Team Superstars: Regain The Strength

The next few days were rather neutral. Ponies stayed home in fear, but most went out and did their thing. Staying alert. Comforted by the fact that the was only after a select three. But just in case anything suspicious was seen, it was to be reported to Hitch and/or Zipp as soon as they were seen.

But Alphabittle, Onyx, Dapple, Rocky and Pipp had agreed to send a single emoji if an encounter were to happen, or be assumed to happen soon. They agreed that a single eagle emoji would do the trick. One that none of them would usually use. Without at least a message to go with it. Plus, it was easy to find and quicker than saying. “Help! The griffon is here right now.” Or something like that.

As time went by, ponies kinda started to calm down. Except for Sunny, her friends and Team Superstars, what the three ponies called their team. It was Jazz’s idea but they went with it. They were a bit concerned when they remembered that Zoom was attacked when the sun went down, only a week ago.
Jazz watched the clock with worry as the closing time for the salon was long past, it was a late one thanks to a large group of ponies needing last-minute makeovers for a party. She sat near a chair, having just finished a customer who just left. Leaning against it and staring at nothing, whimpering as thoughts came through her mind, she didn’t want to walk home in the dark. She never thought anyone would be after the light powers. Using then that would suck their confidence, hope and courage from them. She did not know how hopeless and depressed Zoom had gotten, even if she did see her when she woke up. But she knew about the panic attacks and fainting that happened.

”Hey Jazz.” Pipp greeting, resulting in Jazz jumping out her skin and screaming. Gripping onto the chair as he heart raced.

”Pipp!” She scolded. “You frighted me!”

“Sorry!” She chuckled. “You are still worried, aren't you?” She asked. “Don’t be! I am confident that Zipp’s plan will work. If we see her, I will send the emoji and they'll come and get her. Got it?”

Jazz sighed as she petted her on the shoulder, shaking a little as her heart started racing. Will it be really that easy to catch her? Thinking of all the possible reasons why this thief would possibly want her light powers. Hers was the most useless of the three. In her eyes at least. When would a powerful blast, as strong as a cannon, light cone in handy doing styling? Or the ability to move water while freezing or making it warmer at will? Or singing a song to effect emotions or make someone unwillingly dance along? At least Zoom’s came in handy for protection, speed and agility. Onyx’s came in handy, too!

”I guess so…” She whimpered, looking down at her and trying to calm herself down. Hoping she was right about this.

“She might not even show up!” Grinned Rocky as the last customer left. “She didn’t show up for the last few times. Maybe she’d struggling.”

”She had a device, Rocky, from what I heard.”

”Maybe the device broke?” He suggested.

“I hope so…” Jazz sighed… Resting against the chair. “I really hope you are right.”

Half an hour later.

Pipp’s heart was racing as she looked at the cloaked griffon, while sitting next to Rocky. While she was secretly sending a message on her phone, by hiding it with her wings the best she could. Staring at the griffon with fear. There was no word exchanged as she stood in the doorway, glancing towards the stage. It was sudden to see her burst the doors open. Jazz barely scurrying away before she was seen by her. Hiding somewhere in the storage room on the side of the building. Surely she was able to hide in there well enough. It was awkward silence as a red ball randomly rolled in, no one paying much attention to it. A foal or the wind could have accidentally moved it towards the salon’s open doors. ”Do something.” Whispered Pipp. Hoping for a distraction of some sort. She nudged Rocky who froze, not wanting to do it, he shivered as he stepped forward. He gulped and slowly walked towards the griffon. Heart racing as he stared at the creature, it was hard to speak for a moment, this was a dangerous creature. One that would harm his friend for what she was born with. It wasn’t her fault. They also weren’t powers that should be stolen. If she really needed them for good, she would have asked.

