//------------------------------//
// Episode 9: Home of the Elementals 
// Story: Elements of Heroism: Season 4 
// by Bahamut0 
//------------------------------//

Suri blinked as she took in the strange new destination that Mystic Flare's portal had led her. "O-kay. Where in Equestria is this?" She took in her surroundings. The place seemed to be composed of fire, water, earth, and wind. The primal elements that made up most world. "Where did you take us?"

"I took you to my home." Mystic answered with a chuckle. "Welcome to Elemental Paradise. And we're not in Equestria anymore. This is a whole other world. And that portal was the ticket in. We're close to my home. I'll show you around." Mystic led Suri around the Flame Kingdom. Everywhere they went, Suri couldn't help but notice how everyone seemed to show such respect towards Mystic.

"It's weird. Everyone seems to think you're such a big deal." Suri noted. "Kinda reminds me of the attention I wanted when I was a little kid."

Mystic raised an eyebrow at hearing this. "Is that why you took up being a designer?"

"Right on the button." Suri nodded. "People tend to notice beautiful things. Most of the time they can't tear themselves away."

Mystic smiled. "I could say the same of you." Mystic then stopped before a castle. "Ah. Home sweet home." Suri was shocked to find out that the castle before them was Mystic's home! Mystic then knocked on the door. "I'm home!" A guard in flaming armor opened the door, and bowed before him!

"Welcome back Prince Flare." The guard greeted.

Suri's jaw nearly hit the ground. "PRINCE?!"

"Indeed." Mystic said with a chuckle. "But maybe I should slip into something more regal?" Flames spiraled around Mystic, and he stood in a more royal outfit. He wore a long coat whose tails looked like they were made of flames. A flame symbol decorated the front of his boots, and his shirt looked like it was made of flames like the crown he wore on his head. "Well? Royal enough for you?" Suri nodded. "Good. Now then. Let's move on with the tour." Mystic then showed Suri around his castle. "So? Anything else you want to know?"

Suri scratched her head. "Yeah...how does this place work exactly?"

"Ah. As you've seen, the primal elements compose this world." Mystic explained. "It was formed by all four elements working together in harmony. I know you're thinking that the opposing elements would be in constant conflict. But we found a work-around to fighting. Should one of the other leaders desire something, all four elemental leaders must come to an agreement, or the motion does not pass. And it's worked since the start of time here. I've seen my fair share of intense moments and made some intense moments too."

Suri blinked. "Wait. You mean to tell me you're-"

"Immortal." Mystic said with a nod. "Same as the other elemental leaders. You wanna meet them?" Suri nodded. "Wonderful. It'll give you a chance to take everything in." As they journeyed, Suri couldn't help but be inspired by the entire world Mystic Flare called home. Mystic couldn't help but smile as he saw Suri scribbling away in her sketchbook. "Our first stop is the Ocean Kingdom." A huge bubble greeted them. "This is how we'll be entering Deluge's domain. She's the ruler of water. This bubble will take us to her palace." Suri was in awe at how the water pushed and pulled to make structures. The waves above seemed so unstable, yet everything was calm beneath the surface. They were soon escorted to the throne room. Deluge had blue skin, hair that looked like it was made of the very water she commanded, and a dress that seemed to be formed from the very waves that crashed against the shore.

"Ah. Mystic Flare. A pleasure to see you once more." Deluge said with a calm smile. "And I see you've brought a newcomer. I am Deluge Current. Welcome to my domain."

Suri politely nodded while Mystic smiled. "As ever, your kingdom's the picture of serenity. Even as the waves crash down. This girl is Suri. I'm showing her our world."

"A wise decision." Deluge said with a sage nod. "I trust you'll be showing her the domain of our fellow Elementals as well?"

Mystic nodded. "That's the plan. We're off to the wind domain next. You still have that gust chamber?" Deluge nodded, and pointed to a nearby room. In it was a pad with a tube around it. When Mystic and Suri stepped in, a blast of wind shot them up into the sky right up the tube! They soon came to a stop among the clouds, and a bridge of clouds seemd to materialize. "Looks like we've been expected." Mystic noted as he stepped out. Only to be tackled by a girl with green skin with hair like the clouds they stood on and wearing a light green dress. "Nice to see you too Gale."

