Flash awoke again in cold sweat. He looked around in the dark, making sure everything was alright. Fluttershy was still asleep, the steady rise and fall of her chest as she slept quietly. He quietly untangled himself from her, making sure she was still asleep. He kissed her on the forehead before he left the room, shutting the door.

He walked around the house with an eerie feeling that he couldn’t shake. Every animal was asleep and in their cages, even Angel. What the hay is going on? He sat on the couch and stared out the windows. He glanced at the clock, seeing that it was 5 o’ clock. He heard three faint knocks on the door and got up to answer, wondering who in the world would be here this early.

He opened the door to reveal three pegasi standing at the door. He couldn’t get a good look at them; they all wore long black coats. The only thing he could tell was the color of their eyes, all three were red.

They stared at each other silently until one of the pegasi started talking. “Good morning, we were wondering if we could talk to the Element of Kindness.” His asked his voice deep.

Red flags went up in Flash’s head. “I’m sorry but she isn’t here right now.”

The three looked at each other. “Where did she go?”

“To Canterlot I believe; something about helping with a wedding?” Flash said as he tried to wrap the conversation up.

“…We were sure that she would be here, after all yesterday was her friend’s birthday party.”

“Yeah…she left the party early to leave.”

“Then how come we haven’t heard about this wedding?”

“It’s a small wedding for one of her friends that live there.” Flash started to close the door. “Now if you don’t mind, I would like to try and go back to sleep.”

“Wait!” They all screamed.

“What?”

Before any could answer, Flash heard Fluttershy walk down the stairs. “Who’s at the door, Flash?” She asked.

Flash’s eyes grew as he tried to slam the door shut but they kicked the door down, flattening Flash. They rushed inside as Fluttershy eeped in fear. Flash pushed the door off him and flew towards them, tackling all three of them in a ball.

Hooves flew everywhere as Flash tried to get them back to the door, but was barely holding his own against the three. One threw his hoof at Flash’s face and Flash dodged, smashing him in the nose with an elbow. Flash grabbed his assailant and used their body as a shield as another tried to hit him in the back. Fluttershy was standing on the stairs, too afraid to move. Flash ducked underneath a flying charge and bucked him as he flew by, sending him into the ceiling. The two on the ground picked themselves up and both launched themselves at Flash. It seemed as if they moved in slow motion as Flash easily dodged their attacks and spun around, punching one in the face and the other in the gut.

The one that crashed into the ceiling finally got up and growled, charging Flash. Flash went to move out of the way, but one of the Pegasus on the ground grabbed his hoof. He looked down and tried to kick the attacker off but couldn’t. The charging Pegasus tackled Flash and slammed him through an armoire full of plates, which landed on top of them.

“Fluttershy, go NOW!” He screamed, glancing in her direction. She nodded and ran back up stairs. Flash looked back only to feel agonizing pain bloom in his stomach. He looked down to see the small hilt of a throwing dagger. He looked around and saw one of the coated ponies put one away.

Flash tried to move, but his body was locked as he fell back onto the pile of debris, struggling to breathe as his body started to go numb. The dagger must have been poisoned. He struggled to get air.

“Take that as a compliment; we only use the daggers on royal guards.” One of them said before kicking Flash in the face as they headed upstairs.

Flash tried to get up, but his body wouldn’t listen to him and he drifted out of consciousness.

As he came back, he heard struggling and saw the three carrying a bound and gagged Fluttershy towards the door. She was terrified and crying, her body shaking.

Power suddenly welled up inside him. Flash jumped up, the poisonous dagger ignored. “LET HER GO!” He yelled his body encased in a green aura. The green aura encased Fluttershy and she was ripped from the pegasi’s hooves and floated over to Flash. He smiled at her, his sea green eyes sparkling. He looked back at the three as everypony stared at him in awe. “NOW GET OUT!” He yelled, sending the green aura shooting at them. They screamed as it hit them in the chest, launching them out the door. They laid on the lawn, twitching once before going still.

He untied and ungagged Fluttershy. He gave her a hug and held her as she cried into his chest. “Shh, it’s going to be ok.” He said quietly, running a hoof through her mane.

“N-no its not… your h-h-hurt.” She said, staring at the dagger still in his stomach.

“Oh yeah, I forgot about that.” He said with a faint smile. “Fluttershy do you think you could pull it out?”

She grimaced. “I-I don’t know; let me go get the f-f-first aid.” She quickly ran to her bathroom and grabbed some cleaning alcohol and some pressure gauze. She stopped by her room and grabbed a blanket. She came back down and saw him still encased in the green glow. She laid the blanket on the ground and told him to lie down. He nodded and laid down, the dagger hilt in the air. She frowned.

