Night Terror stared at the sight before him. He had gathered a mass of his standard minions before them, and set them against a lone opponent. Said opponent had cut them to ribbons in a matter of mere seconds. "It seems your blades have not dulled with your time in dormancy Fear Saber."
Fear Saber stretched her arms. Her outfit consisted of very minimal armor. Namely because the few pieces she had on had spikes or blades on them. Many swords were equipped to her as well. "Helps that you had a few training dummies to spare Lord Night Terror." Fear Saber said with an evil smile. "No better way to see how sharp a balde is than testing it out on something to cut." She then noticed Night Terror's frown, and rolled her eyes in annoyance. "Oh don't make such a big deal out of it. There's plenty more disposable grunts where those came from."
"Your attitude is most undesirable." Night Terror said coldly. "As for minions, I need to keep as many as I can for when I plunge all of Unity into an eternal nightmare."
Fear Saber sneered. "I think you mean "if", boss. Let's face it. You're not as strong as that solar princess. She could easily turn you into a pile of ashes. And from what I've heard the walking training dummies say, you're still not doing so well. Especially since there's a new set of elements that're protecting the Elements of Harmony. Heck, the rest of the excuses for warriors you sent all got annihilated. Stinger, Titan, Rage Tempest, and even Reticle. All of them are dead."
"And you think you could do better than they did?" Night Terror asked with a growl. "Do you believe that you will succeed where they all fell? Be my guest."
Fear Saber let a dark giggle escape. "Gladly. No better way to see what they're made of than cutting them to pieces." Night Terror opened up a dark portal, and Fear Saber stepped through. Her destination being Unityville.
Meanwhile, Steel Edge was training with some equipment he'd set up. The last two Nightmare Warriors are probably going to be the toughest fights we've ever had. Not counting the fact we're gonna have to take on Night Terror himself soon. Meaning we all need to step up our game! Steel was trying to perfect a new move, but he'd made no progress on its' development "UGH!" Steel groaned in frustration! "No matter how many times I try it, I can't get it to work!" Steel threw himself onto the ground, and sighed. "I even ditched my shield to I could focus on my strikes. I need to use both of my hands for the sword. But no matter what, I can't get enough power into my slashes!" Steel looked up at the sky, and frowned. I've been at this for hours. I can't even believe how early I got up... Steel then heard his stomach growl. And I haven't eaten anything since dinner last night. Steel closed his eyes, and let the sun hit his face. However, a shadow soon loomed over him.
"What's got you down Edge-lord?" Rainbow Dash asked as she hovered above Steel. "You look awful."
Steel managed a weak smile. "When you've been up since 6am, and haven't even eaten breakfast, that tends to happen to you. But hey. You've probably woken up at a Celestia-forsaken time in the morning before, right?"
"Uh, no. Never." Rainbow Dash said in a concerned tone. "But then again, I probably didn't get woken up way too early as part of a standard routine." She then offered Steel her hand. "C'mon. Let's grab you something to eat. And you can tell me all about what's got you so down."
Steel accepted Rainbow Dash's hand, and was immediately rushed off to breakfast. "So. What's making today a total bummer for ya?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Well, you know how me and the guys' battles against the Nightmare Forces have been getting tougher?" Steel asked. Rainbow Dash nodded in response. "Since the fights aren't getting any easier, I took it upon myself to come up with a new technique. A series of powerful slashes. But the problem is that my current sword doesn't back enough power to get in the damage I want." Steel sighed as he scarfed down his piece of toast. "I poured in so many hours this morning all for nothing..."
Rainbow Dash shot a sympathetic look at Steel. "Hey. Not getting a trick you wanna do right hurts a lot. I know. But you wanna know something else? Every crash I've ever made's been a learning experience. And sometimes the best way to work on something is to do nothing. Things come to people in time, and forcing it to come out won't make it any better. Why else do you think I nap so much? The point is, loosen up a bit Steel."
