//------------------------------// // Hell // Story: Derealization // by Wingman Jones //------------------------------// I couldn't stop looking at the burning city far off in the distance, if you listen carefully you could hear screams, “Zecora.” she looked at me with determination in her eyes, “Let's go.” “Where are you going?” the she-devil from earlier said, “Where else? Those ponies need our help and we're not just gonna stand by and leave them for the slaughter.” “How are you going to get there? A state of emergency has been declared, any means of transportation are halted until further notice. Besides the two of you are injured you need to rest.” “Our injuries are fine; I'll find my own way to the city then.” “I'll go too.” the she-devil said, I was still a bit skeptical but Zecora nodded her head telling me we can trust her, “Alright then.” “We're going too.” the lavender unicorn stated, “We?” “My friends and I are going with you to Canterlot.” “Look I know you mean well but believe me when I say this is way over your head, it's better if you stay behind.” “Like you said, those ponies need help and we're not just gonna stand by and let them be killed. Canterlot was my home so I say that gives me the right to try and defend the city that I was raised in, not only that this country's monarchy could be in jeopardy meaning the fate of Equestria could be at stake if it gets any worse than it already is. My friends and I may not be as strong as you, Zecora, Violet, or Nero but we will do whatever it takes to protect Equestria, even if it means our lives.” “Uh c-can I have a s-say in t-this?” the baby dragon said. I was impressed by her determination, or maybe it was stupidity, either way I was impressed. I stayed quiet still thinking if I should let them come, 'Should I really let inexperienced ponies come? If anything she's digging all of their graves...' “*sigh* Where's the train station?” “Five blocks down that road.” “Gather all of your friends and meet us there.” she kneeled to let the baby dragon hop on her back and turned to run, before she could take a step I grabbed her shoulder, “If you were serious about what you said, there is a chance most of you will die.” I felt her tense up and heard the dragon gulp as I said it and with that they ran off. “Nero can you-Nero?” she looked around for the guy with the demon hoof who just disappeared, he came out of the library carrying two massive swords and three guns, “Way ahead of you.” he threw her one of the large swords and two of the guns, “What are we waiting for let's kick some ass.” “Someone's pumped.” “Let's just say a certain someone got me all hyped up.” the guy called Nero shot a glare at me which I happily returned. We got to the train station with no problems and thankfully it was empty, “Keep a lookout while I start up the engine.” I sneak inside the train and checked for anypony inside, I made sure nopony was and I run to the engine room. I looked around seeing the many switches and levers that covered the wall in front of me, “Hope I still remember how to do this.” I looked for a large bar that was on the right side of the floor, I push it all the way forward and lock it in place. Next I looked for a valve that was directly in front of me and turn it all the way, then I found the engine brakes and disengaged them. I only needed one more step if I remembered correctly, I look out the window to see if she came with her friends yet, not one, “Maybe she changed her mind, good.” I spoke too soon. I see her and her friends running in the distance, behind them was, “Goddammit the Royal Guard. Everypony inside!” as my sister and our new “friends” ran inside I saw the royal dicks catching up to them, “Shit!” I thought it was too late for them so I reached a hoof for the throttle, I stopped when I noticed the coal next to the furnace, 'Might as well help the.' I grab some coal and look back out the window watching the Royal Guard arrest them. I took aim and struck one of them with a lump of coal, “What the fu-” he didn't get to finish his sentence for a piece of coal got stuck in his throat. While they were distracted they ran and I threw more coals at them keeping them at bay until all of her friends were inside, I grabbed the throttle and pulled it bringing life to the train, “Thank God.” I had a bad feeling so I poke my head back out the window and see four of them board the train before it went to full speed, “It's never easy is it?” I run out of the engine room and hide behind the cart door, I peer through the window and see all of them at gun point. I couldn't hear what they were saying but one of them pointed to the cart I was in and a stallion with an assault rifle walked to where I was hiding. I crouch to one side of the door and waited for him, the door opened and he slowly walked inside completely unaware of me, in one motion I grabbed the gun from him and knocked him out with the stock. I was stumped on how to get rid of the guards but then I noticed the unconscious stallion, he was an earth pony like me and has black fur like I do but his mane and tail are a light green, 'The helmet would cover my mane but my tail would give me away. I could try and hide it but it won't be long before they notice meaning I have to take them out before then. It's a long shot but it's my only option.' I remove my clothes and put on his armor. I hide his body and walk to the other cart and see them being hoof-cuffed, one of them turn to me, “Did you find anything?” I nodded no, “Must've got away somehow.” 'Two unicorns and one pegasus, I gotta take out the unicorns first.' “You get in the corner, I don't want the mess to get everywhere.” he was talking to who I think was called Nero, “Mess?” he was pushed to the corner of the cart by the pegasus, “Hey what the fuck!?” “All demons are to be exterminated. Ready.” all of us including me took aim, “Aim.” I was in between the unicorns and with all my strength I smashed their heads together and they slumped to the ground, the pegasus aimed his sights at me and I push the barrel of his gun upward and punched him in the snout disarming him. He got angry and tried to punch me but I side stepped and grabbed a hold of his wings and flung him out the passenger window, I grab the keys from one of the unicorns and toss it to Nero, “You owe me.” I said as I remove the helmet, “Yeah then I'll blow a giraffe next.” he sarcastically said. All of the mares gave me shocked expressions making me feel uncomfortable, “What?” “You just fought off four highly trained, battle hardened soldiers who are specifically meant to protect Equestria and it's princesses with their very lives, and you handled them like if they were just some punks in a street fight.” the lavender pony said, I just shrug in response, “I-is he g-gonna be o-okay?” the yellow pegasus said in an almost inaudible whisper, I stayed quiet not sure what to say. Suddenly the rainbow-maned one flew up to me, “Are you really the Killer Cloak?” I cringe at the sound of that horrible alias given to me by society, “Don't call me that.” I swear her eyes grew five times their normal size, “That...is...awesome!” she said while weirdly squishing her face together, I'm starting to regret letting her and her friends come. After they freed themselves one of them decided to start something, “Wait just an apple bucking minute, are you a-” “Demon?” Nero said nonchalantly earning him gasps and horrified looks from the other mares, “You just found