//------------------------------// // Mission 19 Part 1: Crashing Sorrow. // Story: Devil hunter among Ponies // by Dusk Stalker //------------------------------// Dante landed next to his brother along with Nightmare gliding alongside as they landed in front of the six surprised ponies, taking in the sight of Dreadwing's new form. Dante let out a low whistle as he shook his head, “Huh, when did he get an upgrade?" Nightmare landed right behind Dante with the Elements. “Not long before you arrived." Vergil stated, eyes still on Dreadwing. “Well this may be fun." Dante said, Vergil turned to Dante to notice Rebellion wasn't awakened. The six ponies in question were now missing one as Pinkie zoomed up to Dante and leapt to his neck and gave him a massive hug, unfortunately for him it seemed to fall on deaf ears to the pink party animal. "Ohmygoshwethoughtyouweregoneand-."Pinkie was talking at a thousand miles per hour while Dante was gasping for breath, despite Dante's strength it took him with the combined strength of Rainbow Dash and Applejack to pull her off his neck. But the rest showed their surprise but it turned to sour when they eyes paused at Nightmare Moon. Twilight was out in front as Dante and Vergil faced Dreadwing. “Why are you back Nightmare?" Twilight growled ready to act at an instance at any sign of hostility towards her or her friends, “I thought Princess Luna had you fully under her control." “I did not have any choice foal," Nightmare answered, " This world caused this and I have no choice but to fight this threat along with you." The six's eyes narrowed at her sentence as Dreadwing watched it unfold barely. Dante looked back at Nightmare and then the elements in front of him, "Bad history.... " He looked at Vergil,” I know that feeling all too well." “And also to say I was persuaded to do so...” Her eyes hovered over the Son of Sparda and then her eyes traveled over the Dark Slayer, Luna nudged a bit inside of her. “I see." Twilight said doubt still in her voice, " But we need the help we can get and any and all is very much welcome." The rest agreed. "It does not matter." Dreadwing announced, " No matter what course of action you take against me, no matter how many numbers you bring it will end the same with your lives being thrown to the abyss!" “We will stop you Dreadwing!" Twilight shouted. "Yeah!" The rest excluding Nightmare shouted. "Foals....little foals...even with the elements with you, you cannot grasp the power I hold at my fingertips." Dreadwing flexed his demonic hand, sickening crunches, "and from the looks of his sword it seems that you may not have a chance in hell of defeating me." Everypony in the room gasped at the sight of Rebellion, Rainbow Dash was the first to point it out on the spot, " Dante why isn't it...you know...the guard...” “His power was sealed again and it seems it needs to be reawaken." Vergil said to himself knowing what to do, luckily Dante wasn't paying attention as he was talking with Rainbow Dash. “Trust me Dash, I think I know a way to do it." Dante took Rebellion from his back and spun the handle in his hand and set it to his side, " and besides, I think you need to figure out how to get the elements out of there." gesturing to the now corrupt Elements of Harmony, " And I think with Twilight and Nightmare, you would probably get it out of them out of there." Dante turned his attention back to Dreadwing as he slashed Rebellion to his side, “We got some business to take care of." Dreadwing on the other hand was paralyzed with laughter at the Son of Sparda's bold statement. Vergil was walking alongside his brother, Yamato drawn and ready to taste Dreadwing's blood. "Pitiful little fools, you think you can defeat me? Dreadwing continued to chortle at the brother's 'foolish' attempt, "I have transcended beyond what a pony can truly comprehend!" “You should come to realize that even a blind fool can tell when he is being led! When they know that that they have sold everything to become nothing more than a marionette." Vergil responded. “I got a serious case of deja vu right now, but all in all were still gonna kick your ass." Dante quickly answered, Vergil held out Yamato alongside Rebellion, " So what do you say bro? Who gets the honor of starting first?" Vergil gave a quick glance at Dante as his brother copied and slammed Yamato out of the way leaping into action. Vergil sighed and joined the fight with Yamato at his side. Leaving the six and Nightmare Moon watching. Luna managed to gain control of herself and looked at both brothers about to battle the one being that could define what would happen to Equestria and beyond. " Please be careful Vergil...for me...." Luna thought. Seeing through the eyes of Nightmare Moon was almost unbearable but at least she was cooperative throughout their time in the Demon world. “While Dante and Vergil deal with him, we need to figure out a way past that bubble." Twilight yelled over the sounds of battle that was happening