Book’s mind was swarming with thoughts as he was making his way to his next class. He was always a Batman fan because he was the most realistic hero to try being. Now he was diving into the realm of impossibility. He was already staring at superhuman strength and increased dexterity. What other magic laid in this strange town?
“Watch it!”
Book turned around for a second to see a rainbow blur approaching him. Book quickly rolled out of the way as it nearly missed him. Book was ready for a fight as he turned to the thing that ran past him. “Hey!”
“Sorry!” Book was shocked to see the rainbow haired girl standing in front of him. “I only have problems with stopping when they wax the floors.”
“I see you’ve now met Rainbow Dash,” Wilde Shock smirked as he and Moon walked towards Book.
“Met her? She tried to run over me at a hundred miles an hour, ON FOOT. How is that even possible?” Book said, feeling a mix of shock and confusion.
“When I first met her, she broke my tooth,” Wild Shock showed Moon and Book his metal tooth.
“So, she’s a thug?” Book asked, feeling more ticked that this super powered being is a bully, “She needs to watch it.”
“A thug?” Wild smiled, “She can be a jerk, but not a thug.”
“Normal people don’t knock out all of your teeth… or run that fast!” Book said, still hung up by her speed.
“I never said she’s a normal,” Wilde said.
“Well, I don’t care what kind of powers she has. I hate bullies, and she’s about to learn that.” Book said as he handed Moon his glasses.
“Hey! You’re not going to fight her!” Moon yelled as Book was storming towards her.
“I’m just going to talk to her, if that doesn’t work then I’ll make sure that she’ll think twice before punching people.” Book said as he cracked his knuckles.
“Bad idea!” Moon stood before Book only to be stepped around, “She didn’t pu-”
Book didn’t listen as he spoke up. “Hey Dash!” Book said as he walked up to her. “I heard you like sending people to the dentist.”
“Oh god,” Moon palmed his hands to his face as Wilde just smiled. “Why are you- She didn’t punch you, she kicked a ball to your face, by accident!”
“I know, but it cost a lot of money to replace teeth.” Wilde crossed his arms. “I know that Insurance covered it, but seeing this will be worth it.”
“Are you a bad influence on me?” Moon asked his friend.
“Yup!” Wilde Shock answered.
Both of them were surprised that Book didn’t throw a punch. He just stared at her with his arms crossed. “What’s the deal? Needed change from the tooth fairy and didn’t want to use your own teeth?” Dash was looking confused at this new guy who was chewing her out for no reason.
“Are you sure you don’t want to stop it?” Moon asked, “He is my cousin.”
“Alright,” Wilde sighed, “I guess you’re a good influence on me. Hey Book!” Wilde Shock called for Book’s attention.
Book didn’t seem to hear as he had his back against the lockers. “Now I’m trying not to get into trouble with the teachers, so here’s my offer. Quit trying to hit people at mark one, and we’ll be good.”
“What are you talking about?” Rainbow Dash asked, “I never hit anybody!”
“Really? Then what did you nearly do to me? How did Wilde get metal teeth?” Book asked.
“Book!” Moon called for his cousin.
“He wasn’t such a good soccer player,” Dash explained, “I passed the ball to him, he was flirting with Rarity, and he didn’t notice the ball.”
Book looked a little sceptical, but he could tell from Moon’s face that she was most likely telling the truth. “Okay, my bad. But just know that I have my eye one you.”
“I forgive you, egghead, just because your wolfy’s cousin.” Moon’s eyes grew Wilde as Rainbow said his nickname.
Book scoffed a bit. “Egghead? Are you in kindergarten or something? I’ve got enough black belts to wrap around your fat ego twist, and that’s no easy feat.”
“Yeah?” Rainbow Dash raised a skeptic eyebrow, “Let’s see this black belts in action. What do you say egghead? You, me, a soccer contest, if you win, I will not skate in the halls, if I win, You call yourself egghead for a whole month.” Rainbow gave a grin as she knew that if he accepted he’d be up against her best sport.
