> EoH Evolution: Season 5
>  by Bahamut0
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Prologue
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"The time has finally come." Blitz Surge said to himself with a smile as he looked out of his room's window. "For years I have been preparing for this. But it looks like now, I have far less obstacles to worry about. At the moment, I am only known in the halls of this castle. But soon, soon all the world will know of me."

He then looked over a series of news clippings he'd collected. Each one detailing the exploits of the Elements of Heroism and their various members. And as Blitz Surge looked at the picture of Burst Stream, he glared at it in sheer disgust.

"Thanks to a pretender like yourself, the world doesn't know the meaning of a true hero." Blitz Surge said coldly. "How you disgraced yourself by falling in love with a villain like Nightmare Moon I will never know. But I will give you this: You were the only one I felt that was a true threat to me. Shining Dawn soled based his strength on the blood he shared with Aether. But you and I? We trained to hone our skills and refine our strength."

"Don't worry Burst Stream." Blitz Surge said with a smile. "I'll be more than sure to rectify your mistakes. When I'm done, the Elements of Heroism will be the proper team of heroes they should be. They will have the leader that should have been in charge all along. And soon, father's true son shall be welcomed into the world." Blitz Surge was drawn out of his musings by a knocking on his door, and immediately went to answer it. "Ah. Dear Luna."

"Good evening Blitz Surge." Luna said with a curtsy. "I was wondering if you might accompany me on an nightly stroll through the gardens. You have declared your feelings for me," Luna said with a blush. "And yet, we've not spent all that much time together despite you readily being at my side."

"I would be honored." Blitz said with a charming smile as he took Luna's hand and kissed. "Shall we be off, my princess?" As the two strolled, Blitz noticed the troubled look on Luna's face. "You seem uneasy. What's wrong?"

"You did go too far by insulting Burst Stream after his death." Luna said sadly. "That was incredibly disrespectful, and such behavior is unbecoming of my champion."

"Forgive me, Luna." Blitz Surge said with a bow. "I was merely displeased with the fact that he was struck down so early." Well, that was half-true. "But it has only granted me a new opportunity."

"What do you mean?" Luna asked.

"To finally join my fellow Elements of Heroism." Blitz Surge said with a grin. "Power's time has ended. Now, the time for justice has come."

"Then it appears we will both be getting what we deserve." Luna said with a loving smile as she wrapped a wing around Blitz Surge and rested her head against his shoulder. "I've finished creating the Tantabus. I can finally receive penance for my past sins."

"Indeed." Blitz Surge said as he put an arm around Luna. "You are the first I saved Luna. And soon, justice will be served to all. . . "
> Episode 1: Solo Mission
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shadow Thunder took a deep breath as he held his spear in a defensive position. Staring him down was Steel Edge, the Element of Honor, and one of the best combatants of the Elements of Heroism. Shadow was pretty nervous because Steel had plenty more fighting and training than him due to being the Elite Guard's captain prior to joining the Elements of Heroism and ascending into an Avatar.

"You're nervous, aren't you?" Steel Edge asked with a comforting smile. "This is just standard combat practice Shadow. You don't need to worry about beating me. We just need to gauge how much you've been improving and if we need to step things up with our training. Things are only peaceful because we keep vigilant."

"Indeed." Akage Strider, the Element of Levity added. "And while some of our members have ascended into godhood, that is no excuse to let our skills collect dust. Although, I think Steel's hair would just become less spiky if he were to slack."

"Talk about losing your edge, lad." Magnet North, the Element of Nobility chuckled as he paused from maintaining his Duelist Arm. "Say, why isn't Nightfall here? I thought he'd like to test out a few of his new gadgets here."

"Night's been busy working on something special for Twilight." Spike answered as he shot down practice targets with his arm cannon. "Twilight's happy that she's got a new place to stay because of the castle, but losing the library hit her pretty hard emotionally too."

"You're not kidding about that." Shadow grunted as he dodged a sword swipe fro Steel! Shadow then thrust his spear forward, but all it met was Steel Edge's shield! "I thought that the worst I'd seen her was when she was freaking out over not learning a friendship lesson."

"Well, whatever Nightfall has in the works, I'm sure that it'll put Twilight in good spirits again." Tyrannus Rex said with a reassuring smile as stretched. "He and Twilight are a good pair."

"They sure are." Inferno flare said with a nod. "Those two are so adorkable I almost squeal when they're together. Then again, most of us have found our perfect fit."

"Yeah. . . good for you guys." Shadow said with a defeated sigh as he lowered his spear. "I guess I'm the only one left in club single right now."

"Hey. No need to get mopey Shadow." Arctic Ace said with a comforting smile. "Currently Fang, Venus and I don't have girlfriends yet. So we're still in the same boat as you."

"Bro? I hate to break it to you, but everyone can see you three and those sirens becoming couples." Shadow said with a disappointed look on his face.  He let out a defeated sigh. "And I have no prospects. Plus, I'd never forgive myself if I tried to go after girls that are already taken."

"You never know Shadow." Akage said with a comforting smile. "You just might meet your future special someone when you don't even try looking for them."

"Thanks Akage." Shadow said as he took a deep breath. He then noticed his hero crest glow brightly! "Whoa! What gives? Why's my hero crest turned into a light show?!" And as his hero crest glowed, Shadow could feel a great amount of emotional pain and sorrow coming from a single location! He could sense many people hurting, but there seemed to be a singular individual whose pain was the greatest. 

"GUYS!" Nightfall Silver cried out as he stumbled to the ground, and dusted himself off! Panting as he still had a ways to go before he was physically fit. "Something crazy is going on with a map at Twilight's castle! You've all gotta see this! It might mean we need to roll out with them!"

Nightfall quickly led the other Elements of Heroism to Twilight's castle, and threw open the doors that led to the throne room. There, the Main Six were seated and their eyes were drawn to a map of the entire kingdom and the neighboring countries. This was the Friendship Map.

"We came as soon as Nightfall told us what was happening." Inferno said as he marched over to Rarity's throne. "Is everything alright?"

"Everything's fine Inferno." Twilight Sparkle answered as she stood up. "This map just materialized all of a sudden, and it seems to be beckoning the girls and I to a certain village." Twilight pointed to where icons of the Main Six's Talent Crests were located on the map. The icons hovering over a tiny village. "It's pretty obvious the map wants us to go there, but I don't have the slightest idea why we're being called there."

"Maybe we can help each other find some answers?" Shadow suggested as he stepped forward, and revealed his glowing Hero Crest. "My Hero Crest just started glowing a few minutes ago. And this map showed up at around the same time. I'm starting to think this is more than just a mere coincidence. That map might not be showing my Talent Crest, but the mark that proves me a hero. Maybe the rest of the guys can come if we got a fight on our hands too."

"Sorry Shadow. But you're going to have to go out there without us." Steel Edge stated. "All of us rolling up with our weapons to a tiny little village? I don't think that would exactly give them the best impression of us. Plus, you say that your mark is beckoning you there."

"Steel's right, Shadow." Inferno said with a nod. "A small group of you and the girls should be just enough to not get people suspicious. You're flying solo this time around."

"If you're doubting yourself, don't." Ace said with a comforting smile. "You've been steadily improving in your Duelist Arm skills. You may even have need of those new techniques that you've been developing lately. I have faith that you'll be able to see this mission through."

"Well then, I guess I've got a bit of a trip ahead of me!" Shadow said with a grin. "I'll go pack up my backpack. No telling what we might need to bring, or how long we'll need to stay." And with that, Shadow Thunder dashed off to the house he shared with his two brothers. Excitedly running all over the place as he packed snacks, toiletries, sleeping clothes, and other essential supplies that he could fit into his pack.

Arctic Ace watched from outside the house's windows with a small smile. Happy to see his baby brother in a more elevated mood than when he'd seen him at practice.

'This ought to get his mind off his lack of a girlfriend.' Arctic Ace thought with a pleased expression on his face. 'But something tells me that he'll be finding someone for him soon enough. And letting him go on his own is good for him too. He might be me and Ice's baby brother, but that doesn't mean we should treat him like a kid. Plus, we can't do everything for him. Be it seeking a relationship, or fighting his own battles.'

Soon enough, Shadow had filled his pack and his Duelist Arm dismissed. He hummed happily to himself as he and the Main Six set about their journey. Thankfully, they didn't encounter too much trouble on their way and soon made it to the village. Upon arrival, the village looked plain and ordinary. That is, until the group caught sight of the village's inhabitants. All of them looked like their colors had been muted or slightly drained, and each of them sported the same hairstyle. However, one thing in particular made them all wary: the creepy, identical, uniform smiles that adorned each of the villagers' faces.

But for Shadow, he felt something far more unsettling as he and the Main Six stepped through the gate. The second he set foot inside the village, Shadow could feel pain and sorrow all around him! The sheer concentration and magnitude made the Element of Compassion stagger for a brief moment before he gathered himself. The Main Six set about asking where they were, and the villagers simply answered "Our Town". The creepy identical smiles on their faces weren't making any of the group feel less cautious.

Oddly enough, the entire village soon erupted into a song proclaiming how great the town was. But despite said proclamation, Shadow could feel this place was very much the opposite of the paradise it was being described as. 

'I can feel so much pain and sadness here.' Shadow thought to himself as he watched the disturbing song play out. 'Something just feels. . . unnatural about these people. Like some part of their very being was stripped from them! And whatever, or whoever removed it, made it so that they didn't think anything was lost. If anything, they all look like they gained something. Either they truly believe that they're better off with whatever's remove, or they're being manipulated into thinking that. No matter how I look at it, either way is disturbing.'

Sensing the wary look on Shadow's face, Twilight decided to throw a wrench into the spontaneous performance.

"Yes, yes. Your town sound very nice." Twilight said as she folded her arms. "But would you mind telling me why this place is so perfect? Because I can't really see it."

"I'm glad you asked!" The villager stated with the same creepy smile everyone else wore. "We've cast aside our Talent Crests!"

"WHAT?!" The group of seven exclaimed in shock!

"And we couldn't be happier about it!" The villager concluded! However, when Shadow looked at the villager, he saw something unusual start to form behind the villager! A light yellow phantom appeared that had the exact same appearance of the villager materialized. But that wasn't the most disturbing thing that Shadow noticed. No, that went to the hole in the phantom's chest that seemed to leave scars running through the phantom's entire being!

'No we're not. . . ' The phantom said with a broken-down expression and sorrow in its voice.

However, Shadow soon saw that this phenomenon was not isolated to just the one villager speaking. There was a phantom for each villager. All of them had the same regretful, imprisoned expression. Each shared the same gap in their centers and scars running through their entire being. Every last one of them crying for the piece of themselves they had lost. Be it in screams, or in tears. And the missing pieces of them looked disturbingly similar to the shapes of Talent Crests.

Shadow then realized he was not looking at a village, but rather he was staring a cult in the face. He had tuned out of the cultists' praise and exposition, and noticed that there seemed to be trails coming out from the holes in the villagers' phantoms. Shadow Thunder decided to follow the trails, and they led him to a cave. Materializing his Duelist Arm, Shadow cautiously journeyed into the cave. He noticed a light coming from within, and decided to approach it.

When he came to the source of the light, Shadow froze in his tracks. He thought he couldn't have seen anything more unsettling than the brainwashed villagers. He thought that there couldn't be a more disturbing sight than phantoms of said villagers crying out for their missing pieces. But what he saw before him was the most horrifying sight Shadow Thunder had ever seen. His Duelist Arm dematerializing as Shadow let it drop to the floor as he looked on in sheer horror. There, displayed before him, were the removed Talent Crests of the villagers. Trapped behind what looked to be a vault with a staff nearby.

And that's when everything clicked together. Why the villagers had the same haircut and lifeless smiles. Why they looked drained of life, color and freedom. Why the phantoms that Shadow saw cried out for a "missing piece". Something had indeed been ripped from these people. Something precious, unique to each individual. Talent Crests were more than just a mark that showed what you were skilled at. Once obtained, they were a piece of your very soul. And these people? They'd had a part of their very essence stripped from them. A piece of their being ripped from them. Their souls mutilated. And the pain and sorrow Shadow had felt all around himself when he entered the village was all too clearly explained.

"Oh. I see you friend has stumbled upon our Talent Crest vault." A female voice said. Shadow snapped his head in the direction of the voice, and found a pale purple Magi girl with purple hair that had a turquoise streak in it. She also had blue-violet eyes and was wearing the exact same outfit as the villagers. The only things separating her from the crowd were her hairstyle, and the fact that her skin retained more color. "I am Starlight Glimmer. It's a pleasure to see another new face around here."

"Y-Yeah. Nice to meet you too." Shadow thought as he tried to hide the fact he was jumpy. But as soon as he relaxed himself, Shadow noticed that the concentration of sorrow and pain was greatly magnified in Starlight Glimmer's presence. 'I'm guessing she's the one behind this mess. And whatever pain she's holding deep inside, it seems to be the root of why she's done.'

"Well you're already stumbled upon out little secret." Starlight said with a practiced smile. "Would you like to know how we remove Talent Crests?" Starlight walked over to the wooden staff that was near the trapped Talent Crests. "This is the Staff of Sameness. A relic powerful enough to remove a person's Talent Crest. It-" Starlight didn't get to finish as Shadow snatched the staff from her, and smashed it to pieces! ". . . What just-?

"You're not helping anyone!" Shadow snapped! "I might not have heard all of the doctrine you had these people memorize and engrave into their brains, but I know for a fact that the equality and 'harmony' you have here isn't for anyone's benefit but your own!"

"W-What are you talking about!?!" Starlight shot back as she began to panic! 'Drat! How did he catch on so quick?! If he keeps talking, he could ruin everything more than he already has!' Starlight noticed the nervous chatter among the villagers over the destruction of the staff. "D-Don't worry everyone! The Staff-s effect is permanent! So don't-!"

"Just stop!" Shadow cried out as he summoned his Duelist Arm, and struck the ground with it! He then addressed the crowd! "The equality you've been looking for? All of you had it already by being different from each other! Each one of us is different from another, and that's something we have in common! But more than that, you're all forsaking the very thing that formed our kingdom in the first place: unity through diversity! Each tribe had a different ability, and each relied on each other's different strengths to live! And because of that, they formed strong bonds of friendship that united them all together! Don't you all see? You don't have anything to be scared of. Your Talent Crests don't have anything to do with making friends. So stop listening, and start thinking! And I mean REALLY thinking!"

"Shut up. . . " Starlight whispered.

"You've all been lied to from the start!" Shadow continued! "Listen to your hearts! To your souls crying out for their missing pieces! Sure, sometimes you won't have a lasting friendship, but that's got nothing to do with your Talent Crests! People can grow apart in time, but that also means they can grow closer! You just need to brave enough to try! It's not easy, and it can sometimes be painful, but that's okay! The only thing worse than that pain is knowing you'll be alone because you're too afraid to deal with it."

"Shut up!" Starlight growled.

"And you," Shadow turned to face Starlight. A sympathetic look in his eyes as he stared down the cult leader. "You don't need to hurt anymore. I don't know why you hurt so much, or why you think Talent Crests are so horrible. But what I do know is that you've taken your problems and made them everyone else's. You think that you're fixing things, but you're just refusing to deal with your own issues. You're scared."

"SHUT UP!" Starlight screamed as magic began to pool around her eyes! It's turquoise color tainted by crackles of sickly black-and-green energy! "YOU'RE WRONG! I AM FIXING THINGS! I'VE CREATED TRUE HARMONY!"

"You keep painting yourself as the hero, but you're not." Shadow continued calmly. "You refuse to admit that you're wrong, and anyone that calls you out for your actions is instantly made an enemy and you don't even try to see reason or a different perspective. You're the villain here. And if that wasn't enough, your actions just seem to scream evil. You've brainwashed these people, and removed their right to choose. To think for themselves. But the only person who's got something wrong with themselves is you. All to hide the fact that you're scared and hurt inside."

"But it doesn't have to be like this." Shadow said with a pleading look in his eyes. "You don't have to hurt anymore. You don't have to be scared. Just tell us, tell me, what made you like this. What made you become so vile and cruel? You don't have to be alone, and you CAN move on. But it has to be your choice. You can get better, or you can continue to wallow in self-pity and refuse to accept responsibility for the fact that you're the only one making Talent Crests an issue." Shadow then extended his hand. "Please."

"You. . . you. . . " For a brief moment, it looked like Shadow had gotten through to Starlight. Unfortunately, the black-and-green energy that was crackling began to intensify as Starlight's eyes hardened at Shadow! "YOU RUINED EVERYTHING!" And she fired a massive blast of magic at Shadow!

Shadow quickly spun his spear in front of him to block the blast, and keep it from hitting any of the villagers! The Main Six summoned their Harmony Keepers, but Shadow motioned for them to stay back!

"All of you get the villagers to safety!" Shadow called out as he got into a defensive position! "We can't risk anyone getting hurt in the crossfire! Get them evacuated, and head back to me once you're done getting them to a safe place! GO!" Shadow rolled out of the way of another magic blast, and flared his wings out before thrusting his spear forward! "Light Lance!" A beam of yellow light shot out from the tip of Shadow's spear and struck Starlight right in the chest! Sending her flying into the wall of the cave!

Satisfied that the villagers were being evacuated, Shadow flew out of the cave and into the village! Now he could fight at his full capacity due to having the open air being available to him. However, he didn't have nearly as much of an advantage as he'd thought when Starlight Glimmer flew right at him! Cloaked in her magical aura and using it to fly! She attempted to crash into Shadow, but he flew out of the way just in time!

"The suffering I ended! The harmony I ushered in!" Starlight screamed! "And you ruined it all in a single day!"

"I didn't ruin anything!' Shadow countered! "You just refuse to see that you're hurting yourself more! You need help Starlight Glimmer, but you refuse to admit that you're doing the wrong thing! You don't get to play the 'I'm in the right' card! Not with what you've done!"

"SHUT UP!" Starlight screamed as she unleashed a wave of magic! "YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND! NONE OF YOU DO! YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT IT'S LIKE TO LOSE A FRIEND OVER A TALENT CREST!"

"You're right! I don't!" Shadow cried out! "But I do know what it's like to lose someone close to you! When I was little kid, my oldest brother left home because he thought he'd failed to protect me and my other brother! He even ran with some pretty bad people because he thought they could help him become better. But he was wrong, and he realized that when they wanted him to kill our brother! He realized his mistake, and knew he needed help! He came back to me and our parents, and we accepted him. We forgave him, and so did our brother! Right now, I can see you making the same mistakes as him! Please, Starlight! Let me stop you from doing something worse!"

"You. . . YOU!" Starlight growled! "AUUUUUGHHH!" In an explosion of magic, Starlight teleported to her house and grabbed the black-and-white mask she'd been holding onto since her childhood. "They're wrong! They're all wrong! But they'll see. We'll MAKE them see."

"You're the one who's blind." Twilight Sparkle said as she teleported into Starlight's room! "Shadow's right. But you know what I think? Your friendship didn't end because of a Talent Crest. It ended because you refused to try again. You're acting like a petulant child. You know that right?"

"Shut up!" Starlight growled!

"Fine." Twilight said with a sigh. "But I've learned something as the Princess of Friendship: Friendship doesn't let people down. It's just bad friends. Maybe it's your fault you're this way, or maybe it's also whoever hurt you's fault. All I know is that you don't want our help. And I feel sorry for you because you're deciding to delude yourself that you're right."

"You. . . all of this never would have happened if it wasn't for you!" Starlight hissed! "The next time I see you, I'll make sure to undo everything you've ever done!"

"And all you'll accomplish is getting fist in your face." Twilight retorted coolly as she watched Starlight vanish in a flash of magic. She went outside, and smiled at seeing the villagers smashing open the vault and getting their Talent Crests back. "Mission accomplished."

"Yeah." Shadow said glumly. "Right."
> Episode 2: Home is Where the Heart is
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"It's done. . . It's finally done!" Nightfall Silver said with a relieved smile as he pushed his chair from his work desk, and held up a small, compact device that had a projector lens on top of it. "It took a while, but I finally managed to get it done! Now all that's left is to figure out how to present it to Twilight."

Speaking of the Princess of Friendship, she'd just entered the doors of her new castle. Normally, Twilight would have been eager to get home early. Then again, she had lost the place that she'd called home for years in the battle against Tirek. And even though she had gained a new dwelling in the castle that had manifested after unlocking the Rainbow Power, it didn't quite feel like it was her home.

"Maybe it was just a place, but so much happened there." Twilight said with a sigh. She knew that she wasn't the best when it came to hiding stuff. If she was to be completely honest with herself, Twilight knew that she had been avoiding her castle lately. Almost as if she'd do anything to get as far away from it as possible for as long as she could. "And now, all that remains of Golden Oaks Library is a charred stump and some debris."

Meanwhile, Nightfall had noticed Twilight come inside. He noticed the sad look on her face all too well. Despite the time he'd spent in his workshop, Nightfall was very much a part of the world around him. From time to time, he'd take a break and just go outside to grab a snack and enjoy some fresh air. But the most frequent activity he performed as observing Twilight. It was plain enough for anyone to see that he had an obvious attraction to the young goddess.

It was true that they had some differences, as Nightfall always favored technology and Twilight's interested was rooted in magic. But considering magic and technology were so closely intertwined in this world, such a difference between them was negligible. In truth, they had far more in common. Both of them were avid readers, the two of them always seeking how to improve their technology or magic respectively. And like Twilight, Nightfall had a great love of his friends. While it was true that he hadn't been a member of the Elements of Heroism very long, he'd grown very close to the team of heroes. Probably because all of them were actually huge nerds like him. However, the matter of his phone call took priority over his brief reflection.

"And that's why I'm calling you." Nightfall said as he slipped out of Twilight's view and hearing. "A lot of you guys have experience dating girls and going steady with them, so you're the best people I can ask about this. I want to give Twilight something special to remember her old home."

"So that's why you dialed me up." Inferno Flare said from the other end of the line. "Well, it sounds to me like you're trying to ask her out on a first date. Looks like combat training isn't the only thing the rest of us guys are going to have to teach you, Night. But honestly? You're over-complicating things. You already know what to do."

"I do?" Nightfall asked with a puzzled look on his face. "What do you mean?"

"You know Twilight's interests." Inferno answered. "Her likes and dislikes. From there, you can easily figure out where to take her or what you want to do with her."

". . . Huh." Nightfall said in realization. "Welp. I know what I'm doing now. Thanks for the advice."

"Thank yourself." Inferno said as he hung up.

"Hey, Twilight?" Nightfall asked as he re-entered Twilight's field of vision. "Would you like to head to the Castalot Library? I've got my suit repaired, and my new pieces of equipment are mostly done. I-If you don't have anything better to do that is!"

"O-oh! No, I don't have any plans!" Twilight answered with a slight blush. as she tried to maintain a calm facade. "Sure! We can go right now!"

"G-Great!" Nightfall stuttered as he broke into a relieved smile. "In fact, we can test out one of the new pieces of equipment I developed. Follow me to the garage." Nightfall led Twilight to the castle's garage, and proudly presented his latest invention. It was a sleek, silver, hi-tech motorcycle with a slight eastern-style dragon motif (think Cyber Dragon from Yu-Gi-Oh! made into a motorcycle). "Well?"

"It's beautiful. . . " Twilight said in awe. "You know, somehow I figured you were working on something like this. It never takes you too long to repair your suit. Just what other surprises did you whip up in your workshop?"

"If the events of that village are any indication, you'll be seeing them in action soon enough." Nightfall answered with a smile. "Now come on, and grab a seat behind me."

"Right." Twilight said with a nod as she mounted the bike after Nightfall had. "You do know I could have just teleported us to Castalot or flew us there, right?"

"Yeah." Nightfall nodded. "But isn't this more fun?"

"Depends." Twilight said as she wrapped her arms around Nightfall's waist. "Is this going to be a dull ride?"

"Heh heh!" Nightfall chuckled as he put his keys into the ignition, and revved up the bike! His thumb hovering over a button labeled "boost". "Hold on tight!" Nightfall put the pedal to the metal, and hit the boost button! The motorcycle whirring to life and taking off like a rocket! Where it would have taken an hour or two to reach Castalot by train, Nightfall's bike reached the city in a matter of minutes. "You okay back there?" 

"Wow. . . " Twilight said shakily as she dismounted from the bike. "Next time, I'm taking you as a passenger when I go flying. One good turn deserves another."

"O-kay. . . " Nightfall gulped nervously. From what he remembered, Twilight's flying was still a little rocky at times. "Anyway, just let me get the bike back home." Nightfall whipped out a flip-phone from his pocket, opened it up, and punched in three buttons.

"RETURN" A voice called out from the phone. And the bike responded to the command by revving up, and driving back to Twilight's castle.

"Shall we, your highness?" Nightfall asked as he offered his hand to Twilight.

"It would be my pleasure." Twilight smirked as she gave her hand to Nightfall. The two of them entered the library, and found their own little private corner to read in.

"Hey, Nightfall." Twilight whispered as she turned a page of her book. "This is a date, right?"

"Do. . . you not want it to be one?" Nightfall whispered nervously.

"No." Twilight answered. "It's just, I didn't expect anyone to be interested in me anytime."

"Why not?" Nightfall asked. "You're smart, royalty, and you're pretty cute." Nightfall blushed red as soon as he'd said that. "I-I mean-!"

"Oh?" Twilight asked with a smile. "Do you not find me attractive Sir Silver?"

"Y-Yes." Nightfall gulped. "Ever since I first saw you. Your eyes, no pun intended, have a lovely sparkle in them whenever you're happy. It's pretty magical, and really beautiful. Plus, you definitely give a hot librarian vibe."

"Looks like your heart's an open book." Twilight replied as she bookmarked her page and smiled sweetly. Approaching Nightfall as she set her book aside. "You do look pretty dashing in that lab coat of yours. But there's more to this little outing, isn't there?"

"Y-Yeah." Nightfall said shyly. "I noticed that you always seemed to feel less at home in the castle. I can't claim to know how much it hurts to lose a place that you called home. The painful truth of the situation is that we can't rebuild the library you called home. But, they say that nothing is truly gone as long as you remember it."

"What are you getting at?" Twilight asked. Curious as to what Nightfall had in store for her.

"It might not be as grand as a statue of a fallen hero, but I think it's more than enough to help you look back fondly." Nightfall said as he pulled out the device he'd been working on from his pocket, and pushed a button located on it. A holographic image of the Golden Oaks Library flickered to life. "They say home is where the heart is. Maybe this can help you put your heart into your new castle."

"You know Nightfall? I was attracted to you too when I first saw you." Twilight confessed as she gazed at the hologram that was displayed. "But it wasn't because of your face. You went through a rough childhood while you were growing up. But despite that, you still pushed forward with a bright outlook towards the future. Your heart is one of the strongest I've ever seen. It's no surprise that someone like you is the Element of Heart. Because you managed to steal mine."

"W-Would you like mine to be yours?" Nightfall asked with a blush.

"Sssshhh~!" Twilight said as she put a finger to Nightfall's lips. "This is a library. No talking~." And she silenced him with a kiss. Though the couple were silent as their kiss broke, they didn't need to say a thing in order to communicate as Twilight curled up against Nightfall. A wordless request that Nightfall granted without any hesitation. The two of them feeling at home in each other's arms. In each other's hearts.
> Episode 3: The Heart of the Abyss
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Narico just stared at the piece of paper before him. It had been a long time since he'd met the woman with pitch black hair and deep grey eyes. He'd only ran into the woman a few times, and she was already on his mind a lot. Whenever the young royal changeling thought about her, he could feel his heart beat faster and his whole face heat up at the thought of her smile. Much like how his face was starting to heat up now.

"Narico? Narico." Night Fang said as he waved his hand in front of his adopted brother's face. "Well, the hand's not working." Fang muttered to himself. "It's tail time!" And with that, Night Fang positioned his tail near Narico's face, and wagged it hard in an attempt to snap the changeling out of his thoughts.

"Huh?" Narico questioned as he was brought back into reality. "Fang? What happened?"

"You were spacing out. And it was all over this piece of paper." Night Fang said as he picked up the paper with Abyss's number. "A phone number?" He then got a sly smile as his ears perked up a bit. "And here I was thinking you were too young to start liking girls."

"W-Well, that's just it." Narico said nervously. "She said that the last time we met was a good first date."

"That doesn't really sound like a problem." Night Fang said with a puzzled look on his face. Tilting his head to the side for emphasis. "How is that a bad thing?"

"Well, I'm wondering if I need to be a grown-up like you if I want her to keep on liking me." Narico said. "I don't even know how to do that! Technically I'm still-" Narico was cut-off when Fang turned into his wolf cub form and started snuggling him relentlessly.

"Be soothed by the snuggles." Fang said in-between the licks he got in on Narico's face. "You managed to integrate the changelings into Unity. And you helped to repel Chrysalis." Fang growled at saying the changeling queen's name. The Element of Determination still held great animosity towards the vile ruler. And each time he thought of her, he could feel something stirring, screaming within him to shred those who had wronged him to pieces. The voice sounding exactly like whatever tried to possess him a while back. But Fang quickly snapped himself out of his darker thoughts. "The point is, if she was bold enough to give you her number AFTER calling it a date, she probably likes you a lot. Typically you've gotta get her number THEN go to the date."

"Oh." Narico said as he nodded in understanding. "I didn't know there was an order to this kind of thing."

"There's no official one, but that one's the most common." Fang answered as he popped back into his normal form after jumping off of Narico. "And if she does treat you awful, just give me a dial. I'll bit her butt."

"And I'll kick it." Aria chimed in from the couch. "What? I'm a part of this house now. It means you guys are part of my business too."

"Didn't know you cared that much about me Aria." Fang said with a smirk. "I could kiss you for that."

"Maybe I'd liked it more if you did it in human form. . . " Aria mumbled to herself as she blushed. "Two words: Mouth. Wash."

". . . You're just asking me to do the puppy eyes, aren't you?" Fang asked with a raised eyebrow.

"N-No!" Aria stammered as she tightened her hold on a couch cushion. 'Dang it! He's onto me!'

"I'm. . . just gonna go make my call outside." Narico said as he picked up the slip of paper containing Abyss's number and he slowly walked out the door. "Wow. I could literally feel the attraction forming between the two. Hopefully it doesn't take Aria the length of an anime season to admit her feelings." But Narico pushed his adopted brother's love life out of his mind, and turned his attention towards developing his own as he dialed Abyss's number. "Um, hi again! I don't know if you remember me."

"Oh, you're that young king of the changelings I met a year or so back." Abyss said from the other end of the phone. "To think that it's been that long since I last saw you. How cruel of you to keep a lady waiting for so long."

"Oh my Celestia I'm sorry!" Narico panicked! His wings buzzing nervously as he tried to remedy his blunder. "I-I just needed to grow-up! I-I mean I'm still a kid mentally! I mean-!"

"Relax your highness. I was just pulling your leg." Abyss said with a giggle from her end of the line. "You look and sound so cute when you get flustered."

"R-Really?" Narico asked with a small smile as his blush deepened. "Thanks for-wait. What do you mean 'look'? I'm pretty sure you can't see me through the phone screen."

"I get excellent reception in my crystal ball." Abyss smiled as she held up a crystal orb that showed her Narico. "It's enchanted so that it shows the image of whoever I think of. The picture is especially clear when I think of someone who holds a large place in my heart. It just switched to HD when I started thinking of you when I got your call."

"So. . . are you doing anything?" Narico asked. Hopeful that she didn't have any plans. 

"My son is otherwise occupied." Abyss said. "And I have the house to myself. I wouldn't mind a little lovebug paying me a visit." She then blushed in embarrassment. "Oh. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have-"

"Don't worry about it." Narico said with a chuckle. "We changelings have literal thick skin. Besides, you're not exactly wrong. Well, except for the fact I don't need to feed on love to survive."

"That explains why you weren't drooling over me when you first saw me." Abyss giggled. "Or could it be that I just left you mesmerized?"

