Smurfocalypse Chapter 72: The Dark Tower Part 1

Now that Timber entered the battlefield he was staring face to face with the embodiment of evil. What was staring back at him at one point used to be a fellow Smurf, but somehow after succumbing to death had been resurrected as this creature. The Smurfs didn't care how this happened, or what powers may or may not be behind the creation of the black hearted and their troops. They were here to rid their world of these creatures once and for all so that they could return to a peaceful lifestyle. Timber's heart was pounding in his chest as he fought back emotions of fear as he stared down his opponent. The Smurfs back home were counting on him to somehow kill this presumably immortal creature. By Timber volunteering to go first he basically agreed to either be the first of them to actually slay a black hearted, or be the first of them too fall in battle. Not to mention that if he were to be killed it would make his opponent even stronger. There was no other way out. Timber must engage his opponent in mortal combat.

Timber swiftly swung his right hatchet at the creature before shifting his stance to follow through quickly with his left hatchet. Both attacks were avoided when his opponent jumped into the air and attempted to bring his battle axe down right on Timber's head. Timber Dashed to his right avoiding the attack and executed his own only for his hatchets to collide with the creature's battle axe sending sparks flying. Both fighters pulled back their weapons and the demon swung his battle axe horizontally at Timber causing him to leap back to avoid to being hit. Timber then rushed forward and quickly swung his right hatchet at his opponent's chest followed his left. The hatchets cut deep into his opponent's chest leaving gashes and creating a bloody mess. The demon stood up and raise his axe just as Timber was about to swing again and brought the axe down once again trying to strike Timber in the head, but Timber quickly dashed out of the way and got behind his opponent to quickly add two more gashes as his hatchets sliced through the demon's back. The Demon spun around and swung his axe towards Timber only for him to leap back once again to avoid the attack. Timber couldn't help but smirk as it was clear he had the upper hand. He had also taken a formula of strength which greatly increased his power.

Timber took advantage of the distance between them and threw his hatchet, pulling back his right hand before throwing it skillfully and grasping onto a long metal chain which was attached to the weapon. Timber had a weapon upgrade while on the plateau. By attaching chains to his hatchets he can throw them at any time and be able to retrieve them. The hatchet whirled through the air and collided with the demon's axe causing Timber to have to pull back his weapon and catch it. Timber quickly threw the second hatchet only for it to be dodged when the demon jumped into the air above the hatchet then quickly jumped off the projectile causing the chained weapon to fall the ground with a clang. It was like when the yoyo doesn't come back up. Timber would now have to waste time he doesn't have to retrieve his hatchet if he wished to continue to use it to defend himself. He didn't even have time to think about how he would go about retrieving it before his opponent was face to face with him, having closed the distance between them swiftly after jumping off his hatchet. The Demon had his axe pulled back ready for a swing and even though Timber was airborne due to the formula's magic he didn't have the time to fly out of the way of the attack.

The demon swings his axe with all his might and all Timber could do was try to block the attack with his other hatchet. Due to his increased strength and the strength he has built up over time he was able to hold off the attack once the demon's axe collided with his hatchet, but he was unable to do much else so eventually his strength failed him and his hatchet was sent flying out of his hand and to the ground. Shortly afterward Timber would be joining his weapons on the ground as the axe struck his chest plate with such force he was sent out of the air and crashing into the ground. The demon then landed feet first right on Timber's chest. Raising his axe again, he planned to finish the Smurf off when Timber grabbed hold of the demon's feet and pulled them out from under him causing the demon to fall. Timber got to his feet and ran for his hatchets, quickly grabbing one up without stopping and sprinting to the other before sheathing them both and reaching for his battleaxe. He took flight again, kicking off the ground and drawing back his axe Timber was going head on into his next attack as he swung his axe with all his might at the demon.

Battle axes collided with such power that the two weapons created sparks. Timber drew back his axe and quickly swung again for the demon's chest causing a huge bloody gash. His opponent didn't even flinch as his flesh was struck. Just grinned and got ready for the next attack despite the exposed bone and profuse bleeding. It seems no matter how great the injury he inflicts upon this creature that he can't damage it enough to kill it before it heals again while he's fighting. This was one of the reasons Timber abandoned the idea of using his hatchets any further. Timber needed more power and his battle axe granted him far for raw power than his hatchets even with the formula.

