Author's Note

I should probably talk about clothes.

Sunset is wearing the stuff from the Forgotten Friendship promo. Black top with half her Cutie Mark on it and that yellow and red skirt-thingie.

Twilight wears a dark purple goth lolita dress and black and purple striped thigh-highs (Rarity's recommendation; I love Goth-Twi)

Rarity is wearing an Azure top and purple pleated skirt and black sandals.

Pinkie Pie is wearing a white t-shirt, short pink dungerees and white and blue striped thigh-highs.

Rainbow Dask wears a dark blue college jacket over a black tanktop with her cutie mark on it, her rainbow lightning leggings and sneakers.

Applejack is wearing tight, light blue, vintage jeans and a flannel shirt.

Fluttershy wears a green sundress and brown sandals with flowers on them.

The First Encounter - The Enemy Appears

The mood was gloomy the rest of the evening. Fear and anger crept into their hearts. The girls agreed to go to sleep immediately after watching the news and barely talked to each other afterwards.

The next morning was not entirely different. Even though they got up extra early to think things over again, before meeting with Silver Screen in front of the school, none of them seemed to be in the mood to talk. At least not about the night before.

"Twilight darling, you really must clean up more often. I'm practically covered in spider webs.", Rarity said as she plucked the silky strings from her arm.

"Well that can't be right. Dad cleaned up just two days ago." Twilight knew that Rarity just wanted to talk about anything else than the elephant in the room.

"Not to address the elephant in the room, but are we sure we can handle this?", Fluttershy asked.

"sigh Nope", Sunset answered her plainly. "These guys are organized. No power-crazy lunatic in over her head this time."

"Even so, we have to try", Rainbow Dash added. "If we don't, they'll just hunt us down."

In Twilight 's ears rang the words of her newly found student. She took off her glasses to rub her eyes.

"Being a hero means inspiring others. It means having someone who trusts you to help them whenever they need you. And giving them the confidence to move on through every obstacle."

Since he had said that to her two days before, she had thought about these words long and hard. The last time there were people in need of saving, she was helplessly trapped with them in a mirror. The time before, she was so insecure that the others did most of the job. And the time before that, SHE was the problem. Was it true what he said? Are people really looking up to her? Looking for her to save them? Probably just because of her interdimensional counterpart.

When she put her glasses back on, she could almost see the sun starting to rise over the horizon. Her light illuminated the town even though it was still almost an hour until one could see her ascending from the horizon.

"Let's go."

The gang used different methods to get to get to their destination, the statue in front of Canterlot High. Applejack took Rarity, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie with her family's truck, Sci-Twi rode along on Sunset's motor cycle and Rainbow Dash used her amulet to pony-up and fly there.

When they arrived, Silver Screen was already there, next to his bicycle. His harlequin-green hair peeked out from under the bucket hat he chose to wear that day. His tinted goggles hung from his neck and he was wearing a yellow t-shirt under a navy blue vest. The braided belt around his grey cargo shorts was tied into a knot. His face was pretty expressionless as pretty much always. The only thing that ruined his casual look was a pair of dress shoes. Of course Rarity was the one to notice that.

"Good morning, ladies", he greeted them, complete with bow and they greeted him back.

"Okay, first lesson. When you greet somebody, try to smile a little."

"But I'm tired and not in the mood. Wouldn't that be disingenuous?" Twilight already suspected that he'd be a tough case. He took her other tip however, that the bow may be a bit too much.

"Enough with the formalities", Applejack demanded. "We're here to talk about what happened at the mall. First off, why did you want to meet us?"

"I value your scepticism. You really can't know whom to trust right now." He really was a straightforward guy. "But I have spent much time with you the last few days and they might just target me as well.

His reasoning was logical, so Sunset went on to the next question.

"Did you, you know, get one too?"

"Yes, I drew it out yesterday afternoon. Pinkie and I already talked about it."

"Dude, you know what that means, right?", the mentioned individual walked up to him.

"Oh yeah." The two of them stared each other down. You could slice the intensity in the air with a butter knife.

"I GOT SUPERPOWERS! I GOT SUPERPOWERS!"
"YOU GOT SUPERPOWERS! YOU GOT SUPERPOWERS!"

Out of the blue, the two of them started chanting and dancing, breaking Silver's serious and apathetic attitude.

