Author's Note

Art by tran4of3

Some nice memes we've had during this apocalypse, eh?

It's worth stating that I wouldn't have returned to Flash Sissy if it weren't for the influence of some kindly pink-minded marsupials. I speak chiefly of the likes of Syntakitty and Shallow15. Great peops, them. Fantastic authors too. Go check out their stuff.

-SS&E

There's Submission On Her Doll Already; Mom's Spaghetti

“Well, Flash?” Princess Belle asked, her eyelashes fluttering.

The boi stood inside a freshly-conjured chamber of brick and mortar. Tall castle walls loomed around him like some abandoned Minecraft server. His hands pensively stroke his chin and lower lip as he stared into the corner.

Princess Cinderella giggled, adjusting the lengths of her skirts as she knelt her massive frame beside the petite young man. “Out with it, silly! Don't make us read the truth directly from your pretty head.”

Flash sighed in defeat. He clutched his hands cutely behind him while avoiding the two chaperons' combined gaze. “I... uhm...” He gulped, blushing slightly. “...I-I really think it could use some guitars and amps.”

The princesses giggles.

“See?” Cinderella reached out and caressed his chin with a gloved hand. “Was that really so hard to admit?”

“But...” Flash winced. “...it doesn't exactly fit with the medieval castle theme.” He rubbed his scalp through his long silky threads. “R-renaissance... manor theme...?”

“Oh please, Flash,” Belle spoke. “Since when were the Walt Disney Studios ever historically accurate about anything?”

“Wow...” Flash stifled a giggle. “Hearing that in Paige O'Hara's voice makes it all the sillier.”

Cinderella stood back up beside Belle. “Just say the word.”

Flash cleared his delicate throat. “Word.”

Both women stretched their gloved hands out. Flash watched as patches of the floor lifted up, forming into a miniature stage, several amps, and a robust guitar collection.

“Oh wow...” Flash Sentry cupped his cheeks as stars formed in his eyes. “Oh wowwwww... pink guitars.” He shook from head to toe with mixed joy and awe. “I could never... ever afford to own these in real life!”

“Of course you could!” Cinderella smiled. “You just keep holding yourself back.”

“Even still...” He made for the stage—but struggled with scaling it. Belle reached in from behind, gently grasped his waist, and gave the boi a little boost. “Th-thanks...” He approached one of the guitars—one with a floral print emblazoned across its finish—and held the weight of it in happy hands. “...it's just so unashamedly fruity.”

“God's candy,” Belle said with a wink. “Or so I am told.”

“Let's give it a test run, eh?” Flash held two fingers up in the air. Cinderella zapped them from a distance with finger-gun gesture, and a pick materialized in Flash's grasp. “Hah. Nifty.” Holding his breath, he strummed on the guitar, performing the intro to Smoke on the Water. “Oh wow!” He giggled. “It's already perfectly tuned!”

“Would you prefer it needing to be?” Belle asked. “Perhaps it would give you something to pass the time with in your safe space.”

“No. What I'd prefer...” Flash bit his bottom lip. Then, holding his breath, he shredded the craziest and most intense part of Radiohead's Paranoid Android. He came out of the guitar solo, panting, as if he had just survived Splash Mountain. “H-holy cow...!”

His two favorite princesses applauded, smiling brilliantly.

“Glorious!”

“Way to go, Flash!”

“A regular maestro in the making!”

“That... was way too perfect...” He looked at his fingers with a beaming smile. “And not a single blister! Oh, how I'd long for this...” His expression dulled slightly. “...in r-real life.”

He felt a twinge of dizziness. Flash Sentry envisioned warm arms. A shower faucet. A toilet flushing. Washing hands... apple slices... ham and cheese... then bedsheets once again.

Slowly—navigating slight trembles—Flash placed the pink guitar back on its stand. “She's really taking her sweet time, isn't she?”

“It would be folly to attempt keeping count, Flash Sentry,” Cinderella said.

Belle continued—as if both princesses channeled the same voice. “Some of those visions are echoes.”

“I... uh...” Flash Sentry approached the edge of the freshly-conjured stage. “I see.”

