Before the night fell on Equestria, in the afternoon at Sweet Apple Acres in Ponyville, three certain fillies were working there to be forgiven for their bad action at the Everfree Forest. Zecora the Zebra explained to an elderly mare pony who lived there that the Cutie Mark Crusaders, Apple Bloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle attempted to go through the Everfree Forest to her hut by themselves. Zecora didn't mention the pony that saved the Crusaders from the cragadile much to the fillies' relief. So the old mare was thankful for the Zebra's vigilance and decided that the Crusaders must do some chores at Sweet Apple Acres for this weekend as their punishment for going alone to the forest.
As Zecora already left for the Castle of Friendship, the Crusaders were bringing baskets of apples to an area near the left side of the red farm house. As Apple Bloom put the last basket of apples down, she, Scootaloo and Sweetie breathed a big sigh. Then, an old mare exited the house to see the fillies' progress. She has light orange eyes, a light gray mane and tail, a light lime green coat, wears an apple themed and a cutie mark of an apple pie. She looks at the baskets carefully and back at the Crusaders with a stern face.
"G-Granny Smith," Apple Bloom breathed between breaths, "All fifteen, baskets are, filled with apples...whew! A-as ya told us, to do."
"Can we take a breather now?" Scootaloo asked, "My back feels cramped."
For a few seconds Granny Smith thought about it. The Crusaders looked uneasily at her, wondering if their deserved break will fall on deaf ears. "Alright, youngins'," Granny Smith said, "ya'll did fine and dandy with these baskets there. A five minute break is all ya get fer now. After that, ya'll are to prepare the pigs' pre appetizers and supper. And I better not see any slakin' off from any of ya, ya got it?"
"We got it." the Crusaders sighed in shame.
Smiling yet keeping a stern face, Granny Smith went back into the farm house. The three fillies then sat down. "Well, that was a major bummer." Scootaloo moaned.
"Well, Ah brought up the idea of doin' big things big ponies do since we got our cutie marks," Apple Bloom reasoned, "and again, Ah'm sorry for draggin' ya'll into it."
"Well, we all went with it," Sweetie said, "and what matters is that we're safe and sound."
"At least we didn't get spanked." said Scootaloo.
"Though Ah wonder what Zecora wanted to do at Princess Twilight's Castle?" Apple Bloom wondered.
"Probably to research something that made the cragadile attack us." Sweetie guessed.
Apple Bloom smirked a bit, "The cragadile that the 'handsome' pony saved us from?"
Sweetie's cheeks flushed deep pink as Apple Bloom mentioned the pony. "Quiet!" she hissed quickly, "You promised to keep him a secret!"
"We promised to keep his name a secret, remember?" asked Scootaloo.
"Huh? Oh, yeah." Sweetie embarrassingly scratched her neck with her hoof while still blushing, "Anyway, I wonder if we will see him again."
"Do ya want ta see him again?" Apple Bloom cheekily raised her eyebrow which causes Sweetie to blush again at the question.
"No! Not like that!" Sweetie spat out, "More like, will he come to Ponyville someday so that we can get to know him?"
"Perhaps he will." Apple Bloom opined, "And if he does, we can try ta be friends with him."
"If we can get through these aching chores in three days." Scootaloo chimed in. The Crusaders chuckled, while Sweetie thinks about the pony that saved her and her friends.
Later, as the sun lowers a bit to the western horizon, the large doors of the Castle of Friendship opens, and Zecora walks out between them with a sad face. Starlight Glimmer and Spike follow her just up to the doors with concerned faces.
"Nothing found of the events that happened, in the Everfree Forest to find out what tapped in," Zecora said, "the cragadile to make a sudden action on the fillies, such a troubling thought brings to mind an ill ease."
"I'm sorry that we couldn't find the information you're looking for." said Starlight, "Maybe we can try again when Twilight and her friends come back tomorrow as her letter stated."
"And maybe we can look in the library where Twilight and I used to stay at Canterlot." Spike suggested.
"But those high class ponies know not of me," Zecora demurred, looking at Starlight and Spike, "I doubt I'll be treated to their cup of tea."
"Don't worry, Twilight will go with you if she can," Spike reassured Zecora, "and she has another group of friends there, so I'm sure you'll be on good terms with them."
Zecora is a bit confused, and Spike nods his head in more reassurance, and Starlight does the same, which makes Zecora smile. "Thank you humbly for the help," she said, "without it I would unsurely yelp. I must now be going back to my hut, before my ingredients' doors are shut."
