Chapters Flash Sentry opened the door and poked his head around the corner. He didn't want to get caught, but being a royal guard, he must have the privileges. He looked around the vast room. It was nicely set, with a vast desk at one side, and a huge bookshelf on the other wall. There was a small table, set with 5 chairs and little decorations on them. Flash couldn't help but stand there being absorbed by the delicate layout of the room. A short while later, a side door opened and Cadence walked into the room utterly exhausted. Flash snapped out of his dreamland and noticed her. He thought thought to himself about how cute she looked. He came to the conclusion very quickly that she was very very cute. The alicorn looked up and noticed Flash standing there, staring at her. She gave a sheepish smile before calling for him.
"Flash Sentry, I assume?" Cadence asked, in the most majestic voice she could. Flash nodded quickly, afraid to say the wrong thing. Cadence motioned to him to come to sit on a chair next to her, which he did with pride. Being invited by the most gorgeous princess to sit next to her was a huge thing for many ponies. Flash could definitely tick this off his bucket list now.
"Yes, Your Highness?" Flash asked after resuming his seat next to Cadence. She turned to face Flash, her eyes glittering. Cadence had to stop herself from blushing. Seriously, how can such a cute pony not be resisted? Cadence began to speak.
"I've heard that Shining Armor has been abusing his power against you?" she questioned. Flash looked down and nodded.
"Yes, ma'am. It has been happening for a while now." Flash looked up and their eyes locked. He smiled and Cadence blushed before smiling back.
"You can call me Cadence. It's absolutely fine," Cadence said. Flash nodded and then started a conversation.
*****
Cadence giggled as Flash kissed her hoof.
Flash felt slightly embarrassed and stood, "I-it's been a pleasure talking with you, princess." He gave a curt nod, then turned around and quickly left the room. Cadence's heart fluttered. Flash was a wonderful pony. She had to make sure that nothing bad happened to him. She would be devastated if something did.
On the other side of the door, Flash had leaned against it, his heart pumping. Cadence was a gorgeous pony. While contemplating his thoughts, Shining turned around the corner. He smirked. Now was his chance to mess with Flash.
"Hey, pretty boy! What are you doing?" Shining shouted. Flash turned to face him; his face etched in fear.
"I... I was just..." Flash started to speak before a hoof slammed into his jaw. He stumbled back from the impact of the punch Shining gave him. Flash spit out blood before fighting back. He gave Shining a hard blow against the side of his mouth.
Shining chuckled, "Is that all you can do, weakling?" Flash was filled with rage and he struck Shining again, harder. Shining stumbled back, blood dribbling out of his mouth. "Ha, you're weaker than I thought. A true warrior would have killed me in cold blood by now!" Shining raised a hoof and slammed Flash into the wall, dragging his face across it. Flash groaned as the wall pulled his dry skin and ripped little cuts on his body. Shining let go of Flash, dropping him onto the floor. He then proceeded to kick his face and legs, making him bleed profusely.
As all this was happening, Cadence opened the door and gasped. Shining's jaw was hanging loose and blood was dripping down his mouth. His face was red and his coat was disheveled. Flash Sentry's nose was bleeding and he had a few cuts which were bleeding constant. His jaw was covered in blood. Cadence looked at them both.
"Boys, I can't believe you two! How can you both do this?" she scowled at them. She then turned to Shining, as Flash made a weak attempt to stand.
"Flash Sentry here told me everything that you do to him. And I see the evidence right here in front of me. Come here, Flash. Shining, you leave right now," Cadence ushered Flash in her room and slammed the door in Shining's face. He fumed.
"I'll get you, you little runt." He muttered angrily.
****
Cadence placed a wet cloth on Flash's cut.
"Uh..." he groaned. The water stung the cut beyond words. Cadence cringed and licked the wound. Flash looked at her and smiled. He kissed the top of her head, before laying his head back against the wall. Cadence blushed and continued to treat his wounds.
"I'm so sorry about Shining..." she started, but Flash stopped her.
"Shhh. It's alright. You don't need to apologize about anything. It's not your fault," he reassured her. Cadence looked up at Flash who nodded at her. Cadence sighed and went back to cleaning his wounds.
