//------------------------------// // The Flash Sentry Paradox // Story: Equestria Girls: The Rubicon // by Jongoji245 //------------------------------// Another weekend has come at the Centennial State. For the adults, well those that aren't on call or are not higher up the corporate food chain, it was just much of a day off as their children still enrolled in school. For some of the high school students, it involved a great deal of work. Flash Sentry is one such person. Having trashed his car (torn in half to be exact) on the fall formal two years back, he was given a little ultimatum from his parents: get a job or get an apartment. He took the former, working as a store clerk at the guitar store. Suitable for him, and one that pays, why would he fuss? Now on his half-hour break, Flash was just finishing off a burger from Phil’s Grills, licking his fingers and drying them off with a napkin. He took out his phone, turning on the calendar app. On one of the days had a blue dot inside a red one. “Two years down, two more to go.” He said, confirming that it is in fact pay day. Aside from taxes, Flash also pays a quarter of what he earned on the “small” loan his parents took to buy the car. Flash reached into the carton of french fries, pulling out two the size of his fingers, taking a bite of them when he heard a distance scream from a lady. Soon, everyone was running for their lives. The Rocker crouched underneath the table, shielding himself as the stampede ran around and jumped over the eatery table. Flash held on for dear life, relaxing as the chaos slowly ceased. He sighed with relief when a talon slammed on the tile floor. Galgameth, Skystalker, and Darksteel were in the mall. Their agendas unknown, Flash remained motionless as the second of the trio turned to the unconsumed meals and devoured them. Darksteel transformed into his anthro mode, reaching his claws into the happy meals and pulling out the toys. “Galgameth to Chrysalis, the test has been proven successful.” “(Test? What test?)” Flash wondered in his mind as he slowly took his cell phone. But as he dialed the number, Galgameth picked up the signal. “Excellent!” Chrysalis cackled on the other side of the line “We will prepare another bridge shortly. Remain in position.” Under the table, Flash was still conversing with the defense squad. He looked forward, seeing a pair of insect legs walking at his table. “Just wait here, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and I will be on our way.” Ordered Sunset, cutting off the connection too late. Galgameth pulled the booth table out of the ground, tossing it aside before picking up Flash by the collar of his jacket. “Hi… Cogsworth.” Flash held an uneasy grin as the boll weevil mask drew back, revealing the mechanic’s face “So… are you happy now that you can walk?” “I am only able to walk because the suit connects the severed nerves on my lower spinal cord.” - Cogsworth tossed Flash a good distance, parting the deli tables as he slid on the floor, hitting the stone pillar. The rocker looked up, seeing the mechanic approach him along with his more bestial companions - “I still can't feel my legs.” Drawing a plasma cannon at him, Flash cringes as the barrel began to glow. “Cogsworth!” - The three foes turned around, seeing Sunset, Rainbow Dash, and Applejack outside of a portal. The first of whom summoned her power - “Leave Flash alone!” “It’s Galgameth now, Sunset!” - The mechanic drew forward the mask, grabbing Flash Sentry in a headlock as he pointed a plasma cannon at him - “We’ll be taking a prisoner.” Rainbow Dash summoned her power before flying forward. It was only a few seconds before she realized that Applejack held her by her sneakers. Defeated, the athlete landed back on the ground. Being the only one that can perform projectile spells, Sunset aimed a lit-up fist at Galgameth. Galgameth tightened his grip on Flash, drawing the barrel closer. “Start praying that she is an excellent shot.” He growled. A few seconds after, another portal appeared behind the Predacons. The three Rainbooms and Flash were both shocked and astonished. Their enemy, mastering the use of portal travel. Compared to theirs, the Predacon portal was a red-violet color. Darksteel and Skystalker walked into the portal, phasing out with a harsh buzzing sound. But the standstill between Galgameth and Sunset still stood. “Ugh, Sunset?” Applejack got her attention “Are the portals supposed to do that?” Sunset eyed around. Particles both gold and violet began to reach out, conjoining each other akin to damaged muscles fibers repairing itself. Flash took noticed of Galgameth taking in the spectacle, loosening his grip as he did. With a sharp kick, the Pred was down. The Rocker joined his friends, racing to their portal while avoiding Galgameth’s plasma beams. The energy tubes mixing in color, Galgameth turned tail and ran to his portal. Outside of the tubes, such energies condensed and twisted before shutting down in a massive bang. Back at Canterlot High, Twilight, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Fluttershy, Cosgrove, Chelsey, and Diver were waiting for the