Nightmare Forces' Fortress
Dark Ice sat in his room contemplating. Recruiting Ace was out, so that left battle as the only option left to him. But the problem was that Ace and his friends were a team of skilled fighters. It wouldn't be easy to take them on. And then it hit him. "...That's it. That's the perfect angle to work. As they say: United we stand, divided we fall. And I think I know just who to target..." Ice opened a portal and went through it.
Ponyville Outskirts
Inferno had summoned his Duelist Arms, and was practicing his moves. Dark Ice hasn't shown up in the last few days. But that doesn't mean we get to relax. We've gotta be ready for whatever threats might come our way. With all the excitement in this little town, it's never a dull day for long. Inferno then felt a dark presence behing him. Placing a finger over the trigger of his blaster, he spun around and got into a defensive stance! A portal appeared before Inferno, and Ice stepped out. "So. Trying to pick us off one-by-one are you?" But to Inferno's surprise, Ice put his hands up!
"Easy dude. I'm not here to fight. I just wanna talk. I never got your name."
Inferno frowned. "Inferno Flare. Now leave before I tell Ace you showed up."
"I'm not done talking just yet Inferno." Ice said as he shook his head. "Listen. You're the Element of Potential, right?"
Inferno kept his finger near the trigger of his blaster. "Where are you going with this?"
Ice smiled. "Then doesn't that mean YOU could be the leader of your team? Why is Burst in charge? Because he's the Element of Power? You could become stronger than him! Maybe you'd be an even better leader! If you don't believe me, ask Burst yourself! See if he's willing to back down. A band can only have one lead singer afterall." Inferno lowered his weapons and dismissed them. "I'm not saying you should just go and demand Burst step down as leader. All I'm saying is that if he's really your best friend, he'll have no problem handing the reigns over to you. Just think on it man." Ice vansihed through the portal he came through. A sinister smile present as he departed. Inferno was then alone with his thoughts.
Burst's usually the one who's calling the shots. Ever since the incident with the Nightmare Stingers. Nobody made HIM the boss. But...he's been doing a good job. Then again, maybe I could be as good a leader as he is. Well, I won't know until I find out for myself. Time to pay my friend a visit. Inferno flew over to Burst's house and knocked on the door. Burst answered.
Burst smiled at his best friend. "Hey, Inferno! What's up?"
"It's important Burst. I think the guys should be here for it. Think you can call them in?"
Burst nodded. "Yeah. No problem. Just give me a minute or two." Burst powered up his magic, and a brilliant blue aura surrounded his hands. He levitated over three scrolls with one hand, and wrote a mesage onto each of them one at a time with his other hand. Burst then sent a scroll to Steel, Ace, and Ty via magic. The Elements of Heroism were soon assembled inside Burst's house. "Okay everyone. Inferno says there's something important that we need to discuss. Go ahead Inferno."
"Okay." Inferno took a deep breath. "Have you all noticed that Burst's been the one calling the shots lately? And that he's usually the one to lead the charge? What I'm trying to say is...why are YOU the leader of our team? Because you're the Element of Power?" The rest of the guys were shocked at Inferno's question! Burst on the other hand, just sighed.
"I never claimed to be leader Inferno. Still..." Burst stood up. " If you miss being the lead singer so much, I hereby step down." This act shocked the rest of the guys as well as Inferno!
"Burst...are you crazy?!" Ace asked.
Burst shrugged. "Who knows? But Inferno's my best friend. I put my trust in him. And he's the Element of Potential. That means he's capable of being a good leader." Burst then turned to Inferno. "So what's our first order of business boss?"
Inferno blinked. "While that's awfully big of you Burst, I can't accept this. Not in this way. I want to earn my right to be a leader. So there's only one way to settle this. We're gonna have a duel. You and me, one-on-one. Just our fists and our magic."
Burst smiled. "There's no way I'd rather have it. Our duel will take place at noon." At that time, Pinkie's Pinkie sense was going off like crazy! Twilight and Spkie were a little bit worried about seeing Pinkie's strange combination of body gestures.
"Uh...Pinkie?" Twilight asked. "What's that combo mean?"
