Happy Fourth Everyone! In celebration I've decided to post an Oblivion Short! There will be absolutely no spoilers in it so Faith if you were thinking this is your lucky break you are wrong.
Breaking The Rules
Elliot looked out the window at the fireworks bursting in the sky. The bright colors always intrigued him, but he never wanted to get too close. Every time one burst in the air it would light up his pale skin and dark hair.
"Elliot!" a high pitched voice shrieked behind him. He glanced over his shoulder just in time to see a short brunette girl around thirteen years old running toward him.
"Hello Ava." he smiled slightly and turned back to the window. She grabbed his arm and tugged on it rather hard for a girl her age.
"Uncle Vlad got fireworks!" she beamed. "I've never gotten to shoot fireworks before! Come on!"
He looked down at her and shook his head, "I don't really do fireworks Ava..."
Almost instantly she poked out her bottom lip, "Why not?"
"He's still upset about what happened a few years ago." Vladimir said walking in carrying a large box. Elliot knew that soon his blond hair would be either burnt or coated in soot, but that wasn't his problem. He had stopped warning him long ago.
"That's a little much don't you think?' Elliot crossed his arms, looking directly at the box full explosives.
"What? Not at all! You brought me a box twice this size when I was her age." Vlad waved away his concern and looked down at Ava, "Alright, are you ready to blow things up?"
Ava grinned at him and nodded. She beat him to the door and had time to wait and make jokes at him. Elliot smirked and looked back out the window. This was the first time Ava seemed excited over anything. Fireworks must have the same effect on all the Van Drakes.
Elliot could remember the night he introduced Vladimir and Cornelius, Ava's Father, to them...
It was warm and just starting to get dark. After losing their last parent the boys seemed so sad, they never played or laughed anymore. Elliot couldn't stand it. They complained when he told them to wait in the yard but they did as they were told.
"I don't understand, are you planning to kill us?" Vladimir sighed. "Because I'm sure you could do that in the comfort of the house."
"Really now, have I ever tried to eat you before?" Elliot frowned, pulling a large cardboard box out of the trunk.
"Yes you have." Vlad pointed out.
"What's in the box?" Cornelius asked curiously.
"I've never really tried to eat you... I'm sure you would taste very bitter." Vlad made a face but didn't comment. Elliot looked back to Cornelius, "Today is the Fourth of July. It's a tradition that all young boys and girls set off fireworks till midnight."
"We are supposed to be in bed by 10." Vlad shook his head.
"Shut up!" Cornelius rolled his eyes. "How do you set them off?"
Elliot took out a single bottle rocket and set it up in the middle of the yard. Then he lit a pump and handed it to Cornelius. "You lite the fuse then you get back."
It took a few tries but he finally got it lit, as soon as it popped in the air he was back for more. Vlad even moved slightly closer to the box trying to look inside. Elliot smirked but pretended not to notice.
"We.. aren't supposed to play with fireworks... Dad said..." He muttered but was soon distracted by a very large ball with a long fuse. His eyes widened with excitement. "How do you lite this?"
Elliot showed them, and soon they didn't have to ask. It was well after midnight and the box was still half full. Vladimir set up yet another bottle rocket, it took only two seconds to light now. He would only run a few feet back then turn. But this time as he ran his foot kicked the bottle and caused it to fall over. Vlad's eyes widened as he realized the rocket was aiming right at Elliot... and the box of fireworks.
"ELLI-" He started to say but the rocket took off and dropped into the box. Everything was silent for a minute, Elliot looked at Vlad confused.
"What is-" he started but suddenly the box behind him started to explode with bright colors and rockets flying out of it in every direction. Elliot was hit multiple times as he tried to get away from the box. He grabbed Cornelius and Vlad and moved them to as safer distance. Only then did he turn back to see the box too close to the car. It was nearly under it, spitting fire at it and Elliot knew there was a leaky fuel line he hadn't gotten around to fixing. The explosion was loud and the fire rose almost above the house. Cornelius and Vladimir stood starring at the car for a moment with large eyes... Elliot thought they were about to cry, but then Cornelius did something unexpected. He laughed. His laughter was contagious and soon all three of them were laughing as the car burned before them.
Elliot really couldn't help but smile. Vladimir had learned his lesson but still... Ava had never had a chance to shoot them before... He was going to let Vladimir handle this one while he stayed safely inside.