“Um…this is going to h-hurt…I’m s-s-sorry.” She said as he nodded and she bit the hilt. She tried to pull it out but it caught and she stumbled forward, pushing it deeper. He cried out in pain. “Oh I’m so sorry. I’m so useless.” She said as she started to cry.

“No it’s ok Fluttershy, you’re doing fine.” He said as he briefly ran a hoof along her back. He took a deep breath. “Just try it again.”

She frowned. “O-o-ok.” She said as she grabbed the hilt again. She pulled with all her might and with a scream of pain, the dagger came out. Blood started to pool out and Fluttershy quickly spat the dagger out and grabbed the alcohol. “Now this going to burn.” She said as she poured it on the wound. She felt Flash lock up, pain etched on his face. She grabbed the gauze and held it against his side to try and stop the blood flow.

After several minutes, the house seemed to dim as the green aura dissipated around Flash, leaving him drenched in sweat, his body shaking and racked with spasms. She saw him struggling to breathe.

“Flash are you alright?” She asked, worried.

He tried to smile. “Never…better…” he said, slurring his words. He closed his eyes and his breathing became even more erratic.

She was deathly afraid. She looked down and saw that the gauze was completely red and still dripping through. She started to panic, looking around for somepony’s help when she saw Angel staring at her. She told him to come here and for once he listened. “Angel…could you please go get Twilight?” She begged. “I’ll give you whatever you want.” He seemed to not hear that part, already hopping out the door. She leaned against Flash. “Please hold on.” She whispered as she cried.

[....]

Angel didn’t notice the three burnt bodies of the Shadow Bolts, their bodies lying by the entrance of the Everfree Forest. A bright flash of light and two unicorns appeared, both saw the three bodies and ran over, investigating them.

“Wow…he’s stronger than even I thought.” He mumbled to himself.

“Are…are those the Shadow Bolts?” Stakes whispered.

“Yes they are or should I say were.”

Stakes stared in amazement. “But that’s impossible. The Shadow Bolts are the most elite assassin group in all of Equestrian history.”

“Looks like they underestimated him and paid for their arrogance.” The unicorn whispered back. “Now come on, let’s head back before we’re spotted.” He said, teleporting himself, Stakes, and the three corpses back to their camp.

[....]

“Hmm… I wonder…” Twilight mumbled to herself, deep in thought. She turned the next page of the book Flash had gotten her. She hadn’t put it down since the party, using everything at her disposal to try and translate it.

“Isn’t it time to get some sleep Twi?” Alli asked as he walked into her room, carrying two mugs of hot chocolate. He passed one to her and she caught it with her magic.

“Not until I translate this page.” She said as she took a sip. She placed it down and picked up several other translators with her magic.

Alli shook his head. “Why don’t you just ask for some help?”

“No, I can translate this! I know I can!” She said, holding a hoof to the ceiling. She noticed him smiling and playfully smacked him.

“I know you can.” He said, leaning forward and lightly kissing her. They both blushed.

There was a knock at the door. “Now who the hay would be up this early?” She asked, looking at the clock.

“Don’t worry, I’ll get it.” He said as he got up and headed downstairs.

He opened the door to see a small white rabbit run underneath him and headed upstairs. “Twi, do you own a rabbit?”

“What?” She said. “I don’t own a rabbit…” she started until she saw the rabbit. “Angel, what are you doing here?” She asked, wondering why Fluttershy’s pet would be here.

“So this is the legendary Angel I’ve heard so much about?” Alli asked as he came into the room. He stared at the bunny with a small smile on his face as Angel tried to get them to leave.

A light bulb went off in Twi’s head. “Oh no, something bad must have happened.” She said and Angel shook his head yes. Alli’s smile disappeared, replaced with a frown.

“What do you think happened?” He asked.

“No idea, but let’s go to Fluttershy’s house and make sure everything is alright.” She said as she wrote a quick note to Spike and ran out of her room to leave it on the table. Angel and Alli followed her. “I know you don’t like teleporting Angel, but it’s the fastest way to get there.” She told the rabbit, which hesitantly shook his head. Twilight’s horn started to glow as Alli tapped his against hers and all three were gone in a flash of light.

[....]

There was a flash of light as Alli, Twilight, and Angel shook their heads. They stood in shock as Fluttershy cried on Flash.

“Flash!” Twi and Alli yelled as they ran over.

