Author's Note

HEEEEEEERE'S JOHNNY!

Chapter 13, Duo: Red Shredders

Your enemies will never fall if you cannot accept that you may do the same

The revving of a chainsaw broke the conflicting silence of the foyer.

“I’ve got a present for you two!” Ira yelled in a crazed tone, motioning the chainsaw towards Haimon and Alhpinx ”I felt you deserved some ‘special treatment’, so I picked up this little baby on the way. I hope you’re ready for some fun!”

Ira laughed out as he dashed towards his targets, who quickly opened the door to outside and ran down the steps in front of the castle. A line of guards waited at the base, lead by Shining Armor himself.

“Halt! We’re taking you two into...” Shining’s words trailed off as he noticed the blood-crazed, chainsaw-wielding demon chasing down Haimon and Alphinx. A noticeable wave of fear washed over Shining and the row of guards that stood behind him “Oh man, I knew something like this would happen! Stop those two, and take down the red one!”

On Shining’s command, the guards charged magic with their horns for a second before unloading a slew of magical bolts towards the three. Haimon and Alphinx easily leaped over the guards as they tried to stop them, taking off towards the hedge maze that lie just past the stairs. Ira was still charging his way down the steps, unphased by the energized attacks upon him.

“You’d all best move! My friend is hungry! Ira warned, raising his chainsaw above him as he quickly approached the guards. When the stallions, as well as Shining Armor, held up spears pointed towards Ira, he responded in a harsher tone “Last warning! I’ll tear through you mortals, if that’s what you want!” The guards stopped Ira just a few steps from the bottom by jabbing several spears into his body, to which he reacted by lowering his chainsaw and scanning his gaze across the guards fearful expressions “...it makes me wonder sometimes why it’s the guards that are always so dumb...” Ira spoke in a casual tone, before suddenly revving his chainsaw towards the closest guard to him.

“Ira! One more step and it will be your last!” Soul yelled a he and Daring appeared at the top of the stairs “I promise I won’t hesitate to take you down!”

Ira stopped and turned to face Soul for a second before slowly turning to face all the guards “Fine. I don’t have time to waste anyhow. My real targets are currently escaping!” Ira piped up in a chilling chipper tone. He quickly brushed all the spears lodged in his body aside, and jumped from the bottom of the stairs halfway to the hedge maze.

“Ira, no! I meant put down the chainsaw!” Soul commanded out towards Ira, who was nearly at the entrance to the maze “Dammit! He just won’t listen!” Soul was about to take flight when Daring stopped him and shook her head.

“Just let him deal with this. They are the reason he’s here anyways” Daring noted, facing towards the hedge maze “If he stops them now, he can go back home and we can resolve all this in peace”

“She has a point, y’know” Shining added in, meeting Soul and Daring halfway up the stairs as they began trotting down “From what I saw the bigger one do, we won’t be able to handle the other two ourselves. Better to let humans fight humans”

“That makes sense, but I doubt he'll stop at them” Soul assumed “We have to at least make sure we can contain him”

Shining sounded puzzled as he responded “uh, good point, but...what’s up with your voice, Soul?” Shining spoke in an unsure tone as he inspected Soul closely “ Your eyes are a different color, too, and something about you feels...odd”

“Let’s leave it at ‘an uprgade’ for now" Soul replied, trying to avoid explanation of his new form “It’s a bit of a long story, one that we haven’t time for”

“Whatever you say. So, what do you think we should do about this?” Shining asked, quickly jogging Soul’s mind to conjure a plan.

“Well, there’s still a chance that Haimon and the other human will beat Ira, in which case they will become our problem” Soul plotted, pointing to the other end of the hedge maze “But, if Ira does actually succeed, I suppose I’ll just have to try and stop him. Do you think you could provide him with a distraction in that case, Shining? “

“I can try, just make sure you’re quick in stopping him. I don’t want to end up demon chow...” Shining replied in a worried tone.

“Don’t worry, I’ll save you should need be. He may be powerful, but he’s reckless beyond recovery” Soul assured, putting one hoof on Shining’s shoulder to comfort him “Besides, from what I’ve seen, he doesn’t seem too interested in eating ponies”

Suddenly, Daring noticed a vase fly out of the hedge maze and crash on the ground. The sound notified Soul and Shining as well, causing them both to turn their attention to the maze as more faint crashing noises could be heard.

“Soul, I think you should check up on them. Just to make sure things go as planned” Daring proposed.

“I guess so. Shining, gather your men and bring them to the other exit of the maze. Daring, go with them and wait for me there” Soul commanded, taking to the air as Daring did “I’ll chase the humans out the exit. Be prepared”

“Right. Good luck!” Shining said before galloping off towards the guards at the bottom of the steps. Daring quickly nodded in agreement and followed behind Shining

As Daring and Shining lead the guards, Soul quickly flew off towards the maze and began scanning along it. Within a minute or so, Soul managed to spot Ira lurking about in a stalker-like manner. He took turns sharply, expecting his targets around every corner. The motor of his chainsaw could be easily heard inside the maze, and Soul began searching near Ira’s location in an attempt to catch Haimon and Alphinx moving away.

