Flash looked over the port city of Vanhoover; a tiered city of long terraces filled with tall stone buildings carved out of the very cliffs it was built upon. Stone and cloud formed house extensions extruded from various dwellings giving the town a block look. All of this sheltered by the Dome; a massive canopy of clouds that swirled above the town and dissipated the dangerous sea storms that ravaged the coasts of Equestria.
Orange sunbeams that shone through the cloud gaps bathed the streets in a warm glow, contrasted by the stark shadows that hid various dangers from view.
Thankfully, he was concerned only with the lower half of the city. A large interconnected suburb of wood and stone walkways held up by stilts known collectively as the Docks.
It had been an arms race of ingenuity between the unicorn and pegasi communities that had brought forth the Docks. A solution to resolve the growing issue of space that Vanhoover had been facing over a century ago. Magic from both races had led to create the mess of boats and stilt houses that made up the suburb, fully protected from any oceanic disaster. Now, a unique feature of the coastal town.
An important aspect of living on the Docks was fishing. Vanhoover residents were no strangers to eating fish and many had set up private areas in their homes to catch their potential dinner for the evening.
Nearly every dwelling had a fishing hole on the lowest floor.
A secret way in to avoid the monsters that patrolled the town.
Flash fanned out his wings further to keep himself afloat in the undulating waters. He refocused his attention on the main source of his current worry.
A unicorn.
A turned unicorn.
It had started when the unicorns had been acting strangely. They kept to themselves, never used their magic, and stared at other ponies in fear, seemingly thinking that we would do something to them.
Then, a little over a week after the first emergency broadcast, the first unicorn turned and killed a family of pegasi. Then another turned and blew up a bakery. Then another, and another, and another until the entire town was overrun by them.
A frown of annoyance crossed Flash’s face as he watched the creature. It was freakishly elongated, standing taller than any pony he had met with rows of razor-sharp teeth that dripped black saliva wherever it walked. Its light blue mane was long and shaggy, its sea-blue eyes dilated into slits.
For several minutes, it had meandered around the area of the docks he was looking to raid for supplies.
The bloody thing was pacing circles around some abstract art piece, and it was wearing at Flash’s patience as he only had so much time before he needed to return to the safe zone.
Though agitation had replaced much of his initial fear since the first day of the unicorn attacks, he still knew not to rile up any of the unicorns.
Greed had made certain that the survivors would never forget that since wings could get any pegasus to safety, but the open sky was no match for the range of a unicorn’s magic.
Crash.
In tandem, both Flash and the beast jerked their heads towards the sound as it rang along the docks. Turning back, Flash was just in time to watch the unicorn slowly trot towards the source.
With the monster gone, Flash could finally do what he had set out to do.
He did another check of his equipment to ensure everything was up to spec. His diving mask that covered the entirety of his face was free of any damage. The thunder-powered battery strapped to his neck was fully charged and ready to ionize water into oxygen for him to breathe under the waves. Wires connected where they were supposed and none showed any kind of tampering.
His preparations complete, Flash dived into the water.
And thus the Vanhoover sky opened up to him.
A vast expanse of blue that every Vanhoover-born pegasus was familiar with. They were ridiculed by other pegasi for preferring the ocean over the sky above, but that was only because they couldn’t see it.
The fish that swam in flocks. The seaweed clumped together into clouds. The tides that rolled through created turbulence.
When underwater, what was the ocean but another sky?
Flash paddled forward, kicking his legs in a circular motion while using his wings as rudders to guide himself around towers of seaweed.
It was one of his happy places. A safe haven away from the stresses of the world and now a literal sanctuary from the horrors on land. Unicorns weren’t fond of water, it muddled their magic and the monstrosities were no different. They were only willing to go up to the shoulder before they returned to land.
He spied the open hatch underneath the home of his target, Doctor Pharma, an old family friend that had been a community pillar of the docks for years.
And thankfully not the unicorn that had been patrolling outside earlier.
Aligning himself with the porthole, Flash flapped his wings down, and propelled himself through the hole and roughly onto the wooden floor of Doctor’s private fishing room.
As he winced from the impact, Flash took in the wood paneling and lounge chairs arranged around the area.
Once he surveyed the room, he shook himself like a dog to dislodge the water from his fur. After which, he gave a test flap of his wings and frowned. Unfortunately, he wouldn’t be able to do much more than glide with the shape they were in.
Wouldn’t hopefully matter much as he planned to leave the way he entered.
He looked over the minibar and weighed over the benefits and cons of grabbing a few bottles, eventually settling on forgoing an acquisition since he had more important items to procure.
As he carefully trotted up a nearby set of wooden stairs, wood paneling transitioned into floral wallpaper as the distinct scent of sweets assailed Flash bringing him back to his foalhood. Even after several decades, the room he found himself in was still the same. Comfy striped furniture with a bowl of candy in the center.
Trotting to the bowl in question, Flash popped one of the gummies into his mouth and hummed in satisfaction at the fruity flavour. He used one of his wings to wipe the tears off his face that he would never admit had been there and continued his trek into the adjoining kitchen.
Artificial flowers cluttered the nooks and crannies of the ample storage present. A quick look in the cold storage caused Flash to gag and quickly close it.
Nothing to gain from there.
Rifling through cabinets, he managed to snag several boxes of granola bars and sweets to throw into his waterproof saddlebags — the hazelnut bar he didn’t scarf down did not taste amazing and he definitely didn’t eat a second.
Moving on from the kitchen, he trotted up the stairs to the second floor, carefully avoiding the creaky steps he knew from his memories.
There were three rooms off the corridor he found himself in. Foggy memories of Doctor bringing him into one of the rooms for an ice pack after he’d rammed his head into a post brought him to the first door on the right.
Inside was a small bathroom, and, in the cabinets under the sink, was a trove of valuables that caused him to grin.
A full first aid kit, several rolls of bandages, cold packs, and bottles of pain killers were tossed into his bags while Flash hummed a merry tune to himself.
Once his bags were full, he left the room, closing the door quietly behind him.
Before he could begin moving back to the fishing hole, he found his gaze drawn to the door at the far end of the hall. That one was Doctor Pharma’s bedroom and he felt a nagging need to enter.
He heaved a weary sigh as he told himself that he should respect his friend’s privacy even if he had become a monster. Even though the sweet scent in the air caused him to remember long days of laughter and play.
It would be wrong.
Flash trotted back towards the stairs.
But he missed him.
Turning back around, Flash opened the door and stepped hesitantly into the flowery bedroom of Doctor. Every surface was cluttered with potted flowers and drenched in the orange glow shining through the bay window opposite the door.
As he edged into the room, a glittery object on the nightstand caught Flash’s attention.
Maneuvering around the bed, Flash felt a warm smile spread across his face. Memories of agonizing over a proper birthday gift to Doctor flooded Flash’s mind, coalescing into the jeweled flower brooch on the table; an amethyst carved into the likeliness of a lavender flower and inset onto a silver lapel.
Picking up the jewelry reverently with a wing, he pinned it to his saddlebag as tears welled in the corners of his eyes.
After wiping them away roughly, he turned to leave only to notice too late that his tail brushed against one of the pots in the bay window.
The open bay window.
Flash froze in wild-eyed fear as the pot circled in place. It completed one rotation on its bottom rim before freezing mid-roll, precariously leaning outside.
Panic finally spurred Flash into action to grab the pot, but he was too late as it fell to the ground below.
Crash.
Stopping in place, the beating of his heart pounding in his ears, he waited. Hoping that the sound had been lost to the wind, or sea, or anything else that might hide his presence there.
A guttural roar echoed through the docks.
No such luck.
He raced out of the room, and quickly down the stairs, uncaring of the noise he made along the way.
