Where I am Needed
Chapter 15, One Day in Heaven
Xander had come early in the morning, well morning in Heaven's time cycle, and woke Salvatore from sleep. There was no words needed as the look in Xander's eyes told the Human everything, it was a look he had not yet seen on the Angel's face. Xander led him through a door in the school which he was told was for "The three Masters only" and from there he was taking through a hallway, which was oriental in style just like the rest of the school was, at the end of said hallway were the three Masters who awaited Salvatore.
Time was of the essence as it was quickly explained that powerful Demonic energy had been detected and it was almost going to tear through the barriers set by Heaven on every world and commit evil acts of the kind the inhabitants of that world did not deserve, never mind witnessed or heard of. Then it was explained that the black door with dull engraved runes was a room which defied time, reality and dimensions. It was what the Masters had to endure to gain their position….when it was used to its maximum effect it is where God trained…
Salvatore questioned their actions, if he had only been training in Heaven for two weeks how could he ever reach the same mark!? The only reactions he received were small smiles from all of them…even Xander smiled. They told him he was ready…He could do it….He had the power of will to do it…In fact it was the words of Xander which gave him the push. "You are a Human…Humans are the universal beacon of will. They will never surrender, never give in, never accept defeat because that is what you Humans are….WILL".
Xander also reminded him of his battle on Earth…..slaying an army of Demon's….Rallying Humanity to fight…..Slaying a Demon General who ended up becoming respected by Salvatore as they died…or so they thought. Salvatore wasn't just doing this to push his limits or for any selfish motive….this was for an entire world full of innocents! If he could save one why not another?
The Masters gave him books, scrolls and his sword…..Equilibrium as well as another an Angelic blade which was thin, smooth and had curves for slicing with it's razor edge. They also gave him courtesy by telling him of what would happen when first entering the room. It would first test his mind by making face his demon's then it would test his body….once he passed that it would all be a matter of how hard he trained with the materials he was given.
Minutes would turn into hours and hours into days….each hour would give him a days worth of training. He had nineteen days starting from five in the morning. Taking the materials which would help him he entered wearing his white uniform, or gi as Funakoshi called it. They all wished him luck as they knew what awaited him and what battle awaited him, Gabriel had informed them all and Xander about it. They also knew more about him than they let on….
THE FIRST TEST: THE MIND
Salvatore had only been within the room for a few seconds….or where they minutes? Hours!? He had no idea. He had set down all the materials and looked about the room, it was a like any other in size except for its pulsating black walls, at the back of the room was a mirror. To begin with the mirror seemed dirty, like someone had neglected it for decades, however soon it began to twist and distort and an image appeared…..Salvatore's image. The situation seemed fine until the image began to change….his reflections skin became charcoal and the hair black as Hell's abyss…those red eyes. The image stared back at him with something malicious within it's mind. Salvatore had no idea why he thought that but he did…it was a feeling.
The feeling was right as the reflection moved it's hands to the rim of the mirror…it's long and clawed fingers slid through the mirror and pulled itself out slowly and patiently all the while watching Salvatore intently. Salvatore backed up slightly and got into a stance in preparation of his twisted doppelganger.
The creature cackled at him as it exited the mirror and began to approach Salvatore. It was long and boney in it's limbs with a long tongue which hung out of his mouth dripping saliva ever so slightly whilst releasing the stench of putrid breath. When before the Human it simple leaned forward…..waiting for Salvatore's reaction.
That was when the creature grabbed Salvatore's head in one hand at a speed the Human's eyes could not capture. Like lightning all the most painful….hurtful….soul rending and heart shattering moments in Salvatore's life played out before him.
Hearing his parents talking about how they were going to get rid of him because they didn't have enough food. Failing to save anyone when he and Yamamoto first attacked a Demon enslavement camp and everyone….even children were slaughtered because HE failed! Then there was THAT day…..the day Yamamoto just disappeared….without a trace…..no letters or notes….not even a goodbye…..he cried for days believing his father figure who he believed loved him had abandoned him. Through all the darkness however a light shinned within his memories…..flashes of all the ponies he met….all the people on Earth who fought beside him….first meeting Twilight, Celestia and Luna. Promising Chrysalis to help her people….Luciana….his Masters.
