//------------------------------// // Demonic Rivalry // Story: Oneirophobia // by Valorousspectre //------------------------------// It had been a long time since Demonheart had felt such rage from his 'room mate'. For the most part, Spectre was insane, yes, but not really angry. Sadistic, bloodthirsty, malevolent and utterly insane, but not really angry. Wrathful even, but never truly angry. And it had taken all of three seconds for him to shove Demon out and take over, something he normally took extreme pleasure in doing slowly and as painfully as he could. This time, Demon didn't even feel the transformation as Spectre shoved him aside, taking over the corporeal form they both shared, and twisting it with his power once more. Now merely a blur of dark shadows and red, Spectre moved through the halls of Canterlot Castle. Hunting. Demon had no control, and watched helplessly, a victim in his own mind, as the dark spirit manipulated his body like a sick puppet, sniffing for their prey. The one thing Demon could feel was the waves of dark, powerful magic that radiated erratically throughout the castle, and it scared him. Magic he wasn't sure even his dark side could defeat. He'd left the others behind some time ago, and though he hated the thought of leaving Fluttershy without him, despite her being far from helpless, he was glad he, at least, was well away from her now, and that wherever this thing that was pouring out what seemed to be limitless magical energy was, he could only hope it was nowhere near his dear Fluttershy. He had a terrible feeling about this whole affair, and not just the dread from the very idea that Canterlot was being attacked again. Something was wrong with the magic, even for dark. It felt twisted, like pure evil. Contrary to popular belief, Dark magic is not inherently evil. In fact, several dark magicks were created for the purpose of healing the injured, although at great cost. They were powerful spells, but all with some nasty drawback of some kind. Some inflicted great pain, some exchanged blood for great healing capabilities. Others had more dangerous side effects or dangers. Many of them could cause insanity, some could kill. One or two of them had the potential to turn your brain into mush. Many of them could simply backfire if one didn't have the power to pull it off, or the intent to harm. Of course, such a powerful set of spells, it was bound to be corrupted, and the power started to make ponies turn away from the more productive side of it, and started to make dangerous, harmful spells. And of course, the rest is history. To a demon like Spectre, dark magic is second nature. from dark lightning bolts to the blurring shadow walk he loved to use so often, it was as though Spectre was addicted to the dark stuff. It didn't take long for Demonheart to come up with the theory that he was chasing another demon, although why he was angry befuddled him. The pegasus had assumed that Spectre would be glad to see another of his kind, although second reasoning lead him to think maybe not so much. "Spectre, what are you doing!? What is happening?" The phantom's form twisted and the draconic skull snarled out of the cloud of purple vapor. Do not speak! it snarled angrily, the eye sockets of his skull burning in red flame, This is MY fight! I will handle it MY way! Demon flinched as the creature inhabiting his body snarled so venomously into his mind, and didn't say anything else, instead observing his cellmate in a mix of fear and curiosity. ~*~ "It's rare, you know, finding a mere pony that can stand to a demon's power, let alone mine." Twilight Sparkle, or what looked like Twilight Sparkle, stood before a panting guardspony. His armor was nicked and torn, and he looked downright exhausted. But the most obvious thing that stood out about him was the streams of dark magic from the corners of his eyes. A dark red shield was dissipating from where he'd summoned it. "M-Miss Sparkle please..." he panted, exhausted, "Please..." Before he could bring himself to summon another shield, there was a powerful bolt of magic crackling out of the tip of the purple unicorn's horn aimed directly at his face. His green eyes shut, waiting for the end. But it never came. With a powerful shove, the lanky guard was thrown out of the way, the left side of his chest piece creasing and then cracking at the impact, then screeching as he slid along the stone floor. In his place stood the tall, imposing figure of Spectre. The magical bolt struck Spectre's chest and rolled off of it, dissipating into the air as the red eyed stallion snarled at the significantly smaller mare. "I know that magic, Ty Zmrde." The little mare tilted her head and regarded the imposing figure, then smiled slowly. "That's not nice, cousin." Spectre growled darkly. "We're not cousins Ty Zmrde. Just because we are demons, doesn't mean we are related, nor that you may relate to me as such." "Spectre, Spectre, Spectre," The amused voice of the corrupted Twilight Sparkle chuckled, "Now you're just being mean. We haven't seen each other in what, two hundred years? And all you're doing is insulting me, and not even in Equestrian. That is just sad my dear boy, I'm hurt." "Save the bullshit, Sstheris," Spectre snarled, "You and I have unfinished business to attend to, and it's better late than never, Sstheris. Today, you die." Die!? What in Celestia's name do you mean die!? Shut it Valour! This is my fight! ~*~ "Luna... what's going to happen to her? Twilight's never..." "We'll help her sister, don't for a moment doubt it. Your student will be safe, I promise you." Celestia stopped suddenly, her head tilting. Luna had almost ported away again when she noticed and turned to meet her sister. "Sister, what's happening? Why have you stopped? We must keep moving Celestia." Celestia frowned and looked around. "Can you not feel it sister? There's a pair of survivors close." Luna huffed impatiently. "Then leave them be, they'll be fine!" The ground beneath their hooves quaked and it almost threw the younger alicorn off her hooves. Celestia shook her head. "No Luna. Whatever's going on, we know that Twilight's been stopped for now. Whatever it is that's preventing her from moving on, it seems powerful enough to at least