Chapter Fourteen: Battle
"Discord," Battle said calmly. He nodded slowly and disappeared in a flash of light, leaving Battle alone with The Sin.
"That was either very brave, very stupid, or very gutless," Wrath snickered.
"Explain to me how that was gutless?" Battle asked, folding his arms.
"Don't you know that suicide is the coward's way out?" Wrath chuckled.
"Still giving the same quips I see," Battle muttered.
"And I see you're still full of that self-righteous bravado," Wrath replied sternly.
The shadows melted away from his body and he stepped forward from the treeline. His fur was the same shade of dark grey as Battle's, his mane the same shade of midnight black. But where Battle's eyes were a kind, navy Blue, Wrath's were a dangerous, bloody red, flecked with spots of black and his horn was angular and twisted, with a series of deep red cracks in the surface. His Cutie Mark was a dragon-like eye with a nasty hook underneath. He was dressed in silver armor, inlaid with black rivulets of something darker, that seemed to move with a mind of there own. Ice cracked and rippled over his armor, freezing and melting in an endless dance, creating new and intricate patterns after each passing moment. A pair of dark, leathery bat-like wings were folded across his back, like a cape or cloak. Across his body was a series of empty weapon sheathes and scabbards.
Battle knew however that they wouldn't be empty forever.
"Your favorite shape I see," Battle observed.
"What can I say?" Wrath chuckled. "It gives me a certain... satisfaction when I go in for the kill."
He lunged at Battle, flying across the clearing, gauntlet clad fist slamming into Battle's jaw. The unicorn was thrown backwards, tumbling through the air before he crashed into the trunk of a tree, traveling straight through it and landing heavily on the other side. He rolled to his feet and grunted, feeling a particularly nasty splinter dig into the side of his leg. He couldn't worry about that though as Wrath was already coming for another attack. His horn glowed silver and his clothes coat glowed silver and gold, arcs of darkness flying off of it.
Battle liked his jacket. It made him feel safe. That was probably because once upon a time, a jacket had not been its primary shape. There was a reason he always wore it when in danger. A reason it was so resistant to attacks.
Battle's jacket was his armor.
The dark, unknowable material changed in a flash of light. The sleeves grew longer and melded over Battle's hands. The coat tails warped and wrapped themselves around his legs and feet. The collar grew taller and enveloped Battle's head. As the jacket consumed him, it changed from fluid fabric, to hardened metal. Black and gold.
It felt good to be back in arms Battle thought.
The previous pains he had felt dispersed as he ducked a swipe from Wrath, delivering a heavy punch into Wrath's ribs. The Sin snarled and dropped his elbow heavily onto the back of Battle's helmeted head. Battle hit the ground and rolled as Wrath tried to stomp on his head. With a surprising agility for one decked in such heavy armor, Battle leaped back to his feet, grabbing a fallen branch as he did so. Battle thrust his hand out with a blast from his horn and sent a powerful gust of wind that carried Wrath bodily backwards. His feet sank heavily, crackling the icy ground.
Another glow from Battle's horn and the branch in his hand turned into a heavy two-handed broad sword. Wrath laughed at Battle's weapon.
"How cute," he called. "You think that little twig can cause any harm to me?"
"Desperate times," Battle snarled.
Wrath mimicked the motion and moved one hand to a scabbard over his hip. His fingers closed around where the hilt of a sword would have been and pulled. A real sword appeared there, scrapping against the inside of the scabbard as Wrath pointed the blade at Battle.
"What was it you said last time?" Wrath said, smiling coldly. "Come and have a go-"
"If you think you're hard enough," Battle finished.
"Do you?"
"Let's find out."
Wrath roared and launched himself at Battle. Battle's blade came up in defense, sparks flying off of each blade. Neither warrior was willing to give up. He who back off first would be on the defensive. In a fight to the death, every advantage was needed, every bit of ground gained was important.
Battle slid slightly across the icy ground, his teeth gritted in concentration. While he was trained to the peak of physical perfection, Wrath was practically a god. The last time they had fought Wrath had only just broken from his tomb. He had been weak, vulnerable. Now? He was at the peak of his power. Battle was pleasantly surprised he had gotten up after being struck twice by The Sin.
So it was a shock when Wrath took that first backward step. Never one to miss an advantage, Battle stepped up to Wrath, sword coming down over his head. Wrath's sword came up in a block, but Battle was already moving, coming in low, swiping at Wrath's shin. Wrath stepped backwards and Battle's sword came up once again, lunging straight at Wrath's stomach.