Gale Tempest giggled. "You too Mystic! Oh!" Gale then zipped over to Suri. "And a new face too! I'm Gale Tempest! Ruler of the Air Domain! Nice to meet ya!"

"You too." Suri said with a nervous smile as she started to sketch how free everything looked in the sky. How things just seemed to blow alongside the winds. "This place is on a whole other level..."

Gale giggled. "Sounds like someone's head is in the clouds." She then looked to Mystic. "So, you been showing her around? You guys gonna see Deluge or Geo next?"

"We've already seen Deluge. All that's left is to pay a visit to Geo." Mystic answered. "But...do you have any gentler ways down?" Mystic saw Suri nervously eyeing the edge of the clouds. "I don't want to get Suri airsick." Gale nodded, and summoned a cloud that Mystic and Suri boarded. The cloud drifted them down to the ground, and stopped in front of a cave mouth. "Geo's domain is as much above the earth as it is below. This cave is just the front door." Mystic entered the cave, and touched a crystal that stood on a single pedestal. The cave mouth shut, and the platform Mystic and Suri were on began to slowly descend. The deeper they went, crystals seemed to light up and illuminate the whole world beneath. The people of this domain were built sturdy from the looks of how earthy their clothes looked. "We'll be at the entrance to the castle soon." The lift soon came to a halt, and a portion of the rock that made up the chamber slid away to make a door. Before them was a castle composed of stone and with crystals for spires and torches. "Yeah. Geo's pretty down-to-earth in terms of design." The two were escorted by a pair of guards who were wearing armor made from rock. And it seemed the leader of the earth domain lived up to his name. Geo Crater looked as stalwart as the very element he commanded. A fact further driven by the light armor made of boulders that adorned his figure.

Geo nodded at Mystic's appearance. "Mystic Flare. I see you've brought someone new here." He said as he noted Suri's presence. "Tell me. Why have you brought her to our world?"

Mystic took a deep breath before answering. "I wish for her to be my beloved. I've been to all the other leaders. You're the only one left to meet with before we can call an assembly."

"You know I am as immovable as the element I command." Geo said. "You were wise to call forth on the way that has proved so effective for as long as we have reigned. We shall gather at your palace. Until then, farewell." As Mystic and Suri took their leave, Suri had just processed what Mystic had said earlier.

"You want ME to be your princess?" Suri asked. "What's so special about me that would give you any reason to love me?"

Mystic smiled kindly at her. "You've a great deal of passion for your craft Suri. Not every work you make can be stellar. However, you did put your heart into the designs that ruly were yours. I want someone like that. Someone I can put all of my heart into."

"I guess it's true." Suri said with a small smile. "Nowhere to go but up once you hit bottom. So...is that why you've gotta meet with all the other leaders? But why is this such a big deal? Can't you just have me be your princess?"

Mystic sighed. "It's such a big deal because whoever we chose to marry becomes immortal. That's why this meeting is so important. We'll be meeting at my palace. Wait for me in the throne room." Mystic opened a flaming portal, and they returned to the palace. He then went into the discussion room where the other leaders were waiting for him. "You know why you're here. You've gotten to meet her. All I've got to ask is what your stance is on granting my request."

"You haven't been yourself lately Mystic." Deluge began. "I dare say it was visible in your domain. Like the fires that run in your land seemed to be reducing themselves to fading embers. And yet you find this girl, and your heart is re-ignited. You have my approval."

Gale scratched her head. "She seems like a nice enough girl. I can tell she really makes your life fun! I say we let her be your princess!"

"Then it is time I say my piece." Geo said. "She is not from our world Mystic. And then you come in and whisk her away to our realm." Mystic saddened as he hear Geo speak. "And yet, your heart's flame burns strong with this girl. Your kingdom cannot blaze if your own heart is reduced to a pile of embers. So it seems we are in agreement. Go to your princess."

Mystic raced out of the room, and scooped Suri up into his arms! His hair looked like the flickering flames that burned on the torches and forges of his kingdom. Suri smiled at seeing Mystic literally ignite and nuzzled against him. Thier silence was all that they needed to convey what was in their hearts.