As he galloped through the kitchen and into the living room, he heaved a sigh of relief at seeing the way clear to the fishing hole. This was soon interrupted by the front door being blasted open by a burst of arcane magic.
The unicorn from before trotted slowly into the room, its teeth gritted, its eyes narrowed in on Flash. Black tar dripped from gaps between its teeth, staining the floor underneath.
Running a quick calculation, Flash made the decision to forgo the basement and instead exit through the back door in the kitchen with the hopes of losing the unicorn on the docks.
Crashing and the sound of splintering wood followed behind him as Flash slammed his way through the back door.
He skidded to a stop.
Three unicorns surrounded him, each walking slowly towards him, gnashing their teeth.
Knowing it was only a matter of time before three became four, Flash tightened the straps on his saddlebags with his mouth and readied for the first unicorn to attack.
A unicorn lunged at him.
Flash deftly avoided him by rolling underneath the creature’s barrel, coming back into a standing position, and turning towards the next unicorn that charged at him.
Flapping his wings, he launched himself backward to evade the second’s bite.
The back door burst open as the unicorn inside of the house came outside. As Flash was momentarily distracted by the sudden entrance, the third took a chance to lunge at him.
Refocusing his attention, he braced his hooves then flapped his wings powerfully down allowing him to hop over the charging unicorn.
Opening his wings, he glided over to an open spot on the docks.
Once alighting upon the ground, he spun on his hooves and galloped down a narrow side street.
Adrenaline surging through him, Flash spared a glance over his withers and felt dread grip his heart as he saw all four unicorns treating down the corridor towards him.
Turning back, Flash desperately wracked his brain to figure out the shortest distance between him and the sea.
A shrill whistle on his left caused his ears to perk and a wide grin to spread across his face. When the alley opened up on his left, he careened down the passage towards the source of the sound.
Blasts of arcane fire exploded against the walls of the alley, showering bits of wood and stone over him.
He ignored the panic and steeled his nerves as per his guard training and continued to race forward, waiting for a signal from the pony who had whistled earlier.
Another whistle caused Flash to look up at the top of the building to his right. A sea-green pegasus with a mop of tightly braided green mane grinned down at him next to a stack of barrels stopped by a series of ropes.
Flash renewed his focus and pushed himself further to gallop faster than before.
Passing the line of barrels, Flash heard several snaps before several crashes and the frustrated roars of the unicorns.
He laughed at his good fortune as he galloped out of the alley and into a large area that opened out into the sea.
The sea-green pegasus from earlier galloped up next to him, a grin splitting his face in two. They leaped off the edge of the dock, perfectly in sync, diving into the water.
Flash was startled when the other stallion nuzzled his cheek.
He returned the gesture and then jerked his head in the direction of the Vanhoover Safe Zone.
The smaller pegasus nodded before swimming away in lazy loops, flashing a playful grin back at Flash.
Matching his colt friend’s expression, Flash swam after him.
Flash lifted himself out of the water and onto the slipshod wooden dock using his wings as leverage. He looked past his withers, his fur soaking wet, and a mischievous grin on his face as he waited for his colt friend to join him.
Breaching the water and climbing onto the dock next to Flash, the sea-green pegasus readied to speak before Flash shook himself, pelting the other pegasus in cascades of water.
“Flash, you feral mongrel!” the pegasus cried as he attempted to shield himself using his wings, “would you stop!”
“Oh, sorry, Wave. I didn’t see you there!” Flash said, his wide grin betraying his lie, “Total accident. My mistake.”
Wave Crest stared back at Flash unamused, or at least Flash assumed as his face was covered by his soaked dreadlocks that hung over his eyes like long lengths of thick rope.
Using his wings, Wave swept back his mane confirming the ire in his expression. “You are such a jerk,” he said as he took off his breathing mask and clipped it to his saddlebags.
“Aw, don’t say that Seaspray,” Flash said as he copied Wave’s action and nuzzled Wave’s neck, who, begrudgingly, allowed the contact, “I’m too cute to be a jerk.”
Scoffing, Wave said, “Nice try, Flash, but those flanks can only get you so far.”
“Oh?” Flash said, a teasing lilt to his voice as he brought his lips close to Wave’s, “that seems to imply, these flanks get away with some things.”
“Some is the operating word here,” Wave answered as he touched his nose to Flash’s, a smirk growing on his face, “and barraging me with water like a wet dog is not one of those things.”
“I think it should. I look adorable while I do it, plus you get to be around me when my fur is at its fluffiest.” To demonstrate his point, Flash shook his head lightly, causing his substantially thick fur to poof in response.
“A nice benefit for sure, but you’ll have to do more to make it up for me.”
Flash chuckled warmly before he closed the distance between them and kissed Wave chastely on the lips. It conveyed Flash’s comfortable affection for his partner, a smoldering love.
Returning the kiss with one of his own, Wave pulled back and said, “I’m glad you’re okay. I was worried when I saw you got ambushed by those unicorns.”
“It was a close one, but it will take more than that to take down Flash Sentry.” He hugged Wave close and buried his snout in his mane, hiding the worried expression on his face. “They’ve been getting more active lately.”
“I noticed.” Wave frowned. “I’m worried about things will get worse and—”
“We’ll get through this,” Flash interrupted as he pulled back to face Wave, anticipating the line of conversation.
“You can’t know that.”
“I don’t need to.” Flash held Wave’s head gently with a wing. “I just need to believe in us.”
Leaning into the touch, Wave relaxed. “The raids are getting more dangerous every day.” His brow furrowed in agitation. “I’m not so sure this place is as safe as our dear mayor,” he hissed the word with distaste, “likes to insist it is.”
“It might not be, but, at least for now, it’s the only option we have. Now, come on,” Flash said as he pulled back, “we need to get these supplies dropped off so we can get some rest.”
Snorting, Wave said, “when did you become the responsible one? I remember dating some feral colt, not this strange confident adult.”
“Couple of years in the guard would give anyone a sense of responsibility, the confidence comes from the toned rump I got from working out with them.” Flash grinned as Wave giggle-snorted. He pecked him on the cheek. “Seriously, though, we need to get going. I still need to drop some stuff off to my mom before I can get to my evening cuddles.”
“Oh?” Wave said with a toothy grin, “got some hot new stud to keep you warm?”
“Yeah, he’s cute. Bit of a shortstop. Looks like kelp.”
Jabbing Flash playfully in the barrel with a hoof, Wave trotted past with Flash following shortly after. He slung a wing over Wave’s withers using his taller height to his advantage.
The docks soon transitioned to rocky terrain as they traveled deeper into the Vanhoover Safe Zone, a cove off the coast of the city, tucked away from view and a popular destination for pegasi.
Water rivulets dripped down twisting paths along the naturally formed walls with glowing moss lighting the way forward.
Flash looked up and through the openings in the stone ceiling. The sky, split between night and day, peeked through bathing the world in an orange glow. The stars hone in the night half, a tableau of lights. A small blessing given to them when the sun had moved a fraction across the sky.
As he felt Wave lean in closer to himself, a content smile spread across his face.
For just a moment, he could forget the struggles of the day and pretend that he was just having a walk with the pony he loved.
“Did you get everything?”
Taking a deep breath as he felt the feeling leave him, he looked down onto a short pony with a gray coat and thin black comb-over mane. It took a massive force of will to ignore the pony’s snapped-off horn.
“Hey, Ledger. Yeah, we did. I got some supplies from Pharma’s place and Wave managed to gather some stuff from the Mulberry house.”
Strict Ledger nodded as he brandished the clipboard in his hoof. He quickly scanned over his list. “So, you managed to procure some medical supplies and food from Pharma?”
