//------------------------------// // Episode 25: Dragon Heart // Story: EoH Evolution: Season 4 // by Bahamut0 //------------------------------// "Let's see. Ty took out Tyrant Neptune, all of us managed to send Big Saturn to the scrapheap, Splendid Venus took out both Suppression Pluto and herself, Burst destroyed Despair Uranus, and Ice just took down Blazing Mars. That just leaves two Chaos Kin running around." Inferno Flare said with a sigh. "It's clear that we're winning, but the Chaos Kin are showing up more frequently. And there's just no telling what the scope of the next battle will be! All of us against an army? Or are the last two going to gang up on us?! AGH!!" "Great. I decide to frustrate myself when there's only two Chaos Kin left." Inferno let his upper body fall towards the surface of the table at Sugar Cube Corner. "Not to mention the fact my best friend's a ticking time-bomb who has only so much time left and me and the guys have already helped him finalize his bucket list." "Feeling a little overwhelmed darling?" Rarity asked as she sat down with a concerned look aimed at her boyfriend. "You seem to look a little burned out." "Well, now I know how Burst Stream feels when the last of a villain faction is left standing." Inferno said with a tired smile as he gratefully accepted the soda Rarity had brought him. "According to past experiences, there's only two possible outcomes. One is that the remaining villains are the most powerful, or a prelude to the final boss and a battle that takes everything we've got to win. But even if it comes to the latter, I'm pretty sure we'll come out on top. Some of our friends are literal gods among us now. Nightfall brings his tech to the table, and I hear both him and Twilight have been working on his new suit of armor. Plus, Akage has his Duelist Arm now. Plus, we've got you and the rest of the girls to also join the fight." "While it puts me at ease to see you so sure that things will turn out fine, I don't think it would hurt to have a little bit of time to just enjoy each other's company darling." Rarity said with a loving smile as she took hold of Inferno's free hand. "Our last visit to Castalot was more business-centered. How about we journey there for pleasure this time around? We've certainly earned a short rest from all that's happened. And I'm sure it would do wonders for the stress you've endured since taking up the leader position." "No need to convince me. All you had to do was ask." Inferno said with a chuckle. "I'll pack my things up, and we'll take the next train to Castalot." One quick packing later, and Inferno and Rarity were on their way to Castalot. Inferno couldn't help but smile when he saw how excited Rarity was to have this small vacation. The last couple of times the couple had traveled to the city, they didn't have any time to actually enjoy their visit to the kingdom's capitol. Of course, a small bit of unpleasant encounters had served to put them off a bit. The first of these encounters coming from the less-than-charming Prince Blueblood. How someone so rotten could ever be related to someone as wonderful as Princess Celestia was anyone's guess, but no one dared to call out the prince for his horrid behavior. Well, almost no one as evident by the brutal punch to the face Inferno delivered to Blueblood's face just a couple years ago. The Element of Potential recounting the details of him and Rarity becoming a couple thanks to Blueblood's horrible treatment of Rarity. "In some ways, I guess I should thank Bluebrat for being such a jerk." Inferno said with a smirk. "He let go of a real treasure and probably the only girl who'd want to be around him without wanting to get paid for suffering through his company." "Be serious darling." Rarity said with a smile. "I don't think all the money in the world would make anyone willing to put up with Prince Not-so-Charming." The couple shared a laugh, but tensed up a bit when they saw the prince who was the topic of their conversation walking towards them. "Well, well. Didn't think I'd ever see your face again." Inferno said with a frown as he stood up to stare down Blueblood. "So what's your deal?" "You and that wench made a mockery of me at the Grand Gala held a few years prior." Blueblood said angrily! His face showing the briefest instance of breaking his charming facade, but he quickly regained his composure. "But dirtying my hands to deal with the likes of you is beneath me. Which is why I've taken to employing the services of one who has an issue with you and your friends." "So where's your hired goon?" Inferno asked