Flash was at it again. Sneaking out of his Aunt's home and going to the Martial Arts Class. However, he decided to wake up a little earlier than 4:50. A mighty 4:30. By the time he made it near the place it was already 4:45. So this time around he could ensure he didn't have to do a 'Great Favour'

So again it was completely pitch black outside. But he didn't head towards the Dojo this time around. He decided to take a detour. Going straight for a café .

He decided to finally put the money he'd been given, against his will to good use. And so he could maybe do a little independent exploring of his own.

It wasn't that far from the Dojo. It was only a small walk down the street. Reaching the place, it wasn't anything too special. Just your ordinary café. So walking inside, he got the usual ambiance and atmosphere that a person would get walking in a café. Food on display, tables with people occupying them. The fundamentals.

Flash had even gone as far as bringing cue cards with him. On them was a few basic things.

• Hello: Konichiwa
• I would like a Muffin please: Muffin o kudasai
• Thank you: Arigato

Flash got in line. In one pocket. Was his cash, in the other. Was the one cue card he had. He was, really nervous. He pretty much only had one scenario in his mind. And that was him being completely laughed at because of the one whole attempt.

The Line moved fast. Only making Flash just a bit more nervous. So much so that as the few minutes progressed. He was the next person to go up.

Flash walked up to the clerk. A female wearing the usual for the establishment. A cap with logo plastered on it and an apron. She smiled, greeting Flash. "こんにちは (Hello.)"

Flash smiled back. Raising his hand. "uh こんにちは"

Right then and there. The Clerk knew what was up. Her smile only grew bigger because of Flash's awkward tone. She would've just spoken English right there. But at the same time, this was a once in a year occurrence for this clerk. So she let him go on. Politely nodding her head.

Flash's eyes widened a little. This was it for him. He nervously gulped. Speaking. "Um... a Muffin...kudasai?" He quickly put on a smile. Albeit a sheepish looking one. But anything to make him look completely confident in his own craft. His own, horribly articulated craft.

The Clerk let out a loud snicker. Trying not to laugh at Flash's expense. Flash pretty much read the message that he probably sounded like an idiot. It made his face blush a little red. But the clerk nodded, "マフィン1個。 すぐに来ます！(One Muffin. Coming Right up!")

She knelt down. Reached for a pair of tongs and grabbed a Muffin with chocolate chips. Putting it in a paper bag. She grabbed a marker and wrote on the bag. Something for his expense. Getting back up, she handed him the bag. Letting him read it.

"A lot of food places here are English Friend...ly..." Flash's eyes narrowed out of just realizing what had just happened. "Oh..."

The clerk burst out laughing upon Flash reading that. Letting Flash wallow in his own embarrassment. When she finally calmed down. She spoke, albeit with a thick accent. "I assumed you were not from around here when you said Hi."

Flash smiled sheepishly. Scratching the back of his head. "Umm...Yeah. I'm not. I K-Kinda just didn't how to exactly approach this whole thing."

She smiled. "That's alright. Just next time you come around. You are allowed to speak English."

"I--Alright." Flash sighed. "How much will it be?"

"105 yen."

Flash had only brought with him one 10,000 Yen Bill. As he didn't actually have any coins with him. He handed her the bill. A bit hesitantly. "Um...will this do?"

"Mhm." She nodded. "I'm going to assume you've never actually payed for anything here either?"

"N-No. Not really."

"Well let me just give you the change and you should be on your way." She handed him a two 5,000 Yen Bills and a few coins. Nodding. "Have a nice day."

Flash smiled. Sighing. "Uh yeah you two." He turned the other way. Walking out of the establishment. Upon doing so, he immediately began scolding himself in his head. "STUPID! WHY DIDN'T I JUST SEARCH THIS UP BEFORE?!

Flash entered the Dojo. It was still much before 5:00. 4:57 ish. But he had a few minutes to spare. But upon entering. He watched as Akira Sensei ran past him, grabbing his yet to be eaten Muffin.

Flash was stunned. Widening his eyes to see that his food was gone. He looked up. Seeing Akira Sensei already munching on it. "Hey!?"

Akira Sensei looked up at him. Chuckling. "It has seems you've completed for me another 'Great Favour' by getting me breakfast."

"But--That was mine!" Flash retorted. "I-I payed for that."

"Well I appreciate the polite gesture." He then pointed at the broom. Now, if you could do me another 'Great Favour' and sweep the place. Hopefully this time you'll more than a measly passing grade."

"Wha--I!? Ye-HaO…" Flash let out a very annoyed sigh upon making all that noise. Eventually just obeying and starting for the broom. "Whatever."

Grabbing it. He began sweeping the floors. Takin' his usual time. "So please say were not doing any more stances."

"What those. Those were only the basic stances. There is so much more that you'll have to learn overtime."

