Chapters Flash Sentry wasn't much.
Sure, he can play the guitar, he could somewhat sing to save his life, he played for the soccer team for a while before dropping out the moment Rainbow Dash got in because they needed a slot.
Well... he was the only one that volunteered.
It didn't bother him, how easily the team flowed with the new player. It wasn't like he was the best in the game because again, he wasn't much.
(Why else would everyone leave him?
His parents.
Sunset.
Princess Twilight.)
Flash Sentry knew who he is, he's the one that you keep around until 'til you get someone better. He had average grades, worked on his lessons, played with his friends. He was the face among many, easily a stamp in a crowd.
Honestly? he was fine with that. Some say that it was wrong to think that way. How its unhealthy and well, if its so wrong why does it work for him?
It was that mindset that led him through his life, allowed him to swallow the choke on his throat and the shake in his voice at the realization that one day, there would be someone better to take his place.
He was happy when he heard the news of Twilight and Timber's relationship. That's great, he couldn't give her counterpart what she needed and he couldn't give her the love she'd want without thinking of someone else.
Understandable.
He was happy when he heard that his parents finally got their own families. They loved him, sure but they can never love each other.
He was happy when his friends told him that they wouldn't have time for the band. It was understandable! They had to focus on their studies for college, they needed the time for their future after all. Him? he had some workshop somewhere, already having secured one since last year.
He was happy when he saw Sunset, so happy with her friends because she deserves it. The odd pony turned human now fully acclimated to her surroundings. She didn't need a normal guy like him to help her out because she has her friends!
He was not happy when realized that he was just so... alone.
But it was alright, if it meant that the people around him would be happy then it was alright!
Right?
Flash walked, he walked and walked wherever his feet would take him. Anything to not go back to that empty house of his. He couldn't blame his parents, they still gave him money for bills and if they see that he had good grades then they would give a bonus for himself.
See? they cared for him. They even send him the regular festive messages whenever they can. There's a message or two a month, a simple 'how are you, son?'
It's not like it didn't bother him because it definitely did, who wouldn't be bothered at such things? But they had their own families to worry about, a job, a whole life- they were busy and Flash is just about shy of an adult. He can handle himself.
Flash with that extra money would carefully invest in more shadier businesses. It wasn't on purpose, a simple stumble in the wrong place at the right time but he made a couple of great friends during those moments. Any of the extra that he didn't need? he would mostly drive to the big city and give the stack to the first beggar he sees.
He likes to think that he showed someone that someone gave a shit. That they wanted to reach out.
He wants a lot of things, he notes. A home, maybe. One that isn't so empty and quiet. Maybe a mom, a dad. A little sibling? He chuckles, thinking of a teeny him. That'd be cute, he wonders how he would treat them. He would definitely take them out for walks, give him all the shoulder rides in the world and sit with them as they ramble about all sorts of things.
He'd like a family, one he can return too.
Flash sat on the hillside in the outskirts of Canterlot City. It was a tiny thing, somewhere far enough that the normal bustle wouldn't reach his ears and its here that he sighs.
This was his sanctuary and no one knew where it was other than himself. He watched as the sun made its way for the moon with a small smile on his face. There was something warm in his chest, something that made him let out a breath.
He loved the sunset and he loved the girl with the same name as it even more.
It was another day and Flash did his normal routine. Brush his teeth, clean his room then screw around on the living room with nothing to do. He didn't feel like playing with his guitar so he just went out on a jog.
Flash slowed as he neared Canterlot High and he couldn't stop the nostalgic smile appearing in his face when he neared the statue.
"Where... where am i?"
"H- hey are you alright?" he shuffles close, carefully reaching towards the flustered girl. She's pretty, is she a new student? "Come on, let's get you up! I'm Flash."
"Sunset," she says and oh, this must be what its like to have a crush. "Sunset Shimmer"
They sure had a great time. Flash turned and made his way down the street, his fast jog slowing into a normal walk. He even remembered the first time he made her smile.
After all, It was the day Flash realized that he may have realized that there was something about Sunset.
He stopped at the corner of Sugarcube Corner, remembering the very first-time Sunset ate with him. After he helped her up, she just about scattered to the winds for a week before he found her again. He was rightfully concerned, asking how she is before offering to go get a drink.
