Deaths Blossom
by BioQuillFiction
First published
I have never been to a convention before, heard some things, saw some streams, but finally I get to attend E3, and I came dressed as Reaper from Overwatch...I should have believed the stories.
Coming from a broke and broken family, I never kept high hopes for anything. When my mother died and I moved out of the house, finally making a life of my own, I decided to treat myself. I had a few grand saved up for a rainy day, and I was going to use them to go to E3, video games were one of the few things that kept me sane before and now. That and MLP, but with the show on hiatus, again I figured it would be fun. I got a pretty good Reaper costume. I rarely played him in Overwatch, but I liked his backstory and character. Riding to E3 in a train was kinda fun dressed as him, mainly since I was not the only one dressed up. When I got to E3 I got the usual, games, little trinket things, then I came across what was a sad looking stall, but there was a pair of really good looking guns Reaper carried, and my costume didn't come with those, so naturally I bought them. When I tried them out by myself in the bathroom, my luck, the lights went out...and I was falling...Okay someone spiked my cherry root beer!
Chapter 1: Who Spiked My Cherry Root Beer!?
Three days. I had three days to enjoy E3, my first time at any kind of convention really. It was a long drive, and I had to take a train from the PARKING LOT! I knew these things were huge, but damn! I checked my phone, looking over my checklist. I’m forgetful, sue me!
Find a reasonable hotel
Took forever, but check.
Get dressed in Reaper costume
Check. I looked myself over. It was a pretty good costume, good thing too, cost me four hundred dollars. Detail was good.
Did you forget the tickets idiot?
I checked my pocket, the ticket there. Nope, take that past me!
I then pulled out my earbuds and played some music, seeing as I was dressed for it, I played Soldier 76 VS Reaper by JT Machinima. I had a lot of songs, and some movies and such on this phone, or rather, the 500 gigabyte Micro SD card. Internal Storage is only five, three of which is used my by the OS software on the phone. Why phones...why you do dat?
The train ride was an hour, finally stopping a block away from E3. Once off, it was like I was in a herd of sheep with all the people around. Waiting in line just to get in took two hours...my legs, wake up!
“Ticket sir?” The doorman asked.
“Huh, oh!” I said, reaching into my pocket and taking it out. He looked at it, scanned it with some kinda scanner and let me pass.
Once in, game tracks blasted from the loud speakers, stalls showing off indie, up and coming games, demos of games in development...this is my heaven!
I went up to a retro gaming stall, they had vintage and remade NES’s, 64’s, and games to match. I got an NES, 64, Gamecube, and ten games for each with extra controllers. I used to have a gamecube, but a puppy apparently thought it was a square fire hydrant. Yeah call me paranoid, but I brought my consoles from my home with me, games included...shut up, I’m paranoid. Though, carrying a duffle bag this large around had perks, I could put all the things I buy in it, even though I will be carrying probably a hundred pounds of stuff with me, or more, I say it’s worth it.
A few stalls later I bought a portable gaming environment, which was basically a suitcase with a flat screen and storage for consoles. I also got adapters just in case for the NES and 64. With that out of the way, I searched for games for my PS3, PS4, PS2, and nintendo systems, just a gameboy, 3ds, and the switch...and Wii U...It’s a BIG bag. Biggest I found between stores, Ebay, and Amazon. Kept all my games in a sleeve folder though, to that saved space.
After buying more games, and downloading some on my laptop. Wifi here is amazing. Thank you for a terabyte laptop. This thing, and the games I have in my oversized backpack, are most of my saved up money that I splurge on myself, probably more than the few grand I’m spending on myself here. But by far, this Laptop is my most expensive buy ever, an Alienware 17.3, cost me little over two grand plus taxes, but it’s storage and power alone are worth it! I also keep my games that are known to be heavy on consoles here, it plays them easy.
After downloading more games from steam, some indi ones from Gamejolt, I packed that all up and decided to buy some trinkets, gonna have to find a outlet soon, thank god I also brought all my chargers. A bit of walking and I found something odd.
It was a stall near a window, just a fold out table, and a man in a hoodie sitting there...but there was a display case, well, stand, whatever, and it had exact replica’s of Reaper’s shotguns! My costume didn’t come with those… My inner collector/OCD made my legs move, walking up to the stall. “Hey, um...how much?” I ask, looking at them.
“Fifty dollars each.” The man replied. Damn, he sounds like he needs a cough drop of something.
“Why so cheap?”
“Just overstock from my online store, figured I can get rid of them here cheap.”
“Oh, alright.” I said, taking out a hundred dollar bill and handing it to him. I too the replicas. Damn, they got some weight.
“Thanks for taking them off me stranger.” He said, starting to pack up. “Don’t go getting into trouble now.”
I chuckled. “You either sir.” I said, walking off. I placed them into my bag and headed to the bathroom. Upon entering I quickly realized it was empty. My inner child, who often makes my decisions, I took out the shotguns. Heh, damn they look realistic. “Bang, bang, bang!” I said, pretending to shoot the stalls. “Heh, cool.” I said, looking at them.
I flinched, the lights suddenly going out. “Oh shit…” I mutter, suddenly feeling like...falling. Damn, mom warned never leave your drink unattended. Swear I chugged that thing empty before putting it down to check out that Fallout 5 demo.
As I was falling I began to see lights, then I was falling from a sky. I managed to turn around, and saw myself falling into a city. “Craaaaaap!” I yelled, falling face first onto the brink ground of an allie. I laid there, a crack echoing from my neck...before a dark fog came out of my body and I was able to move again...I immediately backed away from the spot...Did I just die...and come back?! ...Reaper can’t do that!
I sat with my back against my backpack against the wall. Heh, least I still got that...where the hell am I? How the hell did I get here? I got up and walked slowly towards the alley entrance, seeing...anthro ponies… Am I in an anthro Equestria? Colors look right...and from the style of those clothes...Canterlot...great, I’m in snob city. Damn...how to do this...I look different, and this outfit won’t help at all. One of these ponies, people...whatever, sees me, and I’m in the dungeon for crime against, what’s something stupid...disturbing the peace? Probably.