out? Seriously? I was walking around with a demonic hoof for God's sake.” the cyan pegasus charged at him unexpectedly and pushed him against the wall, “Who sent you?! Are you behind all this?! Why are you trying to take over Equestria!?” the she-devil grabbed her by the throat and shoved her to the ground, “We can explain.” the cyan mare stood up ready to strike her but the lavender pony teleported herself between them before she could land a punch, “Stop! Rainbow Dash sit on the other side of the cart.” she said with an assertive tone, the pegasus snorted and flew to the other side, “Yes both Nero and Violet are demons but their not like the other monsters we hear about.” I heard groans coming from a unicorn about to wake up, before he could I knocked him out, “I know it's a little hard to believe-” “Hard to believe? Don't you remember how many of our friends and family those monsters took away from us?!” the orange mare wearing a stetson hat countered, “I know but they're nothing like them! Their only a quarter demon which allows them to still retain their pony selves.” “Besides we actually hunt down demons where we come from.” the she-devil named Violet said. All of them still seemed a bit doubtful but decided not to dwell into it any further and take their seats, I almost forgot about the guards and stuff them with the other guy. Some time had passed and it was quieter now, not even the loud-mouthed pink mare spoke, maybe they still weren't over the fact that Violet and Nero are demons. The only ponies that are talking is Violet, Nero and the lavender unicorn sitting three seats in front of my sister and I, I knew they were talking about me because Violet and the unicorn would at times look at me then continue their conversation, “Why do you still wear that armor?” Zecora asked “This could help for what we might be up against, plus you know I feel awkward without having something on.” “Sometimes you're a lot of work, you and your quirks.” “Mind if we sit here?” Violet said startling me a bit, “Go ahead.” Zecora moved to my side and they took her seat, “Callidus right?” the unicorn said, “Yeah.” “I saw you at Pinkie's party but she didn't let me introduce myself properly. I'm Twilight Sparkle, I'm the librarian at Golden Oaks Library and a pupil of Princess Celestia.” “Okay nice to meet you.” the two of them looked at each other with saddened expressions like if they were expecting me to react, “I have one important question to ask you, by any chance do you have a silver amulet with a yellow gemstone?” shock couldn't even begin to describe what I was feeling, I pull out my amulet out from the armor, “No doubt about it, it's him.” “Spike, take a letter!” she got up from her seat and ran to the baby dragon, “I'm surprised you kept it Callidus.” “It's not like I had a choice.” “What do you mean?” I open the window and toss the amulet out, “Callidus!” “Wait.” I get up and walk to the other cart behind this one. When I walked in I see the amulet on the floor and pick it up, I walk back to my seat and show her the intact amulet, “See?” “Huh, I didn't know it could do that.” she look straight at me, “How much of your past life don't you remember?” I had to think about it for a bit, “Everything's blank past age ten.” “*sigh* What do you want to know?” my mind soon became clouded with questions, so many of them that I had trouble picking one, “Do you know who my parents are?” “I do but...it's better if you see her yourself.” “Her? What about my father?” she averted her eyes from mine with a pained look on her face, “I'm sorry.” I didn't say or feel anything, “How come my left ear is like this?” “Ten years ago all three of us were playing war with each other, you and my brother were were sword fighting with sticks and the two of you decided to get ballsy and climb on top of a stone statue. When you did you lost your balance and fell, your ear got stuck to one part of the statue and it ripped off. I was so freaked out when I saw you holding a piece of your ear.” she laughed, I was surprised that at some point in my life I actually got along with him, “Was my father able to, you know, change?” “Yeah, both of ours did, neither of them didn't know how or why.” I had another question but I hesitated to ask, “So am I...a demon?” Zecora looked at me in disbelief and then waited for Violet to answer. When she was about to the mares gasped, they were staring at a pile of ashes burning in green flames, “It just...burned...it just...” Twilight kept repeating the same thing over and over, “Can't this thing go any faster!” the cyan pegasus yelled at me, “It's as fast as it can go.” “What now Twi?” Violet and Nero then perked up, “Everyone grab a weapon!” Nero instructed holding his custom .357 magnum. “Why?” “Them that's why.” Violet said coldly and I grab one of the rifles. Twilight's horn glowed and a wave of magic spread throughout the train, “What did you do?” “I put up a magic barrier, it incinerates anything that touches it so it should keep them out.” “Don't be so sure.” I grab the pistol I got from the black stallion and hand it to her, “Why do I need that?” “Sometimes magic isn't enough.” “But-” “Twilight I'm not gonna argue with you!” she flinched and she hesitantly levitated the gun with her magic. I grab the other three remaining rifles, “Anypony here have any experience with a machine gun?” the first one to walk up was the orange mare, “I shot a few of them in my day.” “How did you manage that? Guns are illegal for citizens.” the white unicorn explained, “If you meet the right ponies they can get you anything.” she said as she inspected the rifle, “Anypony else?” they went quiet. I walk up to the cyan pegasus, “Here um...” “Name's Rainbow Dash, best flier in all of Eques-” “I don't care just take it.” she did with a huff. Next I go to the pink mare, “Pinkie Pie right?” “Yup yup yupper!” “It's like a camera, point and shoot.” she took it with glee, “Oooh what does this button do?” she pulled the trigger and lost control of the gun shooting in every direction making us duck until I take it away from her, “On second thought Zecora you should take it.” “They're getting closer.” Nero warned, I grab the other pistols from the guards and give one of them to Pinkie Pie, “Shoot at the enemy.” “Okie dokie lokie!” I give the last pistol to the white unicorn, “I can't use such a savage device as this! I'd much rather use my magic.” great, one of those prim and proper ponies, “What's your name?” “Rarity.” “Like I told Twilight sometimes magic isn't enough, besides I don't think your yellow friend is up for the task.” both of us looked at the yellow mare hiding behind her seat crying her eyes out, I felt a little sting in my chest seeing her like that. “See?” she sighed in defeat and took the gun, “How is it that this world has guns?” Nero asked, “Guns are a recent invention. They were mass produced less than twenty years ago.” I answer, claws then appeared on the roof of the cart and cut across it with little effort, I aimed my sights and fired at it hearing screeches of pain, I heard a loud bang and blood dripped from the bullet holes, “How is that even possible!?” Twilight exclaimed, “This is bad.” “Why Cally?” Pinkie asked, “These kind of demons hunt in packs.” two Assaults then broke through Twilight's barrier via the windows and were decapitated on the spot by Violet's large sword, “Shit I can't use my sword at this range.” she said as she pulled it out from the now crimson wall, “We're