I kept twisting and turning. Everything should have been comfortable, yet somehow I couldn’t go to sleep.

Not with these bruises, anyway.

I had too much to focus on. Nearly killing Sunny. Twilight. Flashing Stupid and how he’s gonna be the hero and ruin the day.

That was when I drifted into a dreamless sleep.

“Flash, you okay? You’ve been zoning out a bit much lately…” Auri asked me, “Is it about...Twilight?”

I sighed. “Yes...and no, I guess. I can’t stop thinking about her. But when I finally manage to stop for just a moment, I think about the hundreds of other problems in my life. And it’s honestly quite overwhelming. Ow.” I shifted to a weird position. I could feel pain all over me. What a good impression you’ll make on Twilight. Ugh, and I’m thinking about her again!

“Are you serious? He thinks about her 24/7.” TA commented.

Sunny and Saphie dropped into the seats, followed by Night Star, and then Thunder Spark who could not take his eyes off Sunny. Classic.

I took a bite of my pancakes. This is interesting.

“Um, so how’s everyone?” Sunny tried to spark some conversation.

“Hey everyone!” Shining Armor approached. “Sorry, I need to talk to the Officers about stricter guarding and safety measures.”

Auri bit her lip. “Shining, is it the Heart? Is some pony still trying to steal it?”

Shining sighed. “Not some pony. It’s some ponies. Come on.”

TA, Auri and Night Star raised from their seats and left.

I was still confused. “I’m… gonna go…” Thunder Spark got up and left. This is getting weird.

“Okay. Will someone tell me what in Tartarus is going on between you and Thunder?” I asked Sunny.

A huge flush of red filled her face.

Saphie bit her lip to stop herself from laughing. “Sunny has a crush on Thunder.”

Great. They’re crushing on each other. Should I spoil it to her? “Um, Sunny, believe me when I say this… Thunder is crushing on you as well. He likes you.”

“Seriously? It’s April Fools already?” Sunny rolled her eyes, and had a mouthful of her pancakes.

“No, seriously I mean it. It’s March. A few more days until April, I think.” I reassured her.

“Seriously, Flash, I dunno what guys do all day, but if it’s jokes when it’s not April Fools Day, then someone needs to take you to the doctors.” Sunny rolled her eyes, once again.

“Sunny! I mean it! He told me!” I was annoyed now. Keep it together, Flashing Stupid. Keep. It. Together.

“Uh-huh.” She nodded unconvincingly. “Wait. Oh. My. Celestia. It’s March! March 30th! Do you know what this means?” Sunny suddenly blurted.

“Oh yeah. Did you get her a present?” Saphie replied, much more calm than the hyper pegasus.

Present? What present?

“Oh my Celestia, Flash!” Sunny randomly facehooved, “You have no idea do you? How do you expect to win over a mare if you can’t even remember her birthday?” Uh… what? Wait… is it? Oh shoot. Nope… I do not have a present.

“Ugh! Come on Saphie! Let’s go shopping with Flash,” She forcefully pulled me, wincing slightly. I rolled my eyes and pulled myself away from her.

“I’m coming don’t worry. I’m the one who forgot anyway. But...I also haven’t seen her since...the incident.” I shrugged. Saphie smirked as Sunny tried to pull me again.

“Sorry about her, she wants you two to be together already.” Saphie remarked, shaking her head. Like that’s gonna happen. I forgot her flipping birthday! She’s a princess! Everypony knows… everypony except for Flashing Stupid, I guess. Wait, how did this even happen? I’ve been thinking about her 24/7 and it didn’t even occur to me?

“Uh, guys, what’s happening?” Auri asked, followed by TA.

“Flash forgot Twilight’s birthday.” Saphie said, whilst Sunny tried to pull me out of my seat. “So we’re going shopping.”

“Oh my gosh! Who are you going with?” Auri asked.

“Um, okay. Auri, come with us, please!” Sunny complained.

“Uh. I can only go with one of you.” Auri sighed. “TA? Up for a spending spree?”

“Definitely not. We get a holiday once a week and I’m not wasting it on Sentry. I’m going to the library. See you at training.” TA said, before leaving.

“I’m gonna join her. See ya!” Saphie followed TA out.

