Burst Stream got into a fighting position as he drew out his sword and one of his blasters. All while staring down Inferno Flare. Arctic Ace, Dark Ice, and Shadow Thunder were off in their own little triangle while Fang and Venus were squaring up against each other. Tyrannus was cracking his knuckles as Steel raised his shield to guard himself.
Spike watched eagerly as the Elements of Heroism stood ready to spar, but was confused when he saw Akage take a seat next to him. "Wait. Aren't you going to get in on the sparring?"
"Considering I've locked blades with Steel many times, I'm good." Akage said with a shrug. "Besides, I'm outclassed in terms of equipment. All I've got on me is a standard sword. Plus, I'm good at being a stealthy guardian. If any threats are near, I'll be able to sense them no problem." The ninja then rubbed Spike's head spines. "But I wouldn't mind having a partner to share guard duty."
Spike beamed, and saluted. "Nothing's gonna get past my sight!" The young dragon then picked up a nearby stick, and held it like the spear of a Royal guard. "Time to make my rounds!" And with that, the drake set about patrolling the nearby area.
Akage smiled, and ventured into the trees. Giving him a vantage point for any possible assailants from either above or below. The last time the team had went out for a sparring session, they were attacked by those mutant changelings. If it weren't for Steel's return, they would've been defeated for sure. However, it is troubling that there hasn't been much activity from the Changelings lately. Burst mentioned that those mutant ones were sent in because the Elements of Heroism represented a threat to their plan. But what IS their goal anyway?
As the Element of Levity tried to get his mind off the potential plans of their most current enemy, he noticed something. A slight russling in a nearby bush. "Well now. It looks like we have spectators." Akage could make out the new arrivals as three young boys. One was an Earthbound with orange skin, and red-and-blue hair. He had blue eyes, and was decked out in blue jeans and a shirt with a spoon on it and had black sneakers on. The other was a Magi with white skin and green-and-blue hair. He was wearing purple sneakers, grey pants, a black shirt, and a purple jacket with a musical note on the back. The last spectator was a Skyborn with blue skin, red and green hair, and blue eyes. He was clad in shorts, red sneakers, and a sky blue tank top.
A mischievous smile crept across Akage's face. "Well. This should be fun." Akage leapt down from the drown, and landed without making a sound. Slowly, he crawled over to the trio of boys and crouched down. "What are we spying on?" Akage whispered. Prompting the trio of boys to jump out of their hiding spot in surprise! "Don't try to sneak around when there's a ninja present."
The rest of the Elements of Heroism approached the young trio. "Is it me, or are they opposite gender counterparts to the Talent Crest Crusaders that Sweetie Belle, Applebloom, and Scootaloo formed?" Tyrannus asked as he leaned forward to look at the three boys. "That was one crazy sleepover."
"I don't think so." Burst said as he shook his head. "But all the same, who are you three? And why were you spying on our training session?" He then noticed the nervous look on the three boys' faces, and gave them a reassuring smile. "Hey, don't worry. None of you are in trouble. Just make sure not to try something like this without our permission again, okay?" Burst Stream then patted one of his blasters. "Our Duelist Arms aren't toys. And any one of you could've gotten hurt by a stray blast." He then knelt down. "So. Who did we have the pleasure of demonstrating our skills to?"
The Earthbound of the group stepped forward. "M-My name is Shining Spoon." He then gestured to his Magi and Skyborn companions. "A-And these are my friends Bright Note and Speed Stinger. We came out here, w-well, because we're your biggest fans!"
"Yeah we are!" Speed Stinger said with a thumbs-up as he zipped over to Steel Edge! "You were SO COOL when you took on those monsters sent by Discord!" He then hovered around Burst and Inferno. "And then there was the time you two fought against the first wave of the Nightmare Forces! SO. AWESOME!"
Bright note chuckled nervously as he brought his airborne back to ground level. "Sorry about that! Speed Stinger gets a bit carried away he forgets about boundaries. Anyway, we came out here because we were wondering if you had any openings on your team?"
"We want in on the action!" Shining Spoon said with a bright smile. "So how about it? Can we join the fight against evil? Are we gonna get cool clothes like all of you? Will we get Duelist Arms by joining up?!"