"I didn't even ask for your name." Narico said nervously. "That's how pretty I thought you were."

"How sweet." Abyss said with a smirk. "Most people are a bit put-off by my name."

"Well, I'm not." Narico declared. "I think it's got a nice meaning to it. I wish I could tell you to your face, but it's a bit of a flight over to Castalot with my wings."

"Then how about I come to you?" Abyss asked as she pooled her magic, a dark grey in color, and teleported herself right in front of Narico. Her outfit consisting of a black skirt, and a light grey top. "So. Just what about my name is so nice?"

"Uh, well, it goes well with your hair and eyes." Narico gulped as Abyss stepped towards him. A smile ever-present on her face as she listened to him. "Your hair's a really deep black, and it contrasts your skin color nicely. It kinda gives off the good kind of darkness that comes with sleep. The kind that wraps around you like a blanket until you're ready to wake up. And your eyes are really deep too. I almost thought I fell into them when we first met."

"Well, you know what they say: Stare long enough into the abyss," Abyss said as she brushed a finger against Narico's cheek. "And it stares right back at you. And I like who's looking at me."

"S-So what do you feel like doing?" Narico asked as he blushed furiously. He was about to make some suggestions when his stomach growled.

"Something tells me the way to your heart is through your stomach." Abyss giggled. "Then again, you could call mine a bottomless pit." The couple shared a laugh, and went to get themselves some food. Narico was impressed that Abyss wasn't the least bit disappointed with eating regular food despite coming from Castalot. The city where snobs roamed the streets half the time. 

"I actually prefer common food. It doesn't feel any need except filling my stomach." Abyss said as if she had read Narico's mind. "Maybe you should've ordered a king-sized portion for yourself."

"Oh, we're making jokes about my brief rule as changeling king, are we?" Narico asked with a smirk. "Maybe I should start calling you 'Mom'."

"I wish my son would have done that more." Abyss said with a wistful smile before polishing off the last of her meal. She noticed Narico's nervous expression, and smiled reassuringly. "Oh, don't trouble yourself. You didn't do anything wrong. It's just, my son decided to cast his childhood away at a young age. I thought his recent acquisition of a girlfriend would get him to behave more casually, but it seems he's committed to his knightly or heroic image."

"Well, I guess I'm his opposite!" Narico said cheerfully. "I grew quickly, but I'm still holding onto my inner child tightly!"

"That's probably what I find most attractive about you." Abyss giggled. "You want to grow up at your own pace."

"I don't think me or any of my friends are ever gonna grow up." Narico grinned. "And I think things are for the best that way."

"Well, I've had a lovely time with you today." Abyss said with a warm smile as she put her hand on Narico's. "Say, why didn't you suggest teleporting to me?"

"Oh. Well, I kind of have no experience with magic." Narico said bashfully. "Twilight's pretty busy with being Princess of Friendship, and the guys mainly know combat or defensive magic."

"Then I'll teach you." Abyss said as she put her forehead against Narico's. "Focus on the place, or person you want to travel to. Cast the spell, and you're where you want to be."

"I think I'm already there. . . " Narico said with a blush.

"Sadly, I have to take that away for now." Abyss said with a sigh before kissing Narico on the cheek. "But I think you could easily remedy that. Just be sure to call before you do." And she vanished in a flash of magic. However, upon her return, she noticed a familiar figure waiting for her.

"You certainly seem elated mother." Blitz Surge answered as he stepped forward. "The last time you were so filled with joy, it was when you recounted the time you spent with father before my birth. Have you finally rekindled your bond with him, and cast out the witch that claims to be his wife? Especially after the error's passing?"

"You do realize that you disrespect him by saying such things." Abyss said crossly. "The loss of a child, of a dear friend, is not something that is easily recovered from."

"They waste their time." Blitz said with a frown. "The anomaly was just a child playing hero. He had no idea what it took to make a true hero. Or how one would act. He was a disgrace to father's legacy. And I have more of father in me than either him, or Shining Dawn."

"You should stop calling him 'anomaly' or 'error'." Abyss scolded. "And he actually put an end to the threats as they rose. If anyone is at fault for not taking their chance, it's you son."

"This conversation has derailed me long enough." Blitz Surge shook his head. "Tell me. Did you find the absorbance spell?"

"I did." Abyss said as she levitated a piece of paper over to Blitz Surge. "Simply enchant your sword with it, and it will absorb any power that strikes it."

"You have my thanks mother." Blitz Surge said with a smirk as he took the spell. "With this, harmony shall soon be in my hands. . . "
> Episode 4: Sweet Melody
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sonata Dusk had a problem, and it had been frustrating her ever since she'd been settled with Arctic Ace upon her return to Unity. All through her life, she'd been easy to approach and get along with. However, there was quite the drawback to her bubbly personality: no one seemed to take her seriously or considered her a total airhead. Despite the times her sisters expressed annoyance at her demeanor, they still greatly cared for Sonata and always listened to her. Even if she did say something of very little brain.

But now, there was another person who did the same for her. The very member of the Elements of Heroism who she'd been placed in the custody of. Arctic Ace, the Element and Avatar of Wisdom. Whenever she was around him, Sonata couldn't help but feel his cool, yet never cold, aura. And he was always so kind and patient with her. Something as simple like that didn't look like much, but it held more meaning to her than most would think.

'And that smile of his is so nice.' Sonata thought to herself with a smile as she looked up at the sky. 'And he's also so gentle when he explains things to me. It's like his whole appearance reflects that. His skin looks as white as falling snow. Then there's his icy blue eyes that have a wise look in them.'

"This is probably the nicest anyone's ever treated me." Sonata said with a sigh. "I know I've got a job already so that I don't seem like I'm a freeloader, but why do I keep getting this feeling like I'm not doing enough?" Sonata scratched her head in thought, and an idea came to her shortly. "That's it! I need to do something special for him!"

'Something that'll totally put me ahead of that Trixie girl!' Sonata thought to herself. 'I'll show her not to get comfy with Ace! I'll be the one to nuzzle his wings! To see that cute smile! Ace is MY guy!' Sonata's face then flushed red at her last thought. 'W-What am I saying?! I-I mean he is pretty cute. And, I do like him. A lot.'

"Hi Nata!" Pinkie Pie chirped as she teleported in a burst of confetti! "Whatcha up to?"

"Eep!" Sonata squeaked as she was surprised by the laughter goddess's arrival! "Uh, nothing! Yep! Just sittin' here. Doin' nothing. Not thinking about a cute guy. Nope! Not me!"

"Aw, that's too bad." Pinkie Pie pouted. "I bet Ace would be pretty happy to know you're thinking about him!"

"What?!" Sonata could hardly believe what Pinkie Pie just said! "I-I wasn't thinking about Arctic Ace!'

"Really?" Pinkie Pie asked with a puzzled look on her face. "Funny. My Pinkie Sense was telling me you two are meant to be. Ace always blushes a little whenever you give him the treats he orders. And you always seem to smile a bit brighter whenever he's around. SO, I took it upon myself to make two of my friends happier by getting them closer!"

"Wow. You were able to tell that much just from us smiling?" Sonata asked with an awestruck look on her face. 

"Well, not completely on my own." Pinkie said as she produced a pink notebook with a heart on the cover titled "True Loves" and a label that read: Property of Cadence. "I also had a little help from this to see when Akage and I get married! Oh! I almost forgot to put this back! See ya Sonata!" And she disappeared in a burst of streamers.

"Well, that was fun." Sonata blinked. She then got back to thinking what would be the perfect treat to make for Ace, and it finally hit her. "I know what to do!" And without any delay, Sonata rushed back to Sugar Cube Corner. It sounded like the kitchen had become a workshop with how frequently Sonata was zipping around the place. A few minutes later, and Sonata smiled down at her handiwork. "It's perfect!" And with that, Sonata grabbed a bag and stuffed the treats inside it.

"Thanks for letting me use the kitchen!" Sonata called as she bolted out the door! Leaving a puzzled Akage in her wake. As she exited her workplace, Sonata dialed up Arctic Ace's number. "Hi Ace! Could you meet me real soon? I'll be waiting at the bench in the town square. Silly! It's not a surprise if I tell you what's going on! So I'll see you here in a few minutes? Great!" Sonata let out a happy sigh, and plopped herself down on the bench. Kicking her legs in enthusiasm with a bright smile on her face.

"Well, it's rude to keep a lady waiting." Ace said to himself as he pocketed his phone and keys before wrapping his signature  purple scarf around his neck. He spread his wings, and flew over to where Sonata was sitting. While he could have just teleported there, Ace was a Skyborn before he'd ascended into godhood. Plus, he loved the fact his angelic wings left a frost trail as he flew due to looking like ice.  The second the Avatar of Wisdom landed, he felt his heart stop the instant he saw Sonata. That radiant smile and eager look on her face just screamed her cuteness to the world. "Hope you weren't waiting too long."

"Nope!" Sonata answered with a giggle. She then pat the spot next to here. "C'mere! I got something special to show you!" As Ace took a seat, Sonata proudly displayed the bag of treats she'd been carrying. Inside were orb-like sweets covered with light blue frosting in snowflake patterns. "I made these today!"

"T-They look great Sonata." Ace said with a nervous smile. 'This scene's like something out of an anime. Should I. . . say I think she's cute? Because that'd save me going through an entire season of build-up.' "So what do you call these new creations of yours? And what made you bake them anyway?"

"Snowballs!" Sonata answered. "I made them with cake as the base, covered them with frosting, and gave them a vanilla cream filling." The youngest siren sister then blushed. "And. . . I made them to say thank you to you."

"Thank me for what?" Ace said as his cheeks turned pink slightly. 'It's pretty obvious, but I think it'll be good for her to tell me all the same.'

"You gave me a nice place to say, and you're really nice to me." Sonata said as she twiddled her thumbs nervously. "Whenever I mess up, you always smile and tell me what I got wrong so I don't mess up again. Like when I accidentally left the speaker phone option on for a whole day. And it really means a lot to me."

"You're welcome Sonata." Ace said with a cool smile as he took a bite of his snowball. "These are delicious! I think I've got a new favorite sweet!"

"Really?!" Sonata said with a twinkle in her eyes before latching onto Ace's arm! She was so happy at that moment, she could sing. And she did. But much to her surprise, her voice didn't sound broken or horrid. Instead, something wonderful left her lungs. It was clear, serene, and beautifully sweet. And hearing it made Sonata gasp in shock.

"Sonata?" Ace asked with a concerned look on his face. Putting a wing around the youngest siren to comfort her. "Is there something wrong?"

"N-No." Sonata shook her head. "I don't know. Something just feels different." Sonata unconsciously rubbed her fingers against her throat. Before, when she or her sisters tried to sing, it always felt like there was something broken and jagged in their throats. But in that instant, it felt like that jagged object had smoothed out for the briefest of instants. "But, it feels good." She then noticed Ace's wings around her, and nuzzled against it.

"Could we just sit here a little longer and snack?" Sonata asked before munching on a snowball. "I just want to take in what happened."

"Sure thing." Ace said with a warm smile as he silently scooted over to her. Blushing as he did so. "I could stay here forever if you wanted me to."

'I wouldn't mind that. . . ' Sonata thought to herself as her cheeks went bright red.
> Episode 5: Soothing the Beast Within
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nightmares. They were something that Night Fang didn't have often. At least, not up until something inside his Duelist Arm got loose. To this day, Fang was still troubled about just what exactly had gotten into him and made him run wild. The only other instance of such a phenomenon was during the Royal Wedding when Chrysalis had tried to suck the love out of Narico.

At that moment, one thing had been driving Fang: Anger. When Chrysalis was harming his adopted brother, someone who he'd come to call and love as a member of his own family, something inside Fang snapped. And it was just like the night that he'd run wild and tried to tear up Unityville. He wasn't the one in control of his body at that time, but Fang still felt a bit of guilt due to the fact that it was his body that had been rampaging. From that moment on, he'd swore that he wouldn't lose himself to that malevolent presence again. But when Narico was being harmed, the same presence easily crept in again. What made things worse the second time around was the fact it seemed to take hold easier due to Fang's anger. And while Night Fang had fought to maintain his will enough to scream his intentions towards Chrysalis, it was still the malevolent spirit that had piloted his body.

And right now, Fang could hear the same presence hounding him in his nightmares. In them, he saw a scarred humanoid finger. A frenzied mass of wild hair, and soulless white eyes with a violent red-violet aura seething around it! Growling angrily at Fang! But what frightened Fang the most was that he felt some form of connection to this entity. It wasn't as if Fang felt his thing was a part of him. Rather, it felt more like this malevolent spirit had ties to family.

"I'm not letting you take a hold of me again!" Fang screamed as he summoned his Duelist Arm! Glaring at the evil spirit before him! "You nearly tore up the town, and made me almost hurt my friends!"

"You still deny your alpha, cub?" The spirit growled. "You do have the determination of a wolf. It appears we share much more than the spirit of the wolf within us. But know that I refuse to leave, boy! You will be the vessel of my vengeance! The wrongs that I suffered in my life shall be repaid with blood! And you will be the teeth and claws that shed it!" The spirit crouched, and then pounced at Night Fang! It's fangs bared to take a bite out of him!

"AAAHH!" Fang woke from his nightmare in a cold sweat! Panting heavily as his lungs pumped as much oxygen into his lungs as possible! When his heartbeat finally became stable, Fang let out a sigh of relief. 

"So much for sleeping well." Night Fang shook his head, and pulled back the covers of his bed. Fang opened his bedroom door, and made his way to the bathroom. Splashing his face with cold water to calm himself down. "It was just a dream, but I can't deny the fact I could feel whatever that was snarling at me. It's voice howling at me to submit to it."

"I guess you're having a rough night." Aria said as she stood in the doorway with her arms crossed clad in little more than a shirt. Her hair loose since it wasn't tied up in her signature twin-tails."So what's got you up? Planning to howl at the moon tonight?"

"Nah. Not a full one." Fang quipped as he dried his face. "Just been having a lot of bad dreams lately. Then again, I don't think you have many of those."

"Try me." Aria said in an understanding tone. "Look. I'll tell you mine, then you tell me yours. But if you so much as spill what I'm about to tell you, I swear that I'll pull your ears."

"Trust me. My lips are sealed." Fang gulped. While it was likely that Aria was merely exaggerating the punishment he'd face, Fang didn't want to take any chances. Be it his wolf ears or his human ones, getting them pulled was a painful sensation. "So. Where do you wanna talk?"

"Kitchen I guess." Aria said with a shrug as she led the way. Sitting herself on the kitchen counter. "I guess you could say, the worst dreams I've ever had is me being alone. For as crazy as my sisters drive me, I still love 'em. But there's so many times I've said that I wished I didn't have to be stuck with them. Of how much better off I'd be if I were on my own." Aria's expression saddened as she pulled her legs towards her chest. "But whenever I'd dream of being without them, all I felt was lonely. Plus, my attitude towards most people didn't exactly win me many friends. I guess the bottom line is, I hate being alone."

"So I guess it's my turn now, huh?" Fang asked. "Well, my nightmares were a bit more recent. You know how I said I adopted Narico, right?" Aria nodded, prompting Fang to continue. "A while back, there was a royal wedding being held at Castalot. But at the same time, there was the threat of an invasion taking place. Me and the other Elements of Heroism had just been engaging the changelings before the threat was delivered. We were brought in as extra security to help defend the city. It wasn't long before the changeling queen, Chrysalis, revealed herself and tried to take over the kingdom with her entire army waiting just outside the shield that had been raised around Castalot. Narico, in an attempt to defuse the situation, offered up the love he'd gained by being a part of my family. Narico's an oddity among the changelings because he doesn't need to feed on love. But what really made him a threat to Chrysalis was the fact he could grow into a royal changeling."

"And I'm guessing the bitch pulled an underhanded move?" Aria asked. "Me and my sisters might've done bad things, but striking at a kid? That's just inexcusable."

"Tell me about it." Fang growled. "She tried to drain Narico dry of all the love he had in his heart. And when I saw him being hurt so badly, something just snapped inside." Fang summoned his gauntlet. "Not long after I got my Duelist Arm, something took over my body one night. I fought it as best I could, but it still won the struggle for control. It made me rampage, and the guys managed to subdue me long enough to beat whatever got into me. But when I saw Narico being drained gave it more than enough of a chance to break loose again. Fortunately, or unfortunately depending on how you look at it, Chrysalis took me down with a huge blast of magic and I was out for most of the fight."

"I'll take a wild guess and say that your troubles concerning this. . . thing have been keeping you from sleep." Aria said as she leaned forward. A slightly concerned look on her face. "You're worried about losing yourself, aren't you?"

"Yeah." Fang sighed. "I am. I'm scared that if something like that happens, or if I get too angry, I'll lose control of myself again. To just be completely drowned by all that rage. And if it happens again?" Fang clutched his arm tightly. "I don't know if I'll come back from that."

"You don't have to worry about that Fang." Aria declared with a determined gaze as she pushed off the counter and landed with her feet on the floor before striding over to Fang and putting her hands against the sides of his face. "Because from what you've said, whatever took over isn't you. All that rage and malice? That's not a part of you. Take it from someone who used to provoke strife. If I still had my gem, I'd have been able to pick up on it with no problem. And from what I've seen of you, you don't have a vengeful bone in your body. But there's two things above all else that convinces me."

"And what's that?" Fang asked.

"Your determination." Aria stated. "Each time whatever tried to overpower you got stirred up, you always fought back. Maybe you didn't win those struggles, but you refused to just roll over and accept it. Because you refused to let it hurt anyone else besides you."

"Thanks Aria." Fang said with a grateful smile. "But what's the other thing?"

"Oh that's easy." Aria smirked as she fondled Fang's ears. "You're a good boy, Fang."

"Ha ha." Fang said as he rolled his eyes. But despite his expression of annoyance, the Element of Determination still smiled. "I think I'll be able to sleep now."

"Y-Yeah. G'night." Aria stammered as she made a dash for her room. Her face fully covered by a blush as soon as she slammed the door shut! "Sweet Celestia his smile's adorable." And with that, Aria threw herself onto her bed and sunk back into slumber. Meanwhile, Fang also thought pleasantly about he middle siren sister.

The next morning however, was far from pleasant. Everyone had begun their day like normal, but trouble arrived in the form of Queen Chrysalis. Immediately, both teams of elements met the disgrace of a royal with weapons aimed! All of them were on-guard due to the changeling's queens deceptive nature, and the smile on Chrysalis's face wasn't putting them at ease any time soon.

"No need to point your toys at me." Chrysalis said with a dismissive wave. Still smiling as she did so. "I haven't come here for a fight. Then again, I could use the exercise."

"Didn't I almost barbecue you last time?" Inferno asked with a raised eyebrow. "And I'm pretty sure Arctic Ace is eager to turn you into an ice pop."

"It appears you've learned nothing since our last few encounters Chrysalis." Arctic Ace said in an icy tone. "A few of us have attacks that are elements you're weak against, and a good number of us are Avatars now."

"And I'm happy to announce that I'm one of those among the ascended." Twilight said as she glared at Chrysalis! "I was able to see through your disguise, and I've been learning a few combat spells with you in mind." Twilight's magic flared to life! "And yet you're still so arrogant to think you can take ALL of us when Celestia alone kicked your chitin on the streets of Castalot with EVERYONE watching?"

"Such pleasant memories you've all brought up." Chrysalis hissed! Her smile breaking for an instant before recovering when she noticed Narico approaching the teams of elements. "But as I've said, I haven't come her to fight. I am here to reclaim my kingdom."

"And just how are you going to do that?" Fang asked as he noticed the nervous looks of the converted changelings who'd defected from Chrysalis. "Most of you hive ditched you when you tried to drain my brother dry. And hardly any of them followed you by choice. Look around you! None of them are happy to see you! None of them want you here! So how that Tartarus are you going to get them back?!"

"Oh? You didn't hear?" Chrysalis asked in mock surprise. "There's a new royal changeling on the market. Young. Single." As Chrysalis spoke, she strutted her way over to Narico. A sway in her hips and a seductive smile on her face. "And staring me right in the face. So what do you say, Narico? Every queen needs her king. Don't you want the changelings to be a whole people?"

"No." Narico said firmly as his gaze hardened. "I'm not going to marry you Chrysalis. Because I don't need, or want, to take up the crown again. I did my job as king: I led my people, and ensured their welfare. They're happy here. They have their own lives. I've done my job as a leader, and they don't need me anymore. They are in Princess Celestia's care now. The care of a REAL leader. As far as I'm concerned, they're in good hands. And they don't need me, OR you. And we most certainly don't want you either."

"Is that so?" Chrysalis asked as she feigned being hurt by Narico's refusal. "What about the changelings in my care who are now separated from the rest of their kind? Can you really be so cruel as to keep them separated!"

"Don't give me that crap!" Narico snapped as he took a step towards Chrysalis! "You're just trying to play the sympathy card so you can get back what you lost! MY people have made their choice! But not because of me enforcing my decision as the only one to follow! They followed of their own free will because I gave them the option to return to you! None of them made that choice! I did what you failed to do! Give them a choice! Like a TRUE leader!"

"INSOLENT CHILD!" Chrysalis screamed as she powered up her magic, and prepared to lunge towards Narico! But before any of the group could react! A grey blur rammed into Chrysalis and knocked her back! When Chrysalis recovered, her eyes narrowed as she looked at the figure who'd rammed into her! "You. The same mutt that tried to take a bite out of me back at the wedding. I thought I had put you down."

"I guess I don't know when to die." Fang shot back before rushing Chrysalis with a flurry of swings from his gauntlet! With his enhanced speed, Fang was able to close the distance between himself and Chrysalis fairly fast! "None of you get into this! I have a score to settle with this parasite!"

The remaining elements were uneasy about leaving their friend to his battle, but they respected his wishes since Fang had unfinished business with the changeling queen. Getting frustrated at having no breathing room between herself and her opponent, Chrysalis fired off a blast of magic to try and put some distance between herself and Fang! But fortunately, Fang's instincts were in overdrive right now! He easily dodged the blast, and kicked Chrysalis in the side! Following up his initial attack with another swipe from his gauntlet and a punch right to the changeling queen's face!

"Bothersome mongrel!" Chrysalis hissed as she used her magic to summon her double scythe! Rubbing her face where Fang had struck her! "You're not the only one who has a bite to them!" And Chrysalis flew at Fang! Her wings buzzing furiously as she slashed at him! Fang blocking each of her strikes with his gauntlet, or rolling his body out of the way of Chrysalis's swings! The defiant and determined glare he was giving her only added to her frustration! "PLAY DEAD LIKE A GOOD MUTT ALREADY!"

"You first!" Fang spat as he kicked Chrysalis in the stomach, and slashed at her chest with his claw gauntlet! Chrysalis tried to get away, but Fang shot out the claws of his gauntlet, and wrapped them around her leg! Yanking the changeling queen to the ground and using the chains his claws were attached to in order to drag her over to him! "You're not flying away from this fight! This time, I'm not going down in one shot!"

"Last time?" Chrysalis raised her scythe to block Fang's incoming slash! Sparks raining forth as their weapons clashed! Chrysalis then got an evil smile as she recalled the last time Night Fang had tried to fight her. "Ah yes. I remember that day quite well. How did it feel? Seeing that grub you adopted as your brother writhing in pain? And I was able to swat you away so easily! Why are the Elements of Heroism even keeping you around when you couldn't even protect your dear adoptive brother?"

"SHUT UP!" Fang screamed as he broke off their clash, and pounced at Chrysalis! However, the changeling queen had a nasty surprise for Fang as she struck him in the side! "Ngh!" Fang was on his knees shortly after, but his pain was far from being ended when Chrysalis shot towards him, and bit into his neck! "ARGH!"

While Fang tried to claw at Chrysalis, the changeling queen began to suck the love Fang held in his heart! Further increasing her own strength! It wasn't long before Fang could no longer keep up his resistance. And when it seemed like she'd drained him dry, Chrysalis tossed Fang's limp body to the ground like a discarded piece of trash.

"I suppose I should thank you for taking care of that grub." Chrysalis sneered as her body was covered in a green aura. A result of her tapping into her boosted strength. "The time you spent with him gave you both such a strong bond. This love tastes almost as good as his. Hmm. Perhaps I'll get a taste of him next. Love is so much more delicious once it's matured."

Chrysalis was about to walk away, but froze in her tracks when she felt a massive aura flare to life! And little by little, Chrysalis felt whatever power she'd gained ebbing away. There was only one other combatant here, and it irritated Chrysalis that somehow Fang was still managing to regain what she'd stolen from him. With an annoyed huff, Chrysalis turned to face Fang! But when she looked upon Night Fang's form, her body started to tremble in fear. A violent red-violet aura cloaked Fang's entire body! His eyes had become devoid of any irises or pupils, and his hair had become more unkempt and wild! All of his teeth had sharpened into fangs, and his facial features had become more wolf-like! And his terrifying transformation was completed when he let out a wild howl! One that chilled Chrysalis to her blood as she felt the sheer amount of rage and bloodlust directed solely at her! Whatever advantage Chrysalis thought she had was shattered by that lone howl.

But the transformed Fang's howl wasn't felt by Chrysalis alone. Aria was outside when she felt Fang's savage howl, and it made the siren gasp. But this alone wasn't what solely prompted Aria to run towards Fang's location. She'd felt Fang being overtaken by a wave of negative emotions, and remembered the conversation they'd had last night quite well. Running as fast as she could, Aria arrived on the scene just in time to see the Elements of Heroism staring in horror at their friend's transformed state.

Chrysalis turned tail and tried to fly away, but the transformed Fang slashed her viciously across her back! Damaging her hole-filled wings!

"YOU ARE NOT LEAVING HERE INSECT!" Fang growled in a voice not his own as he stalked over to the grounded changeling queen! "NOT UNSCATHED!" Chrysalis fired off a volley of magic blasts, but Fang in his possessed state dodged them effortlessly! His speed and strength had been boosted by the possession, and he pounced on Chrysalis! Fully intent on taking a bite out of her! In mere seconds, the possessed Fang had pinned Chrysalis to the ground! The changeling queen desperately trying to fend off his jaws! Only to get her left hand bitten in the process!

"AAH!" Chrysalis screamed in pain before fearfully looking Fang in his eyes! "Please! Mercy!"

"You beg for mercy, yet give none." The possessed Fang snarled. "I believe the phrase is: what comes around goes around! And here comes what you deserve!" Fang was about to bite down, but stopped as his head jerked back! "Impossible! You were out cold! How?! How are you fighting me now?!"

"I. . . won't. . . kill her!" Fang cried out as one of his eyes shut tightly! "This. . . isn't. . . me! I want her to be punished. . . but I won't be her executioner!"

"FOOLISH CUB!" The spirit that had possessed Fang roared! "I would be doing you a favor in squashing this bug like the parasite she is!"

"We'll deal with her. . . when the time comes!" Fang protested as he held back one of his arms from slashing at Chrysalis! "I know she'll go back to her old tricks after this. . . but we know her game!" Fang opened his left eye, and it was revealed that it had returned to normal! Chrysalis had teleported away while Fang was struggling with himself, so that just left the other Elements of Heroism to try and contain their conflicted friend! "Guys. . . I don't know how much longer I can keep this thing held back!"

"NO!" Aria screamed! "You're still talking! That means you're still fighting! Don't you DARE give up Fang! You hear me?!"

"Aria. . . " Fang groaned as he fought against his own body! "I can't. . . "

"Don't say that!" Aria snapped! Tears forming in her eyes! "All my life, no one's bothered to try and reach me. They didn't try to get to know me because the way I acted always made them keep your distance. But not you! You always kept trying! You never gave up! You were always determined to see how I really was!" She clenched her fists. "I LOVE YOU FANG! AND I'M NOT GOING TO GIVE UP ON YOU!"

"Ari. . . a. . . " Fang strained before the force manipulating his body pushed back against his consciousness! "AAAAAGHH!"

Aria's heart was pierced the instant she heard Fang screaming in pain. It hurt her to see him like this, and it hurt even worse when she knew that Fang was going to ask his friends to put him down. Aria took a breath as if to sing, but stopped before she could exhale. Her singing voice was gone, and she now sounded horrible. But all the same, something compelled her to belt out a melody. If only to try and soothe Fang's spirit. And she followed this impulse without any hesitation.  The result, which surprised Aria greatly, was a beautiful song that seemed to make Fang's entire body relax. Only for whatever was trying to possess him to howl in anguish before being ripped from Fang's body in an explosion of red-violet energy!

"FANG!" Aria cried as she stopped her song! Running to Fang's side as he collapsed on the ground. A small gasp escaped Aria's lips when she saw that Fang had lost his wolf ears and tail, but she was far more relieved that he was breathing. "You all can leave this to me." Aria picked up Fang,and rested his head against her shoulder. "Let's go home, Fang." 

It wasn't long before Aria reached Fang's house, and laid him on the couch with his head resting on her lap.  His breathing became softer when Aria stroked his hair to comfort him. All the while, Aria couldn't help but smile at how peaceful Fang looked like this. 

"Maybe you're short a pair of ears and a tail." Aria said as she smiled down at Fang. "But you're still a good boy, Fang." Aria soon fell asleep herself. The next morning, the pair were woken up. Aria was about to head for the door when a leg bust the door down, and a dark grey blur zipped up to Fang. Followed by a woman with purple skin and blue hair wearing a white dress. "What the-?!"

"FANG!" A man with dark grey skin and purple hair clad in grey jeans and a dark blue jacket cried out as he clamped his hands onto Fang's shoulders! He was also sporting a pair of wolf ears and a tail. "ARE YOU ALRIGHT?! I FELT SOMETHING HAPPEN! WHERE DID YOUR EARS AND TAIL GO?!"

"Dad, calm down!" Fang shouted as his father shook him! "I'm fine! And I lost my ears and tail when whatever tried to possess me got expelled from my body!"

"If you're done shaking Fang, would you kindly explain just who you people are?" Aria asked as she crossed her arms.

"Well you've already met my husband, Midnight Howl." The woman answered with a serene smile. "And I am Night Fang's mother, Moonlight. We just came because we felt that something happened to our little pup." Moonlight had a slightly sad look on her face when she noticed that Fang's ears and tail were gone, but her smile returned when she returned her attention to Aria. "But it seems like Fang has gained more than he lost."

"So how'd the two of you get here so fast?" Aria asked with a raised eyebrow. "I know Fang was pretty fast when he had his wolf abilities. Did your husband carry you while bolting at his top speed?"

"Actually, my wife is the one who carried me all the way here at inhuman speeds." Midnight Howl answered. "Well, it's more like she dragged me by my tail and I was screaming all the way over here. But, at least we know our son's okay." He then sniffed Aria. "So, when's the wedding?"

"WHAT?!" Fang and Aria screamed at the top of their lungs!

"C'mon Fang!" Midnight Howl said with a grin. "I can smell the fact she wants to be with you!"

"He's not wrong. . . " Aria said as her face was flushed red with embarrassment! "I did scream that I loved him."

"Great! I knew Fang inherited his old man's wolfish charms!" Midnight Howl chuckled! "So when can-GAH!" Midnight Howl yipped in pain when he felt his wife grabbing him by his ear! "Ow, ow, ow! Moonlight! What did I do wrong?"

"Please excuse my husband." Moonlight said with a polite smile. "He thinks that just because we had love at first sight under a beautiful night that you'd become Fang's girlfriend the second he gave you the puppy eyes. I think we've troubled Fang and. . . I'm sorry dear, could you please give us your name?"

"Aria Blaze." Aria said with a smile. "So. How tight of a leash do you have your husband on?"

"It's been a pleasure meeting you." Moonlight said as she was still dragging Midnight Howl by his ears. "You weren't wrong about that girl."

"Then why are you still pulling me by my ear?" Midnight Howl asked.

