Mal Acte

Corrupt continued down the road as instructed for hours. He reached the edge of Manehattan as the sun began to reach the middle of the sky. Looking towards the city made him smile. It was time for his first big hit.

“Manehattan looks huge.” He stated out loud as he walked down the bridge that lead into the inner city. He was tired and craved sleep, but he was so close to starting his mission.

Indeed, which is why I have to warn you not to begin the moment you get in...

“What? Why not?” Corrupt asked. The voice didn’t answer him for a moment. He yawned. “Well?”

The reason is clear Ace... You are tired and need to rest.

Corrupt rolled his eyes. “Sleep is for the weak. I could do this in my sleep anyway, I’ll rest afterward. Besides, it is you who told me that we couldn’t take peacefully little rests.”

You aren’t immortal Ace. I realize I said we couldn’t rest, but we haven’t started just yet. If we rushed in now, you could be shut down immediately without opposition.

Corrupt went silent as the voice continued to lecture him. He walked towards the city at a slow pace. I guess he is right… “Fine, I’ll rest up when we get into the city.”

Do you have an idea where? The voice asked. Corrupt thought about it for a moment.

“I’m sure we can find somewhere.” He concluded.

Corrupt went into the alleyway. “Wow, this city is huge. I’ll never find a good place to sleep.” He made it to the middle of the two exits and leaned up against the walls of a building. He looked towards the sky. It was barely there between the two buildings.

Rest here Ace… Without even responding he slumped over on his side. He yawned once more and closed his eyes.

“We’ll start the mission after I’m rested, right?” He asked already being to feel slumber overcome him.

Yes, once you awake. The voice confirmed. A cocky smile took over Corrupt’s face as his mind began to drift away from reality.

Hours passed as Corrupt slept. Nopony came through the alleyway and he remained hidden throughout his entire rest. The day had shifted into night by the time Corrupt became conscious again. The alleyway was dark and the only light inside was broughten by a light near the backdoor to one of the buildings.

Corrupt began to stand and stretch. Alright. he thought to himself as he made sure he could move everything comfortably. Yeah, this is much better… Even though the ground was kinda rough… His thoughts were interrupted however.

Ace, are you ready? The voices asking to confirm once before they allowed him to begin.

“You know it.” He answered in his cocky fashion and headed towards the end of the alleyway. What he saw amazed him at first. Even though it was clearly night, many ponies were still out and about tending to their own business. Lights from advertisements, apartments and just plain street lights lit up everything. Corrupt had to take a moment to admire everything. “Wow, this is quite the sight. I’ve never seen anything like it.” Corrupt spoke out loud.

A new adventure is sure to bring new surprises Ace, you of all ponies should know that. The voice told him. Corrupt had told his friend about all sorts of adventures that he had been on. None of them had a meaning like this one however.

“I do know that.” Corrupt stated. “But now it’s time to begin.” Corrupt walked down the sidewalk, looking for the perfect building to begin his mission. He came across a duller looking building with the front sign that read “Manehattan Police Force”.

Man, I know what this building needs… Corrupt’s horn began to glow and a wild smile grew as he aimed towards the buildings. Some ponies saw this and began to back again. Corrupt let his shot charge a moment before letting a magical blast off into the building’s front door.

He smiled as the front half exploded. Rumble fell from the sky and all that anypony could see was smoke and fire. Ponies around screamed and ran. Corrupt admired his work for a moment, a few ponies managing to stumble or even crawl out of the once proud structure. He looked around then and couldn’t hold it in.

“This is gonna be so fun!” He said nearly hopping for joy. “I can’t wait to tear this place down to the ground!” Ponies around him scrambled in all directions. Corrupt took aim at the next building and began to charge his attack. His target now was a four story high structure.

With a blast, it tumbled over on itself. Once a large well built establishment was now only rumble with many ponies under. There was without a doubt casualties. “This is just way too easy.” He said to himself over all the noise of panic.

Don’t get cocky Ace.

“Don’t worry about it. I got this.” Corrupt said.

Building after building fell. The screams of many could be heard through the crumbles and crashes. Corrupt felt so happy. He was destroying everything in sight. The only safe area was underground, in which few ponies were lucky enough to escape to.

To Corrupt, he was pleasing his friends. All this pain and suffering from everypony else meant nothing. He knew that he could make them happy and that’s all that mattered anymore. With each blast and every structure down, he was making them happy.