Book grinned confidently. “Sure thing, Rainbow Crash.”
Dash started glaring daggers into him as she walked off. “Just make sure to put the money where your mouth is!”
Moon and Wilde ran towards their friend, “Are you crazy?!” Moon asked his cousin, “Are you trying to get yourself killed?”
“Come on,” Wilde smirked as he put a hand on Book’s shoulder, “He can do this.”
“I will not be intimidated by some punk with superpowers.” Book explained.
“That’s the spirit, knight,” Wilde Shock smiled, as Book turn his head to him with anger.
“And why didn’t you tell me that she didn’t hit you?” Book asked coldly.
“You never asked me how I got it,” WildeShock smiled, and Book was ready to punch the rat, pushing him back to the wall.
“I will not start a fight for your entertainment!” He barked, not liking to be made a tool of some new guy.
“You know what,” Wilde raised his hands calmly, “My bad, I will make it up to you. Lunch on me, for you, Moon, and your brothers.”
“Fine, but never lie to me again!” As the three walked, as Moon walked to his friend.
“It was messed up, he is my cousin!” Moon told Wilde.
“It was just fun and games, wolf boy,” Wilde smirked as he put a hand around Moon’s shoulder, “You know I will not put any friend of you in danger.”
As Book was trying to get over the fact that he was playing, he suddenly had a thought. “Moon, why does he call you wolf boy?”
Moon nervously tried to think of an answer. “Uh… I might have… howled like a wolf at a school night party.”
Moon waited for a response from Book, and was glad when he said it. “Sounds like you to do that.”
Moon was glad that Book actually bought his lie, but the truth was that Book was more focused on Rainbow Dash. Book was now seeing the physical effects of magic in front of him, and maybe this game was the way to help train against them.
The three walked to the cafeteria as Book noticed FlashTruth and HottenBright. “Moon, wait here.” Book told his cousin as he walked to greet his new friends, “How are you doing Flash?”
Truth looked around to see if they were talking about Sentry. Seeing that he wasn’t there he turned to face the brother of his new friend. “Oh hey, I’m doing good, I’ve been showing your brother around the school.” He said with a smile. “It’s a good thing that we are in the same class.”
“Ooh, what a lucky coincidence!” Pinkie said happily.
HottenBright rolled her eyes to Pinkie. She wasn’t a fan of this girl’s taste in food. She was about to go back to eat her kale and avocado when suddenly to her surprise three more guys joined their table.
“So, Book,” Moon and Wilde walked towards Book, Flash and HottenBright, “Are you going to introduce us to your friends.”
“Yeah,” Book smiled, “Flash, Hottenbright, meet my cousin Moon,” Moon smiled, and he walked to greet his cousin’s friends.
“Name’s Full Moon, nice to meet you two,” Moon shook Flash’s hand, “If you’re my cousin’s friends so you are mine as well. The man next to me is Wilde Shock,” Wilde smiled at the two.
“And this is My cousin, HottenBright.” Truth introduced her to Moon.
“How are you?” Wilde Shock asked, “Did you know that your friend here, Book Knight is going to face Rainbow Dash!”
Flash didn’t look comfortable at all when he said that. “You’re getting into a fight with her?”
“Some faith,” Wilde Shock put his hand on Truth’s shoulder, “I will bet with you over 100 bits that Booky boy is going to beat her.”
Book rolled his eyes. “Einstein here tricked me into a soccer match with her. He doesn’t even know that I’ve never played soccer before.”
“I’m just saying right now,” Moon said, “I have nothing to do with this.”
“Wow thanks friend,” Wilde Shock said, pretend to be hurt.
Hotten giggled a bit. “You’ve never played, and yet you challenged our best soccer player?” She asked while think of what he would need to eat to have enough proteins to have at lest 1% of change to win.