nearby, sword slashes, gun fire, and dimensions ripping open from the slashes of Yamato were plaguing the air. “But how? You saw what happened to my hoof, it was withering away like a down pouring raincloud!" Rainbow argued back. Before Twilight could retort, they heard banging behind them, the doors that were sealed looked like there were breathing heavily. Twilight was about to set forward ready to cast a shield around the door in case they broke through, but Nightmare was walking up right in front of the group, feeling sick to her stomach on helping the ponies that had imprisoned her. “Nightmare what are you up-!" Rarity piped up, seeing as Nightmare was about flee from the scene, but instead.... A small fountain of mist erupted around her and revealed her Royal fury, blazing in its own magic, " You find out how to get those cursed elements out," Just the thought of them made her queasy to even say, "I shall hold off whatever is coming through." The door banged again as the battle behind them intensified even more as flashes of red and blue were bouncing off the walls mixing with the black and purple of Dreadwing, crashes and the wall started to give way from the battle as the unwavering hellgate gazed upon the battle and the attempts of the elements. “You sure we should just let Nightmare actually fight? How can we be sure she isn't going to ditch and leave us to fend for ourselves?" Rainbow questioned, a bit flustered that there was no resistance on stopping Nightmare Moon from leaving their site. “Ah agree with Rainbow Dash, but do we have a choice right now?" Applejack added siding with her rival and best friend, " But this ain the time to be fussin about this we need to get the elements out of there lickty split." A deafening explosion made her unable to continue her sentence as for her it felt like a pony she didn't want to be in, all ponies except Nightmare flinched as not only one of the walls gave way, but the door that held the demons back was wide open and one of the doors flew off and landed to the right side. To their sight, Abyss and Pride demons were clawing through their own ranks and charging right at Nightmare and the Elements. Nightmare sent a chain lightning spell at the demons seeing a portion decimated in front of her, but it didn't faze the Abyss demons relentless charge through their own ranks. Nightmare managed to dodge one Abyss's flying scythes as she sent a fine beam of ice at the assailant freezing it in place and falling to the ground, shattering on impact. Nightmare let out a bloody roar as she launched herself at the demons letting all inhibitions and reason go, a fine arrow of air and ice whistling around her as the pride demons that were bringing their scythes to attack were frozen and shredded on impact. “Ah don't think we need to worry about them at the moment." Applejack said, a bit surprised at the sudden defense of their first enemy turned ally. “Yes, I never expected such a thing from somepony such as her." Rarity added. “It’s probably Luna too, but right now we need to get it out...Fluttershy where are you!?!?!" Twilight yelled over the sounds of battle, the sounds were deafening that they didn't hear the shivering of the timid animal lover right behind Twilight and Pinkie Pie who was comforting her as best she could....she looked up to see the battle overhead between The sons of Sparda and Dreadwing.... For her she thought they were invincible, but from the sight of what was happening.....it seemed doubt started to wash over her. And to add to the worsening of her doubt was something she felt when she went Pinkimena. A dreadful loss of hope. The Dark slayer sent a couple of summoned swords sailing at Dreadwing as his brother fired rounds from Ebony and Ivory. Dreadwing swatted them away with ease as he pounced right at Vergil, only for him to flip over the corrupted alicorn and land a couple of slashes on his back, to his shock was that as soon as the first slash was carved right into Dreadwing's back, it stitched itself up as suddenly as he could imagine. Dante continued the synthesize attack by whipping out Cerberus and whipping the air as the three blades of the tripartite nunchaku tore into his torso leaving a cold and rude shiver in the wounds, they seem to ice over but shattered as soon as Dreadwing was regenerating. Both Sons of Sparda brought up the front as they slid in front of the corrupted Alicorn. "Incompetent Fools!" Dreadwing snarled brought both his fist up and brought it down upon the two Sons of Sparda, They both managed to dash out of the way, but not before a tail was swinging at The Devil Hunter as he was caught by the base and sent flying to one of the intact walls with only debris covering the scene and only the outline of a human sized figure embedded in the wall. Vergil took the moment to attack as he went up with Beowulf and brought a scissor kick upon Dreadwing's head causing him to recoil and flinch from the attack, the bones could be