I wonder...I fell to the ground, broke my neck and got back up, there was that black fog of Reaper’s around me when that happened...huh… I looked up, seeing the top of one of the building’s that made this alley. Wonder… “Uh...Shadow Step?” I said, taking a step as it felt like my body became the fog that came out of me and I went up the side of the building and onto the roof, returning to normal once I was on top of the roof. “Cool.” I said, looking at myself. “Whatever did this to me...I don’t mind.” I then realized the shotguns were on my side. “...did that guy...huh, the rumors were right...Heh, still gonna enjoy this.”
It was then that something hit me...I’m Reaper now… “Am I gonna be a hero...or a terrorist?”
Boom!
I Ran to the other side of the building’s roof, seeing what looked like a donut shop burst in flames. I could see some pony people trapped by the fire. “...Hero for hire...depending on what it’s for.” I said, quickly taking off my bag and jumping off the edge. The second I landed on the ground, I must have Reaper’s body cause that did not hurt, the pony people got scared as I walked towards the burning building.
A pony person in gold armor pointed a spear at me. “Halt! What are you?”
I looked at him. “Name’s Reaper.”
He then raised the spear to my neck. “No pony in there is going to die.”
I chuckled. “Who said anything about dying?” I said, Shadow Stepping forewards, through the fire, not feeling it and to the ponies trapped. My eyes widened. It was Twilight, but young...Really young, Shining Armor, no older than maybe twelve, and their parents. “You four the only ones here.”
Twilight’s father, Night Light, if memory served, gulped. “Please...not our children.”
“Or for the love of…” I said, grabbing Shining and Twilight, who must have been like, two, and Shadow Stepped back through the fire, dropping them into the safety of the street then going back in and grabbing Night Light and Velvet. “My name is Reaper, I’m not the reaper.” I goran, SPears surrounding me suddenly. “Okay really? I just saved these people and you’re pointing weapons at me?”
“Put them down!” Velvet yelled, yanking one of the guards spears out of their hands and throwing it to the side. “This pony saved our lives! Have some manners!”
I tried not to chuckle, seeing Velvet lecture the guards who hesitantly put the spears down. “So...who and what are you?” Night Light asked, looking at me. “That was some...fancy magic.”
“Just...call me Reaper. As for what I did...Not even sure how it works myself, but it does.”
“Well, thank you. Can we repay you?”
“That depends, what can you pay?”
Night Light looked surprised. “Oh, um...Well...Do you have a place to stay?”
“Ah...no...I kinda...fell into the city.”
“Well, we have a spare room you can use for as long as you need.”
“Thanks...just like that?”
“You saved our lives, it’s the least we can do. RIght hun?”
Velvet stopped her lecturing, the guards now looking a bit scared of her, and turned to look at us. “Of course, stay as long as you’d like.” She said with a warming smile.
“Alright...I’ll get my stuff.” I shadow stepped back onto the building, grabbing my bag and shadow stepping back down. “So...you going there now or…?”
“Might as well, it’s been a day.” Velvet said. “Come on kids, hun, let’s show our hero our home.”
Hero...Oh alright...I’ll see if Celestia will pay me.
The Sparkle house was a fair sized, two story house, nice yard, and well kept. Upon entering I saw it was really well furnished, an elegant staircase leading to upstairs. “Shining, can you show Reaper to the spare room.”
“Sure.” Shining Armor said, his tone seemed...Well, I can tell he’s unsure of me. I followed him upstairs and passed what I am assuming was the main rooms. He opened a door near the end of the hall, a wood stairway leading up was behind it. “Mom redid the attic as a spare bedroom. It’s got a nice view, bed, dresser, and a TV.” He explained.
“Really?” I ask, surprised that there are TV’s in this Equestria. Well, it is anthro.
“Yeah, but it’s not hooked up to anything other than a DVD player.”
“That’s fine.” I said, walking up the stairs. When I got to the actual room It was about as big as my bedroom back on earth., bed was big, built for two, and the dresser was large, about six feet long, four feet high, plenty of drawers. The Tv was on it. It reminded me of my first TV I had in my room, very big, and heavy looking.
I saw the DVD player on it and looked behind the TV, two outlets, same as back on earth, were where the plugs were plugged in, and the inputs were the standard Red, Yellow and White like on earth. Good, looks like paranoia paid off. I then but my bag down, it making a bit of a thump as I it hit the ground and began searching for all my consoles. I got each one out and placed them around the TV on the dresser. I then pulled out my disc folder, it was packed, easy six inches thick. I kept all my ds games and Switch games in a small box I glued on it’s spine from the outside. I knew how to reset it to the red, yellow, and white cables, so I pulled out my ps4 and looked through my games. I then saw Overwatch...heh, why the hell not.
Canterlot was a buzz with the news of Death itself sparing a family rather than harvesting their souls. When this news reached Celestia, she took a carriage with her niece Cadence and nephew Blue Blood. She was told Death had gone home with that family, and part of her war worried, the other was curious. Death, saving ponies...what purpose would there be in that?
“Auntie, why are we going with you to see this poser?” Blue Blood said.
Celestia sighed. “He may not be Blue Blood, can you turn into black fog and pass through blazing fire unharmed and bring others with you and keep them safe from the flames?”
“Uhhh...Well no, but can’t a spell do that?”
“None that I know of, and I have had time to learn most all, even the dark ones.”
“What do you think he’s like?” Cadence asked.
“No idea, he must be good if he saved them, but this is all odd.”
“How so?”
“Death exists to let the dying find peace, the afterlife.”
“Well, maybe it wasn’t their time?”
“Perhaps, but this is the first time he has made a physical appearance, if it is him.”
“You talk as if you know him?” Blue Blood asked.
“...Once, a long time ago I came face to face with Death. He spared me, and I returned as the alicorn you two see now.”
“But, you made Cadence and Alicorn, and she didn’t die.” Blue Blood pointed out.
“Cadence is a different type of Alicorn, unlike me, she can age and die. I cannot age, nor die. The reason for that is that my soul is bound to my Celestial, the sun. Cadence’s soul isn’t, they are linked, but not bound.”
“That’s...kinda nice to hear. I was afraid I was going to be thirteen forever.” Cadence said, making Celestia laugh.
“No, you will grow up Cadence.”
“Princess, we’re here.” The carriage driver said as it came to a stop.
“Thank you, you two, come, and please be respectful.” Celestia said as she stepped out, Blue Blood and Cadence close behind. She walked up to the door, and rang the doorbell.