“Yep,” Flash answered as he took his wing off of Wave and began to undo the straps on his saddlebags, “the wet stuff had gone bad, but there was still plenty of dry food. I also managed to find the medical supplies and brought back a lot of stuff.”
Grinning, Ledger nodded and turned to Wave. “And you got the spare batteries from the Mulberry’s?”
“Along with some more dry food. Between the two of us, we should be good for a day or two if ration properly,” Wave answered whilst following Flash’s lead in undoing his saddlebag straps.
“Excellent.” Ledger smirked. “Too bad neither of you could get any alcohol.”
“I considered grabbing some from Pharma’s private stash,” Flash said with a devious grin, “but we all know you’d get washed out within the hour on anything above five percent.”
“Now, now, Flash. Not everyone can be as massive as you,” Ledger chided teasingly, “it may not take much to take me out to the tides, but at least I can comfortably fit through doorways.”
“Hey! I’ll have you know that my rump is fantastic and exactly the right size,” Flash said indignantly, placing a wing to his chest in mock hurt as he dropped his saddlebags to the ground.
“I can attest that to be a true statement,” Wave added as he dropped his own bags by Flash’s, “especially when it's stuck in narrow doorways.”
Ledger wheezed in laughter as Flash stuck his tongue out at Wave. “Glad to see you both still have your humour. Now, off you go. I have supplies to sort and you two need to rest before the next supply run.”
Both stallions saluted, Flash’s crisp and professional, Wave’s more casual.
“Yes, sir!” Flash stated firmly.
“I’m not some officer in your unit, Flash,” Ledger said with a bemused expression, “none of this ‘sir’ business.”
“But you deserve the respect that comes with it,” Flash said.
Humming in amusement, Ledger answered, “I’m not so sure, but I accept the compliment just the same. Now, off with you two. Get some sleep.”
Flash and Wave started to trot whether into the cove, but Flash stopped as he swerved back to his bag remembering to grab a few items. He grabbed Pharma’s pin and, after some rummaging, an unopened bottle of painkillers.
Concern crossed Ledger’s face. “Wait, Flash, I don’t know if—”
“It’s just one bottle, Ledger. Please?” Flash held his wings together pleadingly.
“The supplies need to all be accounted for!” Ledger exclaimed as he furrowed his brow. “We’re running low on everything and just taking something before it's tallied could lead to shortages in the long term.”
As Flash’s face fell, Wave leaned in and whispered. Ledger’s face then turned to sympathy. “Oh, well if that’s the case… I suppose a bottle could have potentially fallen out of your saddlebags on the way here. Nothing for it.”
“You’re welcome, now get going already!” Ledger waved a hoof in a shooing motion. “You both need to get out of what’s left of my mane before there’s nothing left!”
Both stallions finally trotted away laughing lightly to a chorus of okays. They turned off the side corridor and into the main hub of the cove.
Stalactites hung from a high ceiling, cold droplets cascading down upon them from above. The space was taken up by makeshift lean-tos and tents between tide pools, dim lights providing much-needed illumination in the darker reaches of the cave, but not enough to potentially attract the attention of the unicorns.
They made their way through camp, exchanging greetings with other survivors before finding themselves in a tucked-away corner of the cave. Looming over a draft table, staring intently at a detailed map of Vanhoover was an orange pegasus mare whose size dwarfed Flash.
“Hey, ma,” Flash called out.
Tumultuous Skies, the mountain of a mare, turned towards them, revealing the burn scars that covered half her face. She grinned widely at them both. “Well, if it ain’t my little vapour and his seaspray back from their run!”
“Yeah, it was a close one, but—” Flash was cut off by a bone-crushing hug from his mother.
“Come here Wave!” Tumultuous said cheerfully, “come give your mother-in-law a hug.”
“We’re not married, Mrs. Sentry,” Wave said, wincing as he heard a snap coming from his entrapped coltfriend.
“Oh, nonsense. You two have been together since you were colts! Even before you started dating, you were practically family.”
“I think he just doesn’t want to be crushed, ma,” Flash interjected.
Wave, half the size of the smaller of the pair, nodded remembering the many hugs given by Mrs. Sentry over the years, and his inability to walk for several minutes afterward.
“Stallions.” Tumultuous rolled her eyes. “Always complaining about breaking a few ribs! Weak-willed is what you lot are. Your mom, Flash Guard Sentry, she…” Tumultuous’s face fell for a moment before perking back up, “well, she took them like a champ! Only grimaced once and that was on our first date!”
“That’s because mom loved you more than her own wellbeing,” Flash said as his smile waned, “sure, you can break a metal bar with just a hoof, but mom always said that just meant you were more huggable.”
Dropping her son back on the ground, Tumultuous said, “and she was right! I’m very huggable.” She touched the burns on her face tenderly with a wing. “Only one she loved more than me was you.”
Flash nuzzled his mother’s face, who returned the gesture.
“She'll be back once this is all over,” Wave said as he placed a hoof comfortingly on Tumultuous’s withers.
Tumultuous held it with a hoof of her own. “I’ll believe it when I can hug her again and not that… thing she became.” They held each other for a moment more before breaking away. “Now, what can your dear old ma do for you colts?”
“Aw, ma, don’t say that. You look barely over 30.” Flash nudged her playfully with a hoof.
“30? Flash your mom barely looks like she’s out of her twenties,” Wave added.
Laughing, Tumultuous said, “your flattery is welcome, but you and I both know you colts are signed up for another raid later on. So, tell me what you need so I can toss you both off to bed.”
“It’s not what we need from you, it’s what you need from us,” Flash said, “We got you the good stuff.”
“Raspberry jam?” Tumultuous asked excitedly.
“The other good stuff,” Flash said as he pulled out the bottle of painkillers and hooved it over to his mother.
“Oh my little vapour, you’re a real treat. I needed these.” She furrowed her brow in concern. “Won’t Ledger need these for the stockpile?”
“It’s off the books, so don’t worry about it,” Flash answered, “I just hope this helps with the pain.”
“So do I.” She heaved a weary sigh. “I could do with a night of sleep that didn’t have me feeling like I was burning again. Now, off you colts go to bed. You need to rest up.”
“So, we keep being told.” Flash hugged Tumultuous with his wings, shortly followed by Wave. “Love you, ma.”
Tumultuous returned the gesture. “Love you too.”
With that, Flash and Wave unentangled themselves and headed off toward their shared tent.
“Your mom seems to be handling things well,” Wave noted.
“I suppose she looks like she is, but I can tell it’s bothering her.” Flash leaned up against Wave. “Enough worrying about others though, let’s get some sleep.”
“Sleeping, eh?” Wave said with a lecherous grin.
“What does that mean?” Flash asked.
“You know exactly what that means.” Wave nudged him with a wing. “We’ve been together long enough that I know that sleep is the last thing on your mind when we’re in bed together.”
“I’m pretty tired. Will probably end up passing out soon as we get into the hammock.”
“Uh-huh. You said the same thing after your 24-hour shift during the Nightmare Moon fiasco and still came home raring to go.”
“I was running on pure adrenaline worrying about you.” Flash flicked one of Wave’s braids with his muzzle. “Soon as I saw you again after so long apart, I couldn’t help but think ‘dang, I gotta get me a piece of that.'”
Wave scoffed. “Flash, you…” he trailed off as a loud obnoxious voice carried towards them.
“—safe in this shelter of our making! We will weather anything the unicorn monstrosities throw at us. For we are strong! We are united! We—”
A scowl marred Wave’s face as he glared at the grandstanding beige pegasus stallion waving around a megaphone at a crowd of concerned ponies.
“Ugh, blowhard,” Wave said, venom underlying his tone.
“Still not fond of our Deputy Mayor?” Flash asked.