heard cracking from the force of the mighty Beowulf as Dante brought himself out of the wall and dusting off his coat taking his place next to his brother. Before Vergil could see what happened, he could hear the same taunting laugh he heard from his previous combatant in the demon world. Snapping and cracks could be not only be heard, but felt as if it was crawling on their skin; bones re-snapping back into place and any dislocated joints were moved back into their original positions, " How disappointing." Before any of the brothers could register they were both swatted with the force of locomotives at top speed, besides both brothers being thrown like dummies, Dante's sword was thrown in the air as it spun in very fast revolutions and sticking itself across the field and right next to Pinkie Pie. Pinkie could see the eyes of Rebellion shut and the humerus bone's shut and the surprising fact that both brothers were having a hard time defeating Dreadwing in his new form. Fluttershy could see Rebellion shut and noticing before that the demonic blade had the bones thrown out in a guard and the skull screaming. Rainbow Dash was watching them get pummeled and was holding back the tears that they may not win. Twilight and Rarity shared the same reaction of hopelessness that Equestria would burn, that their only weapon was used to promote evil and the weapon that would end Dreadwing was nothing more than a sham, but some hopes rose as they noticed that Vergil pushed himself out of the indent of a crater near Dreadwing and Dante getting up from the blow. The Dark slayer could see out of the corner of his eye Rebellion right at the foot(or hoof) of Pinkie, he knew what he had to do on the spot and it would have to be quick. "HAHAHAHAHA!!" Dreadwing was having a fit of prideful laughter at the sight of this," I never expected the sons of the Legendary Dark Knight to be so helpless against someone who is leagues beyond their power! I HAVE WON AND YOU WILL SEE EQUESTRIA BURN!" His laughter increased in volume as Pinkie picked up the sword in her teeth by the handle and slid it right at not Dante's hands, but Vergil's hand as he picked it up and drew his hand back with Rebellion not aiming it at Dreadwing who was oblivious to the fact of an attack coming, but right at his own brother. Nightmare and the others could see and feel what was going to happen, Luna fought through Nightmare's personality as she held out a hoof, Twilight shared the same reaction with the same deaf cry to Vergil's ears, “VERGIL WAIT!" Too late. Rebellion was sailing through the air before Twilight could even finish the word 'wait', it zipped past Dreadwing as he could see his own reflection on the broadside of the blade. The blade made its way as its target was in sight, Dante gave a quick turn to see the tip of the blade hit him square in the chest with the force of what felt like a giant stone fist pounding him into the ground, the look on his face to see Vergil's arm outstretched was nothing more than betrayal and shock. The blade ripped through his skin and plucked him off the ground effortlessly as he sailed through the air as specks of blood raining the onto the ground and a stream running along the edge of the blade as it jammed itself into the only intact wall, his body hanging limply like a ragdoll. "Maybe....." Vergil thought as glanced upon the looks of the Elements and Nightmare moon all mortified at this. They could see Dante dangling from the wall, Rebellion pierced right through his heart and a little river of blood pouring down the wall. The Elements all turned their heads at a funeral procession pace at Vergil and shared the same thought, "He...He...." But none was more shocked then Nightmare, the overwhelming feeling of utter bewilderment towards the Dark Slayer was just to say more than enough to throw her off balance as she stemmed the last bit of demons off, her iris's sailed over the blood on the blade and right to the guard, from inside Luna could only look at her friend, from the Dream Cell she could only judge and everything he answered was truthful, even when it came to his brother. But seeing this erased all idea that he didn't detest his brother with a passion, someone who selflessly protected her from Nightmare's attack, as much as he didn't want to admit it but deep down inside of both of them; they knew it was as it was. Her vision could only see a murderer, nothing more than a killer who only doomed Equestria. Dreadwing on the other hand was ecstatic, he didn't expect the Dark Slayer to turn on his brother so easily and so unexpectedly at best. He knew that Vergil wanted this fight, to prove that he was more like his father and that little kernel of thirst and greed that he hid behind his calm and stoic look. What graced Vergil's eyes was cold and damning to any demon or being that even gazed in his eyes, he had no remorse for doing this to Dante and no regret. “Oh you would make things so much more interesting ," Dreadwing