"I just wish he wouldn't be so aggressive towards you," she explained. Flash lifted her face towards his and looked her in the eye. The spark he saw in her eyes helped him realize what he wanted to say.
"Don't worry about it. I have you and everything's going to be fine," Flash stated. Cadence looked at him.
"But, we're not even a couple. What do you mean?" she questioned. Flash looked her in the eye.
"Cadence, I know I have no right to say this, but I love you. Even though we met just a few weeks ago. Cadence, will you be my somepony forever?"
Cadence gasped and looked down, silent for a few minutes. She looked up and nodded at Flash.
"I will. I love you too," she said, laying her head against Flash. He lifted her head and kissed her. Cadence stood stunned before kissing him back. He put his hoof on her mane and brought her closer to him. Cadence let him, enjoying every moment. This was the pony she wanted.
Cadence and Flash raced each other along the river to the hill. Once at the foot of the hill, Cadence jumped on Flash and they both rolled over, laughing and smiling. Flash kissed Cadence softly.
“What’s the rush, love?” he questioned his girlfriend. Cadence looked at him and smiled.
“Nothing’s the rush. Just, trying to have some fun,” she replied. Cadence then looked away, a troublesome look covering her face. Flash sat up and looked at her concerned.
“Hey, love. What’s wrong?” He turned her face towards his and looked her in the eye, lovingly. Cadence managed a small weak smile before saying something.
“Flash, I have to tell you something…” Cadence began. Flash looked at her confused but nodded at her to continue. She looked back at Flash before looking down. She sighed and continued.
“I’m… pregnant,” and with that, she finished her sentence. Flash stood stunned for a little while, trying to comprehend what had just been told to him. Cadence bit her lip and looked down. She did not wish to ruin Flash’s time, but she knew she had to tell him sooner or later. After a few minutes of awkward silence, Flash spoke up.
“Who’s the father?” he whispered. Cadence looked at his big blue eyes.
“You are…” Cadence replied quietly. Flash looked back at Cadence’s eyes. They were the most beautiful eyes he has ever seen, and today, they seemed to glow even more than ever. He then stared down at her stomach. The thought of her carrying his child increased his love for her even more. How could he not love her even more? Flash looked back at her face and smiled warmly.
“I love you, Cadence,” Flash said. Cadence stared into his eyes and smiled back.
“I love you too… soon to be a daddy.”
*****
Back at the castle, Shining walked up along the line, inspecting every royal guard in the line.
“Fix your helmet… your armor isn’t polished enough.” Shining reach Flash and stopped examining him. Flash Sentry’s armor was polished, gleaming bright in which Shining could see his reflection. His helmet was placed properly and Flash had no fault. Shining smirked.
“Flash, I would like to speak to you after,” Shining said. Flash nodded in agreement and when back in line and waited until Shining finished his examinations.
After the examination, Shining Amor pulled Flash aside and smiled at him.
“Congratulations, mate,” Shining started, hitting Flash rather hard. Flash looked at him glumly.
“For what?” he questioned. Shining looked at Flash and responded rather surprised, but that wasn’t to decide.
“Why for your child with Cadence. I must say you’ll be a great father, but I would have been a better father than you. Oh well,” Shining said, tilting his head and smiling at Flash in a rather strange way. Flash couldn’t help feel like something was wrong. He would have to speak to Cadence and the princesses later about this. Shining then looked deadpan into Flash’s eyes.
“Listen to me, pipsqueak. You got lucky that Cadence chose you, but if you weren’t here, I would be the father of that child, not you. So, you consider yourself a lucky mate. Otherwise, you don’t belong here. Got it?” Shining had walked forward to Flash, forcing him to go into the wall. Shining had his sword out and pointing at Flash’s neck. Flash looked into Shining’s eyes. They were black with jealousy. Flash gulped. Shining laughed and cut Flash’s neck. Blood spurted everywhere. Flash raged and grabbed his sword aiming it for Shining’s heart. But he stopped halfway, blood dripping down his neck and sweat falling down his face.
****
Cadence walked down the hallway after a wonderful meeting with Princess Luna and Celestia. Such wonderful aunts, though they weren’t actually. As she turned the corner, she saw Shining and Flash fighting. She gasped and hid behind the wall. Shining laughed and looked at Flash.