"Could you to please tone it down a bit. Some people are still trying to sleep at this hour", Sunset said, trying to calm them down.

"I'm sorry, but-", he began before pausing to wipe away his tears of joy. "But you have no idea how long I've dreamed about this. How long I've watched Anime and studied eastern philosophy, just hoping I could one day manipulate my ki. How much time I've spent analyzing different powers and abilities, hoping I would somehow get my own."

Twilight finally realized why he's not so good with other people. And where his cynical outlook on life came from. He has spent so much time idolizing fiction, that he has become alienated from reality.

Or the other way round. That he didn't feel accepted in the real world and fled to fiction. Either way, despite seeing his happiness in the end, she pitied him. It reminded her of the hours upon hours she had spent alone in her lab.

"I thank you. All of you", he said as he dropped to his knees like a knight before his queen. "I'll help you in any way that I can to deal with this threat. My life is yours to command."

"First, of all, sweetie", Sunset told him as she crouched down. She grabbed him by the chin and pulled his head up so he would face them. "You really don't need to kneel before us. But we'll kindly take your offer."

"Of course, my Queen", he yelled. The others couldn't believe just how much he was wrapped around Sunset's finger. They could almost see his eyes change into purple hearts.

But suddenly...

*wroom wroom*

They heard the sound of motorcycles. Not something you'd expect to hear on a quiet Sunday morning, when not even the sun has risen yet. And soon after, they could see the source.

From around the corner came three figures. All of them wearing black helmets and leather vests. One of them on a 4-wheeler. A taller one on a motorcycle and the third, smaller one in the sidecar of the motorcycle. Their helmets and vehicles all having the same symbol on them, a bulldog wearing a diamond-embedded collar.

"Ain't that a coincidence", Applejack said sarcastically as they all eyed the fast approaching characters. They tensed their muscles in order to strike as soon as they try something funny.

With a harsh braking maneuver that tore up the school's lawn, they finally came to a hault.

"Well, well. Aren't we the lucky ones?" They could not understand the one on the 4-wheeler with his helmet on.

"WHAT?"

"I said", Now that he had taken off the helmet, our heroes could finally recognize the trio. Rover, Fido and Spot, affectionately called "The Diamond Dogs".

"I said: Aren't we the lucky ones? We just had orders to get the freak, but who knew he was meating up with all of you?"

The gang looked at Silver Screen. He was right, they were gonna target him.

"What do you want, Rover? I thought you and your mutts were still in the pound", Rainbow Dash called them out.

A few months ago, Rover and his gang had the brilliant idea to rob a convenience store and got jailed for it.

"We got orders from our boss to make a break for it and take that leek stick hostage", Spot answered. The sadistic chuckle that followed sent shivers down their spines.

"What does your boss want from him? - And us?", Sunset yelled at them while protectively standing in front of Silver Screen. Twilight did the same thing.

"Hell, if we know", Fido continued. "We just got orders to get him. Our boss looked after us while we were behind bars, so we'll do everything she wants. And with the power that arrow gave me, it won't be a problem."

"Arrow? Boss? ", they collectively thought. These guys gave them more questions with every one he answered.

"Ah take it that you and your boss got yourselves Stands as well", Applejack investigated. She did her best to keep a straight face, but the whole situation stressed her out.

The feeling of not knowing about what they should even prepare for rested heavily on each of their shoulders.

"Stands?", the boy asked, visibly confused by their choice of words. "You mean those ghost thingies we can order around?"

"No, we mean that ladybug on your shoulder", Rarity answered sarcastically. Much to her dismay, he actually checked his shoulder for a bug infestation. "Oh for crying out loud, YES, you creaton."

By this point, the group had formed a circle around Silver Screen. At least they now knew that they were dealing with a Stand power.

"If only we knew what he's gonna do", Fluttershy commented.

"We have three options now", Sunset started to explain their strategic opinions, nervous sweat starting to form on her forehead.

"One: We wait for him to attack. We observe his abilities and come up with a plan. Of course, we can't be sure that he won't get us at first try.

Two: One of us distracts him as the others hightail it outta here. But then, we would have to leave someone behind

Three: One of us attacks and the others are on standby."

"Makes sense to me", Silver said as he wedged his way out of his circle.

