Team Superstars: Regain The Strength

Stripes held Onyx, sopping wet from the pond, in her magic before throwing her across the floor in the tearoom. Everyone except for Foxglove and the griffon gasping in horror. Gumdrop grinned proudly as Alphabittle worriedly looked at Stripes and back at her. Who shakily got up, looking around her, expecting Dapple to had been captured with her, but he was not here. She coughed up some water and winced. ”Wh-what did you do with Dapple?” She asked, a feeling in her gut. Gumdrop standing aside, a little curious herself, but also feeling like giving Onyx a chance to speak first and giving time for the answer to be revealed, he was that curly maned weirdo, right? The room was silent as the hunter grinned Zoom getting ready to defend Onyx, wings spread and in a stance ready to jump into action. But her thoughts were fuzzy, her stomach was burning and her heart was racing when she saw Stripes. She had encountered her before, getting in a large fight, the flashbacks dashing through her mind like slideshows. She could feel the sweat doming from her body as she she watched on, her heavy breathing obvious.

”Dead!” Stripes claimed loudly. Onyx briefly looking up at her in horror then getting herself to calm down, her face turning to anger. Of course, she was against them. Of course ‘dead’ would be her answer, just to mess with them, just to bring down their hopes. Tricking them into believing an ally was dead.

“You’re lying!” She whispered, staring sternly at her in the eyes. A few others seemed to agree with her, being worried.

“Where is he!?” Alphabittle shouted. Wanting to know if he was okay, knowing how much he meant to her, he was the closest unicorn to her. As somepony who had lost one who was so close and dear to him, he could not wish that pain on anypony else.

Misty was hiding behind the counter with him, watching, but clearly scared. ”I-is he okay?” She hoped the hunter was lying.

“Oh, You do think i am lying?” Stripes smirked. A green object, similar to a cheap, plastic toy drone and looked like it could easily be mistaken for one as it looked like it shouldn’t be able to fly, but it hovered near her. Everyone cautiously watching it, expecting more than what it proceeded to do, landing on the table before projecting an image, many ponies repositioning themselves and moving to get a good view of the currently static screen, wondering what was to happen. Izzy gasping in slight awe at the device, Zipp would love one of those, well, she already had one, Izzy remained serious considering the situation, even Zipp would have likely thought the device was cool if she was scowling in annoyance. The image was showing some rapid water, rushing thorough a river. Dapple standing on a ledge as Stripes got closer and closer.

“Dapple, what are you doing?” Whispered Onyx, eyes widened in shock, letting out a gasp went he ended up hanging over the edge. She knew she wasn’t going to get an answer from him, but she was getting one from the video, her eyes were full of concern as the ledge crumbled slightly. Why did he go there instead of somewhere safer? He wasn’t that dumb.

“Wh-what are you doing to him?” Misty exclaimed watching as she stared with worry, watching on, wondering why on earth he was there. Those rapids were dangerous at this time of the year, many critters, even a few unicorns, have died falling in. Either being smashed against the rocks or drowning. He even said it himself he’d never go there, which made sense, there was a theory that his missing older brother died there.

”Dapple, what are you doing?” Onyx whispered, her blood running cold at what happened next, her eyes widened seeing Stripes pick him up in her magic, seemingly having a change of heart, did she? There was a relieved sigh from Izzy and another unicorn, but she could tell it did not appear to be what it seemed. Then everyone froze and many gasped in horror the second Dapple was thrown into the water and not surfacing. Her gasp being the loudest as she stared on in shock, he fell in the deadly rapids!? This must be fake, it just has to be. There was no way he’d even go there, this was CGI made by Stripes to trick them. Anger boiled inside her as well as fear and sadness. “No-“ She responded softly, gulping before she held her mouth open, heart racing as she looked sadly up at what she was being shown. “It can’t be true, Dapple. C’mon.” She stared towards it. Eyes tearing up as she watched her friend be washed away in the water. Never to be seen again, whisked away from her, the rocks were jagged and sharp, the water was harsh and would throw him around, harsher than a washing machine. “Dappy…” She muttered. Not wanting to believe it, but there was an urge telling her it was indeed real.

“You monster!” Shouted Pipp first after seeing her rapid breathing, she didn’t know him well, but, he was a fellow pony. “You murdered him!”

”You are a foul beast!” Izzy exclaimed. “He was a friend!” She cried, he was not a close friend. More acquaintance at this point. But her heart was aching as she thought about it.