gonna have to rely on bullets then. Everypony get away from the windows.” another one broke through and Nero shot it square in the forehead. The mares huddled together in fear, “When you see one of those oversized iguanas don't hesitate to fill it with lead.” I tell them. One of them sprouted from the ground and lunged at me, I struggled as I used the rifle to keep it from biting my head off, somepony shot off it's helmet getting it's attention and gave me time to paint the wall with it's brain, I look to see who shot and it was the orange mare, “Thanks um...” “Applejack.” another one broke through and both of us shot it dead. Three more broke through one of the cart doors and Zecora shot them, they didn't die so Violet had to give the finishing blows, “Get to the other cart we're sitting ducks like this!” all ran while I stood guard. A lone one was hanging over a window and pointed it's claws at me, I dive dodging the projectile-turned claws in time and shot it down, “Fuck I'm out.” another Assault lunged at me and I shove the gun in it's mouth and run. Once I was in the other cart I pull off one of the vertical gold bars on the seats, “This will do for now.” “Callidus!” one breaks through the window I was nearest to and I pierce through it's head with the jagged end. Two more broke in and Violet killed both of them without looking and accidentally sprayed demon blood on some of the mares, Rarity panicked the most, “AAAAAAHHH! It's so warm and icky!” she cried out, “Stop whining and shoot!” Violet angrily said as she squished a demon's head with her hoof causing Rarity to puke. I got rammed into the wall by one of them and I felt the air leave my lungs, the demon was about to pounce on me until it took three bullets to the face, “You okay?” Twilight asked me, “Yeah, thanks.” “We have to keep moving!” Zecora said as she used the last of her bullets to kill one by the window. I opened the door and made sure everypony went inside, the yellow pegasus tripped and was targeted by an Assault, I reacted and leaped over her and felt it's sharp claws rip my shoulder and a shower of blood rained over us, luckily we were saved by Rainbow Dash who shot it, “C'mon move!” I said through clenched teeth. She helped me up and we went inside, “Callidus!” Zecora saw the wound I received, “Don't worry about it.” I said as I stabbed another Assault with the gold bar, I saw it's partner but the bar got stuck, it swiped it's large bony claws at me forcing me back, it thrusted at me and I jerk to my right and punched it, it only got angry and shot it's claws at me, I dodged them all but it was smart and used the chance to pin me down. Bullets then flew past us and I look to see they were coming from Rarity who was shooting wildly with her eyes closed, I punched it off of me and held him directly in the path of her bullets. I let the body flop to the floor and I walk to Rarity who didn't notice she was out of bullets and snatch the gun away, “Shoot with your eyes open.” I said every word seething with rage. Three more jumped in and both Twilight and Violet shot them down, neither of them noticed the one behind Twilight, “Behind you!” the baby dragon yelled, the demon almost killed her if it weren't for Rainbow Dash and Applejack shooting it in time, “I think that's all of them.” Nero said, “Whoohooo yeah! Did you see me I was all bang bang bang and they were all like *screech*.” “Good thing too I'm on empty.” Applejack said, Zecora took off her eyepatch and used it to bandage my shoulder, “This will do for now, you're lucky you survived somehow.” “Thank you.” I saw that it was the yellow pegasus I saved looking at me with teary eyes, “Don't mention it.” “Wow, we survived that.” Twilight stated, “Don't celebrate yet, something's coming.” Violet said, “*sigh* Never easy.” all of us were waiting for whatever it was to come. Two minutes later nothing happened, “Are you-” the train stopped abruptly, the inertia was strong enough for everpony to fall, the cart then started to roll and I realized the train derailed, I hit my head and I blacked out. I didn't know how much time passed but when I woke up the train was dark and it was upside down, the only light there was was from the moon but it was enough to see that everypony was still breathing, “What happened?” Rainbow Dash asked as she got up, she was bleeding from her head, “Rainbow Dash help me get them out.” I stood up and helped Pinkie Pie walk to the window, “You okay?” Violet asked me, “I'm still in one piece.” “Callidus.” Zecora called to me as she was being held by Applejack, “I'm fine worry about yourself.” I said as I led both of them out, in the corner I saw a yellow lump slowly rising and falling, “No.” I ran to her and lift her up, “Wake up, we're not out of this yet.” she mumbles something and falls back to sleep, “Dammit.” I put her on my back, I don't know why but she looks so familiar. “Spike? Spike!?” Twilight screamed, “I'm up here.” Spike was on top where the seats are, “Don't move I'll get you down.” her horn glowed and he was covered in a purple aura, she levitated him onto her back, “Are you hurt?” “Aside from the headache I'm pretty much hunky-dory.” suddenly the entire floor shook, then it shook again, I know those monstrous footsteps from anywhere, “Out now!” the remaining group ran for the window, before the mare and I could escape the train was suddenly lifted up from the ground and I fell. The cart was positioned vertically and I grabbed a hold of one of the seats with one hoof while carrying the mare's dead weight with the other, the train slammed into something and I lost my grip of the seat and I hold the mare close to my body, I fall to the next cart and land back first to the bottom. I was winded once more and the train slammed into something again this time positioning the train to it's side, I was in such intense pain from the fall and because of it I had trouble just trying to crawl, I check the wound on my hip seeing that it only opened up a bit, I slowly lifted myself up and it felt like fire and shrapnel flowed through my veins, every muscle in my body locked in place from the pain and I was feeling light-headed. I fought off the drowsiness and placed the mare on my back only increasing the pain, “*groan*” behind me was one of the unicorn guards and next to him was the mauled remains of one of his comrades, “Fuck my life.” I walk to him and help him up, “Argh!” he screamed in agony, I look down and see that his left hind leg was nothing but a lump of flesh with exposed bone in the center, it looked as if it were chewed off, I rip one of the leather straps from the armor and tie it around his missing leg, “Just grab onto me I'll help you.” He wraps a hoof around my neck and we walk, “You're...helping...me?” he said in a weak, raspy voice, “Just keep walking.” I heard those footsteps again but they sounded farther than before, “I'm gonna lift you up to the window on three.” I told him as I placed the mare on the ground, “One, two, three!” I lift him up and my forelegs flared in pain, it felt like my arms were being crushed by a ten ton boulder, he grabbed the edge and he climbed up, “Grab her.” I pick her up and he pulls her up with a bit of difficulty, “Give me your hoof.” he tells me as he holds his out, I grab his hoof and he pulls me out and we jump off the train. I was hearing the footsteps again, it sounded like it was coming our way, “Can you walk?” “Kind of...” “Well you're gonna need to run.” it was coming