Twilight Velvet opened the door, and upon seeing the Princess as her front door she nearly fainted. “P-p-p-p-p-p-p-p-p-p-Princess! What brings you here?!”
“I think you know miss...Velvet, correct? Where is Death?”
“A-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-Attic room.”
“Thank you. Could you please lead me and my niece and nephew there?”
Playing overwatch offline was weird, they made a DLC that makes it able to play offline, no internet at all. The Ai’s are pretty good, smart, and ass holes sometimes, but it’s...weird.
There was a knock at the door. I immediately turned off the TV and threw the sheets over the consoles. I then got up and walked down the stairs to the door. When I opened it, I stared right into the face of Equestria’s monarch...and closed the door.
I went back to my bed and put in my ear buds and tried listening to some music. When I looked to my side, I saw Celestia standing there, looking a mix of annoyed and confused. I sighed, taking out an ear bud. “Can I help you?”
“Yes you may.” Celestia said, crossing her arms and tapping her foot. “Mind telling me why you appear as Death, and seem to posses powers related?”
“Short answer, I bought these.” I lifted up the shot guns. “From some guy at a convention and was messing with them when the power went out, next thing I know I’m falling from the sky into an alleyway.”
“I see...so in other words you think the person you bought those, whatever they are, from somehow did this?”
“Well maybe. I heard rumors of people going to these conventions and disappearing. Just thought they got lost and ended up in some other city or something.”
“I see...and where are you from?”
“Earth.”
“What nation is that?”
“Not a nation, a planet.”
“Wait, you’re from another world!” I looked behind Celestia, seeing a young Cadence there.
“Yup.” I reply simply.
“Are you not wanting to go home? You seem...pleased with where you are.” Celestia said.
“I had nothing back home, family was...not worth talking about, job was boring.”
“So what are your plans?”
“Well, that depends, you hiring?”
“E-excuse me?”
“I got powers, abilities, and I strike fear into all who see me just by standing somewhere. You could hire me for something.”
“Uh…”
“You can be my servant!” I looked to Celestia’s other side, seeing a young Blue Blood there. “Or body guard, whichever.”
“Blue Blood!” Celestia snapped.
“Deal.” I said, making the three of them look at me in surprise.
“You...accept his offer?” Celestia asked, confused.
“Well, I need a job.”
“Alright...But, on one condition.”
“Shoot.”
“Take off your mask. I want to see your face.”
I sighed, clicking the straps on my mask and took it off. Hair fall down from my forehead and sides. My hair was short cut before this all happened. I really became Reaper then. Huh. I looked up, seeing Celestia surprised. “Well, as you can see, I’m not a pony.”
“What...what are you? In all my years. Physically you are similer to us, but…”
“No pony ears, or fur, or multi colored hair. Or tale. I am what’s known as a human.” Listening to myself in a calm room. At least I still sound the same.
“Well then...When will you be able to start?” Blue Blood asked.
“Tomorrow I guess. If you’ll let me I’ll pack up now and hitch a ride with you.”
“Sure.” Blue Blood said.
I got up and pulled the sheets off my games and consoles. Celestia, Cadence and Blue Blood all looked at the items in awe. “What are they?” Cadence asked.
“Entertainment, and very expensive.” I say, packing them carefully. Once everything was back in my oversized duffle bag I strapped it on. “Let’s go.” Cadence and Blue Blood made their way down the steps, and placed a hand on Celestia’s shoulder. “Keep an eye on the filly that lives here. She has a destiny.”
“What?” She asked, I ignored her question and walked downstairs. She’ll get it sooner or later. As I was at the door I saw the filly Twilight there, watching me from a corner.
“Practice your magic some kid, I have a feeling you’ll be good at it.”
Chapter 2: New Job, New Rules
As Blueblood’s bodyguard/servant, I had two basic things to do. Get him what he asks for, and keep him safe. By any means, Celestia clarified, same went for Cadence too. So I gotta split my time between the two somehow, or keep them together as often as possible...Bingo.
When I requested a large TV, Celestia looked at me strangely, but I explained it was to make my job easier and entertain Cadence and Blueblood she didn’t question it further. She got a Really large TV and had it placed in the sitting room, I kept my room locked but brought with me the NES and Mario World. I hooked it up and, thank god, it worked right away. “What...is this?” Blue Blood asked.
“Entertainment from my world, this thing and game here are actually really old back home.” I explained, hooking up the two controllers.
“It’s a game? Like chess?” Cadence asked.
I chuckled. “Do you know what a video game is?” I asked, the two shaking their heads. “Wow, you have DVD movies, but not video games. You poor deprived children.” Than made those two look at each other confusingly. When the game booted up I selected new game and set it to 2 player. I then gave Cadence the player 1 control and Blueblood the player 2 control. “Alright, control are simple, that little cross on the left controls the character on the screen, the buttons on the right make them do specific actions, and the ones in the middle pause the game, most of the time, and yes, that’s what they do in this game?” They both looked at me confused. “Trust me, once you get the hang of it, it’s fun and easy...just remember to blink when you get into it.”
Five Hours Later
“Blueblood, Cadence?” Celestia asked, walking into the sItting room. She saw them both sitting on the couch, I watching them as they, played the game. Celestia walked up to me. “What show is this?”
“Not a show, a video games.” I explained, followed by a brief explanation as to what a videogame was.
“I see, so those strange boxes allow you to play as another in a fantasy world?”
“Like a movie you control.”
“How long have they been...playing?”
“Five hours.”
“Are their eyes supposed to be that red?”
I looked at the kids eyes. “Damn, I told them to blink.” I said, turning the system off.
“NOOOO!!!” Cadence and Blueblood yelled. They then both yield and rubbed their eyes.
“I told you two to blink.”
“We were almost at the fifth castle…” Cadence wined.
A month passed since my first day and now it was time for the Grand Galloping Galla. I am to watch over Cadence and Blueblood and when it gets late, escort them to their bedrooms. This might be a challenge, since there will be a lot of ponies here and I will have to keep them both in check.
Cadence was dressed in a pink and sunset orange dress and Blueblood was dressed in a simple black tux. Since I’m their guard I get to wear my Reaper attire, much to the dislikes of the snobby guests here.
“This is boring.” BLueblood sighed.