"Great... So then what are we doing today."

Akira Sensei took a bite into the muffin. "Apply some stances that you used from yesterday. You will delve into Basic hand and arm movement. Strikes and blocks to be more or less precise."

Flash arched an eyebrow. "I thought Taekwondo was all about High Kicks?"

"It is emphasized. Not all about. Huge difference. There are still hand techniques that students learn. And if you pick up the pace, we might actually be able to start the class at 5 sharp."

Flash sighed. Continuing to sweep the floor. "At least I'll learn something useful today."

"Oh and once you're done. I'm gonna need you tie a rope onto that ceiling fan over there. It'll be apart of the lesson so just bear with me."

Flash's eyes narrowed. "Even if I have to be a housekeeper."

"Shoot!"

"What's wrong?"

Sabrina Sentry was on her laptop. Looking through her Calendar she found that she had an event she had to go to with one of her old-time friends. Cranky Doodle leaned against the doorway, utterly confused. "Uhh…I said--"

"Tia's only gonna be free on the 30th. That's when Flash's coming back to Canterlot."

"Oh...so then just reschedule."

"I can't reschedule. The 30th is the only day Tia's free. She's mainly busy throughout this whole month. Plus we haven't hung in a while."

Cranky Doodle folded his arms arching an eyebrow. "Well then, just tell him to take cab."

"Yea and just make him pay a whole lot for a Taxi Fare. NO!"

"Well you gotta do something."

She sighed. Rubbing her temples as she found herself in a horrible situation. "Well I'll have to call him and maybe figure something out. If he can't get a ride then I'll have to cancel on me and Tia's hangout." She reached for her phone. Prompting to call Flash.

However Cranky again interjected. "Wait isn't it like 5:00 over there. Wouldn't he be asleep right now."

She blinked twice. Setting her phone down and sighing. "Yup. Well maybe I'll just leave him a text to call me later."

Flash stood in the Ready Stance. Watching as Akira Sensei tied a piece of Bamboo onto the rope that Flash had to his best, hung on the ceiling fan.

Akira Sensei looked back at Flash. Ordering him to change stances. "Gunnun!"

Flash changed stances almost immediately. Doing exactly what he did yesterday. Moving his left foot a shoulder length forward and standing on the balls of his feet.

His Sensei then told him to correct his footing. "Left Foot O'Conner!"

Flash narrowed his eyes a little. Moving his foot a little back. Just until he saw Akira raise his hand up to stop him. He walked behind the hanging rope. Opening up the distance between Flash and the bamboo. Introducing the lesson to him. "This is an exercise that will test your own reflexes. You are to stop the bamboo with your dominant index finger. No more no less.

Flash arched an eyebrow. Kind of smirking. "Okay this is gonna be easy. Reflexes? I'm basically king of that."

Akira Sensei held the piece of bamboo. Moving it back, ready to let it swing forward. "Now, raise your finger up and get ready to block it."

Flash nodded. A cocky smile growing as the seconds go by.

Akira Sensei let go of the Bamboo, letting it swing towards Flash's finger. Flash stood there, basically confident that he was gonna pass this with ease.

Until...

"OW!" Flash yelped. As soon as the Bamboo hit the tip of his finger, he let out a yelp because of how much it actually hurt. It was like stubbing his toe, just worst. Flash immediately moved his finger away. Rubbing it and gritting his teeth.

Akira Sensei chuckled. "Isn't as easy as it looks. Does it?"

"Yeah." Flash looked back at his finger. "But how is stopping Bamboo gonna even help with reflexes? Sounds like a recipe for a swollen finger."

"Because, you'll find that you have to stop many things with just the tip of your finger. Maybe even certain strikes if you ever find yourself in that situation." Flash continuously rubbed his finger. However, Akira Sensei didn't cut him any slack. Again, repeating the action. "Again!"

Flash's eyes widened. Quickly he got into stance. Getting the same comment about his foot from earlier. He spent a few seconds moving his left foot so it be in perfect place. Then, the Sensei did it again. Letting the piece of bamboo swing towards Flash's finger.

And like before. Flash yelped. "YOW!"

But of course. Akira Sensei ran the drill back. Repeating "Again" and prompting Flash to get back into stance. He's told to fix his feet placement, The Sensei let's the bamboo swing towards Flash's finger. Of course, the same outcome. Flash yelps. You know the story.

Akira Sensei folded his arm. Raising an eyebrow. "I'm sensing that this is not working."

Flash gave the teacher a blank stare. "Yea...ya think?"

"Wait, wait, wait, wait....Wait." Then. Out of the blue, a remembering expression came to the teacher. Looking as if he'd remember something very vital to the whole thing. Which he did. Letting it be known to Flash. "I just realized we've been doing this whole thing wrong."

