The Princess and the Privateby Brony0886ChaptersChapter 1Chapter 2Chapter 3Chapter 4Chapter 1The Royal Guard Academy of Canterlot; never before had ponies witnessed so much raw, musky stallion (and occasional mare) in one place. Only the finest, most ferocious, and physically fit are allowed to so much as even step hoof in it's masculine halls. Within, a symphony of battle cries, grunts, and muffled shouts of pain ring across the corridors, and reverberate throughout every training, weight, and combat simulation room. The source of these noises, former and aspiring warriors of all ages and races, Earth Pony, Pegasi, and Unicorn fought against and along each other in what are supposed to be pretend battles, though many say that "pretend" isn't strong enough for the pain they would and had received from them. This was a school of hard-knocks, and that didn't apply only to it's traditionalism. It was a school for the intelligent, unforgiving, and those willing to vanquish enemies of the state. Private Oculus Nox . . . however . . . was none of these. Sure, he had graduated from the academy, and passed the bare minimum of his requirements with all the grace and finesse of a beached whale, but the young stallion had never been the image of a Guard or Soldier of Canterlot. Oculus Nox was very permissive, even submissive to everypony making him stick out like a dragon's sore claw. He didn't see many reasons to be angry, or aggressive, or pick fights all the time, contrary to the hobbies of many a roommate he had in his quarters, much to his distaste. The unicorn was a stallion who loved nature over the battlefield. While his very few friends would go out drinking, flirting, and asserting their dominance over one another in hoof-wrestles and other pain games, Nox would takes relaxing trots through the forests close to his barracks. On said trots, he would revel in the scents of seasonal flowers, made even better after a small rain shower and try to coax the animals out of hiding to spend some time with them. Given his gentle nature, many animals allowed him to pet them until distracted by a predator or food. Oculus Nox was an introvert, encouraging his works in the fine arts. Being a non-conformist in his barracks made cultivating his talents difficult. Not a day went by that he would hear his paintings, sculptures, and manuscripts were "accidently" completely destroyed by his roommates or their friends. How many hours, days, even months, had he poured his heart and soul into them, only to be scrap heaps by the time they were finished? He wouldn't scream, he wouldn't beat them up, he wouldn't show any emotion opting instead to not confront them. Liquid pride was shed for them, but this was in private. More harassment would happen should anypony have seen him. For somepony as sensitive, humble, and peace-loving as Oculus Nox, one would wonder why in the world he would even bother joining such a roughneck brotherhood. Many times he wondered the exact same thing. From his point of view he thought if he could ever find employment at a steady, locale job the great outdoors where the best it was going to get. As a soldier in the Royal Guard, his office was expansive, boundless, and picturesque. His parent's might have had a hoof in it as well, his father being a retired soldier in his youth, thinking it would be marvelous for Nox to learn discipline, something substantially lacking at home ponies would say. Of course his father was a desk jockey for most of that tour of duty, but nevertheless was quite loyal to the brotherhood that had shaped his formative years. Although Nox and his father clashed many a time, his mother and sister couldn't stand to see him leave the roost only to be endangered by the intense training involved at the academy, of which he would be staying at for the rest of his service. War was always a possibility, but threats were there, looming over the heads of the loved ones he left behind. As a member of the guard, he could be called at any time to sacrifice himself for the good of Equestria. His sister was the most affected of all. It clenched Oculus Nox's heart, all throughout his training, to hear she would have horrible nightmares due to his absence. Once he was out, he would have to give her the biggest hug a brother could give, and let her know everything would be alright. In fact, he was about to do that right now as he awoke to sound of a far off rooster crowing. He was all smiles as he remembered that today he would head home to show her he was in fact still in one piece, and rub it in his dad's face he had made it through the rigorous tests, despite the track record of failure. He looked up to his bunk-buddy, another "rough and tumble" character snoring loudly in his sleep. A black eye adorned the yellow unicorn's face, probably from a bar fight which was pretty normal in these parts. Oculus Nox was to giddy to dwell on him for long, smiling even as he slept. Slowly making his way into the shared restroom, Nox made away the daily grooming regimen that the academy had literally beat into his head countless times before. He didn't particularly enjoy it, preferring the scraggly look every once in a while, but this being a special day, he didn't fuss too much. After a brisk cleansing, not up to Guard standards, he walked over to the barracks room door, opened it and stepped into the cool, misty morning air. He sucked a great big breath of air through his nose and sighed it out appreciatively. With foggy , red and orange-tinted daylight peeking through the horizon, Nox through his hooves out and bellowed ecstatically. "Good morning, oh beautiful world!" Unfortunately, it seemed others in the barracks disagreed. "Hey, Nox, keep it down out there! Some ponies are trying to catch some shut eye!" Chapter 2In the Canterlot Palace throne room, countless numbers of stallions sat to either side of the red carpet placed on the central walkway toward the thrones, where Princess Celestia awaited an impending event with calm, regal patience. Many of these stallions socialized with one another, whether to ease their tension or exchange business cards. Some wrung their hooves together in nervous anticipation and apprehension. Some look collected and cool, as if not really giving a care about whatever was going to happen soon. This event looked to be the entire reason for their being here today, based on the row by row seating arrangement they were situated in. From one side of the room, a unicorn mare stepped in front of the princess, most likely to give some kind of announcement. The light, lime green of her coat clashed only slightly with a youthfully styled, cascading downward but maintaining a slight bounce, almost blue-streaked white that was her mane and tail. Her eyes a soft grey, complimenting the metallic shine to her mane. As she cleared her throat to get their attention, they turned to stare at her. It embarrassed her a little, having every eye on her, some checking out her body unashamed of their own behavior, which was troubling to say the least. However, she hovered the parchment with her lines in front of her, and did what she came for. "Stallions of Equestria, her majesty, Princess Celestia, and all of us here in the palace thank you all for coming. We are pleased to announce that her Highness's niece-in-law, Princess Twilight Sparkle, has requested your presences in order to find a potential suitor for marriage." A small uproar went through the crowd as the excitement was too much to contain. A princess of Equestria was asking for the hoof in marriage of one lucky stallion? This was only too good to be true for some of them. "Please . . . gentlecolts," the green unicorn shouted calmly to try and quell the vocal momentum. After a minute they all quieted down and she continued, "Our princess will meet with each one of you, face to face, for individual dates, where you will all be given equal opportunity to prove your suitability as her husband, which she will decide upon at a later interval. There will be a few ground rules to follow on these dates that we will inform you of soon, but without further ado, I am pleased to present to you - Princess Twilight Sparkle!" As if on cue, a hollow creak came from the double doors behind the seated bachelors. They all turned their bodies and heads to get a better view of what was going on, and whoever had opened the door. A dignified, poised female figure sauntered purposefully along the red carpet toward the green mare. The crowd of stallions were struck silent as they gazed in awe of the gorgeous young mare, her mane and tail swaying gently with her hoof-steps. Her eyes were set dead ahead of her, not wanting to break the regal posture Celestia had suggested she take for this announcement. The intense sensation of holes burning through her body at the stares of the gentlecolts overtook her, but she didn't dare look one way or another. No emotion could be discerned from her face, as she wanted to give off more of an official, royal vibe, instead of her actual self, who would have fainted at the prospect of so many handsome colts vying for her affection. In contrast to the beauty in front of them, some of the males could be heard giving off soft whistles, while others could barely dampen their appreciative hums at the princess's figure. Physically, they certainly agreed she deserved the title. Once she had come to the other unicorn mare's side, she turned around and, for the first time, regarded them