//------------------------------// // Episode 22: Follow the Leader // Story: EoH Evolution: Season 5 // by Bahamut0 //------------------------------// Inferno Flare couldn't think of anything that could bring him down. Both he and the woman he loved, Rarity, had now ascended into Avatars and he'd proposed to her not that long ago. Unity was at peace, his friends were living happily, and it all made him feel like he was on top of the world. 'Everything's great.' Inferno thought as he took a swig of his soda. 'So far, I'm fitting into my role as leader of the Elements of Heroism just fine. The only problem my team really has is Blitz Surge. Champion of Princess Luna or not, the guy's a total asshole. First he kills the bugbear when it's trying to flee, and then he talks crap about my best friend not long after he sacrificed himself to give me the chance to destroy Tirek. And Blitz had the audacity to say that Burst isn't a true hero! I'm starting to not give a damn that he's Princess Luna's champion! If he tries to pull something again, I'm kicking him out of the team. Consequences be damned.' "Lounging instead of training." Blitz Surge said as he approached Inferno. "Why am I not surprised?" "I have trained." Inferno shot back as he narrowed his eyes. "Unlike you, I actually have a life. Same as the rest of the guys. Princess Luna seems to have it bad for you, maybe you should ask her out. But then again, I don't think you've got a romantic bone in your body. Whatever she sees in you, I'll never know and never care. For all I know, you're just using her as a shield to keep me and the guys from delivering you a well deserved beatdown." "As if the likes of you could defeat me." Blitz Surge scoffed. "An Avatar you may be, but my blade is imbued with a power that's far greater than you could hope to contend with." "If all that makes you strong is your sword, then you're nothing." Inferno snapped. "I have my fists, and I also have magic now. You know what? I don't care if you're Luna's champion! I should've kicked your ass the second you talked crap about my best friend after he gave his life for us! All you've done since you arrived is be a massive jerk to everyone!" "Are you sure that it isn't you who are unfit to lead?" Blitz asked with a smug grin. "That fiery temper of yours could prove to be detrimental." "You're the only one that's sparking my fury." Inferno growled! Embers starting to flicker around his hands! "And you just keep adding fuel to the fire." But before they could clash, they heard a buzzing sound in the air! Both of them looked up, and saw that a group of Changeling soldiers were descending upon them! "Looks like I'll have to deal with this bug problem first." Inferno said as he spread his wings, and flew up into the swarm! Summoning his Duelist Arms and sending out fiery slashes with his new sword and dishing out charged flame shots with his blaster! Opening large holes in the swarm and vastly dwindling their numbers as many changeling soldiers were sent back to the hive through their emergency teleport spells! A few of the more bold, or foolish soldier changelings depending on your point of view, decided to take the fight to the ground as they saw Inferno burning his way through their numbers. Unfortunately, their efforts were in vain as Blitz Surge assaulted them the second they landed with slashes from his katana faster than they could comprehend! With Blitz taking the ground, and Inferno dominating the sky, it wasn't long before only a few stragglers remained. Most of the stragglers beat a hasty retreat, but one changeling wasn't so luck as his wings were damaged. A fact Blitz Surge noticed all too well. "You are going nowhere insect." Blitz Surge said as he unleashed an energy slash from his sword! Making the changeling stumble to the ground! "You will serve as an example to the rest of the parasites who still follow Queen Chrysalis." "W-Wait! Please!" The soldier changeling pleaded! "I can't fight any more! The only magic I've got left is for my emergency teleport! I give, okay?! I surrender!" "If you have enough breath to plead, you have enough breath to fight." Blitz Surge said coldly as he raised his blade! Ready to strike down his defenseless opponent! "Prepare for justice!" "NO!" Inferno cried out as he launched a huge fireball that knocked Blitz Surge away from the changeling soldier! As Blitz recovered, Inferno turned to face the defenseless changeling. "He doesn't act for all of us. You're beaten, so buzz off and leave for your hive." And the changeling left without any further convincing. "You. . . " Blitz Surge growled! Glaring at Inferno Flare in anger! "How dare you get in the way of justice!" "Striking down a