//------------------------------// // Episode 19: Damsel in Distress? // Story: Elements of Heroism: Season 1 // by Bahamut0 //------------------------------// Inferno was going through his old things a little before he headed out for the business area of Carousel Boutique. He then happened upon his electric guitar. Man. Used to play this thing like crazy! A nostalgic smile appeared on Inferno's face when his dad taught him how to play the instrument. Wonder if I've still got it? Inferno slung his guitar around himself, and began to play. The noise didn't go unnoticed however. Rarity heard Inferno playing, and so did her latest customer. Sapphire Shores. It was only when Rarity tapped him on the shoulder that Inferno stopped playing. He also took note of who was accompanying her. "Eh heh heh! Did...you enjoy the performance?" Rarity gave Inferno a small smile and rolled her eyes. Sapphire on the other hand, was impressed. "Well I'll be. You might have left the rock star life, but the music's never left you." Sapphire said with a smile. "I've seen you perform Inferno. You always go out there and play and sing with your heart." "You're quite the sight youself." Inferno said with a bow. "Princess of Pop. You've got an amazing voice. So what brings you to my new home?" Sapphire smiled. "Well, I didn't know you and Rarity were that close!" Both Inferno and Rarity's faces were flushed red! "Well Rarity's name has been getting pretty big in fashion and I'd love for her to make the outfits for my next tour!" "I'll have no trouble making them darling!" Rarity said with a smile. Sapphire soon left, and Rarity looked frantically at the box of gems she had been using for the new outfit she was making. "Oh dear...I'm going to need MUCH more gems for this to be complete." "Maybe I can help?" Inferno suggested. Rarity was confused. "How so darling?" "Well as you've seen, I've got dragon wings. That's also given me dragon senses and a few other abilities. I can also sniff out gems a little. But with your magic, you can search for gems pretty well. I'll grab Spike, and we should have no problem with getting enough gems for you to fill your order!" "Marvelous idea darling!" Rarity cheered! "Make sure to bring a cart for the gems!" Soon enough, Inferno was pulling along the cart while Spike was riding in it. Rarity's hand was glowing with an aura as she used her gem detection spell. "Aha! There we are!" Spike got to work and dug through the ground and pulled out a handful of gems. Noticing Spike drooling at the sight of the gems, Inferno used his magic to levitate them away. "Sorry Spike. But you're gonna have to wait to get your fill of gems." Inferno said with a chuckle. He then sniffed the air, and found another pocket of gems to dig up. Soon enough, the cart was reasonably full. However, they were being watched from the bushes. Rarity's spell found another gem, and following it she ran into a man with dog ears. Inferno noticed and bolted over only to get tripped by the other two diamond dogs! Spike helped him up and they tried to get Rarity free! But the diamond dogs were too quick and carried her underground! "Spike. Get the girls!" Inferno then summoned his Duelist Arms. "I'll be waiting here." Spike nodded as he dashed off to find the girls. "All right you mutts. You're going to be in the dog house once I'm down there." The other girls soon showed up and Spike informed them of the situation. "I'm going to try something..." Inferno drew his sword and wrapped flames around it. He then shot a fireball down one of the holes! "Fire in the hole!" Soon a diamond dog jumped out with his butt in flames! He rolled around in the dirt to put the fire out, and scampered back to the hole! Inferno caught him, but he was hit over the head by another dog! "All right..." Inferno then took a swing at the dog that hit him, but it dove back into the hole! "Darn it!" Inferno was about to jump in after the diamond dog, but a geyser of rock and dirt knocked him back! Inferno and the girls stared in shock as ever last hole was re-sealed with mounds of dirt! They all tried digging through, but the diamond dogs kicked them off the mounds! Spike then remembered the gem Rarity had given him and left to go get a fishing rod! When he returned, Spike dangled the gem over the last hole that hadn't been sealed. "Hoping to be Rarity's knight in shining armor?" Inferno asked with a smile. "That must be some pretty big crush you have on her." "I-It's not just a crush!" Spike protested. "She's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen..." Inferno sighed and put a hand on Spike's shoulder. "Spike. This isn't love. Not real love at least." Spike shot a confused look at Inferno. "What do you mean?" "Sure there's attraction, but it's pretty one-sided." Inferno explained. "Spike. You're too young for her, and STILL a minor. It's very noble of you to want to rescue her. But if you're hoping she'll date you...it's not gonna happen." Spike's ear fins drooped in sadness at hearing this. "Trust me Spike. During my time as a rock star, I ran into TONS of girls who claimed they 'loved' me. But they only liked me for what I had. Not who I was. Real love Spike, is when you meet someone who likes you no matter who, or what you are. And someone's who stays with you no matter what. You'll find that someday Spike." Inferno then patted Spike on the back. "I know it." Spike's smile lifted a little bit. "Now then..." Inferno scooped up Spike in his arms. "Let's go!" The two noticed a tug on the rod and Inferno leaped down the hole with Spike in tow and the girls following! "WOOO HOOOOOO!" The girls looked at Inferno like he was crazy as they slid down the network of tunnels! The group soon landed in a pile on the ground of the tunnels. "Now all we need to do is search for the path with the most gems." Inferno then looked to Twilight. "Hey Twi? Did Rarity ever teach you her gem locating spell?" "She did! Hold on!" Twilight's hand lit up with a magic aura and gems were revealed in the tunnels. "That's the way!" The group made their down the path and heard what sounded like a struggle. Inferno readied his sword and blaster, and charged forth with Spike holding on for dear life! But once they opened the door, the diamond dogs fell to their knees begging! "PLEASE!" Rover pleaded! "Take her back! She's so whiny!" "So critical!" Fido screamed! "And so loud! MAKE IT STOP!" Spot shivered. At that moment, Rarity walked towards the group with a smile on her face. "Hello darlings. Hope I didn't ruin your rescue mission." Inferno soon found his voice. "So....you got the diamond dogs to doyour work for you, handled them despite risk of physical harm, AND you managed to free yourself?" Inferno then grinned. "That's hot." Rarity giggled. "I take it you pulled a lot of gems?" Rarity motioned to the many carts that the diamond dogs had filled with gems. "....That'll take care of the order." Inferno and the others set to work transporting all the carts back to carousel boutique. Inferno then set to work helping Rarity out with the outfit orders. "Well, never a dull moment in this little town huh?" Rarity giggled. "I certainly didn't expect one of your 'famous concerts' this morning." Inferno lightly blushed. "Yeah...sorry about that." "Don't be darling. You're quite good. I can see why you were so popular." Rarity said with a smile. "Thanks." Inferrno had Rarity on his mind as he went to bed that night. Hope she doesn't hate me when the guys and I decide to trash the gala...