”Serves him right…” Stripes rolled her eyes, like it was no big deal.

“You monster!” Pipp screamed in tears. “You are a huge monster!” As Stripes laughed Gumdrop stepped forward.

“Time to take my prize…” She said opening the box. Onyx just sitting there, too much in shock and disbelief that her friend was dead. It was like she was just zoned out, the noises just sounding like they were in the background, muffled as she stared up at the screen, vision nearly blurry. Her breathing was rapid as quick as she tried to process what was happening.

”Onyx!” Zoom shouted as the beam shot towards her. She shoved her out the away, snapping her out her thoughts. A little sorry she kind of ragdolled, but happy she saved her. The beam had no effect on her, so she was not harmed in being hit instead. Instead it knocked Zoom into a table. “Argh!” She exclaimed.

”Ugh!” Gumdrop groaned. Not noticing another royal guard fly in. Her name was Autumn, she was mostly orange with green socks. She tackled her to the ground.

”Surprise attack!” She called out.

”Autumn!?” Thunder exclaimed, guarding the queen from any danger as Zoom kept watch. “What are you doing here?”

“Figured you might need some help. So I came as quick as I can.” She said. Which was no problem since she was not on duty at this time. It was usually her break time and she used it to come here and help. Her wings looked like leaves in autumn, giving her the name. “Stay down!” She exclaimed.

”Autumn!” Thunder cried. But it was no use, Foxglove grabbed Autumn in her jaws, taking out the tearoom and thrashing her about, everyone watching in terror as Autumn cried out in pain as the jaws chomped down harder before she was tossed aside. Thunder’s blood had gone cold as he stared at the monster in terror. He was too frozen to do anything, he stood there, watching to see what was to happen next. Tears running down his face when Autumn was tossed aside, hitting a rock and flumping on the ground, not getting up.

“Ugh… That pest is out the way… Now… Say goodbye to your stolen powers.” Gumdrop smirked right before Alphabittle rammed into her, sending her tumbling across the room. Onyx using this time to run out the door, stopping in her tracks at Foxglove. She felt a shiver down her spine, staring face-to-face with a reptile that literally just ended the life of a pony in seconds. There was a crack of thunder as the fight inside got wild. All she had on her mind was take these powers as far away as she could. They were part of her, that was meant she had to get away. She could feel the anger in this creature, it was like someone insulted its ancestors. She could not help her heavy breathing, looking up at the sky she noticed a few rain drops fall, the storm was coming…

The expression on the creature changed slightly as the cold water hit it, did it not like the cold? As the creature’s closed mouth came closer and it snorted in her face, she got an idea. She remembered back at the Winter Wishday, where it was freezing cold all around. The unicorns were responsible for it thanks to their greeting. It made the winter storms worse, meaning it had to be replaced. But now, it was time for its limelight! ”Frosty Shivers.” She waved and smirked slightly as a freezing breeze filled with snow hit Foxglove fall force. It squealed as it fell to the ground, covered in snow. Onyx shivered a bit herself before running away. Taking this as her chance, galloping through Bridlewood. Unicorns were in hiding as she ran fast. They knew what was going on. She sprinted as fast as she could before she hid behind a tree. Looking behind it, staying calm until she heard its roar. She had to keep moving. She quickly started galloping, almost tripping over a rock as she galloped. Hoping anything would help her! It was like she was in a race as she dashed through the rain, getting completely soaked, once again, but she could have cared less, heading towards clearing where the wishing tree was. The breezies could help! Or at least she could hide in the night market if it were open. As she sprinted towards the tree, her heart skipped a beat right when she heard Foxglove’s roar. She stopped in her tracks, hooves drenched in mud as she looked around for her, heart racing as water pelted against her, dripping down her coat. She tried her best to be alert and get ready to dodge, only to be slammed hard by her tail, as if she was a tennis ball and that was a racket. Or a bat and baseball, whatever was harder. But it sent her flying and ragdolling through the air, slamming her side into the wishing tree with a hard thud before flopping to the ground like a discarded toy, onto the muddy grass just below.

