//------------------------------//
// Episode 16: Royally Jealous 
// Story: EoH Evolution: Season 3 
// by Bahamut0 
//------------------------------//

Burst Stream was sleeping soundly in his bed. That is, until a familiar scent wafted in through the cracks of his bedroom door. Breakfast. "Hmmm?" Burst mumbled as he got out of bed. He was surprised to see Nightmare Moon taking care of breakfast. "Shouldn't I be taking care of that?"

"Well, you've shown me so much kindness and support ever since I moved into your house." Nightmare Moon said with a nervous smile. "So. . . I thought you might like it if I did a little something for you to return the favor."

Burst Stream smiled. "It looks great Moon." He then took a seat on the couch, and turned on the TV. "You know? I was half expecting you to flirt and pull a joke about you cooking for the special guy in your life. Was it just too easy for you to go for that?"

Nightmare Moon pouted. "You can thank yourself for ruining that!" She pretended to be cross, and folded her arms. "I was going to sneak into your room and give you an alluring smile as I presented you with breakfast in bed!" A giggle then escaped her mouth. "But then again, it would probably spoil Celestia's chance to do that should you ever move into the castle."

"All the same, thanks!" Burst said with a cheerful smile. Well, at least she's dialed down her flirting. The last thing I need is people thinking I'm going out with her! Celestia and I don't go out that much, but that makes every date we go on all the more worth it.

Burst then spared a glance at Nightmare Moon. Still, we really haven't spent all that much time together. I'd happily call her my friend, but we've barely done anything together. I can't really count those times I took her shopping because I was helping her settle in. "Hey Moon? You wanna go around town today? I've got nothing better to do, so how about we just have some mindless fun?"

"Better than staying inside all day." Nightmare Moon said with a smile as she turned to take care of the pan she'd been using to cook. Doing her best to hide the blush on her face. Keep calm. This isn't a date! Burst Stream wouldn't become interested in me that quickly. Especially since he's perfectly happy with Celestia! Besides, we could stand to get a little closer as friends. It might help me get to know him a little better. And. . . maybe get a little closer too.

A few minutes later, the two were out and about. Nightmare Moon couldn't help but smile as she saw people wave at her on occasion. Earning the acceptance of the Main 6 and Elements of Heroism had done wonders for Unityville's perception of her. Actions truly did speak louder than words. The pair's first stop was the arcade. Both Burst and Moon killed some time on a fighting game and some shooters. 

"We're lucky Akage didn't show up." Burst said with a chuckle as he and Moon left the arcade. "He would've completely destroyed us! Seriously. His gaming skills are a force to be reckoned with. He trashed pretty much all of us whenever we play videogames at one of my sleepovers!"

Nightmare Moon couldn't help but laugh! "You think he's a player to be feared? Please! Luna's a far more terrifying opponent! Ever since she discovered videogames, she's become an unstoppable force on any console and platform!" Moon shuddered as she recalled a particular dream of Luna's in which the princess of the moon had owned every gamer in Unity. "Her win record is godly. No pun intended."

"Speaking of goddesses. . . "Burst pulled out his phone, and answered Celestia's call. "Hey there Celestia. Oh, not much. Just hanging out with Moon. Really? Well, that's okay. I've got a full day planned out too. Okay. I love you too. Bye." Burst Stream sighed as he hung up. "The price of dating royalty. They've usually got something occupying themselves."

Nightmare Moon smiled. "No sense on dwelling on it. You said you had a full day for us planned, right?" She then took Burst by the hand. "I'm eager to see what else you have in mind." The pair stopped by Twilight's library. Burst beating the librarian easily in a Yu-Gi-Oh! match. The next stop on their day was Sweet Apple Acres. Nightmare Moon got into an arm wrestling match with Applejack. Moon being the obvious winner because of her immense strength. 

The two had caught Inferno and Rarity at lunch and decided to join them. Both pairs chatted about how things were going, and both were happy that there hadn't been any monster or villain attacks lately. They were all enjoying the period of peace that had settled over Unity. 

"I don't know about you, but that was a pretty fun day." Burst Stream said as he opened the door to his house. Nightmare Moon following close behind. "What about you Moon?"

Nightmare Moon smiled warmly. "It's nice to have people that want to spend time with you. I guess that's why they say friendship is magic. Rainbow Dash wanted to race against me tomorrow, and Fluttershy wants to see how nocturnal creatures react to me."

"Looks like you've got a full day tomorrow." Burst said with a smile. "Well, hope you have fun then too Moon. Maybe we can meet up at the movies after you're done." The next day soon arrived, and Burst received yet another call from Celestia. Once again, the solar princess was busy as usual. But Burst didn't pay much mind to it as he was more a quality over quantity person. Though since he and Nightmare Moon had been hanging out more, their time together seemed to have both.

"I see." Celestia said as she hid the sadness in her voice. "I'll be free sometime soon Burst. I promise." Celestia sighed as she hung up. Envy was not a feeling she was familiar with. But what could the co-ruler of Unity possibly be envious of? The time Nightmare Moon got to spend with Burst Stream. Her responsibilities made it hard to enjoy a date with Burst Stream. While the two of them had gone out on a few dates, and danced at the grand gala, the sun goddess still longed for more time with her mortal boyfriend. Time that Nightmare Moon had easy access to. 

"She isn't trying to steal him away. But all the same, I can't help but feel the slightest bit jealous of how often they're together." Celestia teleported the Optimus Prime plushie Burst had given her so long ago when he was a kid. "I know he'll always wait for me. But it's so easy to picture him getting tired of waiting. . . "

However, despite her thinking she was alone, Shining Dawn was hiding in the doorway and decided to make his move. "Princess Celestia, I can deny it no longer!" He declared boldly. "To see my brother neglect you like this! It's nothing short of disgraceful!"

"Burst Stream understands why I can't spend time with him at the moment." Celestia answered. "And he's informed me of your past duels with him. I'm quite upset at your notion that I'm a prize to be won. Furthermore, he knows that I have important duties."

Shining Dawn scowled on the inside as he maintained a neutral expression. "And how long before he feels that he isn't as important as your duties?" This instantly got Celestia's attention. "All I ask is that you give me a chance. I know the heavy pressure of high status. Besides, you could stand to be with someone who conducts themselves a bit more maturely."

"All I ask is one. Little. Date." Shining Dawn said with a charming smile. "It couldn't hurt, could it? You could do with a little escape." Reluctantly, Celestia agreed. Much to Shining Dawn's pleasure. Perfect. Now all I need to do is pop the question. . .