all with a cordial smile while bashfully waving a hoof to them. In her naturally sweet voice, she spoke with kind professionalism. "Hello everypony, it is nice to see all of you today. As my assistant here as stated, I am in search of a special stallion whom I can share a loving bond with, and eventually think about making my husband. Today, I would like to take some time getting to know each of you a little bit, so that I can make a more concrete decision on which of you will be considered for the next stage, and which of you I will have to regretfully turn down. One on one, I would be happy to answer any personal questions you might have for me, as long as they are in good taste. Otherwise, feel free to mingle for a little while here in the throne room. We have refreshments set up to the sides of your seating arrangements, and I encourage you to get to know one another just as much as you might want to get to know me." In a perfect world, that last statement may have worked out better, but as it was, the seated stallions erupted from their seats to speak to the lovely princess after she was finished. The lime-green unicorn from before attempted to calm the rowdy bunch yet again alongside the alicorn, but this would turn out to be a much more frantic soiree than anypony would have predicted. Princess Twilight, was indubitably, quite the catch, and it showed in the mannerisms of every male piling on top of each other to be first in line. Princess Twilight all but slammed the massive double doors behind her, desperate to get away from the stallions that had constantly bombarded her with questions, comments, and compliments from the first agonizing minute, all the way to the indeterminate amount of time that had lapsed since. She blew a stray, almost ratty, puff of her mane out of her face frustratedly that had become worse for wear in the stuffy, sweaty environment. She stood there, barring the doors with her body for a second, just in case an over-zealous admirer wanted to break through. She was definitely not up to any more conversation or flirting, of which was usually one-sided, directed at her, at this point. Sensing no further danger from the gaggle on the other side, Twilight stomped briskly toward her aunt-in-law Celestia, who was seated at a small, round table, enjoying some of the refreshments that had been served in the throne room. Celestia looked up from her snack, humorously noting that Twilight did not look one bit pleased. "Geez, Princess Celestia, you sure can pick'em!" Twilight was fuming and gritting her teeth lightly to show her aunt-in-law her displeasure with the entire turn-out. Although Celestia tried to genuine concern for the blunder that had ensued at Twilight's expense, she couldn't help but grin at her niece-in-law's little snarl, "Why, my dear Twilight, I'm not sure what you are referring to! I only brought the richest, most handsome, and most powerful stallions to be your husband. Nothing's too good for my cute, little student." "I'm trying to be serious here, Princess!" Twilight stamped a hoof to reiterate her mood, "Those stallions were nothing but thieves, hot-heads, and pigs! One of them even rubbed up against me!" "Oh, one of them was feeling frisky, was he?" Celestia chuckled, "If only I had been there to see it . . ." "Princess Celestia!" "Now, now, Twilight," the alicorn became a tiny bit more serious, "they were simply hoof-picked based on the criteria you gave me. I can't be held responsible for their actions, or . . . personal hobbies when I was simply doing what you had asked of me." Realizing her possible mistake, Twilight huffed slightly in defeat, softening her glare just a tad, though she was no less angry. "I guess . . . money, brawn, and prestige just aren't the things I am looking for, well, not the only ones at least." She shifted a little closer to her aunt-in-law who had partially resumed her midday snack. "I want to marry a stallion who is caring, generous, somepony who loves things like art and poetry. You know, I talked to each and every one of those colts in there," she demonstrated with her hoof to the doors, "and not one of them could recognize any classic poems I recited, even a little bit!" "Well to be fair to them," Celestia tried to speak through eating, something she would only do in front of family . . . and maybe not even then most of the time, "they didn't make their millions, billions of bits becoming poets and pondering the wonders of the universe. They worked hard through various trade and business schools, climbed company ladders, and proved to the world that their products and services are worth investing in. If emotional sensitivity was something you were looking for, most of those stallions out there are not it, as it really didn't fit with their career descriptions." The purple alicorn pondered that for a moment, her anger simmering into disappointment, "I guess business-ponies aren't really my type, though being a princess, I'm assuming the public expects me to marry into money, fame, and not much else . . ." Celestia gave her a wry smile, understanding Twilight's disdain for being in the public eye all the time, " . . . It would appear that way, unfortunately, Twilight. If it were completely up to me, I would allow you to date and marry whomever caught your fancy. In this case, I cannot promise that there would be ill consequences should you not be wedded to a stallion of noble or wealthy birth." As much as Twilight wanted to hotly object to such nonsense, she could certainly see it all now. 'Princess Twilight Sparkle marries local wino! Her only reasons being he makes great trash sculptures and philosophically mulls over "the meaning of life"!' The very thought made her plop down into a nearby chair and put her head in her hooves with exasperation. Why was it that the mentally stimulating were also such . . . commoners? Could she ever find what she was looking for in somepony who was strong, yet kind, noble, yet charitable, a stallion of action, yet a sensitive thinker? The more she dwelt on it, the more impossible such prospects became to her. She did not mind having high standards, but so few ponies actually fit that elusive bill. "Princess Celestia?" Twilight didn't bother raising her head, still in her forelegs. "What is it dear?" the princess sipped her tea quietly. ". . . Is there any, any possibility that I could find somepony else that would fit the description I just gave you? . . ." Celestia set her teacup down lightly, thinking about the multitude of requirements Twilight had set forth for her future husband. It was not an easy task bringing the bunch that were still probably wandering the throne room, or heading home now, as they had more or less been the most fitting for her niece-in-law in all of Equestria. Why did the young mare have to have such strenuous prerequisites? There was one more candidate that Celestia had neglected to bring, mostly cause the young stallion's father had been uneasy about marrying him off so soon. They weren't of a noble family, though their service to the crown had been exemplary, and his father had been under-confident in his son's ability to be the perfect husband he felt Twilight deserved. However, it seemed that it was the right time to pull out the big guns, since she was running out of options. She would try to make it up to his father later. ". . . There is one other I did not wish to mention before, but I feel I should now. You do remember my second-in-command, Captain Broadlance, do you not Twilight?" Twilight vaguely remembered the old Captain of the Guard. He was always pretty stuffy, and was a pony of very traditional convictions. "Somewhat . . . why?" Well, I was thinking that his son, Flash Sentry, would be a fine candidate. He's strong, brave, and from what I have been told was afforded a classical education, in which he received honorable mention for his projects. Furthermore, he is a fetching young colt. He may not be of nobility, but with the efforts and loyalty of his family, he may as well be." "Hmm . . . " the purple mare put her hoof to her chin in thought, ". . . I suppose I could give him a shot. Can't be any worse than these suitors were." "That's the spirit," Celestia giggled at Twilight's lack of optimism, "I think you'll really like him. I have met him face to face before, and although he can be a little . . . intimidating, sometimes, I'm sure he'll be more than grateful for the chance to win your affections." "That sounds just fine then," Twilight was still skeptical, but didn't question her teacher's wisdom as desperate times often call for desperate measures, "would we be able to meet him right away?" Celestia was more than happy to oblige, "I don't see why we couldn't meet him down in the training grounds , where he usually is this time of day I hear." She rose from her seated position, motioning with her hoof for the other alicorn to follow close by, "Come, I think you'll be delightfully surprised!" Twilight also jumped out of her own seat to walk by Celestia's side. They started making their way outside, Celestia holding the door for her niece-in-law. Although eager about the thought of finding "the one", she was still mildly suspicious, and she still kept telling herself, "What's the worst that could possibly happen?" Chapter 3A coat the color of the desert sands housed powerful muscles propelling the pegasus stallion through his hoof-race with an earth pony. "Is that the best you've got?" the pegasus