“Agreed.” Cadence said.
The three of us were at a table just ordering drinks and the occasional snack. “Yeah...Well, since we got nothing else better to do, how about we do this.” I start, sitting up right. “I know little about you two despite being your guard/servant for a month now. You each ask me a question, and I ask a question about you two. Deal?”
Cadence and Blueblood both looked at each other and sat up. “Alright...What’s your name. Your real name.” Cadence asked.
“Chris.”
“Odd name.”
“DIfferent world, remember?”
“What’s earth like?” Blueblood asked. “You only talk about it in small bits.”
I chuckled. “Earth is...strange. To you anyway. There’s no magic, no pegasi, unicorns, earth ponies there kinda are, but they aren’t like you two, able to walk and talk… Actually only humans can talk, and have sentient.”
“Sentient?” Cadence asked.
“It means smart enough to know right and wrong, and who you are. We...humans. We are obsessed, always asking questions we have to find the answers too. It used to be that when something new and strange came around we’d call it evil and burn it, kill it, just want it to go away. Nowadays, when something we don’t understand comes around we wanna know how it works, what makes it tick. That change in mindset lead to things like the games you both seem to enjoy, advancements in technology, science. Hell, we put people on the moon and into space.”
“Wow…” They both said.
“My turn. Cadance, Blueblood. Where are you two from?”
“Well. I came from village west of Canterlot. My village was being torn apart by a witch that was harvesting the love and energy from everyone. I confronted her and managed to stop her, and I blacked out. When I woke up, I was in Canterlot, had a horn, and auntie filled me in on the rest. Village was safe, and for my selfless actions auntie made me an alicorn.”
“Alright, Blueblood.”
Blueblood sighed. “I am from here, Canterlot. My parents were nobles that worked with the crown as finance managers. Well, about seven years ago it turns out they were taking money from the crown, so they are in the dungeon, and aunt adopted me. I was just three and had nothing to do with what they were doing. I don’t remember much about them, but when I did see them in the dungeon ones they seemed...nice.”
“I’m sorry. Money can turn nice people into monsters if they let it.”
“Well. What were your parents like?” Blueblood asked.
Now I sighed. “My dad, I never knew him, the man I grew up calling dad when I was young was fun, but after a move to another state, when he finally was able to come over he was...different. He would rather drink and smoke than be with us. My mom was a good person, a little too religious and superstitious personally but she was good...til she got ill. She was in pain, began hating everything, no medicines worked, and since she couldn’t be left alone I had to stay with her. Some days she would sleep through it all, all day, others...she was screaming, crying all day and night from the pain. It got to the point where...I snapped. I couldn't’ handle it any more, had her sent to a nursing home...she died not long after. She just let herself go.
“I had known for a long time that, my family...we can get along, but not for long term. We do best when we only talk and meet up here and there...So I left, didn’t tell a soul where I went, even changed my last name to make sure they couldn’t find me easy.”
“Why?”
“Because the things I said to my mom when I snapped...I couldn’t face my family. I got a job in the one place I figured they’d never look. A place called New York. It was a crowded, noisy city, but I made due. Worked in records for a company. Basically I just sat in the basement where all the past files and such were kept, and when someone needed one of those files, which was rarely, I lead them to it. All in all, I kept my life simple, and even when I was working I had free time, so I gamed. Watched tv, and still got paid.”
“What changed to bring you here?” Cadence asked.
“Curiousity. I had a few grand, about three thousand dollars saved for a rainy day, and I was gonna use it to go to a convention. E3. It was being held a few states away from where I was, all video games, and video game related stuff. I was there for a few hours, buying mostly before I was gonna go to any reveals. I got those weapons you see me with and was playing with them. They weren’t real, before anyway. Next thing I know the lights went out and, well, here I am.”
BANG!
I reacted, pulling the table over and keeping the kids low behind it. I looked out from the side, seeing one of the nobles missing their head. “Kids, look down and stay close.” I said, getting them up with me and leading them to where guards were leading the crowds. Once they were safe I pulled out the shotguns. Here’s hoping they “reload” Like Reapers. “Show yourself!”
“Well well,” I turned around. My eyes widened at who I was looking at...Widowmaker. “Took long enough to find you Reaper. Sombra took her time making an interdimensional locater, but finally we found you.”
“...So she made a portal?” I asked, playing dumb.
“Yeah, and it seems you have your boney fingers in this world’s kingdom. Got any plans?”
“Just my job here.”
That made her chuckle. “Doing what? Playing bodyguard to some rich brats?”
When she turned around as some guards were entering, I pulled both shotguns out, and fired, both her arms being blasted off as she screamed in agony. “Yeah.” I said, the guards looking scared as they walked up. “Get her a doctor. And restrain her legs, she can still kill you without her arms.”
“Grah! Traitor! You’re not Reaper! Who are you!?” Widowmaker yelled as the guards started to pick her up, carrying her to a medic. Heh, good thing her heartbeat is slowed, it will keep her alive longer.
“Who was that Reaper?” I turned around, seeing Celestia there.
“Widowmaker. An assassin for a terrorist organization, not from earth, or at least mine.”
“Yet another world?” She asked.
“Sort of. Follow me.” I said, leading her to my room, where I kept my games and other consoles when Blueblood or Cadence wasn’t playing them. I turned on the PS4 and pulled out the Overwatch disk. “She comes from this.” I said, handing her the disk.
“A...one of your games?”
“It was supposed to be a game...but then again, here I am with Reaper’s powers and there Widowmaker was, thinking I was him.”
“So...what do you think is going on?”
“Something tells me that what I thought were games, what everyone on my world thought was just games on my world, might be real, at least in other realities. So, that makes it a possibility of this world.” I tapped the game disk in her hand. “Flowing out into this one. And god knows what else.”
“That’s worrying. Are these games why you told me about that filly, Twilight Sparkle?”
I sighed, grabbing my laptop and booting it up, quickly entering my media folder and finding the MLP episodes/movies. I then played the first episode ever and showed it to Celestia. “Your world in mine isn’t a videogame, like the one Widowmaker is from, it’s a TV show, though, as you can clearly see there are differences, I am only assuming there will be similarities.”
“So in other words this...TV show version of this Equestria might have similar if not exact events similar to what happens in this show?”
