//------------------------------//
// Episode 19: Shared Pain 
// Story: EoH Evolution: Season 3 
// by Bahamut0 
//------------------------------//

It had been two days since Burst Stream had fallen into a depression following his break-up with Celestia. He barely went outside, and just stayed inside his house. His friends knew that he was hurting, but none of them really felt they all that knowledgeable when it came to dealing with the aftermath of a break-up.

But where his other friends thought they couldn't help, Nightmare Moon thought otherwise. Burst thinks he's all alone. That nobody knows his pain. He's wrong. "Burst?" Nightmare Moon asked. "Get your Duelist Arms, and meet me in the field outside of town."

"Aren't you a little underdressed?" Burst asked as he lazily equipped his Duelist Arms. "Whatever. It doesn't matter." Soon enough the two were out in the fields outside of Unityville. "So why'd you want us to come out here? I get that maybe some fresh air is needed, but why bother bringing my weapons?"

Nightmare Moon sighed. "You're just going to call it pointless so quickly." She narrowed her eyes as she looked at Burst Stream. "Maybe you really don't care about Celestia as much as you claimed if you're willing to just let her get married to that excuse of a sibling who just showed up."

This provoked the exact response that Nightmare Moon had expected out of Burst Stream. "You. . . " Burst growled as he gripped his sword! "Don't you DARE SAY THAT!" Burst launched himself at Nightmare Moon as the fallen princess summoned her weapon! Sparks flying as their blades clash! "I love Celestia more than my own life! Countless times I've fought against villains who would push me near the brink! And it was my thoughts of her that allowed me to push past my limits and get stronger! She's my everything!" 

"I promised her that I would make sure she could really smile! It's something that I've strived to keep no matter what!" Burst screamed as he continually swung like crazy! Nightmare Moon either blocking or evading his strikes! "And now? She's sad! And I can't shake the feeling that I'M responsible! She lied when she said that she and Shining Dawn were happy! He's done something to push her into marrying him! AND I CAN'T STAND THE FACT THAT SHE PUSHED ME AWAY WHEN I COULD HELP HER! WHY?! WHY DIDN'T SHE TELL ME WHAT'S WRONG?!"

Burst's sword was knocked away by a magic blast from Nightmare Moon! Prompting Burst to charge at Nightmare Moon with only his fists! A quick bubble shield made of Moon's magic quickly intercepted any and all of Burst's punches! "I WANT TO HELP HER! I PROMISED THAT I WOULD ALWAYS BE AT HER SIDE! HOW CAN I DO THAT IF SHE THINKS SHE'S KEEPING ME SAFE BY PUSHING ME AWAY?!"

The frequency of Burst's punches died out as he grew more and more exhausted. "I feel so powerless. Like I can't keep my promise." Burst fell to his knees. "How can anyone understand. . . me dealing with this? How could anyone. . . know how I feel?"

"You feel alone and like you've failed" Nightmare Moon answered as she dropped her shield spell and knelt down to Burst's level after he'd fallen to his knees with his arms slumping at his sides. "That you've let down the one person that matters to you most in the world when you swore that you'd never do anything to hurt them. That you would do nothing but make them happy."

Nightmare Moon noticed the confused look in Burst's eyes. "I know what you're going through Burst Stream. I know the pain you're feeling. Because in a way, it's my pain as well. When Luna and I were banished to the moon, I felt like I had failed to grant her desires. It was a pain I thought I would have to live with forever. But I was wrong. You offered to help me."

"Even if it nearly cost you the happiness you'd found with Celestia, you stood up for me. You treated me like a regular person even when I attacked during the Summer Sun Celebration." Nightmare Moon cupped Burst Stream's face, and smiled at him. "You believed in me when everyone else thought I couldn't change. Have you ever wondered why I stopped wearing my armor? It's because I was ready to be more open and vulnerable. If I kept my armor up, I'd never let anyone in and be forever closed off to other people. And because I was more vulnerable, you came into my heart. Always being a light that stuck with me when things seemed dark. Since then, I've made so many wonderful friends. You the closest among them."

Nightmare Moon helped Burst Stream stand, and locked eyes with him. Her teal peering deep into his sapphire. "It's okay to be hurt Burst. So long as you let in others to help you heal. Let me into your heart. Just like I let you into mine." She then opened her arms, and gave Burst a pleading gaze. "Please."

Burst Stream broke into tears as he threw himself into Nightmare Moon's embrace. Moon wrapped her arms around Burst, and held him tight. It would be so easy to tell him just how I feel too. But that's not what he needs right now. If I did, I'd be nothing more than a consolation prize. If I want him to love me, I want him to choose me when he's at his best. Because right now, he doesn't need a new romantic interest. Right now? Moon tightened her embrace slightly. Right now Burst needs a friend who shares his pain and can help him heal. "Feel any better?"

"Y-Yeah." Burst Stream sniffled as he wiped away any stray tears. "You know? You hugging me like that feels so familiar. Like the first night when you moved in with me." He then tightened his own hold. "Can you promise me something? I wasn't going to let you go back then. So. . . don't let go of me. Okay Moon?"

Nightmare Moon smiled as she wrapped her wings around Burst Stream. "I will hold on to you always my Precious Light." She whispered to herself. That night, Burst had invited Nightmare Moon into his bed. "I didn't imagine us sharing a bed once more."

"Well, you holding onto me felt real nice." Burst said with a slight blush. "And. . . I really wouldn't mind knowing that you're there for me." Nightmare Moon didn't need to hear any more reasoning as she slid under the covers and held Burst close to her chest.

The next morning, Burst awoke to find Nightmare Moon wouldn't let go of him. He also found his head resting on her. . . assets. And it seemed like she was holding him there. "You really aren't letting go of me, are you?"

"Nope." Nightmare Moon said as one of her eyes opened up. "Still, you don't seem to be complaining about our position judging by how soundly you slept. You made quite the excellent pillow yourself."

Burst rolled his eyes. Moon was back to her flirting again. But. . . it kinda feels nice. "Thanks for helping me get past my depression. Still, I wish I could find out just what Shining Dawn did to rope my girlfriend into marriage."

Looks like I know whose dreams I'll be paying a visit to tonight. . .  Nightmare Moon thought to herself as she released Burst from her embrace. Still, I can sense Burst isn't fully past his grief. There's something stirring inside him. I could sense it when he went wild back in the field yesterday. Sooner or later, Burst is going to have to confront it.