Alli powered his horn and touched Flash as Twilight comforted Fluttershy. “Twi, this isn’t good. I’m sensing poison in him and he's lost a lot of blood…” Alli said, looking at Twi.

“Fluttershy what happened?” Twi asked.

Through her tears, Fluttershy gave a brief recap. Both Twi and Alli were stunned.

"Well…that’s…unexpected.” Alli said.

Flash gasped and groaned in pain. They all looked at him. “How are you feeling?” Alli asked.

“You know, just like usual…” Flash said, trying to laugh.

“I think he needs to go to the hospital.” Twilight said.

“No…more…hospitals…” Flash said trailing off as he passed out.

Alli and Twilight looked at each other. “Hospital?” Alli asked and she nodded.

Their horns glowed back into life and teleported everypony to the hospital.

[....]

*BEEP* …They didn’t listen to me did they? Flash slowly opened his eyes, groaning as he was overcome by bright light.

“Hey, I think he’s awake.” He heard Twilight say.

He leaned forward in the bed, seeing all of his friends there. Fluttershy was the closest, grabbing his hoof and nuzzling his cheek.

“I’m glad you’re ok.” She whispered before kissing him.

He pulled Fluttershy into a hug. “It’ll take a lot more to kill me.”

“But this was the closest I’ve seen.” Redheart said as she came walking back into the room.

“Really?”

“That poison was strong enough to kill a fully grown dragon… and it pierced your stomach. That and that magic that you used starting to burn through your cells faster than they could regenerate.”

“And that means what to the non-magic ponies?” Flash asked, confused.

“It means that you were killing yourself with that magic. What did you do?”

“I don’t know, I felt a rush of energy and suddenly I could move. Everything had a green tint to it…I don’t really remember much.” He stopped. “Wait…did I use magic?”

“…It seems as if you did…” Twilight said, confused.

“Well… I am in alicorn, it shouldn’t be that surprising.” Flash said, leaving Twilight and Alli to stare in awe.

“You are?” They both said at the same time.

“But didn’t Princess Luna say that Discord stole your magic?” Fluttershy asked, remembering the earlier conversation.

“It’s impossible to steal a unicorn or should I say alicorn’s magic completely. Seal it away, yes, but not get rid of it.”  Redheart said.

“Wait just a second… you’re an alicorn?” Alli said, dumbfounded.

“Well… yeah; my mom is Princess Luna. What did you think I was?”

“Just a Pegasus; not that there’s anything wrong with that.” Alli said quickly.

Flash chuckled. “Well…yeah, I did lose my horn and since I thought I couldn’t do magic it wasn’t that big of a deal.”

“Learn something new every day.” Alli mumbled.

“So how are you feeling?” Redheart asked, looking at some readout.

“I’m feeling a lot better; sore and tired, but fine.” Flash said.

“That’s good. The readouts say your fine so whenever you want to sign out just let me know. Just…take it easy; I see you way too often.” She said with a smile.

“Oh you know I’m a great guy, can’t get enough of me.” He said as everypony started to laugh. He got out of bed; Fluttershy right next to him. He opened a wing and lovingly placed it over her, pushing her closer and nuzzled her neck. “Come on, let’s get out of here.” Flash said, leading the rest of the group out of the room.

[....]

As they walked out, Fluttershy and Flash gave hugs to a stunned Alli and Twilight.

“I don’t know what I’d do without you two.” Flash said as he leaned into Fluttershy.

“Well...I’m…sure you’d be fine.” They both stuttered.

Flash and Fluttershy smiled.

“I think we’re going to go home and get some rest, we really didn’t get any last night.” Alli said as him and Twi both yawned.

“Alright then, see ya later.” Flash said as they left, heading towards Twi’s home.

“So...what do you want to do?” Flash asked Fluttershy, who was under his wing.

“Well…I have to go home and clean…they kinda broke a few things.” She said frowning.

He kissed her. “Don’t worry I’ll help clean up.”

“Oh you don’t have to, you should rest.”

“Fluttershy…”

“Please; just relax, I can pick up myself.” She said, her face growing determined.

He smiled and kissed her again. “Ok, ok you win.” Wait; wasn’t I supposed to meet with somepony? He thought about it till he remembered who he was supposed to meet up with. “Umm… Fluttershy, I was supposed to meet Rarity so I could ask her for a favor.”

“Oh… would you mind me asking what for?”

“Well…I was going to ask her….were to take you for your birthday dinner.”

Fluttershy frowned. “Oh…right.”

“It’ll be ok Fluttershy; I’m here if you need me.”

