on the outskirts of the Crystal Empire.
“So, I guess that is the end of the tour, right?” Twilight chuckled.
Flash did the same. “Well kinda.” He looked over at some bushes. “I actually took you here for a reason.” The stallion smiled warmly, looking back at the princess.
Twilight looked into Flash’ eyes. Oh, dear Celestia. Is this what I think is going to happen? The alicorn asked mentally. Is he going to ask me? Is he really going to tell me?
“Really?” Twilight inquired, while questions filled her head.
The orange pegasus nodded. He started walking towards the bushes, Twilight followed. Flash pick a crystal rose and handed it to the princess.“This is just a little thank you for coming.”
Twilight nodded, then looked back at her guard. “Are you sure I can hold it?”
Her guard let out a brief chuckle. “Of course you can.”
The young princess carefully grabbed the rose. It was beautiful, the colors mostly purple and blue, and felt like nothing. She used her magic to put it in her mane. Flash glanced at Twilight. She smiled, cutely, back at him.
Her smiling like that makes me fall in love with her, even more. Flash found himself slipping out of reality. She was made to be a princess. With her being so smart and beautiful. He sighed, then realized that Twilight was doing the same thing. She was staring right at him, dazed into her own world.
“Umm…. Princess?” Flash looked around, awkwardly.
She shook her head, to gain consciousness again. “What, sorry, did you say something?”
The guard shook his head.
“Oh.” She looked down, nodding her head.
They both stood there for a few moments, twiddling their hooves.
“So, what now?” Flash asked, breaking the silence
Twilight shrugged. “I guess I don’t have plan.” She chuckled.
“I guess we should be heading back.” Flash said, looking into the sky.
“Yes, indeed we should.” The princess nodded.
“Okay, then.” Flash smiled, warmly. “Any place you would like to be escorted?”
Twilight shook her head plainly. “On second thought, I would just like to stay here.” She turned around, sitting herself on the green grass, looking up at the clouds. “Have you ever wondered about, how it would be like to be…. I don’t know…. free?”
The stallion looked at her, quizzically, sitting himself next to the young princess. “I don’t understand. You’re the Princess of Friendship, aren’t you already free?”
“No.” Twilight answered, still staring at the fluffy clouds. “If I was free, I wouldn’t be a princess. But on the other hoof, if I wasn’t a princess, there would be many friendship problems around Equestria.” She sighed. “Since I was a filly I always loved books, but I wanted to travel around Equestria. Go sightseeing, get more information. Now that I’m a princess, I don’t have anytime for that. At the same time, my friends and I are helping friendships around the world.”
“But you’re a princess, can’t you do anything you want?” Flash asked.
Twilight laughed briefly. “Well, that’s what everypony else thinks. Being a member of the royal family feels like, I’m getting pulled down even more. More standers, being a role model, being watched by every step I take.” She sighed once more. “I know I shouldn’t be complaining about this, I also know that i am living almost every filly’s dream right now. Being royal, a princess, meeting other royals. But this was never my plan.” She looked to the ground.
“Princess.” Flash reached out his hoof, putting it underneath her chin, making her look at him. “I can’t say I understand what you are going through, since I’m not a princess or anything like that.” The purple princess giggled. “All I can say is, that you hide it very well. But sometimes you need to let things out. Talk about it to somepony. Let out how you really feel. Have you told this to your friends, or let alone anypony else?”
She shook her head.
“Why not? They seem like friends that wouldn’t judge you no matter what you say.”
“I don’t know. I guess like thought that, they wouldn’t understand. That they would tell me so many things that wouldn’t help at all.” Twilight pushed her guards’ hoof gently, looking at the ground once more.
Flash smirked. “Your friends would never judge for anything, have they done it in the past?”
“No.”
“See, they are your closes friends. They wouldn’t judge you if you say your real feelings.” The guard put his hoof under her chin again, making her look at him.
The young princess smiled. “Yeah, you’re right.” Twilight let out a brief laugh. “I guess I was overthinking things?”
Flash nodded. “Yes, you were princess.”
They looked at each other, starting then to laugh. Twilight hugged Flash, in laughing so hard. The pegasus couldn’t help but return the embrace, not thinking about anything else. The two finally calmed down, looking into each other's eyes. They soon got embarrassed, even though nopony was watching them, and let go, separating into their own space bubbles.
“Princess?” Flash asked being professional again. “May I say something?”
“Of course.” The purple princess answered.
He took a deep breath. “You have a beautiful name.” He closed his eyes.
Twilight froze, looking at him. “Really?” Her cheeks turned a light red color.
“Yes.” He looked at the young princess, smiling. “It reminds me a song by Griffin City, Vanilla Twilight."
“Oh, is that the song that’s says, ‘The stars lean down to kiss you.’ ” She sang.
Flash nodded. “Yes, ‘and I lie awake and miss you.’ ”
“‘Pour me a heavy dose of atmosphere’.”
They both started singing.
“‘When violet eyes get brighter.’” Twilight continued singing.
“‘And heavy wings grow lighter’.” Flash continued.
“‘I’ll taste the sky and feel alive again.’”
“‘ And I’ll forget the world that I knew.’”
“‘But I swear I won’t forget you.’”
“ ‘Oh, if my voice could reach back through the past,’”
“‘I’d whisper in your ear.’”
They both sang the last line in unison. “‘Oh, darling I wish you were here.’”
Silence dawned between the two. They looked at each other, smiling.