”You are just in time!” Rocky exclaimed, trying his best to not sound nervous. He wanted to act natural. As if this griffon wasn’t here for pain. “Nice to meet you, been a while since we’ve seen a griffon like you, looking good!” He exclaimed. Never seeing a griffon in person, so he indeed never seen a griffon like her. “Pick anywhere you'd like and I will be with you in a minute.” He responded, thinking fast for a distraction holding up a brush. “So. Any styles or colours on your mind Right now?” He asked, pretending he was talking to a normal pony who walked into the salon. “I can do anything from a simple dye to a whole fancy haircut perfect to-“

The was a pause before she answered. ”No.” Staring into Rocky’s eyes before taking a step forward.

“Too bad!” Zipp shouted, coming through the open doors, she pouncing on the griffon, holding her down. Hitch using vines to kept her confined. Sunny raced in, finding a spot in the middle of the salon, deciding to not activate her alicorn powers at the moment. Who knows what would happen if they were stripped from her. It would be better at the moment if this villain was still unaware of them.

”You weren’t prepared for this, were you…” Smirked Zipp as she stared down slightly, feeling proud of herself. But also feeling uneasy. This was a little too easy, there would be no way she’d be letting up this easy. There was more going on, wasn't there? She pulled down the hood, staring into the griffon’s eyes as she turned her to face her. Her claws and paws still bound together. “What is the meaning of this!?” Zipp shouted. The eyes of the griffon looking unnatural in a way. Nearly no emotion. Yet.

”You thought I would fall that easy?” She asked. “Why don’t you say hello to my friends?”

”What?” Whispered Hitch.

”Okay, Foxglove, Oleander … Attack!”

A red ball started to glow and shift. Changing shape into its true form. This creature was shaped like a dinosaur, almost. Like a rex or a raptor, but about Alphabittle’s height. If not a bit bigger. The limbs were obviously made so it could choose to be on either all fours or on two legs whenever it pleases. The exact same one that was there when Zoom was attacked. It was a reddish-brown colour with a light yellow belly. Ivory spines were along the back. Almost shaped and placed like how iguana’s spines are. It was obvious this one’s name was Foxglove. A tough looking dinosaur for sure. But what kind? No one saw this one in any dinosaur books or movies. Perhaps a hybrid? Dinosaurs are extinct, anyway. So how is there a shape shifting dinosaur? Oh well, that could be answered later. The other one also had a dinosaur appearance but came through the front door. Slightly longer and had a pair of wings. It was not as buff looking, but its green body was sleeker in shape. It had smaller light yellow spines down the back and with darker green stripes. Three lines down the tail where there was a tuft of feathers. The muzzle and legs reminded the group of something between crocodiles and an Allosaurus. It appeared she was Oleander.

“Hello there!” Hitch tried to not sound scared at he greeted them. No time to dodge as Oleander shoved him away with her foot and helped Gumdrop up. Foxglove roared loudly. Sunny had no time to avoid being slammed by the tail

“Sunny” Pipp cried in horror.

Oleander crushed down her foot on Hitch as Gumdrop chuckled. Seeing each pony in the room stare at her with determined. Each holding an object. “You think we are going down that easily, huh?” Sunny said, brushing herself off.

”Your reign of magic theft stops right here! Like the lasts stop of a train…” Zipp would have groaned and rolled her eyes upon Pipp quoting the movie. But it did not matter. She noticed Rocky look sternly as he help a brush like it was a bat.

“You are outnumbered!” Shouted Hitch. “So either surrender with your hooves-or whatever- in the air! Or prepare for what comes next!”

”Never…” Gumdrop smirked. Allowing Oleander and Foxglove to growl..

Jazz’s heart was thumping as she at there in the back room. Her hooves were trembling as she laid there, hidden behind boxes of stored equipment, she gulped as she shouted behind the door of the room. Wanting this to be all over. She tried to make herself as small as possible, not wanting to be caught. But she didn’t want to be here. She wanted to help them fight! But they wanted her to hide, if her powers were taken from her. Then this thief would be more powerful. Or be closer to succeeding in whatever plan she needed them for. But she could possibly make the thief fall to sleep with her singing. Or even use to plant magic to help in some way! There was the noise of growling and shouting. She could not work out what they were saying. Only hearing a few words. ”I don’t know where she is!” She heard Pipp shout from behind the door. followed by an ordering shout and a loud scream. Jazz instinctively put her hooves to her mouth before she cried out in horror. Tears forming in her eyes as she made herself smaller behind the box. Wimpering and clenching her teeth as every shout, crash or scream. There was the noise of an object shattering. Jazz put her hooves to where her ears would be as she winced more. Hearing more crashing and yelping from her friends. Along with a few growls and roars from some other creatures. Did this griffon bring companions?

