//------------------------------// // Episode 23: Beyond Death's Reach // Story: EoH Evolution: Season 5 // by Bahamut0 //------------------------------// To say that Twilight Sparkle felt bad about recent events would be an understatement. Devastated would be a far more accurate classification for her mood at the moment because of Blitz Surge dissolving the Elements of Heroism. However, that paled in comparison to what truly troubled Twilight. Which was why she'd gathered both teams of elements, her closest friends, inside her castle. "It doesn't make any sense, but I know what the girls and I were able to sense when Blitz used that attack on Inferno!" Twilight explained with a concerned look on her face. "Somehow, Blitz Surge was able to gain the power of the Elements of Harmony!" "That explains why the rainbow color looked so familiar." Inferno muttered. He'd been on the receiving end of Blitz Surge's harmony-infused attack. While he may have been an avatar, the power of harmony was something even an avatar couldn't withstand. "But that brings up another question: How in Celestia's sun did Blitz Surge obtain the power of harmony?! Last time I checked, you girls returned the Elements of Harmony to the tree!" "And removing them seemed to be an impossibility." Arctic Ace added. "We don't know everything about the Tree of Harmony, but I think we can safely assume there's no way it would grant someone like Blitz Surge its power." "Maybe that sword of his has something to do with this?" Rarity suggested. "I distinctly remember the blade glowing when that brute unleashed that attack on Inferno." Rarity gripped her skirt tightly in anger! The other half of the soon-to-be-married god and goddess couple gazed sadly at her fiance. "Seeing the elements's power being used like that? It makes me sick. There's no possible way the attack Blitz Surge used is the same power as the Elements of Harmony!" "I hate to tell ya sugar cube, but he wasn't lying about that." Applejack said sadly. "He was one-hundred-percent honest that he used the magic of the Elements of Harmony." Her eyes than narrowed. "But he was lying to our faces that it was some kinda gift bestowed upon him." "So the bastard pulled a dirty move?" Magnet North asked crossly. "Honestly, that doesn't surprise me in the least. Considering he didn't let the bugbear leave in one piece." "So that jerk cheated the fight!" Rainbow Dash fumed! "I'd like to see how he does without that OP sword of his! Probably can't fight worth dirt without it!" "As much as I'd like to get some payback, we've got another issue." Steel Edge chimed in. "Blitz Surge is still Princess Luna's champion. Meaning he has her protection, and we could be punished just for so much as looking at him the wrong way. Something we'd all probably do given the dirty trick he just pulled." "I think we can all say we find him intolerable." Tyrannus Rex nodded as he folded his arms. "He insulted our previous leader, and now he just disbanded the Elements of Heroism." "Ty, I'm so sorry." Fluttershy said as she wrapped her arms around her mountain of a boyfriend. "I know how much you loved being part of a team." "Well, we've got more free time on our hands." Akage said. Trying to make light of the situation. But the Element of Levity couldn't lie that the Elements of Heroism being disbanded saddened him deeply. "I've got plenty of time to take Pinkie out on dates." "Akage." Pinkie Pie said with a comforting smile. "It's okay to be sad about this." And the young ninja fell into the arms of his beloved Avatar of Laughter. "We're not seriously just gonna lie down at take this, are we?!" Night Fang argued! The Avatar of Determination refused to let things just carry on in their current state! "Twilight, you're a princess now! Can't you just use your authority to put restrictions on Blitz's activity?!" "Fang's right." Aria said with a nod. "I'm pretty sure you could throw this asshole behind bars for interfering with the operation of Fang and his friends?" "Aria brings up a good point." Adagio added. "The Elements of Heroism were named as Unityville's official peace keepers. Right, Venus?" "Yeah!" Venus exclaimed in realization! "And since Twilight's the Princess of Friendship, Unityville is under her jurisdiction! We just might have a shot at making things right!" "YAY!" Sonata cheered! "Alright!" Dark Ice said with a grin! "We're getting the band back together!" "You can't keep good heroes down for long!" Spike chimed in! However, he noticed Twilight's dejected expression. "Hey, c'mon Twilight! We've got a way out of this mess! Cheer up!" "No, Spike." Twilight sighed. "Blitz Surge won the duel with Inferno, despite cheating by using the power of harmony, and he became the leader of the Elements of Heroism. And, unfortunately, your disbanding was declared while he was in charge." She then smiled. "But, if he gets in the way of the Elements of Harmony, I could easily take legally action against him." "But that's not the only action we've got available, right?" Nightfall Silver said with a hopeful smile. "You're pretty close with Princess Celestia." "Funny that you mentioned her." Twilight said with a smile. "The reason I called you all here was to discuss ways we could get back at Blitz and his newly formed