It took a lot of work, seeing as Sunset was stubborn as a mule but after some begging and pleading with his hands pressed together, she finally took pity on him.
It was a momentous day, that's for sure.
"What is this... thing?" She questions, her brow raised as she squints onto the drink before her.
Flash leant on his hand, a smile on his lips. Yeah no, she's definitely an alien. "It's just a milkshake, didn't you have that from where you're from?" he wonders.
"Not... really, I've mostly been drinking tea and coffee." She carefully taps at the glass before taking a sip. It took a second before a small twinkle appeared in her eyes. It didn't take long for Flash to watch as she not so discreetly attempted to sip even more. Then, she does the most adorable thing ever as their eyes meet. She'd choke, quickly pushing away the drink as a flush appears.
"I- I'm just thirsty alright!" she says before bringing the drink closer in an attempt to hide the small smile on her face as she relished the taste of sweetness.
Flash says nothing, happy to watch as she basically makes a fool of herself. She's so cute, he'd think. A smile definitely fits her.
He liked a lot of things, Flash realized.
The way her brow would raise slightly whenever he would fake-boast about anything, or the curl of her lip as she tried to conceal the fact that she laughed at his much cornier jokes, or even the barely concealed amusement in her eyes as she saw him attempt his stunts and fail spectacularly. Not to mention her crappy fashion sense when he first took her shopping or even the pure excitement when she discovered something 'human' without his help.
She would shove it in his face while bragging about how she found it in the first place, practically doing a little dance on her feet. The teen liked her natural curiosity, he liked the fact that while she would act like she didn't care, it was clearly obvious that she did.
That part of her definitely showed more and more throughout the years, as if cracking out of her shell and Flash has never felt so honoured to being able to see such a thing.
He loves her, he realizes with a beat.
There's a peace in him at that realization and his smile is so painfully soft that he feels like mush. His ears are practically burning and he can't help the beat of his heart as he practically skips down the damn sidewalk
How could he not? How could he just realize now-
Flash stopped when he felt something beneath his shoe. With a sound of wonder, he stepped away and picked it up. He examined the shard in his hand, noting how it looked like it broke off some gem. The lovesick boy looked around trying to see who dropped it, not noticing how it seems to glow before reverting back to its transparent state.
"Yeowch!" Flash shook his hand, dropping the shard as it clanked against the floor. Where did that come from? did he prick his hand or something? he stared at where the slight pain came from and watched as blood was lightly pushed out. Huh, he must've gripped it too hard or something.
The boy picked it up and realized that it looked different. Or was it always like that? It was starting to turn dark so his eyes must be playing tricks on him. His eyes narrowed as it began to glow then it widened when he couldn't drop it.
"Woah- Woah, Woah!" he panicked, stepping back as heat grew on his palm. "Is this one of those gems the girls have?" Flash swung his hand around trying to get it off when he finally noticed that it began to glow much more. "Nope! nope nope!" He chanted. "Last I saw someone deal with some artefact that didn't want to get off, she turned into a demon!"
A sharp ring goes through his ears and before he knew it, he passed out.
Flash wakes up to silence.
There are no screams and no clinging of something thick in the back of his throat. He hears no sound of crunching leaves nor a sign of a person digging hands onto his neck. He simply napped and woke up, like all is right in the world.
He didn't know if that was a good thing or not to be honest.
He sits up, slouching and uncaring of how his clothes shift as he pushed himself up to note his surroundings. Like life springed with him, he can hear the rustling of leaves and the tweets of birds. Normal wildlife. His fingers twitched as he looked around for something weird.
A rustle of a bush that shifted a bit wrong for his liking has him moving towards it, the crack of a branch got his hands twisted into fists and the arms of a lady wrapping around his shoulders has him breathing a haggard breath.
"You should relax..." she whispers, a low crooning tone that he knows would leave multiple people weak to the knees. Flash sighs, leaning his head onto her arm. All her voice did was let his shoulders fall, even for a moment.
