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Alicorn sighed as she's been spending all day in her office interviewing hopeful new heroes who hope to join the Equestria brand. With the franchise she created being over 8 billion a year in revenue, lots of heroes want in. They're all young and haven't been on any other teams yet, so there is hope for them.
The first hero of a 3 member team is Angry Tiger, who has ginger-colored hair, dark skin and is dressed in a tiger-stripe bikini, blue tube socks, a pair of neon-green tiger-striped legwarmers as well as matching paws and ears. She also has an eye patch over her left eye as well as a green tiger tail attached to her posterior. Unsurprisingly, Angry Tiger has an extremely aggressive personality. Her power is the standard super strong and durable power set, which all three have.
Next is Sad Panda, she has pale skin, wears a black top along with white briefs, fishnet stockings, as well as a set of blue leg warmers, ears, paws, and a cotton ball tail. Her hair is also blue.
Sexy Kitten wears a pink bikini-top with a matching plaid skirt. She has tube socks as well as a set of pink leg warmers, paws, ears, tail, and a pair of black, thick rimmed glasses. Her hair is blonde with pink streaks.
"Nope, you three need to work on your costumes and think of the theme of the Equestrian brand. You three are just using sex appeal, and just wearing swimsuits when the only way it would work is if you're beach theme heroes or station near a beach. No too sexy," Sunset said to the three young women who all left defeated. (1)
Alicorn really hates how many of the female superheroes go for sex appeal, with the costume designers going to the lowest hanging fruit. With the outfits being little more than swimsuits, which the three went for. Alicorn is very protective of her brand and won't have any of that shameless fan service.
"Is that the last of them?" Alicorn ask pressing the com button to talk with her secretary Becky Rockler.
Becky Rockler is a supe but one of the many failures in the eyes of Vought and her parents who were counting on her to be their money maker. Her power is super human reflexes and perception, her eyes allow her to see things in slow motion and able to react. She is also able to see through objects, zoom her vision like a telescope, see every single little detail on something as small as the end of a needle, can tell if someone is lying just by looking at them and reading them of anything else they might be trying to hide.
When Becky first got her powers, all she was able to do is see far away. Which Vought just mark her as not markable, but her parents unlike many others didn't abandon her to one of the many homes for unwanted supes children. Which is where she met Alicorn when she applied for a job at the park. Upon discovering that she has powers, Alicorn help her focus her power to beyond what she thought they were.
Now Becky is Alicorn's secretary who is also apart of the Equestria brand. Showing up in several books and other media as Alicorn's right hand woman. She helps in balancing the books and making sure everyone gets paid on time. She's very competent and organized in keeping the park running when Alicorn isn't around.
"No those 3 are the last ones," Becky said over the com.
"Come in then," Alicorn said.
Entering the room Becky is a tall dark skin woman with long black hair that's held in check by an orange headband. Her business suit of a brown jacket and pants with a red tie.
"I take it, that once again there aren't any superheroes who would work?" Becky ask sitting at the desk.
"Nope," Alicorn said using her telekinesis to dump all the resumes into a folder for filing. "They can't be used, those three are just walking fan service. If they can dress in something that actually covers their bodies, they can have a redo."
"What about the kids?" Becky ask.
A bunch of parents had brought their superpowered kids.
"Show some promises, once they're old enough and keep their noses clean. The company be trying to get as many of their heroes into the team," Alicorn said.
"What about the other project?" Becky ask.
"Still working on how I will take over Equestria and take what's mine," Alicorn said.
Alicorn openly talks about her plan of opening the portal to her old world and taking what's hers. She knows that there are bugs around and spies everywhere, from both the company, their rivals and even the Boys. But thanks to everyone thinking that she's crazy in believing her own lore of being a magical pony in human form, she can speak freely and no one will think it's real.
"How's the magic monocle?" Alicorn ask.
"It works," Becky said.