“Vice Scroll is a buffoon! The fact he’s in charge of anything is ridiculous. That spineless coward tried to throw out Ledger as soon as we got here despite him being the one to evacuate everyone and undermining your mother constantly even though she’s the captain of the storm breakers.”
“Well, he hasn’t ruined anything yet and—”
“That! Yet!” Wave exclaimed as he threw his wings in the air. “He’s going to screw everything up. I know it! His insistence that we do nothing but sit in this cove is driving me mad.”
Pulling Wave in close to himself with a wing, Flash rubbed his withers soothingly as Wave continued his tirade. “Try to settle down, seaspray. You can’t sleep when you’re this worked up.”
“I am not settling down,” Wave hissed, “he’s a pompous jerk! Worse, he’s an idiot in power. I spent half my time in Canterlot getting rid of his stupid half-drawn-up bills because he could never be bothered to do any actual research.”
“As much as your righteous need to do right by others is extremely attractive to me, I really need you to calm down so we can sleep.”
Instead of taking his Flash’s advice, Wave devolved into dark muttering and angry non-words as he continued to rant about Vice’s incompetency.
Stopping Wave in his tracks, Flash circled around and kissed Wave deeply on the lips. He continued until he felt the tension in Wave’s body begin to ease.
Staring back mutely, his face flushed, Wave said, “what?”
“Got the angries out?” Flash asked teasingly.
Blinking in confusion, Wave groaned, “yeah, I did. You know you could just tell me to stop, right?”
“Tried that. Only got you worked up into a bigger tizzy. Now—” Flash gestured with his wing toward a large hammock strung between two rocky walls and covered by a tent. “I believe it is time for that sleep thing we keep getting told to do.”
“Lead on, Flash.”
Taking the incentive, Flash leaped into the hanging cloth and laid down with his belly up amidst a nest of silky sheets. Wave dived in after him, settling over his chest with his face buried into the crook of Flash’s neck, his wings wrapped tightly around Flash’s barrel.
Pulling Wave tightly to him with a wing, Flash used his other wing to pull the blankets over top of them, covering most of his body and the entirety of Wave.
He eased himself further into the comforts of the hammock and his lover’s embrace as a sense of peace overtook him.
“Love you, Flash,” Wave mumbled.
“Love you too, Wave,” Flash answered.
As he heard Wave’s gentle snoring, a soft sound that reminded Flash of the tides, he stared up through the mesh roof of their tent and at the partial night sky above.
In that private corner of the cover, Flash let himself slip into the delusion of safety he craved. That they were just a couple resting after having an ordinary day together.
As he slipped into slumber, Flash smiled, finally content after the long day.
Flash was underwater. The monsters circled around him, staring at him hungrily with their teeth bared. He was looking up towards the surface, filtered light shining through, dappling his fur in white spots.
Wave held tightly against him, tense as the danger closed in.
They were being pulled down towards the depths by an unknown force. They needed to rise, but every flap of his wings only served to drag them further down and away from their salvation.
The Sky had claimed them and it would end them. Either by drowning or as food for the predators around them.
Up. They needed to go up! He needed to be going—
“—Up! Wake up, you dullard!”
Groggily opening his eyes with a groan, Flash turned his head towards the source of the grating voice that had woken him. A butter-yellow pegasus mare stared back, her mane done up in a tall brown beehive with a disapproving glare that was always permanently affixed to her face.
“Morning, Busy Work,” Flash commented dryly, “time for our next supply run?”
“You are late,” she stated in clipped tones. Her head swiveled back and forth like a searchlight seeking an escaped convict. “Where is that over-eager colt friend of yours? Shouldn’t he be with you?”
A low groan emanated from the nest of blankets as Wave Crest promptly buried himself further into Flash’s chest.
“I-is he—” Busy’s face flushed as she stood stiffly in place, “—t-that is highly inappropriate!”
“He’s just sleeping against me, Busy,” Flash answered with a lazy drawl, “and even if we were doing something inappropriate, we’re in a secluded tent far away from everyone else. You’re the intruder here.”
“You could have at least closed the entrance flap!”
“That you had us remove,” Flash patiently explained, “because you couldn’t figure out the zipper and were annoyed trying to open it every time you fetched us for a supply run.”
“It was too complicated!”
“That was the point since it gave us some warning in case we were in the middle of something we didn’t want an audience for.”
Drawing herself up to her full height, and puffing up her wings to appear more menacing, Busy said, “well, I expect you both to get ready to leave post-haste as you are running late.”
“By what metric?”
“By what— the metric of time!”
“We measure time based on the position of the sun and moon. Both are frozen in the sky. So, since you can’t really tell the time, how are we late?”
Stomping a hoof, Busy flustered, “T-that— You—!” she snorted in frustration, “just hurry up and join us at the planning tent!”
With her piece said, Busy pivoted on one hoof and stomped away, her body leaning forward into each step.
Releasing a heavy sigh, Flash refocused his attention on the heat source tangled up in his body. Pulling the covers and opening his wings revealed the peaceful sleeping form of his colt friend.
Smiling warmly, Flash used his wing to part his splayed-out green locks from his face.
It was funny to Flash to see Wave like this. When he spoke with the Nobility or Princesses, he seemed massive, larger than life like a roaring wave crashing upon the shore as per his Cutie Mark.
But seeing him curled up against Flash made him seem smaller than he already was. Flash’s short stack, half his size but bulky from years of surfing.
A frown marred his face as he recalled his nightmare. He trailed the criss-cross of scars just barely visible underneath his fur with his eyes, proof of his occupation. Comparatively, though a warrior in his own right, Wave was spotless.
Flash kept running the scenario over and over in his head and couldn’t help, but worry over losing the love of his life.
Privately, he made a decision.
If it came down to him or Wave, Flash would choose Wave.
Always.
Leaning forward, Flash gently kissed Wave on the lips. He was rewarded with a light peck that quickly transitioned into something more heated.
Before it could go any farther, Flash pulled back and said, “Morning, Wave.”
Half opening his eyes, Wave snorted before dropping back into the comfort of Flash’s fur. “Morning, Flash. Did I hear that shrill suck-up come by while I was out or was that just in my nightmares?”
“We’re running late for our supply run apparently.”
“Ugh, of course, she thinks that. How about she minds her own business?” Wave grumped, “we need more sleep.”
“I think that option is off the table since we’ll end up with a rooster call before long. Now, come on. Let’s get ready to go.”
Begrudgingly and with an annoyed frown directed at his colt friend, Wave disentangled himself and stumbled out of their shared hammock. Flash followed shortly after him, embracing Wave from behind, and resting his head atop Wave’s.
“Weren’t we supposed to be getting ready?” Wave said as he grabbed a nearby mane tie and used his wings to tie his braids back into a tight bun.
“You maybe, but I’m fine.” Flash hummed contentedly as he took in the smell of the ocean off of Wave.
Wave snorted. “Nothing, huh? You are in desperate need of a shower and a mane brushing.”
“Smelling clean might alert the unicorns, and I can just do a spit back.”
Releasing a noise of disgust, Wave said, “Ugh, that’s so gross.”
Grinning widely, Flash kissed Wave sloppily on the side of his face before rearing back up. He used his wings to gather the leftover spit and slicked his unruly mane back into its usual wavy form.
“You’re disgusting.”
“You only have so much time in the day as a guard, and I don’t want to waste it on mane care products.”
Instead of answering, Wave just snorted as he continued to brush out his fur and do a light wing preen.
Flash left Wave and moved to the entrance of their tent. He looked down and found the expected newly cleaned saddlebags. He grabbed them both and trotted back into the tent tossing one of the bags to Wave who caught it in his hooves.
Digging through the bags, Flash took out the newly charged breathing mask and breathalyzer. Strapping the collar and mask securely to himself, he threw the saddlebags over himself and turned to see Wave having done the same.
