Team Superstars: Regain The Strength

Soon Rocky and Jazz came running in. Dapple and Onyx following after. “Pipp, I came as soon as I could!” Jazz shouted. “I also brought Onyx and Dapple since they were in town and you asked me to inform them, too.” She gulped. “What’s the emergency?” Rocky had a brush ready. Expecting something do do with styling. There was a huge smile on his face when soon disappeared, now shoeing concern and confusion as he glanced at Jazz. Her heart was still racing and she felt little sweaty, as soon as she got the message earlier. She was quick to send it to Onyx, having had her number to stay in contact with the other two ‘Superstars’ as they call themselves. Which did come in handy since she needed to warn her in the emergency. Rocky hadn’t read the text, he only heard Jazz scream that Pipp had an emergency and found himself running to the lighthouse with her and the two unicorns.

”A villain is after your glow, light, flash, superstar—whatever you decided to call them— powers.” Sunny explained, not exactly what to call them herself. Since the trio seemingly Hadn't decided completely. If they had, she hadn’t gotten the message, but ‘Superstar’ seems pretty common for them at this point. “They already got Zoom’s.”

Jazz immediately stopped, she was frozen in place as she processed the words. A new villain? Another one she had to deal with that was after her powers? But why? Weren’t they for defeating Dark Matter? She gulped as she paused there, drops of sweat coming down as she glanced at the others. Rocky glanced at her briefly before looking over at Sunny, with an uneasy face. Dapple was looking back and forward towards Onyx and Sunny, the former giving her usual expression, but her eyes were widened in shock, her ears were pinned back. She then glanced over at Zoom, who was looking rather ill.

”What!?” Rocky, Jazz and Dapple finally shouted in unison as Onyx slowly walked towards the couch, towards the pegasus. She was laid there, still panting a bit as she groaned. Her short purple mane all ruffled and messy instead of neatly combed like she usually has it while not wearing a helmet.

”Somepony is after them!?” Jazz exclaimed, her heart thumping in her chest as her mind processed what was going on. “B-bit that’s crazy! Wouldn’t they useless now we used them for their purpose!? I don’t even understand why we have them still!” She sat down and started to hyperventilate. She thought it was all over! Why now? Why couldn’t her life just be normal again? Didn’t she already complete the quest?

“That’s what I said!” Exclaimed Pipp.

“Doesn’t matter.” Zipp sighed. “They might just know how powerful they are and want them for themselves…” Onyx looked down at Zoom as Zipp explained to Jazz what her theory was. Not really paying attention, but still rather concerned for her and her powers. Zoom’s body was a much duller colour than what it usually was, but why? Why was so so ill and dull just because she lost her light powers. Perhaps there was more to them than they thought. It was rather extraordinary they had so many questions. But it seemed that they would struggle to live without them for whatever reason. Or maybe the method of taking the, from Zoom caused her to be like this. Lucky for her, Onyx’s light power came with healing, which would be really handy with her.

”Zoom. Get up…” She said bluntly, putting a hoof on her stomach. Thinking of her, hoping she’d awaken. It was not like her to be like this, so she was going to try and help. Everyone’s attention was directed to Onyx as her hoof started to glow.

”Onyx?” Thunder whispered Softly. Hoping she knew what she was doing. He watched as she stood there. Once again, Zoom was starting to mutter and fail in her sleep, slapping Onyx in the face with a hoof, who stumbled back at the hard hit. She immediately put a hoof on her eye right where she was slapped, luckily she wasn’t injured. Everyone watched with worry as their hearts raced, getting more concerned about Zoom’s state. It was worth a shot, but rather upsetting that somepony else’s share did nothing to help one who had hers stolen. But it made a bit of sense at the same time. She couldn’t exactly separate it from her and share a part, it seemed, like how earth ponies can’t make pegasi or unicorns use plant magic, for example.

”Are you alright!?” Asked Haven. Seeing Onyx wince a little as she blinked a bit, it was clear it hurt.

”I’m fine…” She said in her quiet tone and glanced at Zoom.

