Chapter 1
I stood alone on the balcony at the beautiful, starry night. The stars were absolutely stunning that night. There were over a million stars and a full moon. I could have stared at it all night if I had it my way. However, I had my royal duties to take care of that were more important than stargazing, sadly.
But there’s no hurry right now.
The evening reminded me of the time I met Faith ten years ago on the night of my coronation. Time really does fly. It felt like just yesterday when I met her. Helping her get out of the wheelchair and live a life of her own at last. We still kept in contact, although its very rare now. She has an amazing colt-friend and are great friends who she casually mentioned in one or two letters on a few occasions. She seems to have a happy life, which was the point of me giving up my wings to her.
She had told me in a letter recently that she is about to turn sixteen. She’s going to have huge party for it and that I was welcomed to join if I liked. I giggled a bit, I was just a few weeks from turning twenty-eight and I was being invited to a sweet sixteen with a bunch of teenagers. I’m feeling old now, thanks Faith.
I stood a little longer; I knew I should get back my royal responsibilities. Though it was quite late and I can wait until the morning to do it.
All of a sudden, I heard my name.
I turned to see an rose colored unicorn with her pale peach and blonde mane wearing a golden helmet and matching armor. Crystal Stars, the first and only female guard we have at the castle. She has been here for a few months now.
***
Twenty years ago, mares weren’t allowed to be royal guards due to the belief females wouldn’t be able to handle the constant demand of protecting the royals like any stallion could. But due to heavy protests and debates, the ban was lifted, eventually. Nonetheless there was and still very strict policies for a pony to become a royal guard.
A guard is expected to take care of all challenges head on and have very little time to act about a dangerous situation. Whether it’s stopping Princess Luna eating a peanut butter sandwich, which she is allergic to, or saving Ponyville from “The Changeling Queen”. It doesn’t matter what problem is, a guard must be prepared to handle anything.
Mostly, the males were able to get it all right. The mares were permitted to apply for it but none passed. Until Crystal came to the picture. She passed all the exams with flying colors and became the only mare guard we have to this day.
Although she was fairly new, she wasn’t relatively sure on what she was doing yet. She at least tried to be a decent guard, but, she still has a long way to go.
***
Crystal did a small bow out of respect. She stated that Princess Celestia wished to see me immediately in the throne room. When I asked if there was a problem, she said she was told to just pass on the message and was told nothing else. I nodded and headed the throne room.
***
I entered the room urgently, thinking there was a dragon attack on a nearby town or some terrible disaster. I saw Princess Celestia sitting calmly in her throne chair awaiting my arrival. She instantly left her throne and walked towards me, it’s worse than I thought.
I asked what was the problem in a panicking voice. Celestia suggested that I calm down a bit before we continued. What’s going on? This wasn’t going to be good. Could somepony just tell me what happened? I thought to myself.
I need to relax and a take deep breathe before I over exaggerated. I’m acting like somepony died but who knows? That could be it for all I know. Okay Twilight, breathe. I took a long breath, finally feeling tranquil enough to actually communicate properly.
Celestia hesitated before she went on. She put her hoof on my shoulder, “I’m so sorry, Faith is in the hospital”. She said with deep empathy. “The doctors say she might not have long”.
I felt my heart drop, Faith can’t d-die. She inspired me in every way possible, with her outgoing attitude and her genuinely kindness that brings to smile even to the toughest stallion. Though I did give her my wings and she was a weak flier, unfortunately, she still needed her wheelchair to get around. But it’s better than being stuck in it all day. Because flying can get very exhausting, the Transfer Spell couldn’t do that much.
I just wanted to run off and cry. Faith didn’t deserve this; she was just starting to live it up. It’s just not fair.
“Why? What happen to her?” I asked Celestia, holding in all my tears. I was close to having a breakdown right there and then.
Celestia swallowed nervously. I had a bad feeling about this.
”Are you sure want to know?”
“Yes, I can handle it”. I said getting more and more inpatient. Tell me already!
The princess took a deep breath before she continued. “According to the police report that was given to me, Faith was out night flying with her coltfriend, Jet, yesterday meeting some friends of theirs at a party. She and Jet had been both running late and wanted get to the party as fast as possible. Jet was flying faster than Faith and she had trouble keeping up with him and she was falling behind.
Eventually, Faith lost him and ended up getting lost and she found herself in the bad part of Canterlot. She got caught up with a mugger and was stabbed, luckily somepony called the authorities and the mugger was arrested. The doctor said she’s in critical condition and we’re waiting to see if Faith will wake up.”
I said nothing, I felt completely numb. Then I experienced anger I never had before. How dare Jet abandon Faith like that? A gentle-colt wouldn’t pull a stunt like that, especially since Faith had difficulty with flying. I have some choice words for him.
Author's Note
Due to some heavy requests. I decided to bring this story back from the dead. I really need a break from my current story "Daily Lie". If you like this please let me know.