“Oh, do you know where I put that pin?” Flash asked.
Wave furrowed his brow in puzzlement before he said, “I think you tossed it onto the nightstand?”
Turning towards the indicated piece of furniture— it was just a cardboard box — Flash spied the pin amongst several miscellaneous items.
As he pinned the brooch to his bags, Wave asked, “where did Busy tell us to go?”
“Planning tent.”
Scrunching his face, Wave said, “I was kind of hoping we would only have to deal with Ledger and your mom.”
“No fish, but at least we get some time alone together before we have to deal with the others.”
Smiling, Wave tucked himself under one of Flash’s wings who pulled him in close. Together, their hooffalls in sync, they trotted towards their destination.
The planning tent wasn’t much. A larger tent that contained a single planning table and piles of well-marked maps with notes about raiding routes, supplies, and similar. Situated around the table were Vice Scroll, Busy Work, Strict Ledger, and Tumultuous, concern etched on the latter two’s faces.
“Good morning, so great to see you colts safe,” Vice greeted, his smile as fake as his personality, “raring to go on your next supply run?”
“Not really since we didn’t get enough rest,” Wave answered curtly.
“O-oh?” the facade collapsed before it redoubled its presence, “well, this is an important job and we need the best two stallions for the job!”
“Why not one of the other teams?” Wave asked curtly.
“They’re busy with other runs.”
“Then why couldn’t one of them be busy with this run?” Before Vice could formulate a response, Wave continued, “I don’t understand why you had to ask us specifically so soon after our last run.”
“Listen you ingrate,” Busy piped in, “you should be grateful to have this opportunity from our leader.”
“If this is such an opportunity, why don’t you go, Busy?” Wave scowled at her. “I’m sure if any of the unicorns show up, your shrieking can scare them off.”
Before Busy could retort, Ledger placed a hoof on her withers. “Now, now, simmer down everyone. We need to focus.”
“Yes, thank you, Mr. Ledger,” Vice said, “as you may know the battery on our water purifier is running low, and we need a replacement as it's unicorn powered. So—”
“We wouldn’t need to if somepony hadn’t used our drinking water for a makeshift waterpark,” Wave cut in bitterly.
Adjusting the collar around his neck with a wing, Vice looked askance at Wave. “I felt that everyone needed something fun to do with how stressed everyone is about the whole situation.”
“And you couldn’t have just had ponies play yahtzee?” Wave threw up his wings in exasperation. “You wasted our water supply for the most inane—”
“Watch your tone!” Busy shouted, “he has gone above and beyond the call of duty to keep our community safe!”
“All he’s done is keep us stuck here hiding—”
“Wave, please,” Flash urged.
“—and not doing what’s necessary to get us as far away as possible from the unicorns!”
“Not this again.” Busy rolled her eyes. “The unicorns can’t swim. That’s a pegasus skill!”
“Being able to doggy paddle isn’t exclusive to a pony with wings!” Wave angrily retorted. “They have literal horn lasers! They only need to get within range before we’re all dead!”
“Now is not the time for you to start again with these conspiracy theories,” Vice said placatingly as Wave turned his ire towards the politician, “we don’t want to panic anyone needlessly.”
“Panic anyone—!”
Pulling Wave tightly to his side with a wing, Flash interjected, “okay, we’re getting sidetracked.” He rubbed at Wave’s withers soothingly with a wing causing him to visibly calm down. “So, we’re going to get a water purifier replacement?”
“Yes, that is correct!” Vice’s smile reasserted itself, “the aquarium is the closest location to have a new purifier for us that doesn’t require traveling into town.” He gestured towards Tumultuous. “Mrs. Sentry has done a wonderful job of mapping out a route through the building.”
“Got it right here,” Tumultuous said as she slammed her hoof on the map in question. “Should give you a clear path through the marine life entrance to the mechanical room. In and out before the unicorns even realize you’re there.”
“Also, if you have time,” Ledger added, “there should be some extra diving masks and medical supplies. We could use some more as, despite Flash’s recent run, we are running low.”
Scanning over the maps quickly and memorizing the necessary route alongside other possible avenues, Flash nodded and said, “alright, seems manageable. Is it just Wave and me?”
“Yes, though,” Tumultuous furrowed her brow in concern, “I was hoping someone else could do the route.”
“We’ll be fine, ma.” Flash nuzzled the side of his mother’s face. “We’ll be back before you know it.”
“You better, or you’ll be in for the lecture of a lifetime for worrying your poor old ma.” She nudged Flash playfully with a wing.
“So, when do we leave?” Wave asked.
“Now,” Vice said, “good luck gentlecolts!”
A fact about the aquarium was that I was named incorrectly. It was, first and foremost, a marine biology lab. The best in Equestria with the runner-up being the Fillydelphia Lab that was as effective as a square surfboard.
The building was made up of several white stone cylindrical towers at the far end of the docks. There were several entrances, all of which connected to massive chambers filled with tanks of water to contain various sea life.
Originally, this was solely for professional observation, studying the various behaviours of fish in a place that resembled their original habitat as much as possible. Later on, once money became tighter, part of the lab was opened up for paid public viewing attracting tourists and becoming a prime money maker for the city.
In present times, the front half was for the viewing public, while the back half was for research.
It was the latter part that was of interest for Flash and Wave.
They floated just outside the facility near the marine life entrance to the lab; a large hole through the mountain for any ponies entering and exiting on a boat from the open sea. Flash scanned the exterior for any possible unicorn threats as Wave waited patiently beside him.
“Looks like it's all clear,” Flash said, “but we’ll need to be quick in case there’s any prowling inside.”
“So, to review, we’re entering the research half of the aquarium, heading to maintenance, grabbing what supplies we can, then getting out?” Flash nodded. Wave grinned. “Kiss for good luck?”
Both stallions pulled up their masks to give each other a quick peck on the lips. Afterward, they secured their equipment, then dove into the water.
As the underwater sky opened up to them and they swam towards the lab, Flash allowed himself to admire his colt friend. Where most ponies swam with function in mind, Flash included, Wave swam with grace.
Like a dancer.
He moved with fluid motions that went with the currents of the ocean. If there had been a team of underwater swimmers similar to the Wonderbolts, there was no doubt in Flash’s mind that Wave would be a part of it.
As they continued to swim up into shallower water, both stallions soon breached and clambered up onto the pier.
Before them was a massive warehouse complex of intake pools for marine life to be transferred from this area to the research or public zones via tubes. The area near them was stocked full of desks and filing cabinets, heavily laden with documents.
“Which direction?” Wave asked.
“Don’t you know where to go?” Flash replied.
“You memorized the map.”
“And you didn’t?” Flash said with a teasing grin.
“I’m not in a career that requires me to remember massive amounts of information over a very short period of time,” Wave retorted, “so, which way, Mr. Guard?
Laughing lightly at the title, Flash jerked his head down a pipe-lined corridor on their right. They both galloped at an easy canter across the metallic flooring as they made their way toward the maintenance room.
Clang.
Stopping in place, Flash whipped his head in the direction from whence they came, searching for the source of the noise he heard.
“What’s happening?” Waves asked.
Flash waited for a moment before he answered, “nothing, but I don’t like the idea of random noises in hostile territory. Let’s get going.”
Resuming their trek with renewed urgency, they found themselves in a winding corridor through massive water tanks devoid of vegetation and fish. A closer inspection found the plants limp on the tank floors and the fish floating dead upon the surface of the water.
Touching the glass with a wing, Flash pulled back quickly with a hiss of pain.
“What’s wrong?” Wave asked, concerned.
“The glass is hot meaning the water is probably worse. The dials don’t even go that high, which means there’s another source of heat causing this. Since there aren’t any pegasi or earth ponies nearby…” Flash trailed off as the implications sunk in, “how important is that water purifier?”