taunted his opponent. He was neck and neck with the other stallion, though it was extremely obvious the pegasus was holding back. The earth pony, however, was sprinting with everything that he had to come out victorious against his senior. Huffing and sputtering, the earth pony bit back at the cocky colt, "Shut it, Flash! I haven't even begun to race yet!" Despite the big talk, the earth pony was sure a heart attack was in his immediate future if he even tried to pick up the pace. The sapphire eyes of Flash Sentry's glistened with confidence as he smirked, increasing his own speed gently to draw out the inevitable. "Whatever you say, friend!" Flash jetted forward into a dead sprint. The difference in speed between the two was staggering as they both tore through the circular track. Enjoying the light wind whipping through his mane and tail, Flash zoomed past a crowd of onlookers (cheering one or the other on). He spotted a few of the adoring female fans he accumulated over time. Being the captain's son and one of the strongest, most handsome stallions in the Guard does that for someponies. Swooning at his mischievous wink, Flash added to the show by unfurling his wings to full mast as if he were a strutting peacock. Unashamedly asserting his dominance and alpha status was in his nature. "He's so dreamy!" a unicorn mare bellowed like a filly to an untalented, undeserving of their fame pop idol, promptly fainting into the forelegs of another pegasus in full armor. Chortling at her friend's antics, she casually mused to herself. "Definitely not bad to look at, I'll give you that much." Flash, to the surprise of no one, crossed the finish line first. He took immense joy in trouncing his friends, enemies, and everypony stupid enough to challenge him at anything. Even with his typical intense and earnest demeanor, facing contests he deemed worthy of his skill head on with solid determination, he afforded himself these little moments of glory where he got his kicks destroying the weak. The earth pony came up, sweating, panting, and thoroughly embarrassed, just as Flash liked to see in his defeated rival's eyes. He glared smugly at the stallion, who looked ready to demand a rematch. "I could have beaten you if I had done those extra-reps in the gym today, Flash!" Flash muttered to himself, "Keep telling yourself that, earth pony..." "Yeah, sure, you were this close," Flash put his front hooves together, "... to a hospital bed, that is." There were two things Flash Sentry was to other ponies, a sadist and intellectual bully. Not being one to let his pride take quips like that lying down, the earth pony continued to boast, "I was just... letting you win! Yeah! Didn't want to make you look like a pansy in front of your cheerleaders!" The hairs on the back of Flash's neck bristled. With a threatening growl at a volume only the two combatants could hear, he addressed the earth pony, "You want me to make a fool of you again in front of all your little vermin? Bring it on, I'm waiting." The earth pony wasn't one to let a good fight go to waste, but Flash's gaze quickly dispelled any further incentive. Once irked, every guard, both recruit and veteran, knew it was unwise to further mess with the captain's son. He cringed away only a little, trying not to look any more pathetic under the assault. Luckily, one of the groupies, the one who almost fainted, and started gushing/ cooing to her gorgeous knight. "Wow, you were incredible out there! I didn't think you'd win!" Flash eased up a fraction on his race victim, but still had that cold stare about him, sending the message to tread lightly. Although her friend had advised her not to do so, the unicorn mare ended up grabbing his neck into a tight embrace. Sterling visibly tensed as she snuggled her face into the soft fur of his granite-like shoulder. "Please marry me!" The armored mare face-hoofed, expecting a restraining order would be in her friend's future. Flash said not a word to the mare, still fuming at his opponent for belittling him. He shrugged her advances off like a wet towel, turning and storming off to a nearby rest area. Now this would thwart off any mare, but... "He's so stoic, so brooding!" the mare fawned continuing her thought with the flames of desire in her eyes and a hoof to her face with conviction, "With my love, I'll melt his icy heart and make him so happy!" Her friend couldn't believe what she was hearing, "Yeah, yeah, he's cute but he's not that cute." Away from the field, and the renewed vigor in the stands for the next race that was starting, Flash Sentry dunked his face and mane into a vat of cold water. The chilly liquid abated his anger, helping him think clearly again, not to mention giving him a fabulous feeling after that brisk run. Even a Pegasi as large as him got sweaty after some activity, even if it was wasn't much. He sighed in contentment as he let the rivulets drip down his body. After a brief moment of relaxing silence, he turned back around to return to the training fields, but halfway through he almost took an involuntary leap. Right next to him, Princess Celestia and Princess Twilight Sparkle had somehow materialized out of thin air when he wasn't aware. "Oh, I am so sorry, Flash Sentry, I didn't mean to alarm you." Princess Twilight tried to assure him when she noticed his distress. "It is no trouble at all, Princess Twilight Sparkle," Flash appropriately bowed to the stunning mare in front of him. Twilight took a moment, now that they were face to face, as Celestia had shown him to her from afar not but a few minutes ago, to take in his form. Celestia did not exaggerate when she had said he was very fetching. His fur looked blissfully soft and even, clinging to his well-built frame from the dip he had just took. His mane flowed down his face majestically, similarly wet, and mysteriously half-hid those lustrous blue irises, steely and serious. Refraining from the desire to roam with her eyes, easily able to be lost in, she took stock in his large, powerful wings, folded to his sides. For purely informational purposes, mind you, Twilight peeked at his cutie mark. "Is there something the matter, Princess?" As Twilight found herself at a small loss for what to say exactly, Celestia, behind the purple alicorn for moral support, nudged her gently, indicating she start up the conversation. She took a few tentative steps toward the stallion and spoke up again, albeit awkwardly, "I was wondering if you would have a few moments to discuss some things with me." Flash didn't get caught off guard often and females were a dime a dozen, but a princess's personal attention wasn't received everyday and not to be dropped lightly. He found himself doing the most detesting thing in his existence, rubbing the back of his head talking to a mare. Disgusted with himself, he kept most of his attention on the princess and with mechanical respect issued his question. "... What would you like to know?..." Chapter 4Princess Twilight Sparkle formulated a response to Flash Sentry's inquiry after a few thoughtful seconds. Celestia just sat back and smiled at her attempt to play matchmaker for the youngsters. "I have been informed that you were a student in historical literature at Trottingham University, and I had a burning question for you on a little excerpt from one of the old Agrarian Age poems in a book I own." Of course, said book, while in existence, was not necessary for Twilight to remember or recite, from memory, the epic poem. This was the test she devised to prod his knowledge. "Yes, Princess, I am familiar with some poetry of that age," Flash nodded with his typical curt stare, "Is there a particular poem you wish to expound on?" Twilight smirked to herself invisibly. If this stallion was as well-read as Celestia made him out to be, he would recognize the script immediately. "First, why don't I start reciting it, and you can guess as to which poem I am talking about, noble stallion?" The stallion had to force back a groan of frustration . Oh how he despised playing guessing games, wishing Princess Twilight would ask the question and get on with it, ". . . Well. . . please, Princess continue. . ." Twilight smiled and cleared her throat to achieve the right pitch and mood set. One she had done so, she dramatically through her hoof out, doing her best to act out the scene in a way the author wouldn't roll over in his grave if he witnessed it. " - Hark! The mist strangles the quiet mountain countryside! - " Flash didn't give his response a second thought, cutting off the princess before she could continue any further, "I believe you are referring to, "The Serf's Song" by Forest Mist, am I correct?" The Princess's hoof kissed the ground with a hard thud as her jaw unhinged. He just correctly named the poem and it's scribe without so much as eight words of the few hundred lines entailed with it! It wasn't even the epic's beginning, or anywhere close to it's end, where anypony could distinguish it from other poems! " . . . Why . . . yes, Flash . . . that is exactly what it was!" She was impressed. Scratch that, very impressed. She looked back at Celestia giving a quiet whisper of appreciation, to which the white mare simply grinned in an "I told you so" manner. With reverent disinterest in the current conversation, Flash addressed the alicorn once again, "Will that be all, Princess Twilight Sparkle?" The flustered filly whipped her head back around to Flash Sentry and bashfully shuffled her hooves in