//------------------------------// // Episode 12: New Additions to the Library // Story: EoH Evolution: Season 4 // by Bahamut0 //------------------------------// Nightfall Silver was incredibly nervous. I still can't believe it. . . Nightfall thought to himself as he sat next to Twilight Sparkle on the train ride from Castalot back to Unityville. This is my first time outside of Castalot. Honestly, I never pictured myself going anywhere else until now when I became an Element of Heroism. Nightfall's hands trembled despite his best attempts to hide said trembling. Something that Twilight took notice of. "First time away from your hometown?" Twilight asked with a kind smile. Nightfall gave her a shaky nod in reply. "I know the feeling. It's a lot like when Princess Celestia sent me off to Unityville to make some friends. I thought I wouldn't need any friends. But on that first day, I was proven just how wrong I was. Because I made friends, I've been able to do so many incredible things. And some of them alongside me now stand among the princesses as avatars." She then blushed. "Sorry! Getting a little off-topic! The point is, don't be too worried Nightfall. You're going to be just fine in Unityville! Heck, something tells me the guys will become fast friends with you!" "Thanks. . . Twilight." Nightfall said with a small smile. Such a cute smile. And her eyes sparkling? Easy to see how she got her last name. "Anyway, how are you so sure that me and the guys are going to be good friends?" "Oh, that's simple!" Twilight beamed. "They hold a sleepover for every new element of their team that joins up! It's their method of having team-building and ice-breaking all in one. Plus, you're in for quite the party once you get to town." "The whole town's holding a party just for me joining up as the last Element of Heroism?" Nightfall asked with a confused look on his face. "I know the Elements of Heroism are Unity's protectors, but that seems a little excessive." "Not the whole town." Twilight said with a giggle. "Let's just say Pinkie Pie is incredibly welcoming to new arrivals. I should know. The day I moved into the library, she threw a surprise welcome party at my new home. It was the hottest party of the year. Because it was for the Summer Sun Celebration, and I accidentally drank hot sauce." "Pffft!" Nightfall couldn't contain himself! "AH ha ha ha ha! I-I'm sorry!" "Hey! I thought it was punch!" Twilight said with an exaggerated pout. "Then again, that gives me a good way to teach Spike how to breath fire." "Heh! Nice one." Nightfall snickered. "Btw, where DO you keep Spike in your home? I really don't wanna be the guy that kicks him out of his own bed." "Spike's taken up the couch ever since he grew up. Literally, he grew up. It was only a week or two ago that he was just a little dragon." ". . . You still treat him like a kid, don't you?" Nightfall asked with a smirk. Twilight smiled. "Hey. Let me enjoy being the older sibling for as long as I can. Spike's literally growing up so fast." The adorkable pair shared a laugh, and the train soon came to a stop at Unityville Station. "Huh. Time really flies by when you're with good company." The pair soon exited the train car, and collected Nightfall's equipment and luggage. "You want some help with these? I don't want to sound mean but, how were you able to lift most of this stuff let alone help move it?" "Well, I used to be a member of the Night Guard." Nightfall said with a shrug as he picked up a crate of equipment. "But I quit not long after my hero crest appeared on my arm. My heart told me I had the right idea, but the wrong execution. So, I turned to what I was best at. Working with technology and machines." Nightfall smiled fondly. "Ever since I was a kid, it was like I could talk to the machines. Around the house and my dad's workshop, I could somehow always tell just what needed to be fixed or improved or what parts were needed." "I guess we're pretty similar then." Twilight said with a smile as she used her newfound avatar strength to grab a few more of Nightfall's things. "I'm a gigantic bookworm. And before you make the joke, yes. The library is my natural habitat." The two shared a laugh as the headed for Twilight's library. "You can put your equipment in my lab in the basement. That's where I'll be helping you upgrade yout tech into magi-tech." "Thanks." Nightfall said with a nod. "Hey, does Unityville have tech center?" Twilight shook her head. "No, I don't think so. Then again, with the level your tech is on, we might need to take it to CSGM to even get it looked at." "You misunderstand." Nightfall said with a chuckle. "I'm asking so I can be the one to fix other people's things." He set his things in a corner of Twilight's lab. "We can start ugrading my suit tomorrow. Until then, I think I'll take a look around town. Maybe