Equestria Superhero Girls: Rage and Fearby Time Agent ponyChaptersChapter 9Chapter 1Chapter 2Chapter 3Chapter 4Chapter 5Chapter 6Chapter 7Chapter 8Chapter 10EpilogueChapter 9"You can treat this as ether a gift or curse," Amadeus Cho said, "treat it however you want." "But, how?" Flash asked. "Just remember," Amadeus continued, "the red guy in the back seat is going to want to have a go in the drivers seat and you'd better be prepared when he does and make sure that he doesn't hurt anyone." "So I should try and let out my rage and anger in a positive and controlled way?" Flash replied. "Yeah," Amadeus nodded, "something like that." Midnight was heading for her next lesson, when Rainbow Dash and Twilight confronted her. "Midnight," Twilight said, "please listen." Midnight glared at her sister, not wanting to listen to anything Twilight had to say. "We asked Principal Celestia to call the Xavier Institute for Mutant Education and Outreach," Rainbow Dash continued, "and there is no record of a Mirage having ever attended the school." "Your both lying," Midnight said, not wanting to believe what Rainbow Dash implying, "Mirage's been so helpful and taught me how to control my powers and my lantern ring." "She's trying to use you," Twilight insisted, "she's only helping you so she can use you as a weapon." "Shut up, Shut up, SHUT UP!" Midnight cried, "Mirage was right, I can't trust any of you!" "Midnight, you have to listen!" Twilight cried. "I DON'T HAVE TO LISTEN TO ANY OF YOU!" Midnight thundered, grabbing the girls with her magic and pinning them to the wall with a yellow construct. "Midnight, please stop," Twilight pleaded. "We're your friends," Rainbow Dash added. "The only friend I have is Mirage," Midnight replied, "she's the only one I can trust, since Twilight reported me to the principal." "Thats where you're wrong, Midnight," a voice interrupted. Midnight turned to see, the owner of the voice, Cypher along with Warlock approach her. "It was me," Cypher continued, "I told the principal about what happened on the soccer pitch." "I don't understand," Midnight responded. "Self doesn't like what is becoming," Warlock added, " is turning into a weapon." Midnight was silent for moment, then she let out a cry of anger and despair, now that the last of her friends had betrayed her. Before anyone could stop her, Midnight seemingly disappeared in a flash of yellow light. "Where'd she go?!" Twilight cried. Having managed to put some distance between herself, Twilight and the others. Midnight lend up against a wall and slumped down to the floor and put her head in her hands. "How could Cypher do that to me?" she said, "Why would he?" "Why indeed?" a voice asked. Midnight looked up to see Mirage standing over her. "Mirage?" Midnight said, "what are you doing here?" "I'm just looking out for my friend," Madame Rouge replied, "thats what friends do isn't it?" Midnight didn't know why, but the way Mirage said 'friends' filled her with a sense of dread. "Um," Midnight replied, weakly, "you were right, my friends did report what I did on the soccer pitch." "As I told you," Madame Rouge nodded, knowingly, "trust no one, not even your friends." "My friends and my sister also said," Midnight continued, "that you're not who you say you are, that you don't exist." "Come on," Madame Rouge answered, "who are going to believe? Me or them?" "When we first met," Midnight retorted, "you told me you transferred from the Xavier Institute for Mutant Education and Outreach." "Yeah," Madame Rouge replied, starting to worry where Midnight was going with what she was saying. "My sister and her friends told me that you never attended the school," Midnight carried on, "but if you're truly my friend, Mirage, then you'll tell me the truth, who are you, really?" "Oh, dammit," Mirage replied, "I was hoping it wouldn't come to this." Midnight watched as, right before her eyes, Mirage's appearance changed into that of someone else. "I was hoping not to reveal myself until the right time," the figure said, speaking with a completely different voice than Mirage, "but your curiosity and your friends meddling forced me to reveal myself." "Who are you?" Midnight asked, "What do you want with me?" "I am Madame Rouge," the figure replied, "and I was hoping to recruit you into the ranks of H.I.V.E., but I see now that you don't have the potential my superiors were looking for." Chapter 1Canterlot High school, cafeteria Flash Sentry, had just gotten himself some lunch and was heading to a table to sit with the members of his band Flash Drive. But, before he could make it to the table he was blocked by Roger Brokeridge a.k.a. Hardball and Melati Kusma a.k.a. Komodo. "Well look what we have here," Hardball smirked, "it's little Flashy." "Look, I don't want any trouble, guys," Flash said, trying to talk his way out of what was going to happen. "Well, trouble found you," Komodo replied, sharing Hardball's smirk. "As opposed to us," Hardball said, "you've never had superpowers and you never will, you're just a weak loser, a nobody." "That's not nice," Flash protested. "Oh, what?" Komodo responded, "you gonna cry to your mama?" The two began pushing Flash around for a few minutes until, "Hey!" a voice called, "whats going on here?" Hardball and Komodo turned to see Sunset Shimmer, her white lantern ring glowing furiously. "Arrr..nothing," Hardball said, quickly, "we were just helping our friend Flash, here." "Right," Komodo nodded, "thats what we were doing." "I suggest you two finish your lunch," Sunset replied, "class is about to start and I don't think Principle Celestia and Vice Principle Luna won't like to hear you two were late, again." "Saved by someone with real powers, again," Hardball muttered, "don't count on it, next time." With that, the two hurried away. "You ok, Flash?" Sunset asked, as she helped Flash to his feet. "Yeah," Flash replied, "thanks." "You sure?" Sunset probed, "you can talk to me if somethings..." "I'm fine," Flash insisted, as he headed for class along with the members of his band. As Flash headed for the classroom, everywhere he looked there were people who had fantastic powers. People like Sooraya Qadir a.k.a. Dust, a mutant girl with the ability transform into a sandstorm and Miguel Jose Barragan a.k.a. Bunker, a young meta with the ability to create purple energy constructs must commonly armour, walls and shields. The more Flash saw of people with powers he could only dream of, the more he felt more envious and jealous of them. All throughout the day, Flash couldn't help feeling fed up and frustrated about how useless he felt, being only human. Elsewhere in CHS. Midnight Sparkle headed for class as she tried to not to be late, as she had finished her lunch late. As she passed by one of the hallways, she noticed something happening near one of the lockers. Two students stood menacingly over another student, who looked scared. As Midnight approached, she recognised the two of them it was Manchester Black and Danielle Blunt a.k.a. Aftershock, their victim was Robert Herman a.k.a. Glob, a mutant made of living wax. "Hey," Midnight said, once she was close enough to be heard, "leave him alone." "This is none of you business," Manchester scoffed, "why don't you get to class." "Yeah," Aftershock added, "you don't want to get in trouble with the principle, do you?" Midnight didn't move. "I said leave him alone," she repeated, standing her ground, suddenly Midnight felt her powers rising. "Well," Manchester smiled, his eyes glowing with physic energy, "looks like someone whats to play hero." Midnight could feel the magic inside her building and building, she didn't know how long she could contain it. "Looks that way," Aftershock agreed, electrical energy crackling around her as she and Manchester stepped away from Glob, "then we'll just have to be the villains, then won't we." As the two turned on Midnight, she finally couldn't keep her power suppressed. "Please," she said, "stay back." "Aw," Manchester smirked, "where'd all the hero spirit go?" "Yeah," Aftershock smiled, "what happened? You get cold feet?" As the two got closer, Midnight was finding it harder and harder to keep a lid on her magic. "NO!" She cried, as equestrian magic began to slowly surge around her, "GET AWAY!" "Or what?" Manchester responded. Aftershock was about to say something, but suddenly Midnight unleashed a huge blast magical energy, which hit Manchester and Aftershock, blasting them away from Glob. Whoa," Glob said, "that was awesome." Midnight didn't reply, she just looked down at her hands, "I didn't mean to do that," she whispered, as her hands began to shake, "I'm a monster." With tears in her eyes, Midnight ran off before Glob could thank her for standing for him. Later in the day, Flash headed for his locker to change for PE. On his way, he passed by more teenagers with extraordinary abilities like: Amka Aliyak a.k.a. Snowguard and LeTonya Charles a.k.a. Cyborgirl, one with the ability to transform into any animal and the other being given cybernetic implants. The two them joined Flash for PE, where, in baseball practice, Snowguard turned into a cheetah to run pasted all the bases on the field to score a home run and Cyborgirl threw a pitch so hard it made a hole in the bat. At the end of it all, Flash felt more down as he and rest of the Wondercolts team headed for the changing rooms at the end of the lessons. At the same time, Midnight headed for her final lesson of the day, maths class. As she headed for the classroom, she passed by another classroom which had other students who had better understanding/control of their powers and abilities, and were now teaching others how to do the same thing. These being: M'gann M'orzz a.k.a. Miss Martian, Martian Manhunters niece and Franklin Richards, the son of Mr. Fantastic and Invisible Woman. Midnight watched as Miss Martian shapeshifted into Principle Celestia and Franklin showcasing his reality altering powers by creating a flower out of absolutely nothing. Seeing people with more control of their powers, Midnight had the thought that maybe these students could help her control her powers, but she realised that she was late for maths and she hurried away. "They couldn't help me," Midnight thought to herself, "I'm a lost cause." All throughout the day, Flash kept experiencing more and more strife and suffering and Midnight struggled to control and suppress her powers, but it would sometime burst out and someone would always end up being hurt. At the end of the day, both Flash and Midnight were at their lowest point. "If only I had powers, like everyone else," Flash murmured, in his thoughts. "If only I could control my powers," Midnight uttered, in her thoughts. Meanwhile, somewhere in deep space. Scanning for Rage Scanning for Fear Two Lantern rings flew through the void as they scanned for someone who could be their new bearers, as their previous bearers had died. The suddenly, Rage located Fear located The rings had found what they were looking for, they change course, and began heading in the direction of earth. Chapter 2After school. Flash walked through the streets of Canterlot city, even outside of CHS he still couldn't escape superheroes, everything from graffiti to magazines to posters featured a hero or a group of heroes. The more Flash saw the more his anger and envy grow, he sighed and continued walking. "Rough day, huh?" a voice asked. Flash turned around, to see Sunset touched down behind him. "No," Flash replied, "I'm fine." He continued on walking, Sunset following behind him. "Something's wrong with you," Sunset insisted, "I can see that." "There is nothing wrong with me," Flash replied, "and even if there was you wouldn't understand." And without saying another word, Flash kept walking leaving Sunset behind. Twilight's house. Midnight sat on her bed, the room was silent. There was a knock on the door, "Midnight?" the voice Twilight said, though the door, "are you ok?" Midnight didn't answer. "Alright," Twilight continued, "I'm coming in." The door opened and Twilight entered the room. She sat down next to Midnight and put a hand on her shoulder. "What's wrong?" Twilight asked, "you've been silent all evening." Midnight turned to Twilight with tears in her eyes For a moment, she didn't reply, then she spoke, "I need help," she said, "I don't know how to control my powers." She went on to explain what had happened at CHS. Twilight listened to the entire explanation, "You shouldn't try to suppress your powers," she responded, wiping away Midnight's tears, "you need to trust yourself, you can control your powers." "You really think so?" Midnight smiled, "I mean I can barley do anything that you and your friends can do." "Trust me," Twilight said, "when the time is right, let the power flow." "Ok?" Midnight replied, "I believe you, thanks sis." With that, Twilight and Midnight hugged each other. The next day. Flash walked to CHS, still feeling the same as he did the previous day, he sighed as he braced himself for another day of frustration and getting pushed around. "If I had powers," Flash thought, "Hardball and Komodo would know not to mess with me." Like last night, everywhere he looked there were images of heroes like: Superman, Carol Danvers Captain Marvel, Kimiyo Hoshi Doctor Light and Jessica Drew Spider-woman, were plastered on walls and posters. Even some of the superheroes had their own businesses that were advertised everywhere like: Department of Damage Control, Wayne Enterprise, Stark Industries and Goldstar Incorporated. Like before, it only made Flash's anger and frustration grow, though he did try and put the thoughts & feelings out of his head as he continued to walk. Flash Sentry of Earth Flash spun round but upon seeing nothing, carried on walking. Flash Sentry of Earth Again Flash turned around and still saw nothing, he started walking faster he had the feeling he was being followed but he couldn't see who it was. Flash Sentry of Earth Upon hearing the voice again, Flash ducked into a nearby alleyway, hoping whoever was following him would pass by, he closed his eyes and waited. For a moment, their was silence...then. Flash Sentry of Earth The voice came again, this time it was right in front of him. Flash slowly opened his eyes, there was no one there, all that was there was a red ring floating in the air. "What the...?" Flash said. Flash Sentry of Earth He ring spoke again. There is great rage in your heat, you belong to the Red Lantern corps The ring continued to speak as it did, it slotted itself into Flash's finger. After the ring had attached itself to him, Flash felt a surge of power flow through him. CHS, hours later. Midnight headed for the cafeteria, Twilight words from the previous night still echoing in her head. "What did she mean?" she wondered, "when the time is right?" Putting the thought out of her head for now, Midnight entered the cafeteria. All around her, students whispered among themselves. Midnight eat her lunch, trying to ignore what everyone around her saying about her. She was about finish her lunch, feeling more alone than ever. When Glob approached her, along with Cypher a.k.a. Doug Ramey, a mutant and Warlock, a techno-organic alien shapeshifter and Cypher's best friend. "Mind if we join you?" Glob asked. "Not at all," Midnight replied, "no one else will sit with me." The three seated themselves opposite from Midnight and began eating their lunch, Warlock didn't need to eat, being an alien. "Query," Warlock said, "why is sitting by herself." "Yeah," Cypher nodded, "everyones acting like you're a monster or something." Midnight sighed, "It's because I can't control my powers," she answered. There was an awkward silence, after which, Midnight explained what had happened the previous day. "Oh," Glob said, after Midnight had finished explaining, "thats why you ran off afterwards." "My sister, Twilight gave me some advice," Midnight added, "but I can't figure out what it means." Cypher looked thoughtful, "Maybe she meant..." he began. But before Cypher could continue, Manchester Black and Aftershock entered the cafeteria, behind the two of them was Mortar