admitted with a generous amount of greed dripping in his voice, "I knew you would turn on him...I knew from every rumor that you held deep hatred for your brother and here it is." his demonic hand showing the still impaled Dante on the wall. Vergil stood his ground as his hand sailed to Yamato. “That maybe....but you still have me to face with," Vergil growled as a blue explosion surrounded him as he went into his Devil Trigger, "You trash!" Vergil disappeared as a wall of judgment cuts littered the air with every slice of Yamato, catching Dreadwing as the battle continued...one less Son out for the count. "I...I don't believe it," Twilight was at a loss for words, baffled to the point she felt every part of her body freeze up. Her eyes could see the now nailed Devil Hunter's body swaying gently from the blows of battle. Rainbow Dash and Applejack were petrified to even project their frustration and actions towards the Dark Slayer. Fluttershy was sobbing and shaking her head, honestly hoping that this was just a horrendous nightmare as her tears dried up on her cheeks. Pinkie's hair deflated and was on the ground to downtrodden to even do anything. Rarity on the other hand had her whole eyes closed the whole time but had some tears leak down her face. Nightmare couldn't do anything to help him, the blade went through his heart clean and by the looks of it was losing blood fast. All she could do was defend as she shook her head, “Look alive foals!" All six snapped out of their depressed somber mist as they all looked at Nightmare, “Get the elements! Find out how to get those accursed gems out!" Nightmare heard a group of howling Abyss demons charging at her, “I don't care if you have to throw a pony in a pit just do it!" She sent a chain lightning spell at the Abyss demons, on contact all of them incinerated except for one who swiftly past Nightmare who realized it too late. The Abyss demon closed upon its target, its eyes not on Twilight, AJ, Rarity or any of the other ponies that were watching, but at the timid yellow pony. Its scythe rose above his head as its eyes narrowed in anticipation. Her friend's heads swiveled at breakneck speed at the Abyss demon as Fluttershy's head looked up and tears swelling from it all, she was about to die....at least she would die with her friends and the memories she had with them. “YARRRRGGHH!!" A blue blur collided alongside the abyss launching to the wall, killing him on impact. Fluttershy opened her eyes slowly, wondering where the blow that would finish her was but to her surprise and among her friends, they saw an absolutely furious Rainbow Dash heaving like a bull at the demons. “Rainbow Dash...." Twilight and Fluttershy replied in unison. “You want to take over Equestria, well your gonna have hard time with me you demon punks!!" Rainbow Dash roared, it wasn't feral like an animal's instinct or a human losing control, but controlled and in the right place. “Rainbow Dash!" Rarity gasped not believing what she heard, sure Rainbow Dash was hot headed and did have a tendency of over exerting herself when it came to creatures she heard about in history; but against unknown beings put Rainbow Dash in a new light. “Girls, I don't care what happens to me, you get the Elements!" Rainbow yelled over the sounds of battle from Dreadwing and Vergil's battle, even Nightmare fending off the Abyss demons. “Rainbow Dash, you jus gone and lost it! Your actin more like everythin you need to do you need to-" Applejack didn't even finish the sentence from her best friend's glare, it wasn't telling her to shut up or anything but all for the gravity of the situation, showing her seriousness. “No I haven't, I would rather die protecting you," A pale silver glow surrounded Rainbow Dash causing the rest of the mane six to gasp, " You girls are the greatest friends I could ever ask for in my whole life and Equestria and everything in it," The glow became brighter as she smirked every time, " And I owe you girls and Equestria to much to fail here!" The silver glow surrounded her in a small bubble as a horde of Abyss demons who snuck through Nightmare's assault and made their way onto the ceiling and flung their scythes at Rainbow Dash as they bounced off the bubble and shot right back at the abyss as it exploded on impact. Rainbow Dash suddenly took it all in, the power she was receiving and the amount she could handle and it felt right, it felt even more so then the elements of harmony. The thin of silver aura was pulsating around her, at first thin it thickened with every pulse as she kept her head down taking in all the power she possessed at this moment. Her friends were astonished...which was understatement. Rainbow Dash was ignoring her friends....she felt like everything was silent like she had truly gone deaf. She could only make out soft whispers....really soft and gentle whispers. "Activate....and the elements shall rise again..... Your friends have the same like you....tell them how.... I