//------------------------------// // Episode 3: Power and Potential // Story: Elements of Heroism: Season 1 // by Bahamut0 //------------------------------// Manehattan, Night.... "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!", An announcer cried out! "IT'S WITH GREAT PLEASURE THAT I GIVE YOU TONIGHT'S ENTERTAINMENT! INFERNO FLARE!" The stage lit up to reveal a young man with black skin, red eyes, and black hair with red streaks styled as Joseph Joestar. He had a confident smile as he gripped his electric guitar. Quite the crowd tonight..., Inferno thought with a smile. Fitting for this sort of performance. Inferno slung his electric guitar to his front and began to play! He also sang as the other members of his band played their instruments! The crowd screamed as the band played on! Inferno finished his performance with a blazing solo! The crowd cheered like crazy after the band concluded their performance. Inferno smiled as he waited for the crowd to quiet down. "Thank you all for coming out here tonight. Fans like you make these performances all the more worth it!" Inferno then frowned. "Which brings me to a less than happy announcement. The reason we went all-out tonight, was because this was our last performance. We had a good run, but now we've decided to settle down. Thank You." The crowd was saddened at the news as Inferno and his bandmates packed up their things. Inferno went to his dressing room and removed his shirt to stretch his black dragon wings. Being a rockstar was fun and all, but I've had my fill of it. Especially since all the gossip magazines are just waiting for me to screw up. Inferno sighed. Imagine if they found out that the lead guitarist and singer was an avatar. They'd have a field day or try to ship me with one of the princesses! I guess the only question now it where to settle down? Canterlot's too stuffy, Manehattan's too noisy since I want to quit my rocker lifestyle. Hmmmm. Inferno then came upon a newspaper he had bought earlier and his hand lit up with a red magic aura as he lifted his arm to levitate the paper over. It entailed Nightmare Moon's defeat and the new Bearers of Harmony. Ponyville it is then. It's mostly quiet if the newspaper indicates correctly. Inferno then noticed a red glow coming from his guitar case. He opened it up and saw that the sword his mother had given him was glowing. He also heard a voice. "Follow your heart. It shall unlock your potential.", The voice said. Inferno blinked to make sure he wasn't going crazy. "Well, I know where I'm going next..." Ponyville, Morning... Burst had just gotten dressed in his signature outfit. So much for me wearing this coat rarely. But what can I say? It's awesome! Burst finished breakfast, and went about Ponyville. Everywhere he went, people would wave at him. "Better get to cloud busting. Can't belive I wound up getting another job so soon..." Burst flapped his wings and took to the air. He then set to work helping Rainbow Dash clear up some clouds. "There we go." Burst finished busting the last cloud. Burst soon landed on the ground and inspected his outfit. "I guess I'd better have Rarity check up on my coat. She'd probably freak out if it got damaged." As Burst made his way to Carousel Boutique, Inferno had already arrived ahead of him. Good thing all that time picking out wardrobes gave me an eye for detail., Inferno thought with a smile as he went in. As Inferno entered, Sweetie Belle took note of him. It didn't help she has a magazine that had his picture. However, she wanted to be sure and walked up to him. Needless to say, Inferno was reasonably surprised. "Um, hi?" Sweetie Belle scratched her head as she looked him over. "Huh. You sure don't look like your picture here." Sweetie Belle showed Inferno the picture of him rockin out with a guitar. "You sure you're a rockstar?" Inferno let out a chuckle. "I was. But maybe you don't know that I gave up on that life." Sweetie Belle gasped! "But your music is so cool! Why would you give that up? I don't know what I'd do if I gave up singing..." Inferno knelt down and smiled. "Don't get me wrong. I still plan on rocking out, but purely as a hobby. As for your singing, don't give up on that. If you've got a passion for something, then you've got the potential to be great at it!" Sweetie Belle smiled. "Thanks! So what brings you to my sister's shop anyway?" "Oh. I'm answering the ad she put up in town. I've got plenty of bits, but I'd like something to keep me occupied.", Inferno answered. "Is she in right now?" "Rarity! Another person's answered your ad! Another guy!", Sweetie Belle called out! "On my way Sweetie Belle...", Rarity answered as she walked over. Rarity took in Inferno's outfit. It consisted of a red tank top, black pants with flames on the sides of the legs, and red sneakers. "I see you have an eye for style darling. So what's your name?" Inferno was stunned by her beauty. She's got looks that would rival a model's! "Inferno Flare. I'm a recent move-in, and I'm pretty good with clothes." "Probably because you've had to change outfits so much when you were a