“You have a beautiful voice, Princess.” Flash commented, breaking the silence.
Twilight smiled, blushing from the comment. “Aww… thank you, Flash. Same goes for you, you have a magnificent singing voice.”
He looked at her, his cheeks the same tone red as Twilights’. “You… really... think… so?” Flash stuttered asking.
“Of, course. You know what?” Twilight said, layinga herself on the grass. “There’s going to be a special event at Sugar Cube Corner in a few weeks, hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Cake. You should come.”
“What’s happening at this “special event”?” Asked the guard, who was laying himself down by the princess, on the soft green grass.
The princess giggled. “Well, it’s going to be a live music venue lounge, and I think you should participate in it.” She looked over at him.
Flash did the same to Twilight, “Me? You want me to participate in it?” He was confused. “I mean, I don’t think I’m that good. I never sang in front of anypony, with the exception of you, Princess.” He looked to the sky again.
Twilight did the same. “I mean, you don’t have to, if you don’t want to. I’m not trying to force you to do anything. It’s your own decision, besides it’s in a few weeks.” She sighed, closing her eyes. “Gives you time to make your decision.”
He looked over at the purple alicorn, resting herself, in the green soft grass, with the cool summer breeze, blowing through the air. Flash finally closed his eyes also, then felt a smaller body by him. He opened his eyes, looking at Twilight, cuddling close to him. She opened her eyes too, and looked up at him.
“I need to be protected.” She smiled. Flash did the same thing, wrapping his wing around her, bringing the princess closer. Even though Flash still had his armor on, Twilight found herself the most relax and comfortable. Closing her eyes, resting beside her guard.
Flash's words, his breath, was taken away. Her actions, her words, drew him closer. Wanting to be with her every second of her life, but he knew that wasn’t reality. The orange pegasus pushed his thoughts aside, to think of every moment, right now, at this exact time. His heart almost skipping a beat.
This is too good to be true. Flash told himself, as his heart rate rised considerably. I’m dreaming. She isn’t doing this. The Princess of Friendship, let alone any princess, would ever do this with a lowly guard, like me. A pony who was never loved, like myself, could never win Twilight's’ heart. He pushed his thought aside, thinking about nothing else, except Twilight, the princess.
------------------------------------------
Time passed by and the two ponies decided to head back towards the Crystal Empire. While walking, they had a very awkward conversation.
“Sorry about what happened earlier.” Twilight apologized.
Flash, whom was walking beside her, nodded. “It’s completely fine, Princess. Anyway, it’s not your fault.”
“No, it is.” She told Flash. “It’s my fault, I was getting too close. I’m the one who snuggled close to you.”
“Well, I’m the one who brought you closer with my wing, I mean….” He looked around. “I mean…. It’s probably both of our faults.”
She smiled. “Yeah, I guess.” Twilight said, stopping, walking the opposite way. “Flash?”
“Yes, Princess.”
“Come here.” She ordered. Flash obeyed.
Twilight just stood there, looking out on the grassland. Turning her head towards Flash, smiling, then looking back onto upon the grass land.
She sighed. “Just think, one day this could all be ours.”
“I don’t quite follow, Princess.” Flash stated. “What are you trying to say?”
“What I’m trying to say is,” Twilight turned her head, looking at Flash once more. “I have deep feelings for you. I want to be more than just, friends. I want more.” She looked at him with passion.
Flash just looked at her, wide eyed. “ Are you saying, you have feelings for me? And want me to be your… coltfriend?”
She nodded, looking into his eyes, passionately. “That’s if you want to be. If you want me to be your fillyfriend, that is. “
“Of course I would.” He smiled. “That’s if you’ll accept me, the way I am. Because there is a lot of secrets that I hide, and I don’t think you would like me anymore if I told any of- HMTP.” His mouth was covered by Twilight’s hoof.
She took back her hoof, smiling. “I won’t judge you for that, we all have our secrets.”
“Yes, we do, my princess.” Flash said nuzzling her. Twilight giggled.
They looked each other, smiling. Getting closer, their faces close, forehead to forehead. The two closing their eyes, going into a kiss. There lips touching for the first time, a moment that could never be lost.
Flash opened his eyes hearing the rustling of the wind, realizing it was all just a dream he had. That he had fell asleep, next to the princess, who was still fast asleep. He didn’t want to wake her, and looked around, not getting up. He figured they had been dozing for about an hour, by where the sun was. Glancing back at the peacefully sleeping princess, he smiled. Flash knew he had to wake her up, no matter what. They couldn’t never be caught doing this, ever.
“Twilight, Twilight.” He whispered, rubbing her foreleg gently.
She slowly opened her eyes, looking at him. “Oh, hello again.” Twilight greeted awkwardly.
“Hello, Twilight. Are you ready to get back to the empire?” Flash asked sweetly.
Twilight nodded. “Yes, I think so.”
“Okay, let’s get going then.” He said, letting the princess stand up first, then himself.
The two started walking, the silence dawning between them. Walking in silence made Twilight uncomfortable, wanting to say something, but not knowing how to. Looking around, remembering then she had a meeting with Cadence later. She became worried, since she forgot all about it, even though it wasn’t about anything special, and wondered if Cadence would be mad or disappointed in her. By the time the two were in the castle hallways, Twilight stopped by one of the doors. Flash did the same thing.
“So, this is where I’m suppose to go, now.” Twilight explained.
“Yeah, so…” Flash shrugged. “see you later?”