a.k.a. Liana Feeser. "Your attention, please," Manchester said, "my friends and I looking for Midnight Sparkle." No one answered. "One more time," Manchester stated, Mortar morphing her hands into maces "has anyone seen Midnight Sparkle?" Again, no one answered. "All right," Manchester smiled, "guess I'll have to fry the minds of everyone in here, until Midnight Sparkle steps forward." Manchester Black's eyes glowed as he prepared to use his physic powers. "Wait!" Midnight cried, as she got up from her seat, "if you want me, fine, just don't hurt anyone." "Fine," Manchester smirked, "anyway it's time for payback for yesterday." Midnight felt her power rising again, she remembered what Twilight had said and she didn't fight the power as it began to rise. Manchester and his two goon prepared to attack Midnight. She tried her best to focus the power into a small blast, but like last time Midnight's powers went haywire and she ended up releasing a huge blast of energy, which blasted the three bullies back. The whole cafeteria was in stunned silence. Every student, except Twilight, the Rainbooms, Glob, Cypher and Warlock, stared at Midnight with looks of fear on their faces. Tears began forming in Midnight's eyes, before anyone could stop her, she ran from the room. Seconds later, an empty classroom. Still with tears in her eyes, Midnight slumped down against classroom wall, she didn't know what to do or who could help her anymore. Suddenly, a voice interrupted her tears. Midnight Sparkle of Earth Midnight looked around, but all she could see was a yellow ring floating in the air. You have ability to install great fear The ring continued as it slowly slotted itself onto Midnight's finger. Welcome to the Sinestro Corps. Chapter 3Elsewhere. After a long time, Flash managed to reach CHS, he had been struggling to get the rings flight capabilities to work. The ring seemed to have a lot of power inside of it but, for some reason, it didn't seemed to be locked away. "I sure hope no one sees me," Flash thought to himself, "the last thing I need is to be in trouble with Principle Celestia or Vice principle Luna." Suddenly, he heard the sound of a student crying in destress, despite being late Flash know that he couldn't just ignore it, with the power he had now maybe he could help. He followed sound to where it was coming from, only to find Hardball and Komodo harassing Eye Boy a.k.a. Trevor Hawkins, a Mutant with eyes all over his body. Eye Boy was cowering before the two bullies, who stood over their victim, with smirks on their faces. "What are you going to use against us?" Hardball asked, "your powers?" The two bullies cackled with laughter, as Eye Boy looked like he was going to cry. Whats the matter? A voice in Flash's head asked, as the two bullies gloated over their victim. Are you simply going to watch? More pain awaits him if you do nothing "No," Flash replied, not questioning where the voice had come from, with that he approached Hardball and Komodo. "Hey!" he called, as he advanced, "remember me? How about you pick on me instead." The two turned and the smirks on their faces widened, recognising their old punching bag. "Hey, look Hardball," Komodo said, "it's little Flashy trying to play hero." "Yeah," Hardball nodded, turning away from Eye Boy, "and this time his girlfriend isn't here to save him this time." The two of them walked up to Flash as he closed in, Hardball's fists glowing with energy and Komodo readying her claws. Flash prepared himself, ready to use his new powers to get back at the two bullies who made his life unbearable. seconds later. Flash got up from being throw against a locker, the ring hadn't worked and all he could do was dodge the bullies attacks. "OK," he choked, "maybe this was a bad idea." Was your previous decision a mistake then? "No, it wasn't" he said, looking at the ring in frustration, "Why aren't you working?" For my powers to be yours the voice replied, I must have your agreement that will be willing to use your rage to get whatever you want, even if it means hurting people. "Yes," Flash replied, "I agree to whatever you want me to do." "I think you might have hit him to hard," Komodo smiled, "he's taking to himself." Very well the voice replied, I shall heed your call, speak the oath and let your rage flow! As the bullies prepared their final beatdown, Flash began to seek. He didn't know how he know the words, but as he spoke felt the power within the ring on his finger rising. With Blood and rage of crimson red, We fill men's souls with darkest dread, And twist your minds to pain and hate. We'll burn you all—that is your fate! After Flash had finished there was an explosion of red energy, when it cleared the uniform of a red lantern had formed over Flash's clothes and a red lantern power battery had materialised in his hand. "What the..?" Hardball said, as he and Komodo were taken aback by what had happened. "Oh, this is good," Flash smiled, "this is really good." "What are you talking about?" Komodo responded, confused by what Flash had said. "Seeing now that I've got all this power," Flash replied, "I can finally cut loose and get some payback." "Alright," Hardball said, a smile appearing on his face and his fists glowing with energy, "lets dance." Midnight looked at the yellow ring, that was now on her finger, she had no idea what was going on. Before she could ponder what had just happened any further Cypher, Warlock, Twilight and Rarity entered the classroom. "Midnight," Twilight said, "what happened out there?" "You can tell us, if something is wrong, darling," Rarity added, "we're your friends, we're here to help." "Right," Cypher nodded. "Agreed," Warlock stated, "this one hates to see look sad." Midnight then explained what she had tried to do, by taking Twilight's advice. Twilight was about to reply, but was cut off by the bell announcing the start of afternoon lessons. "We'll talk about this later," Twilight said, "we'd better get to class." "Good idea," Rarity nodded, "the teachers will wonder where we are if we're late." "Ok," Midnight sniffed, "thanks for not being mad at me." With that, the five of them headed for class, nether of them noticing the yellow ring of Midnight's finger. Flash stood over Hardball and Komodo, who were laying bruised and beaten in front of him. "So," he said, bring Hardball's face closer to his face, "what have you learned?" Hardball mumbled something in response. "What was that?" Flash asked, "I can't hear you." "Don't mess with Flash Sentry," Hardball said, in a slightly louder. "Didn't quiet hear that," Flash replied. "Don't mess with Flash Sentry," Hardball repeated, loud enough for Flash Sentry to hear. "Thats right," Flash smiled, "and don't you forget it." Meanwhile, outside the school. A black car stopped on the opposite side of the road from the front entrance of CHS. "It seems the lantern rings have found new bearers," a figure in the shadows said, "having a lantern would be a valuable asset and a powerful tool." Across from the figure sat Laura De Mille, a.k.a. Madame Rouge, an enemy of the Doom Patrol and currently working for the supervillain organisation H.I.V.E. (Hierarchy of International Vengeance and Extermination). She had been tasked with finding promising young Metas, Mutants, Inhumans and other enhanced individuals to recruit into H.I.V.E.'s academy to train the recruits to become villains. "I trust you understand your orders," the figure continued, "you must find and convince the red or yellow lanterns to join our academy." "And if I encounter any resistance?" Madame Rouge asked, "what if these new lanterns have friends?" "Try and convince them," the figure replied, "the lanterns are the main goal, anyone else is a bonus." "And if they cannot be swayed?" Madame Rouge retorted. "Then deal with them," the figure answered, "in anyway you see fit." "Understood," Madame Rouge nodded. "And remember," the figure stated, "returning empty handed will be met with severe consequences." "I assure you," Madame Rouge answered, "I do not intend to fail or be defeated." "One more thing before you go," the figure added, handing a small case which contained what looked like earrings to Madame Rouge, "you'll report back to me at the end of everyday." "Anything else?" Madame Rouge inquired. "Just remember what I said before," the figure reiterated, "failure is not an option, Brother Blood will not be happy if you return empty handed." Madame Rouge looked worried for a second, then her expression changed back to normal. "Tell Brother Blood not to worry," she replied, as she shapeshifted into a teenage girl, "I will bring him the lanterns and anyone else I think shows promising potential." "Very good," the figure smiled, "now go, your mission starts tomorrow." Chapter 4The next day. Flash walked through the halls of CHS, everyone around him was whispering and pointing at him. Abigail "Abby" Boylen a.k.a. Cloud 9 smiled at him, thankful to Flash for taking down two of the schools bullies. "Seems I'm already getting popular," Flash thought to himself. Flash smiled back, and continued on his way to his locker. As he was opening his locker, Sunset approached him. "Flash we need to talk," she stated. "If it's to thank me for taking down Hardball and Komodo," Flash replied, "you're welcome." "Thank you?!" Sunset answered, "Flash, what you did was absolutely irresponsible." "You could say the same about Hardball and Komodo," Flash replied, "those two were abusing their powers just to beat up a student because the student was weaker than them, like I was." "Flash, they were sent to the nurse's office," Sunset said, "I didn't believe them when they told that you did that to them." "They were bullies," Flash retorted, "and I stood up to them, whats the problem?" Sunset was about to answer, but Flash continued. "I suppose you want me to go back to what I was like before," he said, "normal and powerless." Without another word, Flash closed his locker and walked away, leaving Sunset confused. As Flash was walking away, Sunset noticed something on his finger. Madame Rouge, now in her disguise, walked through the front doors of CHS. She kept her eyes open for any sign of the yellow or red lantern ring bearers as well as anyone she thought would impress Brother Blood. As fate would have it, the first person she bumped into was Midnight Sparkle. "Hello," Midnight said, "are you new here? The principle didn't mention we were getting a new student today." "Yes," Madame Rouge answered, "my name is Mirage." "My name is Midnight Sparkle," Midnight replied, "did you transfer from another school?" "Yes," Madame Rouge responded, "I transferred from the Xavier Institute for Mutant Education and Outreach." "Oh, so you're a mutant?" Midnight asked. "Yep," Madame Rouge answered, "I can stretch my limbs and body along with morphing my limbs into anything I want." She demonstrated by stretching her arm and tapping a student on the shoulder, with the student seeing no one behind him and after retracting her arm she morphed it into a hammer, after which returning to normal. "Oh," Midnight remarked, "you've got so much control over your powers." "Why?" Madame Rouge asked, "don't you?" "Well, to be honest," Midnight responded, "no I can't control my powers, every time I think I'm in control my powers it just explodes and people always end up getting hurt." Suddenly, Madame Rouge noticed the yellow ring on Midnight's finger, she smiled. "What if I could teach you control" she said, "to control your power as I was taught." "You'd do that?" Midnight replied, "I mean you just met me." "Hey," Madame Rouge smiled, "at the Xavier Institute we were taught 'if you treat people nicely and in turn you will be treated nicely'." Flash headed for his next lesson, as he headed for the science lab he was approached by Eye Boy. "Hey," he said, "I just wanted to say thanks for taking down Hardball and Komodo." "Why?" Flash replied, "you think I was afraid of them?" "Well," Eye Boy replied, smiling weakly, "its just that...no ones every stood up like you did before." "Well, things are different now," Flash retorted, "I have powers now." "Oh," Eye Boy said, "so you're going to keep an eye out for other students like me?" "Actually," Flash answered, "now that I have this power, I'm going to do whatever I want." "Ha, Ha," Eye Boy laughed, weakly, "you're joking right?" "No," Flash replied, "so you and everyone in this school better watch out, because I am here and everyone will do as I say." Without another word, Flash walked away Midnight walked to her next class, Mirage had promised to teach her how to better control her powers and they would meet after lunch. As she headed for the library to grab some books for her lesson, she noticed a group of students all looking at something. Her curiosity peaked, Midnight walked towards the group and pushed through everyone to get a closer look. Her eyes open wide when she saw what everyone was looking at... Her friends Glob, Cypher and Warlock looked they had been hit by a brick wall. "What happened to you guys?" Midnight asked, as she rushed up to her friends. "Manchester was looking for you," Cypher chocked, "we told him to leave you alone." "He just said he wouldn't stop until he'd make you pay for humiliating him," Glob continued. "Self tried to fight back," Warlock added, "but was too powerful." "He said he'd come after you and everyone you know," Cypher finished, "until he gets his revenge." Everyone around Midnight began murmuring, their voices begin to sound scared as they realised what Cypher had said. As the fear began to build around her Midnight, she spoke some words. She didn't know how she know the words, but as she spoke them she felt the ring on her finger slowly spring to life. In blackest day, in brightest night, Beware your fears made into light Let those who try to stop what's right, Burn like my power... Sinestro's might! After she had said the words, Midnight was enveloped in yellow light, when it cleared Midnight was wearing the uniform of a yellow lantern and a yellow lantern power battery in her hand. Madame Rouge looked on as Midnight and everyone around her were dealing with what just happened. "Excellent," she smiled, "soon, very soon." Chapter 5Midnight knew what she had to do. "Stay here," she said, beginning to walk in the direction of soccer pitch, she know where Manchester and his lackeys would be right now. "Midnight," Cypher called, after her, "where are you going?" "I'm going to show Manchester what happens," Midnight replied, "when you hurt my friends." "You think she's gonna show up?" Mortar asked. "She'd better," Aftershock sneered, "I'm bored." "Shut your gob!" Manchester ordered, "She'd better show, she'll do anything to protect those friends of hers." "Hey!" a voice called, "you!" Manchester and his comrades turned to see Midnight approaching them. "Finally," Aftershock said. "Well," Manchester smiled, "now we can get down to business." "Save it," Midnight retorted, anger building in her voice, dark magic leaking from her eyes and the yellow energy from her ring surrounding her, "you hurt my friends." "Well," Manchester said, again, "me and my friends won't have had to, if they had just given you up." "You could have just found me yourself!" Midnight replied, "did you never once think not ever, to use your brains?!" "Are calling us stupid?" Aftershock asked. "I'm saying," Midnight responded, "if you turn yourselves into Principle Celestia now, I won't have to hurt you, like you hurt my friends." The three exchanged looks with one another. "I can't get in trouble with the principle, again" Aftershock said, "I'm hanging by a thread as it is." "Who cares," Manchester remarked, "we're on the soccer pitch, no one will ever know." As Midnight struggled to think of the next thing to say a voice spoke in her head. You must strike now, while there is fear within them Midnight didn't know where the voice had come from and she didn't like what it was telling her. "No," She said, "I can end this peacefully, without a fight." Where's the fun in that? You have all that power, why don't you use it? "I can barely control my power as