as he narrowed his eyes. "He's waiting at my estate." Blueblood answered flatly. "Though you lot don't deserve it, I grant you the courtesy of me providing you transport to my home. Provided the fact either of you have the decency to accept such-" "Shut up and get in." Inferno called out as he and Rarity barely wasted anytime hearing Blueblood rant and rave as they entered the limo. "As much as I'd like to ditch you here, I want you there when I kick the ass of whoever you've employed to try and take me down." ". . . Fine." Blueblood growled. And soon enough, they arrived at Blueblood's estate. The fighter Blueblood had hired waiting in what looked like a dueling arena. "Allow me to present your opponent: Lance Slayer." The fighter waiting for Inferno in the arena had pure white armor, a handsome face with blue eyes and a mane of blonde hair. His sole weapon being the gigantic sword on his back. In short, he looked like the typical white knight you'd see right out of a story book. "So. You're one of the Elements of Heroism, are you?" Lance Slayer asked as he looked Inferno over. "You and your friends made a lot of trouble for me ever since you all popped up." "What kind of trouble?" Inferno asked. "You stole MY spotlight!" Lance Slayer said angrily! "I had it all planned out! When Nightmare Moon returned, I would step in when all hope seemed lost and defeat her! After that, I'd set up a nice little business where people would hire me out to perform heroic tasks for them! With a reputation of defeating such a powerful villain, I'd be able to set substantial prices for my services. But then you all showed up and did what I would've done for free. However, that's not the worst insult your little band has thrown in my face." "Some hero you are." Inferno scoffed. "So what was the last straw for you?" "Simple." Lance Slayer said with a glare as he pointed at Rarity. "You don't belong with that lovely maiden by your side. That's not how the story's supposed to go. Everyone knows that the black knight is bested by the white knight, and he leaves victorious with the maiden at his side upon his steed!" ". . . You're not serious, are you?" Inferno asked with an annoyed look on his face. "The reason you've got a problem with me is something that petty and pathetic?" "You're damn right it is." Lance Slayer said with a scowl as he readied his sword! "Maybe if I'm feeling generous, I'll give your lovely damsel the pleasure of my company after I've bested you." "There's no way I'm letting you get even close to touching Rarity!" Inferno growled as he summoned his Duelist Arms! "Normally, I'd only fight you with my sword. But considering the fact you think you can just swipe my girlfriend like she's a piece of property?! You just pissed me off asshole! Even ground just got thrown out the window!" Inferno spread his wings, and flew at Lance Slayer! Firing shots from his blaster as the distance between the two grew ever shorter! But much to Inferno's displeasure, Lance Slayer blocked all of his blaster's shots with the broadside of his sword! Deciding to change things up, Inferno clashed blades with his enemy! The Element of Potential gritting his teeth while Lance Slayer had a smug grin on his face! "Perhaps I was wrong to compare you to a black knight!" Lance Slayer said as his grin shrank into a smirk. "The ferocity you have to protect what's yours is more comparable to that of a dragon! But whatever designation that fits you best doesn't matter! By the time I'm done, things will be the way they should be! The maiden in the arms of the one who saved her!" "Yeah! And that one's me!" Inferno roared as he fired a charge shot right at Lance Slayer's armored chest! The charge shot didn't do too much damage due to Lance Slayer wearing armor, but it knocked back and winded the "white knight" long enough for Inferno to get in a quick series of slashes! "It makes me sick that you even picture yourself being with Rarity when you've done nothing that makes you deserve her love! You stand by her when she was in trouble! You weren't the one who risked their life to save her when she was tricked by the Nightmare Forces and was about to be killed when she didn't fit their leader's ideal!" Inferno screamed as the fury in his slashes intensified! "AND I REFUSE TO LET PEOPLE LIKE YOU TREAT HER LIKE LESS THAN THE TREASURE SHE IS!" But right when Inferno was going for the finishing blow of his combo, Lance Slayer smirked as he kicked Inferno in the gut! Making the Element of Potential drop to his knees as he struggled to get air back into his lungs and his body onto his