Rainbow, Rarity, Applejack, Fluttershy, and Pinkie were on a trot to the Golden Oak Library. Their friend, Twilight, had just become an alicorn princess and was invited to her first Princess Summit. They were invited too by association. When the group trotted inside, they saw what was expected. Twilight was frantically pacing madly with anxiety, and Spike was getting caught in the middle.
“Girls!” Twilight exclaimed. “I’m glad you all came.”
“We wouldn’t miss it for the world, darling,” Rarity said, “I wonder if we could get our own rooms in the castle.”
“Well, of course, we’re getting to sleep in the castle,” Rainbow said, “It’s because we save Equestria all the time. They kinda owe us at this point.”
“Well, we are,” Twilight answered, “but that’s not the point. Rarity, you’re the fashion expert, do I look good?”
“Why, of course, darling! With those wings, you’d look divine in any attire! Even if you aren’t wearing one right now.”
Twilight let out a sigh of relief hearing the answer. “Good,” she said, “I was worried that I didn’t look pretty enough for him.”
“Him?” Pinkie questioned, “I didn’t know Celestia was a dude.”
“No, she ain’t,” Applejack corrected, rolling her eyes, “she’s talkin’ ‘bout lookin’ good for Shinin’.”
Twilight scoffed at that statement. “As if I’d want to look good in front of Shining, of all ponies!”
“Then, why are ya worried ‘bout lookin’ good in front of this ‘him’? Should we know ‘em?”
“Um,” Twilight blushed in embarrassment, “he’s my boyfriend.”
The Mane 5 just stood there, jaws drooped. Twilight had a boyfriend? Since when?! If they were being honest, Twilight didn’t look like a pony who would go out to the world to find a stallion for herself. If anything, that description fits Rarity and she doesn’t have a special somepony (Spike doesn’t really count). So how did their friend manage to get some action in her life? Spike saw their reactions and looked unamused. He looked at Twilight, and she just shrugged, not knowing why that info was so shocking.
“Um,” Fluttershy quietly said to break the silence, “it’s not because we think you can’t get a boyfriend. We’re just… surprised.”
“Yeah, what Fluttershy said,” Pinkie enthusiastically said, “anyways, who is he? Why’s he in the Crystal Empire?! How did you meet him?!”
Pinkie grabbed Twilight by the neck. “TELL ME!!!”
The princess let out a small laugh, “Ok, Pinkie. I’m getting to that.”
“You see before, I moved to Ponyville, I met a guard at the castle. His name was Flash Sentry. My heart was giddy and beating faster than usual when I saw him. So, I dated him to make that feeling stop. But… that was a terrible reason to date him. He deserved better. Flash was more patient and understanding than I had realized at the time. And I was so focused on my studies that-”
“Ya, chose your studies over him?” Applejack inquired.
Twilight nervously chuckled, “Yeah, I… did. But don’t worry, we made up back in the Crystal Empire. And now we’re a couple again.”
“That’s sweet, darling,” Rarity complimented, “but that was pretty short of a story. I was expecting more… drama! If you know what I mean.”
“As much as I would love to tell (or sing) you all the details, I’m kind of in a hurry. Now, Rarity, do I still look decent?”
“For the princesses, absolutely! But for your boyfriend, oh ho ho, no. We need to make you look absolutely stunning! This is the second meeting you two will have after your reunion.”
Rarity then started to push Twilight through the front door. “Rarity!” Twilight exclaimed. “I’m not done packing yet!”
“Don’t worry, Twilight!” Pinkie said, “We can pack for you! Right, everypony?”
Everypony else agreed to help. With that, Rarity and Twilight made their way out of the library while the rest started packing Twilight’s things.
“Hey, Spike! Are these cards yours or Twilight’s?!”
“They’re Twilight’s, obviously! Why would I have those kinds of ‘Flash’ cards?!”
The train ride to the Crystal Empire was certainly a long one. Celestia’s sun was nearly down, and Twilight began to worry that they might be late. After all, Rarity spent so much time making Twilight look good for her boyfriend. When they arrived, not many ponies were there; shame since Twilight was hoping to see Shining again. “Twilight?” Inquired Spike, “Look! It’s him!”
Twilight could guess who Spike was referring to; she saw a yellow-orange stallion with golden armor. Twilight’s assumptions were correct.
