The Defenders: Underdogs of Canterlot
Issue #0: Mysterious Mare-Do-Well
Perched on the roof of a building was a figure clad in black, purple and blue, covered in the light of the moon, their cape flowing freely in the wind as their body was still, crouched down to look at the alleyway and what they were intending to watch from the ground. She basically followed them all the way to the edge of the city and it didn't matter to them one bit.
There were figures clad in black, their faces covered in masks, like their own, and holding sharp swords in their hands. The figure knew they were hostile. Hell, they've dealt with them before and had been tracking them down.
Mare-Do-Well sighed, knowing that she had to step in now. So she jumped from her spot on the roof and landed on the lid of the trash bin, hoping to reduce as much noise as possible, which didn't work as intended as heard by the light metal clang that echoed underneath her boots.
Trying to keep a low profile, she watched the ninjas climb into the windows of the abandoned building she was staring at. The walls looked dusty, wooden boards were propped over most of the windows but were now broken, holes were evident even from when she saw it from the front, and the stench made it ever more obvious even through the mask.
The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well glared under her mask and looked to the fire escape, seeing it as a good way to climb up. So she jumped onto the ground, landing on a knee, and raised ber head and arms, taking hold of the metal bars of the ladder, climbing as fast as she could. Her feet paced swiftly on the metal surface of the escape and stairs and she gripped a palm onto a loose piece of wood, using it to hang and climb into the buiding to follow the ninjas.
Unknown to the Mare-Do-Well, however, a man clad in red and black armor was heading to the same spot, unaware of her actions and presence.
The ninjas looked around, they knew they were being followed and were hoping to draw out their enemy. So, with haste, they drew out their weapons and held it out in front of them, the shine of the blades being the only source of light in this dark room.
Leaning on a support beam was the Mare-Do-Well, able to see the mooks ready for a fight. 'Shit...' she hissed in her head, 'They knew. Looks like I have no choice.'
So, the vigilante ran forward and flipped, her legs kicking down one of the ninjas as hard as she could before grabbing their blade. With the sword in her hand, she drove it hard into their chest, and ended them there, red now staining the tip of the blade. Her expression remained unfazed all the while.
Another Hand ninja came charging forward with their sword raised, which Mare-Do-Well countered with a precise block. When another mook came towards her, she raised her leg and kicked behind her, causing their knee the bend wrong and making them collapse. She lowered her weapon and stabbed the ninja's stomach, causing blood to pour out of the wound before she drove it into their chest, leaving them to collapse right there.
The vigilante growled and spun her entire body around, swinging her arm towards the masked face of another ninja. With no hesitation, she held her blade up and stabbed them directly through the forehead.
"Got anything else?" hissed Mare-Do-Well, sounding more displeased than anything. She looked around, seeing more ninjas appear out of the shadows with each one she kills, and it pissed her off.
Before the woman could continue the fight, someone else stepped out of the shadows, prompting the Hand to halt their actions. An elderly woman with a staff wearing a red robe merely smiled at the Mare-Do-Well and she said, "Allow me to have a word with our visitor."
Mare-Do-Well growled, "Gao."
Madame Gao's smile never faltered while she continued speaking, "I see you've taken the mantle of the Mare-Do-Well, child. As if it will do you any good."
"I am not a child!" the vigilante hissed.
"Please, you act rash and cannot even think of a sound plan. Your mind does wander like a child." Gao insulted, holding her staff up to point at Mare-Do-Well, "And that will lead to your downfall."
Mare-Do-Well clenched a fist, "As if! I'm more than ready to end you and the Hand!"
Madame Gao shook her head, "No, you will not. If Zecora could not perform such a feat, you do not stand a chance."
"Do not bring up Zecora! I will find her!" Mare-Do-Well snapped.
The old woman grinned, "Oh, I wish to learn of her whereabouts as well. See, child, the previous holders of the title you yield have all fallen to the Hand. But I see something in you... potential. The same Zecora saw in you. You could be quite an asset for the Hand." she simply offered. "And we will let you live."
"I will never join the Hand." Mare-Do-Well decided firmly.
With a disappointed sigh, Madame Gao looked to the ninjas, "Very well. If you cannot listen, then perhaps you shall learn from your mistakes." she said, walking back into the shadows to leave.