feet! Inferno was barely upright when he received a brutal elbow to the face courtesy of Lance Slayer! "Such fire when speaking of the maiden that you so ferociously guard!" Lance Slayer said with a dark chuckle as he continued brutalizing Inferno! "Truly you are like a dragon! And all that sickens me more! The maiden is supposed to be imprisoned and captured by the dragon! Not fall in love with it! It's time I bring your twisted fairy tale to its proper ending! THE KNIGHT SLAYS THE DRAGON!" "INFERNO!" Rarity cried out in horror! Lance Slayer unleashed a deadly slash while Inferno was struggling to put up some kind of defense! With little to stand in its way, Lance's blade slashed Inferno across the chest! Inferno lurched forward, and pooled all his will together to try and keep himself standing! "So you still cling to life. Good." Lance Slayer grabbed Inferno by the head, and forced him to look in Rarity's direction. "Don't feel too sad. I'll take good care to dry her tears. Maybe then, she'll realize it was foolish to fall in love with the likes of you. And the story will end as it should. The two of us living happily. Ever. After." Lance shoved Inferno's face to the floor, and smiled as he advanced towards Rarity. Blueblood in complete shock of the outcome! "Rarity. . . " Inferno strained to see as he reached his hand out towards the woman he loved. His reaching growing more and more desperate with each step Lance Slayer took towards Rarity! "No. . . " "Stay away from me!" Rarity snapped as she summoned her rapier and steel fan! "How dare you hurt my darling! I swear, if it boils every bit of blood in my body, I'll make you pay!" "Maidens shouldn't play with such dangerous toys." Lance Slayer said with a menacing smile as he casually avoided each of Rarity's strikes! "Looks like I'm going to have to teach you a lesson. . . " "Are you really just gonna let this stand?" A voice asked Inferno from seemingly everywhere. Inferno looked about as much as he could, but saw no one else but the people already in the room. But out of the corner of his eye, that's where he saw the fiery red glow coming from his sword. "No. . . !" Inferno grit his teeth, and weakly shook his head! "Have. . . to save her. . . " "In your condition, kid? It's not likely you'll be able to save anyone." The voice replied. "Unless, I decide to lend you a hand." "Who. . . are you?" Inferno strained to say as he could feel himself fading in and out! And right before Inferno's eyes, the source of the voice manifested. A black dragon spirit with fire-red eyes emerged from his sword! "Name's Ignitis. The knight of the one and only dragon king." Ignitis said as his spirit hovered in front of Inferno! "I've been watching you all this time Inferno. And now? I think you're ready. I've been waiting for a long time for someone worthy to come along. You've got potential kid." Inferno was about to ask what Ignitis was referring to, but the dragon spirit raised his hand for silence! "Save your breath kid. You'll need it for your answer." Ignitis stated. "Long story short, I died a long time ago. But my spirit was wandering until it got transported into the weapons you're using now. I've been waiting for someone who had the potential to be a true hero. One who would fight for the right thing, and the people they care about most to their dying breath. And from what I've seen of you over these past couple of years? You've definitely got the potential I've been seeking out. You're the one I've chosen to inherit my power. Don't worry about me. Once you've accepted my power, my spirit will pass on. However, your body might undergo a change by accepting my spirit's power. So here's the big question: Will you accept? ". . . Yes." Inferno said with a weak nod. The spirit of Ignitis smiled for a moment before shooting right through Inferno! The spirit of the dragon knight fading away after it flew through Inferno's body! Inferno was still for a moment before an aura of flame ignited around his entire body and healed his wounds! And as Inferno got to his feet, the changes that Ignitis had mentioned began to take root as Inferno stomped over to Lance Slayer! Gripping the black-hearted white knight by the shoulder! "Get your damn hands. . . OFF MY WOMAN!" A blazing fist sent Lance Slayer flying away from Rarity and back to the arena! Rarity was in shock and awe at the sight before her! Inferno once again stood tall! However, something had changed about him. The flaming aura around his body had died down, and revealed Inferno's transformed state. No longer were his black bird wings present on his back. Now, they