Solar: Hero of Canterlot City

Chapters

Chapter 1-Dusk and Dawn
Chapter 5-A Line in the Sand
Chapter 2-Wired
Chapter 3-Snakebit
Chapter 4-Discharge and Deadly
Chapter 6-Heavy Hitter
Chapter 7-An Elf You Say
Chapter 8-Push to the Limit
Chapter 9-Shadow of an Elf
Chapter 10-Shade of Black Part 1-A Shadow over Sunset
Chapter 11-Shade of Black Part 2: The Deadly Six
Chapter 12-Shade of Black Part 3: Secret Origins
Chapter 13-Shade of Black Part 4: Darkness to Light
Chapter 14-Behind The Curtain
Chapter 15-Primal Instinct
Chapter 16-Battlelines Part 1: The Six Strike Back
Chapter 17-Battlelines Part 2: Heart of Fire
Chapter 18-Beached Bummed
Chapter 19-One Step Forward, One Step Back
Chapter 20-Idenity Meltdown

Chapter 1-Dusk and Dawn

It was a cool summer night in Canterlot as someone was parkouring through the city. Her hair was in a long ponytail with crystallized sun-like ribbon worn, orange-red bodysuit, black pants, yellow sleeves , and black heeled boots with a dark red mask.

"Tell me there is something better, Yee-Haw! Go ahead. Try! How I Spent My Summer Vacation, by Sunset Shimmer. I can sum up the whole thing with one name. I am the Solar Eclipse." She announced herself while landing on a tower. "Only one thing is missing. It's my last night before school starts, and I could use some action."

Solar looked down and saw two bank robbers running away with all the loot.

"I ask and shall receive."

Meanwhile

"Make this jump, and a million bucks richer." High Rise said.

"This ain't a million-buck haul, not after the boss takes his cut," Bit replied.

"Shut up and jump," High Rise said as Bit jumped then he caught in a red glow magic. "Oh crap, not again!"

"Yep, again," Solar exclaimed. "What is this High Rise, the third time this month alone."

"Wait till I get hands on you, skinny little creep!" Bit shouted then Solar slammed him to the ground making him unconscious and then faced High Rise.

"Okay, High Rise, level with me, the new Solar Signal, is it too much?" Solar asked while she ducked from the bag that High Rise swung. "It's my first time trying it out, and I'm not sure it screams Friendly Sun."

Solar lifted the other bag of loot and struck High Rise from the back.

"Be honest, I mean a guy with a lot of experience getting butt-kicked by me, I value your opinion."

At an unknown location, two people were watching the event unfold.

"Is this live feed?" A man asked, then his flunkie nodded. "I have seen enough, bring in the Elites."

"Already on their way."

It was now bright and early in the City as Canterlot High School was about to begin another year. With previous students and some new ones walking in. One of those people was a young woman named Applejack, a farmer at Sweet Apple Acres, she hadn't changed much in appearance since graduation and still wore her classic brown hat but she seemed much wiser, being a young adult and all. At the moment she was currently scanning the crowd looking for her friends.

"Hey, AJ!" Someone called out.

The cowgirl turned around and smiled when she saw her Athletic friend, Rainbow Dash walk over. "Well, I'll be, Rainbow Dash, ain't you a sight for sore eyes," she remarked as she and Rainbow embraced.

"Man, it's good to see you again." Rainbow expressed. "How's the farm?"

"Doing great, now that Big Mac and I are working there full time," Applejack said.

"And what about your sister?" Rainbow inquired. "Staying out of trouble?"

"What do you think?" Applejack questioned with a raised brow.

Rainbow chuckled. "Yeah, I guess not," she said, amused.

"So, Rainbow, what have you been up to?" Applejack asked.

"Well, I've been trying to set up a soccer academy, you know give kids a fun thing to do after school," Rainbow said.

"Cool. That sounds like fun." Applejack

"Yeah… haven't a bit of trouble raising the money though." Rainbow shrugged.

"Just keep it up RD, you'll get there," Applejack assured her.

"Thanks," Rainbow said, sharing a smile with her

"APPLEJACK! DASHIE!" A loud voice yelled.

"Hey… that sounds like…" Rainbow began.

"Eeyup," Applejack confirmed before a certain pink-haired girl popped up near them and embraced them in a bone-crushing hug before lifting them...

"Ooh! It's so good to see you guys again!" she squealed.

"It's good to see you too Pink…" Applejack said, feeling the tightness of the hug.

"Yeah, really good…" Rainbow agreed before she finally released her and Applejack. They both rubbed their backs. "You know… I never thought I'd miss your hugs Pinkie."

Pinkie just smiled, happy to hear her friends' words.

"So Pink, what's new?" Applejack inquired.

"Ooh! I've been doing birthday parties for kids all over the place! One time, I even dressed up as a Pony that looked like me!" Pinkie beamed.

"That… is creepy," Rainbow remarked, slowly. Applejack nodded in agreement while Pinkie smiled.

"Yoo-hoo! Girls!" Somebody said, in a sing-song voice nearby.

They all turned and saw their beautiful and fashionably forward friend Rarity walking over to them, causing every male head in the room to turn to her, even the ones who already had girlfriends causing them to get smacked.

"Hey, Rarity!" Pinkie Pie waved.

"Rarity! I didn't know you were gonna be at the reunion." Applejack remarked.

"Well, the schedule at my new fashion school is hectic, but I wouldn't miss this for the world." Rarity said.

"Aw! That's so sweet!" Pinkie Pie gushed.

"You were expecting something else perhaps?" Rarity inquired, smiling.

"Not really, though I am expecting to get those new soccer uniforms I ordered." Rainbow pointed out, smiling. "And they better not be sparkly, ok?"

"You'll have them soon enough, I promise." Rarity assured her.

"So, Rarity, how's your fashion line?" Applejack inquired.

"Oh, going well." Rarity stated, slightly agitated. "But forget about it, I'm just glad to finally be back at Canterlot High after all this time!"

"Me too!" Pinkie Pie nodded. "But aren't we missing some of us?"

They all looked around and then someone softly cleared their voice to get their attention. They all turned and saw their shy friend, Fluttershy, standing right behind them.

"Uh… hi everybody…" The shy girl known as Fluttershy said.

"Fluttershy!" Pinkie cried, happily before she rushed over and gave her a bear hug and a lift into the air, also. "I can't believe it's you!"

"Uh… hi Pinkie…" Fluttershy said. "Could you… put me down now?"

"Ok!" Pinkie said before placing her back down. She smiled at her brightly while the others approached.

"It's good to see you again, Fluttershy." Applejack smiled.

"Yeah, how have you been?" Rainbow Dash asked, curiously.

"Oh… ok," Fluttershy said, shyly glancing at the floor.

"Ok? Come on, ya gotta tell us more than that," Rainbow told her.

"Yeah, come on girl, give us the deets!" Pinkie added, excited.

"But I don't have any deets, I'm deathless…" Fluttershy said, a bit intimidated by Pinkie's enthusiasm.

"Pinkie Pie, calm down, let Fluttershy calmly tell us what she's been doing all year." Rarity said.

"Oh… just doing more volunteer work… I'm even thinking about going to college to become a veterinarian like I originally planned." Fluttershy replied.

"A vet? Oh, wonderful darling! That's the perfect job for you, just like Sunset Shimmer said it would be!" Rarity told her.

"Yeah, it's practically your destiny or something." Applejack agreed, smiling.

"Thanks, girls." Fluttershy smiled, thankfully.

"Ok, let's see… there's Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Me, that leaves…" Pinkie began before someone suddenly spoke up nearby.

"Hey, guys."

They all turned and smiled when they saw her former enemy turned friend, Sunset Shimmer, who had now ceased wearing her leather jacket, approaching them with a smile.

"Sunset Shimmer, as I live and breathe," Applejack remarked, smiling. Sunset returned the smile as she and Applejack quickly embraced. "Good to see ya, sugarcube."

"Yeah, it's been a while." Rainbow agreed.

"How've you been?" Fluttershy inquired, shyly.

"Have you had fun?" Pinkie asked, interested.

"Yes, I had fun and it sure is good to be back together with you guys again after all this time." Sunset expressed.

"Likewise darling." Rarity agreed, smiling.

"So how have things been?" The former bully inquired.

"Oh, you know, same old," Applejack said. "I'm farming."

"I'm volunteering," Fluttershy added.

"I'm parting!" Pinkie chirped.

"I am designing the latest trend." Rarity said, proudly.

"And I'm starting my soccer academy!" Rainbow boasted. "Well… trying anyway. That reminds me that a certain guy is trying to help me find it that I need to talk with."

"Is it your boyfriend, Soarin?" Pinkie inquired.

"Pinkie!" Rainbow snapped, embarrassed. The girls all chuckled, amused.

"Well, I see you guys haven't changed." Sunset Shimmer remarked.

"Hey, why change perfection?" Rainbow pointed out, proudly.

"I have to agree with that, though with a different meaning of course." Rarity said.

"Yeah, we may have gotten older and wiser, but we're still the same and still friends," Applejack stated. The others nodded in agreement and smiled.

"Hey, do you think Twilight's gonna be here?" Sunset inquired.

"Doubt it, I hear she's in that fancy science college trying to get her degree," Applejack said.

Then just as she said those words they noticed the Human Version of Twilight, now no longer wearing her glasses or keeping her hair in a bun and wearing the clothes Princess Twilight usually wore when she came to their world, approaching them.

"Try being the operative word, I'll tell you," she expressed. Everybody smiled when they saw her and Sunset quickly hugged her.

"Twilight!" she smiled.

"Hey, Sunset! Oh boy, I've missed you." Twilight said, happily. She turned to the others. "And you as well, girls."

"Aw, thanks! We missed you too!" Pinkie said, still as bubbly as ever.

"I see you've been keeping up your appearance after all this time, darling." Rarity complimented.

"Thank you, Rarity." Twilight nodded. "Thought it looked nice, so why not wear it like the other me?"

"Good call. So how's getting your doctorate going?" Applejack asked, interested.

"Well, it's been hard but I've come up with a lot of good theories and I'm working on some pretty interesting stuff," Twilight said. "Don't worry, it's not techno sorcery, I promised I wouldn't make any more than a scanner and I haven't."

"Good, because you don't want to break a Pinkie Promise," Pinkie warned her.

"Really? Because I didn't get that after the hundreds of texts, the emails, and the hourly visits."

Twilight remarked, deadpan. "Which, by the way, I did not appreciate when I was in the shower."

"You did what!?" Rainbow asked Pinkie, shocked. The others looked at her, surprised also.

Pinkie smiled, sheepishly and chuckled. "Uh… Whoops?"

"Yeah… wasn't exactly the highlight of my day…" Twilight said. She turned to Sunset. "And what about you, Sunset? What are you doing these days? Last I heard you were looking for part-time work."

"Yeah, it's been kinda hard trying to find one," Sunset confessed, depressed.

"Well, don't worry, I'm sure you'll find the right job," Twilight assured her.

"I hope so…" Sunset said, she paused for a bit then spoke in a more upbeat tone. "By the way, how are you and Flash doing Twilight?"

"We're doing fine," Twilight admitted. "Sure he's always on tour but we talk to each other every minute between when he's not practicing or playing in front of a huge crowd, so it's not so bad."

"But what if…" Pinkie began before Rainbow nudged her hard.

"What if he cheats on me while he's away? Don't worry, I know that hasn't and never will happen." Human Twilight stated.

"How did you…" Applejack began.

"I did my research on long-distance relationships and the pitfalls that come with it, but thanks to

Applejack's advice and the books on lying I will always be able to determine whether Flash is lying to me or not, which he isn't." Twilight explained. The girls looked stunned.

"Yep, you are Twilight Sparkle all right," Applejack remarked, impressed.

At Mercer Corp Industries…

"This is an outrage. A complete outrage!" Wallace Stout shouted to his boss, Darrell Mercer, head of Mercer Crop Industries, along with his top scientist Sassy Saddles.

"I don't understand what the problem is?" Darrell asked. "Your invention of tech flight is flying off the shelves."

"The problem is that you stole my work, I should receive the credit in full, not you."

"That's dangerous talk. Dangerous and unsupportable. Listen, you old buzzard, when you came to work for me, the contract you signed had a fine print, and within that fine print said any tech you make belongs to me and besides it doesn't matter, people today would never believe an old man like you did anything today. Gentlemen, show Mr. Stout the way out."

Two of his bodyguards grabbed Wallace and proceeded to walk out.

"You will live to regret it, Mercer, count it."

"Just like you ask, boss. The Elites are all present and accounted for," Tiger Claw gathers Regina, Slick, and Tusk.

Thank you, Tiger Claw. Everyone, I get to the point. For a couple of months, someone has plagued our operations. At first, I could hardly get credit reports.

"Thought the boys were trying to stiff us. Had to be physical to make sure they were sincere."

Connecting patterns of the movement took the entire summer, but last night we had confirmation. The Solar Eclipse is real.

"And you want The Elites to round up this sun girl?" Regina asked.

No Regina, I want you to smash her.

Meanwhile at Canterlot High…

"Chapter 1 is due tomorrow, boys and girls," the girls' biology teacher Straight Facade said as the students left. "Miss Shimmer, Miss Sparkle, a moment please."

Everyone except Sunset and Twilight stayed.

"I'm wondering if either of you remembers a field trip we took last year to the laboratory of Dr. Midnight Colt at Everton University."

Sunset's hand started to feel numb because that field trip was the day she became her alter ego.

"Trust me. That's one trip I'll never forget," Sunset told him.

"Me neither, Dr. Colt's research was thrilling."

"I'm glad you feel that way because he offered two internships to two promising high schoolers, I recommend my best students. You'll start this afternoon."

…

"Thanks for letting us kill time at your place, Travis," Sunset said to him. "We're not due for another hour."

"I'm surprised you're not hanging out at the school newspaper," Twilight replied.

"Yeah, aren't you their best photographer?" Travis asked.

"Let someone else take pictures of Duke dancing on the gridiron, I did my time for them, I mean look around. All this belongs to your dad and he's a scientist."

Then suddenly they all heard Travis's dad scream being carried off by someone wearing a bird suit.

"What on earth was that?" Twilight asked.

"I don't know but it has my dad, what do we do?" Travis added.

"Call the cops! Do it, go! And Twilight stayed with him," Sunset said. "I'll join you shortly."

"Okay."

Both of them left Sunset alone.

"Alright, Sunset, this is your first supervillain and saving your best friend's dad. Focused."

Sunset dived off the balcony and quickly changed into her costume.

Meanwhile…

"Tell the truth, Mercer. Can your tech flight do this?"

"Stout?"

"Not Stout, I'm Raptor."

Raptor dropped Darrell allowing him to free fall then grabbed him again.

"Stout, stop. Why are you doing this?"

"A means to an end, Mercer. Something you all know all about. You will announce to the world that Wallace Stout is the mastermind behind tech flight. You will pay all that I am owed. And you will apologize for stealing my invention!"

"I never apologize, old man!"

"I may be old but I ain't patient, this is your drop!"

Raptor drops him. As he was falling, Solar Eclipse came by and grabbed him.

"Wow, you guys play hot potato hardcore," Solar said as she carried her.

"What is this?!" Raptor snapped then followed her. "These skies are mine!"

"Free county, beak boy," Solar shot back.

"What are you babbling about? Put me down!" Darrell barked.

"Dude, you are the bossiest damsel in distress I've ever rescued. Not to mention, the ugliest, heaviest, and the first."

"Who are you?"

"The name is Solar Eclipse."

"Solar Eclipse? I thought you were a myth?" Raptor asked as they turned around.

"I need a press agent," Solar said, then saw the police station where two cops were having coffee. "Special delivery!"

She drops Darrell in front of them just as Raptor swoops down on them but misses.

"What's going on?"

"Explanations inside! Now!"

As the cops took Darell inside, Solar went after Raptor.

"Look, beaks, I admire anyone who dresses like Halloween and better still, you can fly. So I have to ask. What's your beef with him?"

"This doesn't concern you, so butt out!" Raptor flew right by her.

"Whoa! Beaky, don't fly away mad."

"The name is Raptor!"

Much later at 's lab…

"Glad to hear that your dad is safe, Travis, talk to you later," Sunset finished his call with him as she and Twilight were walking.

"So, what happened?" Twilight asked.

"Mr. Mercer is doing fine apparently someone named Solar Eclipse saved him," Sunset explained as they walked in.

"Hey, you, two," Their old friend Brisk Storm.

"What's up Brisk," Sunset said as they fist-bumped each other.

"Nothing much, since I started working for the Colts as their personal lab assistant," Brisk said.

"I thought I would be more interested in sports?" Twilight asked.

"I wish, but the back said otherwise," Brisk said as showed them the lab.

…

"Well, do we have here?" Solar said seeing a newspaper ad. "Freelance photographer of Solar Eclipse wanted. Sweet, all I need is to get a photo of Solar in action which shouldn't be too hard since I am her."

Meanwhile, Darrell's limo arrived at his penthouse then his driver opened the door.

"All clear?" Darell asked as stepped outside.

"Mercer!" Raptor as he spotted him making Darell head back into the limo.

"Go! Go!" Darrell said as the limo took off.

"You won't escape me again!" Raptor chased after it.

"My thoughts exactly," Solar thought as she followed them unaware that the Elites were following her by chopper.

"Target sighted as last known location," Regina said. "Boys, time to smash the sun."

Raptor was in striking range of the limo until…

"Trick or treat bird brain!" Solar knocked him off balance. "I mean you're celebrating Halloween in September, right? Or am I not one to talk?"

Solar latched onto him holding him for life as Raptor tried to shake her off with the Elites right behind.

"This has to be the strangest gig Mr. X has given us. We're flying with the freaks now, boys," Regina exclaimed. "I have no clue what the big bird's about but I'm glad he's keeping our target busy. Target locked and fired."

Regina fired the chopper's net at Solar which formed a net around her and crashed atop a helipad.

"Slick, Tusk, you're up," Regina told Slick and Tusk then they headed down.

Tusk dropped behind then Slick kicked Solar into Tusk where he bearhugged her and Solar caught a whiff of his breath.

"Oh, dude, if you needed a breath mint, you just had to ask," Solar said before breaking free of his grip just as Slick pulled out a bo staff and lunged at her.

Solar fired several fire orbs at him, but Slick avoided them and then tried to strike but she dodged it then her head flashed as Tusk attacked from behind punching Solar to the ground.

"Talk about manpower," Solar groaned a bit before getting back up slowly backing away before a pulse blast hit her.

"Ah, ah, ah. Guys need a workout. Now no turning trail," Regina said from the chopper.

"Seriously, who are you guys?"

With Darell…

"I think we're safe," Darell said.

Then Raptor tore right through the top.

Meanwhile…

Slick lunged at her but missed Solar and fired a magic sphere right at him that knocked him out cold.

"Love to stick and fight but there is this Raptor guy I need to deal with so can we put this on hold..." Solar said before Tusk grabbed her and tightened his grip on her.

"Okay, you're strong, but I bet you can't do this!" Solar exclaimed as she let out a small blast of magic that scorched most of his body then Tusk collapsed. "Didn't think so!"

Solar jumped off the building and flew after Darrell's limo with Regina trailing her.

"Kid, you're making the Elites look bad, I can't have that," Regina said.

"You will apologize!" Raptor threatened.

"I won't!" Darrell shot back.

Then Solar hopped in and took a seat.

"Sweet ride, you have here," Solar said. "That sunroof comes standard."

Solar pushed Raptor out of there.

"Why do you defend that thief, Mercer?" Raptor as he slashes a part of her suit.

"Uncool, do you have any idea how much these things cost?!" Solar shouted.

Regina fired shots from the chopper at Solar forcing them to evade them.

"Never thought anyone would like this group of bozos. Only one thing for sure, I can't let my closest friends lose someone they care about," Solar said as got Raptor's back.

"Surf's up!" Solar exclaimed as Raptor tried to shake her.

"There! car park! Go! Go!" Darrell said as the limo headed into the car park far from Raptor's reach, Solar jumped off.

"No. This is all your fault," Raptor said as chased her then both he and Regina circled her.

"Two birds, one stone," Solar thought then headed straight down on Regina's chopper.

"Where did that varmint get to now?" Regina asked as Solar hung on the landing gear, but Raptor went lower and saw her.

"Did you think you could hide from me there?" Raptor asked.

Solar got onto Raptor's back and caused his left wing to jam the second helicopter's blades, which made the chopper fall.

"My wing, I can't steer!" Raptor shrieked.

"Yeah, but still, you're airborne, how is that working out?" Solar said then noticed the humming. "Oh, Beaky, Your hump's humming!"

Solar destroys the source that is on his back.

"You fool! You'll doom us both from this height!"

"You haven't been paying attention," Solar joked, then she used her magic to lower them safely to the ground.

At Sunset's house…

"Well, three of four is not bad, especially on bizarre bad guy night," Sunset said before lying in bed. "Time for some sleep, I have a math test tomorrow."

Author's Note

AU Sunset Shimmer

AU Twilight Sparkle

AU Rarity

AU Applejack

AU Rainbow Dash

AU Pinkie Pie

AU Fluttershy

Chapter 5-A Line in the Sand

It was late at night in the city, and once again High Rise and Bit have to steal sacks of money and were making their way through the sewer system.

"First time I've ever blown my way out of a store," High Rise said.

"Yeah, man, biggest score we ever made," Bit added. "I'm loving it."

"Even better that Solar's not here to cramp our style."

"Didn't know you both had style," Solar came down. "Hey, guys."

Moments later both of them were in a cell.

"Bags of money, and we lost it. I can't believe it," High Rise groaned.

"Well, I can't believe we lost to that pathetic sun-wearing creep, again," Bit grumbled then an officer open their cell.

"Bail's been paid. You're free to go."

Then the two headed outside puzzled about what transpire then a chauffeur came by and led the two to the car and inside the car was Tiger Claw.

"Hello, boys, and welcome to the big leagues," He said to them.

Hours later they were at the warehouse and Tiger Claw and High Rise got out.

"What about Bit?" High Rise asked.

"This is a solo job and Mr. X has his eyes on you."

"Mr. X? Really?"

"Really? He has?"

"For sure."

Meanwhile, at Camelot High, the girls were in the courtroom for their conservation.

"So, what with the lowdown at school?" Sunset asked.

"The football is holding tightened tryouts after school," Rainbow said.

"How come?" Twilight asked.

"Their starter got a leg injury, and the backup is ineligible due to grades, and get this Travis is entering," Rainbow explained then rest of them were surprised. "I know I was surprised when he said that. I thought he was joking."

"Forget football, the fall formal is coming up, who got dates?" Rarity asked. "I bringing in, Fancy Pants."

"Caramel." "Cheese sandwich!" Sandalwood." "Soarin." "Flash Sentry."

"What about you?"

"I'm not sure considering the last time when the Fall Formal came around," Sunset said then look over to a kid with black hair with a red and blue streak on his phone. "Who he's?"

"Him, oh, that's Daniel Kwanson. His family just move out of Manehatten."

…

At the warehouse, High Rise was being strapped up by Sassy Saddles.

"So uh, doc what's with robot arms?" He asked her.

"These allow me to multitask," Sassy explained to the robot arms. "And maintain a safe distance."

"You need a safe distance? What about me?"

"High Rise, relax. Just a simple product and it be painless and completely worth it. Show him," Tiger Claw told her.

"Well, you will be infused with millions of microsize silicon granules thus creating a silicon armor around the entire body. In theory, you'll be able to bypass metal detectors and can't feel any type of physical contact. In short, you will be impervious," Sassy explained.

"Impervious, is that a good thing?"

"It is. Mean nothing or no one can hurt you, including Solar Eclipse."

Much later…

"Please Mr. Mercer, I beg you, I need more time to thoroughly test the experiments," Sassy pleaded to her boss.

"This is the test," Darell puts on his shades. "Now pressed the button."

Doing as she was told, Sassy started the experiment, and silicon headed directly into the body after the screaming and sudden blackout in the building the three High Rise emerged out of the sand.

"This is unreal." High Rise was shocked that his whole body was sand.

…

"You see, told it was worth it," Tiger Claw told him in the car as he return to normal. "You got your legs, you got your clothes. And now you're in color. It's not so bad."

"Not so bad!?" High Rise exclaimed.

"Stuff happened but the result is the same. You got power no one else got, not even Solar. Now you can get revenge for all the times she put you away."

"Yeah! Wait, revenge is for chumps. I don't care about her. All I wanted was the big score and now I have the power to get it."

"Now listen, you little nobody…"

"You listen! High Rise was a nobody, but everyone will know the name of Sandstorm!"

He punched the car door with his fist and slither out of there only to have Tiger Claw shake off his suit.

"You're taking this quite calmly," Darrell said. "I thought X wanted a supervillain to fight Solar?"

"He wanted the sun distracted. You think that the boy won't make a good distraction, you haven't been attention," Tiger Claw said to him as Sandstorm approached a bank.

Meanwhile, Solar was on building thinking to herself.

"All of my friends have someone to go the dance, but I don't sometimes hate the weave of reality," Solar rolled her eyes and then heard an alarm.

She dropped down to see High Rise with a bag of money.

"Oh, man. High Rise? This is getting old. BTW. where's your partner?" She asked while placing her hand on her hips.

"I don't think I need a partner anymore."

Sandstorm dropped the bag then his hand got bigger and he punched Solar in the face then quickly kicked her in the chest which made her go to the ground.

"What just…"

"Happened? I happened. Sandstorm happened."

"Now that is just wrong."

Sandstorm lunged and tried to deliver a punch but Solar vaulted over him and then tied him to kick him but he grabbed her by the leg and threw her to a wall then Solar proceed to throw fireballs at him but they weren't doing anything.

"Ponyfeathers! I need heat and electricity to make glass," Solar feared

Then Sandstorm hammer punches her. Solar quickly acted to punch him in the face but he absorb it and punched her in the face.

"Let me guess. You were on a reality show. Changing Faces or Over the Top Makeovers?"

"Nice, huh? Mr. X did this to me to get to you."

"Mr. X? Who's Mr. X?"

"That's need to know only it's been nice cleaning your clock but I got to roll!" Sandstorm got out of there with money.

"And just what I need another supervillain who got powers," Solar said. "And who wants off my head."

At Canterlot High…

"How's Travis doing with the tryouts?" Sunset asked.

"He's doing great, the day of tryouts is tomorrow and Dan's got it in the bag," Sonata said. "So aside from that. Still unlucky of finding a date for the formal?"

"Yeah, but thinking about to going to the formal by myself," Sunset said. Other than the fact I got to deal with Sandstorm.

…

Solar quickly followed an armored truck that Sandstorm stole.

"Suprise!" Solar came through the window and kick Sandstorm then he punched her in the gut.

"Gee sunshine, if I'm over here, who's driving?" Sandstorm pointed out as the car dropped into a construction site where Solar landed harshly on the ground.

Then the construction workers help her up.

"Thanks," Solar groaned before her head flashed. "You might want to run!"

From out of nowhere, Sandstorm grabbed her and prepared to stab her. Solar quickly got out of the hold and trapped him in a bubble.

"Let's see if you can get out of that! Aw! All trapped and nowhere to go!"

"Who thinks I am, High Rise?" He asked before popping the bubble with ease. "Solar tricks don't work on Sandstorm but do sand tricks work on the Solar?"

"Oh, this can't be good?"

Sandstorm hurled several beams at her making them collapse on top of her.

Meanwhile, the police had just arrived at the area.