“Zipp!” Cried Pipp in horror. After a loud scream and crash. She sounded horrified. Jazz’s heart stopped as she heard Pipp’s cry. Hoping her sister was alright. She had never heard her like this before. She nearly jumped as she heard the door knob turn, ducking down further behind the boxes. Taking a quick peak through a gap. Shaking more as the door slowly creaked open. Revealing the dreaded face.

”Oh no you don’t!” Shouted Hitch before being hit by something as demonstrated by his screaming. “That’s it! Don’t say i didn’t warn you!” Then the loud, painful roar of some creature.

Jazz was frozen in fear. Most her view obscured by cupboards and storage. Her hooves would not stop shaking as her hooves trembled. She didn’t want to wipe the sweat coming down her face as she gulped. Her teeth were clenched as she shakily looked up again, making a gasp as the creature looked in her direction. Hoping she ducked in time and was not spotted, she crouched down. Her heart racing and breathing was heavy.

”Ready or not… Here I come!” Gumdrop called out like it was a game of hide and seek. Coming further into the room as she turned on the light. Jazz’s heart racing even faster as she felt it was kinda getting warmer. She tried her best to stay calm, taking deep breaths in and out. Looking down at her hooves she had a plan. She slowly and gently peaked out the gap between two lots of boxes. As Gumdrop walked further in, holding what appeared to be a watch of some sort. She could not see it clearly from her angle, but as soon as it was put away, she looked into her direction.

”Don’t be scared. It’s just a small surprise! I promise!” She said before crackling, something on her chest under her cloak glowing brightly with red.

”Here goes nothing…” Jazz whispered to herself. Quietly pushing aside the boxes a little to make the gap a bit bigger, gulping as she stepped back with she looked in her direction.

“Oh there you are…” The intruder smiled as she looked towards the boxes. It was now or never. Jazz slammed her hoof to the ground, activating her earth pony magic. Wishing for some vines to wrap around the griffon’s legs. Which they did.

”What the?” Gumdrop questioned as vines wrapped around her claws and paws. Another wrapping around her torso as she tried to pull herself free. “Where did these trashy things come from!” She screamed. Vines had knocked over a few things, but it didn’t matter as Jazz grabbed a random cardboard box full of soap. Holding above her head.

“Jazz-tice.” Jazz screamed before throwing them at Gumdrop, hitting her and racing out the door. Slamming behind her. Stopped in her tracks as her heart raced. What she saw was a mess

Bottles and styling tools thrown about. Two dinosaur-like creatures tied down with thorns, vines and ropes. Pipp was holding onto Zipp, tears in her eyes. It appeared she had gotten knocked out in the fight that happened. Her heart raced as she saw Sunny try and clean up the best she could while Hitch was thinking on the best way to get the large beasts out the doors. Rocky was looking into a cracked mirror, one of his wings were limp and blood was coming from his nostrils. But he soon noticed Jazz, who ran towards him, tears in her eyes as he caught her in his hooves. Her body trembling as she sobbed loudly into his chest. ”Hey…” He said softly as he petted her softly. “It’s gonna be okay…”

“Get him away! I don’t wanna hit him…” Gumdrop growled as Foxglove raced towards Rocky. Grabbing him in her claws and holding him down in both front claws. Growling as drool came from her mouth.

“Ugh…” Rocky muttered as some drool splashed on him as he tried to wiggle out. Only for her to push down harder. ”D-don’t hurt her!” Rocky shouted as he tried to wiggle out, but it was no use. He then gasped as he saw a shampoo bottle nearby, just barely within reach. Relieved, he grabbed it in his hooves as Gumdrop laughed, taking something out her cloak. Not noticing Foxglove yelp and cry in pain as he squirted her right in the eye with shampoo. Freeing him as he raced to Gumdrop. Tackling her to the ground.