“Flashy!” Twilight called out as she galloped her way to the stallion. Flash extended his hooves as Twilight leaped in to hug him; Flash reciprocated. They nuzzled each other’s muzzles before Twilight pecked Flash on the lips. The rest of the Mane 6 and Spike cooed at the sight; Flash heard said cooing and turned to Twilight’s friends. “Oh, heya!” Flash greeted as he let go of his girlfriend, “You mares must be Twilight’s friends.”
“Eyup!” Applejack said, “Nice to meet ya. Flash, was it?” She extended her forehoof which the Pegasus shook. “You must be Applejack.”
“Right as rain.” Pinkie then bounced to Flash. “I’m Pinkie Pie! Do you like parties?!”
“They’re fine, I guess,” Flash inquired. “Is that seriously the first thing you ask him?” Rainbow complained before introducing herself, “Rainbow Dash.”
Flash recognized that name. He can’t put a pin in it though.
“Rarity. I like your mane, it’s simply divine!” said Rarity.
“Thanks! It was in a different style before but some air blew in my face so it’s like this now.”
“… You haven’t changed it? Not even in a bath?”
“What’s a bath?”
Rarity put her hoof in her mouth, disgusted. Flash let out a laugh, “I’m just pulling your hoof. I wasn’t lying when I said air made my mane, though.”
“How did ya get blown by hair anyways?” Applejack asked.
Flash looked at Twilight with a big grin on his face. She stuck her tongue out in response with Spike laughing loudly behind her. Flash went up to Spike, hoof/claw bumping him, “Nice to see that you haven’t changed, little guy.”
“You too, Flash!”
A silent squeak was heard; it came from Fluttershy who got pushed by somepony so she could talk to Flash.
“I’m Fluttershy,” she said quietly. Flash just waved at her softly, not wanting to overwhelm the pegasus.
“You’re done socializing, butterfly?” Twilight teased.
“Not as done as you were, Twiboo.”
“Yeah, yeah. Don’t you have a post to be in?”
“Yep. And you have a summit to go to. Though, you all look exhausted. I can treat you all for some grub if you like. My treat.”
“Ooh! Yes, please!” Pinkie said, “I always wanted to eat Crystal Empire food! You must get some super fancy food, like, all the time!”
“Eh, not really,” Flash said. He then noticed Twilight and Spike were on their way to the Crystal Castle so he followed suit. The rest followed as well, excited for this summit.
At the summit, they were all told to go to bed. The Mane 6 was escorted to their rooms. Well, almost all of them at least.
Flash had shown all of them their rooms in the same hallway. But, for some reason, Twilight was a bit slower to go to hers despite Spike insisting on going faster. Flash knew something was putting Twilight in a mood like that. Whether it was before or after they broke up, Flash knows an upset Twilight when he sees one.
“What’s wrong, Twilight?”
“Nothing, Flashy,” Twilight responded, “Thanks for asking though.”
That answer didn’t entirely convince Flash. An eyebrow raised later and she cracked. “All right, you caught me. I’m feeling a bit… overwhelmed lately. I mean, I just got these wings days ago. What if Celestia wants me to run a kingdom? What if I have to move out of Ponyville? What if I have to do paperwork?”
“Don’t you already do paperwork?”
“Yeah! But what if there’s more that I don’t know about? I can’t NOT know them!”
Flash sighed at his girlfriend’s panicked state; he put a hoof on her neck and said, “Twiboo, it’s okay. No one’s expecting anything from you. The reason why you became a princess is because you did what you’d normally have done. Help your friends. Just be yourself, alright?”
Twilight nodded slowly, not entirely convinced. She saw some merit to Flash’s words but needed more proof according to her logical mind. Twilight saw Flash's expression as she opened the door to her room; a look of concern, worry, and empathy. Twilight had a feeling that Flash was worried about her; being a princess was Twilight’s worry and so was Flash’s. Great. She didn’t want him wrapped up in her troubles as Twilight’s a changed mare. She wasn’t going to force Flash to drop everything to help her.
But Twilight didn’t want him to ignore her either. That was the old Twilight. So, she looked back at Flash and said, “I’ll think about it.” Twilight hoped that would ease his worries. She needed some sleep.