She giggled. “See you later, Flash.” Twilight smiled, turning her way towards the door.
Flash smiled also, watching her go into the meeting room. Before she closed the door all the way she waved good-bye, Flash did the same thing, then she closed the door. Twilight sighed and smiled, not seeing her friends and Cadence.
“What was that all about?” Rainbow asked.
Twilight shook her head, blushing. “Nothing, nothing at all.”
“Come on, sugarcube, you can tell us.” Applejack smiled.
Pinkie giggled. “Plus, that’s not what your face is saying.”
“I don’t know what you are talking about.” Twilight looked away.
“Are you sure about that, darling?” Rarity asked. “Then what were doing for the past hour and a half?”
The girls giggled.
Twilight's’ face just a brighter red. “Umm…. I was…. hanging out with... Flash…. that’s all.”
“Like your guard, Flash?” Cadence asked.
“Hanging out, like on a date?” Rarity gawked.
The purple alicorn shook her head. “Yes, my guard Flash, but no to the date part.” She scoffed. “Anyway, I have no interest in him.”
Everypony in the room, just stared at her.
She sighed. “Is it that obvious?”
They all nodded.
“I KNEW IT!!!” Pinkie exclaimed.
Twilight rolled her eyes. “Oh come on. I’m guessing I’ll hear a lot of this, for a while?”
“Yeah, a lot.” Rainbow stated.
“But don’t worry, Twilight. We’re not going to tease you too much for this.” Fluttershy added. “Plus we are very happy you finally let us know the truth.”
“Of course we are.” Rarity smiled. “We only want what’s best for you, and what makes you happy."
Twilight let out a deep breath. “It’s great to finally let it out. But tell me…. is this what you were trying to get out of me?”
Cadence giggled. “Pretty much, but please…. tell us what happened.”
“Please, pretty please.” They rest of them begged.
“Well… okay.” Twilight agreed. “So……”
The purple princess explained the whole day, of what happened, in her own words. The best feelings she had that day was, finally saying the truth. Listening to Flash's advice. Telling her friends the truth. It felt good to have a load off her back. She had this good of a feeling telling her friends this, but how would this feeling expand if she told Flash.
It was a pleasant day in the Crystal Empire, again, and the six mares were just roaming the streets, with Flash and Spike talking behind them.
“So, Twilight, when are you going to tell Flash, you like him?” Fluttershy asked.
Twilight put her hoof over her mouth. “Shhh…. He doesn’t need to know, yet.” She sighed. “I don’t know.” She took her hoof away.
Rainbow looked at her. “Why?”
“What?” The princess asked.
“Why can’t he know, yet?”
Twilight sighed. “I guess I’m just afraid, he will reject me.”
“Why in Equestria would he ever do that?” Rarity asked. “You’re the Princess of Friendship.”
“That’s just it, I don’t have any experience in relationships.” Twilight sighed, walking with her head down. “How would I ever be able to be in one? I’ve read so many books on it, but none of them told me step-by-step of what I’m suppose to do.”
Applejack put her hoof on the princess’s shoulder. “No book can ever tell you that, because love and relationships are precious. You can’t put it on any scale or specific directions.”
“That is the one thing that doesn’t come with a study guide, no matter how much you research for it.” Rarity added. “It’s something you do at your own pace, not somepony else’s.”
Twilight smiled, but soon turned into a frown, once more. “But, what if…. what if I tell him, but he doesn’t feel the same for me back? What then?”
“Then that’s his problem!” Pinkie shouted.
“Pinkie!” The rest of them wined.
She shrugged her shoulders. “What, it’s the truth.”
Rainbow snickered a bit, with Applejack punching her in the foreleg.
The princess smiled a bit. “I guess you’re right. I am thinking about this too much?”
“Just a tiny bit.” Fluttershy agreed. “But not too much.”
The rest of them started to laugh a bit. But not to far behind them, there was another conversation going on.
“I don’t know, Spike. That just doesn’t seem right.” Flash stated.
Spike groaned. “Oh come, it has to sound right.”
“Well, it doesn’t, it sounds wrong. I think you need to get your facts straight."
“You’re starting to sound like Twilight, you know that?” The baby dragon yacked. “Always having a list of facts to back you up. Blah, Blah, Blah.”
Flash glared at him. “That’s not true. Anyway, how could you say the Broncos are the worst team, in hoofball?”
Spike shrugged. “I don’t know, I mean. How could you say that they are the best?”
“Well, maybe it’s because that’s what I was made to like when I was younger, and like now.”
“Wait, what? Made to like, when you were younger?” Spike was confused.
The guard gazed in the opposite direction of the dragon. “Well, yeah, made to like the team. Is there a problem with that?” He looked back at Spike.
He shook his head. “Nope, nothing at all.”
“Okay, then. Then that is settled.” They kept walking.
“But seriously, Dude. Seriously, the Broncos.” Spike asked in disbelief.
Flash glanced at Twilight, then back Spike. “Yeah, why not?”
“But why so?”
“Because….” There was silence after Flash stated that answer.
Spike thought for a moment. “That’s not an answer.”
“I know…”
“Then why did you say it?” The baby dragon asked.
The orange pegasus smirked. “Because I can.”
Spike gave him a look of bemusement. “No. Just. No. That isn’t funny, dude.” He shook his head. “ And it will never be funny. So, just don’t say that again.”
Flash turned his head forward, with a triumph smile on his face. “Wasn’t doing this for your amusement, I was doing it for my own.”