“Eeugh…” Her body was aching, she couldn’t help but whimper a little in pain as she moved. Any harder and a rib -or any other bone- might have broken. Her side ached as she took a big breath on air, that was going to leave a bruise, possibly. Her hoof was glowing slightly as it touched the tree, giving Onyx a fuzzy view was she closed her eyes out of exhaustion. Seeing a fuzzy image of a griffon screaming as she fell to the ground after a sound of something being shot. Then she was screaming for help as ponies ran fast her. Then her eyes snapped open. Did… The tree give her a vision? She shakily got up, mud and blades of grass sticking to her, and looked at Foxglove, roaring as it approached her, jaws open wide as it approached. She tried to move but couldn’t, her heart racing as she glanced at her. This was it, wasn’t it? She then noticed some of her own blood coming from her leg, drizzling below. She glanced back up… Gasping as she heard another roar.

“Raawk!” Another dinosaur-like creature tackled the red one. The two completely brawling it out. According to earlier descriptions, the green one was Oleander, who had accompanied the griffon days ago to fight for Jazz’s powers. But why was she here fighting her own team mate? After some pained roars and growls. Oleander managed to tear one of Foxglove’s wings and claw her eye. The same claw getting crunched down a ton, but Oleander still held it down. They started to chase and fight more, Oleander using flight to her advantage. Taking the fight away from her, out of her view. The roars and growls getting further and further away. Onyx collapsed from exhaustion and pain, and rested her head against a root of the tree. Too tired to move as she thought about the possible vision. She sighed as the clouds slowly started to clear, the rain not being so hard anymore, which was a bit nicer. But her body was battered badly, her side aches, her leg was bleeding, her heart was beating in her chest like it wanted to break out. But wait, she had the healing light powers, so she could get up and run if she could heal herself, but with her luck, this wasn’t going to work was it? But perhaps it was worth a shot, besides, she didn’t want to be in so much pain when her magic was taken, so it was better to use this moment. Her hooves began to glow again, planning to use the powers on herself, only to hear a voice.

”There you are!” The griffon said as she walked towards her. Watching as Onyx’s healing was interrupted, she raised her head with concern as she watched her get closer.

”You’re hurting, aren’t you?” Onyx guessed, the vision she got felt like it was tied to Gumdrop. “You feel like you were betrayed by a friend during an incident. You want others to feel pain, too?” She asked, looking a bit monotone, but she did care. There was a pause as Gumdrop curiously looked at Onyx. Listening to what she had to say. ”You are suffering. Hurting other ponies isn’t going to take the pain away. You need help, not revenge.” She guessed. “You were left behind, at some point, weren’t you?”

Gumdrop looked down at herself, suddenly looking rather glum, as if she had just remembered something. Like she was taking her words in, knowing she had a point. Her eyes were full of sorrow after a few seconds, she looked at the ground and back at Onyx, looking as if she were about to cry, it was now clear she was thinking hard about this, it was true, she felt abandoned by someone she trusted, but why should that be Onyx’s business, why should she want to know? She was another unicorn, like her, maybe she’s lying. Or perhaps she had a point, she seemed genuine, she was more likely concerned about her well being, after being chased by her and her henchmen, she was still worried about her, She even opened her mouth as if to speak. Thinking about what to say untill the alicorn amulet lit up suddenly, her eyes widening and flashing red as her expression turned into anger. She chuckled a bit before rolling her eyes. “What do you know?” She asked, holding up the device\ . Onyx’s eyes going wide as she tried to get up, not being fast enough till it activated. Hitting her with a painful beam of light.

“Ugh!” Onyx grunted, being slammed against the tree and let out a pained noise, whimpering as she tried to endure it. It felt like half of her was being sucked away. Alphabittle and the others had just arrived in time to see this, all staring in fear and disbelief.

“No!” Zipp cried out, raising into the air, wanting to do something, like strangle the griffon.

”She’s got her!” Exclaimed Pipp, pointing out the obvious that was not helping.

Zoom sped towards Gumdrop as the stealing finished. Who looked back at her with a smirk. “Oh weak and powerless thing, what are you gonna do now!?” She asked. The alicorn amulet flashing as a heavy net weighted down by large stones fell on Zoom, knocking her to the ground. “Can’t you see I have already won!?” She boasted before flying away.

”Get back here, you coward!” She screamed, Gumdrop turning invisible as others threw stuff at her.

“No! She can’t get away with this!” Zipp cried, lifting her wings. Dashing after her with Thunder following. ”Get back here!” Cried Zipp. Confused but thankful that dangerous T-rex thing wasn’t chasing her. It would have been harder. Zipp could feel the wind through her mane as she dashed through the air. She was one of the fastest fliers actually. Winning second place in two flying races and bronze in one. So catching up would be easy! She dashed through the air, leaving Thunder behind. Who was fast, but not as fast as her.