rockstar.", Sweetie Belle chimed in. Rarity blinked. "I thought your name sounded familiar. Still..." Rarity took in Inferno's appearance. "You weren't what I was picturing when I thought of when the word 'rockstar' came to mind." Inferno smiled. "In a good way, or a bad way?" "Oh, I meant in the best way possible darling!", Rarity said with a giggle. "You certainly have quite the dashing appearance. Plus, I've been looking for someone who's had experience performing!" "That's pretty generous of you Miss Rarity.", Inferno said with a chuckle. "Just Rarity is fine darling. And I AM the Element of Generosity after all." It was then that Burst walked in. "Oh! Hello Burst! I was wondering when you'd drop by." Inferno then turned to face Burst. He froze when he saw that Burst had dragon wings like him! Burst also stopped to take note of Inferno's presence. "Hey there!", Burst greeted. "You new too?" Inferno nodded. "Yeah. Just moved in." Inferno then extended his wings. "But it looks like I'm not the only one who's got more than meets the eye to him. By the way, you wouldn't happen to have weapons that are modelled after a monster would you?" Inferno summoned his sword and blaster in a flash of flame! "Actually..." Burst summoned his weapons in a surge of energy! "...I do. Wait. Did your weapons ever glow and did you hear a voice?" "...How did you know that?!", Inferno asked. "Same thing happened to me.", Burst said with a nod. The two then noticed that their weapons were glowing! Suddenly, two dragon spirits sprang forth form their Duelist Arms! "Whoa!" The spirit from Burst's weapons was a white dragon with blue eyes while the spirit from Inferno's weapons was a black dragon with red eyes. "Hey...you two wouldn't happen to be the voices we heard, would you?" The dragon spirits nodded. "I am Blue-Eyes. I represent the Element of Power.", the white dragon spirit said. "And I am Red-Eyes. I represent the Element of Potential.", the black dragon spirit replied. "What do you mean you represent elements?", Inferno asked. "I thought the only elements were the Elements of Harmony." Red-Eyes shook his head. "They WERE. But as the old elements have revived, we new elements were born. And our aspects live on in you two. But you will not be the only ones. For others will join you on your path. You all have what it takes. Burst was confused. "And what's that?" Blue-Eyes smiled. "You two are the first of a new set of elements. The Elements of Heroism. And others will join you." "So there's going to be four more possible friends?", Burst asked. Blue-Eyes shook his head. "No Burst. There will be more than that. It takes a lot to be a hero. Something you've proven since you battled Nightmare Moon. And now, we bid you farewell...." Blue-Eyes and Red-Eyes faded away leaving all the occupants of Carousel Boutique awed. Inferno was the first to recover and find his voice. "So we could be heroes.", Inferno thought with a smile. "Gotta say. That's a better use of my potential than a rockstar." Inferno then looked to Burst. "So you REALLY tangled with Nightmare Moon?" Burst nodded and smiled. "Care to take me on?" "...Bring it!", Inferno said with a smirk. The two headed for a non-populated area and both got into fighting stances. "So who taught you how to use your Duelist Arms?" "My dad. You?" "Mom made sure I could handle them.", Inferno said with a shrug. "Hope you're not expecting me to go easy!" Burst smirked. "I could say the same to you!" Meanwhile, Twilight and the Mane 6 had just arrived to see the sparring match. Burst and Inferno charged at each other and locked blades! Sparks flew as their blades crossed! "You're pretty good!" The two broke their sword lock and their clash began anew! Each sound of the blades crashing against each other rang through the field! "Time to light this duel up!", Inferno said with a smile! Flames suddenly wrapped around his sword! "Let's see how you handle this!" Inferno charged at Burst! "So you can do that trick too huh?", Burst said with a smile as he charged up his blade with energy! Lightning danced along the blade as Burst began his own charge! The two's blades seeming to contain the fury and power of the dragon spirits that had faded away! "Gotta say Inferno. You're the first person I've felt a bond with!" Inferno chuckled. "Me too. It's not easy to find friends when you've got the life of a rock star. No private life while you're in the spotlight and your life is pretty much a display case." The two broke off their sword fight and readied their blasters! The two charged up their blasters and fired! Burst's twin blasters fired two powerful blasts of energy while Inferno's fired off a single shot! The two blasts were roaring as they tried to engulf the other! Inferno's had the lead first, but was overwhelmed by the twin shots from Burst's blasters! Inferno was knocked to the ground from the force of the blast! Burst walked over and helped Inferno up. "You know? I think this is the beginning of an EPIC friendship." "Well, I could use a best friend.", Burst said with a smile. "Wanna play video games after