”Seems she is still having a really bad nightmare!” Exclaimed Izzy as she looked at Zoom’s body. Watching as many sighed in defeat at the failed healing attempt. If that did not work, what would? Onyx seemed to have had another idea.

”She might be able to hear us within this nightmare if we try hard enough…” She said seriously. “Or perhaps… We can wake her with some sort of shock.”

“And… Since when were you a sleep doctor?” Asked Pipp, puzzled. Not the most pleased by this particular unicorn and her awkward poetry. Maybe she made some good ones from time to time, but she wasn’t going to go out of her way and listen to them.

”She is reacting to sound and touch.” She answered. Demonstrating by touching Zoom’s wing. Who immediately started to flap it and kick her hind leg. Onyx narrowly dodging a near slap. She was now holding out her wing as she muttered some words about Thunder failing to cook potatoes… In the bathroom.

”Zoom!” Thunder hurried, ignoring the weird speech to grab her foreleg again. “It’s just a dream!” He rubbed it as she tried to pull away in her sleep. “Why would I be boiling potatoes in the toilet!?”

“Anyone got smelling salts?” Onyx the paused. “Preferably sticks… She needs shock”

There was a pause as Thunder dodged Zoom’s flailing hoof, his heart racing as tears formed in his eyes. Everyone looked at Pipp with concern as she sighed. “I git a few…” She responded. Nit wanting to use them, but knew this was an emergency and she needed to give them up. Likely to save Zoom from this nightmare she was stuck in.

”Queen- Don’t die!” Zoom cried in her sleep, kicking her legs. Thunder slowly went over and put a hoof on her shoulder as Pipp and Izzy raced to the bathroom. “She’s right here. she’s okay…” He tried to calm her down.

“It’s just a nightmare…” Sunny added, humming a tune slightly. It worked for Sparky once, so it was worth a try, even if it was for a no-nonsense fully grown mare. As Zoom calmed down, tears forming in her eyes as they almost fluttered open. Onyx grabbed the smelling salt sticks in a hurry, into her magic aura they went. Dapple playing some relaxing music to try and calm this tense music. Focusing on his beats on his bongos he had brought with him for whatever reasoning.

“What’s her most disliked smell?” Asked Onyx.

”Doesn’t matter, does it!?” Thunder shouted, grabbing two random boxes from Pipp’s hooves and ones from Izzy’s. Taking a few sticks from each. Then putting them near Zoom’s muzzle and hoped it would work. “Please wake up, please wake up.” He whispered after wiping a tear from his eye. Everyone watching closely, he snapped them at all with all his might. Zoom’s eyes snapped open and she snapped up, coughing violently and waving the air with her hoof. Smiles appeared on almost everyone’s faces as they stared at her.

”You’re okay!” Cried out Jazz as she watches Thunder hug her tight.

She was silent as she looked around the room, trying to process what was happening. Her body trembling as she tried to figure out was was going on. So many faces looking at her, but why? He heart was racing as she felt sweaty, gulping as she tried to speak. Jumping a little as Haven toughed her shoulder, her muscles tensed as she looked at her. ”Y-your majesty?” She gulped.

“are you feeling okay, Zoom? You gave ll of us a scare…” She said worriedly. Making her sigh as she looked down with sorrow.

”I am sorry, your majesty…” she sighed as she looked down at her body. Noticing the duller colours but not saying anything. She couldn’t help but feel tired and sad for some reason..

“Don’t be!” She responded, feeling bad for her.”You were our for hours after you were hit by that griffin’s tool last night! Do you remember anything from it? How are you feeling now?” She paused as she looked at her queen. Groaning a bit as she sat up on her rump, finding the energy to do so as she began to think.

“Griffin?” She question, started to think before she paused. She began to get tense again. Heart racing as her blood became cold. A shiver came down her spine as she pictured the unavoidable beam of whatever it was.

“Yeah! The one that shot you when your barrier failed!” Thunder exclaimed before sighing.

