//------------------------------// // You Start Here // Story: This Is Your Day // by CalmingNature //------------------------------// Rooftops are favorites whenever you desire a good view. Of course in a place loaded with villains, most everyone stays on ground level. Further below car horns sound off, paired with their accompanying motor sound effects. Not far off a neighboring top floor remains under siege by numerous pigeons. All twenty-seven scatter in a simultaneous fashion, creating worry for any street level passerbys. In mere seconds following the sudden evacuation, a plain clothed stallion takes position on nearby railing. Within little time he sets up a sniper rifle from his personal backpack. No seconds are wasted in scoping out his target. From behind metallic work resounds in my ears. Another supposed dragon thug steps out under broad daylight. Cloudless skies meant both identities are on full display. Our eyes meet, and his dark yellow scales immediately become a live fire hazard. At once his breath melts surrounding elements. Smoke will never be my friend. Upon notice of my unscathed status, he goes for a sucker punch. Fire connects with my face, and we exchange blows. Nasal issues aside the fight ends in almost record timing. Smoke forms a tunnel, which in turn ends with my recent opponent. Across from me a now frightened pegasus scrambles for his victim. Since nobody else is coming, guess I'll wrap things up. Only a single bullet leaves the chamber, before plastic experiences an instant backlash. You already know what happens to the gun's equally shot wielder. In contrast though he looks at his precious firearm, and curls into a ball. Despite everybody panicking down below, an echo can be heard amidst foreign pollution. Overhead wing flaps catch my attention, not to mention agony. Memories of the last encounter gain instant relevancy. Both ears deflate on contact with each image of humiliation. Air pockets fall away in every leap. Wings go into use, once my hooves tire into submission. Today is supposed to be my day off from work, so why do assassins choose Friday of all days?! In front sunlight reflects directly into a nearby dragoness's beautiful ring. Perchance her orange scales match her jewelry taste, which apparently yields her blue eyed acceptance. Not a few seconds later my glance breaks away. From inside a sigh escapes between teeth. With no exact use for an early shoreline view, I quit towards my home. Maybe today isn't a good day for sightseeing. Around me citizens go about daily businesses. Upon turning a corner, my old foes are now in a police car. Don't get me wrong, Maretropolis has been my home for about ten years. Crime isn't anything new for anybody here, but still...I haven't grown immune to violence. Despite my efforts the numbers only go up. In short my new powers haven't assisted me outside combat. Back in reality a stone bounces off my forehead. Laughter calls my attention further upward. Amidst countless other illegal sightings, meta-crimes definitely take name as worst. Sure most are comical acts, but can inadvertently have lasting effects. In time a familiar green mane pulls a mare into plain view. Within either hoof two bags of gems maintain a fake balance. Oh horse feathers, I don't wanna deal with her right now! Not another pair of eyes nearby, my hooves lead into a nearby alleyway. Lightning flashes signal a fight outside. Sure enough a pony gives the Mane- iac enough of a hard time, mainly smoothing out her static mane. Do I walk away from this battle? They sound like they've got control of the situation. Not momentarily after that idea, a thump strikes me from overhead. Any sight is destroyed by a yellow pegasus, his gold plate armor clearly nothing more than extra weight. On the other hand. Strands form choke holds on us. Once face to face she rambles about vengeance on somebody else. Oddly enough I don't remember ever being paralyzed by fear. Even since my old hive days, bullies never got to me. No matter who any threat has always received the same ending. Whips force me back into reality. Between her latest monologue, it becomes apparent how much weight came off her neck. Amidst green strands her focus breaks, long enough for a drop kick. Either wing buzzes in a presently settled environment. Behind me a few bolts scatter from the unconscious stallion. Grunts accompany his rising action. Life shows me only a single opportunity for escape. Both wings help me buzz off. You know pegasi are born with the best view? From high above they see humongous buildings as- well, humongous obstacles- though from way over horizon limits. With such logic any flight gifted creature sees everything in a bigger way. Guess there's one reason for the existence of wings. By my homeward arrival sunlight is behind local skycrapers. Hopes are the land mare at last fixed my electrical problem. One night without lights is enough for any creature. Of course beforehand... ...Uhm... .....Well... .......Where are my keys? Where are my saddlebags for that matter?! Surely I would've noticed if they fell off pre-flight! Oh no! Losing stuff in a city is among the worst accidents in all existence! Both wings take me on a retrace of my steps. Along the way a familiar yellow pegasus is seen talking alongside other ponies. Good to see he's alright. In time my stuff is found within another's grasp. Shuffles make themselves audible even from atop nearby balconies. Not a particularly tough looking character, but his two extra wings incite suspicion. They would anyway, if somebody else were here. Sure I could take him out with a single kick, but since he's only another thief- "Excuse me, sir or madam? Thank you for keeping my bags safe from harm. I'll be taking them back now.", my only words. In all steadiness the quadruplet pegasus faces me head first. Upon looking into the colt's eyes, it was easy to see he wasn't your average thief. Either iris shone burning white, only complimenting his rapidly fading coat. "You're not a power pony. You're not any recognized target. Witnesses must never see me.", he prepares for a sudden leap. Instead of going ahead with his attack plan, he instead looks at me in full disbelief. "On second thought, pretend you never saw me.", with that he returns my things. Everything looks to be in order, list including my ID. Upon looking back up, my purse snatcher is gone by all definitions. Evidence of his presence existing only in the form of hoofprints. Rogues gallery will now include a slightly crazed experiment, hopefully operating without higher authority. In any case I have all my stuff back in one place. For quite possibly today's first positive change, airspace grants me a couple seconds of free time. Noise traps itself far beneath my current altitude. Right now all my senses are cornered by drowsiness inducing scenery. Anybody who complains about war, should take up flying lessons. Explosions flow into my hearing range. Sure enough multiple smoke plumes arise from nearby road. Around me entire fleets of creatures retreat past my location. With no breathing room, I land on a sidewalk. Flames incite a bad scent from my chitin shell. At least my stuff's in one piece. In front two equines send debris into nearby glass. Left side has a flaming unicorn-like character, her voice growling in a wicked tone. Right side has a superheroine, as told by her dark violet purple, gem decorated uniform. The enforcer is on defense, her purple shield revealing numerous cracks. Despite her best the opposition sends her clear across town with another explosion. Upon notice the living fireball does a 180 towards me. Inside my chest receives an electric signal. Adrenaline starts up a thought process, Maybe today will be enough. Perhaps today will have something new! With a pyrowave my hopes lose any hold. Behind me a store finds itself on a sudden close out sale. Glass melts alongside surrounding metal, leaving me without any damage. From behind at least five thick spheres engulf the living flame. This round it eventually loses oxygen. "Radiance calling headquarters! I need a pick up on my location! Pyro-type!", says a well beaten heroine. Not even a second later I get a look from the same changeling. No physical quality signals any particular look, it's just plain eye contact. "You okay?", she lifts an eyelash. "Yeah, I'm fine." Two vigilante encounters in four hours? Any further thoughts are interrupted by the heroine. From top to bottom a transparent light scans me for whatever reason. Soon as her findings get a check, she gives me a long analysis. "Well, uh, you stay out of trouble tonight. Please?", she gets out with minor shakiness. In all steadiness my hooves begin a long trek home. Soon enough a large cyberpunk helicopter comes onto scene. Now inside apartment thirteen, my next few steps involve sleep. For tonight my television remains one step ahead, and for once I'm left on until midnight. Radiance...Never heard of the name., are my last thoughts.