"If we find anything, we'll let you know." Starlight said, "Take care."
"See ya later." said Spike.
Zecora nodded and trotted off for the Everfree Forest. Starlight and Spike then closed the doors in front of them and walked down the hall. "Now we have to put those books Zecora requested back up to their appropriate shelves." Starlight spoke a bit disdainfully.
"Look on the bright side," Spike chirped up, "It gives us something instead of nothing to do."
Starlight chuckles a bit, then, a sudden vision flashes in her mind again. As she gasps, Starlight can see for a few seconds a pony hidden in the shadows which seems more familiar to her.
"Starlight?" Spike noticed Starlight being in a trance, "Starlight!"
"Huh?" Starlight snaps out of the vision.
"Is something wrong?" Spike asked, worried.
"Um, maybe," Starlight said, a bit perplexed, "but I don't know exactly."
"Well, okay." Spike said, a little confused, "Maybe this busy day we had is taking a toll on us. A good night's sleep will get us up and bright."
"Yes, that'll be good." Starlight agreed and they resumed walking down the hall. Starlight is now more confused by what she saw for the second time, only the vision was longer and the shadowed pony showed more details, most that appear recognizable to her. But it leaves her with more questions than she thought, so Starlight put that aside for now and intends to ask Twilight about this tomorrow.
The stars twinkle in the night sky and the moon shines its rays over the Crystal Empire as everypony is sound asleep, except for most of the royal guards patrolling the streets and the castle. One guard in particular is inside the bedroom where Flurry Heart sleeps in her baby bed. He stands at attention near the door holding a spear between his wrist.
He is a Pegasus who has vivid blue eyes, a brilliant gamboge coat, a mane and tail of two tones of sapphire, and a cutie mark of a two-toned blue shield behind a yellow lightning bolt. Like various royal guards, he wears yellow gold armor covering his body accompanied by shoes on his hooves and a helmet with hair matching his mane. He looks to the clock on the wall to his left, showing it is an hour and a half past midnight. The gamboge Pegasus then thinks back to what his commander, Shining Armor, told him to do...
(Flashback, some time ago)
In the bedroom, Shining Armor stands near the baby bed looking at Flurry Heart sleeping. Three light knocks is heard at the door, drawing the attention of Shining Armor. "Come in." he said in a tone to not wake the baby.
Slowly, the gamboge Pegasus walks in and stands at attention. "Flash Sentry reporting for duty." he says quietly, "You requested my presence, sir?"
"Yes, Flash," Shining Armor replied, "I asked for you because Princess Cadance trusts you the most out of the royal guards stationed here, so I see no downside of me doing so." he looks to his sleeping daughter and continued, "You are to stand guard inside this bedroom and watch over Flurry Heart. I'll have another guard standing watch outside." Shining Armor looks back at Flash Sentry, "I am counting on you to make sure that nothing in particular happens to the baby Alicorn, either suddenly or mysteriously. Understand?"
"Perfectly, sir." Flash saluted softly, "I won't let you down, sir."
For a second, Shining Armor raises his eyebrow, than he chuckles a bit which Flash notices. "What is it, sir?" the gamboge Pegasus asked.
"Personally," Shining Armor started after calming down a bit, "out of all the serious guards I've known, you are a unique one. Don't get me wrong, but I've seen how much of a gentlecolt you are, like being quiet around babies and treating mares with respect, especially my sister."
"Princess Twilight?" Flash said a bit wide eyed.
"Yes. I've heard from Princess Cadance how Twilight bumped into you and how kind you've been to her." Shining Armor put his hoof on Flash's shoulder smiling making the Pegasus feel uneasy, "Maybe I could let you have a chance with my sister, if you are willing to earn my trust in that property."
Flash sees the stern yet smiling face of Shining Armor, showing how serious yet playful he is. The only response Flash lets out is a sad sigh. "With all due respect, sir," he said, "I...I don't see Princess Twilight as the special somepony I am looking for."
Shining Armor is surprised, "What? What makes you say that?" he asked.
"Because I have eyes for somepony else." Flash looks down, feeling down himself, "At least, I believed I did."
Shining Armor feels concerned that this side of Flash Sentry was not revealed to anypony, and also feels guilty for what he did on him, "Hey, I'm sorry about assuming your feelings for my sister." he said, "If you already have a mare in mind, then I have no qualms with it. You don't have to explain what happened between you and her."
