//------------------------------//
// Episode 14: Duels and Dates 
// Story: EoH Evolution: Season 3 
// by Bahamut0 
//------------------------------//

Venus Bloomer sighed to himself as he woke up. As of late, working at the flower shop had become a bit of an ordeal. Namely because his co-workers, all of which were female, kept making passes at him. "Some days I really wish I wasn't so pretty." Venus said as he frowned at his reflection. "Still, your personal appearance reflects how you feel about yourself. And I refuse to feel bad!" And a few minutes later, Venus Bloomer was, as usual, looking his best.

"I wonder if there's any solution to my co-worker problem." Venus thought out loud before taking a bite from his toast. As he ate his breakfast, his thoughts turned to his friends in the Elements of Heroism. A few of them were still single, but some of the most senior members already had girlfriends. Venus smiled as the idea fully formed! "Of course! Why didn't I think of asking them before?!"

Venus immediately texted Burst Stream, Inferno Flare, Steel Edge, and Tyrannus Rex. "Glad all of you could meet me so soon!" Venus said with an excited nod. "I asked for you all here because of one reason: I have an enormous girl problem. Though not in the typical sense."

"We know." Tyrannus said with a nod. "I remember Fluttershy nearly fainting when she saw a picture of you holding Fang like a puppy. And you guys literally had all of Unityville's girls chasing after you! So why'd you call the four of us over?"

Venus took a deep breath. "Well, as my Talent Crest indicates, I have quite the way with floral arrangements and care. So naturally, I took up a job at the flower shop. Unfortunately, my working there is a bit of a predicament because all of my co-workers have started making passes at me. Don't get me wrong, they're quite attractive. But I still think it's just my looks everyone goes crazy over!"

"Weird. Normally that's something most guys wish girls would swoon over." Steel Edge said with a shrug. "But still, I've gotta respect your quest for real love Venus. And I'm guessing you called us out here to give you some suggestions?"

Burst nodded. "I figured it was along those lines. I guess the best suggestion I can give is try asking them out on a date one at a time. Going out with all three at once might get real nasty really fast. Be sure to-" Burst was prevented from giving the rest of his advice by the sound of a trumpet! "What the heck?"

Shining Dawn had strolled into town. A cocky smirk on his face as he eyes Burst Stream and his friends. "Burst Stream!" Shining Dawn declared! "I have come to challenge you to a duel! The winner shall take the hand of Princess Celestia! The loser shall never speak with her again!"

". . . I think you've got a good event for a first date." Burst muttered to Venus. "Alright then." Burst then whipped out his deck of Yu-Gi-Oh! cards! "IT'S TIME TO DUEL!" He couldn't help but laugh at the dumbfounded look on Shining Dawn's face! "Dude. Don't you have a sense of humor? I'm messing with you!" Shining Dawn just frowned at Burst Stream. "Fine, fine. Geez! I'll get equipped right now."

Burst summoned his Duelist Arms, and Shining Dawn drew his saber. A crowd began to gather as the two combatants readied themselves. Venus had asked Daisy to watch the duel with him. "Ready your blade!" Shining Dawn cried out as he raised his saber to strike at Burst! Only for Burst to leap into the air! "WHAT THE?! YOU CAN FLY?!"

"No. I jump good." Burst replied as he brought the blade of his own sword down! Breaking Shining Dawn's blade as the noble raised his own sword to block it! "You can't fight if your blade's busted. Now could you please leave? I have more important things to focus on. Like friendship!" And with that, Burst Stream walked away. But not before giving Shining Dawn a bit of advice. "Little tip? I trained under Dad. THAT'S why I wiped the floor with you." 

As soon as the duel was done, Venus looked to Daisy. "Hey. What would you think if I jumped in there and fought that noble for your hand and honor?"

"Are you crazy?!" Daisy gasped. "I would never let you do that! You could get your face ruined by accident! In fact, your other job puts you in constant danger of being permanently damaged.

". . . Yeah, this isn't going to work out." Venus said with a sigh. Being a hero makes my spirit bloom. And personally, I think I'd look a bit dashing with a scar over one of my eyes. It'd give me a certain charm. The Element of Spirit met back up with his friends. "Well, that was a bust. Looks like you won't have to worry about losing Celestia. Right Burst?"