Spike sighed. “You have a lot to learn.”
“About what?”
“About life.”
Flash rolled his eyes. “Jee, thanks. I’ve always wanted to learn about that. Since, you know, I haven’t known anything about that for the longest time.” He sarcastically said.
Spike just smiled, also looking what was in front of him. “You’re welcome.”
All eight of them finally came to the outskirts of the Crystal Empire. Twilight and her friends looked around, still talking. Spike walked up to Twilight, with her using her magic, to put the small dragon on her back. Flash looked around also, but then saw a black figure in the distance, just standing there. It felt quite strange to Flash, but try to shrug it off. He looked back there again, but this time it seemed to be walking closer. In an instant, everything and pony was frozen. Flash looked around, confused of why nothing was moving except him, and the other pony. A blue blast of magic appeared in front of him. He was covered in black clothing.
“Get away from Princess Twilight, or something will happen to her. And believe me it’s not going to be pretty.” The mysteries pony threatened, with his gruff voice. “ You got three minutes, and your time has already started.”
With that, he disappeared in the distance again, and everypony and thing went back to normal. Flash looked at the young princess, then thinking again. He walked up to Twilight who was talking to her friends, and Spike. He took a deep breath and realized he didn’t have anything to say. He knew he had to wing it, but he also knew he was wasting time. The clock was ticking.
“Princess.” Flash stated firmly, walking up to Twilight.
She turned around, looking at him, smiling. “Yes, Flash.”
“I have to go.” He let it slip. With that being said he turned the other way.
“Why?”
He knew he didn’t have the time to say, or explain it. “I just have to go.”
That's when the voice came back, but this time it was in his head. “Tick-Tock, you only got a minute left.”
“Just trust me, Princess. Look I just need to go.” Flash insisted.
“Thirty seconds left.” The voice reminded him.
Twilight just looked at him, levitating Spike off her back. Her friends looked at Flash with a strange look. Glancing at all of their faces, it just made him worried.
“Fifthteen seconds left.” The voice crept in his head once again.
He started walking away, but the young princess chose to follow him.
“Five seconds left.”
He turned around, looking at Twilight straight in her eyes. “I have to go for a moment. It’s for your own safety.”
“But… I don’t….” In that second, everything was frozen again.
The same pony appeared behind him. “You failed the task.” He laughed in his gruff voice. “I knew it would be impossible. She would never leave you, how sweet.” The mysterious pony said mocking Flash.
“You didn’t play fair then. You cheated.” The guard accused.
He laughed, with a devilish grin on his face. “Well sometimes you gotta learn the hard way then, huh? Sometimes you just have to stop being so gullible.” He disappeared in a blast of blue magic.
Flash looked around, finding soon to be hit with something hard. Turning behind him, getting punched in the face. Falling to the ground, looking then up. Seeing another pony, they were both dressed the same.
“He’s a wimp. Wonder how he even became a guard?” One stated.
“It doesn’t matter.” The other pony told his companion. “Get the princess’s magic.”
“How do I do that?”
The one with the gruffer voice groaned. “You stupid?” He hit him hard upside the head. “Take her cutie mark, put it in the jar you got, take it in that abandoned building, then light the building on fire. Got that.” The other one nodded, following his orders.
Flash looked up at them. Carefully standing up, gazing at the two ponies. As they went through with their own plan, but the guard just looked from one pony to the other. Watching as they worked on their plan of doom. Then he couldn’t move, it felt like he was super glued to the ground. The one pony looked at him.
“And you can’t do anything about this, can you?” He said with an evil grin.
The pony walked away, to help his partner with capturing the princess and her magic. Flash, fortunately, could still see what was happening. Either he forgot to complete the spell, or did it on purpose. The guard could help but to wonder if that mysterious pony did do all this for a reason. The two ponies took the princess to the now burning building, with her cutie mark in the jar. As soon as the two were out of sight,with Twilight, time continued as it should have moments before. At once, Flash, started running towards the burning building. He ran with all his might, not bearing to see somepony else who cares for him so much, leave again. Once he made it inside, the young guard looked around.
“Princess! Princess!” Flash shouted, as he called for Twilight. The only thing he could hear was the fire embers crackling.
Until there was a brief, and quite, cough. Flash eyes widened, as he keep looking around.
“Princess! Princess!” He kept calling. Searching frantically.
“Flash?” A voice called back.
“Princess!” The guard called again. “Princess!”
Trying to follow the sound of her voice, Flash walked quickly. Knowing the two times were different. Just because it felt like only a few minutes, it could of been twenty to , with this building in flames.
“Flash?” He heard again. The guard kept moving more quickly then ever, calling out her name.
“Twilight?!” He called out. “Twilight!!”
By this time Flash was worried if he would ever see her face again. Looking into her eyes, bring him to life. If Equestria would ever see the the Princess of Friendship. If the Elements of harmony would ever be able to defeat anypony else. He realized right from the beginning that all this was his fault. If he made the wrong choice, it could lead up to her future. The consequences.
“Flash?” Her voice was much clearer from before.
He turned his head, to look where the voice was coming from.
“Flash?” Twilight asked, looking up at him. “Where’s my cutie mark?” She was tied to a post and had a stern look on her face.
Flash sighed, knowing that she was okay. He went up to her and quickly untied the young princess from the post. “Just get out of the building, as fast as you can. I’ll find your cutie mark.” The guard stated, once Twilight was on her hooves, again.