will share this knowledge with you...defeat him...show him purity....show him...light." As sudden as it happened, Rainbow Dash felt her ears ringing and felt a tsunami of a headache hit her like her wipe outs as she was on the ground yelling, Nightmare could hear her yell over the noise of her spells killing any demon that appeared as the rest of the elements started to crowd around their loyal and brash friend. But Nightmare wasn't the only one to notice. Dreadwing could see out of the corner of his eye as he locked his claws with Vergil looking at the group at ponies and to see the silvery aura surrounding Rainbow Dash. "It can't be.....," Dreadwing could feel the pulse of something inside Rainbow Dash and he could feel it, warm and emitting positive energy miles beyond the Elements of Harmony, Dreadwing knocked Vergil out of the way and charged on all fours howling like a true mad man, "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!! Dreadwing lunged at the Elements as all six of them retreated closer to Nightmare Moon, "I WILL NOT ALLOW THIS!!" his descent towards the Elements was rapid as light and ready to pounce on his prey. But he was interrupted as Twilight could see Vergil in his Devil Trigger kicking Dreadwing on the side of his head launching him to the other wall as it was destroyed on impact leaving one side bare and open revealing more of the Hellgate to gaze upon. Vergil could see out of the corner of his eye Rainbow Dash glowing too, his green eyes surveying the others and sailing up to Nightmare's eyes as well. Both pieced it together with the silver light and the frightened Dreadwing, both eyes grew at the sudden realization. It was so clear and so simple they didn't notice it even one bit, Vergil could sense wild magic in Twilight and Rarity, Rarity was holding back and just from seeing the sweat drip down her muzzle was enough to know she was trying to control it. Twilight on the other hand, she had full control on the spot probably thinking it was a hiccup....not even taking notice of any change in her magic pools. Now from seeing it all, Vergil knew what he had to, when he fought Akaro he not only learned the red sword explosions, but another ability he wanted to try. He held out his hand as blue swords appeared circling around the element bearers all of them caught off guard from this, but the swords weren't pointing at them, they were pointing down to the ground, all of them gave confused looks at this action until a flaming scythe was sailing towards them as each of them closed their eyes waiting for it all to end. Twilight opened her eyes to see not only were they unharmed, but the swords were still circling around them, she deduced that the swords were putting a barrier around them giving them time to figure out what happened to Rainbow Dash and protecting them to ease the pressure off Nightmare. Nightmare continued the fight, fatigued and almost ready to drop down and let the demons take them; but something inside her told her to keep going...soldier up and fight whether it was Luna or not she kept going. " Ughhh..." Rainbow got up rubbing her head as her friends were all saying words of gratitude and relief, Rainbow Dash on the other hand didn't retort on saying she was fine in a harsh tone, but ignored it all and looked at Twilight, " Twilight....I....I activated the element….we have too…." This confirmed Dreadwing's fear and sudden action and brought up her friend's shock, but the athletic Pegasus pony held her head trying to get rid of the ear splitting headache plaguing her senses "H..H....-" "You foals!" Nightmare yelled over her sounds of battle on her side, it was suddenly clear for her and it was so obvious for the Evil deity that her arrogance blinded her "She exhibited courage! Loyalty can lead to brave things, but it takes a courageous heart to truly be loyal to the cause and to know that no matter what happens you will protect what you believe is right!" This surprised Twilight and the others, well the revelation was as Twilight put it all together...loyalty equaled courage in words, but courage...... Was a more pure form then loyalty! "THAT’S IT!" Twilight shrieked in joy, "THATS HOW WE ACTIVATE THE ELEMENTS!!!" Dreadwing heard it all, fear and rage taking over at this, he could not let his vision end like this...not even close. He dashed at blinding speeds and bellowed another charge with all his might, fueled by nothing more than a berserker's rage " I WILL NOT ALLOW THAT!!!" Vergil rushed in front of Dreadwing but was swatted away to the side as he leapt up in the air roaring down upon them, Nightmare suddenly dashed in front of the Elements and held out a charge spell, knowing it wouldn't work but she might as well die knowing that she tried. Applejack and was hugging a sobbing Fluttershy tight while fighting back tears of her own, embracing her friend for the last time; Rarity and Pinkie joined in sharing their sorrows with others. Twilight and Rainbow