Burst nodded. "Yeah. But I didn't think my asshole of a half-brother would show up and try to challenge me. I don't know what his fixation on my girlfriend is, but he needs to know that she's spoken for and in good hands. I beat him pretty easy. So if he thought I couldn't protect her, he had no idea just how strong our past struggles made me. For a guy with 'more powerful blood' he sure is weak." The Element of Power then explained Shining Dawn's origins to his gathered friends. "I'll admit it. Curb stomping him was very satisfying. Especially when he insulted my mom."

"I guess one of us walked away a winner." Venus said with a sigh. "I'm going to try asking our Lily Valley tomorrow. Hopefully she'll be more approving of my choice of work." The next day soon arrived, and Venus was out with Lily Valley. The two were out enjoying some ice cream when they noticed Shining Dawn marching into town once again. "Well. Looks like we get to see another curb stomp."

Lily looked to Venus. "Don't you think Burst Stream should give this guy a chance? I mean, it's like something out of a fairytale with this noble trying to win Princess Celestia's hand!"

"The guy's aiming for a taken girl!" Venus exclaimed in shock. "If you and I were together happily, would YOU want me to give the guy who wanted to steal you away a chance? Real love's something worth fighting for! Burst knows that! It's the only reason he's accepting this new duel!"

Venus was incredibly upset. "Forget this. I'm not standing by a girl who'd allow a chance for her to be taken so easily. I'll see you at work tomorrow." And with that, Venus Bloomer left before the duel could even begin.

Speaking of the duel, spells were being flung instead of swords clashing. Shining Dawn fired off all sorts of flashy spells! But while they looked impressive with the dawn-colored aura of his magic, they had little power behind them. Something Burst Stream exploited as he engaged in a magic beam clash! His beam overpowered Shining Dawn's, and Burst Stream finished off the would-be-suitor of his girlfriend with an almost point-blank blast of white lightning!

"I don't know how strong your mother said your blood made you, but it doesn't matter at all." Burst Stream said as he towered over the fallen Shining Dawn. He then patted where his heart was. "Because if what's in here determines how much power you really have. You might have Dad's blood in you, but you don't have any of his heart!"

Shining Dawn scowled at Burst Stream, and stormed off! "The third time will be the charm Burst Stream! Mark my words! You are not worthy to stand by Princess Celestia! Just what is it that she sees in you?!"

"Someone that makes her happy." Burst replied sternly. "And as you've also seen, someone who's willing to fight for her. But more importantly, I don't want you doing to her what your mother did to my dad!" Burst Stream groaned. "I really hope he challenges me to a fist fight next."

The next day came, and Venus found himself going out with Roseluck. This date was a significant improvement over the other two. And once again, they witnessed Shining Dawn squaring up against Burst Stream. "Ooooh! Wonder how they're gonna duke it out this time!" Roseluck said excitedly.

As Burst had hoped, it was a fist-fight. And he didn't pull any punches. The second Shining Dawn swung at him, Burst grabbed onto Shining Dawn's arm and threw him to the ground! Burst Stream then launched himself into a flying side kick that struck Shining Dawn in the chest as soon as he recovered!

Shining Dawn staggered! Once again, Burst Stream was overpowering him effortlessly! This realization outraged the noble to no end! Both of them were sons of Aether, and yet Burst Stream was so much stronger! "You're done." Burst Stream said as he just stared at Shining Dawn. A look of pity in the Element of Power's eyes. "Any more hits, and you won't be standing."

Burst Stream sighed when he saw Shining Dawn charge at him. He crouched down, and executed a devastating uppercut! "SHORYUKEN!" The force of the dragon punch knocked Shining Dawn into the air! The noble soon falling onto his back! Groaning as his attendants carted him away. "I'm missing something." Burst then slipped on a red headband he carried around since he started training. "There we go!" Burst stood with his back to Shining Dawn, and copied Ryu's victory pose.

Venus had ended his date with Roseluck. Namely because she had been giving him bedroom eyes ever since they had started. "What I wouldn't give to find a girl who I can form a relationship that requires effort. . . "