//------------------------------// // Chapter Twenty Six: Clash // Story: Battle Ready // by D101 Reviews //------------------------------// Chapter Twenty Six: Clash The labyrinth had been an ice coated maze. The inner sanctum of Wrath's tomb was nothing like that. A huge, stone chamber greeted them. Flickering orange flames danced in bronze brackets, throwing black shadows against the walls. In the centre of the room was a shiny black stone casket. Chained to it was Twilight Sparkle. The alicorn mare lay slumped against the stone, eyes closed. She appeared to be in some kind of trance-like slumber, her body coated in some kind of shimmering black aura. "Twily!" Shining cried rushing forward. Battle's arm came up faster than Shining could move, blocking his advance. A sideways look from the Warhorse warrior showed no emotion whatsoever. "What gives?" Dash demanded. "We should just go get her!" "Dash's right. Time's a wastin'," Applejack agreed. "This is Wrath's burial chamber," Battle reminded. "So?" Shining growled. "Where's Wrath?" No sooner had the words left his mouth did the room begin to shake and rumble. "You had to ask," Arson muttered. The casket behind Twilight split open and a torrent of darkness burst forth. The shadows swirled and danced and writhed and fell over and over. Battle tensed, his eyes locked onto the centre of the dark swirling mass, heart pounding in anticipation and terror. Here we go. The shadows morphed into shape atop the casket. A tall, silver armoured warrior with a shining silver mane and blinding white fur. But still that Cutie Mark of the dragon's-eye on his cheek. The same blood red eyes that glowered from deep in his head. His smile revealed pointed fangs that could not belong in any regular pony's mouth; fangs that were designed to rip and tear flesh. "Commander, so nice to see you could make it," Wrath chuckled. "Show respect demon!" Juggernaut snapped. "Calm General," Battle soothed. "Yes, calm," Wrath smirked. "Wouldn't want you to overheat that thick skull of yours eh, General?" Juggernaut growled. "Enough small talk!" Battle snapped. "I've come too far to listen to your prattle! Let's finish this! Right here, right now!" Wrath's eyes narrowed. "If you insist." Battle didn't see Wrath move, but he felt the impact of his fist in his armoured stomach. He let out a strangled cry as he and Wrath flew backwards out of the burial chamber and into the pit beyond. Battle cracked straight through the ice and into the stone wall behind it. Battle's eyes screwed up in pain before he looked up and stared into Wrath's face. "What's wrong Commander?" Wrath hissed. "I thought you wanted to fight me." Battle scowled into Wrath's eyes. "Me mordebunt te limo," Battle snarled, raising one armoured hand. The blade in his wrist shot from its resting place as Battle slammed it into Wrath's exposed neck. The Sin roared in agony as he staggered back, allowing Battle to drop to the ground, both warriors clutching at their wounds. Battle recovered first and barely dodged Wrath's next strike as The Sin slammed his fist into the wall where Battle had been standing in front just moments before. "Slippery little-" Wrath began to say before he was flattened against the wall by a rampaging Juggernaut. "Take that!" Juggernaut cried, every ounce of strength used to press Wrath flat again the wall. "You think you can holdme?" Wrath grunted, smiling evilly. His body dissipated into vapour and reappeared behind Juggernaut, sword in hand. "I am the Sin of Wrath!" He swung his blade heavily, determined to sever Juggernaut's head from his shoulders. Two long daggers stopped his blade cold however, forcing them to a sudden stop. Sky stood beneath the attack, he face strained with the effort of fighting back against the Sin's overwhelming might. "You think yourself strong, little pegasus?" Wrath growled. "Strong enough to face me?" "I will face even if I am not," Sky grunted, collapsing slowly onto one knee. "For if my brother can fight you, so can I! I face you Wrath in the name of Dagger Swift!" Her wings exploded out behind her as she beat them furiously, the added force pushing back against Wrath's attack. The Sin growled and then buckled as Juggernaut punched him in the side. Wrath fell to one knee and Sky seized the opportunity to attack. She spun out from Wrath's line of fire and lashed a powerful kick to Wrath's Jaw. Against a normal foe such an attack would had ripped their head from their shoulders. However Wrath was not a normal foe. When Sky's attack connected, Wrath's body became vaporous once again. The flowing form of Wrath transferred to the other side of the pit, where it reformed into the white warrior of Wrath, smiling manically. "You can fight all you want!" he crowed. "But I am indestructible in this form! I cannot be wounded! I cannot be injured! I'm unstoppable!" "Quit blowing your own trumpet!" Battle called. "Even immortality has it's price you know!" Wrath cackled with madness and rage. "I have already paid my price foolish mortal!" he cried. "And look at me! I'm the most powerful force in the world! I'm invincible!" "You're a loony," Battle retorted. Wrath snarled, his eyes flashing red. Everypony in the chamber was suddenly pushed against its icy walls aside from Battle and Wrath. "This is what we both wanted is it not?" Wrath chuckled as he drew his sword. "Nopony to get in our way. Just you and me. A clash of the titans as it were. Though, you're not really a titan are you?" "Yeah you're right Wrath," Battle said, drawing his own blade. "Because like I said before, I'm not just a pony... I'm your death." Wrath roared and launched himself at Battle, but the other warrior was ready this time. His blade came up faster than the eye could blink. Wrath's blade barely graced Battle's with a touch before both swords retreated and were up again, exchanging lightning fast blows that seemed impossible to follow, much less carry out. The other ponies looked on as Battle fought toe to toe with Wrath once again. And what's more, he appeared to be winning. The speed and mobility granted by Battle's armour certainly had its advantages over the extra protection Wrath's armour gave him. That much was clear from how Wrath