“Aww… are you too scared to hurt me?” he cackled. Flash tensed himself and cut Shining’s leg. Shining grunted before striking back, but he failed the shot only to have his sword ricket off Flash’s armor. Flash Sentry looked back at Shining Armor, his hair over his face and with the angriest face ever. He turned around and aimed his sword at Shining’s heart. Cadence emerged from her hiding spot.
“FLASH!! DON’T!!” she shouted. Both the stallions turned to face Cadence. The color drained out of Cadence’s face when she saw Flash’s cut neck and Shining’s cut leg. She looked at them both angrily and sad.
“Honey, please… I’ll explain,” Flash started. Shining saw the opportunity and grabbed the sword from Flash’s grasp and pointed it into Flash’s armor. It penetrated through and went through his body into his heart. A scream pierced the air and Cadence ran to Flash’s bleeding body.
“No!!! FLASH!!!” Cadence screamed into his face. Shining backed against the wall and smirked. He had done the right thing, now Cadence and the baby were all his now. Cadence’s eyes filled with tears. She couldn’t believe this was happening. Her love was dying in her arms. Flash opened his eyes slightly and looked at Cadence.
“Hospital…” he whispered. Cadence looked at him with wide eyes but nodded. She turns to Shining.
“Shining!! Go get Princess Celestia and Princess Luna and tell her that we need to take Flash to the hospital, then you’re going to tell everything that happened. NOW GO!” she ordered Shining. Shining Armor trembled and nodded quickly running to find the princesses.
“You’re a strong woman, Cadence,” Flash said quietly. Cadence pulled him closer and laid his head on her lap.
“Shhh, you must keep your energy saved. Everything will be alright. I promise,” she replied. Her eyes started tearing up again. Just then Celestia, Luna, and Shining ran around the corner. Celestia took one look and immediately called for more guards.
“Quick, we must take him before it’s too late.”
Nurse Redheart came out of the room and had a grave look on her face. Cadence stood up.
“Will he be alright?” she questioned. Her eyes were red and puffy from crying, yet there was still hope in them and a little sparkle. Redheart gave a small barely visible smile.
“Why not go in for yourself?” she suggested. Cadence gulped and nodded. She went to the door and turned the doorknob and entered. The room was rather spacious. In the middle of the room was the bed where Flash was laying. All sorts of tubes and wires were on him, connected to the many machines that were next to him. At one side was a small table with a lone vase with no flowers in it. The walls were white and on the other side was a small room in which was a small bathroom, but large enough for at least 10 ponies to fit in, with some space left. Cadence turned to Flash and pulled a chair next to his bed. Flash’s eyes were closed and his upper chest was wrapped around in a bandage. His breathing was steady and on the beat. He seemed to be doing fine. Cadence grabbed one of his hoofs and held it tight to her. She kissed it and started crying a little.
“Hey, princess. Why are you crying?” a small voice called. Cadence looked up and noticed that Flash was awake. She gasped in joy. Flash placed his hoof against Cadence’s face and brushed her hair, pushing it behind her ear.
“I love you,” he whispered. Cadence smiled.
“I love you too,” she whispered back. Flash tried to sit up but Cadence stopped him.
“No. Lie down. It will be better.” Cadence said. Flash tried to say something but Cadence stopped him. After 5 minutes of a small argument, Flash reluctantly gave into Cadence’s demand and rested his head against the pillow, laying down looking at his beloved wife.
****
Nurse Redheart entered the room to find Cadence sleeping in the chair next to Flash. She couldn't help but smile. They we're so meant for each other. Thank Celestia that they made it here in time, otherwise Flash wouldn't have made it. Redheart thought back to her own love life before becoming a nurse. He still hurt her when he left.
"Why do you have to go?" she had argued with him. He had turned to face her sadly yet stern.
"Sweetheart, I have to go if I want to work at the castle," he has responded. His eyes were sad, brimming up with tears. But now he's gone and she hasn't spoken to him ever since. She sighed before retreating from the room leaving the two lovebirds be. As she left the room, she bumped into some pony. He was a guard from the castle. She looked down and bowed hoping to not get in trouble for her actions. The stallion nodded before entering the room.
