//------------------------------//
// Episode 2: A Hero Awakens part 2 
// Story: Elements of Heroism: Season 1 
// by Bahamut0 
//------------------------------//

As Twilight was informing the other girls about the Elements of Harmony, Burst returned to his house. He went to his room and pulled out the coat his mother Lumina had made for him. "Now's as good a time as any to break you in." Burst slipped the coat on and slid his wings through the slots his mom had put in. "Now to complete my look." Burst opened a drawer, and strapped on a pair of black fingerless gloves. Burst then put his blasters in the holsters that were on the back of his coat. He then fastened his sword to his back. "Let's rock." Burst then made his way over to Twilight's library. The girls were surprised to see Burst decked out in his gear. "Any leads as to where the elements are Twilight?"

Burst Stream Suited Up: http://sipioc.deviantart.com/art/Burst-Stream-676861100

Twilight nodded. "All the books point to the Castle of the Two Sisters. In the Everfree Forest. Although, I don't think the forest will be too much of a problem with you coming along."

Burst cracked a smile. "I've gotta keep my promise don't I?"

Rainbow Dash walked up to Burst with a grin. "You. Were. AWESOME! I don't think I've ever seen anyone fight like that! Who'd you train with to get that strong?"

"My dad.", Burst answered simply. "Not to sound like we're in a hurry, but we'd better get a move on. The fate of Equestria is in our hands. So let's go free Princess Luna and give the Legend of the Two Sisters a happy ending."

"Burst?", Twilight asked. "Why do you keep calling Nightmare Moon that name?"

Burst sighed. "Because the Legend of the Two Sisters is more real than you could ever think, and more sad than you could ever imagnine." Burst looked at the girls. "You see Princess Celestia is the older sister in the story. Princess Luna, her younger sister, was the one who turned into Nightmare Moon. Princess Celestia was forced to seal away her only family in the moon for a thousand years." Burst's expression then saddened. "All those years alone...it's no wonder the neglect and jealousy drove her down this path." Burst then steeled his gaze. "That's why we NEED to get the Elements of Harmony. To restore Luna to her old self." All the girls' eyes were tearing up.

"I can't speak for all of us, but let's do it!", Rarity cheered. The girls seemed to nod in agreement. 

"Then let's go." Burst and the Mane 6 were about leave, but he caught Spike trying to leave. "Spike. You stay here."

"Burst's right.", Twilight said as she knelt down to face Spike. "It's too dangerous."

"But...but I want to help you!", Spike pleaded. Burst noticed the drake's sadness and put a hand on his shoulder.

"Listen Spike. You want to help, right?" Spike nodded. "Well the best way to do that is to stay here. If we fail, if we don't come back, it's all up to you. So promise me as a man Spike. Promise to all of us that you'll take care of Ponyville!" Spike's eyes blazed with determination and he and Burst fist-bumped. "That's the spirit buddy." Burst got to his feet. "Let's go." Burst and the Mane 6 made their way to the Everfree Forest. "If any of you want to turn back, go now. From here on, there's no going back." None of the girls answered. "Then let's keep moving." As they walked Fluttershy tugged on Burst's sleeve. "Something up Flutters?"

"No. It's just...you must not be scared if you're willing to go into such a scary place.", Fluttershy said sheepishly.

"But I AM scared Fluttershy.", Burst replied. "I'm scared for my family. I'm scared for all of you. I'm scared what'll happen if we don't make it. But if I let that fear control me, then I'm never going to come close to keeping my promise."

"That brings up an interesting question darling. You said you made a promise to free Princess Luna.", Rarity noted. "Who EXACTLY did you make that promise to?"

"Well...I made that promise to Princess Celestia. Or at least, the picture of her in the story book that told the legend of the two sisters.", Burst said with a light blush. "When my dad told me the truth of the story, something sparked inside me. I promised that I'd give that sad story a happy ending. That way Princess Celestia could be happy. Heh. It's weird that I've never even seen her though." All the girls collectively 'aawed' at Burst's promise. The group then halted when they heard a roar! A manticore was charging right at them!

"Uh, Burst?", Rainbow Dash asked. "Now would be a good time to make with the shooting!" 