rescue team to arrive. Said team leaped out of the portal as it closed with the same force, sending them flying a good distance on the grass. They moaned in pain as the three Maximals picked them up. “You all right, boss?” Asked Diver as she brought Sunset to her boots. “Yeah… I'm fine.” She looked around, finding that one of their own is missing “Flash? ...Flash!” Flash groaned before opening his navy blue eyes. His vision clearing up, he found that he was in on fresh spring grass. Lifting himself up, he saw that he is indeed on the school grounds. However, it was peaceful, very peaceful. The Rainbooms or the Maximals weren't there. “I must have been misplaced on another part of the school.” - Flash jogged over to the location of their base - “Don’t worry guys, I'm-” The Rocker found the space to be vacant, not even the HUB was there - “here?” Flash ran into the school, jogging down the halls to the music room. “Guys, I'm-!” The music hall was devoid of instruments or their owners. An odd thing for him, as in their free time, the Rainbooms would always practice their songs. Flash scratched his hair as he tried to find another way around. He walked outside the school, standing next to the bus station. Since he was warped back to the school, he left his car at the mall. He sat on the bench, shuffling his feet around as he waited for the next bus. Around ten minutes, the bus did arrive, pulling to a stop next to him. The Rocker stood up at the same time the doors opened, looking jump in surprise. It was Snails… a much older Snails operating the bus. Even when on the driver's seat, he appeared bigger than Flash, but still comparatively slender. “You coming in or not?” He asked, pointing to the coin chest near the dashboard. Flash took out his wallet, shuffling through each section, but alas he could not find even a penny. He sighed in defeat; wherever he is, the bus still only accepted coins for now. “Looks like I walk.” He answered, prompting the bus driver to close the doors and drive off. Coughing out the exhaust he inhaled, the Rocker began his long walk. The team scoured the mall for any signs of him. Sunset, Applejack, and Rainbow tried the food center again, finding no clue as construction crews cleaned up the mess. It is a godsend that the Dazzlings are funding their adventures, or this would be something that they would be deep in debt. The other members of the team soon returned. “Anything?” Asked Sunset. “No.” Said Fluttershy “Nuh-uh.”Said Diver “Nope.” Said Chelsey “Nada.” said Zipper “Negative.” Said Cosgrove “Yes.” The others turned to Pinkie Pie, waiting for an answer before the party planner chuckled in embarrassment “Er I mean no.” “I don't get it,” Twilight placed a finger on her chin “How can Chrysalis and Sombra learn to use a ground bridge of their own.” “Well, they would need a power source,” - Cosgrove answered - “we wouldn't have to find the Eye of Fashoom if it wasn't a magical relic. Then they would need a mechanic.” “Cogsworth.” Added Applejack. “Put two valuable ingredients and you got yourself a ground bridge!” Pinkie Pie smiled in triumph, the direct opposite of the others. “Either way, we're still understanding how it works.” Sunset added “When the energies mixed together, it sent some of us where we wanted, others elsewhere. Let's hope it isn't too far.” No bike or car, Flash quite a good distance to where he needed to be. Catching his breath, the rocker looked around. “This is Great Valley Drive?” He asked himself, and with good reason. The neighborhood as a whole was much cleaner. Most of the trees were removed in the back area of Cosgrove's homestead and some large trees in the western sector of the neighborhood were torn down. The Elementary School nearby was also renovated, there aren't any vines growing encroaching the bricks. Flash approached the Tamer residence, Sunset's home. If she was around, maybe she and her Maximal posse could help bring him back to his own time. He knocked on the door, waiting a while before the door handle jiggled. He smiled in delight when it finally opened. “Sunset, I’m glad I found…” Flash’ mouth became agape as he stood before a much older woman, blue in skin color with brown hair, similar in size to Celestia yet similar in age to Loopty Hoop. In fact, this woman was the one and only - “Night Dancer…?” The now middle-aged woman who was supposed to be dead for six years was just as surprised as well, but it was short lived as Night Dancer furrowed her brow before giving Flash a good slap on the face. “You have a lot of nerve showing your face back here!” Flash pressed his hand against his cheek before looking back at her. “Miss, I need to see Sunset-” Night Dancer blocked his advance on her property. “How dare you…” “What?” Flash steps away as the woman walked up to him. “How dare you come back to my house, wanting to see her again?” - Night Dancer stepped towards him before pointing to the Thunderfoot house down the street - “Get out of my sight before I have you arrested!” “Miss-!” - Night Dancer slammed the door on him before he could say - “Where is she…?” The Rocker walked to the fringes of the