“But, what about you?” She had the same look from before.
“I’ll be fine. Now go. Now!” Flash stated loudly.
Twilight nodded, following her guards orders. Flash looked around frantically, trying to gaze through the flames. Trotting quickly, breathing heavily. The ashes hurting his eyes, making Flash’s eyes water. He was walking so quickly that he tripped over something. Once he fell on the rugged tile, Flash got up immediately to look what he fell over. To his surprise, it was a glass jar with a cutie mark. The cutie mark belong to the princess, Princess Twilight Sparkle. The guard quickly got a hold of jar. Without even thinking, he took the jar, and broke the glass, by smashing it against the ground. Shattering to a million pieces, luckily he didn't cut himself. Once the cutie mark was free, it floating away quickly. Back to the princess, to whom it belonged to. Flash looked around, throwing the remaining pieces of the jar, in his hooves, on the rugged tile. Running as fast as he could to get out of the burning building. Until her saw something, or more like, somepony. There were three ponies standing there, but only one takes off his mask. He has jagged dark blue and yellow mane, with his coat matching the blue in his mane, and dark emerald eyes.
"Hello, Trash Sentry." He had a devilish look on his face.
Flash narrowed his eyes, knowing instantly who it was. "Lightning Streak." He muttered with a scowl upon his muzzle.
"Long time, no see, Trash." Lightning laughed.
"My name is not Trash, it's Flash." The guard growled.
"So, what do I get out of saying your real name? Plus what do I care?" He laughed again. "Anyway, if I know anything about construction, I know that this building is going to fall down any minute now."
At that moment Flash heard cuffs closing and locking in place. He looked at his hoof with the cuff on it, and back at Lightning Streak.
"And you're not going to be able to go back to your beloved princess." He smirked as his two companions chuckled.
The embers from the fire were still burning, it made Flash's eyes water.
"Awe, you going to cry, Trash. Face it you're not made to be cared for. Especially by Princess Twilight Sparkle." Flash took a deep breath, looking at him sternly. "I know that." The blue stallion smiled. "Good, because she is mine. And she will always be mine." With that, he turned, spread his wings out, and took flight. But before he did leave, Lightning turned his head, looking at Flash with the same devilish smirk. “See you later, Trash.” And with that he left. His two companions followed him but levitating themselves, leaving Flash cuffed to the pole. The guard struggled to get out, but had no success. He finally escapes from the cuffs and frantically looks for a way out. But before he could get out of the burning building, it crashed down. With Flash still in there, he ducked, and heard a long high pitched sound, until there was silence.
*************
Flash woke up, in a daze. Not seeing everything clearly. Once he gained clear consciousness, he looks around for somepony.
"Hello, anypony?" He tries to get up, but finds out he is tied to something. Flash looks down, and finds he is tied down to a chair. He rattles the rope a bit, before he was interrupted by a familiar voice.
"Hello, Trash Sentry." He said in a mocking voice.
Flash didn't want to look up, but did so anyway. "Lightning Streak." He growled.
The blue pegasus, smirked following with a laugh. "So, we meet again."
Flash snarled. "So we do. What do you want from me? It's not like I have anything you want."
Lightning shook his head in disappointment. Flash could see he was enjoy this, with the other stallion starting to laugh in a evil statement. "That's where you are wrong, Trash. You see, I do want something you have. Something you don't deserve to have."
"What? What do you want?"
Lightning walked slowly towards the young guard. "I want her."
Flash's eyes grew wide. They were filled with fear. "Why do you want her? Why do you want the princess?"
Lightning just smirked, with a devilish look crossed his face. "Because, I know I am in love with somepony when I see them. And I am very much in love with Princess Twilight. But I am a very lucky stallion."
"What are you talking about?" Flash raised one eyebrow while saying his question.
"He saying that you missed many things." And feminine voice, but a little gruff at the same time.
Flash took a deep breath, hoping it wasn't who he thought it was. "Winny?
A red mare came out of the shadows, with blood red mane and the tips colored black. With her wings were the same color.
“Hey, Flash.” Winny said in a mocking tone.
Flash could tell she wasn't trying to be friendly.
“Why are you doing this, Winny? Why are you going against the pony who made our life miserable as fouls?” Flash asked, concerningly.
“So, you think you are better then him, huh?” Another familiar voice asked, in a treating manner. “Huh?”
Flash’s eyes opened. “Thunderlane?”
A black coated stallion came out of the shadows. With a two-toned grey mane, and a stoned face look.
“Yeah, but you never answered my question.” Thunderlane said sternly. “Do you think you are better than him? Do you think you are better then Lightning Streak?”
“No.” Flash answered.
The black stallion looked over at Winny, with them exchanging glances.
“You know, it's very hard to believe you when you have lied to us for all these years, Trash.” Thunderlane smirked evilly.
Flash gave a death glare towards the two ponies. “Did you just call me Trash.”
“Yeah, he did. I should be your real name.” Winny shouted. “Since you are a one, Trash.”
“Why?” Flash shouted back. “Why are trying to make my life a living hell?! Why are you ganging up with the pony, who made our lives miserable all our lives?!”
“Because you were wrong about him!” Thunderlane shot back. “Are you going to cry about it, huh?”
“Because now you're all alone.” Winny said in her mocking baby voice. “Everypony has left you, and no pony loves you.”
The two swiftly walked towards him, then circling around Flash.
“Aren't you scared of this world?” Thunderlane said.
Flash growled. “No, why would I be?”