“Uh. Flash. You better buy her something good or I’ve just wasted my day, okay?” Auri said, annoyed.

“Okay, okay, can we go now?” Sunny urged.

“Yeah, sure, if we’ve got another officer.” I sighed. I wish I wasn’t Flashing Stupid.

“How about Night Star?” Sunny asked Auri.

Auri bit her tongue to stop herself laughing. I’m probably Flashing Stupid, the comedian now. “You think I’m gonna ask him?” Auri shook her head. “No way.”

“Uh. Why not?” Sunny sighed, getting much more impatient than she already was.

“You already know. Also… TA told me this yesterday… when we went to visit you, everyone thought there was this double date thing going on.” Sunny and Auri burst out laughing, and I was left there, standing like an idiot. Hey there, Flashing Stupid. How’s it going?

“Please. Guys.” I sighed. My head was throbbing. Every inch of my body felt broken.

“Okay. See you two at training.” Sunny waved and left.

“Okay then Flash. What exactly are you gonna get her?” Auri asked me, when we were walking across the shops. “Any idea- oh my gosh.” She stopped talking abruptly.

“What?” I asked stupidly. Flashing Stupid, what a nice surprise.

“Twilight!” Auri brought me back to my senses.

“Hey!” Twilight walked over to us. “What are you doing here?”

“Just wanted to buy some stuff. You know. I’ll leave you two. Um. To go. And buy stuff. Like a normal pony. Meet you here in half an hour, Flash, okay?” Auri ran off.

AHHH. Flashing Stupid, don’t screw up. “Hi, Twilight.” I started.

“Hi Flash. You okay?” She asked me.

No. I’m in love with you, nearly killed Sunny, forgot about your birthday present, and then you show up so technically, I can’t buy anything for you. Sweet. “I’m fine.” I lied.

“You sure?” Twilight frowned. There you go, Flashing Stupid.

“I’m fine.” I repeated.

Just then, I heard a sound like the slow trotting of hooves, and I froze. This is dangerous, idiot. Do something! Twilight turned around, and glanced at me.

The trotting of hooves got closer and closer until Shining Armor turned the corner. Well that was unexpected. I felt relieved at seeing him, though I had an annoyed expression on my face which Twilight seemed to notice.

“Private Sentry! There you are!” Shining said to me. I saluted to respond. “Twilight…I need to talk to him...alone.”

She grunted and left. Something’s obviously bothering her. But before I could gather my thoughts properly Shining spoke again.

“You know a little bit about the plot, don’t you? I’m supposing Officer Aqua Aura has told you.” I nodded.

“Well...a new guard has been recruited. And he will be able to take some of your work off you.”

“Come again?”

“You’ve been partly guarding Princess Twilight’s bed chambers and the Crystal Heart. Now, with a new guard, you can focus on protecting the Crystal Heart with Officer TA.” I stayed silent. This is totally fine, isn’t it? I mean...this doesn’t really change much...does it? I gulped. I wish all of this made sense! But it just doesn’t. How am I meant to tell Shining that I’m distracted by his sister?

“Is that clear?” He snapped me from my thoughts once again. I just nodded to him and he walked away.

Who is this new guard anyway?

I wandered off around the streets of the Crystal Empire. I still have to get her a present. But what does she like? Oh I know! Books! I need to get her a book...but what book has she not read yet? But she seemed angry...what if she changed her mind?

What if she doesn’t like me anymore because I forgot her birthday? I didn’t even wish her...I probably hurt her bad. Again. I hadn’t noticed, but I’d started walking back to the Square without even reaching the shops. Ugh, why can’t I just do this normally? Do I have to embarrass myself in front of her every time? I can’t say a proper sentence to her without sounding like an idiot!

I blindly passed through the hallways of the castle, my thoughts with complete control over my direction. I plucked a flower from some nearby crystal bushes. I can’t- I just need to see her! I want to see her now! I want to see her smile, her hair, her eyes...I shook my head, realising that I was distracted again. But it was too late, I was already in front of Twilight’s door. Well done, Flashing Stupid, you did it again! I rolled my eyes at my stupidity. Should I knock? No, maybe...maybe this was a terrible idea...even though I had no idea I would come here. But my hoof only did otherwise. I panicked as I heard three knocks on the door. Sweet Celestia, what is wrong with me?