even closer, “Get her to the tunnel.” I put the mare on his back, “What about you?” “Go!” I made sure the two of them were at a safe distance and I changed to my human form, the footsteps were closer than ever and the beast emerged from the other side of the mountain, “An Asterian Beast, how long was it since I last killed one?” it heard me and the armored demon on top of it ordered it to charge at me, “Damn.” The beast rammed through the train and I waited for the right opportunity to strike. Just mere feet from killing me it just stopped and let out an ear piercing roar, I covered my ears until it stopped, it turned around revealing the large motorized sword stuck in it's back, “I'd focus on me if I were you.” I heard Nero taunt on the other side. It roared at him and threw a train cart at him, Nero somehow jumped over both the train and the giant demon, he grabbed his sword and slid down the demon's back as he revved the handle. The demon roared in pain and fell to it's knees, I'm not surprised considering that it's spine was cut clean in two and it's internal organs were flowing out along with the gallons of blood, it's leg was grabbed by Nero's spectral arm and the demon was thrown off from the mountain, “Oh it was you he was after?” he said shocked, “I would've just let it eat you if I knew that. I guess this makes us even.” “You better find that giraffe you said you were gonna blow.” “You guys okay?!” behind him was everypony else, “Where's Fluttershy?” Rainbow Dash asked, “Who?” I heard somepony scream behind me and I felt something grab on to my legs, I look down and see it was the mare hiding behind me. Before I could ask what was wrong I saw the giant, gelatinous form of a Glutton coming out of the dark tunnel, in it's mouth was the pony with the missing leg, half of his face was eaten away exposing teeth and the pulsating small muscles in his face, “H-h-elp...m-me...” the Glutton used it's extra jaws and bit down on him, wet crunches filled the air and his internal organs fell to the ground getting screams from Rarity who then fainted. After it swallowed it slowly ran towards us, Nero gripped his sword and leaped into the air, “Eat this you fat fuck!” he shoved the large blade down it's throat, even so the demon still tried to eat him and his sword, Nero noticed his extra mouths and ripped through it's stomach and jumped off, the demon fell to the ground and ate his organs until it died. Nero swung his sword ridding it of excess blood and other fluids, “Can we walk the rest of the way?” he asked, “We can, Canterlot is just through this tunnel.” “Isn't there another way? That thing was in there who knows what else could be waiting for us.” Violet pointed out, “Unless you have wings or climbing gear there isn't.” “We have no other option so might as well brave through it.” I stated. Twilight's horn glowed again and shot a small ball of magic in the tunnel and it illuminated the darkness, “This spell will light the whole way.” “Cool.” Nero complimented, “Okay all of you stick together, if you have any bullets left use them for emergencies only. Violet, Nero, you take the lead and Zecora and I will take the rear.” “Would a 'please' kill you?” Violet and I glared at Nero. The inside of the tunnel looked like a portal to hell, all around us were the defeated soldiers of this country laying dead on the ground, splattered on the walls, some partially devoured, some partially regurgitated, others that can't even be recognized as ponies, cut to bits, burned or beaten to death and the stench only made it much worse, the only one that doesn't seem too affected by this was the hopping pink mare, “I love tunnels! Not this tunnel cause it has too many dead ponies but I love every other tunnel because there's always a pony at the end that mimics me watch! I'm Pinkie Pie!” she yelled and the tunnel echoed back, “No I'm Pinkie Pie!” she angrily yelled at the tunnel, once again it echoed, “No! I'm! Pinkie! Pie!” “Would you shut the fuck up!?” she got on my last nerve, the tunnel then echoed, “See now there's two ponies who copy us!” “Pinkie be quiet. Do you want more of them to come?” Twilight asked and Pinkie literally zipped her mouth shut, “Don't ask.” Twilight told me. There was a loud explosion and the entire tunnel vibrated, all of us ran until we were out of the tunnel, I wish we didn't. What stood in front of us was not Canterlot but what remains of it, the city walls were broken down and the buildings were burning nonstop, everywhere there were both civilian and military dead bodies, each of them having their own horrified expressions and others were buried under rubble, “Oh God...” Twilight cried as she witnessed the hell that was brought here. Something flew down in front of us and attacked Violet, she backflipped in time, “What the...” The thing that attacked her was some kind of white armored being standing upright on two legs pointing his golden sword at us, “Is that thing a demon?” Nero questioned, it revved it's sword and nearly chopped her in two if she didn't dodge, Nero shot it three times in the head but it still kept moving, I ran to it and dropkicked it using both of my feet only making it stumble, I grabbed his arm and broke it where the elbow was and stole his sword, I aimed for his head but it reacted quickly and used it's metal wings as a shield. I kept on swinging the sword forcing it back, 'I need an opening.' I faked an overhead chop and when it raised it's shield over it's head I aimed for it's waist and cut it in half. The armored being then evaporated into light, “A demon possessed a suit of armor?” I stared at the lights that flew into the night sky, there was another loud explosion coming from the weird looking palace, “We need to get the palace now!” Twilight said, I heard metal clanking and motors coming from above, at the last second I roll away from another living suit of armor, this one was a bit different because it was blue and used a lance, above it was an entire platoon of them flying in the sky, “Oh fuck me. All of you go ahead, I'll stay here.” “You're not seriously thinking about fighting all of-Nero!” Violet nearly shot him as he was walking away, “He said to go without him.” “Congrats you get the honor of staying behind with him.” “What!?” Nero and I said in unison, “Violet it's one thing to get transported into another dimension and it's another to find out that it's inhabited by ponies, but there is no fucking way in heaven or hell or any plane of existence that I will be willing to fight alongside him.” “Either that or I shoot you in the kneecap.” “So?” “And I sell the mustang.” he went quiet and clenched his teeth, “Fine.” “I'll stay as well.” Zecora said, “No, you go with them to the palace.” “Surely you are not suggesting, that she and me should work together fighting?” “I'm willing to hold back my hatred for the sake of everypony and so should you.” she growled and ran with the rest of them to the palace. Nero readied his sword and shot down one of the flying armored demons and I cut it down the middle while in mid air, two more came at us and Nero shot through their shields stopping them and I cut off their helmets in one swing. Another one flew straight down at me, I jumped up and stood on it's lance shoving the sword in it's chest. Three of them flew towards Nero, he grabbed the closest one and stabbed it with it's own lance using his spectral arm and launched the demon into the other three killing them, a demon came behind