it is," Midnight responded. So you're afraid of yourself more than others? How about you leave the control to me "Ok, then," Midnight answered, "your sure no one will get hurt?" Sure... "Right," Midnight agreed. As soon as Midnight had said that, her eyes turned to yellow and a creepy smile stretch across her face. "Whats up with you?" Manchester asked, "you were just talking to yourself..." "Playtime's over," Midnight said, "I gave you a chance and you didn't take it, now it's time you got a taste of your own medicine." Flash walked through the corridors on his way to practise with his band. "Sorry, I'm late guys," he said, as he entered the band room. "No, worries, man," the drummer replied, "we were just setting up." "Did you get a haircut?" the keyboard player asked, "something seems different about you." "No," Flash replied, "nothing's different about me." "Anyway," he continued, "let's start practicing." "But you don't have your..." the drummer began. But, to the drummer surprise, Flash created a red electronic guitar out of nowhere and began strumming away on it. The drummer and keyboard player looked at each other for a second, then followed suit by playing their instruments. "Dude," the drummer said, when they stopped playing, "where'd you learn how to do that?" "Yeah," the keyboard player nodded, "you've never been able to create things out of no where." "Look," Flash replied, "what matters is that I have this power and nobody's going to take it from me." Before his colleges could say anything else, Flash looked them both in the eye, "nobody," he said, his eyes briefly flashing red. Midnight looked over what she had done, Manchester and his allies lay beaten and out cold in front of her. "You said no would get hurt," she said, You can't make an omelette without breaking a few eggs "That's not an answer!" Midnight replied, "people still got hurt!" You wanted to stop them and we have stopped them "Why did I listen to you?" Midnight asked. Aww, but didn't feel good to scare someone and you be the one doing the hurting? "Well, actually..." Midnight whispered, her eyes briefly flashing yellow Before she could do anything, Twilight, her friends and Midnight's friends come running onto the field. "What the heck, happened here?" Twilight asked, looking at the out cold teenagers in front of Midnight. "Oh, nothing," Midnight answered. "You call this nothing?!" Rainbow Dash cried. "They wanted to hurt me so I hurt them back," Midnight replied, "and really, isn't that better? Hurt them so they hurt anyone else again." "This isn't you, sugarcube," Applejack said, "you don't do this." "I do now," Midnight responded, smiling And with that, Midnight left the field, leaving her friends shocked and alone. She had only just entered back into the school building, when Mirage approached her. "That was quite a display you put on out there," She said, "quite a show indeed." "Thank you...I guess," Midnight replied, "my friends think that I made a mistake and that hurting people with my powers is not right thing to do." "They just don't understand the power you wheeled," Mirage said, "they will understand in time." "Ok, then," Midnight said. "Anyway," Mirage continued, "I believe I was going to teach you how to better control that power of yours." "I'd like that," Midnight smiled. With that, the two headed off to look for an empty classroom. Chapter 6"Let's start with the basics," Madame Rouge said, "start at the beginning." "Meaning?" Midnight said. "To master your powers," Madame Rouge replied, "you must treat them as a part of yourself, an extension of your will." "How do I do that?" Midnight asked. "The first step," Madame Rouge continued, "meditating on the connection between the body and the mind." To demonstrate, Madame Rouge sat down on the floor of the empty classroom they were in, closed her eyes and began meditating. Midnight did the same and the two sat in silence for ten minutes. "I don't feel any different," Midnight said, after a while, "is this really necessary?" "To perfect the art of control," Madame Rouge replied, "you need to develop both mind and body, it requires the keenness of one's mind and the endurance one's body." "OK," Midnight said, "if you say so." She continued to meditate, after an hour Madame Rouge told Midnight to try and create something using her powers, specifically a Lotus Flower. Midnight knew what a Lotus Flower looked like because Rarity had used one in one of the designs for one of my dresses. Midnight closed her eyes and her hands glowed with purple equestrian magic and a small ball of energy appeared between her hands. "That's it," Madame Rouge said, "concentrate on what you want energy to do." Midnight did so, she concentrated on the image of the Lotus Flower in her mind and slowly the ball of energy began to shape itself into the shape of the flower in question. "Beautiful," Madame Rouge remarked, "simply beautiful." Midnight opened her eyes and saw the flower she had created. "Did I do that?" she asked, practically speechless. "Remarkable," Madame Rouge breathed, "you are a fast learner." "Really?" Midnight replied, as the Lotus Flower construct slowly disappeared, "thanks." "Flash, slow down, man," the drummer said, "you're playing too fast, we can't keep up." "Well, maybe you guys should get on my level," Flash responded. "And what level is that?" the keyboard player retorted, "ever since you just magically got superpowers you seem to be on an entirety different level." "What are you guys saying?" Flash asked. "I'm saying that," the keyboard player answered, "that either we work together and play together or we'll have to find another guitar player." "You're kicking me out of the band?" Flash growled, "you can't do that, it's my band!" "Your choice Flash," the drummer answered. Flash glared at the two for a moment. "Fine," he said, finally "good luck finding another guitarist, no one else can play guitar better than me," Without another word, Flash stormed out of the band room. As he proceeded down the corridor, he passed Sunset who was just closing up her locker. "Flash," she said. Flash stalked past her without even look at her. "Flash Sentry!" Sunset called, "stop." Again, Flash ignored her and continued to walk away from her. Finally, Sunset had lost her patience, "I said stop!" she repeated, using her white lantern ring to grab Flash and turn him around to face her. "How dare you," Flash growled. "Flash," Sunset said, "you need to listen to me! You're not acting like yourself." "I don't need to listen to anyone," Flash replied, red energy beginning to surge around him, "especially someone like you!" "What are you talking about?" Sunset responded. "Did you ever think why I broke up with you?" Flash said, "because I realised that you didn't care about me, you only cared about yourself!" "Flash, please," Sunset pleaded, what Flash was saying was slowly starting to get to her, "I know I hurt you, but I'm not the person I used to be." Don't listen to her. The voice in Flash's head whispered. If she takes the ring, your powers will disappear, you don't want that do you? "Flash," Sunset continued, "I don't want to hurt you, you're my friend." Flash was silent for a moment, then... "Rage has no friends," he said, his voice filled with anger as he created two blades using his ring, "rage consumes all!" "Sorry you feel that way, Flash," Sunset responded. Before Flash could attack, but was tackled to the ground by Laura Kinney a.k.a. the all-new Wolverine and Rose Wilson, daughter to the mercenary Deathstroke, they had been waiting and watching events unfold from the sidelines, at Sunset's request. "Release me!" Flash cried, as he struggled against the two. "Ok," Laura said, "we got him, now what?" "You're on, Rainbow Dash," Sunset called. On Command, Rainbow Dash appeared, she, like Laura and Rose had been watching from the sidelines and only now had joined in at Sunset's request. She acted quickly, using her ring and her super speed, to restrain Flash and bind him in blue chain constructs. "OK, girls," Sunset said, as Flash struggled against his bonds, "I think we need to take Flash somewhere safe." Moments laters, they had Flash lashed to a table in the science lab. Flash continued to struggle and writhe against the construct bindings, the girls stood by and as another girl entered the room. It was Raven a.k.a. Rachel Roth, she was attending CHS in between defending the world from various threats. "Can you help, Flash?" Sunset asked, as Raven appearing the struggling teenager. "We know that you have experience with people who are conflicted," Laura said. "I can only promise to try," Raven replied, as she placed her hands on ether side of Flash's head. Raven's eyes glowed white and she spoke the words, "azarath metrion zinthos," and her soul-self, a black raven made of energy, emerged from her and possessed Flash. Chapter 7As Raven's soul-self travelled through Flash's mind, she saw some of Flash's memories. Flash's childhood, attending CHS for the first time, meeting Princess Twilight and attending Camp Everfree with Sunset and the rest of CHS. Then finally she arrived at Flash's mindspace, it was coloured red and shrouded in fog. "Flash Sentry?" Raven said, "where are you?" "Why are you here?" Flash's voice answered, "Who are you?!" "My name is Raven," Raven replied, "Sunset's worried about you." "Sunset sent you?" Flash's voice responded, "great, another privileged super-powered teen to show me up." "No, Flash..." Raven begin to reply. "Well, not anymore," Flash's voice continued, "now that I've got this power, everyone who has ever crossed me will pay." "Flash," Raven pleaded, "you need to listen, the ring is corrupting you, you need to fight it." And why should he do that? "Who's there?" Raven asked. From out of the red mist, stepped Flash but what accompanied him was something else entirely. It was the Butcher, the emotional entity of Rage. The creature was a monstrous and shook Raven to her core a little "Flash," Raven said, trying to recover, "that thing is corrupting you." "Silence!" the Butcher roared, "there is great rage in this one's heart." "For weeks I was a weak, powerless human," Flash carried on, "but now I have the power, I make the rules! This whole world will obey me!" "Flash, thats not you," Raven replied, "thats the ring talking, Sunset told me about you, you would never really hurt another person." "You really think so?" Flash asked, "I was born powerless in a world with Supermen, Gods of Thunder and Martian Manhunters." "Flash..." Raven said, again. "But now," Flash continued, ignoring her, "I'm on the same level, which means I can do this." Before Raven could react, Flash summon a red fist construct and hit Raven with a mighty blow, knocking her out of the mindspace. "Well," Madame Rouge said, "its time to test your combat prowess." "OK," Midnight replied, "one of my friends, Rainbow Dash, is captain of the karate and boxing clubs she taught me a few things," she demonstrated some kicks and punches. "Impressive," Madame Rouge commented, "but there is room for improvement." "What happened?" Sunset asked, as Raven recovered from being punched out of the mindspace, "did you managed to get through to Flash?" "He's angry," Raven replied, as she got to her feet, "very angry and blinded by rage," she, Laura, Sunset and Rose gathered around the still struggling Flash, "the rage is destroying him," she stated, grimly. "We have to help him," Sunset said, "his life depends on it." "Alright," Raven nodded, "I can try to block most the rage so he will be able regain control of himself." She looked at Rainbow and Sunset, "ready your lantern rings," she instructed. Sunset and Rainbow Dash complied, their rings lighting up with the lights of life and hope. Pointing them at Flash, Rainbow and Sunset let the white and blue light from their rings washed over him. He winced and thrashed about as the two lantern's respective emotional energies enveloped his body. "Alright," Raven said, after a while, "that's enough." Rainbow Dash and Sunset Shimmer obeyed, the glow from their rings subsiding. Flash had stopped thrashing and now looked weak and drained. "Flash," Sunset uttered, hardly daring to breath. Raven knew what she had to do, again, she placed her hands on either side of Flash's head, her eyes glowed white like before. For a moment, Flash lay still, then he suddenly jerked awake, gasping for air. "Flash," Sunset cried, with tears in her eyes, "you're alright." "Yeah," Flash replied, "I'm...okay?" Suddenly, he noticed the predicament he was in. "Arrr," Flash said, "anyone what to fill me in on why I'm tied to a table?" "Hiya!" Midnight said, as she smashed through a wooden board. She and Madame Rouge had moved out of the classroom and into the gym. "Good," Madame Rouge smiled, clapping, "very good." "You know," Midnight remarked, "I do feel a lot more confident about my powers." "Thats good to hear," Madame Rouge replied, as she setup another board, "but now you must try and break this board using that yellow ring of yours." "But I have no idea how to control this ring," Midnight responded, "I can't even turn it on." "Then how do you explain what you did to Manchester and his pet thugs?" Madame Rouge asked. "I don't know," Midnight insisted, "I remember saying some words and a voice in my head." "Well," Madame Rouge said, calmly, "what do can you remember?" "I remember," Midnight answered, "when they were afraid of me, my ring's power felt like it was rising." "Then that means," Madame Rouge said, after some thinking, "that your ring, is fuelled by your ability to install fear in others and other people's fear." "So?" Midnight asked. "So," Madame Rouge continued, "you need to embrace fear and use it against your enemies." "But," Midnight replied, reluctantly, "where do I even start?" "I understand the fear and worry you have, Midnight," Madame Rouge answered, "one of my closest friends, who was a mutant like myself, was taken from me when we were just children by mutant haters." "I'm so sorry," Midnight replied, "I didn't know." Madame Rouge smiled, "thank you," she said, "fortunately for me, Professor X found me and took me to his school for the gifted and through his X-men I was taught that failure, fear and the life of a hero these things are inevitable, how we deal with them, that is the true test of who we are, what defines us." "Wow," Midnight replied, "that was a pretty good speech." "Even though I have moved on," Madame Rouge said, "the memory of my friend still lingers and even since I have had trouble making another friend." "Well," Midnight smiled, "you've got another friend, right here." "I'm your friend?" Madame Rouge asked. "Of course," Midnight continued, still smiling, "you've given me confidence and a better understanding of my powers, I never could have done on my own." "It was nothing," Madame Rouge replied, "I just saw someone in need of help." Before anything else could be said, Midnight gave Madame Rouge a hug. As Madame Rouge leaned in for the hug, Midnight couldn't see her face stretch into a sinister smile. Chapter 8The science lab. Sunset, Rainbow Dash, Raven, Laura and Rose had untied Flash from the table and Raven was explaining what had happened while he was tied down. "So I have a lantern ring now?" Flash said, slowly, "just like you and Sunset?" "Yes," Raven nodded, "but unlike them your ring is fuelled by rage." "So, I'm like the Hulk?" Flash replied. "Kinda," Sunset said, "only you can create anything you want with ring, using your rage." "Trust me," Rainbow Dash added, "it's way better than turning into golly green giant." "And now, I'm back to normal?" Flash asked. "Well, yes and no," Raven replied, "I was able to install emotional barriers in your mind which will keep your rage from consuming you, you still have the power to create constructs but you must remember to keep your rage in check." "Don't worry," Sunset said, as Flash looked down at the ground, "I know someone who can help you." The gym All of CHS was gathered in the gymnasium, because Principal Celestia and Vice Principal Luna wished to address all the students of CHS at once. "I