"This ain't a problem we can fix," An officer said. "Cordon of area. And pray to Solar can handle the freak.

"That's going to leave a mark," Solar emerged from the pile as Sandstorm was on top of her.

"You know, I hadn't planned on coming after you, but you're just determined to be the cloud hanging over my sunny sandy beach. Time to change the weather, for good."

Sandstorm formed a giant hammer and prepares to strike but Solar blinds him with a magic blast which allows him to get out of there.

"Alright, Sandstorm. Show me what you got. Better yet I'll show you."

She hired a steel beam at him Sandstorm countered and then form two hammers.

"Wow, you sure showed me."

"The hammer thing is getting old."

Solar dogged the hammer swing then Sandstorm wrapped her send her straight into a mixing truck then tighten his grip on her.

"I can do all night. Can you sunshine?" He asked before Solar drop the crane's hook giving her distance between herself and Sandstorm.

"Okay, If I going to bring this guy down, I going to have to dive. Literally," Solar said seeing the water tank then flew over there.

Then Sandstorm caught up and was right on top of her.

"It's over Solar. When you were the only one with powers, you had me beat, but now King Sandstorm is supreme!" Sandstorm exclaimed as he created two spike balls.

"Your Majesty. Allow me to build you a statue in your honor," Solar did a magic blast to the tank and quick-drying cement came down making Sandstorm in a statue. "Michelangelo, eat your heart out."

Much later the officers came in to see Sandstorm as a statute.

"I hope Kelver's Island is a cell for him," An officer said a crane picked him up.

Chapter 2-Wired

Dark, starry skies are looming over the city. The night is in full bloom. Couples are having fancy dinner dates, music is blaring loudly from the nightclubs, and in the park, The Great and Powerful Trixie is putting on a magnificent magic show.

And a jewelry store is being robbed in a dark, secluded street several blocks away.

Two guys dressed in black are behind the register, attempting to crack open a safe and pillage the riches inside. Just outside the store, two more guys are keeping watch.

"Al...most... there..." the bank muttered as he jiggled the lockpick.

"Can ya hurry it up, Quick Change?" the other robber nervously asked.

"Shut up, you know these things take time!" Quick quietly snapped back. "Unless you'd like to try it?"

He fiddled around with the lockpicks a bit more, until...

*click!*

"Bingo." With a satisfied smirk, Quick Change grabbed the handle and pulled. The door swung open, revealing a large sack filled to the brim with glittering gemstones. Quick chuckled, his smile growing ever wider. "We hit the jackpot, baby!"

He didn't notice the dark shadow or the two suddenly-unconscious lookouts behind him.

"Yeah, we're rich, I get it. Can we go now?"

"Are you trying to ruin the moment or something?"

"No! It's just... you know that costumed hero who runs around at night beating up guys like us?"

"What, that Solar Eclipse or whatever she's called? Pfft, just some urban legend."

"But what if she's real? I'd prefer not going hand to hand with her!"

"Come on, we could take her on no problem."

"Are you sure about that?" a third voice asked.

"Yeah, I'm VERY sure ab-" Quick froze. "Oh shellfish."

Someone was behind him. The two turned around, hoping it wasn't who they thought it was. Quick's eyes widened, and the other one's face went pale.

Standing in front of them was a female. Her hair was in a long ponytail with crystallized sun-like ribbon worn, orange-red bodysuit, black pants, yellow sleeves , and black heeled boots with a dark red mask. Her name was Sunset Shimmer but to the bad guys, she's Solar Eclipse.

"Hello, boys," she says coolly as her hands were on her hips.

Quick Change was snapped out of his trance. "What- how-?!" he spat out, quickly glancing at the door and spotting his two unconscious guards.

Solar Eclipse followed his gaze. "Oh, that. Now unless you want to wind up like those two, I suggest you surrender right now."

The two guys stood straight up, one of them bashing his hands together while Quick Change grabbed a nearby bat. "Get real!" he shouted.

"Hard Ball, huh?" Solar Eclipse replied, getting into a fighting stance. "Bring it."

The bank robber yelled and charged at her with his fist and all Solar did was simply sidestepped and drop her foot into his side, causing him to spin and crash into the wall.

Quick Change approached slowly, taking a few practice swings with his bat. He launched an attack at Solar, who ducked the swing. She nimbly dodged and sidestepped the ones that followed, much to his irritation. The last swing, however, hit her right in the face.

"Nice job, you managed to get a hit on me," she remarked as her hands began to glow.

"Oh, son of-?!"

Quick Change barely had time to shout before Solar magically yanked the bat out of his grasp and slammed it against his legs. Shouting in pain, he collapsed, grabbing his broken legs with his arms.

Behind her, the robber had recovered and was running towards Solar, hoping he could punch her face in. She spun around and blocked the fist. then he let loose with a couple more swings that were either blocked or dodged, before receiving a fist to the stomach. Solar spun around and delivered a kick to his legs, sending the attacker headfirst into a display case where he lost consciousness.

She then turned around and saw Quick Change desperately trying to crawl away. The crook gasped loudly when he saw the masked hero glaring at him and started frantically clawing his way to the door. Her hand glowed, and she vanished.

Quick Change looked ahead and saw Solar standing over him. His eyes widened and he started panicking. Using her magic, the heroine lifted him upside-down into the air, dangling him.

"And just where do you think you're going?" she asked mockingly.

"Why you little-!" He tried to pull out a gun, but before he could fight back, Solar flicked it with her foot making him lose it.

"Nice try, buddy."

"I... I ain't scared of ya!" he snapped back.

"If you're not scared then why are you sweating bullets," Solar replied, looking at the man's apparently-melting face.

Quick Change gulped. "J-just let me go... lemme go please!" he begged.

Solar raised her hand to her chin in mock thought. "Hmm... how about this: I knock you out, and when you wake up in a few minutes, you'll be cuffed by the cops, on your way to jail?"

"WHA-?!" was all Quick Change could get out before Solar struck him in the face and dropped him onto the sidewalk, where he lay motionless. Once the police arrived Solar saluted them off and then went the other way.

Much later, Solar arrived at her place. Once she was there, Solar took off her costume revealing her golden skin, aquamarine eyes, and red-and-yellow hair and wearing an orange shirt with a red-and-yellow sun symbol, a black vest with spikes around the neck area, a purple zip-up skirt, and a pair of black studded shoes.

"Not bad, Sunset, three muggs attacks, and a robbery, just another Monday night, speaking of time for me to visit to head straight to Colts' lab."

…

At Colts' lab at Everton, Twilight, Sunset, and Brisk were looking at an aquarium of electric eels and rays.

"In nature, everything is connected," Midnight said as grabbed an eel with pliers. "As scientists, we explore and expand upon those connections to benefit of society."

"We're experimenting with genetically altered electric rays and eels," Brisk said.

"Think what it would mean if we could harness this bioelectricity to generate an alternate form of energy, a clean source of power."

"Sounds great, but you might wanna clean the tank," Sunset said.

"Don't worry, it's clean. The fluid, I call it sludge, increases the eels bioelectric signatures."

"Yes. In fact, those very signatures have become so intense, we call in Dylan to upgrade the lab's bioelectrical filters," Midnight said as his wife Stardust and his son Steel Frisk came in.

"Midnight, I need to get Steel Frisk."

"Sorry, honey I lost track of time. I have to wait for Dylan to finish, but you go ahead. As the two of you, Twilight, Sunset."

Hours into the morning, Solar was just outside of Canterlot High and heard a nearby bank alarm.

"Just for once, can I be early for school?" Solar exclaimed as left to deal with it.

…

Sunset came into class and sat in her seat exhausted.

"Sunset? Are you okay? It looks like you ran a marathon?" Rainbow asked.

"Overslept, I had to work on the essay from Harshwinny," Sunset replied. And considering the fact I had dealt with five crimes that cut into schoolwork. "What's that you're reading?"

"The Canterlot Weekly, they're offering majoring bucks for a photo of Solar Eclipse in action."

"Huh, did not know that?"

"Alright class. Settle down," Straight Facade spoke up. "I know most of you are eager to get yesterday's test back."

The students groaned as he passed their tests back.

"Nice, C-," Rainbow exclaimed.

"Oh, come on, another D-, my parents are going to kill me," Dan said in frustration.

"Nicely done, Miss Shimmer A+," Straight Facade said to her.

Trixie was a little ticked off that she got a 'B' so she grabs the closest object and prepared to throw that moment Sunset's head flashed at what Trixie was doing, she on accident drops her test which allowed her to duck and thrown object hit the teacher's head.

"Ms. Lulamoon!"

"Nice going, Trix!" Sunset thought to herself.

Meanwhile, at the Canterlot Hospital, Brisk came to the hospital on his motorcycle, Midnight Colt called him earlier today that Dylan had a freak accident just last night.

"I heard what happened how is he?" Brisk asked Doctor Lightscope.

"He's alive and that's a miracle, his condition is stable…"

"Maybe he should just see for himself," Midnight said.

All three of them went into Dylan's room and saw him in bed.

"Hey, Brisk," Dylan greeted him.

"What with the suit?" Brisk asked.

"Dylan's body is a constant stream of bioelectricity, that insulation suit will contain it to protect him and everyone else, but I promise Dylan it's only temporary. We'll begin working on a cure right away. Try to rest."

…

At Canterlot High,

"Rivers, a moment please," Straight Facade asked him to stay along with Sunset. "Dan, if you're going to do better in this class, you need a tutor and I recommend Sunset here."

"Study, with the Bacon-Head, I will take Sparkle any day," Dan retorted.

"Miss Twilight is the better student but I'm only trying to help you to bring you're grade up."

Much later, at Sugarcube Corner…

"So let's get this straight, you're tutoring Dan so his grades can improve?" Applejack asked Sunset.

"Yeah, and Dan is not even here," Sunset exclaimed.

"And why did Mr. Facade pick you instead of me?" Twilight asked. "I'm the A+ plus student!"

"No offense, Twi, but when you talk, people will fall asleep," Rainbow told her and the rest agreed.

Unsuspectingly, Dylan had hood around and walk by the shop which Sunset took notice of.

Great timing thug alert, alright Sunset play it cool. Sunset thought to herself. "Regardless, this is supposed to help Dan, not me. I'm heading home. If he asked where I've been he should talk to me."

Sunset walked out of the store into a dark alley, slipped into her costume, and followed him.

"Out of my way!" Dylan said as he run over them then Solar tapped on his shoulder.

"Hey, pal. What's with the rush, miss the train?" She asked.

"You really shouldn't have done that."

"Is this the part where I regret it?"

As no surprise, Dylan let an electric blast that not shocked her but caused a temporary blackout.

"Why did you attack me?"

"Now, now, attack is such a strong word."

"What's your game?" He unknowing fire a bolt at her.

"Okay, Plasma, time for you to unplug."

Solar hurled a couple of TVs at him then which exploded upon contact.

"Stop it! Stop it!"

Dylan created an electric field that Solar avoided by being on a skyscraper.

"Okay in hindsight, maybe it wasn't the best idea to surprise like that," Solar thought before heading down to face him. "Okay, Plasma. Let's do this!"

She looked to her left and her right only to find he was gone.

"Okay, he bolted."

The next morning…

"Sunset, I just talked to Brisk," Twilight walked to her. "There was an accident in the lab."

Much later…

"Dylan's life got trash and not only did recognize him, I attack him. Not sure I could have helped but at least I could've tried," Sunset thought to herself.

"Sunset," Dan greeted her.

"Hey, Dan, Look I feel pretty bad for ditching you last night, so if want to help. We meet after school at the Everton lab. The choice is yours."

At Everton…

"Can we put him in a tank?" Twilight asked. "Use a bioelectric filter to siphon off…"

"No, it won't work I'm afraid," Dr. Midnight said to her. "Eels evolved to exist in the aquatic environment. Dylan didn't."

"And with the voltage generating inside of him, he fizzled out if he gets dunked with some," Brisk added.

Then the door opens up to show Dan with an umbrella.

"Uh, is this a bad time?" Dan asked.

Hours later…

"Maybe this isn't a good time," Sunset said to Dr. Midnight.

"No, go on, I need to check some results in my office anyway," Dr. Midnight said as he went to his office.

"So, Brisk, you QB for Everton?" Dan asked.

"Hung up the cleats, in Canterlot High," Brisk replied. "I'm officially a nerd."

"We're all nerds here. And you can be one," Sunset said to Dan.

"Wonderful."

"I'm serious, you're smart and I know you can do it," Then both of them headed to the eel tank then Sunset picked up an eel with pilers. "You just look at it a different way. In nature, everything is connected, as scientists, we explore and expand upon connections. Maybe as people, we should do the same."

"Thought you said this was boring."

"You're lucky to have Sunny as your tutor," Brisk said. "She knows her stuff."

"But I'm the one, with a Nobel Prize in the future," Twilight said.

"So any ideas on to cure Dylan?" Stardust asked him.

"So far I'm drawing a blank," Midnight Colt said then the lights start to flicker and the door got blasted.

"Midnight!" Dylan screamed. "Where is he?! You really don't wanna keep me waiting kids. Where's Midnight?"

"Dylan. I'm right here," both he and Stardust came in. "Try to stay calm."

"Calm? We left calm behind a long time ago, Doc!" Dylan screamed. "I can't take it anymore! You did cause this, you cure it!"

"We're working on it… it just takes time."

"I don't have time! Cure me now! Before I really start to lose it. I know you can do it. All you need is the proper motivation."

I'm going to get a mouthful from Twilight after this. Sunset thought to herself as she prepares to take action.

"I'll distract him. You three get out of here through the back," Brisk said then he run to him.

"What? No!" Sunset tried to stop him.

Dylan blasted him with an electric bolt and sent him to the other side of the room. Just Sunset and the others head out the back way as Twilight and Dan run, Sunset headed back.

"In here, it'll be safe, in there," Dan said then noticed that Sunset wasn't with them. "Wait a minute, where's Sunset?"

…

"Dylan, please don't hurt him," Midnight said to him. "We'll find a cure. We just need time."

"You're lying!" Dylan shouted.

"Whoa. Whoa. Guys, I know it's not a cure but about taking a chill pill," Solar Eclipse said.

"You!" Dylan fire an electric blast at her which she dodged.

"Yeah, me. Look I really screwed up before but now I really want to help," Solar said while holding her hand.

"You want me to your hand?" Dylan sarcastically said before zapping her. "None of you get it. Without a cure, I'm not Dylan. I'm… What did you call me?"

"Sparky?"

"No, not that? Plasma. I'm Plasma!"

"Alright, Plasma, if you want to vent, then vent!"

Solar hurled some of the debris at him, only disperse by his electric power. Then Plasma quickly fired bolts at her until one of them actually hit her. Just as they were fighting, Midnight Colt and Stardust took injured Brisk out of there, and just Plasma had the chance Solar closed the door with her magic.

"My only chance at a cure and you let him escape! Now the gloves come off!"

Plasma did an electric blast at her that sent her out of the lab.

"Okay, gloves are on!" Solar secretly put on the insulator gloves she grabbed and then toss Plasma into a building. "How do you like that?"

Plasma fired a bolt at her chest and send her straight to a signal tower.

'Me and my big mouth."

"Can't escape from up there, sunshine. This is my turf."

He launched himself into the tower and caused it to spark out electricity.

"Okay, maybe climbing a metal tower wasn't a bright idea. Okay, I need a plan to take him down," Solar said before looking at the Everton swimming pool. "Or use the biggest tank in the world.

Solar leaped off, and then circled around and kicked Plasma right into the pool which made fizzled out.

"And that's why we don't mix water and electricity," Solar said then saw a couple of police cars. "Time to make my exit."

Next morning at Canterlot High…

"So how did the tutor session go?" Applejack asked Sunset.

"Not bad, but really hoping that Dan would move on from the crowd," Sunset said seeing him hanging out with Duke and his crew.

"We cannot win every battle," Applejack consoles her then the bell rings. "Time for class, I see you later at Sugarcube Corner."

"Yeah," Sunset smiled leaving Applejack.

Author's Note

Sunset Shimmer (Solar Eclipse)

Without Mask

Chapter 3-Snakebit

It was a late night in the city when a group of bank robbers were outside Sugarcube Corner.

"All right. Grab all the cash from the register and safe but no grabbing the sweets, is my auntie," The lead thug said as all three of them covered their eyes from Solar Eclipse's Solar Signal had shined on them.

"So you'll the rob the piggy bank but won't touch the cookies? Wow. Nephew of the year from the twisted division," Solar joked.

"Solar! Get her!"

Then two thugs tried to hit but she avoided them.

"Really, get her, you guys really need some fresh material," Solar complained then use her magic to trap them in a bubble. "Lack of creativity."

She heard police sirens and left. The next morning at Canterlot High as students were exiting after a long day, we see Duke up to his usual tricks as he and Lanker were prepping water balloons.

"There's Pinkie," Lanker as she was being herself.

"Perfect. This will teach Sunset and her dork friends not to mess with us," Duke smirked as threw the first one but only miss her because Pinkie ducked from it.

"Dude, you missed."

"Dumb luck," Duke scoffed.

However, his second one wasn't lucky as he hit Rainbow Dash who was not pleased.

"Okay, who did that?" Rainbow exclaimed then look up to see Duke and Lanny with water balloons. "Really, Duke? Water Balloons, what are you, five?"

"Fat chance, Crash. It's supposed to remind you and the rest not to mess with us," Duke said.

"How were messing with you? Mr. Facade assigned Sunset with Dan to be his tutor so that his grades would improve. And teaching us a lesson you need to work on your aim!"

"Why you… take this!" Duke threw another water balloon, but it went over her head and hit Vice Principal Luna.

"Mr. Van Dyne!" The VP shouted as she was getting tired to deal with his antics.

"Crap!" Duke gulped.

After school, Twilight and Sunset walked down to Everton to the Colt's laboratory.

"So, Sunset how it's going with the Solar Eclipse photo grab?" Twilight asked.

"Not well," Sunset replied. "I just got a few good photos of her stopping the crooks from Sugarcube Corner and went to upload them to my computer, the window caught the flash, meaning I had to scrap them but I'm not giving up."

"Not to sound rude, but the Canterlot Weekly has given her a bad rep following her encounter with supervillains, Shinning's glad that she is on their side."

"No, kidding," Sunset scoffed. "Along she's doing good, She's okay in my book,"

The girls made it to the lab and open the door and see Brisk sweeping.

"About time! The Colts are due to be back any minute," Brisk said then toss Sunset the broom.

"Save it for later, kids," Midnight Colt said as he, Stardust, and Steel came back with the good doctor with cake. "First we celebrate!"

"What's the occasion for?" Brisk asked then look to see that Midnight didn't have his robot arm. "Holy moly!"

…

"Doc this is huge! Your lizard formula is the cure for lost limbs and amputations in the world!" Brisk exclaimed when Midnight told about the lizard formula's success. "We're talking Nobel Prize!"

"At the expense that my husband was the guinea pig," Stardust said as she hugged his back and then felt something. "Uh. Steel, Brisk just installed Space Knights II on the office computer."

"Awesome," Steel chirped then he went into the office.

"If you're gonna crank the volume close the door, please," Stardust requested then the door close. Take off your shirt, dear."

Doing as he was told Midnight took his lab coat and shirt then everyone gasped that his back was growing lizard scales.

…

"Lizard DNA is more primitive than human. And the reptilian part of your brain is growing," Stardust looked at the readings.

"It's growing. I'm regressing. I can feel the change," Midnight said then groan in pain.

"Midnight, please you need to keep a clear mind,"

"No, you need to hurry. I'm losing control."

"Darn, the formula creates new reptile sequences faster than I can ID them. I don't know how we'll knock'em down," Brisk wondered.

"Wait a minute, Briksy. What if we work from the other end?" Sunset suggested. "Create a human filter that knocks out the lizard code? Like a noise filter on a cell phone," Sunset suggested.

"I seriously doubt that can work.."

"No wait, it could work. A gene cleanser," Stardust exclaimed.

"Yes, I should see it before. My notes have all the data," Midnight added.

"So it'll remove any non-human DNA," Twilight wondered.

It can even remove magic Sunset thoughted then Midnight shrieked as he mutated into a full-on lizard giving the name Crawler then headed out of the lab.

"Is everyone okay?" Brisk asked.

"Yeah, I think so," Sunset said.

"Good, Sunset and I will follow the doc and call in with a location. Finish the cleanser," Brisk went after him.

"Sunset, please be careful," Twilight said.

"I will be," Sunset told her and follow Brisk.

"First, Plasma, and now this," Stardust solemnly said.

With Sunset instead of following Brisk, she went to an alleyway and put on her costume. As Solar, she'd parkour the city looking for Midnight.

"Now if I was a 6'5'' lizard, where would I hide?" Solar asked then she look to see the people running from the subway. "Of course, underground."

In the subway, Brisk was trying to track down Midnight.

"Don't panic, just head for the exit," He said.

Just as Crawler was about to eat someone, Solar pushed him out of the way.

"Sorry, no eating in the subway," Solar said as Crawler threw some debris at her making her dodge it.

Then she used her magic to hurl it somewhere else then trapped the beast in a bubble.

"Dr. Midnight, we have to get you back to the lab, understand?"

Crawler popped it and tackled Solar to the wall to which she caught his breath.

"Sweet Celestia, that's what a call bad breath," Solar exclaimed.

Crawler grabbed her by the leg and tossed her over the subway train.

"Okay, this is going to hurt me more than it's going to hurt you."

Crawler kicked her right in the chest which caused her to fall on a steel bar making her wince in pain.

"Yeah, definitely hurts me more than you."

Then Crawler slam his tail on her hand then quickly avoided the rail.

"Talk about a close one," Solar as she readjusts her hand just as Crawler got a riding subway with Brisk following it. "So much for Plan A."

Back at the lab…

"We're done?" Twilight asked as Starsut finished the gene cleanser.

"I think so. It all squares with Midnight's research. Of course, there's only one way to test it. And since his hide is thick, we'll find a way to make him drink it."

"Maybe by asking for help from a girl in a sun-themed suit," Solar cooly said as she had her back against the wall.

"Solar Eclipse!"

"I get that reaction a lot."

"How did you know we needed you?"

"I had run in with a human-like lizard in the subway," Solar said then the phone rang.

"Hello?" Stardust answered.

It's me, Brisk. He's at the Canterlot Zoo.

"Tell your friend to stay clear of Crawler," Solar used her magic and carried the cleanser, and teleported herself out of there. "On my way."

Was that…

"Our local hero."

At the Canterlot Zoo, Brisk followed Crawler to the reptile area then slowly back due to a slithering snake then gasp when Solar appeared right behind her.

"I get that reaction, too," Solar said.

"I think he's in there with the other creepy crawlies, must've smelled them or something."

"Good. Stay put," Solar turned invisible and walked in. "Whoa, this place is like a sauna in here. And me without my beach wear."

Solar jumped toward the lakeside before getting ambushed by Crawler who came from behind and tried to drown her but immediately let her go to deal with a gator. Solar floated all the way up then Brisk dragged her ashore, waking her up.

"Didn't I tell you, to stay put?" Solar said.

"You're complaining?"

"Not at all... guy. Look we need a new strategy. He's not in the medical mood. Not when he's so enjoying his playdate in the heated pool," Solar said then realized something then both she and Brisk headed to the Artic Area.

"Wait a minute, the fake swap was heated. But dunk a cold-blooded reptile in freezing water, he'll start to get slow."

"Right. Slow enough for someone to force the gene cleanser down his throat. But first, we need to get him here, with lizard bait."

"Don't even think about…'

"My choice! Just try and stop me!" Brisk offered to be bait.

"I'm impressed, Brisky," Solar sighed before leaping down.

"Okay. prep time. First, make sure the polar bears don't take a midnight dive," Solar placed a barrier at their entrance.

"Next, find the perfect spot to ambush Crawler into the drink."

Meanwhile, Brisk was running as fast as he can from Crawler who was right behind him.

"Time for the element surprise."

Solar came from behind to give the gene cleanser unfortunately Crawler reacted in time to use his tail on her. Before he could do anything Solar grabbed his tail and tossed him into the pool then hurled three boulders at him unable to react because cold air in the Polar Bear area which made him fall down then Solar got on top of him.

"Time for you to take your medicine," Solar forces the cleanser down his throat that caused him to return to normal and faint due to exhaustion.

"Welcome back, doc," Solar smiled.

Author's Note

AU Adagio Dazzle

Aria Blaze

Sonata Dusk

Chapter 4-Discharge and Deadly

A few nights after Solar cured Colt, Tiger Claw was at the warehouse because he suddenly got a tip of a mercenary suit was developed by Velacore Lab. that was en route to Canterlot City. As he was thinking to himself, the door opened up to reveal Regina.

"Here you go, TC," She showed him the suit was intact. "What's next?"

"What's next? Put on the suit. You still owe Mr. X, one Solar Eclispe," Tiger Claw told her.

The following morning, Sunset was a little dejected about what happened even though the news hadn't caught wind of the Midnight's mutation she still had to tell the Colts about leaving the internship since it make things complicated with her being Solar.

"I might have lost the internship, but at least I won the contest," Sunset smiled while looking at the Canterlot Weekly building. "Shame on me for not knowing that winning the contest also means becoming their freelance photographer."

…

"Forgive me Shimmer, I suddenly forgot about the whole contest thing," Platinum Writer, the head of The Canterlot Weekly said to her. "Here's the lowdown, the costume chick sells our papers. So I want another set of pics of her in action in my hands by the deadline. You got two hours."

"You can count on me," Sunset said as she walked out.

Much later…

"Whoo-oo!" Solar cheered while parkouring the city unaware someone was watching her.

"She's back. Set the plan in motion," He radioed High Rise and Bit who were robbing a bank.

The two headed out and into their truck where Solar overlook them and proceeded to follow them.

"Great, she's on us," High Rise said. "Okay, Bit take it slow now, if she loses us, no payday."

"Forget payday, I want payback," Bit said as led Solar to the Cantelot Dump.

As for her, she was on the roof.

"Two hours before the deadline. I can do that," Solar positioned her camera then came from behind and surprised them.

"High Rise? How many times do I have to take you down," Solar said as ducked a swing from High Rise's crowbar then she countered by kicking him in the chest. "And where's your charming partner Bit?"

Bit came at her from behind but Solar punched him and then kick off High Rise.

"Look we gotta stop meeting like this," Solar levitate High Rise and slam him into a car. "People are starting to talk. Mostly about what doofs you are."

Her head flashed as Solar got blasted by a shockwave then came a person who was dressed in yellow while wearing gauntlets on her arms walked towards her.

"I bet that came as a shock did ya, sunshine?" She said as she aimed her gauntlets at Solar. "Good. So will this."

She fired a shockwave from her gauntlets that force Solar to dodge it then avoided several shots from her.

"Hold still, girl, so I can put you out of your misery."

"How about you put me out of my mystery? Who are you?"

"Call me… how's about Discharge?" She called herself that before firing another electric blast at Solar who dodged it.

"How about your toast!"

Solar threw a fireball at her but it got dispersed the moment it made contact then got blasted by another shockwave.

"Either you got fewer brains than a donkey or this suit protects me from my own power," Discharge said before picking her up. "I guess clothes do make the better girl."

Discharge shock punch her all the to the other side, then duck out of the way of Bit who was driving a truck, and tried to ram her.

"Please tell me I got her?" Bit asked getting out of the truck then got blasted by Discharge.

"All you got was in my way. Now stay out, the grown-ups are talking," Discharge said.

Then Solar came from behind and held her.