The entire center of the city was reduced to rubble before something even dared to intimidate Corrupt. After dropping another building without a probably, Corrupt heard a sound he was unsure about. He looked around trying to find the source. It got louder until finally Corrupt looked up. A helicopter slowly drifted to the ground.

Once the helicopter stopped its engine, the door opened. Two heavily armored earth ponies stepped out. They didn’t approach Corrupt however. No words were said, the mental battle went on in silence. That is until another pony stepped out of the helicopter.

“I thank you for waiting.” The unicorn stepped out. He had little armor. Only over his chest and neck was there any protection. His maroon coat glowed in the fire from the burning crumbled buildings in the area. He had a violet colored mane that was straight and clean.

“Not a problem.” Corrupt answered. His mouth couldn’t help but form a small smile. This pony was different, Corrupt knew this.

Ace, this is dangerous, you must be careful.

“I know that.” Corrupt said, answering his friends.

“Oh, what do you know?” The opposing unicorn asked as he levitated a double edged sword from out of the sheath. The question caught Corrupt off guard.

“What? Oh, no, I was just answering my friend you see.” He answered honestly. Like it will matter anyway, you’ll die just like everypony else who will try and stop me.

“Ah of course. How could I ever think you were alone in this.” The unicorn said. “Anywho, although it is not my name, I am known as Divine. I have come to stop this outrageous act you have brought upon Equestria.” His sword pointed towards Corrupt. The earth ponies now drew their swords as well.

“Well Divine, you can call me Corrupt. I can see you think you can stop me, let me change that.” Corrupt’s horn began to glow, but he was interrupted when Divine charged towards him in a single leap. Corrupt managed to dodge the sword that almost impaled him, but only by a few inches.

Divine swung again towards Corrupt. It was blocked by Corrupt’s armor. Corrupt used this opportunity to back away for some breathing air.

He moves quickly, too quickly. I’ll never hit him with a basic shot… Corrupt anticipated Divine’s next leap and was able to dodge this time without cutting anything close. Corrupt swung his hoof towards the opposing unicorn’s face, only to be knocked away. This opened him up for an attack which Divine dived for.

However once the sword drew near Corrupt, a small compulsion of magic knocked Divine a few feet away from Corrupt. “Well, it looks like that armor is something special.” He commented on the armor Corrupt was wearing.

“It is. Thank you for noticing that.” Corrupt said.

Divine is dangerous Ace, you won’t be able to blast him quick enough. Before the voice could finish, Divine dove again. Corrupt barely dodged again and decided to distance himself.

“I realize this, what should I do then?” Corrupt spoke softly. He is quick and I can’t outdo his sword skills easily. I need range…

“Attack!” Divine ordered and pointed towards Corrupt. The two earth ponies then charged after Corrupt. He only had seconds before they were right on top of him. The two swung their swords in opposite directions, forming an ‘X’ in their swipes.

Miraculously, Corrupt was not hit. Somehow he managed to move perfectly to make both swings miss. He was in a perfect position to counterattack. Launching himself onto his hindhooves, he came down on one of the ponies. The pony fell and began to stand again. His friend swung to get Corrupt away, however; in his haste, Corrupt was able to strike his target once again, this time with enough force to break bones.

The pony flew off his hooves and landed on his left side. Blood dripped out of his mouth. Corrupt turned to the other pony. He was already mid-swing for Corrupts head. He bounced back as well as the magic compulse to go off again. These factors are what saved Corrupt’s life.

The now enraged pony glared at Corrupt. As it looked that he would attack he was stopped.

“Halt!” Divine commanded. “You need to get him to safety.” Divine stepped towards Corrupt again. “Take the heli, I will defeat Corrupt.” The pony looked like he was going to argue, but nodded and returned to the helicopter with the wounded pony.

“I underestimated you Corrupt. I apologize, it won’t happen again.” Divine remarked as the helicopter took air.

“You shouldn’t have ever.” Corrupt’s horn began to glow as he charged a blast. Divine got in a ready stance.

“I will no longer.” Divine promised. “I also want you to know that you will never hit me with that blast.” He stated, completely focused.

“I don’t plan to.” Corrupt smiled and fired a fast blast towards the helicopter. A large explosion followed as remains of the helicopter fell from the sky. The explosion lit the area greatly for a moment. Divine knew what was done, he didn’t dare look back. Corrupt’s only issue was now in front of him.

“To kick ponies that are already down, you are pitiful.” Divine said.

