//------------------------------// // Chapter 6: Justice Vs Revenge // Story: The Black Sun // by Super Ponyman //------------------------------// (Act 2: Echoing Chaos) (Canterlot City Outskirts, Police Barricade) The Canterlot High Bus had ground to a halt at the Police barricade, they were unloaded from the bus and the police began to process them and find out how they can get home. Meanwhile, The Rainbooms stood with Burning Star and Prince Eclipsio. all of them were both frightened by the attack by Black Sun, and shocked that he would actually attack students out of spite! “Burning Star dear, what in the name of Faust just happened to us? Black Sun appeared, fired off some shots... and everything seemed to be a blur. Care to explain what we should do now?” Said Rarity, combing her hair, it was an absolute mess. Burning Star turned towards the Rainbooms and replied, “Black Sun attacked the bus you girls were on, he was hoping to kill you all and cause as much carnage as he possibly could. If I hadn’t got there in time all of you may not be standing here.” “How could someone be so evil as to attack students?! What did we do to him?!” Asked Twilight, throughly terrified. “He probably saw you as a way to bait us into a trap, remember girls... he feels nothing at all. No pain, no fear, no remorse for his actions. He is beyond saving.” Said Eclipsio. The Prince pointed to himself, “Which is why I will kill him and eliminate his threat to your world and my world.” The word “kill” made Fluttershy wince, she said to him. “Why can’t you just capture him, Eclipsio? Why does he have to die?” Eclipsio growled, “Because he just does, because he deserves it!” Chief Shining Armor exited His police car and ran over to Twilight. “Twily!” Twilight ran over to Shining Armor and the two embraced in a hug. She said to him, “Big Brother! Thank you for coming to help rescue us.” “It’s my job to keep people safe, Twily. I’m glad you’re ok, Sis.” He said, a small tear running down his cheek. He noticed the two civilians that assisted with the rescue talking with each other, the he broke the hug and said to them, “Greetings. I believe you two are the guys that helped save these students and repel the suspect called Black Sun?” The bright red-headed teen nodded, “Yes we are. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Burning Star, and this is my associate Eclipsio.” The silver-haired teen gave a small wave and replied grumbling, “Hello.” Shining Armor took a mental note of the two young adults appearances and said to the one called Burning Star with an annoyed look on his face. “Ok, Start explaining what’s going on. I get a report about shots fired at Canterlot High Only to find some freak in armor firing into the building and gunning down some of my best officers. Then he takes off like some sort of metal bird with rockets and flies after the bus my sister is on, you two in pursuit of him.” He pointed to both of them, “To make matters more confusing, the silver haired guy jumps off of his vehicle and starts fighting this metal freak on top of the bus while you Burning Star go inside and help secure the students.” He finished by clenching his fists and saying, “While I admire you for your assistance in driving off that psycho and apparently beating him senseless, he escaped and someone could have gotten seriously hurt during that firefight!” “Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t arrest you right here and now for obstructing justice, breaking the speed limit, and possible grand theft auto.” He said With his handcuffs out. Prince Eclipsio was starting to lose his patience with Shining, every moment this officer stalled him Black Sun got further and further away. The Prince stepped forward and snarled at Shining, but the chief of police didn’t lose his cool. “I do not have time for you lecturing me on how many laws we may have broken, Shining Armor... now MOVE ASIDE. I will be heading to go kill Black Sun, and I don’t think you can stop me.” Shining spat back, “I don’t like vigilantes, especially ones that kill. You start running and I’ll arrest you. So don’t push me, old man.” The two men glared at each other for what seemed like an eternity. Shining’s light blue eyes staring into Eclipsio’s golden yellow ones. “Fine, if you want to stay in my way then I will remove you myself.” Eclipsio said while putting his hand to his sword hilt. Shining responded, “Go ahead and make my day, silver-hair... I guarantee I’m a faster draw than you.” He said as he slowly reached for his pistol. Twilight and Burning Star had enough and stepped in front of both of them. “Don’t do it, Shiny! There doesn’t need to be any more fighting!” She yelled at her brother. “Listen To Twilight, you two. She is right, the fight is over for today. Stand down the both of you.” Burning Star said, his hands turning red from heat. He then said to the Prince, “Eclipsio, when