"Don't be mad at Bit. He gets crabby without his nap."

Discharge vibrated her which made Solar lose her grip, then Solar sweep kicked her.

"Not bad. You make a living out of that."

"Thanks," Discharge replied then blasted her right into a trash chute. "But I already got a job and I love it."

She activated the compactor squishing the young hero inside of it.

"That should satisfy the boss. I need extraction. I got two guys with their paychecks waiting," Discharge said.

Hours later, the compactor was finished as the cube came out then the cube was exploded by Solar's fire blast.

"Talk about your tights," Solar groaned while cracking her back. "First, Raptor., then Plasma, now Discharge. Why do all the bad guys want to kill me."

The next morning at Canterlot High, Rainbow Dash, and Sunset was in gym class.

"So, Sunset, the fall formal coming up, got a date for the dance?" Rainbow asked.

"Sadly, no, I have been helping Dan with his studies," Sunset replied before getting hit on the head with a ball by Duke.

"How that's for aim, bacon head," Duke laughed.

"Lay off, Duke," Rainbow told him.

"Make me," Duke dare her.

"Okay, how about you have a race, first to the top wins unless you're afraid of losing to a girl," Rainbow smirked.

"Dang, Rainbow's calling you out," Comet Thunder said.

"You're on, Crash!"

Both of them were about to set up then when Duke smell something awful.

"Does anyone smells like tuna?" Duke asked.

Are you kidding me, I thought I wash this thing. Sunset thought to herself.

"Alright, what's going on?" Coach Brick came by. "Duke, if you casung trouble, I make sure you're running laps until the end of class."

"I'm not causing trouble," Duke said. "I'm just having a little friendly competition with Rainbow."

But of course, no one can scare Duke other than Coach Brick.

…

"Sunset? Are you wearing perfume?" Gabby asked her.

"Long story," Sunset told her. "Do you anyone who can replace a check?"

"Sunset, right?" A man walked towards her. "I'm Prism Mask, the chief editor, you're the photographer right?"

"That's me, by any chance you related to Comet Thunder?"

"Yeah, he's my son, you got to Canterlot High?"

"Yes sir."

"Good school? Look, Sunset, the fact you've twice gotten any usable pictures of Solar Eclispe is pretty amazing the photo could be a bit better. Got your camera?"

"Yeah, she's kind of hard to keep in focus," Sunset showed him.

"This won't cut it. If you want to be a Canterlot Weekly freelancer, you're going to need a better camera," He told her before Plantium Writer came by and grab the photos until he got one of Solar getting beaten by Discharge.

"This is perfect."

"Wouldn't you want a picture of her winning?"

"Show's what you know! The people are a hard market. They want to see the hero fail makes them feel good about themselves," then got a whiff of Sunset's costume. "Whoo! A little advice. Perfume doesn't cut it. Tomato juice. The only thing after taking pictures at a dump."

…

"That's odd, why's it locked?" Sunset wondered as the doors to the camera shop were locked. "They're not close for another hour? Unless…"

Near the store, High Rise and Bit were caring a box and loading it on a truck.

"I'm telling you, we gotta cash this fast. Once Tiger Claw spreads the word Solar's croaked, it'll open season for every crook in the city."

"I still can't believe I didn't crack her skull myself?" Bit said then smell something. "Something smells bad."

"Still," Solar exclaimed as came in the light before trapping the two in a bubble. "I wash this thing five times already!"

"You!"

"And now that you troglodytes have deduced that the rumors of my demise of somewhat exaggerated…" Solar said earring a dumbfound from the two crooks. "I'm not dead. Forget it. Let Discharge know I'm ready for a rematch."

Solar flew off, leaving the two trapped in the bubble.

"I really, really hate her!"

At Kyle's Bullseye, Regina was sitting in a booth enjoying herself until Tiger Claw joined her.

"Care to tell me why you're here?" Regina asked him.

"Mr. X is not satisfied, Regina," Tiger Claw answered.

"And why would that be?"

"He doesn't think you lived up to your responsibilities."

…

At the city square, Sunset was testing her new camera out until Rarity saw her.

"What bring you here?" Sunset asked.

"Just enjoying the sights. You?"

Before Sunset can even ask, the ground started to shake.

"What was that?"

"I don't know," Sunset said. "I needed to do something, catch you later."

As she was running, Sunset quickly got in her costume.

"That was no tremor, it Discharge's trail of breadcrumbs for me, and I think I know where to find her gingerbread house. The Crimson Theather."

Much Later, Solar arrived at the rundown theater.

"Okay, I'm here, Zappy," Solar said without knowing that Discharge was right behind her and blasted across the theater.

"I really thought I ended you, lass. But you have more lives than a cat. Still, we remedy that situation," Discharge said before firing a shockwave at her that send Solar all way into a wall and Discharge got closer.

"One more at close range should do it."

She fire another shockwave at Solar, who dodged it at the second. Solar used her magic to hurl some of the debris at her but Discharge shot them down then Discharge fired at her but each was missed.

"I admire your spunk, kiddo. Not enough to let you go of course. That would be bad for business."

Discharge fired a shockwave but this Solar block with her shield.

"Whose business?" Solar asked.

"Can't tell you the who."

"Then tell me why. What did I ever do to you that made you want to kill me?"

"It ain't nothing personal, hoss. The simple truth is if your woman, you must honor your responsibilities and you're one of mine."

Solar quickly fires a magic sphere at her face making her blind for a bit.

"Well, this place is condemned," Solar thought of an idea. "So nobody would mind the damage."

Then Solar dropped the curtain on her bust Discharge took it off.

"You know it really ain't the wise idea to make a dangerous person look foolish," Discharge said then blasted her but missed.

"You don't need my help for it. Looking at a mirror lately. And talk incompetent, you more shots than High Rise and Bit. And done about as well.

"Those two are punks. This is my profession.

"Wait, you actually do this for a living? With that accent, I was thinking rodeo clown."

"Don't you mock me, child!"

"I mock. I'm a mocker. And also a yanker!"

Solar used her magic and managed to bring the entire theater down on Discharge which was caught in it.

"All that's what they call bringing the house down," Solar bowed to herself.

At Mercer's penthouse…

"Sorry for the interruption," Darell said to Tiger Claw. "I had a talk with my son."

"Ah, kids today. What are you gonna do? New topic. Solar Eclipse. We want her gone. You care?"

"Not my business."

"Yet the hero save your hide."

"I have nothing to do with Solar. I wouldn't have risked tipping you off to that Velacore shipment if I had."

"So why did you?"

"Velacore's my competitor in the super-mercenary field. If their prototypes go missing, everybody wins."

"Which brings up an issue my boss would like to discuss," Tiger Claw put his boss on his phone. "Go ahead, X."

Mr. Mercer, we have a proposal. When Solar Eclispe battles the likes of Raptor, The Crawler, Plasma, or even Discharge she's too busy to interfere with my empire. We like to hire you to create more… let's call them supervillains.

"What's in it for me, if I say yes?"

Ample funding and a fresh supply of human guinea pigs for your questionable experiments.

Meanwhile, the police arrived after the battle between Solar and Discharge. The officers along with Lt. Silverstar found Discharge completely stripped of her costume, tied to a street lamp.

"Look like she has done it again," an officer said.

"You got that right," Silverstar said. "Man, booking her is going to be a chore."

At Sunset's Apartment, she was in her pj's thinking of what Discharge said to her.

"So, Discharge was hired to get rid of me because I'm messing with their business. The only questions are now whose business and what's their beef with me when I did nothing to provoke them," Sunset said as she laid on her bed.

Chapter 6-Heavy Hitter

"It's not that kind of suit, Mr. Bit. Once you it's on, you can never remove it," Sassy explained to him.

"But it tough, right, Doc?" Bit asked.

"Indeed. But your skin will be fused with the armor a thick titanium resin armor. A permanent change."

"Is it me or is your girl is trying to talk my boy out of this?' Tiger Claw chimed. "Look. Bit, you'll be tough, tough enough to bring you know who."

"Then what are we waiting for?"

Sassy prepared the chamber and sludge came down as Bit prepared for the upgrade.

"Let's this play out Sassy," Darell told her. "You owe me a success. No more flukes like Sandstorm. I need super-mercarinces I can mass produce, no matter how many thugs we have to go through or how many doctors."

"What with the jungle look?" Tiger Claw asked seeing Bit in bull-like armor.

"Ah, the animal kingdom. Offers many useful ideas. That armor is a part of him now. A thick impervious hide. The extras provide offensive and defensive capabilities thus making him unstoppable."

"The good doctor has her quirks, but this approaches competence. Your Mr. Hansen will be pleased."

"Inxay. We never use the H word. Call him Mr. X."

"What's going on?" Bit asked.

"Mind your own business, Bit."

"Right, my business. Better get to it, then," Bit said then he smashed through the door. "The Iron Bull don't keep Solar Eclipse waitin’!"

In the city a group of thugs had stolen money and got in car and were being chased by the Canterlot PD.

"Must be a least 2,000 bucks in here, Score!"

"Yeah, and Solar's too busy stopping big bads about us."

"Ta-da!" Solar announce herself as she was on top. "Say my name and I magically appear. Okay you should fasten your seat belt and you should pull over."

"No way!"

The black hair thug pulled out a gun which Solar kicked him then the driver popped the hood making the hero hopped off.

Solar used her magic and yank the hood off and used it like a surfboard.

"Surf's up!"

Then Solar leaped off and was once again on the car.

"Alright, boys joyride over," Solar said as she did a magic blast at the engine making the car stop just police cars caught up. "I think you can guys take it from here."

At Canterlot High…

"Well, it's official ladies, I'm going to the fall formal with the Jade Queen," Travis said to Sunset and Rainbow.

"I wish I could top that," Sunset replied.

"I'm sure you can get a dance by tomorrow," Rainbow told her.

"No way the bacon's head can get date to dance!" Duke came in.

"1, No one ask you to butt in. And 2, I bet she can!" Rainbow shot back. "How we make a little bet? If she does have a date, you and the football team have to wear the cheerleaders' clothes for the Halloween Bash."

"And if she doesn't you have to wear have to wear a princess outfit," Duke countered.

"It's on," Both of them shook on it as Sunset groaned.

After school, Sunset was working at The Canterlot Weekly there she met up with Applejack and the two started to chat meanwhile outside of the building in the alley way, Iron Bull was looking at it.

"All the photos of Solar were taken by this Sunset person which she led me straight to her where I can crush her skull," Iron Bull grinned.

…

"So let me get this straight, Rainbow made a bet with Duke that you find a dance to the formal. If you do, Duke and the others have to were the Cheerleader outfits for the Halloween Bash, if not she has to wear a princess outfit," Applejack gather her facts. "And yet I'm not surprise."

Then suddenly the door got bursted open by Iron Bull who started to smashed everything in sight.

"Bring me, Sunset Shimmer!" Iron Bull exclaimed. "I know she's been taking pictures of her."

"Quick, hide in the closest!" Applejack said to her.

"You don't have to me twice," Sunset replied as she did but put secretly put on her costume.

"Hey, you cowgirl!" Iron Bull picked up the young farmer. "Where is she?"

"How should I know?" Applejack tried her best not to tell the truth only to have Iron Bull tossed her aside.

"How dumb you think I am?!"

"Well, you are dressed dumb," Solar said as came through a widow and blinded him with a magic blast then helped up Applejack.

"You okay miss?" Solar asked her.

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"Get everyone out of here. I'll handle this."

"Got it," Applejack nodded then led everyone to leave.

"What do you want with, Shimmer?" Solar asked.

"You. Just you. And payback for all the times you put me down."

"Bit?"

"Not anymore, I'm Iron Bull!"

Iron Bull chucked a desk at her making her dodge it, then Solar ran to him and tried to punch him but she felt the pain of the armor then threw a fireball at him but it did nothing.

"Your fireball are useless, creep!" Iron Bull exclaimed then threw whatever he could fine at aim it at her.

First, High Rise become Sandstorm, and now?! What is Mr. X’s next move? Turn Duke into Dynamite Dino?

Solar grabbed a fire hydrant and slammed it at Iron Bull with having no affect then she kicks him in the face as she vaulted off of him.

"If I can't stop this bruiser, maybe two feet of hard concrete will," Solar thought to herself as she motioned him to bring it.

Iron Bull charge straight at her then Solar cartwheel out of the way only for Iron Bull to free fall from the Canterlot Weekly right to the street only to see that he was okay.

"Thrill ride," Iron Bull said as the police surrounded him.

"Attention Iron Bull, lay down flat… in your crater and keep your hands where we can see them!" Detective Arctic Colt ordered him.

"You seen them now? Now you don't!"

Iron Bull threw large rock at them then proceed to throw a police car but Solar stopped it and placed it down with her magic.

"This one is mine, Detective," Solar said. "Hey horn head, party's over!"

Iron Bull chased Solar throught the city.

"How you like being hunted freak?" Iron Bull asked.

"Really, you realized that you are a freak, right?" Solar implied.

"I may be a freak but I'm not a coward! The old me never runner away scared!"

Iron Bull kicked a water well and started to drink.

I'm scared, all right. Scared that an innocent bystander will get hurt because you bash my skull! Gotta lure Bullhead someplace isolated. The question is, how do you isolate within a city of eight million? .

"Hurry up, Hornhead!" Solar exclaimed as Iron Bull smashed a delivery truck out of anger then chucked an engine at her but she backflips out of the way then Iron Bull grabbed her by the leg then tossed her like a ragdoll then he threw her all the way to fitness shop.

"That's going to leave a mark," Solar groaned.

Then Iron Bull rammed through the door and step on the bowling balls then was right on top of her.

"Remeber what did to those the bowling balls?"

"Wait, wait?"

"What?"

"Weight!"

Solar dropped several steel-plated weights on him and then jumped out of the way just as Iron Bull emerged from the pile.

"Where did you go?!" He exclaimed as he was sweating hard. Then started to drink the water cans which Solar took notice.

"How's that for confident? He stops to refuel before smashing me. Unless it's not confidence. His suit generate so much heat he need to hydrate to stop sweating. Which gives me an idea," Solar smirked then her use magic to yanked a can from Iron Bull's hand.

"What…"

"Okay, big guy, break's over!"

Iron Bull charged at her and went through a wall but Solar countered by lifting a dumpster toward his backside.

"Over here, moose! Let's play follow the leader!" Solar went into a steam hole.

"Think you can hide from me down there? Think again." Iron Bull followed her in.

"Whoo! Is hot enough for you? Come on you big lug. Let's go for a run."

Iron Bull chased after her and just as he one he had her Iron Bull accidentally bust open a pipe that let out hot steam to his face which he screamed.

"Can't help noticing you've stopped spoutin' off," Solar said as Iron Bull panting. "What's the matter? Mouth a little dry?'

Iron Bull tried to punch her but missed bust open another pipe that let out hot steam which was done repeatedly.

"See my mistake was trying to crack that hide of yours."

"Huh? Nothing can do that. Mr. X guys told me I'm impenetrable!"

"Fair point, and if nothing can penetrate you can't perspire. Your forget that most animals that have thick hides can sweat more than others I mean, your face sweating for your body. It enough most conditions but under steam tunnel…"

"I gotta get out of here!"

Iron Bull tried to climb the ladder out of the tunnel but Solar stopped him with kick to his midsection making him lying on the floor.

"Good luck with that!"

Solar melted the remaining pipes that let out hot steam which covered the area around Iron Bull dropping his guard once he did, Solar kicked him in the chest which brought him.

"Come one, come all! Before your very eyes, the world's largest dehydrated turtle!"

"I swear I'm goanna crush you. Promised Mr. X I'd crush you. Crush you…"

"I'm losing you, Bitty."

"Only mom, calls me Bitty. You're not my Mommie!"

"Yes, I think we are."

"Mom, do I have to go to school?'

"So, Bitty, tell Mama. Who's Mr.X?"

"Inxay. We don't ever use that name. Call him Mr. Hansen."

A few short moments Solar head out of the steam tunnel.

"You guys are going to need a crane," Solar told the cops. "And some very strong tranquilizers."

At Mercer's Penthouse…

"I'm impressed. Iron Bull's still underground and Mercer Corp Ind. got the contract to build is prison cell," TIger Claw was on the phone as Darell walked in.

"With our success containing Sandstorm, who else would the city called?" Darell implied.

"Meaning you get paid coming and going."

"Exactly. And there's no way they can trace back to Mecer Corp or me," Darell smiled.

At the Canterlot Weekly…

"Uh, Sunset are you in here?" Appleack knocked on the door then she came out.

"It's safe to come out," Sunset said.

"Don't worry, Solar handle that varmit."

"Thank Celestia, I saw that Iron Bull tossed you like a doll. You okay?"

"I'm sugarcube, this ain't the first time I got thrown across the room."

"By the way AJ, do you know anything about a Mr. Hansen or know as Mr. X?"

"Their have been rumors about him being a crime lord and all that but I had Twilight checked it out but there's no traces of crime on him. Total good guy."

…

Solar enter a tower and quickly subdued two guards then look over a desk.

"I'm here to see Mr Hansen."

"Then you should make appointment. But perhaps we'll make an exception for the hero of the day. I am Xavier Hansen."

"Please, you're Mr. X."

"In my life, I've been called many names. My personal favorite is Gravestone."

"Buddy, I just took down Iron Bull. I can easily take care of a dude in a suit…"

Gravestone quickly puched her gut then slam her body to the ground.

"Don't move just listen and I'll teach you the facts of life."

Solar hurled a 8-ball at him but not only he caught but he crushed it.

"Mr. X, whomever he might be, has nothing against heroes. No hero can thwart enough crime to dent his income. But you have frighten crimmals off the street entirely expect when you're off battling Iron Bull. The Mr.X's profitable army of petty thugs think themesvles benath Solar Eclsipse's notice."

"Let me guess this straight, as long I keep fighting crime, you'll keep making more big bads…"

"Now your seeing the picture but their is a way out, Come work for me," Gravestone showed a brieface of cash. "You can still play the hero. I'll even pay you. All you have to do is look the other way."

"Sorry, I promise myself to never look the other way again," Solar said before heading out.

At Sunset's place.

"This reeks. I've won all the battles and never came close to winning the war. But Gravestone made one mistake. Now I know their is a war. So bring it."

Sunset changed out of her clothes and wore a red and black dress, with fire diamond crusted pin on it.

"But now it's time for some fun."

Chapter 7-An Elf You Say

The dictionary defines defenestration as the act of a person or thing out a window.

At the top of Canterlot Tower dazzled in the beauty of the night sky, as Solar got thrown out of the window

Not my favorite word.

Solar flew right back in and landed on her feet.

"Okay, where's the dude, with the nasty tude?" Solar asked before two blasts came at her dodging.

"Present and accounted for," said the Emerald Elf on his glider.

He threw an emerald mine at Solar which made her dodge it as it exploded then threw two emerald shards but they missed but Emerald Elf threw a third one which ripped a part of Solar's suit.

"Hey, did I mess up your costume? Leave off the threads, Elfhead!"

"Oh, but the Emerald Elf doesn't take orders from stars. He burns them to oblivion!"

"Technically speaking it's impossible to burn them because they're made of gas… uh oh!"

Elf threw an emerald mine at her but Solar used her magic to hurl right back at him but it missed as his gilder flew out of the way then Elf did two finger blasts at Solar in close range then Solar chucked objects but Elf blasted them down then threw another emerald mine at her which exploded that sent her in right into appetizer table.

"May I see your invitation, Solar Eclipse? Otherwise, I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to leave."

"Leave now? When does Table 7 need more apps?

How did a night that started so well go bad so fast?

Earlier that night…

"This is going to be the biggest Fall Formal ever," Pinkie exclaimed.

"Who you guys got for the Fall Formal King and Queen?" Rarity asked.

"I think it's pretty obvious," Applejack smirked, pointing to Twilight and Flash Sentry chatting to each other.

"Silly me, but nice for Travis for taking us to Le Decare after the dance," Rarity looked at her compact mirror.

"Uh, where's Sunset?" Rainbow asked as Applejack and Rarity had stunned looks. "AJ? Rarity? What just happened?"

Pinkie turned her around and much to her surprise Sunset had arrived with a date and the date was Daniel.

"Looks like Shimmer got her a date after all," Comet Thunder said to Aria Blaze.

"Not going to make promises of taking pictures of you guys in the cheerleading outfits," Aria smirked.

At Mecer Corp Industries…

"Hello? Is anyone there?" Sassy asked before gasping then realized it was her shadow. "Look at yourself afraid of your own shadow then the next thing you see is gremlins in the machinery."

"Or… even green men.."

Sassy looked in horror to see someone known as The Emerald Elf on a glider.

"Wait, that's Mr. Mercer tech-flight gilder," Sassy exclaimed as the figure flew away into the city.

…

"All I'm saying could crack wide open," a Thug trying to open a safe.

"Cops would crack you open. Cops or Solar for that matter. Look, Tiger Claw's waiting on Mr.X's cut. Screw the bar. Blow it up."

"Oh blow yourself up."

The door gets blasted open by Elf.

"Did someone mention explosives?"

"Get the freak!"

Before the thugs moved, the Elf's gilder popped a sword.

"What I meant is get the freak anything he wants."

"What I want is your undying loyalty or the dying kind. The Emerald Elf is nothing if not flexible."

He opens the safe with ease and the thugs grab the money sacks.

"Appreciate the help but we work for Mr. X. We switch sides; we might as well be on the chopping blocks."

"I'm good with knots. As for Mr. X, the party is over," Elf said while holding an emerald mine.

Meanwhile, Gravestone was holding a party at Canterlot with most of the elite including Platinum Writer and his Comet Strike who was an astronaut.

"If I might have your attention," Gravestone spoke on the stand. "As many of you know, I am your host, Xavier Hansen. Thank you all for coming to support the Hansen Dynamic Youth Center."

Everyone clapped at the end.

"Some shindig huh, son?" Platinum Writer asked him.

"It's great Dad, but I was looking forward to the two of us, and a rare steak," Comet suggested.

"Xavier got enough of the Canterlot Weekly's money. We can be at Darrow's in 88 seconds," Platinum Writer said as they headed out only to be stopped by a thug in a mini-elf costume.

"Sorry, the elevator's out of order."

The two more came from the stairs as Emerald Elf flew in on his glider which crashed through the window.

"Hello. Good evening. I am the Emerald Elf and I am looking at Mr. X," Elf bowed.

"Sir, I don't know who you are but…"

"Of course, you don't, that's the point of the mask, smart guy," Elf taunted him. "Oh, but I know who you are, crime king. So step down or I start sharing secrets."

"You are making an enormous mistake. Security, please show him the door."

"Still hiding behind thugs, are we?"

Two bodyguards fired a taser line at him but Elf caught and shocked both of them. Comet Strike tossed an Elf Goon on the ground then grabbed his blaster and aimed it at Emerald Elf but Elf finger blasted him.

"Now, now, Stay put. Or else."

"There's no need to threaten my guests."

"Unless I want witnesses," Elf said to him.

Platinum Writer secretly called Prism Mask to bring Sunset to get photos and called the police.

"What do you hope to accomplish here tonight?

"So the whole I want to destroy you and take over your empire thing was not clear? Well darn."

"Uh, excuse me," Solar flew into the ballroom. "Can I come in this way or do I have to break my window."

"Solar!" Gravestone, Emerald Elf, and Platinum Writer shouted.

"Your timing is impeccable."

"So your latest super loser, turned on you, eh? Graves?" Solar asked while smirking.

"I don't know who is yet, but he ain't mine."

"Fine by mine, I just pretend he's yours while I trounced him."

"Hello? I'm in the room. You're both too rude."

"Oh, where are my manners? Here you come to terrorize The Gravester, and I don't even say thank you. My only excuse is that you're holding innocent people hostage. It confuses my brain a bit."

"Quite the puzzler, it is," Elf flew up to her. "But I have a solution. You and I team up. Consider what we can do by combining our forces. We can all of Canterlot."

"We're talking about the capitol or all five cities… Nope. Sorry, I don't partner with anyone dressed in green or completely nuts."

"Your loss… or life!"

Elf's finger blasted her which she dodged then hurled several objects at Elf but he shot them down.

To the present.

"Okay, where's the dude, with the nasty tude?" Solar asked before two blasts came at her dodging.

"Present and accounted for," the Emerald Elf on his glider.

He threw an emerald mine at Solar, making her dodge it as it exploded.

At Canterlot High…

"May I have attention?" Principal Celestia said on the mic. "We have the votes for the Fall Formal King and Queen."

"The Fall Formal King is… Flash Sentry," Celestia said.

"And Fall Formal Queen is Twilight Sparkle," Luna added.

All the students clapped for them then Twilight did not hold back as she kissed Flash on the lips making most of the girls cooed over.

…

"May I see your invitation, Solar Eclipse? Otherwise, I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to leave."

"Leave now? When does Table 7 need more apps?

Elf threw several emerald shards at her but she avoided them and Gravestone caught one with his hand. Elf did multiple finger blasts at her but she avoided it then did a backflip and landed on the Elf's gilder.

"Oh, did you want to ride?" He asked her. "Keep our guests, comfy, lads. I'll be back in a Manehatten minute!"

Both of them crashed on the side of the window.

"Seriously, Elfy, do you have a license for this thing?" Solar asked as Elf pushed her off making Solar fly after him.

Then Elf turned around and blindsided with a jab to her chest which crashed into a wall.

"You know the old saying, can't join'em, then beat'em."

Elf threw five emerald shards at Solar but they missed once she dodged them.

"Took the words right out of my mouth. Is that a felony?"

"Hope so. This little elf wouldn't be caught dead committing a misdemeanor."

Elf threw an emerald mine but missed.

"Nice banter. But the aim needs work."

"Practice makes perfect."

"Keep saying that.'

Emerald Elf threw multiple emerald shards at her making her dodge it then he threw an emerald mine but Solar used her magic to hurl right back at him making it miss by doing a barrel roll then Solar came right at Elf with a kick.

"That is for making me protect Gravestone."

The elf turned around and saw that he was backing towards a building he did a backflip over the building and then landed on his Elf Gilder.

"Okay, that was impressive," Solar was amazed.

Elf came at her with the sword from the gilder then Solar launched a fireball right at Elf which knocked him off then Solar trapped him bubbling while Elf was cackling.

"What's so funny?"

"Just the special radium-laced emerald I left behind as a present for our Mr. Hansen. Any minute now the creme de la creme of Canterlot City is going to paint the town red. Well the ballroom anyway," Elf grinned at Solar, who teleported herself back over there before it could go off.

…

"What are we supposed to do?"

"Keep everyone hostage until the Elf comes back.'

"Or maybe evacuate before the Elf's bomb goes boom," Solar said. "Everyone clear out!"

The Elf Goons fire their blasters at her but Solar avoids it and yanks it out of their hands.

"What are you doing? You have to get out. Bad guys too," Solar told them.

"We work for the Elf."

"Every single blasted part of you?"

"You're bluffing!"

"Is that a risk you're prepared to take? Especially when you've already taken so many," Gravestone told them then all of them headed down the stairs.

"Everybody down the stairs. If the bomb goes off, the elevators won't be safe," Comet Strike said as they headed downstairs. "Go on, Dad. I'll catch up."

"Okay, if I was an evil emerald, where would I hide?" Solar asked as she looked around just as Gravestone was looking. "Surprised that you're sticking around."

"My party, my mess."

"Solar, the chandelier!" Comet Strike came back and told her.

"Thanks, now go!"

Solar headed to the chandelier and found the emerald mine she used her magic and sent it out of there before it exploded.