"We can't," he answers, fighting back the way his eyes seemed to close without his permission. "We have to leave and I'd rather not deal with another attack because you wanted to frolic." His hands reaches up, intertwining with hers when he felt her tense at his words.
"When we get to safety," he compromises.
The grip around his neck tightened for a while, her nails tugging at the strap hanging from his neck as she stepped away. "I'll keep you to it, Dear."
Said Dear sighed before straightening his clothes. He patted down his vest, tugging at the hood before pulling something out of his shirt. It was a shard, practically tiny in his hands. It glew in the sun as he stared at the thing that started all of this. He watched as it charged back to that familiar colour before dissipating once more. His grip tightened at that shallow sign of life, uncaring of how it greedily ate at his flesh when a sharp edge dug too deep.
His past life wasn't a dream, it was real and this was his proof.
He may not have remembered a lot about his old life, but he remembered enough and that was good for him. There were huge towering builds, carriages that moved on their own and lights with no use of fire. It fascinates him at times, to have lived in such a futuristic world.
Then there was this girl; With hair the color of fire and skin blessed by Celestia.
Sunset Shimmer, his mind whispers like a prayer.
He nods. He forgets who she clearly was to him but she must've meant something for her name to be the most memorable. Not to mention the dreams, those were a rarity the more he grew but she was a solace in his times stuck in school. She calmed him with her words and whispered his name when he needs her.
Was she a goddess?
He doesn't know.
Before he could get too deep into his mind, the foul stench of wrong struck his nose. Flash rolls his shoulder, tucking back his necklace to turn to the rabid snarling of a beast. It hasn't even been ten minutes, he thinks before dragging his palm across his arm. With a sharp sting of a wound, he holds a weapon with a serrated blade, stained and worn yet strong.
It sings and with a step, he charges right into the roaring maw of a monster before him.
As his mind blanks out and his body moves in routine, he can't help a familiar stray thought to strike his head.
Would this be the one to end him?
The answer to that was the same as always.
No.
As always, the wanderer's body ached and he was left with blood staining his clothes. He watches as the shard ate at the soul of something once living before glowing after its fill, shining familiar gleam before fading to an empty glass. Something stung at Flash's chest as he knelt down and began to strip the monster of its flesh.
Another failed kill.
"Oo~" She coos, leaning over his shoulder. "Is that food for us?" her fingers trailed at his neck with featherlight touches, grinning at the way his tiny hairs rose. "What a kind darling." She was back and he drops the flesh he was in the process cutting. Ah hell, there goes all his past efforts.
She claims to be a lady but it sure doesn't show when she feasts.
"Go ahead, It was all for you anyway," was all Flash said as he steps back. His lips pulling into a grimace at the way she practically skewers and brutalizes at her meal. It was already dead but seeing how she practically drinks at its brain after tearing open its skull has him shuffling. Not to mention the unnecessary way she snaps at its ribs to grasp at its heart.
He is never going to get used to that.
"Truly a gentleman," she shot back, her teeth gleaming with blood and bits of meat as she finally finished her meal. He looks away when she licks at her fingers. Its these signs that reminds him that even when she was his faithful companion, she was something else first.
"How's that shard of yours? All charged up?" Flash's grimace grew. What is she playing at? He knew the relationship she had with his purpose. She was looking for another answer, something other than his usual one. He had to play this careful or else she would be rather troublesome to deal with.
Last time he made her upset, he had to fight naked.
"No idea," he settles, before turning to her with a smirk. "Now that you asked, it reminds me of you actually! With the way it keeps eating and eating-"
A bone thuds at his chest, the lady pouting from her area as she crosses her arms.
"I'll have you know that I do more than that lump of rock!" she mentions as her brows crossed.
Flash rolls his eyes as he stepped closer before something burned in his chest. He staggered, tugging at his necklace to squint at the shard. His eyes widened when he noticed that it began to glow and something so familiar pricked at his brain.
"Come back!" he calls out, still unwilling to pull his eyes away. "U don't know if this will affect you and..." Flash trailed off as she followed his order, his clothes shifting to accomodate. Something pressed around him, like a hug as she whispers.
"Still caring as ever."
He passes out.
Flash woke up with a gasp, practically ressurected with the way he falls onto his knees.