Zoom gulped and felt her heart drop. Hos words made her mouth feel dry as she opened it in shock.vision began to to get blurry as her breathing became irregular, remembering the screams. Sweat falling down as she twitched, remembering the barrier shattering before her eyes. She had not noticed her hooves gripping tightly onto a cushion, looking around at everyone. She was breathing heavily as she stared at her hooves. The world feeling like it was spinning as she looked up.

”Zoom?” A voice called as she sat there. Not sure on what to do or say next. Not even knowing what was happening to her. She felt like she was about to throw up. She tried to speak bit nothing came out. She had not noticed the tears come from her eyes as she looked towards the bathroom. It took her a while before she could say the words.

“I need to be excused.” She said, flinging herself from t,he couch. Wings doing nothing as she flapped them. She ran towards the bathroom. Her only goal at the moment. She just wanted to leave. As soon as she made it inside, she slammed the door shut and flopped onto the ground.

“Zoom?!” Thunder cried out in worry as everyone looked with chock and concern.

”That looked like a pony who had a traumatic flashback they could not run from…” Onyx said bluntly.

”How do you know?” Rocky asked, fear in his face as he looked at the bathroom door.

”I write poetry about emotions and feelings. One about trauma or panic attacks would fit her situation.” She said, actually starting to show concern in her face and voice now. “It’s like it formed a large scar… With the reminders being like pouring salt on it…”

“Of course…” Haven worried as she put a hoof on her face. “I should have known that would have effected her mentally…”

“What should we do?” Thunder asked, voice sounding as if he was about to cry.

“Perhaps we should give her some space for a while…” Sunny responded.

”I cannot imagine how bad that attack was to cause such a nightmare and reaction!” Cried Jazz.

Zoom did not know how Lome long was in the bathroom for, but at least her heart was not so rapid. Neither was her breathing. As she laid against the tub, hooves gripping the edge. Whimpering softly as she was shaking still. But not as badly. She gulped as she got up, looking at her greyed out hoof. That was not normal… What was happening with her? None of this happened before, what was going on? She gulped as she shakily went to the sink, turning on the tap and putting her hooves under it, as if to wash it off. Looking up at the mirror, she was greeted with her reflection, her eyes were puffy and cheeks wet as if she had been crying. Was she? She had no idea, maybe a little light crying, hopefully. Guards don't usually cry… Unless you are Thunder. Soon enough, she gasped as her ears perked towards the door, it slowly opened to reveal Thunder who had a plate of cookies in his hooves. From Autumn when she made them, he brought them along. She was filled with more dread again, he must have been so worried.

”Th-thunder?” She whispered in fear.

”Uh…” He looked at the cookies he had taken with him and sighed. They were the same ones Autumn had made for Zoom for when she woke up. “I don’t understand what happened… But uh. You must be hungry, do you want some cookies?”

”I guess so…” She said, looking down and gloomy as if she were ashamed of something. She grabbed one and slowly ate it as he talked to her.

”It must have-“ He started them paused. Not wanting to bring up the events from last night and cause whatever happened to happen again. “How are you feeling?” He asked her.

”I don’t know…” She responded sightly. Not saying much else as she ate her food. She felt weak, scared, useless and pathetic. She felt like crying as she sat there, slightly grateful Thunder was here, schooching over to him slightly. Her wings trembling as she ate.

Thunder only sat there. Watching her, allowing her to go at her own pace. His heart was beating rapidly. He felt massive amounts of guilt, never seeing Zoom like this before. So dull and depressed. He was scared, too. ”I think Sunny and her friends will get to the bottom of this. The good guys always win, right?” He asked her. He did not get a respond as she just sat there, silently, markings under her eyes. Just noticed right now. The two of them just sat there in silent. Thunder listening to whatever Zoom was going to say. He didn’t know the best way to deal with a panic attack. But he was going to stay here till she was ready.

Pipp sat on the chair and put her phone down. Her friends, sister and mother looking at her with concern. “I put up a blog and the description according to what you saw.” She explained to Haven. “I will make a warning in my next stream.”

”That sounds great!” Haven exclaimed. “I will keep you updated when anything suspicious happens. And let Alphabittle know, too.”

