//------------------------------// // Interlude 4: No Day but Today // Story: The Equestrian Omni-Knight // by Azure5555 //------------------------------// “I'm writing one great song before I~” Flash Sentry took a deep depressed sigh as he looked at the tickets in his hand. A production of RENT was going down in a few days and he wanted to take Sunset out to see it, but… -Sigh- “There's no way she'll say yes with that that pretty boy front man on her arm. To Flash Sentry, forever alone.” He pulled out a bottle of cola and a lighter, popping the cap off and downing the bitter drink, he took another long sigh before he heard a scream...followed by deafening silence. ‘Oh jeez. Oh man oh jeez that was a girl! Okay stay calm, just call the cops!’ Frantically fumbling for his phone, Flash pulled it out only to juggle the device straight to the floor, the battery popping out instantly. “Oh come on!” A loud impact could be heard from a nearby alley. “You little bitch! I was gonna take you to the boss, but now I think I'm just gonna enjoy you here and now!” There was no time to question it, that girl was mulch if he did nothing, and so he went head first into danger armed with nothing but a lighter, a Swiss army knife and a canister of mace. What he saw he would never forget. A tall green skinned man with messy hair, ripped jeans, and a white collar shirt was towering over a gray skinned teen with long equally gray hair that hid one of her eyes, in an also equally as gray sun dress who had been bound and gagged in rope. “Oh good, I was hoping for seconds.” The guys face was...mangled, but symmetric, as if it was meant to be scrunched up that way. The most disconcerting part about his face however...was the sharp row of fangs he sported. Flash heard rumors once, about a gang of street thugs that went around looking like vampires while they cannibalized unsuspecting victims. His dad also told him about all the missing children and the random murders that started to spring up. “D-don't think I can't handle you.” Flash whispered in fear. “Pfft, please kid. Soaking wet, you're what? Hundred thirty? You barely even qualify.” The “vamp” lunged for the kill and was met with pepper spray to the eyes and a knife to the nose. The thug reeled backwards from the impromptu assault and found the back of his head on a rusted and jagged pipe on the wall. Dust. That's what was left of the thug. Clothes, hair, bones, even the metal on his pants. All was dust. “What the fff-” Flash was startled out of his surprise at the shuffling of the girl behind him. “Oh right, let me get you out of those ropes.” The girl went wide eyed and started to squirm and scream as best she could with a duct taped mouth. “What? I don't smell do I?” Flash asked with a smile. The girl could only whimper and worry as a shadowy figure behind Flash tapped him on the shoulder. “Like lilies and regret, but you'll never know that.” A husky female voice said. “Oh come o-” With a quick chop, Flash was sent face first lying on the cold hard ground. -Abandoned AuditoriumAbandoned Highschool: Auditorium- Flash woke up with a splitting headache and a burning on the bridge of his nose. It was the damndest thing too, a dream about rescuing a pretty cute damsel from a vampire of all things. Could you believe it? Next someone was going to tell him that leprechauns were real! You think if someone shot one they'd spill out lucky charms? He would have pondered more if not for the whimpers of the girl he thought he dreamt of. “Oh that wasn't a dream.” Flash now came to and took a look at his surrounding. Tied up to a pillar of wood in what looked like an abandoned wood room in the back of a high school theatre. And there was that cute girl in much the same position as she was when he first found her. At least she wasn't gagged anymore. “Hey, sorry about botching your rescue.” The girl lift her head and gave a weak smile. “Its...um...mhm.” “Right, awkward situation. Name's Flash Sentry by the way.” Flash said as he gave a more lively smile. “Mm...Marble.” The girl said in a near whisper. “So...vampires huh? What's uh...what’s up with that?” “Mm…” Truly, she was a girl of few words. “Right, well hopefully they're not too bright and...rats.” Flash spat. “Hm?” Marble held a worried expression. “Those jerks took my knife. I really really liked that knife. Wait. Aha! I still have my lighter!” Try as he might, Flash could not get the flame to light. As he struggled however, the door to their prison opened wide to reveal several vampires crowding around a hooded individual. “These are today's latest offerings my queen. May they be to your liking.” A gruff older woman said. “Thank you Hilde, I'm glad at least one of you is competent. But what of my prize? Has he not yet been found?” The hooded leader looked up to her subordinate. “The men we send are weak and fall victim to the prize, but we have found a weakness. Once she is captured she will be exploited.” “May her torture be long and painful, only I am fit to own him…” The hooded leader began to walk forward when an explosion rocked the room and filled it with dust and debris. “The Slayer! Kill her and bring me her head!” With that, three vampires surrounded their leader and led them out of the building. That left five vampires left to deal with. Two rushed out and two hid behind a loose wall while one was dust as a sword of fire split the hapless vampire down the middle. A tiny white fox pitter pattered into the room and looked at Flash and Marble with its adorable red eyes. Both prisoners couldn't help but squee at the adorable thing. The two looked at each other, blushed, then looked the opposite way with smiles on their faces. “Huh, didn't expect to be saving your sorry hide today Flash.” That voice was familiar to Flash, too