“Bingo. But, with me, and now this event with Widowmaker, I am not sure how much of this show will still ring true in this world.”
“But you are thinking that preparing for them, even if they end up not happening.”
“Better safe than sorry, right?”
“True...on one condition.”
“Being?”
“I wish to have all these consoles, and games, and this…”
“Computer, laptop specifically.”
“Computer. Wow, ours are still rather large. These items all examined, copied, and made for our markets, though, we will take some artistic licensing with the games and what they hold. We don’t want too many details being similar enough for the citizens to make connections.”
“Well, alright...but promise, that once they know what they are doing, everything will be working properly when returned. As I told you when you first saw them, these things are expensive.”
“Relax, a simple examination spell should let us learn all we need to know. As for things like operating systems, we will have to create that from the ground up.”
“Okay fine. You had me worried.”
“They already sent someone to retrieve him?!”
“Calm yourself, thanks to Tracer and Lucio’s work, we have the blueprints that Sombra used to make the portal machine. I can recreate it, and thank to the Overwatch medical records Mercy kept, we have Reapers DNA. Even if it’s from before he became Reaper, it should be enough.”
“Alright...just let me know when it’s ready so you can send me to deal with him.”
“No.”
“What?”
“When it’s complete, we will be sending Genji.”
“You can’t-”
“Jack! Your past with him is the reason we decided on this. Look, from what I can tell, so long as the portal is operating, we can tell vital signs. If Genji… Then, and only then will we send you.”
“...Fine Winston.”
Author's Notes:
Here's chapter 2, man, I am punching these out kinda quick. Well, here it is, and as my user page says (Warning, shameless self promotion) I take commissions, got one, PM me on this account, or on This Account.
Chapter 3: Blossoms...
With all my consoles, games and laptop going through magical reverse engineering, I decided to take Cadence and Blueblood out for a bit. I talked with Celestia and she said that Fillydelphia’s beach would be fun. The kids packed their things and we were on a train. At least I still had my phone.
“What is that?” Cadence asked, Blueblood’s ears perking up and his eyes looking in interest as Cadence pointed at my phone.
“It’s called a phone. Celestia wants to take this away from me for more than a day she’ll be prying it from my cold, never-dying hands.” I said, searching though the music files.
“What does it do?”
“Think of it kinda like my laptop, only has less stuff/power than it, but still does a lot.”
“So do you got games from your world on it too?”
“Yeah, they’re not like the ones you and Blueblood play, and frankly I am unsure if I can trust you two with it-”
“Why not?!” Blueblood asked, looking somewhat mad.
“Because A, these things are very fragile, screen breaks or it falls in water, it’s dead. And B...Well, there’s some things I keep on here that kids are not suited to see.”
“So we get no entertainment? It’s a three hour train ride.”
“Well, how about some music from my world. What do I have here that you two might light?” I asked myself, looking through all the songs I had. After a bit, I found one I thought would be alright. A Hero Never Dies. I put an earbud each for them and let the song play.
Halfway through the song. “Got anything else?” Blueblood asked.
“Let me check.” I said, searching through the songs again. “Here’s one. No Mercy. It's actually Kinda Funny.”
An hour or so passed, changing songs every so often. I kept any songs I knew had swears in them out of this selection and when we reached the train station I put my phone and earbuds away. We grabbed our bags and got off. As usual ponies stared at me. I was used to it. A carriage was waiting for us and it took us to a fancy hotel where Celestia had a room for us all ready. When we got up to it, it was like the inside of a house, living room, kitchen, three bedrooms, four bathrooms, patio, and an personal library and indoor pool.
While the kids unpacked I went into the library. It was nothing like in Canterlot, or even the one in Celestia’s bedroom, and no, nothing happened. As I figured most of the books were different encyclopedias. There were also mostly dictionaries, thesauruses, and what few actual books there were all seemed to either be books about the cities tourist attractions or autobiographies of ponies famous to the city.
All in all, this library sucked. “Hey Reaper!” I turned around, seeing Blueblood at the doorway. “Cadence and I were thinking about going somewhere to eat.”
“Sure, let’s just unpack and you two get into something comfortable, alright?”
“Alright.” Blueblood said as he walked off. Wonder why he is such an ass in the show? He’s a nice kid.
I picked out a room quickly, unpacking my bags, which wasn’t much, and saw the kids at the door. Blueblood was in a tux and Cadence was in a poofy dress. “Oh no…” I groan, shaking my head.
“What? This is eating attire.” Blueblood said, confused.
“Not where we’re looking.” I went into Blueblood’s room, finding his most casual clothing was, what I found out, was brand name blue jeans and a white collar shirt. Cadence at least had a normal sun dress and flip flops. With the kids changed I had Cadence wear a poncho type thing to hide her wings. I’m overprotective, shut up.
Once we left the place, me just not wearing my mask and keeping my hood down, we headed for the common man's food district. The whole way, seeing my new face…his face. There was a scare going along both eyes. Ponies gave me stars, but I ignored them and most that did look looked away just as fast. Big cities...only good thing about them is that you can look as odd as can be and most people will only give you a quick glance. Blueblood was a mix of scared, uncomfortable, and bitter about wandering around as a common pony. Cadence though, seemed happy about it. Seems about fright, she was a normal pony before she became an alicorn.
Once at the food district, Blueblood’s attitude seemed to change, the smell of delicious foods calming his groomed princely(jerkly) deminer. Cadence seemed happy too...until I found the restaurant I wanted us to eat at. “Um...are you sure Reaper?” Cadence asked.
“I know it will be weird for you two, but I naturally eat meat, and greens. This is a vacation for me too after all.” I said. The restaurant I had us all stand in front of was a griffon run restaurant, the smell of cooked meat caught my attention instantly. “BEsides, the sign says they serve pony diets also.”
“What’s all you can eat?” Blueblood asked, reading more of the sign.
I smiled. “Exactly what it says.” I said, leading the kids with me into the front door, Inside were several ponies, thestrials, a Minotaur, and, as expected, griffons. Walking up to register, the gryphoness looked surprised to see me. Then again, I am likely the only human she has ever seen. “Hey, how much for one adult and two kids?”
“Oh, uh, ten bits per youngling, er, foal, child...twenty five for adults…” She said, trying not to sound offensive I guess.