this? I got Smash Bros. and Street Fighter." Inferno smiled. "Dibs on Ken! But first, I'd better get a place to stay at." "I believe I can remedy that darling.", Rarity said with a smile. "Carousel Boutique doubles as my place of residence. There's a guest room that's not in use. I hope that should suffice." Inferno grinned. "Trust me gorgeous. It's more than enough." The Events of the Ticket Master... The next morning, Burst woke up and went outside to check his mailbox. He was searching through his mail when he came upon a letter with a seal that looked like Princess Celestia's cutie mark. Wasting no time, Burst opened up the letter to find a ticket to the Grand Galloping Gala. He then promptly sighed. Great. The most boring event I ever heard of. Burst remembered the time his dad had told him about the gala. He had hated every dull moment. It was then that Burst had an idea. That settles it. I'm gonna accept this invite, and I'm going to make things go crazy! Still, I'd better hold off on going alone. I'd better invite Inferno along. And if what those spirits told me is true, I should plan on having at least five more tickets in advance. Burst wrote to Princess Celestia, and sent her the letter via magic. "It's not like she'll actually..." A new letter poofed into existence in Burst's hand! "...Or maybe she will reply quickly." Burst opened the letter and read it. "Dear Burst Stream. I am pleased that you notified me that you would have some extra company to this year's gala. I hope to see you there. HRH, Princess Celestia. P.S., Luna says hello." Burst smiled. "Well, I guess I'd better tell Inferno the good news." Burst headed over to Carousel Boutique where Rarity was listing off her gala plans since she'd found out Twilight had gotten two tickets. "So what're you looking forward to most?", Inferno asked as he took a drink of his orange juice. "Oh! I plan on meeting HIM!", Rarity said in bliss! "Prince Blueblood! The nephew of Princess Celestia!" Inferno then promptly sputtered on his napkin! "...Wait. You're gushing over that guy?" "Darling, he's been voted as Equestria's picture of a gentleman!" Inferno frowned. Oh if only she knew. Inferno recounted when he and his band had played at Canterlot. The aforementioned magi prince had been in attanedance. And he was by far the rudest person Inferno had ever seen! Blueblood had constantly insulted Inferno's music style, but that wasn't what made Inferno made. No. What really set Inferno off was how rude Blueblood was to the rest of the audience! Had the spoiled brat not left of his own accord, Inferno would have had half a mind to ask him to leave himself. And if he didn't? ...Things would've escalated. "Just...be careful around him Rarity." Inferno then noticed Burst walk in. "Hey Burst! You look like you're in a good mood." Burst smiled. "Sure am! I scored us some gala tickets! And I plan on turning that place into an actual fun event. Care to help me destroy the place?" Inferno had a small smile on his face at hearing Burst's intent. Nice! A chance to keep an eye on Rarity and give Blueblood the what-for should the need arise. "Let's wreck it." "Glad to hear you're on board." Burst left and ran into Twilight and Spike being chased by a mob of people! "Uh-oh." Burst flew off and scooped up Twilight! "Need a lift away from this crazy?" Twilight nodded. "Yes! Home! Please!" Burst and Twilight soon arrived at the library and locked themselves in. "It was bad enough when my friends were hounding me over my extra gala ticket! Now the whole town is going crazy! AGH! The only thing making this worse is all the reasons my friends want to go! And I've only got one extra ticket!" "Why not write to the princess?", Burst asked. "It's what I did." Twilight's jaw dropped. "WHAT?!" "Yeah. I wrote her a letter saying I was expecting some extra company, so she gave me five extra tickets. If you do the same, I'm sure she'll understand!", Burst said with a smile. "After all, Princess Celestia seems like one of the nicest people in existence." Twilight managed to smile. "You know, I'm only sad I didn't think of that earlier. Spike? Take a letter." Soon enough, five new tickets were sent to Twilight via dragon fire. "Looks like you were right Burst. Thanks for the rescue." Burst shrugged. "Hey. Someone's gotta play the hero." And with that Burst left to form his own gala plans while Twilight gathered her friends to tell them the news. I wonder if I'll get the chance to show Princess Celestia a good time? Inferno walked up to Burst. "So I take it you helped solve Twilgiht's ticket problem?", Inferno asked. "Uh-huh. Though, it was kind of funny seeing the whole town chasing after her. Anyway, we still on for Street Fighter today?" Inferno smiled. "You know it! Plus, we can actually mimick the moves in real life thanks to our powers!" "Well, power and potential go hand in hand. I guess that's why we're friends so easily." The two shared a fist-bump. "So anyway, I plan on turning the gala into a REAL party. Wanna hear the details?" A mischievous smile graced Inferno's face. "What did you have in mind?"