has been brought to our attention," Principal Celestia stated, "that there has been shameful and reckless use of powers, abilities and talents with CHS." "We do not tolerate that kind of behaviour here at CHS," Vice Principal Luna continued, "you all must learn that with great power, comes great responsibility." "That is all," Principal Celestia finished, "if anyone has problems with their powers, there are groups within the school that offer help, training and support." With that, everyone left the gym. "Sunset told me that you could help me with controlling my anger," Flash said, as he approached Amadeus Cho a.k.a. The Totally Awesome Hulk. "I've had a some experience in that field," Amadeus replied, "I'll give you all the help I can." "Thanks," Flash smiled, "I appreciate it." "No problem," Amadeus smiled back, "anyone who's a friend of Sunset Shimmer is a friend of mine." And so, he began explaining to Flash what Bruce Banner a.k.a. The Incredible Hulk had told him about controlling rage and anger. "Someone must have seen you when you had your little confrontation with Manchester Black and his lackeys," Madame Rouge said, as she and Midnight walked to their lockers to get ready for next lesson. "But the only people how know about it are Twilight, her friends and my friends," Midnight replied. "Then one of them must have reported it to the principal," Madame Rouge suggested. "You don't think...?" Midnight began, hardly daring to speak what she was thinking. "Twilight or one of her friends told the principal about what you did," Madame Rouge answered. "No," Midnight retorted, "Twilight's my sister and her friends would never go behind my back and report me." "Do you really believe that?" Madame Rouge asked, "who else but you was at the soccer pitch when you confronted Manchester Black?" Midnight didn't want to say it, but saw know what Mirage was suggesting. "Food for thought," Madame Rouge said, smiling innocently as she and Midnight headed for class. Although out the next lesson, Mirage's words buzzed around inside Midnight's head, had Twilight or one of her friends told Principal Celestia or Vice Principal Luna about what went down on the soccer pitch? After class, Midnight approached Twilight as she was putting her textbooks back into her locker. "Did you tell Principal Celestia about what happen on the soccer pitch?" she asked. "Midnight," Twilight replied, as she turned around to face her sister, "me and my friends are worried about you." "Stop avoiding the question, did you report me?" Midnight cried, "did you report me to the principal or not?!" "What you did on the soccer pitch was wrong," Twilight answered, "using your powers to hurt others, thats not the way a hero acts." "Mirage said I couldn't trust you," Midnight said. "You don't mean that," Twilight insisted. "Maybe I do," Midnight retorted. Without another word, Midnight turned and walked away, leaving Twilight shocked and alone. Moments later, Rainbow Dash noticed the distressed Twilight. "Hey, Twilight," she said, "whats up?" "It's Midnight," Twilight replied, "I'm worried about her and I don't know how to help her." Twilight quickly explained about Midnight and how she had recently started hanging out with a mysterious girl named Mirage. Rainbow Dash listened to Twilight and did some thinking afterwards. "We should go and tell Principal Celestia about this," she said, finally, "we need to find out who this Mirage really is." "Right," Twilight nodded. With that, Rainbow Dash and Twilight Sparkle headed for the principal's office. Chapter 10"What do you mean, I don't have the potential your superiors were looking for?" Midnight asked. "My superiors at H.I.V.E. wanted someone cold, ruthless and not held down by personal attachments or morality," Madame Rouge replied. "Then why did you help me control my powers and giving me combat training?" Midnight replied, "what would you have to gain?" "I had hoped that by teaching you how to control your powers and giving basic combat training," Madame Rouge answered, "I could mold you into a weapon H.I.V.E. could use, but now..." she continued, as a evil smile stretched across her face "I see that you pathetic and weak." With that, Madame Rouge lashed out with a powerful punch, aiming for Midnight's head. Midnight managed to dodge out of the way, though Madame Rouge's punch did leave a dent in the wall where she had been. Midnight tried her best to counter attack, both with her ring and with her powers. Madame Rouge simply stretched herself around Midnight's attacks, the smile from earlier still on her face. "Children never learn," she smirked, "you cannot touch me." She launched another super stretch punch at Midnight Midnight did manage to create a shield construct to block the initial attack, but a second blow from Madame Rouge smashed through the construct, knocking Midnight to the ground. "Even after all my training," Madame Rouge declared, standing over Midnight, "you still have learned nothing." As Flash headed to apologised to his band members, he heard the commotion from Midnight and Madame Rouge's fight. "Now is good a time as any to give what Amadeus told me a try," Flash thought to himself, as he headed for the danger. Then he stopped to think for a moment, "from the sound of it, I might need some backup." Midnight's ring was almost out of power, any constructs she created where quickly destroyed by Madame Rouge's attacks. "Looks like this is the end," Madame Rouge declared, as she stood over the defeated Midnight, "if you fully embraced fear you might have had a chance against me." "You haven't won yet," Midnight replied, slowly getting back on her feet, "I'll fight you till my last breath, my friends would've done same in my position." "And just where are those friends of yours then?" Madame Rouge laughed, "I told you trust no one, friendship is a weakness friendship is.." "I got some friendship for you.." a voice interrupted, "RIGHT HERE!" Before she could react, Madame Rouge was punch aside by a red fist construct. Midnight looked to where the fist had come from and was relieved to see Sunset Shimmer, Flash Sentry, Raven, Colossus and someone who Midnight didn't recognise, he was Calvin Montgomery Rankin a.k.a. Mimic "Back off my friend's sister," Sunset said. "If it's a fight you want," Flash declared, "we'll give you one." Raven, Colossus and Mimic nodded in agreement as they readied their powers, Sunset and Flash's lantern rings, Raven's Telekinesis and her soul-self, Colossus's steel skin and Mimic's power copying ability. The powers Mimic had copied were: the all-new Wolverine's claws, Dust's sandstorm transforming powers, Bunker's construct armour creating powers, Colossus's steel skin and Miss Martian's healing factor. "It doesn't matter how many of you there are," Madame Rouge smiled, as Midnight ran over to stand alongside her friends, "you are no match for me." With that, the Sunset, Flash and their allies charged at Madame Rouge, while Midnight watched from the sidelines. After a few minutes, Sunset and others lay defeated at Madame Rouge's feet. "Pathetic," Madame Rouge remarked. She then noticed, Midnight as she tried to make a run for it and alert the principal, Twilight or her other friends. "It is time to take care of business," Madame Rouge said, sadistically. "We have to do something," Flash said, as Madame Rouge advanced on the terrified Midnight. "Right, but what?" Sunset replied, "she's too powerful for us to take down." Flash thought for second, soon he had an idea, he turned to Raven who had almost recovered from Madame Rouge's attacks. "Raven," he said, "I need you remove the emotional barriers you placed in my mind." "Are you mad?!" Raven cried, "you'll be taken over by rage again!" "No I won't," Flash answered, "Amadeus taught me a thing or two about controlling rage and anger." Raven was about to argue, but the look on Flash's face told her that she couldn't dissuade Flash from his chose. "OK," she nodded, placing her hands on either side of Flash's head and her eyes glowed white. "Be careful," Sunset said. "I will," Flash replied, smiling. "It's done," Raven stated, once she had done what Flash wanted. "Alright," Flash answered, as Madame Rouge advanced on the terrified Midnight "Don't you touch her," he said, as he struggled to his feet. "You barely stood a chance against me before," Madame Rouge smirked, "what makes you think that this time will be different?" "Because.." Flash responded, "you're trying to hurt one of my friends and that. Makes. Me. Really. Really. MAD!" Flash's eyes glowed red as the energy from his ring started to surge all around him. Good, Good The voice of the Butcher whispered in Flash's mind. Let all the rage and anger flow through you Flash ignored the voice and advanced on Madame Rouge, a sword and shield construct materialising in his hands. Madame Rouge throw one of her super stretch punches at Flash. He simply blocked with his shield and slashed at Madame Rouge arm with his sword. He managed to cut off the arm, but Madame Rouge simply regenerated her arm and continued her attack. "Your attempts at heroism are futile," she stated, "your constructs cannot damage or hurt me." "Well, then," Flash replied, as his sword and shield constructs disappeared "I'll just have to think outside the box then." Thinking fast, Flash materialised a hammer construct in his hand. "You think something like that can stop me?" Madame Rouge laughed. "Yes," Flash retorted, "because it can do this." Before Madame Rouge knew it, the face of the hammer popped off and punching glove shot out, hitting the villain in the face. While she was still dazed from the attack, Flash summoned up some brass knuckles on his fists and dashed at Madame Rouge and delivered a furry of punches. After a while, Madame Rouge looked almost defeated. Flash stood over the villain, the red energy from his ring still surging around him. Do it, she is beaten The voice of the the Butcher once again whispered in Flash's mind. You know what must be done, Red Lantern, do not hesitate, show no mercy. "No," Flash answered, "I won't do it, I'm in control not you!" You must do it! The voice of the Butcher thundered in response to Flash's answer. If you don't then you will always be small and weak! But with my power you will be consumed by my anger and no one will bully or push you around ever again The Butcher's word did sound promising and Flash was tempted, but then, he heard Sunset's voice. "Flash," she said, "please stop, you've done enough, you're scaring me." Don't listen to her! she'll just take your powers away. "Flash, please," Sunset implored, "don't leave me, you can't, I love you." Sunset, seeing what she was saying was getting through Flash, leaned in and kissed him. Meanwhile, inside Flash's mind. "You know what?" Flash declared, "your offer sounds interesting, but I'm not interested." What? You dare deny my power?! "But I have deal I think you might like," Flash replied. Very well, speak! "I will use my anger to hurt people," Flash began. I'm listening "But," Flash continued, "I will only hurt the worst scum of the planet, the most evil people to ever walk the earth, but no one else." The Butcher thought for a long while, considering Flash's proposal. It seems that your offer has caught my attention the Butcher said, you got yourself a deal. Flash turned to Midnight, who had watched the fight unfold. "You want to do the honours?" he asked. "Really?" Midnight replied. "Yeah," Flash nodded, "you've earned it." Midnight nodded, she dashed up to Madame Rouge and delivered a magical and yellow ring enhanced knock out punch to the villain. "Nice work," Flash said, giving the Midnight the thumbs up. EpilogueThe next day. Flash stepped through the doors of CHS, since yesterday he had manage to patch things up with his band members and everyone he had ether hurt verbally or physically, while drunk on the power of the red lantern. He had also, on the advice of Amadeus Cho, started seeing Leonard Skivorski, Jr. a.k.a. Doc Samson for weekly anger control sessions. Midnight had done the same, she had apologised to Twilight, Rainbow Dash, the rest of Twilight's friends and her friends along with reporting Manchester Black, Aftershock and Mortar along with Komodo and Hardball to Principal Celestia. Twilight and her friends had accepted Midnight's apology and admitted that they had been at fault for not attempting to help Midnight with her powers in first place. Komodo had been the only one of the bullies who felt sorry for what she had done, Flash had forgiven her and the two had become friends, Komodo had even joined Flash's band as their bass player. Twilight had recommend that Midnight join one of the school's power controlling groups so she could be among people in the same position she had been in and pass on what she had learned to others. As well as that, Twilight had reached out to other magic users like: Doctor Fate, Zatanna, Daimon Hellstrom and Doctor Voodoo and was considering sending Midnight to Strange Academy, a school set up by Doctor Strange to help people with magical powers and backgrounds. As for Madame Rouge, she, seemingly had been taken by the authorities, but in actuality she had been taken by agents of H.I.V.E. in disguise. And now she was at the mercy of the head of H.I.V.E. Sebastian Blood a.k.a. Brother Blood. "You failed to bring the red or yellow lanterns to us," Brother Blood said, "in H.I.V.E. we do not tolerate failure." "I was unprepared," Madame Rouge replied, "the amount of allies and abilities they had was not something that was forese.." "I am not interested in your excuses," Brother Blood interrupted, "you failed and failure will not be tolerated." Madame Rouge was about to argue when a sharp pain shoot through her mind preventing her from speaking, it was from Brother Blood who was using his psychic abilities on her. "However," Brother Blood continued, as Madame Rouge struggled against his mental powers, "you are too valuable an asset to eliminate." "Therefore," he carried on, releasing Madame Rouge from his mental grip, "your position as H.I.V.E.'s top agent will be filled by another more reliable individual." "And who would that be?" Madame Rouge asked, as she recover from Brother Blood's mental attack on her. "Lets just say that he's a master of completing tasks," Brother Blood replied. From out of the shadows, stepped Anthony "Tony" Masters a.k.a. Taskmaster. "Hopefully Mister Taskmaster, will be able to carry out missions effectively," Brother Blood said, "and hopefully he can teach you to be more effective at completing simple objectives." "Yes sir," Madame Rouge replied, as she glared at Taskmaster, she felt insulted that H.I.V.E. had chosen someone like him as their new top agent. "Hey, Flash," Sunset said, as Flash headed for class, "about yesterday I can explain." "You mean when you kissed me?" Flash asked. Sunset was so surprised that Flash remembered her kissing him, the only things that came out of her mouth was non-sensual jabbering. "Wh...what," she replied, as she tried to recover from the shock, "kiss? Miss? Abyss? Dismiss?" "It's OK," Flash smiled, "you don't need to explain, but.." "But?" Sunset asked. "If you wanted to go on a date with me," Flash answered, "you only needed to ask." Sunset laughed a little, "So what about a movie tonight?" she asked, finally. "Sounds goods," Flash smiled. Holding hands the two headed for class, the seeds of a blossoming relationship forming between them. Elsewhere. "You Ok?" Twilight asked, as she and Midnight gathered the appropriate school supplies for their first lesson. "Yeah," Midnight replied, "In fact, I've never felt better." "Thats good," Twilight continued, "because I've got some great news." "Really?" Midnight asked, "what?" "I got a text from Shining Armour yesterday," Twilight responded, "he and Dean Cadance are beginning to plan their wedding." "Wow," Midnight replied, smiling, "thats wonderful." "I was going to tell you," Twilight added, "but then we had that trouble yesterday." "Well," Midnight responded, still smiling, "I'm glad you waited." The two continued smiling as they headed for class.