neighborhood, pondering about this new development of his. “That couldn't be her. Night Dancer was dead a long time ago. And why was she upset with me?” - Flash continued to ponder, coming up with a solution before stopping a taxi cab - “Sweet Apple Acres.” Back at the Predacon Base, the issue was much less severe. Galgameth, Skystalker, and Darksteel all made it back in one piece to say the most. The mechanic sat at his resting area, a simple hard slab of rock, tapping the fingers of his somehow uncovered right arm against the stone. He lifted the armored left arm, looking at the faulty interface as the debug percentage reached forty-six percent and rising. “It will be only a matter of time before your armor reaches its full potential again.” Skystalker was at the cyborg’s legs, prodding it to enable the legs of the suit to work properly. “But why would I lose part of my suit?” Asked Cosgworth as he lifted his uncovered hand again. The cybernetic dragon continued his work when he answered, “As a first test drive for our ground bridge, it is only logical for us to expect errors.” Finishing the prodding process, Skystalker moved aside, allowing his partner to rise up off his “bed” with a small stagger. “Galgameth, your assistance is required at the ground bridge.” Chrysalis buzzed from the other side of Cogsworth’s comm unit. Skystalker watched his friend walk out of his quarters, staggering every five steps as he did. “Was it ever logical to threaten Flash Sentry?” Cogsworth stopped at the exit, curling his fists before turning around. “You don’t know him like I did, he always manipulates, pulls strings, anything to get what he wants. Why else did Sunset have a falling out with him?” He answered before continuing to where he is called. Sweet Apple Acres still looked quite the same. Nice clear skies, wide open spaces between the apple orchards, and the various smells of animal life. As Flash looked around, he found there are a few new additions to the estate such as a couple windmills in the outskirts, gathering energy as they twirled the passing wind. “Raise this barn, raise this barn, one, two, three, four.” - Flash turned to the youthful voice, finding a seven-year-old girl with tan skin, brown hair, blue eyes, and dark freckles carrying a basket of eggs - “We’ll raise this barn, raise this barn, one, two, three, four.” “Excuse me,” Flash called out, getting the girls attention - “is Cosgrove around?” The girl tilted her head, switching the basket of eggs to the other hand. “He was here a couple hour's ago, but I’m not sure. I’ll ask Uncle Mac.” “(Uncle Mac?)” Flash thought to himself, staring into nothing when he felt his hand grabbed by the same girl. “Come on, can’t expect to stand here all the time.” She said, pulling Flash’ arm as she led her towards the farmhouse. When they arrived, Flash saw Big Mac himself, now living up to his name. Appearing to be in his early thirties, the eldest of the Apple Siblings easily dwarfed them both as he turned around after putting down a barrel of apples - “Uncle Mac, is Cosgrove still here?” The large man looked at Flash with his usual stoic stare for a long period of time, analyzing the person he seemed to remember from possibly so long ago. “Eeyup.” He said, leading Flash towards the stables, stopping at one in particular. “Somebody here to see you, Cosgrove.” The person in the stable stopped removing gunk from the hoof of a horse, turning around to see Flash as well. The Rocker looked with relief, that is until Cosgrove stood up and walked out of the shade. Not as tall as Big Mac nor muscular as him, but his size is still one to behold. Like his father before him, Cosgrove’s body was laced with bullet wounds and knife gashes. The left side of his face and neck was embedded with shrapnel. And his expression is one to match as he looked down at him. “You have a lot of nerve showing your face back here again.” He growled as he stepped forward. “Cosgrove, I don’t understand.” - Flash pointed back at the direction of Great Valley Drive - “Night Dancer is still alive, but is-” “Night Dancer was always around, but Sunset isn’t.” - The eldest Thunderfoot child leaned forward - “You killed her.” Sunset, dead? Flash gulped in terror as he stepped away. “The last she saw on that very night thirteen years ago was a text message from you while she was driving.” - Cosgrove bared his teeth as his yellow face turned red - “I found her a loving family and you made the biggest mistake you’ll ever make.” Flash saw Cosgrove pop his knuckles as he stepped closer. He eyed Big Mac just standing there with a similar glare as he crossed his arms. The rocker shuffled back as the Maximal got closer. “Look, Cosgrove. I’m not the Flash you think-.” In one quick motion, Cosgrove grabs Flash by the throat with one arm and lifts him off the ground. “Give me a good reason not to smash your skull against the wall.” Flash needed to act fast lest he sees how Cosgrove is indeed his father’s son. His eyes circled around, trying to find a piece of evidence, on and off seeing the Thunderfoot bare his teeth as he waited for an answer. The rocker’s eyes did pick up something; an