Chapter 2:The Immortals Return to Battle
The various factions and their Akatsuki pairs were stationed outside the hut. Obito walked to each one in turn to give them their mission and send them off.
“Sasori, Deidara, and Diamond Dogs! You are to go to Applewood and destroy it. Without their capital of Canterlot, it’s likely the ponies will move their headquarters to somewhere large and at least slightly fortified. Go!”
“Right, boss!” Said Deidara.
They began marching towards the “road” Sasori and Deidara created a week ago.
“Itachi, Kisame, and Griffons! You are to move towards a city that Bronze Claw informed me of that could also be a candidate for the ponies’ new headquarters. It’s called Manehattan. It exists near the water northeast of here. Go!”
Itachi and Kisame nodded, and the group marched towards Manehattan.
“Kakuzu, Hidan, and Changelings! You are to proceed to a town called Baltimare. While it is not exactly a large city, it is still a collection of our enemies. The residents will be mostly civilian, but I still want them dealt with as they can produce food and other supplies for the war effort. Go!”
“As you command. Come, Hidan.”
“I’m coming, I’m coming....”
The army proceeded east towards the city.
“What about us, Obito?” Asked Konan.
“You two have a different mission. I can’t send an army with you as it will be seen and the defenses will be raised. You are going to a city in the clouds called Cloudsdale.”
Konan had studied much about the various races and their abilities, and she knew that only pegasi could walk on clouds.
“But sir, Nagato is a unicorn. He cannot walk on clouds.”
“I’ve already remedied that.” He pulled a small scroll from his robe and gave it Konan. “Use this spell. It allows cloudwalking for a non-pegasus. However, be warned. It’s effects last only for a day. So finish this mission quickly and return with just as much haste.”
Obito began walking away.
“Wait, you didn’t even tell us what we are supposed to do.”
Obito laughed. “Isn’t it obvious? The mission has been the same for everyone else, so far. Kill everyone you see when you arrive and, if possible, destroy the mechanisms that keep the cloud city functioning.”
Obito walked back into the shack and shut the door behind him.
“You heard him, Konan. We should move out now.”
Konan nodded. “Right.”
- - - - -
“Kakuzu! Are we almost there?”
Hidan had been whining like this for the past few hours, and Kakuzu was reaching his limit.
“For the last time, Hidan: This ‘Baltimare’ could be as far away as a three days’ walk. Whining about it won’t help anything. All it does is piss me off. So shut up and find a way to entertain yourself until we get there.”
“Ugh, I hate it when you get this way.....”
“And I hate it when you whine like a child. Some things we just have to deal with unfortunately....”
The group continued to walk on in silence for another hour before coming across a broken wagon. It was missing a wheel, and had a white cover over the back. The driver was waving frantically at the Akatsuki and Changelings.
“What do we do, Kakuzu?” Asked one of the Changelings.
“Hold here. I’ll go talk to him and see what’s going on.”
Kakuzu walked towards the driver, suspicious of what could be under the cover on the back of the wagon.
“Oh thank Celestia somepony finally found us! It’s been hours since anypony has come by!” Said the driver.
“Is there anything I can do to help you get on your way?” Asked Kakuzu.
“Oh, yes! I have a spare wheel and toolbox in the back. Get those out and bring them up front.”
Kakuzu nodded, and walked to the back of the wagon.
He pulled off the covering of the wagon and was accosted by two minotaur waiting in the back!
“I saw this coming. Of course, I thought it would be ponies, not....?”
“Grah! Minotaur are we! And our job is to crush anypony wearing the black and red robes!” Said one of the minotaur.
Hidan ran towards Kakuzu.
“Back off, Kakuzu! I need to sacrifice to Jashin!”
“No, this is my fight. You go wait with the Changelings. This won’t be long.”
“NO! I’m going to-”
“You’re going to listen to my orders, or be sent back to the hideout. Go.”
Hidan scowled and ran back to the army.
Kakuzu turned back to face the minotaur.
“I do not wish to waste my chakra fighting you two when a much larger battle awaits me. So please, for everyone’s sake, stand aside.”