The Sin, unable to block the strike, merely widened his eyes in anger and surprise as Battle's sword penetrated his armor and cut the flesh beneath. Wrath roared in fury, sending Battle staggering backwards, hand pressed over one helmet clad ear. Wrath glowered at Battle, his red eyes turning pure white. The unicorn smiled slightly. Now the real fight begins.
Both warriors were staring at each other, sizing each other up.
His weakness, his anger. My weakness, my mortality. Probability of survival... 43%. Battle cocked his head and gave a small smile. Pretty good odds considering.
Wrath launched himself at Battle again. There was no holding back this time. Their blades clashed and retreated, danced and fought time and time again, a shower of sparks flying off of them each time the collided. It was harsh, brutal and fast paced violence. Neither warrior gave an inch, their feet moving as fast as their arms, eyes locked onto each other's, filled with anger.
The is getting nowhere fast, Battle thought to himself. However he couldn't deny he was having the time of his life! How he had missed the adrenaline, the power, the tingling sensation of fear at the base of his skull. This was what he was born to do, and right now he felt better than he'd ever felt before.
Wrath's horn glowed black, arcs of red lightning spitting out as he charged his magic. Battle's eyes widened before he kicked Wrath in the stomach and back-flipped away. Wrath growled in pain as he shot a beam of black light at Battle. Battle's hand came up and with a burst of his own magic, sent the blast of light into the sky.
Wrath was back on the offensive instantly, kicking Battle in the chest and sending him flying. Battle rolled rolled on the ground, before coming to his feet again. The tumbles were starting to take their toll on him, yet he couldn't shake the grin from his face. This was what he was meant to do after all. Who didn't enjoy their destiny?
Battle raised his sword again with moments to spare, as Wrath's blade clashed against his own once more. Battle's smile wavered slightly as he saw a crack appear in the blade. That was the thing about hastily crafted weapons. They lacked durability. Battle rolled forwards as he weapon shattered. Wrath's eyes widened as he fell forwards. Battle didn't give him chance to recover, spinning around and slamming his fist into Wrath's side. Unrelenting he continued, dancing around The Sin, delivering heavy punches and kicks.
Battle knew he wasn't doing any real damage. But Wrath's body was weak. If he could keep it occupied by beating it relentlessly, he might just wear him down. He knew it was a vain hope, but it was is only hope.
Wrath was growling like a wild animal. The attacks were merely proving to aggravate him. Battle grimaced, remembering what had happened the last time. Last time however, Wrath had been wearing a more... bestial form. The scar on Battle's chest throbbed painfully at the memory.
Wrath exploded with fury, reaching one hand out to try and grasp at Battle. Battle practically floated backwards, bouncing on the balls of his feet, awaiting Wrath with the traditional boxing stance. Wrath stumbled to his feet. He glowered at Battle then smirked.
"As I thought," he rumbled. "I knew you were special, Battle Ready. I knew you were different from the rest of your nation."
It took Battle a moment to realize that Wrath was breathing heavily. His eyes widened in shock.
"That isn't your body is it?" he said, aghast.
"Too true," Wrath said, smile broadening. "This is merely a conduit though which my powers flow. I wished to... test you."
"Test me?" Battle scowled.
"Indeed. And I have to say you passed with flying colors," he chuckled. His eyes narrowed quickly. "But for the manner in which you have wounded me today, I shall repay you ten fold. As we speak, my forces already move to take your precious Ponyville."
"If you so much as dare-!"
"Oh save it my dear young stallion. I'm merely making sure you know the stakes." Wrath's eyes suddenly grew playful. "And to make sure you come... oh yes you will come to face me for real dear Prince... to make sure this happens, I think I may just take a trophy with me."
He's twisted smile broadened. "I wonder how Twilight Sparkle will look, chained and helpless in my tomb, awaiting a knight in shining armor to save her."
Battle's eyes flashed silver and he roared in fury. A column of silver flames erupted from beneath where Wrath, or Wrath's conduit, was standing. In an instant he was enveloped by scorching silver fires. A scream of anger and agony pierced the air, as Wrath's weakened body was ripped apart.
Battle stumbled backwards, hand pressed to his head as his armor changed back into a jacket. He blinked several times, trying to clear his mind. It had been a long time since he had unleashed such a powerful magical attack and it left him feeling slightly dazed and confused.
His mind suddenly cleared as he remembered what Wrath had said. He turned on the spot and ran, faster than he had ever run. One thought echoed around his head. A single resonate command that filled every fiber of his being terror and passion, fear and fury.
Save Twilight Sparkle.