Everfree Forest

Aria slams her fist into a tree, completely destroying it as Adagio and Sonata were in the cave, discussing on what they should do. “Damned human… I knew I should’ve killed him that day.” She looked back towards the cave and looked into the forest as her eyes flashed red, seeing her target who was just a distance away as she smirks darkly, walking into the forest towards Zero.

Zero walks outside, drying his hair as he just got out of the shower. He throws his towel back inside and shuts the door, looking up at the stars and moon as he sighs peacefully. The night always made him calm, collected, and ready for anything as even though this world is a bit peaceful if he doesn’t count the blood-thirsty animals, but as the saying goes, where there is beauty, there will always be danger right around the corner.

He then notices something was wrong. It was quiet… too quiet for his liking as he looks around, not hearing any creatures that usually be out at night. Before he could do anything though, a red bolt of lightning struck his left shoulder, sending him flying into a tree a couple of yards away from his house.

Zero then snaps his fingers several times, lightning bolts striking down into the darkness as he huffs and puffs. He grunts in pain as he held his left arm, hearing laughter all around him as a light green mist swirled around him, making him lose focus a bit as a red stream of lightning shot towards him. He rolls out of the way as he glares into the darkness, “Who the hell are you?” 

Aria grins, loving the look on his face as within an instance she was right in front of him, landing a solid gut punch. He coughs up spit with a bit of blood as he looks up at her, growling. “Lets just say… I’m the one who will break you so you won’t stand in our way.” Before he could do anything to retaliate, a blood-red electrical energy covers her fist as she punches him in the face, sending him flying through a couple of trees as she uses her speed to punch him again and again. Ping-ponging him back and forth through the air as she becomes faster and faster, making herself look like a blur as she grabs him and throws him into a boulder in the ground.

Zero falls to the ground, spitting out blood as he wipes his lips. His body began to spark up as he grinds his teeth in anger, hearing her laughter in the distance as he stood up straight, his energy pulsing throughout the area as lightning struck down on him as he just glares at the darkness.

Aria continues to laugh as she was in a pouncing position, grinning as she licks her lips before sprinting at him. “What’s wrong? Can’t catch up?!” She ran circles around him as all he could see were her sparks of electricity and blur as she stops to hit him either in the face or stomach once in a while, continuing to laugh in his face. Aria then decides to finish him as goes behind him, her sparks were still going around him to make him think she was still there as she as pounces at him. Her fist glowed as she reels it back and lands the hit. 

She smirks but goes wide eyed as her fist was in his hand. She looks up at him in complete shock as he stares right back down, his eyes flashed as he smirks right back, “My turn…” Before she could do anything, within a blink of an eye, his fist connected with her stomach, making her cough up a bit of spit.

Zero swung a left hook, but Aria came out of her trance and dodged the attack. She then threw an uppercut to the chest, making the Zero grunt in pain as he stumbles back and held his stomach, heaving heavily.

“Come on human. Is this all you got?” She taunted.

Zero glares at the female in front of him as he sends out another EMP. But Aria was ready as she sent one out of her own as both of their EMP attacks clash for a bit as he tries push hers back, but she just exerts even more power, dispersing his attack. “Hmph, to think that you were going to be trouble. You’re just a pebble to me.” Aria taunted as she gets back in her battle stance.

Zero roared and blasted forward, his hands covered in an electrical aura. He threw his punches at the female, but she easily dodged the attacks and grabs his fists as they were in a standoff. He had a chance to look into her violet-like eyes and saw anger, hatred, and something else he couldn’t quite see.

Aria stared right back, glaring up at him as their electrical auras sparked against each other. What she saw in his eyes was anger and confusion. They were both locked in their trance with each other as Zero manages to snap out of it as his leg sparked up as he tries to kick her, but she caught it just in time.

“Pathetic.” She headbutts his chin, making him let go of her other hand as she jumps up a bit and roundhouse kicks him in the face which sent him flying back towards his house as he manages to catch himself before he went through it.