"No. This isn't right!" Burst picked up on something odd with the manticore's energy. "Something's making him angry! We've gotta try and remove whatever's got him so mad!" Rarity kicked the manticore in the face!

"Take that you ruffian!", she said with a pout! Applejack tied the beast down with her rope and brought it to the ground! Twilight was preparing to fire off a spell, but Fluttershy stepped in front of them!

"WAAAIIIT!", she screamed as she stood in the path of the rest of the girls. "Applejack? Could you please untie him?" Applejack cautiously undid her rope's binds. The manticore got up and roared at Fluttershy! However, Fluttershy just rubbed the side of his face. "There, there. Let me see your paw." The manticore showed Fluttershy his paw, and she plucked a thorn out of it. "There you go." The manticore let out another roar before promptly licking Fluttershy's face! "Hehe! That tickles!" Fluttershy pet the manticore as he walked off.

"Fluttershy...how did you know?", Twilight asked.

Fluttershy shrugged. "I didn't. Sometimes, we all need a little bit of kindness."

"Something we should all keep in mind.", Burst said with a smile as the group kept moving. Soon, they came upon an area dense with trees. However, a blue mist had floated through the grove. Suddenly, everyone was freaking out! All except for Pinkie who was making funny faces at the trees and giggling.

"What's got her laughing?", Twilight asked. She then looked to see Burst was busting a gut laughing! "Burst, what's so funny?!"

"I-Isn't it obvious?", Burst said as he got a grip on the situation. "Here we are. A bunch of grown people. And we're...Pffft! We're all freaking out and screaming over a bunch of trees! It's pretty hilarious!" The rest of the Mane 6 started to giggle before it escalated into full-blown laughter! A mist seemed to lift from the grove and the trees returned to normal.

"Awww! I had a song planned.", Pinkie said with a pout. Burst patted Pinkie on the back.

"Will a hot fudge sundae make up for it?" Pinkie nodded excitedly. "Good. I'd hate to see you not smile..." The group continued, and soon found a sea serpent sobbing. From the looks of things part of his moustache had been cut off. Man. What a shame. He really had that look going for him..., Burst thought. Twilight and the girls had asked what was wrong, and the sea serpent explained. Rarity then had an idea.

"I hope you don't mind sir, but I'll be needing one of your scales..." Rarity used her magic to remove a scale from the serpent, and cut off most of her hair before using her magic to weave it into the serpent's moustache. "There you are darling! Good as new. Now the only problem is crossing..." The serpent made a bridge with his body.

"Allow me.", The serpent said with a grateful smile. The group then crossed the river and continued on their way.

"You know Rarity?", I think your name suits you.", Burst said with a smile.

"Really? What makes you say that darling?"

Burst winked. "A women that has great inner AND outer beauty is a rare sight."

Rarity blushed! "That's very kind of you darling." The group soon saw the Castle of the Two Sisters in the distance. However, the ledge Twilight was on gave way! Fortunately, Applejack caught her just in time! Applejack looked below Twilight and an idea came.

"Twilight. You need to let go.", Applejack pleaded.

"Are you crazy?!", Twilight protested!

Applejack shook her head. "You'll be fine Twilight. Ah ain't lyin'!" Twilight gulped as she let go of Applejack's hand only to be caught by Rainbow Dash! The two landed safely on firm ground. "See? I told ya sugarcube." Twilight smiled, and the group continued. They soon came to a broken bridge.

"Hey Dash?", Burst asked. "Think you can get the bridge back up?"

"No problem!", Rainbow said with a grin as she flew across and prepared to tie up the ropes that anchored the bridge. Then, she heard a voice.

"Raiiinbooow....", The voice called out.

"Who's there?!", Rainbow Dash demanded! 

"We've been waiting for you Rainbow. We're impressed by your skill."

Rainbow Dash basked in the praise. "Thanks! You guys with the Wonderbolts? I've been trying to get in since forever!"