him and he used his sword to cut it down diagonally, “Just know that I don't like you.” he said as killed another one without looking at it, “Feeling's mutual.” I knocked the lance out of the demon's hand and stabbed it, I felt vibrations and around the corner came two Asterian Beasts, 'I'm not going to live am I?' **************************** Six minutes, barely six minutes and I was already killing demons, we were being chased by a pack of weird demon dogs with fiery skulls, “Dammit, dammit, dammit, dammit!” it was difficult since I was shooting at them and their skulls that they can shoot back, four of them were overhead and were sliced to pieces by Zecora's shadows, “We need to lose them!” “Zecora see if you could grab their attention!” she used her shadow to create wings for herself and took flight, “How is she capable of flight!?” Twilight asked very confused, “Don't know and right now don't care. All of you hide in one of the buildings!” they hid in what I think used to be a department store. I turned back for Zecora and see that she was having a bit of trouble flying, one of the dogs jumped for her throat and I shot it before it could take a chunk out of her, “Shape up and put your head back in the game!” I shot five more of them and the others came running for me, “That's right come here.” I said as I made kissy noises at them, I grabbed my sword and cut two of them in mid air, I saw some fire balls come at me and I shot them all with ease, before they could reach me black spikes sprouted and killed all of them, “Time is not on our side, put your foolishness aside.” “Says the one who almost got eaten.” we shot glares at each other hoping we could vaporize one another. They came out of hiding and we went back on track, “Hehe that rhymed Violet!” “Wait Pinkie how the fuck did you...nevermind.” I ignore what happened and kept on running. We ran into a park and decided to use it as a shortcut, the park was devastated, the trees were uprooted and others were burning, the jungle gyms were destroyed and they were covered in blood, “Eyes forward Violet.” I whisper to myself. The inside of my head began to tingle, “Stop!” I looked around and found nothing, 'Where are they?' not far from us were two upright lines moving, they got closer and turns out they were swords, “Get back!” they ran behind Zecora and I, those swords somehow swam through the hard earth as if it were water, one of them jumped out and I parried it's sword fused to it's back, “What kind of demons are these?” I felt the presence of two more behind me, I reach back and block both of them while Zecora dealt the finishing blow. More of them showed up and circled around us, “There's about seventeen here.” “I will handle this.” Zecora then summoned exactly seventeen shadows and they connected with each demon, before she could gloat three of the demons possessed suits of armor flew down, the middle one was white with gold accents wielding a feathered sword and the other two standing beside it were white with blue accents wielding lances, the gold one pointed it's sword at us and the other two attacked us, I stopped it with the broad side of Rebellion and Zecora used her shadows to wrap around it's lance. The armored thing twisted the handle of the lance and the two of us flew into a burning tree and knocked it down, the burning part fell on me though, “Violet!” all of them screamed, I push the burning bush off me and put out the little flames on my already ruined top, “I'm fine!” I say with a smile, I felt a sneeze come on and as soon as I did I unintentionally dodge an attack from the armored thing. I grab it by it's lance and throat and toss it to it's buddy who Zecora was fighting, she almost killed them but the gold one lifted it's sword again and in a blink of an eye the two blue one were flying right above him. All of them pointed their weapons to the space between them and formed a giant, black ball of demonic energy and shot it straight at me, I move to my right casually and the demon ball destroyed nearly three to four blocks of Canterlot, “*whistles* That's some move.” I chuck Rebellion into the chest of the gold one and all three of them blew up in an explosion of purple lightning, “But mine's better.” Rebellion flew back to my hand, “Violet, choose.” I turn to Zecora and she was staring at two gold plated demons, one an Arch Demon and the other a Throne Demon, “Can you still fly” her shadow automatically morphed into wings, “Guess I'll take on the Throne.” she bolted to the sky and the Arch Demon followed her. The demon in front of me powered it's ax and ran to me, I swing Rebellion straight at the ax and lodged it in it's weapon, the demon pushed me back and I stand firmly to the ground, the demon roared and a gust of rotting flesh, sewage plant, pennies, and onions all rolled into one hit me right in the face, “*coughs* Oh God I taste it!” my eyes watered and I push it back, the both of us swung our weapons at the same time and I break through his ax and I decapitate it, even though I cut off his head he was still able to fight. The headless demon summoned another ax and attacked, I kept evading every one of it's swings and I tripped it, “I'm not even trying.” it stood back on it's goat legs and charged, I jump over it and place my sword in the direction of where it's running and it cut itself in half. I wipe off the blood on it's hide, “You're ancient but somehow still no fighting experience, paradox.” Suddenly I saw teeth tower over me and I felt them bite down, I prevented them from eating me in time and I jam Rebellion in the roof of it's mouth and it roared in pain. Whatever tried to eat me let go, “How does that thing sneak up on me!?” it was yet another Asterian Beast holding it's injured mouth, I called Rebellion back and it sliced through it's muzzle, I almost felt bad for it cause it's in so much pain, almost, the demon on it's head commanded it to eat me and I waited for it to come until black spikes pierced it's legs and stopped it dead in it's tracks. The spikes dug into it's legs and it roared even more, I heard muscles tearing and bones breaking inside it's giant body and it unexpectedly was torn to pieces from the inside. The black spikes disappeared and they retreated to Zecora who was standing next to the mares smiling in victory, “What's with the smile?” “Losing your edge are we? Almost eaten by that beast I see.” “You are so damn lucky you're Callidus's sister or I would beat the living shit out of you.” “Can we please get going already!” Rainbow Dash yelled at us, “Where to Twilight?” “Not too far, we just need to walk a few more blocks and it should lead us to the bridge of the palace.” there was another loud explosion coming from where Twilight said the palace would be. We ran to the palace, on the way there my head tingled again but it was starting to become more of a migraine, “Hold on, something's not right.” I jump up to one of the crumbling roofs that I deemed stable enough to stand on, I take one look at the palace and see the entire front gate was covered by a legion of demons desperately trying to break through the magical wards that kept them from reducing the palace to nothing, behind the wards was the Royal Guard doing their best to kill them using steel, lead, magic and explosives, “Explains the random explosions.” I jump back down to them, “Good news?” Twilight asked, “Bad, very bad. The only entrance to the palace is blocked by hundreds of those fuckers and the