arm, Galgameth’s arm. “There!” - Flash strained himself as he pointed to the fallen limb - “Where did you get that?” Cosgrove narrowed his eyes before letting him go. “Apple Biscuit saw it while we were working. I plan to give it to police after today.” - He leaned down again at Flash - “But that isn’t the reason I’m expecting.” Still on his toes, Flash had to find good evidence again to be spared a beating. But then again, he always had pictures. He took out his phone, flipped through his photo album and showed a picture of the Sunset he knows at the Maximals face. “Because in my world Sunset is alive!” - Flash watched as the person Sunset loved like a brother heel his rage as he looked at the images of an older Sunset - “She is alive and well. And that” - Flash pointed to the gauntlet - “that is the gauntlet of Cogsworth's battle suit.” Cosgrove raised a brow, looking at Big Mac for an answer. The farmer still had his stoic expression before giving them the answer, “Eeyup.” The Maximal turned back to Flash with a calmer demeanor, but he still appeared flustered before grabbing the scraper. “Take the limb and go.” He muttered before resuming cleaning. As Big Mac lead Flash out of the property, the latter began to ponder. Sunset is dead, Night Dancer is still alive, and he is ten years into the future. He’ll need to find a way back to his world and fast. But there is a question he wants to answer. “So are Cosgrove and Apple Bloom…” - Big Mac looks down as Flash stopped talking for a moment - “Together?” “Cosgrove prefers that we don't talk about it.” he answers, looking back at the barnyard. Apple Biscuit just entered the barn, seeing the adult Thunderfoot sitting away from the horse he cleaned, looking at a small locket in his hand. Looking at Sunset's picture for a while, he flipped over to another picture. It was Dapplewood, looking similar to his brother in his Freshman and Sophomore years. “Mr. Cosgrove…” Apple Biscuit asked innocently, placing her hand on his knee. Cosgrove continued to look at the locket, slowly tearing up as the memories of the past began crawling back. “Just remembering the promise I made…. Never again…” He finishes before closing the locket. Of course, with no cab available nearby, Flash continued his slow walk down the dirt path, holding the mechanical arm on his shoulder as he pressed on. “(Okay Flash, think.) He pondered as he shuffled his shoulder to get comfy (What would everyone else do? I can't use Cosgrove or Rainbow Dash as an example, they usually are better in a fight.) When he reached Great Valley Drive once again, an idea sparked in Flash’ head as he looked at Night Dancer's home. “If I can't talk to Sunset in person, I can call her!” Flash took out his cell phone, scrolled the contact menu until he found Sunset's avatar. Pressing her phone number he placed the device to his ear. A couple buzzes and chirps, all he could get was, “The number you are trying to reach is not available.” But fortunately, there are plenty of ways of communicating with the small cell phone. Back at the other dimension in Canterlot High, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Big Mac, Cosgrove and his posse all helped in heaving Flash' motorcycle off the red truck. Sunset, in hopes of generating a similar effect as last time, helped Twilight reconfigure the Ground Bridge when she felt a buzz again, this time in the pockets of her jeans. She took out her cell phone, turning it on to find an icon of Flash Sentry in the text tab. “I got a message!” She called out when Pinkie Pie jumped on her back. “Yay you!” Pinkie Pie cheered before being shaken off. Sunset read the text to herself before responding, “In an alternate dimension ten years into the future.” “An alternate dimension?! That’s awesome!” Commented Rainbow Dash, hovering in the air before being plopped back on the ground by Applejack. Sunset’s phone buzzed again, in which she read, “I am at Great Valley Drive at the Tamer Residence holding Galgameth’s arm.” “Then all we have to do is just make a similar… portal thing, correct?” Asked Rarity. Twilight took off her glasses, rubbing her forehead before answering, “So, you’re suggesting that we generate two portals, a technology we are still learning about, with the worst case scenario being the possibility of generating a black hole.” - Everyone remained silent before Twilight put on the glasses and spun around to the control panel and began punching in the coordinates - “Let’s find out!” Flash knocked the door once again, Night Dancer opening it up, and likewise appearing flustered though she did give the mechanical limb a perplexing look. “Look, I know you're mad at me, or another one like me. But I am not the Flash you remember.” He scrolled to his photo album, showing her the pictures of a Sunset much older from the one she remembered. But what was real to Flash wasn't convincing to Night Dancer. “Another one of your girlfriends?” Night Dancer hissed, after all, anyone can dye their hair in streaks. Flash’ phone buzzed again in front of her, seeing the icon and name of Sunset Shimmer. The Rocker turned the phone to him, reading the