"No Rainbow. We want you to join OUR team." A trio of shadowy skyborn stepped out of the shadows. They looked like the Wonderbolts, but their flight suits were dark purple and black instead of blue. And the badges on their suits were skulls with lightning bolts. "We're the Shadowbolts. We're the greatest flying team in the Everfree Forest! And we've been looking for the fastest..." The lead Shadowbolt began to circle Rainbow Dash. "We want the bravest...."

"Yes..."

"We want...you.", The lead Shadowbolt finished as she offered Rainbow her hand. On the other side, Twilight's eyes widened at the sight of the Shadowbolts! Burst unholstered one of his blasters, but the lead Shadowbolt noticed and summoned fog that clouded Burst's vision! "So what do you say Rainbow?"

"Cool! Just let me tie up the bridge and-"

"NO! It's either them, or us! What's it going to be?"

Rainbow Dash paused in thought for a moment. "You....thank you. For the offer I mean. But I've got more important things to take care of right now." Rainbow Dash turned her back on the Shadowbolts and set to work tieing up the loose ropes that suspended her end of the bridge. The Shadowbolts turned into a pile of blue mist, and slithered off into the Castle of the Two Sisters. The rest of Rainbow's group crossed and entered the castle. Soon enough, they found five stones.

"I'm guessing those would be the Elements of Harmony.", Burst said with a smile. "Twilight? I'm sure you've got things from here. However, I'm sticking with you. No telling what might happen next."

Twilight nodded. "The legends say a spark will ignite the elements. Here goes nothing..." Twilight focused her magic while the rest of the Mane 6 walked off to stand watch. However,Twilight was soon interrupted as Nightmare Moon appeared out of a blue mist!

"You've done well to make it this far.", Nightmare Moon said with a smirk. "Sadly, your journey ends here!" Nightmare was about to strike Twilight until Burst leaped in front of her! "Well, well. It seems our paths cross yet again."

Burst drew his sword and looked to Twilight. "Twilight. You focus on awakening the Elements." Burst then turned his gaze to Nightmare Moon. "I'll handle her." Burst got into a fighting stance. "I hope you don't mind us dancing again?" Burst said with a smirk.

Nightmare Moon smirked. "Truth be told, I was hoping for this." Nightmare summoned her own sword and the two crossed blades! Burst cast a barrier spell to protect Twilight and the elements. However, Nightmare Moon noticed. "I don't think so!" As soon as Twilight had made a spark of magic, Nightmare Moon stomped the ground and unleashed a shockwave that shattered the stones that were once the Elements of Harmony! Burst was knocked to the ground from the shockwave and got to his feet! "You little fools! Did you really think you could best me? The night shall last forever!"

Burst narrowed his eyes! "Not if I have anything to say about it!" Burst charged at Nightmare! At the same time, Twilight heard the other girls heading her way! It was then that the true spark ignited within her. As soon as the rest of the Mane 6 arrived, Twilight stood confidently. Burst saw what was going on, and broke off his attack. "Hate to break it to you Nightie, but you've already lost!"

Twilight smiled. "You thought you could destroy the Elements? Well you can't! Because they're right here! Fluttershy, who took the time to assist the manticore, represents the Element of Kindness!" Some stone shards hovered around Fluttershy and glowed pink! "Pinkie Pie, who banished fear, represents the Element of Laughter!" More shards gathered around Pinkie and glowed a light blue! "Rarity, who gave up her own hair to aid the sea serpent, represents the Element of Generosity!" Shards then hovered around Rarity glowing a brilliant violet! "Applejack, who was true to her word, represents Honesty!" The shards that hovered around Applejack glowed orange! "And Rainbow Dash, who stayed by our side through everything, represents Loyalty!" The shards that hovered around Rainbow Dash glowed a brilliant red! 

Nightmare Moon froze in horror. "But...but that's only five! You still need one more element!"

"I thought that the spark had to with magic. But I was wrong. It was from a stronger force! These five girls proved themselves to be good friends, and their elements signify that! And when the five come together, that creates the most powerful element of all! The Element of Magic!" The stones that hovered around the other girls transformed into necklaces while a crown with the Element of Magic materialized and landed on Twilight's head! Nightmare Moon scowled and prepared to fire a blast of magic at the girls! But Burst grappled with her! "Burst!"