we get back to base, you and I are going to have a very long talk about your intolerance towards humans defying you and your absolutely reckless abandon on this mission.” The two men exchanged piercing glares, but relaxed themselves. Shining Armor spoke to Burning Star next, “I agree with Mr. Burning Star. You are going to go back to whatever base of operations you two are working out of and I’m coming with you.” “Absolutely not! I forbid it.” Screeched Eclipsio, his hand shooting immediately back to his sword. Burning Star had enough, and he roared while his hair and hands burst into flames, ”THAT IS NOT YOUR DECISION, YOU ROYAL BRAT! IT IS MINE, AND I SAY HE IS COMING WITH US. SO DEAL WITH IT!” Shining took a few steps back from the literal flaming-haired man with his eyes wide. Burning Star lowered his voice, “If we are all done behaving like children, I’m going back to base with both of you with me. Got it?” Both Eclipsio and Shining gave a silent nod. Shining said to the The Rainbooms, “Girls. Go home and stay safe. I told My officers to get you to your homes. Twilight, I’ll be home in a few hours.” Shining Armor walked over to his car and got in, Burning Star followed. Eclipsio opened the door and sat in the back, Shining Armor felt he deserved to sit back there considering his angry behavior. “So, where is this base of yours?” The chief of police asked. Burning Star pointed to the road, “Just follow my directions and we will be there in a little while.” He radioed in to Sunset, ”Stable, This is Pyro. We are returning to base with Chief Shining Armor... he may be able to assist us.” He then turned to Eclipsio and frowned, “And you stay quiet, I have had enough of your attitude for one day.” All he got from Eclipsio was a growling, “Fine.” Shining started driving down the side roads back towards Canterlot, Burning Star began giving him directions. the days events weighed heavily on the minds of both of them. ”Black Sun is a much bigger threat than I thought, If he can go after anyone close to me... then I need to stop him as quickly as possible.” Meanwhile, a lone figure was watching from a nearby tree, his helmets systems locked onto the car. The figure stood silently for a minute, before taking off and blending into the evening sky... (Sunset’s House) Shining Armor pulled up to the house of one of Twilight’s friends, Sunset Shimmer. It was already dark and the lights in the living room were on. Shining looked at Burning Star and said, “So you are operating out of Sunset’s house? Are you working for her or something?” “No, Shining. My team is just staying here until we can either find Black Sun and defeat him for good, or we find a more suitable location that is hidden from him.” Burning Star replied, running a hand through his hair. He got out of the car and waved for Shining and Eclipsio to follow him. They approached the door of the house and Burning Star knocked. A distant “Coming!” Was heard and Sunset opened the door to see Burning Star and Eclipsio standing with the chief of police. Sunset Shimmer swallowed hard, “Uh... Burning Star, care to explain why the chief of police is here at my house?” Shining cut in, “Your friends helped me and my officers drive off Black Sun and save the lives of students at Canterlot High School. Burning Star here says that you have been sheltering him and his group, May I come in to speak with them?” Sunset shakily replied, “Sure t-thing.” And opened the door wider, allowing the three boys to walk in. Shining stepped in and looked around, seeing three humans sitting on the couch watching the news coverage of the bus attack. “Everyone, the chief of police is here. He wants to ask us a few questions about Black Sun.” Sunset announces to the group, causing many of them to assume a defensive position. Shining stepped into the living room and said the group, “It has come to my attention that you six are responsible for helping the CCPF drive off the suspect Black Sun. Is this true?” One of the humans, a deep red-headed one wearing sunglasses got up and said. “Yes we are, why do you ask, Chief Shining Armor? Did we do something wrong?” Shining shrugged, “Officially, Law enforcement is supposed to be the one to pursue and arrest criminals... But since you all did what you did to stop a criminal from committing a crime, you are protected under the city’s Good Samaritan law.” Lucina asked Shining, “So you won’t arrest us?” Shining sat down and continued, “No. However, I want to know everything about this operation. Who is in charge of it?” Shadow Armor pointed at Burning Star, and Shining put his hand to his face. “Oh come on... you’re in charge of this whole thing?” The red-head nodded, “Yep. But If you want to hear what we’re up to, talk to Shadow Armor.” Shining’s eyebrows shot up at the man’s name, “Shadow... Armor? Why does he have my name?” Shadow Armor pulled him aside and said, “I