“Do not worry.” Cinderella gently grasped him and helped him down from the stage. “Sunset Shimmer would never put you into a trance so long that it would harm you.”

“Regardless,” Belle added, “If you are feeling uncomfortable about the whole procedure, there is still the kill-switch.”

“N-no...” Flash shook his head. “I trust Sunset. Besides...” He touched two fingers together. “I can sense how much this means to her.”

“She expects that it will mean much to you as well,” Cinderella said. “The both of you should benefit.”

“Yeah. And...” He sighed, but summoned a tender smile. “So should her friends, I'm thinking.”

Silence.

“Would you like to work on the west wing of the Castle?” Belle asked.

Flash looked pleasantly up at her. “You read my mind.”

“It is our job, after all,” Cinderella said, reaching down to take his hand.

He giggled, delighted to hold hands with the amazonian monarch. He walked side by side with her, reveling in the proximity of her shiny blue ballgown skirts. “Butts almighty,” he exclaimed. “Your gloves feel sooooooo smooth.”

“We can produce some for you too, darling,” Belle said, walking behind. “We can make you any outfit you like.”

Flash gulped, his cheeks turning red. “How about...” His eyes fixated on a distant point in his mind. “...a ballroom?”

Belle's outstretched hand sparkled with simulated magic. At last, she curled her gloved hands and lowered it by her well-dressed figure.

“That seems spacious enough!” She turned around to gaze down upon Flash. “Unless—of course—you want the ceiling raised more.”

“Gravity does not need its usual set of rules here, Flash,” Cinderella said with a wink. “It doesn't even need the marble columns.”

“Unless of course...” Belle let out a tiny laugh, smiling warmly. “You enjoy the marble columns. It gives the place a sense of antiquity, does it not?”

Silence.

“Flash, sweetie?” Cinderella asked.

He stood in the center of the circular chamber. The platinum-tiled floor was so damned polished that he could see his own reflection as perfectly as in a mirror's. He could even make out the murals of the ceiling just by looking at the floor. Frescoes of Baroque-style angels and saints lunged in a frozen dance amidst cloudy sky patterns. All throughout, an amber hue of light flickered romantically, cast by hundreds of candles affixed to the surrounding columns and walls. The flames had a scent to them—floral with the hint of spice, and—impossibly—the wax never melted.

“It's just... so...” Flash sniffled, wiping a tear from his eye as he cracked a girlish grin. “...story-bookish!”

Belle giggled. “Well, I would hope so!”

“It's every little girl's dream come true to be a princess—and live in a princess' domain!” Cinderella said.

Flash laughed long and hard, wiping another tear away. “Okay. That's not true...”

“But for you, sweetie?”

“Yeahhhhhhhh...” Flash exhaled long and hard, hugging himself with a drunken expression. “Too right.”

“So...?” Belle strolled closer, her heels clapping lightly against the polished ballroom floor. Flash did his damnedest not to look at the reflection beneath her poofy skirt. “Is she happy?” A knowing smile. “This little girl, that is?”

Flash blushed... and blushed some more. He tried looking away from her—at the floor—but the polish forced him to stare into his own beet-red face.

“Well...?” Belle's voice musically teased him.

“Mmmmmmmm...” He covered his face, legs turning pigeon-toed. “...yyyyyes.”

Belle giggled. She gracefully held a hand out towards the boi.

Curious, Flash looked at her gloved fingers lingering so close to him. He reached up and gently grasped them.

Cinderella waved her hand from afar. A tiny cloud of wind materialized beneath Flash.

“Whoah—!” He gasped, feeling himself lift up by a foot and a half. It was just the height needed to make what happened next slightly less awkward.

Belle grasped both of his hands, swaying with the boi. Flash—his heart all a'flutter—gasped as he felt Belle leading him into a gentle waltz. The two drifted delicately across the heart of the ballroom. Flash felt like he was gliding on ice, and every time his overwhelmed senses felt he might lose balance and topple over, Belle pulled him closer, swinging him gently into the rhythm that kept the two of them from faltering. At last, Belle instigated a twirl. Flash spun on one foot—and finally fell backwards. Belle caught him, carried the momentum of the fall, and spun herself with a twirl of her skirts, all the while cradling the petite boi.