Aria came speeding at him and threw fast punches at him, but he dodged them. Zero then threw an uppercut, but she pulled her head back just in time. The siren jumped back and charged up, red lightning striking down onto the ground. Zero charged up as well as his purple lightning clashes with her red lightning as they both roar at each other and charged. The two clashed, their sheer power created a massive EMP dome as it emitted throughout the forest and almost into PonyVille as they were pushing each other back.

“So I see you’re a psyker like me. Also, it is rude to attack someone you just met you since I don’t even know who you are so why come and attack me huh?!” Zero shouted, trying to push her back but to avail.

“A psyker like you? Ha! Don’t make me laugh, you’re nowhere near my level. And you may try to interfere with our plans!!” Aria shouted back as she also tries to push him back but to avail.

“Our? So there are more of you elf-like creatures out there trying to kill me!?” Zero grunts in pain as his body was starting to strain from how much power he was sending out as they intertwined their fingers. They both glare at each other as they started head-butting each other, growling and grunting pain as their power began to shake the earth beneath them. Both of their eyes glowed brightly, hers red and his purple as they yell at each other one last time before they both landed their last head-butt, a massive lightning bolt struck down where they were as all was quiet till a massive explosion of pure energy decimates part of the forest and Zero’s house.

Zero pants heavily, grunting in pain as he tried to get up but couldn’t. His whole body ached as blood trickled down from his forehead as he held his side, sighing in frustration as he sees that the explosion completely destroyed his house as he continues trying to get up till he heard a spark-like sound. He looks back in front of him as he sees the female coming at him, her hand completely covered in a blade-like aura.

Aria’s blade of lightning dragged against the ground as she walks towards him, glaring at him but she had a smug grin on her face. “Done already huh? Fine then, I’ll just end this now.” Aria lifted up the blade as Zero glares up at her, ready for it as she strikes down, only to be stopped by a metallic dragon-like hand. Her eyes widen as she looks up at Kiryu.

Zero smirks as he falls to the ground. Before he passed out though, he heard their conversation. “It’s been a long time since I saw you Aria…” He heard Kiryu say as he looks at the female.

“It has been Kiryu…” And with that, Zero passes out on the ground as Kiryu and Aria converse with each other.

The Nexus

Zero woke up, panting heavily as he checks himself. His wounds were healed and that he was in a bed somewhere as he gets up, hissing slightly as he hears Kiryu. Grabbing his clothes, which were cleaned and fixed up, he puts them on and heads out of the room as he saw Kiryu by the stove boiling some water. “Ahh, you’re awake. You took quite a beating that day…” He turns off the stove and pours two cups and puts tea bags in them.

“What happened? Who’s Aria and why did she attack me?”

Kiryu told him to sit, which he does as he brings both of their cups of teas and sat in front of him. “She attacked you because she believes you would interfere with her and her sisters plan to ruin Celestia and Equestria as a whole. But as you know, her name is Aria Blaze, and she’s a siren.” He puts a bit of sugar in his tea and takes a sip of it.

“And how do you know her?” Zero said as he puts some sugar in his too but eats a sugar cookie first.

“Lets just say me and her father go way back…”

“And this plan? Why would she want to ruin Celestia and Equestria? Yea, she’s a sneaky bitch with a fat ass but, what damage has she done?” He then picks up his tea, blowing on it to cool it down as he takes a sip.

Kiryu looks at his student and sighs, setting down his cup, looking at Zero straight in the eye. “There are some things that Equestria has done in the past Zero. Some would say it was justice, but some would say it was injustice…” Zero looks at him, hearing how serious he was as he gave Kiryu his full attention, “When Luna was banished to the moon, Celestia did some things that she sees as keeping her ponies safe but instead it made things worse. I won’t go into detail about it because it is Aria’s business and I respect her privacy. But I will say this, watch your back when you’re around Celestia. She may seem stupid to you but she’s dangerous when she’s on a quest to protect her kingdom, ponies, family, and friends… do you understand me Zero?”

Zero didn’t know what to say but nod. He looks down at his tea, seeing his reflection in it as he glares slightly into it, remembering how Aria made a fool out of him as he looks back at Kiryu who was sipping his tea. “Where is this Aria now?”