will tell you during the explanation. Now come with me, we have much to discuss.” Shining followed Shadow Armor to the computer room, where Shadow Armor pulled up a chair for him to sit down. “You may want to sit down, this is going to take a while...” Shining sat down and tilted his head slightly, “Ok, I’m all ears.” “What you are about to hear, Shining Armor... You may think this is a bit farfetched.” Shining shrugged, “Please, I just spent the day fighting some psycho wearing armor that fired bullets and missiles, took orders from two men that look like they fell out of an anime show that my sister watches, and watched them beat this “Black Sun” senseless on top of a moving bus with blasts of magic and a giant sword. What could it be that is so farfetched?” “We are not from Earth, we’re from another world entirely.” Shadow Armor said, his expression unchanged. Shining’s eyes widened. “Wait... so you’re... aliens or something?” Shadow Armor shrugged, “Well... yes. But we are from the world that your sister Twilight Sparkle is studying, the world of Equestria.” “Ok, even if I were to believe that you’re little party of “heroes” were from this “Equestria”... how and why did you come here to stop Black Sun?” “The same way that Black Sun came here, through a portal. He attacked my wedding ceremony and killed dozens of guards, before kidnapping the two rulers of Equestria and fleeing here. Determined to save them, Burning Star assembled a task force which included me, Eclipsio, and Frostclaw to track him down and find those two rulers that way we can bring them home.” Shadow Armor finished with, “We tried to be discreet about the whole ordeal, Shining Armor... but Black Sun wants to cause as much pain and destruction as possible. He isn’t afraid to do it in broad daylight either... the park massacre yesterday was one of his attacks.” Shining put a hand to his head, “So you’re saying that nearly two dozen people were killed by this thing, and you six are the only ones capable of stopping him?” Shadow Armor responded with a curt nod, “Well... yeah. Eclipsio intended for us to deal with him alone, that the law enforcement of this world was inadequate for dealing with such a monstrous task, But if you are willing to aid us we can use all the help we can get right now.” Shining Armor thought to himself, ”He sounds like he is telling the truth, but how do I know?” “What are all these computers for?” Asked Shining Armor, rolling up to one of the monitors. Shadow Armor pulled up to his monitor and entered in a code, suddenly Shining’s monitor played the footage of Black Sun getting away from him. It was taken by one of the city’s traffic cameras. “We have been watching for any signs of Black Sun since this morning, Shining Armor. Burning Star had us break into the camera networks of the city in order to watch for him.” Shadow Armor pointed to another monitor which displayed a graph that fluctuated up and down. “This graph is our warning sign. Black Sun’s Suit emits a powerful pulse of electromagnetic force when he is flying about and firing his weapons. It’s why phones and other devices tend to cut out of he is nearby. this graph monitors the frequencies of cell phone communications, if it starts dropping rapidly, there is a good sign he is near.” Shining Armor looked at the graph and said, “And you’re sure that this works? You promise you are on the side of good here, I can trust you?” Shadow Armor nodded, “Yes. I have full faith in Burning Star and this team. But the big question is... do you? I saw him save that bus full of students. He could have left it alone and taken down Black Sun, but he sacrificed that opportunity to protect innocent people.” He put his hand on Shining’s shoulder and removed his sunglasses, showing his frightening red eyes. “Black Sun may have escaped our grasp, but he will be back, and I assure you that your officers can’t handle someone who wears a suit that can be considered a WMD.” “As much as I hate to say it... you are right. But please tell your friends to try and be more careful when you engage Black Sun next time?” Shadow Armor nodded and smiled, “Yes. If you want, I can transfer some of our data to the police, maybe you guys can make heads or tails out of it. I may be adept at pursuing, catching, and defeating criminals... but investigation isn’t my forté.” Shadow Armor walked over to the terminal and pressed a key, he inserted a flash drive and waited a few seconds. He finally pulled the drive out and handed it to Shining Armor, “Here is everything we know about Black Sun. I’m putting a lot of trust into your department, Shining. I hope it is not misplaced.” Shining asked him a question, “And what about your leader? Wouldn’t he object to working with law enforcement?” “No. Burning Star understands that we need as much help as we can get when facing foes of such great a threat. He was planning on contacting