Sanguine Souls

Insanity only comes to those who let go of their care and worry

If someone is strong enough to knock you down, show them you're strong enough to get back up

Words rang through Iustit’s mind as he lay on the ground, his sword in the dirt beside him. The crimson stains on his armor matched the ones on his blade. A thumping on the ground could be heard as an angered demon approached him, the sound mirroring Iustit’s own heartbeat.

Prove who’s stronger, Iustit. Get back up! Jay shouted through his subconscious

In the rush of the moment, Iustit’s eye shot open. A sudden anger filled them as he gripped his weapon and bent backwards to hop to his feet by pushing off the ground. A responding strike of pain riveted through his ribs as he stood in his stance, causing him to waver a bit.

“It’s hopeless!” The demon yelled in a hellish voice as he advanced towards Iustit “You can’t stop me now; I am invincible! You will be crushed by the wrath of Cruenta, demon king of blood!

He’s bluffing! He may be tough, but you’re better than him Jay affirmed inside Iustit’s head, attempting to raise his spirits You can do this! We don’t need Ira’s help.” (Angel vs Demon! Battle music!)

Iustit’s determination faltered a bit. Jay could be right, but he could also be wrong. Iustit believed that, no matter how strong he was, there was always a chance of something or someone being stronger than him. He had experienced it before. Iustit gripped his sword tightly as the monstrosity approached, still hopeful that was not the case. Iustit stayed defensive as Cruenta slashed and pounded at him, leaping over fist and claw alike as he pondered his situation's solution.

Just think: something turned Haimon into this guy, so something can change him back Jay plotted, grabbing Iustit’s attention quickly As a matter of fact, I think a certain beam may be enough to reverse the transformation. Cruenta is a demon, after all. It should work wonders against him

Iustit quickly realized the plan Jay had hinted him. Jay suggested the use of Iustit’s ultimate ability known as the “Light Mass Beam”. The attack consisted of powered megawatt-class chemical oxygen iodine laser fired at the tip of Iustit’s sword that would burn through almost anything in it’s path. After an initial charging of the ability, Iustit would be able to fire it and keep the aim of the beam aligned with the hilt of his sword. The use of the ability would, however, convert him back into Jay's form due to the toll of energy it would take on him.

Find the opening, Iustit. Hit this guy with everything you got. You may not be the only one with something up his sleeve Jay assured, urging Iustit to already channel for his attack. He grabbed the hilt of his sword with both hands and held it firmly in front of him. Within a few seconds, a growing white aura began to illuminate him.

Cruenta stopped and chuckled a bit before speaking “How amusing...” He said, a growing smirk on his face “You stand so resolute in the face of your own demise!”

Upon his words, Cruenta swept the ground with his claw, missing Iustit by mere inches as he barely dodged away. Cruenta then followed with the same attack, sweeping his claws across the ground and causing Iustit to constantly dodge away. After swiping several times, Cruenta attempted to land one final attack, spinning around and swinging with his axe-tipped tail as well. Iustit had just landed from his dodge and barely managed to stop the tail with his blade.

Iustit, now! This is an opportunity! Charge the attack while you hold him off, then break away and fire! Jay ordered, causing Iustit’s aura to return as he followed Jay’s words.

Iustit managed to hold Cruenta’s tail off for almost half a minute for before the aura around him pulsed, signifying that his attack was ready. He quickly broke the match, dodging under Cruenta’s tail as it completed it’s swing and jumping back several feet. Iustit pointed his blade directly at Cruenta, holding the hilt firmly with his right hand as a small glittering light formed at the tip of his blade.

Cruenta seemed to notice as he turned to look at Iustit curiously. Suddenly, he stopped and threw his arms out wide “Ha, go ahead, hit me. Try your very best!” He taunted, standing still as Iustit aimed his shot.

That cocky bastard is gonna be sorry! FIRE! Jay urged, in which Iustit responded by letting his energy pulse through the blade and out towards it’s edge. The light quickly bursts outward, doubling the sword's width and immediately piercing Cruenta’s chest with a white laser-like beam of pure light. The attack shot out Cruenta’s backside and out towards the sky, seemingly endless in it’s length. After a few short seconds of the beam burning through Cruenta’s torso, the light dissipated and cut the beam off instantly. From the use of energy for his attack, Iustit fell limply to one knee, shining a bright white light around him before returning Jay’s form back to normal.