Something stuck at his throat as his fingers pressed onto the dirt and green below him. He was on some hill, a very familiar hill. He swallowed, looking around at the bright blue sky and the faded buildings of his old world. It looked real, far too real.
He felt too much at this moment as his brain churned and thought.
It wasn't a dream.
He stumbled onto his feet like some newborn fawn as a spark of long before lit in his chest. A bubble of a giggle comes from his lips and it churns out into a laugh as something blurs at his eyes. There was a calm in his mind as he looked down at the land that he has long since thought of for years.
He wasn't insane, he realizes.
This wasn't some fantasy he made up as a kid. The sky is so beautifully blue and the land has never felt so free.
This was real- this...
Flash fell to his knees, everything felt so real...
The grass, the trees, the cities and even the buildings! he couldn't stop the choked sob from coming out of his mouth as he realized that he finally achieved his wish since forever. His clothes shifted for a moment and he curled into her embrace.
"Shh... shh..." She consoles, running her hands through his hair. "Let it out Flash," She coos, laying a kiss onto his head. "You did it and I'm so proud of you." Those words seemed to breathe life into him and he returns the hold, tugging her closer as his fingers tangled in her long hair.
"Thank you... thank you for helping me come this far," Flash whispered. He was pathetic, crying like this, he was specifically trained to not do this and yet here he was but it was okay. He was home, he could finally accomplish his promise to her, his fingers tightened around her as his resolve strengthened.
Unknown to him, the girl holding him had her own plans. Her eyes seemingly glowing as she takes in the world of her man. This was the place her jailer kept on talking about? if so then where is this... Sunset he so dearly missed? She trailed a finger across his neck feeling the magic that bonded them together flowing beneath his skin, magic that bound them as one.
Just like marriage, yes?
Author's Note
For anyone confused on what happened, basically Flash was turned into a child when he went to that universe and as a child, it gets rather hard to remember stuff.
He got taken in and trained, he usually dreamed of his past life and most people were convinced that he was making stuff up.
She watched as her host played with his slightly greyed hair. It wasn't white like before, instead filled a lot more with color.
How cute.
A giggle escapes her lips and he turns to her with a grin. He looked so much younger and so much more open too. So this was what her jailer looked like before? she wasn't disappointed, he looked good and it seemed that his old form merged with this one. It would explain the slight hair and body change.
She would miss his much bulkier form but she loves him no matter the looks. She would definitely miss his facial hair though.
"Flash..." She calls out from her spot in his bed, curling her finger at his direction. "Come here for a moment, dear." If his body did change then she would need to check if their bond was still there, physically at least.
She marked him for a reason.
"Hmm? oh sure," Flash agrees, walking close and humming when her hands tugged at his pants, pulling him way closer than he should. "Really?" he wonders and gone was his usual furrow, instead his lips tugged at an indulgent smile. Oh wow, she thinks. Maybe this world isn't so bad if he continues acting like this.
She was tempted to tell him to shut up. His smile was dangerous and it was no wonder he didn't show it much before this.
"Not today, lovely," she whispers as she pushes her hands under his shirt and up his body. Mmm, the things this man makes her feel. Her fingers digs onto his skin and something coils in her at the groan she hears. "Gods, you're lucky I know you need your rest!"
Flash, the irritatingly controlled man that he is, doesn't say a single thing about that.
"Do you want me to remove my shirt or do you want to continue molesting me under my clothes?" he wonders, eyes a little lidded as he stared down at her.
Good.
She smiles, all innocent as she leans back on the bed. "You should remove the shirt."
He sighs, reaching back to tug at the collar and pulling it off in one swift motion.
She eyes him like a wonderous meal, catching at the way he flexes and staring at the scarred skin that she couldn't at all heal. She reaches out, tracing a finger on the largest scar of it all. It laid on top of his heart and she smiles when something glows in a sickly green beneath the skin.
Nothing can overcome this reminder, no amount of potions and spells can do a thing and people tried- Oh, did they try.
She remembered how they first met and she licks her lips at the memory of that taste spilling out of him like a roast in a fire. Flash is a feast all wrapped up in the body of a tiny scrawny boy and can you blame her?