Flash's shoulders dropped. With that, so did his jaw on cue. He merely muttered. In disbelief "All wrong?"

"Yeah. I think you're supposed to actually thrust your right arm forward as the Bamboo's coming at you." He chuckled at his own mistake. Shrugging. "Well we all make mistakes sometimes."

On the outside. Flash merely nodded in agreeance. Not wanting to cause a scene. But in his mind...

"HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATE! I HATE THIS SO MUCH! WHY?! WHY DID I LET FIRESTAR TALK ME INTO THIS. OH MY GAAWWWWD!"

He let out a very heavy sigh before getting back into stance. Like before, he went through the usual routine. Fixing his foot placement and all. But now, this time would be different. This time for sure, he was gonna get it right. Bending his elbow and moving his hand back.

Akira Sensei let go of the piece of Bamboo, letting it swing towards Flash. Flash narrowed his eyes on the oncoming object. He thrusted his whole right arm forward. Straightening out his index finger. He thrusted hard enough to make the bamboo swing back. Celebrating at the whole thing. "YEAH! IN YOU FACE ROPE!"

However, much to Akira Sensei's disagreement. "You've done it all wrong."

Flash's eyes widened. His head quickly gawped over towards Akira Sensei's way. "WHAT?!"

"You were to stop it altogether with your index finger. Not make it swing back and then slowly stop. Clearly there is some pent up anger within you." He sighed. "So, you know the drill!"

A chill went down Flash's spine. Knowing that whatever it was started with a 'G' and ended with a 'R'. He shook his head. "NO! NO! NO! NO!--"

***

Flash was scrubbing the floors of the washrooms. He's basically using a sponge, a bucket of water and elbow grease. "This guy needs to hire a janitor who is not me! Man I swear the people who have a class with classmates must be lucky as hell.....

Sunset let out a heavy sigh. Her gaming session wrapped up. Even though she kind of smashed a controller while recording.

"Every time" She let out another sigh before letting all her pent up anger come out of her mouth. Babbiling. Everygoddamntimewiththisdumbassgame!"

But she wasn't alone. She was with a guest. That guest being Fluttershy. Who was scared out of her mind. After witnessing what was Sunset Shimmers rage. Even having a little sympathy for that poor XBOX controller. She raised her hand up a little. Muttering. "So, I'm guessing you've never really played that game before."

Sunset leaned back into her chair. Simply nodding. "Yup." She glanced at Fluttershy. "Everyone, everyone and their mom's can some.how make a squirrel collect as much acorns up a tree as possible. Meanwhile I'm stuck trying to figure out how to make the damn thing go up and pick up one acorn. Man how do you all do it?"

Fluttershy smirked. Giggling a little. "Well I guess a childhood here tends to make you pick up a few things."

"Touché" She sat up straight. Electing to start a new conversation. "So you got any plans after this?"

Fluttershy shrugged. "Well I might go visit Wallflower later and see how her garden's doing. But other than that I'm basically free for the whole afternoon and evening."

"What about Sandalwood?"

"He and Timber are out getting some camping supplies. Next week me and Twilight are going camping."

"What at Everfree?"

"No some other place. We even convinced Rarity to lend us her RV for the weekend."

"Nice..." Sunset turned around to open up her editing software to edit her latest Gameplay video. The turning back around. Letting out another sigh. "Man I kinda wish this whole month could go by super fast..."

"Because of Flash?"

"Because of Flash." Sunset reached for her phone. Looking at the time. "I gotta say. Doing this whole long distance thing can be a little....I don't wanna say annoying but...I don't know."

"Well I'm sure it might be just as hard on him." Fluttershy comforted. "I mean when you're up he's mostly asleep and when he's up. Well more or less you're hibernating."

Sunset smirked. Letting out a snorted. "I'm offended."

Fluttershy shot her a smug look. "Well someone has to say it."

Sunset folded her arms. Leaning back. "Since when did you become the Sassy one."

"Whatever keeps Sandalwood happy at night."

Sunset's expression changed. She rose an eyebrow. "What?"

"Nothing." Fluttershy got up to stretch. "Hey you wanna tag along and go visit Wallflower. I don't feel like driving."

Sunset again smirked. Shaking her head and getting up from off her chair. "Again, since when did you become the sassy one."

Flash stood in stance again. He'd done the drill a few times. The first few times, hurting his finger while the next. Over doing it. But after finally clearing his mind of all that anger he had earlier.

Akira Sensei held the bamboo. Ready to let it swing again. Flash closed his eyes taking a deep breath. Ready to finally overcome the drill.

The teacher let go of the bamboo. Letting it swing towards Flash. Flash opened his eyes. Thrusting his arm out forward, not trying to be too hard with it. He let his index finger collide with the plant. Stopping it. However, watching it swing back slightly before stopping. Still somewhat an improvement over fifteen minutes ago.

