//------------------------------//
// Episode 12: Royal Visit 
// Story: Elements of Heroism: Season 1 
// by Bahamut0 
//------------------------------//

	Burst and the guys gathered to meet with Ace the next day, and he recounted his encounter with Ice just yesterday. "Sounds like the Nightmare Forces aren't to be taken lightly. Meaning we need to be ready when they'll strike again." Burst then looked to Ace. "You did pretty well with handling Ice with your Duelist Arms. But you're not a fighter. You need training. Inferno and I have experience with Duelist Arms, so we can help teach you how to use them effectively. Steel and Ty? You two practice your combat skills too. If Ice was any indicator, we haven't seen the last of the Nightmare Forces. For now? Let's just try to enjoy what relaxation we can get." Burst's mind then turned to what Night had said at their first encounter. Don't the Nightmare Forces know Nightmare Moon's gone now? Luna was purified by the Elements of Harmony. We've got Twilight and the girls to thank for that. Or are they simply fighting on for the sake of vengeance? Doesn't matter. They're a threat to our friends, and our home. And me and the guys have to be ready to fight them. Until then... Burst yawned. I'm gonna get some rest. And here I thought my life in Ponyville would be uneventful.... All these thoughts were for another time as Burst's head hit the pillow. Whatever awaited him tomorrow, he'd face it all the same.

The next day...

Burst stretched as he yawned. Better check the mail. Burst got up and went outside to check his mailbox. Upon collecting his mail, Burst scrolled through the various letters. One stood out in particular to him though. In specific, one that had a seal of Princess Celestia's cutie mark. Second time I've seen a letter like this. Burst opened up the letter and read it to himself silently. Dear Burst Stream. I wanted to thank you for helping Twilight make such good friends and being a good friend to her in return. I'd like to speak to you in person at Canterlot today. I do hope you can make it. This letter shall serve as proof of my summons. HRH, Princess Celestia. Burst then got to work writing his own letter to Inferno informing him that he'd be absent from their training session today. "It'd be rude to keep a princess waiting." Burst ate breakfast and changed out of his pajamas into his signature outfit. However, Burst remembered something important. "I was shirtless the first time I wore this coat." Burst removed his coat and dug through his closet for a shirt. He settled on the old NES controller shirt and put it on before once again donning his coat. Burst then focused his magic and teleported to Canterlot. Arriving in a flash of blue light. "Thank goodness for those teleport spells Mom taught me." Burst then began making his way towards Canterlot Castle. As he walked, he couldn't help but notice all the upper-class citizens looking upon him with contempt. I don't know how Princess Celestia puts up with these overgrown brats without wanting to banish them all. Good thing I plan on crashing their oh-so-refined gala! The thought of that alone made Burst smile. "Well I've got wings. Might as well use them." Burst took to the air and flew above the buildings of Canterlot. From there, he found the castle and raced over there! Burst soon landed and presented the letter Celestia had sent to the guards. He was then escorted to the throne room and left to enter on his own. Hope she's not too busy. Burst opened the door, and found that the throne room was empty save for Celestia and the two guards she had stationed. It was his third or fourth time seeing her, but Burst was still taken away by how beautiful Princess Celestia was. Her white dress and golden shoes definitely fit her royal stature. She looks heavenly. Not to mention that voice of hers is so beautiful too. Burst thought with a smile as he took in her appearance. He then bowed before the princess. "I got your letter your highness."

Celestia smiled warmly. "I'm glad you could make it Burst Stream. You may rise." Burst got up and looked around.

"I'm guessing it's a slow day?", Burst joked. "Well, glad I could help keep you busy. You're certainly a task I wouldn't mind attending to. So what do you need from me?"

Celestia giggled as she dismissed her guards. "I was hoping to know you better. Does a walk sound nice?"

Burst smiled. "Sure. Lead the way." Celestia walked around the castle. "So what do you want to know about me first?"

"I guess you should start from the beginning and how you came to make that promise you made years ago."

"Well, I grew up with two loving parents. Aether Stream and Lumina Burst. I had a pretty happy childhood, but I had to hide my wings too. The crazy thing is, my dad had wings and magic too but his wings weren't like mine. I guess the whole of Equestria would freak out if they found out there was a male avatar walking around. . Namely because they might think I was you long-lost son!" Burst and Celestia shared a laugh. "And soon enough, I got accepted into your school for gifted magi. But the night before, I made a connection between you and the Legend of the Two Sisters. I asked my dad if you were the older sister in the book, and he told me the truth of the story. About you, and about Luna." Burst looked to Celestia. "And that's when I made my promise to you. Hope that's not too boring an origin story."