I laughed it off, pulling out my bag of bits, stuffed like Naruto’s purse from the earlier episodes, and payed the price for us all. She gave me three plastic cups and I gave the kids each one. “Come on, let’s get some drinks then get the food.”
“But we didn’t order anything?” Blueblood said.
Again, I smiled. “Kid, you are about to learn the meaning of gluttony this day.” I said, taking the kids the the soda dispenser. Cadence seemed to know what to do, and Blueblood watched, mimicking when it was his tur- HEY! Cherry root beer!
When we all got our drinks I picked out a nice booth, the kids on one end and me on the other. “Alright, drinks down, follow me.” I said, Blueblood looking even more confused.
After showing Blueblood how an all you can eat buffet works, he seemed to get the idea as he filled his plate with some kind of Lasagna and pastries, jello, and a rather large bowl of ice cream...I think he grabbed a soup bowl rather than the false glass cups that were there… Eh, kids will be kids....Why didn’t I ever do that when my parents took me to places like these...Oh yeah...not much of a sweet tooth.
Cadence was right along with Blueblood, plate filled with all kinds of things and an equally big bowl of ice cream. I kept my plate simple, some equestrian equivalent of chinese noodles, kabobs, with real meat. Chicken I think. And mashed potatoes covered in gravy.
As we ate at some point smalltalk started up. “So, how many of those...games, do you have?” Cadence asked.
“In total? Well, some I’ve had for years, others are newer, but all in all I think it’s over...two hundred...maybe more. WIth the ones that are able I have a lot of games on the consoles themselves.” I reply.
“Really?” Blueblood asked.
“Yeah, the ones on my PC, the one I told Celestia ‘Take this and mess it up I break you horn’ I modded.”
“Modded?”
“Things people from my world do. Whether it’s for fun, of because they felt it needed something...more, they make a mod. A file the base game, aka, Vanilla game, that the game can load and have work as if it’s part of the game normally. Some mods add little things, new characters, an item, others change the way the game looks, how some things are done, even change the whole game itself.”
“Wow.”
“Yeah, this one game of mine, my favorite mods for it are called Dust, and MoMonsters.”
“What do they?” Cadence asked.
“Well, MoMonsters is self explanatory. Dust changes the whole game, takes away all the quests, everything wants to kill you, and everything is reduced, weapon damage, carry weight, HP, ammo and healing items are harder to find, enemies drop much less, and there’s one goal. Find Safety.”
“How do you do it?”
“Do that hardest thing in that mode. Play the game. Heh, first time I ever played that mod, died about a mile from where I started.”
“Yikes. Think we can play it?” Blueblood asked.
“When you’re older.” I reply.
“How old?”
“...Fourteen, fifteen, around there.”
“That’s three years away.” Blueblood said sadly.
“Time flies Blue.”
“How come you call us by our names and nicknames?” Cadence asked. “Most everypony else calls us Prince and Princess.”
“Cause A, I am not from here, so not under any of your crowns laws of social manures about addressing royalty, and B, you two are kids, you should act like such, and be treated like such.”
They seemed to nod in agreement at that and we kept eating. When Blueblood got up for his third plate I got up to use the bathroom. Some guy half shoved me on my way there. He was a Griffon, and something about him felt bad. I quickly used the bathroom and walked back out, relieved to see both Cadence and Blueblood in the booth. “Hey. I miss anything?”
“Not really.” Cadence replied, taking a bite of what appeared to be tofu.
After we had out fills I took the kids on a walk to help push the food down. Five blocks in on the walk I noticed we were being followed. I informed the kids and had us keep to the heavily populated streets. Cadence and Blueblood were reasonably worried, from what I could tell he was still following so I headed back to the hotel. Once inside the kids seemed to calm some and once back in our room they let go of some long held breaths.
I took a seat in the library and relaxed some. Whoever that guy was, he can’t have gotten in he-
Slice.
Something sharp sliced my neck open, my blood spewing out across the floor. My own blood was pouring into my lungs and my body was reverting to smoke to heal. When it finished I heard Cadence scream and grabbed my shotguns. When I entered her room I saw the griffon that shoved me in the restaurant holding her, and holding a knife to her neck. “How?! I sliced your neck clean open!” He shouted, now pointing the knife at me.
“I’m hard to kill.” I reply, pointing both guns at him. “Drop the princess. Now.”
“I- I’ll hurt her, I swear!” He said, taking the knife back up to her neck.
“Do that, and you’ll be kissing the pavement thirty stories below.”
“You- You wouldn’t kill me.”
“I am ordered and sworn to protect Prince Blueblood and Princess Cadence at any cost. I may not have blood on my hands now, but are you going to be the one to change that? Think hard about that, I’ve already blown off someone’s arms, now she has to have someone feed her and wipe her ass in the dungeons.”
That made him shake, and it’s not a lie. Widowmaker is in the dungeon, legs restrained and upper body held down, nurses and guards making her eat and...cleaning her. I visit, every so often. Every time she looks at me she spits before talking. That would hurt, if I was really Reaper...then again, he wouldn’t care either.
The griff seemed to be weighing his options. As he was putting the knife away he gasped, Cadence running to me. I grabbed her in a tight hug and looked up seeing Blueblood….holding a bloody knife. “Blueblood.” I said, worried.
“I...I...he…” I went over to him, Cadence still with me and comforted BLueblood. “I’m sorry. I was scared, and, and…”
“Shh. It’s alright. It’s alright. You’ll be fine. It’s alright...You did nothing wrong...You were protecting your cousin.”
Chapter 4: Something There?
I informed Celestia personally about what happened. Needless to say, she was distraught. Cadence and Blueblood were given therapy and Celestia and I rarely left their side. In order to make more time to spend with her niece and nephew, she made a small group of trusted friends to run the day courts so they could take over in her leave, and anything they felt she should look at they gave to her in a report at the end of the day.
It has been a week now and the kids were in bed. Celestia sat next to me, I got my consols back a while ago and have been too distracted to really play them. This was the first time in a while I was playing them. “Looks like their nightmares are easing up.” She said.
“Good.” I replied, pausing the game and giving a groan as I rubbed my forehead. “I still can’t believe that happened.”
“Neither can I… How did you cope?”
“Huh?”
“When you shot off Widowmaker’s arms, how did you cope with it after words? You seem fine now.”
