Author's Note

Art by Twilite-sparkleplz

In another timeline, I'd be writing a slightly different longform fic where the likes of Cadance and Shining would be helping out Flash Sentry instead.

But, for the time being, accept this weirdly hyperbolic substitute.

Bring Your Sissy to Work 3: The Netflix Adaptation

Flash Sentry's recollections of Dean Cadance were few and far between. He first caught sight of her at the Friendship Games between Canterlot High and Crystal Prep. That was when he was in his junior year—just a quiet, melancholic boi still recovering from two failed relationships.

He didn't have a name to put on the woman from the uptown academy, but he certainly had a word for her: 'gorgeous'. In fact, 'glamorous' might have also sufficed. There was no denying that the first time Flash saw the Dean at the famed scholarly competition, his heart went all a'flutter. But not for the reasons one might expect from most teenage males.

Yes, Cadance was beautiful—alluring, even. But everything about the way she dressed, the way she moved, the way she expressed herself, the way she wore makeup, and the way she expressed genuine empathy and kindness in every little gesture simply riveted him. They were all things the tender boi dreamed of emulating... even if it was only a pipe dream.

There were more than a few times when Flash fantasized about what it would be like to be zapped with a magic wand and then (POOF!) transform into an actual, biological woman. This particular scenario dwindled over time as the boi progressively focused more on femininity over being female, but he always imagined himself... or herself being a petite, spritely, adorable young adult with a pixie-like demeanor.

Cadance—on the other hand—was the type of woman Flash knew that he could never possibly be... even with all the combined magic wands of the multiverse being flung at him at full godmother'd force. Cadance was buxom, shining, full-bodied, and luscious. She could be a Barbie doll, but Flash in comparison would only ever be stuck as a Precious Moments Confirmation Girl.

But that didn't stop him from admiring the Dean of Crystal Prep from afar—not in a creepy, lustful way... but with a wistful heart that hoped... dreamed that he could someday come across as fabulous, graceful, goddess-like, and desirable as she. And the fact that Cadance seemingly never desired to drown in all the affection she deserved only inspired him. Instead, she was all about servicing education and mentoring innocent (and not so innocent) youths. After the Friendship Games, Flash heard by word of murmur that Cadance had become the Principal of Crystal Preparatory Academy... and he honestly felt happy for her... if not sad that he would never once again be graced with her exquisitely womanly presence.

Or so he thought...

...and now he was sitting—more like squirming—in a chair in the woman's office, flanked by broad windows that overlooked the noisy laboratory where Sunset Shimmer was assisting an excited group of highly-paid nerds. Cadance was a different kind of woman than Flash had remembered, and yet somehow she was even more awesome... more impressive. She was dressed to the nines, in a modest gray business suit that her curvaceous figure inescapably made to look like a supermodel's cover outfit, and there he was dressed in Apple Bloom's high school hand-me downs, looking like a blushing farm girl who had just fallen off the hay wagon.

His delicate hands nervously squeezed the faux leathery lid of the burgundy purse in his lap as he watched Cadance sashay over to a chair and sit casually beside him. She crossed her fabulous legs and smiled his way—a friendly, sisterly smile. It was a good thing that Doctor Cadance still possessed the genuine kindness as her prior years of educational administration. Being in the same room as her made Flash aware of all his tingling nerves, and the idea of an alternate "her" being even remotely flirtatious made his fragile mind fracture on the cusp of shattering. From just a few feet away, he could smell her expensive perfume, and it was both saucy and sweet all at once. This was a woman who was fully aware of the omnipotent power of her sexuality, and yet she held all deadly armaments clammed up safely inside herself like Black Bolt on the dark side of the moon.

“I love your hair,” was the first thing Cadance said, and Flash's heart fluttered once more. The woman's rosy eyes shone as they fixated sincerely on the boi's crown. “That's the first thing I noticed when I saw you at the baking competition at the Friendship Games. Such shiny, smooth, seemingly manageable hair.” She weathered a stately giggle. “It's a shame we didn't have a beauty competition as an event. You would have given several of my own pupils in the Shadowbolts a run for the money.”

Flash knew that he was blushing. He shrank in his seat, almost hoping the burgundy of the purse would off-set his rosying skin. “You're really... really... uh...”