…

"Great, The Emerald Elf got away, and what's worse I missed most of the Fall Formal because of it." Sunset groaned while lying in her bed in her apartment. "That Elf is dangerous there's no telling what he'll do next, meaning I have to stop him before somebody gets hurt."

Author's Note

Gallant Sentry

Chapter 8-Push to the Limit

Picking from last time, Sunset was at her place, following her encounter with Emerald Elf.

"I need to find out who's the elf, before he causes more trouble, but that guy is hard to find and who knows where he will strike," Sunset said as she put on her costume. "But maybe a late night patrol can clear my head."

Meanwhile at Mercer Corp…

"But… but what about the Solar Eclipse?" Sassy asked Darell. "She's battled both Sandstorm and Iron Bull. She can trace them back to Mercer Corp. To me!"

"Enough! You whine more than my son. I can't have weak people in my organization, Sassy. Do you understand?"

"I understand, Mr. Mercer. I'll do what I'm told."

"That's all I ask. Now run your experiments like a good little doctor," Darell said as he left Sassy alone in her lab.

Sassy went to work on her power armor tech and put it on unaware that Emerald Elf broke in and locked her inside and started the generator.

"Who's in there? Who turned on the key?"

She struggled to get out as the generator was fully charged and zapped her with her armor.

Miles from there, Solar drops on a building to see a bright light.

"Whoa! That's Mecer Corp. Travis's dad could be in trouble," Solar feared.

Solar quickly flew over there just as the containment team were trying to fix.

"What happened?" Darell asked.

"It's Dr. Saddles. She's down, but the doors are shut.."

"Out of my way," Darell unlocked the generator room and went inside. "Sassy. Doctor?"

He sees Sassy lying on the ground on top of some rubble.

"Sassy."

"I got it," Solar came in and lifted the rubble off of her with her magic then Darell drag her out.

"Is she?"

"She has a pulse, sir. But it seemed her harness had fused to her skin."

"I'm not weak. I'm not weak."

"Sassy, please get up."

Her hair grew longer and the hair tentacle grabbed Darrell and put him through a wall.

"Silence, you imperious moron!"

"Whoa there, slinky, Mr. Mercer just saved your life as did I!"

"You!" Another hair tentacle grabbed her. "Don't not insult my intellect, hero. You tracked me down and tried to destroy me, as I knew you would."

"Destroy you? But I don't even know you."

"Oh, but I survived. More to the point, I've improved. You have failed and your failure has given me a new life! Sassy Saddles was weak. I'm Madame Mayhem!"

"Look, Double M. Have you thought this through? The next Solar Eclipse who finds you under a pile of debris might view this as a cautionary tale."

"Glib, does not equal clever, Solar!"

Sassy slammed Solar across the room.

"Yeah, but the ratio of living hair to sanity has not been established either."

"Do you ever shut up?!" Sassy tossed her to the ground.

"No, my fans expect to crack a side joke every now and then."

Sassy chased after her around the lab.

"You're slowing down, but this armor never tires and soon it will crush…" The core of her suit started to beep."

"An alarm clock too, mam it comes with the perks," Solar exclaimed.

"My apologies, Solar, but I have places to go, and worlds to conquer. So your doom will come another day."

Sassy headed out of Mercer Corp in a hurry.

"Why do I have the feeling that the Elf had something to do with it?"

Much later…

"I cannot believe I once lived in this anemic hovel," Madame Mayhem was her house. "Well no more! No more I'm sorry Mr. Mercer. Yes, Mr. Mercer. Please, Mr. Mercer. How I grovel before that man. But soon the whole world will grovel before the genius of Madame Mayhem. But first I would need a power source that gives out mid-battle. But this will do for the short term," Sassy replaced her core with a new one. "But I need a more permanent solution to guarantee the Solar's destruction.'

The next day at the Equestria Fair…

"I'm telling you Sunset, there's something wrong with Travis."

"Twi, the football has gone to his head but look at him he's a walking commercial of happiness."

"Is not that, he's been acting weird, weirder than Pinkie of all people," Sunset replied as the two cross paths with Daniel and Adagio Dazzle.

"Well, this is awkward," Adagio said.

"What's that?" Dan looked.

Sunset looked up to see Madame Mayhem scaling building to building to the Delta Design Building.

"Ooh, bad stomach, ate too much cotton candy," Sunset faked it. "Gotta to use the bathroom."

Sunset headed off just as Madame Mayhem broke in.

"Ah, the old stomping grounds," Madame Mayhem exclaimed.

"Sassy? Is that you?"

"Dr. Wenton, how nice of you to see you again," The villainess greeted him by holding him in the air. "Now perhaps you will recall that when I was last employed here, I was working on a long-term power source."

"The Valet Core. But…"

"My work! And I once departed you possession of it. Now in hindsight, does that seem fair?"

"It's R&D, Vault 12!"

"My lucky number."

Madame Mayhem dropped him and headed to the R&D room and saw it.

"Ah, like an old friend," Madame Mayhem prepared to grab it.

"Gangway! Coming through!" Solar jumped over and grabbed the core from her.

"Solar!"

"Hey, Mayhem. Love the new suit," Solar commented, seeing Madame Mayhem in a tight purple suit.

"Hand over the device."

"I'm thinking, no!"

"Then you invite your doom. You are in enclosed space, sun-head. Where can you hide?" Then Madame's hair became sawblades.

She dodged the sawblades then fired a magic blast at her that blinded her allowing her to leap over her.

"You will suffer this indignity, Solar!" She screamed as she went after her.

…

"Hello there," Solar greeted . "Being chased by a mutant hair lady. Want this. What is it?"

"The Valet Core. A power source that holds massive charge for years."

"Thanks. You should hide now."

Solar left the building with Madame Mayhem right behind her.

"So, miss craze hair needs power. That explains why the alarm clock and why she took off so fast. So all I have to do is play keep away until her tank is empty. No sweat."

Madame Mayhem whacked Solar from behind with a hair tentacle and sent her crashing into a ferris wheel carriage then down to the ground.

"Okay, maybe a little sweat," Solar said as she got back up. "And now, back to our regularly scheduled chaos.

Solar did a backflip and saved both Twilight and Rarity from Mayhem's pursuit.

"Thanks, for the company. Love to stay, but I've got a doctor appointment," Solar said as Madame Mayhem slams her.

"You have horrible bedside manners," Solar blasted a magic blast at her but Madame dodged it.

"Hand over the deceive you miserable excuse for a sun!"

Then a caramel apple landed on her head.

"Oh, you sweet talker you."

Solar hurled multiple caramel apples to her which all of them made contact with, then Solar grabbed her by the legs and slammed her to the ground. Madame Mayhem got up and used her hair to grab the closest object she could find and chucked at her but Solar shot it down with a fireball.

"Don't worry, Solar, I got your back," Rainbow prepared to attack her.

"No!"

Just as Madame Mayhem was about to react but Solar pushed Rainbow away.

"Appreciate the help, fangirl, but keep it clear. You're not pretty enough to save twice."

"Right. Smack her one for me," Rainbow agreed.

Madame Mayhem blindsided her then grabbed Fluttershy.

"Fluttershy!" Pinkie cried.

"I should've seen it sooner, Solar. You're weak. You can't bear to see anyone hurt."

"I can learn to make an exception."

"And the thought process is so transparent. Stall until her power runs out. This core has at least an hour of juice. And think of the damage I can do in that hour, starting with the girl."

Madame Mayhem dropped Fluttershy on top of the Roller Fever Ride.

"Choose! The device or the girl!"

No one and I mean no one puts one of my friends in harm's way.

"You want it so bad, then fetch!" She tossed it to the other side of the fair.

Madame Mayhem went after it, just as Fluttershy struggled to maintain her grip but Solar grabbed right before she lost her grip.

"Gotcha," Solar as they landed on the ground.

…

"Finally, it's mine!"

"But you get the chance to use it. Not as long as I'm conscious."

"A situation easily remedied."

A hair tentacle grabbed her leg and Solar slammed on the ground.

"As I was saying…"

Solar shines her Solar Signal at her bliniding her then Solar grabbed the cores with her magic then kicks her at the chest knocking her out.

Much later, the police arrived as Sunset arrived.

"Sunset, what the apple tree happened to you?" Applejack asked.

"I headed out of the bathroom then saw a freaked out villain coming to the entrance so I hid until it was over. What happened?"

"Solar kick her butt like this and that then saved Fluttershy," Rainbow explained.

"Uh, what happened to Travis?" Rarity asked. "He was with us when that brute attacked."

At the Mercer Penthouse.

"I'm talking about The Emerald Elf," Tiger Claw and Darrell were talking. "The nut job attacking Mr.X operations. And far we can tell, he's using a lot of Mercer Corp tech.

"My tech has been stolen. I lost my top scientist, my lab was destroyed and my projects are at risk. Why would I be behind all that?" Darrell asked him.

"Okay, you have a point, but the Elf…"

"Is a common enemy meaning our common goal is we have to unmask him before it is too late," Darrell replied.

The next time is the conclusion of the Emerald Elf Saga

Author's Note

Sassy Saddles

Sassy Saddles (Madame Mayhem)

Chapter 9-Shadow of an Elf

As the night has fallen over Canterlot City, the streets were decked out for everyone's favorite holiday Halloweeen and for Solar she was strolling through the streets.

"Twas the night before Halloween and all through Canterlot not a jerk in sight," Solar said. "Not even Emerald Elf. Might as well enjoy it now because the Elf needs to put down hard or else someone can get hurt by him."

The next following day, Tiger Claw was riding in his limo then the driver looked behind to see if the Emerald Elf was right behind as Elf threw an emerald shard to pop a tire that sent the car hurling to the curb.

The driver got out and armed her gun and took shots then Elf threw an emerald mine at her which the impact of the explosion sent the driver into a wall then Tiger Claw got out and knocked Elf from his gilder.

"Keep laughing, Green Bean. I hear green's the new black and blue."

Tiger Claw tried to ram him but Elf jumped onto his gilder to make him miss.

"You should be green with envy, because you lack fashion sense."

Elf's gilder spray knocked out gas which made fall asleep.

"And also built in gas-mask."

Hours later, Tiger Claw was chained to a chair next to lava forge.

"Elf, I know you're out there," Tiger Claw said.

"Out there. In here. Everywhere," Elf flew circles around him. "Yes, soon I will run this town, Tiggy. I could use a good right-hand lackey."

"Not going to happen. You really think I'm afraid of goofball dressed for Halloween. Can't be afraid of what you don't respect. And there's one person I ever respected out of fear."

"Mr. X, or commonly known as Xavier Hansen. I looked underneath his mask."

"Hansen is the mask. Mr X is Gravestone cause that's all left when you cross him."

"If that was true then a man like you must surely have acquired some life insurance," Elf grimly said.

At Canterlot Tower…

"Dial Tiger Claw," Gravestone tried to call him but got nothing.

"Ohh, I'm sorry, Tiger Claw can't come to the phone right now," Emerald Elf said while sitting on the desk. "He's a bit tied up. Gotta love the classics."

"Tiger Claw can take care of himself."

"And apparently yourself. He had a portable jumpdrive with enough evidence to put dear Mr. Hansen behind bars for good. Not to worry, the driver is under my care but it ain't on me. But I have it by tonight."

"When tonight? And where."

"Believe me you will know."

"I know a trap when I see one…"

The Elf's gilder came through a window and Elf got on it.

"THat's fun part of it. Besides, what choice do you have? One more thing, come alone," Elf said as flew out of the tower.

…

"I never want to pry into someone's life, but Twilight has a point," Solar said while flying through the city. "Ever since the Emerald Elf as shown, Travis has been acting weird. And Pinkie Pie is the master of weird.

Then Emerald Elf came flying above her.

And speaking of Elf, guess to show his rubber face," Solar said, then created a magic tether to catch Elf's gilder.

"Oh, caught me a big one!"

"Who's landed whom?"

He took off and Solar hung on as Elf tried to shake her.

"Where have you been Elfy? Vacation?"

"Been looking for you," Elf said then threw multiple emerald mines at her but Solar avoided it then she punched him in the face. "We both want Gravestone out the way."

"Yeah, but for completely different reasons."

"Details, details. And speaking of details… I got a jump drive that took down Gravestone for good."

"Great. Hand it over so I can take in both of you."

"It's not on me but I have it by tonight."

"When and Where?"

"Anyone else get deja vu? Eh, let's run with it. Believe me you will know," Elf pushed her off and Solar crashed into an electric fan.

…

"Losing Elfy will seem way less painful than having a talk with Travis," Solar said, then saw Elf heading to the Mercer Penthouse."Okay, that's weird. But no way Darell can be the Emerald Elf because Elf was stealing loads of Mercer tech and created Madame Mayhem."

Hours later, Sunset called Travis from Sugarcube Corner.

"I'm not kidding, Travis. We need to talk."

Then come on top.

"Not the best idea. Just come down."

So you can give an earful for Twilight. I'll pass. Besides, I need to get into costume. I'll meet you and the others at the Nightway Street Carnival.

At the Carnival, people were in costume and enjoyed themselves.

"Hey, Twilight," Daniel greeted her.

"Hi, Daniel, have you heard from Sunset by any chance?"

"I was going to ask you the same thing," Daniel said, then both of them said the football guys did the cheer dance giving that Duke lost his bet from Rainbow Dash.

"Smile," Rainbow Dash took a picture of them. "This is so going on in the yearbook."

Meanwhile…

"Twilight?" Sunset answered her phone as she was on a building.

"Thank you, Celestia, I've been calling… What's up with Travis."

"He's meeting me at the carnival. I'm already here. Where are you?"

"Sunset?" Then Sunset pulled off her mask showing her face.

"Nice costume, huh?"

"I'll say Sunset, where did you find something like this?" Rarity asked.

"Look through my closet," Sunset said.

"I'm going wail on Mercer!" Duke as the guys did a pyramid. "The little twerp was supposed to be the top of the pyramid! Hey look, it's the sun geek!"

Then the fireworks went off.

"Wow!" Pinkie was amazed. "Pretty."

Then some of halloween sneak

"Elf," Sunset whispered, then headed off. "Going to try the bobbing, now!"

…

"Given the directions of the fireworks, they come from one place… The Steel Mill Factory," Solar said, arriving at the place and looking around. "What with bad guys and lava forges?"

Then Gravestone's chopper came down and Gravestone came out.

"Gravestone? Elfy, gave you the secret toy surprise, too? Trap?" Solar slyly asked.

"Trap."

"Figures. Race you inside."

Both of them head inside and see Tiger Claw hanging begin chained.

"This is humiliating," Tiger Claw said.

"And disappointing. Did you really think you needed a jump drive to protect you?" Gravestone asked.

"Ah, come on boss. You can't have fallen for that. There wasn't a drive to begin with."

"Yes, yes. I'm a massive liar," Emerald Elf said as the holding was about to fall. "Like we didn't know this was a trap."

Solar grabbed Gravestone and took to the skies and landed at the center.

"Welcome to the Emerald Elf's house of horror! Or should I say "refinery of revulsion?"

Elf drew two bombs as Solar flew and Gravestone ran, then Elf threw six emerald shards at Gravestone with him ducking the three as the other three hit his back but only hurt him for a few seconds.

Then he turned his focus to Solar as he finger blasted her which got to hit her making fall down a pipe then Elf tried to ram her with his gilder but Gravestone threw a busted pipe at him which made him miss.

"Uh, thanks."

"Take down the Elf or at least unmask, then we're even."

"Even? I just rescued you from a lava fall."

Solar lunged at Elf but he jetboosted out of the way to avoid. Then Gravestone got to the control room and moved the conveyor belt that Tiger Claw was on away from the lava pool then both of them headed for the exit.

"Next time you want to throw a bash, leave some snacks, they might stay longer."

"At least I brought some party favors," Elf said, then a flurry of emerald mines came down on the factory.

With Twilight, she was getting a little twitchy that her closest friends had left her.

Back at the factory, Elf came at Solar and punched her in the gut.

"Oh why just don't give up?" He asked her.

Solar fell to ground then avoided an emerald mine explosion.

"Cause I know your secret. I know the face behind the mask."

"We all wear masks. But which one is real? The one that hides your face or the one that is your face!"

He threw four emerald shards and an emerald mine which Solar dodged.

"I know your Darell Mercer!"

"Am I?" He asked her then Solar grabbed the gilder with her magic. "Nice tricks. Here's mine."

The gilder unveiled a gun that fired a slimeball at Solar making her avoid it then avoided multiple simeball fires until slimeball got her and restricted her movement.

"Like mine Elf Slime," Elf cackled. "Now let's see what cracks first? My slime or your body!"

Elf whacked her through heavy objects but Solar hanged through.

"Well that taught us this call for something a bit more drastic!" He flew up in the air and dropped her. "Happy landings!"

"Don't panic Sunset, I never tried this move before, hopefully I won't die," Solar said.

Solar spun around and became a literal fireball and came down somewhat safely as the slime got cracked.

"Can't believe I survived that but god that hurts," Solar groaned.

THen Elf flew right at her and threw an emerald mine but Solar caught it and threw it right back at him which exploded which made him crash then he limped to his gilder and took off which prompted Solar to chase after him.

"Go ahead. Run. I know where you live."

…

Moments later at the Mercer Penthouse…

"Alright, Elf this ends tonight," Solar said as he saw the Emerald Elf lying on the ground unconscious then pulled off his mask which made her gasp in horror. "Travis! He's the Emerald Elf?"

"What's going on here?" Darrell said as he came in. "Solar? What happened?"

"You tell me."

"Within the labs we were working on a serum to make super soldiers but the project gave unsavory results so I had to shut down. I never thought my own son would steal it."

"This makes no sense. If he's the Elf, why would attack Mr. X?" Solar asked. "Why attack Mercer Corp?"

"I had dealings with Mr. X. When I tried to extradite myself I was threatened by his stooge, Tiger Claw. Travis must have overheard. Under the influence of the serum, his subscious created some who could take Mr. X down. Now why would you attack me… I will not allow this. I can say I was the Elf. I created the serum. I would be the obvious suspect."

"No. He needs you. And what can you do to him if stuck behind bars for a crime you didn't commit."

"But this is all on me… but I will get him help I swear it. If you'll let me."

"Me?"

"If you turn him in, if Mr. X learns that Traivs was the Elf, he wouldn't survive the night. Please, he's my only child."

And my best friend. Solar thought to herself.

"I won't turn him but on one condition. The Elf disappears forever. Leaving a mystery that no one will solve," Solar said as walked out.

At the Canterlot Weekly,

"And why should I care what the Horseshoe runs on their front page?" Platinum Writer asked Thunder Brisk.

"Because their Solar scoop and Sunset's pictures outdid the covering of the space shuttle," he told him.

"The people have spoken. Get Shimmer and lock her to a deal that she can't say no. They want Solar, we'll give it to them."

…

At Canterlot High, Sunset passes through the school entrance and sees Aria.

"So, bacon head, what happened to Travis?" Aria asked him.

"His dad told me to take a leave of absence from school to travel abroad and get the help he needs," Sunset said to her.

Chapter 10-Shade of Black Part 1-A Shadow over Sunset

One day, at Twilight's house, Sunset Shimmer was running over there….

"Had it started, yet?"

"Nope," Twilight told her.

"Good. I can't believe that the space team discovered alien life."

"I know we're talking about living mud."

CSA' s not releasing images. But we zoom in on this shot of the shuttle. Right on the hull, that dark patch is extraterrestrial life. Earlier today, the alien life form was flown over Everton University for where shall study by the top scientist, Dr. Midnight Colt.

"It's nice that Dr. Colt was feeling better after the whole snake thing," Sunset said.

"I'm surprised that Canterlot Weekly wants you to take pictures of it."

"Yeah, I called Brisky to see if can, but he said that Stardust wants no reports, journalists or even photography since it could create city-wide panic. But I'm not too mad, Platinum Writer paying double for the Solar photos," Sunset said.

Late at night…

"Where Sunset gets nowhere, but Solar's chances aren't," Solar said as flew over to the Everton Lab's rooftop. "After all, the camera has a zoom lens, and the lab has a skylight."

She focuses the camera as The Colts, Brisk and Twilight close up the lab.

"Now let's get a look at our strange visitor," Solar took the camera and then noticed someone was in there as well, someone dressed in a black suit with a black mask. "And our strange visitor's visitor."

The figure pulled a sprayed can and sprayed to reveal security lasers.

"Laser grid? A high school locker has been security than this," he rolled his eyes

He went underground to avoid the security lasers as Solar watched on. '

"Perfect! I stop a crime in progress. Get pictures of me and the crook. And gaze my eyes on the ooze! Hat trick!"

He broke into the containment case of the ooze and prepared to grab it.

"Come to daddy…"

Then a magic blast stops him.

"I never thought that I'd be rescuing the icky alien from the demented scientist," Solar smirked.

"Well, I do believe it's Solar Eclipse," He went over to meet face to face.

"Easy, dude, I don't want to fight."

"Name's Shadowmane. And shadows don't fight suns."

Shadowmane kicked in the chest which sent her back.

"We have fun with them!"

Solar fired multiple magic blasts at him but Shadowmane avoided them. then Shadowmane kicked a glass container at her but Solar ducked her head making glass fall on the lasers making the alarm go off.

Shadowmane and Solar created two magic blades and struck at each other then backed off.

"Nice skill, you got there, Sunshine," Shadowmane told her. "You want in on this gig. We can split the take."

"You're telling me that someone paid you to steal it.."

"Yeah, a certain captain of the industry offered a high amount of cash to steal the slime. Said about unlimited scientific potential."

"Are you sure it wasn't some run-of-the-mill geek who tried to show for the girls," Solar asked while launching a magic sphere at but Shadowmane duck to avoid it.

"Trust me, I would know. So what do you say, hot stuff, want to slice the slime? "

"Tempting, but it goes against everything that I stand for," Solar said as the ooze slither to the wall.

"Too bad, I like us together, " Shadowmane replied.

Unknowing to both of them the ooze had clung to Solar's boot.

"But we only just met."

"You know the old saying, give a guy a chance."

Solar blushed of what he meant by the sirens being heard.

"Love to stay a chat but I have places to be," Shadowmane said to her then became a shadow and went to an air vent and left and Solar teleported herself miles away from the building.

"Another baddie, with shadow powers," Solar said. "The Canterlot Weekly is going to be a very inserting headline."

The following morning…

"I can't believe that you're printing out lies!" Sunset said to Platinum Writer after finding out that Solar was blamed for the robbery.

"Lies! The Canterlot Weekly only prints facts! And whatever else it takes to connect the facts."

"Yeah, I was there when the whole thing happened. Solar was trying to stop Shadowmane from stealing the ooze. She got away, but they didn't leave together."

"Unless they met up later and split up the good, classic crook behavior."

"What about Midnight?"

"He found out the ooze was gone early this morning."

"Ugh!" Sunset stormed out. I saw him last night. Why on earth would he lie like that?

At a rundown building, two men were playing cards while the third one was reading the news.

"Heh, Solar must be pretty confused right about now." Then his phone rang. "Hello, general. No, regretfully I have no alien to deliver. A known competitor beat my team to the lab in minutes. Of course, your down payment shall be refunded. Goodbye."

"So, no check."

"No check. But this story in the Canterlot Weekly sparked an epiphany. Hard Wire, I need all your mechanic skills. And Show Tell, your special effects expertise."

"Yeah, what else is new? Which loser you're posing this time, Gecko?"

"This time I have someone a little different in mind."

Back with Sunset, she puts on her Solar costume and patrols the city.

"Shadowmane must have taken the goo," Solar said as she was unaware that the ooze on her boot started to cover her suit.

"No proof in the photos but I know I didn't take it. And why did Dr. Colt lie after I saved him from being a monster snake? And how am I going to clear my name?"

Solar landed on a building as ooze covered her suit giving her the look of the original but mostly red and black.

"And the crazy thing is? They think I stole the alien. I never got to look at it."

"Ooh, that's a good look on you," Shadowmane said, dropping in. "I'm flattered. See I knew we had something."

"You! You're the real thief!"

"Because I stole your heart? Heard it before, hothead."

"What the heck?" Solar looked at herself.

"I know what it's like being blamed for crimes that I didn't commit. Or any crimes. Hurt the biz. So the frame-up must really annoy an ex-primary color gal like you."

"You didn't steal the ooze."

"You know I didn't steal it. Unless you did…"

"I didn't!"

"Cool the fire, I didn't say it. But if you're fed up with not being thanked enough due to your hero image with mine then I have to ask, are we going to be bad guys together or just plain bad."

Solar said nothing and took off.

"Was it something I said?"

"I guess I found the ooze, or it found me. Face the facts, Sunset. Alien life has bonded to your suit. Which means your cleaning bill is going to be insane."

An out-of-control plane zips through Solar causing her to lose her balance.

"Great, the engine busted, gotta get to Canterlot Park," The pilot said before the plane hit making him clock out.

Solar ran on a building and jumped right onto the left wing of the plane.

"Whoa, I can't believe I leaped, let's hope I'm strong enough for this?"

Solar used her to guide the plane to the park and then grab the unconscious pilot.

"Hold on tight."

Solar jumped off the plane just as it exploded and landed perfectly on the ground.

"How incredible! Did I do that or did the ooze manage to strengthen my magic?" Solar thoughted. "What if I can use the ooze to help more people as Solar, and also get a bit more photo money as Sunset, then maybe it's okay that sort of unintentionally stole the slime from Colts' lab, and maybe better for everyone that I don't return it. Course it ain't my call."

The next day at Canterlot High…

"I don't believe this," Rainbow exclaimed while reading the newspaper.

"What got your boil burning, Dash?" Applejack asked.

"This! The Canterlot Weekly got photos of Solar pulling a heist," Rainbow gave the farmer the paper. "There's no way it can be her! Those photos are completely bogus. Anyone can put on a costume. Sunset wore one last week!"

"I agree with you, Rainbow, but the Canterlot Weekly has foolproof evidence," Rarity told her.

"Screw them, they're not convincing me that Solar turned to crime!" Rainbow stormed off of course their was overheard by Sunset.

Later that night…

"Never thought I would look out for me, but whoever pretends to be like must also be the same person who poses as Midnight," Solar said as she flew through the streets.

"Hey, crime spree! Was hoping you'd come by again," Shadowmane shouted which made Solar confront him.

"Listen, Shady, I'm innocent!"

"I already know that you're being framed. Does the imposter know that you're a girl, and that red and black is the new red and yellow."

"I'd turn him black and blue if I could find him."

"Really? It so happened I know where he is going to hit next," Shadowmane said. "Try to keep up."

Solar followed Shadowmane to the Canterlot Harbor to see people entering the Castle Cruise Ship among them was Rarity who was given an invite.

"The harbor? How are you sure he can strike here?"

"To catch a thief, you have to think like a thief. A boat full of stiffs and snobs is a can't miss proposition," Shadowmane said as look down. "Ooh, Mayor Highlander is wearing the legendary Sun Tiger! I want it."

"Shades, no door prizes. Besides, how are we going to get onboard without getting gunned?"

"Please, I'm a professional. I came prepared!"

On the loading dock, Shining Armor was talking to Arctic Colt

"The sooner we get onboard, the less we have to worry about the sun," Shining Armor said.

"I still don't buy it, Captain. We've both seen Solar in action. I can't believe she turned to crime."

"Believe it, Colt!" Platinum Writer came up to them. "The Weekly has been saying for weeks that she's a fraud. Now that I'm proven right. I assume you've taken the proper precautions?"