"Gao!" the vigilante shouted, intending to give chase, but she was blocked by a ninja and she stabbed them. "Get out of my way!" she snarled, elbowing another goon in the stomach.
Mare-Do-Well headbutted a ninja so hard that they staggered backwards and she took a punch to the chest while rubbing her sore head. Annoyed, she grabbed their arm and twisted it, earning a loud snap as a result. She kicked and pushed down the goon in the process and stabbed them in the back once she picked her sword back up.
She was then stopped as more of the Hand circled her, intending to end her and she stood, ready to fight still. But another noise ceased her movement.
A red object bounced from the support beam into the jaw of one of the ninjas, causing them to groan and snap their head back in pain and surprise. Jumping from the shadows was a red figure, and he kneed one of the goons in the face. His body spun around as his foot met the head of another and he picked the red baton back up in his free hand, a second held in his other.
"Who are you?" Mare-Do-Well asked, looking at the man dressed like the devil.
Daredevil shook his head, fists raised, "I could ask you the same thing." he replied in a quite tone. He attacked the ninjas first with a powerful right hook before following up with a high kick, his body spinning in midair before finishing with a sweep kick to one of their legs, making them trip. And he knelt down, punching their faces in until their face was covered in blood to be sure.
Mare-Do-Well drove her blade forward and stabbed through another ninja, killing them. She then raised a palm and shoved another aside, but her arm was held and she was flipped, thrown into a wall as hard as possible.
Once she got her bearings, Mare-Do-Well jumped forward and sliced the side of a mook, making them fall from bloodloss. "I didn't need any help!" she insisted.
"Sure didn't seem that way." Daredevil replied, taking a hit to the face before grabbing the ninja's palm and decking them back. One with a sword charged forward, but the red vigilante held his billy club up to his chest to block the blade and he swung it around, noticing the ninja spit blood with each collision, "What made you come here anyway?" he wondered.
Mare-Do-Well lifted her stained blade from the corpse of another Hand ninja, "The Hand are my responsibility alone. This doesn't concern you!" she shouted.
"They're in my city and have made me and innocents a target. This is my battle too." Daredevil panted, leaning his body to the sides to dodge a ninja's vertical sword swings.
"I have to be the one to end this!" Mare-Do-Well insisted, headbutting one of the last ninjas before stabbing them in the eye, finally dropping her weapon. She leaped and punched them in the chest and they landed on their backs painfully.
Daredevil didn't say anything back yet and swung his billy clubs to knock out the last standing member of the Hand, ending the brief battle with a fast sweep kick and punches to the jaw once they fell. The vigilantes panted and looked at one another before the Devil spoke, "We have to leave before they recover."
"You don't tell me what to do! You shouldn't have come here!" Mare-Do-Well huffed.
Daredevil scowled under his cowl, "I was chasing after the Hand, same as you. This isn't about you. If you know anything about the Hand, you should know they're more dangerous than any gang in this city." he scolded.
"I know. I was trained to end them. I'm the Mare-Do-Well." The woman revealed.
Daredevil folded his arms, "...I'm Daredevil. And I'm gonna make sure that this city's safe no matter who I'm up against."
Mare-Do-Well shook her head, "Look, just... be careful okay? I-I don't want to lose anyone else to the Hand." she whispered. But Daredevil heard each and every word, but he remained silent on that and instead allowed the Mare-Do-Well to leave.
"Mare-Do-Well..." Daredevil repeated.
Once she was far away from Daredevil or anyone else, Mare-Do-Well sat on the middle of a rooftop and removed her mask to give herself a moment to breathe. She revealed her teal skin and yellow hair kept in a ponytail so it didn't loosen up while fighting.
Lightning Dust looked to the night sky and sighed, wondering if she was truly ever closer to finishing her mission to stop the Hand and if she would ever find her mentor.
But her mind trailed back to Daredevil. For years, she believed that those who become Mare-Do-Well has encountered the Hand to end them, besides the wielder of the Immortal Iron Fist. The fact that Daredevil... and potentially others are in the same war as her... she felt conflicted.
On one hand, she could finally get some help in ending what felt like an eternal war.
On the other hand, Lightning wanted to end this on her own terms so she wouldn't lose anyone else close to her, and she closed her eyes, thinking about her family, and how being at the wrong place cost her everything in an instant.