I can see some of the other guys." Nightfall was up the stairs to the main floor when he was meet with a blast of confetti to the face. As soon as he cleared the festive mess from his face, Nightfall was met with the sight of both teams of elements. Orrr they could come to me. Nice. "SURPRISE!" Everyone cheered with Pinkie Pie blowing a party blower right in Nightfall's face! "I told you that you'd be seeing Pinkie soon." Twilight said as she put a party hat on Nightfall. "Come on! It'll be weird if you didn't join in on your own party!" And with that, Nightfall Silver's welcome party was in full-swing. But the fun was far from over despite the party soon ending. Nightfall was soon with the other Elements of Heroism having a sleepover at Burst's place. "So Nightfall. What inspired you to make your armor?" Burst Stream asked. "I've seen my share of comics, anime, and video games. So where'd you get the idea to make it?" "Well, you guys promise not to think I'm a nerd?" Nightfall asked nervously. The rest of the guys nodded. "Okay then. You see. . . " Nightfall pulled out a deck of Yu-Gi-Oh! cards. "I based the main design off of the Cyber Dragon. It's my favorite monster from the card game." He then saw the guys just staring blankly. "You probably think that's lame, huh?" Slowly, the rest of the guys smiled as they pulled out their own favorite Yu-Gi-Oh! cards. "Dude. You are among friends." Burst said with a smile. "So, who wants to go a few rounds on my consoles?" Everyone was about to cheer, but they went silent as soon as Akage raised his hand. "Oh come on guys!" Akage protested. "Fighting games aren't nearly as fun if its just me going up against the CPU!" "I'll take you on." Nightfall said with a smirk as he scooted forward. He then noticed everyone staring at him with looks of shock and horror. ". . . What?" "Nightfall, you're either brave or crazy." Dark Ice said. "And take it from the Element of Courage, I think you're the latter. All of us have gotten DESTROYED by Akage whenever we get pitted against him in a video game. In ANY genre. And if his gaming skills are anything to go by, his fighting skills are even more deadly!" "Then he hasn't met a challenger like me before." Nightfall said with a shrug. "How about it Akage? You ready to take me on?" Akage smirked. "I would welcome that. Even our leader and his second-in-command can just barely stand on their own against my gaming skills. This might not be a sparring session, but it'll show us what you're made of all the same. GAME ON!" And so, the two began going at it in a round of Smash Bros.! It surprised everyone that Nightfall was on the same level as Akage! The two were rapidly chaining commands on their controllers! Seemingly predicting and countering the other's moves perfectly! It seemed like the match would go on forever until the timer ran out and it went into sudden death! Both Nightfall and Akage steeled their gazes as they gripped their controllers. As soon as the sudden death match kicked off, the two of them were mashing the buttons on their controllers with an unheard of speed and ferocity! Neither was giving the other any room to breathe! And just when it seemed like it wouldn't end, both of them dropped their controllers and started wriggling their fingers! "If that was anything sort of indicator," Akage began. "Then you've definitely got plenty of inner strength. No wonder you're the Element of Heart." "Thanks." Nightfall said with a slightly pained smile. "I haven't had to work my thumbs that hard in a long while. But if that's the only strength I've got? I'm not sure I'm cut out for this." "You're wrong." Burst said as he stood up and walked over to Nightfall. "Even when your suit was badly damaged, you still charged forward because people needed help. You didn't let the odds stop you when things got tough." He then put a hand on Nightfall's shoulder. "You've got the heart of a hero Nightfall. That counts more than you could ever know." ". . . You're still gonna train me, right?" Nightfall asked. "Of course!" Steel Edge chimed in! "We've gotta get you in shape for when Twilight decides to go steady with you!" "W-What?!" Nightfall sputtered! "I-I don't like her that way!" "Dude. I could feel how much your spirit amplified when she gave you that pep talk when you showed up." Venus Bloomer said with a smile. "Plus, there was also how much she loosened up around you at the party. In fact, you're doing a pretty lousy job of trying to hide your feelings. I'd say she already knows how you feel. Books aren't the only thing she's good at reading." "Fine. I admit it. I like her." Nightfall said with a sigh. "She's just so adorkable!" And at that very moment, Twilight Sparkle sneezed. Right as she was looking at the helmet from Nightfall's suit. "My shining cyber knight. . . " She said with a dreamy smile.