After a bit of silence, the bathroom door opened and Haven made a concerned gasp as she watched her two guards walk out and towards her. Both bowing down right in front of her. ”Oh, Zoom, Thunder. Is everything alright, now??” She asked, sorrow and concern in her voice. Thunder got up, floppy ears in sadness as he looked at her. Soon noticing his partner still bowing before she looked at her and spoke.

”Your majesty!” She whimpered before getting up. “I humbly apologise for my-“

”No need to apologise, Zoom.” She sighed. “You did everything you could. It’s not your fault that dreaded thing zapped you of your magic.”Thunder nodded in agreement. Feeling like she had zapped more than just her magic away. But not saying anything as Haven said a few more things to her daughters before saying goodbye to them on the way out the door. Him and Zoom following her outside there door where they were greeted by two other royal guards. Who had come for extra protection after the attack.

”She’s awake!” Exclaimed the younger guard with glee before looking at his partner. Tapping his chocolate coloured hooves and swishing his grey tail without knowing.

His older brother stares at Zoom grumpily. She was awake, but not better it appeared. He softly hit Coffee, his young sibling, with his white tail to get him to stop tapping his hooves. He snickered as Coffee gave him a sad face. “I think there’s something going on with you, too.”

”I can’t help it!” Coffee argued. “I just can’t!”

“Coffee, Clay. Stop arguing!” Haven scolded, not understand what they were arguing about. The two guards immediately bowing in sorrow.

”We apologise your majesty.”

”We will work on it.” Coffee sighed, looking down at his hooves. Hoping he could stop tapping them like he does. By no matter what he tries, he eventually does it without really thinking about it. Ir was like something was going on with him. But what was it?

”Good… Now let’s go home…”

All pegasi lifted their wings and faced the direction they wanting to go. Four pegasi sending themselves in the air as they flapped. Leaving one pegasus on the ground. Unknowingly. Zoom stared at her wings in shock as her heart raced. She tried flapping them again, but nothing. The queen was getting further and further away, she had to hurry up. She jumped into the air, flapping as hard as she could before landing on her hooves. ”Your majesty!” Shouted Zoom. “Wait for me!” She cried. Running through the grass, towards the direction they were going on. Desperately holding out her wings. Heart racing as as raced, not knowing why she was so fall of fear as she watched them leave without her. She kept running, until she found herself above a small drop. She did not stutter before jumping into the air, off the ledge, flapping her wings, with no avail as she dropped. Tumbling down the grassy hill and onto the damp grass. Groaning as she laid on her belly. She face-planted on the ground with a groan, she shoulda known something was up. Her colour was mostly gone for a reason! Maybe it stopped her from flying somehow. Or maybe, the light magic was not the only magic sucked from her. Or the whatever it was locked away her pegasus magic. Leaving her flightless. She groaned as she lifted her head, sensing somepony in front of her. Feeling shamed as she followed the green legs upwards to see Thunder’s face.

”Zoom?”

”Ugh…” Zoom groaned as she shakily got up. Looking at Thunder with a defeated expression as the rest landed near her.

”Y-You can’t fly?” He asked sadly, of course she couldn’t! He should have known, or at least had the idea that her magic did not return when she woke up! The griffon stole it, of course she wouldn’t be able to fly. He felt rather dumb as he looked at her with concern. Her heart started going faster as she looked over at the queen, who felt a little silly too, not thinking that Zoom was gonna have a hard tome following. Zoom sighed, feeling like a failure as she apologetically looked down, bowing her head in shame. She felt like a useless lump now. Like a tool that was very useful, but eventually grew old and broke, meaning it was nothing more than junk. Being thrown out, no longer doing what it could do well enough. Even felt a lump in her throat as she gulped, looking at the queen sadly. Ears droopy as she glanced. Unable to see her in the eyes. Even if everyone was looking at her with concern, understanding what was going on. She felt like she was being judged.