The monocle Alicorn gave to Becky is a magical one used by engineers in Equestria. The monocle allows the wearer to see any flaw or weakness of an object. Used to make sure any new buildings in Canterlot are safe. Also used to look at the supports of older buildings and see if there is need for any repairs. Seeing how Canterlot is built on the side of a mountain, the monocles are needed to make sure that something won't happen to cause a landslide or too much weight cause a building to collapse and start a domino effect. A rare magic item as there are only a limited number, thanks to the the cottage industry that is the magic items that Equestria follows. (2)
Just one of many magical items that are used in Equestria that once used by someone who has the right powerset will enhance their powers, abilities or give them better control. The magic utility tools are rare thanks to the limited number the unicorns who make them can produce and making them highly expensive. Like that episode of the Simpsons where Lisa Simpsons doesn't want to get a brand of baking soda, because she objects to the brand being used because they support child labor, even at the executive level. Lisa insists their organization must be doing good every step of the way, even if it costs more. So Lisa and Homer begin a search for completely ethical baking soda manufacturers, finding some in a Buddhist temple at the top of a nearby mountain. However, their baking soda is so expensive those who purchase it won't have to worry about material possessions after buying it.
Which Alicorn agreed to be a guest star only if she gets to put down Lisa. The episode has Alicorn pointing out all the things that Lisa has done that only made things worst. From the cleaning bags that her mom makes, which if they had done as she wanted in only using the highly expensive baking soda, would only get to help one of the homeless as it's too expensive to give to everyone. Her ripping the check from Mr. Burns when he sold the recycling plant that is turned into a fish factory, which she could had given to her family or donate it which her parents could had used to write off on their taxes. She's too insistent in forcing others to accept her views while not caring to respect theirs. When that girl her mom paid to befriend her tried to be real friends with her, she just abandon her the moment she reveals she is not a vegetarian like her. And pointed out that the ethical food she want everyone to eat no matter what, many of them but the raw food are also far more unhealthy than red meat. Plant-based foods that are heavily processed to resemble or replace meat is just as bad or even worse than eating real meat and it's damaging people's bodies simply for the sake of the environment. Which is ok when she choose to do it, but she's the kid in school who will resort to forcing everyone in school to convert to a healthier more organic diet instead of actually packing her lunch herself. Because it's all about her.
The episode ends with Lisa alone in her bed crying her eyes out as everyone left her as most of the problems she faces is her own doing, that she's the problem and refuses to do anything about it to fix herself. With Alicorn appearing in her window and telling Lisa to her face, that the world isn't a kind place and that her being a child and living with her parents shields her from the real life consequences of her actions. Breaking the 4th wall as Alicorn explains that acting as she does, Lisa will never be happy with her life and many things that are important to her now will be useless to her later. And that only because she's a cartoon character that she gets to do the things that would ruin the rest of her life. Then she turns into her pony form and rides off with Bart who reminds everyone that he took the fall of Lisa stealing the teacher's books for her and that she has done nothing to even come close to making it worth it for him. They rode off with Lisa staring as they rode off into Equestria, leaving her all alone.
The episode is highly praised as a brutal lesson about how if you're having problems, you should look at yourself and see if the problem is you. (3)
"I can see much better with it," Becky said. With the monocle she's able to see the weak point in anything now. Which allowed her to point out some structural problems that needed fixing before they become a problem later.
"How are the others with their gifts?" Alicorn ask. She gave all the Superdupers a magic item to help them or they can use, being upfront that they're all magical, knowing that the spies would never believe it's real magic.
Auntie Sis has been given a magic lamp. The lamp allows the holder to create a guiding light to wherever or whoever they are looking for, within a limited range.
Stoolshadow is given a bracelet that allows her to focus. She is able to walk through things instead of bumping into them, as she is more focus in using her power. The magic charm on the bracelet is used by ponies who need to focus on a single task, like a doctor doing an operation or a student studying.
Klanker been given a focus bracelet too so that he has better control of his power of turning into metal objects.