only thing stopping them from destroying it is the magic ward but I don't think it will last, point is we need to find another way in.” “Twilight can't you teleport us inside?” Rarity asked, “The magic ward prevents me from using magic.” “You think we could fly in?” Rainbow Dash asked, “That's also futile, unless it breaks-” I heard that familiar sound of a seal breaking, behind me the ward that protected the palace was cracking, “Like that?” Applejack said dumbfounded. The ward finally shattered and the Royal Guard started to scream in agony, I gritted my teeth and pulled out Ebony and Ivory, “Twilight teleport everypony inside.” my tone turned dark and cold, she didn't say a word and they disappeared in a purple light, I ran to the sounds of battle and readied my sights, as soon as I saw a demon I let out a hailstorm of bullets. Blood, guts, sinew, brains, bones, metal, weapons, anything and everything that made up a demon was being splattered everywhere, nothing in my line of fire survived not even the gigantic Asterians, I had no idea how long I've been shooting but when I stopped the barrels of my guns glowed orange. I holster them and I look at what remained of the Royal Guard, some survived but most of them were K.I.A, “Those still breathing should get inside.” they looked at me in awe but when the other demons started to gather they turned tail and ran, I walked to the front gate of the palace and drew out Rebellion, “No way in hell am I gonna let any of you inside.” the first ones to step up were two suits of armor. They revved their lances and I cut both of them down in one motion, an Assault sprouted from the ground and I use the heel of my boot to crush it's windpipe, I lean back and dodge an Arch Demon's blade and I disemboweled it with ease. I leap out of the way of the Asterian's giant hand, I throw Rebellion at it's head and I cut off his upper jaw, the Beast Tamer fell off and I shot it before it could hit the ground, the weird earth-swimming demons from earlier showed up and I grab two of them by the blade and pull them out, I spun around and killed the other ones that jumped at me like idiots, after I dealt with them I threw the both of them at six Assaults in mid air and shredded them, I lean to my left an bit and I dodge an overhead chop from a Throne Demon behind me and I stab it right in the sternum with my elbow. I grab it's lower jaw and flipped it over my shoulder and impaled it with Rebellion, “You can't even hit me from behind? That's just sad.” I shot three of the demon dogs down without looking. There were five more but they were crushed by another Asterian Beast, “I'm getting real sick of you big pieces of shit.” I ran to it and I jumped to it's chest, I was engulfed by purple light and I tore through it like paper and I was swallowed whole by the other one behind it. I felt myself get lodged in it's throat and it swallowed even harder and I went down to the bottom of it's stomach, I fell in what I guessed was stomach acid because my hand began to tingle in the strange liquid, “Like Han Solo said, I thought they smelled bad on the outside.” it fucking reeked inside. I create a ball of lightning in my hand and illuminate the dark organ, inside with me were decomposing ponies, buildings, and carriages, “Weird.” I call back Rebellion and I cut a straight line across it's stomach lining. I jumped out and the Asterian held it's stomach wailing in pain and I chop off it's head, the Beast Tamer went for my throat but my sword was faster and it fell in two pieces, I felt a strong force sweep me off my feet and straight into the palace gate destroying it, after I stopped skidding across the ground my entire left side burned, I checked myself and my top got even more destroyed showing off my black bra, “EEP!” I felt my face burn up and I lift up my shirt trying to cover it up. Around me was the Royal Guard looking at me with clueless expressions and I look down at the ground full of embarrassment, “And in public too...” I tie up the shirt and my bra was hidden, the demons responsible were three suits of armor that was leading the other demons inside the palace, “You two better get here on time.” ************************************** “Shall we dance?” I bowed to the four lance wielding suits of armor, all of them came at me all at once and I grab two of them by their lances and threw them to the other two behind me and I throw the lances at all four of them, I look to where he is, “You need help there pal?” I said as he was cutting down three suits and two Assaults, if I was gonna be stuck with him might as well fuck with him a little, “First I'm not your pal. Second I don't need your help.” I knew he didn't want to admit it but he was worn down, his right shoulder was still bleeding, he got a few broken ribs and the right side of his burlap shorts was turning red, “Sure seems like it.” I guess I hit a nerve, “Don't you even think about going all egotistical on me.” “Whoa I was just stating the obvious.” I put my hands up only pissing him off further, “You really wanna hit me. I can tell because your pupils get smaller, you know what hit me. Give it your best shot.” his pupils got even smaller but then they grew back to normal, “After we finish things here.” I smirk making him steaming mad. We walk to the weird castle thing, “So let me get this straight this country is ruled by a monarchy?” “Yes.” he bluntly said while walking, “And who rules this country?” “Can you please shut up? I'm not in the mood for twenty questions.” we kept on walking, after a while things seemed a bit odd and he picked up on it, “Something's definitely not right.” he said, “It's starting to get quiet out here.” I focus my hearing and I heard gunfire and metal clashing coming from the palace, “They got inside.” “Oh shit, we better hurry.” he started running and I followed him. He stopped and ran to a demolished carriage, “What the hell are you doing?” he rummaged through every box, bag and body until he held up something rectangular, “What's that?” he opened it revealing a crate full of hand grenades, “Grenades, this carriage was how they transported weapons and rations to the front lines.” he shoved the box to my chest and he went back for more stuff, he came back out with two M9 Berretas and an AR 15 attached with a scope, “They made those in twenty years?” he pointed to the box in my hand, “Don't bother pulling the pins just throw them to where I tell you, I'll do the rest.” he walked away leaving me confused about his plan, “Any chance you're gonna tell me what you're planning?” “Nope just do what I tell you.” fucking asshole. The palace was literally around the next corner and he walks inside the building closest to it, “Get ready.” he set up the rifle on a table near the window, “I heard about vetoes but this is beyond overreaction.” I quipped as I saw the hordes of demons enter the palace, along with them was Violet killing them off, “Throw one to the far left side.” I pulled one out of the box and chucked it to a large portion of the horde, he shot the grenade once it hit the ground and anything in it's range was turned to mince meat, “One to your right.” another grenade landed to the right and it exploded, the ones who didn't blow up gathered at the center of the palace gate, “Now throw two at the crowd.” two of them flew directly at them, one of the living suits of armor caught one while the other hit his foot and in an instant the entire group was disintegrated, “Why