The minotaur laughed. “Can you believe this coward?! He thinks he can take us on that easily! Let’s prove him wrong!”
The two minotaur rushed at Kakuzu.
“Such ignorance....” Said Kakuzu as he propelled his hooves from his body.
Each hoof ran around a minotaur; circling him over and over, before finally a cocoon around each minotaur with the black tentacles attached to the hooves. Kakuzu walked towards his victims.
“Now do you see? I am strong. Strong enough to bat you both away with almost zero effort on my part. Now, before I crush you both, I need to ask: where is Baltimare?”
“You can take your questions and shove ‘em up your flank!” Said one of the minotaur as he spit on Kakuzu.
“Your mannerisms are much like the many people I have killed over the years. Victims are always flushed with foolish pride right before the end. I have yet to be put in your situation, so I wouldn’t know. But enough talking; since you won’t answer my first question, then I’ll ask you a different one.”
“What’s that?”
“Does this hurt?”
Kakuzu began strangling the two minotaur. They screamed in pain, as the tentacles squeezed tighter and tighter. The blood vessels in their eyes ruptured; shooting blood out of their eye sockets like a hose. Within moments, they were dead.
Kakuzu pulled his hooves back to his arms, and, making sure they were connected, walked to the now-trembling driver of the wagon. As he did, he wiped the spit off of his face.
“Since your comrades couldn’t answer my question, I wonder if you can?”
“O- Of course! Ba- Ba- Baltimare is just a sh- short walk down this r -road here. About 2 hours and you’ll be there. I swear!”
“Good answer, and for that, you get a good death.”
The driver couldn't’ even scream as Kakuzu’s hoof shot straight through his torso; tearing out his heart and killing him in one swift motion.
“Hmm, it’s quite young. I could always use another heart.” He said as he opened a hole in his back under one of the masks.
He inserted the heart into the hole, and black tentacles grabbed it; pulling it deep into his body. As the heart disappeared, the hole repaired itself and the mask moved back into position.
The Changelings were stunned, many of their mouths dropped open at the sight of Kakuzu’s ghastly ability.
“Isn’t he just great?” Asked Hidan. “I hate to admit it, but he’s much stronger than me; and that’s not even the half of his abilities. You’ll soon come to fear him. Not like me though, I’m not scared of the big ‘ol softy....”
Kakuzu began walking down the road and called over his shoulder.
“Well? Aren’t you all coming?”
“Of course, sir!” Said one of the Changelings.
The army moved even more quickly than it had been before; motivated to get to Baltimare with such a powerful leader.
Just as the driver had told them, the city was in sight after a few hours walk.
“Ha! Jashin will be pleased with the number of sacrifices I get from this place!”
Kakuzu rolled his eyes. “The Changelings will be killing most of the ponies here. Our job is to provide overwatch in case something happens. As Obito said, most of the opposition will be civilians. However, there is a possibility that the military could be here. That’s where we come in.”
“Are you kidding me?! I don't’ get to kill a single civy?!”
“That is correct. However, since I did kill those three back down the road, I will let you have the first fight yourself.”
Hidan started to smile then stopped. “Wait! You never let me have a fight! What’s going on with you?”
Kakuzu shrugged. “Nothing really. I just don’t feel like fighting, right now. I’ve got a lot on my mind, that’s all.”
Hidan looked at his partner suspiciously.
“Yeah, sure.....”
Hidan began rushing the town, but Kakuzu stopped him.
“Hold on. There’s a plan I’ve formulated to take on the town. I want you to go in solo; but I will have backup standing by in the form of a single squad of Changelings disguised as citizens.”
“Alright, already! I get it, just let me go kill some ponies now!”
Kakuzu nodded. “Let the Changelings go first, then you follow.”
The Changelings shape shifted into four random, pony citizens and trotted into town.
“Alright Hidan, go.”
Hidan rushed straight towards the town. As he approached the gates, two guards stopped him.
“Look! It’s one of THOSE ponies! We have to stop him!”
Hidan laughed. “Go ahead and try, weakling!”
He cut his hoof, and used his blood to draw the mark of Jashin upon the ground.
“Wh- What is he doing?!” Asked one of the frightened guards.