This new strength pushed him against the darkness the power of light blasted the creature away from him in a blinding explosion. Salvatore brought back from his mind now felt more determined than ever to save Equestria….it wasn't just that he wanted to anymore….he had to.
The creature glared at Salvatore….the glare soon turned respectful as it now understood the power within the Human. It simply dissipated….like smoke in a breeze it vanished from existence. Also strange was that the mirror disappeared as well. Now Salvatore had to pass a second test then he could get to training…he hoped he could get through it as quick as possible.
THE SECOND TEST: THE BODY
Suddenly chain shot out from all possible angles and bound Salvatore in a vulnerable and restricted state…..arms and legs held and stretched every time he struggled. The jangle of the chains were the only sound besides the sound of something...grinding? A dark figure walked into his vision….they were cloaked and their identity was impossible to know in one hand was a block of stone and in the other a long and jagged blade…."True pain….is true pleasure".
The Torturer slashed across the captives chest…only for the Human to smile at him. "Come on….show me this TRUE PAIN!" In rage at the Human's arrogance the cloaked figure sliced his body more and more…..blood was drenching the front of his entire body yet still a smile….which only became more insane as more blood was spilt.
The figure flicked his wrists and Salvatore's body was ignited by flames. This sent the Human into maniacal laughter which the Torturer could only back away from as he saw the red eye illuminating the room in crimson light…that laugh was not right….it made nature quiver. "Stop it! Stop laughing! How can you be laughing!? You are not a Human!"
Everything stopped when all the chains fell to the floor….As they clanged upon impacting the floor it sent haunting echo's through the Torturer's mind. Now that he looked upon the Human he was back to normal and a look upon his face which made the spirit disappear from the room in fear of what might have happened to it. Salvatore knew that pain was something he could deal with plenty well….physical pain was nothing to him right now, all it did was remind him of how much time he had left…Wasting no time he set at all the books and scrolls before removing the tattered and torn gi which hung off his body. "I have no time to waste…I am going to break myself over and over if I have to!"
Nine days in the God Chamber had not been wasted, not even the slightest second. Every moment was full of physical training as he pushed himself to new limits of strength, speed, stamina and endurance. Technique became sharper, fluid and more instinctive than ever before. Studying energy, or Chi as Master Chuan called it, was also a prime goal as those who could control their energy could perform amazing feats and Salvatore was not going to let any skill slip out of his grasp…he would need everything!
Nine more days later…..the nineteenth day was only a few hours away and Salvatore had done his best by combining all the Masters different forms, physical training and energy training in order to push himself further and make full potential use of every second he had. Now he could feel the energy and control it at will….just like how he controlled the blood within him which had brought about new discoveries about the dark power. Sometimes he heard it's voice…..it wanted to protect him and serve him….Salvatore had proven his worth. Using Angelic magic was also something of ease for him now, this involved conjuring copies of himself or any part of his body, burn anything with destructive with fire, firing deadly blasts of energy, projecting shields, teleport, creating weapons and using his energy he could enhance physical abilities…..he had yet to discover the full possibilities yet no matter what purpose it was used for…anything made from the energy was a light blue, it was calm and still like a perfect sky.
The loud creaking and screeching of a heavy door opening was heard…..Salvatore sighed…he had no more time 'I just hope it's enough'. Salvatore turned to see Gabriel, Xander and the Three Masters awaiting him. All had pride written across their features as he exited the room with clothing torn everywhere and anywhere as well as dripping with sweat whilst bruises and bulging muscles signaling ache they all knew he-was-ready.
"Archangel….I am glad I can see you again". Salvatore greeted Gabriel with a handshake,
"I am glad to see you too Salvatore. You do continue to amaze us all". Xander moved towards the two conversing.