"No, it is best that somepony knows." Flash replied, "In fact, I've never told anypony about it." He looks to Shining Armor with a sad face, "With your permission, I'd like to tell you what happened to me long ago. But, would you...and Princess Cadance, promise to keep it a secret?"
"Colt scout's honour," Shining Armor raised his hoof in a mock saluting manner after a slight pause, "Continue."
Flash then took a breath to ease himself, and begins to tell Shining Armor what happened, "When I was a colt, I had a rough time at Cloudsdale school," Flash explained, "Because of my social awkwardness and clumsiness, the other colts and fillies made fun of me for it. It was in those days that I felt so sad and depressed, until one day I couldn't take it anymore."
Shining Armor's eyes widened a bit as Flash continued, "To get away from it all, I took the risk of flying down to the ground. I didn't care if I was inexperienced, I just wanted to leave that place and not come back." Flash took another breath, "I was aiming for the trees, thinking that they would soften my landing. I was wrong. I bumped into the branches hard and fell flat on my face to the ground."
"I take it you survived?" Shining Armor asked.
"Yes, sir." replied Flash, "But I had bruises on my legs and barrel, and my wings were crippled. I thought it would be the end of me, that it was the price to escape my horrible past...until I heard a voice, and I saw him."
Shining Armor stayed silent though confused at where the story was going as Flash looked up with a fake smile while he spoke, "It was a Unicorn colt, who has the same coloured coat like I do, a somewhat dark orange mane and tail, eyes as blue as the night sky, and a cutie mark of an odd sun. But what was unusual about him is that he has a white spot on his nose and white coatings around his legs, though I discarded that question as I felt myself blacking out from my headache.
"When I came to, I was in a hospital bed, and me and my wings were bandaged up. I noticed the colt sitting beside me and he was relieved that I am awake. The doctor came in and saw me awake as well. He explained that the colt brought me here and the other nurses took care of me. He said that my body will be fine after a night's rest, but it will be three days before my wings are healed, so as long as I don't move them I'll be fine. The colt apologized to make it short, but he said he is late to meet with his mentor, one of the Princess's Royal Mages of Canterlot, but he stated that someday we'll meet again, and he left. It occurred to me that we didn't exchange names, and also that he treated me like a friend, something that nopony my age ever did."
"What does all that have to do with that special somepony of yours?" Shining Armor interrupted, a little confused.
"Forgive me sir, I'm just getting to that." Flash recovered from the startled interruption and continued, "As I rested in the hospital, I thought of what that colt said about his Royal Mage mentor. An Unicorn pony that young wanting to be a royal mage? I thought that was crazy, yet he seemed pretty excited about it. That made me wonder. Will I be able to find my destiny no matter how my own self gets in the way? It was then I realized. Life is too precious to throw away and ignore the ups and downs of it all, and nopony else should think of doing that. So, I decided that I will become a royal guard, and find a special somepony to protect and love.
"Once I was healed and left the hospital, I saw that I am in Canterlot, the capital of Equestria and the superior high class city of them all. I got a few uncanny looks from the Unicorns, and I didn't know how to handle it. But then trumpets played out, and down the street came Princess Celestia and a filly accompanying her. The other Unicorns bowed as the sun goddess walked by, and since I learned of her at school, I bowed as well. But there was something about the filly that caught my eye and made my heart beat harder than ever.
"The Unicorn filly had a gold coat, a red and yellow mane and tail, and a cutie mark of a shimmering sun. But what really caught my eye was her eyes. They are as blue as the sky. I've never seen such beautiful eyes. I had many thoughts of how to greet her and some doubts if she will greet me back.
"But something suddenly snapped me out of my thoughts.
"An explosion erupted from one of the towers, and large chunks of stone and debris were falling down. While the other Unicorns panicked and took cover, the filly beside the Princess lit up her horn and held the stones in the air with her magic. But I noticed that a whole part of the tower roof was falling down towards the filly and the Princess. I didn't want to see the filly hurt as much as the sun goddess, and I didn't care if I was going to throw my life away. If it means to ensure that everypony is safe, so be it.
"I took flight and flew towards the roof. I got below it and pushed it as hard as I could, but the speed at which it was falling made my efforts fruitless. But as I saw the shocked Princess and the frightened filly, which made her cancel out her focus and made the stones fall again, I knew I had to save them no matter what. I began to flap my wings as hard as they could carry me, and slowly the roof slowed down its falling, but I didn't have long, so I tilted it and pushed the roof towards the falling stones and caught them with it. Once I caught all of them, I roughly landed the roof on the street pretty far up front from the Princess and the filly. As I breathed like I flew a flying course, I saw the many shocked faces of the Unicorns and even the filly and the Princess. But I was glad that everypony was okay, even the filly.