Flash fell into a fit of giggles, his teary eyes clenched shut as he curled up in the giantess' perfumed grasp. When the spinning was done, he lay breathless in her arms, his moist eyes absorbing the splendor of the room while Cinderella's applause tickled his ears from a distance.

“Bravo!” Cinderella cheered, shuffling closer. “Bravissimo!”

“Did you have fun, sweetie?” Belle asked.

“Mmmmmm...” Flash merely curled up tighter in her embrace, hiding his face in her shoulder.

“You know what would make this perfect.” Belle leaned in and nose-kissed the boy. “If you were wearing a ballgown of your own.”

“Oh please let us make you one!” Cinderella cooed, gloved hands clasped together as her expression beamed. “We can make you as many dresses as you like!”

“... … ...” Flash cleared his throat. “Let's... uhm... f-finish the castle first...”

Once flight was entered into the equation—a laughably simple improvisation suggested by Cinderella—Flash was able to more accurately survey the landscape he was crafting. A levitating stage coach had been conjured: something that gave Flash something to giggle incessantly over. From high above, the three observed the foundation that the castle was built onto. Flash decided that the plateau needed to be more like a mesa... and then he fixated on something even stupider.

With the princess chaperons' help, he made the elevated hilltops steeper and steeper until they had cliff-faces with sheer drops into a frothy rapids. He drew the surrounding mountain peaks closer—along with their waterfalls. What resulted was something akin to Rivendell from the cinematic Lord of the Wings, except if it had been filmed in the Swiss alps instead.

Raging waters surged their way down an eroded river valley, and the castle now stood on these precariously chunks of rocks rising up out of the tumult. Feeling playful, Flash had narrow bridges spanning the gaps, connecting separate wings—more like “houses”—of the castle. The throneroom stood out on a terrestrial extension, flanked by so many waterfalls that perpetual rainbows hung in the misty air. Bridges led to another portion of the castle that contained the ballroom, the musical stage, the dining room, the kitchen, the servants' quarters, and more.

Finally, there was the largest earthen platform of all. Here, the architecture resembled an 18th Century manor more than a traditional castle. This was to be the living quarters—containing the bedroom and library and tea room and more. It was elevated above the rest of the structures, and its round construction housed tall glass windows that looked out on the fantastically beautiful landscape.

But Flash wasn't done there. With the princesses' help, he designed a fabulous lawn surrounding the north and west ends of the manor. There was the stereotypical hedge maze—of course—but beyond that he had a miniature forest of fruit trees, an emerald green pasture, and finally row upon row upon row of flowery gardens. Roses, lavenders, tulips, hydrangeas—the works. He had patterns form: gardens that were too intricate to be maintained easily in real life. From the outstretched balcony of the manor's second and third stories, the flower arrangements easily matched the prettiest, cutest, and most sugar-sweet emoji's Flash had ever dared to plop down onto his phone. The realization here made him blush like a virgin bride, and it summoned more than a little bit of laughter from both Cinderella and Belle.

The bedroom of the manor turned out to be laughably epic. On the second floor of the building, he arranged an immense room looking out onto the western gardens. It was a half-circle—nearly fifty percent of the manor's available floor space and an impossible feat of architecture in real life. His bed—an immense fluffy burgundy thing with mahogany framework—sat in the dead center of the room. The rest of the chamber was furnished with plush reading seats, coffee tables, and an entire portion dedicated to the most stupidly elaborate vanity ever conceived... which was ironic because Flash didn't know the first thing about arranging (much less applying) makeup.

The second half of the manor—the other half-circle—was going to be dedicated to nothing but wardrobe. Literally, the majestic building was about to become thirty-three percent walk-in closet. One could fit an entire army inside, much less an arrangement of dresses. But just as the magic was about to hit its peak...

...Flash Sentry suggested the three of them “take a break.”

And that's how Flash, Cinderella, and Belle found themselves seated on the balcony overlooking the gardens west of the manor. The air was sweeter than sweetness itself—a dancing mixture of the floral scents from the garden colliding with the lavender perfume that Flash had chosen to assault the entire manor interior with.