“Causing a bit of chaos with her sisters in Canterlot… why?”

“You know why… also before I forget, how long was I out for?” Zero asked as he drinks and finishes his tea.

“About three days.” He then rolls his eyes, “Also since you asked, no one important died that day in PonyVille and it has been completely rebuilt.”

Zero nods as he asks about his gun and watch as Kiryu points to them. He puts on his watch and looks at his Deagle, sighing as he reloads it and put its in the holster. “You know I could upgrade that for you.” Kiryu said, grinning slightly as Zero grins right back.

“I know you will, but not right now… I got a siren to kill.” He saw Kiryu chuckle at his remark as he opens up a portal for him, “Also, thanks for saving my ass that day.” Zero smirks and goes through the portal as Kiryu just sat there, drinking his tea.

“You know it is rude to not say anything my old friend…” Kiryu shuts the portal and turns to look at the being right behind him who was as tall as him.

“Hmph, your student is threading a very thin line… that is if he succeeds.” The being said as he sat in front of Kiryu as the two talk about their lives and what the future brings.

Canterlot

After sneaking his way onto a train, he finally arrived. He makes his way to the castle as he sees the guards at the gate who looked at him and frown. Zero tells them what he came there for as they were hesitate but they let him as he makes his way to the throne room. On his way there, he saw a bit of damage to the castle and some guards who looked like they just came from a war as he finally makes it to the big doors and opens them, seeing the whole gang there as he walks in.

“Alright, so what’s the dealio?” He said as they all look at him funny. “What?”

“And where in tartarus were you Zero? You’ve been gone for three days?!” Twilight shouted as all of them agreed with her as Celestia squinted her eyes at him.

“Well hello to you too. And where I was… well, I got my ass kicked by someone.” Zero stated as he saw Applejack looking at him.

“Well we’re glad you’re alright, but as you probably saw, we are dealing with a dilemma right now.” Luna said.

Zero knew what it was, but he wanted to hear it from them as he walks up to them and stood in front of them. “The crisis that is upon us here in Canterlot happened yesterday. Sirens have infiltrated the castle, but we have not been able to catch them.” Her horn, along with Luna’s glowed and they showed an image of three beings.

They were all females as Zero looked at the one on the left and admittedly recognized her as he glares at the picture being shown, balling his fist as he didn’t care about the other two being shown. “They look marvelous. The design and color of their clothing is simply divine.” Rarity said with her eyes glittering.

“Do not the appearance of these creatures fool you all. They’re highly dangerous.” Celestia said.

“Also, I’ve never heard of any creature like that before.” Twilight said getting out a quill and scroll and writing the name of the creature down. “How come I’ve never heard of these creatures Celestia?”

“The three sirens you see today had originally roamed Equestria, spreading disharmony among ponies with their songs. They fed off of ponies negative energies to make their voices and magic more powerful intending to conquer Equestria. Star Swirl the Bearded and I banished them to an unknown world. Also, the reason why you have not heard of sirens before my faithful student is because the kingdom that these three originally come from is quite secretive and possibly hidden somewhere in the ocean.” She explained.

“So why are these Sirens here?” Applejack asked.

“We really don’t know why, possibly revenge.” Celestia said.

“Let them come.” Zero said as he was silent the whole time Celestia was explaining.

“WAIT WHAT?!” They said in unison.

“Let them come, we know they keep coming here for something so we set a trap… plus I could get my revenge on that damn woman.” Zero stated as he mumbled that last part.

“Alright then.” Celestia then turned her attention to the main six. “Twilight, it’s important that you and your friends prepare the elements once we find a way to trap them.”

“We will princess.” Twilight answered while the rest nodded.

“Good. I’ll alert the guards to leave the castle so none of them would get controlled by their singing.”

