No one is sure what caused this outbreak, but recent data shows that nearly 90 percent of Canterlot City has meta powers from fire to ice, or even flying through the air, and people are thrilled. Back to you. As The Masked Matterhorn watched the news from her phone.

"So, yesterday, there were only seven people with meta powers, me, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Applejack, Fluttershy, and Moondancer. Today, 1.5 million people. What could possibly go wrong?" She asked as knocked on the head by a suitcase.

"Hey watch it, buddy, people work in this building."

"A city full of amateur metas. This has Monica's nightmare come alive. Hey, Monica is Twi. Just checking in on how you're doing with these metas. Come down with any symptoms or the mask helping you. Call me later." Then Moondancer came from behind and greeted her.

"It's official, everyone loves you, I feel they like barely tolerate me."

"It's the creepy costume," She replied.

"I have you know, this costume is durable, hell even Radiance like it."

"Sheesh, didn't realize I triggered the insecurity."

"Sorry, is that a city full of meta-human plus with Vargas still out doing who knows what equals disaster."

"Have a little faith, you, your friends, and me turn these powers into something good. Everyone might too. Your not jealous are you?"

"I'm not jealous, having powers is not all fun and games."

"It's not? Relax, Matter. It's a beautiful day, I doubt there will be any big problems."

Then both heard an explosion.

"Commenting on how there won't be big problems? Total rookie mistake?"

Moments later they arrived at the source of the explosion.

"What in the hell is that thing?" Matterhorn asked seeing the exploded truck.

"Not what, who, the name's Archer."

"And that's what I call a creepy costume," Matterhorn exclaimed as she and Moondancer back slowly. "There's no chance this is all a misunderstanding, and that explosion was by mistake, right?"

"Really? The guy has a skull for a face."

"Never jump to conclusions."

"No kids in the pj's. are no match for me. But I could use a good laugh of seeing you try."

"Let do this," Moondacner prepared herself.

"Not so fast, you don't have enough experience, leave this to me."

"Did you forget that we fought that Stelaht Matterhorn guy together?"

"Yeah, but that was different, this time we're taking on ex-military creep... look out!" Matterhorn and Moondancer dodged an object that was hurled by Archer.

"You both talk too much."

"Moondancer, save the driver, I distract Archer."

"Now, that sounds like a plan."

She headed straight for the van.

"Oh, no, you don..wahh!" Archer tried to stop but Matterhorn froze his leg.

"Have an iced day."

Archer freed himself and ran straight toward him as Matterhorn got a whiff of his breath.

"Dude, seriously, what with bad guys and garlic knots, P.S. Breath Mints," She exclaimed before kicking him just as Moondancer got the cops out of the truck.

"Why did everybody in this city get powers instead of me?" Archer asked as he swing his fist but missed.

"Maybe you're a late bloomer."

Then Moondancer came from behind and kick him.

"You sure you want me to sit this one out?"

"You know, sometimes I knack for saying really stupid stuff."

"Enough! No amateurs are gonna keep me from taking what I want!"

Archer grabbed a tire and prepared to throw only for Matterhorn to use her magic and pry it off from him then Moondancer fired an energy bolt knocking him out cold.

"Amaterurs? I prefer 'young newcomers who are willing to give it their best shot. And now's who the amateur?"

Then two officers teleported right in front of them.

"I tell you what getting around the city has never been easy since we got powers," One of them said.

"Same with the perps, thank Moondancer, Matterhorn."

The officers took Archer and left.

"And what do we have here?" Moondancer picked up a small container. "A device that was made Ethersteel? Whoa, this is potentially dangerous. We should take it to an expert."

Moondancer left and Matterhorn follow her.

"Wait a minute, Moondancer. hold up!"

Both were on top of a nearby building.

"What about taking it to the police, as a responsible superhero would do?"

"And where will the police take it? To Nexus, where we have one of the only Ethersteel-scanning microscopes in the world. If Archer wanted it, it could be some kind of weapon. So time is of the essence. I'm just cutting out the middleman."

"I don't think it's a good idea. Contaminating evidence and all that?"

"When did you become such a wet blanket?" Moondancer snapped at her they left.

"First, my costume is creepy and now I'm a wet blanket? Is that what people really"

"Okay, I'll lead the way," Matterhorn as she and Moondacner arrived at Nexus High.

"It's okay. I'm the one who goes to this school."

"Right, of course."

Unknowing both of them a figure who was cloaked followed them.

Meanwhile

"Starlight, are okay? Where are you?" Moondancer asked as she and Matterhorn went to the Think Tank.

"This is so, weird," Both of them heard Starlight as she was on the ceiling. "How do you live like this? This is the worst."

"Trust me, I had similar problems you had at first. Just relax and release."

"If you say so," Starlight took a deep breath and drop on her bottom. "Shit! This will take some getting used to."

"You said wanted powers of pure energy, and now we can be heroes just like Matterhorn and the others."

"Hooray."

"So, Starlight, we came across something, and you're the only expert I know," Moondancer gave her the case.

"Huh. This looks like pure Ethersteel. Do you have any idea rare this is?"

