Equestria Girls: Justice League

Gloomy would probably be the best way to describe the weather currently being brought down upon Canterlot City. The rays of the September sun were blocked by great pillows of grey clouds whilst droplets of rain rappidly fell down upon the city streets.

In one of the city's most popular and beloved cafés and bakeries named Sugarcube Corner, a rather colourful group consisting of six teenage girls were sitting down by their usual spot, enjoying not only the warm and well-lit comfort of the interior, but also eachother's company while they enjoyed their sweets and drinks.

Of course, their little group was currently one girl short.

"Rainbow Dash was supposed to be here fifteen minutes ago." Twilight grumbled to herself in-between bites of her blueberry-muffin.

Speak of the devil and he shall appear, as the saying goes. For no sooner than Twilight had said this, the entrance to Sugarcube Corner practically slammed open and in trudged Rainbow Dash dressed in a dark blue, hooded rain jacket. Her magneta eyes quickly scanning the interior, she quickly located her friends and walked over, raising a hand in greetings which they returned.

"What took you so long?" Pinkie asked cheerfully, dipping a chocolate chip cookie into her vanilla latte with extra sugar and whipped cream.

"Sorry I'm late." Rainbow Dash apologized, "I was just watching the rerun of the Gotham-Metropolis game and lost track of time."

Applejack couldn't help but chuckle, having seen the game herself along with her family the other night, "I guess I don't have to remind you what that means, ain't that right, Dash?" she held out an expectant hand.

Rainbow Dash let out an annoyed groan as she grudingly dug into her pocket and pullet a ten-dollar bill which she then promptly placed in Applejack's outstretched hand. Said farmgirl simply smiled and tipped her hat in acknowledgement with a, "Thank ya kindly."

The other girls looked on in amusement, knowing full well that their two friends always did this sort of thing when a game for either of the two sister-cities came about. Raising her cup of Earl Grey up for a sip, Sunset shrugged and unapologetically remarked, "That's what you get for betting against Metropolis, Rainbow."

Pouting, Rainbow Dash grumbled as she removed her soaked rain jacket. "Man, the Gothamites are so weak now! If Victor Stone were still around, you would be the one paying me, AJ, let me tell ya."

Before Applejack could protest to that notion, something caught the attention of all of the girls sans Rainbow Dash. That being that she was dressed a little differently than usual.

Instead of her normal attire of a white t-shirt with her trademark rainbow-emblem and short-sleeved blue jacket, the athletic girl was now wearing a very simple black t-shirt. Its only print was the very same red S-like crest that was seen everywhere these days, and underneath it simply said in bold, silver letters:

REMEMBER

Noticing their gazes, Rainbow Dash looked down on the shirt with a smile, "You guys like it? I got it pretty cheap yesterday."

"I'll say!" Pinkie exclaimed, positive as ever, "That's a really snazzy shirt, Dashie!"

The rest of the girls were not as enthusiastic about Rainbow Dash's new attire, either giving it indifferent or unimpressed looks.

"Honestly, darling," said Rarity, stiring her cup of chamomile tea as her critical eyes looked over her friend, "Don't tell me you've also jumped on the fad of all this Superman-memorabilia." seeing Rainbow Dash's offended look, Rarity quickly added, "N-Not to say that you don't look good in it! I was just hoping you would wear something more original, you know?"

"Seriously." Sunset said, crossing her arms, "I get that it's not all that long ago since he died, but I see that 'S' literally EVERYWHERE."

"It's not an 'S'." Rainbow Dash corrected her automatically, taking a seat besides Fluttershy.

"Whatever!" Sunset couldn't keep a small bit of annoyance out of her tone as she threw her hands up in frustration, this being far from the first time the rainbow-haired girl had corrected her over this matter, "The fact is that this day alone I've seen, like, twenty-five people with shirts like that."