"Simple. I take any chance I get to feel them." Moonlight said with a cute smile.
> Episode 6: Strength of Spirit
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Another satisfied customer." Adagio said to herself as she watched the last entrant into Carousel Boutique. She'd found a semblance of happiness since returning home. And she truly enjoyed working at the boutique as her centuries of fashion sense gave her an eye for outfits. Plus, it was always enjoyable talking to Rarity about whatever trends or new designs she had in the works. "I must say, Rarity, you're quite the seamstress. Your mending skills are so good I couldn't even tell there were tears in the first place of some of the garments you've patched up."

"You flatter me Adagio." Rarity said with a smile. "Of course, I've had some practice mending Inferno's clothes from minor battle damage. If he's going to save the day, he might as well do it looking good."

"And I bet all those instances gave you plenty of chances to get a good look at him." Adagio said with a devious smile. Though she might not have been evil anymore, she still enjoyed a bit of mischief. "And he's probably gotten more than a good look at you too."

"Oh, he certainly has." Rarity said with a smirk. "He couldn't tear himself away from me even if he wanted to." She then smiled fondly as she remembered the night following Lance Slayer's defeat at the hands of Inferno Flare. "And couldn't have left his arms even if I had to."

"Glad to hear you love me that much." Inferno said with a grin as he teleported to Rarity in a column of flame. "Miss me gorgeous?"

"Not when I know that you'll be with me in an instant." Rarity said with a loving smile as she wrapped her arms around Inferno's neck. "You're always at my side whenever I seem to want you, darling."

"I've got to keep my treasure radiant, don't I?" Inferno asked as he returned the loving smile before going in for a kiss. "Hope I didn't crash your conversation, Rarity. And it's good to see you in a better mood Ms. Dazzle. From what Venus told me, you were pretty down in the dumps and packing a pretty bad attitude."

"It's more my own fault than anyone else's." Adagio said with a sigh. "The truth of my situation is that I've got no one to blame but myself. My actions led to me and my sisters getting banished, and they led to the loss of their voices. But in the end, maybe it's all for the best. I never really put much effort into my life before, and just coasted off of charming people into adoring me."

"Well, take it from the Element of Potential." Inferno said with an encouraging smile. "Effort goes a long way. And in the end, you just might find yourself coming out as something better than you were before."

"Wise words." Adagio said with a polite nod. "Take care lovebirds." And with that, Adagio took her leave. As she left, Adagio took a few minutes to reflect on herself.

"I always had a sort of 'lead' over my sisters." Adagio thought out loud. "They always said I had probably the most spirit out of them. I certainly gave that bearded geezer one hell of a fight when he banished us. But I guess that's one of my biggest weaknesses. First my defiant spirit gets us booted from Unity, and then it leads to us losing our voices." Adagio took a seat on a nearby bench, and sighed. "And then there's the one guy who's spirit probably rivals mine. Not giving up on me, and pushing me to get my life together. I don't think I've met someone so full of life. He puts his spirit into everything he does."

"Something on your mind?" A woman asked as she took a seat next to Adagio. The woman had green-and-brown hair, yellow skin, and was wearing a dress in a shade of green like that of lush flora. "It may not be my business, but it always helps to have someone listen. Even if they can't help you out a lot."

"I think I'll take you up on that." Adagio said. "I'm just stuck dealing with this guy I know. I was in. . . a fairly rough spot when he took me in. I was angry at the whole world for what went wrong in my life, and refused to do anything but sit around his house and sulk. My sisters always said I had the most spirit out of our group, but I never put it into any of what I did. Can't really call that being alive, I guess." A bitter chuckle escaped Adagio's throat. "I only came to that realization after the guy gave a mini-speech to me. With every word he spoke to me, I could feel how much life he put into them. I'm both thankful to him, and a bit. . . nervous."

"Oh?" The woman tilted her head in interest. "And why is that?"

"This guy. . . " Adagio said with a sigh. "I can't help but get this tight feeling in my chest when he's around. It'd be so easy just to say that to his face, but my spirit refuses to concede that so easily. But what really hits me hard is the fact I want to get a bit closer to him."

"Maybe the root of your problem is actually the solution." The woman suggested with a knowing smile. "Perhaps your proud spirit is what he finds the most appealing about you. You said it yourself that he helped you realize what it is to put effort into your life."

"Hey Mom!" Venus Bloomer called out to the woman Adagio was sitting next to! A bouquet of flowers in his hands, and a bright smile on his face as he handed it to his mother. "It's so good to see you! Oh, I see you've met Adagio! Adagio, this is my mother. Rosemary Bloomer."

"You're not going to introduce me to your lady friend, son?" A man next to Venus asked. He had tan skin, dark brown hair, and was dressed in a dark blue shit and jeans. "I'm Ironwood. Pleased to meet you, young lady."

"I should be saying that to you given the time I've been around." Adagio playfully responded. "We were just talking about you, Venus. You know, I never properly thanked you for your help. So I think it's time that I rectified that. Would you mind coming closer?"

"Not at all." Venus said with a shrug. "So what'd you have in mi-MPH!" Venus was silenced as Adagio kissed him right on the lips! Venus Bloomer's entire body went stiff at receiving such affection, but that didn't mean he enjoyed it any less. "A-Adagio. . . "

"You earned that, Venus." Adagio said with a sultry tone. "Is there anything else you'd like from me?"

". . . Tell me about yourself." Venus said with a blissful smile. "I'd like to know more about the girl that gave me such a lively kiss."

"Are you sure?" Adagio asked with a flirty smile. "We could be together for hours on end."

"I don't think I could ask for better company." Venus shot back with a smile of his own.

'This could be the start of something wonderful. . . ' Adagio thought to herself. "Then let's take this somewhere more intimate."

"Ah. Young love." Rosemary said with a sigh as she rested her head against Ironwood's shoulder. "Such a beautiful thing when it starts to bloom, isn't it darling?" Silence was the only reply she received, but her husband's eyes gave her all the answer she needed.
> Episode 7: Taking the Lead
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Inferno Flare was inspecting his Duelist Arms. Making sure that they were in top condition before getting into his training. The other Elements of Heroism had gathered. Each of them inspecting their weapons too. With the number of times Chrysalis had resurfaced, none of them were willing to take any chances. While a few of their number could trounce the changeling queen quite easily, even without their weaponry, it was no excuse for them to neglect their equipment. The entire team felt it was only a matter of time before they would be faced with the mutant changelings again. 

"So what are the chances Chrysalis is going to send those creeps against us?" Akage asked as he inspected his blade. "She sent them out so frequently because she believed they'd be a match for us. Something we've disproved in every clash we've had with them."

"Not to mention their numbers have decreased since Silk Snare, Constrictor, and Carapace defected." Steel Edge added as he polished his shield. "But that's still no excuse for us to get comfortable. Whatever Blade, Stinger and Needle lack in numbers, they make up for in brutality and craziness."

"Tell me about it!' Dark Ice chimed in. "Stinger's tried to skewer me on his scorpion tail more times than any of us can count! The jerk was grinning like a maniac. He probably enjoyed trying to kill us!"

"Then we've got Needle who kept spamming his explosive stingers." Arctic Ace said with a sigh. "I'm so happy I have ice magic now. I could just trap him in a gigantic ice block and that'd be it." He then turned his attention to Inferno. "But if any of us have the best chance of trashing those pests, it'd be you Inferno. Given how you scorched Chrysalis so easily when she decided to stir up trouble in town not too long ago."

"Let those creeps come." Inferno said with a determined gaze. "If they want to get a shot at any of you, they're going to have to get past me first."

"Aw, glad to hear you remember us so fondly! You're all on Queen Chrysalis's mind as well. So she sent us to pay you a little visit!" Blade sneered as he, Stinger, and Needle landed. Some noticeable changes were that Stinger's tail looked more vicious and seemed to be channeling energy, and that Needle now had a forearm blade that looked similar to his explosive stinger launcher. But the most drastic change was with Blade. He now sported a town cape with a hood. He still possessed his scythe, and was now sporting spiked knuckle weapons with sickle-like blades attached to them holstered at his sides. Blade still had the scar Burst Stream gave him by using his own scythe against him. "Though the name Blade doesn't work for me any more. Call me. . . Edge."

". . . Pffft! Ah ha ha ha!" Inferno laughed. "First you decide to use an impractical weapon, and now you choose to actually name yourself what you were acting like? I'm tempted to call you pizza cutter because you're all edge and no point."

"Oh, I have plenty of points to stick to you!" Edge said with a malicious grin! "Stinger! Let's show him what kind of firepower we're packing now!"

"Heh, heh!" Stinger cackled as the tip of his tail began to gather energy! "Let's see how you all deal with losing a leader again!" And Stinger fired a massive energy blast from his tail aimed right at Inferno! Inferno just gazed defiantly at the blast, and let it hit him! The mutant changelings had wicked grins on their faces as they saw smoke billow towards the sky from where Inferno stood! But their grins soon turned to jaws dropped in shock as Inferno broke through the smoke! Gently dusting himself off as he hardened his gaze towards the mutant changelings!

"Maybe you assholes haven't been paying attention." Inferno said as he stepped towards the mutant changelings! The villains taking a big step backwards for every step that Inferno took! "I'm an Avatar now. Meaning that I've reached immortality and have god-level strength. And you all thought it was a good idea to try and piss me off by threatening my home and friends? Trying to scare them with the thought of losing me?" A bright red glow was coming off of Inferno's sword! Slowly but surely, it was morphing into something new!

"Congratulations!" Inferno screamed as his Duelist Arm transformed in a burst of flame! In place of the standard sword, it now looked more mechanical in design! The hilt was based on a dragon's head while the blade resembled a dragon's wing! The sword's handle resembled that of a motorcycle's, and Inferno wasted no time in revving it up! The blade igniting into flames when he did so! "You've got my attention! So now I'll show you how much of a leader I've become!"

Inferno shot straight towards the trio of villains! Stinger lashed at Inferno with his tail, but his stinger failed to penetrate Inferno's dragon scale skin! Inferno capitalized on Stinger being stunned to grab a hold of his tail and slam him hard into the ground! Needle lunged at Inferno with his stinger blade, but Inferno ducked under the blade and sent him flying with a charged shot from his blaster! Leaving the wasp mutant changeling as a smoking pile!

"FORGET SOMEONE?!" Edge screamed as he leaped towards Inferno! His scythe poised to strike at Inferno's back! But Inferno was too quick and back-flipped over Edge as he made his swing! The blade of his scythe stuck in the ground! "What?!"

As Edge struggled to remove his scythe's blade, Inferno powered up his magic into his left hand, and sent out a volley of three fireballs with a wave of his hand! Each one set Edge ablaze for minute before Inferno teleported right up to Edge! Slashing him across the chest and firing off a meteor point-blank! Forcing the preying mantis mutant changeling to land in the pile of his beaten comrades!

"Keep in mind: I could have ended this fight a lot sooner by having the others join in." Inferno said in a fiery tone as he approached the pile of scorched mutants who were staggering to their feet. "But I chose to fight you three on my own. Because I wanted you to know what happens to people that threaten those that I care about. You provoke the sleeping dragon," Inferno raised his sword! "AND YOU GET BURNED BY ITS AWAKENED RAGE! DRAGON BLAZE!" Inferno brought his sword down, and a flaming dragon projection flew out from the blade! Biting down on the mutant changelings and exploding! The explosion was so great that their emergency teleport spells triggered from the damage they'd taken!

"Now that's a hot finisher." Inferno said with a nod as he turned to face his friends. "If anyone else tries to give us trouble, they're gonna get burned!"

However, Inferno's victory was noticed by another figure. Blitz Surge smirked down at the scene as he gripped his katana.

"We'll see about that." Blitz Surge said as he turned his attention to the Everfree Forest. "Though you have potential, it shall be justice that leads in the end."
> Episode 8: Eternal Loyalty
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rainbow Dash couldn't contain her excitement when the Friendship Map had summoned her and Pinkie Pie for a mission. According to the map, they were being summoned to Griffonstone. And Rainbow Dash's excitement took a noticeable nosedive upon hearing the location of their friendship mission. Pinkie, on the other hand, was her usual excited self and couldn't wait to go to a new place.

"Oh! I can also test out my wings!" Pinkie Pie chirped as she fluttered her wings excitedly as the exited Twilight's castle! "Sure, I could teleport there now, but it's not nearly as fun as going 'woosh' through the air!"

"Yeah. Can't wait to feel the wind in my face." Rainbow Dash said glumly before letting out a sigh and spreading her wings. "Griffonstone, here we come."

"Hold up Dashie." Pinkie Pie said with a stern look on her face. "Tell me what's wrong."

"What?!" Rainbow Dash was shocked at Pinkie Pie's request! "Pinkie. . . *sigh* I guess my tone of voice kinda gave it a way, huh?"

"Yup. Leave it to the goddess of laughter to know when someone's down. ESPECIALLY one of her best friends!" Pinkie Pie nodded. "So what's got you gloomy, Dashie? We're headed to Griffonstone on a friendship mission! You get to show how cool you are, I get to try a new pastry recipe, and we just might make a few new griffon friends!"

"Pinkie, that's exactly the reason I'm not all that hyped to be going to Griffonstone." Rainbow Dash sighed. "Because there's a good chance we could run into Gilda once we're there."

"That meanie-pants that popped my hot air balloon?" Pinkie Pie asked. "It's not like she tried to kill me, Dashie."

"She threatened to physically harm you and was a complete jerk to you, Pinkie!" Rainbow Dash argued. "Even if she was one of my first friends, that doesn't excuse her acting the way she did. Especially since she flipped out at you when you were throwing a party to make her feel more welcome, and she walked into all of those pranks."

"Well, don't worry Dashie!" Pinkie Pie chirped as she put an arm around Rainbow Dash. "It's not like she's going to be the first griffon we meet! Plus, how serious could Griffonstone's problem be?" The pair of friends soon found out the second they landed at Griffonstone. All the buildings were in a state of disrepair, and everyone just looked miserable. "Woooow. I was completely wrong! This place is gonna be a doozy to fix up!"

"No kidding." Rainbow Dash murmured as she surveyed the trashed town. "Just what the heck happened here anyway? I thought that griffons were supposed to be full of pride. Where's the king to snap these people out of this?"

"We don't have a king anymore." A familiar voice called out. The source of the voice was revealed as Gilda glided down from a derelict building which was presumably her house. "Not ever since the Idol of Boreas got stolen." She then froze in her tracks when she noticed Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie. "Oh. . . hi you two."

"Huh." Pinkie Pie scratched her head in confusion. "I kinda thought you'd be a bit grumpier to see us."

"Well, the threat of having my head cut off kinda made me think about my behavior." Gilda said with a sigh. "Still, I guess my home now looks as bad as I feel?"

"Doesn't anyone care about anything other than themselves?" Rainbow Dash asked as she saw a pair of griffons squabbling over what was literal junk. "Or enough to realize they're fighting over actually worthless trash?"

"Nope." Gilda said with a shrug. "Not ever since we lost the idol. But who cares about some stupid idol anyway?"

"Don't you dare badmouth the Idol of Boreas!" An old griffon screeched as he stumbled his way out of the wrecked house!

"Great. You woke up Uncle Gruff from his nap." Gilda groaned. "And knowing him, he'll probably give us a history lesson on the Idol of Boreas."

And true to Gilda's word, Gruff went into great detail about when the Idol of Boreas was discovered, it filled the griffons with an immense sense of pride. All for the price of one coin. According to the history lesson, some monster broke into the royal palace and stole the idol. And because of the loss of the Idol of Boreas, all the griffons basically just gave up on life and let Griffonstone fall apart.

"Well, that's a lousy ending." Rainbow Dash muttered to herself. "I'll try scoping out the Endless Abyss where the monster was last seen. Pinkie, do you think you could try and get along with Gilda better than last time?"

"Sure thing Dashie!" Pinkie Pie chirped as she gave a mock salute before getting up in Gilda's face. "So. I heard that scones from around here are pretty famous."

"Y-yeah." Gilda said nervously. "So what're you gonna-"

"TO THE KITCHEN!" Pinkie hollered at the top of her lungs before grabbing Gilda by her lion tail and zipping off to the nearest kitchen!

Meanwhile, Rainbow Dash had flown out to the Endless Abyss. True to the location's name, all that greeted her below was a pitch black abyss between the nearby mountains and the edge of the city that seemingly went on without any noticeable bottom. Rainbow Dash  soon had to land due to the unpredictable winds that blew through this region, and used the nearby ledge as a vantage point to scope things out. And then, she saw it. The Idol of Boreas in the clutches of what seemed to be the remains of the monster that had stolen it. All that remained of the monster were its bones, and its skull seemed to be still gazing at the idol.

"Oh man! I've gotta tell Gilda about this! This could be what we need to fix Griffonstone's problems!" And with that, Rainbow Dash bolted back to the city! Much to her delight, Pinkie and Gilda were getting along pretty well.

"Huh. These are pretty good." Gilda said as she took a bite out of a scone. "Thanks for helping me dig up that old recipe. I never really baked anything before, so I would've been pretty clueless in the kitchen. Oh, and. . . I'm really sorry about being a jerk a while back."

"Eh. It's no problem." Pinkie Pie said with a shrug. "I think I can kind of understand why you were trying to keep Dashie to yourself while you were in town. She was kind of your first friend. And it's pretty easy to get carried away when you see someone like that after a long time. Heck, I got a bit gloomy when I couldn't be with all of my friends at once and made a whole slew of mirror pool clones that nearly messed up Unityville!"

"Well, if that was supposed to make me feel better, it kinda worked."

"Hey! You two!" Rainbow Dash shouted as she burst through the door! "I found the idol! It's on an outcropping on the other side of the Endless Abyss! We're gonna need some rope and helmets!" It was then only mere minutes before the three of them collected the necessary equipment and set out to where Rainbow Dash had sighted the idol. 

Using the ropes as tethers to the edge of Griffonstone, Gilda and Rainbow Dash rappelled down to the level of the outcropping, and swung themselves over to it. The pair grinning as they saw the Idol of Boreas sitting near the monster's remains.

"Maybe Grandpa'll be a lot less grumpy once we get this back." Gilda thought out loud as she reached out to grab the idol. But the instant she removed it from the surrounding bones, a the monster's skeleton sprang to life! A single yellow slit of light forming in the eye socket of its skull! "WHAT THE HECK?!"

"Hang on girls!" Pinkie Pie called out as she powered up her magic! Unleashing a bright pink blast in their direction! Unfortunately, it only hit the mountainside. "Sorry! I need to work on my aiming!"

"Hang back Pinkie!" Rainbow Dash said as she summoned her boomerang! "I can take this bonehead!" Rainbow Dash hurled her boomerang at the skeleton, and managed to break off one of its arms! Unfortunately, the dismembered arm just reattached itself an instant later! "Great! We've got to take out whatever's animating this thing!"

"Wait! The eye!" Gilda said as her vision locked onto the undead skeleton's head! "The skeleton didn't start moving until that weird eye thing started glowing! If we take that out, maybe it'll go back to being a pile of bones!" Gilda spread her wings, and launched herself at the creature's skull! Her nails sharpening into talons as she tried clawing at the beast's eye! "Get the idol back to Griffonstone!"

"No!" Rainbow Dash protested as she hurled her boomerang at the monster to distract it! "Not without you!"

"Dash, just leave me!" Gilda snapped! "I don't know what reason you've got to stay and help me fight this thing, but it doesn't matter! I was a horrible friend when I last saw you! Your loyalty is something that's irreplaceable, and it's something that's not easily won back! Maybe doing this can't completely make up for how I've acted, but at least-"

"SHUT UP!" Rainbow Dash cried out as she flew around the skeleton monster to disorient it! "You're my friend Gilda! That's all the reason I need to stay here! And I'm not gonna let something like this happen! Not again!" Rainbow Dash's mind flashed back to when Steel Edge had held off the Chaos Kin during Discord's return. When she thought that he'd died, she was devastated. All because she had been tricked by the lord of chaos into deserting her friends. "I almost lost someone I care about because I decided to abandon them! I'm not making that same mistake again! Not here, not now!"

With her declaration, Rainbow Dash stabbed the "eye" of the skeleton with her boomerang! The beast howling in pain and flailing wildly in an effort to pry off the source of its agony! Rainbow Dash saw that Gilda had managed to get back to the other side with the idol safely in her hands, and removed her boomerang from the monster's eye! Unfortunately, the monster's eye was slowly regenerating.  And it too saw the idol in Gilda's hands! Rainbow Dash saw what the monster was trying to do, and ultimately decided there was only one way to make sure it didn't get the Idol of Boreas. Rainbow Dash flew right into the monster, and hit it with as much strength as she could as the two fell into the abyss!

Both Pinkie Pie and Gilda reached out their hands in vain as they lost sight of them as they fell. Pinkie Pie fell to her knees while Gilda looked at the Idol of Boreas. Her hands trembling as she held it over the edge. 

"If my entire home went to the pits because of you, if getting you back meant losing one of my friends,"  Gilda growled as her grip on the idol tightened! "THEN YOU WEREN'T WORTH ANY OF THIS!" And she tossed the idol into the Endless Abyss. "Good riddance." Gilda's gaze saddened as she peered down into the seemingly infinite abyss. But then, she caught sight of something odd. A small speck of light that seemed to be getting closer, and closer. Gilda stumbled back as a rainbow-colored blur shot right past her! The blur then stopped as soon as the sunlight hit it, and spread out its massive wings! Gilda was awestruck as she saw Rainbow Dash descend towards her and Pinkie.

"You said it was pretty hard to win back my loyalty, G." Rainbow Dash said with a cocky grin. "Well, now you've got it for life. Especially since I don't need to worry about dying now."

"Dash. . . you jerk!" Gilda said as she playfully punched Rainbow Dash's arm. "Don't pull something like that!" All the while, she was crying tears of joy. Happy that her now goddess-level friend.

"What happened with the idol?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"It's just a piece of metal." Gilda answered as she wiped her tears. "It's not that great if we needed it to have pride in ourselves. Me? I'm proud to have a good friend like you."

"Aww~!" Pinkie Pie cooed! "GROUP HUG!" And hug they did. With no protests from Gilda. Yup. She was that happy.
> Episode 9: Justice Arrives
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"I have waited a long time for this." Blitz Surge said to himself as he approached the Tree of Harmony. "While this was not the original method that I'd planned to obtain what I need, I suppose this makes things easier than having to earn the trust of the Element Bearers. Shining Dawn would have been my primary concern afterwards, but he's been dealt with by the. . . anomaly."

Blitz Surge stood before the Tree of Harmony. Taking a moment to observe it before unsheathing his katana and striking at the tree! As if the tree could sense that it was being threatened, it fought back by sending out a blast of harmony right at Blitz Surge! But this was exactly what Blitz wanted to happen! Blitz Surge raised his blade to block the magic, and the blast of harmony was absorbed into his katana! The blade glowing in a rainbow-colored light before settling.

"Now is my time to rise." Blitz Surge said as he saw the Tree of Harmony grow pale from him absorbing its power. Turning to leave when he saw the elements embedded within its branches working to restore it. "For too long a false son of Aether has been running around, playing hero. A pretender who has now met his end at his own hands. A fitting punishment for claiming a title that was mine, and mine alone. Both Shining Dawn and the anomaly, Burst Stream, were never worthy of being called Aether's son. Shining Dawn relied only upon the fact that he had Aether's blood within him to give him strength. It's only natural that his pride and arrogance in such a connection failed him in the end when he was killed by that anomaly."

"Burst Stream." Blitz Surge said with a frown as he thought about the fallen Element of Power. "You were an anomaly, an error in the destiny I was promised. An outlier that effortlessly dashed my plans for rising as the TRUE hero of this land. Every time a threat rose, you and your band of excuses for heroes went forth to counter it. Nightmare Moon. Discord. The Changelings and Queen Chrysalis. King Sombra. And most recently, Tirek. I would have arrived when all seemed lost to defeat them, but you all bested them before they could dominate the world. But if there is anything that I despise more than that." Blitz Surge gripped his sword tightly in anger! His frown becoming a scowl.

"No, what I find more disgusting than anything is the fact you decided to lower yourself by becoming the lover of the fallen goddess Nightmare Moon!" Blitz Surge raged! "A son of Aether would not defile himself in such a filthy manner! What sickens me more is that you helped redeem her." Blitz Surge's face contorted in disgust. "Redemption. No word makes me more sick. It's allowed Discord to escape punishment, and allowed Nightmare Moon to obtain a seat among the royalty. King Sombra also roams free now. All because of you, Burst Stream, and your mockery of heroes!"

"A true hero would have smote the evils that risen without a second thought. They deserve no mercy, no second chances." Blitz Surge said as a dark smile spread across his face. "All of them facing the judgement they deserve at my hands. And in the end, justice will be done. I guess it was true when they said power corrupts, Burst Stream. You corrupted what an ideal hero, a TRUE hero like father stands for. But now that you no longer stand in my way, I will purge your corruption and purify the mantle of hero! With power's departure, JUSTICE will now reign!"

Blitz Surge came to a halt when he heard the sounds of combat coming from Unityville. He saw the Elements of Heroism engaging a monster known as the bugbear. And Blitz Surge smiled as he made his way to town.

"Man! We need to draw this thing out of town!" Inferno said as he fired a few shots form his blaster at the bugbear, and launched a few fireballs from his right hand with magic! "We can't use any of our more destructive techniques without causing too much damage to the town or unwanted collateral!"

"Why is this thing even trashing town in the first place?!" Tyrannus grumbled as he grappled with the bugbear! By applying a small amount of his divine strength, the God of Tolerance lifted the bugbear and slammed it into the ground! Ty glared down at the fallen monster. "I don't wish to kill you. But if you don't know to back off now, I won't tolerate your continued rampage. Are. We. Clear."

"Good thing we managed to wrap this up quickly." Akage muttered to Steel. "The girls are probably saving us seats at the town hall."

"Tell me about it." Steel replied. "Today's wedding got me thinking about when I'm gonna pop the question to Rainbow Dash. Honor and loyalty are a good combination."

Fortunately, the bugbear realized just how outmatched it was. It grunted as it picked itself up from the crater it had formed upon being slammed into the ground, and began to leave. But as it began to buzz its wings, the sound of a blade slicing was heard! An instant later, the bugbear fell to the ground! Cleaved in two horizontally! Blitz Surge was revealed with his sword drawn when the bugbear's lifeless body halves hit the ground.

"Justice has been delivered, monster." Blitz said as he looked down at the bugbear's remains before turning his attention to the Elements of Heroism.  "Elements of Heroism. You needn't worry about being a member short any longer."

"Who are you?" Inferno asked as he stared down Blitz Surge. "You're not another Element of Heroism. All of our team have already awakened."

"My name is Blitz Surge." Blitz answered with a frown. "And I am the justice that you all lack."

"You call yourself 'justice', and your first act upon showing up is to kill a creature that's decided to back off?" Steel Edge questioned with a raised eyebrow. "We were about to capture the bugbear. You didn't need to kill it!"

"You can still add it to the bestiary by studying it's corpse." Blitz Surge retorted. "Is that any way to thank the one who so easily dealt with the beast you were struggling to handle?"

"We could have easily taken it down." Arctic Ace countered in a cool tone. "But we're fighting in a populated area. And a lot of our more powerful techniques could cause damage to the town and civilians."

"If we could get back on topic," Inferno began as he narrowed his eyes at Blitz Surge. "Why are you here, and what do you want?"

"I came here to make myself known to you lot. I'd say I was most successful on that end." Blitz Surge stated with a straight face. "My other purpose is to take the place of Burst Stream. I shall resume the position he held. From now on, the Elements of Heroism will be led by justice!"

". . . Excuse me?" Inferno asked as embers danced around his hands as the balled into fists! "What did you just say about Burst Stream?"

"I know that you heard me quite well." Blitz Surge retorted. He then looked at the statue of Burst Stream, and frowned at it. "A shame, about my brother. But rest assured, I will lead us down the path of true heroes."

"Wait, what?!" Inferno snapped. "That can't be! The only 'brother' Burst Stream had was Shining Dawn!"

"I suppose you could ask our father, Aether, for answers when I visit him." Blitz Surge said with a smirk. "With my mother also attending, you could practically call it a reunion. Now then, would you be a good team and regale the media of how I defeated the bugbear effortlessly?"

"Sorry, but you don't give the orders." Inferno pointed a finger at himself. "Burst named me as his second-in-command. Since he's not here anymore, I'm the one in charge now."

"I am his brother." Blitz Surge argued. "I would have known what he wanted!"

"Oh, don't give me that!" Inferno snapped! "There's no way Burst Stream knew who you are, or that you existed! He didn't even know that bastard Shining Dawn was related to him!"

"If you won't grant me what I am owed," Blitz Surge placed a hand over his katana, and glared at Inferno. "Then I will take what I deserve."

"You really wanna see how hot a dragon's fury burns?" Inferno growled! "Come on! Take a good look!"

"CEASE THIS AT ONCE!" Princess Luna commanded as she flew over to Blitz Surge's side! "What is the meaning of this? Why are you at odds with my chosen champion?!"

"WHAT?!" The Elements of Heroism exclaimed in shock!

"Princess Luna." Blitz Surge bowed. "My apologies. It appears my declaration of wanting to take the position of leader, which was once held by Burst Stream, upset them. For me to assume I could replace such a person was foolish."

"You are forgiven, Blitz Surge." Luna said with a loving smile as she turned to face the EoH. "My champion has apologized for his behavior. Does that not resolve this matter?"

'Funny. Why don't I believe him?' Inferno thought as he sighed. "Fine."

"Perhaps you could accept him as a member?" Luna asked. "If he could not serve you as a leader, then at the very least he could become your comrade?"

"I've got the feeling I'd regret letting him join." Inferno said crossly as he pointed to the bugbear's corpse. "He bisected the bugbear just when we'd gotten it to back off. And there's also a good chance he'd try to challenge me for leadership. In fact, I'd honestly like to see him try just so he knows who he's up against. You want him in, princess? Fine. He can join. But the second he makes a wrong move, I'm kicking him out."

"Excellent." Luna said with a satisfied smile as she collected Blitz Surge. "It seems like you've gotten your wish for fighting with the Elements of Heroism."

"It appears so." Blitz answered with a smile. "And what of you and your little project for penance?"

"The tantabus is most effective." Luna answered with a sigh of relief. "At long last, I feel like I'm paying for my past sins."

"Well then," Blitz Surge wrapped his arms around Luna. "It looks like everything is proceeding as planned."
> Episode 10: Reflect, Regret, Reunion
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shadow Thunder let out a sigh as he laid back on a cloud. It had only been a little while after his solo-mission, and despite freeing the village and thwarting Starlight Glimmer's plans, Shadow felt like he'd failed. Within Starlight, he could sense a great amount of conflict in addition to great sorrow and anger. All of that made for an unhealthy combination considering how crazed Starlight was in bringing about "equality" for all. 

"What could have made her like that?" Shadow thought out loud as he reflected on his brief clash with Starlight. "She's hurting so much, and she blames Talent Crests as the source of all her problems like a petulant child. And now she probably blames Twilight and the Elements of Harmony. Along with me." Shadow looked up to the sky sadly.

"Some Element of Compassion I turned out to be." Shadow said with a defeated tone in his voice. "Someone was hurting real bad, even more than everyone else in that village."

"What's got you down, Shadow?" Arctic Ace asked as he landed on a nearby cloud. "Fang said that you'd closed up the cosplay shop today. That's pretty unlike you."

"You and Ice seem to know when I'm troubled." Shadow said as he sat up. "Why?"

"We're your older brothers. It's our job to know." Ace stated as he crossed his arms with a proud smile. "Now then, what's got you in the dumps?"

"Well, I managed to find out the cause of what was wrong in that village the girls were summoned to." Shadow began as he gathered some bits of the cloud and formed a pillow out of it. "The person behind it all, Starlight Glimmer, she was projecting her pain onto everyone else. She made her issues everyone else's. I'm not saying she was in the right at all, or that the lengths she went to were understandable. What she did was wrong. Plain and simple. But at the same time, I wanted to help her heal. What she did to those people wouldn't have made the pain go away, or even remotely lessen it. I just. . . I just wanted to save her from what she is. Or even worse, what she could become."