“You know...” Belle sat on a chair before a table with an elaborate tea set for three. She smoothed out her skirts and smiled across the way at Flash. “...this realm need not rely on natural space.”

“Okay...” Flash nodded, sitting in his own enormous chair and hugging his knees to his chest. “...meaning?”

Cinderella blew at the contents of her teacup before taking a gentle sip. “The manor,” she said. She balanced the cup and saucer delicately in her gloved hands. “Things can be bigger on the inside.”

“Such as the closet.” Belle winked. “Take one step inside, and it's as large as an amusement park.”

Flash couldn't help but laugh.

Cinderella giggled. “What's so funny, darling?”

“I'm just imagining Neo from The Matrix,” Flash said. “Except—in a pink suit and with Elton John Glasses.” He waved a hand through the air, turning his girlish voice raspy: “Dresses. Lots of dresses.” He giggled again.

Cinderella and Belle likewise let laughter fly over the tea table. They leaned forward in their seats.

“We can work on the wardrobe next if you like, Flash.”

“We know you have lots of ideas to share.”

“Mmmmm...” Flash hugged his knees tighter, gazing down at the scrumptious treats arranged across the table between them. “Yeah.”

Silence.

“Flash, sweetie...” Cinderella placed her cup and saucer down. She clasped her hands together while giving the boi a kind look. “...is there a reason you won't let us make this part of the dream come true?”

“It's no secret to us that you would greatly desire it,” Belle said. “But you keep holding back—even when we ask you about it.”

He bit his lip, staring up at them. “Are you 'programmed' to ask me that? Or is that just my stupid brain making you?”

Belle bore a calm smile. “At this point, Flash, they're both one in the same.”

Flash felt a sore lump form in his throat. He gazed west—at the beauty and colors and splendor that had been conjured. “It... was so very nice of Sunset to give me this 'safe space.' Truth is... I-I've always had a safe space... some imagined spot in my head where I'd retreat to. All my life. When things got lonesome.” A gulp. “And they got lonesome a lot.”

Cinderella slowly shook her head. “You don't consider this place any different?”

“Oh, don't get me wrong! This place is incredible!” Flash's eyes widened briefly. “It feels so visceral and real and tangible...” A slight wince, and he deflated even further in his seat. “But I know it's not.”

Belle nodded. “The real world is out there.” She waved a gloved hand. “And Sunset Shimmer is preparing something absolutely real for you for when you wake.” A pleasant smile. “This place here is simply meant as a way for you to relax—both now and for future visits.”

“Yeah, but the thing is...” Flash stifled a whimper, practically curling into a fetal position in the chair. “... … … how do I know I won't just ruin it?”

“Ruin what, sweetie?”

“Whatever it is that Sunset Shimmer is preparing for me,” Flash muttered. “I'll make a waste of it.” He sniffled. “I ruin every opportunity that comes my way.”

“Just because you feel that way about your past does not mean it will be the only manifestation of your future,” Cinderella said.

“What—are you two prophets now??” Flash snapped.

The two chaperons were silent.

“I...” Flash covered his face, squeaking. “I-I'm sorry.” He wiped the fresh tears from his eyes. “You two have been nothing but kind to me, and here I am being rude and insensitive...”

“We're mental constructs, Flash,” Cinderella said with a calm smile. “You do not need to worry about hurting our feelings.”

“Still, it's no way for me to act.” Flash sniffled, his face wet as he trembled. “It's just fitting that I'd find myself in a place like this. All I ever think about is myself. Magnolia and my parents are right. I'm just so... dang lazy and s-selfish...”

“There is no question that you feel that way,” Belle said. “But if there was truth to this—you wouldn't be feeling so miserable right now.”

“You wouldn't be constantly punishing yourself like you are right now,” Cinderella added.

Flash's moist eyes darted around. “Punishing... myself...”

The two princesses nodded.

“That's...” Flash gulped. “...that's all I do, isn't it?”

Belle gracefully held her hands out.

Flash looked at her. With slight trembles, he dropped down from his chair, walked across the meager space between them, and climbed up into her embrace.