“Y’know, being so sure of yourself isn’t usually a good-” Jay cut himself off as he gazed at the target of Iustit’s strongest attack. A gaping hole almost a foot wide persisted in his chest and he stood the same way he had before being hit. “Ah...son of a bitch...” Jay muttered under his breath.

“Well? Was that all?” Cruenta mocked as he breathed heavily, trying to repress the pain of the attack “You lost your precious angel form for that?”

“Pretty much, yeah” Jay replied, as casually as he could “You’d think a laser beam would be something you’d want to use more than once...”

“A pity, almost. Even your stronger form was not enough” Cruenta said as he lowered his arms and began stepping forward “Now...it’s my turn”

“Oh, bring it fatcakes” Jay taunted, bouncing around on his feet “Thou shalt feel the mighty and terrible wrath of the hawk!” He back flipped and landed on one leg, mocking the famous crane stance.

Cruenta quickly hopped forward, grabbing at Jay with both claws. Jay jumped off his foot and landed on top of Cruenta’s arm as he missed, and ran up it to meet his face. Once he was at the shoulder of the beast, Jay lunged forward with a loud karate yell following a swift jumping kick. Upon contact, Jay’s foot lodged into Cruentas face, who seemed to have barely noticed the attack.

“Oh, my...” Jay said in a curious tone as he assessed the situation “Okay, maybe I’ll just...” Jay’s words trailed off as he quickly drew his sword and sliced at Cruenta’s cranium, only for it to have the same effect as it did on his kick “Ah...I’m pretty fucked right now, aren’t I?”

“Very much so” Cruenta replied as he quickly lifted up his fist and smashed Jay head first. The force of the hit easily dislodged both Jay’s leg and sword, and threw him to the ground hard.

“GAHH, dammit! Ohh....that’s probably a few, of couple...the broken ribs...” Jay said to himself as shots of pain stabbed at his upper torso “Not to...no doubt, mention some head trauma. No doubtfulness there, no siree...” Jay forced himself to his feet as he tried to shake off the pain. His vision was blurred and dizziness quickly set in “Hey...got any, some...maybe, headache pill-no...no, uh, any morphine?”

Cruenta simply laughed at Jay’s half delirious tone of voice “I’ve got a way to cure any ailment...” Cruenta spieled, lifting up one fist above Jay “Instant DEATH!” Cruenta immediately followed his words by slamming his fist down, only for it to be barely stopped by Jay. To the demon’s surprise, Jay seemed to hold out against Cruenta’s attack even as he pushed harder in an attempt to crush him.

Jay gritted his teeth as he spoke “The point of medicine...is staying ALIVE!” Jay shouted out as he pushed will full force and shoved off Curenta’s hand “And gaint demon hands definitely end lives! Usually...”

“You will know firsthand soon enough if you persist” Cruenta threatened as he drew closer once more “Face it, Jayhawk; you’re too weak against me, and you know it” Cruenta paused and looked up into the black sky towards a large Castellan city on a mountain before continuing “I do not have much time to waste fighting you, so I will strike you a deal instead. If you surrender now, I will send you back to your world safely and forget that this ever happened”

“Just like that?...” Jay inquired, holding out his arms in question “I surrender and you return me to Earth? Yeah right...why do you think I came here in the first place?!” Jay spat on the ground and drew his sword before speaking again “If you want me gone you’ll have to destroy every fiber of my being, and package me to hell yourself! Express shipping!”

Cruenta growled in anger before replying “Very well then! I’ll crush you into nothing, like the bug that you are! Just know that I gave you the chance to leave!”

“Listen, you can wax on wax off all you want...” Jay stated, assuming his regular stance “But I’m still gonna kick your ass!”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Maybe “kicking his ass” was a bit of an overstatement... Jay thought as he lay nearly motionless on the ground from the battle. He had been winning for the first half of the fight, until Cruenta had caught him in the leg with his tail and crippled his ability to dodge. Now blood streamed down his right shin and forearm to the ground from deep lacerations, and his clothes were torn by several other cuts along his body. Every breath was painful, and the prickle of the hard rain felt heavier than ever before. Why do I always let my pride do this to me? God...damn...