If you saw what she did, seen the way his hands shook on the blade he had to hold. He was so pure, so lost in the way the world worked. A boy so painfully pathetic and she couldn't help but dig her claws into him, tracing her influence and helping him navigate this cruel cruel world.
She helped him and he helps her too.
Her fingers traced up his neck before cupping his cheek, her thumb rubbing at a scar. Flash sighed in comfort, sinking into her hand as they both slipped into bed. The fond smile in her face growing when he slowly began to fall into the embraces of Luna.
Yes, she helped make the man he was today.
Her man.
Then her expression shifted as she continued to watch the room Flash called his 'bedroom.' Her eyes narrowing at a peculiar photo laying next to his bed. It was a small photo, tiny and so easily breakable. It was the fact that Flash would immediately know that made her not throw the thing off the window.
It was a photo featuring a younger Flash and this... this harlot.
She scowled in disgust, just the thought of what this-
This Sunset Shimmer never failed to make her lose her appetite. Leaving someone like Flash alone? and not suspecting someone else to pick him up? truly she had no brain behind those empty smiles of hers.
Flash stirred in his sleep and she sighed, the fuming in her head leaving with every breath he breathes. Whatever, it was Sunset's loss and her gain.
Finders keepers Sunset Shimmer and this demon is planning to keep him till the end of time.
Flash awoke to the feeling of someone laying next to him, he was ready to jump out and fight but relaxed when he realized he was in his room. He let out a small smile, his room. It was his. He finally had a room , so that means he had a house. If he had a house, it meant he can finally have a home.
"You still can't believe it?" Flash's eyes went to the body next to him as she spoke. As always, she didn't look a lick out of place.
"Hey..." he whispers, it was always easy for him to sleep whenever she was here.
"Hey yourself," she replied, reaching forward to caress at his cheek. Flash didn't know why she was so touchy-feely with him - not that he minded - but it didn't stop him from leaning onto it. It was nice, he notes. But not enough, so he brought her closer.
He sighs, slotting his head ontop of hers. Yes, this is better. Sleeping in an actual plush bed never felt so good and to have someone in his arms? Even better.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
Flash shot up from his bed and quickly rolled out of his room, nearly slamming onto the wall as he braces himself. His eyes are wide and his clothes shifted as he presses himself near the front door. Who would visit him? a royal's guard of some sort?
No no, that makes no sense.
There were no kings here, no royals either.
So who?
"Flash? are you home?!" a voice calls out and he nearly trips on his feet from the way he immediately swung open the door. That voice! it was so familiar. It was the very same voice in his dreams. Truly, dreams do come true.
"Yes?" Flash stutters, mouth agape as he stares down at the goddess that has soothes at his nightmares. She's divine, he realizes. His dream was simply not enough, she was more than his brain could've dare encapsulate. He breathes out with a blink.
"You're beautiful," he notes and a smile grows as he dips his hand to grasp at hers. His lips brushing over blessed bronze knuckles as he looks into gorgeous eyes, ones that remind him of the sea and the lands before. "Its a pleasure to finally see you."
Sunset stares, frozen at his greeting and Flash can't help the drop of something in his gut. Shit, of course. She was a goddess, how dare he touch her so brazenly? This wasn't simply some sort of royalty, this was the woman who stayed by his side.
"Apologies," he quickly says, dropping her hands and stepping back. Something stings at his skin. Even she realized that he was improper. "I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable, I was simply wishing to greet you."
"No no its okay!" Sunset chimes, raising her hands in some gesture. "I was surprised that's all!" before she blinks and something falls onto her face as she quickly points at him. "Actually, I know what you're trying to do Thunderbolt!"
Flash leans onto the door, an indulgent smile on his face as he nods. "Really Sunset? What am I trying to do?"
Her face is red when she talks. "I'm not letting this slide, Flash. You're trying to be charming and it won't work!"
Flash's face lights up, absolutely honoured. "You think I'm charming?"
"No!" she hotly says before stumbling over her words when his smile fell a little bit. "I mean- that isn't- I'm trying to ask how you are!"
Oh, she cares.