familiar. Another pained grunt echoed and as the dust settled, standing next to the adorable fox was Sunset Shimmer, a sword engulfed in fire rested on her shoulder. “Hm?” Marble looked at Flash with a quizzical look. “Oh that's Sunset. She's cool.” Flash clarified. “Amber, get them down.” Sunset said. The fox at her feet grew in size until it was the size of a coyote. With a quickness, both Flash’s and Marble’s bindings were torn away and burned. “What gives Sentry? People turn to dust in front of you, there's a magical fox in the room? This sword should have burned my jacket off by now?” Sunset asked sarcastically. quizzically. “Hey, I just found out vampires exist. I think I can keep an open mind. What about you Marble? You holding up okay?” Marble perked up and did her best to hide her burning cheeks behind her hair. “Mhm.” “Riiiight. You two get out of here, I'm gonna see about getting the big bad to croak. Amber!” Sunset ran through an open door and jumped, her fox gunning for her and increasing to the size of a dire wolf. Walking out to the railing, Flash saw the beast land on all fours, Sunset in tow, as it barreled down the street. “Huh, well my world got flipped upside down. Need a lift?” Marble took a long look at Flash and nodded. She took one step and Flash immediately pulled her forward, spun her behind himself, lit his lighter and grabbed a loose can of Windex. A Vampire that tried to get the jump on the two teens was fireballed into dust as quickly as he came. Flash dropped the can and pocketed his lighter. “Let's get out of here.” Marble, from her current position on the floor, looked upon her hero and could only stare and blush at this man. With an outstretched arm, Flash gently lifted Marble as she took his hand and let him lead the way. -Convenience Store Lot- The walk to the lot of the convenience store was shorter than expected, apparently the abandoned building they got stuffed in used to be an old high school that fell to disrepair after an...incident. Poor kid. As Flash fished for his keys, a graveyard shift at the store flagged him down. Blue skin, shaggy white hair that covered his eyes and a green wool snow cap along with a red and white company work suit made up his attire. “Yo Sentry! You okay, man!? I tried callin’ the cops, man but they thought I was off my meds again. You two look like hell, man.” “Flurry, my man!” The two shared an incredibly complex handshake as Flurry produced two candy bars. “Mars Bars! Thanks man,” Flash accepted the nougaty goodness and opened one for Marble. “Marble, this is Flurry Blitz. He's a bro.” “Ch’eah. Blitz is my name snow is my game. Ski’s, boards, I do it all, man.” Flurry held out his hand which Marble daintily and graciously accepted with a curtsy. “Hey man, I found your phone, man. Screen's cracked, but she'll live.” “Ah cheese. Thanks man. You gonna be alright? There are vamps in the woodwork.” “Dude, I know I'm off my meds. Vamps aren't real, man. Right?” Flurry looked at Flash, then Marble. Then back to Flash. Then at the sharp pair of pearly whites behind Flash’s neck. “Look out dudes!” Grabbing the pair by the scruff of their necks, Flurry tumbled to the floor as a vamp lunged, missed, and blew into dust. The trio stared up the barrel of a wrist mounted cannon. “Sunset said you might need help back to your car. I'm Connor.” Connor put his arm down and gave a smile. The three picked themselves back up and dusted each other off before they realized what they were doing and embarrassingly went to dusting themselves off. “Hey yeah, I know you. You picked Sunset up after school.” Flash said as he took a better look at Connor. “Wait, are you magic too?” “Kinda, it's a long story, but I'm still on patrol. See ya around.” As he turned and walked away, Flurry looked on with awe and wonder. “Dude...he just saved our bacon, man. You think he lifts?” “Dude, I don't know what to think. Well, I'm about ready to call it quits. I'm gonna take Marble home. See ya bro.” “Ahdiohs amigos. Safe travels.” Flash pocketed his broken phone, took out his keys and opened the passenger door to his car. “After you.” Marble giggled as she entered the vehicle. “You gentleman.” “I try.” Flash drove in silence, the only conversation between the two was held through body language. It was enough of course, neither wanted to address the fact that they had almost become someone’s dinner...or worse, someone's foot soldier. Pulling up to the driveway of Marble’s home, Flash couldn't help but gasp. “Yo hey, this is Pinkie’s place. You live here?” Flash asked as Marble nodded. “Sweet marble pie...Vanilla and chocolate is my favorite!” Flash exclaimed. “You're just saying that…” Marble whispered with a bashful blush. Her hand curled and on her mouth, as if trying to hide her smile. “No way! My grandpa used to make the best marble cake around!” Flash gave a forlorn sigh and gave a sad smile. “Bless his soul.” Without thought, Marble placed her hand on his and gave an apologetic smile. Flash gave her a quizzical look, but ultimately returned the smile. Unbeknownst to them, a fire had lit within the candles of their souls. “Hey uh...if you're not too busy...maybe you'd like to go see Rent this Saturday?” Marble went wide eyed and couldn't properly respond. “You don't have to sa-” “Yes! I'd love to go see Rent with you!” She happily exclaimed. Marble was now beaming with joy while also incredibly close to Flash’s face. She gave a look of surprise and dialed back the near contact. “I mean...um...mhm.” “Four o’clock.” Flash stated more than asked, eliciting a happy nod from his date. “See ya then Marble.” Marble sauntered out of the car, looked back, and blew a kiss his way. Flash sighed in happiness, relief, and...well he was glad to still be alive. “I'm writing one great song before I~”