“I may not have played the sport, but I studied kickboxing. It’s got to be close enough, as long as she doesn’t run me over at mack one again. I’m still trying to believe it.” Book said, rubbing his bruise a bit.
“Again,” Wilde protested, “A little trust, I believe in you Book. And if you need help, I can help you cheat.” Wilde look right and left, and he opened his hand, and his hand sparkled with lightning.
Book gave Wilde a stare. “Wait! You have this… magic too?”
“Why do you think I’m a believer?” Wilde smirked as Moon hit him in the head.
Book believed now that this whole town has some form of power, leaving him behind a bit. However, this was the type of hero that he was, and it’s a chance to prove that he can be like his grandfather. “No thanks. I’ll beat her fair and square, and without powers.”
“Suit yourself,” Wild closed his hand, “But if you won’t beat her, I am not going to lose my bets on you.”
“She’s arrogant and prideful. Those are the best kinds of enemies. They never bother to learn, and I can use that thick head against her.” Book said with a grin.
“I seriously need to ask Light if you’re always like this.” Flash said as he started looking around for Light.
“Book,” Moon took his cousin from his corrupting friend, “Do not be stupid. I know you see me as the great and cool guy that I am, but that is a bad way to make friends. Here it’s not the world of superheroes. You want to be cool? Be nice and take some hits to the back.”
“Please tell me that he didn’t get himself into something.” Everybody turned to see Light Heart walking to the table. “He’s competitive as I’ll get out. He’ll never back down from a challenge.”
“I am sorry Light,” Moon went serious for a moment, “But Book is an idiot, please tell him that to beat Rainbow will not help him, it’s a lose-lose situation. If he beat by Rainbow Dash, he will be mocked, if he beat Rainbow Dash, he will make an enemy and will be challenged by everyone!”
“While I’m at it, I’ll try selling some Eskimos snow cones.” Light said disheartened.
“Don’t do it Light, they don’t need snow-cones”! Moon told his cousin.
“I’ll come back tomorrow when you get the joke.” Light said, still looking at Book.
“And I’ll wait that you understand sarcasm.”
“Listen, I frankly do want to learn about magic in this town and what it does to a person. I’ve got more things that I need to study about in this town and this is just crossing something off of the list.” Book explained.
“Alright,” Moon sighed, “If you won’t fight Rainbow Dash, I will show you something.” Applejack heard her boyfriend and she was nervous. She wanted to help, but Moon looked at her, and she reluctantly went back to sit with her friends.
“What kind of man would I be if I backed down?” Book asked, thinking of his grandfather.
“Very well,” Moon sighed, “If I can’t beat them, I’ll join them. “
“It’s only a soccer game. All I’ve got to do is kick the ball into the net. I may not have magic, but I’ve got brains and skill.”
“Well, you’ve got skill.” Light muttered.
It didn’t go well for Book. In spite of the fact that he had a strong kick, it didn’t give him an advantage. He had never kicked a soccer ball in his life, and it was backfiring big time.
“Come on egghead!” Rainbow dash laughed as Book missed every gate he kicked to. While most of the kids cheered Rainbow Dash, within them Wilde Shock who sold Rainbow hats. Light Heart, FlashTruth, HottenBright, Full Moon, Applejack, Fluttershy and Sunset, were cheering Book that was still focused on winning.
Light looked to Flash with a worried look. “Why did he pick soccer of all sports, if they played basketball then it would have been a closer fight.”
“He didn’t want to fight her,” Moon explained what happened, “From here to there, it led to a soccer match.”
Light looked over to Wilde. “I have the feeling that I should keep away from that guy, unless I want to get into…” Light stopped as a bit of anxiety started kicking in.
“Hey, hey,” Moon tried to comfort his cousin, “Don’t worry, breath in and out, relax.”
“Just don’t think about what could happen in the future.” Flash said, recognizing his fear. “I think your brother is actually going to score a point.” The ball just barely bounced off of the rim. “Or not.”