"Don't worry, all the guys have top orders to look out for Solar," Shining told him.

"And besides, the only way she can come on is if she's already here," Arctic said then three went inside.

On the ship, people were having a good time in the bathroom. Gecko pulled off his disguise and prepared to put on his Solar costume.

"Show Tell? Hard Wire? Are you guys in position?"

We're good to go, boss!

Yeah, I’m in the system.

"Then cue the light. Cause it's showtime."

On the outside…

"Nice ride!" Solar exclaimed as she and Shadowmane approached the boat on a jet ski.

"Well, crime pays!"

"Not listening!"

"Very funny, hold on tight!"

"Don't worry, I won't slip."

"Not why I said that.”

"Uh, on second thought we're close enough!" Solar said as she hopped on to the cruise.

She looked around and saw a guard that was fast asleep.

"Guess, Shads was right, the jerk would be here," She said.

Meanwhile, Highlander was doing a toast in the ballroom.

"And so I raise my glass to thank you for all of your support. And after the election your city will thank you too," She said.

Then suddenly the lights out causing a sense of nerve within the guests.

"As will your friendly neighborhood sun thief!" Gecko said, making the people panic as the lights came on.

"Call it!" Platinum Writer said.

He dropped two bags on the ground.

"Fill Em up, folks!"

"Take her!" Shining said but Solar trapped him with mystic wrap making him fall to the floor.

Much later, everyone was dropping their valuables in the bags as Arctic Colt untied the captain.

"Captain, something is off. The guy's too tall, this Solar is a fraud," Arctic Colt was finished then charged right at her.

"Solar is not a fraud! Can't believe I said that," Platinum Writer said.

"Behind you," Show Tell warned Gecko.

In response, Gecko kicked in the chest and sent him crashing into a glass wall.

"That's Solar strength, people think I can fake that," Gecko threatened.

"I do," Solar entered the ball with a glare on her face.

"And who are you supposed to be?"

"Solar Eclipse. The real deal."

"The real one? You don't even have the costume right!"

"I'm in mourning for the buried rep," Solar said as she kicked Gecko in the chest. "Just like the picklebrain will be when he's forced to print a retraction."

'Retraction?! Listen sun-head no one tells me…"

"See? Even the jolly one himself knows I'm the genuine article."

Gecko quickly threw a fireball at her which Solar avoided but Solar did a palm strike at the chest that sent him crashing into the wall.

"Now that's not Solar Strength. Accept no substitutes."

"Demitasse, Solar," Show Tell came to her and dropped a smoke bomb that covered the entire room in smoke allowing him and Gecko to escape.

Once they were outside, they met with Hard Wire.

"We need to go!"

Hard Wire used his watch to control the speedboat and made it come to cruise.

"Incoming!' Show Tell warned them as Solar caught up.

Hard Wire threw a drone that fired a laser at Solar and one laser blast tore the suit but Solar quickly destroyed it with a magic blast. She looked at her arm and saw the suit repairing itself.

Gecko quickly hopped on the boat then Show Tell gave him the bags and just as he and Hard Wire were about to board Shadowmane grabbed both by the collar and brought them to the top.

"Why don't we let them handle it, Solar to Solar?" Shadowmane said to them and bashed both of them they were knocked out.

"Thanks, Remind me I owe you," Solar thanked him as she went after Gecko.

"Not to worry, sunshine, you already have."

Solar created a magic lasso and threw it to the end of the speed boat and rode on the water as Gecko tried to shake her off.

"Man, I can feel it balancing me. Compensating for the boat, the water, everything."

Gecko threw explosives at her Solar used her upgraded agility to avoid them as she still hung on. Gecko did a hard right which flung Solar into the air but Solar did some parkour and did a giant leap. She was the boat. Gecko placed on shock gloves.

"How about I shock some sense into you," Gecko took a swing but Solar duck to avoid it.

"Do I sound like that? Or at least that I offer a higher quality quip," Solar said as

She kept avoiding them then got behind him and did a flaming chop at his back which made him collapse.

"Already, pal," Solar removed his mask showing his real face. "There's one me and that is me, Got it!"

Much later…

"Where did I lose it?" Rarity was looking for her diamond necklace.

"Excuse me miss, looking for this?" Solar tapped her shoulder and showed her necklace.

"Thank, Equestria, you found it, where did you find it?"

"I found it on the coastline when crooks tried to make a run for it."

"Well thank you for finding it and must apologize for my rude accusations against you," Rarity said to her.

"I'm cool with it, at least it should make some sense that people should believe lies like that without the full truth."

"For sure, but I have to say your color scheme suits quite nicely."

"Thanks, I'm out."

Solar teleported away from the dock.

Much later…

"We made a pretty good team," Solar said as she found Shadowmane looking across the night scene. "Maybe you should change sides."

"Tempting, but I love doing what I do best."

"Okay, so why did you help me?"

"You don't know?" Shadowmane hugged her and kissed her on the lip making Solar lovestruck then once Solar was dazed he left with the Sun Tiger.

"Wow, Shads, I had no idea you feel that way?" Solar blushed a little bit then looked around to find out that he left. "Great he's gone. Why did he kiss me?"

Chapter 11-Shade of Black Part 2: The Deadly Six

One day at Havencraft…

"Dylan, I'm very proud of you. You're making tremendous progress. You need to continue therapy but I know you'll be great out there."

"I owe it all to you, Dr. Elena. Thanks.”

As Elena heads back into the building, Plasma conjures a small bolt of electricity on a phone booth and makes a call.

"I'm out!"

Excellent, Dylan. I'm so pleased. On the other side of the phone was Madame Mayhem.

"You're the person who wrote to me in Havencroft, Doctor Saddles."

Given your special case. An interest that should benefit both.

"Yeah, I love the idea of double team you know who!"

"Double team? Surely, we can do better. Busy tonight?" She asked Regina as she, Slick, and Tusk were lifting weights.

"TC indicated we were available," Regina told her.

Later the night, Raptor, who was put in charge of dinner for the convicts was headed to their cells, one to Iron Bull and one to Sandstorm.

"Are you kidding me?! A sandwich!? This has to be a joke, right?! Raw silicates! Feathers, I don't eat food anymore!" He threw the sandwich at the door.

"Just save room for dessert, Solar a la mode," Raptor smiled.

Just outside of the prison island, Plasma retracted his mask and began to short the generator.

Two guards took notice and ran straight to him.

"Freeze!" one of them said until Plasma fired a thunder blast at both of them knocking them out, then fired another one at the generator destroying it, causing the power to short, which the cells that Iron Bull and Sandstorm were in powered down.

"Do not approach the wall... or..." the voice stammered until it was silent and the alarm came on.

"Finally she shuts up!" Iron Bull exclaimed, rammed right through it then Sandstorm emerged on the other side.

"Heck yeah!" Both high-five each other as they make their way to other cells and free The Elites, Raptor, and Madame Mayhem, and head outside.

"Stop right there!" A prison guard said as they fired voltage lines at Iron Bull who felt a little jolt.

"Tickles," Iron Bull exclaimed as plowed right through them on the other side Plasma blew up the wall to see them.

"Ahh, Dylan it's good to see you," She said.

"No offense, doc, I go by Plasma now," Plasma pointed out.

"I understand completely if you would do the honors?"

Plasma charged Madame Mayhem's power core causing it to glow, then a helicopter came down showing Tiger Claw's chopper.

"Hello, gents," He greeted as he and the chauffeur handed the gear to most of them.

"Okay, Slick, Tusk, with me. Regina, stick with these mooks for now, the last boat on the island was that way," Tiger Claw said as Slick and Tusk boarded.

The chopper took off as the villains got on the boat away from Canterlot Prison.

…

"Man," Sunset woke up, "Gotta love these lazy Saturday mornings."

She looked at her phone and saw it was 12:16.

"Or noons, better get up," Sunset as she reached for the black suit only for it to come on her. "Wow, this alien suit is a timesaver."

Then she put her regular clothes on top of it.

"How can you ever live without you?" She asked then headed out.

…

"Hey, Brisk! How's it been?" Sunset said to him only for her to give her the cold shoulder. "What's wrong?"

"What's wrong?! You take pictures of Solar stealing the alien- -life form instead of calling the cops! And yet you wondered what's wrong with me?!"

"Gee…"

"Save it, this is who you are, Sunny, a user. You do want to get ahead despite the fact you hurt the people who are close to you. What you need is a taste of your own medicine and something you care about taken away from you. The problem is, I'm not sure you care about anything."

Brisk left on his motorcycle, leaving Sunset with a glum look on her face.

Hours later…

"Oh great. Perfect. Wonderful. I lost my oldest friend," Solar said as she glares. "Who needs him? I got the cool new suit!"

Solar then saw police sirens heading to Canterlot Theater.

"And a little something for me to blow some steam off," Solar as she followed them.

At the Canterlot Theater…

"It's so nice of mom, let us have a day together, Twilight," Flurry Heart said to Twilight.

Then both heard sirens as police cars around and set up a roadblock.

"What with the cops?"

"There was a breakout at Canterlot Prison, six of Canterlot City's worst have escaped and all of them want payback," Twilight told her.

"Freeze, Bit!"

They all heard stomping then they fired their blasters at Iron Bull but it had no effect and ran through it.

"Isn't that the jerk who threatened Applejack and Sunset a few months back?" Twilight wondered.

"Well, well," Solar appeared right in front of him. "Iron Bull. I knew there was no prison wide enough to hold you."

"Wide enough, funny,” Iron Bull chuckled.

"I knew they taught trades in the slammer but sense a humor?" Then Solar's head flashed. "Whoa, usually they don't get the flashes unless the bad guys in plain sight."

Then out of nowhere a large sand fist came at her and punched her.

"Sorry, Sunshine. Was I supposed to wait my turn?" Sandstorm asked.

"Oh, you two are partners again," Solar groaned.

"Just us?" Sandstorm implied as Discharge came in.

"You're not getting off that easy," Discharge smirked.

Solar looked up to see Raptor landed, Plasma slid across a panel, and Madame Mayhem leaped over some cars to join her fellow villains.

"Now them, any last words?" She asked.

"Homina, homina, homina, come to mind," Solar gulped.

The six baddies prepared to approach the hero, Twilight stood in front of them.

"Little girl, you may want to step aside."

"So, you can attack her, over my dead…"

"Miss, I'll be found, please get to safety," Solar said to them.

"Plow through them!" Iron Bull urges but Mayhem waves him off.

"Look like the show's starting!" Solar grabbed both Twilight and Flurry's hands and took them inside the theater. "You okay?"

"I think so…"

Then a hair tentacle grabbed Solar.

"Go! Through the theater! Get far away!"

"Yes! Run along, now ladies," Madame Mayhem said as the two girls headed into the theater.

"Pull!" Discharge called.

Madame tossed Solar in the air Discharge blasted her with a shockwave which made her land near a car then Plasma tried to shock her, but Solar avoided it.

Then Iron Bull tried to ram her, but Solar jumped over him and was in the air.

"Only six. Huh? Didn't invite Elf or Nightcrawler to the dance," Solar said. "Need to get some altitude and deal with them one…"

Then Raptor zipped by her, but Solar was on his blind spot.

"First things, let's ground this bird!" Solar punched the back but winced in pain.

"Nice try, I already picked up on your tricks, my tech is protected by reinforced steel!" Black Falcon crashed her into a wall.

"None of your former methods will work on us a second time!" Madame Mayhem grabbed and slammed onto the ground then threw her to Sandstorm.

"And the Wondercolts, win the pennant!"

Sandstorm created a bat and swung her into a wall she fell on the ground groaning a bit.

"Hate to admit it, but I can't beat these guys together, time to bail!"

Solar blinded all of them with a bright flash which allowed her to escape to the sewers.

"Not again!" Iron Bull growled.

"Let her run, she is delaying her demise."

Later the criminals were at a fancy restaurant that they broke into and had dinner.

"A toast to Solar's culminating defeat," Raptor said as he held up a glass.

"Defeat?" Discharge asked. "Seems a job ain't done till it's done."

"I was topside, you yahoos, lost her when we were blinded. The next time I see her I'll smash her myself!" Iron Bull exclaimed.

"Man, what's with you and revenge? All I want a big score!" Sandstorm said.

"This obsession with her is a mere annoyance, it's Mercer who earns my wrath."

"If that's how I want to play it, I'll call TC, and see if it's okay to ditch you...!"

"What are you doing!?" Plasma stopped all of them. "I need a cure but the only way to get what we want is to trust the doctor."

"Thank you, Plasma, yes, we are frustrated but she will be crushed."

"How? She's long gone by now!"

"We simply force a situation where she has to play the hero, she'll come, she can't help herself, check please."

"It's on the house," The waiter said.

"How kind of you."

At Sunset's place, Sunset was lying on her bed, when her phone rang showing Platinum Writer's number.

"What does he want now? Probably to yell at me about not getting pictures of the bozos beating the crap out of me, that we won't need." Sunset hangs up. "Oh, I hope Twilight gets home safe and sound. And I hope I could wake up to find that Mayhem and her goons are in jail." Sunset fell asleep.

Hours later the radio came on saying the Savage Six have left Canterlot Square and now are holding hostages from The Horseshoe Bank at Canterlot Park. Sunset waved her hand as the suit came on her.

…

Solar was flying to the bank, Raptor tackled her from her blindside.

"She's back!"

Solar fell to the ground and immediately Sandstorm grabbed by the leg and slammed her into the wall then chucked where she got blasted by Plasma and then punched by Iron Bull. She landed on the ground then Discharge zapped her then Madame Mayhem held Solar in the air.

"Well you call it, doc. I guess some folk are too dumb to live," Discharge said to her.

…

"Iron Bull, you win the coin toss. Will you crush his skull or impale her heart with your horns?" Madame Mayhem asked.

"Impale! Impale sounds good!"

Solar looked up and glared at him.

"What's the matter creep? Too scared to crack a joke?"

Iron Bull charges at her but Solar telepathy creates a magic sphere and fires at him which blindsided his eyes and then blinded Madame Mayhem in the eyes.

"I got them!" Plasma fires a thunderbolt but sends both of them to the park.

...
...

"Shatter, Dana secured the hostages in the bank," Shining said. "Colt, Ironstash with me."

As the police headed into the park, Mayhem did a seismic blast at Solar but dodged it and jumped over a Discharge's blast she went underneath but not before dragging Madame Mayhem down which made Sandstorm punch her and lose his solid form.

"I'm going to fry you for that freak!"

Solar duck from both Discharge and Plasma attacks. She fired two flash orbs which blinded them and then used her magic and slammed both their faces on the beam. Then Solar got punched by Sandstorm as Solar regained her footing. Sandstorm created a giant ax and charged forward then Raptor swooped down and charged at her. Solar pulled herself out of danger causing the two villains to crash into each other. Then Iron Bull grabbed her and tossed her into the air Solar lunged back and brought her shield back at Iron Bull knocking him off balance. Both Discharge and Plasma got up and fired at her, forcing her to dodge, just as they were doing that, she threw her Sticky Ball in their arms, catching them off guard, which allowed her to trip the two up just as Iron Bull turned around and saw her.

Solar motioned him to bring it which made him snap.

"That's it!"

He charged right at her forcing Solar to dodge him, then blinded his face with a magic blast Discharge and Plasma got and fired their beams only that Solar became intangible, and that hit Iron Bull instead.

"Oh, man!"

"Dang it! Keep shooting!"

Both continue to fire at her which makes Solar get behind Iron Bull.

"Move in, I got you!"

Discharge told Plasma to move forward and fire at their blindside, but Solar threw Iron Bull on him.

"Uh-oh!" Plasma exclaimed as Iron Bull was on top of her.

Discharge blasted Solar but avoided the first but the second one made her fall to the sewer hatch.

"What the heck happened to Bit?" Sandstorm asked as he and Madame Mayhem and Raptor came topside.

"Sandstorm, help Plasma," Madame Mayhem said.

"Get him off!" Plasma said then nearly shocked Sandstorm.

"I'm trying to turn down the juice!"

"Drat she's going to escape again!" Raptor lunging at her prevents Solar from running.

"Raptor, move! I don't want to take out another of our own!" Discharge shouted.

Raptor moved, giving Discharge a clear shot to fire a shockwave at her which she dodged and then got a Raptor's back.

"Stop, I will not stand for this…"

Solar pulled the headgear off Raptor's head forcing him to the ground then grabbed one of his claws.

"Now I got you!" Discharge charged her laser only for Solar to throw a claw at it and hit one of her blasters, shorting it out. "What in blazes!?"

Sandstorm came right at her but Solar dodged Discharge's shockwave blast that tore through her then Solar used her magic to pull Discharge making her thrust into Sandstorm which turned him into a pile of dust Solar punched Discharge then ripped one of the gauntlets to keep Sandstorm at bay.

"Try to dodge this!" Discharge came right at her with a punch, but Solar created a barrier that caused an explosion and sent her back.

"I knew you were getting serious when you stopped cracking your pathetic little jokes," Madame Mayhem came out of nowhere and captured her. "Just as I knew you spent your stamina fighting my allies. Leaving me to deliver the coup de grace, Apologies Iron Bull were doing this my way!"

Madame Mayhem flung her to the ground where the hero got back up.

"Your new suit intrigues me. I'm going to enjoy peeling it away for further study."

Mayhem fired her laser at her but Solar bounced it back at her knocking her out then Solar picked up the villainess.

"If I ever see you again, you're dead!" Solar coldly as she lets go and flies off.

The next day, Sunset woke up having no idea what she did last night.

"Man, how long was I asleep for?" Sunset looked at her phone and it was 5:00 "I've been asleep for nine hours. If I slept for that long, why am I beat?"

Sunset stretched herself and noticed a scar on her arm.

"I don't remember taking this much of a beating at Canterlot Square and how on earth I got this scar from."

She went outside to check the paper and was shocked to see the headline.

"Solar stops Deadly Six! Photos by Sunset? I don't remember any of this. It's like I slept through the whole fight. This wasn't me wearing the suit. It was the suit that was wearing my body. This alien is like some kind of symbiote."

Still, what do we care? Shimmer gets paid for the photos and the Six were put down hard. What else matters?

"Sunset?" Rainbow came to her on her skateboard. "You didn't answer your phone yesterday, what happened?"

"Been in a deep sleep, did I miss anything?"

"Yeah, Twilight got a heart attack and went to the hospital," Rainbow told her, which made Sunset gasp.

Chapter 12-Shade of Black Part 3: Secret Origins

Following up from last time, Solar headed to Canterlot Hospital and dropped in an alleyway to where she turned back to normal attire, had a red and black outlook and walked in the hospital.

"I'm here to see Twilight Sparkle…

"Room 230…" Brisk chimed.

'Brisk. Why are you…"

"Because I still remember what a great person she is. When Fluttershy told me, I figured it was worth stomaching you for her sake. Should have guessed it wouldn't be an issue. I mean why would you be here? She's the only friend you can relate to," Brisk bumped her as he walked away.

…

"Yes, she's in recovery. In fact she's doing very well," Dr. Stable said.

"See, Sunset? I told you," Twilight said with a smirk.

"Twi, you had a heart attack."

"It's only a little one."

"Little or not, it is still a serious thing, Miss Sparkle. I notify your parents, you won't be going to school for the next two days."

"I understand, doc. It won't happen again."

"Look I got to go to school. Hope you get clear soon."

Later at Canterlot High, Sunset was at the courtyard thinking to herself.

"Sunset!"

Sunset lost her train of thought when Rarity and the others approached.

"How's Twilight doing?"

"Hold up, all of you knew?"

"Yeah, I spilled the beans," Pinkie admitted. "We all just wanted to help…"

"And how do you plan on doing that by throwing a get well party… I don't even know what to do here," Sunset scolded her then stormed off.

Much later…

We don't need friends. We need money and more than a thick brain Platinum can fork over . But he's not the only game in town.

Solar headed to Canterlot Tower and easily subdued two bodyguards.

"Are you quite through?" Gravestone asked as he turned his chair around.

"Sure, Graves. I've proven my point."

"And that is?"

"That I can still take anything you can dish. Which leaves only one question. That job offer is still on the table?"

"I still think you'd make a valuable employee, Solar Eclipse," Gravestone told her. "But you'll forgive me if I'm suspicious of sudden change of heart. You need to prove to behave. Fight no crime for one week. You dispense if a supervillain endangers public safety, but ordinary crime. Deal?"

"Deal."

At the Canterlot Hospital, Sunset walked to the hospital to where Brisk was just outside.

"Hey, Sunny! You cost me my job!" Brisk confronts her.

"Shut it!" Sunset snapped then she grabbed Brisk and put through a wall. "We're tired of you're whining."

"Hey, hey, hey, what's this now?" A security guard asked the two.

Then Sunset pushed off from Brisk.

"Shove off, Storm. Permanently." Sunset walked inside and then her phone rang. "Applejack? What does she want us now? Forget it, I don't need her pity."

"They sell tickets for that? Or can anyone think you're a jerk can attend?" Aria Blaze said to her.

"Blaze, I'm not in the mood, so don't push it."

"Yeah, yeah, Sparkle's sick… even Sonata feels bad but not me. If you're hanging up on the farmer, that proves you're still a sucker. A girl who can't even see when his friends are trying to help."

Aria walked off striking a nerve in Sunset.

Much later, Solar was flying through the city thinking what Aria said to her.

"Okay, if Aria Blaze's making sense, something is seriously wrong. Why did I blow off my friends? AJ, Rainbow, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie… they have been there to help me. What about the battle with The Deadly Six? The one we slept through. Or that fact we asked Gravestone for a job? Or the fact we keep thinking 'we' instead of 'I'? It's the Symbiote. It's changing me. Taking over my life. I have to get it off!"

Solar flew to Canterlot Clock Tower and tried to remove the suit.

Stop, Sunset. Come on. You're overreacting. The suit, the Symbiote, it made life better. And there is no else we need. No Daniel, No Pinkie…

"Not even, Twilight? Those weren't my thoughts!"

Wait! We need each other. Stop!

"No! Move your ooze!"

We will not allow…

Solar collides near the bell; the ringing causes the Symbiote to scream in pain.

"The bell! Of course, you don't like the vibrations, do you?" Sunset thought the punch the bell making wince which allowed her to remove most of it.

No, we do not like the vibrations. They are unpleasant. But enough to destroy our bond.

"We'll see about that," Sunset replied then she realized she couldn't move then the Symbiote proceeded to make a cocoon.

In anger, you sought to hurt us. Instead, we became stronger. Let us demonstrate.

"No! What's happening? Stop! Please!"

In Sunset's mind….

Where am I?

We are inside your mind.

And these are?

These are a string of memories that led you to become Solar.

The first one shows Sunset, the time she and her friends were on a class trip to the Everton Labs to where the scientists show them the collection of rare geodes which each of them holding unique powers. The red one was magnetically attracted to Sunset's aura since she was from Equestria. The red geode somehow rolled in Sunset's bag without realizing it

The second one showed during the night, Sunset was sleeping, as he was the red geode glowing and changed her to the point that she accidentally created a flame without her knowing the flame didn't hurt her.

The third one showed that Sunset dressed as an underground fighter and quickly defeated her opponent but of course the prize money came with a catch only to find out that someone shot Pinkie's uncle doing a hit and run which was more surprising that she let a robber slip through her fingers when she decided to take action. That one she dreaded the most.

We didn't do this. The world is cruel in many ways and takes everything we love. There's no one you can trust, Sunset Shimmer. No one except us. Join with us. Make our bond permanent. Together nothing can stop us and everything we ever wanted will be ours.

The Symbiote rose and just looked like her and showed her hand and Sunset did the same and the ooze prepared to merge with her until...

"Hold it, there," Princess Twilight got in between them.

"Princess Twilight."

"We don't need you anymore, Princess."

"Well too bad, I'm stuck with you," The princess said as she and Sunset walked away.

"Wait! Stop!"

…

"Sunset, is everything okay?"

"Yeah, but Twilight can you ask you something? If you could do something, and do it better than anyone else, then it wouldn't be wrong to, you know, cash in on your talents, right?"

"Well, that depends on what talents you have but I went through the exact thing when I became princess. Just because you can do something doesn't mean you should. A good friend told me this, with power comes responsibility."

"Nice words but what good can they do? We let the robber go, and he took someone's life from us."

"From her, not us. That's not the point and I can prove it."

Twilight snapped her fingers then there were in another memory where Solar had confronted the villain.

"How could it be? But it can't!"

This proves your point.

Wait, watch her take her vengeance.

"I should give you a permanent sunburn, but I can't, because 'with power comes responsibility.'"

"And that was just the beginning," Twilight said, then showed her all the times she saved everyone as Solar.

"No one's denying the great work we've done. But how are we repaid? We have no money, no cute guy or real friends. None that is, save us," Symbiote Sunset pleaded.

"I beg to differ, she has tons of friends that care about her just as she cares for them," Twilight rebutted.

"Twilight's right. I'm not alone in this. And I am not giving up who I am to become one with the ooze," Sunset said to it.

"You cannot reject what you already are."

"Let her have it," Twilight said.

Sunset nodded and prepared herself, Symbiote Sunset lunged at her, but Sunset counted as she flung her across the area then fired two magic blasts at her.

"That's what you're in for. Sure you don't want bail."

"Bail? Where do you think we are?"

Symbiote Sunset went underground making Sunset prepare herself for anything then out of nowhere multiple tentacles grabbed her as Symbiote Sunset emerged as Sunset's demon form.

"We have taken root in your mind, body, and soul," Symbiote Sunset as Sunset tried to get free. "Why bother struggling? There's no place to hide."

"Who said I was hiding?" Sunset retorted as she emitted a bright glow and broke free from Symbiote's grip as she was her Daydream Form. "I am stronger than you think."

Daydream Sunset created a magic blade and armed herself with it.

"Now mud-stain, shall we dance?"

Demon Sunset sent a flurry of tentacles at Daydream but she sliced them with the sword and threw the sword at Demon Sunset but she ducked from it but Daydream came at her with a punch and kicked her in the chest.

With every punch she did, the cocoon started to crack.

The sword came back to her hand and she slash her demon at the stomach making a scream.

The cocoon was shattered as Solar was on the ground.

This isn't over, you will be ours!

"Don't think so, Symbiote. I know what you are and what you need."

Solar ranged the bell making it screech in pain allowing Solar to rip off it and place it in a bucket.

"You feed off negative emotions. So I'm starving you out."

Stop! Don't do this! We only want to help you be with you, be with you!

"Sorry, Symbie. I know this hurts but we're no good together. Consider yourself dumped.

Late at night in Everton Labs, Solar was there and put the alien in the container.

"I'm sorry if I cost you your job, Brisk but believe me if you or the Colts knew how dangerous something you would know this is the right call," Solar set the container to its lower temperature which froze it solid and left.

But she didn't know that Brisk was already there packing his stuff and saw everything to which he let scream frustration.

"Do you know what you have done? You've destroyed my last chance! She's supposed to be a hero, she's had as Sunset. Worse! The two of them, pretending to be Girl Scouts, when all they do is destroy anyone that gets in… their… way," Brisk growled then realized that the symbiote had broken free.

"You're alive. And you're calling to me."

Brisk opened the door and the ooze enclosed him.

Brisk Storm we sense your hatred. Your fury. And it tastes sweet. Do you hate the Sun? Do you hate Shimmer?

"I do hate them. Do you even have to ask?"

No. You think that they are separate people but really, they are more alike than you think.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Let us show you what we mean.