"The biggest doozy I've ever sensed!" Pinkie said with a gasp! "I need to get something! Be right back!" Pinkie took off in a flash leaving both Twilight and Spike to question just what the heck they witnessed. Soon enough, noon came. Burst and Inferno stared at each other from opposite sides of their fighting area. The other Elements of Heroism were gathered to see them duke it out, and the girls noticed as well. Pinkie smiled when she saw the assembled crowd. "Good! I made it in time!"
"Was this what you felt coming on Pinkie?"
Pinkie nodded. "Uh huh! Now all Burst and Inferno need is proper fight music!" Pinkie whipped out a boombox and put on a track as Burst and Inferno got into fighting stances!
Song used for Burst and Inferno's duel:
Burst and Inferno stood still, then charged at each other! Each one punching or kicking at any opening the other had! Only for the other to block it! Inferno swung at Burst's face, but he countered with a punch to Inferno's forearm and tried to break his footing! Inferno saw this coming and jumped over Burst! Inferno then executed a hurrican kick after he landed! Burst rolled out of the way and pulled off and crouched as soon as Inferno rushed him! "SHORYUKEN!" Burst executed a powerful uppercut that sent Inferno flying! Inferno recovered with his wings and took to the air! Burst flared out his own wings and took to the sky as well.
Inferno smiled. "Things are about to get DBZ up in here!" The two grappled in the sky! Each one trading blows and holding nothing back! "Let's see how you like this!" Inferno's hand glowed with a red aura as he shot a fireball from his hands! Burst's hand glowed with a blue aura as he but up a shield spell! Blocking and snuffing out the fireball! "Looks like you've get defense to match your offense."
Burst nodded. "Same goes for you. But I learned more than magic attacks." Burst focused his body's energy as he got into a stance! "Hadoken!" Burst fired a blast of blue energy from his hands that struck Inferno square in the chest! "My dad also taught me a few martial arts techniques. Especially ones that use energy should my magic fail me."
"You're not the only one." Inferno said with a smirk. "But mine have bit more heat to them!" Inferno got into the same stance as Burst, and fired another blast of energy! However, Inferno's was red and blazing! Burst winced as the blast hit him and lightly scorched him! "Pretty cool how shifting just the least bit of energy can ignite an attack."
Burst smiled. "Let's finish this. No holding back!" Burst flew at Inferno!
"Wasn't planning on it!" Inferno cried out as he flew at Burst! The two rushed at each other! All that could be seen was a flurry of rapid punches and kicks! Niether of the two were letting up with their attacks! Pinkie was munching on popcorn as she and the others watched the two go at it. Soon, Inferno and Burst landed. Both were exhausted from their duel, and looking fairly roughed up. "So...(huff)...it all comes down to this...."
"Yeah..." Burst panted. "...It all rests...." The two mounted one last charge at each other.
"ON ONE PUNCH!" Burst and Inferno's fists collided with the other's face! Both stood still for almost a whole minute. Inferno then fell to one knee with an exhausted smile. Burst was still standing with an equally exhausted smile on his face.
"...Burst?" Inferno asked.
"Yeah?"
"I'm sorry to put you through this. You're a good leader. You listened to what I had to say, and you were willing to give me a shot at being the team's leader without a fight. Do you really have that much trust in me?"
"What're you talking about? Of course I do!" Burst then helped Inferno up and helped him walk. "Besides. After this fight, I can't think of a better person to take charge if I need a sick day. You've more than proven that fact today. Especially if you can put up this good a fight against me."
Inferno managed to smile. "Y'know? I knew Dark Ice was lying when he showed up. And now.." Inferno looked over his shoulder and pushed Burst to the side as a titantic fist came flying towards them! "AGH!" Inferno was knocked to the ground! Burst ran to his friend's side. "Now...I just put us in his hands." Ice stepped out of the portal with a titanic creature next to him. It was big, bulky, and towered over Burst and Inferno!
"Well, well." Ice said with a smirk. "Maybe my plan to divide your team didn't go quite like I had expected. But it did tire out the two best fighters. Now all I have to do is let my friend here destroy you. Dread Titan. Finish them!" Ice sat down and watched as Dread Titan lumbered forth! Burst grabbed Inferno and leaped out of the way as Dread Titan brought his fist down! Twilight put up a barrier to protect the others as Burst and Inferno got into fighting stances. "How about we make things more interesting?" Ice snapped his fingers, and a shadow barrier cut off Burst and Inferno from their friends. "Dread Titan is the brawler of the Nightmare Forces. I'd like to see how your feeble fists fare against his!"