The other girls knew first hand that she wasn't exaggerating, they too having seen the Kryptonian crest on practically everything from shirts to keychains to mugs to towels, etc. Of course, the death of Superman had been felt all over the world, Canterlot City included. And just like the rest of the world, people hadn't hesitated to jump on the opportunity to make money off of the Man of Steel's gruesome end.

For example, the local business men and con men, the Flim and Flam brothers, had been seen selling poorly made bootleg products with the dead hero's symbol on it, weeping crocodile tears all the while. The saddest part being that they had actually sold quite a few of their ware, taking advantage of the Canterlotians' desire to mourn Superman.

Rainbow Dash could read her friends reactions rather easily, giving them a sheepish look, "I know that, it's just-" a genuine mournful frown came to her face as she gazed down on the shirt's print, "I know it ain't much... but I just want to honor him in some way, you know?"

It was no secret that, while all the girls held respect and admiration for him, Rainbow Dash was the group's most avid Superman-fan. Ever since his appearance two years earlier, the sports star of CHS had always been the one to eagerly report on his latest heroics, and his most dedicated defender when people critized him. She had even loudly admited that Superman was more awesome than her, and that was quite the praise.

She not only admired his amazing abilities, but his loyalty to the people of Earth, choosing to fight against his own race to protect all of them.

Rainbow Dash had cheered the loudest when they had all watched the live-footage of Superman fighting along side the Batman and the mysterious 'Wonder Woman' to defeat Luthor's abomination. And Rainbow Dash had been in the most disbelief when the creature's spike had pierced the Kryptonian's chest, ultimatley ending his life.

The girls all understood, and gave their rainbow-haired friend sympathetic looks.

"We get it, Dash." said Sunset, placing a comforting hand on her friend's shoulder and giving her a smile which Rainbow Dash returned. "... Doesn't mean I have to like the shirt."

Instead of getting offended, Rainbow Dash let out a snort which turned into a small chuckle, one which the other girls shortly joined in on.

"At least it's just a shirt." Twilight remarked once the snickering had died down, "I've seen some people in town build whole little shrines for him."

"You can't really blame them, though." Fluttershy spoke up, shying away slightly as all eyes turned towards her, "I mean, Superman did so much for so many. If it hadn't been for him we all would... W-We would have..." she trailed off, the truth of what their fate could have been proving too much for the timid girl. The other girls went silent as well, Fluttershy's words making their minds start to wander about how they first had learned of the Man of Steel.

Two years ago, none of the Rainbooms had the friendship they now treasured so greatly. It had been before Princess Twilight, before the Battle of the Bands, before the Friendship games.

Sunset had been a bully, terrorizing others and ruling CHS with an iron fist.

Fluttershy, Pinkie, Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Rarity had been splintered apart, not speaking to eachother because of Sunset's machinations.

Twilight hadn't even gone to the same school as them, an outcast in isolation at Crystal Prep.

And yet, wether they knew it or not, they, along with all others of the Earth's people, had all been united that day two years ago.

They had all watched in fear and astonishment when general Zod sent his worldwide message, demanding the alien only known as Kal-El. Then, they had only been able to watch in hopelesness and horror as the Kryptonian ship descended upon the city of Metropolis, causing such unimaginable devistation with the intent to eradicate all life and terraform their planet, their home.

Finally, they had all watched in awe and amazement as the alien, Superman, had flown in clashed with general Zod across the Metropolis skyline, their violent and awesome battle only being able to be described as 'Godlike'. The girls' eyes had been glued to the tv-screens, watching the extraterestrials crash into eachother to determine the fate of the world.

And each and every one of them had cheered and cried out in joy, along with millions of others, once the news had come that the Kryptonian general had been defeated, and that Superman had saved them all.

Even though they hadn't been on speaking terms, known eachother, or just plained despised eachother back then, none of them could forget just how much of an emotional rollercoaster they had been on that day. From terrified, to awed, to relieved and joyful, all because of the one called Superman.