you today anyways...” said Shadow Armor, wearing a smirk. Shining exited the room with Shadow and said to the group, “Your friend Shadow Armor here has given me information on Black Sun. I’m going to take it to my investigation team so they can analyze it, be warned that we may contact you to ask for you to come down to the police headquarters for any further questions, ok?” The group gave a collective nod, all except Eclipsio, who snorted out in rage. Shining went towards the door and said to them, “I wish you all good luck, we will be in touch.” He exited the house and got into his car, then drove off towards his house. Once he was gone, Eclipsio punched Shadow Armor in the face, sending him crashing to the floor. “What are you doing?! We do not need that idiots help with this! I was just about to go and destroy Black Sun for good, and you just decided to give him the data of our entire operation?! Who told you to do this?!” Screamed the Prince, his face twisted in rage. “I did, Eclipsio. I already let the team know, I was conditioned letting you know as well, but judging from your reaction I was wise not to tell you.” Burning Star said, his eyes narrowed. Lucina put one of her invisible TK arms on Eclipsio and pushed him back. “This was the best decision we could have made that didn’t involve any drastic actions. The chief of police is right, Eclipsio. We have to be more discreet about these things.” The Prince snarled, “As we speak, Black Sun is out there doing Faust knows what, he has proven that he can attack at any moment. Why are we not hunting him down and destroying him?” Sunset helped Shadow to his feet and got him a bag of ice to put on his face, “You want to know why? He has Celestia and Luna. That is the reason we are looking for him. This isn’t about your petty vengeance, this is about bringing Black Sun to justice and saving them.” “SCREW CELESTIA AND LUNA!” The room fell silent after Eclipsio’s shout, Only the sounds of the fan in the room was heard. Eclipsio turned to the door and opened it, grabbing his sword. “Where are you going?” “Out to find Black Sun! Since you all are not going to do it, I’ll do it myself!” Eclipsio yelled as he stepped out the door and ran down the road. Sunset went to stop him but Lucina put one of her hands on her chest and said, “Don’t do it, Sunset. It’s not worth getting yourself hurt. Eclipsio is being reckless, let him learn the hard way.” Sunset turned to the group and said, “Alright, let’s get some rest everyone. We can’t search for Black Sun when we are all half-asleep.” Everyone silently nodded and went upstairs, Sunset stayed downstairs and thought to herself. ”Please someone snap Eclipsio out of his wrath, it is blinding him to the mission.” Unknown to Sunset, A figure watched from across the street, concealed from sight. The figure had heard the entire conversation and took off towards Eclipsio. (Canterlot Red-Light District) Eclipsio dashed down the road into the seedier of the city, a perfect place to find the scum of the world. And hopefully, Black Sun. He stopped at the corner in front of an old broken down house, to which he barged down the door of and entered. The unknown figure saw the Prince enter the home and silently flew in through the window, landing without a sound. Prince Eclipsio walked around the derelict building, his sword drawn and his face twisted in anger. He said out loud, “How dare Burning Star give that idiot anything on Black Sun. What does he know about how I’m feeling right now? Nothing, he can’t even be a hero right because his emotions get in the way.” An unknown voice called out to him. “So, what do you know about heroism, Prince Eclipsio that makes you a better hero than Burning Star?” The Prince immediately turned around and was blinded by a bright light source that burned with more intensity than the brightest star in the sky. He swung his sword but it was caught by... something... and he was disarmed. “Show yourself Black Sun! I know that is you, so stop with the games and fight me!” Yelled the Prince, now his fists were clenched. The ball of light spoke to him, ”You think anyone opposed to your quest for revenge is your enemy and that they must be removed... they are opposed to it because all it’s doing is making you act like a complete jerkass...” A hand stuck out of the light source, ”Go back to Burning Star and apologize for this childish behavior.” “I AM NO JERKASS! I AM A PRINCE OF EQUESTRIA!” Eclipsio exclaimed, taking a swing at the ball of light... Only for it to catch his fist and say, ”Fine... I will teach you a lesson in what a hero is...” A mighty crash was heard as Eclipsio was flung through the wall and out into the street. He was covered in debris from the house. The mass of light floated outside and grabbed Eclipsio by the neck and rocketed into the air. He soared higher and higher until he was far above the tallest building