Jazz was frozen in fear as she watched Sunny grab the box-like device. Keeping it close to her as she watched on. Ready to escape with the box and fix everything. “Run Sunny, Run!” She cried as Sunny raced out the doors. Not noticing Oleander right behind her as she ripped from her vines. Kicking away Hitch on the way out. Foxglove joining her soon after.

“I got her down!” Rocky shouted as Gumdrop growled. Yelping as she clawed him in the face. Eyes now glowing red as she kicked him in the stomach. Making him scream in pain as he fell over. Curling up and wing flailing as he whimpered, hooves on his stomach as Hitch made a vine wrap around her hind legs.

”Rocky!” Jazz cried as he lifted a hoof from his face, shivering and wincing a bit at the blood. He tried to get up, wondering on his next move. His breathing was heavy and he was shaking, a bleeding scar on his cheek, which he hoped would go away soon. He was shaking as he stared at the griffon, frozen in fear and unable to get up, like fear was pushing him down.

”You give us no choice!” Hitch growled. Pipp looking sadly at Zipp who was laid on the chair. Hoping and wishing that she would be okay, not noticing a bleeding wound she she was bashed headfirst into some shelves that collapsed onto her. The force Foxglove hit her with would have been enough, but she had to take it to another level. Jazz ran to Rocky’s side and helped him up. Hugging him tightly as he whimpered in pain a bit but tried to ignore it.

”I-I'm gonna be fine, Jazz…” He tried to assure her, noticing she was crying.

”How… Dare you!” Gumdrop growled and tried to get free. Pulling at the vines, then chomped at them with her beak, trying to break them.

”Don’t bother with escaping!” Hitch spat.

“Sunny will have grabbed hidden the box by now!” Pipp shouted with pride. “You have lost.”

She left Zipp on the chair and joined Hitch, Jazz and Rocky as the three of them stared down at her with smug grins as she tried to break free. Gumdrop’s eyes started glowing red again before she started laughing. ”Oh really?” She asked. Oleander soon entering the doors. Throwing Sunny to the ground and tossing her the box. Everyone froze in fear as she laid on the ground, wimping as she held her foreleg. Looking up at everyone apologetically.

“I-I’m sorry.” Sunny whimpered.

”Look at you! None of you are any match for my power! Weak, useless, pathetic…”

Sunny groaned as she cried. Trying to get up but flapping back down, breathing heavily, till Hitch helped her up. Everyone was frozen in shock, except for Jazz, who stared at this griffon angrily. Rage building up inside as she stared at this heartless beast who attacked her friends. She looked around at the furniture that looked as if it was carelessly knocked down and the objects thrown about. “That is it!” Yelped Jazz as she marched forward, her heart racing as she stared into the cold, heartless eyes of this thief. This intruder that was here with this mysterious light power she was born with. Destined to have. “I don’t know why you want it. But you aren't having it!” She growled, her hooves glowing as Gumdrop smirked. He eyes lighting up with glee. As both dinosaur-like creatures stood on either side of her.

”Jazz, no!” Whispered Pipp as she reached out. Oleander and Foxglove leaned forward. Growling slightly but grinning slightly. Looking excited as the latter licked her lips.

“Now, girls. We aren’t gonna eat them…” She said with a smirk as she took out the box, her victim's hooves glowing brighter. All the pony’s hearts were racing as they watched.

”Get back. It’s dangerous.” Rocky whispered towards her, getting no response.

”Easy prey…” The griffon smirked, just about to open it before Jazz slammed her forelegs to the ground. Sending a waves of light that hit the three, sending them flying back. Foxglove shape shifted into a ball once it hit her, Gumdrop was sent out the door. Oleander smashed into a window with a pained roar.

“The windows!” Pipp cried.

“Wh-what?” Groaned Zipp as she got up. Her head felt like she was spinning as she tried to work out what was going on. Soon distracted by a hug.

”You are alive!” Cried Pipp. Hugging her tight. Everyone else looked out the door. Where Gumdrop was not getting up. The thief was not moving again. Well, it seemed so.