Black Hole been given a magic gold fork and knife. The fork and knife are able to cut anything once the fork is used on said object and the knife is used to cut it. Made so that a noble pony doesn't have to work that hard to cut their food into smaller pieces.
Bobby Badoing been given a bracelet that lets him jump higher and be more sure footed. The charm is used by ponies who need to climb and jump on mountain sides.
Kid Camo has also been given a focus charm bracelet to help him focus more so he has better control of his power.
Ladyfold been given bracelets that increase her lifting strength. The charms are used by ponies who need to lift heavy loads.
Cactus Man been given new armor that increases his strength and stamia. The charms are for construction ponies to allow them to work longer.
La Cebolla been given a bracelet that autotunes her voice, letting her sing much better.
Defendress been given a new costume with strength and agility charms to enhance her natural strengths.
Glassware been given a bracelet that boost his stamina. Making objects transparent does take lots of energy from him and the charm is used by unicorns who use magic a lot. Which seeing how most unicorns can only cast 3 spells a day, the only unicorns who can cast more spells are the ones whose talents are magic.
Buckaress been given a magic rope that she can use as a whip and she can control. She tied a large grappling hook on the end.
Strongheart been given a pair of boots that allow her to run faster, not at super speed levels but very fast by normal standards and gives her a stamina boost. Combine with her power to slow down time, has allowed her move alot faster, as her time slow power doesn't last long as she can only slow time down for 5 seconds before she needs to use it again. The boots have a speed and stamina charm on it that was for ponies who pulled trains.
Penumbra been given a sunblock bracelet that acts like sunblock, allowing the good doctor to be able to walk around without an umbrella or lots of sunblock on her. The charm is used for ponies who are out in the sun with little shade.
EMP has an electric charm bracelet that lets her absorb more power than she normally would be able to handle. While EMP can absorb electrical power, there is a limit to the amount she can take in before it starts damaging her body to contain it. She has to release the charge her body takes it, in a blast.
Miss Heed been given a bracelet that lets her breathe normally, no matter the air quality or how toxic it is. Letting her use her power to evaporate any liquid without it effecting her. The charm is for ponies who work around chemicals or has lots of smoke around.
Trixie been give a shoulder satchel that is a bag of holding, letting Trixie carry more than that she would normally be able to, which she uses to lug around lots of fireworks. The only limit is the amount of weight she can carry.
G-Lo has been given a cape that lets her float slowly to the ground, and combine with her light jelly like body allows her to glide around. The cape was part of a blimp ballon so that if pop the blimp would slowly fall to the ground.
Paint Master been given a magic paint brush that lets him paint a masterpiece just by picturing it in his mind.
Dragonfire been given a bracelet that allows her greater lung capacity than normal, letting her breathe out more fire before she needs to take a breath. The charm is for ponies who drive underwater.
She-Ton been given a bracelet that makes her lighter so that she doesn't have to worry about accidentally break things with her weight. The charm is used to help move heavy objects around.
"They like them," Becky said.
"And how are the plans coming along?" Alicorn ask.
"The new park attractions should all be completed within the given time frame, as long as nothing delays them. The company has been hounding for more of a take of the profits since what happen to the G-Men. Which I have to remind the suits sent over that while, I do run things while you're away. All decisions of the brand needs your approval. By the way how's the new cooking pot?" Becky ask.
"Brewing magic potions in it," Alicorn said as she points to several glass bottles of different colors, all having a cork or a cap on them sitting on a bookcase,
"Drink me? Really?" Becky ask walking to the bookcase and picking up a green bottle with the label saying drink me.
"The potions all work, I tested it myself and they all work," Alicorn said.
"Isn't your special talent magic?" Becky ask.
"Yes which is why I'm able to cast more than 3 spells a day. But magic needs focus and concentration, plus understanding how the spell works. It's like how blueprints for a highly complex machine, can only be understood by someone who actually knows what the numbers and symbols mean. I make it look easy because I do all the calculations in my head," Alicorn said. (4)
"I had no idea that magic is all mathematical equations till I met you. Which would make you an actuary," Becky said.