stood their ground ready to face the day.....Twilight could feel it all ending so fast she didn't have time to tell them how to activate the elements due in part of the horrifying truth that was blazing its way forward....she saved Equestria twice with the greatest friend she made when she first met them.... At least....she would die with them together, she gave a tearful smile, " I hope we can see each other again." she said to her friends Rainbow nodded as she stood her ground, Twilight looked up and nodded to her friends and tearfully smiled to them. Dreadwing was cackling like a mad man as Vergil got up from the rubble dazed from the hit, he could only look as Nightmare was looking him straight in the eye, tearing up at the action that was coming but he knew it was Luna conveying the emotion more than Nightmare Moon. But it seemed fate and one's entertainment, brought hope to them all. Dreadwing halted in midair, stopped by an extremely powerful force in front of him, Twilight stopped sobbing enough to clear the tears to see something black with white hair on him and two bat like wings, the weird thing was that the form. It seemed almost familiar to Vergil's devil trigger but it seemed more evolved then the predecessor, but what shocked her the most was the sword holding back Dreadwing's head and one his claws about an inch away from Nightmare Moon. What surprised her even more was the energy surrounding it, the being was surrounded by red and black energy swirling around his feet. "RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAA!!!" The demon let out a ferocious howl, sending Dreadwing flying off the blade and off the cliff of the area, a pillar of the combined energy shot forth like a pillar into the infinite realm of the Demon World sending a beacon of light everywhere shrouded by a bit of darkness. The demon heaved with every breath, seeing that it took a lot out of it, it looked towards Vergil with a growl and a nod which Vergil nodded back in his human form appearing right next to the being. The Hellgate gazing upon the newly transformed Devil Hunter. “So it seemed you have evolved," Vergil said, "How unexpected." "Yeah," the demon laughed a little bit out of breath, "Really never expected it to happen." He turned to the elements behind him, "Sorry for the scare, seemed he didn't let me know." energy started to seethe back into the demon as he turned into the red devil hunter with the trademark smirk. As if a pin dropped all jaws dropped, Nightmare almost lost focus as Dante pulled out Ebony and let out a few shots behind her as the demonic infused projectiles zoomed past them hitting three abyss demons square in the head as they tumbled back and melted, " Shouldn't you pay attention?" Dante sniggered as Nightmare zoomed back into her position. " B..But how?" Twilight asked shaken by this revelation. “Well it seemed my blade unlocked its potential with my blood," He pulled out Rebellion to see it back into its reawakened state,” And well, might as well do it again, the evolution was...." The son of Sparda was twirling his hand trying to find the right words, until he snapped his fingers and smirked, “A bonus if you will." Dante could see his brother somewhat....jealous at him, sure his Devil Trigger evolved but really...could he even control the events that happened? A small rumble could be heard from across the room, what occurred knowing they would be met with ferocity of the one being that would be the end of Equestria. "As much as I would like to theorize on how you evolved, but Dante, Vergil." Twilight piped up as the others were holding back a scrabbling Pinkie who was fighting tooth and nail to hug the red devil hunter, were surprised as well, confidence and composure was returning to her soul with every second passing, “Can you hold him off for a couple minutes? I think I may know activate the elements right now." “Just keep Pinks and the others safe and it won’t be a problem." Dante answered as he Devil triggered, " You know what they say about games? There is always a reset button and hell I can’t wait for a second round, wouldn’t you agree?" Vergil nodded and devil triggered too, "Very much." A clawed hand grasped the edge of the cliff, gripping it even tighter until the claw that was the only part in view became a full body when it shot up. Revealing a full Dreadwing...snarling and forgetting all sense of what was happening around him. His concentration only started on the elements, but what was impeding him were the Sons of Sparda ready to meet them blade to blade. Dreadwing's eyes glowed and his face contorted to a mixture of a snarl and a howl again, his speech seemed to be forgotten in his primordial anger and had succumbed to the effects of being a fully corrupted demon. But what they didn't notice was the figure in the distance....three orbs of red watching the battle below invisible to the denizens fighting....waiting for the opportunity to strike... For his revenge to commence.