Flash was more worried than before. Ever since the chase for the unicorn mare that stole his girlfriend’s crown, Flash couldn’t help but think about how this could affect Twilight. What if she believes she can’t be a princess anymore? What if he’ll never see her again? What if—
Flash realizes that he’s thinking like Twilight and her panicking is much more infectious than he thought. So, going back to default, Flash started thinking about how to comfort Twilight. That is until he got called by his boss and friend (and also potential brother-in-law), Shining Armor. Flash was in his office as Shining sat in the chair across his desk.
“What’s up, boss?” Flash asked.
“I have a task for you, Captain Flash.”
“Ah, name and title, huh? Must be personal AND requires some guard skills, eh? Lost the keys again, Prince Shining?”
“First, I told you never to speak about that again. Second, it’s about Twilight.”
Flash’s ears perked up, “What about her? Is she in trouble?”
“Not that I’m aware of. But she might be.” That had Flash worried. Shining continued, “You see, Princess Celestia just assigned Twilight to chase the mare that stole her crown who was living in another world. The mare was Sunset Shimmer, a former prodigy student before Twilight. The story was that she turned against the princess when she didn’t get wanted as soon as possible. I believe that Sunset stole the crown as revenge for Princess Celestia.”
“So, where do I go in this? It’s not like I can go to this other world.”
“Actually, that’s exactly what I want you to do. You saw how Sunset went into a mirror, right?” Flash nodded. “Well, that mirror is the other world. I want you to follow Twilight there and protect her. You in, Captain?”
Flash pondered a bit. He was sure Twilight was capable of handling things on her own as she was one of the elements of harmony. THE element one might say. So why was Shining so worried? Not that Flash wasn’t as well, of course. This train of thought must have shown up visually as Shining caught on Flash’s questions.
“Look, Flash,” Shining said, “I get you to believe Twilight can handle this on her own and she can. It’s just that, well, the mirror is only open for three days. Once Luna’s moon reaches its peak, it’s closed for thirty moons.”
“Are we talking the ‘month moon’ or ‘year moon’?”
“Year moon.”
Flash’s eyes popped. Thirty years? That’s insane! While he believes that Twilight will win, there’s no guarantee. If she gets lost for thirty years, Flash wouldn’t know what to do with himself. They just got back together for Celestia’s sake! He wasn’t about to lose her again!
Flash went up from his seat and went to the door. “Tell Steve he’s in charge,” Flash said seriously, “and if don’t get back, well, make it a promotion. Also, tell Scoots that his big bro’s gone with that promotion, thanks.”
While Shining stood there smilingly proudly, Flash bolted to the room with the mirror. In there, he saw the princesses and Twilight’s friends. However, two creatures were missing from this group.
“Heya,” Flash greeted albeit with less enthusiasm than he would normally have, “where’s Twilight and Spike?”
“In the portal, Flash,” Cadance answered, everypony else looking at her as if she had her mane disappeared. Flash didn’t care that much, though, so he went up to the portal and said, “Be back in a flash,” and hopped in.
While everypony (asides from Cadance) was still shocked, Pinkie took this opportunity to laugh at the joke.
Strange World, Familiar Faces
Flash’s head hurt; an aching pain, waiting to bust open. He forced his eyes open, trying to grasp his environment. He looked around and mentally noted down a few things: On his left and right were a pathway and some buildings in the background; houses, more specifically. Behind him was the mirror, now a statue of a strange-looking pony. Flash wondered if the guy was a national hero of sorts. And in front of him was another building. It was way bigger than any other in the area; it looked like Princess Celestia’s Magic School if you asked him. Flash suspected that this building was Sunset’s little playground; a way to fulfill her desire to be the best. Since the place looked like her old school, Flash presumed that this was Sunset’s coping mechanism manifested into a physical form. Personally, Flash would recommend a therapist. He might also book one for Twilight if they escape this world.
Speaking of the beautiful devil, Flash saw Twilight and Spike. He knows they look different, but that doesn’t mean Flash can’t see Twilight Panic Manic™ a mile away. He began to gallop toward them, and this was when he started to notice his hooves were different, but Flash truly didn’t care.
“My magic! It isn’t working!” Twilight exclaimed.
“Make sense. You don’t exactly have your horn.” Spike pointed out.