"Which is why, I make potions. Useful magic that I can make and use later. Of course they do have a time limit where like any other thing that uses ingredients that can rot away, they go bad after enough time passes," Alicorn said.
"What does this do?" Becky ask.
"Healing potion, heals physical injuries by using the body's stored body fat, or an IV drip would work too," Alicorn explains.
"And this one?" Becky ask picking up a purple bottle.
"That's a antidote for most poisons," Alicorn said.
"Have you made a bring the dead back to life potion?" Becky ask.
"The black skull shape bottle," Alicorn said.
"Really this can bring the dead back to life?" Becky ask.
"As long as there is a body, the head is ok, the body isn't so heavily damaged that bringing them to life would just be them dying again, the body hasn't rotten, the body hasn't gone completely cold, as it's like relighting a fire that died but still has a glowing ember left. We tried bringing back the dead but the results is like the Frankenstein. The body is alive but the mind of the person that the body belonged to, is gone. So the person you want back to life is gone for good. And making a clone doesn't work for the same reason, the personality of the dead won't be coming back, just the body. The only possible way it would work is if you can store all your memories in something so that you can just download it into a new body. Or with a ghost merge with a clone body," Alicorn explains. (5)
"Can you do that for me?" Becky ask.
"You mean you're ok with you waking up and finding out that you're a copy and the original died?" Alicorn ask.
"Yes, I'll be ok with it. And while you're at it in making me a new body, you can make some improvements," Becky said.
"Want a hentai body? Huge well shaped breasts and butt with a slender figure?" Alicorn ask.
"Well seeing how you are planning on being an immortal alicorn. It be nice to try it out for one life and once I'm old or died, I can try a new body," Becky said.
"I also have a gift for you," Alicorn said floating a gun to Becky.
"Is that a flare gun?" Becky ask taking the gun that is empty.
"Yes and the shells are tipped with explosive shells filled with a different potion. Still making them, got the idea from the anime Outlaw Star. Once you have the shells you can be the cold sniper who fires magic bullets," Alicorn said.
"I call the comic company to write me having a flare gun that fires magic bullets," Becky said.
"Here's a list of magic bullets I'll be making. Just fax it to them," Alicorn said.
"On it," Becky said. Alicorn uses fax to send things as emails are much less secured than using a fax machine. She doesn't want any leaks of new things happening in Equestria comics.
"Also what's for lunch?" Alicorn ask.
"Catfish stew, mutton and turnips, salt and pepper chicken, and 4 kinds of steamed rice mixed together," Becky listed the dishes the cooks made today.
"Have it send in," Alicorn said.
"Will do," Becky said leaving her boss in her office, who is going to be busy all day in catching up with all the paperwork that piled up while she was on vacation.
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Author's Notes -
1 - Saint Row
2 - Cottage Industry an industry whose labor force consists of family units or individuals working at home with their own equipment.
3 - Lisa Simpson causes as many problems as she helps solves. But she is still better then Velma as at least she's self aware enough to know she cause it.
4 - I'm going with the reason why Twilight studies all the time is because of how hard it is to cast complex spells. And that she has no life, till the start of the series.
5 - I hate how bringing someone back to life is treated as impossible when there are work arounds in some fictions. Namely in Fullmetal, all you need to do is figure out how to store your memories or copy them and make yourself a new body. And bringing the body back is against the rules but what about bringing the mind or memories instead.
Cloning blues only happens if the one clone doesn't know about it as it be shocking for anyone who wakes up to that.
Like in Avatar where all the soldiers who died are brought back thanks to clone bodies and stored memories.
And in worlds where there is magic and all other things, there should be work arounds. And in the What If marvel series on Disney plus where by bringing back one person back to life destroyed that universe that Doctor Strange who did it, it would have been destroyed long ago as there would have been more people like that who would bring their love ones back. A huge plot hole right there. And a big dumb plot device where bringing even one person back to life will destroy the universe is just dumb when in Marvel it happens all the time.
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