"You're a formidable foe indeed, but in the end every Smurf that enters this tower dies." The demon said.

"Those Smurfs were not trained by the strongest Smurf in the world!" Timber yelled as he swung his axe.

The demon swung his axe to collide with Timber's. The demon pushed against Timber's blade with all his might sending the Smurf skidding backward despite his best efforts to overpower his foe. The demon shouted out as he applied pressure against Timber's axe with all its might. The creature overpowered Timber and its axe struck Timber across the chest plate shredding the metal armor and exposing his bare chest. Timber's axe was sent flying out of his hands and hit the ground with a large clang.

"This is the end." The demon claimed as he bashed Timber across the face with the blunt of his axe causing an irritable ringing in Timber's ears as his head jerked back from being hit. Before he could respond the demon swung his axe again striking Timber in the right leg, piercing the armor and making a painful gash in the Smurf's leg which immediately began to profusely bleed. Timber fell down on one knee and cursed as he stared opponent in the eyes.

"You know… Your right. All Smurfs that enter this tower die, and I have clearly met my match." Timber said.

The Smurf then boldly removed his helmet much to the confusion of his comrades. Timber then outstretched his neck and lowered his head.

"Finish me off." Timber said.

"Timber no! What are you thinking!?" Hefty said.

"Even with the Formula of Strength Timber's power still isn't great enough?" Archer asked.

"Perhaps coming here was a mistake…" Falconer said.

"Hefty. It's ok… Tell the Smurfs back home that I fought for the good of Smurfkind. I fought for peace… Until the very end. Just like Papa Smurf would have wanted." Timber said.

The Demon grew impatient being unable to understand the emotions the Smurfs share for each other.

"Since you were smart enough to surrender. I will grant you a quick death." The demon said as he readied his battle axe.

The demon rose his arms high above his head lifting his axe up high above his head, and leaving his torso completely unguarded. In a flash of light Timber quickly drew a hatchet with his right hand and swung it with all his might into the Demon's side. The hatchet cut deep such that the only thing preventing the demon from being cut in two was his spine which was also badly damaged by the attack. The demon dropped his weapon and timber swung a second time finishing the deed. The demon was cut into two halves and immediately fell to the floor in pieces. Timber then stood shakily and approached the upper half of the demon.

"You really think a proud Knight of the Smurf Table would surrender to the likes of you?!" Timber said as he approached what was left of the demon.

"You think that pitiful attack was enough to kill me?!" The demon shouted.

"Oh I knew it wouldn't kill you, but here's the fun part. I get to figure out just how much damage you're capable of taking before your kind dies." Timber said.

Timber swung his hatchets at the demon severing its arms before hacking away at the torso as though it were a log of wood. It was a bloody mess as Timber continued to strike his screaming opponent. Timber struck and destroyed organ after organ and left huge gashes in the torso of his opponent, but it still would not die.

"Surely you can't survive without your heart…" Timber finally said.

This caused noticeable frustration on his opponent's face.

"That's it isn't it? The black hearted can't survive without their black heart." Timber said.

It was process of elimination that lead Timber to his theory. The creature's kidneys, lungs, and liver are completely destroyed and yet it lives. However, should Timber strike the heart what would happen?

"This is a fool's effort! The likes of you will never defeat Vanity!" The demon shouted.

"You're wrong. Because now that we know how to kill you nothing will stop us." Timber said.

With a mighty swing of his hatchet Hefty split the creature's heart in two. Upon doing so the creature's eyes lit up with a blinding white light as it screamed an unearthly shriek. Out of the Demon's chest the apparitions of several Smurfs from all walks of life and all different cultures ascended from the damaged heart and into the heavens. The creature's body then changed to the body of a Smurf and was silent.

"Rest now… You are free." Timber said as walked towards the others.

"Hefty! Look! The magic barrier on the staircase is vanishing!" Sweepy exclaimed as he pointed.

"We must continue onward." Farmer said.

"Are you alright Timber?" Hefty asked regarding Timber's wounds.

"All I need is a potion." Timber said as swallowed the liquid in the vial in his hand.

Timber's wounds were healed thanks to the powerful magic of the Potion of Addicting Health. The knights then ran towards the staircase, and ascended to the second floor.