"Heh. Didn't think a hot shot put so much thought into her actions." Steel said with a chuckle. "But in all seriousness? Thanks Dash. I think that's just what I needed to hear." Steel gulped down about half his orange juice, and was about to wolf down some of his bacon when he heard something whistling through the air! "DOWN!" Steel tilted his head to the right while Rainbow Dash hit the deck, and Steel caught a dagger that had been thrown at him! Attached to it was a note. Steel read the note, and narrowed his eyes. "Rainbow Dash. I think I'll have to cut our little date short."
Rainbow Dash was starting to get nervous. "Steel...what're you talking about? What was with that dagger?!" Steel handed Rainbow Dash the note, and her eyes went wide with shock! "What kinda psycho sends a note by dagger?!"
"Someone who wants to get me and the other Elements of Heroism's attention." Steel answered grimly. "Looks like they succeeded." Steel grabbed his sword, and readied his shield as he stepped out the door. "Alright. No point in hiding. I can tell where you threw your dagger from because of the broken window."
Fear Saber smirked. "Well, well. Looks like you've got a good eye on you. Good set of ears too if you managed to hear me send my greeting to you." Fear Saber stood up. "I am Fear Saber. The greatest sword user of the Nightmare Forces. And you'll soon have the honor of being rust on my blade!"
"Huh. I'm guessing you got your position because all of your minions praised your swordsmanship?" Steel asked with an uninterested look on his face.
Fear Saber sneered. "Oh, I do have them to thank for my title. Cutting them down let me rise in rank all the more easier!"
Hearing this triggered something inside Steel. "You killed your own comrades...just so you could elevate your own status?!" Anger was slowly becoming visible on Steel's normally calm, stoic face. "Just hearing you be so happy about makes me sick to my stomach..." Steel gripped his sword and shield hard. "How can you call yourself a warrior if you fight with no honor?!"
"Honor? Don't be ridiculous. Who really cares about such a foolish concept? In battle, all that matters is victory. And the means by which it is achieved..." Fear Saber flicked her wrist, and a bladed chain shot out from her left gauntlet! "IS IRRELEVENT!" Steel raised his shield to block, but Fear Saber coiled it around his shield! "Aww, how cute! You're being shy." She then pulled on the chain and yanked the shield right out of Steel's hand! "I've never cut down an elite guard like you. From what you did to the dark knights, I heard you've quite the edge on you. Let me show you how sharp mine is!" Fear Saber then hurled a bladed boomerang at Steel! "Don't think you can run from me!" Fear Saber snapped her fingers, and a ring of swords materialized around the area that the two were fighting. "It's been so long since I've had fun playing with a live target. I'd so hate for it to end." Fear Saber then pulled out one of her swords, and licked the blade. "Try to leave, and some poor unsuspecting soul might find their life cut short!"
This chick is seriously screwed up in the head! Steel thought to himself as he got into a defensive stance. She's got trapped without even injuring or maiming me. If I even think of cutting out of this fight, she'll probably cut up the whole town just to get me to face her! "Gee, I didn't know you cared that much about me." Steel said with a calm expression. "Let's see how you do when I get up close and personal!" Steel charged at Fear Saber! His sword ready to strike! Both his sword and Fear Saber's clashed! Sparks showering forth as their blades crossed!
Fear Saber only giggled at Steel's advance. "Glad to see you don't mind getting personal so fast." She then broke off, and snapped her fingers. "You've shown me your best. So I'll show you mine! BLADE STORM!"
Steel blinked in confusion. But he soon clutched his arm when he felt something cut him! "AGH!" As soon as he did so, Steel saw a storm of daggers and other blades swirling around him! "Gotta keep my guard up." Steel got into a defensive stance, and knocked a few daggers out of the air that had been sent flying at him! However, he was unprepared for the slash that Fear Saber inflicted on his side! "GAAAUUGH!" Steel fell to one knee, and dropped his sword! Clutching where he'd just been slashed, and trying to stop himself from bleeding out!
