//------------------------------// // Arc XXV Episode II: Mission Accepted // Story: Family Begins With You // by Jmaster49 //------------------------------// “...long story short, that’s why this mission is so important and why I’ve decided to take control,” Flash concluded to Sunset, “If any of you guys get involved, it’d be over in an instant because they’d easily recognize you from how many times you’ve been on the news.” “...yeah, that’s fair,” Sunset replied with a sarcastic chuckle, “We are pretty famous. For better or worse. In this case, it makes it worse.” She sighed and started to think more on the motivation behind their efforts. “...and this is all in a bid to find out what happened to Applejack’s parents, huh?” “Possibly more than that if MC’s data is correct. It’s entirely possible that they’re the reason behind the disappearances of loads of other family members…” Sunset paused for a moment as she tapped her fingers on the table and thought to herself about her own parents back in Equestria. “...Yeah. I know what you mean.” “...Something wrong?” Flash asked. “...” Since Sunset knew she wouldn’t be able to hide it from the guy who knew her the best, she was honest with him. “Yeah. My parents went through something similar back home. It’s nothing that you need to worry about though. I ended up getting closure on it the last time I went there.” Flash nodded and replied, “Alright. But if you wanna talk about anything else, then don’t be afraid to speak up.” “Thanks…I’ll be sure to keep that in mind,” Sunset replied with a half-hearted smile before changing the topic of conversation. “But let’s get back on track here. If I can’t be directly involved, just what do you need my help for?” “That’s the neat part,” Flash reached into his backpack on the seat next to him, and retrieved his laptop computer. “Every soldier needs a command center to watch over them from back home. You’re pretty much the best option for it.” As Flash opened his computer and started typing, Sunset blinked her eyes with a nervous, uncertain tilt of her head. “Erm…are you sure I can handle that?” she asked, “I dunno if I’d be cut out for it exactly.” “C’mon--you’re essentially the leader of your own group of superheroines, right?” Flash tried to motivate her. To which she replied hesitantly. “...weeeeell…” He snapped his fingers and continued, “Oh--oh! And you play online games that make use of mics. You’re always the one giving orders and keeping your team together when you play games like Battleherd and Colt of Duty, right?” When her gaming skills were complimented, Sunset couldn’t help but accept it. “...okay maybe you got me there. So what would I be doing exactly?” Flash turned his computer around to her and showed her his screen that displayed the schematics of the entire baseball stadium that Micro Chips was currently in. “We’d just need you to guide us through. Block off exits, set off fire alarms--stuff like that.” “Huh…” Sunset stared at the screen for a moment before nodding in agreement. “Alright. That looks simple enough. Though I might have Twilight come in and join me just in case.” “Good idea,” Flash agreed, “Thanks, Sunset. I’m glad I can count on you in a situation like this.” “Of course,” Sunset replied with a smile, “I’m just happy that we’re on better terms now and can put the past behind us. If I had known how silly I was back then, I would’ve throttled myself for trying to hurt you.” Flash chuckled at the idea. “Sounds like a Judgement Neigh situation. But don’t worry, it’s water under the bridge now. I’m just glad I can talk to you without worrying about whether or not you’re sincere with me. I’ve…had issues with trusting people, as I’m sure you can tell.” Sunset rubbed the back of her neck as she recalled the way Princess Twilight ghosted him. “...yeah. I feel you. I need to write to a certain someone next time I get the chance.” “I’d appreciate it,” the boy replied with a content sigh, “...so, have you thought about your future? What you’d like to do once you graduate?” “Well I’m still working at the sushi restaurant in the mall. I might consider moving up to a manager then striking out with my own business if I get the chance.” “For real? In between all this fighting and keeping the city safe?” Sunset scoffed with a small, tired smile on her face. “Heh--well, I’ll have to manage somehow. This life certainly isn’t for everybody. How about you?” “Might try to get an album published,” Flash replied, “I’ve got multiple songs on the backburner that I’m trying to get picked up by Records Tower.” “That place with the big yellow sign downtown?” Sunset asked with amazement, “If you can manage to get a CD there, then you’d be on your way to the top of the charts in no time! Your music is really good.” “...Thanks, but I’m not doing it for the fame. It’s mostly just for the art and showing people that they can still make something pretty even if they don’t feel that good about themselves, ya know?” “That’s pretty sweet of you,” Sunset encouraged him, “I’ll be sure to be on the lookout for your music. I always need some good tunes for my workout but can never find anything when I’m ready to run on a treadmill.” “Oh! I think I’ll have something just for that--” Just then, Pinkie Pie rose from seemingly out of nowhere and plopped menus onto their table. “Hey guys! Lemme guess--do you want the couples’ special--?” Both Sunset and Flash paused for a moment before laughing. “...no thanks, Pinkie,” he said after catching his breath. “Just some hot wings are fine.” Pinkie paused for a moment, and glared at them with narrowed eyes and a sinister smile. “Riiiiight. I got you. Wink. Wink,” she said aloud while winking as she rolled backwards on her roller skates. Much to the chagrin of both the young adults at the table. “Oh god what’s she gonna do--?” Flash asked while grabbing the bridge of his nose. Sunset was about to get up, “...We should probably get outta here--” but she stopped herself. “...but dammit…I’m actually pretty hungry now.” “Well, maybe Pinkie won’t make that big a deal out of it…right?”