stall her for now." Luna's discomfort at not having sensed the epic battle between Twilight and her opponent was pushed away as she went to reply. "Sister ple-" "No Luna," Celestia said gently, "We take care of the ponies nearby before we go after Twilight again. Our little ponies come first." "That... won't be n-necessary your Majesties." Both monarchs turned with mild surprise to face the duo of stallions approaching. The guard that had fought off one of Twilight's attacks, and a broken stallion. "Talisman?" Luna asked, eyes wide, "Talisman, what happened?" Tal grimaced and sighed. "Something's wrong with Twilight... There's a foul taste in her magic, I... I don't... Ugh..." He winced, his leg clenching in reflex to pain. The guard looked at the princesses helplessly. "Majesties, he can't walk without assistance, I'd recommend he returned to the medical wing but... there's..." "There's nothing left of it," Tal finished, "Because that's where she was. It wouldn't matter anyway, I'm going." Luna sighed softly, looking at Tal sympathetically. "Talisman, you can't go in your condition, it's too-" "I won't be left behind," he interrupted stubbornly, "I won't leave Twilight behind when I know I can help. I won't leave her behind." Luna paused, then looked at Celestia, who nodded. The dark sister turned back to the unicorn. "Alright, but thou shall come with me." Tal fought off the urge to correct her, and could see Celestia behind her giggle slightly. "Yes Princess," he said softly, "I can walk, I promise, it's nothing serious." The guard looked at Tal in disbelief. "Don't be stupid, your leg is broken! You can't walk on that." Tal shot a glare at the guard, who held the gaze. "I. Will not. Be left. Behind," reiterated Talisman firmly. Before the guard could argue back, Tal was levitating up, surrounded in a dark aura that made up Luna's magical signature. She rested him upon her back and nodded to the guard before turning away. Celestia smiled at the guard. "Little pony, what's your name?" The guard gulped and blushed heavily. "O-Oh um... Arc, your Majesty. My name is Arc." Celestia nodded. "Arc. I need you to get everypony you can out and away from the palace. And go and fetch Shining Armor, he should be at home enjoying his holiday. He'll want to see to his sister." Arc blinked, taking it all in and his blush faded. He saluted smartly, ignoring the pain in his side. "Yes your majesty!" he responded sharply, before turning and galloping away as Celestia turned back to Luna, who looked at her expectantly. Tal had his head resting on Luna's shoulder. "Let's go." ~*~ SPECTRE! You're going to get yourself killed! We can't face off against Twilight in a duel of magic, are you suicidal!? Demon screamed at his demonic roommate desperately, feeling strike after strike hitting his body without pain, but he could see Spectre was feeling it, and whilst he was sadistic he certainly wasn't masochistic. Their physical body was covered with wounds. Burns, cuts, lacerations and Demon was sure they had a few broken bones. On the other side of the equation, Sstheris, or Twilight, was untouched. It seemed that no matter what Spectre hurled at the smaller demonic presence, he couldn't break through the defenses thrown before his enemy. What made things worse, was that he was getting slower, and his anger was breaking his concentration, and something new was coming through. His form had altered, the clouds that swirled around him burning red with sooty fire, and the bones that made up his more terrifying true form had blackened and warped into an impossible form of spines, spikes and barbs. Enough weakling! Spectre's voice boomed out, momentarily turning away from focusing entirely on the combat, We will crush you with the creature before us! Demon snarled back at the creature. Don't you fucking threaten me you half witted degenerate! Let me speak to the real Spectre! The intelligent one! The creature snarled angrily and turned entirely around, ignoring the fight altogether and swung around, claw extended to attack Demon. Demon stood tall, staring the creature down. DIE! You kill me, Demon said calmly, And you die as well. The creature faltered, then screamed as the smoke around him blew in an imaginary breeze and Demon rolled his eyes. Spectre had always been dramatic. The bones on his form cleared as they turned white and the Spectre Demon knew emerged from the purple smoke; bones, dead flesh and all. What do you suggest, Valour? he asked darkly, one massive claw curling around the cranium of the large pony and tilting it up to better face him, How do you see us winning? Demon grimaced as the sharp tips of Spectre's fingers dug into his flesh, and one too far, drawing blood. Thankfully, since this was his consciousness, Demon knew he wouldn't suffer the injury in the flesh. So long as he didn't die in here, he would, at worst, have a headache when he once more took control. I'm suggesting, he said tersely, We fight together. Nopony knows your power like you do, and nopony knows my capabilities like I do physically. I can't guarantee we'll win now, but we can hold him off until help comes. Spectre started to growl and his grip tightened, then slipped down to his throat as the spirit spun behind the pegasus, whose eyes went wide as Spectre's other hand grasped his wing painfully, holding him off the dreamscape's ground. Why should I listen to you? he snarled suspiciously. Demon managed a weak laugh, although it was obvious he was scared. Because if you lose this fight, you lose your life, Demon replied quickly, And so do I. It's in our mutual interest to beat this creep, or at least to hold him off until Celestia and Luna get here. Spectre didn't sat anything, but his grip tightened. Demon felt another flash of panic. Use your head Spectre! You can't win this on your own! Twilight is the most powerful unicorn this side of Equestria, if you take her on with the added power of one like you, you'll be destroyed. Your lucky the bastard is playing with you right now! You can't do this on your own, let me help you! Spectre's eyes burned and he growled deep in his nonexistent throat as his tooth filled, rotten flesh covered maw creeped closer to the panicking Demonheart. ...... Then we have an accord.