"Just like how you helped bring Ice back to his senses." Arctic Ace said with a nod. "That's very compassionate of you Shadow. You wouldn't be the Element of Compassion otherwise. But you need to know that you haven't done anything wrong. You haven't failed. Starlight made her own choice when she decided to turn tail and run. It wasn't that you didn't try hard enough. Rather, it's the fact she refused to admit that she's wrong. I can understand where you're coming from, Shadow, but don't be hard on yourself. Ice is already hard on himself for the three of us."

"Heh, heh! Yeah!" Shadow said with a small smile. "Thanks bro. I feel a bit better now."

"Good." Ace said with a smile as he ruffled Shadow's hair. "Now let's get back to ground level. Can't have our heads in the clouds all day."

"Rainbow Dash does." Shadow retorted. "Have you seen her house?"

"That one was too easy." Ace chuckled as the two landed on the ground. "And I wouldn't worry about seeing Starlight again. If our past experience with villains is anything to go by, we'll more than likely be seeing her more."

"Oh, how sweet." A familiar voice called out as a figure stepped out clad in a black-and-white mask (Paradox's mask from Bonds Beyond Time) and a cloak with the same patterns as the mask on it stepped through a sickly green portal that was crackling with black bolts of energy. "It's so nice to know that you've missed me Shadow. I've been thinking about you all this time too."

"Starlight?" Shadow asked in shock! "What happened to you?! What's with that mask?!"

"This?" Starlight Glimmer said with an evil smile underneath her mask. "This mask is what made me see why I was left to be alone. It spoke to me in my despair, and gave me comfort. And it showed me the truth. That by making all in this world equal, no one shall ever know the loneliness or pain that I carry!"

"That's wrong!" Shadow shot back! "We're not meant to all be the same Starlight! It's like I said before: we all have our differences in common! Maybe we'll feel pain when we grow apart from people, but that pain means that you care about them! I know that better than anyone because my brother ran away from home when Ace and I were kids! It hurt more than I could ever imagine, but I accepted it because it meant that he was a part of my life that I cherished! You're only hurting yourself by continuing down this path, Starlight! Please! Let me help you! I know how bad you're hurting, I can see it in your heart! I can still hear the part of you that's crying for help!"

"You want to 'help' me? 'Save' me?" Starlight scoffed! "Then suffer! For disrupting the harmony I had bestowed, for destroying my perfect equality!" Starlight tossed aside her cloak to reveal armor that conformed to her body that was styled after her mask! As she powered up her magic, sickly black-and-green arcs of energy crackled around her regular turquoise magic! "PERISH!"

Shadow was about to summon his Duelist Arm when Arctic Ace formed a wall of ice that tanked the magic blast! With the wall destroyed, Shadow readied his now materialized Duelist Arm to block a swipe from Starlight! The fingers on her armor's gauntlets sharpening into claws!

"You need to stop this, Starlight!" Shadow pleaded as he parried each of Starlight's claw swipes! "I don't know what made you like this, but you don't have to keep it to yourself! Talk to me! Tell us where it all began for you! We'll listen!"

"SHUT UP!" Starlight screamed as she leaped away from Shadow! "You and that damn goddess Twilight Sparkle both have such tightly connected friends! None of you could understand what I've been through!" Starlight thrust out her arms, and her armor seemed to gauntlets slithered around to form a gigantic cannon! "NOBODY CAN!" And she fired out a massive blast of sickly green energy!

Ace summoned his shield and channeled the aegis shield spell through it to boos this defense while Shadow plunged the handle side of his spear into the ground and a ray of light enveloped him! Starlight's blast hit its target, but neither of them took any damage thanks to their strong defenses! 

"So you survived my blast. Fine!" Starlight hissed as her gauntlets shifted into arm blades! "I WANTED TO GET UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH YOU, SHADOW!" But before Starlight could even get withing slashing distance, a slash of rainbow-colored energy ripped through Starlight from behind! Making her scream in agony! "AAAAUUUGH!" Starlight's armor looked like it was writhing in pain as well! Smoke coming from her body!

"So it appears a new villain has decided to make her first appearance." Blitz Surge remarked as he approached the sprawled out form of Starlight Glimmer. "Her first and last mistake." And Blitz raised his katana to strike down Starlight! However, his blade was intercepted by Shadow's spear! "What are you doing?"

"Stop this!" Shadow snapped in Blitz Surge's face! "She's already beaten! That attack you did seriously damaged her! If you hit her again, she could've died!"

"I don't see any problem with that." Blitz Surge frowned. "She attacked you, and made it very clear that she intended to kill you. And yet you waste your time showing mercy to her in spite her actions. Why bother with such a useless gesture?"

"Because that's what makes us better than the evil we're supposed to fight against!" Shadow countered! "What good is a hero if they don't have any compassion?!" As Starlight saw Shadow arguing against Blitz, she took the chance to escape through a portal she opened. Shadow breathing a sigh of relief as he caught sight of her in his peripheral vision.

"You are mistaken." Blitz Surge said coldly as he noticed Starlight's escape. "Not to mention too soft to be a true hero. A real hero strikes down the wicked without mercy." 

"No, you're mistaken." Arctic Ace said with an icy glare. "All that shows is that you're just as ruthless as what you claim to fight against. I don't know what Princess Luna sees in you, but it certainly doesn't warrant you being a member of our team. Inferno should have kicked you out the second you officially joined." 

"Now, now." Blitz Surge said with a smirk. "You wouldn't want to upset one of your rulers, would you? I don't think fair Luna would take too kindly to your exclusion of me. However, I have more important matters than you that warrant my attention. I have a reunion of my own to attend."

Blitz Surge powered up his magic, and teleported into Aether Stream's home! Aether was immediately on guard when he saw Blitz Surge, and flared his magic to life! It's pure white aura covering his hands!

"At long last we meet, father." Blitz Surge said with a smile. "Mother told me much about you."

"Who. The hell. Are you." Aether demanded. "I have only made two children. One a literal bastard, and another who I raised and am proud to call my son."

"Ah, yes. Shining Dawn and Burst Stream." Blitz said with a nod. "But surely you remember my mother, Abyss Light?"

". . . I remember." Aether cut off his magic and crossed his arms. "She helped console me after Rising Dawn broke my heart. I was fond of her, but I felt no romantic attraction towards her. I NEVER became that intimate with her. There's no way you could be my child!"

"But didn't you leave a little piece of yourself with me?" Abyss asked as she stepped through a portal into Aether's home, and held out a locket. One that made Aether's eyes widen upon seeing it. "I combined it with a little piece of myself. And the result was my, no, our son."

"By Faust. . . " Aether said in complete shock.

"Now that I have made myself known, you no longer need to pretend, Father." Blitz Surge smiled as he gestured to Lumina. "You can leave that woman behind, and be with Mother and I! We can be the family you were meant to have!"

"Blitz!" Abyss scolded! But Blitz Surge brushed her aside! "Son, stop. NOW."

"And I will be a better son than that pitiful excuse Burst Stream ever was!" Blitz declared triumphantly! "As I am the one, TRUE son of Aether!" Silence reigned for a whole minute as nobody moved a muscle, or spoke a word. Until Aether broke the silence by taking a deep breath.

"Get out." Aether commanded with a hard glare at Blitz Surge. "Now."

"I. . . what?" Blitz Surge was confused! Why was his father upset at him? "I don't understand! I am the only child you have left! That makes me your true son by default!"

"No. It doesn't." Aether growled. "I recognize you as my child. I accept my role in bringing you into this world. But you are NOT my son. I had a son. My ONLY son. And he sacrificed himself for the people, for the world that he loved. And I could never be more proud of him."

"And he failed!" Blitz Surge snapped! "He didn't even take Tirek with him! How can you call that disgrace, that pathetic fool who simply played hero, your son?!"

"ENOUGH!" Aether roared! His aura bursting to life as his eyes went pure white! "YOUR ARROGANCE AND DISRESPECT APPALLS ME, BOY! FIRST YOU INSULT MY WIFE, AND THEN YOU DISRESPECT THE SON I LOST?! ARE YOU WITHOUT ANY SHAME?! LEAVE MY SIGHT! YOU AND YOUR MOTHER! I HELD NO PART IN YOUR LIFE BEFORE. BUT AFTER THIS BEHAVIOR, I CAN SAY THAT I MISSED NOTHING. NOW BEGONE! THIS IS NO REQUEST. IT'S A DEMAND."

"No. . . this isn't what's supposed to happen!" Blitz snapped! "I'm the hero! You should be welcoming me with open arms! Celebrating my grand return!"

"You both need to do as my husband says." Lumina said with a cold glare directed at both Blitz and Abyss. "If you're too lazy to use the door, teleport yourselves out. Now." And the pair teleported out of Aether's home. 

"If you refuse to acknowledge me now, father," Blitz Surge said as he teleported into his room, and glared at a picture of Burst Stream leading the Elements of Heroism. "Then you will once I take the position that disgrace occupied. . . "
> Episode 11: Party Problems
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pinkie Pie couldn't contain her excitement as she heard Twilight's announcement. A friendship festival would soon beheld in Unityville, and representatives from the Yaks.

"And they call themselves the Yaks because they have a close tie to the animals they've taken the name of." Twilight said as she read a brief on the Yaks. "And they'll be coming here very soon. Meaning we need to make sure that the Friendship Festival is perfect!" She then turned her attention to Pinkie Pie. "Pinkie! I need you to plan the party out! There's no one I know that's better at getting people to have fun! Who better to throw a party than the Goddess of Laughter?"

"No problem, Twilight!" Pinkie gave a mock salute! "If you'll excuse me, I'm gonna scope out what to set up here!" And with that, Pinkie Pie teleported out of the room in a burst of confetti! She soon arrived at Sugar Cube Corner and began gathering party supplies from her party cave. "Hmm. Now what to do for the party?" Pinkie scratched her head for a solid minute before looking above her head and seeing a lightbulb that was off. "Oh! Silly me! I forgot about you!" Pinkie yanked the lightbulb's cord, and it turned on! "Ah, much better! Now I've got an idea!" And with that, Pinkie Pie teleported to the Crystal Empire! Arriving right in the throne room! A few minutes later, a now calm Cadence led Pinkie to the border to where the Yaks' homeland.

"I do hope that this helps you with the Friendship Festival you'll be throwing back in Unityville." Cadence said with a hopeful smile. "Not many people have traveled here."

"Yup! This is just what I needed to do!" Pinkie Pie said with a smile. She then turned around. "C'mon Cadence! Back to the castle! I could sure use a mug of hot cocoa!"

"Wait, what?" Cadence asked as she tried to wrap her head around Pinkie's sudden decision. "I thought you wanted to head to the Yaks' home so you could see what they liked about it the most."

"Don't be silly Cadence!" Pinkie chirped! "The whole point of this festival is to show them all the cool stuff we have in Unity! And I've got a whole lot to show them! Besides, it'd be pretty boring if this was just a complete copy-paste of the original counterpart episode!" And she then turned to the audience.

"Sorry guys! This episode's gonna be a short one!" Pinkie Pie said with an apologetic smile. "But this is more of a filler episode than a plot episode, so I hope you enjoyed the diversion! Hmm. I feel like I'm forgetting something. . . Oh yeah! There was the little scene the author made to show how much of a meanie Blitz Surge is! And don't worry, Akage told me all about it off-screen! So after Blitz showed up and crashed the Elements of Heroism, he refused to get rid of the bugbear after Twilight cast an analysis spell on it to add it to the bestiary! Said something about presented a trophy to Princess Luna.  Doesn't he know the best gift for a girl is chocolate? Mmmm! Sweet, gooey chocolate! Anyway, hope you all enjoyed this little break in the wall! Write me back to Unityville author!"

Pinkie then literally popped back into Unityville, and got the party all set up. The Yaks scarfed down all the treat's she'd prepared and triumphantly declared that they'd celebrate for a thousand moons. However, they made the mistake of challenging Pinkie to a root beer drinking contest. It was on that day, Pinkie Pie was truly declared the Party Goddess. 

"And don't any of you forget it!" Pinkie said proudly. She then grabbed Akage, and held him at her side! "C'mon Akage! Let's dance!"

Akage Strider was silent as he smiled at Pinkie Pie before looking to the screen. 

"So." Akage asked. "When should our wedding be?" And with that, he was whisked away to the dance floor by Pinkie Pie. Many tried, but none succeeded in out-dancing the two. The couple literally dancing the night away.
> Episode 12: Friends Make Amends
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Twilight smiled as she looked over the view of Unityville that she was granted to her by the balcony of her new castle. She then went back inside her castle, and felt a lot more comfortable in her new dwelling thanks to the efforts of her friends, and her newly acquired boyfriend Nightfall Silver. Her friends had crafted some crystal orbs that contained precious memories they'd made since she'd moved into town, and Nightfall had made a projector that displayed a hologram of Golden Oak Library. He'd originally wanted to make a larger projector to create to-scale image, but he figured she'd appreciate something that was just as heartfelt.

"This place really does feel like home now." Twilight said with a fond smile as she levitated a duster over to herself with her magic. "And like any good home, I need to keep it in good shape."

"I can't really argue with your logic, Twilight." Spike said as he was setting down a box filled with photo albums filled with pictures from Twilight's life. "But couldn't you just get this place clean with a snap of your fingers?"

"Well, I wanted to get this place clean myself." Twilight said with a proud smile. "But I've always wanted to try out a spell like this when I was little. So what the heck!" And Twilight cast the cleaning spell all over her castle. "And it works just as well as I imagined it would too." That was when she spied the box full of photo albums. "I guess the memories I've made here aren't the only ones that I have with me."

"Yup. The good old days." Spike said with a nod. "Back when I only went up to your waist, when we were at Celestia's School for Gifted Magi, and your infamous days of being a total shut-in."

"Yeah." Twilight's smile faded the instant she heard Spike's innocent remark about her past demeanor. While she had changed for the better, Twilight Sparkle was still incredibly conscious about her actions. Especially since becoming the Princess of Friendship. "I was pretty anti-social back then, wasn't I?"

"Yeah." Spike said innocently. "You didn't talk to any people much outside of me, Princess Celestia, or the few friends you had back then! Heh, even then you didn't go out and socialize much. You mostly buried yourself in your studies. Heck, you even refused the invitation to Moon Dancer's party that was being held the day we were sent to Unityville!"

"I was really that bad, huh?" Twilight said sadly as she set the photo album down.

"B-But you've gotten a lot better than you were back then!" Spike frantically said as he caught onto the fact his innocent reminders had upset Twilight. It may not have been intentional, but the young dragon still proceeded to perform damage control. "You're a great friend now!"

"That doesn't exempt me from apologizing at the very least." Twilight said as she picked up the box of photos, and set them aside. A cheerful smile on her face as she exited her castle and spread her wings. "I think it's time for a little reunion." And she flew all the way to Castalot. But not before scooping Spike up and carrying him during the flight. The pair soon landed at Celestia's School for Gifted Magi, and Twilight set about finding her old friends. Fortunately, she didn't need to search for very long as they soon found her.

Much to Twilight's relief, most of her friends were happy to reconnect with her. However, Twilight noticed that there was one person missing. Moondancer. The same girl whose party she had blown off the day before she moved to Unityville all because she thought it wasn't important. But instead of Twilight despairing about her past actions, her eyes hardened with the resolve to make things right.

Unfortunately, Moondancer had become a more advanced version of what Twilight had used to be: a total recluse. And she literally slammed the door in Twilight's face.

"This doesn't make any sense." Twilight muttered to herself as she walked away. "When I first met her, Moondancer was always a bit anti-social. When I first struck up a conversation with her, she didn't even sound like she was paying attention to me. Like she didn't even want to talk to me and just focus on her work. But, not that many people tried to talk with her and-Oh."

"Twilight?" Spike asked. "What is it?"

"I just realized it Spike." Twilight said with an ashamed look on her face. "I was probably one of the first people she thought of as a friend."

"What do you mean, Twilight?"

"Spike. I was the first person to try and be friends with her." Twilight stated firmly. "It's easy to see why because the two of us were pretty similar. Both of us had our noses buried in books, and generally opted out of any social interactions. But I had you and Princess Celestia. Moondancer? She didn't have anyone to begin with. That party I blew off before we moved? That was a chance for Moondancer to meet with all the people she considered friends, and have fun. Can you imagine how crushed she must have felt that I wasn't there Spike?"

"Oh, man. . . " Spike let out a sigh as the realization hit him as well. "No wonder she wanted you out so fast."

"Yeah. I practically dismissed her as my friend." Twilight said sadly. However, any further regret was banished as Twilight clenched her fists. "Maybe I didn't care then, but I can show that I care now."

"You gonna call up Pinkie Pie?" Spike asked. "I know she'd throw a sick party!"

"No." Twilight shook her head. "I already have the perfect people to throw a party for Moondancer. We were just talking with them." And so, Twilight informed her old friends of her plan. Much to her delight, the party was a huge success as her old friends got Moondancer to show up. Moondancer was in awe when she heard what Twilight had done for her, and almost burst into tears.

"You don't need to accept my friendship, Moondancer." Twilight said with an encouraging smile. "Just accept the friendship of the people who are willing to be there when I wasn't."

But just as Moondancer was about to extend her hand, a black-and-green portal opened up. Starlight Glimmer stepped through, clad in her stranger armor. Her mask pulling back to reveal the cruel smile on her face.

"Oh, you don't want to do that, Moondancer." Starlight hissed as she directed her gaze at Twilight! "Does her throwing you this little party, and telling your 'friends' to come, make up for flaking out on you?"

"Look lady, I don't know who you are." Moondancer began. "That all happened years ago. Just one little event from my past. Did it hurt? Yes. But that doesn't mean I'm going to hold it against Twilight for the rest of her life, or blame her for everything that goes wrong! I accept what happened. And I have no one to blame but myself for not trying to contact her."

"And I have no one to blame but myself for not thinking about how Moondancer would be affected." Twilight finished. "Starlight, whatever your problems are, they don't have to due with Talent Crests. They have to do with you not being willing to accept the fact you didn't try to solve them and deciding to make your troubles everyone else's!"

"Lies! LIES!" Starlight screamed as her mask covered her face! "Talent Crests make us all different! They make it so we can't have something in common!"

"Seriously?" Moondancer asked with a raised eyebrow. "EVERYONE has different talents! But that doesn't mean they don't enjoy similar things! Who raised you to have such backwards logic?!"

"This mask taught me!" Starlight screamed! "It told me how to perfect this world! To usher in true, PERFECT harmony! One where all are the same! No one will ever have to know the pain of-AAAGH!" Starlight's rant was cut short as she was hit with a massive blast of magic from Twilight! Twilight's staff smoking from the massive discharge of magic!

"Keep this in mind: I don't want to destroy you, Starlight." Twilight said with a glare as she approached the fallen form of Starlight Glimmer! "But you tried to go after one of my friends with the same twisted thinking that makes you so alone in the first place. The world's not he problem, Starlight. YOU are. You can't admit that you're wrong, and that you've done the wrong thing. You're no savior. You're a villain. And if you put my friends in danger, I won't hesitate to put you down if I have to. A friend of mine made the ultimate sacrifice for me and the rest of my friends. I won't let it be in vain by allowing your continued rampage!" But before Twilight could cast her capture spell, a violent green aura flared around Starlight's unconscious body! Teleporting the crazed Magi away!

"Damn!" Spike growled as he dismissed his Duelist Arm. "She got away again!"

"Maybe so." Twilight said with a nod. "And there's a good chance she could strike again. Maybe I should have Nightfall install that security system for the castle that he suggested. Just to be safe."

"Twilight?" Moondancer asked. "Something's definitely wrong with this girl. Whatever 'problem' Talent Crests caused her? It shouldn't have been enough for her to go totally bonkers."

"What are you saying Moondancer?"

"What I'm saying, Twilight, is that someone or something manipulated the root of Starlight's grief into trauma." Moondancer answered. "And whatever did it? It's clearly bent on preventing her from moving through the cycle. Whatever this thing is,it must have struck her at a vulnerable time. And it has a very strong hold because it's exploiting that vulnerability." 

Meanwhile, Starlight was far away and regaining consciousness. Looking at the mask she'd donned with a frown.

"You said that you would give me the power I needed!" Starlight fumed as she glared at the mask! "And I still get beaten by Twilight Sparkle! Who was still holding back! I should have beaten her!" The mask glowed before summoning a bunch of gears that fell to the ground in a massive heap! "Gears?! What are these useless hunks of junk supposed to do?!"

As if in response to Starlight Glimmer's anger, the gears began to shift and form into what looked like mechanical soldiers. An evil smile spread across Starlight's face.

"Oh, I think I'm going to enjoy playing with these new toys. . . "
> Episode 13: Waking Up
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nightmare Moon was concerned. She had been performing her duties of patrolling the dreamscape, warding off bad dreams and ensuring the restful slumber of her subjects. As to be expected of her being the Princess of Dreams, but what troubled Nightmare Moon was how smoothly she was able to perform her duties without Luna trying to drive her out of the dreamscape as she'd done numerous times before. It wasn't that she missed the interruptions, but it was that Luna hadn't been seen through the dreamscape lately.

"This isn't normal." Nightmare Moon muttered to herself as she prepared for bed. "Even if she isn't trying to block me from the dreamscape, I would've expected her to be glaring at me as I went through." Her eyes narrowing as she added a new piece of information to the puzzling situation. "On top of that, I've been sensing a strong concentration of negativity from her own dreams. But the most troubling thing about this is the fact that the negativity seems to be willingly produced by Luna. No nightmare is ever intentional. So just what is it that's robbing you of sleep, Luna? I'll have my answers tonight. Even if I have to pull them out of you."

And with that, Nightmare Moon closed her eyes and drifted off into the dreamscape. Upon arrival, her eyes snapped open as she felt around the dreamscape with her magic. Searching for any large concentrations of negativity, and finding a small but highly concentrated mass in the same region as Luna's presence.

"Found you." Nightmare Moon said with a determined gaze as she spread her wings, and flew off to Luna's dreamscape! Once she landed, Nightmare Moon found herself in the Castle of the Two Sisters. Her birthplace, and the sight of her first defeat. 

"How ironic. Luna's dream would take place where her nightmare was born." Nightmare Moon said with a pensive expression as she made her way to the throne room. She'd been in the old castle so many times, it felt like her body was on autopilot when navigating it. "I would've thought this would be the last place Luna would dream of. It holds so many significant memories for both herself and me."

But before she could continue reflecting on her history, Nightmare Moon felt the concentrated mass of negativity she'd sensed in Luna's dreamscape. And upon sensing it once more, something about it made her go cold. For one, the mass of negativity seemed to move and gravitate towards Luna. It felt like it was alive. But what made this incredibly disturbing for Nightmare Moon was that the mass of negativity was drenched in the signature of Luna's magic! This thing, whatever it was, had been created by Luna!

". . . Why?" Nightmare Moon asked herself as she broke into a full speed run towards the moving mass of negativity! "What could have possessed Luna to create something like this?!" The answer was laid bare before her as Nightmare Moon arrived at the throne room, and saw a mass of smoke floating towards Luna. The lunar princess holding her arms out to her sides in acceptance!

"Alright Tantabus." Luna addressed the smoke monster. "Do your worst." Luna closed her eyes as the Tantabus surged into her! Where Luna once stood, Nightmare Moon now saw her past self. Clad in the same silvery armor she'd donned in her first appearance. 

Luna was used to this dream by now. She had been enduring it willingly every night as a form of penance for her bringing Nightmare Moon into the world. While she had the love and acceptance of her subjects, any form of comfort that brought her was meaningless in her opinion. In part because she felt that she didn't deserve it, but mostly because Nightmare Moon now had an existence all her own. And in Luna's eyes, it was an eternal torment because her past sins made flesh was now walking the earth once again. To Luna, Nightmare Moon's second return was a sign that she hadn't paid enough for her past mistakes. And so, at the suggestion of Blitz Surge, Luna forged a punishment befitting her "unending nightmare" in the form of the Tantabus. A creature that turned her dreams into nightmares. What punishment could be more fitting for one who unleashed a nightmare into the world than having to endure nightmares every night?

Unfortunately, Luna's nightmare would not play out as planned that night. Normally, after donning the form of Nightmare Moon, Luna would typically see herself confronted by either her sister of the Main 6. Either of the two banishing her back to the moon to suffer isolation for her mistakes. However, neither of those two were standing before her now. No, Nightmare Moon herself was standing before her.

"W-What is this?!" Luna's voice came out instead of Nightmare Moon's! The shock of this situation hitting her full force! "You. . . you can't be here! I AM you! We're the same!"

"No. We're not." Nightmare Moon said with a pleading tone in her voice as she advanced on Luna! "What I am, is the vision of yourself that you pictured upon replacing Celestia. Her grace. Her beauty. Her stature and authority. But when I was brought into existence, I didn't have your personality. In the beginning, everything I did was influenced by your negative thoughts and emotions. But my second defeat purged me form you, and gave me my own existence. I'm not tied to you Luna. And I'm also so disappointed in you."

"You have no right to say that to me!" Luna roared as she flared her wings out and powered up her magic! "We may no longer be a single being, but your second return is an eternal reminder that I haven't paid enough for my past mistake of creating you!"

"But you HAVE paid enough, Luna!" Nightmare Moon countered! "We BOTH have! We endured a thousand years of isolation on the moon! Both of us had to work to gain acceptance and forgiveness for our past actions! But there's a big difference in our paths! I've accepted what I've done, and the fact that it can't be changed. However, I refuse to let that rule over me for the rest of my life like you! If you're still so determined that I'm a part of you, fine! I don't care! But if I've forgiven myself, then by that logic, doesn't that mean YOU forgive yourself?"

"I. . . I-" Luna struggled to piece her thoughts together after Nightmare Moon turned her own logic against her!

"Luna. . ." Nightmare Moon said firmly as she was now face-to-face with Luna. And she slapped some sense into her. "WAKE UP!"

"I don't know whoever put this stupid thought that you need to punish yourself, but they're a complete idiot! You've shown remorse about your actions! Guilt! Shame!" Nightmare Moon cried out as she ripped at the Tantabus! Tearing it off of Luna in chunks in an attempt to pull Luna free from it! "You're NOT as bad as you think you were! Even when I took over, I never wanted to hurt or kill anyone! Because I knew how much you loved your sister! How much you loved your people! I never wanted to cause you pain, Luna! I just wanted you to be happy! And when we returned, when the Elements hit me, I realized how much I'd hurt you! I realized it the second someone dared to fight me because he wanted to see you and your sister happy again! After my second defeat, I was almost certain I didn't deserve the forgiveness your sister and the Element Bearers showed you! But I was proved wrong because I held the same remorse and guilt that you hold now! Because one person was willing to believe in me when everyone else wouldn't!"

"Why?" Luna croaked out as she came into view after Nightmare Moon ripped a huge chunk of the Tantabus off! Tears streaming down her face! "I've shown you nothing but disgust. I've treated you so awful. So why show me any kindness? Why help me?"

"Because I won't let a chance to make you happy pass me by! And the best way to do that now," Nightmare Moon powered up her magic, and unleashed a gigantic beam of it at the Tantabus-covered Luna! "IS TO WAKE YOU UP!" 

The Tantabus shrieked in pain as it took the full force of the blast! When the dust settled, the Tantabus was little more than a small ball of smoke and Luna fell to her knees!

"You were creating another monster, Luna." Nightmare Moon said as she knelt down to Luna's level. "One that also fed on your negativity. Because you were refusing to do for yourself what everyone else has done for you. But you need to hear this from me more than anyone else: I forgive you. Can you do the same for yourself?"

". . . Yes." Luna said tearfully. And the Tantabus vanished completely with a pop. With it gone, Luna's dreams were once again peaceful. The lunar princess then slept better than she ever had before. And she decided to surprise everyone in the castle by being out and about the next morning. Even Blitz Surge was surprised to see her up.

"You look like you've rested well, Luna." Blitz said with a questioning tone. "I thought you were welcoming of a restless night."

"Blitz Surge." Luna said firmly as she faced her champion. "Whatever lingering regrets I had are gone. Because I realized all that was doing was preventing me from moving past the mistakes I made. I have moved on."

"Impossible." Blitz Surge said with a frown. "You said that you deserved to be punished. That you needed to serve penance for your past actions! That justice would be done!"

"Those were actions that I was not solely responsible for. Furthermore, justice is about fairness. And I was not being fair to myself." Luna said calmly. "No one is perfect, Blitz Surge. Though my sister and I are goddesses, we are not without flaws. One of mine being how immaturely I dealt with my sister overshadowing me. And because you influenced me to create the Tantabus, I was blind to the fact it was growing more powerful as it inflicted more nightmares upon me. Your suggestion could have lead to a threat that could breach both the dreaming and waking worlds."

"I could have easily bested it." Blitz Surge replied. "Or do you doubt my capability as your champion? Just like those fools in the Elements of Heroism doubted me being the perfect choice for their leader?"

"Where are you going with this, Blitz Surge?" Luna asked as she crossed her arms. "Because it sounds dangerously familiar."

"Luna, we both have been denied what we are so righteously owed!" Blitz Surge began. "You were overshadowed by your elder sister, and ignored for so many years! I was denied my chance to rise as a hero each time a threat rose and was defeated by Burst Stream and his band of foolish friends! But now? Now that can all change!" Blitz Surge unsheathed his katana, and the blade soon glowed with a rainbow-colored light! Upon seeing it, Luna's eyes widened!

"It can't be!" Luna gasped. "How did you obtain the power of Harmony?!"

"I am a TRUE hero." Blitz Surge answered with a smirk as he sheathed his blade. "That is why this new power was bestowed upon me so that I may dispense justice. Not even an Avatar can compare to the power of Harmony! Luna, don't you see? If you and I combine our power we could-"

"I WILL HEAR NO MORE OF THIS!" Luna shouted in the Royal Castalot Voice! Her boisterous denial shocking Blitz Surge! "I was immature, and foolish when I grew jealous of the love Celestia had gained from our subjects. But upon my return, I realized that it was a love she deserved. She always cared for me. All she ever wanted was for me to know I was loved. If not by all our subjects, then by her if nothing else. And like a fool, I refused to see that because I was too blinded by what I thought I deserved. And you know full well where that led for me. Dear Blitz, the path you speak of leads nowhere good. I implore you, abandon it!"

"You're asking me to forsake what I've been working towards my whole life?" Blitz Surge asked angrily. "I thought you would understand Luna. If you really loved me-"

"Blitz Surge, I DO love you." Luna said with a hurt look on her face. "That's why I am trying to dissuade you from your current course!"

"Then you don't love me enough." Blitz Surge said coldly. "You doubt me. You deny me. Just like those fools in the Elements of Heroism, you can't see that I am the true hero of this world! All Burst Stream had to do was either get captured, or die at the hands of his enemies for me to prove that! When all hope would have seemed lost, I would rise and smite the evils that had risen!"

". . . You would have let evil rampage just to position yourself as some semblance of a savior?" Luna asked in disbelief. Shock and horror etched onto her face and reflected in her eyes! Her mouth slightly agape at Blitz Surge's declaration! "Why?!"

"Luna, can't you understand?" Blitz Surge asked with a seemingly sincere smile. "We're the same-"

"No you're not." Nightmare Moon said coldly as she appeared seemingly out of nowhere! The blade of her broadsword raised against Blitz Surge's throat! "Luna wanted love. You want glory, but weren't willing to do the work to earn it."

"How could I have been hailed as a hero if I were dead?" Blitz asked crossly.

"Follow Burst Stream's example." Nightmare Moon said with a glare. "Luna? Let's go elsewhere. Our current company is far from pleasant."

"You would get between a goddess and her beloved?" Blitz Surge asked with a smirk. "How cruel of you, Nightmare Moon."

"Maybe you don't understand how a relationship works." Nightmare Moon said with an icy edge in her voice. "Because right now, I'm having a hard time believing you ever prioritized Luna's happiness."