She nuzzled and kissed him. “Thank you.”

He smiled. “So I’ll meet you at home?”

“Of course.”

“Ok; please be careful.”

“You too.”

They kissed one more time before splitting their own ways.

[....]

“Rarity no offense, but are you sure this is how I should propose?” Flash asked, weighed down by a very heavy tuxedo and his mane slicked back by at least three pounds of hair gel.

“Of course darling, don’t you want to look dashing for Fluttershy?” She asked.

“I do…but this just doesn’t feel right.”

“Then what did you have in mind?”

“I don’t know, maybe take her and her friends out to a nice dinner and then during dessert ask her.”

She was silent for a moment. “I guess that could work…”

He smiled sheepishly. “Sorry Rarity; this just isn’t me.”

She smiled. “I know darling. I just wanted to offer my help.”

“And I thank you for that; I just don’t think I should look like I was bathed in hair gel.”

She giggled a little. “I may have gone a bit far.”

“A bit?”

“Ok, ok… I went overboard.”

“Thank you… now could you help me out from this tuxedo; I’m afraid I’ll be eaten by it.” She smiled and used her magic to gently take it off him. “Thank you.” He said, stretching his legs.

“So Flash, do you remember the first conversation we ever had?”

He stopped dead in his tracks and shivered. “Of course I do, I thought you were gonna kill me.”

She stared at him as those daggers reappeared in her eyes. “I will if I find out that you cheat on Fluttershy and don’t think I won’t find out.”

He gulped. “I meant every word I said then; I won’t leave her nor will I cheat on her.”

The daggers disappeared and she smiled. “I hope you mean it.” She looked at the clock. “Oh heavens, it’s that late already? Now I must ask you to leave so I can get started on Fluttershy’s dress.”

“That’s alright. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He said as he waved goodbye and walked out the door.

“Now…should it be yellow or purple?” Rarity asked, holding up the two fabrics with her magic.

[....]

“Fluttershy, I’m home.” Flash said as he walked into Fluttershy’s cottage. He saw that she had cleaned the house up and the armoire was put back together, the broken plates swept up. All the animals were gone, the house eerily quiet. “Fluttershy?” He asked, walking around the house.

He thought he heard something coming from her room and walked up to it, quietly opening the door to find Fluttershy quietly crying on her bed. He quickly ran up to her. “Fluttershy, what’s wrong?” He asked worried.

She looked at him and fell into his hooves, crying harder.

“Shh…it’ll be alright. I’m here for you.” He said, giving her a tight hug and encasing both of them with his wings. He sat down on the bed and gently stroked her mane, letting her cry.

“F-flash…I need to t-tell you s-something.” She tried to say through the tears.

“It’s ok, you can tell me later.”

“N-no; I need to tell you n-now.” She insisted.

“Ok, I’m here, what do you need to say?”

“W-well remember how I cried when you asked me what happened on my b-birthday?”

“…Yes?”

“I-I will tell you if you want to know.”

“I do, but only if you want to tell me; I don’t want you to feel you have to.”

“I want to tell you.”

“Ok, then I’m all ears.” He said with a small smile.

“Well when I was a filly, I was made fun of because I was never a good flyer. One day I was practicing and my dad came home and asked what I was doing. I t-told him and he started laughing and said I should drop out of flight school and go live on the ground. When I told him I didn’t want to, he got angry and s-smacked me. He called me the worse thing to happen to him and he was ashamed of to call me his daughter. He said because of me, he was a laughing stock at work. He wished me to disappear.” She struggled to say. “When I s-started to cry, he hit me again and told me to grow up.” She buried her face in Flash’s chest. “He wouldn’t let me have any friends or tell them that I was his daughter…” She couldn’t finish anymore, sobbing incoherently.

“Shh, it’s ok.” He said, rocking back and forth.

“F-flash, am I a terrible pony? I should never have been born…” she whispered.

“No, don’t you even think that! You’re a wonderful, kind, caring pony. I don’t know what I would do without you; or any of your friends. What about all your animals? What would happen to them?” She tried to smile. “Don’t worry Fluttershy, your dad was wrong. So what if you aren’t a great flyer? You have other amazing qualities that make up for that. After everything that’s happen, you’ve grown through it and learned to make yourself better.”

She kissed him passionately. “Thank you; you’re a wonderful pony too.”

He laughed. “Not really; I’m just telling the truth.”

She leaned against him. “You are and you know it.”

He bent down and kissed the top of her head. “Whatever you say.” Flash went to get up, but she grabbed him.