don't you just pull the pins?” “Sometimes there will be that one demon smart enough to throw a live grenade back at the pony who threw it, plus this is a little more accurate than letting it roll on the ground for a little before it could detonate. Another one to your left.” I hate to admit it but that was actually kind of smart. The demons were now less in numbers, “Now we have a good chance of fighting them head on.” he gave me the rifle and he jumped out the window, I laughed and went to the palace. On the way there I killed three Assaults in one swing, a demon dog jumped to bite me but was killed by a bullet from Callidus, behind him was an Arch Demon about to behead him until I shot it in the head, “I'm out.” I said as I emptied the shells from Blue Rose, instinct told me to move back and a lance nearly stabbed me and I kill the suit but inside of it was a demon dog who leaped for my head but I grabbed his head with my demonic hand and squished it. I turn and use the demon's body to bat away the weird fish demons in to a wall, I saw a black ball come at me and at the last second I dodged it but it hit Callidus instead and he was hurled into the palace. I grab the middle one with the spectral hand and crush it in my palm, the other two flew to me at top speed ready to kill and I simply turn my body and both of them pierced the ground, I stab the left one in the torso and I threw the other one at a group of those possessed suits. Inside the palace grounds Violet was helping Callidus stand, “You're still alive?” he was covered in soot and burn marks, I could smell his skin which was still burning, he pointed an M9 to my head and shot the Throne behind me, “Nopony kills you but me.” “Okay the whole 'pony' suffix is getting annoying.” he walked past me and shot at six Assaults. I saw an Asterian scaling the outer wall, “I don't think so jackass!” I reached for his face with my spectral arm and launched myself to it and kicked it off the wall. As it was falling I saw a suit of armor flying in my direction, I jump off the beast and onto the back of the demon armor, I held on to the nape of the neck and fling it through the mouth of the Asterian killing both instantly. I was falling and I reach for an Arch Demon about to take flight, I propel through the air and the heels of my boots crush both his rib cage and skull so hard I made it's internal organs external, “I had worse landings.” I saw a fireball in my peripheral and I lean back in time to dodge, “I hate dogs.” I glared at the pack of demon dogs ready to pounce, two of them lunge at me and Red Queen cut them in halves, another one attacked and I grab it by the neck, “I wonder...” I place the demon on my shoulder and took aim at the other mutts, I pull the nape and it shot a fireball at one which killed four when it made impact, I smile and shot at the remaining demon turning them to ash. The demon on my back nearly took a bite of my face and I grip both of it's jaws and tear it halfway to the stomach, an Assault jumped out from the ground surprising me and it's claws slashed my abdomen, I take a few steps back from the Assault screeching at me and hold the wound I received, “Is that all you got?” it shot it's claws at me and I raised Red Queen to my head and block them, I take the chance to attack and it raises it shield, before I brought it down I rev the handle and cut through it's defense. It screamed as it bled out, “Sweet dreams.” I rev the handle again and I felt the blade slash through both muscle and metal, turns out it was two suits of armor and a Glutton, I killed all but the Glutton because my sword only cut half of it's stomach releasing the acidic bile onto the floor, “You needed to lose the extra weight.” it growled and used it's jaws to bite down on Red Queen. It pulled me closer and used it's third mouth to eat my head, I let go of my sword and it tries to eat it, “Hey that metal ain't cheap fatass!” I grab a discarded sword buried in the ground and cut the other half that I couldn't reach exposing it's intestines, 'Shit, still not deep enough.' the only thing keeping it together was the single chunk of meat on his left, it tossed my sword aside and chased me, I slide under it and it trips, “C'mon you gotta work for your meal.” it used it's elbows to crawl to me. I pick up Red Queen and I place a foot on it's head, “Sorry pal, kitchen is closed.” I cut off it's head and watch it roll away. It was then stomped on by a Beast Tamer, “What? You want an apology for killing your pet demon?” it snarled and swiped it's claws at me erratically, I kneed it right where the diaphragm should be and it wheezed loudly, “That had to hurt.” I uppercutted it with the demon arm and it's head snapped back hard enough to break it's neck. A Throne Demon came in to bite me and instead bit down on my arm, “What's wrong? Tough to chew?” I jam Red Queen into it's chest and felt it's jaw loosen it's grip. Above me were eight suits of armor, seven blue and one gold, “I'm right here!” the gold one motioned them to attack and three of them aimed their lances, “C'mon!” I say as I beckon them to come, they flew down to me and I punch one down using the space between my arm to dodge, the other two thrust their lances at me and I stand on one hand making them unwittingly kill each other. The demon I punched used it's metal wings to hit me directly in the face breaking my nose even further, it lunged at me with the lance and I catch it with my spectral arm only mere inches from my heart, “That was close.” I fling it over my head and smash it into hard ground hard enough for it to dismantle. I grip the lance and launch it at the gold one but two of the blue ones used their wings to deflect it, “Well that was a bust.” the two blue ones that protected it were now beginning to turn bright red, the gold one flicked it's wrist and they threw themselves at me in unbelievable speeds, the force of the impact was enough to send me flying back a few feet and land on my back, I felt a shooting pain right in my abdomen and it was a piece of metal, 'Leave it.' I left it alone fearing that if I pulled it out I wouldn't stop bleeding. I focus back to the other demons and the remaining four was conjuring up that same black ball of demonic energy. I was ready to dodge but suddenly one of them got assaulted by bullets, once it evaporated into light the others were destroyed by their own power, “I'm out.” Behind me was Callidus who looked like hammered shit, he tossed the empty guns aside and picked up a lance, “Guess I'll just tear them apart the old fashioned way.” the horde began to grow in numbers, saying that we were outnumbered would be an understatement, “The fun is just getting started.” I heard Violet comment as she walked next to us looking like a white trash 16 year old, “Why are you wearing it like that?” Callidus asked very confused, “Shut up!” she snapped while getting a shade of red. The horde was now fully assembled, we stood our ground ready to wipe them out like cliché movie characters when the first wave of demons suddenly were blasted by a beam of yellow magic, “What the fuck!?” then a dark blue blur streaked past the second wave and all of them literally fell to pieces. The third row was then attacked by a white blur and they suffered the same fate, “Holy shit!” I was amazed by how they quickly dispatched them, killing them like flies, the surviving wave then turned around and ran away from the palace, “Wait why are they running?” my