"Fools who oppose us!", Dread Titan boomed! "Prepare for oblivion!"
Burst then looked to Inferno. "Ready for one last round bud?" Burst asked.
Inferno smiled. "Heh! I've always got time to beat up some Nightmare Force monsters! Let's go!" Burst and Inferno rushed Dread Titan! The lumbering brute had power, but he lacked something most crucial. Speed. And Burst and Inferno hit him hard and fast! Inferno ran up Dread Titan's arm and kicked him in the face! Dread Titan tried to swat Inferno, but Inferno bolted out of the way! Making the giant harm himself! As Dread Titan staggered, Burst rushed up to him!
"HADOKEN!" Burst fired a hadoken point blank! Bursting a hole through Dread Titan's stomach! Black essence oozed from Dread Titan's wound as he fell to one knee! Burst then channeled some lightning with his magic, and focused it into his right fist. "Inferno! Let's end this with style!" Inferno nodded and powered up his magic too! Channeling flames into his fist as left fist glowed red! The two charged forward and executed a devastating twin uppercut charged with their elemental energy! The two screamed their attack name proudly!
"SHORYUKEN!" A burst of fire and lightning erupted as soon as their attack made contact with Dread Titan! The fire and lightning spiraled into the sky and faded to reveal Burst and Inferno! Their fists raised in victory! Ice was frozen in shock! Nothing was left of Dread Titan save for a whisp of smoke from where he once stood. The shadow barrier that Ice had put up shattered, and both sets of elements were staring him down. Ace stepped forward.
"Everyone. Leave him to me." Ace summoned his sword and shield! "This fight's personal." Ace slowly advanced on Dark Ice. "The Ice I knew played rough. Not dirty. Did you give up everything for a false promise? Even your pride?" Ace then pointed his sword at Ice. "Or maybe you just want to run away again? Just like you ran away to the Nightmare Forces."
"SHUT UP!" Ice screamed! "First that voice calls me a coward! Now you! I'M SICK OF IT!" Ice then summoned his shadow claw! "I'M NOT SCARED OF ANYTHING!" Ice charged forth like a wild beast! His strikes were feral and uncontrolled! He was so blinded by rage that he was easy to avoid! Twilight shut him down with a single stun spell! Ice's own rage had done more damage to himself as he fell to his knees heaving and struggling to breathe! Why....why does it feel like my insides are going to explode?! What's happening to me?! It was then that Ace walked up to his brother and put a hand on his shoulder.
"Ice. Stop. Please." Ace's voice was thick with grief. "You don't need to run anymore. Shadow misses you. Mom and Dad miss. Me most of all. Let's go home." Ace got up and offered Ice his hand. But he was suddenly knocked back by a massive blast of darkness! The other Elements of Heroism and the girls went to Ace's side! Ice turned his head, and froze in terror. Lord Night Terror had arrived.
"As expected." Night Terror said with a frown. "You're just as pathetic when I recruited you Dark Ice." He then turned his cold gaze to Burst and the guys. "So. You are the one who stood against my queen. You and your friends also interfered in my plan to eliminate the Elements of Harmony. I might as well know the names of those I intend to crush."
"Burst Stream. Element of Power"
"Inferno Flare. Element of Potential."
"Steel Edge. Element of Honor."
"Tyrannus Thunder. Element of Tolerance."
"Arctic Ace. Element of Wisdom."
"We're the Elements of Heroism." Burst declared as he flared his wings. "And we're not scared of you."
"You will be." Night Terror said with a scowl. "You will be." Night Terror beckoned for Ice to follow him through the portal, and both left. As soon as they were back at the fortress, Night Terror grabbed Ice by the neck. "You disappoint me greatly Ice." Ice struggled to breath as Night Terror tightened his grip. "I give you power, and you waste it. Worse still, you don't have the guts to eliminate your shackles. Such petty things like family have no place among our ranks." Night Terror then released Ice. Ice's lungs began to heave as he felt air return to them. "Let this be a lesson to you Ice. Forget those you hold attachments to. All they shall do is burden you." Night Terror left for his quarters as Ice slowly rose to his feet.
"The people I'm attached to...are exactly why I joined..." Ice once again opened a portal, but the destination was different. Ice hesitated for a moment, but ultimately decided to go through. "Never thought I'd be back here again..."