Burst raised his hand for silence. "To answer your first question: No. You can't join." He then sighed. "Before all of you get mopey, I want to say that you're too young to start the training. I had to wait until I was fourteen before my dad even asked me if I wanted to start the path of a hero. You three still have plenty of childhood ahead of you. And nothing would make me sadder than robbing you of that. Also, our line of work? It constantly has us face possible death everyday."
"If we subjected you three to that kind of pressure? There's no doubt it would mess all of you up pretty badly." Tyrannus said with a sage nod. "However, this doesn't mean your desire to be heroes is impossible."
Inferno nodded, and gave the three an encouraging smile. "He's right you know!" Inferno knelt down to Burst's level and pointed at each of the young trio's hearts. "I can see it in each of you. All of you have the potential to become heroes. Maybe even future Elements of Heroism. But trying to force a chance to become what you want? There's a high chance it's gonna blow up in your faces."
"Don't try to make being a hero the sole focus of your life." Burst said as he stood up, and turned away. However, he turned his gaze over his shoulder and back to the trio. "But never lose sight of that dream. I won't lie, this kind of work isn't easy. There's definitely going to be some tough moments that test what you're made of. I know we've faced our fair share so far. But it's what you do in those trying moments that define what makes a hero. Power to stand against evil. Potential for future growth. Wisdom when tough calls need to be made. Honor and Nobility to guide your actions. Courage in the face of fear. Determination to see your fight through to the end. Compassion towards the very villains you face, which separates you from them. Spirit and Heart that strengthen your resolve. But most of all. . ."
Burst Stream turned around to face the young trio, and smiled. "Hope. Because when things seem dark, that's when light shines the brightest. And remember these words: You too can become heroes. So don't give up Junior Heroes!"
The awestruck looks of the Junior Heroes were cut short when a slow clapping was heard. "A touching speech 'hero'." Blade said as he calmly strode towards the Elements of Heroism. "Thought you saw the last of me? Now that cold season's over, me and my pals are just itching for some more play time." The praying mantis mutant changeling readied his scythe, and dragged the blade against the ground. He then noticed the Junior Heroes. "Well, well. I didn't know you brought a little snack as a peace offering. The love of children is our queen's favorite. I'll jus-" Blade's menacing remark was cut short when a beam slash struck him across the chest!
The blade of Burst's sword was steaming from releasing the blade beam. "Leave. Them. Alone." Burst then charged at Blade! Striking the mutant changeling in the stomach with the handle of his sword, and then slashing at Blade's arm! Sparks showered forth from where Burst had slashed Blade! Causing the mutant changeling to drop his scythe! "Let's see how you like your own handiwork!" Burst grabbed the scythe, knocked Blade back, and slashed right at Blade's face!
"AGH!" Blade howled in pain as he reclaimed his scythe! A faint trail of green blood dripped from where Burst had struck by using Blade's own weapon against him! "You. . . I'LL CARVE YOU INTO PIECES FOR THAT!" Blade lunged at Burst Stream! Ready to swing at Burst's head with his scythe! But Burst put up a shield that not only blocked the hit, but sent the force of the attack right back at Blade!
"I call that one Mirror Force." Burst said with a smirk. "If you thought you were coming out of this fight a winner," Burst began to channel his magic into the blade of his sword. Sparks of electricity danced around the blade! "You're in for a shock." Burst thrust at Blade! Slashing at the would-be-reaper's side! The lightning around Burst's blade slashed through Blade! Leaving scorch marks around the slash area! Burst kept at his strikes! The lightning channeled around his blade doing great damage to the praying mantis changeling! "Fly away home ugly!" Burst channeled magic into his blade once more! This time, a brilliant blue magic projection engulfed the blade! "Have a nice flight!" Burst swung at Blade! Sending the mutant changeling flying! The damage was so severe that Blade's emergency teleport spell triggered before he even hit the ground! "Next time, that mantis freak's going to be praying for mercy."
"YES!" Shining Spoon cheered. "The first one-liner we've ever heard from him!" And the entire group shared a laugh.