They all remembered the good cheer that had been present in not only Canterlot, but in so many other areas of the world in the days that followed. True, the damage that had been done in Metropolis was devistating, and the poor people who had perished that day were mourned and honoured all over the world. But the fact that it was over, that such a world-endning catastrophe had been avoided, all because of one individual, had been enough to spread an air of relief and thankfulness in Canterlot. At least back then.

Things were different now. Far different.

A silence reigned amongst the group, each of the girls thinking back to that time, each of them staring out into nothing as they remembered. What snapped them out of their funk was the sudden raise of the volume on the cafe's wall-TV, catching their attention as they all turned to watch, along with most others of the cafe's costumers.

It was some senator or other, being interviewed about the country's plans for national defense. Of course, as it always seemed these days, the topic eventually brought in Superman, clips from his funeral in D.C from a few weeks back playing in the background. This particular clip was showing some of the more 'up-standing' people who had attended the service.

Applejack scoffed at the image, causing the others to look at her curiously.

"Got something on your mind there, darling?" Rarity inquired politely.

"I don't like it." the farmgirl responded, looking away with a frown. Seeing the others confused looks, she sighed before elaborating, "Much of it just feels mighty two-faced is what I'm sayin'. There were so many folks screechin' for Superman to stop interferin' but now that he's dead everyone acts like they've always supported 'im."

The others looked amongst themselves, knowing that none of them could really dispute what Applejack had said. For each of them had seen similar things all over the media recently.

Public figures, leaders of great corporations, celebrities, all had stepped forward and claimed their grief for the fallen hero. For example, the shrewd business man Simon Stagg had hosted a huge memorial for Superman, even though he had loudly and quite often berated the Kryptonian back when he still graced the skies.

"Well," Pinkie started, trying to look on the more positive side, "Sometimes you have to lose something first to really appreciate it. Like this one time I lost my Blue-Eyes White Dragon card and-"

"But this is Superman we're talkin about!" Applejack interrupted her heatedly, making both Pinkie and the others jump back at the sudden anger in her tone, "Y'know, that feller who saved the planet two years ago! That didn't stop that Amanda Waller chick from demanding that the government should be spendin' more money on ways to detain 'im, but then she gets frontrow seats to Superman's funeral!"

It was only after a bout of silence that Applejack realized that she was now standing up. And judging from the looks not only her friends, but the cafe's other occupants also were sending her, it seemed as if she had gotten increasingly louder.

Blushing and looking abashed, Applejack cleared her throat akwardly and sat down, adjusting her hat so it obscured part of her face, "... It just makes me mad is all." she said in a far more controlled tone. "Espescially all those things that weasel Luthor did to frame 'im for that business in Africa."

"Couldn't agree more, darling!" Rarity agreed with a sniff of destain, "Lex Luthor's a two-bit ruffian. I, for one, feel safer knowing that he's locked away in Arkham Asylum with all the other lunatics."

"He's done a lot of good, too." Twilight remarked off-handedly, but it was enough to garner the others' attention quite easily.

All the other girls turned towards her simultaneously, disbelief on their faces. Twilight just rolled her eyes, explaining further, "Yeah, Lex Luthor is a sociopath, but you can't deny that Lexcorp did some incredible things while he was running the place." she let out a sigh that sounded almost mournful, "Why are the smart ones always crazy?"

"Twi..." Rainbow Dash started, her and the others looking at Twilight as if she was crazy, mistaking her words meaning, "Are you saying that you have a thing for Lex Luthor!?"

"Wha-..." Twilight's mouth opened and closed like a fish, trying to process everything that was wrong with what her friends had just said, "NO, I AM NOT!" realizing she had just screamed out loud in a public place, she controlled her tone but sounded no less outraged, "I admire his scientific mind and business sense, that's all! The guy's orchistrated who knows how many awful things, he's a terrible person! How could you possibly think that!?"

"Hey, hey, relax." Sunset soothed her, waving her hands slowly in a placating gesture, "Rainbow Dash was just kidding." she briefly turned and sent a look over at said athlete, "Right?"