“Doesn’t make you unless gorgeous though, fair bookworm.” Flash decided to say.
Twilight and Spike looked at him, eyebrows furrowed deeply. Spike pointed to Twilight, standing up before going on all fours. Flash blinked for a moment before mimicking Twilight’s stance. Twilight glared at the boy once he got his composure, “What are you doing here?!”
“Orders from your brother and also me.”
“Do you realize what I’m trying to do here?!”
“Yes. And I want to help.”
“But you could upset the balance of this world!”
“This world can eat my weird-looking flank then. I just don’t know what I would do if you got lost here. We just got together again and—” Flash looked down at the ground, a weight of worry making him do so. Twilight’s eyes perked up at this before solemnly saying, “I didn’t think of that. I… Alright, fine. You can stay. You and Spike could probably be a huge help anyway.”
“Thanks,” Flash said, “I love you, Twilight.”
“I love you too, Flash.”
“Ew,” Spike exclaimed as he pushed the door open, “I hope this place has a bathroom I can puke in.”
The couple chuckled at the remark as they entered the building. Flash decides to fly around to get a good look at the place. He’d succeed too if his face didn’t choose to fall face-plant on the floor.
“Ugh! What—” Flash looked at his back and saw he had no wings. Great. Twilight and Spike were giggling at his misery and Flash rolled his eyes in response. As he got up though, he took the time to check himself out to see any other things he should know about.
Flash had these strange-looking hooves akin to Spike’s claws; not scaly but shaved. Flash also realized he had clothes on; a light blue hoodie with his cutie mark in the center, dark gold cargo pants, a backpack, and white rubber shoes. Flash felt like somepony was looking at him intently enough, Twilight was checking him out. He gave her a wink and a grin which caused Twilight to turn into a tomato.
“That’s nice and all,” Spike said as the couple saw him next to some display across the room, “but look at this.”
They walked towards the display and saw themselves in these weird forms. If you asked Flash, he’d considered him and her a type of ape. They both look cool, though, especially that cute princess.
Suddenly, a bell rang and other creatures that looked like them started to get into a crowd. The room was filled with so many apes that the trio kept getting bumped by things. Twilight and Flash were now crawling to avoid more collisions. Of course, that doesn’t mean their troubles end there. They got hit by cans and almost had their ‘hooves’ stepped on. Flash rolled out of the crowd, hitting some folks on the way with Twilight following slowly behind. While they managed to escape the crowd, their heads were still not bumping into things.
“Well, aren’t you two rolling with excitement?” A voice (both strange and familiar) spoke as they lent their ‘hooves’. “‘Fall’ed quite badly at the rolling part, though.”
Flash chuckled at the pun while Twilight playfully rolled her eyes. The two touch their perspective ‘hoof’ before each one holds them back in the assumed normal position. Flash would’ve said something to the kind stranger if it weren’t for the fact that the stranger was himself. The two Flashes were taken aback by each other as were Twilight and Spike.
“Is this a joke?” The other Flash asked.
“I was gonna ask the same thing,” Flash answered.
“Well, this is interesting,” Spike commented.
“… Did that dog just talk?” The other Flash.
Twilight, Flash, and the other Flash were walking down a hallway; its walls had lockers by the dozens, occasionally separated by a door or two. Students were in the background, minding their businesses. Flash had his hoodie and sunglasses on to avoid questions about why there were two of him. Spike was in Twilight’s backpack as per the other Flash’s insistence. Twilight and Flash had just finished silently explaining what they were and what they were doing in this world to the other Flash.
“Wow, I knew Sunset was a jerk but stealing? That’s insane!” The other Flash exclaimed, “A magical crown at that.”
“Which is why we’re here,” Twilight reassured. “Do you have any idea where my crown could be?”
“Sorry, but I don’t know where it is.”
“Well that helped a lot,” Spike said which caused the other Flash to glare at him. Before they continued their talk, they saw a red and yellow-haired girl and a familiar pink-haired girl, who looked afraid of the former.
“Oh, I'm really sorry,” the pink-haired girl said. “I just found it, and I thought I should give it to her. I didn't know you had dropped it.”
“Well, I DID!” The red and yellow-haired girl said, “And I was about to get it before you swooped in and RUINED everything! You shouldn't pick up things that don't belong to you.”
“It... doesn't really belong to you, either.”