“I know what I have to do,” Moon looked at Applejack, “Maybe can you tell Dash to relax?”
“Sorry, honey, but ya know how Dash can be,” Applejack rolled her eyes thinking about the times Rainbow beat her, and how sweet it was when she ended up beating her.
“Maybe Book will give up?” Fluttershy suggested.
“Book never gives up. My grandpa lived by a set of morals. One of them was to never give up or back down.” Light explained. “When he passed away… Book wanted to be the man who could take his place.”
“I know what I have to do then,” Moon looked at his girlfriend that again looked terrified, “I’ll be back.” Moon left the audience leaving his family and friends, “It’s time to unleash the beast! Hope Book will understand.” As Book was mocked by Rainbow Dash, and being beaten in score of 10 to 0, a monstrous wolf came to the stage, roaring and towards Rainbow Dash and Book. It was a green wolf in the size of Bulk, with his green fur was stained by red marks on it and purple pants.
Light jumped from his seat as he started running in fear, trying to drag Flash with him.
Out of politeness, Truth followed Light.
Book was shocked for a moment, but he quickly adopted a fighting style, “Everybody, clear out of here!”
“Are you insane?” Rainbow Dash asked, “Leave, I’ll deal with him.”
Book shook his head as he cracked his knuckles, “I can’t do that. I’ve got people here that I need to protect.” Book instantly started running for the beast.
The wolf roared and leaped to attack Book, but Book dodged and kicked the beast in the gut.
“You think you can beat me?” The wolf asked with sinister voice, “Do you know who I am kid?”
Book took of his black jacket and twisted it to the shape of a rope, “Old Yeller?”
“I don’t get it,” The wolf said, confused as everybody except Dash left the court, leaving the two mostly alone.
“He was put to sleep in the end. I won’t kill you, but you desperately need a nap.” Book said, waiting for the right opportunity.
“Okay that’s enough man,” The wolf said, but Book didn’t listen, he kicked the wolf in the face, knocking him to the ground. “What the hell are you doing dude?”
Book took the jacket and wrapped it around the wolf’s neck, hanging from his back. “Go to sleep! Go to sleep! Go to sleep!”
“Man, It’s me!” The wolf to say, but he was choked by the jacket, “It’s Moon, your cousin!”
Moon was starting to feel like he was going to black out, but a shout soon stopped him. “Stop it, Book!” Book turned to see Dash standing there.
Book grunted a bit as he was trying to keep this… thing under control. “Get out of here Dash! I’ve got this!”
As the wolf started to stop struggling, the fur of the wolf started to fall, revealing green skin, the wolf shrunk, and he turned from the vicious beast to Book’s cousin, Full Moon, sleeping on the grass.
Book was shocked to see his own cousin unconscious in his arms. “W… what? How?”
“That is why I didn’t want you to face Rainbow!” Moon started to stand up breathing and shaking in cold, wearing nothing but purple pants.
“I… I didn’t… how…. I wouldn’t…” Book was speechless, knowing that he had strangled his own cousin.
“I’ll explain all, but first, can I get a shirt?”
Book quickly took off his shirt and handed it to him, putting on his jacket to somewhat cover his chest. “Moon… I’m…. I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine, If it was the opposite, I would do the same to you,” Moon smiled to his cousin as they entered the school.
Book was now in a whirlpool of thoughts. At first, he thought that the people who have magic here would be corrupted, but not it seemed more like the whole town itself was magical. He was a mortal man, fighting with the powers that be. Book turned to Moon in concern. “How did this happen to you. How does everybody here have some form of power?”
“Well,” Moon looked at Book, “It happened two years ago, I was bitten by a green wolf that apparently was fused with Equestrian magic. The magic bonded with my D.N.A, so now I can turn into a green werewolf. That’s how I met Applejack. She was the one who stopped me and helped me control this.”