place. Although, with his unrivaled and unflinching soulful stare, she thought it would be impossible to be more attracted to the strapping colt, that feeling increased ten-fold at his literary savvy. "Oh, actually, I haven't asked you my question about it yet, Flash" she quickly rambled to keep him from taking off prematurely. This was where the real interview began, and she was hoping he would have a lot to say about the next one. . . "What would you say is the message that Forest Mist was trying to say with this poem?" The blue-maned pony made a deceptive sigh as if he were concentrating heavily on the question, however, it was a well-masked display of uncaring and unfeeling. His father had thrown him in that school because they had donated a hefty amount of work-out equipment from their personal training facilities to the Royal Guard Academy. They were some of the highest quality pieces of gear in the land, but Flash felt it was a poor excuse for making him go through five years of the rubbish classes he tormented to. His competitive spirit compelled him to exceed his peers, which he obviously did, but that was where his stock in the school ended. He was glad to finally be out. . . "The Serf's Song, I would say, is a harrowing tale of peasant life, rife with satire against the privileged classes and pessimism concerning the serf's ability to gain equality from their masters. It is mostly a warning to future generations to oppose feudalism, as it had destroyed the lives of many for the benefits of the few." The next thing Twilight knew, she was being supported by a white wing on one side. She felt giddy, light-headed, and most of all, relieved that she had finally found somepony who appreciated fine literature as much as she had. The mare was completely and utterly weak at the knees from the silky smooth voice of the wonderfully articulate stallion not but a few feet away from her. She looked up at Celestia, who had saved her from a fainting spell. The alabaster pony had a comical look on her regal face, denoting what Twilight, probably looked like at the time, a sloppy mess on her wing. Once Twilight realized her vulnerable position, she righted herself back briskly and readjusted the gold crown on her head. She was thankful that Sterling Spear didn't seem to recognize her near flop to the ground. In fact, he was taking glances at the training ground, where he was probably either due back to for another race, or anxious to monitor the techniques of his opposition, always on the hunt for new obstacles to hurdle, or fresh meat to belittle. "That was great Flash! I couldn't have said it better myself, although I may have had a different interpretation." His icy-blue stare slanted back Princess Twilight as she continued to speak with him. He started to wonder why she was out here in the first place. Shouldn't she be doing something . . . "princessy," like trying on new outfits or gossiping with other noble-mares? "What part did you like most about the poem, Flash?" Twilight went into a gushing state, wanting to recount everything she loved about Forest Mist's work, and that of every other classic poem for that matter, "I liked the part where the farmer's son and the tailor's daughter profess their love for each other. It was so romantic!" The hard look on Flash's face was difficult to read, the perfect cover for the slight sneer the princess' last statement elicited from him. Romance? Love? Puh! Those were inhibitors for thing that truly mattered, such as striving toward excellence and superiority. The stallion did, however unlikely it sounds, have a favorite theme from that wretched poem, one that resonated with him to this day. "I tend to favor the more . . . action oriented scenes, such as the fall of the Prince's castle, where the peasants exacted vengeance on the nobility for an unforgiveable tax in the best way possible," Flash's eyes briefly lit up passionately at the remembrance, "by driving them out through brute force and defacing the statues of their oppressors!" Even though the admission was a tad . . . unsettling, Twilight was glad he showed enthusiasm for the work, which he had not the whole time they were conversing. "Well . . . " she started, at a loss for what to say to his possibly misguided zeal, "I'm glad you enjoyed it either way" A similar pattern followed for the next hour or so, with Twilight effervescently listing off who she thought were the greatest writers and poets of all time, and Flash Sentry, wanting to put a sword through his chest at the never ending prattle, respectfully listened and gave what he deemed was appropriate feedback whenever she asked something. She hadn't explained why she was still there. Her question(s) had been answered. Why wouldn't she just come out with it? Flash Sentry thanked the heavens when Twilight suddenly realized that she would need to return to the castle very soon, no doubt, as the stallion thought, to commence with other meaningless activities. However, he had not expected the next question to escape from the, admittedly, attractive mare's lips. "I suppose I should get to the reason I'm here in the first place. I know that the Captain, your father, has expressed misgivings with what I am about to propose, and I hope he will find it in his heart to forgive Princess Celestia and I for asking you this, but I am not letting this opportunity pass by me." The mare stepped a little closer to the training-hardened colt, who eased back slightly at the invasion of personal space, though not enough to seem rude. There was a slight darkening of her cheeks as she did so, which was observed passively by Flash Sentry. "Flash Sentry... I hereby officially request that you become a suitor for my hoof in marriage. If you wish to decline, that is acceptable, but I do not request this of just anypony. I see something in you that is severely lacking from most of the stallions I have ever known, and on top of that," Twilight felt her mouth run dry and gulped a bit, "I think you're very cute... Would you do me the honor of becoming a candidate, Flash?" Cute?... Cute? ... Why not dashing? Why not glorious? Even beautiful would've been less insulting! Flash Sentry inwardly fumed in awkward self-consciousness. No, no, now was not the time to be enraged by that, as vile as it was! The Princess, a Princess of Equestria had just asked him to become an eligible suitor for her affection, admiration, but more importantly, the power that the royal family held over all of creation! Screw the first two, that was an offer of rank and prestige that would surely bring him closer to his lifelong dreams, one of which was to rule Equestria. As he mused on those things, he also scanned the form of the alicorn. It was a predatory, hungry stare, ravaging her very being with only his eyes as the tool. Princess or not, his male hormones, typically forced down to focus on greater endeavors, would not allow him to forget that she was indeed a pinnacle of equine beauty. How he'd savor their honeymoon... Shaking his head slightly to clear the perverse notions, he came back to the real world, watching Twilight wait for his answer with anticipation. Time to put the plan into action, it seemed. "...I would be most humbled and willing, Your Grace," he bowed low to the ground. Twilight stifled the squeak of delight she desperately wished to emit, "That is outstanding, Flash! Please, just call me Twilight from now on. It would be kind of weird to have a coltfriend address me so formally. I would love it if you could accompany me for dinner tonight as a first step in our courtship." After all of this wasted time, better spent on things less trivial, Flash Sentry wouldn't dare say no and ruin this once in a lifetime chance. He put on the best happy smile he possibly could muster, which was pretty much a flirtatious smirk. Happiness wasn't of his stronger suits. "I would love that... Twilight." The princess' name rolled off his tongue naturally. Well, it certainly would when you're a stallion who wishes to become the prince. "Wonderful! I will send the guards to pick you up at your home... the barracks, actually, right?" "Yes Twilight, that is correct." Twilight turned around slightly to gesture that she needed to be off, but not without a shy wave of her hoof, "So long for now, Sweetie..." Willpower Flash Sentry, Willpower! Sweetie? He had never before felt such a combination of fury and stomach gurgles as he nearly lurched forward to throttle her, "I'll see you at dinner... Honey..." Twilight giggled to herself at the pet name. He was obviously crushing on her, he just had to be. As Princess Celestia and Princess Twilight Sparkle turned to continue their journey back to the castle, Flash punched himself across the face, willing the bile on his tongue to go away after what he had just forced himself to say. All for the crown, it was all for the crown! When the two mares were out of earshot, Twilight whispered lightly to Celestia, "Ooh Princess Celestia, I should have you locked up for not introducing me to him sooner!" Celestia just laughed her joke off, all the while feeling a hint of smugness, "Liked what we saw, did we?" "Oh we liked," Twilight played along, "We liked a lot!" Flash Sentry simply huffed, rather annoyed with how he handled the situation, but realized that climbing to the top sometimes meant debasing one's self every once in a while. He trotted back off to the training fields to resume his ritualistic cool off sessions by beating anypony and everypony to hoof and flight races.