Then she thought of her mentor, Zecora. She had no idea where she went or if she's even alive, but she swore to don her identity and save the world in her honor until she learned the truth of her disappearance.
With a heavy sigh, Lightning Dust sat up and wiped a stray tear from her eyes and looked at her mask before finally putting it on over head. With some energy, she pushed herself to her feet and continued her trek back home.
Daredevil wandered back into his apartment, dropping his cowl on the floor to reveal his motionless eyes. He could still hear everything outside, his heightened senses being the cause and once he took off his costume he sat down on his couch, clearly exhausted.
After all this time, Matt Murdock knew of very few people that have fought the Hand. There was himself, Frank Castle for a bit and... Elektra. But Matt did his best to push those dark thoughts aside for the moment. Not even the Avengers or Spider-Man have gotten themselves involved yet, though the latter helps in protecting the city.
Matt inhaled, thinking back to the Mare-Do-Well. She said she was trained to stop them, something he never heard before. That meant they had a sworn enemy. Maybe even more. He rubbed his forehead, trying to piece it together.
Whoever the Mare-Do-Well was, she was hardheaded and acted to hastily against them and clearly stubborn judging by the one conversation they shared. She wanted him to not get involved and wanted to do things her way. That's reckless and he couldn't allow that.
Now it was a matter of figuring out what the Hand wanted and what they have planned for Canterlot City, and he lied down to think about it. His mind drifting to slumber.
Author's Note
So I hope you all don't mind this massive change to MLP lore. In this universe, Mare-Do-Well is a title similar to that of Black Panther and they are enemies of the Hand, like MCU Iron Fist.
I chose Lightning Dust cause her personality could create unique interactions with the other four. She's a lot more stubborn and reckless as Mare-Do-Well and doesn't back down from anything no matter the consequences since she just wants to get the job done.
She was trained by Zecora to fight the Hand since she was a child and is an adult in this story. But I'll get more into her past as this progresses.
The Defenders: Underdogs of Canterlot
Deep within the sewers of Canterlot City, it was empty. Dark, dank, and the stench roamed for what felt like miles. Considering the spot, it was assumed no one would come down here. Well, anyone that wasn't running for their life.
The pitter patter of water was heard beneath a man's own feet, sprinting as fast as he could. He panted, leaning on a wall and growled, now out of breath. The man hissed, holding his bleeding shoulder and he dropped to a knee. "Damn it..."
Sweat poured down his face and he slowly turned his head, his pupils shrinking at the sight of the masked man in red casually walking with a sword in hand. "Shit..." he cursed, trying to stand up and trying to run, however, he tripped and fell. He couldn't bring himself to stand up, as much as he tried.
The masked figure was standing right near his body and raised his sword, intending to kill him. The man knew why, he knew exactly why. Yet that didn't make this moment any less terrifying. He closed his eyes, ready for death. The sword was coming close to his body.
And yet he didn't feel any pain. He could still feel. He heard a clang and opened his eyes. Standing next to him was a man clad in green, a yellow mask over his eyes, a dragon tattoo on his chest, and a glowing fist where he saw the sword coming. His savior merely glared down at him and spoke, "Stay still or your wounds will worsen."
"I-Iron Fist?!"
The vigilante leaned his body to the side of the ninja swinging his hilt at the Iron Fist. The Living Weapon pressed his palm on the Hand mook's face, making them stagger backwards. He then spun his legs and body around, kicking the ninja back as swiftly as possible before they could possibly attack.
Getting his bearings, the ninja got his bearings, chopping Iron Fist in the chest. The hero growled and held his arm up, it glowing as he reared it back, landing a punch.
Iron Fist blocked the fist of the ninja with his namesake, it glowing in the dark sewers. Seeing the ninja counter with a kick, the Living Weapon merely deflected the attack before following up with a glowing shove to the ninja's chest. Danny leaned backwards away from his opponent's fists. Years of training, meditation, practice, in K'un L'un and in Canterlot all coming to light in this one battle.
The vigilante spun his body so that he spinkick the ninja directly in the chest. Iron Fist extended a glowing fist and followed up with a punch, shoving his enemy back. "The Hand..." he growled, "I still thought you all were out of Canterlot."