As soon as she reached the thief, she gave her cloak a hard yank back. Gumdrop stopped and fell with an “Ack!” Soon finding herself being dangled by her cloak.

”Release the powers, now!” Zipp exclaimed loudly, anger filling her.

“My powers or hers?” Smirked Gumdrop, her necklace glowing, making Zipp gasp. A lightning bolt coming from a nearby cloud that appeared. Zipp narrowly dodged, but slipping, making let go. As Gumdrop fell, she quickly grabbed her by the cloak again, the box being dropped into the forest below.

”Where do you think you are going?” She snarled at the griffon. Noticing the box falling. They had flown pretty far out. Into the section of the forest that no pony went to. It was hard to reach and considered dangerous. So it wasn’t worth it. But now it was. “Don’t you dare go after it, you know you’d lose!” Zipp exclaimed, letting go and diving down into the forest. Knowing that Gumdrop would just fly. She dodged every lightning bolt, knowing that they were coming.But just before she reached the trees. She was met with a tackle. She felt like she was hit by a bull as she was tackled down by Gumdrop. Into the forest below, cutting herself on a branch on the way down. Landing with a loud thud. “Argh!” She cried out. She smirked a bit as she found herself being pinned down by the wings. The claws of the griffon hanging on them tightly. “You are a strong one, aren’t you.”

”Of course I am. As you see. I am far more powerful than you!” She said, screeching in her face.

”Ugh-“ Zipp groaned at the spit on her face. “Alright, what’s gotten you so angry, anyway? You know, stealing magic isn’t gonna fix anything! Opaline tried that, and did not succeed!”

“I don’t care!” Gumdrop screeched. “You aren’t my target! The light powers are. I need them!”

”But why?”

”Because they are rightfully mine! You wouldn’t understand.”

Zipp gulped, wondering what to say next as she tried to recover from the fall, she gained a small idea that might work, buts she would have to say some things she didn’t mean. “Oh… Those powers. Yeah, you know. Actually. Those powers are pretty bland. They aren’t as awesome or useful as you think. Jazz said it herself! They are basically just uh… Wet wipes? Useful for one purpose and then they are in the bin!” She said. Smiling at Gumdrop’s puzzled face. It seemed she was almost succeeding in redirecting her to things that were cool, but not as important as the lantern, crystals or light powers. “Oh boy. My visor can do so much more impressive stuff, actually, that skateboard Izzy made last week was really impressive. Hovering, able to be used a surfboard, filming, anything you command it to!” She said, trying to make something sound way more impressive. “Actually, what can’t it do! Gee, I think I’d much prefer that board than some one-time-use glowy hooves, don’t you?” There was silence as the griffon looked down at Zipp. Looking rather concerned. It also seemed like she was actually interested in that board. Hopefully she wouldn’t be too disappointed in the fact it only hovered, filmed and could be controlled like an RC car with a remote control…”I suppose that board does sound impressive…” Gumdrop said with a smile. Looking like she was thinking about how awesome it sounded. But that was short lived before she started laughing. “Why are you even after me in the first place?”

“Because you are taking the light powers and magic of three innocent ponies.” Zipp said. “Besides the light powers, you took their regular magic! Their colour is all dulled and cutiemarks are faded! Zoom’s all glum and gloomy now. But now she can’t fly either, Jazz can’t make or control plants and Onyx won’t be able to have unicorn magic of her own! Why do you want to take theirs, you clearly have powers, like somehow making those lightning bolts appear?” She asked, noticing the necklace looked a bit familiar. Where had she seen it before? On hearing what the three mares were going through. Gumdrop’s face was filled with sorrow and remorse. She felt like she was regretting her decision as she looked down at her. There was silence as Zipp started to feel more successful. “See… Just see yourself in their shoes.” She smiled. “Wouldn't you like to be happy and not have ponies be scared of you?” Gumdrop looked down at Zipp, feeling like chains that were holding her were being loosened. Like she felt something special. She looked down at Zipp, loosening her grip. Just before she heard a gunshot and a scream. She let out a gasp as her eyes and necklace went red. She felt as if she was being choked as she heard a voice.

”Trixie!”

It was her own voice.

”Don’t leave me here!” Her voice cried as more shots happened. Her heart racing. “I’m scared! Trixie!” Her voice cried. The flashback coming more and more clear.

It was years and years in the past. The time she traveled from. Trixie herself was looking for the light powers till there was a shooting.