were black dragon wings. "You. . . " Lance Slayer growled as he got to his feet! "How can this be?! You were on your last legs not a moment ago!" "Heh! You kidding?!" Inferno asked with a smirk as he smacked his fists together! "I'M FIRED UP!" "A FIRE I SHALL SOON KILL!" Lance Slayer roared as he charged at Inferno! His sword raised to strike down the Element of Potential! Inferno raised his arms to block, and Lance thought he would succeed in harming Inferno! But when his sword hit Inferno's arm, the only thing to be damaged was Lance's sword as it shattered upon impact! ". . . Impossible. . .!" "You were right about this fight coming to its proper ending." Inferno said as he began to run towards Lance Slayer! "Because you're about to get beaten by the REAL hero!" Inferno grabbed his sword, and swung it with full force at Lance Slayer! Fire igniting with each of Inferno's swings! Each of his strikes containing the same blaze of fury held in his eyes and the raging inferno within his heart! "Anyone who'd dare to mistreat my treasure. . . " Inferno said as embers danced around in his free hand! "GET BURNED!" And Inferno threw a massive fireball right at Lance Slayer! The fireball exploding the second it hit the evil knight! When the smoke cleared, Inferno looked down to see Lance's armor destroyed and his body covered in scorch marks. The Element of Potential nodded in approval at his opponent's sorry state before flying up to Blueblood and grabbing the prince by the neck! "Listen. Carefully." Inferno stated with a calm tone that was dripping with both threat and promise. "If you EVER think about hurting anyone close to me again, I won't hesitate to make sure there's not even ashes left of you. Honestly, I should let your dear aunts deal with you. In my opinion, banishing you won't nearly make up for what you've done. But considering I stopped your hired sword from doing anything to my girlfriend, I'm in a pretty good mood. Just remember: May your aunts have mercy on you if you aim at me or my friends again. Because I sure as hell won't give you any. Are. We. Clear?" Blueblood nodded shakily, and was promptly knocked out by Inferno! "Good." Inferno said with a nod as he turned to Rarity and grabbed her bridal style. "C'mon. Let's blow this joint. Being in here any longer makes me want to torch the place." ". . . I couldn't agree more darling." Rarity said with a sigh of relief as she clung onto her boyfriend's waist as he flew the two of them out and back to their hotel. Later that night, Inferno was staring at his reflection. Admiring the changes to his wings, and the new found strength and resilience granted to him by inheriting Ignitis' power. However, he was soon greeted by a more pleasing sight. Rarity. In specific, her choice of sleepwear being a fairly transparent nightgown. "Inferno?" Rarity asked as she set herself down on Inferno's bed. "Darling, I've never properly thanked you for saving me." "Hey, no need." Inferno said with a smile as he sat down on the bed. "I was just doing what any good boyfriend would do." "I-I love you darling." Rarity said as she straddled Inferno. "I want to show you how much you mean to me. Twice now you've nearly died, and all for my sake. So, go ahead. Make me yours." Rarity closed her eyes, and expected Inferno to be upon her like a beast. But much to her surprise, she opened her eyes and found Inferno gently holding her hips and bringing his lips to hers. "I've already claimed something far more precious." Inferno said with a loving smile. "Your heart's already mine." He then kissed her sweetly, but there was a fire in it that seemed to grow with intensity after each kiss. "You're my treasure Rarity. And I'm going to make sure you feel like it." The next morning, Rarity let out a fond sigh as she nuzzled against her lover's embrace. She couldn't help but giggle at Inferno holding her close with his newly obtained dragon wings wrapped around her. "Wakey, wakey darling~" Rarity cooed as she kissed Inferno. Waking the Element of Potential from his slumber. "You know, I claimed quite the treasure when I fell for you as well." "Your heart's mine." Inferno said with a loving smile as he placed Rarity's hand on his bare chest over his heart Rarity reciprocating the gesture with Inferno's heart. "And your's is mine as well." Rarity said with a loving smile. She then got an idea upon seeing Inferno's dragon wings wrapped around her. "You know, I don't believe we've showered together darling." "I could use some help with my back." Inferno said with a smirk. "It's only fair that I help you out with yours."