Chapter 2
I had trouble sleeping that night. The only thought I had on my mind was Faith. No matter how hard I’d tried not to think about it still came up. I lay in the bed, worried sick about her. I needed to give her a visit tomorrow. My husband, Flash Sentry can take me to the hospital and he’ll go with me, even if he’s busy. There’s no way I can go by myself.
***
Flash and I have been married happily for five years now and dated for four and a half years, and I still remember when he first asked me out for dinner. We first met at the “Crystal Castle”. I didn’t pay attention to him though because I was being summoned to a mission. Until one day, I crashed into him in the hallway and fell over in front of my sister in law and friends. He smiled at me as he helped me up. My cheeks turned so red that I much have looked like a cherry.
Some time passed and I kept seeing him at his post. I would smile as I walked by, trying my hardest to stay subtle about it. He seemed to have noticed and he winked at me quickly before going back to his work. This went on for months before he took me to a lovely restaurant near the castle where he was stationed at the time. I had a salad with tomato and feta cheese where Flash had a carrot soup. I don’t know why I still remembered that but I do.
I was so very nervous, I was 19 then, and I had never have been on a real date before and Flash was six years older than me. I wanted impress him so much that I slipped my water all over him by accident when I tried to grab the saltshaker. It was awful and I thought I blew it. But instead of getting mad, he began to laugh. He wiped the water off and as I kept apologizing under my breath, he stopped me and put his hoof over mine. He told me that I needed to relax and it was okay and that he really liked me.
From that moment, things picked up and we continued talking and laughing together. When it was time to say our good-byes, he took me back to the train station to return to Ponyville. He had his wing around me as we waited for the train. I wished I had stayed with him, but I had to return to the library, I had left Spike in charged of it and said I would be back as dinner was over. I wish I didn’t make that promise, but I thought our date would go horrible. The train would be arriving any second and I really wanted to show how my feelings. I somehow mustered up the courage to kiss him.
I pressed my lips to his and pulled me closer. I was unsure how long we were like that. It was long enough for the train to come and hear the conductor giving the final call before it would leave. Flash broke the kiss and said I need to get on before I missed it. I gave him a small kiss and prior to going on.
***
That was nearly six years ago.
Now Flash and I live in the castle suite together, the same one that my friend, Rarity, stayed in all those years ago. Where I’m close to my duties and Flash can assist my brother as his co-captain. His responsibilities are mainly to train the new recruits and fill in for Shining Armor when he’s sick. I’m sure he would be happy to take me to the hospital.
***
“Twi, I can’t go with you,” Flash snapped while in his office, doing his numerous piles of paperwork not even giving me the common courtesy of looking up at me. “I told your brother, who is also my boss, that I would get this by the end of the week.”
“P-please Flashy, it won’t be too long,” I begged, I probably lose when I use that nickname, that he hates, with passion. “I’ll even do some of the reports for you”.
“Twilight, that would get me fired.” Flash said, giving me a displeased expression. “I’m sorry, it won’t happen this week. Sorry to hear about your friend but this is my number one priority. Faith can wait for awhile.” I was about to tear him up a new one when there was a knock at the door as if on cue.
“Come in,” Flash called.
The door opened to Crystal holding several papers in a cardboard box in her magic. “I’m very sorry for interrupting you two. But Captain Armor sent me to give you these. He said it has to be done in three days.”
I could see Flash cursing inside; he took a calming breath before going on. “Okay thank you Crystal, put these on the table next to Twilight.”
“Alright, I’ll go the rest”. Crystal said, as she placed the box on the table.
“T-there’s more?” Flash panicked. “You’re joking, right?”
“I’m not,” Crystal replied, “there was too much for me to do in one trip. I had to break up in two. I’ll be back in a bit.” With that, she walked out the door with it closing behind her. As soon the door was shut, Flash slammed his head against the desk in defeat. I couldn’t withhold my laughter any longer. I never laughed at my poor husband’s misery as I did in that moment. But this was too much.
“Twilight. You’re not making this any more easier on me,” Flash said, still having his head on the desk.
“Sorry Flashy,” I teased.
***
Later on, Crystal returned to the office with stacks of papers following behind her. She put them on the overflowing table with the other documents. “That’s should everything, I need to be at my post now,” she said, heading for the exit.
“Crystal,” my husband said, stopping her in her tracks.
“Yes sir?” She responded.
“I was wondering if you could do a small favor for me?” I was curious to see where he would take this.
“Umm, sure what is it?” Crystal questioned.
“My wife wanted me to go to the hospital with her to visit a friend but I can’t because of all the paperwork I must finish. Could be her escort and make sure she's safe?” Flash asked.
"I would, but I can’t just leave my post like that,” Crystal pointed out.
“Good point, I’ll send in a substitute for you right away and then you can have the rest of day, but you two need to go now,” Flash replied. He’s going to be in trouble tonight.
“Thank you,” Crystal said, turning her attention to me. “Your majesty, are you ready to leave?”
“Yes, let's go,” I said, a bit ticked off at Flash, however, I’ll deal with him later on. “By the way, you can just call me Twilight, no need to formal all the time,”