The Symbiote showed Brisk that Sunset was actually Solar making him realize Sunset and Solar one in the same.

"Sunset is Solar! Why didn't I see it before? I don't have two enemies, I have one!"

We have one enemy. Both Solar and Sunset sought to destroy us, too. Bond with us, Brisk Storm, mind, body and soul.

"Yes."

Take the gift that Shimmer rejected.

"Yes."

And together, we will have our desire!

"Yes."

The Symbiote bonded with him as Brisk was wearing a black and orange suit with an eclipse sun symbol on its chest.

"We will have vengeance on Solar!"

Chapter 13-Shade of Black Part 4: Darkness to Light

Late at night in Canterlot City, a group of thugs has stolen some rare jewels from a jewel warehouse they make their way to the top prepping to board a getaway chopper but out of nowhere a magic blast stops them from boarding.

"What the heck…"

"Hello, boys," The crooks look to see Solar up top in her original suit with a smile on her face.

One of the guys pulled out a gun and took shots at her but Solar dodged them all and then used her magic to bring down a cluster of crates to crash on him. One thug tried to get her from behind but Solar kicked him in the chest then threw a thug into another one. Her head flashed as two armed thugs were about to fire but Solar yanked the guns out of their hands then magic blasted both of them. One of them tried to head for the chopper but Solar fired a sticky ball at him stopping him in his tracks.

Much later, the cops arrive to see the thugs tied up, all of them being unmasked, and a sack of jewels they tried to steal.

With Solar, she was watching afar, proud of herself.

"The old red and yellow. Not too shabby."

At Canterlot Tower, Gravestone was reading an article about Solar's latest bust then out of nowhere four masks were dropped on his desk.

"I take it our deal is off?" Gravestone asked Solar as he knew was here.

"Yeah, the deal's off," Solar was face to face with him. "There's not enough money in the world to make me turn the other way."

"Keep the light on, I'm coming for you," Solar jumped out of the window and flew into the night sky.

Once she left, Gravestone was thinking until…

"It appears you have a job opening," Brisk said as he came through the window. "We'll take it."

"I really should start locking those windows," Gravestone said.

"So do we have a deal?"

"If you want a job, you'll have to prove yourself, pass one simple test. Destroy Solar," Gravestone said as he played some darts.

"We were hoping you would say that," Brisk grinned. "You wouldn't mind if we had some fun with her, first."

"I don't micromanage."

The next morning at the Canterlot Hospital…

"She looks a lot better, considering the fact she had a heart attack," Sunset said, seeing Twilight sleeping. "This is the second time that my friends were put in danger because of me. I know that being Solar is a big job but it shouldn't cross the people who rely on me."

At Canterlot High…

"Aria, you gave me a pretty hard time the other day," Sunset said to her as she was in her locker.

"Just the other day? I must be slipping."

"Thanks for the reality check."

"No problem, but don't mention it to anybody," Aria glared at her before walking away. "I mean it."

"Hey, Sunset, how's Twilight doing?" Fluttershy asked as the rest caught up to her.

"A lot better," Sunset replied. "And guys, I'm so sorry for the way I acted."

"It's cool," Comet Thunder replied.

"Yeah, you just need an angst break. And we could use some help with holding the Wondercolt Balloon at the Thanksgiving Day Parade tomorrow," Pinkie said.

"Love to, but I can't. Twilight's parents called me saying that they were busy and they couldn't get her. Once she is released, I'll take her home."

Then the bell rings signaling for class.

"See you guys later," Rainbow said as everyone headed to class.

"Hey, Shimmer," Sunset was stopped by Adagio. "I know you have a lot on your mind, but I went on a date with Brisk. And… spare the details, he only did that so he can hurt you, and use me to do it."

"I don't blame you, I mean I cost him his job working for the Colts with the alien being lost and things have been pretty rough between us for the last couple of days…"

"Well be careful, I think he has an ax to grind for you."

…

...

"You got Brisk, message me," The phone box said showing Sunset's number

"Hey, Brisk. It's me. Look about your job, I'm sorry…"

"Hey, I was just changing. I appreciate the call. So how about we hook up after class?"

"Rain check. I need to get Twilight out of the hospital."

"Sure. We'll see each other soon enough," Brisk hung up. "Solar."

…

"Great, I'm late as usual," Sunset said as she was packing her stuff. "A quick flight there should get me on time."

She went to grab her boot and then noticed the gene cleanser vial she kept in secret.

"I forgot about you. This little guy helped Midnight with his lizard problem. And bet it could help me with a magic problem sure Solar saves a lot of lives. But is that why I do it? Or do I do it for the thrill, the action?"

Without knowing, Sunset got hit with a magic blast and was outside she placed the cleanser in her pocket and placed her mask on.

"Oh, you don't need to wear a mask with us, Sunset. We know all your secrets."

Brisk surprised her with a punch to the gut.

"Because, of course, we were you."

"The Symbiote! I thought I…"

"Did you think that an icebox would do us in?"

"You ensnared another human being?!"

Solar punched him which scored a hit but Brisk held her in the air.

"Someone better suited to our gifts."

Brisk repeatedly punched her in the face and then slammed her onto the ground.

"And to our mission, destroying you for rejecting us! From now on, we're setting sun to Sunset Shimmer and Solar Eclipse. We're Dark Eclipse!"

Solar magic blasted Dark Eclipse and then kicked him in the face but Dark Eclipse did a magic blast at the chest then savagely beaten to a pulp where she groaned on the ground Dark Eclipse had her foot on top of her.

"Destroying you now would be too easy. You haven't suffered enough. And we want to break you piece by piece. After all, we know who you are, and everyone you care about!"

Dark Eclipse took off to the sky as Solar struggled to get up.

…

"Gotta beat Eclipse before he gets to Twilight," Solar said as she was flying to the hospital.

At the hospital…

"It was nice of the girls to send some flowers but why have the card signed 'Guess who? Pinkie must have done it," Twilight thought when she got some flowers and a card.

Outside of her window, Dark Eclipse prepared to make an entrance but Solar kicked him.

"Stay away from her!" Solar shouted as she punched him in the face then magic blasted him.

Then Dark Eclipse grabbed and slammed her on the wall and tried to escape but Solar a kick in the chest.

"Fine. She's not the only target."

Dark Eclipse grabbed her and then slammed her into a separate wall.

"After all, we know who we love the most, Sunny."

"Brisk?"

"You guessed!" Dark Eclipse kicked her at her blindside and then left.

"Okay, think Sunset. I gotta find him before he gets to any of my friends."

Meanwhile, at the parade, Adagio parade we saw the parade until it came by…

"Well, if it isn't the big turkey himself," Adagio said, seeing Duke as Solar secretly flew over them.

"I can't believe the Symbiote got to Brisk. He was right there when he saw me freezing it. And Adagio warned me about him trying to hurt me and she or anyone else is in serious trouble," Solar said before seeing Adagio with Duke.

"Found her. And she's with Duke. Gross. Well at least, Duke isn't evil. Okay, well at least he is not possessed by an evil Symbiote who wants to destroy me. But still, I have to be ready for anything since my head flashes couldn't warn me when Dark Eclipse ambushed me."

Meanwhile, Duke tried to lay his arm around her but Adagio ducked it.

"You got guts, but I ain't stupid. And speaking of stupid, Brisk Storm is with Rarity," Adagio glared seeing him talking to Rarity.

…

"Why do I have a bad feeling about this," Solar gulped and not a moment too soon she saw her being tied up and hanging from a float. "And I was right."

Then out of nowhere, Dark Eclipse ambushed her.

"What's the matter, Sunny, did we strike a nerve?"

Dark Eclipse chucks a broken fan at her but Solar blasts it to bits.

"Brisk, please fight it! Don't let it control you!"

"No one's being controlled here! We simply share the same desire. Your destruction."

Dark Eclipse fires two fire orbs at her but Solar dodges it.

"This is between me and you. Leave her out of it."

"Trying to be a hero," Dark Eclipse put through a wall. "But truly you're the villain here."

Dark Eclipse savagely punches her.

"Brisk, don't do this!"

"After everything we've been through you always had your friends by your side. We had no one! We've always been alone! Until now…"

"Then we're done talking!" Solar magic blasted him to the city street then went after Rarity with Dark Eclipse trailing.

Meanwhile…

"Ha! Mellow Stone's mascot is pretty cool, but with an animatronic chick with it, it makes him look like King Kong, y'know the monkey," Duke said.

"King Kong was an ape, not a monkey. And secondly, I think that Rarity is there," Adagio realized.

"Oh snap!"

Meanwhile Dark Eclipse and Solar fought fist for fist as Dark Eclipse tore a part of her suit off.

"Bet you're missing the black suit."

"Oh would you, just shut up!" Solar ice blasted his mouth but then got shattered.

"She can quip it out, but she can't take it!"

…

Duke and Adagio head to the Wondercolt Balloon where Rainbow and the others hold it down.

"Guys, it's action time! Let's move it!" Duke said.

"Duke, we can't leave the balloon," Jade said to him.

"Forget the balloon, Rarity's in trouble!" Adagio said to her.

"QB called a fast play! Break!" Comet said as he and the rest followed the two.

Dark Eclipse grabs Solar by the leg and tosses her down on the balloon where Rarity was.

"Come on, Dark Eclipse. If that is the best you got, I stick red, torn, and yellow," Solar taunted.

"Oh, we can shred more than a suit!"

Dark Eclipse lunged at her but jumped over which tore a hole in the balloon releasing the air.

"Now shouldn't y'all see that coming?"

"A slow descent. Clever, but not clever enough to save her."

Solar knocked Dark Eclipse off and then grabbed Rarity as she was falling but Dark Eclipse grabbed Solar making Rarity fall again but only this she landed on a busted float where Duke held it down.

"Rarity, you okay," Applejack removed the gag off of her.

"Yeah, I'm okay. I think."

"Appreciate the help!" Solar said to them as she and Dark Eclipse land

"Anytime, now get that creep!" Rainbow shouted.

"Consider it done, Dash!"

Dark Eclipse tries to smash her, but Solar avoids it, and t then uses her magic to make him crash into the steel barrier. Dark Eclipse punched Solar through the chest just as she grabbed a part of the balloon and then got flung upwards.

"We've toyed with you long enough!"

"Okay, you win," Solar admitted.

"Of course we'd win."

"Not you. It. The Symbiote proves its point. I'm nothing without it. Take me back," Solar pleaded as she was on her knees. "That's what it wants, right? A reunion with its first love?"

"Heh, the Symbiote found a better partner in me."

"Me? Not us?" Solar asked then suddenly The Symbiote detached itself from Brisk.

"No, what are you doing!? Don't leave me…" Brisk said before he collapsed.

The Symbiote slithers its way back to Solar and she has a black suit on again.

In Sunset's mind…

You tricked us! The emotions all taste wrong! You never wanted back at all!

"Wow, you do know me well," Sunset smirked a bit.

Fool! You let us back in and we will have you!

The Symbiote tried to merge with, but Sunset created a magic shield to stop him.

"Still slow on the uptake, huh? You're the disease and my friends are the cure."

In reality…

The Symbiote left Sunset and slithered to Brisk.

"Oh, no you don't," Solar trapped it in a magic bubble. "Not so tough without a human host, huh? Let's make sure you never find another."

Much later Solar was at an empty construction field.

"No one's here, perfect. Time for you to get buried under rock," Solar placed the bubble inside a vat of wet cement that was very deep.

Much later at Rainbow's house…

"I may have let people down a lot but I'm always there to save them," Sunset said before pulling the gene cleanser. "Solar's not a disease that needs a cure. Solar is a part of me just me being a part of her. My destiny."

She poured it down the drain as her path was clear.

Chapter 14-Behind The Curtain

As a snowstorm was raging through Canterlot City, Solar was patrolling the city looking for Brisk Storm.

"Looks like Brisk grabbed everything and bailed from his pad. So, Brisky, where are you?" Solar asked.

At Canterlot High…

"It's a good thing that my suit gives protection in cold weather otherwise I would break my wallet getting those expensive themeral. I have a lot of things on my to-do list. But none compare to surviving the second semester of school," Sunset said while walking to the school.

It was a normal business day at the First National Bank of Canterlot. People were lined up in an orderly manner and were around to make the usual transaction or withdraw from their accounts, whether it be for personal or business reasons.

Well, it was a normal day until purple smoke emerged from the vents and windows. The people coughed and got to their knees, the strange gas was too much for their lungs. They collapsed, trying to see what was going on. Nothing was seen at first until suddenly, a swarm of snakes appeared on the ground. Everyone jumped in shock and was pushed to a wall out of fear of being bitten.

The doors burst open, and more smoke appeared in the bank. A person wearing a black cloak stepped inside, having a blue mask concealing his identity. He curled his metal-gloved hand into a fist. Everybody stared in awe at the costumed stranger making their entrance.

"It appears my entrance has intimidated you all. I do not blame you." the stranger spoke. With a flick of his wrist, he brought everyone onto their knees through some unknown force.

"W-Who are you?" someone managed to ask.

"I am... Cavalier!"

…

"The final will cover every of various biological systems. And be prepared to define several terms we have learned this semester. Survival of the Fittest, Natural Selection…" Mr. Facade said to the students as the bell rang and the students prepared to leave. "More review tomorrow, but start studying tonight!" Earning most of the students groaning.

…

At the Canterlot Bridge…

"Behold, another example of disregarding the sacred arts," Cavalier said as he appeared near an armored truck.

"How about we banish you," A person grabbed a crowbar.

"Magnum draconem advoco ut hos duos homines doceat qui numquam obliviscantur.

Cavalier summoned a dragon that scared everyone on the bridge,, but with a snap of the figure's fingers, the dragon was gone.

"Nice trick, class act!" Cavalier turned to see Solar mocking him. "Goes great cheesy magic act!"

"You dare to call Cavalier a simple magician?" He asked her. "Fool! Cavalier is no illusionist playing parlor tricks, I am a master of the Arcane Arts!"

Cavalier opened his palm and shot a sphere of electricity at the Solar

Placing her hand out, Solar shot it down with a magic blast . "Funny. I know a thing or two about magic myself. And the only thing you're good at is talking in the third person."

"We shall see. Somnus."

Cavalier made Solar fall on her knees then Cavalier stood before her having a blade in his hands preparing to strike.

As he lowered his sword, a red bubble suddenly surrounded it, rendering it useless for Cavalier. Solar managed a smirk as she got the strength to yank it off its arm.

"Your will is stronger, should turn to the spiritual world perhaps be more of a formidable opponent but not today. Fulmen!" he admitted while bringing forth a thunderbolt and strike right at Solar.

"I give you one chance to abandon your cargo!" Cavalier threatened the driver of the armored car.

"I'm staying the heck in here," the driver said as Cavalier brought forth more snakes.

"You have a choice. Save this peon and let me free or risk his life to catch me." Cavalier said as disappeared in a cloud of smoke. "You better choose wisely."

Without even thinking, Solar used her magic to entrap the snakes in a field before they could so much as hurt the hostages. However, she accidentally threw them aside harder than she anticipated, making them crash into a wall. What she didn't expect, however, was the sound of metal clanging. Curious, she knelt down and grabbed one of the snakes, noticing sparks emitting from its body.

Robots? Why would a supposed Master magic user like him use robots?

"You okay?" Solar asked the driver as she helped him up.

"Yeah, I'm fine, thank you." No doubt I'll run into him again.

…

"Rainbow, is everything okay?" Pinkie Pie asked her.

"Yeah, coming down, little something," Rainbow said, then sneezed a bit. "What's with the reading, Sunset?"

"The latest issue of The Canterlot Weekly," Sunset said. "They're blaming the whole mess on Solar."

"How come?" Pinkie asked.

"How is she supposed to know she's battling someone who can match her magic."

"I wouldn't worry about her, Sunset, this Cavalier dude is just like Trixie, hell I'll bet that's where Trixie got the idea of talking in the third person," Rainbow said.

…

"Somnus. Cavalier forced the security workers of Mercer Corp to fall to their knees. "I summon the dark forces, show us your master plan for this sully world."

Lighting came down at the building, then three more security guards show and armed their guns.

"Serpentes domino tuo subveni!"

Spellcaster called forth three serpents and surrounded them; they fired but it did nothing.

"Fools, your technology can't hurt them, but don't touch their poisonous skin."

"Hey, don't mind me, I'm getting down on a cold," Solar said.

Cavalier fired a lighting bolt at Solar which made her dodge.

"The world's Gesundheit!" So, what did I miss? Other than getting tagged by your willing weakening spell."

"Nothing, I saved the best for last and it's just for you. Fledermäuse umgeben die Sonnenfinsternis und zerstören sie!"

From his cloak several bats departed from him and swirled around Solar.

"Beat it you flying rats!"

Solar picked up a chair and hurled it at three bats that dispersed upon contact then proceeded to punch seven of them.

"Flying drones," Solar examined the broken metal before destroying the rest of them with a fire blast. "Guess Cavalier isn't quite the technophobe he claims to be."

"My work here is done, Farewell!" Cavalier vanished in a cloud of smoke once it was clear he was gone but not before Solar followed him to the storage unit.

Cavalier walked behind a curtain, without knowing that Solar made herself invisible to make her invisible so he couldn't see them.

"Where am I?" Solar pondered as she looked around then realized she was in a prop house. "Prop house. Rainbow was right. Mr. Fiasco is nothing but smoke and mirrors. Misdirection. And now for the man behind the curtain."

Before Solar reached the curtain, Cavalier threw a smoke bomb down, then lighting bolt came down, forcing her to dodge.

"Enough with the Latin, I know it's an act!"

"Ah, but it's a good one and the Latin adds just the right touch!"

Then two robot arms came out of nowhere and tried to grab her, but Solar did an ice blast and froze them solid then shattered it with a kick.

Then a train came making Solar braced for it but it went right through her.

"Another illusion projected on mist," Solar said, and then Cavalier appeared right in front of them.

"It appears you are catching on, but what is illusion and what is reality?"

He summoned a spell circle to trap the Solar inside where a tiger and serpent closed in.

"So many threats to life and limb, but which is real is which is not?"

"There's only one way. Ignore what I see and hear. And let my instincts kick in," Solar blindfolded herself.

The tiger lunged itself at Solar only for it to go through then her head flashed making an ax come down on her but it missed. The serpent came right and she didn't move as it disappeared, then once her head flash came right on time when a giant bear was on and tried to slash them, but Solar busted its arm and used it to destroy it. Her headflash one more as darts came but Solar went invisible making them go right through.

"Your magic tricks are good, but ain't effective, so about putting the show on hold and finish this?"

"As you wish." Cavalier snapped his fingers and multiple versions of himself surrounded Solar.

"Are that hard-headed, your illusions won't work on us," Rock Roller said.

One of them charged forward. Solar ducked below his fist and shot him with a sphere of fire, causing him to vanish. "Huh. Guess you weren't the real one, but there's still more where that came from." she huffed and kicked back another Cavalier before spinning her body and driving her foot into his hip, making him disappear next. Another Cavalier jumped in with a sword. Solar blocked it with her magic and shot a small beam out of her hands, pushing the fake Cavalier back lightly. It too vanished in smoke.

"Oh somebody doesn't want to play," Solar saw Cavalier going behind the curtain as she used her magic and threw at the real one with the bot releasing smoke.

"Dormi!" Cavalier called his will-weakening spell but Solar grabbed his glove.

"Misdirection. Magic spell to sap my will? Or odorless and colorless gas to bring me to my knees, I'll take a hard pass."

"Built-in remote control, nice," Solar said before smashing it.

"I guess underneath that mask in a face," Solar exclaimed as Cavalier unveiled his face.

"Congrats, it's me," Cavalier said in his normal tone.

"Say you're quite familiar," Solar got a good look at him and then figured it out. "Your Show Tell? One of Gecko's flunkies on the boat. What made you decide to strike solo? "

Solar sighed "Simple, ever since you busted on the boat, I decided to take my chances of being a supervillain, with my tricks I make big bucks."

"Unfortunately, your gags and illusions won't be needed where you're going," Solar said.

Hours later, as Cavalier was taken in by the police a drone was hovering quietly above them recording everyone.

At an unknown location…

"Look like the cops, fell for it, boss," Mechanic said on his earpiece. "Both them and Solar recovered nothing. Everything that you asked Cavalier to rob is still here and accounted for."

"Of course, everything is going according to my master plan."

Author's Note

Sunset Shimmer- After the Shade of Black Arc

Applejack-After Shade of Black Arc

Rainbow Dash-After Shade of Black Arc

Rarity-After the Shade of Black Arc

Pinkie Pie-After the Shade of Black Arc

Fluttershy-After the Shade of Black Arc

Twilight Sparkle-After the Shade of Black Arc

Chapter 15-Primal Instinct

An early morning at Canterlot High, Sunset has just finished her final exam in her class, that is until her head flashes, ducking from a thrown ball by Lankey.

"Hey, Shimmer. Duke look about done there?" He asked her. "We got practice."

"Cool it, L-man. Bio's not exactly QB's best subject," Comet Thunder told him.

"Yeah, does he have a best subject?" Sunset asked.

"Football."

Twilight walked out and immediately ducked from the ball that was caught by Comet.

"Hey, Twilight. I just want to say that I'm interning at Everton again."

"I heard. I'm so happy for you. Do you want to go straight there after school?"

"I'm down."

At Everton…

"There you are, Sunset." Dr. Colt greeted her.

"Hey, Dr. Colt. I just thank you for the opportunity again."

"Not a problem. But I was wondering. Have you received any word from Brisk? I'm worried about him."

"Yeah, I haven't seen him since that monster kidnapped Rarity," Twilight shuddered.

"Sorry, I don't know where he is." Believe me I wish I did.

"Colt, this research of yours is stunning," Dr. Flashbright told.

"Kids, this is our new senior fellow, Dr. Flashbright. Flashbright this is…"

"Yes. Twilight Sparkle, Sunset Shimmer. My brother, your biology professor, speaks highly of you both. Now, Colt, you're on lizard DNA's mutagenic application to the human genome meshes perfectly with my work, running computer simulations on mammal DNA. Missing a step of course, the formula must be electrolysed to increase potency. But if combine our efforts we could have working programmable mutagen that can be able to restore lost limbs"

"That line of research was a dead end. Something of an embarrassment, really. Please drop it."

"If you insist."

…

"Well this is a fine pickle I got myself in," Solar thought as she flew across the city. "I get back on the internship and we already have another doctor pulling animal experiments."

What Solar didn't know was that a renowned bounty hunter named Dead Eye was eyeballing.

"Such agility, such grace. Guess the employer wasn't joking about her. Truly, a worthy test for me."

Dead Eye followed her to a building to where Solar was looking over the horizon then Solar took off and Dead Eye armed his bow with an net arrow and aimed at her then fire which Solar noticed and ducked then Dead Eye mutiple arrows at her but Solar blocked with a magic shield then flew over to him.

"Where'd you come from?"

"Mother Russia, by way of mother Africa," Dead Eye said as draw out two blades.

"Two moms and still misbehaving," Solar joked.

Dead Eye tried to slash her but she dodged every attempt then yanked the swords with her magic before getting tackled by Dead Eye falling to the ground.

"What's the game here?"

"Simple. Name's Dead Eye, skilled bounty hunter, your head is worth a lot of money to a lot of buyers."

"How am I not surprised?" Solar exclaimed as bash him into a window and continued to fall.

"You can't shake me that easily."

"Who says I was taking it easy?" Solar bashed into another wall then trapped him in a bubble once they reached the ground.

"Impressed. No one has escaped my grip so easily. For months, I've been looking for someone to test my skill to the fullest and now I have a chance to see if I can hang with the big leagues."

Dead Eye armed his crossbow and trapped Solar in a net forcing to struggle out of it.

"I've been caught in these before, you have to do better."

"I intend to, this dart is laced with the strongest sedative, one shot is all it will take."

He fired it but Solar caught it with her magic then broke free.

"How did…"

"Just a demonstration of my power. Here's another."

Solar did a magic blast but Dead Eye dodged it then dodged multiple shots from her then fired an arrow from his bow and tore right through her suit.

"I can't catch a break today."

Dead Eye tackled her and slammed her right into a wall but Solar got under and kicked him in the chest. Dead Eye tried to punch her but Solar counter each other.

"You just don't get it," Solar punched him right in the face which knocked him back a bit. "You're good. But your skills are outmatched by my powers."

Solar fire blasted to him then came to him and sucker punch him

"Next time you want to fight , at least have some type of edge," Solar said before taking off.

Moments later…

"Can't believe it, I let myself get cocky like that," Dead Eye grumbled as look at the torn piece of Solar's suit. "If I want to become the greatest bounty hunter ever, I'm going to need something extra."

Dead Eye used the torn fabric track it to the source, the Everton Laboratory to

"Yes, I'm this close to adapting Dr. Midnight's mutagen to mammalian DNA as I can come, the only thing I now need is a test subject."

Then without any warning, he was confronted by Dead Eye who had his blade to his neck.

"You. Lab guy, what is the place?" He asked him.

"It's my laboratory, nice blade, custom made?"

"Made from the best material money can buy," Dead Eye said as he looked over a case of rare geodes. "I never seen geodes like these before."

"They were found at a crash site about three years ago, studies have shown each one has given unique abilities once they come into contact."

"Then that means you created the Solar Eclipse."

"Yes, I gave Solar her powers."

"Powers. That's how she beat me. The only reason. Give me powers."

"I can give you some, but not without a price."

"And why should I pay you?"

"You'll have no idea what I'm about to do to you. Would you really trust me if it weren't in my self interest to succeed?"

Moments later…

"Here you go, doc," Dead Eye gave him the down payment. "It should cover everything and then some."

"The mutagen was compounded by your instructions. Once injected into the bloodstream you will be a new man."

Flashlight injected the mutagen onto Dead Eye's arm and not a minute too soon he started to transform, giving him a beast-like appearance making like a lion crossed with cheetah crossed with jaguar and mold into wolf.

"Do you like the results?"

"Yes, but now you can call me Hunter. And now it's time to get even with the sun," Hunter growled.

With Solar, she was on her way to the hospital to meet with the girls, after hearing that Canterlot Football Team won states over Crystal Prep but Duke got injured and was taken to the hospital.

"I mean it's not like I want bad things to happen to him, at least nothing super bad. I had to deal with him for two years for all the pranks he pulled…"

Then out of nowhere Solar gets blindsided by Hunter.

"What in the world? Dead Eye? Is that you?" Solar asked as Hunter tackled her.

"Call me Hunter, now."

"I could call you a lot of things? What happened to you?"

"I got powers like you? But pay a higher price to get it."

"You paid to do that to yourself?"

"Of course. Now I can leap like a jaguar, run fast like a cheetah and have the strength of a lion!"

Hunter grabbed her and threw her down into animal part of the Canterlot History Museum then Hunter dropped as well.

"Before, you had an advantage, but how well will you do now if both of us are equal."

"Sorry to break the bad news, you're not the first genetic experiment gone wrong. Just the first that smells like a litter box."

"All I smell is fear,"

Hunter drawed his blade and swung it at Solar then Solar tried to yank but Hunter bashed her at the head then tossed her across the room then lunged at her but Solar sweep kick him into a dinosaur display then Solar's phone rang showing Fluttershy's number.

"Hold on. Can I take this?" Solar suggested before running away from Hunter's pursuit. "Hello."

Sunset? Thank goodness. Duke is in surgery and kinda worried of about him. How far are you from Canterlot General?

"Not far, like a few minutes, but I'll be there."

Thanks.

"The things I do for my friends."