Maybe they’ve already snuck out. I wouldn’t expect outsmarting Ira would be very hard due to that chainsaw Soul wondered, just before noticing movement parallel to Ira. He quickly assured it to be Haimon and Alphinx sneaking past Ira as he turned the wrong corner. They swiftly moved out of his sight as he spun around instinctively. At that point, Soul remembered something that Ira had said before. If he can sense their powers, why can’t he find them? Perhaps they’re hiding themselves somehow so he can’t track them?...Hmm....that would mean trying to fight would allow Ira to notice them... It took Soul only a few moments to put his thoughts to action. He dived down towards Haimon and Alphinx, his scythe held above him in preparation for attack.

“Watch it!” Haimon nearly yelled, pushing Alphinx to the ground as he ducked under Soul’s slash “I’m surprised I forgot about that one...”

“Now what? We can’t get out of here safely with that one tailing us” Alphinx asked, motioning towards Soul as he banked around for another pass.

“Quickly take the next left turn and unsuppress your powers. I think I've realized his plan, and how to counter it” Haimon ordered, pointing towards the next T-shaped fork in the maze “If the demon chases you, bring him to the exit. I’ll meet you there”

Alphinx nodded and ran forward, sprinting directly past Ira and taking the next turn as he tailed her, yelling inaudible threats and insults through the motor of the chainsaw. She managed to keep out of grasp as Haimon ran towards her along the maze, continuously dodging Soul’s attacks. Soul quickly realized Haimon’s intended path, however, and began cutting him off at turns that would lead him to Alphinx. Within a few minutes, Alphinx hit the exit of the maze and stopped dead in her tracks as she noticed the crowd of guards in front of her.

“Oh, how convenient!” Ira loudly exclaimed, noticing the guards’ formation to keep Alphinx inside the maze “I guess you’re all not so dumb. Now keep her there for just a few seconds longer; I'll be done in just a moment!”

“Dammit all.... Haimon!” Alphinx yelled out towards the maze, backing slowly away from Ira as he approached “Things have kind of gone south!”

Haimon stopped as he heard Alphinx’s shouts, quickly taking his axe in hand “I was hoping to stay unnoticed, but...” Haimon spoke to himself as he raised up his axe and slashed through the hedges in front of him, clearing a straightforward path towards the exit. Soul quickly tailed behind him, and barely managed to catch Haimon with an upward slash as he shoulder-bashed Ira into the crowd of guards behind Alphinx. Three small streams of blood soon dripped down from three parallel wounds halfway up Haimon’s back “Argh! Damn that pegasus!” He yelled as he hovered his hand over his wounds and stood beside Alphinx.

“I told you not to turn your back on me” Soul said as he banked back around to face Haimon “You shouldn’t have underestimated your enemies. It’s about to lead you to your demise”

Haimon gritted his teeth as he growled in anger “It is you wretches who are underestimating MY ability!” Haimon yelled back in an annoyed tone. He stuck out both his arms as he continued “Please, by all means, slash at me again. I will be glad to show you what you are dealing with”

Ira quickly knocked aside the guards around him and stood back up, retrieving the chainsaw as he got to his feet. He revved it once before stabbing his left claw into the back of the device. Suddenly, an orange gooey substance formed around the connection and hardened within a few seconds, effectively replacing Ira’s hand for the chainsaw. He then held out his right hand as his black sword appeared in it.

“If you really want it...” Ira shouted, diverting his gaze from his weaponized arm to Haimon “I’d be glad to oblige!”

Soul raised his voice as Ira charged towards Haimon “ No, Ira, don’t! You’ll make him stronger! Soul warned, holding out a hoof helplessly as he watched Ira pounce at his target.

Daring, Shining armor, and Soul simultaneously cringed as they witnessed Ira plunge both his sword and chainsaw through Haimon’s stomach, causing a near fountain of crimson to spill out his back. Haimon seemed shocked for a moment by pain before he suddenly grabbed Ira’s arm’s and pulled them closer, shoving the weapons farther through his body.

“You...should learn....to listen, to your allies” Haimon spoke in stutters as the chainsaw’s teeth chipped at his sinew “Spilling blood...is not always the solution!”

Haimon gripped Ira’s arms tightly and pushed them away, causing Ira’s sword and saw to fall out slightly. Ira wore a shocked yet confused expression as retracted his weapons from Haimon’s gut, and watched as Haimon's face and arms fell down limply. Blood still poured out from the hole torn in his flesh. He stood eerily still and hunched over as if frozen in time.