Chapter 9"You can treat this as ether a gift or curse," Amadeus Cho said, "treat it however you want." "But, how?" Flash asked. "Just remember," Amadeus continued, "the red guy in the back seat is going to want to have a go in the drivers seat and you'd better be prepared when he does and make sure that he doesn't hurt anyone." "So I should try and let out my rage and anger in a positive and controlled way?" Flash replied. "Yeah," Amadeus nodded, "something like that." Midnight was heading for her next lesson, when Rainbow Dash and Twilight confronted her. "Midnight," Twilight said, "please listen." Midnight glared at her sister, not wanting to listen to anything Twilight had to say. "We asked Principal Celestia to call the Xavier Institute for Mutant Education and Outreach," Rainbow Dash continued, "and there is no record of a Mirage having ever attended the school." "Your both lying," Midnight said, not wanting to believe what Rainbow Dash implying, "Mirage's been so helpful and taught me how to control my powers and my lantern ring." "She's trying to use you," Twilight insisted, "she's only helping you so she can use you as a weapon." "Shut up, Shut up, SHUT UP!" Midnight cried, "Mirage was right, I can't trust any of you!" "Midnight, you have to listen!" Twilight cried. "I DON'T HAVE TO LISTEN TO ANY OF YOU!" Midnight thundered, grabbing the girls with her magic and pinning them to the wall with a yellow construct. "Midnight, please stop," Twilight pleaded. "We're your friends," Rainbow Dash added. "The only friend I have is Mirage," Midnight replied, "she's the only one I can trust, since Twilight reported me to the principal." "Thats where you're wrong, Midnight," a voice interrupted. Midnight turned to see, the owner of the voice, Cypher along with Warlock approach her. "It was me," Cypher continued, "I told the principal about what happened on the soccer pitch." "I don't understand," Midnight responded. "Self doesn't like what is becoming," Warlock added, " is turning into a weapon." Midnight was silent for moment, then she let out a cry of anger and despair, now that the last of her friends had betrayed her. Before anyone could stop her, Midnight seemingly disappeared in a flash of yellow light. "Where'd she go?!" Twilight cried. Having managed to put some distance between herself, Twilight and the others. Midnight lend up against a wall and slumped down to the floor and put her head in her hands. "How could Cypher do that to me?" she said, "Why would he?" "Why indeed?" a voice asked. Midnight looked up to see Mirage standing over her. "Mirage?" Midnight said, "what are you doing here?" "I'm just looking out for my friend," Madame Rouge replied, "thats what friends do isn't it?" Midnight didn't know why, but the way Mirage said 'friends' filled her with a sense of dread. "Um," Midnight replied, weakly, "you were right, my friends did report what I did on the soccer pitch." "As I told you," Madame Rouge nodded, knowingly, "trust no one, not even your friends." "My friends and my sister also said," Midnight continued, "that you're not who you say you are, that you don't exist." "Come on," Madame Rouge answered, "who are going to believe? Me or them?" "When we first met," Midnight retorted, "you told me you transferred from the Xavier Institute for Mutant Education and Outreach." "Yeah," Madame Rouge replied, starting to worry where Midnight was going with what she was saying. "My sister and her friends told me that you never attended the school," Midnight carried on, "but if you're truly my friend, Mirage, then you'll tell me the truth, who are you, really?" "Oh, dammit," Mirage replied, "I was hoping it wouldn't come to this." Midnight watched as, right before her eyes, Mirage's appearance changed into that of someone else. "I was hoping not to reveal myself until the right time," the figure said, speaking with a completely different voice than Mirage, "but your curiosity and your friends meddling forced me to reveal myself." "Who are you?" Midnight asked, "What do you want with me?" "I am Madame Rouge," the figure replied, "and I was hoping to recruit you into the ranks of H.I.V.E., but I see now that you don't have the potential my superiors were looking for."
Chapter 1Canterlot High school, cafeteria Flash Sentry, had just gotten himself some lunch and was heading to a table to sit with the members of his band Flash Drive. But, before he could make it to the table he was blocked by Roger Brokeridge a.k.a. Hardball and Melati Kusma a.k.a. Komodo. "Well look what we have here," Hardball smirked, "it's little Flashy." "Look, I don't want any trouble, guys," Flash said, trying to talk his way out of what was going to happen. "Well, trouble found you," Komodo replied, sharing Hardball's smirk. "As opposed to us," Hardball said, "you've never had superpowers and you never will, you're just a weak loser, a nobody." "That's not nice," Flash protested. "Oh, what?" Komodo responded, "you gonna cry to your mama?" The two began pushing Flash around for a few minutes until, "Hey!" a voice called, "whats going on here?" Hardball and Komodo turned to see Sunset Shimmer, her white lantern ring glowing furiously. "Arrr..nothing," Hardball said, quickly, "we were just helping our friend Flash, here." "Right," Komodo nodded, "thats what we were doing." "I suggest you two finish your lunch," Sunset replied, "class is about to start and I don't think Principle Celestia and Vice Principle Luna won't like to hear you two were late, again." "Saved by someone with real powers, again," Hardball muttered, "don't count on it, next time." With that, the two hurried away. "You ok, Flash?" Sunset asked, as she helped Flash to his feet. "Yeah," Flash replied, "thanks." "You sure?" Sunset probed, "you can talk to me if somethings..." "I'm fine," Flash insisted, as he headed for class along with the members of his band. As Flash headed for the classroom, everywhere he looked there were people who had fantastic powers. People like Sooraya Qadir a.k.a. Dust, a mutant girl with the ability transform into a sandstorm and Miguel Jose Barragan a.k.a. Bunker, a young meta with the ability to create purple energy constructs must commonly armour, walls and shields. The more Flash saw of people with powers he could only dream of, the more he felt more envious and jealous of them. All throughout the day, Flash couldn't help feeling fed up and frustrated about how useless he felt, being only human. Elsewhere in CHS. Midnight Sparkle headed for class as she tried to not to be late, as she had finished her lunch late. As she passed by one of the hallways, she noticed something happening near one of the lockers. Two students stood menacingly over another student, who looked scared. As Midnight approached, she recognised the two of them it was Manchester Black and Danielle Blunt a.k.a. Aftershock, their victim was Robert Herman a.k.a. Glob, a mutant made of living wax. "Hey," Midnight said, once she was close enough to be heard, "leave him alone." "This is none of you business," Manchester scoffed, "why don't you get to class." "Yeah," Aftershock added, "you don't want to get in trouble with the principle, do you?" Midnight didn't move. "I said leave him alone," she repeated, standing her ground, suddenly Midnight felt her powers rising. "Well," Manchester smiled, his eyes glowing with physic energy, "looks like someone whats to play hero." Midnight could feel the magic inside her building and building, she didn't know how long she could contain it. "Looks that way," Aftershock agreed, electrical energy crackling around her as she and Manchester stepped away from Glob, "then we'll just have to be the villains, then won't we." As the two turned on Midnight, she finally couldn't keep her power suppressed. "Please," she said, "stay back." "Aw," Manchester smirked, "where'd all the hero spirit go?" "Yeah," Aftershock smiled, "what happened? You get cold feet?" As the two got closer, Midnight was finding it harder and harder to keep a lid on her magic. "NO!" She cried, as equestrian magic began to slowly surge around her, "GET AWAY!" "Or what?" Manchester responded. Aftershock was about to say something, but suddenly Midnight unleashed a huge blast magical energy, which hit Manchester and Aftershock, blasting them away from Glob. Whoa," Glob said, "that was awesome." Midnight didn't reply, she just looked down at her hands, "I didn't mean to do that," she whispered, as her hands began to shake, "I'm a monster." With tears in her eyes, Midnight ran off before Glob could thank her for standing for him. Later in the day, Flash headed for his locker to change for PE. On his way, he passed by more teenagers with extraordinary abilities like: Amka Aliyak a.k.a. Snowguard and LeTonya Charles a.k.a. Cyborgirl, one with the ability to transform into any animal and the other being given cybernetic implants. The two them joined Flash for PE, where, in baseball practice, Snowguard turned into a cheetah to run pasted all the bases on the field to score a home run and Cyborgirl threw a pitch so hard it made a hole in the bat. At the end of it all, Flash felt more down as he and rest of the Wondercolts team headed for the changing rooms at the end of the lessons. At the same time, Midnight headed for her final lesson of the day, maths class. As she headed for the classroom, she passed by another classroom which had other students who had better understanding/control of their powers and abilities, and were now teaching others how to do the same thing. These being: M'gann M'orzz a.k.a. Miss Martian, Martian Manhunters niece and Franklin Richards, the son of Mr. Fantastic and Invisible Woman. Midnight watched as Miss Martian shapeshifted into Principle Celestia and Franklin showcasing his reality altering powers by creating a flower out of absolutely nothing. Seeing people with more control of their powers, Midnight had the thought that maybe these students could help her control her powers, but she realised that she was late for maths and she hurried away. "They couldn't help me," Midnight thought to herself, "I'm a lost cause." All throughout the day, Flash kept experiencing more and more strife and suffering and Midnight struggled to control and suppress her powers, but it would sometime burst out and someone would always end up being hurt. At the end of the day, both Flash and Midnight were at their lowest point. "If only I had powers, like everyone else," Flash murmured, in his thoughts. "If only I could control my powers," Midnight uttered, in her thoughts. Meanwhile, somewhere in deep space. Scanning for Rage Scanning for Fear Two Lantern rings flew through the void as they scanned for someone who could be their new bearers, as their previous bearers had died. The suddenly, Rage located Fear located The rings had found what they were looking for, they change course, and began heading in the direction of earth.
Chapter 2After school. Flash walked through the streets of Canterlot city, even outside of CHS he still couldn't escape superheroes, everything from graffiti to magazines to posters featured a hero or a group of heroes. The more Flash saw the more his anger and envy grow, he sighed and continued walking. "Rough day, huh?" a voice asked. Flash turned around, to see Sunset touched down behind him. "No," Flash replied, "I'm fine." He continued on walking, Sunset following behind him. "Something's wrong with you," Sunset insisted, "I can see that." "There is nothing wrong with me," Flash replied, "and even if there was you wouldn't understand." And without saying another word, Flash kept walking leaving Sunset behind. Twilight's house. Midnight sat on her bed, the room was silent. There was a knock on the door, "Midnight?" the voice Twilight said, though the door, "are you ok?" Midnight didn't answer. "Alright," Twilight continued, "I'm coming in." The door opened and Twilight entered the room. She sat down next to Midnight and put a hand on her shoulder. "What's wrong?" Twilight asked, "you've been silent all evening." Midnight turned to Twilight with tears in her eyes For a moment, she didn't reply, then she spoke, "I need help," she said, "I don't know how to control my powers." She went on to explain what had happened at CHS. Twilight listened to the entire explanation, "You shouldn't try to suppress your powers," she responded, wiping away Midnight's tears, "you need to trust yourself, you can control your powers." "You really think so?" Midnight smiled, "I mean I can barley do anything that you and your friends can do." "Trust me," Twilight said, "when the time is right, let the power flow." "Ok?" Midnight replied, "I believe you, thanks sis." With that, Twilight and Midnight hugged each other. The next day. Flash walked to CHS, still feeling the same as he did the previous day, he sighed as he braced himself for another day of frustration and getting pushed around. "If I had powers," Flash thought, "Hardball and Komodo would know not to mess with me." Like last night, everywhere he looked there were images of heroes like: Superman, Carol Danvers Captain Marvel, Kimiyo Hoshi Doctor Light and Jessica Drew Spider-woman, were plastered on walls and posters. Even some of the superheroes had their own businesses that were advertised everywhere like: Department of Damage Control, Wayne Enterprise, Stark Industries and Goldstar Incorporated. Like before, it only made Flash's anger and frustration grow, though he did try and put the thoughts & feelings out of his head as he continued to walk. Flash Sentry of Earth Flash spun round but upon seeing nothing, carried on walking. Flash Sentry of Earth Again Flash turned around and still saw nothing, he started walking faster he had the feeling he was being followed but he couldn't see who it was. Flash Sentry of Earth Upon hearing the voice again, Flash ducked into a nearby alleyway, hoping whoever was following him would pass by, he closed his eyes and waited. For a moment, their was silence...then. Flash Sentry of Earth The voice came again, this time it was right in front of him. Flash slowly opened his eyes, there was no one there, all that was there was a red ring floating in the air. "What the...?" Flash said. Flash Sentry of Earth He ring spoke again. There is great rage in your heat, you belong to the Red Lantern corps The ring continued to speak as it did, it slotted itself into Flash's finger. After the ring had attached itself to him, Flash felt a surge of power flow through him. CHS, hours later. Midnight headed for the cafeteria, Twilight words from the previous night still echoing in her head. "What did she mean?" she wondered, "when the time is right?" Putting the thought out of her head for now, Midnight entered the cafeteria. All around her, students whispered among themselves. Midnight eat her lunch, trying to ignore what everyone around her saying about her. She was about finish her lunch, feeling more alone than ever. When Glob approached her, along with Cypher a.k.a. Doug Ramey, a mutant and Warlock, a techno-organic alien shapeshifter and Cypher's best friend. "Mind if we join you?" Glob asked. "Not at all," Midnight replied, "no one else will sit with me." The three seated themselves opposite from Midnight and began eating their lunch, Warlock didn't need to eat, being an alien. "Query," Warlock said, "why is sitting by herself." "Yeah," Cypher nodded, "everyones acting like you're a monster or something." Midnight sighed, "It's because I can't control my powers," she answered. There was an awkward silence, after which, Midnight explained what had happened the previous day. "Oh," Glob said, after Midnight had finished explaining, "thats why you ran off afterwards." "My sister, Twilight gave me some advice," Midnight added, "but I can't figure out what it means." Cypher looked thoughtful, "Maybe she meant..." he began. But before Cypher could continue, Manchester Black and Aftershock entered the cafeteria, behind the two of them was Mortar a.k.a. Liana Feeser. "Your attention, please," Manchester said, "my friends and I looking for Midnight Sparkle." No one answered. "One more time," Manchester stated, Mortar morphing her hands into maces "has anyone seen Midnight Sparkle?" Again, no one answered. "All right," Manchester smiled, "guess I'll have to fry the minds of everyone in here, until Midnight Sparkle steps forward." Manchester Black's eyes glowed as he prepared to use his physic powers. "Wait!" Midnight cried, as she got up from her seat, "if you want me, fine, just don't hurt anyone." "Fine," Manchester smirked, "anyway it's time for payback for yesterday." Midnight felt her power rising again, she remembered what Twilight had said and she didn't fight the power as it began to rise. Manchester and his two goon prepared to attack Midnight. She tried her best to focus the power into a small blast, but like last time Midnight's powers went haywire and she ended up releasing a huge blast of energy, which blasted the three bullies back. The whole cafeteria was in stunned silence. Every student, except Twilight, the Rainbooms, Glob, Cypher and Warlock, stared at Midnight with looks of fear on their faces. Tears began forming in Midnight's eyes, before anyone could stop her, she ran from the room. Seconds later, an empty classroom. Still with tears in her eyes, Midnight slumped down against classroom wall, she didn't know what to do or who could help her anymore. Suddenly, a voice interrupted her tears. Midnight Sparkle of Earth Midnight looked around, but all she could see was a yellow ring floating in the air. You have ability to install great fear The ring continued as it slowly slotted itself onto Midnight's finger. Welcome to the Sinestro Corps.
