//------------------------------// // Episode 3: Spectrum of Affection // Story: EoH Evolution: Season 2 // by Bahamut0 //------------------------------// Steel dodged another magic blast from Aether! "Geez! Was Burst's training this hard for him when you prepped him to go against Nightmare Moon?!" "Sorry kid. But I've cranked up the intensity from when I was training Burst." Aether said with a chuckle. "But his training wasn't easier because he's my son. No, I've cranked up your training because you're an Avatar like me and the princesses. Meaning you can take and dish out a lot more than you were once capable. By the way, how're you liking the new type of magic I've been teaching you?" Steel smirked, and powered up his magic! A silver aura covered his hands as silver sword constructs made of magic materialized in the air around Steel! "Pretty sharp. Care for a demonstration?" Steel sent his summoned swords flying at Aether Stream! "I'm not done yet!" Steel focused his magic into the blade of his sword, and sent out a beam of magic that forced Aether back! "Gotta admit. That Blade Beam technique is pretty cool! Couple that with you teaching how to imbue elemental attributes to the blade magic I've been studying up on is giving me a new edge in battle! But I've got another question Master Aether." "Ask away Steel." Aether said with a nod. "And just call me Aether. So what's on your mind?" Steel scratched his head. "Well, Burst's your son. Meaning that explains why he's got so much more magic power available to him than a regular Magi. But why didn't you teach him any of the magic techniques you've been teaching me?" "It's true that Burst has a great amount of magic within him." Aether replied. "However, with Nightmare Moon's return, I didn't have much time to teach him everything I know. That, and Burst is still mortal. He could only handle so much fatigue from his original training. Any more, and he'd have surely burnt himself out." Steel was about to answer when he felt his phone buzz. "Uh, would you excuse me for a moment?" Steel headed over to his backpack, and pulled out his phone. He'd received a text from Rainbow Dash. Steel smiled as he began to text back. "Hey babe. Training's going good. Can't wait to see U." Steel said as he replied to Rainbow Dash's text. As soon as the text was sent. "So. What next?" "Now we're done for today." Aether said with a smile. Steel blinked in confusion. "Is this about me texting Rainbow Dash? I'm sorry. I know it can be pretty distracting. Heck, Burst probably had no free time at all when you were training him." "Actually, Burst had plenty of free time." Aether said with a chuckle. "Didn't you notice that Burst has been able to switch from serious business to chill out mode so easily? It's because I made sure he had enough recovery and time to relax during his training. And the same applies to you as well now that I'm training you. Additionally, you've been progressing quite far with your training. You should be fully in control of your new power in a week or two. Of course, all that Elite Guard training probably added to your progress. Anyway, don't keep your girl waiting! After all, it took you nearly dying for you two to become official!" Steel smiled, but then frowned. "Hey. You know. . . well, with you being immortal and all," "I know what you're trying to say Steel Edge." Aether said with a sigh. "To be honest? My wife Lumina's been my first true love. I know that I'll be here long after she's gone from the world." Aether then smiled as he put a hand over her heart. "But the ones you love never truly leave you. They're always in your heart. I've not aged a day past thirty, but Lumina still looks the same as the day I met her in my eyes. Something tells me you've got the same kind of love for Rainbow Dash." Steel smiled. "Don't I know it? And because she's the Element of Loyalty, I can always count on her to be by my side. Speaking of which, see ya! I got a date!" And with that, Steel spread his wings and flew off towards Unityville! Sure enough, he found Rainbow Dash waiting for him. "Sorry to keep you waiting!" "Hey. At least you didn't get me worried this time." Rainbow Dash said with a smirk as she wrapped her arms around Steel before kissing him. "You really took me through one heck of a ride through my feelings. I think I went through the whole spectrum of emotion and I've only known you for about a year." Steel chuckled. "Hey. It was a great year. After all, you were a part of it." "You sure praising me is good?" Rainbow Dash asked with a mischievous smile. "You might just stroke my ego by accident. Or do you think I enjoy it when you need to take me down a peg?" Steel shrugged. "Hey. I was expecting you to completely thrash me with a Sonic Rainboom after I stole a kiss from you. I consider myself lucky. By the way, how are you and the girls coming along with getting used to your new weapons?" "Twilight got Burst and the others to help train us to use our Harmony Keepers. Heck, I might even be able to go all-out against you and your Duelist Arms!" Rainbow Dash boasted. "Plus, I'm sure that you're itching for a chance to show off what you've been learning from Burst's dad!" Steel smiled as he put a wing around Rainbow Dash. "You miss trying to deck me that badly?" "Well, yeah. I do." Rainbow Dash said as she blushed. She slowly put her wing around Steel's back. "I guess I can finally say that without feeling embarrassed now. The movie should start soon, so we'd better get to the theater before the lines get too long." Steel smiled. "How about we make it interesting? Race you there!" And with that, Steel flew off towards the movie theater! "Oh it's on now!" Rainbow Dash said with a smirk as she took off after Steel! She managed to beat him to the theater. "Alright since I won, that means you gotta snuggle up against me in the theater!" Steel chuckled. "I can live with that loss." And he did just that the second the movie began to play.