She arched an eyebrow. “Honest?”

The boi cleared his throat. “I was going to say lovely, but... sure...”

Cadance's eyes darted briefly to his squirming limbs. “I see that excessive compliments make you uncomfortable.”

“I...” Flash managed a lengthy breath, allowing his arms and legs to get their shakes out before relaxing. “...I'm trying to get used to them...”

“I get the impression that you don't get many compliments, Flash,” Cadance said.

“I...” The boi looked aside. One finger toyed with a lock of the praised hair, anxiously. “...I-I haven't exactly lived a very social life.”

“You haven't?” Cadance cocked her head slightly to the side. “Well, that's rather unfortunate. I had hoped that someone like you acquired a deep social net. You did graduate from Canterlot High after all.”

“I... wasn't very active in events following the Friendship Games,” Flash said, murmuring. “There was that one trip to Camp Everfree... but I barely did anything for the three weeks we spent there. By that point, I had sorta... drifted away from most of my fellow classmates. In the following year, when they announced a special cruise for senior students during spring break, I just... opted out.”

“Awwwww...”

Flash shrugged. “I didn't even attend graduation. My grades were... okay. It's not that I gave up on studies... yet... but I guess that would come later...”

The boi grimaced suddenly, his heart palpitating. All it took was just a few kind words from Cadance, and suddenly he was regressing to a high school larva. This woman was the executive of a massive corporation—she was no longer a teacher or a guidance counselor. What right did he have to steal from her time and attention? Besides, there was no need to spill everything about himself. She wasn't a telepath, after all.

“Uhm...” Flash wheezed , cleared his throat, then faced her directly with a courageous smile. “But... Cadenza Corp! Wow!” He crossed his legs—or tried to—in an effort to emulate the professional woman sitting beside him. “I-I feel silly for not putting two and two together! Of course you're the genius who runs this operation!”

Cadance smiled wryly. “'Genius' is a somewhat strong word, Flash. But I'll gladly take it—if only to help boost my own confidence.”

“You... uh...” Flash's eyelashes fluttered. “...you need help with confidence?”

“These are difficult times,” Cadance said, relaxing slightly in her seat as she gazed out the windows onto the basement laboratory. “Magical times. No doubt even a young, attractive recluse like you keeps track of the news.”

“Er... kinda sorta...?”

“Magic is invading our world from another universe,” Cadance said. “Manifesting itself in the oddest of places. Mutating wildlife. Possessing people. Threatening citizens. It's a miracle that a world-wide crisis hasn't broken out yet. Only... it's not a crisis.” She looked over at him. “The Elements of Harmony have intervened—possessing that very same magic and using it to corral the seemingly chaotic energies so that it can be contained, preserved, and even harnessed.”

“So...” Flash blinked thoughtfully. “You stepped in.” Another blink. “To help them?”

“Someone had to, Flash. They're just seven young women. Just yesterday, they were seven young girls.” Cadance smiled wistfully. “I happen to be the mentor... and former babysitter... to one of them.”

Flash exhaled. “Twilight Sparkle.”

She nodded. “And I soon realized that Twilight was stepping into a world far bigger and more important than anything I had ever dealt with or could ever deal with. The stars were too perfectly aligned; I knew what I had to do.”

“And... you gave up your school administration career?”

“And inherited my family's company early,” Cadance said. “Although...” A calm smile. “I didn't give up anything. I merely put it to the side... at least until magic becomes more uniform and safe in this world.”

“Wow. You're really... selfless!”

“Mmmm. Perhaps. It was simply the right thing to do.”

“Still, sounds heroic.”

“What the Elements of Harmony do is heroic,” Cadance said. “I'm merely giving them the help and support that they need.”

“I... uh...” Flash glanced over his shoulder in the direction of Sunset. “...I've been told that you've bought the girls... the women all their houses.”

“Yes. And converted an old country manor for them. Also provided them transportation Basic amenities. Shared connections with local fashion and the like...”

“That's... so kind...”