”Trixie! Where are you!?” Her voice cried out as screaming and gunshots her heard in the city. Ponies were running around as her conscious faded. She had a wound in her leg, which made her fall over. Getting trampled by ponies. “Trixie!” She cried once more before everything went black. Then she heard a voice.

”Trixie was your only friend. You put your trust in her…” The voice said. “Only to leave you to die…”

“Don’t lie to me!” Gumdrop cried, tearing up as her claws sharpened as she slammed down on Zipp’s wing, tearing the flash with her claws, she screamed loudly. Flames appearing around them, as her range flourished. “I don’t need to trust traitors!” Gumdrop said as the flames started to match her range before they came wild.

“Argh!” Zipp winced in pain as Gumdrop twisted her wing, her heart racing. She was so close. So close.

”Leave me alone. Friends aren’t a thing for me.” Gumdrop scoffed before getting ready to fly away. She then looked back as Zipp prepared her wings. At the click of her clew, a tight rope tied her wings to her body. “Don’t follow me.” She said before flying away. Leaving Zipp angst the flames.

“Your highness!?” Thunder’s voice cried.

Zipp looked up, sweating as she looked around her. Blood dripping from her wing. The rope was tight. Bit overkill. “T-Thunder?” She questioned.

”Zipp!”

She coughed as she sat there, hearing Hitch’s voice beyond the flames. She could feel the smoke sting her eyes. Her wing was in too much pain to fly, even if the rope was gone. . “Thunder! Hitch!?” She cried out. Jumping back from a fallen branch. She coughed in the smoke, her voice getting raspy.

“Your Highness!” Thunder’s yell was heard. Before she knew it, two hooves wrapped around her and lifted her into the air, the cool breeze hit her instantly as she was lifted out the smoke by Thunder. She coughed as she felt the cool breeze on her sweaty fur. “Are you okay?”

Zipp took deep breaths as she tried to process what happened. She failed. Not only that, the forest was on fire. It was really far away from Bridlewood and the wind was pushing it in the other direction. Enough time to get it under control before it came a threat. Hopefully. ”Y-yeah. Just take me to the others.” She said in a sad voice Thunder handled her gently was they went across the sky. Gumdrop had gotten away, she looked out with worry as they glided through the sky. Her wing was stinging the whole way. But… The light powers were gone.

WHAT NOW?

-

“Zipp!” Cried her friends as Thunder landed. Helping her down, as she sat there, looking kinda glum. Zoom quickly making it her job to undo the tight ropes. Haven hugged her tight.

”Zipp! Are you hurt!? What happened?”

”Did you get them?” Sunny asked.

”Where?” Izzy was about to ask.

”No…” Zipp said, sounding defeated. “She got away.”

”What…” Hitch asked before worriedly looking back at everyone.

“Stay still your highness.” Zoom warned as she pulled at the rope, grabbing a knife. Zipp could feel her heart racing a bit as she nervously went to cut the rope.Zipp stuck in thought as she gazed at Zoom, who gasped at her injures as soon as the ropes came off, she gazed at Onyx who was being held up Alphabittle, worriedly looking at her, wondering what would happen next. “I… I think I’m better of just leaving the guard after all this.”

Her remarked gained the attention of many. ”What!?”

“Why do you say that, Zoom?” Haven asked with concern as the rain pelted down.

“As a highly ranked guard, I should have had all of us, not only me, prepared for the first attack! If I had trained enough I would not have been defeated the first time, then none of this would have happened!” She exclaimed, gesturing to Onyx.

“Zoom!” Thunder exclaimed.

“I know, you keep telling me, but. Isn’t it my fault too? Autumn and Dapple didn’t need to die!” Zoom exclaimed, “Princess Zipp didn’t need to risk her life! But she did, because I-“ She paused and sighed, “I’m not a very good guard, am I?” She was suddenly snapped out of her thoughts when Thunder hugged her.

”Stop saying that!” He cried. “You did everything you could! If you were a bad one, you wouldn’t have tried anything to protect the kingdom! You would have let it happen, and you didn’t, you did what you could! That’s good enough, okay!?” He cried, tears running down his eyes. “Why do you think you are not good enough!? You tried your hardest and that’s good enough, for me.”

”And me…” Added Zipp with a smug smile as tears appeared in Zoom’s eyes. She wanted to do more

“I suppose there is something else I can do…”

”Wh-what is it?”

”We’ll see…”