Without saying anything, the ninja struck Danny Rand directly in the face as hard as he could, making him reel back. "Heh. Got me there." he chuckled darkly. "Let me offer a counter." his fists glowed again and he got into a unique martial arts stance.
"Ha!"
Iron Fist struck the Hand ninja with a powerful jab, creating a small shockwave from the collision. In an instant, the ninja dropped to a knee. The Living Weapon decided to finish the with a powerful uppercut followed by a roundhouse kick. In an instant, the Hand ninja dropped to his stomach, unmoving.
"H-How...?" the innocent man asked. "How did you find me?"
Danny Rand began to explain, helping the man stand up, "I noticed some commotion going on and decided to investigate, knowing it was the Hand and tracked you here, for some reason the Hand has been a lot more active here, and I intend to stop them. I'll get you patched up, and then it'd be best if you explain yourself."
The man nodded, holding back his tears of relief before relenting into a sob, "Y-Yeah, I will. I want nothing to do with this anymore... I just want to live!"
"Don't worry... You'll be safe..." Iron Fist assured.
A woman was crying, tissues in hand, her sobs echoing across the apartment with its door labelled 'Alias Investigations'. The woman sitting on the desk rolled her eyes and handed the crying woman another tissue box, "So are you just gonna sit there and cry or are you going to actually tell me what's wrong?" she asked, looking to not care about the sudden scene.
The night sky and lack of lighting made the atmosphere more grim, which Jessica realized and she wished she could reinstall some lights. 'Maybe Malcolm can help with that.' she mused, 'Can't be assed to do it right now.'
"R-Right..." sniffled the woman, "It's my husband. M-Marcus... He's been missing for two days now. I-I don't know what happened! He was happy, no arguments, a good job and proud of it! I just... I just don't understand why he would just up and leave like this without warning!"
Jessica Jones rolled her eyes again, having seemed to have heard this sob story a million times before, "Listen, Beth, was it?" a silent nod allowed her to continue, "I'm gonna go on the assumption that your husband was secretly an asshole and has been cheating on you then left." she elaborated.
"B-But... He never came home late until the day he never returned!" Beth cried. "I-I was working late that night, and he was always home before me... The only other places he goes to is the local pub o-or Romita's to grab some food!"
"Tough shit. It happens. You're not to blame." she added, "It's just some people can't be insensitive douchebags." Jessica folded her hands, "Alright, any other information you can give me to prove this isn't something I heard before?"
"B-Blood..."
Jessica raised a brow, "...Blood?" she repeated.
"Y-Yes... I just found the marks, which is why I'm here. And a piece of metal... They were small to find... but once I did I came here immediately. You're the best P.I. in the city... Please, please find my husband!" Beth pleaded. "Our son is worried sick too!"
Jessica pursed her lips and thought about it, "...Fine. I'll look into it. Just know it'll take a while." the woman tapped her desk, 'Or he'll be dead by the time I figure it out. Either or.'
Beth managed a thin smile, "T-Thank you, Ms. Jones."
"Please, call me Jessica." Jessica corrected with a very fake smile then her expression changed back to her usual scowl, "Now go home. My apartment's still a shithole and really can't afford to hold company for long."
Beth stood up, aware of the PI's attitude, and wiped her eyes with a few more tissues, walking out and closing the door behind her, leaving Jessica on her own. With a heavy sigh, she leaned back in her chair and took another sip of her beer, which she'd been holding back for a few minutes, "Shit... A missing man case." she held her head, "Hopefully he isn't dead by the time I find him." placing the bottle back on her desk, Jessica stood up and grabbed her old camera, ready to begin investigating.
Walking down the bustling streets of Canterlot City at night was none other than Luke Cage, wearing his trademark yellow shirt. The district's local hero had gotten a call from an old friend and wished to find out what it was. People cheered him as he passed them. Luke merely gave them a friendly nod and wave, just happy to make a difference in the city he loved.
Luke was taken aback by the police tape and chalked outline of a dead body, covered in blood and bruises, limbs sprawled in ways that shouldn't be bent. Standing next to it was Misty Knight, an officer. "Glad you got my message." she greeted.
"Why'd you call me here?" Cage wondered. "...I..." he slightly gagged, "...Didn't want to see this..." he paused. "Thought the cops could handle this stuff on their own."