Chapter 1The Royal Guard Academy of Canterlot; never before had ponies witnessed so much raw, musky stallion (and occasional mare) in one place. Only the finest, most ferocious, and physically fit are allowed to so much as even step hoof in it's masculine halls. Within, a symphony of battle cries, grunts, and muffled shouts of pain ring across the corridors, and reverberate throughout every training, weight, and combat simulation room. The source of these noises, former and aspiring warriors of all ages and races, Earth Pony, Pegasi, and Unicorn fought against and along each other in what are supposed to be pretend battles, though many say that "pretend" isn't strong enough for the pain they would and had received from them. This was a school of hard-knocks, and that didn't apply only to it's traditionalism. It was a school for the intelligent, unforgiving, and those willing to vanquish enemies of the state. Private Oculus Nox . . . however . . . was none of these. Sure, he had graduated from the academy, and passed the bare minimum of his requirements with all the grace and finesse of a beached whale, but the young stallion had never been the image of a Guard or Soldier of Canterlot. Oculus Nox was very permissive, even submissive to everypony making him stick out like a dragon's sore claw. He didn't see many reasons to be angry, or aggressive, or pick fights all the time, contrary to the hobbies of many a roommate he had in his quarters, much to his distaste. The unicorn was a stallion who loved nature over the battlefield. While his very few friends would go out drinking, flirting, and asserting their dominance over one another in hoof-wrestles and other pain games, Nox would takes relaxing trots through the forests close to his barracks. On said trots, he would revel in the scents of seasonal flowers, made even better after a small rain shower and try to coax the animals out of hiding to spend some time with them. Given his gentle nature, many animals allowed him to pet them until distracted by a predator or food. Oculus Nox was an introvert, encouraging his works in the fine arts. Being a non-conformist in his barracks made cultivating his talents difficult. Not a day went by that he would hear his paintings, sculptures, and manuscripts were "accidently" completely destroyed by his roommates or their friends. How many hours, days, even months, had he poured his heart and soul into them, only to be scrap heaps by the time they were finished? He wouldn't scream, he wouldn't beat them up, he wouldn't show any emotion opting instead to not confront them. Liquid pride was shed for them, but this was in private. More harassment would happen should anypony have seen him. For somepony as sensitive, humble, and peace-loving as Oculus Nox, one would wonder why in the world he would even bother joining such a roughneck brotherhood. Many times he wondered the exact same thing. From his point of view he thought if he could ever find employment at a steady, locale job the great outdoors where the best it was going to get. As a soldier in the Royal Guard, his office was expansive, boundless, and picturesque. His parent's might have had a hoof in it as well, his father being a retired soldier in his youth, thinking it would be marvelous for Nox to learn discipline, something substantially lacking at home ponies would say. Of course his father was a desk jockey for most of that tour of duty, but nevertheless was quite loyal to the brotherhood that had shaped his formative years. Although Nox and his father clashed many a time, his mother and sister couldn't stand to see him leave the roost only to be endangered by the intense training involved at the academy, of which he would be staying at for the rest of his service. War was always a possibility, but threats were there, looming over the heads of the loved ones he left behind. As a member of the guard, he could be called at any time to sacrifice himself for the good of Equestria. His sister was the most affected of all. It clenched Oculus Nox's heart, all throughout his training, to hear she would have horrible nightmares due to his absence. Once he was out, he would have to give her the biggest hug a brother could give, and let her know everything would be alright. In fact, he was about to do that right now as he awoke to sound of a far off rooster crowing. He was all smiles as he remembered that today he would head home to show her he was in fact still in one piece, and rub it in his dad's face he had made it through the rigorous tests, despite the track record of failure. He looked up to his bunk-buddy, another "rough and tumble" character snoring loudly in his sleep. A black eye adorned the yellow unicorn's face, probably from a bar fight which was pretty normal in these parts. Oculus Nox was to giddy to dwell on him for long, smiling even as he slept. Slowly making his way into the shared restroom, Nox made away the daily grooming regimen that the academy had literally beat into his head countless times before. He didn't particularly enjoy it, preferring the scraggly look every once in a while, but this being a special day, he didn't fuss too much. After a brisk cleansing, not up to Guard standards, he walked over to the barracks room door, opened it and stepped into the cool, misty morning air. He sucked a great big breath of air through his nose and sighed it out appreciatively. With foggy , red and orange-tinted daylight peeking through the horizon, Nox through his hooves out and bellowed ecstatically. "Good morning, oh beautiful world!" Unfortunately, it seemed others in the barracks disagreed. "Hey, Nox, keep it down out there! Some ponies are trying to catch some shut eye!"
Chapter 2In the Canterlot Palace throne room, countless numbers of stallions sat to either side of the red carpet placed on the central walkway toward the thrones, where Princess Celestia awaited an impending event with calm, regal patience. Many of these stallions socialized with one another, whether to ease their tension or exchange business cards. Some wrung their hooves together in nervous anticipation and apprehension. Some look collected and cool, as if not really giving a care about whatever was going to happen soon. This event looked to be the entire reason for their being here today, based on the row by row seating arrangement they were situated in. From one side of the room, a unicorn mare stepped in front of the princess, most likely to give some kind of announcement. The light, lime green of her coat clashed only slightly with a youthfully styled, cascading downward but maintaining a slight bounce, almost blue-streaked white that was her mane and tail. Her eyes a soft grey, complimenting the metallic shine to her mane. As she cleared her throat to get their attention, they turned to stare at her. It embarrassed her a little, having every eye on her, some checking out her body unashamed of their own behavior, which was troubling to say the least. However, she hovered the parchment with her lines in front of her, and did what she came for. "Stallions of Equestria, her majesty, Princess Celestia, and all of us here in the palace thank you all for coming. We are pleased to announce that her Highness's niece-in-law, Princess Twilight Sparkle, has requested your presences in order to find a potential suitor for marriage." A small uproar went through the crowd as the excitement was too much to contain. A princess of Equestria was asking for the hoof in marriage of one lucky stallion? This was only too good to be true for some of them. "Please . . . gentlecolts," the green unicorn shouted calmly to try and quell the vocal momentum. After a minute they all quieted down and she continued, "Our princess will meet with each one of you, face to face, for individual dates, where you will all be given equal opportunity to prove your suitability as her husband, which she will decide upon at a later interval. There will be a few ground rules to follow on these dates that we will inform you of soon, but without further ado, I am pleased to present to you - Princess Twilight Sparkle!" As if on cue, a hollow creak came from the double doors behind the seated bachelors. They all turned their bodies and heads to get a better view of what was going on, and whoever had opened the door. A dignified, poised female figure sauntered purposefully along the red carpet toward the green mare. The crowd of stallions were struck silent as they gazed in awe of the gorgeous young mare, her mane and tail swaying gently with her hoof-steps. Her eyes were set dead ahead of her, not wanting to break the regal posture Celestia had suggested she take for this announcement. The intense sensation of holes burning through her body at the stares of the gentlecolts overtook her, but she didn't dare look one way or another. No emotion could be discerned from her face, as she wanted to give off more of an official, royal vibe, instead of her actual self, who would have fainted at the prospect of so many handsome colts vying for her affection. In contrast to the beauty in front of them, some of the males could be heard giving off soft whistles, while others could barely dampen their appreciative hums at the princess's figure. Physically, they certainly agreed she deserved the title. Once she had come to the other unicorn mare's side, she turned around and, for the first time, regarded them all with a cordial smile while bashfully