Winny smirked mischievously. “Well remember that little incident at fifteen?”
“Yeah at that cliff. If you don't remember it I can tell you about it.”
“I remember it like it was yesterday.” Winny smiled at Thunderlane.
“Me too. Let me ask you a question. Why didn't you just die there? There is no use in staying here if everypony is here against you.” Thunderlane asked.
Winny went along. “Yeah, why didn't you just, you know, jump off the cliff. Why did we help you stay here?” She looked at the black stallion.
“I don't know, we did we help you? When you should of-”
“Enough!” He was cut off by a loud, but angelic voice. “I think we have put him through enough right now.”
Flash’s two friends stopped encompassing him, standing behind his chair. He looked over, seeing Lightning Streak, whom had been standing there, smiling. A dark shadow came flying down, into the light to be seen. The pony wasn't visible to see, there was a cloak on top of her.
“Why are you here again?” The mare said.
Flash sighed in disappointment. “I am not for sure. I just know that I have too-”
“Take care of the princess. Princess Twilight Sparkle, am I right?”
“Yes, ma’am.” Flash nodded.
Her head turned towards the blue stallion. “He doesn't know yet, does he?”
“No, he doesn't.” Lightning answered flatly.
Flash titled his head. “Don't know what? And why I'm I here?!” He shouted. “What do you all want from me!?”
“Silence!” The mare shouted back. “You are not my guard anymore!”
“Wait, but…” Flash couldn't speak anything more than that.
The young mare took off her hood, with her pink magic aurora. “I'm the pony you did have to protect.” Twilight voice was cold and icy. It sent chills down Flash spine. “You've been in a coma for nine months, and who is supposed to protect me in those nine months. I can't just stand around waiting for you.”
“Then who's your guard?” Flash asked breathlessly.
This was too much to handle as the young princess smirked devilishly. It was a look that Flash had never seen before, it made his heart stop she start walking at a slow pace. Increasing the intensity of the moment. Making the guard worried with every step she made. With every breath she took. Making her way toward him. The pony who he hated the most. The pony who just wanted what her, Twilight Sparkle. Who said that he was “in love” with her. Lightning Streak. The young princess stood by him. The princess, with scars on her forelegs, stood by the blue stallion.
“He's my guard. Lightning Streak.” She looked up at him with a simple smile.
Flash was heartbroken, but couldn't show it. He growled. “How did you become a guard?”
Lightning just smirked as he always did, with a devilish look crossing his face. “After you went missing, I became the replacement for you.”
“I went missing?” Flash stated in an angry. “Why didn't-”
“Because I don't care!” Twilight shouted. “We don't care. Nopony cares about you. Lighting, Winny, and Thunderlane have told me the truth! One day you will become a murderer, a killer. Everypony says ‘The apple doesn't fall too far from the tree. And you know what? That's true! So who wants to be with an orphan? I'll tell you, Nopony!”
“I know that! There is nothing you can say to me that I already know!” Flash shot back.
Twilight sighed and shook her head. “This is why I wouldn’t wait for you. You are arrogant, foolish, and selfish. You only want to protect yourself.”
“That’s not true!” Flash shouted. “If all I wanted to do was protect myself, then why be a guard?”
“You tell me?” Twilight stated icily. “But..” She paused, and walking towards Flash. Circling around the chair he was tied to. “If you're not trying to protect yourself, then why didn’t tell me about your mother? What happened to her?” The princess stopped by his face, carefully saying each word, and pronouncing it with definition.
Flash keep a straight face. “I didn’t think it was important for you to know.”
“You liar. You dirty little liar.” Twilight walked away from her former guard. “You really think that I would believe that? You really think I am naive?”
“No, I don’t.” Flash said flatly.
She lifted one eyebrow, then looked from Winny and Thunderlane, to Lighting. Nodding at all them, like giving them a signal. If they practice or even plan this was going to happen. The three ponies walked in different directions, while Twilight stayed in the same spot.
“So, you really think you love me, huh?” Twilight smirked, playfully.
Flash was a bit confused. “I don't quite understand, Princess.”
“You really think I would fall for you, when you can't even get a commoner to love you?”She scoffed. “You really think you are worthy enough to be with me? Please, you're not even worthy to touch trash, with your bare hooves.”
“What are you even saying anymore?!” The guard shouted. “You're not the same Twilight I met, the first time we hung out. The first time we talked. The first time we-”
Twilight glared at him painfully, not wanting to remember the past if the two. “Enough! I don't want to hear that!”
“Why? Are you scared that-” Flash was cut off by his own words.
“Silence!” Twilight shot back. “You are worth nothing towards Equestria. Why should you even be here, when you have nothing to offer in being on this world? Not even worthy enough to touch the dirt. Just face it, you should have left a long time ago.”
Flash was speechless. He had nothing to say. The one who trusted in him, it had been broken. The one he loved the most, was gone.
“The one thing that matters right now is that you're gone!” Twilight shouted.
Flash didn't do anything.
Twilight smiled. “Are you going to cry?” She laughed. “Because you just a wimp, who has your past haunt you. Everywhere you go, you're ignored, pushed around, neglected. What's the use of even sticking around?”
In that moment, he felt like he was being pushed back. Like a wave, pushing him hard, but not knocking him on the ground.
“Face it, you'll never be anything. Nopony will ever love or care for you. You have no future. There is no way somepony would ever fall for you, Trash. You don't deserve to live.” Twilight stated in a cold manner. “You are nothing, and you'll always be that way. You're not a hero, you're a killer. And everypony will always see you that way.”