“Then how are the other students getting this power?” Book asked, looking at Dash.
“I told you, Sunset Shimmer is the best to ask, she told me about what I can say it’s an unlifted curse.” Moon sighed as he looked at his hands, “When it’s started, I did terrible things, I was like an animal, now I always have to be in control, to not let the animal control the man.”
Book wasn’t happy. He knew that somebody with knowledge like this would be the perfect person to have on your side when you want to rule the world. With power like this she could most easily be the girl from the other night. But then again, why didn’t she use that power the other night.
Book knew he had to take a chance before they got into the men’s locker room. “Hey Dash, you’re a friend with Sunset, right?”
“Yeah egghe...” Rainbow chuckled, ” I mean Book, You know it was brave what you did with Moon there.”
Book then remembered that there were only two people who stayed to fight, him and Dash. “Well, I honestly expected you to save your own skin, I was wrong, big time.”
“Hey,” Rainbow smirked, “If I never met my friends I would have left you to the big bad wolf, no offense Moon.”
“It was still offending, Dash!” Moon shouted across the room.
“None taken. I just was trying to be like my grandpa. Have you ever heard of Sterling Silver?” Book asked.
Dash shook her head. “Not really.”
“He was the best sheriff that ever lived. Criminals would shake in their boots whenever he gets within a mile. The town had a saying. One riot, one Sterling.” Book said, clearly idolizing him.
Moon sighed as Book was talking about him. “Book… practically worshiped him. He’d spend every moment with Grandpa just talking about how to be a good guardian of the city. I think Book took it the worst when he....”
Dash was shocked to see a few tears going down Book’s face. “He died peacefully. Natural causes. I always feel… like I’m trying to live up to what he was.”
Dash was silent for a moment. She was always trying to be the best to be cool, but Book was trying to do it out of respect for his grandfather. “I… I’m sorry for your loss.”
Book tried to wipe the tears away. “Don’t be. It just woke me up. It took my mind off of tornadoes and just reading books. I spent a lot of time researching and training to be the best he… the best fighter I can. That’s why I have so many black belts. I keep wanting to learn new ways to protect people.”
Dash took a quick glance at Book’s partially exposed chest. Even though she wanted to ask about the large bruise, she was taken aback by the fact that he was very muscular in spite of how thin he was. She blushed a bit at the sight, but she now knew that this wasn’t just some egghead.
“W-Well, maybe I could show you some pointers on some of the sports around here. We could always use another good player.” Dash offered.
Book smiled a bit to see her a little more humble. “I’ll think about it.”
“M-Maybe in return you can show me some of your fighting skills?”
Book was taken back a bit by her request. He still didn’t know her as a friend yet, but then there was his mission. Being a bit closer to one of Sunset’s closest friends could give him some much-needed Intel. “Alright then. By the way, I saw some redhead running through my backyard last night, and I was wondering if that was Sunset.”
“No way it was Sunset. She would never do things like running in other people’s backyards. Even if she was, she was in my house last night.”
“I mean no offense, but can you prove that?” Book asked.
Dash took her Phone, and she showed him a picture from last night where she beat Sunset in a video game.
Book noticed that the timestamp on the photo was timed right before the robbery took place. He didn’t know how, but he was up against somebody else. “Alright, thank you. Tell me if you find her twin.” Book said.
“Sunset doesn’t have a twin,” Rainbow Dash answered confused.
“She does now.” Book thought to himself.
As Book helped Moon into the locker room, he started to think about Dash. He knew that rule number one was to judge by actions, not by looks. At first her actions suggested a prideful and arrogant jock, but now he started to see this form of loyalty in her. Maybe there was more to her than he thought.
Book set Moon down next to his locker as he took his jacket off to get a new shirt.
“Ouch MAN!” Book turned around to see an extremely muscular guy staring at his bruise.
Book nervously chuckled a bit. “Rolled out of bed… onto my helmet.”