The regal giantess easily cradled the young man as if he were a child. Between her soft bosom and the plush layers of her upper skirts, it was as if Flash floated in a silken cloud. He curled up against her, gazing off with a thousand-mile stare as she gently and lovingly caressed his face and hair. Cinderella scooted closer in her seat, sitting so close that Flash was nearly cocooned in princessdom. He felt Cinderella reaching out and squeezing his hand. There was nowhere left for him to go but inward.

He went there on a river of tears.

“Even in a dreamworld—a place of pure fantasy—I can't allow myself to be fully happy. I always gotta hold back... to lay down a line that I can't ever cross. It's stupid. I'm stupid.”

“You mustn't say that, sweetie—”

“What other way is there to describe it?” he whimpered. “The last few waking days have been filled with Sunset doing everything to cheer me up. And I don't give her an inch of satisfaction or respect. It's so pathetic.”

“She's patient with you.”

“I know. But she deserves more.” Flash clenched his eyes shut. “She deserves more than me.”

“She's told you about the Harmonic Fountain,” Cinderella said.

“And the Harmonic Well,” Belle added, stroking his forehead.

“I-I know...” Flash clenched his teeth. “And it's just too good to be true.”

“Why too good?” Cinderella asked. “It sounds quite pressure-some.”

“It puts a lot of weight on you,” Belle said. “Maybe it hasn't dawned upon you yet.”

Flash's teary eyes stared past the two princesses. “... … ...I guess... I-I guess being such an... mmmm... object for Sunset and her friends would be... … … a labor in and of itself.”

“Have you considered the full scope of what they desire and need?” Belle asked. “You're not the only one in your world dealing with intense... consuming selfishness.”

“Sunset has done so much to hold herself back,” Cinderella said. “Internally and externally. There is a constant struggle—and you know it. The struggle between wanting to respect you and needing to use you.”

“And in the end...” Flash shuddered. “...she's still managing to be so... so very nice to me.” He rubbed his cheeks dry and sniffled. “You weren't kidding. You two really are just bouncing off my brainwaves, huh?”

Both princesses laughed.

“Oh, how we wish we could be more genuine and sincere for you, Flash,” Belle said, caressing his face.

“But the truth is...” Cinderella leaned in to kiss his forehead. “...the true warmth and love is waiting for you out there. In reality.”

“Maybe you still feel the need to punish yourself,” Belle said. “To rob yourself. But...” She leaned in and kissed his forehead right where Cinderella had. “...maybe Sunset and her friends can help melt that away.”

“If you let them,” Cinderella said.

“If you just... let go and give into that supposed 'selfishness.'”

Flash stammered. “Let go.”

The chaperons merely stared at him.

“L-let go...” Flash sniffled, curling up against Belle. He felt fitful sobs peaking in his lungs. “Let go...”

The two regal constructs simply embraced him, patient and soft.

“All my life...” Flash closed his eyes. “...I've dreamed of being a princess. Of being saved. I've fantasized so long about being rescued by Prince Charming.” His eyes reopened, wide and wet. “But I've f-fantasized about being kidnapped and ravaged by the dragon as w-well! It's... it's so unbelievably crazy and selfish to want both. And yet... I-I want it to happen. I want to lose control... to be weak and helpless and just... let go... and let someone I trust do whatever to me. Choose for me. Dream for me.”

The feminine presence surrounding him nodded and playfully tapped his nose.

“You can have that, Flash.”

“Sunset—and her friends—they want that as much as you do.”

“But they're holding back—like any sane human being would.”

“It's not just you holding back.”

“They want to make sure that you're okay.”

“That you're okay with what's about to unfold.”

“That you can accept the risks—just as they do.”

“That you can go on this adventure together.”

Flash shivered between the two. “And... and what if it's too scary? What if I-I want out?”

“We truly believe that Sunset and her friends will have put that into consideration.”

“And you believe that too.”

“Yes...” Flash nodded. “...yes... I-I guess I do believe that.”

There were smiles. Warmth. The scent of flowers. It all spiraled together, and Flash was too comfortably curled up in the heart of it all to realize that the horizons were starting to fade.