"As rare as have magic powers, harness lighting, or superhuman strength?"

Starlight took the case and examined it.

"A micro-encrypted key. The type used by high-security government installations. We should even be touching it."

"Told you," Matterhorn smirked then her Danger Radar went off. "Oh, crap."

She caught a flash grenade that went off, and a few moments her, Starlight and Moondancer were quickly handcuffed.

"What in the hell was that?"

"That was me and I'll take this."

"Blake Belladonna?"

"This is a top-secret government file. This isn't yours."

"It's not what it looks like, we were trying to help."

"That Ethersteel is a key. What's it for?"

"We're in the process of determining that. But this is Argus's business. Let the professionals handle it," As Blake walked the missiles were fired and several Doom agents came.

"Hand it over, or die!"

"Doom agents, real live doom agents, this is seriously bad, right?" Matterhorn asked.

"Doom's formidable, but so am I," Blake said as she draws her swords. "Do you really think that you can handle me?"

"It seems you're missing some intel. We got some upgrades," One of them had formed a fire blade.

"Doom too? Is anyone not a meta?" Matterhorn groaned that the Doom agents have meta powers.

As Blake fought them off, Matterhorn and Moondancer worked on the cuffs.

"It's impressive that Argus can make good handcuffs, but I've studied them and got it."

All broke free and collided with the goons, Starlight tried to fire an energy bolt but it didn't work.

"How do you-- This is not as easy as I thought."

"Don't worry," Matterhorn assured her as she kick a Doom agent to the wall. "I can train you on how to use it, in self-defense of course."

"Is making stupid jokes part of it?"

"No," As Moondancer uppercut one of them.

"Lesson one, use your surroundings to your advantage," Matterhorn said as she used magic to slide the chair on goon.

"Eat desk!" Starlight grabbed a desk and threw it at a Doom agent and send it out of the school. "Is that using your surroundings?"

"A whole desk? Impressive."

Two Doom agents caught Blake by surprise and yet the case was out of her possession.

"Get the case!" Moondancer made a run for it, but one of Doom agents grabbed it.

"Archer will be pleased with-"

Then Matterhorn grabbed it from him.

"With what? Your failure?" Matterhorn replied then shot an ice bolt and froze him. "See ice bolt, it's all in the wrist."

"I'm open!" Moondancer exclaimed then Matterhorn threw to her. "Starlight, you're up! Keep away!"

"Got it!" Starlight exclaimed.

"Blake is down!" As Blake was tied up by the Doom. "You fools are no match for--"

He got blasted by an energy bolt by Starlight.

"Wow! It is all in the wrist."

"Told you."

"That it! Destroy them all!"

Blake got back up and did a swift kick to him.

"She is so amazing!" Moondancer said.

"And stronger than I thought," Matterhorn said as Blake created a clone of herself. "That explains it. She makes a clone of herself."

The two Blakes quickly care of the goons making Starlight and Moondacner speechless.

"I think I got the handle of it."

"Yeah, pretty much."

"So what now?" Starlight asked.

"Now, we get more information," Blake held up a goon.

"Where I am?" He asked.

"I'll be asking the question here, dirtbag," Matterhorn said.

"What are you doing?" Moondancer asked.

"An interrogation. Don't worry I've seen lots of cop shows."

"I don't think cop shows references will work," Starlight came in.

"Doom agents are international criminals. I doubt they care about permanent records."

The Doom agent got fearful to look at Blake, knowing he didn't have a choice.

"Okay, I'll spill."

"Just like that, okay, What's the key for?"

"It goes to the National Ethersteel Reserve."

"Why does Archer need that much Ethersteel?"

"I don't know. But with everyone getting powers, it's chaos. He hatched a plan to rob the vault in all the confusion."

"See? I'm not such a bad interrogator after all."

"I have seen worse." Blake came in making her jump a bit.

"How long you were standing there?" She asked as Blake sedated him knocking him out.

"During secure missions, Doom operates on strict radio silence. The rest of them won't know Archer was caught and they'll still head for the vault."

"So we beat them there, we can set a trap."

"We?"

"You can come too."

"I don't think that's what she meant, Double M. I think she planning to go solo."

"Oh, come on! We were the ones that took down Archer and got the key. Let us be your back up you might actually need some help."

"Fine. But I call the shots. Also, someone stays here to keep an eye on these Doom troops until they can be taken in."

"I do that. These powers are still weirding me out. I need more practice before I can battle Doom again."

"Believe it or not, this is my fault vault break-in," Matterhorn said as they arrive. "But I broke into prison before. so I can handle this."

"Quiet," Blake shush her and show the young heroes three agents and got wind of their conversion.

Trust me, he'll be here. The boss will make sure Archer is never heard from again.

"Okay, our plan to beat Doom here is a big fail. No what?" Matterhorn asked.

"Change of tactics, they mention a boss. Doom's clearly has a bigger plan in play. We need more surveillance."

"I bet your phone is loaded with spy games, huh? Because spying seems like a lot of boring waiting."

"If you consider saving the world boring."

"Touche."

"Believe me, espionage is never dull for very long."

None knew that Archer was prepping for an ambush.

