The front door shut behind Flash with a resounding click as he stepped inside, his nose already being assaulted by the acidic smell of smoke. Flash’s eyes strained from the dim lighting as he focused on the stallion seated on the ragged sofa in the living room. Flash stepped forward, trying not to gag from the combined odors of alcohol, burnt tobacco and the refuse that littered the floor.

“Si’down,” the stallion commanded. Flash didn’t move, frozen in place as he purposely avoided the blood-shot eyes of his father. A low growl sounded from the stallion’s throat, breaking Flash out of his stupor. Flash scurried over with trepidation, seating himself opposite from the stallion.

“I got anotha letter, brat.” His father waved a crumpled paper, his face snarling with contempt. “What’s yer fuckin’ excuse this time?”

Flash blinked away the tears forming in the corners of his eyes, “I…”

“And what’s with that bruise on the side of ya face? Did those colts from school kick the shit outta ya again?”

“I was the one that hurt them this time,” Flash muttered, turning his head away from the stallon.

For a second, Flash could almost see a small smile form at the mention of the colt’s misery, before his father lurched forward and pressed the end of his lit cigar against Flash’s neck. Flash wailed in pain as he dropped to the ground.

“How’s it feel, you little shit? Ya think I like putting up with you?” His father let out a guttural laugh and began to walk away.

"Worthless little waste of space, I guess pain is the only way you’ll get it through your thick skull to stop fuckin’ around.” Flash curled into a ball as his father spat on the ground. “Get outta my sight, and don’t you dare wake your mother up.”

Flash sobbed quietly as the door to his father’s office slammed shut.

I awoke with a gasp as I coughed violently, clearing away the dust that had filled my lungs overnight.

I thought I was done having these dreams, when did I start having them again?

I cringed from the aching that filled my body as I sat up and stared at the light barely seeping in through the window, visible specks of dust floating through the air. I sighed as I removed some loose feathers from my wings and stretched my forelegs.

Years of therapy from a military psychologist, and I still can’t sleep well. Hopefully I’ll be able to take my mind off of it today.

I stood up from my bed and pushed the door open, peering out into the hall, I slowly made my way downstairs. The sun was filling the room through the various windows littered across the library. I looked out of one of the windows as the sun rose above Mount Canterhorn, bathing me in a soft, gentle glow.

Thank you, Princess Celestia, for your beautiful sun.

For a moment, I could feel my spirits lift ever so slightly as I took a book off of a shelf at random and sat down to read it. If Twilight was a late riser, then there was a chance that this day would actually be somewhat pleasant.

As fate would have it, I let out another sigh as I heard Twilight approach the railing of the staircase, “You can’t just take books out at random, you know. You didn’t even look at what you were taking.”

I looked up at her as she began to trot down the stairs, a scowl plastered across her face. I rolled my eyes and looked at the cover of the book, it was titled ‘The History of Equestria: Volume IV’, which meant it would put me to sleep if I even attempted to read it.

“This is a public library, isn’t it? I should be able to read anything in here that I want without you breathing down my neck,” I said as she snatched the book away from me with her magic.

“You would still need to talk to the librarian, which unfortunately, is me,” Twilight replied as she placed the book back on the shelf without breaking line of sight. “Honestly, did you even look before you took it off the shelf?”

“I need some way to ebb my boredom, don’t I? I was under the impression you wouldn’t wake up for a little while.”

She gave me a smug smirk as she began to walk over to the kitchen, “I wouldn’t assume if I were you, you’ve heard the saying right? I wouldn’t want you to look any more like an ass than you already are.”

“How very thoughtful of you, Princess,” I grumbled as I leaned back into the couch.

Not even ten minutes into the day, and already want to tie my wings and jump off the balcony.

After half an hour of twiddling my hooves, Twilight walked back into the living room and set two plates on the table. I had to admit, pancakes and hash-browns seemed awfully tempting right now.

“I didn’t realize you could cook this well, Princess. Is this for you and your pet lizard then?” I asked her as she gave me an indignant huff.

“His name is Spike, and he’s a baby dragon, for your information.”

Could’ve fooled me.

“And no, it isn’t for him, I figured if you’re going to be my guard, it would make sense if we ate together,” she continued as she placed the plate in my lap. I raised an eyebrow as she began to eat.

“I… thank you?”

She gave me a soft smile as we shared a meal together.

Maybe this day wouldn’t be so bad after all.

“I have to make early preparations for the upcoming Summer Sun Celebration. In the meantime, I want you to come along and meet my friends,” Twilight said as she gently placed the plate on the table and stood up.

“What? Why?” I said as I swallowed my last mouthful of food.

She gave me a sour look, “Because they’re very important to me. And if it came down to it, I’d want you to protect them as much as you’d protect me.”

I huffed in annoyance as I followed her to the door, “I don’t know if I can make that promise, Princess Twilight. When Prince Shining Armor requested me, he told me that I’d only have to protect you and you alone. As far as I’m concerned, I am only under your command.”

She sighed, “I don’t want to order you to guard them for me. Will you please just do it, for me?”