in the city. he kept going, holding the prince by his neck, until he was over 2500 feet in the air... Eclipsio looked down and saw just how high he was above the city, and he screamed. The light said to him, ”You break free Eclipsio, it’s a loooong way down to the ground, and I know even you with your Alicorn strength couldn’t survive that fall.” “Who are you?! Let me go now!” Said Eclipsio, struggling in this... thing’s iron grip. The ball of light flew higher into the air, now at 5000 feet. ”My identity is of no concern to you, Prince Eclipsio. But, what I have to say... is important.” “I really don’t care! I’m after Black Sun, damn it! Let me kill him!” Said Eclipsio, kicking towards the light, and doing nothing. The light flew higher with Eclipsio, now at 7500 feet, before saying. ”No. I am with your friend Burning Star and his allies on this, you have forgotten what a hero is supposed to do.” “I know what a hero is supposed to do, you cretin! A hero is supposed to defeat the villain!” The light dragged Eclipsio higher until he was at 10000 feet in the air, ”You are wrong again, a hero is someone who does this...” The light dropped Eclipsio from this height and he plummeted towards the ground and towards his death. Eclipsio was screaming in terror as he plummeted at breakneck speed towards the hard asphalt below. “OK OK I GET IT! I WILL STOP! JUST SAVE ME PLEASE! I DONT WANT TO DIEEEEEEE!” Eclipsio closed his eyes and braced for the end... Until the ball of light flew down and caught him inches from the ground! He dropped Eclipsio on his butt and said to him, ”A hero is someone who is willing to do the right thing no matter whether or not he or she likes it... and Heroes DO. NOT. KILL.” Eclipsio was completely hysterical and passed out soon after he heard that. The being of light picked up his unconscious body and flew off towards Sunset’s house. (Sunset’s House, Living Room) Sunset had fallen asleep waiting for Eclipsio to return when she awoke to the front door being opened. She crept forwards and peered into the Hall, before shielding her eyes from the bright light that was coming from her doorway. A voice came from it, ”Are you the one called Sunset Shimmer?” She gave a nod and quietly said, “Yes. Can you turn down the lights. I’m going blind here...” ”Ah yes... a moment, please.” Sunset felt the light disappear and she blinked the spots out of her eyes. When they were finally gone, her eyes went wide and her jaw dropped. Before her stood a figure in armor much like Black Sun did. But everything else about him was radically different. His suit was sleek and streamlined, possessing smooth and elegant curves as opposed to the rough and jagged texture of Black Sun’s armor. Black Sun’s armor was colored black with metallic silver and dark red accents, while the figures Suit was decorated with light blue and gold accents and was colored a crystal clear white. It was so well polished, Sunset could see her face in the armor’s reflective plating, it was like looking into a mirror. On his back were great metal wings that emitted trails of white smoke from the exhaust ports, unlike Black Sun... she felt safer with their shadow being cast upon her. He wore a full-head covering helmet of the same crystal white with gold and was shaped in the likeness of some sort of holy being, as opposed to Black Sun’s deliberately demonic helm. A pair of light blue fins curved upwards, giving him the appearance that he had a halo above his head. And then Sunset saw his shoulder pads... Emblazoned across his shoulder pads was a blazing golden star with six sides to it, each side was a wing covered in feathers. Sunset was never a really religious person, but Everything about him screamed that this was some divine being. The white-armored figure spoke to Sunset, it’s voice almost angelic. ”I came to return Prince Eclipsio to you, Ms Sunset Shimmer. May I come in and place him somewhere where he may rest?” Sunset weakly nodded and stepped aside, the white-clad figure walked in and deposited Prince Eclipsio’s unconscious body upon the couch, before turning and walking to the door. Sunset asked the figure something, “Who are you? Are you an angel of some sort?” A small laugh escaped the figure, ”No Ms Sunset Shimmer, I am not of divine origin, although my armor appears to give you that idea...” He hovered in the air and said, ”Good Bye Ms Sunset Shimmer, I have to be going now. I too seek to stop Black Sun and save the day, and my mission is not yet complete.” He ran one of his armored finger across her hair and said, ”Perhaps our paths will cross again...”. He began to glow with bright light, then he flew off... leaving Sunset completely starstruck. She walked inside and collapsed on the couch, thinking to herself as she drifted off to sleep. ”What was that... that... tha...?” She didn’t finish her thought and she fell into the warm embrace of sleep.