Hunter kicked her in the chest and sent her into a gorilla display

"Okay, I dealt with animals long enough, this one for you, Shy."

Solar hurled the fake gorilla at Hunter knocking him back.

"I can't believe I said that," Sunset said, then looked around to see Hunter was gone. "Okay, where did he go?"

Hunter came right at her with a sucker punch and sent her outside of the museum.

"I need to isolate him so he pulls any fast ones," Solar said as she created a concealment field.

Hunter tried to punch her but Solar duck and bounced off the field then Solar drop kicked in the face then pushed him into a tree then Hunter rebounded.

"I can do this all night."

"So can I!"

Solar did a flurry of combos then kicked in the chest which sent him into the ground.

"Take that, pussycat. Now who's on top?"

"We will meet again, hero," Hunter dropped a smoke bomb blinding Solar and once she opened her eyes Hunter was gone without a trace. "Well, that just happened."

Meanwhile, Hunter was in his limo brooding about him losing to Solar twice.

"This hunt is not over."

Glad to hear it.

"Who's that?" Hunter asked his assistant.

"Our anonymous American friend now has a name of sorts."

I'm called Mastermind. And I was wondering how you feel about hunting in a group.

Chapter 16-Battlelines Part 1: The Six Strike Back

At Kyle's Bullseye, Solar was there talking to someone.

"Now, I know what you're thinking. 'It's almost Christmas. Even Solar must have a tree to trim, gifts to wrap.' But first I gotta wrap up a little mystery. Even though I busted Cavalier, all the tech he stole is still missing. And every lowlife I meet says that 'Black Ace is the guy to talk to.' So talk Ace," Solar glared at him.

"Who are you kidding? What will the hero do if I shut up?" Black Ace asked, calling her bluff.

"Hey, Ace, can you give 2-1 odds- Uh, Solar?" A man came in and saw her then quickly left. "Bye."

Then she smirks at Black Ace upon the man's departure.

"Alright, there's been a rumor that Cavalier is running for some big boss, the guy's hiring from cons to crooks, even the builders but everyone has sworn secrecy, that's all the knowledge I got for," Black Ace explained as a young woman sneaks out which Solar took notice.

"Thanks, I owe you an eggnog," Solar left out.

Outside…

"That was a close one," She said as Solar tapped her shoulder making her turn around to see her.

"Hi, there, I'm Solar. And you are."

"Uh, Windblower ," She stammered.

"Okay, Windblower, I know you overheard my conversation with Black Ace, so do you have any information about my problem?"

"Not much, but I have a name for Cavalier's boss."

"I can work with that."

"They called him Mastermind, but that's all I know."

What both of them didn't realize was that a drone was above and given a live video feed to a base that Mechanic had listened to call his boss.

Yes, Mechanic?

"Solar's closing in, she knows who paid Cavalier to steal the tech."

Round up the usual suspects and destroy her.

A worker handed Mechanic files on Plasma, Raptor, Iron Bull, Sandstorm, Hunter, Cavalier, and Madame Mayhem.

Much later, Raptor, Iron Bull, Sandstorm, and Cavalier arrived as Mechanic came in with Plasma and Hunter.

"Most of you have met, but Plasma and Hunter, this Iron Bull, Raptor, Sandstorm, and Cavalier," He introduced everyone as Sandstorm gave a stern look to Hunter.

"Is there a problem?" Hunter asked.

"Allergic to cats," Sandstorm said.

"Everyone, allow me to introduce our gracious host, The Mastermind."

Mechanic informed me that Madame Mayhem declined my invitation. This is disappointing. I was hoping to inaugurate the Deadly Seven.

"Don't we have seven?" Iron Bull asked then looked at Mechanic. "What about him?"

"Only tech support, trust me he is useless in a fight," Cavalier said.

No matter, a new Deadly Six will suffice.

"Suffice for what, exactly?" Raptor raised an eyebrow.

To help me bring forth the age of the super criminal. This is your time my colorful friends. Once you dispose of a certain red and yellow-clad pest.

"Excuse me? How exactly is a new Deadly Six supposed to fare better than the old one?" Sandstorm asked.

With no surprise, I have a plan.

At the Canterlot Ice Rink, the people gazed in awe as the Christmas tree had lightened up. Raptor flew in looking for Solar from above.

"I don't see her."

Oh, she's here I can smell her scent.

Team one, deploy. That will lure the do-gooder into the open.

"Way ahead of you."

With Sunset, she grabbed herself a cup of hot cocoa then someone on accident bumped into her spilling and burning her tongue.

"Sweet Celestia, that's hot!" Sunset exclaimed.

Then all of a sudden a lightning bolt struck the rink and in a few seconds, Plasma showed.

"Oh, Solar, come out and play," Plasma said as everyone ran away screaming.

"And that's probably the least painful of the night," Sunset said before going to a secluded place and putting on her costume.

"Show yourself, you bright headed…"

"Now, now, watch the mouth. There are children present," Solar said.

"What?" Plasma asked before being blasted by Solar's fireball.

"I burn my tongue, okay?"

Plasma fires a bolt at her but Solar dodges it and then got blindsided by Raptor who kicks her.

"Beaks? Is there a revolving door at the rink?" Solar asked, surprised by his appearance.

"What?" Raptor asked.

No bantering with villains until the tongues had time to heal. Raptor and Plasma are a pretty unlikely pair of two. Gotta figure out the entire Stupid Six.

Then Plasma scored a direct hit at Solar with a lightning blast.

"Hey R-man, you notice? The hero doesn't seem to focus on us."

"Why, you're right. It's almost like she expects more company," Raptor laughed as Solar got up.

Plasma blasted her but missed then Solar sweep kicked him to the ground.

Got to get the goons off the ice. "Hey, you two, let's play and follow the leader!"

"Let's not."

Raptor swooped down only to get barred by a couple of magic blasts by Solar.

Okay, if you can't lure them away. Gotta take them out so focused and make your play. Flyboy is very protective of that headset of his. Which means I can use his paranoia to pin in wings.

Solar threw a fireball at him but Raptor ducked.

"I said no!" Raptor said.

Solar used her magic on the ribbon tied Raptor with it and hung it on the tree.

"You know for an evil old nob, you make a good ornament," Solar joked.

"Don't worry, I got you."

Plasma fired a beam from his mouth.

"I'll be free in a…"

The blast zapped the tree and Raptor which made it go into flames.

"You blew up the Christmas tree? The Christmas tree? Harsh."

The tree started to fall with Raptor on it then Solar saved Pinkie Pie from it and landed on a building.

"Thanks, Solar. BTW, can I have an autograph?"

"Later," Solar said before Plasma blasted her, then Plasma chased after Solar.

"At least I got him off the ice. Now if I could just get him off the planet," Solar avoided the blasts then she founded a car repair shop with loads of tires.

"What do we have here?" Solar went in as Plasma did the same.

"You won't escape me that easily!"

Plasma continued to fire bolts then Solar tossed a tire at him but easily shot him down.

"That's your best shot? Feeble!"

"You know the old saying," Solar said as she hurled more tires as Plasma shot them down.

"Eventually you run out of tires, then I'll," Plasama as he foot got stuck in melted tires.

"Or what, take me out for a spin?"

Solar placed tires on him, then Plasma tried to free himself but the tires melted and completely trapped him.

"That coat or coating looks great on you, and non-conductive, fabulous," Solar said as she stretched her arms only to have her head flash. "You have to be kidding me…"

Solar got punched by a giant sand fist then slowly got back up.

"Hey, Sunshine, don't fade on us, now." Sandstorm appeared right in front of her. "Feathers and Sparky were only appetizers."

"Time for the main course," Iron Bull joined in and he and Sandstorm grinned at the hero.

"This is gonna hurt, " Solar gulped.

Both of them punch her and send her flying into a car where she crashed.

"Ugh, does anyone have a number on that sleigh?" Solar asked, being dazed.

"Ain't she a clever girl? It's Christmas Eve, and she said sleigh, instead of saying truck," Sandstorm laughed.

"Too bad I'm more of a tank person."

Iron Bull charged at her but Solar slid across the ground and went underneath him.

"The thing about tanks? They don't corner well. And they're ugly," Solar said as Sandstorm grabbed her and two of them tossed Solar back and forth.

"Hey, Bit? This is kind of fun, me and you, right? Just like old times."

"Only now we're kicking her tail," Iron Bull's head slams her through a moving bus.

"Excuse me, coming through!" Solar rolled out of there and landed on her feet.

"Arms, check. Legs, check. Head, check. And my burnt tongue is better too. Christmas miracle," Solar said then immediately dodged a falling truck thrown by Iron Bull.

"A bug for a bug."

"Yeah, I got it, for you that was clever."

"Thanks."

Both Iron Bull and Sandstorm chased her to the docks and cornered her

"Come on, guys. Feliz Navidad, Happy Hanuka, Kwanzaa, Winter Solstice. Can't we put our differences off for one night?" Solar asked her.

"Nope," Both said as Sandstorm punched her then Iron Bull placed his foot on her.

"When we're done with you, there won't be enough to stuff my stocking."

Iron Bull slammed her repeatedly on the ground.

"Hey, Bull, toss her over. I want to pull off that mask and see who she is before we end it."

Iron Bull tossed her but Solar leaped over him.

"Sorry, I'm a do not open until Christmas Moring superhero,” Solar replied.

Okay, being a punching bag is working ineffectively so go to Plan B.

She opened a fire hydrant and water came down on Sandstorm making him turn into a pile of sand. Then Iron Bull charged after but Solar grabbed a scuba tank and whacked him.

"That's all you got?!" He asked feeling little pain from it.

"Oh, I got more," Solar jumped to the frozen lake. "If you're beast enough to come and get it."

"I'll show you who's beast enough."

Iron Bull jumped to her but due to his heavy body, the ice started to crack around him.

"Here, you're going to need this," Solar tossed him the tank.

"I hate you, so much," Iron Bull glared as fell into the ice-cold lake, then Solar landed on the beach then got sucker punch by Sandstorm then tried to hammer her, but Solar avoided the attempts.

"Huh, he's getting slower, the cold air freezing the hydrant water is saturating the silicates," Solar said. "Think fast, frosty!"

She hurled a large clump of snow at him, freezing Sandstorm in place.

"Four down, two to go," Solar panted. "All right, Discharge, Mayhem, show yourselves!"

"Solar!" Solar heard Madame Mayhem's voice as she and Discharge were on top of a building.

"I just had to say something. I've been fried, slash, battered, and frozen tonight, I'm overdue to join Rarity on a spa day." Solar before flying to them.

What she didn't know was that it was an illusion and then got sucker punched by Hunter.

"Not what I meant," Solar groaned as sees Hunter and also Cavalier riding a dragon.

Solar left and both of them followed after her.

"I'm beat and let's face it, without the help of the Symbiote, I never actually beat the Six myself. Oh, God I only hope it's six, really suck it was seven," Solar said as she sat near a Canterlot Weekly building. "Yikes. Lock the chimneys, folks."

Out of nowhere, Hunter tackled her then held his grip on her.

"No prey can escape me that easily. I track your smell of fear till the end of the earth."

"Tough talk for substitute moron. Guess the great hunter was scared of facing one on one this time."

"Law of the jungle. Pack wears the prey down so that the alpha male can strike."

Solar blinded him and then backed him into a wall but not before Cavalier's dragon slammed his tail on her sending her straight into the Canterlot Mall and crashing onto the floor.

But it wasn't for long as Hunter followed to the mall as well as Solar looked at a perfume lady.

"Wow, great perfume. Mind if I try some?" Solar asked then she grabbed and hurled right at Hunter's face blocking his smell.

"Can you smell me now furball?"

Then in a puff of smoke, Cavalier appeared.

"A bit too soon to gloat, Solar?"

"You tell me, you're the expert of premature gloating."

"We shall see. Fledermäuse umgeben die Sonnenfinsternis und zerstören sie!"

Serval bats came from his cape and surrounded Solar then she blasted all of them with fire blasts just as Cavalier was on the second floor.

"Second floor. Toys, housewares, superhero defeats," Cavalier walked to the mall Santa.

Solar went after him but Hunter kicked in the chest.

"Hunter, no!" Cavalier shouted coming from the other side of the mall.

"If that's the real Cavalier, then the other one is a bot, a bot that is about to… oh crap!"

The Cavalier started to glow and Solar grabbed the mall workers out of there as the bot exploded and sent him flying across the room knocked out.

"Please tell me these guys are going on the naughty list?" Solar asked them before trapping Hunter in a bubble.

"Hey, Cavalier!" Solar called for him. "I'm using that stupid mask of yours as a doorstep."

"Not if you can't find me."

Cavalier made himself invisible then Solar rolled her eyes knowing it was a fake magic act.

"Really invisibility cloak? I'm not stupid." Solar's eyes glowed red seeing Cavalier's body heat. She fired a magic blast at him which disabled the cloak as he was now visible then Solar grabbed him and ripped the mask off.

"Whoa there, easy there, hero," Cavalier said, then winced in pain when Solar pinched his face. "What was that for?"

"Making sure you weren't a bot."

"I'm not, I'm the real deal here."

"I know that Mastermind set this up. Who is he? And what's he doing with the tech you stole?"

"How should I know?"

"Don't play dumb with me, one touch of your head and I can see everything that you did, so I look into your head or tell me everything you know."

"Maybe the Mastermind has a master plan?" He spoke.

Much later the police arrived hoping to bring in the villains but to their surprise all of them except for Cavalier had vanished.

"It doesn't make any sense, how do five of Canterlot's most wanted escape without a trace," Arctic Colt said.

"What should we do, detective," A cop asked.

"Stay on the lookout for them, they are still dangerous. At least Madame Mayhem decided to sit this one out,” Gallant Sentry said.

With Solar, she was standing on top of Canterlot High being unmasked.

"I don't know who you are or what you're planning Mastermind. But I am coming for you,” Sunset exclaimed as looked at the night sky.

Chapter 17-Battlelines Part 2: Heart of Fire

As Canterlot City was having another snowstorm, Solar had once busted another crime in progress, still trying to find out who Mastermind is and what's the endgame.

"Great, none of them know who's the mask under Mastermind," Solar groaned as she overlooked the crook being taken in by Canterlot PD. "I know you're out there. What are you up to?"

Meanwhile…

"Welcome to your lair, Mastermind," Mechanic said as he, Raptor, and Plasma were greeted by Madame Mayhem.

"Thank you, Mechanic," Madame Mayhem told him.

"I still don't get why you didn't bust out with me and Hunter?" Plasma asked.

"Is quite simple . When building a secret empire of super criminals, the safety of a hospital bed has its advantages."

"Beats being in prison," Raptor said.

"Yes. As Solar Eclipse searchers for Mastermind, leaving Madame Mayhem free to plan," The villainess smiled. "I assume that everything is in position."

"Of course, all that remains is calibration and testing.".

At Mercer Corp…

"Sunset, so glad you can make it," Darell said to her, being in a broken down building.

"Well, you're a hard mentor to say no, Mr. Mercer. Besides, what teenager doesn't love so old fashioned destruction now and then.

"Once this place comes down, we can repurpose the property for a brand-new R&D building. Sunset, this Mall Pryer, our demolition expert."

"Nice setup, is it wireless?" Sunset asked.

"100 percent, once we're clear, I'll remotely activate the countdown, and boom," Mall said.

"Sunset, go get a good seat for the implosion," Darell told her. "I'll join you shortly."

"Okay," Sunset replied and headed out but not before having her head flash. "That can't be good."

"Oh, crap!" Mall exclaimed as the bomb started. "The countdown has started. 30 seconds until the explosion."

"Shut it down," Darell ordered him.

"I'm trying, but I'm locked out. We can't get clear in time."

Then Solar dropped in.

"Wow, who invited the downer," Solar joked as she created a force field around the two. "You boys, comfy?"

"Wait, what Sunset?" Darell asked.

"Already safe. Your turn."

Solar pushed them out of the building but not before the bomb went off trapping her. But Solar created a forcefield around them protecting her from the fallen debris then a few moments later she emerged from the debris.

"That went well," Solar said.

Meanwhile, both Raptor and Madame Mayhem were watching from the base.

"At least we tried, Wallace."

"Mercer's time will come. As will, Solar's. Still, you must be pleased with the initial test."

"Very pleased. The neural transmitter that allows me to control my hair and with a mere thought I was able to activate the countdown."

"I didn't like power flux, put more in reserve," Mechanic told Plasma.

"Working on it," He said as he charged the reserves.

"Minor problems aside, you and the others had done a successful job assembling the tech that Cavalier stole."

"The brain work was all yours."

"Yes, that has a working wireless connection with nearly every computer in the city, but that is just the beginning. In less than 24 hours, the world will be at my mercy. Just imagine the possibilities."

At Sugarcube Corner…

"Any plans for the new year?" Rarity asked. "I'm going to an elegant ball, showing off my newest design."

"We're selling hot apple cider, at the farm," Applejack said.

"Me and Pinkie were going to the Canterlot Square for the ball drop," Rainbow said. "Twilight? Sunset?"

"I got nothing."

"Spending time with the family," Twilight said.

None of the girls realized that Plasma was wearing his trench coat, eyeing Twilight.

"It's me, I got eyes on the target. Begin phase one," Plasma said on his con and immediately the lights started to flicker.

"Is everything okay?" Sunset asked.

"I'm not sure, what's going on?" Mr. Cake said. "But everyone please leave the store."

As everyone left, Plasma still kept his eyes on Twilight.

"Target has left the shop," He said.

Excellent, proceed to extract her.

Plasma snuck from behind zapped her and carried her off to Raptor came down grabbed her then took her to the air just as Plasma got in a truck with Mechanic driving.

"Package delivered, go," Plasma said as the van took off.

Then Solar arrived following them.

"Great, Raptor's long gone. But there's Plasma's van. And hopefully, he'll let me to where Twilight is."

"Yeah, nothing but road, thanks doc," Plasma said.

You're not home free, yet, it seems the wretched Solar is on your tail.

"No problem, we'll ditch her," Mechanic said.

"Eat this, Solar!" Plasma said as he fired an energy sphere at her forcing her to dodge.

"So much for the stealth approach," Solar said as she dodged the spheres, and then created a red barricade in front of them.

"Look out!" Plasma said seeing it as the van crashed into the wall.

At Mastermind's base, Raptor put Twilight in a cage then he grabbed Twilight's phone.

"Oh, Mastermind, our guest has arrived and she kindly lent us her phone," Raptor told her.

"Good, it's time to call the big brother," Madame Mayhem said as she called in Shining Armor.

Hey, Twilight.

"No, not, Miss Sparkle, Captain. You need help keeping tabs on your sister."

Who is this? How did you get Twilight's phone?

"Oh, call me, Mastermind. As for the phone, from Miss Sparkle, of course."

From her? Where is she?

"She's fine, she's taking a nap."

Listen, pal. If you touch a hair on her…

"Let's dispense with threats and get straight to the point."

Alright, what do you want?

"The global portal codes stored at Homeland Security's Canterlot HQ."

Forget it. Those codes give you access to every government computer in the…

"The world? Yes. And you will provide the codes."

I'll level with you. I attend briefings at Home Sec. But I don't have clearances for the codes. I couldn't get them even if I wanted them.

"That could be fixed. With a little help and some proper motivation."

With Solar…

"Alright, you," Solar held Mechanic on the edge of the building. "Both Raptor and Plasma are long gone but you are going to tell me where to find the girl."

"Or else what, we both know the hero won't do anything rash," Mechanic smirked.

"You think I'm bluffing?" Solar asked him before throwing him off then used her magic to hold him.

"Ready to talk, now?"

"Like I tell you anything!"

Solar let him go again but this time she yanked him by the leg as he was about to crash onto the streets.

"That strike two care to try for three?" She asked.

"Okay... you win... I'll talk."

…

,,,

"Remind me again, why do we need him?" Plasma asked as he and Madame Mayhem watched Shining Armor heading straight to Homeland Security HQ.

"It has proven different to hack into their network, even if I use the transmitter, their network is on a secure line, protecting them from foreign code," She explained.

"Are you sure he will comply?"

"He will, if he cares for his sister's safety. Raptor and Cavalier are in a position to provide a distraction for him."

With Solar, she was at the hideout due to info given by Mechanic.

"The secret entrance to the Mastermind's lair," Solar said as she was being laced with sentry guns. "And since I don't want to have holes in my suit. I'll have to take an indirect approach."

She dived into the lake and swam into Mastermind's underwater lair.

"What's with the bad guys and having their lairs in lava forges or underwater labs," Solar asked as she came through the entrance but Madame Mayhem saw her.

"Plasma, deal with her. I'm a little busy here."

"On it," Plasma said as went to deal with Solar.

With Twilight….

"Hey, Twilight," Solar greeted her from the outside.

"Solar, I am so glad to see you. Quick question, how did you get here?"

"You don't want to know," Solar said before melting the bars. "I have you guys out in a minute."

"You're finished, sun-freak!" Plasma entered and fired an electric blast at her.

"Look out!" Twilight shouted.

Solar blocked the first one but Twilight fainted and the second headed straight for generators.

Plasma take this fight somewhere else.

"Sure thing, boss," Plasma replied then Solar had an idea.

"Mastermind doesn't want this tech to be damaged." She thought to herself. "Whoa, Dylan. Don't tell me you're scared of a second-rate jerk?"

"First, I'm not scared of anything!"

She dodged Plasma's blast.

"Second, Mastermind isn't second-rate! And third, don't call me rustbucket or I'll blast to kingdom come!"

He fired a whole lot of bolts at her only to hit the generators.

Plasma, stand down!

"Na-na-na! Rustbucket. Rustbucket, Rustbucket!"

"Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!"

He fired an electric blast from his mouth at her but Solar deflected it back to him.

"Mother fu..." He said before feeling the blast.

"If all of the…" Madame Mayhem groaned as robot arms came out of the wall.

"Even the walls have arms. At least one mystery was solved. Hey Mastermind, some secret identity advice, don't sign your handiwork, Madame Mayhem."

Yes, Solar, how amazing of you to have guessed the truth even after I revealed it.

The robot arms tried to grab her but missed, then Solar hurled the unconscious Plasma at them and they all exploded when she felt the impact.

"Worth it."

"If you want something done right…"

Solar grabbed the sleeping Twilight, and then a hair tentacle came at her face and placed it into a wall.

"I thought the arms race was over."

"Oh, I have a few tricks up my sleeves," Madame Mayhem said holding Twilight.

She sent two hair tentacles at her but Solar dodged it the third one grabbed her and slammed her body around the lair and tossed to the ground then formed a drill. Solar quickly acted and fired a magic sphere at the power line making Madame Mayhem feel a surge.

"No! Without the server to route signals… it's too much…." Mayhem winces in pain as Solar saves Twilight. "Must destroy the connection!"

She destroys the generators powering down most of the base.

"Congrats. My lair, my master plan, all ruined!"

"Thanks, I enjoy fooling myself by foiling villain plots."

"Only one option remains," Madame Mayhem pulls a lever and not a minute too soon the lair is in self-destruct mode as she heads to an escape pod and leaves. "Farewell, Solar. Enjoy your grave."

The place started to come down trapping the two in the place with Solar being on top of the debris.

"Can't budge. So cold. My whole body was stiff and numb. Guess this is it, I fought the good fight. Did my best. Foiled Mayhem's plan to rule the world. No one could ask any more of me," Solar said. "What am I doing? I can't give up. Twilight needs me. Okay, I never tried this move before, but I hope I don't die."

Solar charges her body and screams, making a loud explosion that destroys the debris that was on her to which Twilight woke and joined Solar in the water.

"Sweet Celestia, it's cold," Twilight exclaimed.

"It's going to get even colder if we don't get out of here," Solar told her. "There's an escape pod that Mayhem used to escape. Can you drive it?"

"Sure."

"Good, get warmed up, I need to grab one more passenger," Solar looked at Plasma who was still being knocked out as Twilight headed to the pod.

"You may be a jerk, but you don't deserve faith this bad," Solar grabbed him and joined Twilight and the three of them got out just as the lair exploded.

"Captain?" Solar contacted him.

Yes.

"I just want to let you know that your sister is okay, and I have a bad guy for you."

Thank god. I don't know what I do without you.

"Not a problem."

Chapter 18-Beached Bummed

Solar was flying through the cold air of Canterlot City.

"Well, it's the first day back at school from winter break, I finally see the guys after…" Solar said before seeing Brisk Storm. "Was that a Brisk Storm?"

She blinked and saw nothing.

"Okay, I'm seeing things," Solar said. "But it's not like Dark Eclipse is back, it's out for revenge right?" Solar asked before hearing a nearby alarm go off then headed over there.

…

"Alright, now this is what I call a big score," Sandstorm said as covering himself in stolen jewels.

Then Solar appeared in front of him.

"That's funny. I thought you had to know how to count to keep score."

Solar punched him which did nothing then Sandstorm grabbed her and tossed her into a hair salon.

"Gotta love villains, who can accessorize."

Solar vaulted herself to Sandstorm allowing him to catch her.

"Guess I'm a hardened criminal," Sandstorm forms a saw cutter. "How about a little trim?"

Solar used her magic to create an explosion to separate herself from Sandstorm then police cars came.

"This is where I check out," Sandstorm traveled through as jewels he grabbed came off of him. "Oh come on!"

Later at Canterlot High, the students were heading to audiotorium for Principal Celestia's

"I still can't get the image of Brisk out of my head. But I flew past so quickly, it could have been anyone. Or no one," Sunset said then her head flashed then someone jumped which made her do a takedown only to realize that it was Travis. "Travis!"

"Hey, Sunset. Not the greeting I was expecting but who would've guessed you took on karate while I was gone."

"Sorry about that. When did you get back?"

"Just last night. What's new with you?"

"Well.." Sunset was about to talk but the bell rang.

"Tell me later, we are about to get one of Celestia's semester speeches."

At Kyle's Bullseye, Tiger Claw walked in seeing a dejected Sandstorm

"Surprised you even show your face with some sparkles on you," Tiger Claw said.

"Come on, Tiger Claw, give me another shot," Sandstorm begged.

"Well, I have some ideas,' Tiger Claw smirked while Sandstorm was intrigued.

…

"With the shortage of cake fries, the cafeteria will have pudding tots," Principal Celestia said. "Now I'd like to introduce this semester's guest instructors. Directing this year's play we're honored to have Manehatten's very own Showstopper. And conducting a special weekly seminar… Detective Arctic Colt of Canterlot City Police Department."

"So, what's the story with him?" Pinkie asked.

"He works with my brother of force, though I wouldn't be surprised if he offers so he can keep a close eye on me," Twilight said just as the bell. "So, did any of you get an invite to Duke's party?"

"Yeah," most of the girls replied, showering their invite.

"So all of us got invited? Weird?"

…

"Just back in school, and already there is is back and hopefully not as Emerald Elf. Or surviving at Duke's party. Or.. Brisk?" Solar wonders as she sees him but hears the alarm. "An alarm coming from the Museum. But Brisk… is gone."

She turned around to see he was gone again.

"Okay, now I'm losing it. Elf. Dark Eclipse. Who's next?" Solar headed to the museum to a trail of sand at the entrance.

"Oh, Sandstorm," Solar rolled her eyes then walked in then her head flashed, making a duck from an incoming boulder that was thrown by Sandstorm.

"How? How are you always wherever I'm doing a job? It's like you have some solar sense or something."

"Funny you said that because…" Solar got punched into the wall by Sandstorm then headed into the vault and Solar followed him to the statute display.

