Flash Sentry shuddered as a stray gust of frigid wind rattled his armor, causing him to shift his stance slightly. Despite Canterlot Castle being heavily decorated, it lacked proper insulation, which meant it was exceptionally chilly in the winter.

Nevertheless, Flash maintained his stoic posture alongside the other guards while his commanding officer paced back and forth. He was eyeing them with intense scrutiny, and if Flash was a lesser stallion, he may have cracked under the pressure.

A gentle moonlight juxtaposed the somber situation as it filtered through the high arching windows in front of them, adequately lighting up the hallway where they stood. The only source of sound emanating from the commander’s strong hoofsteps grinding against the marble tile.

Finally, Commander Quicksilver opened his mouth, his guttural voice echoing through the corridor.

“Alright fillies, I got bad news for some of ya. Hearth's Warming Eve is comin’ up quick, which means that while most of us get to go home to our families… a few of you maggots gotta stay in the castle to guard the princess.”

Nopony protested, for they all knew that even a grunt of disapproval would result in an immediate reprimanding. Still, Quicksilver continued to stare at them with a predatory gaze, searching for any sign of weakness.

“I’ll give any of ya the chance to volunteer, right now, though I ain’t expecting anything. After that, I’m gonna have to start drawing names, one at a time.”

An awkward silence filled the room as the stallions shuffled their hooves nervously, none of them daring to make a sound.

“Well?”

With an exaggerated sigh and a slight smirk on his face, Flash stepped forward, ignoring the suspicious looks that the other guards were throwing at him.

Quicksilver snorted. “Corporal Sentry, you do realize what you’re signing up for, correct? You will spend all of Hearth’s Warming Eve at the castle, and you won’t be able to see your family.”

Flash smiled. “My loyalty to Princess Celestia is more important than seeing my… family.”

Quicksilver chuckled. “I don’t know if I’d call that stupid or selfless, probably a little bit of both. Either way, I gotta commend you for it. Get your flank back to your quarters, you’re excused for the night.”

Quicksilver turned and addressed the remaining troops, an evil grin on his face. “The rest of you partner up, we’re gonna do CQC drills until one of you cave.”

With the smile remaining on Flash’s face, he turned away from his commander and trotted toward the barracks.

I groaned as I slowly opened my eyes, grimacing at the morning light that inundated the room.

I really need to invest in some curtains, I’m sure Twilight wouldn’t mind.

My morning routine had become habitual to the point of being dull. Wake up early in the morning after having an unwelcome dream, throw myself out of bed, creep down the stairs, and then cook something that resembled breakfast. Even basic training had been more entertaining than this past week.

I put a hoof to my face, blocking out the light that refracted off the glass casing as I walked downstairs. I still couldn’t get over the fact that the Elements of Harmony, some of the strongest artifacts in Equestrian history, were only protected by a single box of glass.

Granted, Twilight probably took the time to thoroughly enchant the case itself, but still…

Why is Ponyville’s security so pitiful?

I shook my head as I walked toward the kitchen, gathering ingredients for oatmeal as I gazed through a window displaying Ponyville proper.

It had been a while since I’d seen any of Twilight’s friends, as they hadn’t really forced themselves upon me after the party. I was growing rather bored of sitting around in the library as Twilight read her books and went down one random checklist after another.

Hmm… I suppose I could step out for a bit while Twilight is still asleep.

I sighed as I grabbed a piece of parchment and a quill, eating as I began writing a letter of notice to Twilight, just in case she woke up before I got back.

Twilight,

I’ll be out for a bit this morning. I feel like I’m starting to get Cabin Fever while sitting around this library all cooped up. Hopefully I’ll get back before you get the chance to read this, but in case you do, I’ll be over at Sweet Apple Acres.

Try not to overdose on books, Sparkle.

— Flash

I left the note on the table, taking the time to wash the bowl out and placing it back in the cupboard. Not wanting to spend another minute in this library, I walked out the front door.

I wasn’t exactly sure why I had chosen to visit Applejack in particular. After having served in the Equestrian military for so long, I had become acclimated to waking up in the early morning. Being that Applejack lived on a farm, it felt safe to assume that her sleeping schedule was similar to mine.

At least she isn’t bothered by recurrent nightmares...

The sun was barely peeking the over the horizon as I trotted toward the outskirts of Ponyville, the dirt and leaves crunching underneath me.

Thwack!

My train of thought was derailed as my eyes located the source of the sound that echoed across Sweet Apple Acres. Ahead of me, just past the fence lining, Applejack was hard at work, her Stetson hanging low on her head.

Thwack!