Even though I couldn’t care less about her attempt to coerce me, she was still my superior. She hadn’t ordered me to do it, but I didn’t want to exacerbate the situation any further.

“Very well, your highness.”

She giggled as we exited the library, “Just call me Twilight, please.”

Thwack!

An echo filled the air as Twilight and I approached Sweet Apple Acres, and as I peered forward, I could just make out the silhouette of a pony near a large apple tree.

“So, Twilight, why didn’t Spike tag along with us? I’m guessing he’s still asleep?”

Thwack!

Twilight smiled as she spotted Applejack and waved to her, though the apple-bucker was too absorbed in her work to notice the gesture.

“Actually, he woke up early to help out Rarity with something. She’s the local seamstress in town.”

Thwack!

I rolled my eyes. “Let me guess, she’s another friend of yours?” She noticed my reaction and broke eye contact, her smile fading from her face.

“Yes, and I’m assuming the reason Spike left earlier than I thought he would is so that he wouldn’t have to put up with you today.”

I scoffed at the weak insult. “Maybe if you were a bit more pleasant yesterday, then I may have been slightly more tolerable.”

“Part of growing up is learning how to treat everypony with respect, even if they don’t deserve it. It looks like you’re not quite there yet,” she replied, a sly smirk spread across her face.

“You may have a great brother and family, but not all of us had a foalhood of sunshine and rainbows, Sparkle.”

Twilight opened her mouth to respond when Applejack approached the wooden fence, calling out to us.

“Howdy, Twi’! Is this that stallion you were talkin’ about?”

“And I’m sure she had the most wonderful things to say about me,” I muttered as the two of us drew closer to her.

Twilight rolled her eyes and smiled at her friend.

“Yes, AJ. He’s the guard that my brother sent over. He’ll be here to protect me if I’m in danger, and he’ll be here for the rest of our friends too for that matter.” Twilight shot me a challenging glare, as if daring me to correct her.

Applejack chuckled as she opened the gate for us.

“Aw shucks, sugarcube, I don’t know about that. I’m no princess, that’s for sure.”

She’s dismissing the offer right off the bat? That’s less work for me, I like this mare already. Though, the accent is a bit of a turn-off.

I held out my hoof to her, taking Twilight by surprise.

“Hello Miss Applejack, I’m Captain Flash Sentry. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

It would be impossible for me not to know her name at this point, as Twilight wouldn’t stop talking about her over the last ten minutes of walking.

She gripped my hoof firmly, reciprocating the gesture.

“Let’s skip the formalities sugarcube, the title of ‘miss’ belonged to my ma. ‘Sides, any friend of Twilight is a friend of mine, just call me AJ please.”

Twilight stepped into the conversation before I had the chance to respond, “We just came by to check on the food preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration. How is everything coming along?”

Applejack lead us toward the barn, speaking as we walked.

“Well, ah reckon yer a little early for that. It’s still a little ways away, right? I’ll tell ya one thing though, we decided to step up our cider production, if we’re lucky, we’ll be able to serve it for this year’s celebration.”

Twilight’s ears perked up, “That’s great, Applejack! Do you mind if I see it myself?”

Applejack gave her a genuine smile and pointed a hoof toward the back of the barn, “Sure thing sugarcube, Ah have it all packed away in the cellar if you want to take a sneak peak. No free samples though, ya hear?”

Twilight vanished out of my sight in an instant and presumably sped off toward the cellar, leaving Applejack and I in the dust. A second of silence went by before Applejack sighed and turned to me.

“Alright, since Twilight’s gone off on her own, I gotta ask you somethin’.”

Great, just when I thought I was going to get along with her. Is she going to chew me out as well for something?

“Alright, ask away.”

Applejack leaned in slightly, her voice low and cautious, “Are you… alright? Sugarcube? You seem like yer hidin’ something.”

I pulled away slightly, trying to hide the uncertainty in my voice, “I… what? What would I be hiding?”

She gave me a small glare and tilted her head toward the direction of Twilight, “I can tell yer not really her friend, sugarcube; or at least, it don’t seem like it. But there’s somethin’ else, it’s like yer maskin’ something. Why did ya decide to guard Twilight anyway?”

“With all due respect, AJ,” I said, gritting my teeth, “I don’t believe this is any of your business.”

Who the actual fuck?

She stared at me for a long while, before relenting and breaking eye contact.

“Well, ah shouldn’t pry, I ‘spose. But ah meant what I said, even if neither of ya’ll like each other, I’ll still be yer friend. If somethin’s bothering ya, you can talk to me, alright?”

I turned away and walked toward Twilight, hesitating to look Applejack in the eye as I passed her.

“I’ll keep that in mind, Applejack.”

Author's Note

Be sure to like the story if you are enjoying it thus far. Or, if you feel that something needs to be changed, dislike it and tell me what I need to improve. I'm always open to criticism.

Comment below what you think, more on the way soon.

Also, since there will be a chapter on each of Twilight's friends, I will dedicate a chapter to someone for each of them:

This chapter is dedicated to my ~~friend~~ boy Dreams of Ponies, whose honesty has allowed the story to flourish into what it is now.