“You did it!” Rocky hugged Jazz tight as she rested on his chest. Looking up at him with a smile. Her heart was racing and she looked a bit sweaty. “You defeated her!”

Everyone noticed Oleander slowly get up. Looking rather sad as it made some soft noises. Soon making her way outside for some reason. As if she accepted defeat, or was scared of this place. No one minded too much, just hoped she wasn’t going to cause trouble anywhere else. “What do you think will happen now?” Asked Jazz.

“I think we clean up the salon obviously. I can use my money and borrow some of mother’s money to do some repairs…” Pipp said with a slight smile. Glad everything turned out alright. It was a shame the salon was damaged, but it was structurally safe. Only the equipment and a lot of merchandise got damaged. But she was rich enough to replace all of them with no problem. Being the princess of Zephyr Heights has perks.

“But more importantly. We need to find where she put Zoom’s powers! She could still use them for bad!” Exclaimed Zipp in shock.

”Exactly! This is not over!” Rocky added, petting Jazz in a comforting away. “Where is she, anyway?” He asked, seeing as the griffon was no longer laying right outside the salon.

Everyone froze in shock, soon hearing some heavy breathing as they turned their heads in horror. Seeing the griffon soar above them and land on the stage. “Time to get serious.” She bluntly responded immediately opening the box. A electrically ball of energy forming.

”No!” Screamed Pipp as the electricity shot out. Hitting Jazz who had no time to dodge. Rocky held onto her as she screamed a blood-curdling scream. Almost like she was dying. All he could do was hold her, feeling the burning pain, too. But in the pain, she managed to push him away from her before he started to get effected too. Making him land on the ground with a thud. Looking up in fear seeing the electric power surround Jazz before she lost conscious. Flopping to the ground, as it went away, colours desaturated by a lot.

”Jazz!” Screamed Rocky as everyone stood there. Frozen in fear as they watched him try and wake her up. “Jazz! No. Please, no, Jazz!” He cried. Holding her close to him as he whimpered. His heart racing as a tear ran down his face. Feeling broken as she just laid there, being picked up by Rocky. He was thankful she pushed him away so the electric energy didn’t hurt him, too. But why did she have to lose hers, they were so close to stopping the griffon, but here they are.

“No…” Zipp looked on with sadness. Hitch bowing his head in shame as he mourned defeat.

“This is not the end!” Sunny shouted as the thief ran out the door. Taking the red ball with her, too.

“Sunny!” Hitch reached towards her with worry as she activated her alicorn magic. Quickly gazing at him before he sighed. Realising he cannot stop her from what she was about to do. Besides, she just might be able to save the light powers somehow. Maybe finally defeating this griffon. He brushed off what he was about to say and said something else instead. “Good luck…” He responded. Sunny nodding and dashing out the door. Chasing after Gumdrop who had taken flight.

Sunny zoomed through the air, chasing after the thief. “You are not getting away with anyone’s magic!” She shouted, catching up.

”I don’t want your magic.” She paused. I wanted hers!”She exclaimed. Oleander jump scaring Sunny with a roar, almost knocking her from the sky by whipping her head.

”Woah!” Squealed Sunny as she proceeding narrowly miss the tail. She did not take the eyes off Gumdrop. Even when she dodged a chomp. Surprised to see Oleander had not given up after all.

”Would you quit it!” She bumped Oleander's nose. As a result, she flew upwards and away. Allowing Sunny to continue. “I don’t care who! You are not taking anyone’s!” Sunny shouted angrily, getting mad. “I don’t want to fight you unless that’s the only way I can get my friend’s powers back!” She wanted to grab and strangle this griffon for putting so many loves in danger. But refrained. Violence was not the only answer, besides. Maybe she had issues that would be made worse by fighting. Oleander whacked Sunny with her tail. Luckily Sunny was able to get herself upright again and keep flying. Quickly returning to Gumdrop’s side.

“I want you to leave!” Shouted Gumdrop. Flying above the rain clouds, doing a loop up and turning.

