//------------------------------// // Episode 16: What Could Have Been // Story: EoH Evolution: Season 4 // by Bahamut0 //------------------------------// Burst Stream fell onto the couch of his old home's living room. He looked like his entire world had just been shattered. Then again, hearing you were on a countdown to your own death was bound to do that to anyone. And so Burst Stream just lay there staring at the ceiling letting the fact of his impending end sink in as he contemplated all of his past achievements. But right now, they didn't seem like they were real victories. How many times have me and the guys actually saved the world when a big threat returned after a millennium to cause havoc? Burst Stream thought as images of his past adventures played in his mind. Was it me who defeated Moon when she returned? Was it me and the guys who defeated Discord? Did I actually deal the final blow to Chrysalis back at the Royal Wedding? Spike's the one who returned the Crystal Heart back in the Crystal Empire, and Moon's the one who restored the Tree of Harmony. Twilight and the girls are pretty much the only ones to defeat most of the main villains who've menaced the world. For all my training, all the battles I've fought, has any of it made a difference? "Hey Burst." Nightmare Moon said as she walked over to him. "Your mom was just showing me some pictures of your past. As fun as it's been hearing her share your past, I'd like to see if half the situations in those pictures are really as embarrassing as you think they are." Burst Stream stared blankly at her before smiling weakly. "Well, let's see. What pictures did my mom start with?" As he looked through the memories captured in the photographs, Burst's life literally flashed before his eyes. A sad smile crept onto his face when he looked through his childhood. Those were probably some of the best years of his life. "As you can see, I used to be pretty messy when it came to cooking. Especially when it came to helping Mom make cookies for Hearth's Warming." "You look so adorable covered in flour." Nightmare Moon said with a giggle. "Though it would be hard to notice because of your skin." Burst let out a small chuckle as he flipped through the rest of the photos containing milestones in his life such as his acceptance into Celestia's School for Gifted Magi to when he reached his teen years. And upon reaching photos from his adolescent period, another realization was brought to Burst Stream's attention. All of his photos from age fourteen onward consisted solely of him training. "I guess we're at the point Twilight would flip out at me for." "Why would she do that?" Nightmare Moon asked. "Because when I started my training to prepare for your return, I had to drop out of school." Burst Stream answered flatly. "I'm pretty surprised Twilight didn't freak out on me when I first told her that I'd dropped out. Then again, the two of us really didn't talk that much. Heck, she didn't talk much to anyone." As Burst Stream looked at pictures of his training, whatever semblance of his smile faded. Fourteen. I was fourteen years old when I decided to leave behind what would've been a normal life. But was that the right decision? Burst Stream got right back to contemplating his life choices. I mean, I didn't have an adolescence. All of my teen years I spent learning how to fight instead of worrying about school or friends. If I had just decided to live a normal life, maybe I wouldn't be meeting my maker so soon. "So. You spent seven years training to face me when I returned, did you?" Nightmare Moon asked with a loving smile as she looked over the pictures that showed Burst's growth through his training years. "Seven years well spent indeed." ". . . Yeah." Burst said as he looked over the pictures. His contemplation replaced with regret. Honestly? I don't think me becoming a hero made much of a difference anyway. I mean, I missed a huge part of my life. The most formative years that shape who I am. The years when. . . most people grow up. Burst Stream sighed internally. I guess that explains why I haven't changed much. Maybe that's all I ever was. Just an idiot kid playing hero. And all I've got to show for it is one actual victory and a whole lot of losses. Some Element of Power I turned out to be. Maybe this thing was a big mistake. Especially since it's getting me killed so early! Everyone has to go sometime, but my end's going to happen quicker than it should! And it's all my fault! DAMMIT! "Hey, Moon?" Burst Stream asked. "I'm just about ready to head back home. How about you?" "Just a minute Burst." Nightmare Moon answered. "Your mom forgot to show me her favorite picture." She then returned her attention to Lumina. "You were saying Mrs. Stream?" "Here's my favorite." Lumina said with a sad smile. "It was taken right before my father passed away." Her eyes went misty as she stared at the photograph. "My father was on his death bed, and he was given a few days at best. I had taken Burst with me to visit so he could see his grandpa one last time. Burst had noticed my father becoming weaker, and thought there was some sort of monster doing bad things to him. So, he dressed up in his Red Ranger costume and decided to stand guard over his grandpa for the day and be his hero. I don't think I'd ever seen a bigger smile on my father's face when Burst dressed up and played superhero. My father passed away peacefully a day or two later with a smile. I think that's probably the best parting gift he could have given. To think that Burst was only five when he saw him being buried." "Burst." Nightmare Moon said as she gripped Burst Stream's had. "I'm sorry that you had to go through something like that when you were so young." "Thanks Moon." Burst said with a sad smile. "But, I made him happy in the end. That's all that counts, right?" How pathetic am I that I can come to terms with the death of a family member and not my own? If I'm so scared to meet my end, then what right do I have to lead the Elements of Heroism? . . . What right do I have to call myself a hero now that I'm so scared that I'm going to die soon? "Well, I've enjoyed this little visit." Nightmare Moon said with a smile. "But now? I think Burst and I are going to head home for now. It was wonderful meeting you. Maybe next time Aether can entertain us with tales of his past heroics." And with that, she teleported herself and Burst back to their house. She then noticed the distraught look on Burst's face. "Burst Stream? What's wrong? Did something go wrong when you were talking with your dad?" "Hm? Oh, no!" Burst shook his head. "It's just. . . my dad suggested I take it easy for a bit with how hard I've been pushing myself lately. I'm a bit bummed that I won't be able to join my friends in any fights that pop up, but hey. Maybe this can be seen as a vacation. And. . . it'll give us more time together." "That sounds wonderful." Nightmare Moon said as she wrapped her arms and wings around Burst Stream. "You can be sure that I'm going to enjoy every second of our time together." "That's great." Burst said with a small smile as he returned the hug. Because I'm not sure how much longer I'm going to be with you. "Hey, could you excuse me for a few minutes? There's something I have to do." "What's that?" Burst Stream let out a sigh. "Just. . . a list of some things that I've missed out on that I'd like to do while I've got the time."