"Twilight! Use the Elements! NOW!", Burst screamed!

"Fool!", Nightmare Moon hissed! "You'll get blasted too!"

"Maybe. But that's a small price to pay to bring back Luna!", Burst spat with fire in his eyes! Twilight and the girls then unleashed the power of the elements! Both Nightmare Moon and Burst were caught in the blast of harmonic magic! When the light died down, Burst was alright! However, the only thing left of Nightmare Moon was her armor. Burst noticed some movement over where Nightmare Moon's helmet once stood, and smiled. "Well, my job's done." As Burst began to leave, Twilight and the girls were met with Princess Celestia.

"Princess!" Twilight promptly bowed. Celestia smiled.

"Well done my faithful student. You've found the Elements and restored them. Now, Nightmare Moon has been defeated."

"But that's the thing.", Twilight said sadly. "I wanted to show her a better way. So did Burst...."

Celestia smiled as she noticed some movement from Nightmare Moon's armor. "I'd say you did. You let the magic of friendship inside you. Now if only another would do the same..." Celestia walked over to the source of the movement and removed the armor to find a little girl with light blue skin, wings, and hair who had teal eyes, and was wearing a small black tiara with a cornflower blue dress and silver shoes. "Princess Luna. You've been away for such a long time. But we were meant to rule together little sister. Will you accept my friendship?"

Luna ran to Celestia and wept! "I'm sorry! I missed you so much big sister!"

Twilight smiled and then noticed Burst leaving. "Burst! Why don't you come over here! We couldn't have done this without you! Now you can tell the princess you fulfilled your promise!" Celestia was confused as to who Twilight was talking about.

"Twilight? Who's Burst?", Celestia asked.

"When Nightmare Moon returned, Burst fought her at Ponyville! He even managed to defeat her for a while. He even managed to hold her off while we revived the elements! Oh! And he's a male avatar!" Twilight saw Burst walking over. "Here he is!" When Burst stepped into the sunlight, Celestia's eyes went wide! Burst himself was speechless for a moment before he pointed at Celestia.

"I remember...", Burst said with a smile. "You're the lady I gave my Optimus Prime plushie to! Or shoud I say, your highness?" Burst then bowed before facing Celestia again. Celestia couldn't believe it! "I guess I kept my promise to you after all."

Celestia was in awe. This was the same boy who had spoke to her. The same who had promised to save Luna. Though he may have grown, those eyes of his stayed the same. Celestia smiled. He's grown so much since that night. She then noticed Burst's dragon wings. And it looks like there was more to him than I thought. "You certainly have. But I never got your name."

"My name's Burst Stream!", Burst said with a smile. "And I should thank you. It's nice to know you're even more beautiful than that picture in the old story books." Celestia lightly blushed at the compliment. "Come on everyone! Something tells me, it's party time!"

After one epic party....

Celestia had just put Luna to bed and tucked her in. She then made her way to her room and picked up something from her night stand. It was the same Optimus Prime plushie Burst had given her all those years ago. "You were able to keep your promise." Celestia smiled warmly as she remembered little Burst promising to her without even knowing. "Burst Stream. There's so much I'd like to know about you..." Celestia climbed into bed and drifted off to sleep.

Ponyville, Burst Stream's house...

Burst stretched as he got ready to go to bed. Then, he saw a glow coming from his Duelist Arms. Then, a voice spoke to him. "You are the Element of Power." Burst was confused. "The others shall awaken soon as well. With them you will find great friends. Never lose sight of your heart. That is what makes you a true hero." Burst was confused as to what the voice meant, but smiled all the same. 

"Looks like I've got plenty more friends to make." As Burst climbed into bed, his thoughts turned to Celestia. And maybe...there's someone who could be something more than that....

The Castle of the Two Sisters....

A faint trail of blue mist slithered along the ground from the remains of Nightmare Moon's armor. One tiny speck of teal was at the center of it. Burst Stream..., Nightmare's forming spirit thought. You intrigue me. Maybe once I develop fully, we can meet on better terms. I suppose I should thank the elements. Now? Now I'm my own entity. First? I need to rest. We will meet again....