"Then something happened.
"My body suddenly started to feel strange, and before I knew it I was lifted up by this magical source surrounding me, and in a flash of bright light-"
"Let me guess," Shining Armor interrupted again, "you got your cutie mark?"
Flash chuckled a bit, "That's right, sir. I did." He then went on with his story, "At first I was confused at what happened to me, but when I saw both of my flanks, they had a mark of a blue shield with a lightning bolt in front of them. I was speechless. Then Princess Celestia approached me and asked for my name, which I gave, and she thanked me for saving everypony present of the accident. The Princess then asked if I would like to join the royal guards. Such a request from the sun goddess and a golden opportunity being presented to me because I earned it made me choke up a bit, so I gratefully accepted. I then followed the Princess and the filly while the Unicorns cheered for my efforts, most of them anyway.
"As we walked I noticed that the filly was looking at me, and as she noticed the same thing she looked away quickly and turned a bit red. I could see that she had conflicting feelings about me and her interests, so I intended to give her time to come to terms with them."
Flash paused a bit and sniffed, which Shining Armor notices. The gamboge Pegasus then continued, "As time went by I was training with the other Pegasi to be a royal guard, and my thoughts of the Unicorn mare who was the filly I saved never left my head. So I used those thoughts as inspiration to continue my training, believing that I was doing it for her. But..."
Shining Armor saw a tear roll down Flash's cheek. "But what?" he asked softly.
"But I was devastated to hear that the mare betrayed Princess Celestia and disappeared to who knows where." Flash sadly wiped the tear with his hoof, "It was so obvious that she had the superiority complex the high class ponies do, and I was a foal to not realize it. But...despite all that, I still believe that everypony deserves another chance, so I believed that someday she will come back, that whatever is troubling her she must confront it on her own."
Flash then sighed and looked at Shining Armor, "And now that I'm a royal guard, I do my duties as one while thinking of that mare all the time, and I still do. She is the only reason I fulfilled my destiny, and she is the only mare I consider my very special somepony...if she comes back that is."
As Flash finished his story, he hangs his head low with a sad look. Shining Armor feels sympathetic for the Pegasus and is even in awe of how much Flash thought his feelings and ideals out. "Gee," the Unicorn commander said, "I had no idea you were the Pegasus colt who saved Princess Celestia that day, and even how deep your feelings for that other unicorn mare are. Though if you think she will come back, then I'm sure she will."
Flash looks up again at Shining Armor who smiled at him, "And don't worry. Your secret's safe with me. But let me warn you," he leans in close to Flash, "mares always find out the truth," he whispered while patting Flash's shoulder, "always."
Shining Armor then walks to the door and exits the bedroom, leaving Flash a bit perplexed at what his commander told him.
(End of flashback)
Flash ended up thinking about how he told Shining Armor his troubling past and his loss of his special somepony. He then lays his spear on the wall beside him, takes off his helmet and takes a picture out from inside the back part. Flash looks solemnly at the picture and sighs. In the shadows it is not watchable, but to Flash it is somepony he misses a lot.
THUMP!
A sudden thump is heard outside the window, making Flash gasp and fumble a bit with the picture and helmet. After getting his grasp on the picture and helmet, he sees that Flurry Heart is asleep. Flash sighs in relief and puts the picture back into the helmet. He sets it down to the floor and grabs his spear. The gamboge Pegasus cautiously walks to the window and sticks his head out with his spear beside him. Flash looks around, left, right, above. So far it seems like there is nothing, probably to Flash that some bird crashed into the outside wall of the castle.
But when he looked down, his eyes widen, for his guess was proven wrong.
Before he can shout, Flash's mouth is quickly covered by a hoof, and he is pulled out from the window forcefully yet silently. Soon, the room fell silent. All that was left was the helmet of the disappeared stallion guard with a picture inside it, and a baby Alicorn sleeping in the baby bed. But then, Flurry Heart's face starts to turn to fear, for it seems to be having a nightmare, and a shadow looms over her.
From the window is the head of a unicorn hidden in his own shadow, where his right eye glows red, and his left eye is half open, showing a purple aura emitting from it. He chuckles quietly and evilly to himself as he sets his eyes on the baby Alicorn.
For something dreadful is going to happen. How? Nopony is sure. What is certain is that it will be very dreadful.
And tragic.
TO BE CONTINUED...