“I wouldn't have it any other way,” Cadance said matter-of-factly. “I love them all, Flash. Not just Twilight—although she is like a sister to me. But... the entire seven of them... they represent more than just pupils or peers. They're the single reason any of us in this world are still breathing without wild magical mishaps leaping violently down our throats. The moment I recognized that, I knew I had to step in and use my science doctorate and business degree to lend them a hand.” Her eyebrows arched. “And the payback has been priceless. I do not hyperbolize when I say that they've given me more than I could possibly give them.”

“This lab... Sunset Shimmer's assistance...”

“The Elements of Harmony have harnessed the power that they've contained. I've put my finest scientists into studying the intricacies of Equestrian energies. What we've learned—we've applied to the pharmaceutical division, and now we've expanded into our industry branches. We're making important breakthroughs—not just in medicine—but also in transportation, safety, and defense. Right now, I have a dedicated team working with the local government to establish a new police force that can deal with metaphysical threats when the Elements of Harmony are busy elsewhere. But that isn't even the most important project at the moment.”

“Then...” Flash blinked. “...what is?”

“Manifestations of Equestrian magic have allowed us to harness energy at a microscopic level. We've found ways to eliminate tumors via breakthroughs in nanotechnology. Within a few years—I'm convinced—we may very well be on the road to eliminating cancer altogether.”

Flash's breath caught in his throat. “Now that you say that... I-I vaguely remember Sunset hinting about such a thing.”

“And, if successful, then Cadenza Corp might single-handedly upset the entire medical industry,” Cadance said. “The resulting economic turbulence would undoubtedly shatter my company—and several others—requiring new and unique ways of stabilizing the worldwide economy.”

Flash grimaced. “That... isn't something I even thought of.”

“But it's still an unfortunate reality,” Cadance said. “That's why we've been investing so heavily in all of these side projects. It is my hope that I'll have new avenues of industrial pursuit at the ready to inspire the rest of the market by the time I play my hand. And yet—my accountants and I have already crunched the numbers. There's no way we'll come out of this without suffering heavy losses to the company's prestige. And yet...” She took a firm breath. “It's a move that I am still willing to make.”

“For the sake of those suffering...?”

“And for the sake of the world at large. If the Elements of Harmony are willing to make sacrifices, then so am I. It's a delicate partnership... and we're seeking prosperity above profit.”

Flash smiled, genuinely misty-eyed. “If only there were more people like you in the world.”

Cadance smiled back. “I think those we already have is quite enough. Plus you, of course.”

Flash blinked. “What about me?”

“Well, you're a very important person, Flash.”

He was squirming once more. “I... don't see how anything I've ever done could somehow measure up to—”

“The first and most important step...” Cadance raised a finger, narrowing her vision on the young boi's gaze. “...is learning to respect yourself.”

He gulped hard. “That's... uh...” He gazed down. “That's a difficult step.”

“And why is that, Flash?”

And somehow, she had made the conversation about him again, as if it was somehow more important than all of the unbelievably amazing things she had been talking about thus far.

“It's no big deal...”

“It most certainly is.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Nobody is unimportant,” Cadance said. “And nobody is ever alone either—no one deserves to be.”

“Do you believe that?”

“I've learned that,” she said. “And embracing what I've learned is what has made my company, my friendships, and my partnership with the Elements of Harmony so profitable.” Her eyes hardened. “Not the money. If you measure success by sheer profit, then you aren't looking hard enough.”

“I guess... I haven't had much light to look by,” Flash spilled.

Cadance brushed her bangs back with a thoughtful expression. “And just who snuffed out that light, Flash?”

“I did, I guess.”

“Or your family?”

Flash looked up at her.

Cadance looked back.

Flash gulped. “I guess Sunset isn't the only person who wants to psychoanalyze me.”

“Sunset cheats.” Cadance smirked. “I'm more interested in how you interpret your thoughts than what they look like under a microscope.”

“What if I told you that I'd rather not talk about it?”

Cadance shrugged. “Then we won't talk about it. I just wanted to make sure you had the opportunity.”

“And I don't with Sunset?”

Cadance was silent.

Flash squinted at her. “What... do you think is happening between us?”

Cadance leaned back in her chair, breathing deeply as she searched for the words to convey: “I know... that she found you alone and unconscious outside of Canterlot High School. I also know that it's because you've been... more or less ostracized by your family.”

