Flash Sentry walked into his chambers, each step coming down with a shaking hoof upon the flagstones. He had made it. The din of swords and spears clashing against comrades was fa- His eyes widened, before he almost shut them. He knew better though, and kept them wide open. The darkness only gave the images a larger canvas.
Slowly, the yellow stallion continued to move, passing the small table with a letter on it. It had started his issues last night, but he had to write it; just like every year. He wondered for a moment if it was perfect-
No pony can be-
“No!” He let himself blink the image of a pink mare, her hoof reaching up to him, away. He had paperwork waiting for him, and besides, his stomach said it was dinner time, and it got upset if he didn’t answer it. Flash managed to chuckle at the normal joke for him, and hoped his men were getting help like they should afterco-practice.
He slowly made it to the small area he called his personal kitchen. Since he lived in the castle, he was supposed to go to the royal kitchens and cook, but for when he had things to do, he liked being able to make himself a sandwich. It was simply easier, and sometimes, tastier.
”Hey, if you don’t like my food, you somehow find something better than rations.”
“No, that’s not-” Flash slapped himself with one of his hooves. He knew he was alone, that there was nopony else to talk to. The one who had come was a figment, and he couldn’t talk to it, not if he wanted to keep calm. No, instead he needed to focus on spreading the mayonnaise over his sandwich, and take deep, even breaths.
-or else the yaks will hear you, and as always-” A yak appeared over Flash, who was right next to another. A flash of lightning passed his vision-
Snap! Flash stared at the butter knife he just snapped in half, his breath coming in long, labored strokes as he had done anything to change his mind from the event. He glanced over to his daffodil flakes, and shook his head. Chips were off the menu today. Instead, he grabbed a packet of applesauce, and placed it beside the sandwich before walking over to his work table.
A large bite later, and he began to work on his paperwork. Field reports, injury reports, even birthdays, all things he had to do. Now, the better question was what he should tell the brat of a soldier, Razor Edge?
”You could just say Happy Birthday.”
“Your birthday was three months ago.”
“I know, but thinking that’s better than just waiting her scare-”
“Yak!” Flash slammed his hooves onto the table in front of him, staring at a furry face he thought was there, before he blinked and saw the wall. There was no danger, except that which was in his mind. He just needed to be calm, and everything would be okay. Flash was okay. Today was just another day. There was no reason to be afraid, and everything-
-will be fine!” Flash panted, looking down at his friend, the gray unicorn crying as he screamed out for help. His legs were broken, and the yak that had done it was now turning on Flash, fire in his eyes.
“Yaks smash!”
Another lightning bolt passed his vision, and he found the spear he held to be sunk deep into the other ceature’s fur. The smell of blood and sweat-
“Does not fill my nose!” Flash fell out of the chair he was in, his head spinning now. He knew better than this. He was fixed. His past was just in the past. The horrors of war-
-never change, do they kid? Not even a grizzled, old stallion like me can… can…
“Stop it! Get out of my hea-”
Crack!
He looked down, and where he was supposed to see the pen he had stepped on, he saw a broken bone. He looked up, the lightning fading at the edge of his eyes. He glanced to the side, and saw the yak getting up, their leader. Beneath him was nothing but a crushed corpse that used to be his friend, his comrade, a pony who trusted him to keep watch, and keep him safe.
The large, black yak let out some steam through its nostrils as it turned to him. “Last pony is fast. Matter not when against yaks. You will die, like the rest.”
Flash froze. He didn’t want to do what he knew he did. No, it wasn’t fair. He should have died on the plain of war, just like his friends. He wasn’t ever supposed to be special. He just wanted to be a guard, a friend, maybe a musician someday, but never what he was. Never a survivor.
He looked up as the yak jumped over him, and watched as the black mass fell towards him. Maybe the shock of letting it happen here would fix everything. Undo what had happened. He shut his eyes to the body, and barely braced for impact.
Instead of being crushed though, two hooves and a set of wings wrapped around his body. They were gentle, kind, and warm, nothing like what he had expected of death. They were those of the one he loved though, and opened his eyes to the lavender coat of Twilight Sparkle. “T-Twilight?”
“Can I hear about them?”
“Hear about who?”
“The twelfth division of the Royal Canterlot Army, famous for having fought the last battle of the Yak and Pony war, in which their last general was killed.” She backed away slightly, so as to allow the two to meet eyes. “Fought five years from this day, led by Captain Ironhides, and with a sentry named Flash.”
He blinked for a few moments. “But how-”
“Do I know?” She nuzzled back into his neck, and felt him shaking like a leaf. “Princesses have to lead wars, so we’re told about them, even the ones nopony was supposed to know about. And…” Twilight looked down, “I should have come sooner.”
Flash forced a grin on his face, though the gesture never met his eyes. “Th-there’s no reason for you to be here now. I’m fine.”
“Cadance told me that she heard you yelling.”
He froze, before hanging his head down. “And you can teleport.”
Twilight rubbed her horn against the side of his neck, forcing him to raise his head. “And you don’t need to face them alone. Not when I’m right here.”
Flash looked at her smile, and for a moment saw his buddies, five years and one night ago. They were confident that together, they could make it through anything, even with their dopey sentry. He shut his eyes, enjoying their smiles for another moment, before two trials of tears ran down his face. “A-alright, Twilight. I just hope you like them as much as I once did.”
Twilight led Flash to the couch in the room, and snuggled into his side as they both laid there. “I bet I will.”