Chapter 3Elsewhere. After a long time, Flash managed to reach CHS, he had been struggling to get the rings flight capabilities to work. The ring seemed to have a lot of power inside of it but, for some reason, it didn't seemed to be locked away. "I sure hope no one sees me," Flash thought to himself, "the last thing I need is to be in trouble with Principle Celestia or Vice principle Luna." Suddenly, he heard the sound of a student crying in destress, despite being late Flash know that he couldn't just ignore it, with the power he had now maybe he could help. He followed sound to where it was coming from, only to find Hardball and Komodo harassing Eye Boy a.k.a. Trevor Hawkins, a Mutant with eyes all over his body. Eye Boy was cowering before the two bullies, who stood over their victim, with smirks on their faces. "What are you going to use against us?" Hardball asked, "your powers?" The two bullies cackled with laughter, as Eye Boy looked like he was going to cry. Whats the matter? A voice in Flash's head asked, as the two bullies gloated over their victim. Are you simply going to watch? More pain awaits him if you do nothing "No," Flash replied, not questioning where the voice had come from, with that he approached Hardball and Komodo. "Hey!" he called, as he advanced, "remember me? How about you pick on me instead." The two turned and the smirks on their faces widened, recognising their old punching bag. "Hey, look Hardball," Komodo said, "it's little Flashy trying to play hero." "Yeah," Hardball nodded, turning away from Eye Boy, "and this time his girlfriend isn't here to save him this time." The two of them walked up to Flash as he closed in, Hardball's fists glowing with energy and Komodo readying her claws. Flash prepared himself, ready to use his new powers to get back at the two bullies who made his life unbearable. seconds later. Flash got up from being throw against a locker, the ring hadn't worked and all he could do was dodge the bullies attacks. "OK," he choked, "maybe this was a bad idea." Was your previous decision a mistake then? "No, it wasn't" he said, looking at the ring in frustration, "Why aren't you working?" For my powers to be yours the voice replied, I must have your agreement that will be willing to use your rage to get whatever you want, even if it means hurting people. "Yes," Flash replied, "I agree to whatever you want me to do." "I think you might have hit him to hard," Komodo smiled, "he's taking to himself." Very well the voice replied, I shall heed your call, speak the oath and let your rage flow! As the bullies prepared their final beatdown, Flash began to seek. He didn't know how he know the words, but as he spoke felt the power within the ring on his finger rising. With Blood and rage of crimson red, We fill men's souls with darkest dread, And twist your minds to pain and hate. We'll burn you all—that is your fate! After Flash had finished there was an explosion of red energy, when it cleared the uniform of a red lantern had formed over Flash's clothes and a red lantern power battery had materialised in his hand. "What the..?" Hardball said, as he and Komodo were taken aback by what had happened. "Oh, this is good," Flash smiled, "this is really good." "What are you talking about?" Komodo responded, confused by what Flash had said. "Seeing now that I've got all this power," Flash replied, "I can finally cut loose and get some payback." "Alright," Hardball said, a smile appearing on his face and his fists glowing with energy, "lets dance." Midnight looked at the yellow ring, that was now on her finger, she had no idea what was going on. Before she could ponder what had just happened any further Cypher, Warlock, Twilight and Rarity entered the classroom. "Midnight," Twilight said, "what happened out there?" "You can tell us, if something is wrong, darling," Rarity added, "we're your friends, we're here to help." "Right," Cypher nodded. "Agreed," Warlock stated, "this one hates to see look sad." Midnight then explained what she had tried to do, by taking Twilight's advice. Twilight was about to reply, but was cut off by the bell announcing the start of afternoon lessons. "We'll talk about this later," Twilight said, "we'd better get to class." "Good idea," Rarity nodded, "the teachers will wonder where we are if we're late." "Ok," Midnight sniffed, "thanks for not being mad at me." With that, the five of them headed for class, nether of them noticing the yellow ring of Midnight's finger. Flash stood over Hardball and Komodo, who were laying bruised and beaten in front of him. "So," he said, bring Hardball's face closer to his face, "what have you learned?" Hardball mumbled something in response. "What was that?" Flash asked, "I can't hear you." "Don't mess with Flash Sentry," Hardball said, in a slightly louder. "Didn't quiet hear that," Flash replied. "Don't mess with Flash Sentry," Hardball repeated, loud enough for Flash Sentry to hear. "Thats right," Flash smiled, "and don't you forget it." Meanwhile, outside the school. A black car stopped on the opposite side of the road from the front entrance of CHS. "It seems the lantern rings have found new bearers," a figure in the shadows said, "having a lantern would be a valuable asset and a powerful tool." Across from the figure sat Laura De Mille, a.k.a. Madame Rouge, an enemy of the Doom Patrol and currently working for the supervillain organisation H.I.V.E. (Hierarchy of International Vengeance and Extermination). She had been tasked with finding promising young Metas, Mutants, Inhumans and other enhanced individuals to recruit into H.I.V.E.'s academy to train the recruits to become villains. "I trust you understand your orders," the figure continued, "you must find and convince the red or yellow lanterns to join our academy." "And if I encounter any resistance?" Madame Rouge asked, "what if these new lanterns have friends?" "Try and convince them," the figure replied, "the lanterns are the main goal, anyone else is a bonus." "And if they cannot be swayed?" Madame Rouge retorted. "Then deal with them," the figure answered, "in anyway you see fit." "Understood," Madame Rouge nodded. "And remember," the figure stated, "returning empty handed will be met with severe consequences." "I assure you," Madame Rouge answered, "I do not intend to fail or be defeated." "One more thing before you go," the figure added, handing a small case which contained what looked like earrings to Madame Rouge, "you'll report back to me at the end of everyday." "Anything else?" Madame Rouge inquired. "Just remember what I said before," the figure reiterated, "failure is not an option, Brother Blood will not be happy if you return empty handed." Madame Rouge looked worried for a second, then her expression changed back to normal. "Tell Brother Blood not to worry," she replied, as she shapeshifted into a teenage girl, "I will bring him the lanterns and anyone else I think shows promising potential." "Very good," the figure smiled, "now go, your mission starts tomorrow."
Chapter 4The next day. Flash walked through the halls of CHS, everyone around him was whispering and pointing at him. Abigail "Abby" Boylen a.k.a. Cloud 9 smiled at him, thankful to Flash for taking down two of the schools bullies. "Seems I'm already getting popular," Flash thought to himself. Flash smiled back, and continued on his way to his locker. As he was opening his locker, Sunset approached him. "Flash we need to talk," she stated. "If it's to thank me for taking down Hardball and Komodo," Flash replied, "you're welcome." "Thank you?!" Sunset answered, "Flash, what you did was absolutely irresponsible." "You could say the same about Hardball and Komodo," Flash replied, "those two were abusing their powers just to beat up a student because the student was weaker than them, like I was." "Flash, they were sent to the nurse's office," Sunset said, "I didn't believe them when they told that you did that to them." "They were bullies," Flash retorted, "and I stood up to them, whats the problem?" Sunset was about to answer, but Flash continued. "I suppose you want me to go back to what I was like before," he said, "normal and powerless." Without another word, Flash closed his locker and walked away, leaving Sunset confused. As Flash was walking away, Sunset noticed something on his finger. Madame Rouge, now in her disguise, walked through the front doors of CHS. She kept her eyes open for any sign of the yellow or red lantern ring bearers as well as anyone she thought would impress Brother Blood. As fate would have it, the first person she bumped into was Midnight Sparkle. "Hello," Midnight said, "are you new here? The principle didn't mention we were getting a new student today." "Yes," Madame Rouge answered, "my name is Mirage." "My name is Midnight Sparkle," Midnight replied, "did you transfer from another school?" "Yes," Madame Rouge responded, "I transferred from the Xavier Institute for Mutant Education and Outreach." "Oh, so you're a mutant?" Midnight asked. "Yep," Madame Rouge answered, "I can stretch my limbs and body along with morphing my limbs into anything I want." She demonstrated by stretching her arm and tapping a student on the shoulder, with the student seeing no one behind him and after retracting her arm she morphed it into a hammer, after which returning to normal. "Oh," Midnight remarked, "you've got so much control over your powers." "Why?" Madame Rouge asked, "don't you?" "Well, to be honest," Midnight responded, "no I can't control my powers, every time I think I'm in control my powers it just explodes and people always end up getting hurt." Suddenly, Madame Rouge noticed the yellow ring on Midnight's finger, she smiled. "What if I could teach you control" she said, "to control your power as I was taught." "You'd do that?" Midnight replied, "I mean you just met me." "Hey," Madame Rouge smiled, "at the Xavier Institute we were taught 'if you treat people nicely and in turn you will be treated nicely'." Flash headed for his next lesson, as he headed for the science lab he was approached by Eye Boy. "Hey," he said, "I just wanted to say thanks for taking down Hardball and Komodo." "Why?" Flash replied, "you think I was afraid of them?" "Well," Eye Boy replied, smiling weakly, "its just that...no ones every stood up like you did before." "Well, things are different now," Flash retorted, "I have powers now." "Oh," Eye Boy said, "so you're going to keep an eye out for other students like me?" "Actually," Flash answered, "now that I have this power, I'm going to do whatever I want." "Ha, Ha," Eye Boy laughed, weakly, "you're joking right?" "No," Flash replied, "so you and everyone in this school better watch out, because I am here and everyone will do as I say." Without another word, Flash walked away Midnight walked to her next class, Mirage had promised to teach her how to better control her powers and they would meet after lunch. As she headed for the library to grab some books for her lesson, she noticed a group of students all looking at something. Her curiosity peaked, Midnight walked towards the group and pushed through everyone to get a closer look. Her eyes open wide when she saw what everyone was looking at... Her friends Glob, Cypher and Warlock looked they had been hit by a brick wall. "What happened to you guys?" Midnight asked, as she rushed up to her friends. "Manchester was looking for you," Cypher chocked, "we told him to leave you alone." "He just said he wouldn't stop until he'd make you pay for humiliating him," Glob continued. "Self tried to fight back," Warlock added, "but was too powerful." "He said he'd come after you and everyone you know," Cypher finished, "until he gets his revenge." Everyone around Midnight began murmuring, their voices begin to sound scared as they realised what Cypher had said. As the fear began to build around her Midnight, she spoke some words. She didn't know how she know the words, but as she spoke them she felt the ring on her finger slowly spring to life. In blackest day, in brightest night, Beware your fears made into light Let those who try to stop what's right, Burn like my power... Sinestro's might! After she had said the words, Midnight was enveloped in yellow light, when it cleared Midnight was wearing the uniform of a yellow lantern and a yellow lantern power battery in her hand. Madame Rouge looked on as Midnight and everyone around her were dealing with what just happened. "Excellent," she smiled, "soon, very soon."