"This is simply too wonderful." Fear Saber's voice rang out from all around Steel. "I can't remember the last time I had so much fun! Oh, I can just practically hear your thoughts right now. You're probably wondering which will finish you off first. The razor wind of my blade storm? Or will you be cut down by me? How delicious such fears are to me. I always savor the sheer dread in an enemy's eyes before I finish them."
But unbeknownst to Fear Saber, fear was the last thing Steel was feeling. In fact, he had tuned out her threats and focused only on retrieving his Duelist Arms. Steel had managed to stop his bleeding by using his shirt as a bandage, but he still remained on one knee. Steel felt something from within his sword speak to him as he closed his eyes, and calmed his mind. A flash of white light went off, and Steel's sword transformed! The blade had changed shape and was now golden , and his shield had transformed! Inside Steel's mind, he saw the image of his acestor. Black Luster. You, who has lived your life with honor, should have weapons befitting yourself. Though your Duelist Arms now have become complete, your journey is far from finished. Let those without honor taste your edge!, Black Luster spoke before fading away. Steel snapped, his eyes open, and stood proud!
"Finally giving up are we?!" Fear Saber cackled with sadistic glee. "How wonderful! NOW I CAN SLASH YOU INTO RIBBONS!" Dread Saber once again rushed Steel, but he jumped into the air! Fear Saber barely had any time to react before she saw her arm disintegrate! "AAAUUUUGHH!" Fear Saber fell to her knees, and the blade storm collapsed! The blades she had summoned all fell to the ground!
Steel hovered in the air a bit. Flapping his wings before diving down and slashing at Fear Saber once more as he landed! He then quickly turned around, and launched her into the air! "OMNISLASH!" Steel executed a flurry of slashes across Fear Saber's body as he leaped into the air! Each slashing boasting great speed and power! When the two landed back on the ground, Fear Saber's body was covered in slash marks that were leaking nightmare essence. "You're the only one who's gone to pieces." Just as Steel sheathed his sword, Fear Saber disintegrated! Steel nodded over where Fear Saber once stood before collapsing.
A few hours later, Steel heard murmurs coming from all around him. He slowly opened his eyes, and saw all his friends there. All of them having relieved smiles to see Steel was alright. "So. I'm guessing this is where Burst berates me for doing something stupid like engaging a Nightmare Warrior alone?"
"Well you're on the right track. But the wrong outcome." Burst said witha chuckle. "You should have called for some backup. But you did a good job. Especially since you made sure not to get any civilians hurt. But we weren't the ones nearly crying our eyes out for you after you passed out." Burst looked to the others. "Let's leave them be, shall we?"
Steel was confused as to what Burst meant, but he soon saw only Rainbow Dash remaining in his room. And he slowly smiled. "You were really that worried about me, huh?"
"Well, of course I was." Rainbow Dash said with a huff. "But...there's something else. Back at the restaurant, you said you had to 'cut our date short'. What did you mean by that?"
Steel chuckled. "Honestly? I was just trying to sound cool back there." He then looked Rainbow Dash right in the eye. "But still, I wouldn't mind us getting a bit closer. You're the only girl I know who could kick my ass." Steel then let out a small laugh. "Although, I'm surprised you didn't do just that after I stole that kiss from you."
"Hey. I'd say that Fear Saber chick did that for me a few minutes ago." Rainbow Dash said with a chuckle. "But also..." Rainbow Dash walked over to Steel's bedside, and planted a kiss right on his lips! "It's because this was the perfect chance to get even!" Rainbow Dash said with a wink. "You wanna get back at me? I'll be waiting for you when you get out!" And with that, Rainbow Dash exited Steel's room.
Steel just smiled as he watched her leave. "Oh, I think I'm more than capable of keeping up with you."