“Is he?...” Shining Armor trailed off in a whisper, turning his attention to Daring before quickly returning it to Haimon “I don’t think a human can survive something so...brutal”

“Trust me, that is no regular human...” Daring instinctively replied at the same volume “We should stand back. This is about to get a lot more dangerous”

Shining Armor and Daring, as well as the small group of guards behind them, began stepping back slowly upon Daring’s words. When they stopped, they turned attention towards Haimon to notice his change taking place. His blood had pooled underneath him, and was glowing a bright red as it slowly swirled around his feet. A thin, dark red aura was growing around his statue body, and the faint sound of a heartbeat could be heard over the light breeze in the air. The aura pulsed a brighter red to it’s acute tempo. Slowly, Haimon’s head began to rise up, meeting Ira’s gaze with a demonic, red-eye stare that mirrored his own.

“Watching you has made me wonder... ” Haimon spoke in a cold, inhuman tone “Does a demon like yourself ever truly experience FEAR?!””

Haimon’s last word grew in volume until it matched that of a beastly roar, and the pool of blood around him began rising up until it covered his body in a crimson shell. After a few seconds, the oval of blood started expanding, growing to nearly triple its size until, suddenly, a crimson claw burst out from its left side. Another tore out the other side as a demonic growl could be heard within. The shell quickly dissipated as Cruenta broke out in a beast-like manner, roaring out to the quickly darkening skies. His attention soon lead to Ira, who stared back at him blankly.

“Futile pests! You will all suffer the wrath of Cruenta!” Cruenta shouted out, pointing towards Ira and the ponies “I, king of blood, and a true demon!” Cruenta ended his sentence with a loud roar, blowing a gust of wind past Ira that threw his hair back violently. Ira stood still and unphased as his hair dropped back down, seemingly clueless to the situation. Soul looked over at Ira before quickly readying himself, and noticed that his head was hanging down slightly. His dead-straight black hair was covering his face in a ghastly manner.

“...Never will I be welcomed amongst the heartless monsters you surround yourself with. Those that are warped into a feeding frenzy at the smell of fresh blood. I am no swirling mess of hatred and envy. But you...” Ira spoke in a calm, yet cold tone. His crimson eyes were shining noticeably as he raised his head to face Cruenta “Do you sacrifice lives to the demon, so you can take that form? Are you essentially ‘borrowing’ Cruenta’s power? Is that what you believe?” Ira chuckled quietly to himself before continuing “Don’t be naive enough to think you’re unaffected. You are ‘borrowing’ nothing from him. The conversion has already begun...”

Ira’s words brought on a dead silence all around the garden, the only sounds coming from his still running chainsaw, and a faint thunderstorm above. The sky begun to gradually grow darker as everyone, pony and demon, stood still. Soul kept a close eye on Alphinx, who looked around nervously. Suddenly, she turned her attention backwards, causing Soul to look the same way and notice a gate that lead out of the garden.

“Coward on the loose!” Ira yelled with his eyes still on Cruenta, blindly throwing his sword towards Alphinx as she ran to the opening. The sword narrowly missed her nape, jamming hard into the side of the gate as she passed through “Please attend to her. I want to fight this guy alone anyways”

Cruenta quickly bent down and blocked the gate as Soul, Daring, Shining Armor, and the pony guards moved to follow Alphinx “I don't think so! I’ll let none of you mortals leave here alive!” Cruenta growled, baring his teeth as the ponies stopped in their tracks.

“NOBODY ASKED YOU!” Ira suddenly snapped loudly, grabbing everyone’s attention as he leaped forward at Cruenta, dropping the chainsaw and latching onto his face “Now GET...the FUCK, outta the WAY!” Ira had begun landing punches as he spoke, increasing volume with every strike. After his words, Ira let go and landed one last heavy punch that sent Cruenta reeling backwards. Ira landed with a thump on the ground as the group of ponies quickly took advantage of the opening to chase after Alphinx. Ira caught Soul by a back hoof just before he left, pulling him in closer as he whispered “We don’t really need her. Should it be the only option....wipe her out”

Soul simply nodded in agreement before Ira let him fly away. A stomping could be heard behind Ira as Cruenta slowly advanced towards him. Ira slowly cracked the knuckles of the claw he grabbed Soul with before clenching it and turning towards Cruenta. The two demons stood a distance apart the garden for a few silent moments, their crimson eyes locked to each other.

“Alright, now it’s just you and me, so let’s strike a deal...” Ira stated, cracking his neck and stretching his arms. He pointed a claw at Cruenta as he finished preparing “A fight to form-breaking, not death. If I win, you tell me everything I want to know”

”Hmm....and what if I win?” Cruenta asked, clenching a fist towards Ira “What do you offer me for such an easy victory?”

“...then I’ll help you destroy this land, or whatever it is you wish to do, and we can settle things officially back on Earth” Ira answered bluntly, motioning towards the sky and landscape as he spoke “If you ARE good enough to beat me, you’d deserve it. It isn’t my duty to protect this place anyhow”

Cruenta stayed silent for a few minutes, a pondering expression on his face “ Very well. We have an accord” Cruenta finally agreed, crossing his bulked arms.

“Good...good...” Ira muttered, a smirk slowly growing on his face.