waving a hoof to them. In her naturally sweet voice, she spoke with kind professionalism. "Hello everypony, it is nice to see all of you today. As my assistant here as stated, I am in search of a special stallion whom I can share a loving bond with, and eventually think about making my husband. Today, I would like to take some time getting to know each of you a little bit, so that I can make a more concrete decision on which of you will be considered for the next stage, and which of you I will have to regretfully turn down. One on one, I would be happy to answer any personal questions you might have for me, as long as they are in good taste. Otherwise, feel free to mingle for a little while here in the throne room. We have refreshments set up to the sides of your seating arrangements, and I encourage you to get to know one another just as much as you might want to get to know me." In a perfect world, that last statement may have worked out better, but as it was, the seated stallions erupted from their seats to speak to the lovely princess after she was finished. The lime-green unicorn from before attempted to calm the rowdy bunch yet again alongside the alicorn, but this would turn out to be a much more frantic soiree than anypony would have predicted. Princess Twilight, was indubitably, quite the catch, and it showed in the mannerisms of every male piling on top of each other to be first in line. Princess Twilight all but slammed the massive double doors behind her, desperate to get away from the stallions that had constantly bombarded her with questions, comments, and compliments from the first agonizing minute, all the way to the indeterminate amount of time that had lapsed since. She blew a stray, almost ratty, puff of her mane out of her face frustratedly that had become worse for wear in the stuffy, sweaty environment. She stood there, barring the doors with her body for a second, just in case an over-zealous admirer wanted to break through. She was definitely not up to any more conversation or flirting, of which was usually one-sided, directed at her, at this point. Sensing no further danger from the gaggle on the other side, Twilight stomped briskly toward her aunt-in-law Celestia, who was seated at a small, round table, enjoying some of the refreshments that had been served in the throne room. Celestia looked up from her snack, humorously noting that Twilight did not look one bit pleased. "Geez, Princess Celestia, you sure can pick'em!" Twilight was fuming and gritting her teeth lightly to show her aunt-in-law her displeasure with the entire turn-out. Although Celestia tried to genuine concern for the blunder that had ensued at Twilight's expense, she couldn't help but grin at her niece-in-law's little snarl, "Why, my dear Twilight, I'm not sure what you are referring to! I only brought the richest, most handsome, and most powerful stallions to be your husband. Nothing's too good for my cute, little student." "I'm trying to be serious here, Princess!" Twilight stamped a hoof to reiterate her mood, "Those stallions were nothing but thieves, hot-heads, and pigs! One of them even rubbed up against me!" "Oh, one of them was feeling frisky, was he?" Celestia chuckled, "If only I had been there to see it . . ." "Princess Celestia!" "Now, now, Twilight," the alicorn became a tiny bit more serious, "they were simply hoof-picked based on the criteria you gave me. I can't be held responsible for their actions, or . . . personal hobbies when I was simply doing what you had asked of me." Realizing her possible mistake, Twilight huffed slightly in defeat, softening her glare just a tad, though she was no less angry. "I guess . . . money, brawn, and prestige just aren't the things I am looking for, well, not the only ones at least." She shifted a little closer to her aunt-in-law who had partially resumed her midday snack. "I want to marry a stallion who is caring, generous, somepony who loves things like art and poetry. You know, I talked to each and every one of those colts in there," she demonstrated with her hoof to the doors, "and not one of them could recognize any classic poems I recited, even a little bit!" "Well to be fair to them," Celestia tried to speak through eating, something she would only do in front of family . . . and maybe not even then most of the time, "they didn't make their millions, billions of bits becoming poets and pondering the wonders of the universe. They worked hard through various trade and business schools, climbed company ladders, and proved to the world that their products and services are worth investing in. If emotional sensitivity was something you were looking for, most of those stallions out there are not it, as it really didn't fit with their career descriptions." The purple alicorn pondered that for a moment, her anger simmering into disappointment, "I guess business-ponies aren't really my type, though being a princess, I'm assuming the public expects me to marry into money, fame, and not much else . . ." Celestia gave her a wry smile, understanding Twilight's disdain for being in the public eye all the time, " . . . It would appear that way, unfortunately, Twilight. If it were completely up to me, I would allow you to date and marry whomever caught your fancy. In this case, I cannot promise that there would be ill consequences should you not be wedded to a stallion of noble or wealthy birth." As much as Twilight wanted to hotly object to such nonsense, she could certainly see it all now. 'Princess Twilight Sparkle marries local wino! Her only reasons being he makes great trash sculptures and philosophically mulls over "the meaning of life"!' The very thought made her plop down into a nearby chair and put her head in her hooves with exasperation. Why was it that the mentally stimulating were also such . . . commoners? Could she ever find what she was looking for in somepony who was strong, yet kind, noble, yet charitable, a stallion of action, yet a sensitive thinker? The more she dwelt on it, the more impossible such prospects became to her. She did not mind having high standards, but so few ponies actually fit that elusive bill. "Princess Celestia?" Twilight didn't bother raising her head, still in her forelegs. "What is it dear?" the princess sipped her tea quietly. ". . . Is there any, any possibility that I could find somepony else that would fit the description I just gave you? . . ." Celestia set her teacup down lightly, thinking about the multitude of requirements Twilight had set forth for her future husband. It was not an easy task bringing the bunch that were still probably wandering the throne room, or heading home now, as they had more or less been the most fitting for her niece-in-law in all of Equestria. Why did the young mare have to have such strenuous prerequisites? There was one more candidate that Celestia had neglected to bring, mostly cause the young stallion's father had been uneasy about marrying him off so soon. They weren't of a noble family, though their service to the crown had been exemplary, and his father had been under-confident in his son's ability to be the perfect husband he felt Twilight deserved. However, it seemed that it was the right time to pull out the big guns, since she was running out of options. She would try to make it up to his father later. ". . . There is one other I did not wish to mention before, but I feel I should now. You do remember my second-in-command, Captain Broadlance, do you not Twilight?" Twilight vaguely remembered the old Captain of the Guard. He was always pretty stuffy, and was a pony of very traditional convictions. "Somewhat . . . why?" Well, I was thinking that his son, Flash Sentry, would be a fine candidate. He's strong, brave, and from what I have been told was afforded a classical education, in which he received honorable mention for his projects. Furthermore, he is a fetching young colt. He may not be of nobility, but with the efforts and loyalty of his family, he may as well be." "Hmm . . . " the purple mare put her hoof to her chin in thought, ". . . I suppose I could give him a shot. Can't be any worse than these suitors were." "That's the spirit," Celestia giggled at Twilight's lack of optimism, "I think you'll really like him. I have met him face to face before, and although he can be a little . . . intimidating, sometimes, I'm sure he'll be more than grateful for the chance to win your affections." "That sounds just fine then," Twilight was still skeptical, but didn't question her teacher's wisdom as desperate times often call for desperate measures, "would we be able to meet him right away?" Celestia was more than happy to oblige, "I don't see why we couldn't meet him down in the training grounds , where he usually is this time of day I hear." She rose from her seated position, motioning with her hoof for the other alicorn to follow close by, "Come, I think you'll be delightfully surprised!" Twilight also jumped out of her own seat to walk by Celestia's side. They started making their way outside, Celestia holding the door for her niece-in-law. Although eager about the thought of finding "the one", she was still mildly suspicious, and she still kept telling herself, "What's the worst that could possibly happen?"