“Excuse me?!”
“N-n-nothing...”
“That’s what I thought.” Twilight, Flash, and Spike were watching this unfold and they growled at this bully, furious with the events unfolding. The other Flash looked away, trying not to be seen by the bully. It still hurt to see her, after all.
“It's as good as mine, and you know it.” The bully continued. “You really ARE pathetic. It's no wonder your best friends are all stray animals.”
“Her best friends are stray animals?” Flash sarcastically asked, “So are you two in a rough patch or something?”
Onlookers looked away, trying to hide their chuckles. The bully glared at the guard captain, “What did you say?”
“You heard him.” It was Twilight’s turn to step up. “You’re a stray. So, I suggest you go back to the woods or else.”
This made the bully even furrier. She stomped towards the two ferociously. “You two must be new here,” she said. “I can speak to anyone anyway I want.”
The bully glared at the onlookers and even made one hide in their locker.
“I can’t believe you that.” The pink-haired girl said.
“We couldn’t just stand there.” Twilight insisted.
“Well, it's just that NOBODY ever stands up to Sunset Shimmer.”
“Sunset Shimmer?” Flash perked up when he heard the name. He hasn’t paid that much attention to the conversation until now.
“You heard of her?”
“Sort of,” Flash answered.
“I don't think I've seen you around before. Did you just transfer to Canterlot High from another school?”
“Uh… yes!” Twilight hastily answered, “Another... heh, school! My name's Twilight.”
“And I’m… uh, Bill Flyer! Yeah.” Flash nervously added. It was a silly name but it’ll do; otherwise two Flash Sentry’s would cause a commotion.
The pink-haired girl said something, but it was unclear what she said. Twilight and Flash could’ve sworn she said ‘Fluttershy,’ which made sense. The pink hair, yellow skin, and the animal love spell out Fluttershy.
“Oh my goodness!” Fluttershy exclaimed, seeing Spike, “Who’s this little guy?”
Yeah, that also spells out Fluttershy. She was absolutely awed at the little guy and can you really blame her? Twilight and Flash don’t seem to think so. They were more than eager to embarrass and introduce her to Spike; letting Fluttershy feed him a dog biscuit as well.
“Oh, wouldn’t ya just give anything to know what they’re really thinking?” Fluttershy wondered.
“He usually just tells me.” Twilight foolishly said. Flash elbowed her in the arm.
“Because they’re so in sync, you know, like a couple of nerds!” Twilight playfully glared at him and got a cheeky smile in response.
“Anyways,” Twilight said to get back to the topic, “Sunset Shimmer said you picked something up. Something that belonged to her. It wasn't a crown, was it?”
“How did you know?” Fluttershy asked.
“Because she stole it from us,” Flash answered; Twilight looked at her boyfriend in shock. Did he just out them?
“Wait, what?”
“Yeah. It was uhh… family heirloom Twilight had.”
“Oh, my. I’m so sorry. I gave it to Principal Celestia. I didn’t know it was from you, Twilight. I’m sorry.” Fluttershy was practically shaking from the newfound knowledge, scared of the possible backlash from the couple. She looked like she was to crumble.
“Hey, it’s okay,” Twilight reassured, “You didn’t know.” The princess was rubbing Fluttershy’s back which soothed the animal lover.
“Where is Principal Celestia?” Twilight asked.
“She’s usually in her office. Third on your left.”
“Thanks for that, Fluttershy,” Flash thanked. Suddenly, a loud ringing sound came.
“Oh, no! I’m late for class!” And that, Fluttershy ran to her class. The other Flash followed suit, saying, “Good luck, guys!”
“Bill, really?” Twilight snarkily asked.
“It was the best I could think of, booksie.”
“Well, honestly, I should’ve expected that from a stallion who made such award-winning names like ‘booksie’ and ‘Twi-Q’”
“And you love them all the same.”
“Who said I hated them, Billy?”
Flash blushed profusely; Twilight giggled, “What’s wrong, Billyboo? Thought I couldn’t catch up?”
The guard stammered hard, failing to find any response. “Let’s just go,” Twilight insisted.
Such a cute display for only our eyes, right? Well, it seems we’re not the only ones watching as someone else lurks in the dark corners of the hall saw it too. Less focused on the love and more so on her victims.