"Thought the local hero could use a tip that someone new's come here messing things up." Misty explained, pointing at the marks of blood and wounds. "Look at where he was struck, precise, small, hitting major arteries, nerves and a few blunt strikes to the head, evident by the bruising. Whoever killed him knew what they were doing."
Luke folded his arms, "How's this a different case?"
"The body dropped from the roof." Misty responded, "The wounds... This isn't anything like what the Diamond Dogs or Changelings do in their acts of violence. They're more ragged, less orderly. This is someone new, and they had a vendetta. Don't know if it's one guy, or a new gang entering the scene."
The Unbreakable Man asked, "So what am I supposed to do?"
"Just keep an eye out." Misty warned her friend, "We don't know who this is. They could be dangerous, they left little to no evidence. Nothing. They're a John Doe."
Luke said, "I'll look around for a bit. See if I can find the one behind this. Any ID on the victim?"
"Steven Casco. We're currently running sources to find connections that could've led to this incident."
"Casco... He was someone working with Cornell and got some of his stolen funds." Luke recognized and shook his head in disappointment and pinched the bridge of his nose, "I thought he gone straight once Cottonmouth died. Guess I was wrong then."
Misty said, "Tragic. I agree. But..."
"Move forward. Always." Cage finished for the officer, "I'll knock on some doors. See if anyone's willing to cooperate for information. Better I'm out there than the cops honestly. Cause... This doesn't look any at all normal for a case."
Matt Murdock climbed through the window into his apartment. He immediately dropped his mask onto the floor and dropped his body onto his sofa, still in his Daredevil costume. It was an exhausting night to say the least. Frank Castle returned who was intending to kill a criminal, he met the new hero Spider-Man and some girl with latent magic abilities. They confronted the Kingpin, Wilson Fisk now out of prison, who was revealed to have hired Mac Gargan to kill Spider-Man.
Luckily, the vigilantes caught wind of this and made it known that they were going to bring him and any other criminal empire down. Murdock exhaled, glad that nothing escalated. Instead, he dwelled on another important matter.
The Hand.
They were slowly and stealthily making themselves known all around Canterlot City. Their power growing, their numbers the same. They had been at this for quite a while, since Matt put on the cowl. It was like he was alone in this battle sometimes. He needed to find out what they were planning. And he could tell that whatever it was, it wasn't gonna be good for the city, or potentially the world.
Then he focused on that new vigilante he crossed paths before meeting Spider-Man. The Mare-Do-Well, who seemed hellbent on destroying the cult herself. Maybe she could help in some way.
Matt rubbed his forehead, his enhanced senses catching every little sound within a radius. He could hear sirens, broken lights flickering, screams, muffled sounds. He cringed, trying to tune them out. But sometimes even with his experience, he can't. He crouched down and held his cranium.
His blind eyes sensed his armored costume, his pupils only able to see a world on fire as he once described it. It was tough, but he survived and wil survive. Ever since the accident, this is all he saw. He debated putting the costume back on.
This war wasn't something he could handle alone.
Mare-Do-Well hopped from rooftop to rooftop, intending to continue her mission. "Damn it... I need to find them!" she told herself through gritted teeth. She stretched and leaped, holding onto the ledge of another building. "Where the hell do they go? Ugh..." she groaned, sitting on the edge of the roof.
Lightning Dust had to find them soon. Whatever Gao had planned, it definitely wasn't going to be good. She needed answers as soon as possible. Mare-Do-Well got back up and looked to the full moon then at the building across. "Of course it isn't that easy. I don't know how Zecora put up with this." she murmured. "...Wherever she is now."
With a long jump, Mare-Do-Well landed perfectly. She focused back on the Hand. That's all she could ever focus on anymore. There was no turning back for her or her sanity. Not until every single one of them was gone. Not until she saved Zecora. Not until she killed Gao for causing so much mayhem in her life and others'.
Lightning Dust cursed her inexperience with her new title. "..." she paused, nearly missing a jump, her gloved hand luckily clawing onto the ledge.
As she climbed, Mare-Do-Well's mind diverted to Daredevil and how he seemed aware of the Hand. "...Fuck. I don't need help." she reminded herself aloud, trying to push the thoughts back. She couldn't lose anyone else in this eternal war. Not anymore. The Devil couldn'f afford to join her. This was something she had to do herself.
She was the Mare-Do-Well. It was what she was trained to do after all.