"Maybe Burst Stream's departure has caused you to grow jealous of Luna and I." Blitz said with a sneer. "If you apologize, I might consider asking you to join our relationship."

"I wouldn't be missing out on anything worthwhile." Nightmare Moon hissed as she took Luna by the hand, and led her away. "Still think he's boyfriend material?"

"I. . . " Luna sighed sadly. "I don't think the Tantabus was the only thing feeding off my negativity."
> Episode 14: Generous to the End
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rarity could barely contain her excitement. The dream that she'd had ever since she was little was finally coming true! She would be opening her own boutique in Castalot!

'Then again, it's turning out so much better than I had dreamed.' Rarity thought to herself as she levitated a few mannequins into their ideal positions. A fond smile on her face as she saw her friends assisting with setting up the new boutique. Her smile significantly brightened when she caught sight of Inferno Flare. 'I guess I can say that also applies to my love life. Inferno, you truly have ignited my heart.'

"Something your mind, babe?" Inferno asked as he noticed Rarity staring at him. A playful smile on his face as he approached her. "It's rude to stare, you know. I thought you were a lady."

"Oh, you're terrible." Rarity giggled as she playfully punched Inferno in the shoulder. "What did I ever fall for a beastly fellow such as yourself?"

"You didn't." Inferno smirked as he wrapped his arms and wings around her. "As you can see by my wings, I did what any sensible dragon would do and stole you." He then nuzzled against her lovingly. "And what a fine treasure you are. With you, I don't have any need for a hoard."

"And yet despite your dragonic traits, the feathery scales your wings are covered in make you look like an angel." Rarity said as she wrapped her arms. "A fallen one, but one nonetheless."

"Well, I did fall for you." Inferno said with a loving smile as he touched his forehead to Rarity's. "I feel for you so hard that it hurt. But I'd take that pain and so much worse. You've even see me almost literally die for you."

"You always give me so much of your time, attention, and even your life." Rarity said as she looked into Inferno's eyes. Her sapphire blue orbs meeting his fire red ones. "Maybe you should be the Element of Generosity instead."

"Can't." Inferno shook his head. "You gave me your heart. I can't think of anything more generous to do than that."

"Flattery won't get you too far, darling." Rarity giggled.

"So when's the wedding?" Rainbow Dash asked with a smirk as she hovered over the couple. "Or is Inferno going to propose the second this premiere's over with?"

"Should you be sucking face with Steel?" Inferno retorted with a chuckle. "Besides, I could ask the same for you given how much you hover around him when you're out and about."

"Sh-Shut up!" Rainbow Dash sputtered! "I'm just being a loyal girlfriend! No way I'm getting grounded to him yet!"

"Funny." Steel Edge quipped. "I had you pinned during that last round of sparring." This caused Rainbow Dash to blush fiercely and zip away with a cloud of dust in her wake! "Sorry about that guys."

"It's no trouble, Steel." Rarity said with a dismissive wave. "But in all honesty, darling, you and her need to tie the knot at some point."

"Rainbow Dash's idea of a 'cool' wedding dress might only consist of white versions of her exercise clothes with a veil." Steel chuckled. "Still, you two better finish up any of the last preparations so you can have a few minutes to collect yourself."

"Steel's got a good point, Rarity." Inferno chimed in. "This is the grand opening of your dream store. Take it from me, having a big debut really puts a lot of pressure on you. It makes you feel like the slightest misstep can cause everything to come crashing down. I even had a nightmare that I set the stage on fire. And not in a good way."

"Trust me, darling. I knew how stressful this whole situation could be. Which is why I decided to call in some professional assistance from someone experienced with the business, Sassy Saddles." Rarity said with a confident smile. "It won't be too long before she arrives."

True to Rarity's word, Sassy Saddles showed up only a minute or two later. She seemed quite impressed by the line of dresses that Rarity had created, but one in particular caught her eye.

"Well, let's set the stage!" Sassy said enthusiastically. "It's showtime!"

Rarity couldn't contain her excitement as her friends began to model and present the various dresses she'd created. Things were going so wonderful as the dresses Rarity had made based on some of the sights around Castalot, two among them being based on Celestia and Luna. However, the record scratched when Sassy hijacked the presentation! Instead of the next dress in the lineup being brought out, Sassy Saddles railroaded the presentation by unveiling the princess dress! While all of the boutique's patrons were awed by the dress, Rarity was growing more upset by the second. And she wasn't going to stand for this another minute.

"May I have your attention please?" Rarity announced. "I must apologize. It seems the showcase of my wares has been altered without my approval. I'm very happy that one of my creations really captured your interest. However, one dress does not a boutique make. Everyone has their own style, so I highly encourage that you all come back soon and pick a garment that speaks to it! Thank you all for coming today, and I can't wait to see you all soon!"

The crowd left with pleased murmurs and positive chatter. However, one person among the people still in the boutique was quite cross. Said person being Sassy Saddles who was sporting a frown with a hard glare directed at Rarity to complete her angry expression set. 

"Rarity. Might I ask why you put a stop at the best part?" Sassy asked. "I might not have done things exactly as you had planned them, but I assure you that I am doing what's best for your boutique."

"Really now?" Rarity asked as she crossed her arms. One of her eyebrows raised in curiosity as to Sassy Saddle's reasoning. "And just what are you doing?"

"It's quite simple dear." Sassy Saddles said with a pompous smirk. "In order to get your reputation established, you need to have a product that catches the eye. And you have that in the Princess Dress. By placing it as the center of attention, everyone will be talking about it! Making it a popular item that will put this boutique on the map. Before long, everyone will want a dress just like it! In short, you'll be turning a profit in no time and you won't have to rely on an entire line!"

"And relying on that one dress is what's so dangerous." Rarity said with a frown. "It's lazy. Coasting off the fame of one single creation would mean that I rely too much on it. I can appreciate your effort in making one of my dresses into a surefire hit, but I refuse to do it at the expense of all my other creations. If you wish to continue on your intended course of management, then it will have to be with another client."

"Fine then." Sassy huffed. "But when this store is a derelict, I'll be expecting your apology." And she stormed out. "Who does that girl think she is? Telling me that my business strategy is flawed? Hmph! If there's anything flawed, it's her!"

"So it looks like Rares messed with you too, huh?" A voice called out from a nearby alley. Out stepped Suri Polomare. But there was something noticeably different about her. Namely the large V-mark on her forehead and the empty look in her eyes. "But don't worry. With our help, payback can be as good as yours."

"I remember you." Sassy Saddles said with a frown. "While I am cross about what happened, I refuse to work with a plagiarist."

"We were not asking." Suri said as she raised an evil-looking mirror to Sassy Saddle's face! A malevolent purple right shot out from the mirror and struck Sassy! When the light faded, her eyes looked as empty as Suri's and she also bore a V-mark on her forehead. "It has been done, mistress."

"Excellent, darling." A smooth, wicked voice called out from the mirror. "Now then. It's time we all conclude our unfinished business. I can feel an aura similar to the one who sealed me in this accursed mirror, Seraph Flare! Whatever relation they have to Seraph doesn't matter! They shall be the key to releasing me from my prison! Now hurry, darlings!" And the pair of minions warped to Castalot Boutique and bust the door down with a blast from the mirror Suri was holding!

"What the-?!" Inferno was pretty shocked to see the pair. Though he was more surprised Suri hadn't tried to get back at Rarity sooner. "Rarity? You know how to deal with unpleasant customers, right?"

"Way ahead of you, darling." Rarity said as she summoned her Harmony Keepers! Getting into a fighting stance with her rapier poised to strike! "New look, Suri?"

"I've had a makeover in more ways than one Rares!" Suri sneered as she raised the mirror she was carrying! In a flash of light, Rarity and Inferno were transported into a strange place that seemed to be composed of mirrors! "This is the Mirror Space. And the only way out is for you to smash the mirror I'm hold-oops." 

As Suri dropped the mirror, Inferno shot forward and slashed at it with his sword! Shattering the mirror! Unfortunately, the eerie purple light coming from gave off the feeling that he'd just made the wrong move. As the mirror's shards hit the ground, a figure burst out from the shards! It was a woman with dark purple skin, white hair, and glassy blue eyes. In terms of appearance it was like if Rarity's hair and skin colors had been swapped. The woman was clad in a black dress that hugged her body closely, a veil draped around her arms, and a necklace with many different colored jewels. On her forehead was a band that had a miniature mirror on it. While her beauty couldn't be denied, she gave off an air of arrogance and vanity that was oppressively obvious by the smirk she had on her face as she dispersed the mirror space.

"Ah, it's been too long since the world was graced by my presence." The woman said smugly. She then turned her attention to Inferno. "Hmm. So you're the one whose essence was similar to Seraph's. How interesting."

"I'm her son." Inferno snapped as he pointed his blaster at the woman! "And just how do you know my mom?"

"How rude. I didn't introduce myself. Then again, your mother committed the crime of sealing me in that mirror." The woman chuckled. "I am Vanity. And the two darlings who bear my mark are my servants."

"So it looks like my mom had an old enemy too." Inferno muttered to himself. "I'm guess you're back to settle the score with my mom."

"All I asked her was that she bless me with eternal youth." Vanity huffed. "And that bitch denied it to me because she said I was 'selfish' and only passionate about myself! Tch! I would've thought the Goddess of Passion would have appreciated any form of passion, but it looks like I was disappointingly wrong. Could you imagine this face being weathered by time? Unthinkable! So I decided that if she wouldn't grant my wish, I would grant it myself! There were so many maidens undeserving of their beauty, so I redistributed it to one who was worth it." And she gestured to the necklace she was wearing. 

"That's so repulsive!" Rarity snapped! "How could you be so selfish?!"

"Hmm. You're quite lovely." Vanity said with a wicked smile as she turned her attention to Rarity. "Perhaps you'll be the first of many maidens I'll drain to rejuvenate myself."

"You're gonna have to get past me first!" Inferno screamed as he leaped towards Vanity! His sword raised to slash across the vile witch's face! But while his sword made contact, Vanity didn't seem to take any damage! "What the-AGH!" Inferno clutched his face as sparks showered forth from his skin! He'd somehow been hit the exact same way he'd slashed at Vanity! He then saw a mirror image of himself fading away!

"As if I'd let you get even the slightest chance of marring my beauty." Vanity said as she played with her hair. With a snap of her fingers, a wall of mirrors surrounding herself, her minions, and Inferno and Rarity materialized! "Behold my mirror gallery! It's the ultimate defense. No matter what method of attack you choose, be it physical or magical, I can absorb and deflect it from any of the mirrors you see that surround us!"

"But how many attacks can you hold off?" Rarity asked as she lunged forward with her rapier while Inferno had recovered and let loose a barrage of shots from his blaster! Unfortunately, it became clear that Vanity could indeed redirect more than one attack as she let the attacks hit her and dished them right back to Inferno and Rarity through the mirrors!

"While it's amusing to see you both hitting yourselves in a vain attempt to strike me, I think it's about time I bring this to an end." Vanity said as she repaired the mirror she'd been sealed in, and cast a spell on it! Aiming the mirror right at Inferno! "Reflection Restraint!"

Inferno was completely confused as to what the spell did, but it became all too obvious when a bunch of chains shot out from the mirror Vanity was holding! Before he knew what had happened, Inferno found himself trapped in the mirror! He furiously banged on it in an attempt to break through, but found that not even his god-level strength could shatter the mirror!

"It's useless." Vanity said with a wicked giggle. "Your mother created that mirror as a prison that could not be unsealed unless the sealer willingly opens it. And I think you know I have no intention of letting you out. At least, not until your dear mother is willing to take your place."

Rarity had watched the whole scene unfold in front of her in complete horror. Inferno was her darling, the one she adored above anything else. And to see him trapped as he was now, to be held hostage for such a petty vengeance, it hurt her more than any bodily wound she could imagine. There was one chance she saw that could guarantee Inferno's freedom, but she knew it was a costly one. But with a resolution as strong as diamond, Rarity hardened her gaze and stepped forward.

"Release Inferno at once." Rarity said firmly.

"Oh?" Vanity asked with a wicked smirk. "And why should I? It's painfully obvious that you and he are lovers."

"That's precisely why I am going to make you an offer." Rarity said as she stared down the hag in a maiden's mask. "I freely surrender my beauty to you in exchange for the release of Inferno. He means so much to me. More than my own life. And to cling to my looks at the expense of his freedom is something I would never be able to live with. I ask. . . no, I BEG of you, please release him. He shouldn't have to suffer for my sake."

"How sweet. How generous." Vanity said with an evil smile. "I must applaud you for making the smart choice in surrendering your radiance to me."

"Release Inferno first." Rarity said angrily. "I am a woman of my word. And I'd rather not but blind faith that you are one as well."

"A beauty with a brain." Vanity chuckled as she snapped her fingers, and released Inferno from his mirror prison. "And now, I collect what I am owed!"

"RARITY! NO" Inferno screamed as he saw Rarity be drained of her radiance! Leaving her dull, drab, and nearly colorless. "Rarity. . . why?!"

"Because I love you so much, darling." Rarity said with a loving smile. "You gave me so much love. You shared part of your life with me, and made me so happy. It wouldn't be fair that I never repay something so wonderful. To let you rot in that mirror and preserve myself? I could never be so selfish."

"Rarity. . . " Inferno said with tears in his eyes. Pulling her into a tight embrace as if she was going to fade away in an instant. And with her current condition, it looked like she very well might. "I swear. . . I swear I'm going to fix this!"

"Why are you cradling that drab wench?" Vanity scoffed at Inferno's actions. "Or do you wish to not be blinded by my radiance?"

"You. . . " Inferno growled as embers began to flicker around his entire body! Everyone in the room could feel the fiery anger building around Inferno's being! "When I'm done with you," Inferno gently set Rarity down. Taking one last look at the serene expression on his beloved's face before turning to face Vanity with a blazing fury in his eyes! "I'M NOT EVEN GOING TO LEAVE ASHES BEHIND!" An angry, fiery aura ignited around Inferno! His fists wrapped in flames and his wing wreathed in embers! Every step he took left a burning footprint! "You've sparked an Avatar's fury, and ignited a dragon's rage! Now, YOU BURN!"

But before Inferno could let loose his fury, a bright light coming from where Rarity lay caught everyone's attention! The light was so brilliant, so radiant that everyone had to shield their eyes so they weren't blinded by it! And when the light faded, everyone gazed in awe at the figure that emerged. It was Rarity, with all her beauty restored and then some. Her back was now adorned with beautiful white wings that seemed to shimmer like they were covered in diamond dust! She literally had an aura of divine radiance about her now.

"Darling?" Rarity asked as she summoned her rapier. The blade now being composed of a diamond-like substance, and her fan had transformed into a shield made of the same material. A graceful smile adorned Rarity's face as she looked towards her darling. 

"Rarity. . . " Inferno said as the fire around him sputtered out at seeing his girlfriend stand before him. Ascended into the goddess he'd always thought of her as. "I. . . I-"

"Shhh." Rarity said as she put a finger to Inferno's lips and smiled lovingly at him. "We can talk later. After I deal with this bitch." Everyone visible stiffened at hearing this. Rarity was always known to act and speak like a lady. So for her to so openly curse like this? Yeah, it was safe to say it. Was. On. "How fitting that you're named Vanity."

"And why is that?" Vanity asked with a sneer.

"Because your efforts towards vengeance are so pointless." Rarity smirked as she ran her fingers along the blade of her rapier. "Pride before the fall, darling. All it will take is one strike to lead to your defeat."

"Ha ha ha! You call me prideful, and yet you boast about a single strike besting me?" Vanity laughed. "Well then, prove it! Land your one strike! It won't matter!" Vanity spread her arms out as the mirrors surrounding them glowed and circled.

Rarity wasted no time, and lunged forth with her rapier! Vanity just smirked as Rarity came at her, but her eyes widened in shock when Rarity wasn't aiming at her body! Rarity's blade struck its target! The small mirror on the forehead band that Vanity was wearing! And as the mirror broke, so did the ones surrounding her, Vanity, and Vanity's minions! Said minions falling unconscious!

"How. . . " Vanity groaned in pain as she clutched her forehead! "How did you know?"

"A good fashionista has an eye for the little things." Rarity said proudly. "When Inferno and I mounted our united attack against you, I noticed that little mirror on your forehead would flash right as we struck you. From there, it was easy to figure out how your mirror trick. And speaking of tricks, here's one of my own!" Rarity powered up her magic, and summoned forth a barrage of small gems! "Million Carats!" And she sent them flying at the necklace Vanity wore! With no mirror gallery to protect her, Vanity was defenseless as the gems crashed into her! Each striking with needlepoint accuracy!

"Noooooooo!" Vanity screamed as the jewels in her necklace were reduced to dust! And the enchantress followed soon suit without her stolen beauty and youth to maintain herself. 

"Well then, I can't say this has been a dull premiere." Rarity said with a satisfied smile.

When Suri and Sassy had recovered, Suri just sulked off to avoid getting on Rarity's bad side. Sassy, on the other hand, apologized profusely to Rarity for her actions. Rarity was quite forgiving of her, and happily brought her back on as the boutique's manager. Sassy even admitted that her strategy was one that would be prone to stagnation.

At the end of the day, Rarity and her friends left with smiles on their faces. However, the only person who wasn't smiling was Inferno. He had just kept looking intently at Rarity all the time after her ascension. 

'It's time. . . ' Inferno thought to himself. And he went about making the preparations for what he had in mind.

A few days later
Rarity was having a pleasant chat with Twilight, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash over her ascension. Namely if Rarity had any difficulty altering her clothes to accommodate her newly earned wings. However, they soon had an unexpected guest in their company.

"Inferno?" Rarity asked as she saw Inferno land before her. "What brings you here, darling? Did your training end early today?"

"No. That's not it." Inferno said with a sigh. "Rarity? There's something I need you to forgive me for."

"Darling," Rarity said in a comforting tone. "If this is about the battle with Vanity-"

"It isn't." Inferno answered. "No. I want you to forgive me because. . . I want something completely selfish." Inferno pulled a small box from his pocket. "I want you Rarity. For the rest of my life." And he got down on one knee, and opened up the box to reveal a ring. "Rarity, will you marry me?"

". . . Inferno." Rarity said as she walked over to her boyfriend, and knelt down to his level. Cupping his face. "What you want is far from selfish. In fact, there's nothing more generous than sharing your life with the one you love."

"T-Then-" Inferno was blushing furiously!

"Yes, darling!" Rarity screamed in delight as she tackled Inferno to the ground! "I couldn't give another answer if I tried."
> Episode 15: Too Late(?)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Nnnnnhhh. . . " Shadow Thunder groaned in discomfort as he rolled around in his bed. Though he had been able to lie down in his bed, his sleep was anything but peaceful. Ever since Starlight had come back for Round 2, one portion of that fight kept plaguing Shadow's thoughts. Said thought had now leaked over to his dreams. "No. . . No!"

Within his nightmare, Shadow was fighting Blitz Surge. The "Element of Justice" had just released the attack that dealt a massive amount of damage to Starlight Glimmer, and he was about to go for the finisher. And Shadow was fighting with a desperation to not let him land it.

"I won't let you hurt her anymore than she already is!" Shadow screamed defiantly as his spear clashed with Blitz Surge's katana! Sparks erupting from each time the blades of their weapons clanged against each other! "She's already down! We can take her in! There's no need to go any further!"

"As long as she breathes, she is a threat." Blitz Surge answered in a cold tone with an equally chilling glare that made Shadow falter slightly. "All I'm doing is making sure she won't be able to do any more harm."

"There's another way! A better way!" Shadow snapped as he used his spear to block Blitz's slashes! "Nightmare Moon, Discord, and Sombra! All of them redeemed themselves! We offered them friendship and belief in them! We showed them compassion, and it touched their very cores! Redemption IS possible! There's proof of it!"

"Redemption?" Blitz Surge scoffed as his expression turned into a disgusted one. "Don't speak about such garbage! 'Redemption' is nothing more than a half hearted excuse for cowards who are too afraid to do what is necessary! The same goes for showing compassion to villains like this girl and the ones you've just mentioned! Out of my way, fool!"

"Over my dead body!" Shadow growled! "I won't let you do it!"

"I've only come for one life." Blitz said calmly as he kneed Shadow in the ribs and kicking his side! While Shadow crumpled to the floor, Blitz's sword began to glow with a rainbow-colored light. "Let me show you. . . "

"No. . . " Shadow groaned in pain as he struggled to get to his feet! "Starlight. . . !"

"How a real hero deals with villains!" Blitz Surge cried out as he plunged his blade right through Starlight! And with no care whatsoever, Blitz pushed Starlight off of his blade. Flicking it clean and not even bothering to look at her body. As if she meant nothing or wasn't worth his attention. "You are far too soft, Shadow." And he left without saying another word.

"Starlight!" Shadow screamed as he made a mad dash to Starlight's body! He ripped off the mask covering her face, and could see only flickers of life in her eyes. "Hold on, please! Just hold on! I can get help!"

"I. . . " Starlight croaked. "Why. . . can't I-"

"Don't talk dammit!" Shadow snapped as he gripped her by the shoulders! "Just don't speak! I swear, I can fix this! If I just leave for a minute-"

"Please. . ." Starlight pleaded to him with teary eyes. One of her hands reaching up to Shadow's face"Not. . . alone. Don't want to be alone. . ."

". . . I won't." Shadow said as he gripped her hand. "I promise, I won't." Silence was all that answered him. "Hey, Starlight? Starlight? STARLIIIIIIGGGHT!"

"AH!" Shadow cried out as he jolted out of his bed! His heart pounding in his chest as his eyes darted around his room! Looking to see if all he'd seen in his nightmare was just that, a nightmare. "Luna's moon, it was just a nightmare!" 'So why's my heart still trembling?'

Shadow brushed aside his thoughts for a moment, and headed out of his bedroom towards the kitchen so he could eat breakfast. His two brothers greeted him, Dark Ice having returned from his vacation in the Crystal Empire.

"Hey baby bro!" Dark Ice said with a grin. "I heard from Ace that you went on your first solo mission not too long ago! Came out without a scratch to boot! Way to go, Shadow!"

"Yeah. Thanks." Shadow said with a small smile. But the look in his eyes was anything but happy as he got himself a plate of pancakes. "Sure was a big win for us."

"Okay, talk to us." Arctic Ace said with a frown. The Avatar of Wisdom crossing his arms as he looked at his younger brother with a concerned expression. "Ever since that last fight with Starlight Glimmer, you've been acting like there's nothing left for you in life. Especially when Blitz Surge was so clearly intent on taking her out."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Dark Ice interjected! "First off, who the hell is Blitz Surge?"

"Another brother of Burst Stream." Shadow answered. He took a moment to see Dark Ice's annoyed expression. "Yup. We've got another possible Shining Dawn on our hands. Though in comparison, Blitz Surge is probably the worse of the two. First he just up and slaughtered a monster right when we were about to get it to back-off. Then, when Starlight came to fight me, he was going to kill her while she was already down."

"Let's not forget about him trying to usurp Inferno's inherited position as our leader." Arctic Ace added with a sigh of irritation. "I don't know what was stopping me from just freezing the jerk right there."

"Probably the fact he's Luna's champion." Shadow added glumly. "It could lead to us having bad relations with the royalty. And that could give Blitz some leverage against us."

"Thanks for catching me up." Dark Ice said with a nod. "Now could you please fess up what's troubling you, Shadow?"

"Well, I've been having dreams, nightmares actually, about that second fight with Starlight Glimmer." Shadow said as he looked down at his glass of water. "It was right when I stopped Blitz Surge from landing a final blow on Starlight. He managed to wind me, and. . . he killed her. Without any remorse, or any mercy. And then he just casually pushed her dying body off his sword like she was trash! I flew to her side, and watched her die in my arms. All because I couldn't push past my pain and was too late!"

"Shadow, you know that didn't happen." Arctic Ace said in an attempt to reassure his younger brother. "You held off Blitz Surge long enough for Starlight to slip away. She's still out there, so that means you weren't too late."

"Yeah, bro!" Dark Ice chimed in. "Starlight's still kickin'! So as long as she's out there, you've got another chance to make her come around!"

"I've already tried to talk some sense into her twice now." Shadow sighed. "And with how she's acting like a petulant child who blames the world for her problems, I don't know if I can even make a dent in her."

"Hey. You managed to bring me around when I was rolling with the Nightmare Forces." Dark Ice said with a stern, but caring tone in his voice. His big brother mode was activated. "I was at my lowest point back then. Heck, I even thought you, Ace, or our parents wanted anything to do with me ever again. But right when I was hurting the most, you welcomed me back with open arms. Without any hesitation either because you just wanted to help me move on from my pain. Don't let anyone ever tell you that your compassion's a weakness Shadow. Ever."

"Thanks Ice." Shadow said with a slight smile. "I feel a bit better now."

The day came and went, and Shadow retired to his bed that night with the hopes he would be able to have pleasant dreams. Unfortunately for him, his inner doubts and regrets wormed their way into his dreams. And once again, the Element of Compassion was plagued with nightmares.

"So you were there for your brother, but you weren't there for me?" Starlight said bitterly as she glared hatefully at Shadow! "I guess saving me didn't matter that much to you, did it?"

"Starlight, no!" Shadow protested! "That's not it at all!"

"Then why weren't you there for me when I was hurting, huh?!" Starlight shot back!

"I didn't even know about you back then!" Shadow argued! "I wasn't even an Element of Heroism yet!"

"You needed to become an Element of Heroism to save me?" Starlight scoffed. "How pathetic. Can you really call yourself a hero if you couldn't save someone without being called a hero first?"

"That's not what I meant!" Shadow cried out! "Clinging to the past-"

"IS ALL THAT I HAVE!" Starlight screamed as her magical aura exploded to life! The entire scene changing to most of the Elements of Heroism lying defeated on the ground! "AND YOU TOOK THAT FROM ME! YOU SAY YOU WANT TO SAVE ME, AND YOU'RE JUST LEAVING ME ALONE RIGHT NOW?! WHY AREN'T YOU LOOKING FOR ME?!"

"Starlight, please!" Shadow pleaded desperately! "I don't know-!"

"LOOK AROUND YOU!" Starlight gestured to the defeated forms of the Elements of Heroism. "THIS IS ALL YOUR FAU-" She didn't get to finish her scream when a familiar katana pierced through her. Blitz Surge literally having stabbed Starlight in the back.

"STARLIGHT!" Shadow screamed as he threw himself towards her!

"This is all. . . your fault." Starlight croaked out as he body hit the ground.

"No. . . NO!" Shadow fell to his knees! Clutching his head in horror! Shutting his eyes tight in an attempt to unsee what he'd just witnessed. "Please! Celestia and Luna above, please! Don't let this be real! PLEASE! MAKE IT STOP!"

"Shadow." A familiar voiced called out from all around him. When Shadow opened his eyes, he saw a blank dreamscape before him. And the source of the voice hovering above him. It was Nightmare Moon in all her dark beauty. "It's over."

"Nightmare Moon. . . " Shadow said in relief. "Thank you. I should've know that this wasn't real and-"

"You don't need to apologize for anything, Shadow." Nightmare Moon said with a smile as she raised her hand for silence. "Dreams feel real to everyone once they begin. However, it looks like the root of your nightmares hasn't been addressed. I may have vanquished the nightmare you were experiencing, but we need to get to the root of your problems. Now, what's scaring you?"

"Are you sure you can afford to spend so much time on me?" Shadow asked. "I'm pretty sure there's plenty of people who could use your help right now to get a good night's sleep."

"Luna still drops in on the dreamscape from time to time." Nightmare Moon stated. "And I find it that the kids sleep better knowing I'll be there to help them face their fears. It's pretty sweet of them to hug me before I take my leave."

"Well, if it's good enough for them." Shadow said with a sigh. "I'm pretty sure you know about this Starlight Glimmer, right?"

"Twilight informed me and Celestia of her, yes." Nightmare Moon said with a nod. "So just what about her strikes fear in you?"

"It's not so much her." Shadow sighed. "It's the fact that I wasn't able to save her in our first encounter. I was trying to get through to her, but she just refused to listen to me. I don't know what kind of pain or trauma she has, but I just wanted her to know I'd be there to help her move past it. But given how she's acted, I don't think she wants to move on. And, in the nightmares I've been having. . . "

"Go on, please." Nightmare Moon urged. "Take as long as you need to get it out."

". . . I'm afraid that it's going to kill her." Shadow said as his hands began to tremble. "In my nightmares, I fail to stop Blitz Surge from killing her. Nightmares about what would've happened if I couldn't have saved her from him. And the one I just had was probably the end result of the worst possible scenario. I'm scared, Moon!" Shadow was nearly in tears at this point. "I'm scared that if I can't save her from what she's turning herself into, she's going to wind up dead! All because I failed her!"

"Shadow." Nightmare Moon said as she put a hand on Shadow's shoulder. "Is Starlight Glimmer still alive in the waking word?"

"Yes." Shadow answered. "But-"

"I'm not done yet." Nightmare Moon interrupted. "Shadow. You haven't failed at all because you haven't given up on Starlight. That fact alone speaks about how much you care for her." 'And from the looks of things, it's more than just another random person. How loudly you cry out for her, and the way you stayed with her in your last nightmare? Yes, there's something much more. . .' "When I was undergoing reform, it was hard. Everyone steered clear of me our of fear for setting me off. Honestly, that hurt more than getting blasted with the Elements of Harmony. But one person, I'm certain you know who, never gave up on me. When everyone else was so eager to just label me a lost cause, he didn't. Because he cared about me, and wanted to help me move forward with my life. What I'm trying to say, Shadow, is maybe you can be that person for Starlight. It won't be easy, but that's what makes it worth doing."

"Thanks Moon." Shadow said with a relieved smile.

"No problem." Nightmare Moon giggled as she gave Shadow a quick hug. "Who knows? Your dream might come true sooner than you think." And with a snap of her fingers, she crafted a new dream for Shadow. In it, Starlight Glimmer was sitting on the ground and crying. She was all alone.

"Hey." Shadow said with a friendly smile as he sat next to her. "I'm alone too. Wanna be alone together?"

"Y-Yeah." Starlight sniffled. "That sounds nice."

"Congratulations, Starlight. You're not alone now." Shadow said with a grin. One that truly spoke to the amount of accomplishment he felt with this dream. 'I'm not giving up on you. . . '
> Episode 16: March of the Malefic Mechs
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shadow was minding his own business when he got an alert on his communicator. Both he and Night Fang dropping what they were doing so they could answer the call.

"What's up Nightfall?" Shadow asked as he answered his communicator. "Are you calling to show off the new security system you put in Twilight's castle?"

"As much as I'd like to demonstrate that, I've actually come to show you all some tools that'll help us." Nightfall answered from the other end. "Come as soon as you can. Wouldn't want to inconvenience any of you."

"On our way." Night Fang answered as he and Shadow hung up. The two made their way over to the Castle of Friendship where Nightfall was waiting for them with a proud smile. "So what've you whipped up this time, Nightfall?"

"I'm glad you asked." Nightfall said excitedly as he pulled out what looked like a small sensor array. "After I put in Twilight's security system, I got the idea to make detection system for us to use. It picks up on any villain activity or monsters that decide to rampage, and I can send out alerts and figure out which of our members are best suited to the job!"

"That's great Nightfall, but there's one slight problem." Steel Edge mentioned. "Just where are you going to set your operations room up? I know Twilight's castle has plenty of room, and you've practically set yourself up there, but all of us in that one castle?"

"That brings me to my second proposition!" Nightfall grinned! However, his enthusiastic grin faltered for a moment. "It's kinda silly though."

"Don't be afraid to share with us." Akage said with a reassuring smile. "If being Pinkie Pie's boyfriend has taught me, it's to never turn down any suggestion. Even if it sounds ridiculous."

"Well, here goes nothing." Nightfall said before taking a deep breath. "I was thinking we could build a headquarters or base here in Unityville. That way we can have a place to train at, and readily deploy from. Plus, it'd be the ultimate hangout for us! And, I might have wanted to have our own Power Rangers-style command center."

