//------------------------------//
// Episode 18: Training 
// Story: Elements of Heroism: Season 1 
// by Bahamut0 
//------------------------------//

	Burst was out with Inferno. The two of them were practicing their magic techniques, fighting moves, and Duelist Arms. "So you've got a move that can destroy a person in one punch?" Inferno asked as he swung his sword. Burst nodded as he blocked Inferno's blade with his own. "And you used it against Nightmare Moon? When she first showed up?"

"Well I used the move. But it can only destroy someone at full power." Burst  broke the blade lock and continued slashing at Inferno as Inferno blocked with his own sword. "I held back because I didn't want to seriously hurt Luna. Besides, it wouldn't have killed her since alicorns are immortal. And that's not the only impressive attack spell. I've been trying to create a new one that's the equivalent of three white lightning being fired at once. The only problem being that it seriously drains my magic. Not to mention the last few times I've tried to create it, it was too unstable and blew up in my face." Burst and Inferno then sent their Duelist Arms to the side.

"Speaking of moves, why did you name those attacks we were using back when Ice was trying to trick us after Street Fighter move?"

"They energy blast looked like a hadouken, so I'm going to call it a hadouken." Burst said flatly. "I think that's enough training for now. With Night Terror still on the loose, we've gotta keep our skills sharp. No telling how strong he is." Burst and Inferno were about to head out when they spotted Tyrannus approaching them. "Hey Ty! What's up? Your legs stiff from the cockatrice's gaze?"

Tyrannus shook his head. "No. I'm fine. But that encounter did bring up something of issue. I've got no projectile attacks in my arsenal. All I have is my fists while the rest of you have weapons, wings, magic, or in your cases both. You think you could teach me how to do the moves you know?"

Burst shook his head. "If we taught you the exact same moves, that'd be no fun. How about we help you create your own?"

"Thanks!" Tyrannus said with a smile. "When do we start?"

Inferno craked a smile. "Is now good?"  Tyrannus nodded. "Good. First we'll start off with how we're able to do our energy-based attacks. We start by focusing the energy in our bodies into the place where we want to project it. The most common case being our hands or fists. In my case, a last-minute shifting of energy has the effect of making some of my moves ignite with flames. Try focusing first."

Tyrannus took a deep breath and closed his eyes as he tried gathering his energy. Sure enough, he felt a tingling sensation in his core. "Guys? Is it normal to feel something at your center when focusing?"

Burst nodded. "That's good Ty. It means you've got a strong connection with our energy. Now what does your energy feel like? Mine feels like it's bursting with energy which is why I was able to charge up my shoryuken with lightning. Inferno's feels hot like fire, so that's why he can  ignite his attacks."

Tyrannus furrowed his brow in concentration. "It feels...rooted. Like it's a part of the earth beneath us."

"Good. Now try to project it out through whateverlimb you see fit and in any motion you see fit." Tyrannus focused an image of the motion he wanted to make in his mind. He then opened his eyes and swung with his fist! Three light green blades of energy spun forward through the air! Making slash marks in a nearby tree! "Nice job Ty! Your first projectile move! What were you thinking of when you pulled it off?"

Tyrannus smiled. "I was picturing a velociraptor slashing with its claws. I'm a bit of a dinosaur fan since my cutie mark turned out to be a T-Rex. So based on the motion I was thinking of, I'll call it the Raptor Slash." Tyrannus then inspected the tree his attack had struck. "And judging by the results, I'd say it's aptly named. You think we should get the others in on training?"

Burst shook his head. "They're probably making their own techniques right now. I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm going off to practice that new technique I've been working on." Burst flew off to a secluded area, and got into a stance. "Here goes nothing..." Burst focused his magic and a blue aura surrounded his hands as he began to charge a blast of white lightning. Charging up a blast was easy enough, and he could shoot out a quicker blast when speed was needed. But for this new technique, charging up was necessary. So far so good. As soon as he was done charging the first white lightning, Burst set to work charging a second one. However, when coupled with the first one, the blasts started to fluctuate and waver. "Hold it together Burst! Hold it together..." Burst managed to keep the two blasts in check, and tried going for the third one. Proceeding to charge it slower than the others. "Almost there..." As the blast was almost fully formed, the charged blasts that were finished started to go crazy! "Not again!" Burst struggled to snuff out the energy and was blown away by the resulting shockwave! Burst skidded along the ground before coming to a complete stop. "Man. EVERY time that happens!" Burst sighed, and noticed a shadow was over him. "Oh. Hi Twilight. What's up?"

"Sounds like you're having some spell trouble. You need some help?" Twilight offered her hand, and Burst accepted.

"Yeah..." Burst groaned as he got up. "I've been working on a new attack spell that's the equivalent of three white lightnings rolled into one. But the trouble is, each time I come close the ones I've already charged up go crazy!" Twilight was grinning at this point. "Um...you alright Twilight?"

"I know just how to help you! Hold on for a minute!" Twilight's hands glowed with the aura of her magic as she summoned a notebook and pen. "Perfect! Now. Show me what you've been doing."

"First things first. We'd better get to a less crowded area." Burst led Twilight to a clear area with no structures in sight. "Here's good. Now I'll show you what I've been doing so far. First..." Burst tried to power up three white lightnings at once, and the result was an instant explosion! "I tried charging up three white lightnings at once at full power. The result was the explosion you just saw. Then I tried charging up each white lightning individually until they're at a full charge." Burst then set to work charging up the three white lightnings individually as Twilight scribbled down each attempt and the results of said attempts. "The problem is, I can't get more than two before the blasts start to go crazy and I have to either release it or try to contain the blast. The latter being why I was skidding along the ground earlier." 