That moment he heard creaking. Like rusted metal, scraping against each other, following by a cool breeze. Flash knew instantly where he was. He was on the cliff, where he stood when he was fifteen years old. The smell of wet wood, from the bark of the trees. The fresh grass smell, of the rain, sprinkling down. Except it wasn't a sprinkling, the rain was post down hard. He looked into the princess's eyes. They weren't full of kindness and love anymore, instead it was replaced with darkness, icy coldness from her voice, and hate rage.
“Do you know where you are?” Twilight’s expression didn't change, with only her raising one eyebrow.
Flash answered with a simple nod.
“What happen? Did you loose your voice over sadness? Or was it fear and shock?” Twilight smirked devilishly. The same way Lightning Streak had done before.
“No.” Flash answered simply.
“Do you know why you are here?”
The former guard didn't answer, but feeling his heart sink to the pit of his stomach. He knew exactly why he was here.
“Remember the innocent at fifteen, Trash?”
He didn't answer, keeping a stern look on his face. The only noise that could be heard, was the rain beating upon the ground.
“You're here, well I have brought you here, for that innocent to actually happen. Not just trying to attempt trying to jump of the cliff.” The young princess said strictly, with it following up by a small quiet snicker.
Flash's eyes grew wide, as the chair was pulled back. The dragging stopped, with the opposite direction leaning. Leaning off the edge off the rocky cliff.
“After this, what do you get out of this?” Flash asked, breathlessly. “Why is my death, getting something that you never had?”
Twilight’s lips curled into a smile, carefully walking up to him. “You want to know what it gives me? It gives me peace.” She stopped, close to his face, activating her magic, placing a pink aura on the back of the chair. “It gives Equestria peace and safety. It gives everypony happiness, knowing that you are gone, for good.”
The chair tilted backwards even more. Flash looked down and back at the princess.
“Good bye, Flash.” She smiled, mischiefly.
With that she let go of the chair, letting it fall backwards. Flash saw every dash by so fast, trying to escape, the highly wrapped top. Know that this was it. Closing his eyes, taking a deep breath. Right before he hit the water, he sprung up. Breathing heavily looking around, finding himself on the bed.
“Flash, Flash? Are you okay?” A familiar voice asked, in a very concern voice.
The voice was sweet, like an angelic angel, with a hint of uneasiness. He turned to look who it was. There was a purple mare, sitting next to him, Twilight. He couldn't say anything, he was in so much shock. Flash just went in and gave Twilight a loving embrace, holding on to her. All this caught the young princess off guard. After a few moments past, the guard felt a pair a fore legs wrapping around him, in the same loving embrace. He sighed in relief, knowing she was on his side. Not knowing anything about his past. He never wanted to lose her. Twilight was his world. After a few moments past, Flash was the first to let go. Twilight did also, right after Flash did so.
He groaned. “Ow…” Flash felt stiff in the minute, laying back down.
“Be careful. You don't want to get in even worse condition.” The young princess stated, smiling passionately.
Flash chuckled a bit. “What happen out there?”
“What happened out there was a building fell on top of you, you cracked your left rib, broke your right foreleg, got another fracture in your wing, and went unconscious for two days.” Twilight answered, with a worried look on her face. “Which is lucky. You could of died.”
“Oh.” The guard looked down, thinking about what the princess said. “Wait did you say, ‘Unconscious for two days.’?”
The princess nodded.
“Oh, no.” Flash started to panic. “Where am I? Are you okay? Did something else go wrong? Is Prince Armor upset with me? Are you mad at me? You didn't get hurt, did yo-”. He was cut off by the young princess, placing her hoof in front of his mouth.
Twilight smiled, with amusement showing on her face. “Flash one question at a time.” Lowering her hoof down, looking at her guard. “You’re in the Crystal Empire. Shining Armor isn't upset with you, but he does want to see you, as soon as you can get out of here. And I'm not mad at you or get hurt.”
All Flash could do was look down, not knowing what to say.
“Maybe I should get some more ice for your head.”
“My head?” Flash was confused.
Twilight got up, walking away, then looking back at him. “Oh, did I forget to tell you? You hit your head pretty hard.”
The orange pegasus raised his left hoof, to feel the side of his head. Realizing there was a tight, rough bandage wrap, gazing at the princess her walking out door.
“Wait!”
Flash held out his left foreleg, as the purple alicorn turned back towards him.
“Yes, Flash?” Twilight asked, sweetly.
The guard was speechless. Her voice even took his breath away. She was perfect in every way. It made his heart break, then sink to the bottom of his stomach.
There is no way in Equestria, why she would love me. Flash told himself. Why does she even care for me? She's the Princess of Friendship, there is no reason for her to care so much for me. If she knew the truth, she would hate me. Just like everypony else.
“Can I ask you one question, Princess?” Flash looked down, avoiding Twilight's gaze.
She carefully paced towards him, then stopped right by his bed he was laying in. “Of course you can. What is it?”
“Well… can you just stay here till, I fall asleep?” Flash kept looking the other way, shutting his eyes tight. “At least for one more minute, can you just stay here? Not for a long time though. Please?” He gazed over at Twilight, with his eyes open.
The alicorn just stood there, not know what to do or say.
Flash glanced at the floor again. “Sorry, that was a stupid question. I suppose you are very busy. Forgive me of my idiocy.” He sighed, facehoofing himself. Shutting his eyes tight, not wanting to see her facial expression.