"Dude, this sounds awesome!" Inferno cheered! "Heck, I'm surprised you didn't build one for us earlier!"

"Just because I built my armor doesn't mean I'm an expert in constructing buildings." Nightfall said sheepishly. "So anyway-"

"What are all of you doing assembled?" Blitz Surge interrupted crossly. "Why was I not informed of this meeting?"

"You don't have a communicator." Nightfall said as he gestured to the watch-like device on his wrist. "Besides, something tells me you don't think a sensor alarm to alert us to threats or establishing a base/command center would be necessary."

"Your little clubhouse does sound so juvenile." Blitz Surge huffed. He soon smiled. "A fortress would be more appropriate for a true group of heroes. All who would stand against me would know I'm not to be trifled with!"

"Ever the arrogant one, aren't one?" Inferno frowned at Blitz Surge's attitude. "You mention a team, and then proceed to make it all about you? I'm starting to see less and less reasons to keep you on as an Element of Heroism."

"Do you think I'm not a hero because I don't possess one of your trivial tattoos?" Blitz Surge scoffed.

"Our Hero Crests have nothing to do with that." Dark Ice growled. "We earned them because we awakened the element of a hero that we represent."

"A mark you are unworthy of." Blitz Surge said with a disgusted tone as he stared down Dark Ice.

"What's that supposed to mean?!" Dark Ice snapped as he stomped over to Blitz Surge! "After all I've gone through, how can you even say that seriously?!"

"What you have endured is precisely why you aren't worthy of being called a hero." Blitz Surge said as he hardened his glare! "You sided with the Nightmare Forces, and led multiple attacks on this town, didn't you? Your past actions alone disqualify you for being a hero. All because you were so afraid of facing punishment. Disgraceful. A true hero has no fear. That is what makes them courageous!"

"You thinking being without any fear is courage?!" Dark Ice shouted. "Of all the bullshit you've spouted since coming here-!"

"ENOUGH!" Inferno snapped at the two. "Ice. You know what he's saying is completely wrong. All of us couldn't agree more on that. But you don't need to prove a thing to this jerk. You KNOW you've got real courage ever since you dove in to save Ace from being executed." He then turned his raging, fiery gaze to Blitz Surge! "As for you, you had no right to say that. I don't know what kind of privileges you have as a member of this team, but I'll tell you right now that they don't exist! We've never had any of our group try to stir up trouble within our ranks, and I refuse to retain any members who would! You're adding fuel to a fire, Blitz, and if you keep it up you can consider yourself kicked out! Do you understand?"

". . . Yes, leader." Blitz Surge said begrudgingly. "But let me also inform you of something: My day is soon coming. And when it does, you would do well not to raise your weapons against me. That goes for all of you."

"Keep digging that hole, Blitz Surge." Inferno said with a frown as he conjured a fireball in his hand. "It'll become a grave in the end."

"Uh, excuse me?" Nightfall asked nervously. "You guys seem to be having a moment, so. . . "

"There's no need to be panicky about this, Nightfall." Tyrannus said as he placed a reassuring hand on Nightfall's shoulder. "Don't let Blitz being unpleasant ruin the rest of the day. Come on! Let's see that sensor get up and running!"

"Right." Nightfall said with a nod and a small smile. "Ty? Help me position it." In a matter of minutes, the sensor was set up. "Okay guys! Now let's flip the switch on this sucker!" Nightfall pressed a few keys on his pad, and the sensor was online! "Great! Now if-What?!" Nightfall looked down at his screen in shock!

"Nightfall? What's wrong?" Venus Bloomer asked. "Why'd you freak out?"

"Guys," Nightfall turned the screen so that it was facing the rest of the team! "We've got contacts. Lots of them. And they're heading right for town."

"Not if we have anything to say about it." Steel Edge declared as he and the rest of the Elements of Heroism summoned their weapons! "Your orders, Inferno?"

"Let's greet our unwanted guests." Inferno said with a nod as he led the Elements of Heroism to the outskirts of town! "No matter what, don't let any of them get through!" 

As soon as the band of heroes reached the outskirts, they were met with their enemy. A horde of strange black-and-white mechanical soldiers that had drills and other various weapons for hands greeted their sight, and Starlight Glimmer stood before the horde with her mask removed.

"Well, well. At last I get to meet the famous Elements of Heroism." Starlight Glimmer said with a smirk. "I was hoping for the Elements of Harmony. Twilight Sparkle and I have a great deal of unfinished business to attend to."

"You're not going to get within an inch of her." Nightfall declared as he summoned his suit of armor! Equipping it without delay! "I'll make sure of that!"

"How sweet. You're her knight in shining armor." Starlight cooed mockingly as she donned her mask. "Well, since you all came to play with your toys, I'll show you my own!" Starlight waved her arm out! "ATTACK, MALEFIC MECHS!"

And the horde of robots charged forth, the Elements of Heroism wasted no time in sending them all to the scrapheap! Dark Ice executed massive swings with his claymore, cleaving squads of drones within mere seconds! Arctic Ace was using his ice magic to the fullest by freezing a wave of drones solid and promptly shattering them while trapped in the icy prison! Ty was ripping and tearing through the drones with his bare hands and his raptor claw gauntlets, but not before he decimated waves of minions with his cannon!

Steel Edge was slashing his way through the ranks of Malefic Mechs! Any that tried to find an opening quickly received a sword construct to their core for their troubles! The ring of sword constructs Steel had conjured with his magic circled around him protectively as he literally walked through his enemies! Cutting down any that had tried to avoid the ring of swords by attacking from above!

Venus Bloomer was making good use of his whip to entangle his enemies and use them as a flail of sorts. Taking out enemies by using one their own as a weapon against them! Night Fang, on the other hand, was getting up close and personal with the mechs! Tearing into them with his clawed gauntlet!

Nightfall wasted no time in rendering the mechs advancing upon him to slag with the strident blasters on his hands! He soon tired of taking out drones one at a time, so he activated one of the new features Twilight had helped him add to his armor. A wrist-mounted laser that was incredibly precise, and could cut through most materials with now problem! Without hesitation, Nightfall fired his laser through lines of Malefic Mechs! Dropping them with little effort! However, that's when the tide of battle turned.

"ARTILLERY!" Starlight screamed! And at her command, the Malefic Mechs seemed to melt into puddles and congregate into a massive line of cannons and other heavy projectile weaponry! Some of the singular mechs forming cannons for arms, or sprouting ones from their chests! "FIRE!"

Nightfall raised his left arm, and a small mechanical array popped out! The array began to spin and generate an energy shield around Nightfall! Safeguarding him from the energy blast the cannon he was staring down!

Steel wasted in time in casting a shield spell around his comrades while Tyrannus slammed his fists into the ground and raised a barrier of earth to intercept the hail of firepower screaming at his friends! Ace summoned a wall of ice to further add to the defense of their comrades! While they may have been Avatars, they were still very much conscious of the fact a good number of their team were still mortals. 

"You want firepower?" Inferno cried out as he powered up his magic! "HAVE SOME OF MINE!" And Inferno shot out a massive blast of flame that engulfed the hail of projectiles Starlight's newly formed artillery! Not even ashes remained after Inferno's flames died out. "I'd say 'you and what army', but your forces just went up in smoke."

Starlight was about to respond when Blitz Surge struck her with the same attack he'd unleashed upon her before! Though Starlight was familiar with it, that didn't mean it hurt any less the second time around!

"I won't kill you." Blitz Surge said as he advanced on Starlight Glimmer! "But I'll-ARGH!" Blitz howled in pain as a lance of light struck his side! Shadow Thunder was glaring at him before flying towards Starlight with his spear poised to strike her head! And Shadow's spear struck to. It hit Starlight's mask dead-center.

"It's over, Starlight." Shadow said as he moved his spear away from the petrified Magi's face. Starlight's eyes in complete shock and fearful as her mask broke into pieces "Your forces are destroyed. You're outnumbered. And you're facing literal gods among our team. For your own good, leave of turn yourself in." 

"This fight's yours." Starlight growled as her fear was quickly replaced by anger at having been bested so thoroughly! "But I will be back!" She then looked to her destroyed mask. "HE will-What?!" Starlight watched in horror as the remnants of her mask seemed to crackle with black-and-green energy and soon disintegrate! "No, NO! You told me that you needed me! You said I wouldn't be alone!"

"Starlight. . . " Shadow reached out with his hand, but Starlight swatted it away!

"AAUUUUUUGGGHHH!" Starlight screamed as she teleported away in a massive discharge of magic! Leaving the Elements of Heroism stunned at the display!

"Starlight." Shadow said to himself as he stared at where the pieces of Starlight's mask had been. "Just who made you this way? And how far back does it go?"
> Episode 17: Nightmare Moon's Day in the Sun
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Princess Celestia let out a fond sigh as she cut into her piece of cake. It was just another day running an entire nation. And while it was a duty that she greatly enjoyed, thanks largely to how happy her subjects were, a goddess still enjoyed a break from her duties like the one she was taking right now. Her particular favorite spot was a small table in a garden-like area.

"Mind if I join you?" A voice asked. Celestia turned to the source, and found Nightmare Moon smiling at her. "I'd have asked Luna, but she's usually sleeping right about now. Even though I've mostly taken over bestowing sleep upon our subjects, she still likes to go through the dreamscape sometimes."

"She does take sleep seriously." Celestia giggled as Nightmare Moon took a seat across from her. "So how nervous is everyone when you walk the castle's halls?"

"They've gotten used to me." Nightmare Moon said with a shrug. "Probably because I'm not wearing armor and have a dress on instead." She then smiled and tapped the crown she was wearing. "Or maybe it just helps that I traded in my helmet for a crown instead."

"I do hope that you haven't gotten rid of your armor." Celestia said with a warm smile. "The warrior princess look certainly suites you well."

"You look quite fierce in armor as well." Nightmare Moon replied with a smile in return. "I saw some pictures of you in your armor after the Royal Wedding Rumble, as the papers called it." She then let out a fond sigh. "Look at the two of us. Sitting here, taking a snack break, and chatting like we've been good friends all our lives."

"And all it took was you trying to usurp my throne." Celestia giggled. "You know, it's odd. Many wonderful things happened in our lives because of each other. I gained a student that's like a daughter to me, and I also met the boy who promised to reunite me Luna. You became your own person, and gained the friendship of the same people who had defeated you."

"I also now have a sweet room in the castle." Nightmare Moon smirked. "I'm guessing you're taking a break from your royal duties?"

"Indeed I am." Celestia smiled. "Honestly, some days I'm tempted to just send all the paperwork to Twilight. Knowing her, she'd have a field day handling it all. And she'd be able to finish it within minutes given how smart she is. But enough about my daily grind. How have you been doing?"

"Eh. I've pretty much got a day off everyday." Nightmare Moon said with a shrug. "The major responsibility I've got is making sure our subjects all have sweet dreams and a peaceful sleep. So, yeah, I've got most of my days pretty much free to do what I want."

"I see." Celestia said with a slightly dejected look on her face. "That must be nice. Waking up as late as you want, and not having anything to worry about. The only moments to myself are when I'm having a meal, or taking a small break like this one before something inevitably pops up." The solar princess let out a sigh. "Sometimes I wish that I could have at least one day where I don't have to do anything except just raise the sun. I goddess I may be, but that doesn't make me tireless."

"Well then," Nightmare Moon said with a confident smile. "Allow me to make your wish come true."

"What do you mean?" Celestia asked.

"I'm saying that I could take over your duties for a day!" Nightmare Moon proudly declared. "If things get really bad, I'll call you for help. Besides, you deserve a day off! Just announce that you'll be taking a day off and that I'll be in charge of things."

"I. . . I just don't know." Celestia sighed. "It's pretty tiring, you know. And you have to read everything so carefully. Plus, it's straining having to smile so much."

"Celestia." Nightmare Moon said as she placed a hand on Celestia's shoulder. "You know I'm not one to back down easily. Besides, it'd be good for our subjects to see more of me in the waking world."

"Well, when you put it like that," Celestia relented. "Alright then You can start as soon as tomorrow. Hope you can wake up early to raise the sun."

"Sweet!" Nightmare Moon grinned. "You could even wake up in the evening tomorrow just to see Luna more! Well, I've gotta get going! Enjoy your day off tomorrow, Celly!"

"I honestly hope I can." Celestia said hopefully as she went back to her royal duties that were left for the day. Night soon fell, and Celestia got ready for bed. Holding the Optimus Prime plushie given to her by Burst Stream close to her chest. "Here's hoping that the sun makes me rise tomorrow, and not the other way around." And the sun goddess shut off the lights as she drifted off to sleep.

The next day, Celestia stirred in bed as she felt something warm hitting her face. The solar princess opened one of her eyes, and saw that the morning was greeting her. A pleasantly surprised smile on her face as she stretched her arms and wings. Letting out a content sigh as she took note of the time indicated on her clock.

"So far, so good." Celestia said with a smile before she heard a knock on her door. "Come in!" She was surprised yet again when she saw Nightmare Moon come in with a breakfast tray. "Hello, Moon. You didn't tell me my day off came with room service."

"Just a little bonus I threw in last-minute." Nightmare Moon chuckled. She set the tray at Celestia's side. "It's just as beautiful, you know. The sunrise in comparison to the sunset. To think, I'd have taken away something so beautiful if I'd brought about eternal night. Raising the sun this morning? It made me really glad that I failed."

"You and me both." Celestia said with a playful jab to Nightmare Moon's shoulder. "Good luck out there!"

"Thanks, Celly." Nightmare Moon said with a smile as she got up to leave. "Oh! And before I forget, I slipped a little something extra into your breakfast. You can thank me later."

Celestia was puzzled as to what Nightmare Moon had meant, but it soon became clear when Celestia spied a small piece of chocolate cake as she removed the dome covering her tray. A warm smile on her face as she happily devoured it and the rest of her breakfast.

Meanwhile, Nightmare Moon was sitting on the throne. Right about now was when Celestia would hold her court, and hear the petitions and requests of citizens that required her audience. For the most part, things were running smoothly. Most of the people that stopped by to see her actually asked her is she could give them any sleeping advice. To which she happily gave them the tips necessary for a restful slumber. Some teachers even asked is she could visit their schools so the students could ask her about dreams. In short, Nightmare Moon was having a lot of fun. Until Blueblood showed up, that is.

'How a brat like him is related to Celestia, I'll never know.' Nightmare Moon thought with a frown that she quickly hid away with a neutral expression. 'Still, I might as well try to be civil. Though I don't think Celestia would mind if I cut-off this jerk.'

"Ah, Princess Nightmare Moon." Blueblood said with his trademark grin. "Just the lady I was looking for."

"This court is for important matters and citizens that have requests that need my approval." Nightmare Moon replied calmly. "I sincerely hope you have something worthwhile to propose?"

"In fact, I do." Blueblood said smugly. "What better time to court you, than court?"

"I. . . beg your pardon?" Nightmare Moon asked in disbelief. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but you DID just tell me that you came to court me, right?"

"Of course!" Blueblood said triumphantly. "You must be having so many lonely nights without Burst Stream. I first thought he and you were a good pair. But now that you're officially a princess? Well, I think it's fair to say you could have done better than a commoner such as him."

'You straight-up said that I wasn't worth your time before I was officially crowned, and you think that's supposed to make me swoon?' Nightmare Moon thought with a frown as she listened to Blueblood's proposal. 'But that's not even the best part. You just insulted the man I loved with all my heart, asshole.'

"Can't you just picture it?" Blueblood said with an arrogant smile. "The two of us as the ultimate royal couple! You and I would be the talk of the whole nation! And think of the bloodline! Surely any children we'd produce would be without equal. And," Blueblood smirked as he took in Nightmare Moon's figure. "I'm sure you wouldn't mind a man to keep you warm all night long. A body like yours truly is divine. It would be a shame to let it go unattended."

"I'll have it attended when a real man is present." Nightmare Moon replied with a smirk as she saw Blueblood's reaction! "Because from what I've heard from the maids, you're anything but boyfriend material. I doubt you could even pay a girl to put up with you." 'Oh, I'm going to enjoy destroying this royal pain in the neck!' "And Burst Stream pleased me more than you can imagine by opening his heart to me before I was even crowned. Plus, with all the times he's shared a bed with me, it's safe to say he has a lot more experience sleeping with a woman than you do." And Blueblood left the room crying.

"Your highness?" One of the guards said as he turned to face Nightmare Moon. An approving smile on his face. "I've been waiting for someone to let that prince have it for too long."

"THANK YOU!" The other guards chorused with tears of joy! "BLUEBRAT'S BEEN BEATEN DOWN!"

"Oh, it was my pleasure." Nightmare Moon giggled. "It felt quite satisfying bashing Blueblood." She then noticed there were no further appointments gathered in line. "Well, that was short but sweet. I wonder what Celestia's up to right now?"

"It's about time I purchased one of these." Celestia said with a smile as she walked out of a gaming store with a console in her hands. "To think that all this time, I haven't been able to get a gaming console. Maybe Moon can play a few rounds of some multiplayer games when I get back."

The day soon drew to a close, and Celestia teleported back to the castle. When she arrived, the first thing she did was make her way to Nightmare Moon's location.

"Hey, Moon! I'm back!" Celestia greeted. "How was you day in the sun?"

"It was pretty fun, actually." Nightmare Moon smiled. "Apparently, I'm becoming a hit with the kids. I've got a few visits to school scheduled in the future. So how was your day off?"

"It was amazing!" Celestia exclaimed in joy! "And I got a little something that we can both enjoy." Celestia presented the console, a Nintendo Switch, proudly. "I heard Luna freaking out about this, so I decided it might be a good idea to grab it while I was free today."

"Well what are we waiting for?" Nightmare Moon asked. "Let's hook this sucker up!" And for the rest of the night, the pair of princesses gamed until they couldn't keep their eyes open.  Nightmare Moon resting her head against Celestia's shoulder.

"Good night Moon." Celestia said warmly as she tried to move. But apparently, Nightmare Moon had decided to make a pillow out of her. A small pout on the Princess of Dreams' face while Celestia tried to remove her self. 'Oh, that's just adorable!' And so not to disturb Nightmare Moon, Celestia moved herself and Moon to her bed. The pair drifting off to sleep.
> Episode 18: A Sweet Nightmare
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Looks like another night of restful sleep for our kingdom's subjects." Nightmare Moon said as she floated through the dreamscape. It was a sight she was used to beholding every time she went to sleep, but that didn't make it any less breathtaking. Especially since people had different dreams all the time. However, Nightmare Moon paused in her flight through the dreamscape when she felt a concentration of sadness. And it was coming from a child.

"Well, that won't do at all." Nightmare Moon said as she spread her wings and took of towards the source. "Now who will I be paying a visit to tonight?" When Nightmare Moon arrived, she found that the child in question was not at all who she had expected. "Diamond Tiara?"

Nightmare Moon was puzzled. From what the Talent Crest Crusaders had told her, Diamond Tiara was quite the mean girl and bully. Any chance she got, the spoiled brat set out to ruin the TCC's day. One would think that being the daughter of the richest person in Unityville that Diamond Tiara would have everything a girl could want. So if she had everything, if her life was so perfect, then why was the bully-in-question crying her eyes out?

'The answer's simple.' Nightmare Moon thought with a sympathetic look in her eyes as she descended towards Diamond Tiara's dreamscape. 'Those who make others unhappy are usually unhappy themselves. So, Diamond Tiara, what's the source of your sorrows?'

As Nightmare Moon entered Diamond Tiara's dreams, she received her answer almost immediately. In it, she saw Diamond Tiara's mother scolding the child for failing to win the election for Student Council President. An action that Nightmare Moon immediately frowned at. The Princess of Dreams already had a fair amount of dislike for Spoiled Rich ever since the woman marched up to Burst Stream's house in the middle of the night and demanded that Nightmare Moon be kicked out of town simply for even being there. And right now, Nightmare Moon's dislike for the woman was exponentially increasing. Especially when she saw Spoiled Rich berating her own daughter for staring at something out the window. Curious as to what had caught the 'bully's' attention, Nightmare Moon ventured closer

"Are you looking at those girls again?!" Spoiled Rich scoffed as she went over to the window, and drew the curtains. "Don't bother with them. You're of a better standing than they are. They are beneath you. Next time, I expect you to perform like one of us is supposed to." She aimed a displeased glare at her daughter. "Is that clear, Diamond Tiara?"

". . . Yes, mother." Diamond Tiara said as she tried to make herself as small as possible. Looking at the floor in resignation. A nod from her mother later, and Diamond Tiara sighed sadly as she walked towards the window and pulled back the curtain to once more glimpse what had caught her attention. It was the TCC just playing around, goofing off, typical kid stuff. 

"If I'm 'better', why aren't I happier than they are?" Diamond Tiara said sadly as she turned her back to the window and slid down. Her knees tucked in towards her stomach as she threw away the tiara she constantly wore and her eyes began to water. "It feels like I'm always in a nightmare. I wish this was all just a bad dream!"

"Your wish is granted, Diamond Tiara." Nightmare Moon said kindly as she made herself known. The setting of Diamond Tiara's home vanishing with a flap of her wings. "But I'm afraid that while I can banish what troubles your sleep, it won't fix your problems in the waking world."

"N-Nightmare Moon?" Diamond Tiara stuttered as she looked up at the princess of dreams. "A-Are you here to give me nightmares because of what my mom tried to do to you?"

"No. Her actions aren't your own." Nightmare Moon shook her head with a reassuring smile as she knelt down to Diamond's level. "It's her alone that I harbor any dislike towards. Though, after seeing the dreams she's inflicting on you, that dislike's starting to rapidly increase."

"You said that you couldn't fix my problems when I wake up, right?" Diamond Tiara asked as she inched closer to the Princess of Dreams. "How do I fix things when I wake up? Who do I go to?"

"The person you need is already there." Nightmare Moon said with a comforting smile. "She's in every mirror that you look in. You're a smart girl, Diamond Tiara. I'm pretty sure you know who I'm talking about."

"Me?" Diamond Tiara asked. "But what can I do?"

"You can tell your father about this." Nightmare Moon answered. "I don't know how busy your mother says he is, but it doesn't matter. Your father loves you, Diamond Tiara. And he'd be more than willing to spare a few minutes for his little princess."

"M-Mother says-" Diamond Tiara began. But Nightmare Moon cut her off.

"What she says doesn't matter, and it's wrong." Nightmare Moon said firmly as she got on her knees and scooted up to the troubled girl. "Especially if she's making you so unhappy." Nightmare Moon conjured up an image of the TCC. "And something tells me, they'd be more than willing to help cheer you up. They can help, but it's all up to you. All you need to do is take the first step in the right direction."

"But what do I do from there?" Diamond Tiara asked.

"The rest will come to you. And it'll still be up to you to figure out how to navigate it." Nightmare Moon said with a smile as she rose to her feet and dusted herself off. She was about to leave, but was halted by Diamond Tiara hugging her arm. The girl was about to say thanks, but Nightmare Moon wrapped one of her wings around her in response. "You're welcome, kid. Sweet dreams." And with that, she left Diamond Tiara's dreams. Leaving a few stray, black feathers in her wake.

The next morning, Nightmare Moon flew down to Unityville. The school here was one of the visits she'd scheduled during her day of taking over Celestia's duties. She was quite pleased to see Diamond Tiara chatting with the TCC and providing funds for the facilities Pipsqueak had promised the class. Nightmare Moon then made herself known.

"Accepting defeat with grace. Now that's a real winner." Nightmare Moon said with an approving smile. "You know, I heard you were a real nuisance around here, Diamond Tiara. Why the sudden change of heart?"

"O-Oh! It was nothing really!" Diamond Tiara said sheepishly. "I just, had a really bad dream."

"Yeah." Nightmare Moon chuckled. "You had a real nightmare, kiddo."
> Episode 19: Surprising News
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pinkie Pie was at war with herself. She'd just heard the Cakes tell her about Shining Armor and Cadence dropping by for a visit. That part of the information, Pinkie had no problem with. It was the next part, the fact that the royal couple were having a baby, that was tearing Pinkie up in inside. Pinkie Pie wanted to blurt out the secret so badly, but she'd Pinkie Promised that she wouldn't leak anything! Unfortunately, with all the preparations Pinkie Pie was making for the visit, it just made her want to blurt it out even more.

'Ooooh, this is bad!' The Goddess of Laughter panicked in her head as her eyes darted back and forth as she saw Shining Armor and Cadence greet Twilight. 'It's like everyone wants to know what I'm hiding! Celestia's Sun, PLEASE don't let anything make keeping this secret more difficult!'

Sadly, Pinkie's pleas went unanswered as Shining Armor set up a scavenger hunt for Twilight. Every clue and location basically screamed out the secret Pinkie Pie was keeping. And Twilight, the smartest of their group, was still questioning what all the locations and clues could mean. 

'Ack!' Pinkie Pie mentally screamed! 'I totally forgot being a smarty pants doesn't mean you figure things out instantly! Oh, this scavenger hunt's really putting pressure on me! I've gotta run us through this as quickly as possible!'

And with her resolve firmed, Pinkie Pie aggressively answered all the questions and pieced together all the clues that the scavenger hunt contained. The hunt led them through various baby-related locations, Twilight still wondering what the connection was, and they soon arrived back at Sugar Cube Corner. Akage Strider noticed the panicky look on Pinkie Pie's face, and went over to see what was troubling his girlfriend.

"Pinkie?" Akage asked as he put a hand on Pinkie Pie's shoulder. "Are you alright?"

"Akage?!" Pinkie Pie snapped as she whipped her head in Akage's direction. 'No! He can't ask. . . wait! This is perfect! I finally have a nice way to keep my mouth shut!' "Perfect timing!"

"Huh?" Akage tilted his head in confusion. "What do you me-MMMPH!" The young ninja's words were silenced as Pinkie Pie latched herself onto him, and pulled him into a long kiss! Akage's arms twitching slightly at being embrace so tightly! The Element of Levity was in complete shock, but he didn't offer any resistance either. 'Her lips are so sweet, like candy. And her figure, it's got all the right curves and she's holding me tight to boot. I think I can feel the oxygen leaving me, but I don't care! This. . . THIS is heaven.'

Unfortunately, Akage's visit to paradise was cut short when Pinkie Pie broke their kiss upon hearing Shining Armor and Cadence proudly announce they were expecting!

"Whew!" Pinkie Pie said with a sigh of relief! "I wasn't sure how much longer I could hold in that secret! Thanks for the help, Akage!" She then noticed the young ninja had fainted in her arms! "Oh no! I broke him! Don't worry, boyfriend! I'll give you the kiss of life!" And true to her word, Pinkie kissed Akage! Resuscitating him immediately!

". . . Pinkie?" Akage asked as he leaned on his girlfriend. "Do that again. Please."

"No problem, Akage!" Pinkie Pie said before leaning to his ear and whispering in a sultry tone. "I could give you more than a kiss later, if you want?" And Akage turned as red as his hair and scarf at the implications. 

'So cute~!' Pinkie Pie thought with a giggle as she carried her boyfriend who was still like a statue. 'Hmm. This whole baby thing's got me thinking what Akage's and mine would look like? Eh. We'll tie the knot soon enough. Just gotta wait for the author to make it happen. Though would it be an episode, or our own little one-shot? Well, see you around, audience! Hope you enjoyed the filler!'
> Episode 20: Undying Determination
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Fang mumbled to himself as he felt someone nudging him awake. Normally, he would've heard who was coming thanks to his wolf traits. However, thanks to the spirit that had tried possessing him, he'd lost them. Now Fang was just a regular guy, and he was quite happy with that.

"I'm up. I'm up." Fang said with a yawn, stretching as he rose up from his bed. He perked up a bit when his nose caught wind of a familiar sound. "Though you could've just opened the door. For my sniffer, the scent of bacon is inescapable."

"And here I was hoping I would get to lick your face to wake you up." Aria Blaze answered with a smirk as she stared down at Fang. "Just a little payback for the licking you gave me while you were in your wolf cub form."

"Guess I gave you a memorable first kiss, huh?" Fang asked with a grin. The only reply he got from Aria was a pillow playfully thrown at his face. "Girl, you know you love me."

"Which is why I don't need to say it. To think, all I had to do to get a boyfriend was try and take over a world. I guess bad girls like good guys." Aria said with a smirk as she made her way to the kitchen. "Unless, of course, you're willing to howl out your own declaration at the top of your lungs? Maybe I need to get kidnapped for you to tirelessly pursue me."

"You're saying that like you know I'd make it to you." Fang said with a chuckle as he sat down at the table and immediately began scarfing down his bacon. "Care to explain?"

"You're the most determined person I know, Fang." Aria said with a genuine smile. "And you're my good boy."

"Darn right I am!" Fang said proudly. Unaware that he was still holding a piece of bacon in his mouth. An opportunity Aria took advantage of as she chomped the portion that was hanging out! "Hey!" Aria's response was a mischievous chuckle, and Fang couldn't help but let out a laugh. He probably would've done the same.

However, unknown to the couple, they were being watched. The same malevolent spirit that had tried to possess Fang watched the couple with an envious gaze. His lips curling into a snarl as he glared at the couple.

"I have taken the power of the wolf from the cub. I would have thought that he would be distraught over losing his gift." The spirit growled as he clenched his fists! "And yet there he is. Living, smiling, laughing like he hasn't lost anything of value! But not just him, no, the cub's father also does not share the hate I carry! Both father and child bear no anger towards the humans like I did! They did not lose what was ripped away from me by them! It's not fair. . . IT'S NOT FAAAAIIIIIR!" And the spirit let out a furious howl! All of the town heard it, and the spirit knew.

"So they know I am here, do they? Good." The spirit growled as he advanced towards Unityville! "Let them face Savage Howl! Especially you, cub!" Savage Howl's eyes narrowed at the prospect of clashing with Night Fang again. "You do not know the pain of loss that I do, but you WILL. And when you do, you will be all too glad to surrender your will to me! Then we shall carry out the one thing, the ONLY thing that has allowed me to remain in this world! My vengeance against humanity shall be done!"

Meanwhile, Fang had summoned his Duelist Arm! A battle-ready look on his face when the gauntlet materialized on his arm. He'd heard the howl, he knew who he would soon be facing. Though he lacked his wolf abilities, he had no intention of simply rolling over to the malevolent spirit that would most assuredly rampage!

"Aria." Fang said sternly. "Stay here. You won't have to worry about snapping me out of a possessed state this time around, but this is a fight that's been coming for a long while. It's something that I have to do on my own."

"Save your logic." Aria said with an understanding look on her face. "I already understand. You don't need to-AH!" Aria was shocked when something busted down the door, and snatched her from where she was standing! And when the middle siren sister finally comprehended what had grabbed her, she found herself being carried away by Savage Howl! "Fang!"

"Aria!" Fang cried out as he dashed outside to see Savage Howl carrying Aria slung over his shoulder! "So. It looks like you finally decide to show your real form. I had a feeling there was a connection between us, but the girl has nothing to do with this! Let her go!"

"So you finally realize the ties that bind us." Savage Howl sneered. "I am Savage Howl. The first one of our pack to be given the gift of the wolf. But you are wrong about the girl. She has everything to do with us."

"What are you talking about?!" Fang snapped as he stared down his ancestor! "Give me a straight answer, dammit!"

"In time, cub." Savage Howl spat. "If you want to reclaim what you have lost, be it the wolf abilities or the woman, come to the Everfree. There, we shall see whose fangs are sharper." And with that, Savage Howl sped off to the Everfree Forest. With Night Fang immediately giving chase!

"Hold on, Aria!" Fang said to himself as he hit the ground running! His gaze hardening with unbreakable determination! "I'm not leaving this fight without you! Even if it kills me, I'm not coming out of this without you safe and sound! I promise you that. But more importantly, this is a promise I make to myself too!" 

It wasn't long before Fang found himself within the Everfree, and it wasn't that hard to find the trail of Savage Howl either. All fang had to do was follow the series of slash marks on the trees. Unsuprisingly, Fang found himself at the mouth of a cave.