Chapter 5Midnight knew what she had to do. "Stay here," she said, beginning to walk in the direction of soccer pitch, she know where Manchester and his lackeys would be right now. "Midnight," Cypher called, after her, "where are you going?" "I'm going to show Manchester what happens," Midnight replied, "when you hurt my friends." "You think she's gonna show up?" Mortar asked. "She'd better," Aftershock sneered, "I'm bored." "Shut your gob!" Manchester ordered, "She'd better show, she'll do anything to protect those friends of hers." "Hey!" a voice called, "you!" Manchester and his comrades turned to see Midnight approaching them. "Finally," Aftershock said. "Well," Manchester smiled, "now we can get down to business." "Save it," Midnight retorted, anger building in her voice, dark magic leaking from her eyes and the yellow energy from her ring surrounding her, "you hurt my friends." "Well," Manchester said, again, "me and my friends won't have had to, if they had just given you up." "You could have just found me yourself!" Midnight replied, "did you never once think not ever, to use your brains?!" "Are calling us stupid?" Aftershock asked. "I'm saying," Midnight responded, "if you turn yourselves into Principle Celestia now, I won't have to hurt you, like you hurt my friends." The three exchanged looks with one another. "I can't get in trouble with the principle, again" Aftershock said, "I'm hanging by a thread as it is." "Who cares," Manchester remarked, "we're on the soccer pitch, no one will ever know." As Midnight struggled to think of the next thing to say a voice spoke in her head. You must strike now, while there is fear within them Midnight didn't know where the voice had come from and she didn't like what it was telling her. "No," She said, "I can end this peacefully, without a fight." Where's the fun in that? You have all that power, why don't you use it? "I can barely control my power as it is," Midnight responded. So you're afraid of yourself more than others? How about you leave the control to me "Ok, then," Midnight answered, "your sure no one will get hurt?" Sure... "Right," Midnight agreed. As soon as Midnight had said that, her eyes turned to yellow and a creepy smile stretch across her face. "Whats up with you?" Manchester asked, "you were just talking to yourself..." "Playtime's over," Midnight said, "I gave you a chance and you didn't take it, now it's time you got a taste of your own medicine." Flash walked through the corridors on his way to practise with his band. "Sorry, I'm late guys," he said, as he entered the band room. "No, worries, man," the drummer replied, "we were just setting up." "Did you get a haircut?" the keyboard player asked, "something seems different about you." "No," Flash replied, "nothing's different about me." "Anyway," he continued, "let's start practicing." "But you don't have your..." the drummer began. But, to the drummer surprise, Flash created a red electronic guitar out of nowhere and began strumming away on it. The drummer and keyboard player looked at each other for a second, then followed suit by playing their instruments. "Dude," the drummer said, when they stopped playing, "where'd you learn how to do that?" "Yeah," the keyboard player nodded, "you've never been able to create things out of no where." "Look," Flash replied, "what matters is that I have this power and nobody's going to take it from me." Before his colleges could say anything else, Flash looked them both in the eye, "nobody," he said, his eyes briefly flashing red. Midnight looked over what she had done, Manchester and his allies lay beaten and out cold in front of her. "You said no would get hurt," she said, You can't make an omelette without breaking a few eggs "That's not an answer!" Midnight replied, "people still got hurt!" You wanted to stop them and we have stopped them "Why did I listen to you?" Midnight asked. Aww, but didn't feel good to scare someone and you be the one doing the hurting? "Well, actually..." Midnight whispered, her eyes briefly flashing yellow Before she could do anything, Twilight, her friends and Midnight's friends come running onto the field. "What the heck, happened here?" Twilight asked, looking at the out cold teenagers in front of Midnight. "Oh, nothing," Midnight answered. "You call this nothing?!" Rainbow Dash cried. "They wanted to hurt me so I hurt them back," Midnight replied, "and really, isn't that better? Hurt them so they hurt anyone else again." "This isn't you, sugarcube," Applejack said, "you don't do this." "I do now," Midnight responded, smiling And with that, Midnight left the field, leaving her friends shocked and alone. She had only just entered back into the school building, when Mirage approached her. "That was quite a display you put on out there," She said, "quite a show indeed." "Thank you...I guess," Midnight replied, "my friends think that I made a mistake and that hurting people with my powers is not right thing to do." "They just don't understand the power you wheeled," Mirage said, "they will understand in time." "Ok, then," Midnight said. "Anyway," Mirage continued, "I believe I was going to teach you how to better control that power of yours." "I'd like that," Midnight smiled. With that, the two headed off to look for an empty classroom.
Chapter 6"Let's start with the basics," Madame Rouge said, "start at the beginning." "Meaning?" Midnight said. "To master your powers," Madame Rouge replied, "you must treat them as a part of yourself, an extension of your will." "How do I do that?" Midnight asked. "The first step," Madame Rouge continued, "meditating on the connection between the body and the mind." To demonstrate, Madame Rouge sat down on the floor of the empty classroom they were in, closed her eyes and began meditating. Midnight did the same and the two sat in silence for ten minutes. "I don't feel any different," Midnight said, after a while, "is this really necessary?" "To perfect the art of control," Madame Rouge replied, "you need to develop both mind and body, it requires the keenness of one's mind and the endurance one's body." "OK," Midnight said, "if you say so." She continued to meditate, after an hour Madame Rouge told Midnight to try and create something using her powers, specifically a Lotus Flower. Midnight knew what a Lotus Flower looked like because Rarity had used one in one of the designs for one of my dresses. Midnight closed her eyes and her hands glowed with purple equestrian magic and a small ball of energy appeared between her hands. "That's it," Madame Rouge said, "concentrate on what you want energy to do." Midnight did so, she concentrated on the image of the Lotus Flower in her mind and slowly the ball of energy began to shape itself into the shape of the flower in question. "Beautiful," Madame Rouge remarked, "simply beautiful." Midnight opened her eyes and saw the flower she had created. "Did I do that?" she asked, practically speechless. "Remarkable," Madame Rouge breathed, "you are a fast learner." "Really?" Midnight replied, as the Lotus Flower construct slowly disappeared, "thanks." "Flash, slow down, man," the drummer said, "you're playing too fast, we can't keep up." "Well, maybe you guys should get on my level," Flash responded. "And what level is that?" the keyboard player retorted, "ever since you just magically got superpowers you seem to be on an entirety different level." "What are you guys saying?" Flash asked. "I'm saying that," the keyboard player answered, "that either we work together and play together or we'll have to find another guitar player." "You're kicking me out of the band?" Flash growled, "you can't do that, it's my band!" "Your choice Flash," the drummer answered. Flash glared at the two for a moment. "Fine," he said, finally "good luck finding another guitarist, no one else can play guitar better than me," Without another word, Flash stormed out of the band room. As he proceeded down the corridor, he passed Sunset who was just closing up her locker. "Flash," she said. Flash stalked past her without even look at her. "Flash Sentry!" Sunset called, "stop." Again, Flash ignored her and continued to walk away from her. Finally, Sunset had lost her patience, "I said stop!" she repeated, using her white lantern ring to grab Flash and turn him around to face her. "How dare you," Flash growled. "Flash," Sunset said, "you need to listen to me! You're not acting like yourself." "I don't need to listen to anyone," Flash replied, red energy beginning to surge around him, "especially someone like you!" "What are you talking about?" Sunset responded. "Did you ever think why I broke up with you?" Flash said, "because I realised that you didn't care about me, you only cared about yourself!" "Flash, please," Sunset pleaded, what Flash was saying was slowly starting to get to her, "I know I hurt you, but I'm not the person I used to be." Don't listen to her. The voice in Flash's head whispered. If she takes the ring, your powers will disappear, you don't want that do you? "Flash," Sunset continued, "I don't want to hurt you, you're my friend." Flash was silent for a moment, then... "Rage has no friends," he said, his voice filled with anger as he created two blades using his ring, "rage consumes all!" "Sorry you feel that way, Flash," Sunset responded. Before Flash could attack, but was tackled to the ground by Laura Kinney a.k.a. the all-new Wolverine and Rose Wilson, daughter to the mercenary Deathstroke, they had been waiting and watching events unfold from the sidelines, at Sunset's request. "Release me!" Flash cried, as he struggled against the two. "Ok," Laura said, "we got him, now what?" "You're on, Rainbow Dash," Sunset called. On Command, Rainbow Dash appeared, she, like Laura and Rose had been watching from the sidelines and only now had joined in at Sunset's request. She acted quickly, using her ring and her super speed, to restrain Flash and bind him in blue chain constructs. "OK, girls," Sunset said, as Flash struggled against his bonds, "I think we need to take Flash somewhere safe." Moments laters, they had Flash lashed to a table in the science lab. Flash continued to struggle and writhe against the construct bindings, the girls stood by and as another girl entered the room. It was Raven a.k.a. Rachel Roth, she was attending CHS in between defending the world from various threats. "Can you help, Flash?" Sunset asked, as Raven appearing the struggling teenager. "We know that you have experience with people who are conflicted," Laura said. "I can only promise to try," Raven replied, as she placed her hands on ether side of Flash's head. Raven's eyes glowed white and she spoke the words, "azarath metrion zinthos," and her soul-self, a black raven made of energy, emerged from her and possessed Flash.
Chapter 7As Raven's soul-self travelled through Flash's mind, she saw some of Flash's memories. Flash's childhood, attending CHS for the first time, meeting Princess Twilight and attending Camp Everfree with Sunset and the rest of CHS. Then finally she arrived at Flash's mindspace, it was coloured red and shrouded in fog. "Flash Sentry?" Raven said, "where are you?" "Why are you here?" Flash's voice answered, "Who are you?!" "My name is Raven," Raven replied, "Sunset's worried about you." "Sunset sent you?" Flash's voice responded, "great, another privileged super-powered teen to show me up." "No, Flash..." Raven begin to reply. "Well, not anymore," Flash's voice continued, "now that I've got this power, everyone who has ever crossed me will pay." "Flash," Raven pleaded, "you need to listen, the ring is corrupting you, you need to fight it." And why should he do that? "Who's there?" Raven asked. From out of the red mist, stepped Flash but what accompanied him was something else entirely. It was the Butcher, the emotional entity of Rage. The creature was a monstrous and shook Raven to her core a little "Flash," Raven said, trying to recover, "that thing is corrupting you." "Silence!" the Butcher roared, "there is great rage in this one's heart." "For weeks I was a weak, powerless human," Flash carried on, "but now I have the power, I make the rules! This whole world will obey me!" "Flash, thats not you," Raven replied, "thats the ring talking, Sunset told me about you, you would never really hurt another person." "You really think so?" Flash asked, "I was born powerless in a world with Supermen, Gods of Thunder and Martian Manhunters." "Flash..." Raven said, again. "But now," Flash continued, ignoring her, "I'm on the same level, which means I can do this." Before Raven could react, Flash summon a red fist construct and hit Raven with a mighty blow, knocking her out of the mindspace. "Well," Madame Rouge said, "its time to test your combat prowess." "OK," Midnight replied, "one of my friends, Rainbow Dash, is captain of the karate and boxing clubs she taught me a few things," she demonstrated some kicks and punches. "Impressive," Madame Rouge commented, "but there is room for improvement." "What happened?" Sunset asked, as Raven recovered from being punched out of the mindspace, "did you managed to get through to Flash?" "He's angry," Raven replied, as she got to her feet, "very angry and blinded by rage," she, Laura, Sunset and Rose gathered around the still struggling Flash, "the rage is destroying him," she stated, grimly. "We have to help him," Sunset said, "his life depends on it." "Alright," Raven nodded, "I can try to block most the rage so he will be able regain control of himself." She looked at Rainbow and Sunset, "ready your lantern rings," she instructed. Sunset and Rainbow Dash complied, their rings lighting up with the lights of life and hope. Pointing them at Flash, Rainbow and Sunset let the white and blue light from their rings washed over him. He winced and thrashed about as the two lantern's respective emotional energies enveloped his body. "Alright," Raven said, after a while, "that's enough." Rainbow Dash and Sunset Shimmer obeyed, the glow from their rings subsiding. Flash had stopped thrashing and now looked weak and drained. "Flash," Sunset uttered, hardly daring to breath. Raven knew what she had to do, again, she placed her hands on either side of Flash's head, her eyes glowed white like before. For a moment, Flash lay still, then he suddenly jerked awake, gasping for air. "Flash," Sunset cried, with tears in her eyes, "you're alright." "Yeah," Flash replied, "I'm...okay?" Suddenly, he noticed the predicament he was in. "Arrr," Flash said, "anyone what to fill me in on why I'm tied to a table?" "Hiya!" Midnight said, as she smashed through a wooden board. She and Madame Rouge had moved out of the classroom and into the gym. "Good," Madame Rouge smiled, clapping, "very good." "You know," Midnight remarked, "I do feel a lot more confident about my powers." "Thats good to hear," Madame Rouge replied, as she setup another board, "but now you must try and break this board using that yellow ring of yours." "But I have no idea how to control this ring," Midnight responded, "I can't even turn it on." "Then how do you explain what you did to Manchester and his pet thugs?" Madame Rouge asked. "I don't know," Midnight insisted, "I remember saying some words and a voice in my head." "Well," Madame Rouge said, calmly, "what do can you remember?" "I remember," Midnight answered, "when they were afraid of me, my ring's power felt like it was rising." "Then that means," Madame Rouge said, after some thinking, "that your ring, is fuelled by your ability to install fear in others and other people's fear." "So?" Midnight asked. "So," Madame Rouge continued, "you need to embrace fear and use it against your enemies." "But," Midnight replied, reluctantly, "where do I even start?" "I understand the fear and worry you have, Midnight," Madame Rouge answered, "one of my closest friends, who was a mutant like myself, was taken from me when we were just children by mutant haters." "I'm so sorry," Midnight replied, "I didn't know." Madame Rouge smiled, "thank you," she said, "fortunately for me, Professor X found me and took me to his school for the gifted and through his X-men I was taught that failure, fear and the life of a hero these things are inevitable, how we deal with them, that is the true test of who we are, what defines us." "Wow," Midnight replied, "that was a pretty good speech." "Even though I have moved on," Madame Rouge said, "the memory of my friend still lingers and even since I have had trouble making another friend." "Well," Midnight smiled, "you've got another friend, right here." "I'm your friend?" Madame Rouge asked. "Of course," Midnight continued, still smiling, "you've given me confidence and a better understanding of my powers, I never could have done on my own." "It was nothing," Madame Rouge replied, "I just saw someone in need of help." Before anything else could be said, Midnight gave Madame Rouge a hug. As Madame Rouge leaned in for the hug, Midnight couldn't see her face stretch into a sinister smile.