message, “Ready when you are…” Flash looked for a command in the forearm, finding a button with a series of rings before looking at Night Dancer. “This, you need to see.” He presses the button the same time his friends did, illuminating a portal of mixed colors behind him. Night Dancer stood agape at the technological marvel. Walking by Flash, she reached for the edges, sifting her fingers at the wheat grain feeling. “Your daughter is alive and well.” Flash said, seeing Night Dancer relax her shoulders before she turned around and entered her house. The Rocker began to enter the portal. “Wait.” - Flash turned to find Night Dancer at the door, holding a large assortment of letters wrapped in a rubber band - “Take these with you. Promise me Sunset will see them.” Flash looked at the bundle of letters before looking at the portal. “Night Dancer, come with me. Sunset, your parents, Cosgrove, they would all love to see you again.” The former babysitter looked at the portal, tearing up before shaking her head. “I have long since moved on… ” Given the letters, Flash walked towards the portal before stopping and turned around. “I'm sorry for your loss.” He apologizes before entering the portal. A few seconds after, the portal closes, dimming the marvel to nothingness. Upon exiting the portal, Flash felt his phone buzz once again. Reading the question, Flash typed, “I am here safe and sound.” He took a deep breath before placing the bundle of letters in the Tamer mailbox and taking the arm of Galgameth to Cosgrove's front door. Later in the evening, Sunset was writing in her journal under a desk lamp. “It's only a matter of time, but we could really use your help right now, Twilight. Your friend, Sunset Shimmer.” She closes the journal, sending the message as it glowed between the pages. One thing down, and now over several letters worth to go, she thought to herself as the fire-haired woman grabbed the bundle and removed the rubber band. She raised an eyebrow at the unusual date, it was four years ago, the first Christmas since… She opened the letter, hearing a soft little tune as she read the letter. She read another letter, then another, and another, until the final letter, which read: Dear Sunset Shimmer, For years I have come to grips that I won't see you again each holiday and your birthday. I realize that somewhere you are watching me, and you wouldn't want me to suffer. I have made the decision to move on. It will be hard, but I’m certain we'll be happy. But I'll never forget you, my loving daughter. On the wind, beyond the sea, sing this song and remember: Soon you’ll be home with me… Once upon a December… Sunset turned off the desk lamp, leaving the moon to be the only source of light illuminating the room. She took each step, one at a time before collapsing on the floor, weeping on her bed, imagining the spirit of the woman she called Mom comforting her for the first time since her death. And it is evident the next day, Sunset kept to herself throughout math class. Amidst the notes regarding trigonometric solutions the team leader made small sketches of Night Dancer looking at her, smiling at her. “Sunset Shimmer.” - Sunset looked up, seeing Bill Neigh near the chalkboard - “Care to tell the class the square root of five hundred and forty-six?” Regaining herself, Sunset closed the notebook and answered, “It's twenty-three point three six six six four two eight nine one zero nine.” “Correct!” A while later in the Sophomore hallway, Cosgrove sorted the books he needed for his next class, trying to yield his appetite as he sniffed the air, the scent of fried pizza stimulating the hairs in his nostrils. That out of the way, he closed the locker and walked down. “Hey, Cosgrove.” - Flash asked, getting the Maximal’s attention - “Can I talk with you for a minute?” Cosgrove walked back to the older classmate, “Yes, what is it?” Flash gulped, scratching his head before asking, “Just humor me a bit. If Night Dancer never got killed in a car accident, what would your life be like?” Cosgrove looked away for a while; one must tread very carefully when asking about Night Dancer before her surviving loved ones. He leans on the locker. “Well, if she did, then Mom, Dad, and Night Dancer would join us for Thanksgiving dinner, and we’d be happy. We’d still form the Maximals, though Sunset wouldn't have much of an obligation why. But there are other ways that Night Dancer would still be killed. A rampant disease, a deranged mugger, maybe a Sharptooth, we all die in our old age. Thus A is A, Night Dancer is Night Dancer, I am me, and you are you.” Given Cosgrove's opinion weighted against his experience in another dimension, Flash nodded. “Thanks.” He said before walking the other way down the hall. Cosgrove would begin his trek to the cafeteria had he not stopped and beckoned the question, “What did you find in that other world?” Flash stopped and turned around, “Sunset will tell you…” As the Maximal continued to the cafeteria, his eyes pick up the hallway TVs generating static. As he looked closer, he found Sombra's image becoming clear. He pressed his comm. “Boss, we got a situation.”