“Please, could you stay here?” She asked on the verge of tears.

“Of course, whatever you need.” He said, holding her again.

After several minutes of them holding each other, Fluttershy leaned up and kissed him. “Thank you, for everything.”

He smiled. “It’s not a problem. Whenever you need me, I’ll be there.”

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

“So what do you want to do now?” She asked, wiping a tear from her eye.

“Well… how about I cook us some dinner, we relax by the fireplace and see what happens?”

“That’s a great plan.” She said as she got up.

They walked downstairs and she started to get the fireplace going as Flash went into the kitchen and went to make something editable. He decided on daisy sandwiches and hay fries. He put the fries in the oven and started to get out the daisies and bread. After several minutes, the fries were ready and he pulled them out of the stove and set them to cool off. He split them halfway and put one half on Fluttershy’s plate along with her sandwich; the other half on his plate. He grabbed a tray and placed the two plates on it, putting the tray on his back. He walked out into the living room to see Fluttershy sitting on the couch with a blanket and pillows.

“Sorry that it isn’t the fanciest dinner.” He said, walking by and letting her grab her plate.

“It looks wonderful.” She said, grabbing her plate.

He smiled and hopped on the couch, grabbing his plate from the tray. They ate in silence, staring into the flames of the fireplace.

“That was delicious.” She said as she finished, grabbing his plate and set them on the tray. She grabbed the blanket and threw it over both of them, snuggling against him; using his chest as her pillow. “I’m sorry that I’m always using you as a pillow.” She said, her face turning red.

“Don’t worry, it doesn’t bother me.” He said, gently rubbing her back. “Fluttershy, I know you don’t like your birthday, but tomorrow I’m going to do what I can to make sure you have the best birthday you can.”

“Thank you.” She said. “Flash… can I ask you a question?”

“You know you can ask me anything.”

“Why do you put up with me?”

He was silent. “I don’t put up with you; I love you. I do whatever I can to make you happy because whenever you’re happy, I’m happy. And before you say anything, you’re not a burden, if anything; you’ve saved my life now what 3 or 4 times?”

She stopped; he had stolen her next statement. “You would be fine without me.”

“That’s a lie and we both know it. You are my world Fluttershy, you know that. I will do everything I can to make you happy.”

She was silent for a moment. “Your good at being sappy aren’t you?”

“Hey, I gotta be good at something right?” He said with a grin.

She nuzzled against him. “You’re good at many things.”

“Whatever you say.” He said, leaning against the couch and yawning. “Sorry.”

“It’s ok, why don’t we try and go to bed?” She asked.

“Let’s feed the animals, I don’t think we’ve given them dinner.”

“Oh you’re right.” She said, quickly getting up and leading him to her pantry.

They once again went about the house and fed the animals, which somehow returned when they weren’t paying attention. After a good half an hour, they quickly went up to her room and lay down on the bed, snuggled together.

“I think this is the earliest we’ve gone to bed.” Flash said, looking over at the clock; it was almost 1 in the morning.

“I think your right. Sorry if I woke you up last night.” She whispered.

“It’s alright, I didn’t really sleep anyway.” He said as he kissed her. “Just get some sleep; we’re going to have a busy day tomorrow and thank you for telling me.”

She smiled and kissed him back. “Thank you for everything Flash, I love you so much.”

“I love you too. Goodnight Fluttershy.”

“Goodnight Flash.” She said as she nuzzled against his chest.

They both fell asleep fast, exhausted from the day’s events.

[....]

“So why did you send them even when I specifically told you not to!?” The unicorn yelled.

“Forgive us Lord, but we thought it didn’t mat-”

“YOU THOUGHT IT DIDN’T MATTER? Do you even listen when I speak?”

“Of course we do sire, but he was a nuisance that needed to be fixed.”

“HELLO?! He is the key to our success! If he dies then the last 500 years have been a waste of TIME!”

“We’re sorry, we didn’t know.”

“Of course you didn’t, you don’t listen.” The unicorn said as he turned away from the three unicorns cowering in fear.

“Um...sir?” Stakes asked.

“What is it Stakes?"

“I heard that Vash has made a full recovery and there’s rumors that PC is planning on having her pupil train him.”

“That… would cause problems. Stakes see to it that it doesn’t happen.” He said as he walked away.

“Of course sir.” Stakes said, bowing as the leader of the Revolution walked by.

The unicorn walked out of the caves and stared at the moon. “Soon Luna, I’ll have my revenge.” He said. Next Chapter: The Proposal Estimated time remaining: 2 Hours, 28 Minutes