”Oh Zoom…” Haven said softly as she looked down at her. “I…” She said. Not wanting her to feel like she was in trouble. Even tho she felt like she was. In her mind, she was wondering what kind of punishment would come. Clean the bathrooms? Give Cloudpuff a bath, which was much worse than it sounded. She and Thunder had to do it once when Haven had a terrible cold and her daughters were unavailable. He ended up covered in mud.

She looked back at her right wing, looking at it sadly as she spread it out. Watching confused as Thunder inspected it. “I’m no doctor. But…” He paused as he eyed her rump. “I think your magic is hone… Just as i feared.”

”What?” She whispered quietly. Looking at her right flank with a gasp. Her cutie mark faded. Nothing more than the shape greyed out. Hard to even notice. Not paying attention at the four others gazing at her. “Sh-she took my magic and my cutie mark…” She growled and stomped her hooves, sounding angry now. “More importantly. She broke into the castle and endangered lives! Where is she?!”

”Zoom!” Thunder exclaimed. Haven waiting patiently for her time to speak. Even if she didn’t have to and could tell Thunder be be quiet. She didn’t want to, they were close and she felt it was right for him to say something at the moment. “Do you really think you are capable of fighting her?” His voice cracked as he spoke. “Y-you saw for yourself how powerful she is. Now she has your power, hunting down the other two and who knows what else she has!”

“Zoom… I think you should stay here for a while…” Haven sadly added. Noticing Zoom open her mouth as if the ask her ‘why?’ But changing her mind. “You are ill… With some magic problems, Zipp, Pipp and their friends know a lot about this kind of stuff. More than I do. You know know guards stay off work when injured or ill. Till they are better…”

“I think she’ll be alright!” Responded Coffee with a smile. Zoom not saying a word as she slowly felt more ashamed. “It’ll just be like before we were able to fly!”

”Coffee!” Shouted Zoom, annoyed. ”I suppose you do have a point… But I am not sure if she can take it… I am just worried…” Haven agreed but gazed at Zoom. “I suggest you get a check up.”

-

Zoom went to the doctor’s room in Zephyr Heights. While Thunder stood inside with her. There were three chairs for visitors to be seated. The room had wooden floors amd white walls. There was a log of shelves and draws holding all sorts of things a doctor would need. There was a picture frame and a small plant on the desk. Behind it was a grey and dark blue pegasus stallion, writing some stuff down.He got up with a stelhelescope and adjusted it. Putting the bit on Zoom’s chest as she sat up on her rump, giving him the access he needed. He closely listened to her heart, looking a little concerned as he moved it around. Getting a good listen to her lungs, too. Then the doctor grabbed a popstick and a torch. “Okay, Zoom. I think you know what to do here?”

Zoom glanced at him a little sleepily, not wanting to have anything to do with anything here. She had a deep feeling of tiredness. She just wanted to go back to the palace and forget what happened. She groaned, opening her mouth. “Ahhh…” She said tiredly as she allowed him to look in her mouth. For as long as he needed before he wrote some more things down. Finally doing his tests that felt like it lasted forever.

”What’s the result, doc?” Thunder’s voice shook as he spoke. Eyeing Zoom who looked close to snoozing. Clearly in no state of doing guard duty at the moment. She looked ill.

”Besides a few tense muscles, slow to response, tiredness and slightly slower heartbeat. I don’t see anything to worry about… She just looks like she needs some more sleep if anything. Then he paused as he looked down. “I’d say also think of seeing a therapist. Just a suggestion after hearing the attack last night and the panic attack she had.” He explained with a serious tone, adjusting his glasses as he stared sternly at Zoom then looked down with a sigh. “I cannot find any reason or cure for her dulled out coat, lost magic or cutie mark, unfortunately.”

There was a pause as he looked at Zoom and back at the doctor. “I think i should have a talk to you privately. .” He said turned to Zoom then Thunder. “If that’s alright with you.”

”Understandable, Doc. Thank you for your time…” he thanked. Knowing the drainage of Zoom’s magic was why her coat became dull. Even tho nopony’s coats were not dull before magic returned. Well, not any she knew about. So it was still rather odd. But Sparky was apparently similar… Thunder left the room. Leaving the doctor to talk to Zoom.