"What the hell, dude? We are trying to protect you", Rainbow shouted confused.

"Apologies, but you seem to have forgotten what I said earlier. I will help you any way that I can."

The girls were stumped by his statement. This wasn't the time for chivalry.

"We are now merely figures on a giant chess board. Please, let me be your pawn!"

The girls had a bad feeling about this, but ultimately let him test the waters. Sunset on the other hand, had the feeling this was oddly personal to him.

"Would you look at that, boys. The lamb is coming to the wolves. HaHaHa" The three of them shared a dirty laugh.

"If you don't mind, I would like to start right away. Please call out your Stand." Silver Screen has now completely returned to his calm and collected self. Something that seemed to piss Rover of.

"Drop the formal crap, leek stick."

"Yeah. Our boy is gonna pound you to a pulp."

"I'm sure he will, but I'd like to start anyways. Please call out your Stand." Hearing that, a dirty grin spread on Rover's face.

"You idiot. What makes you think I haven't already?" As he said that, a gray aura appeared around him.

Silver Screen felt the ground rumble beneath him. He reacted just in time to jump out of the way. Panic filled the minds of our heroes, not that Silver had shown it.

On the plus side, Rover finally revealed his Stand. Now it was clearly visible. It looked like a bizarre hybrid between a dog and a mole. Silver couldn't see its legs as it was still halfway in the ground, but his arms and claws were as big as its entire torso.

"I see. His Stand moves through the ground and strikes from below. Since I have no way of knowing where it's going to strike from, he has pretty much control over the whole battle field", Silver analyzed the situation. "And that means my best shot... ",

The boy started running at Rover, an action that caused him to lose his hat. He was trying to avoid the Stand and attack the User directly. His team wasn't having it though.

"You think we'll let you get close to our bro?" Fido asked rhetorically.

"Fat chance, leek stick. Hihihihi."

The two thugs pulled a pair of rusty pipes out of their motorcycle and charged at Silver. They pulled back for the strike, but Silver had an ace up his sleeve. Or rather, on his feet.

"[GRRANDO BUDAPEST]!!!" As they tried to hit him in the face with their pipes, he leaned back and smoothly got into a handstand. "Party Table Kick Course!"

He swiftly spun his body around and dealt massive kicks to his two attackers, while still head over heels. Fido got a broken nose and the little guy was punted into the bushes like a football.

"You bastard", Rover shouted furiously. "How dare you lay a finger on my bros? [BASKERVILLE], turn him into dog food! "

Rover's Stand [BASKERVILLE] shot out of the ground again, but even this time, Silver dodged just as it broke though the surface. How? By jumping 10 feet into the air.

"You're too slow, you mutt." Silver, midair started doing front flips. Over and over and over again until his movemets were little more than a blurr. And then he came down and kicked [BASKERVILLE] directly on its head. "CONCASSER!"

The impact was so great Rover's was forced to eat some dirt, much to the confusion of our heroes.

"What happened? Ah don't understand", Applejack muttered and a little bit terrified. "He didn't even touch him."

"That's something I forgot to mention", Twilight started, without tearing her eyes away from the fight. "The Stands are the manifestation of our souls. A part of us. Whatever happens to them, affects us as well."

Twilight couldn't wrap her mind around what had happened. "But something's not right. Only a Stand should be able to touch another Stand. Just what kind of ability did he gain?", Twilight thought.

"Don't think this is over, leek stick. You hear me, bastard?", Rover yelled furiously.

"Really? You drive your loud vehicles around on a peaceful and quiet Sunday morning. You sent your goons at me in, what was supposed to be, a duel between men. And worst of all, when you were still at this school, you terrorized one of the only people I care about. And I'm the bastard?"

So that's what Sunset felt earlier. He had a history with these goons.

"You are no man, but a mere dog in need of training." He reached inside his vest and pulled out a Nintendo 3DS.

"Manners maketh man. Do you know what that means?"

Everyone present was stunned as a white glove, like the ones in cartoons, materialized on his left hand and he actually reached inside his portable gaming console. When he pulled his arm out, the glove was gone. Instead, there was a spherical, red and white capsule in his hand.

"Then let me teach you a lesson."

Next Time:

[GRAND BUDAPEST] vs [BASKERVILLE]