"How fitting." Fang thought out loud. "I'm heading into the belly of the beast, and here I am standing at the mouth of a cave. No sense in delaying this any longer."

And Night Fang walked into the cave without any hesitation. As he ventured down the cave, Fang felt like he was being pulled toward somewhere. It was the only way he could explain how he was navigating the cave so easily despite the lack of light.

"The further in I go, the more I feel like I'm being watched." Fang muttered to himself. He then saw a faint bit of light ahead of him. "Looks like I've made it to the den." As Fang stepped into the light, he saw Aria with her back against one of the cave's walls, aiming a defiant glare at Savage Howl. As for Fang's angry ancestor, he was sitting in front of Aria and facing Fang. His eyes closed as if awaiting Fang's arrival.

"So you've come after all, cub." Savage Howl said as he opened his eyes. "I picked up your scent the second you were at the mouth of the cave. You are no coward, I'll give you that. It's quite bold of you, coming here to rescue your mate. You remind me of myself. Perhaps that's why it was so easy to wrest control from you."

"And all the times that you tried, I never yielded to you!" Fang growled as he raised his gauntlet and got into a fighting stance! "The only way you'll fully make me your puppet is over my dead body!"

"I've no use for you dead, cub." Savage Howl scoffed. "My rage makes me more than tangible. And ripping the power of the wolf from you has granted me even greater speed and strength!" As Savage Howl trumpeted his advantages, his appearance became more bestial! "And yet you are still so brazen as to bare your fangs against me? You either hold no fear, or are completely stupid!"

"Then I guess I'm a brave idiot!" Fang snapped as he charged at Savage Howl! However, Howl was too fast and side-stepped Fang's swipe! Slashing the Element of Determination in the back! "AGH!'

"First blood is mine, cub." Savage Howl smirked as he flexed his claws. "If you are wise you'll-"

"RAAAAGGGHH!" Fang roared as he pounced on Savage Howl! Slashing wildly with his gauntlet! "You may have taken my wolf abilities, but I'm still going to fight you tooth-and-claw!"

"Away with you!" Savage Howl snarled as he swiped at Fang's chest! His claws striking flesh as Fang stumbled away clutching his wound! Further adding to the brutality, Savage Howl kicked Fang in the gut while he was staggering to his feet! "Yield! Yield! YIELD!"

"Nnngh. . .N. . N-" Fang picked himself up enough to defiantly glare in Savage Howl's face. "Never." And for his defiance, Fang was put on the receiving end of a brutal kick to his face!

"Why?!" Savage Howl grabbed Fang by his hair, and slammed him against a nearby wall! "WHY?! I've taken the power of the wolf from you! I have your mate as my captive! Why?! Why will you not submit?!"

"It's simple really. . . " Fang groaned as he glared at Savage Howl! "Because I won't let myself become a monster like you. For all the times you tried to make me rampage, I fought against my won body. I might not have to deal with you trying to wear me like a suit, but there's not a chance in Tartarus that I'm going to let you back in! Keep the power you took from me! All I'm here for is Aria!"

"You. . . came only for her?" Savage Howl asked, surprised at Fang's response.

"Why else would I come?!" Fang snapped! "You don't have any idea the kind of enemy you've made in me! Because when some idiot hurts or tries to take away people I care about, I'll never rest until they're safe again!"

"No. . . no, no no!" Savage Howl growled! "This wasn't how it was supposed to go!"

"What are you talking about?!" Fang asked

"You CAN'T be here for just the woman!" Savage Howl roared at Fang's face! "You HAVE to be here for your power!"

"And why's that?!" Fang spat in Savage Howl's face!

"BECAUSE YOU ARE LIKE ME!" Savage Howl screamed as he tossed Fang to the ground! "I, like you, found love when I was among the living. She was a common human, but she captured my affection all the same. We even had a cub of our own. But, my happiness was not to last. A bitter suitor of hers stole her from me, and I was hellbent on getting her back. I fought through the brutes he'd hired to stand in my way. Bloodied, battered, but I was anything but broken. But when I faced down the scum that threatened my mate, all I saw was the lifeless body of the woman I loved at his feet. Grief had me in its grip, and the instant it held me was more than enough to allow the bastard to finish me! Though my body failed, my spirit refused to leave! I would not rest until I'd claimed vengeance! Seeing my vengeful spirit terrified the bastard to death. Quite literally I might add. He may have died that day, but my hatred would not be sated! I am, because of the likes of him, forever alone in this world!"

"If you hate that person so much. . . " Fang groaned as he slowly rose to his feet. "Then why are you inflicting the same wrongs that he did to you, onto me? If you're so much better than him, then let me and Aria go."

"I cannot!" Savage Howl protested! "You must become my host!"

"And why does it have to be that way? It doesn't!" Fang pleaded! "Why are you so dead set on using me like a puppet?!"

"Because I don't want to be alone!" Savage Howl roared! "My mate was taken from me! My cub grew without me to see them through it! Even you, who stand before me, lived a life without me in it! The entire family you belong to went without knowing me!"

"Don't you understand?" Fang asked with a pained look on his face. "You're only alone because of yourself. You've let your hate anchor you to this world. If you had just let go, you would be reunited with your beloved. The only reason, the true reason you're alone, is because you can't let go."

"But I have to hold on!" Savage Howl screamed! His eyes beginning to water. "If I let go. . . I will have nothing left in this world."

"There's already nothing for you here." Fang answered with a calm tone. "Perhaps you don't love your mate as much as you claim if you're so willing to pass up the chance to reunite with her."

"You dare?!" Savage Howl snarled! "She was everything to me!"

"THEN PROVE IT!" Fang screamed! "Let go of your grudge! The one responsible for it is dead and buried! You have no reason to linger in this world anymore!"

"I wounded you. Used you." Savage Howl muttered as he staggered at Fang's words. "Why? Why would you try and release me from my hate?"

"Because I'm determined to help my family find happiness." Fang answered resolutely as he charged at Savage Howl! Ripping through the spirit without any resistance! "Leave this world. There's nothing left for you here."

"It ends. . . " Savage Howl said as he fell to his knees. "But I feel no peace. . . what is this?"

Both Fang and Savage Howl turned to face Aria as she was singing. A purple glow coming from her entire being. The sound of the melody soothed Savage Howl's wounded spirit, but it did far more than that. Savage Howl looked up, and saw the spirits of his mate and his child waiting for him. And he left with them without any hesitation. Leaving the manifestation of the wolf powers to pounce back into Fang!

"Rest in peace. You deserve it." Fang said with a relieved smile before he was enveloped in a bright light! When the light faded, Fang found that he'd regained his wolf ears and tail, but he also now possessed a pair of bat wings on his back! He was also surprised to see red-violet magical constructs in the form of claws around his hands. But all that was pointless when he saw Aria, and scooped her into his arms. "I guess I'm your good boy forever, huh?"

"That doesn't sound bad to me." Aria said with a loving smile. The second one she'd ever given Fang. "Because I know you're going to never give up on me."

"On us." Fang corrected her as he flew out of the cave. "Y'know, I think it's time."


"For what?" Aria asked. Her answer came in the form of Fang locking his lips with hers.

"A real first kiss." Fang said with a grin as he admired Aria's blushing face.
> Episode 21: Adoring Audience
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Adagio let out a fond sigh as she took a sip of her tea. The eldest siren had been enjoying her new life more than she'd ever thought possible. Then again, it did help that her hobby of fashion was now being applied to a job. Currently she was on break, and enjoying some tea at a local cafe.

'Come to think of it, my sisters have made jobs out of their hobbies as well.' Adagio thought as she took another sip. 'Sonata with her cooking, and Aria with hitting things. But that's not what matters most.' Adagio smiled as she  took a deep breath of fresh air. 'We're home again. That's all we've wanted ever since being banished.'

"You got room for more people, or is your hair taking up those seats?" A familiar voice called out. Aria approached her sister with a smile. "Or is one of these seats for the guy you talked into paying for your drink?"

"I'll have you know I charmed the employee who served this to waive any charges." Adagio quipped before she and Aria giggled. "You on break, too?"

"Day off actually." Aria said with a shrug as she sat down. "Applejack was kind enough to give me some time to myself after what went down with Fang ascending into an Avatar."

"Can he still turn into a puppy?!" Sonata asked as she popped in! Surprising her older sisters with her arrival! ". . . I brought snacks!"

"No wonder her and Pinkie Pie get along so well." Aria muttered to herself as she shakily returned to her seat. "Sure. What'd you whip up in the kitchen?"

"These!" Sonata proudly presented the treats she'd made to thank Arctic Ace. "Just a little something I put together to say 'thank you' to Ace!"

"Huh." Aria said as she picked a treat up, and bit into it. "Faust almighty this is good!"

"You got that right." Adagio said as she grabbed one of Sonata's treats. She then recalled who Sonata had made the treats for, and her lips curled into a mischievous smile. "It looks like our little Sonata's growing into a woman before our very eyes. She has a crush on a cool guy and everything."

"W-Well, yeah." Sonata admitted as her cheeks were flushed red. "I really like Ace. . . "

"Oh, Sonata. There's no need to deny your. . . wait, what." Adagio was stunned. She'd expected Sonata to reduce to a flustered mess, but that wasn't what happened. "I'm sorry, but, did you just admit you like the guy?"

"Uh huh." Sonata nodded, still blushing like crazy. "Ace is always so nice to me. He helped me find a job, he lets me stay with him in his house, and he's always so cool." Sonata smiled blissfully as she thought of Arctic Ace. "He always has a calm presence, and he always has that cool look in his eyes. Like he's always ready to listen to you, and give you advice. I guess that's why he's the Element of Wisdom. He's never cold, I can tell because of that smile of his is so warm."

"You got yours, I got mine." Aria said as she thought about Night Fang. "No matter how much of a grump I seemed like, he always tried to make me smile. And hey, it worked. He never gave up on me. Nothing else needed to happen for me to like the guy. Heck, I straight-up admitted I loved him!"

"No way, Ari!" Sonata gasped in amazement!

"Hey. When I like something, I'll admit it." Aria said as she began to blush. "Unlike that trope you see in anime, I can actually be upfront with my feelings. Trust me, if you like Ace, you'd do the same."

"They grow up so fast." Adagio said with a giggle as she sipped her tea. "Well, since we're talking prospects, I've gotten my hands on quite the specimen as well."

"Oooh!" Sonata said in wonder. "How fast did he fall for you?"

"He didn't." Adagio said with a smirk. "I fell for him. Believe it or not, he was actually immune to my flirting. I was so stunned by that fact he had to show me his bare chest to snap me out of it. He even turned the tables on me in that instant. Of course, I really couldn't complain." Adagio's hand brushed against the flower she'd put in her hair. A faint smile on her mouth as she felt its petals. "And. . . he helped me find a reason to live again."

"Yeah." Sonata said as she put a hand on her chest. "You know, whenever I think of Ace and what he's done, how I feel about him. . . no. It sounds crazy."

"What does, Sonata?" Aria asked.

"Well, it feels like. . . like I can sing again." Sonata said nervously. "I just get this good feeling. Like when we used to feed on negativity, but like a hundred times better! And when I get that feeling, I don't feel that gnawing hunger afterwards. I feel. . . full. But I still want more at the same time."

"Hey, the same thing happened to me with Fang." Aria said as she placed her hand on her neck. "When he was being possessed, I actually sang to help snap him out of it. And the crazy thing is, I sounded beautiful! Like the way we used to sound when using our magic!"

". . . Do you two trust me?" Adagio asked her sisters with a serious look in her eyes. "Because if my suspicions are right, what I'm about to suggest could lead to something unbelievable."

"What are you planning Adagio?" Aria asked. "It better not be-"

"It isn't." Adagio said firmly. "It just. . . might be the last chance to find our voices. I've held no illusions about getting our old voices back. And with the harm they caused people, it's probably best that they remain lost. But this feeling is right, and I know we've all felt it, maybe these are the real voices we never bothered to use. Maybe, this is our chance to really sing what's in our hearts."

"W-We could put on a show for Ace, Fang, and Venus." Sonata suggested. "Y'know, to thank them and tell them how we feel?"

"Ah, what the heck?" Aria said with a sigh. "One last hurrah? I'm down."

Adagio smiled as she and her sisters called up their respective love interests. That afternoon, as the sun was setting, the Dazzlings got on stage as Arctic Ace, Night Fang, and Venus Bloomer composed their audience. Each of the sirens felt a pang of nervousness strike them as they took the stage, but they banished it and resolved to see what could be their last show to the end.

Each of the Dazzlings took a deep breath before letting their voices out, and melody escaping from their lungs. To their shock, a new sensation flowed through them as the sang the song of their hearts. While using their gem stones before, the power coursing through their voices always felt like a violent surge through their entire beings. But the sensation they were now experiencing felt different. In contrast to the violent surge, this was a gentle wave that flowed smoothly throughout them. While their previous voices had the effect of latching onto the attention of people and dragging them towards them, the melody they were now belting out felt more like a gentle pull that beckoned people to come and listen to them.

As their performance reached its climax, the Dazzlings failed to notice the bright glow coming from their bodies. Each of them was glowing their respective color, and they hovered in the air as they delivered the final note of their performance. A brilliant wave of water crashed over the Dazzlings as their performance concluded. An instant late, the three shot up from the water! Revealing that their lower halves had turned into mermaid tails! But the most shocking change to the girls was the fact they had new gem stones with each of them having a gem in their specific color!

"Adagio. . . "Aria said in awe as she and her sisters soon reverted to their human forms. "Have we-?"

"Yes. Yes we have, Aria!" Adagio said as joyful tears fell from her eyes. "We've become majestic mermaids. I thought those were only legends, but they're true! We've become immortal beings whose songs surpass our old magic!"

"Yay!" Sonata cheered! "We got our magic back, and better than ever!"

"Venus." Adagio said as she approached the Element of Spirit. "You helped give me a new life here. When I was settling in, you mentioned that girls only liked you for your looks." She then smiled lovingly at him as she stroked his cheek. "But I adore that spirit of yours."

"That's what attracted me to you, too." Venus said as he wrapped his arms around Adagio. "So. What's the score now?"

"It doesn't matter." Adagio smiled. "In the end, you are mine." And she kissed him with everything she had. "The one who truly adores me like I do them."

"Do I need to practice my swimming?" Venus asked playfully.

"Depends on how big your tub is." Adagio quipped. "Or how long you can hold your breath~."

"Get a room you two!" Aria snapped as she felt Fang's ears.

"Hey, Ace?" Sonata asked.

"Yes?" Arctic Ace replied. "What is it?" His only answer was a kiss right on his lips. ". . . Well so much for me going in first."

"Sorry!" Sonata apologized as she got flustered! "I didn't know you had a plan!"

"I'm messing with you!" Ace chuckled as he carried Sonata on his back. "So do you want to try sleeping in the tub tonight?"

"No." Sonata pouted as she booped Ace on the nose. "You owe me snuggles as my boyfriend!"

"I can live with that kind of punishment." Ace said with a loving smile. 

And with that, the Dazzlings and their newly acquired boyfriends headed home. Each of them singing their beloved to sleep before joining them in slumber. Peaceful smiles on their faces as they knew that when they would awaken, they would have their adoring audience right by their side.
> Episode 22: Follow the Leader
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

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!"
> Episode 23: Beyond Death's Reach
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.
> Episode 24: Saving Starlight
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Twilight smiled as she walked into the lecture hall. Ever since she'd become the Princess of Friendship, and Avatar of Magic, everyone had wanted to hear about how she'd formed such strong bonds with her fellow Elements of Harmony. It seemed like only yesterday she'd been a major shut-in, and now here she was. A goddess with friends who seemed to quickly join her into what some people were calling a growing pantheon.

'So much happened in only a few years.' Twilight thought to herself as she got to mentioning the key event that allowed her and her friends to realize their callings: Rainbow Dash's Sonic Rainboom. However, as she concluded her presentation, Twilight noticed a familiar face in the crowd. Starlight Glimmer. At first, Twilight was worried. But Twilight smiled she remembered a very important fact as she left for her castle. 'I had a feeling this would happen. Ever since she showed up after I reconnected with my old friends in Castalot, I got the feeling she would be the vengeful type. Knowing her, she was probably listening in on my presentation for any information she could use to undo me and the girls freeing her cult. I don't know what she has in mind, but I know where she'll be going: my castle. I have tons of books on spells. And with magic, anything's possible. But if Starlight thinks she's going to catch me off-guard, she's sorely mistaken. Even more that she realizes if she thinks that she'll be able to just walk into my castle.'

While Twilight was flying back home, Starlight had broken into the Castle of Friendship and made her way into the library section. As she was sifting through the various books, she finally caught sight of the spell she was looking for. A time travel spell crafted by Starswirl himself. Currently, the time period it allowed a person to travel was one day.

"But with a little modification, I'll be able to go back further." Starlight said with a wicked smile. "And when I'm done, Twilight  Sparkle and her friends will never come together! I'll have the perfect equality I deserve, and she'll be just as alone as I was!" But before Starlight could modify the spell, she paused. Ever since losing the mask, she'd been hearing a new voice in her head. Her own voice instead of the one that came from the mask.

"Does doing this make you better than Twilight Sparkle?" Her own voice asked inside her mind. "You were so alone after Sunburst left. And before that, Mom was gone. You even started that little cult because you hated being alone so much. And now, you plan to sentence Twilight and her friends to that same loneliness."

"They. . . they're different!" Starlight snapped at herself! "They tore apart everything I'd worked so hard to build! They could never know losing someone because of a Talent Crest!"

"Or maybe, you didn't think Sunburst was worth trying to reconnect with." Starlight's voice said sadly. "Think about it. After spending so much of your life alone, shouldn't you know better than to wish that same loneliness on anyone else?"

Starlight was completely silent as she listened to her inner voice. Now that she was actually taking some time to clearly think, she began to question everything she'd ever done. And upon reflecting, it all came to one answer: she was wrong about everything. Starlight was about to put the spell back, but fell to the ground unconscious when a beam hit her! When Starlight awakened, she found contained within a barrier.

"Looks like I was right." Twilight said as she looked at the spell Starlight had torn from a book. "The footage showed you breaking into my castle. That alone would be enough grounds for me to arrest you."

"But. . . you're not going to, are you?" Starlight asked. Twilight had brought up valid reasons to imprison her, but the look on her face said she would do otherwise.

"I already have you detained. And as Princess of Friendship, Unityville is under my jurisdiction." Twilight answered simply. "But that footage also showed me something unusual." Twilight turned the page containing the spell so Starlight could see it clearly. "You were about to put this back when the security system fully kicked in. What were you going to do with this spell, and why did you stop? We'd all like to hear an explanation." And Twilight gestured to all of her friends who had gathered at her castle.

"I was going to modify the spell you're holding so that I could travel further back in time." Starlight said with a sigh, and an ashamed look on her face. "I was going to go back to when Rainbow Dash did the Sonic Rainboom, and stop you all from ever coming together."

"So what stopped you?" Twilight asked. "And what made you so angry at Talent Crests in the first place?"

"What stopped me was the fact that I'd be condemning you to the same loneliness I felt." Starlight explained. "How lonely I felt when my best friend got his Talent Crest. His name was Sunburst, and we did everything together. Then, when we were playing around with our magic one day, I got too careless and stacked our tower too high. It fell apart, and Sunburst used his magic to save me. He also got his Talent Crest that same day and soon went off to Celestia's School for Gifted Magi. I never saw him since then. And from that day, I saw Talent Crests as a plague on the world."

". . . That's it?!" Twilight snapped! "Seriously?! You were acting like a bratty child just because your friend went away to school?! That's your reason for going crazy?!"

"Honestly, I'm just now questioning why I didn't try to keep in touch with him." Starlight said as she looked at the ground in shame. "And, ever since losing my mask, I've been hearing my own voice in my head now. And hearing it made me realize that it's my own fault for being where I am in my life."

"We'll be holding you here until we decide your consequences." Twilight said as she looked at the spell. "One of Starswirl's spells. I remember using this one, and completing another one of his. The last one led to me becoming Princess of Friendship."

"How about that?" Starlight thought out loud. "To think I was holding something used by the Princess of Friendship."

"And now it's dust." Twilight said as she destroyed the spell with a blast of magic! She then turned to face her friends, all of whom were shocked at her actions. "Well, the spell was too dangerous. If Starlight had modified it despite her conscience winning out, time's a force not even Discord's willing to mess with. Besides, time travel's always too confusing in media. What really counts is the time we have here. We only have it for an instant," Twilight snapped her fingers. "And then it's replaced with another instant."

"Then we probably have an eternity together." Nightfall Silver said with a smirk. "Though I can't think of anyone I'd rather spend it with."

"Oh, you." Twilight said with a blush. The moment was ended with a sudden knocking on the door. She immediately frowned when she saw who was knocking. "Blitz Surge. And you brought your entourage too."

"Forget the pleasantries, Twilight Sparkle." Blitz Surge said firmly. "I know that you currently have Starlight Glimmer detained within your castle."

"How do you know that?" Twilight demanded. "Last time I checked, Nightfall's security system caught her entering. So just how in Celestia and Luna's names did you find out I detained her?"

"Lightning Dust was patrolling Castalot on my orders." Blitz Surge answered with a frown. "Additionally, I had her tail Starlight here. And now that we've arrived, I ask that you hand her over. Justice shall not be denied."

"We're the ones who detained her." Twilight said as she stood her ground. "And the fact you're trying to grab her means that you're interfering with the business of the Elements of Harmony AND the Princess of Friendship."

"So you're going to 'redeem' her?" Blitz Surge scoffed. "Just like you and those pathetic excuses for heroes did for other villains, correct? How pathetically soft you all are. If you stand against justice-"

"And who does your 'justice' serve?" Nightfall spat as he came to Twilight's side! Standing proudly alongside his girlfriend! "Is it justice for all, or does it only work for you?"

"The Element of Heart." Blitz Surge acknowledged Nightfall Silver's presence. "You may possess heart, but your body is lacking. Perhaps that's why you hide inside a suit of armor. Take away your toy, and what are you?"

"A guy with a good heart, which is more than I can say for you." Nightfall shot back as he narrowed his eyes. "And I'd be more than willing to personally slug you for insulting my girlfriend! We've done real good, Blitz Surge. That's more than I can say for you. And in regards to my armor, I could say the same about you for your sword."

As Nightfall and Twilight were throwing verbal blows at Blitz Surge, Shadow headed for Starlight's cell and released her. Puzzling the magi girl as Shadow led her out of the cell.

"Shadow?" Starlight asked. "What are you doing?"

"Getting you out of here!" Shadow answered as he led Starlight to the nearest exit. "Blitz Surge could have killed you when you showed up in town a while back. And if he's here now, he's very likely to attempt it again! You've done bad things, Starlight, but you have remorse for your actions. You proved that when you put a stop to your own plans. Now let's get you out of here!"

Shadow was at Starlight's side all the way as they bolted out of the Castle of Friendship! However, their hasty departure didn't go unnoticed as Blitz Surge caught sight of the pair running!

"Lightning Dust! Garble!" Blitz Surge commanded! "Don't let them escape!" 

And the pair closed in on Shadow and Starlight almost immediately! The two of them circling the pair, waiting for their chance to strike!

"You're a magi, aren't you?" Garble asked with a smirk as he stared down Starlight Glimmer! "I can tell by that necklace you wear. Hate to break it to you, but I'm a dragon! We've got a high resistance to magic!"

"The boss said we had to bring you in." Lightning Dust said with a with a wicked grin! "He didn't say you had to be in good condition when we bag you! If he thought me catching sight of you was impressive, me roughing you up ought to elevate my position!"

"You're the only one getting beaten today!" Rainbow Dash cried as she flew at Lightning Dust! Delivering a powerful kick to Lightning Dust's head! "Let's see how you deal with the Avatar of Loyalty!" She then turned to face Shadow and Starlight! "You get her out of here! Fly her out if you can! I'll deal with Dusty!"

"You ain't going anywh-AGH!" Garble howled in pain as a fiery, green blast of energy struck him!

"Still just as stupid as last time. Eh, Garble?" Spike asked as he smoke wafted from the barrel of his arm cannon! "Unlike you, I actually grew up since last time."

"Who the heck are you?!" Garble demanded as he faced down Spike!

"We've got things here, Shadow!" Spike called out! "Go!"

Shadow didn't need to be told twice as he scooped Starlight into his arms, and spread his wings to take flight! But before he could take off, an energy slash hit one of his wings! Making the Element of Compassion fall to his knees! From behind Shadow, Blitz Surge could be seen with his sword drawn!

"You will be coming with me, Starlight Glimmer." Blitz Surge said as he advanced menacingly towards Starlight! "One way, or another."

"Get away from me!" Starlight screamed as she powered up her magic, and hurled blast after blast at Blitz Surge! Unfortunately, Blitz just deflected them all! "I'm sorry for what I've done, and want to make things right! Can't you just let me do that?!"

"You don't deserve to." Blitz said coldly as his blade was cloaked in a rainbow-colored aura! "NOW FACE JUSTICE!" And he slashed forward with his harmony-infused attack! Starlight was hit so fast, she couldn't even scream in pain as the attack made her tumble to the ground! Starlight was barely conscious when she saw Blitz looming over her! His katana poised to strike her, and still cloaked in a rainbow-colored aura! "Prepare for justice!"

"NOOOOOO!" Shadow screamed as he shut out his pain, and rammed into Blitz Surge! Forcing the leader of the Lancers back! "I won't let you hurt her!" Shadow then struck Blitz while he was dazed! Every swing and thrust of his spear further pushing back the Lancer leader! "The only way to her is through me!"

"Fool!" Blitz spat as he used his sheath to swat Shadow down to the ground! Glaring as Shadow propped himself up with his spare, and gazing defiantly back! "Still so compassionate to those who deserve none." Blitz swung his katana at Shadow, but Shadow raised his spear to block! This only served to further enrage Blitz Surge! "Still you stand against justice?! Fine then!" One hard swing, and Blitz knocked away Shadow's Duelist Arm! "If you sympathize so much with this villain, then join her in her fate!" 

And Blitz Surge slashed at Shadow! But when Blitz looked to see his handiwork, Shadow didn't have a single scratch on him! In fact, his swing somehow missed Shadow completely! Everyone breathed a sigh of relief while Blitz Surge furiously tried to cut up Shadow to no avail! For his troubles, Blitz was knocked out cold by a massive magic blast from Twilight!

"Take your leader and leave." Twilight said firmly as she flared out her wings! "Unless you think you can take me?"

"My apologies for our leader." Ronin Strider said as he bowed to Twilight. "His actions do not speak for us all." And with that, the samurai of the Lancers collected his leader. A troubled expression on his face. 'I'm starting to doubt our leader's honor. . . '

"Alone. . ." Starlight muttered to herself as she held her knees close to her chest. Rocking back and forth in shock, and on the verge of tears. "Don't want to be alone." She was snapped out of it when she felt someone tightly wrapping their arms around her. It was Shadow.

"You won't be alone." Shadow promised as he held her close. "Not while I'm here. I don't know the full story on you, and I don't know why just losing one friend made you hurt so much and go crazy. But I'll listen. I'll hear it all."

". . . My mom." Starlight said as tears began falling down her face, and she held onto Shadow for dear life. "When I was little, my mom said she had to take care of something important. She told me that she'd be outside, and that I had to stay inside no matter what. I saw flashes of magic, and it sounded like there was a fight. An hour after the noise stopped, I went outside to see what happened. I didn't see any trace of my mom, and all I found was the mask you saw me wearing when I attacked you. And after picking it up. . . that's when I heard it."

"Heard what?" Shadow asked.

"The voice in my head that replaced my own." Starlight said as she began to tremble. "His name was Paradox Truth. And he was whispering in my head for years. When Sunburst left me behind, I was devastated. That's when he began fully talking to me. Saying he could make a world where nobody would ever know the pain of loneliness, or being different. That's when I took over that village. But I still felt alone. . . "

"Not anymore." Shadow said as he got to his feet, and wrapped his good wing around the now sobbing Starlight. "I'm here. And I'm not going to leave you, even if it kills me."

Meanwhile, in a strange distorted space, a figure was holding the same mask Starlight had once owned. He was looking at windows into the real world, and smiled when he saw three strange phenomena. A rainbow that seemed to move across the sky, a circuit-like trail in the sky, and a trail of stardust through the lower atmosphere of the planet.

"So they finally decide to stir." The figure said with an evil smile. "Spectrum, Kiryu, and Cosmos. Once I enslave those dragons, I'll be able to cross back into the standard world! And from there, my Malefic Realm spread!"
> Episode 25: Never Alone Part 1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Arctic Ace and Dark Ice were curious as they saw their baby brother Shadow Thunder scarfing down his breakfast. Lately, Shadow had seemed a lot happier and was more lively. Though given the current development of Starlight Glimmer now being in Twilight's custody after Shadow fought to protect her from Blitz Surge, it wasn't hard to guess why Shadow was so cheerful. After all, Shadow had been paying visits to Starlight ever since Twilight was officially given custody. And like all siblings, Ace and Ice saw the perfect chance to poke a little fun at their brother's expense.

"Off to see Starlight again, Shadow?" Arctic Ace asked as he took a bite of his toast. "You seem to be right on time. Girls do love it when you're punctual."

"Our baby brother's becoming a man!" Dark Ice said with a chuckle! "Next thing you know, he'll be proposing to her by tomorrow!"

"Funny guys. Real funny." Shadow deadpanned. "Well, staying in that castle all day must be pretty lonely. I figured that seeing a face besides Twilight ought to elevate her mood a bit." Shadow pouted as he left his brothers. However, he couldn't deny that spending time with Starlight made him feel good inside. "That, and I promised her that she wouldn't be alone. Not while I'm around. I'm keeping my word even if it kills me." 'That, and she's kinda cute when she smiles. . . '

"Oh, Shadow." Twilight said as she ran into the Element of Compassion on her way out. "Perfect timing! I've got something important to ask you regarding Starlight."

"Shoot." Shadow said with a nod. "What do you need me to do?"

"Well, I know that you've been keeping her company ever since she turned herself into my custody." Twilight began. "It's nice that you're willing to give her your time. But, instead of just staying in the castle all day, would you consider showing her around town? I just don't want her to feel like a prisoner."

"Uh, s-sure!" Shadow stammered as his face flushed red! 'This could technically be my first date ever! I AM NOW A MAN!' "I'd be happy to show her around!"

"Great!" Twilight said with a bright smile. "Have fun you two!" She then smiled mischievously. "A first date's a special occasion~."

"Ace and Ice beat you to the punch." Shadow said with a smirk as Twilight pouted. It didn't take Shadow long to find Starlight. The girl was reading a book in the library. "Hey there, Starlight!"

"Oh. Shadow." Starlight said. Surprised that the Element of Compassion was in the castle. "What's up?"

"Eh. Just thought you might get lonely with only Twilight here." Shadow said with a kind smile. He then noticed how Starlight's appearance had changed. "Did you do something new with your hair?"

"You noticed?" Starlight said with a bashful smile, and a slightly sad look present in her eyes. "Well, yeah. My days as a cult leader are behind me. I figured my look should reflect that."

"It's a change for the better I'd say." Shadow smiled encouragingly. "And your new outfit looks a lot nicer too."

"Oh, really?" Starlight said with a slight blush as she stood up to clearly show her new outfit to Shadow (her EqG outfit minus the cap). "Thanks. Rarity helped me put this together. She even gave me some extra clothes free of charge. Now I've got a real wardrobe."

"One that's a lot more colorful." Shadow chuckled. "So, what're you up to?"

"Not much really." Starlight shrugged. "I was kinda getting board reading. And, I don't think Twilight or her friends are ready to get close to me. And I'm pretty sure that your friends might threaten me considering a good number of them are in a relationship with Twilight and her friends."

"Don't worry. They'll warm up to you soon enough." Shadow smiled encouragingly. "We've got a bit of a history of making foes into friends. You'll just be the latest name on the list. And I'd be more than happy to help you make that transition!"