“We would have a day or two of drinking water left at most,” Wave replied.
“Right.” Flash took a deep breath. “We need to move quickly.”
Both stallions raced through the pathway between tanks, careful to avoid touching the glass walls.
They arrived in an open area past the tanks filled with various machines. The space was dominated by shelves filled with medical supplies, diving masks, batteries, and, most importantly, water purifiers.
“You grab the medical supplies, I’ll pack up the masks and purifiers,” Flash ordered.
Without waiting to see if Wave followed his instructions, Flash ran over to the shelf and started packing the masks and thermos-shaped filters into his saddlebags, taking extra care to grab the ones with a full charge.
In the middle of their packing, a large shadow passed over them.
Freezing in place, they both turned towards the source, finding a turned unicorn floating in the tank. It was bright pink, with a two-tone purple and blue mane staring at them with a tar-flecked grin.
On its flanks was a Cutie Mark of two dolphins circling each other.
Then it swam away.
“Tighten your straps and get ready to run,” Flash said.
When he received no confirmation, Flash turned to see Wave staring at the place the unicorn had been in wide-eyed shock.
“Wave!” Flash said sharply.
“It was swimming,” Wave said.
“I saw the mark, it's probably—”
“It was swimming!” Wave shouted.
Rushing over to Wave and holding his head in Flash’s wings, Flash said, “I know. You were right, they can swim, but right now we are in danger. I need you to focus.”
Finally broken from his stupor, Wave nodded and began securing his saddlebags and checking his equipment. Flash followed suit.
When they were both ready, they started galloping back the way they came.
As they reached the halfway point, the sound of broken glass echoed through the huge room.
They skidded to a stop.
“The unicorns, despite being monsters, are smart, right?” Wave asked.
“Unfortunately, yes,” Flash replied.
“How much do you want to bet that it broke the tank glass filled with near-boiling water?”
“Enough that I think we need to find a different route,” Flash recalled the map from earlier and began inspecting it mentally for a path to escape. “Can you fly?”
“My wings are dry enough, why?”
“There’s some grates back the way we came that we can go along to reach a maintenance tunnel leading towards the tourist side of the facility. Come on.”
Turning around, they galloped back the way they came as the sound of rushing water followed behind them, rapidly increasing in volume. Sparing a glance backward, Flash saw the growing swath of blue heading towards them.
“Is that it?” Wave called out.
Swiveling his head back around, Flash turned towards where Wave was looking and saw catwalks along the top of the tank.
“That’s it!” Flash yelled. “Fly up to it!”
Both stallions unfurled their wings, and leaped into the air, flapping hard downwards to push them both up to the metal grill above them. Scrambling back to their hooves, they watched the water race past them.
Turning away from the sight, Flash spied the tunnel and nudged Wave with a wing. Getting the message they continued their mad dash through the narrow pipe-lined corridors that hissed small clouds of steam as they ran past.
Soon, they reached the public side of the marine lab; an open area filled with various tanks containing different exhibits amongst tacky decor.
Far across from them, down several ramps, was a glass door leading outside.
Pushing onwards, they raced down the ramps. Before they could reach the front doors, the unicorn from earlier charged forward and tackled Wave who went skidding across the floor with the unicorn quickly following after him.
“No!” Flash screamed.
He chased after them both as the unicorn slashed at Wave with its teeth leaving thin red slashes across his face.
Flash tried to think of a way to get the unicorn off of him and happened to notice the glint of metal on his saddlebags.
Thinking fast, Flash took Pharma’s pin into a wing and raced forward.
He bashed into the unicorn that released a guttural roar before Flash stabbed them in the eye with the pin.
It screamed, pulling away from them as it frantically tugged at its face with its hooves.
Flash slung an unconscious Wave over his back and galloped out of the building, the monster’s agonized screams following after them.
Once he reached the pier, Flash tied Wave’s saddlebags to his own to keep him secure to his back before diving into the water.
He began the long swim back to the cove.
Flash sat near the center of the cove with his and Wave’s saddlebags lying on the ground next to him. He hung his head as he replayed the events of earlier over and over again, blaming himself at every turn.
“Hey, little vapour, how are you holding up?”
In answer to his mother, Flash grunted.
“Not great, huh?” Tumultuous said as she placed a comforting wing on Flash’s withers.
He leaned his head onto his mother’s shoulder. “No. Wave got hurt.”
“I know, but there’s only so much you can do.”
“I could do more,” Flash asserted.
“That’s not how it works,” Tumultuous explained, “and I don’t like that you’re ignoring that Wave got off with minimal injuries. He’s alive and very much in one piece. I would call that a win.”
Nuzzling his mother, Flash said, “I still feel horrible.”
Returning the nuzzle, Tumultuous replied, “seeing your partner get hurt is never not horrible, little vapour.”
“Congratulations!”
Flash turned towards Vice who trotted towards them, wings open in greeting alongside the ever sour Busy Work and a concerned Ledger.
“Hello, Vice,” Flash greeted, “the supplies you needed are in the saddlebags.”
“Wonderful!” Vice exclaimed then gave a look of sympathy, “I heard about Wave, I’m so sorry. Is he awake yet?”
“No, but we need to talk about the unicorns. It isn’t safe here anymore.”
Busy rolled her eyes. “Not this again. First, Wave, now you? Honestly, you’re both broken records.”
“I’m serious, we need to—”
“We need to celebrate this victory!” Vice said, “stop worrying about swimming unicorns and rejoice at surviving another day.”
“Vice, you need to listen,” Flash tried to stress, “we’re all in danger.”
A scowl marred Vice’s face, “Well, now. I’m really starting to get tired of this continuous rabble about danger this and danger that.” He waved a wing dismissively. “Honestly, would it hurt you just to take the win?”
“Yeah, it would actually.”
As one, the group turned towards Wave as he trotted towards them, fresh scars marring his face.
“Wave!” Flash exclaimed as he ran towards his partner.
They both nuzzled each other before Wave returned his focus to the others. “I don’t know how much Flash has managed to tell you, but the unicorn that attacked us at the marine lab had a swimming Cutie Mark.”
The collective tensed. “Are you certain?” Ledger asked.
“Yes, and we don’t have much time, since we may have accidentally led them all the way here.”
“What utter nonsense!” Busy said.
“What do you mean?” Tumultuous asked.
“I was bleeding all the way here and the monsters have a heightened sense of smell,” Wave said, “it’s entirely possible that the unicorn from the marine lab could follow us.”
“This sounds even more ridiculous than a unicorn that can swim!” Vice cried out, “how can you even be so sure that the unicorn’s mark was for swimming? It could have been for something else. Perhaps even marine biology studies based on the location.”
“And following a trail of your blood from Vanhoover to here?” Busy scoffed, “you’re paranoid Wave.”
“You need to listen to me,” Wave stressed, “you are endangering everyone here by not acting.”
“I would be endangering everyone by acting without just cause,” Vice retorted, “I will not rally the survivors to have them leave our only safe haven on hearsay.”
Wave stomped his hoof in frustration, “why aren’t you listening?”
“Because you’ve only proven to be an overgrown colt,” Busy insulted.
Stomping his front hooves with a snort, Wave glared at Busy.
“I can vouch for Wave, there really was a unicorn that could swim,” Flash said as he recalled the actions of the monster in question, “and they are a lot smarter than we give them credit for.”
“Okay, that is enough,” Vice said as he waved his wings in exasperation, “we are not leaving the cove, there is no swimming unicorn, we are perfectly safe here, and that is final.” He stomped his hoof on the ground.
An explosion rocked the cove.
Ponies muttered in panic as they searched for the source of the noise.