Rainbow Dash snickered softly, but gave her scholarly friend an apologetic glance nonetheless, "Yeah, my bad, Twilight. I know none of my pals would be insane enough to crush on Superman's murderer."

Seeming to accept this, Twilight simmered down, letting out a small sigh, "It's fine. I'm just so frustrated that Luthor had ACTUAL clearance to the Kryptonian ship and squandered it by making some big-bad monster that killed Superman! He could've done so much good with that!"

Her friends all let out small sighs of their own, realizing that their scholarly companion had once again gotten into one of her favourite subjects of conversation.

"Darling, you bring up that ship every other day." Rarity stated dryly.

"I can't help it!" Twilight apologized, unable to restrain her enthusiasm and inate scientific passion, "Right there, way over in Metropolis, there is an entire ship of alien technology and knowledge! If someone as terrible as Luthor can use it to make some kind of Frankenstein-monster, imagine what someone with good intentions could do with that stuff!"

The other Rainbooms were quiet, only looking on in amusement as Twilight rested her cheeks in her hands, a far-away, dreamy look in her eyes while her inquisitive mind began to fantasize of what alien secrets could be hiding in the Kryptonian vessel, "What I would give to have access to that ship..."

Rainbow Dash couldn't help herself, asking with a teasing smirk, "Like a night with Lex Luthor?"

The girls all let out outraged gasps before struggling to keep in their laughter but failing miserably. Twilight, on the other hand, was not amused,

"You know what, Rainbow-"

That was all she could say before a loud, muffled yell was heard from outside the cafe, making all of the girls either flinch or yelp in surprise.

On the outside, there were two officers of the CCPD, hard at work to restrain a struggling thug who it seemed was the one doing all of the screaming, all three of them getting soaked by the falling rain. Judging by the burst lip and black-eye one of the officers were sporting, it appeared as if the apprehended man had resisted arrest. The officers pushed the man against the hood of their car, brining out the handcuffs as he kept struggling.

"Oh dear." Fluttershy whimpered, crouching down slightly behind the couch which she had been sitting on, as if to hide herself from what was happening outside.

Rainbow Dash looked a bit jumpy, her fingers twitching as her hand danced awfully close to her geode necklace. A stern look from Sunset made her lower it.

"That's the fifth one today." Twilight remarked with a worried frown, this not being the first time she had seen something like this occuring in the city for the last few days. "The town's always been so peaceful, I don't get it."

"Well, no place is perfect." Sunset acknowledged, not taking her eyes off of the ongoing arrest.

"Yeah, but Canterlot's never exactly been known for its high crime rates." Applejack disputed, hands on her hips as she watched the proceedings with somewhat hardened eyes, "Somethin's makin' criminal's get more active lately. And it ain't just here." she turned towards her friends, "Reports from round the globe shows that crime has sky-rocketed all over these last few weeks."

"Do you think it's because he's dead?"

It was a question asked very softly, in a tone sounding like an odd mix of genuinley curious and sorrowful. All six other girls turned towards the one who had asked, all of them shocked that she out of all of them would ask it in the first place.

"... Pinkie?" Rarity asked after a bout of silence, sounding a tad concerned as she and the others observed the usually jovial pink-skinned girl. For Pinkie was standing oddly still, her large blue eyes staring at what was happening outside of the cafe with an unreadable expression.

"Think about it." she started, her tone surprisingly calm and even as she explained, "The most super-duper powerfulest guy in the world who singlehandedly stopped an alien invasion is gone. All the meanies out there won't have to worry about him swooping down and beating their butts to kingdom come anymore."

Despite some of the more colourful vocabulary, it was a surprisingly astute observation from Pinkie Pie, and it was one that didn't exactly help to fight any unease the other girls already felt, each of them sharing puzzled and slightly troubled looks between them.

"... Superman is dead, girls." Pinkie reminded them at last, turning towards her friends with a worried frown, "Where does that leave us?"

The thug's muffled shouting and the sound of rain rapidly striking the window was all the response she got, for none of her friends had a good answer.