“No!” Sunny shouted. Getting a little tired. “I just want to talk to you. I just want to understand!” She paused and sighed. “Why are you doing this to them!? Why are you so upset!?”

”Nothing!”

“I don’t understand. But I know something is wrong! Violence is not going to fix whatever happened!” Sunny shouted, feeling more concerned. But confused on why she hadn’t attacked her. There was a pause as the two soared through the clouds. The only noise of flapping wings. “Is this how you treat friends?” Sunny said softly. Whacking Oleander who had tried to bite her again.

”Friends?” Gumdrop’s voice was now soft as she soared through the air. He body language was not as tense anymore, she started to look a little relaxed. Which made Sunny feel safer to fly near her, closer. He heart was not racing as fast as she took some deep breaths, looking at Gumdrop’s face. She looked kind of sad now. Rather than angry.

Did she open a memory?

“Friends?” Gumdrop said. Gritting her teeth before shouting at Sunny. Her eyes now glowing red as she slapped her heard. “Why would I need friends!”” She roared, “They only betray you and leave you for the dead!” Her posture was angry again. Showing no remorse as Sunny sorrowfully rubbed her cheek, now bleeding from the slap. Thanks to the sharp claws.

“H-hey!”

“Leave me alone!” Gumdrop shouted. “You don’t understand!”

“I may not understand what you are going through. But-“

”Yeah yeah!” She shouted, fluttering around Sunny. “Heard it so many times before… Friends don’t abandon you. They don’t leave you for the dead and forget about you! After you've been wounded by a bullet!” She grumbled and crossed her forelegs. “I know because I witnessed it myself! I am no longer falling for such scam!”

Sunny was speechless. What on earth happened to this griffon that mare her despise friends so much? Did something happen in the past? She gulped, feeling a little scared as Gumdrop fluttered away. Feeling a little sorry for her, but she sight. “But- Wait!” She exclaimed with worry as she reached out.

”I will not wait anymore! I had enough!” She said, turning around as her eyes shone red. There seemed to be an object on her chest under her cloak also shining red. What was it?

”Oh! Okay…” Sunny pretended to agree with her to get away from her bad side. She allowed for about a minute of silence as she flew next to her. “I just wanted to say-“

”I heard it and had enough!” Screamed Gumdrop, stopping in her tracks reaching for something from inside her cloak. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you…” She muttered.

“Maybe those who abandoned you are not fr-“

Sunny yelped in shock and fear as she threw a metallic ball towards her. With quick reflexes, she narrowly dodged it and shouted. “Not cool! That could have hurt me!” she scolded. Immediately watching as Oleander stared at her angrily. Growling, licking her lips.

”Oh.., It willl…” She said before Sunny looked back, seeing the ball follow her. A screen in the middle, counting down slowly as she flew away. She yelped in shock and started to fly away from it, but it kept up. Chasing her further and further from the thief and her pet. It was ticking loudly as it chased. Sounding like a bomb of some dirt. Whatever, she was not taking any chances.

”No, no no!” Sunny yelped as it came closer and closer, she dived into the cloud. Heart racing as fast as it could, sweat coming down her. Trying to aim her magic at it as she looked back. Her heard was racing as it was close to her tail at this point. What was this thing anyway? Some sort of dangerous device that would hurt her!? What would happen when the countdown ended?!

The numbers were getting closer and closer to 0. She managed to fly from it as she pushed herself, but then the whole thing exploded. Catching her, sending her flying as her magic vanished. “No no no!” She screamed. Her alicorn magic gone and the ground getting closer and closer. “Please no, please no!” She yelped. C’mon!” She tried to activate them but they only flickered as her her heart raced. Tears appeared in her eyes as the ground got closer and closer. The rain was not helping either as she fell.

“Come on!” She screamed to herself. Then suddenly, boom! Her alicorn magic was back. She gasped with joy as she lifted her wings, turning herself upright gut still going an enormous speed. Which gave her no time to dodge a tree. Which she clipped her wing on. Sending her spinning and tumbling to the ground below. Creating a crevice as she dived through the dirt before finally stopping. Her alicorn magic fizzled out as she laid there, hurt.