“You lay in your own blood, Guardian. Pitiful” Cruenta stated, seemingly recovered from the fight “To think I even gave you a chance to turn your back and-”

“Hey, blood clot” Jay cut in, coughing up blood before he continued “I’m still alive. We’re not done yet...” Jay continued to cough as he attempted to bring his body to balance on his feet. He barely held onto his sword as he raised himself up slowly, still leaning on it a bit as he stood “You should finish the fight, if you’re so much better than me”

Cruenta seemed as if he would reply, but stayed silent. He inspected Jay closely, and noticed the amount of blood seeping out of his wounds “Actually, I believe it is time for me to go” Cruenta stated, spreading his large wings and taking off a few feet into the sky. He looked back down at Jay and spoke “The blood you lose will be your death. I need not ensure it anyways. May fate take you slowly, Guardian”

With his words, Cruenta took off into the stormy sky, away from the town. Jay could barely hear the flap of his wings through his delusions. Weak, dizzy, and on a slight limp, Jay turned towards the town and began his march to a destination that he knew would be his only hope.

Legs, don’t fail me now Jay hoped as he limped forward, heaving in painful breaths as he walked I’ve just...gotta make it there

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Do you think he’s...” Rainbow Dash trailed off her words as she returned her gaze to the collapsed human on the floor.

“He’s still breathing, but...” Fluttershy looked around Jay’s torn body closely as she spoke in worry “I don’t know how much time he has left. These wounds are very bad...”

“We need to get the paramedics here, quickly” Twilight urged, looking around the room “He made the walk from that field, surely he’ll last long enough for us to get him some help”

“I’ll go” Rainbow volunteered, to which most of the group quickly agreed.

As Rainbow prepared to exit the library, something caught her and most of the group’s eye. Jay’s wounds had stopped bleeding entirely, and the skin around them was a dark crimson. Soon, the skin started spreading, and to the group’s dismay, began transforming Jay’s body. Soul slowly drew his scythe in anticipation.

A few moments passed as the group stayed silent, watching the crimson body lay motionless on the floor. Suddenly, Jay’s head shot up to meet Fluttershy’s gaze with red eyes. Fluttershy screamed and jumped back at the motion, to which the body reacted by jumping up and screaming an even louder, girlier scream. As he backed up, the demon-esc body bumped into a bookshelf, knocking a book off it that landed in his lap. The book was titled “Warding off demons and other evils”, and upon noticing it, the demon screamed in his girly tone once more and slapped the book away as if it were a spider.

“Why would you keep a book like that?!” The demon yelled in a worried tone towards Twilight, who had no words in response. The demon slowly got up and dusted himself off as he spoke “Wards don’t work well anyways. You wanna keep demons away? Listen to Justin Bieber at really high volumes and tell the neighbors to go fuck themselves when they complain, which they DEFINITELY will!” The demon pointed at Twilight to emphasize his point “Nobody but teenage girls like that shitty shit. It’s shit, I tells ya”

“...Justin who?” Pinkie inquired, trading her shocked expression for a confused one.

“Wait...WAIT!” The demon stuck out his arms in caution “NONE of you know Justin bieber?!” Most of the group shook their heads in response “...that’s good. VERY...very good. He’s terrible, worse than scratching a chalkboard, which I LOVE doing but never get the chance, cause I-”

“Enough!” Soul cut the demon off in an annoyed tone “Who the hell are you?!”

“OH MY!” The demon gasped, speaking in a ladylike mocking tone “I simply cannot believe I forgot to introduce myself! I am the demonic personification of Jayhawk. You may call me Ira!” The demon raised up his left claw and brought it down in a graceful bow.

“Ira?...so you’re Jay’s demon?” Soul inquired, his tone almost showing off his anger “The one who I fought? The one who killed several guards and attempted to kill Princess Celestia?!”