"I am sorry for interrupting Archangel but it seems like it won't be too long before the Demon's break through. We need to commence the ceremony". Gabriel was visibly saddened at being unable to talk longer with the young Human.
"What ceremony?" Salvatore questioned.
"That is a surprise". Gabriel answered in a strange way. "Now stand beside me and say your goodbyes". Xander was already standing at the side of Gabriel in preparation for whatever the Archangel was going to do.
Salvatore approached his three masters…They all were proud of their student and smiled at him. "Master I-
"Don't say a word boy. You are a student we are all proud to of taught and we know we shall see you again so don't you dare go making a dramatic goodbyes". Master Shen told Salvatore with a wide smile.
"You make me proud to ever had such a student Salvatore. I do hope you come to drag me out into the Dojo soon". Salvatore could not help but smile at what they were saying.
"You are good student young man. Keep that spirit and you shall never stray from the right path. I can tell a good man shall become of you". The old Angel smiled at his student.
"Well since this isn't the last time we see each other I will meet you all again". Salvatore turned away from his masters and stood besides Gabriel who smiled at him. Salvatore waved a goodbye right before a bright blue light engulfed them.
Suddenly Salvator, Xander and Gabriel were in the church where Gabriel and Salvatore had first met. Gabriel went to stand at the podium where a bowl of water sat. Xander however left mumbling about how he had to get something. Salvatore looked at what Gabriel was doing as he had his hand over the water and he was chanting in a strange tongue he couldn't understand.
"What is this ceremony is you don't mind?" Salvatore really wanted to know since there was no one else except the two Angels and himself.
"Simple…you are to be accepted officially as an Angel". Gabriel proclaimed joyfully.
Salvatore's eyes gained a gleam…he would get to be….an Angel?...
"Now come forward and stand before the podium". Salvatore did so with a familiar feeling in his heart…acceptance? He felt accept by these people just as everypony in Equestria accepted him. Standing before the podium he closed his eyes and felt a light embrace him as Gabriel began chanting again and dipped his hand in the water. The water was flicked onto Salvatore a few times until Gabriel placed the wet hand upon his forehead. "I christen thee Salvatore, an Angel of Heaven".
Salvatore had not noticed Xander entering the room with something in his hand…it was wrapped in white cloth as so it would remain pure until needed. When he finally opened his eyes Salvatore saw both Gabriel and Xander looking at him with happiness in their eyes, they were happy that he was now among them. Xander then passed the mysterious item into Gabriel's hand who then dipped it into the water for some moments whilst again chanting some holy words. When the wrapped item was pulled out of the holy water Gabriel then passed it onto Salvatore who held it like it was his own child.
"What is it?" He asked both of them.
"It is a very powerful tool in your hands. Use it when you deem the time is right and you shall see for yourself". Was the response from Xander.
"Indeed it is which is why I entrust such a tool to you….I know you shall use it wisely". Gabriel said to the Human who was wondering where he would put the enclosed item which is when a gray cloth was thrown at him by Xander who knew his predicament already. Salvatore wrapped it around his right upper arm and tucked the concealed item in the tightly wrapped cloth.
"I know there isn't much time so how do I get out?" None of them were expecting that from Salvatore yet they both knew that time was of the essence and respected his urgency to get back to Equestria as soon as possible.
"Simply jump from this place and let yourself fall…..a leap of faith if you will". Before Gabriel knew it Salvatore had already ran outside and jumped from the huge structure.
Both Gabriel and Xander knew what was coming but they had to have faith in the Human….if they did not believe in themselves then maybe they could believe in that strange yet amazing Human. He could give them hope to face impossible odds at times of need….because from what was going to strike Equestria…..they would need it…."God speed Savior".
Salvatore was currently plummeting through the sky as fast as possible. 'I need to get back! I can't let anyone else die because of me!'
It was now time for all Salvatore's training and efforts to be put to the test in his final battle. All the hopes of heaven and Equestria rested upon his shoulders….will all these hopes, belief and prayers create strength within the Human. We can only hope….