“I... uh...” Flash smiled vulnerably. “I think I'm ready to work on that wardrobe now.”

“Oh sweetie.” A gloved finger tapped his nose. “There's only one problem with that.”

“Oh?” He blinked. “What's that?”

The faces dissolved. The last thing he saw were their smiles, conjoining into one.

“You are waking up...”

One after the other...

...Flash's pretty eyes fluttered open. He was lying on his back. In Sunset Shimmer's bed. Faint traces of morning light squeezed in through the edges of the dark curtains. And...

Sunset Shimmer sat on the edge of the bed, her Amazonian figure coming into focus. She situated herself there with grace and poise, having evidently waited a long time for this moment: Flash's awakening. For all Flash knew, she had to have been sitting there—gazing lovingly at his petite figure—for hours on end. But now—as the boi came to—the moment of truth had blossomed, and her teeth showed behind her smile.

“Wakey-wakey, sleepyhead.

“Mrmmmfff... 'sleepyhead?'” He reached two hands up and rubbed his temple. “M-more like... cl-cluttered head...”

“Oh?” She cocked her head aside, arching an eyebrow. “Feeling a migraine, are we?”

“Actually...?” Flash blinked. He felt like he had just run a mental marathon, and yet a million magical images of castle interiors and princess ballgowns and mountainous waterfalls all faded in a blink. “...I feel alright.” A surprised shudder. “Clear-headed.”

“Wonderful!” Sunset giggled, leaning in to nuzzle his forehead like the horse-girl she was. “Then it worked!” She leaned back, giving him a womany wink. “You have no idea how happy I am that you didn't opt for one of the kill-switches.”

“That...” Flash stirred and sat up. “...was a remarkable experience...” He realized that he didn't exactly need to stretch his limbs. His body should have felt stiff from lying down for so long, and yet his joints felt loose and limber. “...I couldn't even pretend to describe it.”

“Sounds like Princess Cinderella and Belle were polite chaperons,” Sunset said. “I would have expected no less.”

“How did you—?” Flash stopped his stupid self midway. He glanced at Sunset's wrists—and the lack of beaded bracelets. “Oh yeah.”

“In any case...” Sunset reached out and caressed his cheek. “...it's so nice to have you back, sweetie—”

“!!!” Instinctively, Flash reached out and grasped her hand with both of his.

“???” Sunset studied him curiously.

His tiny fingers kneaded her amazonian palm, reveling in the warmth. A soft sigh rolled through the boi, and he managed a tiny smile. “S-sorry...”

“Don't be—”

“Just...” Flash looked up at her with warm eyes. “...that place you conjured for me was nice and all, but—”

“You're happier with someone real.” Sunset clasped her other hand over his, squeezing him back. “I understand that, Flash. I also appreciate it.”

He breathed with relief.

“It takes some adjusting to, Flash,” Sunset continued. “The girls didn't know what to make of their 'safe spaces' either. Not at first, at least. Eventually, they learned to take the spell for what it is: an artificial haven for meditation and relaxation. Since we first started with the exercise, they've learned to summon the vision at will—lucidly—within their dreams.”

“So...” Flash's eyes narrowed. “I can go back there later?”

Sunset nodded. “The vision is safely sealed away in a corner of your mind. All you need to do is wish yourself there while unconscious. And—if necessary—I can lend my gifts to help strengthen the focus. Believe me... you've only begun to sculpt that place into a piece of art.”

“It's... it's really special, Sunset. And... and I thank you for giving me such a gift.” Flash gulped. “But... I-I think I prefer reality... at least in theory.”

“Heeheehee...” Sunset patted his hands and let go. “The girls feel the same way. Of course...” Her eyes rolled above a coy smile. “...we've all found a way to make reality a lot more alluring than fantasy.”

Flash gulped upon hearing that. He chose to change the subject. “So... uhhh—”

The amazonian telepath was way ahead of him. “You want to know how long you were under.”

“Yeah...?”

Sunset casually spilled: “About six days.”

Flash's jaw dropped “... … ...six days?!?”