“Did Twilight tell you all of that.”

“She did indeed,” Cadance said with a nod. “But I garnered the latter facts from expectations.”

“Expectations?”

“I've met your parents more than once, Flash,” Cadance said. “At conventions. Business meetings that I attended alongside my mother from a young age. This might come across as somewhat pretentious, but I've known your parents longer than you've been alive. And—to put it mildly—I don't find their Spartan actions all too terribly surprising... or laudable.” She gazed sympathetically at him. “It was a year or two after graduation that I found out you were their offspring. And I wished... I hoped that I could somehow reverse time and have you transferred to Crystal Prep after the Friendship Games so I could have monitored you more closely. Reached out to you sooner. I'm quite sorry.”

“That's...” Flash clutched a dainty hand over his chest. “...really touching.”

“Then you agree that a younger you needed such intervention?”

He blinked hard... then looked away from her.

The woman was quiet. Calm. Patient.

“My parents never made me fail at my college classes,” Flash muttered. “They never made me sever all contacts with my friends, my mentors, my bandmates.” A dull sigh. “They never told me to spend all those long weeks, months, years lying in bed... too afraid to go outside but also too lazy to make the best out of it all inside.”

“They also never bothered to help you not do or become any of those things.”

“...?!” Flash looked at her.

“...” She looked back.

“Yeah... well...” Flash adjusted the grip of the purse in his lap. “I'm past the point of no return. So what does any of that matter?”

“You still matter, Flash.”

He smiled faintly at her. “Your sympathy is sweet, Miss... Doctor Cadance. Ahem.” He brushed a strand of blue hair over his hair and exhaled. “But... I've already got someone helping me.” He gestured out the window. “Sunset Shimmer. She's doing her best. And... uh... I-I guess I should be giving her more credit...”

“Are you satisfied with how she is helping you?”

Flash blinked at that. He stared at Cadance to see if the wise woman's gaze would shift, but it didn't. “Uhm... I guess...?”

“Your satisfaction matters as much as you do, Flash. They're inseparable. Never forget that.”

“She... I...” Flash cleared his throat. “She's been trying to get me to open up about... stuff...”

“And is that the right path to take?”

“I guess...?”

“Does it feel right?”

“Doctor Cadance...” Flash hugged the purse to his chest, trembling slightly. “I'm... not entirely sure what you're wanting to get out of me.”

At that moment, Cadance sighed slightly, even though her empathetic gaze remained the same. She leaned back in her seat, flexing her fingers in some contemplative gesture.

Flash saw it. He looked at her again. “You're not so sure what you're wanting to get out of me, either... are you?”

She bore a smile. “You're a very intelligent one, Flash. Has Sunset told you that?”

“I'm sure that she would.”

“She cares for you very much,” Cadance said. “All the girls do.”

“Oh... for sure! Uh... they've sent me e-mails... the girls, that is,” Flash said. “Telling me how much they care for me in silly... pretty... cute ways...”

“And Sunset?”

“It's... like I'm her whole world all of a sudden...” Flash murmured, gazing out the window. She saw the amazon levitating slightly. It would have startled the boi—had he not noticed the hoverboot “Cloppers
' that she was wearing. They lifted her up on glowy-blue energy while Sunburst and the rest of the lab technicians applauded and film the event. Sunset Shimmer struck a ridiculously heroic pose before curtsying goofily in mid-air. “Part of me is tickled pink that she's back in my life again... and so friendly and helpful too...”

“And another part of you...?”

Flash sighed, gazing back into the depths of Cadance's office. “I'm... worried, I guess...”

“About...?”

“About why I've suddenly become the center of her world again. And the other six as well.” Flash clenched his jaw. “For five years... five long years... I didn't exist to them... or t-to anyone. And I know that's my fault. I know it's all on me.” He sniffled. “Still... if Sunset always had the same concern and love for me that she suddenly does now... … ...” His words trailed off.

Cadance folded her hands together. “You wonder why she didn't try to seek you out sooner.”

Flash sighed. “She... the Elements of Harmony have had far bigger things on their plate to deal with. And I know that. And... even though I know that... I still wonder. And every time I feel like talking to her about it... well... I-I just remind myself that she's a telepath and... and...” A gulp. “Mmmmm... what's the use, y'know?”