Twilight answered the door almost immediately, she seemed excited, though she quickly frowned when her gaze met mine.

“Is everything okay?” I asked.

“I’m fine” She responded.

“Are you sure?”

“I’m fine.” She brushed me off. She acted just like how I did earlier. Well done, Flashing Stupid. I choked.This is all your fault.

“Twilight, I’m really sorry…” I didn’t know what to say. What have you done? “I’m sorry…” I repeated.

“It’s fine.” She said flatly, like she wanted to get rid of me. “What exactly are you doing here?” She asked bluntly.

“Um…” I sighed, “Happy birthday.” I noticed the flower I’d brought with me and placed it in her hair. She didn’t even look at me.

“I’m sorry I’m not any better,” She said reluctantly. She took the flower out of her hair and threw it on the floor, walking away.

I felt my knees weakening and I trudged to a nearby window to take a deep breath. I glanced at the flower and I couldn’t control the tears forming in my eyes. “I’m sorry I’m not any better.” What in Equestria did she mean? What did she mean? Why can’t I stop thinking about her for one flipping second? Why do I care so much? Why couldn’t I have just gotten her a present? That might’ve worked instead of giving her a random flower! I started banging my head on the wall. Stupid. That’s all you are...that’s all you can ever be! Just Flashing Stupid! My head was beginning to hurt, but I kept going. The commotion attracted some guards close by. They tried to pacify me and pulled me away from the wall as my forehead was bleeding. My head spun and the last thing I remembered was my name being called.

I pick the flower, it has pink petals which match Twilight’s highlight perfectly. I pluck each petal. “She loves me...she loves me not...she loves me...she loves me not...she loves me…” My eyes water as I pluck the last petal, “...she loves me not.”

My eyes opened to a blinding light. I couldn’t tell what was going on around me; all I could hear was chatter around me. And a familiar voice calling my name. Make that several familiar voices.

“Flash?” Auri asked me, as I opened my eyes. “Thank Celestia, what in Tartarus happened?” I looked around me; we were in a - hospital? And Sunny was looking at me anxiously. “Someone didn’t try to kill you, did they?” I shook my head, tears swelling up in my eyes. “You were on a suicide mission?” She guessed. I shook my head, trying to keep the tears in, but I could feel them pour down my cheeks. “Oh, Flash, don’t cry, it’ll be okay…”

“It won’t be.” I croaked.

“What happened?” Sunny asked. She sounded like she was going to burst into tears. Nice one, Flashing Stupid.

“Twilight…” I managed to say. “Why am I here?”

Auri exchanged a look with Sunny. “Your head had a deep cut in it, your nose was bleeding, and you had some sort of concussion. Wait - Twilight did this to you?” She asked.

“No. When am I gonna be able to go?” I said, taking heavy breaths.

“Well, the doctor said tomorrow… but Flash, are you okay?” Auri asked. Sunny practically had tears pouring down her cheeks.

“I…” I dozed off.

“Flash.” Twilight gives me an angry stare.
I sigh. “Twilight-”
“I hate you.” She simply says, and punches me in the face.

“Flash?” Auri repeated. I snapped awake. “Flash, you’re drugged. You have about a minute before you go to sleep. Flash, you’ll be okay.”

“Is he okay?” Night Star rushed in. Sunny and Auri both put their hooves on their heads.

“I’m fine.” Circles of darkness started blurring my vision. “Happy Birthday Twilight.” I whispered.

Auri closed her eyes to keep tears in, and Sunny continued crying, with deeper sobs.

“Bye… ” I whispered, before drifting asleep.

Author's Note

Hi everypony!

I apologise for the very abrupt turn this chapter took. I'm sure I was in a very sour mood when I wrote it. Hopefully thing's will go back on track with the next few chapters. Feel free to give us criticism or advice, especially with grammar and continuity. We're still winging it but we're trying to keep it consistant.
Also, let us know if you think we need more tags for the story. I'm sure they'll change every few chapters.

Anyway, as always, thank you for reading! See you next chapter!
-Sunny