Where I am Needed
Chapter 16, Savior Falls- Act I
Ever since he fell from the Heavens and back into the skies of Equestria he felt something, with his new sense of energies, which felt familiar. It was in Ponyville which he was thankful for since time slipping away and investigation would only take invaluable time, each second meant another life lost and the Savior would not stand for it.
All his new feeling, experiences and strength…He hoped all would allow him to defeat the coming Armageddon yet he knew he had to believe in himself…that's how he had done everything else…why wouldn't it work now?
His body was allowing him to make much more speed towards the town known as Ponyville and hopefully just hopefully it had not been struck by the Demons and there was the chance that maybe Twilight was still in town trying to find a solution. He had to believe…..If he didn't who would?
So far Equestria seemed in it's normal peaceful cycle of life yet deception could be laying around each twist and turn ready to tear out his soul and show him how his failure cost the lives of thousands….possibly more. As he came closer and closer to the town he tried his best to bare with the vision of Ponyville decimated and at worst case with the corpses of Ponies scattered, mutilated and disfigured by the cruel hands of the Demons.
No matter how much he tried to imagine this image it just did not come true as right ahead of him was Ponyville in perfect condition…..granted the Princesses' Royal Guard were there bu-'Soldiers? Do they know what's happening!?'
All that ever Guard saw was a two legged creature move at amazing speed into Ponyville, of course they already knew it was Salvatore since he had previously lived there for a month and visited the sisters on many occasions. Dashing through the town he noticed a large gathering around Twilight's house however there were too many ponies and picking anyone specific out from that distance wasn't currently possible, unless he used magic energy but he wanted to save it for battle.
The sight created an explosion of memories and emotions as the one who he had faced on Earth, who had struck him down, who had shown him a new side to the Demons….Distruttore the Demon General. Salvatore slowed his approach to walking pace as at first it was the Demon who noticed him whilst speaking to the crowd…..then both of the sisters who stood by the side of the Demon gasped in seeing Salvatore return…in fact it was only a matter of time until-CRASH!
Six mares seemingly simultaneously jumped the Human who hissed slightly from his still aching body. All of them had a tight hold upon one part of his body. "Don't you ever leave us again! Ya hear me!" Applejacks' unique voice made him smile.
"Yeah! I mean we don't have the chance to have a party! You came back! You need a party!" Pinkie said in a way which would give anyone who was good with tongue twisters a challenge.
"My dear you do always have a habit of leaving your clothes in tatters…..what am I saying you give me a challenge!" Rarities fashion obsessed attitude gave stirred a chuckle in his belly.
"You gave us all a heart attack young man. Next time you tell us when you leave understand….If that would be okay…" Fluttershy's motherly yet shy tone felt heartwarming.
"You big idiot! You listen to Fluttershy cuz' you scared us all…..we thought you were gone for good!" Salvatore stroked her mane to comfort her emotions which she was clearly trying to keep her tough shell.
"I-I thought I would never see my best friend again!" Twilight cried out….there was no doubt….with these little Ponies….this was where he belonged.
"Hey….hey…you all didn't think I had left you all for good did you? Why would I leave some of the greatest Ponies I have ever met hm? Because I will never see the reason for ever leaving you guys". His words dissolved all sadness around him and instead created smiles from the sisters and all the ponies in the crowd watching the love between friends. Then Salvatore changed…he quietly whispered something and the Mane Six let go immediately as he rose from the ground and began stomping towards Distruttore…..
The Demon's razor teeth gleamed in a wide grin as he went to meet the Human halfway. Celestia feared a break out of a fight between the two….especially how Salvatore felt now, stronger and powerful. All the ponies gave way like the Red Sea as both got closer and closer to one another….
Celestia knew of their past together and did not know if remembering it at the time comforted her. Everyone was preparing for the death battle to begin however…
"You lucky bastard". The Demon greeted Salvatore whilst sniffing the air.
"Yeah….I learnt a few things from them so maybe next round you won't be so lucky". The Human tempted the Demon with the thought of the two fighting once again….the only one to ever strike him down.
"I believe it was simply all the battle it was hard for us to concentrate on the speed of our movements….you nearly had me a few times…" The Demon admitted.
"To be honest had I not lost an eye you wouldn't of been able to get anything in….guess I could test my new eye". The Human proposed a challenge…they stood there in the crowd of Ponies, face to face.
"We both know there is no time for that Human".
"I know. Apparently it's a Demon…..I hope you know more since you are here". Salvatore wished he knew more other than knowing it was a Demon invasion force.
"One of our Commandants…Beelzebub is trying to seize worlds for his own gain….this my King cannot allow therefore I am here to stop him…..and aid you". Both of their fists met in-between them.
