//------------------------------// // 21. Death // Story: SweetieMash Minecraft Adventures : Return of the Nightmare. // by CristalGalaxy //------------------------------// Button's hoof gave out under him and he toppled to the ground, groaning in pain. Rumble briefly thought about helping him up, but the Wraith was standing between them. Sweetie Belle slightly shuddered in her sleep, and the Wraith rushed to her, the speed making her almost blur. She grabbed her neck with her front hooves and protectively laid her muzzle on it, as if defending her food. "Sweetie Belle!" shouted both Rumble and Button before coldly glaring at each other. Diamond took a step forward, her sword ready, but the Wraith hissed and bared her fangs, clutching a little tighter onto Sweetie's neck. The bright light of the torch was making her fangs shimmer and glow. Diamond reluctantly stopped. "I was given," snapped the Wraith, "strictorders. You guys ain't normal ponies that disappear like smoke once we kill them! Oh no, I'll be able to rejoice with your corpses once I'm done with you! I'll finally get to eat!" Diamond's ears perked up : "Strict orders? By who?" "Why our god of course!" snickered her opponent. "The one who created us all!" The foals looked at each other, puzzled : "Celestia?" asked Rumble. The Wraith snarled. "Luna?" tried Button, confused as ever. "I don't know who those ponies are!" "Oh!" exclaimed Diamond Tiara, nodding. "GameSpark!" "Yes, I believe that's him. The minion said something about neutralising you... Anything amongst those lines..." "The minion? Starlight Shield..." murmured Button. "I had completely forgotten about her!" The end of his sentence ended in heavy coughing as a little blood poured from his mouth. The Wraith curiously looked at it, licking her lips in envy. Just for a second, she was distracted, and that was when Sweetie Belle's hoof slammed into her face, sending her stumble a few hoof steps back. "This time," she screamed, getting up and grabbing her sword, "I'll finish this!" She landed a first hit and the Wraith dodged with surprising speed. She rolled to the side and got up, panting. For a split second, Sweetie saw her hoof readjust her hoodie, making sure it wouldn't fall back and reveal her face. Weak spot captured! She dived back into 'battle' and swung her sword towards the monster. It jumped backwards, almost crossing her eyes as the shimmering object came close to her muzzle. Even though Sweetie hated to admit it, her opponent had good reflexes and a strong body, maybe even stronger than her. Plus, fighting against something without a lower body was really destabilizing... But she was going to end it all. The sword came back again, and this time she aimed the hoodie. The Wraith tried getting away in panic and slipped, banging her head hard on the corner of a block. Her eyes widened and she shook her head, blood falling from her ears, her hooves collapsing under her weight. She didn't have the time to make a second move or get up, the sword was already on her neck, pressing against her fur. She didn't even dare swallow due to its dangerous sharpness. All the foals stared in awe at the speed everything had happened. The two fighters were most certainly skilled at a high level. "Okay darling" groaned Sweetie, her grip firm. "I have no idea why the hell you're so attached to your hoodie, but it's a weakness. You should get rid of it. Not that it matters since you'll die. But maybe you guys get a second life in this game..." The red eyes staring at her glowed a little more : "Maybe... I'm glad I'm having such a fitting death though. You fight well, meal..." Blood was spat out and some landed on Sweetie Belle's cheeks as a brief laugh escaped her enemy's mouth. "Not so bad yourself, loser." She smiled and the Wraith smiled back, a faint smile. More blood flowed out her mouth and she groaned. "No need to kill me with that sword of yours. I created quite some damage in my head. I doubt I'll survive any longer... My hearts are going down rapidly. I only have one left." "Then I wish a happy death to you," murmured Sweetie Belle, taking the blade of her neck. She backed away a bit and the hint of a smile appeared on her lips. "See you in another life." "Yeah, I'll be..." cough!"... waiting..." the grin returned. "Let's go guys," said Sweetie, leaving. Button and Rumble finished eating their steaks in a hurry and warily trotted off behind her. Diamond cast one last look at the unmoving form of the Wraith, watching the movement in her chest get slower. Then she went after the group, picking up the torch as she did so. The Wraith shakily smiled to herself, feeling numb. "That's what happen when I'm weak. What a stupid death..." she tried coughing out some more blood, found she couldn't and chocked a little. The light was fading away from the cave and she was surrounded by darkness. With the last of her breath, she disappeared with a smile, smoke replacing the place where she had been. The silence came back, and it was as if nopony had ever been there. Sweetie continued forward, her head high and her eyes shimmering. She closed them, trying to push away the odd pain in her heart. Her teeth clenched together and a few emerald sparks emanated from her horn. For making all these monsters appear, have feelings and just letting them die, I swear to Celestia I'll make sure you never harm anypony again, either they're real or fake... GameSpark...