“Mmmmmhmmm.” Sunset brushed her fiery hair back and nodded at the petite boi. “That's right.”

“But... but...” Flash gulped. “...the dream. It... it felt like I was only under for a few hours.”

“And how I envy you.” Sunset winked. “I wish time could have flown for me just as quickly. Buttttt... unlike you, I couldn't afford to spend it all in the dreamworld. I had to get a lot of things done, after all! First off, there was those commissions that had to be made by Rarity. Then ordering that other stuff with Cadance. Then making reservations—”

“Huh? What?” Flash shook his head and waved his arms. “Hold up! St-stop the crazy train for a second—!”

“Yup! Been running around like a unicorn with its head cut off! But it's all going to be worth it. I'm certain—”

“How... exactly...” Flash stirred. He rubbed his belly, but found that he wasn't particularly hungry. “Six days...”

“Oh, don't worry.” Sunset reached in and ruffled his silky blue hair. “You took food breaks.”

“Food... breaks...?”

“And bathroom breaks. And shower breaks. You even got to change your clothes and brush your teeth when it was necessary.”

“Uhhhh...”

“That should explain the fact that your muscles haven't atrophied,” Sunset said. Winking. “Since we both know you're wondering about that...”

“I... got up several times to do all that?” Flash asked.

“That's right, sweetie.” She tossed her hair with a smug, proud look. “With some help, of course.”

Flash fidgeted in bed, clasping his hands together. He remembered a dream-within-a-dream: visions of wandering through dimly-lit rooms like a shuffling zombie... rinsing his hair and body... flushing a toilet... washing his hands... eating sandwiches and apple slices. Yes, he had been consistently distracted by the likes of Princess Belle and Cinderella, but there were moments... undeniable episodes in the midst of it all where he was certain that another Flash was enduring another life in the background of the entire experience.

“So... I hadn't just imagined all of that...” Flash's lips pursed. He winced slightly. “Wait... Sunset... did... d-did you bathe me?”

“Oh no no no no, sweetie.” Sunset giggled. She fought hard to resist the urge to hug him outright, so instead she settled for resting a giantess' hand on his shoulder. “I sequestered your lucid consciousness into the compartmentalized safe haven. Meanwhile, your body slept here, sometimes for hours on end. But at least five times a day I made sure you got up to take care of necessities—both hygienic and otherwise.”

“Soooooooooo...” Flash's nose scrunched. “...basically mind-control.”

“Mmmmmmmm-more like autopilot.” Sunset smiled, squeezing his shoulder. “Although you did babble a bit on the way to and from the bathroom.”

“B-babbled?” Flash clutched a length of bedsheets to his tender chest. “Babbled about what?”

Sunset looked up at the ceiling, tapping her chin. “Hmmmmm... if I didn't know better... an entire thesaurus' worth of adjectives for describing dress fabric.”

“Geughhhhh...” Flash covered his reddening face. “...I'm scared to even think.”

“You can be the judge yourself,” Sunset said, stretching and cracking her joints. “If I ever decide to show you the footage.”

Flash blinked. Hard. “Footage.”

“Aaaaaaaanyways...” Sunset leaned her massive frame in and gently kissed Flash on the forehead. “Today is a very... very special day.”

He breathed into her warmth. “It is?”

“That's right,” she whispered, leaning back and smiling down at him. “Flash—sweetie—do you remember what we talked about just before I put the spell on you?”

“You mean... when you put me to sleep?”

“Do you remember what I asked?”

He gulped. “You asked if I trusted you.”

“And do you trust me?”

The boi took a deep breath. “Yes.” He couldn't help but shiver. “A thousand times, yes.”

Sunset looked at his trembling limbs, then back at his face. “Does it... frighten you to put so much trust in me.”

He bit his lip.

“Be honest,” she said.

He slowly—nervously nodded. “Yes.”

Her lips pursed. “I'm glad,” Sunset purred.

Flash's heart skipped a beat.

“Do you know why today is a special day...?” She reached out, toying with her finger across his chin and neck.

“Uhm...” Flash squirmed in bed, feeling his small body stirring all over. In the feathery-softest of special places. “...wh-why?”