“I guess...It’s cause I know.”
“Know what?”
“She expected me to be an allie they lost. I had an opening and took it. This body I’m in, it’s killed countless, and she about the same. She didn’t deserve what happened to her, but she deserves to find peace...and I’m just not...able, to give it to her.”
“What happened to her?”
“...Long ago, on her world. She was a ballerina. One of the best, and her husband was a well respected and high ranking government official. A terrorist organization captured her, and was brainwashing her to kill him. She was saved, her programing removed...so they thought. It kicked in while she slept, and she killed her husband then and there. She woke up after the deed was done...Broken and alone, she went back to the terrorist group, where she let them change her, her morality, emotions, gone, her heartbeat slowed to hide from infrared scanners and all kinds of bad. The woman she was was gone...and the Widow was all that was left.”
Celestia seemed a mix of horrified and sad. “How...How can they do that to her?”
“How can the people who tried to harm the kids and kill me do what they did?” I asked back. As expected, I got no answer. “Race, species, in the end, there are three facts. We are born, we live, then we die. The beginning and end are plain and simple, they just happen. What people do when they’re living is their business, but some people...don’t deserve to live.”
“I don’t believe that.” Celestia said sternly. “I believe everyone has good in them and can make the better choices.”
“Maybe some, but not all. That’s a lesson from both Widowmaker’s world...and mine.”
“Name one person from your world who deserved their death.”
“Here’s a list. Starting off with the worst, Adolf Hitler…”
Over the next few hours I told her about all the tyrents, wars, and death my world has gone though. As I kept on she just seemed...I dunno. Shocked I guess that it’s one after another.
“Stop.” She said, covering her mouth, eyes teary. “How...how can your world keep doing that to itself?”
“Ignorance, selfishness, greed. Can’t even name them all. The good are too few and far between and the bad and selfish are always the ones in power.”
“Tell me something, where did you learn how to fight?”
“... I did everything to make my mother proud. It was never enough. Get a job, she didn't like it, despite the fact that she was always telling me to get one. Join the Navy, did that, she got pissed. When I was overseas for a few years... that's when I learned to fight. Enemy submarine, new type, invisible to our radars, sunk the ship I was on. Only me and about fifty out of six hundred men and women got out of that alive. We washed up on enemy shores and were being gunned down as we ran through the thick forest.
“I spent the next four months being hunted down like a pig for sport while day after day someone I knew died. It came down to three of us left. We took a big risk, and went for their base, which had a radio tower so we hoped to get a message to some Ally of ours. We snuck in alright, but once the message was sent, that's when hell broke loose. My last two friends were killed, and I was captured. A week later troops came in and I was rescued, but it was a week of hell. All my ribs were either cracked or broken, and my legs were screwed, literally, they took an electrical drill and drilled screws all the way down my legs, into the bone. I was honorably discharged after that.”
“You learned to fight in your world’s armed forces?”
“I learned to fight while stuck on the food forsaken island. Navy only teaches you to sail and point a gun.”
“And your abilities?”
“Smoking I learned day one. I don't know how exactly, but, it's like If I want to get somewhere but there's an obstacle, my body reacts, turning to smoke and I float up or through it. I have other abilities, but I am not sure how those work.”
“Like?”
“My guns, for example, game logic just has me toss them to the side and two more magically appear on me, fully loaded and ready to shoot. I don't think that will actually happen, it's why I only used them the once, dealing with Widdowmaker. Then there's my…’Ultamit’ Death Blossoms. I half smoke up and fire in all directions at incredible speeds. I’m not sure how to use it, but I'm guessing I have to either be pumped with adrenaline, or really pissed off to use it.”
“I see. So, aside from your family, leave anyone back on your world?”
“No. To busy with work and my lack-of social life to have a special girl. I always thought about having a family, wife, kids. Heh...lots of kids, but I’ve labeled that as wishful thinking.”
“Heh...same.” I looked over to Celestia, her face was happy...and sad. “I have had relationships in the past, but being ageless… it just made them all the more special when they died. I miss them, but I don't isolate myself, I cherish all the memories I made with them. Good and bad.”
“I bet stallions line up by the mile to date you huh?”
“No. I wish, but mostly my ponies have put me so high up that my relationships all started out with a guard or servant I find has a crush but is the shy type. Heh, it's cute when they get so flustered when I tell them I know they have a crush on me.”
“Heh. Sounds like you like the shy types then.”
“Yes. It's been like that for years... though I wish I could just go up to a stallions...or any race male and ask for a date~”
I looked over at Celestia, and chuckled. “Princess Celestia, are you asking me out?”
“Depends. Are you accepting?”
“I might…” I say grabbing my NES controllers and handing her one. “If said solar monarch can last an all nighter trying to beat the levels in Super Mario.”
“Oh you're on!”
Chapter 5: The First Misadventure.
“How's the portal coming along Winston?”
“Harder than I expected Genji. I’ll give Nyx this, she's smart, it seems she left out a keep component in order to make this thing working, and likely keeps that formula on her head.”
“What is it?”
“A power source. Right now, it can be turned on with a basic power source, but it's not stable. Organic matter disintegrates when entered.”
“Even armored my organic parts wouldn't survive?”
“Sadly no.”
“Damn. What about an Omnic?”
“We know for a fact Widowmaker Maker is also there, likely either aiding Reaper or looking for him. That combination is not easy.”
“You're right. What about that Bastion Omnic we found in the forest?”
“I don’t know, he seems to like it there as is.”
“Yes, but before all this Reaper did nearly end his animal friends when they tried to kidnap and reprogram him. I think a bit of talking and we can come to an agreement with the ancient warmachine.”
“If you think you can do it, find Zenyatta and go find Bastion. We likely will need him.”
“Will do, my friend.”
You can imagine that dating a princess is hard. It really is. She has little free time and that’s only when she is ready to sleep. It’s been a while and nothing much has happened. Celestia and I went on a few dates over the span of two months, Blueblood seems to be recovering from that event and Cadence has been focusing on her studies more rather than trying to deal with her trama. Well, she was, until…
I spotted Cadence looking through one of Celestia’s special long range telescopes in the gardens. Not being able to resist, I snuck up behind her, and moved just behind her. “Spying on the hunt?” I asked, the young alicorn jumping almost five feet in the air before crashing back down.