Lancers. Celestia's in charge of the whole kingdom! She and Luna could easily condemn Blitz Surge's actions, and I was just about to write to her about the situation!" "Hey! Are you forgetting about me?!" Discord's voice called out from everywhere as the Lord of Chaos popped into the room! "I heard there was quite a commotion over here, and couldn't help but listen-in on your little brainstorming session. And do I have a solution for you! One snap of my fingers, and POOF! Bye bye Blitz Surge's sword!" "Um, Discord?" Fluttershy asked. "His sword has the power of harmony imbued in it. We. . . don't really know how, but it does." "Oh, don't worry Fluttershy!" Discord said with a dismissive wave. "I managed to swipe the Elements of Harmony, didn't I? I could just as easily steal the sword! So long as there wasn't any protective enchantments placed on it like there is on the Elements of Harmony!" And Discord snapped his fingers. . . nothing happened. "Oh, dear. I just jinxed myself, didn't I?" Everyone else in the room collectively nodded. "Oh. Welll, wanna TP the Lancer's headquarters? I don't know where it is, but it will be my sole target!" And Discord popped out of the room! "Well, Discord's little cameo was nice diversion." Twilight stated with a shrug. "I should probably write to Celestia and Luna, and inform them of-" Twilight was interrupted by a knocking on her castle's door. "Odd, I'm not expecting anyone." Twilight left to answer the door. "I wonder who-Princess Celestia?!" "Hello, Twilight." Celestia said with a warm smile. Nightmare Moon and Luna were standing at either side of her. "I didn't come at a bad time, did I?" "Huh? No, no! Not at all!" Twilight stammered. "Actually, I was just about to write to you. It's Blitz Surge. He disbanded the Elements of Heroism!" "We know." Nightmare Moon said sadly as she held up a newspaper she'd been carrying. "News travels fast. Could we talk more about this inside?" "Sure. No problem." Twilight said with a nod as she led them inside her castle. "My friends are all here too. We were discussing how to deal with Blitz Surge. Celestia, you and Luna are the rulers of our kingdom. Blitz needs to face the consequences of his actions. He might not have interfered with me and my friends' duties as the Element Bearers, but he's still impeded the function of another key defense of our home!" "I'm aware of the situation, Twilight." Celestia said calmly. Her serene tone reassuring all who were assembled within the castle. "I've reviewed the members of Blitz Surge's 'Lancers', as he calls them. It seems he made it a point to recruit individuals you have had unpleasant encounters with in the past." "Either he's planning on being the only competent member, or he supports people who are just as ambitious or blind as he is." Nightmare Moon said crossly as she leaned against a wall. "But any way I look at it, he's brought on people that have some history with either of the two element teams." "Yeah." Inferno nodded. "Namely people we've had to trade blows with." "If you're concerned about him setting up operations here in Unityville, you need not worry." Luna declared. Receiving a sigh of relief from both teams of elements. "Because Blitz Surge has made his base in Castalot." The only response Luna received was the shocked and horrified expressions on the teams of elements' faces. "It's. . . likely that he is fortifying himself to make use of the protection he has due to being named my champion." "That coward!" Dark Ice roared as he hit the wall with his fist! "I say we storm his base right now! It's high time that we got some payback!" "Cool it, Dark Ice." Inferno cautioned. "I'm all for some righteous payback, but there's no need for us to get violent. Celestia, Luna, and Nightmare Moon have the most authority of all. The fact they're here with us discussing how we can get back at Blitz Surge for disbanding our team means we've got a huge advantage. Plus, if all else fails, we'll still do our hero thing. We might not be official anymore, but that won't stop me from doing the right thing! How about the rest of you?" "YEAH!" The rest of the Elements of Heroism chorused! "Unfortunately, you would be detained if you did." Luna said sadly. "Blitz Surge had me provide licenses to his team that make them 'official heroes' as he put it. Meaning he could very well detain you for acting without one." "Dammit!" Inferno slammed his fist against the table in frustration! "Some leader I am to let things get so screwed up like they are now!" "Inferno, what happened isn't your fault." Celestia said in a reassuring tone. "Blitz Surge pulled out a power none of you expected him to have. A power that he has misused. Harmony isn't supposed to be utilized the way Blitz Surge is using it. However, there is a silver lining: The power of harmony won't allow him to kill anyone." "It'll still hit you really hard." Nightmare Moon chimed in. "Take it from me. An attack with that kind of power isn't something you want to tank head-on." "Princess Celestia, thanks for mentioning a positive to this whole mess." Inferno said with a sigh. "But the fact remains, I acted like an idiot by accepting his challenge instead of standing firm and telling him to get lost." "And the fact you're willing to admit your