The Future Will Change

Meanwhile, later that night, at Fluttershy’s house…

“Are you there?” she spoke into her headset as she sat in front of her television and began her nightly gaming session. “The event starts in a few hours so I was worried I wouldn’t be able to make it.in time.”

“Nah, you’re alright, Fluttershy,” her friend replied over the headset, “Honestly I’m just glad you’re okay given all the crazy stuff that’s been happening lately.”

“Thanks, Flash, but I think I’ll be fine,” she replied with a relieved tone. “I’m just happy to have someone that’s willing to play video games with me. All of my other friends can’t really seem to keep up when I play.”

Indeed. Flash Sentry was her gaming buddy. One of the only people that she remotely knew who was willing to play video games with her. Today, they were playing a MOBA-like game set in a sci-fi world.

Sentry replied, “...yyyeah, that’s because you’re in Gold Rank and this game kicks the crap out of newbies. Luckily I’m here to help--and with my buds of course. Can’t forget them.”

A few other players would sound off over the headsets, displaying the fact that everyone was ready to get started. Fluttershy had picked a large robotic character called the Loader to serve as their team’s tank while Flash Sentry was a Combat Medic healing the rest of the team.

All was going well. They managed to push the enemy team’s side back just far enough on the map to claim the area.

“We got trouble,” Sentry called out, “Some Space Pirate players are hacking into our base.”

“Drrgh…I hate the Space Pirate class,” Fluttershy hissed as she mashed her mouse and keyboard to activate her abilities, “But I can’t attack there right now. I’m still at the front; can someone else take over?”

“Someone needs to switch to the tech class if we wanna have a chance,” one of their teammates called out.

Sentry would take over and give a quick order. “Alright, one of you switch to medic. I need to get those pirates off our base.”

With some quick cooperation on their part, Fluttershy’s Loader class would allow them to steamroll the enemy base while their fellow players acting as Soldier and Excavator classes would allow them to pierce through. The Combat Medics healed everyone that needed it, and Flash Sentry’s Tech play would get the rest of the enemies off of their base just in time for them to win and rank up.

“Yes!” Fluttershy cheered while pumping her fist and sipping some tea from a nearby cup. “Can’t believe that only took us five minutes.”

“I know, right?” Sentry replied, “This game is the type of game that can make you feel depressed, annoyed, then euphoric within minutes. It’s ridiculous. But I guess that’s why it’s so appealing, huh?”

Fluttershy giggled and nodded to herself as she went to her customization screen. “Pretty much, yeah. It’s a nice way to unwind after dealing with all of the animals at the zoo.”

“Oh yeah, that’s right. You got that job at the zoo, right?” Sentry asked as he changed out his weaponry in game. “How’s that been going?”

“Just peachy--the penguins in particular are just so cute. We’re taking in the endangered ones that can’t survive in the wild.”

“Good to hear. I always heard bad stuff about zoos and how some of them abuse the animals in captivity or prevent them from living well,” Sentry lamented what he had heard, but congratulated Fluttershy for her work. “Nice to hear that you guys are treating animals properly. Wish I could visit more, but well…work is a killer.”

Fluttershy realized just how dangerous his job was. “...that’s right. You’re a part of the army, huh?”

“Coast Guard technically,” he clarified, “It’s a bit different but yeah. The base here is practically my home.”

“Does it get lonely where you are?” Fluttershy asked with a sympathetic tone.

“Sometimes. But hey, I’ve got my buds here, and we’re cool with each other so don’t worry about me.”

“Okay…if you’re sure--hm?” Fluttershy squinted her eyes as she noticed a pop-up on her computer’s screen. “What’s this?”

“Fluttershy?”

Once she clicked it, there would be a few moments of silence from the other end. Flash Sentry would call out to her a few more times, but only be met with silence until…

“Rrrghgh…” A guttural growling could be heard. An unnatural sort of noise that could only be dreamed up by movies.

Sentry’s eyes shot open at what he was hearing, “...Fluttershy? Are you alri--?!”

The next thing he knew, Fluttershy’s headset went dead, and he looked on his game’s screen to see that she had logged off.

“...this is not good.” He took off his headset and reached for his phone…