“Because you're not going to be in control of it,” Sunset said firmly. There was a caustic mix of valkyrie acid laced at the end of her tongue, and she sliced the air in such a way to shake the lilac scent between them. “I will be in complete control. Complete control over what we do. Complete control over where we go.” Her fingers clasped around his cheek and ear, and Flash felt that—with just the tiniest of squeezes—the Amazonian could easily crush his skull. “Complete control over you.”

His eyes twitched, locked on her commanding expression.

“So long as you trust me, I promise that I will make you feel very very happy...” Her tongue shifted against the inside of her lips. A serpent ready to lunge. “And very very uncomfortable.” A slow shake of the head. “It won't be up to you which comes first—or at all. Do you understand?”

Flash squeezed his legs together, thigh muscles trembling. The boi clenched his everything, fighting against a cowardly bead of nectar forming in the nub of his crotch. “I... I-I understand.”

Sunset's teeth showed. “Do not lie to me.”

Flash whimpered, clutching the sheets tighter. “I... I-I'm still confused, but...” A surrendering breath. “I-I trust you.” His fingers turned briefly steady as he remembered the conversation he had with the regal chaperons and their pristine smiles. “And... a-and I want you to have complete control. Please, Sunset... r-rescue me.”

“Or... … …?”

Flash fought. Flash nearly fainted. Flash squeaked: “R-ravage me.”

“Hmmmmm...” Sunset stroked her hand up, caressing his head and bangs. “Good girl.”

Flash exhaled softly—

FWOOSH! Sunset yanked the bedsheets off him in one savage motion, exposing his tiny frame in nothing but his dark briefs. He gasped and made to cover his tender nipples—

—but soon found himself being cradled in Sunset's strong arms like he was a domestic cat. She giggled—her laughter shaking Flash's entire frame—and he flinched helplessly as she leaned in and rubbed noses with the boi more than once... twice... thrice.

“Ohhhhhh Celestiaaaaa...” Sunset struggled to contain her excitement, but failed. “Heeheeheee... I'm going to have sooooooooooo much fun with you this week.”

Flash wheezed, weak and dizzy in her arms. “This week?”

“From now on...” She smiled sharply at him. “...you're no longer Flash Sentry.” He felt a squeeze all over as she asserted her majesty. “You are Flash Sissy... my doll. To toy with as I please.”

He felt his heart thudding against his tiny chest. “Uhhhhh...”

“But...” Sunset's voice softened slightly. “...we're still going to go about this carefully, Flash. Your safety is my prime concern. Sooooo... you're going to go and take a shower. And while you do, I want you to think of something.”

“Something? Something like what?”

“A word,” Sunset said firmly. “A single word. Something simple. Preferably two syllables. Think of something that... you're not particularly fond of or attached to... that you would have no problem pronouncing in a blink.” She smiled lovingly at him. “Do you think you can do that? For me? For us?”

Flash blinked innocently, throwing on a crooked smile. “S-sure thing, Sunset! Whatever you say.”

“Miss Shimmer.”

“... … ...huh?”

“Today... and until I say otherwise.” Her eyes hardened. “You address me as 'Miss Shimmer.”

“Uhm... okay.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“Meep!” Flash swallowed an infinitesimal galaxy down his throat and rasped: “Yes, Miss Shimmer.”

“Good.” Sunset exhaled, and a soft expression broke through the veneer. With moist eyes that took in the depths of him, almost disbelieving that this moment had arrived. She leaned in, placing her forehead against his. Flash heard her mumble something—low and beneath her breath—perhaps some pony prayer of thanks from beyond an arcane mirror. A slight sniffle, and she threw her smug smile back on as she placed him down on trembling feet “Now go to the shower. You'll find... some things I've left for you there. And a note.”

“Y-yes, Miss Shimmer...” And he stumbled away, feeling cold and nearly naked.

“And remember what I told you to do!” She swung a hand—but not very far. It still made firm contact with his posterior.

Slap!

“Aaaackies!” With a jump, the boi hurried across her room, as if propelled by her palm. The valkyrie's laughter baptized his stinging backside while he scampered, and Flash couldn't feel more scared.

And alive.