Chapter 3A coat the color of the desert sands housed powerful muscles propelling the pegasus stallion through his hoof-race with an earth pony. "Is that the best you've got?" the pegasus taunted his opponent. He was neck and neck with the other stallion, though it was extremely obvious the pegasus was holding back. The earth pony, however, was sprinting with everything that he had to come out victorious against his senior. Huffing and sputtering, the earth pony bit back at the cocky colt, "Shut it, Flash! I haven't even begun to race yet!" Despite the big talk, the earth pony was sure a heart attack was in his immediate future if he even tried to pick up the pace. The sapphire eyes of Flash Sentry's glistened with confidence as he smirked, increasing his own speed gently to draw out the inevitable. "Whatever you say, friend!" Flash jetted forward into a dead sprint. The difference in speed between the two was staggering as they both tore through the circular track. Enjoying the light wind whipping through his mane and tail, Flash zoomed past a crowd of onlookers (cheering one or the other on). He spotted a few of the adoring female fans he accumulated over time. Being the captain's son and one of the strongest, most handsome stallions in the Guard does that for someponies. Swooning at his mischievous wink, Flash added to the show by unfurling his wings to full mast as if he were a strutting peacock. Unashamedly asserting his dominance and alpha status was in his nature. "He's so dreamy!" a unicorn mare bellowed like a filly to an untalented, undeserving of their fame pop idol, promptly fainting into the forelegs of another pegasus in full armor. Chortling at her friend's antics, she casually mused to herself. "Definitely not bad to look at, I'll give you that much." Flash, to the surprise of no one, crossed the finish line first. He took immense joy in trouncing his friends, enemies, and everypony stupid enough to challenge him at anything. Even with his typical intense and earnest demeanor, facing contests he deemed worthy of his skill head on with solid determination, he afforded himself these little moments of glory where he got his kicks destroying the weak. The earth pony came up, sweating, panting, and thoroughly embarrassed, just as Flash liked to see in his defeated rival's eyes. He glared smugly at the stallion, who looked ready to demand a rematch. "I could have beaten you if I had done those extra-reps in the gym today, Flash!" Flash muttered to himself, "Keep telling yourself that, earth pony..." "Yeah, sure, you were this close," Flash put his front hooves together, "... to a hospital bed, that is." There were two things Flash Sentry was to other ponies, a sadist and intellectual bully. Not being one to let his pride take quips like that lying down, the earth pony continued to boast, "I was just... letting you win! Yeah! Didn't want to make you look like a pansy in front of your cheerleaders!" The hairs on the back of Flash's neck bristled. With a threatening growl at a volume only the two combatants could hear, he addressed the earth pony, "You want me to make a fool of you again in front of all your little vermin? Bring it on, I'm waiting." The earth pony wasn't one to let a good fight go to waste, but Flash's gaze quickly dispelled any further incentive. Once irked, every guard, both recruit and veteran, knew it was unwise to further mess with the captain's son. He cringed away only a little, trying not to look any more pathetic under the assault. Luckily, one of the groupies, the one who almost fainted, and started gushing/ cooing to her gorgeous knight. "Wow, you were incredible out there! I didn't think you'd win!" Flash eased up a fraction on his race victim, but still had that cold stare about him, sending the message to tread lightly. Although her friend had advised her not to do so, the unicorn mare ended up grabbing his neck into a tight embrace. Sterling visibly tensed as she snuggled her face into the soft fur of his granite-like shoulder. "Please marry me!" The armored mare face-hoofed, expecting a restraining order would be in her friend's future. Flash said not a word to the mare, still fuming at his opponent for belittling him. He shrugged her advances off like a wet towel, turning and storming off to a nearby rest area. Now this would thwart off any mare, but... "He's so stoic, so brooding!" the mare fawned continuing her thought with the flames of desire in her eyes and a hoof to her face with conviction, "With my love, I'll melt his icy heart and make him so happy!" Her friend couldn't believe what she was hearing, "Yeah, yeah, he's cute but he's not that cute." Away from the field, and the renewed vigor in the stands for the next race that was starting, Flash Sentry dunked his face and mane into a vat of cold water. The chilly liquid abated his anger, helping him think clearly again, not to mention giving him a fabulous feeling after that brisk run. Even a Pegasi as large as him got sweaty after some activity, even if it was wasn't much. He sighed in contentment as he let the rivulets drip down his body. After a brief moment of relaxing silence, he turned back around to return to the training fields, but halfway through he almost took an involuntary leap. Right next to him, Princess Celestia and Princess Twilight Sparkle had somehow materialized out of thin air when he wasn't aware. "Oh, I am so sorry, Flash Sentry, I didn't mean to alarm you." Princess Twilight tried to assure him when she noticed his distress. "It is no trouble at all, Princess Twilight Sparkle," Flash appropriately bowed to the stunning mare in front of him. Twilight took a moment, now that they were face to face, as Celestia had shown him to her from afar not but a few minutes ago, to take in his form. Celestia did not exaggerate when she had said he was very fetching. His fur looked blissfully soft and even, clinging to his well-built frame from the dip he had just took. His mane flowed down his face majestically, similarly wet, and mysteriously half-hid those lustrous blue irises, steely and serious. Refraining from the desire to roam with her eyes, easily able to be lost in, she took stock in his large, powerful wings, folded to his sides. For purely informational purposes, mind you, Twilight peeked at his cutie mark. "Is there something the matter, Princess?" As Twilight found herself at a small loss for what to say exactly, Celestia, behind the purple alicorn for moral support, nudged her gently, indicating she start up the conversation. She took a few tentative steps toward the stallion and spoke up again, albeit awkwardly, "I was wondering if you would have a few moments to discuss some things with me." Flash didn't get caught off guard often and females were a dime a dozen, but a princess's personal attention wasn't received everyday and not to be dropped lightly. He found himself doing the most detesting thing in his existence, rubbing the back of his head talking to a mare. Disgusted with himself, he kept most of his attention on the princess and with mechanical respect issued his question. "... What would you like to know?..."
Chapter 4Princess Twilight Sparkle formulated a response to Flash Sentry's inquiry after a few thoughtful seconds. Celestia just sat back and smiled at her attempt to play matchmaker for the youngsters. "I have been informed that you were a student in historical literature at Trottingham University, and I had a burning question for you on a little excerpt from one of the old Agrarian Age poems in a book I own." Of course, said book, while in existence, was not necessary for Twilight to remember or recite, from memory, the epic poem. This was the test she devised to prod his knowledge. "Yes, Princess, I am familiar with some poetry of that age," Flash nodded with his typical curt stare, "Is there a particular poem you wish to expound on?" Twilight smirked to herself invisibly. If this stallion was as well-read as Celestia made him out to be, he would recognize the script immediately. "First, why don't I start reciting it, and you can guess as to which poem I am talking about, noble stallion?" The stallion had to force back a groan of frustration . Oh how he despised playing guessing games, wishing Princess Twilight would ask the question and get on with it, ". . . Well. . . please, Princess continue. . ." Twilight smiled and cleared her throat to achieve the right pitch and mood set. One she had done so, she dramatically through her hoof out, doing her best to act out the scene in a way the author wouldn't roll over in his grave if he witnessed it. " - Hark! The mist strangles the quiet mountain countryside! - " Flash didn't give his response a second thought, cutting off the princess before she could continue any further, "I believe you are referring to, "The Serf's Song" by Forest Mist, am I correct?" The Princess's hoof kissed the ground with a hard thud as her jaw unhinged. He just correctly named the poem and it's scribe without so much as eight words of the few hundred lines entailed with it! It wasn't even the epic's beginning, or anywhere close to it's end, where anypony could distinguish it from other poems! " . . . Why . . . yes, Flash . . . that is exactly what it was!" She was impressed. Scratch that, very impressed. She looked back at Celestia giving a quiet whisper of appreciation, to which the white mare simply grinned in an "I told you so" manner. With reverent disinterest in the current conversation, Flash addressed the alicorn once again, "Will that be all, Princess Twilight Sparkle?" The flustered filly whipped her head back around to Flash Sentry and bashfully shuffled her hooves in place. Although, with his unrivaled and