//------------------------------// // Arc XVII Episode XII: Magical Recovery // Story: Family Begins With You // by Jmaster49 //------------------------------// Micro tilted his head as he observed what happened on the monitors via Coral’s security cameras placed around the school. That’s when he came upon the footage in which Sandbar used sand to fight off the lady who could change her form right after she had stabbed Flash Sentry. “That’s right…it must be Equestrian magic in play,” Micro turned to him and asked, “Just how did you manage to do that?” “I dunno, yo,” Sandbar looked down at his hands, “I guess it just sorta…happened? Once I saw a buddy of mine was in danger, I was overwhelmed. Not sure how long I’ve had this though.” Coral Currents approached her brother and started gazing at his hands, then she grabbed his arms to get a sense of texture. “Coooool…your arms don’t feel any different than normal, so that means you can activate and deactivate these powers at will.” “If I had to wager a guess,” Micro went on, “It must be due to the overexposure to magic we’ve endured over the last few years here. Our bodies have begun to react to it in ways that allow us to weaponize its effects.” He smiled to himself as he began to muse, “I wonder what nature of magic I have obtained…” Sanbdar started to rub the temples of his head as he processed what had just been told to him. “Woah…so I’m like, magical now for real? This is way trippier than usual…” “Hmph,” Coral folded her arms and pouted, puffing out her cheeks again, “I wish I could be magical and shoot things from my hands like the people do in anime and comic books.” “Relax, Cici,” Sandbar consoled her while patting her on the head, “You’re already a superhero as is. Ya don’t need any powers to prove that. You’ve got a whole crime set with hacker skills right in front of you!” Her pouty face deflated and contorted into a hopeful grin as she looked up at her brother. “Yeah…I suppose you’re right. You guys are gonna need all the help you can get if you wanna figure out what’s going on. So consider me your official HQ Girl!” “...What?” Micro asked hesitantly. “She’s been playing a lotta video games lately, don’t mind her,” Sandbar replied with a chuckle. Their friendly conversation was eventually interrupted by Sandbar’s mother calling out to them from the doorway with a luminescent blush across her face. “Heeeey everyone--sooooooo, there’s a friend of yours who just got dropped off by a nurse from the hosssssspital…do you know him?” Micro Chips and Sandbar took one look at each other and spoke in unison. “Flash is back!” Two minutes later, once everyone was downstairs… Outside, Flash Sentry could be seen exiting Nurse Redheart’s personal sedan. “...You really didn’t have to bring me here,” he said--his tone filled with guilt, “I could’ve walked--and my folks live on the other side of the city so--” “Don’t worry--I’m sure your friends will take care of you,” Redheart replied with a smile, “Just make sure you get some rest, okay? That wound should heal by tomorrow. If you have any problems, give me a call.” He nodded as he exited the vehicle. The bandages that were wrapped around his upper back were indicative of how much damage had been done. “I got it. Thanks, Nurse.” As Redheart drove off, both Sandbar and Micro Chips would approach Flash. “Whew--you’re okay, bro--lookin’ much better than I would’ve anticipated,” Sandbar commented with a relieved sigh. “Indeed--what was the nature of your injury?” Micro asked in a more concerned tone, “Are they certain it’s alright for you to be released so early?” “Yeah, they said I can just rest it off,” he replied while clutching his right arm over his upper chest. “Should probably call my folks and--” “You shittin’ me?” Sandbar blurted aloud while putting an arm around Flash’s neck, “Nah bro. It’s sleepover time.” “Huh?” Flash tilted his head. “I beg your pardon?” Micro asked. “Ya’ll can sleep over while we try to figure out what to do next,” Sandbar offered, “Bein’ separated is only gonna make it take longer, ya feel?” In his current state, Flash had no room to disagree. Getting home would be much more trouble than it was worth. “Fair enough. Not like I have anywhere better to be.” “Would your parents be alright with that?” Micro asked, “Your mother seems rather easygoing, but what about your father?” “Pops? Oh yeah, he’s out workin’--one sec--” Sandbar let go of his friends and took out his phone. “Yo, pops!” On the other end, they could hear his father speak with a thick, caribbean accent, “Ey, Sandbar--what’s up?” “A few friends of mine are gonna have a sleepover if that’s cool. Can you bring us the leftover food from your food truck? That way it won’t go to waste.” “Sure, no problem,” his father replied, “Did they parents agree to it too?” “Uhh…yeah!” Sandbar spoke up on the spot while looking at his friends and shaking his head, “Don’t worry. We’ll mostly hang out in my room.” “Alright den, mon--see ya when I get home.” Sandbar hung up the phone and immediately exhaled. “Ugh…don’t like lyin’ to pops but we don’t have a choice. C’mon guys--you haven’t seen my room yet so you’re in for a treat.” He started walking ahead of them, leading the way. Flash simply stared blankly at Micro Chips for a second. “Uhhh…” “As a man of science, I’ve learned that some things in this world aren’t worth questioning,” he replied as he followed Sandbar, “Come along. We’ve much to discuss in order to get you caught up.” “...Just what happened in the amount of time I’ve been to the ER?” Flash asked as he followed Micro. Meanwhile, a few blocks away… “Twilight didn’t come home like she usually does and the school is overrun with love-crazed zombie girls. I have to find someone--anyone who’s still around that can help me...”