“Had that been me fleeing from you or them, the same result would've happened. But now that you don’t have your backup crew, this should be an even fight.” Corrupt stated. The two stood still, both waiting for the other’s move.

So my friends are protecting me with some magical blast barrier… That won’t be good enough though. What to do, what to do..? Corrupt thought to himself. These were interrupted by Divine making a dash for Corrupt.

Dodging the first strike, Corrupt stepped outward. However, this is just what Divine wanted. With a sidestep, Divine’s sword went for Corrupt’s neck. Corrupt couldn’t manage to move in time to dodge the blow, his only choice was to reflect it. He did so with his left hoof. Divine countered this with a quick jab for an open spot on Corrupt’s left arm. This time Corrupt was hit.

Divine got back before he drove too deep into a fight, Corrupt was now bleeding. “You show promise. It is saddening that it must be cut so short.” Divine commented. A droplet of blood falling off the sword.

The glow of the nearby fire’s only made the fight more intense. Corrupt’s mind was racing. He knew he came close to dying there, he didn’t think that Divine would be as fast or elegant with his sword.

“I don’t want to die.” Corrupt stated. Though aimed for the voices, Divine heard this too.

“After all you have caused Corrupt, I cannot allow you to live.” Divine told him. “Is that you giving in?”

Ace, focus. He is fast and his style is harder to predict then it would seem. However, I need to you to listen…

“No answer?” Divine said, launching himself back towards Corrupt. This time, Corrupt had the upper hand. Even though wounded, Divine went for an attack too early. Corrupt punished this by moving against it and knocking Divine a few feet back with a left hoof towards the chest. The force only knocked air out of Divine. Corrupt went to dive in towards Divine.

Ace halt! Now is your chance focus not on Divine, allow him to recover. Corrupt didn’t want to listen but he did. Stopping himself from charging, Corrupt put even more distance between the two. Ace focus on the ground behind him. Make that your mind.

Divine recovered within this time. Corrupt’s armor began to glow, as well as his horn. Now Ace, do you feel that magic growing? This will help you win this fight.

“How?” He whispered, low enough so Divine didn’t hear. A sudden aura encased Corrupt completely then linked to the edge of his horn.

Shoot that behind him and be ready to strike behind you. Corrupt aimed his horn and shot. Divine thinking it was an offensive shot, dodged it. It struck the ground behind him. Corrupt was now behind Divine, back to back.

Divine now wore a panicked expression as he turned. Corrupt was in mid-swing for his face. Not having enough time, Divine was hit into the air. Corrupt then charged a blast as Divine began to stand again.

He shot and it directly struck Divine, this time knocking him into a pile of building debris. Corrupt smiled, Divine lay there in the debris not moving.

“You were a good fight Divine, but nopony stands in my way.” Corrupt stated to the limp body. He looked at his earned cut. It had bled a good amount of blood now.

Ace, we need to leave. The voice told him in his head. Quickly, Corrupt levitated a large band-aid patch over the cut.

“Where do we go?” He asked making sure it was firm.

To the edge of this city, near the coastline of land. You’re going to have to swim Ace. The voice instructed. Corrupt nodded and turned to Divine one last time.

“Nice try.” He said before he headed for the edge of the city.

From the center to the edge was a long way. Ponies were now everywhere, ones looking for him specifically. Corrupt cut through alleys that still existed and climbed over and in rumble to avoid these ponies. His mission now was to escape.

Most lights were now off, giving Corrupt the advantage to get away. After he made it out of the center of the city, where all still remaining buildings existed, Corrupt ducked and weaved through alleys to get towards the edge. He didn’t want to be seen by anypony or  only problems would arise.

After the longest game of hide and seek Corrupt has every played, he made it to the edge. He looked over the safety railing. A rather large drop remained. He looked towards the shore, all he could see was the moonlight reflecting onto the water. It wouldn’t stay like that for long though. Soon day would come, and finding him would be a lot easier. Without another doubt or thought, Corrupt leapt over the railing and dove for the water.

With a large splash and a few moments under the water, Corrupt surfaced again. He began to swim for the shore. It was a long way, but he was sure he could make it.

“Hey,” He said talking to nopony but his ‘friends’. “What was that spell?”

It’s an ancient way of teleporting a short distance. It’s dangerous, but if used correctly can turn tides in battles like the earlier one.

“Cool, thanks for saving me back there.” Corrupt said. “Now I can get us to shore, just give me a bit.” He assured as he swam away from the city. He was happy with what progress he had made. I will have to return sometime to finish this though… He thought to himself.