“It doesn't’ matter! We have to stop him at all costs! Do not be stopped by your fear!” Replied the other.
“Right!”
They charged at Hidan, removing swords from their sheaths simultaneously.
“Hahahaha! I do so love it when they resist!”
Hidan swung his scythe out at the ponies. The first guard dodged it, but the other guard was nicked on his thigh.
“Gah!”
“Are you alright?” Said the other guard, stopping by his friend.
“Yeah, I think so; it’s just a scratch!”
Hidan started laughing again. “Oh you have no idea how wrong you are.” He said as he licked the guard’s blood off the scythe.
“Th- That’s sick! Why are you drinking my blood?!”
“Because, I like to have fun with my victims.”
The other guard resumed racing towards the Akatsuki pony.
“I don’t know why you did what you just did, but it doesn't matter! I’m going to kill you right now!”
He swung his sword at Hidan’s head, but it was blocked by the scythe.
“Oh please. Your attacks are as simple as your uniform.”
“Huh?!” Said the confused guard.
“Hey, I just noticed something. Your friend there is incapacitated since he can’t run with torn muscle tissue in his upper leg.”
“Yeah?!” Said the guard still trying to break Hidan’s guard. “What of it?”
“Well, I also have both of your arms, err, legs occupied which means...”
Hidan pulled the pointed rod out from under his sleeve.
“I can kill you first!”
He stabbed the guard straight through his armor, piercing his chest.
“By Celestia, this agony!” He said stumbling back.
“It get’s worse. That was just your lung; which is now collapsed. I’m going to choose something a little bit more painful, this time.”
Hidan stabbed the guard’s sword hoof this time, forcing him to drop his weapon.
“Stop toying with me! Either kill me or let me go!”
Hidan shrugged. “Well, since you have been pretty fun so far, and I’d like to deal with your friend....”
The scythe flew towards the guard’s head, and sent it rolling off his shoulders onto the ground in mere moments.
“STAR RACER!” Screamed the other guard.
“Don’t worry, you’ll soon be joining him. I must get into town, though, and deal with the residents there. So I don’t get to have fun with you.”
He pierced his own heart with the rod. As he did, the other guard fell dead instantaneously.
“So good! I haven’t had a good kill in days!” Hidan kissed his necklace; bearing the symbol of Jashin.
“These kills were for you and you along, my lord. I hope they pleased you.”
Hidan walked into town, which, at this point, was full of activity from people watching what Hidan had just done.
“Alright people, settle down. You’ll be joining them, soon enough!”
The ponies began screaming and running in all directions to get away from Hidan.
“Oh, jeez. Now I have to round them all up; easily done.”
Hidan drew Jashin’s mark on the ground again, and threw his scythe into the crowd. He successfully cut nine more ponies.
“Nine?! FANTASTIC!” Screamed Hidan, as he licked the blood off the scythe.
He pierced his own heart again; killing all nine of the ponies he cut.
“Baltimare will know true fear!” Said Hidan.
“No it won’t! Not as long as we’re here to stop you!”
Hidan looked up into the sky to see six pegasus ponies descend. They were wearing a clear, glass-like armor and had swords at their sides, without sheaths, bearing a similar appearance.
“Who are you supposed to be?”
“We’re Crystal Empire scouts! Your rampaging ends here, with us!” Said the captain.
“Oh please! Look at your GLASS weapons! They’ll shatter the first strike you land on me; provided you can even hit me, of course!”
“I’m going in, sir!” Said one of the Crystal soldiers.
He ran in, sword out, ready to strike.
The pony thrusted forward; but Hidan blocked the strike with his scythe. The two struggled for dominance, while the captain sent two more of his soldiers in to aid the other.
“No; you’re going to fight us!”
The ponies stopped running when four pony citizens jumped in front of them.
“What?! Are the citizens helping this monster?!” Said one of the soldiers.
“No, we’re just not citizens!” The Changelings transformed into their true selves: insect-like ponies with wings to match. They wore no armor; but carried vicious, two-handed axes and swords.
“Changelings! They’re helping the robed ponies?!”
“That’s right! Now, die!”