Zero nods as he leaves to get ready. He balled his fist up as he felt a pair of eyes watching him from somewhere, “Where ever you are, I hope you’re ready Aria…”

Hours go by as night fell through the castle. They sent all the guards home as Zero sat and waited in the shadows away from the rest of them as he needed to concentrate. He saw the others hiding around the corner as he shakes his head, chuckling to himself thinking about how unstealthy they were. This brought him back when Vector and him were sent to steal codes for several bank accounts as he then thinks about Aria and how she sort of reminded him of Jackie. He shakes those thoughts away, rubbing his face as he saw the green mist before, followed by singing.

It was quite beautiful, but he heard better as he saw two red lights. He wondered where the third and possibly Aria could be as since he wasn’t there to hear out their plan of attack; he jumps down behind them. “Alright, where’s Aria?” Zero asked.

Adagio and Sonata look behind them and saw the human that Aria told them about. Adagio checks him out, biting her bottom lip and blushing a bit as her younger sister never mention how sexy he was, “Well well well… she never mentioned on how much of a looker you were. I’m Adagio by the way.”

“Charmed. And you are?” Zero asked the other female standing beside Sonata.

“Sonata! And wowie, you’re hot.” Sonata smiles lustfully as well at Zero as he paid them no mind as Celestia and the others were quite surprised by Zero speaking with them and knowing one of their names already as they get ready to strike.

Before any of them could do anything, Zero and the two Sirens were at each other's throats as he keeps them at bay since they weren’t as good as Aria. He smirks as he backhands Sonata and knees Adagio in the gut, continuing his flurry of attacks on them as they both try to retaliate but couldn’t. Adagio was about to use her magic till Zero grabs her by her throat and choke slams her into the ground, making her almost scream in pain as he then goes for Sonata, who tried her best to fight back but to avail as he almost breaks her nose. “I won’t ask again! Where is Aria!?” Sonata was so scared as she fell to the ground, her nose bleeding as she also had a busted lip. Zero just glares at her and kicks her away as Adagio just looked at him in pure shock and fear. The others who were watching was a bit afraid to move as Celestia just stays silent and watches.

Zero then pulls out his Deagle, walking over to Adagio, who tries to get up but he puts his foot on her to keep her down. “Last chance. Where’s Aria?”

“Go to hell!”

Zero growls as he was about to pull the trigger as a red stream of lightning shot out from the darkness behind him. Celestia, Luna, and the elements saw this and turned to see where the beam came from. Zero then slowly turns around to see Aria.

“ENOUGH!” She shouted, glaring at Zero who puts his gun away as stepped out from the shadows.

Both Zero and Aria glared at each other as without even moving, she sent out a shockwave of energy, making him cover his face as the windows shatter as glass flies everywhere. Zero didn’t have time to react before another stream of lightning slammed into him, sending me flying back and crashing into the wall. The Siren canceled out her attack, her face still cast in a stern glare as she watched the darkness the hole in the wall her foe had crashed through provided.

Before Twilight and them could help Zero, Adagio and Sonata got up and were running away. “Don’t worry about me, just go!” They nod as they chase after Adagio and Sonata as Celestia and Luna turned invisible and stayed behind to watch Zero. His glaring eyes flashed through the darkness back at her before the entire hole was gushing out a brilliant purple light. The Siren barely had time to dodge to the side, the tip of her shoulder being singed slightly by a stream of purple lightning that smashed through the stained glass behind her and into the skies beyond. The stream continued for a second or two before it cut off like a silenced flame.

Zero then slowly walks out of the gaping hole in the wall, his hands still sparking from the attack as his torso was also still smoking from the Aria’s attack. Having been damaged, the pain seemed to only add fuel to the burning hatred had for her as his expression was pure rage.

He then cracks his knuckles, getting into a battle stance as she follows. Their auras began to clash again as the surrounding air heated up as their glare at each other could cut glass. Zero’s sweat droplet rolled down his cheek and as soon as it hit the floor, they both flew at each other surpassing even Rainbow’s speed as a blinding white light formed, blinding Celestia and Luna.

As soon as the light faded, they opened their eyes to see a huge hole in the hallway. They didn’t see Zero or the Siren as they try to locate them.