"Look out!" Blake as the trio avoided him.

"And now Archer, this is so unfair."

"You were right, brat. I was a late bloomer. The cops found out the hard way.

Archer came right here, but Blake spilled kick him.

"I got him, you two handle the others."

"Others?" Moondancer asked.

"For chaos!" One of them shouted as fired lasers from their guns.

"As they say, it's not a party until a meta-powered army arrives!" Matterhorn exclaimed as they dodged the laser fire.

"Level the playing field," A Doom agent exclaimed as he and Matterhorn were in struggle. "How's it feel to be like everyone else?"

"Can't say I'm a big fan."

Matterhorn head bashed him making him fall back just as, Blake drove Archer into a wall.

"One of these targets took the Ethersteel vault key. Grab it!" He orders the goons to get the key.

"Pull a stall-drop," Blake said to Matterhorn and Moondancer.

"A what now? I left my spy dictionary at home."

"We take a dive. Follow my lead."

"She wants us to lose on purpose? That idea sounds terrible."

Blake took a dive at Archer then he grab her foot and slammed her to the ground.

"Not the first time I had an Argus agent at my feet. And won't be my last."

"Without, Blake, what are going to do?" Moondancer fret as the Doom agents surrounded her and Matterhorn.

"She was our leader. We surrender."

"Here we go. the key to Doom's plans," He grabs the key from Blake's pocket. "And to my payday. Thanks for bringing this back. Very helpful of you."

He opens the vault showing pounds of Ethersteel.

"That's even more Ethersteel than the boss thought. This job just keeps getting better."

"What do you plan to do with us, Archer?" Blake asked as they were riding in a Doom cruiser."

"Capturing two teenage heroes along with a member of Argus, means I get a rich bonus," Archer exclaimed and left.

"Why did you bring the key? Aren't you supposed to be some kind of expert? I've been doing this hero for a long time and I already know a bad idea."

"Because now Archer is giving us a free ride to his leader. And I need to know who it is," Blake replied as she began to tamper with the lock.

"It's Doom. We already know that."

"But which faction."

"They're different factions?"

"We bust this unit, another one pops up. But bust the top guy, the whole plan falls and the world becomes a safer place."

"Honestly, did not think like that."

"It's okay, you're still new at this."

....

As the agents carried them off, a cruiser came down showing Archer's boss.

"Is it me or does that dude have a metal face," Matterhorn said seeing him. "I am so out of my league."

"Gearhead, now we know."

"Oh, I see you've led my troops to victory, Archer," Gearhead said.

"Pure Ethersteel. You'll finally be able to forge those unbreakable toys you've been designing. So naturally, it ain't going to be cheap," Archer said.

"Look at that. Your plan worked. Now can we fight?"

"I like how you think," Blake said then reached for her comm. "Yang it's me, go time!"

Her partner came down and broke the cage freeing them and was prepared to fight.

"Sorry, to break this party, Gearhead!" Yang exclaimed.

"Sorry, not sorry!" Matterhorn followed it.

"Don't worry," Archer assured Gearhead. "I'll contain them. Doom!"

Several of them armed their guns and ran toward them. Yang launched herself and punched one of them, as Blake disarmed two goons and counter another goon's attack. Matterhorn created two ice blades struck down three goons then dodged a blast by Gearhead!

"You may have outnumbered! But we won't make it easy for you!" Yang shouted as they were cornered.

"Pitful attempt by a group of--" Gearhead got bonked by prism bolt.

"There's goes an old saying," Radiance said as she, Zapp, and Mareveouls arrived along with the rest of the people. "You mess with one of us..."

"You mess with all of us!" Zapp exclaimed as she fired a lightning blast.

"What's going on here?" Moondancer asked.

"We saw the footage from the news chopper. We knew you were in trouble."

"You saved my daughter from a speeding car, Matterhorn. You saved her life."

"And pulled me from a burning building. Now that we have powers, it's time we paid you back."

"Then, let's do this!"

Radiance along with two other metas fired the energy blast at them.

"Hey, Doom, guess I've got a team now too!" Matterhorn exclaimed at Gearhead.

"Fall back!" Gearhead said as he and the rest of them fall back.

"Well that didn't take long," Matterhorn said as Archer grabbed her.

"You ruined a big score for me," Archer exclaimed.

"Hands off our friend, varmint!" Mareveolus lassoed him and pulled him away and straight into the car.

"Now who talks too much, Bonehead."

"You friends managed to capture the Doom troops that didn't escape with Gearhead, nice work," Yang and Matterhorn fist-bumped each other as she and Blake left. "You know, Blake that Matterhorn has a way to inspire people like that."

"Yeah, Ironwood did tell us we should keep an eye on her. I'm surprised to say, I agree."

"You know, you were right, Moondancer," Both Matterhorn and Moondancer looking the view of the city from the Canterlot statue. "This is a good idea."

"I knew you come around, " Moondancer replied then she left.

"An island full of meta-people is a badass idea," Matterhorn said as flew off into the city.

Author's Note

Blake Belladonna (EG Style)

Carmen Sandiego (EG Style)

Yang Xiao Long (EG Style)