In that moment he felt somepony holding his other hoof. The young guard opened his eyes, finding himself locking eyes with the most beautifulest princess, Twilight.
“You're not an idiot, nor was it a stupid.” She lowered her hoof.
Flash looked at her, her sweet smile, her soothing words, made everything seem fine again. There was just something about her that made him special. Made him feel like somepony important. It didn’t make him feel like, garbage.
“Lay down.” Twilight pulled over a stool, sitting by him, smiling. “The doctor says you need rest.”
“Are you sure?” Flash was worried. “But I need to protect you. That’s my job.”
She sighed. “No, it isn’t. Your job right now is to get some rest.”
“But..”
“Sleep.” Twilight looked at him, sternly. “You need to rest.”
Flash laid back, closing his eyes, then feeling a hoof intertwined with his. Knowing whose it was, which brought a small smile upon his face. Finding himself slowly passing out. Breathing slower and heavier, all the noises around him fading away. Then remembering something, he didn’t want to remember.
**FLASHBACK**
It was a dark and cloudy day, and young eight year-old Flash Sentry was standing in a very sad and miserable place.
“Hello, it’s me again.” Flash said, in a sad tone. “I can’t believe that I never knew. Why didn’t anypony tell, until it was too late?”
The young colt stood in front of a grave, the grave of his mother's. Tears were forming his eyes. He tried to push all his fears aside, but couldn’t.
I can’t cry. Crying is for babies…. The orange colt told himself.
His eyes started watering. “Why did you have to go?” Flash sniffled. “Why did you have to leave? I have nopony. I have nopony that trust me. I get picked on and beaten up at school, and now get beaten up at home too.”
There was no answer, but somehow he found peace inside him.
“Oh, I almost forgot.” His voice was breaking by this point, grabbing the one rose from under his wing. Placing it by his mother's gravestone. “I got you a rose. I remembered that you liked roses, they're your favourite flower. I could only get one though, or else Fifth Note would see them.” He sighed. “He's really rude, and mean, and always angry, and…. hurtful, he beats me up like the foals at school. And always comes back at night, not speaking clearly and can't walk straight.”
He didn't know what was happening, but he felt something. He felt something that he never really felt in a long time. Flash felt loved, comforted, and safe. There was something about just talking to his mother, it felt like she was talking back to him.
“'Stay strong and brave, like your real father, Gladius Shield. And no matter what happens, always be my loving little colt, nice, bold and brave.’” Her last words rung inside the young colt's mind. “‘It's always easy to give up, but persevere. Those who give up, fail. But those fail at trying, succeed. I love you, Flash.’”
Remember that night, his mother's last words, brought tears to his eyes. Before he knew it, tears were falling out of his sea blue eyes. Not knowing what to do or say, just balling like a newborn foal. He couldn't control it. Flash didn't know what to say, he couldn't speak and do anything else but cry. He was heartbroken. He felt empty.
“Why did you have to go? Why did you have to leave me? Please tell me this is a dream.” The colt whined.
Still no answer, all he hear was a whisper in his ear, like if the wind was carrying it saying, “Stay strong, my brave sweet colt. I love you, Flash.”
Flash bit his bottom lip, trying not to cry anymore. “I love you too….. mama.”
**END OF FLASHBACK**
The young guard woke up, finding a beautiful princess on top of him, resting. Twilight was laying her head on his muscular chest, peacefully sleeping. He didn't know what to do. He tried to raise his hoof without shaking, breathing heavily, tears coming to his eyes, he started petting Twilight's mane. It was not too long until he found himself wrapping his wings around the young alicorn.
“Please don't hate me. Please don't ever hate me, please.” The guard whispered. “I can't risk to loose somepony I care for so much, go again.”
What are you doing to yourself? Trying to believe in thing that aren't real. You're delusional, naive, gullible, and so much more. Flash told himself. You're the same pony you will always be, and you don't deserve her. Twilight deserves more, like a prince, not somepony like you. You are just a piece of trash. You're nothing.
More tears came to his eyes. “Why do I think you're in love with me?”
The young princess slide her hoof by her muzzle, still sleeping. Flash looked at her, trying to smile, but couldn't. There was so many emotions going through him. The young guard didn't know how to feel. Flash was getting a feeling that he got when he was a lot when he was younger. Fear. He felt so much fear, he was so afraid. He wanted to be with the young princess so bad and protect her, but on the other hoof, he didn't want to hurt her.
His eyes watered even more. I'm not a murderer. I'm not a murderer. I'm not a murderer! Flash kept repeating over and over, mentally.
“Can you promise me one thing, Princess?” He asked quietly, running his hoof through her soft mane. “Don't ever forget me, please? I am in love with you so much, and I will always feel the same way. No matter what.”
Tears slowly started streaming down his face.
Stop being a cry baby! Stand up and be a stallion! He tried telling himself. But Flash didn't listen to himself. He felt so alone, and Twilight was the one who cared for him the most, at the moment. He took a deep breath. I can never tell her my past, she'll hate me for the rest of my life. In the moment, he had an idea. He knew that he would probably regret it, but wanted to do it anyway. Carefully leaning down, not wanting to wake the young princess. Breathing in her scent hypnotized him, but quickly Flash planted a gentle kiss on top of her forehead.
Flash whispered, while his voice cracked a bit. “I love you, my Princess. Please, don't ever leave.”