A mass explosion cued as a shockwave tore through the palace. In the commons hall, the wave and rattling foundations cracked and shattered half of the windows that still stood in one piece as two forms dueled in the main hallway. Aria and Zero had been fighting through several rooms and corridors, leaving the palace in utter disarray and wreckage in their wake.

Diving under a beam that burned through several walls behind her, Aria jumped straight up as she was about to an aerial roundhouse kick till Zero caught it. He had a good grip on it as he uses almost everything he had to slam her repeatedly into the ground as before she could retaliate; he kicks her through a window, making her slam, back first into the balcony. She hisses in pain as another stream of lightning was shot at her, this time connecting as she tries not to scream in pain as Zero charges into her, breaking the balcony barrier as they both fell into the garden’s lake. Lightning struck down in the water, causing mini explosions as one final bolt of lightning struck down, making them both come out of the water as they glare at each other. Zero was badly injured as Aria barely had a scratch on her but she was huffing and puffing.

Away from the battle, Adagio was keeping the elements at bay as Sonata tries to blast the chained door down but couldn’t. “You doing alright sis?!” Adagio shouted as her body strains a bit from holding back the rainbow blast.

“No! Whatever spell she used sure is tough to break!” Sonata shouts back as she really wanted to retreat and try again some other time as her attacks or spells weren’t working at all on the door. “Nothing is working Dagi!! Maybe we should get out of here!”

“We’re not leaving Aria!!” She yells as her nose starts to bleed as the shield begins to crack.

“But we have to! Otherwise we might get turned to stone or sent back to the human world! Plus you know Aria could take care of herself!”

Adagio scoffs and nods as Sonata then makes a portal. “We’ll be back for you Aria… I promise…” They both then quickly head into the portal before the rainbow beam of friendship hits them.

Twilight and the others were confused as to where they went as they ask what was so important with the door. Twilight just looks at the door, “Who knows… but we should see if Zero needs help with anything.” They all agree as they go to try to find Zero.

Back to the battle, Zero and Aria stood several yards away from each other, across a small field of shattered tree limbs, rubble, and churned earth. After so much time spent in this duel, both had more places on their bodies with injuries than they did places without them. Zero wheezed as a patch on his chest sizzled, burning badly from a blast of her lightning as one of his arms looked broken from a devastating kick he had received earlier. His ear was bleeding steadily from a scratch to the face as the pain was so much for him as he almost fainted but he had to fight. His face was a mix of anger to wincing in pain.

Aria was hardly better off. Her once beautiful pigtails were matted and twisted, several portions blackened from being burnt off. One of her eyes was blackened and near shut from a right hook she wasn’t prepared for earlier, blurring her weakened vision. Worst of all was a streaking burn mark that went down her entire left side. In some places just some of her clothing was burnt off, others it had scorched through several layers of skin. But her healing factor started doing its magic and began healing her, which shocked Zero.

But the two were still huffing and gasping for breath as they stared each other down, refusing to let the other win. Zero grinds his teeth together and balls his fists, his anger fueling him to stand as he didn’t want her to win.

Before he could do anything though, his phone went off as his attention was ripped away from her as he looks at his pocket. His eyes widen as he trembles a bit. Aria saw this as a way to put him down as her fist glowed brightly, electrical energy forms around it as before he could retaliate, her fist connected with his face, shocking his entire body to the point where he yells in pain and agony as he was sent flying into the wall.

He then goes through the wall from the sheer force of her punch as he landed right in front of Twilight and them, coughing up and blood. Before he passes out, he looks directly at Aria who still stood her ground as he balls his fist, tears rolled down his cheek as he feels as though he failed Kiryu he lost consciousness.

“ZERO!” Rarity shouted as she ran towards his body, lifting his head up so he wouldn’t choke on his blood. Twilight then kneels down and uses her magic to try to heal him a bit.

Aria scoffs as she was about to blast them before Celestia and Luna blasted her first. She glares at them both, especially Celestia as she grinds her teeth, trying to get up but her battle with Zero made her exhausted as before either of them could do anything, a portal opens up behind her as Adagio and Sonata pulls her through.