Applejack panted softly as beads of sweat collected across her brow. She paused for a moment, before glancing up and spotting me. I could just faintly see a small smirk forming across her muzzle.

“Howdy, sugarcube!” Applejack called out. “Didn't expect to see you this mornin’, that's fer sure.”

I returned a smirk of my own as I pushed open the wooden gate and invited myself in, my ear twitching as the un-oiled hinges creaked from my ministrations.

“I thought I’d pay you a visit. Did I catch you at a bad time?”

She stooped down and placed several stray apples into the bucket, before wiping away the sweat and trotting toward me.

“Ain't a problem at all, sugarcube, just surprised me is all. You sure Twilight didn’t put ya up to this?” Applejack asked me with a raised brow.

I remembered the oath that Pinkie Pie had taught me several days prior and crossed my heart with my hoof. I couldn't remember exactly what she called it, though it had a nice ring to it.

“I swear, AJ, this was all my idea. Truth be told, I was starting to go a little crazy, sitting in that library for so damn long.”

She chuckled. “You know Ah’m a fan of truth. Ah suppose that's your pegasi blood that’s naggin’ ya as well.”

“Well, I don't think I’m as much of an avid flyer as your friend Rainbow is, but it's nice to get some fresh air once in awhile.”

The smile faded from her face, being replaced by a frown. “You know Dash is your friend too, right? Ah’m not a big fan of this ‘your friend’ business, as if she’s nothin’ but an acquaintance to ya.”

My wings fluttered against my sides. “Yeah, I know she's my friend, it's just… hard to remember sometimes.”

She approached me and put a hoof on my shoulder. “We all are sugarcube, and you know that.”

There was a bout of silence between us, before Applejack sighed and spoke up again.

“Ah guess I can take a break right about now. Come on, let’s head over to the cellar, I can spare a little cider for us to drink while we chat.”

I chuckled. “You keep it in your cellar? It's actually fermented? I didn't think anyone in Ponyville could stomach alcohol.”

The smile returned to her face. “Some can’t ah reckon. Either way, I need to keep it locked up in the cellar, wouldn't want Applebloom gettin’ any ideas.”

“You sound like a great mother, Applejack.”

She sputtered, attempting to hide her face with her hat as a fierce blush rose across her face.

I winced. “I’m guessing I said something wrong?”

She fanned herself with her hat as the blush ebbed from her face. “Ah’m no mother, that's for sure, sugarcube. Applebloom is mah sister, even if I do act like her mother occasionally.”

“Oh, I did think you looked too young to be a mother. Either way, Apple Bloom is very lucky to have you.”

Her smile brightened, and the green in her eyes seemed even more lively than before. “Thank ya kindly, Flash.”

At least they’ll be there for each other....

I sat underneath an apple tree, admiring the golden-brown hue of color that shined off my glass of cider.

Applejack sat across from me, taking a swig from her mug and giving a satisfied sigh.

“Celestia, that sure hits the spot. Normally ah wouldn’t drink somethin’ like this in the morning, but I needed something to cool me off.”

I raised my glass in response as I gulped the cider down. “I’m glad I decided to stop by, though, I think I’d ought to head back soon. I don’t want Twilight to think I ran off on her.”

Applejack snickered. “So much fer guarding her. Drinkin’ on the job, sugarcube?”

I rolled my eyes. “It’s not my fault you ponies drive me to drink.”

Her laughter grew in intensity, causing a small smile to form on my face. I’d reasoned that Twilight wasn’t going anywhere, especially since she slept like a brick.

Applejack’s laughter died down a bit as she wiped the tears that had formed in the corners of her eyes. “Well, sugarcube, Ah think it’s about time I woke Apple Bloom fer school.”

I gave her one last nod before stretching my wings and taking off into the sky, wind whipping through my mane as I raced back toward Ponyville.

I sat near the library, lamenting in my own stupidity as I rubbed the dirt from my eyes after having impacted the ground at breakneck speeds. I swore under my breath as I reminded myself to practice landing sometime later this week. I wasn’t interested in being chewed out by Rainbow Dash any time soon.

Not that I had to worry about that right now, as it was far too early for her to even consider waking up.

Letting out another annoyed huff, I brushed off the last of the dust that coated my… well, coat, and tentatively opened the front door of the library.

I was met with the smug grin of the lavender alicorn before me, who lay sprawled out across the living room sofa with the note I’d written her within her magical grasp.

“Welcome home, Flash. And by the way, it’s ‘stir-crazy’ not ‘cabin fever,’ there’s a difference. I promise.”

Author's Note

Meant to submit this chapter earlier today, though I was busy with my classes and everything else.

More on the way soon! And don't forget to hit like if you're enjoying the story thus far.