Chapter 8The science lab. Sunset, Rainbow Dash, Raven, Laura and Rose had untied Flash from the table and Raven was explaining what had happened while he was tied down. "So I have a lantern ring now?" Flash said, slowly, "just like you and Sunset?" "Yes," Raven nodded, "but unlike them your ring is fuelled by rage." "So, I'm like the Hulk?" Flash replied. "Kinda," Sunset said, "only you can create anything you want with ring, using your rage." "Trust me," Rainbow Dash added, "it's way better than turning into golly green giant." "And now, I'm back to normal?" Flash asked. "Well, yes and no," Raven replied, "I was able to install emotional barriers in your mind which will keep your rage from consuming you, you still have the power to create constructs but you must remember to keep your rage in check." "Don't worry," Sunset said, as Flash looked down at the ground, "I know someone who can help you." The gym All of CHS was gathered in the gymnasium, because Principal Celestia and Vice Principal Luna wished to address all the students of CHS at once. "I has been brought to our attention," Principal Celestia stated, "that there has been shameful and reckless use of powers, abilities and talents with CHS." "We do not tolerate that kind of behaviour here at CHS," Vice Principal Luna continued, "you all must learn that with great power, comes great responsibility." "That is all," Principal Celestia finished, "if anyone has problems with their powers, there are groups within the school that offer help, training and support." With that, everyone left the gym. "Sunset told me that you could help me with controlling my anger," Flash said, as he approached Amadeus Cho a.k.a. The Totally Awesome Hulk. "I've had a some experience in that field," Amadeus replied, "I'll give you all the help I can." "Thanks," Flash smiled, "I appreciate it." "No problem," Amadeus smiled back, "anyone who's a friend of Sunset Shimmer is a friend of mine." And so, he began explaining to Flash what Bruce Banner a.k.a. The Incredible Hulk had told him about controlling rage and anger. "Someone must have seen you when you had your little confrontation with Manchester Black and his lackeys," Madame Rouge said, as she and Midnight walked to their lockers to get ready for next lesson. "But the only people how know about it are Twilight, her friends and my friends," Midnight replied. "Then one of them must have reported it to the principal," Madame Rouge suggested. "You don't think...?" Midnight began, hardly daring to speak what she was thinking. "Twilight or one of her friends told the principal about what you did," Madame Rouge answered. "No," Midnight retorted, "Twilight's my sister and her friends would never go behind my back and report me." "Do you really believe that?" Madame Rouge asked, "who else but you was at the soccer pitch when you confronted Manchester Black?" Midnight didn't want to say it, but saw know what Mirage was suggesting. "Food for thought," Madame Rouge said, smiling innocently as she and Midnight headed for class. Although out the next lesson, Mirage's words buzzed around inside Midnight's head, had Twilight or one of her friends told Principal Celestia or Vice Principal Luna about what went down on the soccer pitch? After class, Midnight approached Twilight as she was putting her textbooks back into her locker. "Did you tell Principal Celestia about what happen on the soccer pitch?" she asked. "Midnight," Twilight replied, as she turned around to face her sister, "me and my friends are worried about you." "Stop avoiding the question, did you report me?" Midnight cried, "did you report me to the principal or not?!" "What you did on the soccer pitch was wrong," Twilight answered, "using your powers to hurt others, thats not the way a hero acts." "Mirage said I couldn't trust you," Midnight said. "You don't mean that," Twilight insisted. "Maybe I do," Midnight retorted. Without another word, Midnight turned and walked away, leaving Twilight shocked and alone. Moments later, Rainbow Dash noticed the distressed Twilight. "Hey, Twilight," she said, "whats up?" "It's Midnight," Twilight replied, "I'm worried about her and I don't know how to help her." Twilight quickly explained about Midnight and how she had recently started hanging out with a mysterious girl named Mirage. Rainbow Dash listened to Twilight and did some thinking afterwards. "We should go and tell Principal Celestia about this," she said, finally, "we need to find out who this Mirage really is." "Right," Twilight nodded. With that, Rainbow Dash and Twilight Sparkle headed for the principal's office.
Chapter 10"What do you mean, I don't have the potential your superiors were looking for?" Midnight asked. "My superiors at H.I.V.E. wanted someone cold, ruthless and not held down by personal attachments or morality," Madame Rouge replied. "Then why did you help me control my powers and giving me combat training?" Midnight replied, "what would you have to gain?" "I had hoped that by teaching you how to control your powers and giving basic combat training," Madame Rouge answered, "I could mold you into a weapon H.I.V.E. could use, but now..." she continued, as a evil smile stretched across her face "I see that you pathetic and weak." With that, Madame Rouge lashed out with a powerful punch, aiming for Midnight's head. Midnight managed to dodge out of the way, though Madame Rouge's punch did leave a dent in the wall where she had been. Midnight tried her best to counter attack, both with her ring and with her powers. Madame Rouge simply stretched herself around Midnight's attacks, the smile from earlier still on her face. "Children never learn," she smirked, "you cannot touch me." She launched another super stretch punch at Midnight Midnight did manage to create a shield construct to block the initial attack, but a second blow from Madame Rouge smashed through the construct, knocking Midnight to the ground. "Even after all my training," Madame Rouge declared, standing over Midnight, "you still have learned nothing." As Flash headed to apologised to his band members, he heard the commotion from Midnight and Madame Rouge's fight. "Now is good a time as any to give what Amadeus told me a try," Flash thought to himself, as he headed for the danger. Then he stopped to think for a moment, "from the sound of it, I might need some backup." Midnight's ring was almost out of power, any constructs she created where quickly destroyed by Madame Rouge's attacks. "Looks like this is the end," Madame Rouge declared, as she stood over the defeated Midnight, "if you fully embraced fear you might have had a chance against me." "You haven't won yet," Midnight replied, slowly getting back on her feet, "I'll fight you till my last breath, my friends would've done same in my position." "And just where are those friends of yours then?" Madame Rouge laughed, "I told you trust no one, friendship is a weakness friendship is.." "I got some friendship for you.." a voice interrupted, "RIGHT HERE!" Before she could react, Madame Rouge was punch aside by a red fist construct. Midnight looked to where the fist had come from and was relieved to see Sunset Shimmer, Flash Sentry, Raven, Colossus and someone who Midnight didn't recognise, he was Calvin Montgomery Rankin a.k.a. Mimic "Back off my friend's sister," Sunset said. "If it's a fight you want," Flash declared, "we'll give you one." Raven, Colossus and Mimic nodded in agreement as they readied their powers, Sunset and Flash's lantern rings, Raven's Telekinesis and her soul-self, Colossus's steel skin and Mimic's power copying ability. The powers Mimic had copied were: the all-new Wolverine's claws, Dust's sandstorm transforming powers, Bunker's construct armour creating powers, Colossus's steel skin and Miss Martian's healing factor. "It doesn't matter how many of you there are," Madame Rouge smiled, as Midnight ran over to stand alongside her friends, "you are no match for me." With that, the Sunset, Flash and their allies charged at Madame Rouge, while Midnight watched from the sidelines. After a few minutes, Sunset and others lay defeated at Madame Rouge's feet. "Pathetic," Madame Rouge remarked. She then noticed, Midnight as she tried to make a run for it and alert the principal, Twilight or her other friends. "It is time to take care of business," Madame Rouge said, sadistically. "We have to do something," Flash said, as Madame Rouge advanced on the terrified Midnight. "Right, but what?" Sunset replied, "she's too powerful for us to take down." Flash thought for second, soon he had an idea, he turned to Raven who had almost recovered from Madame Rouge's attacks. "Raven," he said, "I need you remove the emotional barriers you placed in my mind." "Are you mad?!" Raven cried, "you'll be taken over by rage again!" "No I won't," Flash answered, "Amadeus taught me a thing or two about controlling rage and anger." Raven was about to argue, but the look on Flash's face told her that she couldn't dissuade Flash from his chose. "OK," she nodded, placing her hands on either side of Flash's head and her eyes glowed white. "Be careful," Sunset said. "I will," Flash replied, smiling. "It's done," Raven stated, once she had done what Flash wanted. "Alright," Flash answered, as Madame Rouge advanced on the terrified Midnight "Don't you touch her," he said, as he struggled to his feet. "You barely stood a chance against me before," Madame Rouge smirked, "what makes you think that this time will be different?" "Because.." Flash responded, "you're trying to hurt one of my friends and that. Makes. Me. Really. Really. MAD!" Flash's eyes glowed red as the energy from his ring started to surge all around him. Good, Good The voice of the Butcher whispered in Flash's mind. Let all the rage and anger flow through you Flash ignored the voice and advanced on Madame Rouge, a sword and shield construct materialising in his hands. Madame Rouge throw one of her super stretch punches at Flash. He simply blocked with his shield and slashed at Madame Rouge arm with his sword. He managed to cut off the arm, but Madame Rouge simply regenerated her arm and continued her attack. "Your attempts at heroism are futile," she stated, "your constructs cannot damage or hurt me." "Well, then," Flash replied, as his sword and shield constructs disappeared "I'll just have to think outside the box then." Thinking fast, Flash materialised a hammer construct in his hand. "You think something like that can stop me?" Madame Rouge laughed. "Yes," Flash retorted, "because it can do this." Before Madame Rouge knew it, the face of the hammer popped off and punching glove shot out, hitting the villain in the face. While she was still dazed from the attack, Flash summoned up some brass knuckles on his fists and dashed at Madame Rouge and delivered a furry of punches. After a while, Madame Rouge looked almost defeated. Flash stood over the villain, the red energy from his ring still surging around him. Do it, she is beaten The voice of the the Butcher once again whispered in Flash's mind. You know what must be done, Red Lantern, do not hesitate, show no mercy. "No," Flash answered, "I won't do it, I'm in control not you!" You must do it! The voice of the Butcher thundered in response to Flash's answer. If you don't then you will always be small and weak! But with my power you will be consumed by my anger and no one will bully or push you around ever again The Butcher's word did sound promising and Flash was tempted, but then, he heard Sunset's voice. "Flash," she said, "please stop, you've done enough, you're scaring me." Don't listen to her! she'll just take your powers away. "Flash, please," Sunset implored, "don't leave me, you can't, I love you." Sunset, seeing what she was saying was getting through Flash, leaned in and kissed him. Meanwhile, inside Flash's mind. "You know what?" Flash declared, "your offer sounds interesting, but I'm not interested." What? You dare deny my power?! "But I have deal I think you might like," Flash replied. Very well, speak! "I will use my anger to hurt people," Flash began. I'm listening "But," Flash continued, "I will only hurt the worst scum of the planet, the most evil people to ever walk the earth, but no one else." The Butcher thought for a long while, considering Flash's proposal. It seems that your offer has caught my attention the Butcher said, you got yourself a deal. Flash turned to Midnight, who had watched the fight unfold. "You want to do the honours?" he asked. "Really?" Midnight replied. "Yeah," Flash nodded, "you've earned it." Midnight nodded, she dashed up to Madame Rouge and delivered a magical and yellow ring enhanced knock out punch to the villain. "Nice work," Flash said, giving the Midnight the thumbs up.
EpilogueThe next day. Flash stepped through the doors of CHS, since yesterday he had manage to patch things up with his band members and everyone he had ether hurt verbally or physically, while drunk on the power of the red lantern. He had also, on the advice of Amadeus Cho, started seeing Leonard Skivorski, Jr. a.k.a. Doc Samson for weekly anger control sessions. Midnight had done the same, she had apologised to Twilight, Rainbow Dash, the rest of Twilight's friends and her friends along with reporting Manchester Black, Aftershock and Mortar along with Komodo and Hardball to Principal Celestia. Twilight and her friends had accepted Midnight's apology and admitted that they had been at fault for not attempting to help Midnight with her powers in first place. Komodo had been the only one of the bullies who felt sorry for what she had done, Flash had forgiven her and the two had become friends, Komodo had even joined Flash's band as their bass player. Twilight had recommend that Midnight join one of the school's power controlling groups so she could be among people in the same position she had been in and pass on what she had learned to others. As well as that, Twilight had reached out to other magic users like: Doctor Fate, Zatanna, Daimon Hellstrom and Doctor Voodoo and was considering sending Midnight to Strange Academy, a school set up by Doctor Strange to help people with magical powers and backgrounds. As for Madame Rouge, she, seemingly had been taken by the authorities, but in actuality she had been taken by agents of H.I.V.E. in disguise. And now she was at the mercy of the head of H.I.V.E. Sebastian Blood a.k.a. Brother Blood. "You failed to bring the red or yellow lanterns to us," Brother Blood said, "in H.I.V.E. we do not tolerate failure." "I was unprepared," Madame Rouge replied, "the amount of allies and abilities they had was not something that was forese.." "I am not interested in your excuses," Brother Blood interrupted, "you failed and failure will not be tolerated." Madame Rouge was about to argue when a sharp pain shoot through her mind preventing her from speaking, it was from Brother Blood who was using his psychic abilities on her. "However," Brother Blood continued, as Madame Rouge struggled against his mental powers, "you are too valuable an asset to eliminate." "Therefore," he carried on, releasing Madame Rouge from his mental grip, "your position as H.I.V.E.'s top agent will be filled by another more reliable individual." "And who would that be?" Madame Rouge asked, as she recover from Brother Blood's mental attack on her. "Lets just say that he's a master of completing tasks," Brother Blood replied. From out of the shadows, stepped Anthony "Tony" Masters a.k.a. Taskmaster. "Hopefully Mister Taskmaster, will be able to carry out missions effectively," Brother Blood said, "and hopefully he can teach you to be more effective at completing simple objectives." "Yes sir," Madame Rouge replied, as she glared at Taskmaster, she felt insulted that H.I.V.E. had chosen someone like him as their new top agent. "Hey, Flash," Sunset said, as Flash headed for class, "about yesterday I can explain." "You mean when you kissed me?" Flash asked. Sunset was so surprised that Flash remembered her kissing him, the only things that came out of her mouth was non-sensual jabbering. "Wh...what," she replied, as she tried to recover from the shock, "kiss? Miss? Abyss? Dismiss?" "It's OK," Flash smiled, "you don't need to explain, but.." "But?" Sunset asked. "If you wanted to go on a date with me," Flash answered, "you only needed to ask." Sunset laughed a little, "So what about a movie tonight?" she asked, finally. "Sounds goods," Flash smiled. Holding hands the two headed for class, the seeds of a blossoming relationship forming between them. Elsewhere. "You Ok?" Twilight asked, as she and Midnight gathered the appropriate school supplies for their first lesson. "Yeah," Midnight replied, "In fact, I've never felt better." "Thats good," Twilight continued, "because I've got some great news." "Really?" Midnight asked, "what?" "I got a text from Shining Armour yesterday," Twilight responded, "he and Dean Cadance are beginning to plan their wedding." "Wow," Midnight replied, smiling, "thats wonderful." "I was going to tell you," Twilight added, "but then we had that trouble yesterday." "Well," Midnight responded, still smiling, "I'm glad you waited." The two continued smiling as they headed for class.