“That would be me!” Ira replied in a chipper tone “I was pretty good back there, huh? I do take great pride in my work”

Soul was ready to leap forward and attack when Ira held out a hand in front of him, and placed his other on his ear “Hold on, Jay is trying to talk to me” Several moments passed as Ira responded to himself as if he were listening to someone talk on a phone ”OH, I see...OOOH, okay, yeah yeah. I get it. You suck, by the way. I coulda wiped the fracking floor with that fatty. Alright...alright I'll see ya soon. Mkay, love ya BYE!” Ira lowered his hand and stared back at the group of confused ponies “...the fuck y’all lookin at?”

“Were you..talking to yourself? Or, like...” Soul tried to ask through his confusion

“Technically. See, when Jay goes and kicks the bucket of metaphoricalness, I get control for a while until his body is alive again. So, Jay’s pretty much dead for now” Ira motioned his hands about as he spoke “Cause he’s dumb. Cause he didn’t let me try in his fight. Cause he didn’t think I’d be useful. ANYWAYS, I’m here to stay for now, so y’all bitches gon’ have to DEAL with it!” Ira crossed his arms in a gangsta mocking pose upon his words.

“Ah really don’t like this fella” Applejack muttered under her breath to Pinkie Pie beside her

“Oh, well I do!” Pinkie replied in a piped up tune “He seems like fun!” She bounced forward a few times until she was close enough to address Ira “Hi! My name’s Pinkie Pie, and that there is Soulless Reaper, and Applejack, and Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, and Rarity, and she’s Twilight Sparkle! Oh, and THAT is the famous ‘Daring Do’!”

Ira stared at the pink pony blankly for a few seconds before speaking “...you smell an awful lot like cotton candy, young one” Ira now spoke in an old wise man mocking tone. He put one claw behind his back and caressed a long, imaginary beard “One would be inclined to believe such a pink pony would be simply made of cotton candy with such an aroma...” Pinkie giggled at Ira’s impression and began to speak when Rainbow Dash cut in.

“I’m sorry to interrupt your ‘interesting’ conversation guys, but we still have problems at hoof!” Rainbow urged in an annoyed tone “Remember? The Princess?”

“Well, excuuuse me, ‘Gay Pride’!” Ira responded, raising his claws up to eye level in mock caution “I don’t see how you expected me to know that!”

“What did you call me?!” Dash snapped back, flying up to Ira.

“What? ‘Gay Pride’ suits you!” Ira remarked, pointing to Rainbow Dash’s mane “Their flag is friggin’ imprinted on your head, dumbo! Or would you just prefer “faggot”? How about “lesbo’?”

Dash growled in frustration before yelling back at Ira “I’m NOT gay! This is my real mane color!” Dash pointed at Ira as she continued “I don’t think you have the right to make fun of others, nutcase!”

Ira paused for a second before responding “...the fuck did you just call me?” He replied in a quiet and tense tone, his demonic voice slowly growing.

“You heard me!” Dash shouted back “A total wacko like you shouldn’t be calling others names when he’s the one who’s outta his mind!”

In less than a second, Ira had a claw wrapped firmly around Dash’s neck and he held her nearly point blank as he spoke in a vicious tone “I think YOU should be the one watching that snarky fucking mouth of yours!” Ira opened Dash’s mouth and placed one claw on her tongue before continuing “Cause if you use that tongue...to mouth off to me ONE more time...I’m going to keep it. Got that?”

Suddenly, Ira noticed movement in his peripherals and turned his gaze to meet the point of Soul’s scythe blades nearly an inch from his eye “Put her down, now” Soul demanded in a cold tone “I won’t hesitate for a second”

Ira eyed Soul as he released Rainbow Dash’s neck and let her drop to the floor. She coughed a few times before catching her breath.

“Whatever. I wouldn’t want her tongue anyways” Ira admitted, turning around and taking a few steps as he spoke “It’s probably frolicked with things even a nutcase like me wouldn’t want to do with!” Ira followed his words with loud, mocking laughter. Dash growled in frustration again, but before she could retaliate, Soul stuck a hoof out in front of her and shook his head.