The big guy reached into his locked and tossed Book a bottle that read ‘Extreme Muscle Ointment. For all sprains, tears, and bruises.’
Book smiled a bit. “Thank you. I’ll get you a new one tomorrow.”
Dr. Caballeron, one of Canterlot most dangerous crime bosses was invited to a meeting of the families. “That must be the place,” Caballeron thought as he looked at an old castle standing in the middle of the forest. The castle looked abandoned, the trees around it were dead, the grass wasn’t cut for months, and green molds were growing on the walls. Caballeron knocked on the door, but no response.
“Maybe it was a prank from the sirens?” One of his goons asked.
“Maybe,” Caballeron nodded, “Let’s go send them a dead horse’s head for an answer.” As the Doctor and his minions were about to leave the castle’s garden, the wooden doors were open and a young yellow woman, with red hair and black dress was standing there, with a red pit bull standing next to her.
“Come please,” The young woman called for Caballeron, “The prince is waiting for you.” Caballeron did as he was told, and he followed the woman through a hall of rusted armor and pictures of kings of old Equestria. Caballeron and the woman stopped in their place in front of a metal door. “Through here, Doctor,” The woman smiled, and she left Caballeron and his minions alone. Caballeron opened the door, and he saw all of the crime families in Canterlot sitting in front of a long wooden table. From the changeling gang, to small robbers like Iron will, all of the scum in Canterlot appeared there.
“What in the world is going on?” Caballeron asked Phyrax the leader of the changelings?, “I thought the prince invited only me!”
“So did I!” Phyrax responded.
“And so did we!” Adagio Dazzle, leader of the sirens gang said as her sisters, Sonata Dusk and Aria Blaze, nodded.
“Ladies, gentlemen,” A young voice that belonged to a young man said behind them all. All of the criminals turned around to see a young man with an orange skin and grey hair, wearing a black coat, dark green buttoned shirt with golden lines, a white tie, and a silver amulet with red ruby in the middle. “I invited you all for a reason.” The man walked across the room until he arrived at the end of the table, where a throne was waiting for him. The man sat at the throne, and the yellow woman returned to the room with her dog. “My name is Edmond Sombra, I called for each member of the scum of Canterlot to inform you that from this day onward you will work for me. You will not attack and rob any place unless I say so, you will not kill or attack anyone unless I say so, and you will not kill each other... Unless I say so.” The room was filled with silence, but the silence was killed by Caballeron’s laugh.
“You really think that an old castle, a young lady and a pit bull, will make us take all that we have built all the years, and hand over to you.” The families and the thieves agreed, “You’re just a child, what do you know about control?” The young woman was furious about the words of Caballeron, but Edmond didn’t care for the words, he just stared at Caballeron coldly. Edmond snapped his fingers, and the woman walked towards Caballeron, and she took him by the hand toward her boss.
“I assure you Mr. Caballeron that I can lead your people better than you,” Edmond smiled, “But if you don’t agree,” Edmond took Caballeron’s arm and ripped it from his body with one simple pull. As Caballeron screamed in pain, the woman took a knife from her dress, and she cut his throat, leaving him bleeding to death on the stone floor as everyone watched in terror.
“Mrs. Shimmer,” Edmond looked at the young woman, “As a gift for you my love, I give you the minions of Caballeron. Take his body and tell them that they work for the house of Sombra.” The woman smiled, and she bowed to Sombra, and she took the body that bled all over the floor out of the room with the dog following her. “So, do you agree now?” Edmond asked and everyone there nodded in fear for their lives. “Good, you may leave now.” Everyone did as their new boss told them, they left the room, all but the sirens.
“Do not trust your love,” Adagio told Sombra as he cleaned the blood out of his suit, “Sunset Shimmer is not our kind.”
“Leave Miss Shimmer to me, Miss Dazzle,” Edmond told Adagio as he held her hand and kissed it, “I can take care of those who oppose me.”