Celestia giggled. "No. I think it's sweet. You're grown into quite the young man. But how did you come to be able to hold your own against my corrupted sister?"

"You know how I said I WAS attending your school?", Burst asked. "Well I dropped out at the ripe age of sixteen. Namely because it was five years before Nightmare Moon's return. And my dad took it upon himself to train me for that day. I built up my body and magic. He also made sure to teach me to be effective with weapons and martial arts. Then he gave me my signature weapons. The Duelist Arms."

"I'd expect nothing less from the Avatar of Heroism.", Celestia said with a smile. "That's why your father knew so much about fighting. He was a knight in service to my mother long ago."

"Heh. I guess being a hero runs in my family!", Burst said with a smile. "So what do you wanna know next?"

"Any interests or hobbies you have?", Celestia asked.

Burst scratched his head. "Let's see....anime, video games, movies...Oh! And I also like to sing. I usually look up the lyrics of songs I want to learn, and practice them. So, yeah! That's pretty much all there is to know about me."

"Might I have a demonstration of your singing?"

Burst blushed! "Well...I guess." Burst took a deep breath. "Mysteries abound! Made of a deep energy! Foes all around, but I will go fearless and free! I'll give you strength. You give me love, that's how we'll live! My courage won't fade! If you're with me, my enemies will never win! We will fight for love and glory! We will live to tell the story! There is nothing we can't live through! Nothing ever dies, we will rise again! Don't stop! Don't stop! We're in luck now! Don't stop, keep your spirit proud! And ride upon the wind! All we have to do is gooo! Don't stop! Don't stop! We're in luck now! Don't stop there's so much to be found! We can find paradise! All we have to do is go! Go! Free your soul! Dragon Soul!" Celestia clapped with a warm smile. "Didn't expect to perform for a royal audience so soon.", Burst said with a smile. "So now it's your turn to tell me about yourself. That is, if you don't mind princess."

"Not in the least.", Celestia said with a warm smile. "I'm an immortal avatar princess. I enjoy gardening, taking care of my subjects and my little sister, and I do enjoy music and singing too. I've also got a serious love of cake. That's everything on my end." Celestia smirked. "You know, I bet a fine young man like yourself has a girlfriend."

Burst shook his head. "Nope. I might have a good number of female friends, but that's all they see me as. Nightmare Moon DID try to convince me to join her. Even called me a handsome specimen. So does that count as a girl asking me out?"

Celestia giggled. "Not exactly. But it does count as a girl expressing interest in you."

Burst gave her a small smile. "While we're on the subject, how's Luna doing?"

Celestia sighed. "It's been pretty hard for her adjusting to the current Equestria. I'm just looking for the right time to reintroduce her to Equestria's public. Right now, I'm the only friend she has."

"Well, time to change that.", Burst said with a grin. "Just lead me to her, and I'll take care of the rest!"

Celestia blinked before smiling. "Right this way." Celestia led Burst to a giant navy blue door with a moon symbol on it and opened the door. "Lulu?", Celestia called out. A tiny avatar girl with medium blue skin and wings wearing a light blue dress and an obsidian crown slowly walked out from a pile of stuffed animals. "Come on Luna. There's a friend I want you to meet." Luna slowly made her way over to Burst and Celestia as  Burst took a knee and smiled.

"Hi there Luna. Do you remember me?", Burst asked. Luna nodded. "It's very nice to meet you." Burst then looked to the mountain of stuffed animals. "I'd say you look like you could use a friend."

"But...but what if everyone's scared of me?", Luna asked.

Burst smiled as he put a hand on Luna's shoulder. "Hey. I'm not scared of you am I?" Luna nodded. "Then that makes me your first friend." Luna beamed as she hugged Burst's leg! "See? Not so lonely anymore, right?" Luna nodded. "Then my job's done here. It was nice getting to know both of you." As Burst was about to leave, Celestia grabbed his hand. 

"Wait...", Celestia said as she pulled Burst into a hug. "Thank you. For bringing Luna back. And for being her first friend." Burst lightly blushed as he returned the hug. Burst was lost in Celestia's embrace. It felt so warm, kind, and safe. He almost didn't want to pull out of it. But all the same, Burst found himself pulling out of the hug. Oddly enough, Celestia felt the same. "Goodbye Burst Stream. Until we meet again."

"Call me Burst please.", Burst said as he walked out. "See you around princess." Burst spread his wings, and took off for Ponyville. The moment of him and Celestia so close still on his mind. I guess I've got my eye on someone now. Burst then smiled. Then again, I can't think of a better woman to fall for. As Burst flew off, Celestia watched with a smile as she held herself.

"Until the gala Burst."