“It’s not worth it” Soul whispered to Dash, his eyes still on Ira “Just turn the other cheek”

Ira spun on his heels to face the group as Rainbow stomped away in anger “SO...I’m hungry!” Ira exclaimed, clapping his claws together “Who wants to find and murder some baaaaddies?” The group was silent in response as Ira inspected them all in glee “Oh come on! Sinners screaming in terror! It’ll be FUN! I’ll even let you guys find them for me!”

“Actually, we were just trying to do that...technically” Soul replied in a blank tone “We need to get to the castle in Canterlot as soon as possible”

“The castle! The castle...” Ira looked aimlessly into the air as he imagined what a pony castle would look like “Sounds neat! Is it a big castle? Oh, it better have a hedge maze! I LOVE hedge mazes! Just toss a few fuckers in there and hunt them down like it’s Friday the 13th...it’s a blast, really”

“Well ,we won’t be getting to the castle anytime soon with this weather...” Soul stated, looking out the window at the black clouds in the sky “The teleportation spell Twilight is trying to use requires clear skies”

“You mean those measly little bastards? Them shits are crappy as hell!” Ira inquired, suddenly standing beside Soul and looking up at the sky as well “But anywhosways, those were because of the big demon dudermans. They’ll go away soon” Ira concluded his last sentence in a mock british accent, his hands on his hips in disappointment "Those are PATHETIC! Mine kick ass compared to those! What a bloody TOSSER! LITERALLY!”

Ira stood in place, still looking at the sky. Within a few minutes, the clouds began quickly dispersing. The moon shone brightly in the clear night sky among various stars and constellations. Ira looked back at Twilight group with a confident sneer.

“I guess I can try the spell now...” Twilight admitted, levitating her spell book beside her as she trotted towards the door “Okay everypony ,lets head outside, and hope this spell works”

“Ahem!” Ira spoke in a mocking sophistication “I don’t believe I was addressed. You clearly said every “pony”!” Ira raised his nose into the air and mocked a snooty pose.

“Just go” Soul urged, shoving Ira with on hoof as he passed.

“Jeez. No respect for demons in this place...” Ira grumbled to himself. He eventually began walking after most of the group left the library.

It was humid and groggy outside, and the air hung heavy from the persistent rain that had finally stopped pouring. A few crickets could be heard, as well as the coos from a familiar owl atop the library. Twilight quickly gave her attention to her book, reading over the details and instructions of the spell.

“Is everypony ready?” Twilight asked towards most of the group, who all affirmed “Okay, I need some time to charge the spell. Everypony stand in close so we all get there together”

“...Twilight, wait” Soul quickly interrupted, holding his hoof out to motion a halt of Twilight’s spell “I know how much you and your friends care about the princess...but I want you to only send me and Jay. It could be-”

“Ahem!” Ira cut Soul off, teleporting to his side in a black poof “ Proper sentencing would be ‘Ira and I’. That is my name, after all”

“...anyways” Soul continued in an annoyed tone “Considering how Celestia described the danger, I think it would be best if you all stayed here. Me and...Ira, will ensure the princess’s safety. Also, I’m sure she’ll contact you when that happens”

“But, we...” Twilight trailed off as she realized Soul’s point. She began charging the spell when Daring cut in as well.

“Uhm, Soul? I think you forgot who's got your stuff” Daring stated, motioning to her saddle bag “Including the medicine”

“Medicine?” Ira inquired towards Soul “OH, does it taste like cherries or something sweet? Don’t tell me it’s that Buckley’s shit. That stuff is like swallowing acid mixed with venomous apple juice, and YES I know what that tastes like!” Ira was balancing on one foot, his body on a near ninety degree angle as his eyes met Soul’s.

“Uh...yeah. Daring should come with us too...” Soul awkwardly shifted his eye to and away from Ira, who still stood in his same odd pose

“Okay, if you say so” Twilight concluded, returning her focus to the spell. Within a few minutes of her horn glow intensifying, it finally lit up to a bright violet light “Alright, stay close together and be careful when you get there. Good luck!” The rest of the group bid farewell to Daring, Ira and Soul as they began to glow the same color as Twilight’s magic. They soon disappeared in a bright flash as Twilight’s magic sent them on their way.

“...and please come back safely” Twilight whispered to herself, looking up at Canterlot high on it’s mountain “You may be our only hope now”