Twilight nodded. "Mmmhmm. I think I've got a solution! You said you've been charging up the blasts either all at once, or you've tried to do them one at a time. But that's not the problem. The real problem is that you've been trying to go full force with the charging. THAT'S what's been causing the overload."

"So what's the solution?" Burst asked.

Twilight beamed. "Easy! Try to charge up three white lightnings at once, but at one-third power!" Burst nodded and tried out Twilight's suggestion. Burst powered up his magic and a blue arau covered his hands as he charged up three white lightnings at once with little-to-no power. "Okay. Now try increasing their charge to one-third each!" Burst did so, and charged up the three white lightnings with the suggested power level. The blasts were smaller, but they were more stable and they seemed to contain a good amount of power in each. "That's the ticket!" 

Burst smiled. "Now to unleash it! " Burst extended his arms out! "Neutron Blast!" The blast that shot out of Burst's hands looked like three blasts of white lightning being unleashed at once! "YES!" Burst smiled as the attack faded, and ran up to Twilight! Scooping her up in a hug! "Thanks Twilight!" Twilight blushed. The only other guy to hug her was her big brother. Burst soon released her. "Anything I can do to return the favor?"

"You could tell me about the moves you used against Nightmare Moon!" Twilight said excitedly. "I never learned any offensive magic."

"Well, you saw that blast of lightning I shot out right?" Twilight nodded. "That's called the White Lightning. The way it works is I charge up my magic with light energy. The light energy merges with the magic I'm charging up creating that burst. It can also be focused into a beam if I need to be mobile with my aim."

Twilight was practically grinning at learning all this new information. "So how were you able to deal so much damage to Nightmare Moon with that one punch? Was that another type of offensive spell? Or was it a move that used energy like those moves you and Inferno were doing when Ice tricked him?"

Burst scratched his head in thought. "Well...I really can't say. I charge up energy instead of magic when I get the attack ready. But when I first used it, I was holding back so I wouldn't hurt Luna too much. Also if I'd gone all-out, the town hall would've been a crater. As for the move's name, it's called the White Lightning Overdrive. Thanks for helping me get the Neutron Blast right! Something tells me I'm gonna need it in the coming battles."

Twilight beamed. "Don't forget. Me and the girls are here to help you and the guys too."

Burst chuckled before his thoughts turned to the others. I wonder what the rest of the guys are doing to train?

Steel dodged like crazy with his wings tied. WHY? Why did I agree to this? He continued to mentally grumble at himself as he jumped, rolled, and twisted out of the way as he was pelted with apples. "You're enjoying this WAY too much Dash!" Rainbow Dash just snickered at Steel's remark.

"You stole my first kiss Steel. You've got to make up for that big time. Especially if you're eager to get in a real kiss!" Rainbow Dash said with a smirk. Applejack frowned at Rainbow Dash's remark.

"Still. Don't ya think it's a bit of overkill ta have BOTH of us chucking these rotten apples at him?" Applejack asked.

Rainbow Dash smiled. "Yup. That's what makes this fun!" Rainbow Dash then chucked a rotten apple at Steel's face! But instead of dodging, Steel stood his ground! As the apple got ever closer to his face, Steel caught the apple in his mouth and spat it back at Rainbow Dash! The fruit hit her face with a splat! "ACK!" Applejack chuckled.

"Ah'm SO never lettin' you live that down!" Applejack said with a smile. "Nice aim Steel!" Steel bowed with a grin, and then heard the loud grumble of his stomach. Rainbow Dash's stomach also started growling. Applejack set to work untying Steel's wings.

"Race you to the burger joint!" Steel said with a smirk! Rainbow Dash countered with a smirk of her own, and the two took off for lunch. Applejack nodded in approval as she saw the two fly off.

"Those two do make a good couple." 

Steel and Rainbow Dash polished off their burgers in almost no time at all. As the two were walking off, Rainbow Dash had a question on her mind. "Hey, Steel?"

"Yeah?"

"You and the guys...you still gotta fight that 'Night Terror' creep, right?"

Steel nodded. "That's the plan. The only problem being we've got no idea how strong he is. All we know is that he's not as strong as Nightmare Moon from what Burst's said. But from what he was able to do to Dark Ice, he DOES have powerful magic."

"Well, in that case...." Rainbow Dash cupped Steel's face while she was blushing almost furiously and kissed him on the lips. "Promise to come back in one piece...OK?" Steel smiled as he hugged Rainbow Dash tightly. "I'd hate to lose a racing rival."

"Sure thing Dash." Steel then returned the kiss Rainbow Dash gave him. "You're the only one I don't mind kicking my butt."

Meanwhile, Ace was inspecting his own Duelist Arms. His thoughts turned to his brother. Dark Ice. Ice. Something tells me you'll be a key in bringing Night Terror down. It's a start, but you're starting to wake up from whatever nightmare your new form is forcing you to re-live. Especially after saving Shadow. I just hope you're able to join us for the final battle. At the same time, Ice was walking around wearing a cloak to conceal himself. At the core of his being, he felt something stirring. He had rushed in to save Shadow despite his fear of Shadow falling to his doom.

Whatever's happening...it feels right. Ice thought to himself. Just gotta keep moving. No matter how scared I get... Ice's thoughts then turned to Ponyville. Well, there's no sense going back to the Nightmare Forces. Plus, I should really apologize to Ace and his friends. And with that, Ice began his journey to make amends. I just hope those girls don't blast me with the Elements of Harmony the second I show my face...