“Now, now, everyone no need to—” Vice tried to placate.
Another explosion blew through the cove as a creature stepped out from the new hole in a nearby wall. It had pink fur and a two-tone blue and purple mane.
It looked across the crowd and directly at Flash with its one good eye.
The monster grinned.
And from behind it, a herd of unicorns entered the cove, horns charged and ready to fire.
Utter chaos broke out in the cove. Ponies scrambled to escape, their screams echoing off the cavern walls.
Blasts of arcane magic shot through the throngs, some finding their mark. Those unlucky targets tumbled to the ground, charred fur and flesh releasing a smoky acrid scent, their high-pitched agony heard by all those around.
Flash felt frozen in place, stuck by the horror that surrounded him.
From across the cove, the pink unicorn gave one final grin before disappearing into the herd of monsters.
That finally broke him from his stupor. “We need to leave,” Flash said forcibly to the others around him.
Busy was the first. “Where?” she shrieked. “We’re too far from the shore! We’ll never outpace them!”
“We don’t have a choice. Who has diving masks on them?”
“I do,” Tumultuous said.
“I have one and a spare,” Ledger added, his voice strained.
“I-I don’t,” Vice said nervously, fear plain on his face.
“Neither do I,” Busy said, equally terrified.
“Okay, Ledger, give your spare to Busy, Vice grab one of the extra masks from the saddlebags we brought from the marine lab,” Flash commanded, “we’re going to have to strap the masks on as we move.”
The group followed Flash’s instructions and they were soon, galloping off, following the herd towards the main pier of the cove.
Unicorns swarmed them from every direction, breaking through makeshift shelters and attacking ponies as they fled. Manby appeared to have had the same idea as their group as they all raced towards Vanhoover.
As the throng grew, bedlam continued to rain down around them. Some braver pegasi attempted to fly away but were promptly killed by beams of arcane magic from the ground-bound unicorns.
The monsters patrolled along the outskirts, blocking the way out from openings, not in the direction of the main pier.
“Wait!” Wave shouted as he jerked his head towards an open area nearby, “we need to talk!”
As they sidetracked to the indicated area, nearly getting trampled in the process, Busy rounded on him, “what is it now? Can’t you see we don’t have time to be standing around?”
“I know, I know, but did you notice anything weird about the unicorns?” Wave asked.
“Not that I can tell,” Tumultuous said.
“Great!” Busy shouted, “Now let’s get going, we don’t—”
“Wait a second, you horrid harpy,” Wave interrupted, “can’t you see where the unicorns are?”
Quickly observing where the unicorns congregated, Flash said, “they’re all standing behind us and they’re…” Flash’s eyes widened as he caught onto what Wave was seeing, “all of them are blocking the passages except towards the pier.”
“Exactly!” Wave gestured with his wing toward Flash. “We’re being guided to the same spot. I bet they’re setting up a trap.”
“Are you serious? You cannot possibly think—”
Vice stopped Busy with a hoof. “No, I think Wave might be right here.”
“Sir!” Busy exclaimed.
“I’ve ignored Wave’s warnings a few too many times and now we’re in this mess.” A scowl crossed Vice’s face before turning back into an easygoing smile. “So, what do you suggest?”
“An alternate route,” Wave explained, “split the herd and increase our chances of survival.”
“Great idea, but I don’t know of any other route that isn’t the pier or blocked by the unicorns,” Tumultuous said.
“We can escape through the supply room.” They turned to Ledger. “It’s off the main paths and there’s a hole in the room that leads to the sea.”
“Sounds promising,” Flash said, “now how do we split off the herd?”
“Leave that to the professional,” Vice said.
Standing upon a nearby rock to be better seen, Vice shouted to the herd, “survivors of Vanhoover! We have found an alternate route out of the cove! Come this way to safety!”
Many ponies ignored Vice’s cries and instead continued their mad dash to the pier. Others slowed down marginally and swiveled to listen to him, but apprehension stalled their commitment.
Vice stood taller, unfurling his wings slightly, to cut a more commanding figure. “Listen to me! We cannot all leave by the pier! All of us at once are in more danger than if we divide and go through a different route! Trust as your leader, I will keep you alive!”
It was finally enough. Ponies changed direction and galloped toward Vice’s location. Though many still frantically raced past, a sizable portion of the herd came before the group.
Leaping down from his perch, Vice gestured with a wing toward Ledger, a wide smile on his face. “Lead on.”
Nodding in confirmation, Ledger ran towards the hidden route to the supply room, everyone following quickly behind him.
They arrived in the storage room, shelves of supplies lined the walls filled with everything from foodstuffs to toiletries, and diving masks to medical kits. On the opposite side of the entrance was a gouge in the rocky floor filled with seawater big enough to fit one pony at a time. A quick inspection showed that it did in fact lead out into the open sea.
“This will take us to the far side of Vanhoover,” Ledger explained, “it’s further away than the pier, but would keep the two groups separated.”
“Alright,” Flash turned to the crowd of ponies behind them, “grab diving masks if you don’t have them and when you’re strapped in, get going.”
“Where should we all regroup?” Tumultuous asked.
“The mountain ridge outside of town,” Flash said, “we can’t stay in the town proper, so we’ll have to get as far away as possible.”
Murmurs of discontent arose. Vice quickly intervened, “stay strong, everyone. What’s most important is our survival. Though we must abandon our home, we are what’s most important. Busy, Wave, Tumultuous, Ledger, Flash, and I will help everyone get strapped in. Follow Flash’s instructions and leave once you’re ready.”
The mood shifted as everyone quickly began pulling masks and batteries off the shelves. In short order, the herd began to dive into the hole, one by one.
“Wow, I have an actual modicum of respect for you now,” Wave said as he assisted another pony with their straps.
Nodding before whipping his head towards Wave in surprise, Vice said, “Wait, you didn’t respect me before?”
“You didn’t do anything to deserve it,” Wave answered.
“Ugh, you are so—”
Busy’s insult was cut off by a guttural roar down the tunnel. Tension filled the air as the group realized they were running out of time.
“Alright, folks, double time!” Flash shouted. “Get strapped in and out of here. Move! Move! Move!”
More of the herd dove to freedom until only their core group remained. As the last pony dove into the hole, Flash, Tumultuous, and Busy grabbed knives off of the shelves.
“You’re going to fight the unicorns back with a knife?” Vice asked incredulously.
“No, this is for if they corner me underwater,” Flash replied, “you and Busy are next. Get going.”
“Finally, we can leave this Tartarus cursed cove.” Busy paused before Wave, her expression as sour as ever. “I expect all of you to join us in a few hours,” she scowled further, “tardiness is unacceptable.”
“Just get going ya shrill harpy,” Wave said, a smirk on his lips.
With a huff, Busy dove into the water.
“Though perhaps not as… abrasive as Busy put it, the sentiment is shared,” Vice said with a grin that felt less fake than it had before, “I expect to see you all soon.”
Then Vice followed after Busy.
“Alright, Ledger you’re—”
A roar cut off Flash as the one-eyed unicorn monster burst into the room. It charged toward Flash but was stopped by Ledger tackling it from the side.
They rolled along the rocky floor, the unicorn roaring as it tried to bite into its assailant.
“Go!” Ledger screamed.
“But what about you?” Flash cried.
“There’s no time, go!”
Flash tried to approach but was roughly grabbed by his mother who threw him into the water. As he sank toward the sea floor, Wave followed after him with Tumultuous not far behind.
A burst of magic fire exploded above them lighting the water in bright orange.
With tears stinging his eyes and with an urgent nudge from Wave, Flash joined his mother and colt friend in swimming towards Vanhoover.
As the rocky shore came into view, Flash felt himself get tackled from behind. A stab of pain shot through his shoulder as he felt the grip of razor-sharp teeth sink into his flesh.