Rainbow shouted something as Celestia looks at her, “We’ll worry about them later. Right now we need to get Zero to the hospital.” She said, looking back at the spot where Aria disappeared as she scoffs.

Hours go by as Zero wakes up from the heart monitor. He slowly rose from the bed as his body strains as he hisses in pain and lays back down. The door then opened as he saw Twilight and the others at the door.

“ZERO!” They shouted and gave him a bone-crushing hug.

He hisses in pain and tries to push them away but couldn’t. “Okay okay. You can all let go now.” He whispered.

They nod and release him as the smiled sadly at him, “I’m so glad you’re okay sugarcube.” Applejack said.

“Aww, didn’t think you cared.” He said sarcastically.

She rolled her eyes and lightly punches his shoulder. “You really gave us a heart attack Zero. But still how you handled that siren on your own was so AWESOME!!” Rainbow squealed.

Before he could say anything, the door opened again and Celestia came in. “Alright everypony, let’s let Zero rest for tonight, and he’ll be checked out tomorrow.”

They all nodded and said their goodbyes, shutting off the lights and closing the door.

“Sorry Kiryu, looks like I’m nothing but failed Slade huh?” Zero whispered. He slowly closed my eyes and slept, not knowing that Kiryu was there the whole time as he just smiles at his student.

“You never failed me my student. You just showed me that you do have a other side other than being the best.” He pulls out a needle that was filled with the healing elixir and puts it in the IV tube and leaves.

A couple of miles away in a cave, Aria woke up, yawning as she stretches out her body feeling energized. She looks and sees that her siblings were asleep as she smiles, rubbing their cheeks softly and kissing their foreheads as she gets up and flies out of the cave and heads back to Canterlot. She follows Zero’s aura marker as she floats above a hospital, smirking slightly. “This is going to be much easier than I expected.” She said as she quickly flies down before anybody saw and opened the window.

Zero grunts softly as he felt the wind blow into the room. He was about to get up till he felt a blade inches away from his throat as his eyes were met with Aria’s as she was using his bowie knife as she was also on top of him. He just gives her a weak glare as she glares back, but then gives him a smug grin.

“What are you grinning at?” He asked.

“Nothing just thinking about how I should kill you.” She said as they just kept staring at each other. “Also I came here to tell you it was rude calling me an elf. Alright? There is a difference… elves are not real.”

Zero just gave her the really look, “Well it’s rude to try and kill someone who’s defenseless… also, we’re kind of in a very sexual position.” He smirks as she blushes, but she didn’t get off of his lap.

“Oh shut up! You humans enjoy this sort of thing. A strong, sexy female like myself, showing my dominance to you.”

“Meh, you’re not my type.” She pouts at him as he didn’t want to say anything, but she looked really cute. He then starts to examine her body and notices she was wearing a sports bra and some short tight pants. Her breast size has to be D and she was really curvy to, and a nice-sized ass. He blushes slightly and looks away but she notices it and frowns.

“Hmph, are all males perverts?” She said in a snobby tone as he growls at her in frustration.

“Well tell me this, why are you here?” He asked as he watches her think, only to look back at him, her lavender eyes seemingly glowing in the moonlight.

“I did came here to kill you while you were asleep, but...”

“But what?”

She looked at him right in the eyes, moving a bit closer to him as their noses touched. Her eye color then changes to a blood-red as her pupils turn reptilian as she growls at him. “Next time you get in our way... I won’t hold back killing you.” She said.

He looked at her, unfazed by her threat. “I’m looking forward to it.”

They stayed there for a bit, looking into each other’s eyes. Aria then scoffs and slowly gets off of him, putting back his knife where she found it as she walks back to the window, swaying her hips slightly as Zero bites his bottom lip as he stares at her ass but quickly looks back at her. She then turned around and looked at him, “Aria...” She said as she flew out the window.

He already knew her name, but it was the thought that counted as he lays back down. “Zero…” He yawns as he falls back to sleep, still wondering who called him on his phone.

Author's Note

Zero vs. Aria Theme