The two guards began fighting with the the Changelings. The soldiers managed to get a critical hit in; slicing one of the Changelings’ throat open. But there were just too many, and they were cut down shortly afterwards.
The three remaining Changelings look back to see Hidan perform the Death Posession Blood ritual on the guard; killing him, as well.
They turned to face the last two Crystal ponies.
“What are you going to do now, Crystal weaklings?!” Said one of them.
“Sir! Stay behind me!” Said the last guard moving in front of his captain.
The Changelings closed in for the kill while Hidan followed.
“You can’t defeat the Changelings OR the Akatsuki, you little shits!” Said Hidan.
“There’s nothing you can do here, soldier. Report back to the Queen with the information we have gathered. I will hold them off so you may get away.” Said the captain, drawing his sword.
“Sir?! Are you sure?”
“Yes, now go!”
The soldier saluted. “It was an honor, serving with you!” Then flew away into the sky.
The captain looked up at his last soldier fly away, sighed deeply, then charged his enemies.
“FOR THE QUEEN!”
Kakuzu jumped in front of Hidan and the Changelings at that moment.
“STOP! Don’t kill him!” He said.
He released tentacles from his arms and attempted to surround the captain. However, the captain wasn’t going to go down that easily; and sliced the many tentacles in half; over and over again.
“FIne then; try this one!”
Kakuzu unleashed multiple tentacles from under the masks on his back. The captain saw as they grew and grew before finally coming at him.
“You can’t stop the power of the Crystal Empire!” He said, as the tentacles began surrounding him.
Soon, he was turned into a cocoon just like Kakuzu’s other victims from before. He strangled him just enough that the guard lost consciousness; but remained alive.
“What gives, Kakuzu?! We could've taken him!” Said Hidan.
“That’s not the point! Didn’t you hear his soldier address him earlier as “captain”? That implies he’s a little higher up the food chain and may offer some useful intelligence to our forces.”
Hidan was silent for a moment. “Oh! That does make sense. Heh, thanks for stopping me then, Kakuzu.”
Kakuzu ignored Hidan’s comment and turned to the Changelings.
“You three take this prisoner back to the hideout. Don’t worry; he won’t wake up for at least another 3 hours. I suffocated blood flow from his body to his brain completely. His body will be in a shutdown state until the time limit is up; so he won’t make any trouble for you.”
The Changelings saluted.
“Yes, sir!” And flew away carrying the Crystal captain.
“Now, Hidan. Our mission is complete; so you are free to do what you want with the rest of the civilians.”
Hidan looked confused. “I thought our job was to destroy this city?”
“In a way. Obito pulled me aside before we left the shack and told me to gather information mostly; since Baltimare is supposed to be a big trade hotspot. Stock market that kind of thing. So he figured information here would be more valuable.”
“SO HE DIDN'T TELL ME, DID HE?!” Screamed Hidan.
“Calm down. I told you, didn’t I? Besides, there are hundred of ponies for you to sacrifice to your god now and I won’t interfere. Consider it an early birthday present.”
“Happy Birthday to me!” Said Hidan, smiling.
He ran down the street to get closer to where all the ponies ran to.
Kakuzu went back to where the Changeling army was.
“Our job is complete. We will return to the hideout while Hidan has his fun.”
“Yes sir!” They said in unison.
- - - - -
“QUEEN! PRINCESSES!” Screamed the Crystal soldier; tearing through the royal hallway to get to the Throne Room.
He busted down the door while Queen Esmerelda and Princess Luna were discussing strategies.
“What is the meaning of this?!” Said Princess Luna.
“I have urgent news from Baltimare! Two of the robed ponies and some Changelings appeared. They killed numerous citizens and my comrades!”
“Oh my. This is far more dire than we believed, Luna.” Said Esmerelda.
Luna stood and began pacing the room.
“It seems they have allies, too. Who knows who else could be assisting them? This war has taken a turn for the worse on our part!”
“Princess, Queen! You should also know we discovered the name of the robed ponies.”
They both perked up and faced the soldier; Luna even stopped pacing.
“Well? Out with it!” Said Luna.
“They call themselves Akatsuki.”