continued to retreat, taking quick steps backwards to avoid Battle's onslaught. Shining for his part found it an interesting twist of fate that the black knight, fabled villain in most pony literature, would be the warrior he was rooting for. Battle however knew that combat wasn't one with strength alone, nor was it won by how skilled you were with a blade or how fast you moved it. To be victorious a Warhorse had to use all his assets. And right now, his only other asset was his magic. With a subtle silver glow, the ice at Battle's feet began to melt. Battle knew he couldn't beat Wrath in a game of strength. Wrath's power was limitless in this form, while his own mortal energy supply was not. Battle may have been able to keep fighting for an hour or two, but as soon as he slipped up, Wrath would have his head and then it would be game over. Battle's eyes suddenly flashed, and the ice at their feet and indeed the ice all around them evaporated in a burst of steam. Wrath gave a cry of alarm, throwing his hand sup trying to disperse the white fog. No sooner had he tried however did he feel a thin blade strike the weak point of his armour, underneath his armpit. The blade sunk through metal and into his shadow flesh. He roared in pain, but it was cut short as an armoured fist slammed into his jaw. Wrath staggered back, searching for Battle in the steam. "COWARD!" he roared. "Face me!" "This is war," Battle's voice replied from the mist and shadows. "And as the old Warhorse saying goes: omnibus est pulcherrimus in amoris et belli." "All is fair in love and war?" Wrath snarled. "I always hated that phrase." "Well I don't blame you. After all, with a mug like yours, who'd love you?" Wrath growled before Battle appeared in front of him smirked as his wrist-blade came up and slashed across Wrath's cheek. The Sin's eyes widened in pain and shock as Battle leaped backwards, disappearing once more. There was a moment's silence before something shot out of the darkness like a cyan bullet. A gauntleted fist connected with his stomach before a long dagger slammed into the exposed weak point in his armour. Wrath roared in pain as whatever had attacked him dissipated into the air above him. He growled, his leathery white wings appeared where once their head been none. He was distracted however when he was kicked heavily in the side. He grunted as he staggered away, before something large and heavy swung into his back. His eyes filled with anger as whoever had attacked him danced back into the still rising steam. How is this even possible? Wrath though to himself, just as an arrow struck into his neck. He snarled just as something, or somepony, shot from the shadows in a blur of pink. A pair of knives reigned agony down on Wrath over and over again as whoever was wielding them ran rings around Wrath. Before he could lash out once more the attacker disappeared into the shade. Wrath's growl was cut off before it began as another arrow struck him in the arm, followed swiftly by another. He tried to spy the source of the arrows before a knife sunk into his armour, cutting through it like butter and piercing the flesh beneath. He growled as something slashed up his cheek, the attacker moving to stealthily to be seen. "Wrath, allow me to introduce you to my friends," Battle chuckled as the steam finally disappeared. "The Elements of Harmony. But then, you've already met them haven't you?" Arranged around him were the five, colourfully armoured mares that Battle had appeared with. They each bore a slightly smug but determined smile upon their faces. The other warriors stood behind Battle, looking equally determined and ready to fight. Wrath growled at the sight of them. "Aw hey don't be like that," Battle pouted. "Well actually, yeah be like that. Because these girls are pissed and you're unlucky enough to be their enemy." The girls all smiled as from beneath their armours lights began to appear. Battle smiled too. They may be one element short, Battle thought, But the Elements of Harmony are still powerfully enough to do some serious damage. And maybe keep you in a form we can destroy too... The five Elements slowly enveloped their bearers, bathing them in various shades of light. Fluttershy was enveloped in apinkish glow, Rarity in a purple haze, Pinkie in a blue ball of light, Dash in red and Applejack in orange. The five lights merged together as Wrath held up a hand to shield his eyes from the intense light. Battle smiled darkly. "Let 'im have it girls!" Battle cried. A blast of multicoloured light burst forth in a powerful stream slamming Wrath against the stone walls of the pit. He cried out in pain as the light tore at his shadow flesh and burnt his very soul. He screamed out before he dissipated himself his shadowy form writhing out from the onslaught brought by the five Elements. Battle raised an eyebrow. The training the girl had undergone with his father had really helped them all it seemed. Wrath reformed in a corner of the dark pit as the light from the Elements faded. Wrath's face was distorted into a snarl of anger, black blood oozing from various wounds. Great strips of flesh were cut from his body and their was a hole in the centre of his chest and his armour. What it revealed was a pulsating core of pure shadows. Battle's eyes widened before narrowing slowly once more. The heart of his soul... his Achilles heel it would seem... if we destroy it, we may just destroy Wrath... Wrath snorted like a bull. "I will mount your heads on a pike and let the crows have your eyes!" he thundered. "Come at me bro," Dash chuckled. Battle looked up sharply, Rainbow's provocation the absolute worst thing she could have done. Wrath roared and blast of pure shadows filtered from the wounds in his body. The Element Bearers were slammed against the walls were the slide to the ground, unconscious. Battle glanced over his shoulder to make sure they were alive. Satisfied that they were, he looked to his fellow soldiers. They were getting shakily to their feet, but it seemed as though they were frozen, moving sluggishly. Battle's gaze turned back to Wrath. "Now. Let us finish this," Wrath snarled. Battle threw his sword aside and drew Vindicta from its scabbard. "Let's."