"Great. Needle in a haystack. It would be a little barbaric of me to tear this place down looking for guy made of sand."

Sandstorm came from behind and swallowed her whole but Solar magic blasted through his stomach and got out before spitting out some sand from her mouth.

"You keep getting in my way. Now I got a buyer willing to pay massive bucks for the Urn of Gulag, here. And there's no way I'm missing out on my big score," Sandstorm grabbed the urn.

Solar lunged at him but Sandstorm did a backhand slap sending right into the armory display. Solar got up and took off the helmet only to see Sandstorm taller.

"Is it just me or are you taller?"

Solar cartwheels out of the way just Sandstorm tried smash with his hammer.

"Neat huh? A trick I pick up in prison. I kept losing bits of sand… so my lawers made them feed me raw sillicates. I can absorb as much as I want. But that ain't my only trick.

Sandstorm grew two extra arms then grabbed four swords and swung them at Solar who kept dodging them until kicking one of them.

"Sandy. You're pathetic. "

"I'm pathetic?"

"Yeah," Solar hurled a metal helmet to his face. "With your powers you can do some real good. Help people. But instead you use it on the same stupid crimes High Rise committed."

Sandstorm said nothing and punchn in the face.

"What are you joking with me about? I got places to be rather than being a hero chump," Sandstorm exclaimed as turn into a ball and rolled out of there.

Much later, Sandstorm had met up with Tiger Claw…

"I got you the urn. Give me my payoff," Sandstorm said Tiger Claw gave him a slim stack of money. "That's it?"

"What'd you expect more? You already know that Mr. X takes his cut and loan out fee from Mastermind for your super villain services."

"This was supposed to be my big score!"

"Then maybe you're not thinking big enough," Tiger Claw implied." There's an oil tanker that's coming into the city. Once you stop it, I got divers ready to drain it dry. All that crude, now that makes for a big score."

Sandstorm got in the water and managed to grab the boat.

At the Duke's party…

"Hey, Flash, by any chance you saw Brisk Storm?" Sunset asked him.

"Not really, why?"

Then the radio came in saying that Sandstrom was holding the oil tanker at the harbor then Sunset quietly walked out the back way and went to deal with it.

"Okay, Sandstorm, I know you're here. And this you're going down no matter how big you get!" Solar said arriving there.

"Oh really?" Sandstorm said as he grew to the size of the giant.

"Wow. I know a basketball team that could use a guy your size. Do you dribble or do you drool?"

"Mostly I'm slam dunk!"

He swung a giant spike ball at her but she dodges it before getting punched by him. With the two fighting, Tiger Claw's men approached the tank and proceeded to drain it just as Sandstorm bashed with his head making Solar fall to ground then got back up before getting smushed.

"The tap was just the beginning, sunshine."

Sandstorm created multiple sand fists and tried to punch her with them but Solar dodged them.

"Okay, how am I supposed to beat up a beach?" Solar wondered.

Solar lured Sandstorm by landing on the beach and made him chase her on the boat but destroyed it in the process.

"Yeah, I can see it," Tiger Claw said to the divers. "We got enough oil. Pull out."

"Get me out of here," Tiger Claw told his drivers as his car left the Harbor.

Meanwhile…

Solar chucked a large pile of debris on him but it went right through him.

"That's all you got?"

"Hey, it worked on Goliath."

Sandstorm swung a spike ball at her but he missed.

"Don't suppose you'd consider picking on someone your size?"

"Nope. Been waiting to squash you since the day we met."

He tried to stomp her but she rolled out of there and smash through the boat then instantly came back even taller.

"Okay how tough can this be? All Jack needed was beanstalk and an ax."

Solar replied with magic blasts and that she sees Dark Eclipse passing by.

"What? Dark Eclipse? He got the Symbiote…" Solar tried before getting grabbed by Sandstorm then noticed the tanker was on fire. "Uh, rain check on the fighting."

Both of them tried to rescue the people on the tanker now that it was ablaze.

"Fire on the oil tanker, great!" Solar exclaimed before absorbing the flames from the captains. "Hold on, we're getting out of here."

"It's too late, she's going to blow before she sinks."

Sandstorm grabbed the two people, place on them life raft and took them to shoreline which surprised Solar.

"I was just in for the bucks. I never meant for this to happen," Sandstorm exclaimed before Solar and tossed her out of there and held on to the oil tanker which it exploded but Sandstorm absorbed the blast but turned him glass.

"The heat from the explosion must've glazed him," Solar said before it broke down. "If you want a big score, High Rise. Far as I'm concerned, this is the biggest score a man could've have.

Solar left the shore unaware that Sandstorm resurfaced on the beach and vanished. With her Solar she was at the sight of where she hid the Symbiote to her knowledge. It was still there.

"It's still here. Buried under piles of rock. Okay, maybe Brisk's back. Or I'm just paranoid,' Solar said. "Either way, without the Symbiote, Dark Eclipse's gone for good."

She left unknowing of the Brisk hiding and came once out of the area.

"I knew if you made you paranoid enough you'd lead straight to the one love," Brisk said as tore the ground open allowing the alien life out and merged with him to become Dark Eclipse once again. "And this time we will crash her world on top of her."

Chapter 19-One Step Forward, One Step Back

It was like any other night in Canterlot City as three bank robbers have just pulled a heist and running with the money, just as they were running, two of them got blasted behind by black magic blast which made of drop their sack of money as the third one came and grab both of the bags.

“Sorry, guys every man for themselves,” he said then made his way.

But from out of nowhere, another trash can container came right on him.

“Hey! Someone let me out!”

Then the police came by, and two cops hopped out of their cars none of them realizing it was Dark Eclipse.

“Hey Solar, back in the black, nice,” One of them said but Dark Eclipse blindsided both of them with a magic blast and took off with the money.

“Ha, hello payday,” He grinned. “Now the fun can truly begin.”

The following day, at the labs of Everton...

“Ahh, it’s happening again,” Comet Strike groaned.

“Stay calm, Colonel,” Dr. Colt said to him. “Slow deep breath.”

“Deep breaths.... help him! My boy’s clothes are rippling right off of him!” Platinum Writer exclaimed as quite literally his clothes were ripping off then Comet vault forward and smash through the wall.

“No wonder, why the lab goes through the funding so quickly,” Dr. Flashbright said.

“Don’t worry I think it’s over,” Comet said as he cools down.

“You think!?”

“Too soon.”

“Colt, put this on in the other room.”

“Sure,” Comet went to the other room.”

“Alright, doc, care to explain what’s happening to him?”

“Your son was exposed to the alien life form on the hull of his spaceship.”

“He got exposed by the alien life form,” Sunset came in. He came in contact of the Symbiote but why he didn’t go through what I went through.

“Actually, Sunset he was infected by the microscopic spores that hitch a ride of the lifeform. Like how gum stick to your boots. We been tracking his condition every month. When the spores enter his body, they have multiple.”

“Dr. Colt thinks that they have originate from high mass gravity world like Jupiter,” Twilight explained.

“I don’t care if came from Abyssinia, I want them out in...”

“It’s not that simple, the gene cleanser had no effect, neither extreme heat nor cold. I had somewhat success with using electrons but in the meantime...”

“I get to wear this,” Comet came back now in yellow space suit.

“You look like a full-on superhero.’

“The spores have chemically altered your mass, making you heavier, stronger, this Jupiter Suit will slow it down.”

“Plus, the ladies, love a guy in uniform.”

“It’s good to maintain you sense of humor. Any change of personality may cause the spore to alter the mind as well.”

Moments later...

“Taxi!” Platinum Writer called for one then Sunset caught to them. “I have go to the Weekly. But I drop you at home first.”

“Mind if I tag along, I need to collect my paycheck,” Sunset requested.

“Sure, hop on,” he told her.

Then the taxi took off being very slow due to Comet Strike’s heaviness.

“Sorry, guess I can kiss my normal life goodbye.”

Been there. It sucks. Sunset thoughted. “I mean for what’s worth Comet, you been given a great power that can for good...

“Hold the thought...” Platinum Writer stopped as his phone was ringing. “Go. What? We'll be a monkey’s uncle, Solar’s back in black and causing a crime spree.”

“What?” Sunset asked. How in the name in Equestria did the Symbiote get out.

“I want everyone on it, 24/7. From crime scenes to eyewitness. Oh, get a headline. Oh, what a tangle web we weave,” Platinum Writer glee for joy. “And I have got what I need to take the sun girl down a peg. Hold on the front page, Thunder, I call you right back. Comet, you take down the Sun.”

“I’m not following.”

“Look at you, you the powers and the suit all you need now is the perfect name...” He thoughted of one until he got one. “How about St. Smasher, yeah.”

“But, pops, you hate superheroes?”

“When did I say that?”

“Every hour on the hour,” Sunset chimed.

“I hate masked ones. I mean, why cover the face,” he said then look at Comet. “But you’re an astronaut. The world already knows and loves you. You can be the one to bring down Solar.”

“What if she innocents?”

“Don’t confuse the issue?”

Hours Later...

“I can’t believe someone is posing as me, framing me, again,” Solar grumbled while flying through the city. “Please let be Gecko.”

She then spotted a truck that spun out of control which made her land to see.

“Okay,” She look at the damage of the truck to see black magic dust then it came on her. “Oh, no.”

“Oh yes,” Dark Eclipse confronted her confirming her worst nightmare. “Like looking in a mirror isn’t that right, Sunny?”

He grabbed her then slammed down her body making her groan in pain then Dark Eclipse picked her up again then slammed her to ground again.

“Sunny, it’s been too long.”

“Right back at you,”

Solar used her magic and hurled two box creates at him for onto his head which did nothing then Dark Eclipse chucked her straight into a power box which fell from where they were all the way to the armor car that had a gas leak which cause a fire that which Comet Strike or the newly named St. Smasher saw as he quite literally leaped to help.

Meanwhile both Solar and Dark Eclipse continue to brawl with one another.

“So, I’m little confused here, you want to frame me or want to smash me?” Solar asked while sending to magic blast at him.

“You make it sound so, complicated,” Dark Eclipse blocked it with his shield. “All we want is to simply destroy every aspect of your life, is that so hard?”

He glowed his hands then he fired a black magic blast at Sunset which she dodged at the last second.

“When we are done with you, everyone will hate you, just as we do, Once we revealed your identity to everyone. ” Dark Eclipse said before he geoleap which surprise Solar.

“He can geoleap!?” Solar was in shocked just as St. Smasher came in. “And you are?”

“I’m St. Smasher, I saw the fire and I thought I can help.”

“Let me guess, first time of being a superhero,” Solar said to him as they help the people out of the building. "You get used to it."

Moments later...

"One things for sure, Dark Eclispe is back and already making sure that I take the blame for everything that he does," Solar said as she flew over the city. "Brisk used my paranoia to make lead the symbiote straight to him. I need to seprate that thing from him permantly. The only question is how."

The next day at Canterlot High...

"Does anyone smell fire?" Pinkie asked the girls as they were in the hallaway.

"Did any one smoked?" Rarity questioned.

"No," the rest answerd.

Maybe not the best idea to put on the costume without washing it. Sunset thoughted as she went to her locked only have her head flash as Duke placed his hand on the locker. "Hey Duke. What's with you."

"Sunset, I've been trying to everything for Harmony to like me," Duke said. "But nothing has worked."

"And how's that invole me?" She asked.

"Give me any tips on how I get her to like me."

"For starters, Harmony has brain that knows that you are trying to way hard. Second, maybe try things that she likes."

"Like what?"

"The school play being directed by Mr.Showstopper," Sunset said as Duke gains an idea.

At Comet's place, he was watching the news on how Dark Eclispe pretended to be Solar contiung his string of crimes.

"I don't get it, why Solar is doing. Something doesn't add up," Comet said.

Then out of nowhere Dark Eclispe suprise punched her at the face.

"What the..." Comet was somewhat dazed as Dark Eclispe brought down most of the building on him as he chuckles. '

"If only you knew," he said quietly as left. "That will get him runged and get him to crush Solar for us."

At Canterlot PD...

"Shining!" Platium Writer stormed into the captain's office. "You one second to explain to me, why sun-hair menaced is not behind bars!"

"Good to see you, Platium," Shinning said as he was doing paper work.

"Maybe I can help, have you heard on this, St. Smasher."

"You mean your son."

"That besides the point. Point is he singlehandly saved people from buring building that Solar caused. Put him on the force and she will be a thing of the past."

"I have one obivios question, which one?" Shinning asked.

"What do you mean?"

"These are two differnet securiy footage of Solar, one of them was most recent and other was just few months back. The fighting style, the suit, the build. They are all different."

"The camera add some pounds, but the sun is still out there."

"I get where you coming from, but this isn't the first time where the Weekly got it wrong when a copycat crimminal pose as Solar do you really want your paper and more importantly yourself look like idiots, again," Shining asked just as Platium's phone ringed showing Comet's number.

"Yeah?"

You were right about, Solar, dad, but I'll get her.

"Glad you feel that way, but the cops aren't sure that real Solar is the problem. For now, how about save some folks and get some photos with public..."

No! Solar is mine! And going to stop her permeantly!

"Kiddo, those spores are cofusing your brain. Let's think about this..."

St. Smasher is not cofuse!

With Solar, she was on the hunt for Dark Ecilspe.

"Come on, where are you," Solar contiuned to look as she flew.

"Solar!" She looks down to see St. Smasher running.

"Hey sergeant, what's the story with you? I was hoping you can..."

Without any waring Smasher tacked right into her striaght into the Cantelot Planetary Museum then tried to stomp her but Solar jumped away.

"Hey man, what's with the lashing?"

"You can't fool me with a costume change," St. Smasher threw one plant model at her but she dodges it. "They aren't two suns there's only one."

St. Smasher tried to bull rushed her which made her sidestep away from him as crashed into a wall.

"The spores must have alter the brain waves on him," Solar said in secery then her head flash as she got crushed by a model size Juptier globe.

Solar tried to use her magic on her but St. Smasher shook off the magic and once again tried to rammed her but Solar kicked at chest which send him flying right into a expose wire where he shocked then he fall to the ground as he did the muscles on his body started to deflated.

"Just like Dr. Midnight said the electrons stopped the spores. Maybe the problem was not enough electricity. All I need to do is to lure him to large enough source. Hey! Sergenat Stupid, is true are you getting more dense."

He growled then deliverd a heavy uppercut to Solar faced which made her fall to the ground.

"Great, the plan's working." Solar said as she led him straight to genreator.

"You can't run forever."

St. Smasher puched her down to genreator.

"Now you'll learn the true meaning of power!"

"You want power, try two million volts of it!"

St. Smasher leaped to her but Solar quickly a maigc spark on the control pannel which turned on and shocked him to point where collasped on the floor.

At Havencroft...

"The spores are competly out of him," Dr. Midnight said Platium Writer. "He should be able to return to somewhat a normal life. We'll give you some time alone."

Both him and Flashlight left Platium Writer alone as he sees his son in solaraity confinement.

At Sunset's Place...

"I need to find Dark Eclispe. All of my friends are in danger with him around. There's no telling how damage how much he can do," Sunset said.

The next day at the Cantelot Weekly.

"This is all Solar's fault!" Platium Writer shouted. "She destroyed my son! If I ever get my hands on her..."

Out of nowhere, Dark Eclipse crashed through window and came on of him.

"You want the sun walker," Dark Eclispe questioned him. "Well here's a scoop for you. The Solar is really Sunset Shimmer."

Everyone gasped or wonderd of what Dark Eclispe said was true is Sunset Shimmer really Solar Eclispe.

Chapter 20-Idenity Meltdown

Late into the night, Sunset was being questioned by Gabby hoping to get answers after Dark Eclispe gave out her identity as Solar.

"Sunset Shimmer, are you Solar Eclipse?"

"Gabby, for the eighth time, I'm not her."

"The guy in black said differnet."

"You mean the guy calling himself Dark Eclispe? Does that inispre trust?"

"Then how is it you're the only photographer getting pictures of the Sun in action?

"Look, I get calls from her whenever she about to fight a baddie and sometimes I just happen to be in the area."

"I knew the sun head was using me for free publicity," Platinum Writer shouted. "But a bucks a buck, so, Gabby , interview everyone that sun head ever met, Heck interview everyone Shimmer's ever met."

"On it boss," Gabby said as left out first then Sunset left in disgust.

"Well..."

"She's only a kid, not Solar," Prism Mask said.

"Yeah, but in case..."

"We're ready to run with this," Prism show him the headline.

The next moring, Gabby headed to Mercer Penthouse and had interview with Darrell.

"You were the first individual Solar saved, and Sunset Shimmer is best friends with your son. Is there any chance they're the same person?"

Darrell gave a long thought and then gave his answer.

"No."

At Canterlot High, Sunset arrives her locker and put her bag in it just as Travis walk to her.

"Hey Sunset, a reporter from the Canterlot Weekly ask my dad that you're Solar, what's that about?"

"Nothing!" Sunset exclaimed as her face turn red.

Much later in Artic Colt's seminar...

"That pretty much for today on identity theft and how to prevent it," he said as the bell rung. "Any question?"

With Gabby she interviewed both Dr. Midnight and Stardust at Everton.

"So, Sunset Shimer? Solar Eclispe?" She asked only for the doctors to laugh a bit.

"You gotta be kidding."

"Although, it would explain a few things."

"Like when-- You don't mean it."

"And what about-- That's pretty far-fetched."

"And yet..."

"No comment?"

Hours later, both Twilight and Sunset were working on some vials until the front door open.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the prodigal son returns," Brisk said as Twilight ran to him and all Sunset did was glare at him just as Midnight and Stardust came out and were surpised by his visit.

"Ah, great to see you again."

"Where have you been, mister?"

"Taking some down after the downsizing."

"Brisk what happend? You were with Rarity for while before that monster grabbed her. I was afraid..."

"Why don't we catch up over coffee, just us?"

"Uh, Twilight and I were meeting with the others at Sugarcube, like now," Sunset reminded her.

"Rain check, then."

"Don't suppose you'd like your job back?" Stardust asked him.

"You kidding? Just give us a minute, heh. It's been long Sunny," Brisk gave Sunset a noogie on the head as they were on the other side of room. "We're quite unimpressed with the Bugle. They haven't run our big scoop yet. So..."

Then Sunset pushes him off.

"I don't care what impresses you, these days, Brisky," Sunset said to him.

"Oh, but you will." Brisk said as he see Sunset and Twilight head out the lab.

"So, bus or subway?" Sunset asked before they got bombard by reporters.

"There he is."

"Smile."

"Is it true? Are you Solar?"

"They think you're Solar?"

"Listen, I'm not her, please leave us alone."

They both made a run for it as the reports chase them down, but they manage behind the Everton Statue.

"Is the coast clear?"

"Yeah, but Twilight given the given the circumstances, I think I'll pass on meeting the girls. Let them know, I not coming."

Twilight walked on, leaving Sunset by herself.

Late night, Brisk was walking then he got carried by glow of red magic to the top of a building where Solar was standing.

"Brisky, I get why you're doing this to me, but don't you get how other people you'll hurt, by doing this!" Solar told him.

"Oh, we know exactly how many people your secrets will hurt. Tons," Dark Eclispe snarled then he lunged at her but Solar dodged.

Solar did three magic blasts at him which Eclispe counterd then he grabbed Solar by the waist and slammed her to the ground.

"And we cant wait to watch them all turn against you."

Eclispe created a dark magic blade prepare to slash her but Solar blind with a magic shot to the eye which Solar kicked him at the face then tried to gain some distance but Eclispe caught to her and took her to ground where a bunch reports fled so they would get crush. Then Eclispe tied Solar down to ground.

"Who are you?"

"How many Solars are there?"

"What are you doing to her?"

"Call us, Dark Eclispe. And all we want is to take off Solar's mask."

Meanwhile Gabby interviewed her closest friends the CMC at their club treehouse.

"Girls, be honset with me, is your classmate Sunset, Solar Eclispe?" She asked.

"Are we being punked right now?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"And now for the moment of truth," Dark Eclispe prepares to remove the mask.

"Sure, let's gets a close up!" Solar said as she leviates a camera at the back of his head then punches him as she got off him then left.

"That proves me point. If she wasn't Shimmer would she resist this much?"

"Creep's got a point."

"Yeah, show us your face."

"Prove you're not Shimmer."

"Just becasue, I'm not Shimmer doesn't mean I'll revel who I am," Solar said before doing a flame kick at Dark Eclispe's chest. "There's a reason it's called a secret idenitiy."

"Besides, crimson dude here's a half alien symbiote. You can't trust those things,"

"The sun doth we protest too much, we think," Dark Eclispe gets back up then magic blasts her. "Whoops, too hard. But stay tuned. We'll be right back for the unmasking."

He turned to around but to his and the reports surpise Solar's was long gone.

The next morning at Canterlot High, the news reports were at the gate.

"All right, all right. Pl" Princpal Celestia said to them as her sister shield Sunset from the press. "Please leave the young girl."

Much later, Gabby interviewed Duke.

"I have known Sunset for a long time. Trust me most of her students gave her the stank eye, from the Fall Formal at freshmen year," Duke said.

"Yet, what I heard from several students, they saw her in a Solar costume..."

"At the Halloween Steet Bash! And she look like a geek in footie pjs. Anyone can put on a costume and pretend to be her."

At his locker, he put on his Solar costume.

"And I can prove it." He grinned.

With Sunset...

"Ugh, every time I swear I'm not Solar, I'm lying to people I care about. Maybe I should just tell that I am," Sunset sigh before placing her mask on then flew off into the city.

At Cantelot prison, Gabby spoke with most of Solar's ememies, most recently with the unmasked Cavalier.

"You've fought Solar. Any insight of her identity?" She asked him.

"No, but I hope the Shimmer is her. Believe me, lass, every guy in the joint would know what to do with info," Cavalier answered.

With Duke he posed as Solar, whilie fending off two crooks.

"Back off," Duke but the crooks easily psuhed him to the ground.

"Should have stood in bed, sun-stinker," One of them cracked his knuckles then a magic blast caught him off guard.

"Seriously, Sun-Stinker?" Solar laughed at them as she dropped down. "Really? That's your A material?"

"Crab apples, this chump a fake."

"I'll show you who's the chump," Solar exlaimed as magic blasted both crooks to the ground as they were now unconcsious.

"See?" Then Duke took off his mask. "Anyone can pretend Solar and you guys will eat it up, but there's only one."

"You mean Sunset Shimmer?"

"Yeah... no. This guy."

"Major fanboy. Which is sad."

"We'll show you sad!" Dark Eclispe shouted before ramming her into a bus. "A sad little masked superhero soon to have no mask and no powers. Remember this?"

He showed Solar the gene cleanser.

"The gene cleanser. After your identity's revealed, we'll pour it down your throat then we'll sit back and laugh while all your enemies attack Sunset Shimmer. Leaving you powerless to defend yourself or the ones you love."

With Gabby, she interviewed with Fluttershy.

"So, Fluttershy. You were another victim that Solar saved, care to make any assumptoim that Sunset is Solar?"

"Well," Fluttershy stammers herself as she was extrmlely shy.

"Okay...." Gabby said.

Dark Eclispe punched at the face, then struggled to pull the mask off of her when he did, Solar was gone then he got blinded in the eye and Solar grabbed her mask and put it on. Then Dark Eclispe used magic and lifted a car and tried to throw at her, but Solar did a fireball at him which made he drop it but not before Dark Eclispe did a black magic orb blast that send Solar right into school courtyard. Solar quickly got back up and did a barrage of fireball at the aproache villian but they did nothing.

"What are those suppose to do?"

"They were suppose to hurt."

"Right idea. Wrong caliber."

Eclispe made boulders and hurled them at Solar which she doged most of them then Eclispe blindside her with a kick to the chest and right into a classroom where she fell on the floor groaning in pain then Dark Eclispe dragged across the room and right into the wall then formed his blade preaping to stab her then got hit by confetti.

"Hey meanie!"

Dark Eclispe turns around to see Pinkie and Rainbow in fighting stance.

"Leave her alone, freak!"

"Well, well... all of our favorite playthings are here!" Dark Eclispe chuckled then blasted by Solar.

"Girls, love the help, but get out here! Now!" Solar said to them which they leave.

Then Solar saw some of them checmical vial all over the floor which she threw a small flame at him which cause a explosion which Dark Eclispe shrieked due to be vurnbale to fire then Solar punch him out of the builidng then hurled a picinc table with her magic at him which put him near the lockers.

As Dark Eclispe got back up, he sees Solar with a steel baseball bat in her hands.

"You think you can hurt us with that?"

"That's the idea," Solar said as she bang it on the lockeers which casued a loud vibrations which Eclispe shirked at then he yank right the bat out of her hands.

"That was very unpleasant," He said as he cracked it.

"Oh applefudge," Solar gulped as Dark Eclispe landed some punches then threw her towards the gym.

Eclispe once again grab her and tossed her into the hoop.

"You never could score a bakset to save your life."

"Never got used to being the ball," Solar said as vaulted herself at him.

With Duke, he was at his locker.

"Dumb reporters still think the bacon head is Solar," Duke said as he fixed his hair with Solar being flunged into boys locker room. "What the... proably nothing?"

Or so he though when Dark Eclsipe tacked her to ground pull part of her mask up then held the gene cleanser.

"Don't be a baby. Time to take your medicicne."

"Yo, lame brain, you got the wrong sun," Duke grabbed his attention.

"Please, you're not fooling..."

Solar yanked the vial out is hand then kick him off.

"Thanks. You did good. Now book!"

"Right booking!" Duke made a run for it just Dark Eclispe pushed her into the lockers.

"We'll take that cleanser now!"

"Sure, what you say, Brisky," Solar said as she force him to drink it which casue the symbiote to remove from Brisk.

"No! You can't reject now! Don't leave me!" Brisk cried as it slither into the sewers then he saw Solar's boot.

"Drats, it scram."

"Please, Solar! Help me get it back! Please!"

"Brisk, Brisk, it's over," Solar placed a hand on his shoulder. "You're free. You can stop this, stop hating."

"Can't *Whimpes* It only loves me for the hate," Brisk started curl with tears his eyes.

Much later as Brisk was carried off the hostapal, at Canterlot Weekly, Gabby broke the news to her Platium Writer and Prism Mask.

"What do you it's not her?"

"After someone gave me footage of the bash where the whole rumor started and it got me thinking, there's no way she shown her face in public? And Sunset gets calls whenever Solar is about the fight the bad guys. I'm sorry it's not her," Gabby explained.

"Prism..."

"Let me guess, print a retraction," Prism asked as Platium Writer grumbles.

Late at night...

"Heh , innocent, but still at large. Guess you can't win them all," Solar smiled as she look at the paper. "I bet that two times that he have to make a retractiom."

"Couldn't said it better myself."

"What the," She turns around to see Shadowmane right there in the flesh, smirking.

"I stayed in the shadows for two months only hear some chick posing as you."

"Did you have soemthing to do with this?"

"Maybe, I did, maybe I didn't!" He said before he gave a wink then leaving her.

The next moring, both Luna and Celestia were falucity lounge relfelcining on the recent events.

"You know Tia, something just came," Luna said as she made her coffee.

"And what is that, Lulu?" Celestia asked.

"I once thought her masked vigilante thing was problematic, but I've come to realize that if Solar's true identity was revealed, everyone she cared about would be in constant danger. Maybe a man in a mask doesn't have something to hide, but something to protect. Wouldn't you agree?"

"Of course, I agree with you sister. We all something to protect, those who close to use," Celestia added she looks out the window.