"Better now that you're here," he says with full honesty. wincing a tad when something digs into his skin. His words are brazen, too confident but it was truth and she needed to know. "You always make everything better, Sunset."
Sunset couldn't say anything about that, her hand falling to play with her otherwordly clothes. Her face is still flushed and it is absolutely adorable.
"Uhm, Flash..." Someone calls out and Flash's eyes pulled from his goddess to a bunch of others. "Can you put some clothes on?" it was a white woman who talked to him, with royal curls and pretty eyes. She looked like royalty, so it certainly fit. She must've not enjoyed his peasantry.
"Apologies." Flash nods, stepping back and opening the door. "If you'd like, the living room is open as I go change."
He didn't need an answer as he made his way towards his room, making sure to pass a corner as his clothes shifted into something more proper. Too busy in being a good mood, he couldn't notice the slight wisp that escapes from his clothes and slinking off to the bathroom.
As the sound of a door shutting closed hit their ears, the group of girls sat in silence in the living room. It smelt dusty, as if unused. It didn't help that everything seemed almost barren, unlived in if it weren't for the small knick knacks that most boys have.
There was a TV, an AMP with speakers along with his guitar leaning along the wall but that was about it.
"So," Rainbow Dash coughs. "What was that?" she teases, raising a brow as she tilts her head towards the still flustered Sunset Shimmer.
"I don't even know!" Sunset hisses, her head on her hands. "That was a first!"
Applejack leant back, unconvinced at what she just heard. "Are ya' sure 'bout that? 'Cause Thunderbolt boy looked quite at ease doin' the thing's he did."
Sunset squeezes her eyes, hating how her ears showed what she truly felt. "It must've been a distraction or something, I'm telling you."
"I dunno girl, because Flashie looked quite taken with ya!" Pinkie drawls, wiggling her brows as her knee bounced from her seat.
"It's not like that!" Sunset cries, the burn in her face growing. "You know how we talked about each other, we're friends guys, nothing more. Sure we dated but those are in the past!"
Fluttershy raised a hand, voice quiet yet still heard. "If you two are friends, then what are we doing here..?"
"Well..." Sunset licked at her lips, finally pulling her hands away from her face. "I visited him during the spring to surprise him but he didn't answer the first time." This raised some brows, they didn't know about Sunset's visits. Maybe she didn't move on like she said. "I didn't want to seem overbearing since we just made up, so I waited for a few more weeks before checking in again and once again, he still didn't answer!" Gone was the flush on her face, all that was left was a concerned look as she played with her fingers.
A silence blanketed the room.
"You sure he wasn't in some vacation?" questioned Rainbow Dash, her arms crossed.
"None! we talked a while before and he never said anything about a vacation" answered Sunset.
"Maybe he jus' didn't tell ya?" The rest of the girls nodded to Applejack's statement.
Sunset must've considered this, with how fast she answered. "Yeah, I considered that but I asked his bandmates and even they didn't know!"
"It's because he was with me," someone cuts in and the teens' heads snapped towards the newcomer. Sunset's fingers tightened around the lapel of her jacket at what she saw. What they heard wasn't someone from their school and from what they see, she was clearly anything but a student.
A woman waltz into the room, her skin a dark grey that seem to shine in the light. She had long vibrant green hair that spilled over her shoulders and ended at her waist. There was a look in her face, so painfully smug that it has Sunset straightening her shoulders. Their eyes met, an emerald rich green versus narrowed sea blue. Some blushed, realizing that all she wore was a bathrobe.
It wasn't hard for an idea to pop into their head.
Flash going AWOL with a woman claiming that he was with her. Just what was he doing!?
"Who- who are you?" stuttered Fluttershy and she quickly hid behind an equally frozen Rainbow Dash the moment those eyes focused on her. Scary!! she thinks.
Even the others couldn't answer that as their minds came blank. A new senior student? A teacher? some delinquent!?
"Chrysalis," she purrs, tightening the sash around her fast. "But you can also know me as Flash's Girlfriend!" she cheers, her lips pulling into a smile that practically screamed catty.
Her declaration caused the rest of the Main 7 to turn to Sunset, who seemed equally shocked.
"W- what?" uttered the shocked Ex.