Shining looked around and noticed Cadence sleeping in the chair and Flash stroking her hair. He must have just woken up. Flash looked up and looked at Shining, his face bruised and his chest bandaged. Shining took of his helmet and bowed his head down.
"I'm sorry, Flash. I could have killed you," he stated. Flash looked at Shining with big eyes before nodding his head slowly.
"I appreciate your apology. Let's just not get to violent with each other." Shining nodded before leaving the room, a huge smirk on his face. Surely the medication must be messing up with Flash's head. As if he would apologize to Flash, especially since he took Cadence away from him. He put his helmet back on and left the hospital. He had some things to attend too.
****
Cadence woke up and saw that Flash was awake.
"Good morning, princess," Flash said, brushing her hair from her face. Cadence smiled.
"How do you feel?" she asked Flash. He pushed himself up to look down at Cadence's smiling face. Honestly, pregnancy seemed to make Cadence glow even more.
"I'm doing fine. Much better than last night. Especially that I have you with me," he responded, touching the tip of her nose. Cadence scrunched up her nose and giggled. Flash looked into Cadence's eyes and smiled. Cadence blushed and smiled back. They leaned forward and just then the door flew open. They immediately retreated from each other in haste. Nurse Redheart entered the room excited.
"I have good news for you both," she started. Flash and Cadence looked at each other with big eyes full of excitement and listened intently to what Nurse Redheart had to say.
"Are you sure you will be fine to walk the distance?" Cadence questioned Flash. Flash held onto the wheelchair and nodded.
"I'll be fine, honey,” Flash responded, scuffling along. Cadence trailed next to him, not daring to leave his side. Nurse Redheart met them out the door, a small smile on her face.
“I’m so glad that you recovered so quickly, Flash. I’m really happy. And Cadence hasn’t left your side the whole time, despite being pregnant,” Redheart told the happy couple. Flash nodded and continued to walk out the building with Cadence trailing behind him. Nurse Redheart sighed and walked to her office. Another day gone were she felt even more lonely.
***
Shining Armor looked around the hall. No one about. Good. Flash and Cadence will be back soon so he had to finish the last phase of his plan. Shining walked down the hall to a hole in the wall and pushed in an arrow. Perfect.
“Shining!!” someone yelled. Shining Armor jumped up in surprise stood still back in position.
“Yes sir, sir,” he saluted. The pony rolled there eyes before turning there form back to a changeling. Shining sighed and shook his head.
“What are you doing here? I told you not to come yet,” he implied to the changeling. The creature leaned against the wall and spoke in a menacing voice, with a hissing sound after ever sentence.
“When will we get our revveeennggeeee?” he questioned, exaggerating much on the word “revenge”. Shining thought for a second. Both of them had revenge planned against Flash. Flash had taken Cadence away from him and Flash had destroyed the changeling home. Shining smirked.
“The time is ready. Now come, before someone notices what we are doing.”
****
“Seriously, Flash. What is wrong with you?” Cadence implored him for the billionth time. Flash continued to walk ignoring Cadence. Cadence arched an eyebrow and using her magic stopped Flash.
“Cadence, what are you doing?” he said turning to face her. His face was full of anger, but seeing Cadence’s face, her glowing skin and beautiful eyes, his expression soften towards her. She had been there always for him. He sighed.
“I just… want to get back to work to protecting you...” he started. Just before he finished his sentence, Shining Armor raced out the castle doors towards the pair.
“Flash! Cadence! I am so glad to see you both back home and well,” he started before embracing them both, very gently to say the least. As this whole exchange was happening, Cadence started at Shining. His eyes, were… different. And his magic was… green? She shook her head. Her mind was playing games.
*****
Nurse Redheart woke up and looked around the room. This wasn’t her office. On one side was a huge pin board which took up the whole wall with photos spread across it. What does this all mean? One photo caught her attention the most though. It was her and… him. But who found it? Was she imagining this? Another one caught her attention. There he was in armor. He’s alive? Redheart shook her head and woke up her heart pounding. She sighed. It was just a dream. Or… was it?