train of thought was broken when two ponies landed in front of me. One was white and tall wearing golden armor that gave off it's own light and the other was slightly shorter that the white pony but she was a dark blue wearing indigo armor that looked as if it were made out space itself, behind us the other ponies cried out in victory and praised them, “Looks like we won.” as soon as I said that Callidus fell to the ground finally succumbing to his injuries. ***************************************************** A black limousine sped through the lonely, barren streets of the city, it was occupied by a man in his late forties looking out the passenger window as he combed his dirty blonde hair, “How was your evening sir?” the chauffeur asked the, “And who gave you permission to speak?” he said in a very sophisticated like manner, “My apologies sir.” “Next time you do that, oh wait it won't happen next time now will it?” his tone changed to a very menacing one, “No sir.” “Excellent, inform me once we arrive.” he pushed a small button and it rolled up the driver window, “Incompetent, foolish, idiotic, there is not one negative word in the English language that does not describe them.” he said as he fixed the blue tie around his neck. After hours of driving the chauffeur rolled down his window, “We arrived sir.” “Finally something you can do right.” the limousine drove up to a security booth, “What brings you here at this hour?” “Mr. Manudey is here to inspect his new warehouse.” the security guard went pale and stiff, “Of course.” The gate opened and the chauffeur drove inside. Once he was parked he got out the vehicle and opened the door for the well groomed man, “Wait in the car and if you see any outsiders or an old Russian man, don't hesitate to run them over.” he said with a smile as he patted the chauffeur on the shoulder. He opened the door to the large warehouse, inside were two large men standing between an old man in his early sixties being held up by spears that were punctured into his arms, his face was black and swollen and looked as if it would pop it you stuck a needle in his face, “Mister Vladimir Putin! So good to see you again old friend!” the two men step aside and let him through, “My, my, my time has treated you so well. Did you enjoy your flight to the United States?” Vladimir spat blood in his face and he simply laughed as he wiped the blood off, “Ah Vladimir, always a barrel of laughs right boys?” he laughed and so did they. Vladimir began to curse at him in Russian until he was silenced by him, “Oh how I hate Russian. It's so gruff and barbaric, it makes even it's native speakers sound as though they have some sort of mental disability. So I will only say this once and if I am forced to repeat myself I will rip out your kneecaps with my bare hands, so please in English.” he released his grip on Vladimir's mouth, “You fucking monster! Do you really believe you will get away with this!? This is an act of war! Once the world knows about you, you will die a fiery, painful death!” he simply continued to laugh, “I don't like many people but you. You! I like you very much.” “How can such an evil man like you exist!? I've been nothing but loyal to you and your empire yet you-” he closed his hand to mimic a closed mouth and Vladimir went silent, “But we are not here to discuss how much I like you.” He snapped his fingers and a chair rose up from the concrete floor and he sat down, “You see we are here to discuss what happened in the Ukraine.” he opened his hand and Vladimir could speak again, “That was not our fault we had to take action!” “Oh really, then who was it that decided to allow Russian troops to enter Ukraine?” Vladimir went silent, “Exactly. Now what I would like to know is why, and without my consent?” “Like I said-” he stood up from the chair in anger, “You almost caused a civil war! Do you have any idea how embarrassed I was to find out that I had absolutely no control over this situation!? You say you and all of Russia will forever be loyal to me but yet once I allow you to run things for a while you decide to become an asinine, pathetic excuse for a leader!” he struck Vladimir so hard the spears broke from the force and his body hurled into a wall and made a dent. He walked to him and kicked him making another dent on the wall, he grabbed his arm and snapped it with one hand causing Vladimir to scream in agony, “Do you have any idea how annoying it is to micro manage?” he pulled him up and sat him on the wall, “Here's a question, if you answer it right I will put you in my private jet and take you home, you have three chances. What makes the world go around?” Vladimir was confused by his question but decided to try, “Money?” “No, that answer is amazingly common. Two chances left.” he began to panic, “Love?” “BWAHAHAHA! No, one chance left, remember this is your ticket home.” his heartbeat was pounding in his chest and his breath became shaky and rapid. After a minute he got an answer, “Time?” “Ooh that was a very good answer but sadly it's not he right answer.” Vladimir was now on the verge of a heart attack, “The correct answer is me. I make this small world of yours revolve around the sun everyday, I grace your weak species with my mercy and kindness. You see I decided to rule over this...civilization simply because you are too much of savages to take care of yourselves. If there is one thing I hate in this life more than anything is chaos, and your kind is so full of disorder and mayhem that I could not just sit by and let you destroy yourselves with war, famine, and disease. So I came to this world and restored it's long lost harmony with my rules.” “My rules are what keeps you from self destruction. Now there will be some of those renegades that try to defy me and go against my rules, and you know what I do to them? I exterminate them, crush them, eat their very souls. To prevent more I had to take a few drastic measures to keep your kind loyal only to me, now that I achieved that I gain responsibilities like running the economy, controlling countries, making sure the world has food and clean water. But those luxuries come at a price, and that price is for you and the other figureheads around the world to simply do what I say and when I say it, no matter how heinous it may be, this is how I maintain order in this world. Point is nothing gets me more furious or frustrated such as having unruly humans go against my wishes and not because they decided to be rebellious but because these soft, weak, gullible, insane fucking pieces of shit think they are special in some way that they decide to cause even more chaos. All it takes is one drop and the ripples will cover the entire pond, meaning if one small group decides to not bow others will follow suit. You almost caused that ripple to spread even further, and if you humans decide to rise up against me I will be forced to destroy this world. Because I would rather have a world filled with the ashes of what it used to be rather than a world full of disobedient dogs that do not heed their master's command!” Vladimir was beyond fear, he was frightened to the point that he stopped breathing, he didn't even move. He stood up and began to walk away, “Oh I almost forgot.” he flexed his fingers and Vladimir was cut to slices, “I want this place spotless by tomorrow.” “Yes Mr. Manudey.” the two men began to clean as he walked out of the building. The chauffeur opened the door for him and they drove away.