"Heh heh! Thanks Shadow." Starlight giggled before smiling at Shadow. "So. Do you have any prescriptions to my boredom?"

"You bet!" Shadow smiled enthusiastically. "First stop: Sugar Cube Corner! You don't know the true definition of sweets until you've tried Pinkie Pie's treats!"

Shadow triumphantly led Starlight towards Sugar Cube Corner, and the pair seated themselves after placing their order. Within a minute or two, Pinkie Pie zipped out of the kitchen with their treats while Akage appeared in a puff of smoke to deliver their side-order of his signature throwing star cookies.

"Wow! You weren't kidding!" Starlight said in amazement as she munched on a cupcake. "This is probably one of the best treats I've had in my life!"

"Glad to see you're enjoying yourself." Shadow smiled as he replied. He then looked at the newspaper copy he'd purchased, and began to read as he drank his milkshake. "Well, there's something you don't see everyday."

"What's up?" Starlight asked as she bit into a cookie. "See anything interesting?"

"Yeah." Shadow said with a nod. "Apparently, there's been some strange sights that have been recently observed. A rainbow that seemed to move across the sky, a circuit-like pattern trailing across the ground, and stardust shower in the lower atmosphere. But the weird thing is that as soon as these phenomena showed up, they disappeared not long after. And witnesses claim to have heard what sounded like a roar as each of the phenomena vanished."

'Those signs. . . it can't be! Paradox said he needed my help to capture them!' Starlight panicked within her mind! "Yeah. . . weird, isn't it? A-Anything else interesting?"

"Yeah. A face we'd all like to see a lot less of is on the front page." Shadow said with a frown as he turned the paper to show Starlight the front page article showing Blitz Surge and the rest of the Lancers being chewed out by Princess Luna. "Due to the little stunt they pulled in trying to nab you, Blitz and his cronies are going to be suspended for a while. Especially since they infringed on Twilight's jurisdiction."

"Looks like there's finally some good news." Starlight said with a relieved smile. "I can't believe that someone like Blitz Surge was ever a part of your team."

"We didn't willingly admit him." Shadow sighed, but soon smiled. "Still, even if it isn't that grand, it's comforting seeing him get some comeuppance."

"I bet." Starlight giggled. "So where do we go from here?"

"You ever been to an arcade?" Shadow asked with a grin. Starlight's reply was a shake of her head. "Well then. Allow me to show you all there is to know!" 

The rest of their day consisted of Shadow showing Starlight around town after hitting up the arcade. And all the while, Starlight couldn't help but smile when Shadow did anything. Whether it was as simple as talking to her, or explaining various pop culture trivia that helped her catch up on what she'd missed while she was off leading a cult.

'Even when I was trying to hard to destroy him, he still showed me mercy.' Starlight thought as Shadow led her throughout Unityville. She then clenched her fist in regret and shame. 'And he was still compassionate to me, offering to try and help me despite all the times I blamed him for everything like a bratty child. So why?'

". . . Why?" Starlight asked as she froze in her tracks. "Why, Shadow?"

"Huh?" Shadow stopped, and turned to face Starlight. "What do you mean 'why'?"

"Why are you so compassionate, Shadow?" Starlight asked with teary eyes. "Don't you dare say it's just because you're the Element of Compassion!"

"So you want an answer, huh?" Shadow asked with a small smile. "Well, I'll tell you. It all started when by eldest brother, Dark Ice, ran away from home. After our house got trashed from a bad storm, Ice blamed himself for freezing up and not getting us out sooner. He was hurting pretty bad inside, and it hurt me to see him like that. When he eventually returned, he'd just begun to defect from the Nightmare Forces. All those years and he still had so much pain inside him. So, the first thing I did was welcome him back home. Tell him how much I missed him, and pretty much begged him to tell me all that went down. Because I knew then, at that moment, he needed someone to worry about him. And he needed to know that we missed him even more than he missed us. And look at him now. He's become the Element of Courage, and reconnected with a family he thought he didn't deserve to see again."

"Shadow. . ." Starlight was completely astonished at hearing Shadow's answer.

"There's my answer." Shadow smiled. "It might not be the most complicated, or compelling, but it's mine. And that's what makes it count. It's why I just can't ignore when I see someone who's hurting. Because it gives me a chance to help someone else find a better way. And even if I can't do anything for them, just having someone who's willing to listen works wonders for people."

". . . Thank you." Starlight said as she lightly blushed, and smiled brightly at Shadow. "For today. For not giving up. For everything."

"Oh, uh, you're welcome." Shadow blushed. He then saw how low the sun was getting over Unityville. "Hey, uh, it's getting pretty late. I should probably get you back to Twilight."

"Y-Yeah." Starlight stuttered. "Lead the way, hero." The two of them headed to Twilight's castle, and bid each other good night. 

"Shadow." Starlight said with a fond smile as soon as her head touched her pillow. "Thanks for a great day."

"Well, this is a surprise." A voice all too familiar to Starlight echoed through her room. "You never sounded this happy around me, Starlight. I feel hurt by you casting me aside so easily."

"Paradox!" Starlight gasped as she jolted up from her bed in fright! "H-How are you talking to me?! The only way you could speak to me was through the mask!"

"Oh, this old thing?" Paradox said as materialized before Starlight! His entire outfit consisted of a sleeveless coat in the same pattern as his mask, a pair of grey pants, and a pair of boots that shared the same pattern as his mask and coat! His hair a pale gold along with his eyes! "I've decided a more personal approach is appreciated."

"If you're going to ask me to go back to you, forget it!" Starlight spat as she powered up her magic! "You were wrong about how things went, and about me! Because of you, I let myself be used like a puppet! No more! And besides, you captured the legendary dragons you were after!"

"While I may have accomplished part of my goal, you are quite mistaken." Paradox said with a wicked smile. "I still need you, Starlight. It's rather interesting you compared yourself to a puppet. Rather, you are more akin to a battery."

"Either way, I was just a thing to you!" Starlight growled! "And I won't let myself stay a thing any longer!"

"Those eyes. . . ah, you have the same look as her." Paradox had an evil smile as he took a step towards Starlight! "Your mother gave me the exact same look when I tried to use her as my power source, too."

"What?" Starlight said in shock. But this was all the window needed for Paradox to hit her with a paralysis spell! "Agh!" Right as Starlight fell forward, Paradox snatched her and opened up a portal!

"Soon I'll be able to bring my own world to yours." Paradox smirked as he walked into the portal. "That fool Starswirl sought to merely subjugate the spirits of legendary beasts. But I exceeded him! With the power of the Malefic World I not only extended my life, but I was also granted the means to subjugate legendary dragons! Of course, my influence over them is only manifest so long as I keep them in the Malefic World. But thanks to you, that won't be an issue any longer." And with that, Paradox vanished through the portal. However, he was unaware that he was being monitored by one of Nightfall's security cameras.

The next day, both teams of elements discovered that Starlight had been kidnapped by Paradox after viewing the footage from last night, and began a desperate search to find her! Among their number, none was more motivated to find Starlight than Shadow. 

'Starlight's all alone with this creep. I can't leave her like that!' Shadow thought as he furiously searched any place he thought Paradox might have spirited Starlight away to! 'I promised her that I wouldn't leaver her alone, and that I wouldn't break that promise even if it killed me!' Shadow didn't have to search far as Paradox was sighted in the middle of Castalot with Starlight contained within some strange chamber!

"PEOPLE OF UNITY, I AM PARADOX TRUTH!" Paradox declared! "TODAY, YOU SHALL ALL WITNESS THE MIGHT I HOLD AT MY COMMAND! THIS WORLD REJECTED ME, SO I MADE MY OWN! GAZE UPON THE MALEFIC WORLD! A DIMENSION I BIRTHED MYSELF!" And Paradox activated the chamber Starlight was trapped inside! Starlight screaming in pain as her magic was forcefully initiated and drained from her very being alongside her lifeforce to fuel the bridging of dimensions!

In the skies above, a strange distortion materialized! As it materialized, the whole world seemed to be stripped away and leave everything looking like a purple space-like void! The buildings were still intact, the citizens still lived, but it looked like the everything had been stripped away! Wasting no time, both teams of elements rushed over to Castalot! They arrived just in time as Paradox's minions were menacing the civilians!

"We'll get these creeps off you all!" Inferno declared as both the Elements of Heroism and Elements of Heroism rushed into battle against the Malefic horde! "Get out of here!" 

Once again, Castalot had become a battleground. While the elements were busy fighting their way towards Paradox, the princesses and all the guard branches were escorting the civilians away from the fighting! However, both teams of elements soon had unwelcome company in the form of the Lancers.

"All of you will leave." Blitz Surge commanded as he glared at Inferno and the other Elements of Heroism. "You have been disbanded, and therefor no longer hold any official position as peacekeepers. WE are the recognized heroes. WE are justice!"

"You want to take on all these things by yourself?" Inferno scoffed. "Get real! You're gonna need as many fighters as you can get! All the guards are busy escorting the people, and the princesses are covering them! We're the only ones who are trying to keep these things off them! You want to argue, you can do it afterwards!"

"Fine." Blitz Surge huffed. "I'll tolerate you lot playing heroes for now. If only to allow you all some semblance of recognition for your efforts. But if you're thinking this will give you a foothold into re-establishing the Elements of Heroism, you're sorely mistaken."

"No, that'd be you." Inferno said with a smirk. "Because once he's back, he'll make sure everything you've done comes right back at you, and that everything you've built up comes crashing down. And he'll show you what a real hero is!"

"What pathetic delusion is in your head?" Blitz said with a frown as he and the Lancers tore Paradox's minions apart!  But like the last time both teams of elements encountered them, the Malefic Horde could alter their bodies and aggregate into a larger constructs! The battle was far from over!

Meanwhile, Shadow was cutting down the Malefic minions that tried to swarm him in the skies! All while desperately flying towards Starlight! Despite the numbers he was facing, and the odds being against him, Shadow refused to yield! Breaking through the swarm and landing right in front of Paradox and the captive Starlight!

"Starlight! I'm here!" Shadow declared as he landed! "I'm not breaking my promise!'

"Oh, so you're the little birdie that's caught Starlight's attention." Paradox said with a smug grin. "You needn't worry. As soon as I'm finished with the girl, you can have what's left of her. A battery doesn't have much use after it's run out of power to supply."

"No way in Tartarus I'm letting you drain her dry!" Shadow cried out as he flew at Paradox while thrusting his spear forward! The blade of it aimed right at Paradox's heart! But when his blade struck Paradox, it didn't even make a dent! "What?!"

"So. This spear and the weapons used by your friends are all products of Starswirl's research." Paradox said with interest as he smiled darkly. "I've made my own little toy that I can't wait to play with!" Paradox ripped off his coat to reveal his chest was covered in dragon-like scales! His pupils narrowing into slits while a warped smile spread across his face! "Dragons are creatures of power and majesty! If simply subjugating a few legendary dragons demonstrates my power, then becoming like one solidifies it! Enough of the cannon fodder! TIME FOR THE BIG GUNS!"

Paradox doubled over as a pair of dragon wings sprouted from his back that were the same pale-gold color as his hair! A bright red gem at the center of his chest that pulsated like a heart glowed with a dark red light! His fingers and toes sharpening into claws while his teeth became like fangs! In his hands, he materialized a spear made of the same substance as his minions!

Shadow was stunned by Paradox's transformation, and left himself open for a vicious swipe from Paradox's claws! Shadow managed to get some distance between himself and Paradox by taking to the air, but Paradox was relentless in his pursuit! Shadow countering each of Paradox's attacks with as much strength as he could muster! As their clash dragged on, Paradox grew more and more annoyed with Shadow's constant countering! However, when he spied Starlight out of the corner of his eye, he saw an opportunity to open another hole in Shadow's defenses! 

Paradox hurled his spear at Starlight's chamber, and Shadow immediately took off towards the spear! Swatting it aside with his own spear! Shadow had a relieved smile as he saw Starlight was safe, but that relieved look on his face was replaced by shock when the spear re-materialized in front of him with Paradox thrusting it into his chest!

Starlight, and both teams of elements looked on in horror as Shadow fell to the ground in front of Starlight.  Shadow's brothers and Starlight screaming out in horror.

"SHAAAADOOOOOW!"

TO BE CONTINUED!
> Episode 26: Never Alone Part 2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

For a moment, the whole battlefield seemed to freeze in place. All the members of both teams of elements felt shock, sorrow, and anger all at once when they saw Shadow's chest pierced by Paradox's blades. The Lancers, with the exception of Ronin and Nova, didn't care. Starlight in particular was looking on in horror when she saw Shadow fall to the ground on his knees right in front of her. But the worst part of it all was that he wasn't dead yet. Mustering what little life he had left in him, Shadow staggered to his feet with an exhausted smile directed at Starlight.

"Good. . . you're alright. . . " Shadow said weakly. The smile he had on his face making it look even more painful for him. "I'm glad."

"But you're not!" Starlight cried as Shadow rested his head against the glass! "How many times. . . how many times am I going to lose someone close to me?!"

"You. . . think we're close, huh?" Shadow weakly smiled. "That's good. . . glad I helped you let people in again. Heh. . . even got to see you happy. That was nice."

"Shadow. . . " Tears began to fall from Starlight's eyes. "Thank you so much. For everything."

"How touching." Paradox said with a sneer as he descended to the ground, and advanced towards the dying Shadow Thunder. "A confession between lovers right before their inevitable end." And he ruthlessly pulled his weapon from Shadow's chest! "Looks like my battery still has some juice in her. Don't worry." Paradox's hands glowed with the black-and-green aura of his magic! "I'll soon fix that!"

"MONSTER!" Dark Ice screamed as he cleaved through Malefic minions with his claymore! Righteous anger, and a hunger for payback burning throughout his entire being! His sword's blade igniting alongside his own temper as he slashed ferociously through the horde of enemies in front of him! "YOU'LL PAY, YOU HEAR ME?! I'LL MAKE YOU PAY FOR TAKING MY BABY BROTHER FROM US! I'LL DRAG YOU TO TARTARUS MYSELF!"

"Not alone, you won't." Arctic Ace said with an icy glare directed at Paradox! A cold fury radiating from the Element of Wisdom as he used ice spells to immobilize and trap Malefic Minions, and shatter them immediately afterwards! "I'm going to make sure this bastard's frozen in place!"

"Keep pouring it on, everyone!" Twilight cried out as she fired massive blasts of magic at the enemies surrounding her and the rest of the Main 6! "Now's a good time to cut loose!" 

And they held nothing back as they tore their way through Paradox's forces! Rarity was reflecting the barrages of enemy artillery with a gem-like shield construct she'd made out of her magic! Using the enemy's firepower against them! Pinkie Pie used balloon-like orbs of magic that exploded when they struck enemies, and she also made a cluster variant of the same spell that spread out and knocked enemies all over the place! Not wanting to waste the opportunity provided to her, Rainbow Dash hurled her boomerang and created a miniature tornado that whipped through Paradox's forces! While the minions were launched into the air, Rainbow Dash tore through them with her boomerang's blade before she rained down lightning from above!

"Whoa." Applejack said in awe as she saw her now-goddess-level friends taking apart Paradox's forces like they were nothing! "Well, can't let 'em have all the fun!" And she went right back to shooting down more airborne enemies with Magnet North at her back. "Havin' fun, sugarcube?"

"Time of my life, love!" Magnet North smirked as he let loose burst after burst from his shot-blaster! Any enemies trying to get close were ripped apart and knocked due to North setting his blaster to it's red repulsion shot mode. "These are probably some of the more annoying third-wheels to deal with, though. Either they're swarming us, dive bombing us, contorting themselves into artillery, or merging and growing into giants!"

Meanwhile, Tyrannus was acting like a tank for Fluttershy. Out of all the elements members who'd ascended into avatars, Ty was by far the one with the most defense. Whatever hits the Malefic Minions landed on him didn't faze him in the least. If anything, they merely irritated him. The Element of Tolerance was definitely living up to his name due to how much aggression he'd earned from Paradox's forces. However, Ty was like a tank in more ways than one. He could take a lot of hits, and deal out hits that were even more devastating. And he dealt them out with extreme prejudice. Ripping and tearing through the horde of enemies with his raptor claw arm blades before blowing huge holes in their numbers with his cannon!

When the enemies surrounding Ty were wiped out, he felt the familiar sensation of Fluttershy's healing staff working away what little damage he'd taken. Ty smiled as he saw Fluttershy smiling down at him from his shoulders.

"I wasn't that hurt, you know." Ty said with a chuckle.

"I know." Fluttershy nodded. "But I don't like seeing my snuggle partner roughed up. Now let's go help level the rest of these meanies!"

Spike, in the meantime, was in a circle with Night Fang and Venus Bloomer! Shooting down enemies from a distance while Fang and Venus took care of any that tried to get close! Steel Edge and Nightfall Silver were fighting in the skies! Shooting or cutting down the Malefic Minions that had taken to the air! At the same time, Inferno plunged his sword into the ground! Sending out a massive wave of fire that incinerated the enemies it crashed into, and opening up a path to Paradox!

"Ice! Ace!" Inferno called out! "We'll deal with all the stragglers! You guys take the fight to Paradox, and get him back for Shadow!"

"You don't gotta tell us twice!" Dark Ice roared as he and Arctic Ace charged at Paradox! "PARADOOOOOOX!" 

"Oh?" Paradox said with mock interest as he used his spear to block Ace's sword and Ice's claymore! Taking note of Ace's status as an avatar, and the Duelist Arms that Ace and Ice were wielding. "Well, it looks like one of you has decided to deliver a little divine intervention. And what's this? Ah, so THOSE are the weapons that old fool Starswirl designed! As much as I'd enjoy breaking your little toys, I think I'll let you play with my own! Dragons! Annihilate those that stand against me!"

With a ferocious roar, the legendary dragons under Paradox's control attacked the teams of Elements! Those among their number who'd ascended quickly took the fight to the skies! Unleashing more of their divine strength against the beguiled beasts! While they had no intention of slaying the dragons, they would not let them rampage under Paradox's control! Unfortunately, Blitz Surge using the power of harmony to try and fell the dragons made their task more difficult. Fortunately, though unexpected as it was, Garble got up in Blitz's face about it. Those who were combating the dragons breathed a mental sigh of relief before sending the dragons crashing to the ground with mighty divine blows! They made sure to strike at the heads to ensure that the dragons stayed down for a good while. At the same time, Ace and Ice were in a heated clash with Paradox!

"Such a shame you're not willing to let loose your full power!" Paradox said with a savage grin as he slipped his mask on! Suddenly, his spear melted and formed an armor similar to the one Starlight had donned when she wore Paradox's mask! And this new armor was soon revealed to have the same ability to morph portions of itself into weaponry upon Paradox's command! "Otherwise, you might not have anything left to bury of your friend over there! Heck, you could even destroy my battery!"

"You're the one that pulled a dirty trick using her as bait on Shadow!" Dark Ice spat as his claymore clanged violently against the titanic fists Paradox had constructed on his arms! "And who said we weren't working on pulling the plug on your plan?!"

"Hm?" Paradox looked over the Starlight's chamber, and his eyes narrowed when he saw Arctic Ace trying to free Starlight! "OH NO YOU DON'T!" And Paradox's left arm shot out towards Ace! Its claws ready to swipe at the Avatar of Wisdom! Luckily, Ace saw it coming and blocked with his shield! 

While Shadow's brothers renewed their clash with Paradox, Starlight watched in shock as Shadow's body vanished in a bright light! When the light faded, Starlight looked at the ground in horror and sorrow. Once again, she had lost someone close to her. First it was her mother, then it was Sunburst, and now it was Shadow. And it was all because of Paradox. Paradox who'd tried to use her mother as a battery. Paradox who'd convinced her that Talent Crests were the cause of all her suffering. Paradox who'd ruthlessly taken away the person who'd been nothing but good and kind to her despite her past actions. 

Starlight's fists tightened in anger! Her magic flaring to life violently as she slowly looked out of her prison's window to glare at Paradox! She had lost more than enough people to the monster that held her captive. And Starlight refused to let Paradox take away anyone else!

"No more. . . " Starlight growled as her eye began to glow! "NO MOOOOOORE!" With a mighty scream, Starlight's magic tore the chamber apart! All the combatants were stunned to see Starlight break free from her imprisonment! But what shocked them the most was that her eyes looked like swirling galaxies! "PARADOX! I'M NOT LETTING YOU HURT ANYONE ELSE!"

"Incredible!" Paradox said with a wicked grin! "To think you had this kind of magical power packed withi-GAH" Paradox was knocked down by a massive blast of magic!

"THAT WAS FOR MY MOTHER!" Starlight screamed as she fired another massive blast of magic! "FOR SUNBURST!" The next blast forced obliterated Paradox's armor! "And this. . . " Starlight concentrated her magic, and formed a large orb of it before hurling it at Paradox! The orb exploding upon impact! When the blast died down, Starlight walked to the edge of the smoking crater that had formed. Glaring down at it. "That was for Shadow." But the second Starlight relaxed a bit, Paradox shot out from the crater and grabbed Starlight by the neck!

"Interesting fact about dragons." Paradox said with a malicious smile as he continued to choke Starlight! "They're not impervious to magic, as rumors say, but they are highly resistant to it. Your little tantrum might not have blown me to bits, but I assure you, it hurt like crazy." He then turned his attention to the two teams of elements with their weapons aimed at him. "None of you move an inch, or the girl dies."

"That's no issue for me." Blitz Surge said as he stepped forward. The rest of the Lancers hanging back to watch their leader do something stupid. "The girl has done many wrongs, and she must face justice. Her life in exchange for the lives she nearly ruined would be more than fair compensation."

"Surely you-WHAT?!" Paradox's eyes widened when he saw his Malefic World fading away. "No. . . NO! When the girl unleashed her power, she destroyed the machine too! The dragons will soon be free!" He glared at Starlight, and tightened his hold on her throat! "Perhaps I should end you myself for all the inconveniences you've caused me!"

"You won't lay a finger on her." A voice said. All the combatants were confused as to where the voice was coming from, but they soon found the source as a ray of light shone down from the sky! Suddenly, a beam of light magic struck Paradox! Making the malefic magician drop Starlight and crumple to the ground in pain! "Sorry if I was on the bench for a bit, but I'm back in action now!"

"That voice. . . " Dark Ice said in awe and joy! "Ace! It's-!"

"I know!" Arctic Ace said with a grin! "Shadow! You've ascended!"

"Hey bros." Shadow said with a smile as he descended. His hands glowing with the bright yellow aura of his magic, and his wings spread out for all to see. Shadow's wings were now feathery dragon wings that looked like they belonged to a dragon that resided in the heavens (see pictures of Dragluon from Yu-Gi-Oh!)! His spear now had a miniature halo hovering near the blade! "Paradox. Your evil ends now! Surrender, and I will show you mercy. Don't say that I didn't give you a warning."

"So. You've ascended into godhood, eh?" Paradox sneered. "Bah! As if you'd be willing to risk using your power while I have your little girlfriend in my clutches! Miss me by an inch, and she'd be harmed! So, go on! Hit me with your best shot!"

"As you wish." Shadow said as readied his spear! "THUNDER SPEAR SMITE!" Shadow hurled his spear at Paradox! The spear becoming a massive thunderbolt that obliterated Paradox instantly! When the dust cleared, it was revealed that Starlight didn't have a scratch on her! Shadow smiled as he landed and his spear returned to his hands. "I said I'd keep my promise even if it killed me, right?"

"Shadow. . . " Starlight broke into tears as she threw herself at Shadow! Holding onto him without any intention of letting go! "SHADOW!"

"Hey, hey." Shadow smiled as he wrapped his arms and wings around Starlight. "I'm here. And I'm not leaving you again." He then turned to face his gathered friends. "Let's go home." However, before the two teams of elements could depart, they froze in their tracks when they saw the dragons Paradox had enslaved stirring and the strange masks and armor on them shattering!

"FREE!" All three dragons roared in delight as the shook off the debris of the masks and armor before turning their attention to the gathered elements. One dragon had a white body, no arms and legs, and two pairs of wings. Along its sides were gems that formed a rainbow (Rainbow Dragon). Another dragon looked like it was some kind of giant robot that had three heads (Cyber End Dragon). And the last dragon was primarily white and had beautiful wings that seemed to be coated in stardust (Stardust Dragon). The elements were about to ready themselves for combat, but were surprised when the dragons bowed to them!

"Our thanks for freeing us from that sorcerer's control." The rainbow dragon said with a grin as he noticed Rainbow Dash. "Ah, we seem to be in the presence of a budding pantheon! I see a goddess who bears my colors! Are you looking for a familiar? The two of us would look epic standing together! Tell me, goddess, might I have your na-GAH!"

"Forgive my friend." The cosmic dragon said with a sigh as he removed his fist from the rainbow dragon's head. "He can be a bit too boastful for his own good. Back onto the topic at hand, thank you for freeing us. Now that we are free, we can resume our search for the one who the king passed his power on to. Oh, my apologies. We forgot to introduce ourselves. I am Cosmos. The Stardust Dragon."

"Name's Spectrum!" The rainbow dragon said proudly. "The rainbow dragon!"

"I am called Kiryu." The robotic dragon stated in a cool tone. "The metal dragon."

All of the elements introduced themselves, and the princesses soon joined the group after they'd confirmed that the battle was over and began having the guards escort the citizens back into Castalot.

"You're welcome for us freeing you." Twilight smiled. "But, who's this 'king' you're looking for? The only ruler of the dragons that we know about is the Dragon Lord."

"Well, it's comforting to know there is a ruler of our people." Cosmos said with a sigh of relief. "Surely you have heard of the Dragon King, Bahamut?"

"B-Bahamut?!" Garble sputtered! "Uh, n-not to sound disrespectful, but are you for real? I mean, Bahamut's just been a story passed down by all the old dragons in the Dragon Lands."

"Your elders do well to tell you of Bahamut, drake." Spectrum growled. "For he was not a story. He is, and was, the only king of the dragons! While he reigned, our kind new peace with the humans. He was powerful, noble, and strong. But more importantly, he was noble, just and kind."

"He was even friend with your rulers." Kiryu stated. "After his death, none could ever hope to live up to him. And so, the position and title of dragon king was lost to time. That is, until recently."

"What do you mean?" Inferno asked. "What happened?"

"Earlier in this year, we sensed the aura of Bahamut make itself known." Cosmos answered. "While we do not know exactly what happened after Bahamut's departure, the aura and power we sensed was unmistakably Bahamut's!"

"But there was also something different about it." Spectrum added. "We sensed Bahamut's soul as well, but also the soul of a human bonded to Bahamut's power. And as quickly as it had surfaced, the power vanished. So we have searched for the one who has inherited the king's power."

"Uh, excuse me?" Spike asked. "Aren't you guys, you know, upset that Bahamut passed down his power to someone who wasn't a dragon?"

"Young dragon." Cosmos said with a comforting smile. "The race of the inheritor of Bahamut's power is completely irrelevant. Whoever Bahamut has passed on his power to, it was a candidate who was worthy in Bahamut's eyes. Our search shall continue."

"We'd give you the means to summon us, but our search takes priority." Kiryu said with a small bow. "Our apologies."

"Until we meet again, friends!" Spectrum boomed as he, Kiryu, and Cosmos took off! Leaving everyone else to help with the rebuilding process. Thanks to both teams of elements and the princesses lending a hand, the damage was quickly repaired.

A week or two passed by, and Shadow was once again visiting Starlight. The Avatar of Compassion was carrying something in his hands as he made his way to Starlight's room, knocking before entering. 

"Hi Shadow!" Starlight greeted with a bright smile. "We going on another outing?"

"Actually, I came here to give you something." Shadow said as he pulled out a purple beanie cap with stars on it. Blushing as he did so. "I, uh, made this myself. For you. Aaaand. . . ugh! I'll just say it as clearly as possible: I love you Starlight."

". . . " Starlight was silent as she put on the cap, and walked up to Shadow. She then hugged him tightly. "I'm not saying it."

"You don't need to."

"No." Starlight said as she looked into Shadow's eyes. "Actions speak louder than words." And she kissed him with as much passion as she could.

"Wow. . . " Shadow said as his face flushed red. "Now THAT was heaven."
> Epilogue
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

'How long has it been since I started training here with Bahamut?' Burst Stream thought with a sigh as he laid down on what was assumed to be the ground of the blank, white void known as the Zero Realm. 'Somehow, I get the feeling that my friends need me. All of them probably think I'm dead, too. But what was I supposed to do? Just lay down in that crater after the beating Tirek dealt me and seeing Celestia get thrown into Tartarus? Maybe things would have worked out still if I'd done just that, but I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I didn't do everything within my power to try and stop Tirek. Still. . . it doesn't change the fact I miss everyone so much.'

"Why so glum, Burst Stream?" Bahamut asked as he stood over the Element of Power. "You've been progressing very far in your training. In fact, you taken rather well to your new dragonic attributes. It's probably due to your soul and mine resonating, but the improvement is significant nonetheless. And you've also quickly grasped the new techniques I've been teaching you."

"Yeah, well, it helps that I've got no idea how long I've been in here and that I don't get tired." Burst Stream said as he sat up with his knees close to his chest. "I know you said that I'd get to return home once I was worthy of your power, but I can't help asking HOW I'm supposed to get back home or WHAT I can do to make me worthy of inheriting your power. But most of all, I really miss home."

"And you will return to them." Bahamut answered.

"Yeah, I know that!" Burst snapped in frustration as he stared up at Bahamut. "But when I left in that explosion of magic, everyone probably thought I died when I really haven't! I. . . I just want to go home and let the people I love know that I'm okay. That I haven't left them yet, and that I can come back." Sadness filled Burst's gaze as he looked down at the "ground". "But at the same time, I know how important mastering your power is."

". . . " Bahamut was silent as he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "There IS a way for you to return to your friends right now. But, it is not without it's cost."

"What is it?" Burst asked as he sprang to his feet! "Tell me, please."

"I told you that you would be able to return to the world once I deemed you worthy to inherit my power." Bahamut began. "But there is another way for you to return."

"And what's the price for my return?" Burst asked.

"The price is relinquishing the power you've been training to control and develop all this time." Bahamut answered with a firm tone. "You would also lose the dragon abilities and traits that inheriting my power would grant you. My soul would pass on all the same. Then again, doing this would render all the time you have spent here useless. So, Burst Stream, what is your answer?"

Burst Stream had an awed expression on his face as he took in the new information Bahamut had dropped onto him, but the look in his eyes was one of reflection. He could reunite with the people he cared about. Two in particular, Celestia and Nightmare Moon, took up a significant space of his thoughts. If he returned now, he'd get to see them all again! And most of all, he could be a hero again! But when that thought entered his mind, Burst immediately halted his train of thought.

In the beginning he'd only set out to reunite Princess Celestia with the sister she was forced to banish for a thousand years. But things changed when new threats started popping up that the Main 6 alone couldn't handle. So, Burst took up arms and others soon joined him in his fight. As he made friends in the growing Elements of Heroism, Burst found more reasons besides simply protecting others. He had new friends that would back him up in any fight, and he'd gladly give his life for them. He'd almost done that multiple times by now. But by far, the thing he enjoyed most about being a hero was the hope he saw in everyone's eyes whenever he and his friends would fight against evil whenever it rose. If he came back, he could bring that hope back with him!

'But. . . it wasn't just me that gave everyone hope.' Burst Stream realized as he reflected. 'It was never just me that everyone cheered and rooted for. Twilight and the girls. Inferno and the guys. They cheered for ALL of them. Because of them, I realized that I was meant to be a hero. They MADE me into a hero. Even without me, the world still has all of them. I want to be the hope in everyone, but I can't be that if I'm not there. But it was never just me that people put their hopes in! All of my friends are heroes! And that's why I think. . . no, I KNOW I can entrust the hopes of others to them!' And Burst Stream looked up at Bahamut with a smile.

"The answer's simple, Bahamut. . . "