Akira Sensei let out a sigh. "You got better. But I still see some soft knockback in that stop." He began to pace around the room. "Nonetheless. I think I can take a quick detour on this session and each you one form of offense."

Flash's eyes lit up a little. Finally hearing that he'll be doing some action. "What exactly?"

"Basic Hand Punches."

Flash's smirked. "Okay, this should definitely be easy. I practically punch people for a living....and take pics of myself punching people to actually make a living..."

Akira Sensei got into the horse stance. A different stance to what Flash was standing in. Going into an exaggerated squat. Putting his fists to the side of his waist. "Remember O'Conner. This is all in the name of self defense. Do not go out in public and start attacking the innocent."

Flash smirked again. As that would be something he'd never do. But he still couldn't help making a blunt comment in his mind. "Till that day comes..."

Akira Sensei put his hands into two proper fists. Making sure not to tuck the thumbs in. Then, in a fluid motion. He began punching the air. Lifting each arm up and thrusting them forward each time. Then bringing them back to his side each time he thrusted his arm.

"Firstly. I want you to get into the Horse Riding stance as that will be more useful for offensive practices It is vital that you make a proper fist. That means no tucking your thumbs in! If you do that you will horribly injure your thumb upon impact."

Flash did exactly that. Spreading his feet out and doing the same exaggerated squat. For the first time that whole class he wasn't told to correct anything. A kind of breath of fresh air for him. Then, reciprocating exactly what the teacher did. Well, almost.

"No-No-No! You're doing it all wrong."

He sighed. Sentry at this point was familiar with the whole thing. "What'd I do?"

Akira Sensei walked up behind him. "Perform one punch."

Flash did as told. Raising his arm up and thrusting it forward. However, mid way through thrusting his arm forward. Akira Sensei put it to halt by grabbing his forearm. "Your transition to flipping your fist right side up is too jagged. Make sure that it is a quick yet smooth movement.

"So how do I do that?"

"Don't be so quick on this one. For a while, I want you to practice punching with your right and left side. At least until I say you can stop."

"Then what?"

"Then we get to the bamboo and...you do me a Great Favour by sweeping the waiting area outside."

Flash's eyes widened a little to that. Politely, he tried to object to the last part. "Well I mean, do I...have to?"

He nodded. "Oh but of course. Without a clean waiting area, nobody will be willing to wait..."

Flash's shoulders dropped and his eye lids lowered. "Man this guy has a thing for everything."

"Shoulders O'Conner!"

Flash's eyes widened again. Raising his shoulders up again, still keeping them relaxed

"So what happened next?"

Flash let out a very relaxed sigh. Sitting on his bed with a small wet towel wrapped around his index finger. "I practiced slowly punching for a very long time. To be honest I didn't count, I was half focused and well...half unfocused so to speak. Then we ran it back, going to the bamboo. I still didn't get it on the first few tries, but eventually. Out of sheer luck, I finally stopped it with my finger. I mean it hurts really bad though but still I stopped it and I'm happy about that."

Firestar was jotting down a bunch of notes in her notepad. "Anything else?"

"Well...I have to do the Bamboo thing everyday now and he showed me this thing called the Knifehand Strike. And gotta say, it is really scary..."

Firestar looked away from the notepad. "Let me guess? He said that it's main purpose is to hit someone in the adams apple to scare them straight as they want to breath. Right?"

"Yup..." Flash took the towel off. With the intent of re-wetting it later. "So anything new at Crime Alley?"

"Well I did a quick check when I got up this morning but it seems to busy with locals right now." Firestar explained. "So no, not yet."

Flash sighed again. Folding his arms. "Man, this might sound irresponsible. But maybe I should sneak out and do a little bit of investigative exploring. Y'know, just to get some more wider intel...so to speak that is."

Firestar raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure? That could be a little dangerous...unless you did it at midnight."

Flash shook his head. "No way. I mean it's kinda bad enough that I don't even know an ounce of Japanese, but sneaking out alone at night? That just doesn't rub me the right way."

"So let me guess...after dinner?"

"After dinner."

Firestar sighed. She knew Flash was capable of going out alone. But the cause was pretty risky. "Sounds like a plan."

Meanwhile, outside Flash's door. Thunderstar stands there, mouth over hand in complete shock.

…..

Author's Note

So like referenced before. Flash was given cash against his will by his mom and her boyfriend while he was in Japan.

If you read the original then you know that It was merely something that was just mentioned. But since I'm trying to literally make this story better. (Not trying to give off the quantity over quality thing) I've been trying to get Flash in this story to interact more with the new environment around him as that's something I did not do in the original. Albeit with him being really, really awkward about it.