“Has she not told you why you're important to the Elements of Harmony?”

Flash looked at her, blinking. “How did you...?” He shook his head. “Of course!” The boi leaned forward in earnest. “She's explained to me the whole 'Harmonic Fountain' and 'Harmonic Well' relationship.”

When Cadance didn't look even remotely fazed by that, Flash Sentry continued:

“She told me that... that the girls and I... that all of us respond to one another on a magical level,” he said. “She told me that being the Harmonic Well—it... it makes me very rare and special and that they've been looking for me for a long time... even without knowing that the Harmonic Well would be... well... me.”

Cadance calmly nodded. “And you know what that entails?” An eyebrow slowly lifted. “And you're okay with that?”

Flash's lips pursed. “Okay with what...?”

Cadance's lips matched. “Being the Harmonic Well for all seven portions of the Harmonic Fountain?”

Silence.

“Is...” Flash breathily murmured. “...there something I'm supposed to know about it?”

Cadance's eyes darted to the windows.

Flash's did too. Below in the labs, Sunset Shimmer had landed. She stripped of the “Cloppers,” bowed to the applauding technicians, and made her way to the stairs to Cadance's office.

The two looked at each other.

“Is...” Flash's eyes narrowed. “...there something I'm not supposed to know about it?”

Cadance steeled herself with a breath, then relaxed slightly as she said: “More than anyone, Flash—besides perhaps my dear husband Shining Armor—I trust my Twilight. And if Twilight Sparkle trusts Sunset Shimmer, then so do I.”

Flash blinked nervously at her.

“Nevertheless, I want you to know, Flash...” Cadance stood up, gazing firmly down at him. “That no matter what happens... no matter what you think... no matter what you feel... no matter who you trust or what you fear...” She leaned over and rested a womanly hand on his shoulder. “...you can always come to me and Shining. For answers. For help. For advice. Even for shelter.”

Flash's mouth hung open. “Sh-shelter...?”

“You will always have friends, Flash,” Cadance added with a smile, and her hand went to his hand—clasping it with a sisterly touch. “And if anything or anyone should make you uncomfortable, even within the constraints of trust and love, do not feel ashamed if you need to reach outside of where you're at.” Something small dropped into his palm, and Cadance released her grip. “I may not have been around to give someone like you an escape before, but—if need be—I will from here on out.”

He blinked, bereft of answers.

“It was lovely talking to you.” She picked a bag off her desk and stepped towards the door in time to meet the amazon mounting the steps outside. “I do hope I get to again sometime.” She then opened the office door and threw on a bold smile. “Sunset Shimmer!” She leaned up to share a hug with the towering valkyrie. “Ohhhhhhhh goodness! I must borrow those ridiculous boots the team's working on just so I can hug you properly!”

“Hah! Well, maybe next time Twilight visits you can practice them on her! Say, have you seen Flash? I could have sworn that—”

“Flash's feet hurt. It's high time they get some rest. But you and I? We've got some business to attend to, don't we?”

“Uhhh—”

“And some... notes to exchange, yes?”

“Oh! R-right! Definitely!”

The office shook from Sunset's heavy shoes descending the stairs. Cadance followed her at a graceful pace.

In the meantime, Flash looked at the tiny thing that the businesswoman had deposited in his hand. It was an eggshell-white card with her name, phone number, and e-mail displayed. Possessing that was tantamount to having one of the world's top billionaires transmit a direct hotline into his grasp, and the deposited it swiftly inside his purse with a noticeable shiver.

In fact, Flash was trembling all over. He kneeled on the chair, peeking anxiously through the window.

He saw Sunset and Cadance standing side by side on the far end of the laboratory, beyond a sea of technicians and experiments. Squinting, Flash watched as Cadance opened the bag she had picked up from her office desk. Reaching inside, she produced three silver-beaded bracelets—before dropping them back in and giving the satchel a shake, indicating there were even more within. She then handed the bag to Sunset...

...who took the gift and hugged it to her chest. The amazon looked immeasurably relieved, and she smiled at Cadance, resting a hand on her shoulder as they continued their amicable conversation.

Flash's trembles continued. Only this time...

...he was frowning.