mistake and have learned from it speaks volumes about how good of a leader you are." Celestia countered with a comforting smile. "And I'm certain you'll make an excellent husband to Rarity. Cadence wouldn't stop talking about you two 'realizing your romantic potential'." "Thank you." Inferno said with a small smile. "All this talking is nice, but what I wouldn't give for some more good news." Then, as if to grant Inferno's wish, a projection of Aether Stream materialized in the castle before the assembled royalty and heroes! "Mr. Stream?! What are you doing here?" "You're all gathered together?" Aether's projection asked. Surprised to see the assembled party. Smiling as he saw everyone. "Oh, this is great! Saves me the trouble of having to send my magic projection to multiple locations!" His expression then turned serious. "Anyway, onto why I'm here. There's an important matter I need to discuss with all of you at my home. Come as soon as you can." "We already went over dealing with Blitz Surge." Inferno stated. "You're kinda late for that." "It's not Blitz Surge a friend of mine wants to talk about." Aether said with a smirk. "You'll get your answers when you're at my home. See you then!" And Aether's projection vanished in a blink. Curious as to what Aether was talking about, the gathered party teleported over to Aether's house in Castalot. Lumina greeted them when they knocked, and led them in without delay. They were all puzzled as to why Lumina seemed to be so happy. With the current state of affairs, they thought she'd be the most distressed of all. "You're here!" Aether cheered as he entered the room. A figure in a black cloak at his side. "Princesses, you already know the identity of my friend here. But as for the friends of my son, this will be your first time meeting him." "No need for a big reveal Aether." The black-cloaked figure said as he pulled back his hood to reveal pale white skin, grey hair, and black eyes. "You might not recognize me without my scythe, or you thought I was a walking pile of bones, but allow me to make myself officially known to you. I am Death. But you may all call me Grim." "You're looking well, Grim." Celestia said with a warm smile. "How is ferrying souls to the afterlife?" "They appreciate my guidance." Grim replied with a smile. "It helps them to know that they are not walking alone. You look as radiant as the sun you raise, Celestia. And Luna, you didn't tell me you had a twin." "Sorry. I'm my own person." Nightmare Moon said with a shrug. "You know, you're awfully friendly with us gods and goddesses. That wasn't something I was expecting from you." "Well, like you, I am immortal." Grim stated. "I've conversed with many souls after their lives have ended. But hearing the exploits of ones whose lives shall never meet a conclusion is something that I thoroughly enjoy. Because I'll never know what happens to them next." "Uh, Grim?" Aether asked his oldest friend. "Perhaps we can get down to business?" "Hm? Ah, yes." Grim said with a nod. "A lesser known service I perform is the visitation of departed souls with their living kin. It might not be truly returning them to life, but it allows them closure and a chance to say their final farewell." "So, is that why you're here?" Inferno asked as he stepped forth. "Are you going to let Burst Stream pay us all a final visit?" "That, my young friend, is something I cannot do." Death said. Everyone gathered, save for Aether and his wife, sulked for a moment. But Death was not finished. "I cannot have Burst Stream visit you, because he is not among the dead." And silenced reigned supreme over the entire room at Death's declaration. ". . . What?" Nightmare Moon said with both hope and shock. It was barely a whisper, but it may have been a shout with how quiet the house was. "This is no trick, or false hope." Death said firmly. "In the battle with Tirek, I was certain I would have to escort Burst Stream to the next world. But, like all of you, Burst Stream is a special case. When he sacrificed himself in that magical explosion, he was bonded with another soul at the time." "Another soul?" Inferno asked. "Yes." Death nodded. He then pointed to Inferno. "You too had accepted the power of another soul. It is why your wings are dragon-like in structure. The same reason why Burst Stream possessed dragon wings in that fight. But while the soul that bestowed his power upon Inferno has departed this world, the dragon soul bonded to Burst Stream intervened when he exploded. I don't know where Burst Stream is exactly, but he still lives. And soon, he will return." "Then why can't he come back now?" Celestia asked as she clenched her dress. "What's keeping him from coming back to us right now?" "Because he's not ready yet." Aether answered. "But my son will return when he has learned, and obtained, the greatest power of a hero." "But Burst already sacrificed himself for us!" Twilight argued. "What greater power could a hero have than giving his life for the people he protects?" "You can ask him yourself once he returns." Lumina said with a reassuring smile. "Until then, hold on to hope." And with those final words, everyone left for their homes. A feeling of comfort in knowing that their friend was still alive, and would return to them soon.