defenseless opponent, you call that justice?" Inferno scoffed. "Yeah, real heroic of you. Just keep giving me reasons to-" "Inferno!" The Junior Heroes cried out as the approached the Element of Potential. "That fight was awesome!" "That's very kind of you guys to say." Inferno said. "But I'm kind of in the middle of something here." "Got it!" Shining Spoon said with an eager nod. "I can't wait to be a hero like you one day!" "Don't make me laugh." Blitz Surge scoffed at Shining Spoon's words. "You three will never be heroes." ". . . What?" Speed Stinger said as his wings drooped. "I am the only hero this world needs. For I am the only true hero." Blitz Surge said sternly. "All others are unnecessary." "Alright, that's it!" Inferno snapped! "I've been putting up with your ego and attitude for long enough! You've gone too far this time! These kids have the makings of future heroes in them! It's a potential that I want to see the live up to one day! And you just go and say they'll never be heroes?! I'm not going to stand for this any longer! We settle this today!" "Fine then. I'll give you a final hour of peace before you face justice." Blitz Surge said crossly as he turned to leave. "Inferno?" Bright Note asked. "You're gonna beat that guy, right?" "I have to." Inferno said firmly. "If I let a creep like him run around calling himself a hero, I'd be failing as leader of the Elements of Heroism." Within an hour, a large crowd had gathered to observe the clash between Inferno and Blitz. Before he headed into the battleground, Inferno took a moment to hold onto Rarity tightly. A brief instance of comfort before his fight. "Hey, Rarity?" Inferno asked. "Can I count on you to be waiting for me after this fight's over?" "Always and forever, darling." Rarity said as she touched her forehead against Inferno's. "Win or lose. Whether to celebrate your victory, or to console your defeat." She then gripped Inferno's hand with her engagement ring proudly displayed. "I know." Inferno said. "It's just something I can never hear enough." And with a firm resolve, Inferno strode towards the ring that would serve as his battleground. Glaring at Blitz Surge as the two got into fighting stances! "When this is over, the real leader of the Elements of Heroism will be left standing." "Indeed." Blitz Surge smirked as his hand hovered over the handle of his katana! "Me." Inferno shot towards Blitz Surge, but Blitz blocked Inferno's blade with his own! Sparks showering out as their blades clashed! For every strike Inferno tried to land, Blitz countered him! Fortunately,the brief period where their blades repelled each other allowed Inferno to slug Blitz in the gut! Winding him enough for Inferno to get in another good hit! "Flame Gale!" Inferno cried out as a flaming tornado knocked Blitz Surge to the edge of the ring! "It's over Blitz! One more push, and the winner's decided!" "Oh, you have no idea." Blitz Surge said with a wicked grin as the blade of his katana started glowing with a rainbow-colored light! In the crowd, the Main 6's eyes went wide as they recognized the power Blitz Surge was tapping into! This was the power of harmony they had wielded before returning the Elements of Harmony to the tree! They were about to call out a warning, but it was too late. "HARMONY'S JUDGMENT!" A rainbow-colored wave shot out as soon as Blitz swung his katana! Inferno was no fool, and immediately put up a shield spell around himself! But to his unfortunate surprise, the attack ripped through his shield and sent him flying out of the ring! Howling in pain at the sheer force of the attack hitting him! "AAAAAUUUGGHH!" Inferno screamed as crashed into the ground! A shallow crater forming upon his landing! "DARLING!" Rarity cried out as she flew to Inferno's side and helped him up! "Inferno, I'm so sorry! If I knew-" "None of us knew." Inferno groaned as his head raised enough to glare at Blitz Surge. "He used the same attack on Starlight not that long ago." "I have the power of harmony bestowed upon me, and justice in my corner." Blitz Surge declared. "And now, I stand in the position I rightfully deserve! As leader of the Elements of Heroism, I make this my first declaration! From this point indefinitely, the Elements of Heroism are disbanded!" "WHAT?!" The Main 6 and the EoH cried out in horror! "Now, true heroes will take their place!" Blitz Surge announced smugly as a group of figures lined up beside him! "Lightning Dust." Rainbow Dash growled. "Garble." Spike said in disbelief. "Ronin?!" Akage asked with a stunned look on his face. "Lance Slayer. And Nova Flare too." Inferno said as he narrowed his eyes. "WE ARE THE LANCERS!" Blitz Surge declared! "And the Era of Justice is now!"