unflinching soulful stare, she thought it would be impossible to be more attracted to the strapping colt, that feeling increased ten-fold at his literary savvy. "Oh, actually, I haven't asked you my question about it yet, Flash" she quickly rambled to keep him from taking off prematurely. This was where the real interview began, and she was hoping he would have a lot to say about the next one. . . "What would you say is the message that Forest Mist was trying to say with this poem?" The blue-maned pony made a deceptive sigh as if he were concentrating heavily on the question, however, it was a well-masked display of uncaring and unfeeling. His father had thrown him in that school because they had donated a hefty amount of work-out equipment from their personal training facilities to the Royal Guard Academy. They were some of the highest quality pieces of gear in the land, but Flash felt it was a poor excuse for making him go through five years of the rubbish classes he tormented to. His competitive spirit compelled him to exceed his peers, which he obviously did, but that was where his stock in the school ended. He was glad to finally be out. . . "The Serf's Song, I would say, is a harrowing tale of peasant life, rife with satire against the privileged classes and pessimism concerning the serf's ability to gain equality from their masters. It is mostly a warning to future generations to oppose feudalism, as it had destroyed the lives of many for the benefits of the few." The next thing Twilight knew, she was being supported by a white wing on one side. She felt giddy, light-headed, and most of all, relieved that she had finally found somepony who appreciated fine literature as much as she had. The mare was completely and utterly weak at the knees from the silky smooth voice of the wonderfully articulate stallion not but a few feet away from her. She looked up at Celestia, who had saved her from a fainting spell. The alabaster pony had a comical look on her regal face, denoting what Twilight, probably looked like at the time, a sloppy mess on her wing. Once Twilight realized her vulnerable position, she righted herself back briskly and readjusted the gold crown on her head. She was thankful that Sterling Spear didn't seem to recognize her near flop to the ground. In fact, he was taking glances at the training ground, where he was probably either due back to for another race, or anxious to monitor the techniques of his opposition, always on the hunt for new obstacles to hurdle, or fresh meat to belittle. "That was great Flash! I couldn't have said it better myself, although I may have had a different interpretation." His icy-blue stare slanted back Princess Twilight as she continued to speak with him. He started to wonder why she was out here in the first place. Shouldn't she be doing something . . . "princessy," like trying on new outfits or gossiping with other noble-mares? "What part did you like most about the poem, Flash?" Twilight went into a gushing state, wanting to recount everything she loved about Forest Mist's work, and that of every other classic poem for that matter, "I liked the part where the farmer's son and the tailor's daughter profess their love for each other. It was so romantic!" The hard look on Flash's face was difficult to read, the perfect cover for the slight sneer the princess' last statement elicited from him. Romance? Love? Puh! Those were inhibitors for thing that truly mattered, such as striving toward excellence and superiority. The stallion did, however unlikely it sounds, have a favorite theme from that wretched poem, one that resonated with him to this day. "I tend to favor the more . . . action oriented scenes, such as the fall of the Prince's castle, where the peasants exacted vengeance on the nobility for an unforgiveable tax in the best way possible," Flash's eyes briefly lit up passionately at the remembrance, "by driving them out through brute force and defacing the statues of their oppressors!" Even though the admission was a tad . . . unsettling, Twilight was glad he showed enthusiasm for the work, which he had not the whole time they were conversing. "Well . . . " she started, at a loss for what to say to his possibly misguided zeal, "I'm glad you enjoyed it either way" A similar pattern followed for the next hour or so, with Twilight effervescently listing off who she thought were the greatest writers and poets of all time, and Flash Sentry, wanting to put a sword through his chest at the never ending prattle, respectfully listened and gave what he deemed was appropriate feedback whenever she asked something. She hadn't explained why she was still there. Her question(s) had been answered. Why wouldn't she just come out with it? Flash Sentry thanked the heavens when Twilight suddenly realized that she would need to return to the castle very soon, no doubt, as the stallion thought, to commence with other meaningless activities. However, he had not expected the next question to escape from the, admittedly, attractive mare's lips. "I suppose I should get to the reason I'm here in the first place. I know that the Captain, your father, has expressed misgivings with what I am about to propose, and I hope he will find it in his heart to forgive Princess Celestia and I for asking you this, but I am not letting this opportunity pass by me." The mare stepped a little closer to the training-hardened colt, who eased back slightly at the invasion of personal space, though not enough to seem rude. There was a slight darkening of her cheeks as she did so, which was observed passively by Flash Sentry. "Flash Sentry... I hereby officially request that you become a suitor for my hoof in marriage. If you wish to decline, that is acceptable, but I do not request this of just anypony. I see something in you that is severely lacking from most of the stallions I have ever known, and on top of that," Twilight felt her mouth run dry and gulped a bit, "I think you're very cute... Would you do me the honor of becoming a candidate, Flash?" Cute?... Cute? ... Why not dashing? Why not glorious? Even beautiful would've been less insulting! Flash Sentry inwardly fumed in awkward self-consciousness. No, no, now was not the time to be enraged by that, as vile as it was! The Princess, a Princess of Equestria had just asked him to become an eligible suitor for her affection, admiration, but more importantly, the power that the royal family held over all of creation! Screw the first two, that was an offer of rank and prestige that would surely bring him closer to his lifelong dreams, one of which was to rule Equestria. As he mused on those things, he also scanned the form of the alicorn. It was a predatory, hungry stare, ravaging her very being with only his eyes as the tool. Princess or not, his male hormones, typically forced down to focus on greater endeavors, would not allow him to forget that she was indeed a pinnacle of equine beauty. How he'd savor their honeymoon... Shaking his head slightly to clear the perverse notions, he came back to the real world, watching Twilight wait for his answer with anticipation. Time to put the plan into action, it seemed. "...I would be most humbled and willing, Your Grace," he bowed low to the ground. Twilight stifled the squeak of delight she desperately wished to emit, "That is outstanding, Flash! Please, just call me Twilight from now on. It would be kind of weird to have a coltfriend address me so formally. I would love it if you could accompany me for dinner tonight as a first step in our courtship." After all of this wasted time, better spent on things less trivial, Flash Sentry wouldn't dare say no and ruin this once in a lifetime chance. He put on the best happy smile he possibly could muster, which was pretty much a flirtatious smirk. Happiness wasn't of his stronger suits. "I would love that... Twilight." The princess' name rolled off his tongue naturally. Well, it certainly would when you're a stallion who wishes to become the prince. "Wonderful! I will send the guards to pick you up at your home... the barracks, actually, right?" "Yes Twilight, that is correct." Twilight turned around slightly to gesture that she needed to be off, but not without a shy wave of her hoof, "So long for now, Sweetie..." Willpower Flash Sentry, Willpower! Sweetie? He had never before felt such a combination of fury and stomach gurgles as he nearly lurched forward to throttle her, "I'll see you at dinner... Honey..." Twilight giggled to herself at the pet name. He was obviously crushing on her, he just had to be. As Princess Celestia and Princess Twilight Sparkle turned to continue their journey back to the castle, Flash punched himself across the face, willing the bile on his tongue to go away after what he had just forced himself to say. All for the crown, it was all for the crown! When the two mares were out of earshot, Twilight whispered lightly to Celestia, "Ooh Princess Celestia, I should have you locked up for not introducing me to him sooner!" Celestia just laughed her joke off, all the while feeling a hint of smugness, "Liked what we saw, did we?" "Oh we liked," Twilight played along, "We liked a lot!" Flash Sentry simply huffed, rather annoyed with how he handled the situation, but realized that climbing to the top sometimes meant debasing one's self every once in a while. He trotted back off to the training fields to resume his ritualistic cool off sessions by beating anypony and everypony to hoof and flight races.