"I get to fight beside you then? So tell me how strong is this Commandant?"
"Extremely…he will attempt to take this world single handedly yet his armies will be called in through Hellgates if he feels like being a coward". Their fists came back to their sides.
"I hope I don't accidently slay his whole army!" Salvatore loudly exclaimed.
"Forgive me when I blow the Commandant away with a belch! Hahahaha!" The Demon began walking back towards Twilight's house where the two sisters stood awkwardly.
"I take it you have told them the situation?" The Human questioned his Demon friend…..friend.
"Yes…on everything. I just hope you are ready for what it to come….seriously". The Demons gaze did indeed look serious.
"I can only hope now can't I?" Distruttore laughed.
"Now that's the spirit which brought my army to its knees and taught me a grave lesson!" The Demon enjoyed this Human's way of thinking…..and his free spirit.
They now stood before the two sisters, Luna and Celestaia who so far could not make a strategic battle plan as the enemy had not shown them selves and where they would strike first was unknown which made intercepting the enemy force out of the question. So far their best odds lie with the Human which gave of a strange energy and the Demon who Celestia did not fully trust…yet she respected Salvatore's trust. In fact she felt harsh being so judgmental on the Demon since he did inform them of the attack…..
"Luna, Celestia". Salvatore nodded at them both and they knew where his heart was.
"Salvatore….What is this energy within you?" Through Celestia's senses she could feel his undeniable power…..she worried if she may prove useless in the coming battle.
"I have been learning some new things about myself". He observed his hand held at chest height. "I also surpassed my previous limits by tenfold…..I have no idea what my new limits are". The fist clenched until they were white. "Unfortunately I probably won't be able to test myself". His fist relaxed and fell to his side.
"Let's crack at round two after you are finished with Beelzebub….Have a slug match!" The Human could only grin at the Demon's comments which were seemingly confusing the sisters and worrying if a full out battle broke out between the two.
"Distruttore have you any estimation on when they will strike?" Celestia finally spoke up.
The Demon's grin turned into a very serious face. "No time exactly….all I know is that they plan to strike today".
Salvatore looked around and saw nothing, he even tested his new sixth sense and still could not feel anything. "Our plan needs to be something which can cover things easily and can be made flexible if needed. Things are peaceful for now so we should take this time to catch our b-
Nothing could be heard as a deafening BOOM swept across the whole of Equestria. The sky turned black and began to rain with fire and ash…..Yet from the clouds came a terrifying sight, one which would bring any army too it's knees. A beast made from Hell's fire descended from the black sky as if it was crawling out of the abyss itself…..It's titanic clawed hands found purchase upon the land it would claim for itself. These claws dragged the fiery colossus through the wretched abyss and onto the innocent blood free land the heaving Demon would now claim for itself. Each one of its movements sent earthquakes for miles across the land….anything near its raging fires was destroyed instantly. A ear piercing, soul rending screech tore through the air and brought all to their knees in painful agony while vile fires erupted from its mouth. The horns of the beast stood tall and dominant above all who would dare oppose this beast…..all who opposed…would die…..
Salvatore could not see or hear anything….an explosion was heard then all he remembered was black…..when he came to be slightly conscious the cold of the air brought his sense to him quicker as he soon realized he was covered in dirt and had been blasted away from Twilight's house….he didn't even know where he was…all he knew was the sky…..it reminded him of Earth "No!"
The Human rose from the ground and ignored everything…The decimation….The sorrow…The fear….In the dark distance the Fire Beast which screeched as loud as it could 'I have to do this….I have to save them….' He thought this as he looked all around him….Ponies were laying wounded or in tears….the soldiers were too afraid to move….Buildings lay in rubble and Twilight's tree was thrown onto it's side. "I have to save them!" He roared.
His hands pushed outwards left and right….left went clockwise until his fingers faced the floor…..right went clockwise until fingers faced the heavens…."Art of Empowerment: Level One". The hands began glowing with a bright blue energy…..they each came to meet each other in the center of his chest. A breeze began swirling around him…this breeze soon became a powerful wind, pulling dirt and small fragments of earth with it. Salvatore closed his eyes and took a deep breath as his body was about to become empowered….A bright glow hovered just above his skin…..Visually representing the divine power within his possession. The eyes opened….One red like a ruby…The other Blue like a sapphire.
A shockwave struck the ground blasting dirt and rubble as the Empowerment Art had done it's names worth. His glowing figure was something the Ponies looked towards in hope…..Drawing his swords the Human Salvatore prepared to save this world he loved just as dearly as his own…He would die before letting this world fall into such diabolical hands!
He disappeared with a shockwave in his wake…Lights in the distance showed a battle with the Beast….Others were fighting….He would not let a single one fall.