Punching the offending attacker, Flash turned himself around to find the pink unicorn staring down at him, hatred in its one working eye.
Tumultuous tried to grapple the creature from behind, but it kicked her in the chest with its back legs, causing her to lose her grip and float toward the surface, dazed.
As Flash brandished his knife with a wing, the monster renewed its focus upon him.
It charged.
He swung his knife, cutting through the water as the unicorn deftly dodged his slashes.
The unicorn latched onto him with its hooves, pushing him down onto the sea floor. Gritty sand dug into his back, as the monster bared its teeth overtop of him.
In horror, Flash watched as the unicorn’s horn began to charge with magic.
Struggling against the creature’s strong grip, Flash tried to stab the monster’s leg, but it swatted his knife out of his wing with a swipe of its hoof.
Heat bubbled through the surrounding seawater.
In desperation, Flash headbutted the beast causing its nose to bleed, but it still continued to charge its spell.
After another few seconds, it was ready.
Managing to free his left side, Flash tried to swim away only to be caught by the burning arcane magic of the unicorn. He screamed as agony burned the left side of his body. He felt nothing but pain as the heat seared his flesh.
The unicorn lunged forward to bite Flash’s throat but was stopped by Wave who had grabbed Flash’s discarded knife and stabbed it through the heart.
As it reared back, screaming in pain, Tumultuous came from behind it and finished the deed by slashing its throat.
Flash’s vision began to fade as Wave swam up to him.
He could see his lips mouthing his name over and over again, tears flowing down his face.
Then clenched his teeth from the searing pain that shot through his waking mind. Pure agony radiated from his left side as he fought back the urge to scream.
Squeezing his eyes tightly shut, he rode the wave of hurt until it settled into a dull continuous throbbing.
He opened his eyes and stared at the white tiled ceiling. Bright fluorescent lights spaced evenly along the squares shone down on him causing him to squint.
From that information alone he could tell he was in a hospital. The uncomfortable mattress confirmed that thought.
His mind was muddled in confusion as he tried to figure out how he managed to get there. He scoured his memories trying to recall what had led up to that point. The escape from the cove, the swim underwater, the unicorn blasting him—
As realization hit him, his eyes shot wide open. It took a massive force of will to resist the urge to turn his head to the left.
He knew.
He knew it was gone.
He knew from feeling alone that if he looked, nothing would be there.
But he wanted to stay in denial for longer. He wanted to avoid confronting the horrible truth that awaited him with a short turn of his head. The reveal he already knew just from the searing agony he had experienced.
Knowing he couldn't put it off forever, Flash took a deep shaky breath and looked.
Before him was perhaps the worst and greatest sight of his life.
His left-wing, forehoof, and back leg were gone. Ugly, scarred skin tissue was all that was left from where his limbs once were. He could tell from the stitching that they had been removed by the doctors, presumably because they were either useless or a detriment to his life.
Following the lines of pale flesh, he knew it most likely covered the entire left side of his body.
It would never recover. His limbs were gone forever.
This should have devastated him, and destroyed his very psyche.
But Wave Crest was there.
His head rested on the sheets near him, his dreadlocks splayed out across his face, hiding the hideous scars underneath. His eyes were red-rimmed and the black bags under them gave Flash a good indication of how he was faring. Concernedly, new bandages were wrapped around his barrel and back legs.
Above all of that, and most importantly to Flash, Wave’s front hoof was outstretched and rested on the scarred tissue of his left side.
“Wave,” Flash croaked, his voice scratchy from disuse.
Wave’s eyes fluttered open then widened in shock. He scrambled forward, still careful of Flash’s wounds, and cradled Flash’s head with his wings.
He kissed him. Flash returned the gesture.
Despite losing so much, Flash knew he still had the most important thing with just that single kiss.
They pulled away from each other just enough to press their faces together. Wave gently nuzzled Flash’s snout, tears falling down his face to converge with Flash’s at the point where they both touched.
Moments passed as they stayed close, quiet joy at having each other.
Too soon, Flash pulled back and asked, “where are we exactly?”
“Canterlot Hospital Main,” Wave answered, “and before you ask, the unicorns have been defeated. Long story short, Princess Twilight used her magic to reverse the transformation.”
“Including—”
“Your mother, Prete Fleche,” Wave said, “your other mother, Tumultuous, is with her now alongside the other Vanhoover survivors. We’ve all been given shelter in the castle while things get sorted out.”
Flash grinned widely in relief causing Wave to cry. Concerned, Flash asked, “what’s wrong?”
“I-I just—” Wave wiped his tears away with a wing, “—can’t believe that you almost died, got… hurt,” he waved his hooves in the direction of Flash’s wounds, “and you can still smile like that. Why are you such a bundle of sunshine?”
“Because I have you,” Flash answered with a warm smile.
Touching his hoof to Flash’s withers, Wave said, “And you always will.”
After another moment of quiet contentment, Flash asked, “how are the survivors?”
“Coping, or trying to. Vice and Busy are keeping everyone calm. One of the few times those buffoons are of any use.”
“And Ledger?” Flash asked quietly.
In lieu of answering, Wave shook his head.
“Oh, I had hoped maybe…” Flash trailed off before shaking his head and continuing, “what now?”
“We wait until the doctor comes back so we can get you fitted for prosthetics and then we,” Wave stressed the word, “alongside your moms can start working on getting you back on your hooves.”
“And after?”
“I don’t know,” Wave said, “everything is a mess after the unicorn attacks. Massive damage. An astronomical death toll amongst the pegasi and earth pony populations. It’s going to take a long time to get everything back to normal.”
“And what of the guard?”
“They’re assisting Shining Armour in keeping things under control alongside the Princesses.”
“So, they’ll need help?”
There was a heavy pause before Wave answered with a hard glint in his eye, “I know where you’re going with this, Flash.”
“Wave, please—”
Wave held up a wing. “I won’t stop you.”
“You won’t?” Flash asked, confused.
“No. I had a lot of time to think while you were out cold and I know you.” He smiled sadly. “There’s no way you would just sit back when Equestria was in trouble. It’s just not in your nature.”
“That’s how I am,” Flash said, looking askance out of guilt.
“It is, and it’s what I love about you. So, I’ll help you get back into shape for the guard and,” Wave paused, “I’ll join you as a new recruit.”
Flash’s head shot up sharply. “No, absolutely not!”
“And while I’m stuck at home, who will look after you?”
“I don’t need to be looked after!”
“You’re missing half of your body!” Wave roared.
The silence filled the space between them. It was deafening as Wave’s words filled Flash’s mind like foul sludge.
“I don’t want you to get hurt,” Flash whispered, a sob threatening to choke him up.
“Flash, please. Look at this from my perspective” Wave said, his voice wobbling with emotion, “the love of my life has just been permanently crippled and is now going back to a dangerous profession that I can’t help him with.”
“You help by just being there for me,” Flash said.
“Yes, by your side,” Wave retorted, “I know your misgivings. I get that you don’t want me hurt, but, Flash,” fresh tears fell down Wave’s face, “it goes both ways.”
Struggling through the pain, Flash maneuvered his right-wing to gently wipe away the tears on Wave’s face. Wave grabbed the proffered wing, and held it close to his face sniffling.
“Okay, Wave,” Flash finally said, “we’ll get me back to normal and also start getting you ready for the guard. Together until the end.”
“Until the end,” Wave agreed.
Flash moved himself to lay on his left side and made room on the hospital bed. Taking the hint, Wave shuffled onto the mattress and into Flash’s embrace. They curled up against each other, Wave taking care to avoid Flash’s injuries as much as he could.
With Flash’s wing tightly wrapped around his beloved, they pressed against each other.