“Reaper! You scared me!”
“I could tell when you jumped from the ground to about my upper chest.” I laughed. “You looking at that Shining Armor colt again?” Her blushed slices was all my answer. Called it.
“He's cute.” She whined.
“Then go ask him on a date.”
“No! It's the Colt’s job to ask the mare out!”
“So you're settling for keeping distance and stalking him?”
“Well, what else can I do? Auntie says it’s unlady like for a princess to ask or take the first move when courting.”
“Hmm… Come with me.”
“Huh? Where are we going?”
“The Sparkle house.”
“It’s so good to see you again Reaper.” Night Light said. I arrived under the guise of a friendly visit, bringing Cadence along. While Shining Armor was out with friends Cadence was playing with Twilight, his little sister and sooner or later to be aprencance to Celestia.
“Same. Life in the castle has been… interesting.”
“Oh we heard.” Velvet cut in, entering the room with some tea. “There was an attack at the Grand Galloping Gala.”
“Yes. I dealt with it.”
“Did you…”
“No, no. Just crippled them. Back home I...did too much of that.”
“Oh… Well, onto brighter topics. How’s Cadence doing?”
“Fine, why do you ask?”
“Oh well, it seems she and Twilight are hitting it off like a charm.” Velvet pointed towards the window, The two dancing along with some music coming from a small radio nearby.
“Heh, seems so… Say, how often do you two go out?”
“Oh since Twilight not that much. She’s kind of a shut in, Shining can’t really look after her since his finals are coming up and he’s been eyeing the Royal Guard summer academy for the past three months. We’re going to surprise him with his acceptance letter come school’s end.”
“Well, one kid away for the summer but still stuck with the youngest… What if I got Cadence to Babysit for you?”
“But, Cadence is a princess.”
“She’s also a teenager, and seems to get along with Twilight very well. And as her and Blueblood’s bodyguard, I’d be here as well. A babysitter for the babysitter if you will.”
The two looked at each other. A silent conversation among couples as they debated the positives and negatives. “Well, that would give us time to finally have some much needed alone time.” Velvet stated.
“Maybe even go on some trips you’ve been wanting too dear. We traveled a lot before we had shining and I know Velvet here still has the travel bug.” Night Light chimed in.
“Oh, well in that case I think we’ll talk with Cadence about it.”
“No need, allow me.” I said, getting up and heading outside. “Hey there.” I said, gaining the two’s attention. “Twilight, mind if I talk with Cadence for a while?” The little filly nodded, standing up and heading back inside. “So, having fun?” I asked.
“Yes actually. Twilight’s little, but really smart for a foal her age.”
“How’d you like to babysit her for her parents?”
“Huh?”
“Well, you two seem to get along, plus it can give you a few chances to speak with Shining Armor.”
“Well, yeah but Twilight said he’s heading for the Royal GUard training camp this summer. I’d still Babysit Twilight reguardness, she’s adorable.”
“Hmm… Well, who says I can’t make a stop there some time? Maybe bring you and Blueblood along as well.”
“That...can work! I get to spend time with Twilight and get to meet Shining!”
“Seems so.”
It’s been a month since Cadence agreed to be Twilight’s babysitter. I’ve had to drag Blueblood along as well but he didn’t mind all that much given I typically brought my games. I had a few educational games which Twilight enjoyed, mostly they were math games, yes I had a few of those too. Meanwhile, I was gonna have Cadence and Blueblood play an old favorite of mine, a classic of my generation. “Demon’s Souls? Is this a horror game?” Cadence asked.
“In some parts, yeah.” I admitted, finding stage two of the tower of Latria to be the freakiest thing ever. Those human centipede things just...ugh, still gives me shivers. Biggest what the fuck of my life then they showed up and would break my armor..spent so many fucking souls to repair them from that crap…
“So what do you do?” Bluelood asked.
“You play as a character you create, class, race, male, female, all up to you. They are taken after death to a place called The Nexus, where you are one of many who came to this cursed land to slay the demons, for whatever rhyme or reason is up to you, all choices lead to two endings either way, but I won’t spoil that for you.” I said, starting up the game as the opening clip started playing.
When it ended, Cadence and Blueblood where both interested and a little cautious. Hehehehehehe. You poor fools!
Two Hours Later
“I am in so much trouble!” Cadence whined, covering her face. She was doing...oddly well all things considered. She beat Demon Phalanx and Tower Knight, and wanted to slay the dragon before heading to the next ares to unlock the rest of that one, but I recommend going to all other areas before finishing that one. Yeah, that threw me for a loop too. Still doesn’t make much sense to me in that regard. Sadly though, she did as I instructed, the long ass wait to slay the damn thing being fire arrows at it until it’s dead then bam, there’s been like half and hour to an hour gone. Sadly...she ran out of arrows. Out of her past deaths and such that broke her, causing her to curse at the top of her voice.
Then, like any child, Twilight asked. “What does Fuck mean?”
I was holding back laughter, though from the looks of it Blueblood was laughing for the both of us. “Well...it...uhhh…” She was struggling.
“It’s an adult word Twilight.” I cut in.
“Adult word?” She asked.
“Yes. Adults know and use certain words from time to time to express displeasure or just shout it out in anger without thinking.”
“Like Cadence did!” She perked up.
I let out a chuckle at that, the pink alicorn teen’s face a bright red of embarrassment. “Heh, yeah. But adults typically try and refrain from saying these words around foals like you.”
“Why?”
“Because… each time a foal says an adult work, an alicorn loses a feather.” I said, grabbing a feather that fell off of Cadence in her anger. “See, Cadence lost one already.”
Twilight’s face became a shock with youth driven imaginative horror. “Oh no! I’m sorry Cadence! I’ll never say that word again!” She declared.
“ANd let’s keep this between us and your parents. Don’t wanna be grounded and have them take your library card away for the week, right?” Twilight shook her head in fear. “Good, now then, let’s order pizza and play a less… rage inducing game.”
“Yay!” They all declared, Cadence relieved I defused a possibly employment hazard. Twilight ran to get the phone and the take out menus her parents kept for lazy days, and I took out Demons Souls, replacing it for something easier. inFamous… maybe a movie instead… A filly as magically gifted as Twilight might get some...ideas...