//------------------------------// // Episode 3: Reunion // Story: Yu-Gi-Oh! EQG: Duelist Rangers Final Season // by Bahamut0 //------------------------------// As the school day drew to a close, Burst's mind drifted to his long absent father. Scorpan mentioned that there was person who almost defeated Tirek thirteen years ago. And that person bore a striking resemblance to Burst. 'Is that why Dad left? Is that why I haven't seen him since I was five?' Burst sighed. 'Who really knows? There's no use in trying to speculate. The fact is he's gone. And nothing I say or do can bring him back here.' Celestia and Moon noticed Burst's mood and went up to him. "Everything alright?", Celestia asked. "Yeah. Just thinking about what Scorpan told me after Tirek was defeated. From the description he gave of the figure that nearly beat Tirek thirteen years ago, it sounds a lot like my dad. Coincidentally, my dad disappeared from my life thirteen years ago. Maybe he left to fight Tirek and he failed to defeat him. So to keep me and my mom safe, he probably left us behind. Heh. Would you listen to me? I sound completely crazy..." Burst was interrupted when Moon and Celestia wrapped their arms around him. "It was hard being without him. Wasn't it?", Moon asked. Burst nodded. "But you're not alone now. Right?", Celestia asked. Burst managed a smile. "Yeah. And I guess that's all that really matters now. Thank you. Both of you. I couldn't ask for a better pair of girlfriends." "Maybe we should walk home with you today.", Celestia said with a smile. "It'll be nice to get in some conversation that's not tied to fighting monsters or being rangers." The three walked home, but paused when they saw a car parked in front of Burst's house. "Weird. Mom's not expecting company...", Burst said as he slowly opened the front door of his house. He saw his mom sitting on the couch crying and three people in the living room. "Mom?" Lumina picked her head up, and walked over to Burst. "What's going on?" "Burst. There's...there's someone you haven't seen in a long time...", Lumina said as she sniffled. Burst was curious as to what she meant, and headed into the living room. One of the people Burst saw turned to face him. "Has it really been that long? Have thirteen years really gone by?" Burst froze. "I wondered why you were gone for so long. Dad." Celestia and Moon's jaws hit the floor. "But all I've gotta ask is...why? Why did you leave us? Was it because you didn't beat Tirek?" Aether froze. "Where...where did you hear that name?" "From Scorpan. After I freed him from Tirek. He said that thirteen years ago, a figure came close to beating Tirek. And that he looked a lot like me. Was that you? If it was, you don't have to worry about him. I destroyed Tirek. But you're back now. So I guess that's what more important. That should be all that matters." "Very true. But Burst, tell me. When you defeated Tirek, did you tap into an energy you've never experienced before?" "Actually...yeah. I did. But what's that matter?", Burst asked. Aether smiled as he focused energy. Burst's eyes widened. "Let's just say it runs in the family. Tirek sought to drain my power, so I confronted him. Unfortuantely, I was unable to defeat him right then and there. And to keep you and your mother safe I had to stay awar from you. But in the process, I found a new family." Aether then motioned to the two other people. "Meey my step-son. Blitz Surge. And my new wife. Abyss." Blitz looked much like Burst, but with a different skin color and hairstyle. Abyss had pitch black hair and pale white skin. "Nice to meet you two.", Burst said with a polite nod. "Likewise.", Blitz answered as he looked at Burst. "So. What makes you so special?" "...Nothing. Why do you ask?" "Well since there's been so many monster attacks in Canterlot, my Blitz is the leader of a strike force to contend with such nuisances.", Abyss said proudly. "My boy's a hero." "Huh. Neat.", Burst said with a smile. Abyss and Blitz frowned. "Gee. You two are real buckets of sunshine, Anyway Dad, how'd you like to meet my girlfriends?" Celestia and Moon entered the room. Burst pointed to each of them respectively. "These are Celestia and Moon." "Pleased to finally meet you Mr. Stream.", Celestia said with a polite smile. "Huh. You and Burst are almost identical.", Moon noted. "Burst. You didn't tell me you had a way with women.", Aether said with a smile. "I guess the same way you got Mom.", Burst said with a small smile. "inner and outer beauty." "He's got that right.", Moon said as she and Celestia held Burst tightly. "Ummm, could you two tone it down a bit? Please?", Burst asked with a blush. "A-anyway, are you getting back together with Mom?" Aether nodded. "Yes. I am. Now that Tirek's gone, I've got no reason to stay away. Abyss and Blitz even agreed to it." "I guess this day ended better than I thought."