//------------------------------// // A Day-Off for Dark Ice // Story: EoH Evolution: Recovery // by Bahamut0 //------------------------------// Dark Ice was working up a sweat as he was practicing fighting unarmed. Swinging a claymore modeled after a demonic-looking dragon was all well and good, but it meant squat if he couldn't fight if he was disarmed. Most members of both teams of elements had never been disarmed before, but it was better to be safe than sorry. In the girls cases, Applejack had practice kicking trees, Fluttershy grappled with a bear just to massage it, Rainbow Dash was a karate black belt, and Rarity had the uncanny ability to unleash flurries of blows while looking completely flawless. The girls made sure that Twilight got to learn such techniques after ascending. But back to the guys, Dark Ice was currently sparring with Steel Edge. Needless to say, the former captain of the Elite Guard was one of the best fighters armed or unarmed. Meaning that Ice's chance of winning this round were significantly slim as a quick kick to the side suggested. "I think that's enough for today." Steel Edge said as he wiped some sweat from his brow. He looked towards Tyrannus Rex standing in an immovable defensive stance. Fang, Venus, Spike, Nightfall, and North hadn't even made Ty budge in the slightest! "Glad to see you can tolerate so much damage Ty." "I've got thick skin." Ty said with a smile. "Comes with being the Element of Tolerance. Not being easily swayed or moved." "And yet you fall apart when Fluttershy gives you the puppy eyes, lad." Magnet North said with a chuckle as he fell onto his rear exhausted. "I'd say that moves you pretty well." "I've yet to go steady with Twilight." Nightfall Silver chimed in. "Care to give me any pointers?" As a good number of the guys who were in relationships went to Nightfall's side to aid his quest for getting together with Twilight Sparkle, Dark Ice let out a sigh. "Something up Ice?" Inferno asked as he paused halfway towards Nightfall. "You're looking a little down in the dumps." "Well, I'm kinda jealous." Ice said with a sigh. "The rest of you all have relationships here in town. Meanwhile, I've got a long-distance relationship an entire region away. People say distance makes the heart grow fonder. But for me, it just makes me hate how far away I have to be. The easiest solution would be to just move to the Crystal Empire, but I've got responsibilities here to you guys and my brothers." "Actually, your burden's become a lot less heavy." Inferno countered with a smile. "Steel, Ty, Ace and I have all ascended. We can't die, and we're easily the most powerful current members. Nightfall's busy rebuilding and upgrading his suit, and Akage's finally got his Duelist Arms. Couple that with everyone training like never before, and we've got things pretty well handled if you were to take a little absence." "Your point being. . . ?" Ice asked. "Take a vacation Ice." Inferno said as he pat the Element of Courage on the back. "Faust knows we've all earned one after the last few battles we've had. And out of all us, no one deserves it more than you. You've had a long road to get where you are now. So I think if anyone deserves a little break, it'd be you." "Thanks Inferno." Dark Ice said with a small smile. "Hey. You remember when I tried to drive a wedge between you guys when I was rolling with the Nightmare Forces?" "Yeah." Inferno said with a nod. His expression saddening as that particular memory was of a time that had helped cement his and Burst Stream's friendship. "You tried to convince me and take the spot of leader." "Well, for what it's worth, I think you've done a good job stepping up so far." Dark Ice said with an encouraging smile. "Well, thanks for the vacation, boss! I've got bags to pack!" And with that, Ice set about packing his bags after purchasing a ticket to the Crystal Empire. He couldn't help but smile nervously at all the whispers he heard when he got off of the train. "You beat the crap out a tyrant ONE time and everyone's talking about you." "Hey. I can't blame them." Indigo Zap said as she landed next to Dark Ice. The crowd's murmuring growing as the Topaz Gem Maiden arrived on the scene. "But that's part of hero work, right?" "No. But it's still nice sometimes." Dark Ice said with a smile as he hugged Indigo. "It's been too long Zap. I was worried when Tirek was on the loose. I thought for sure he would've hit up the Crystal Empire." "We were probably next on his list after taking the Avatar magic." Indigo Zap said with a sigh. "But thanks to that friend of yours, he won't be causing trouble any more. But enough about me. How're things going with you?" "Pretty much the same." Dark Ice shrugged. "Shadow is thinking of making a group called 'Club Single' because he's one of the guys in our group that doesn't have a girlfriend yet. It all sounds silly, but that's what makes him my baby brother." "I'd love to meet your family sometime." Indigo Zap said with a smile. "So when are you gonna take me home?" "C'mon Zap!" Dark Ice said in his best whining tone. "I JUST got off the train! I don't think my butt's going to have any feeling left in it if I gotta sit for another couple of hours on the trip back!" "Oh?" Indigo Zap said with a smirk. "Is the Element of Courage afraid?" ". . . Not cool." Dark Ice said with a frown. "But well-played." "Hey. I've only seen you for a few hours at a time." Indigo Zap said with a pout. "I need to banter with you as much as I can." "Then you're gonna love the fact I'm on a little vacation right now." Dark Ice chuckled. "So I just gave you a whole lot more banter opportunities at my expense." ". . . I did say I love you, right?" Indigo Zap said with a loving smile as she kissed Ice! "That can never be said enough, Indigo." Dark Ice said as his face flushed red! "So. Your place?" "Actually, I got a bit of an upgrade after awakening as a Gem Maiden." Indigo Zap said with a grin as she gestured to the Crystal Castle. "I've been crashing at the castle for a while now." "Sweet!" Dark Ice smiled. However, the two were interrupted by the sound of their stomachs growling. "How about we fuel up before we crash?" "You read my mind." Indigo Zap said with a giggle. "I think this is the start of a beautiful relationship." "Fair warning: I sleep shirtless." Dark Ice said with a smirk. Causing Indigo Zap to blush fiercely! ". . . You win this round." Indigo Zap said with a pout that quickly changed to a smirk. "Of course, I get a nice view. So I guess we're even." Inside the Crystal Castle, Cadence smiled to herself. "Now all that remains is to get Shadow Thunder out of Club Single. . . " Cadence said with a happy smile.