”Will I be able to do my duties?” Asked Zoom.

”Zoom.” The doctor said before sighing. “I know you are determined to do your duties, but I need you to think about this. Are you well enough? You may think you are physically healthy, but are you mentally healthy?”

There was a pause as Zoom looked at him. Thinking about the incident earlier, the panic attack in the bathroom. But honestly, it only happened once, right? It may never happen again. ”I believe so. It was just a result of getting hit by that magical thing… I should be fine.”

“Zoom…” The doctor sighed. “I’m serious about this.” He said before being interrupted.

“And I’m serious about my duties. Any idea how important they are? Especially at a time like this?” The doctor then sighed at her response..

“Look… I’m just gonna give you some advice, but it’s up to you if you need it or not.”

”I won’t” Zoom said, rolling her eyes but listening anyway.

The next morning, Zoom grumbled under the blankets. groaning as she slowly got up and looked at the clock. Coat in a mess as she looked over at the alarm clock in her beside table. As she sat there, she felt exhausted! The result of some nightmare, she couldn’t remember the details of it, like something was in her head, keeping them from her. But it wasn’t important, just some goofy, dumb dream. She’d forget it in a few minutes. But that was no excuse to not get ready. But the doctor’s filled her mind, which she shook off. Magic nor not, she was not going to neglect her guard duties. She could do them before magic returned, she can still do them after, even if hers was stolen, or sealed away at the moment. Looking at her bed, she noticed that her blankets were thrown about or kicked off. Which wasn’t a huge surprise, she felt rather hot last night. Getting up, she yawned a little before grabbing a bag of things to take into the shower with her.

“Zoom!” Exclaimed Autumn as she headed out her room before she paused. “How are you going? You must be so glad you are awake now, right!?” She asked, soon seeing her glare at her, looking rather unamused about something. Then she sighed and just started walking.

“Not important…” She said, not feeling the mood or energy to say something else.

”You heard her last night?” Thunder asked, his bedroom being right between hers and the training ground. Autumn’s was on the other side of her.

“No… Why?”

“I heard ger yelp through the wall that separates our rooms last night…”

Zoom yawned as she headed into the bathroom, putting down her stuff before heading inside a shower stall. She turned the water on and sighed, not really feeling the energy to have a shower, but had to. This was all going to be fine, she assured herself as her heart raced, aggressively scrubbing her fur, as if she was trying to wash away the way. Maybe Coffee was right, yesterday, it would still be like before they had magic. She could do her duties just fine before she had them. If only she could wasn’t away this feeling of fear, anxiety and distress within her. Why was she like this? The griffon was to return, that’s why. She needed to prepare for when it happened. As she rinsed the soap away from her body, she looked down at her coat. The beautiful sky blue was indeed replaced by a grey colour, like the sky on a rainy, stormy day. Why did sucking away her magic, or sealing it off from her manage to take away her colours, too? But whatever, she had duties to attend. She walked out after she was all rinsed off from the soap, she aggressively dried herself the best she could with a towel. There was no hairdryers, because someone keeps breaking them…

“Hey Zoom!” Autumn said as she walked in behind another guard. “How are you this morning?”

“You asked me this before my shower…” She snarled at her, looking more annoyed than she was.

“Yeah, I know.” Autumn said with a smile as she brushed it aside. “Figured you were busy, so I decided to-“

”Still am!” Shouted Zoom, flopping her towel over her back. “You get ready for your duties, Autumn. There’s no time for chatting! After that attack, the queen is still in danger Don’t pretend she’s not!” Spat Zoom as she walked to her room, throwing her towel down and groaning, not feeling in the mood for anything. She grumbled as she yawned again, feeling really weary and tired since she woke up this morning, she didn’t sleep well. But she couldn’t sleep in, being late to your duties was a huge n-no. So she had to deal with it. Putting on her chest-plate and helmet, she went out the door and ,and sure Thunder was ready before they made their way to where they needed to be. Autumn watching on with concern as she went to get herself ready.