Orchestra of Death

by Zman537

First published 22nd of November, 2012

Gunshot wound to the head and a chat with death lead to me being superpowered(SoulReaver side-story)

While hunting with his sister, a violinist by the name of James was killed by a trespasser on the grounds. Refusing to die, he was given the second chance that Death gives all who reject fate. Become an agent of death and live on in another world.

Become a member of Death's Orchestra.

The Reaper's Dance Pt. 1

Pain sucks.

No really it does. Especially when you don't know why your in pain. One moment I'm with my sister on a hunting trip, the next my head feels like it's about to explode.

I was laying face first on the ground, groaning in pain from the headache. Slowly, I pushed myself into a kneeling position and looked around. What I saw defiantly was not what I thought I was going to see. There was nothing but a featureless black void. Every which way I looked only lead to more black. Panic was starting to set in when another being made it's presence know.

"Greetings James"

A shiver traveled up my spine at the voice. If I wasn't panicking then I certainly was now. I turned around as I jumped to my feet. Before me was a tall, menacing, cloaked figure with a BIG scythe. The figure pulled a slip of paper from somewhere inside the black cloth and looked at me with an amused smirk.

"James Fredric Hindenburg. Six foot ten, cropped blonde hair, jobless, philosopher by nature, more curious than any cat could ever try to be, anger management issues, and loving brother to six. Not the kind of person who normally ends up here instead of Purgatory." The being stated with slight interest in his voice.

"W-who are you?" My voice cracking as I spoke. I had a fairly good idea who I was standing before. The figure was silent for a moment before removing his hood, revealing his ashen skin looking me straight in the eyes.

"I am Death"

I was paralyzed. This just wasn't happening. It Couldn't be....

"But, How? I can't be... There's no way that I'm...." Death's face grew into one of confusion before growing sympathetic.

I fucking hate sympathy.

"But you are. Follow me young one, for you lived a peaceful life." I just stood there looking at the void below. Death waited patiently for me to follow. I didn't even look up from the ground.

"Show me."

Death sighed and waved his scythe to my left. I looked there and saw a swirling pool of color. I walked up to the portal and saw me and my sister hunting in the woods. We were just chatting as we were headed for the tree-stand when a gunshot rang through the air. The other me was sent flying into a tree as his brain painted the old oak red. My sister screamed before she was shot as well.

Death was about to close the portal but I raised my hand to stop him. Two more figures had shown up and I could tell they were local thugs. They laughed at our bodies and stole our rifles. They treated my sister's corpse like a trophy and pissed all over mine. Anger like I had never known built in me and I needed to destroy something. How I wished I was still alive so I could torture those sick and twisted Necrophiliacs.

"James. We must be going."

"No." Death stopped and turned to me.

"No?" I snapped. My fist rammed straight into the portal shattering it like glass and shot Death a glare that could compare to the ass beating I gave him in Dante's Inferno.

"NO! I REFUSE TO DIE! SEND ME BACK THIS FUCKING INSTANT SO I CAN RIP THOSE BASTARDS LIMB FROM FUCKING LIMB!" Death grinned and I have to say it would have been the most unsettling thing ever if I hadn't already witnessed my own death not two minutes ago.

"If that is the case, then I have a proposition for you." Death waved his scythe and the void turned into a stage. Orchestral instruments of all kinds lined the seats and stands as I looked around. Turning back to Death, I saw that he had changed from his cloak into a conductor's tuxedo, and switched his scythe for a baton. All the while, skeletons filled all but two of the seats as if ready to perform.

"If you do not wish to go on to paradise, I can grant you a new life as one of my agents." I found the deal to good to be true. Who wouldn't want to grab at a chance of escape from death's grasp? Anyone like me, that's who.

"I don't plan on losing my life because of some necrophiliac gang-banger so I have to ask, What's the catch?" Death's grin grew wider.

"I figured you would say that. There are many really." The skeletons in the violin section of the seats vanished leaving only two violins in there place. "One..." He gestured with his baton to the violin on the left "...is that I can not send you back to your world for your body, as you saw, is rather uninhabitable." The violin shattered with a flick of the baton. I was staring at the pieces as they lay on the floor while Death continued.

"Secondly, you will not be human afterwards if you accept, you will be turned into a Wraith." Wraith. I had heard of those before, but I can't remember where. "And lastly you will be sent on missions when I give them to you. Other than that you are free to do as you please." I wasn't completely happy about this, but I had already fucked up my last life. Prom was a good example of that. In the end (Literally) there was only one choice.

"Alright. I'll do it."

Death clapped his hands together and the remaining violin started to glow in a rainbow light. "Good, but I must warn you traveling to the new world and your transformation into a wraith will be quite painful. Oh and before I forget, you'll develop powers that are unique to yourself. and take these." Death pulled something from both his pocket and tossed them to me. I caught one in each hand giving Death a deadpan stare after looking at what they were. He had tossed me a pair of pistol grips. No barrel, hammer or trigger, just the grips. Each sporting engravings and a pair of holes.

"Those are your Wraith Weapons. Just say "Active Wraith Gun" and you'll see what they can do. Now just grab the violin to head on out." I walked up to the violin. The rainbow of colors it was giving off warmed me to my core. I couldn't help but smirk at the irony of the situation.

"Mom always was complaining that I needed to get a job." I grabbed the violin and started to play. the strings gave off no sound and the most beautiful thing song I ever heard as I was engulfed by light. I began falling as the light surrounded me and the violin disappeared.

AND HOLY FUCK HE WAS RIGHT ABOUT THIS BEING PAINFUL!!!

My body felt like it was lit on fire after being dunked in alcohol. This was the most painful thing I had ever agreed to! Ever! Of All TIME!

The worlds history was flooding my mind. Women and children, Slaughtered. An entire civilization, reduced to nothing. Screams flowing from every direction possible. I screamed along with all those souls when I couldn't take it anymore, passing out as my vision faded to black.

~The Symphony Has Begun~

I woke to find myself standing in a desert. There was a small town in the distance and judging from the history lesson I just had it was called Appleloosa. I took a step forward when a red scarf made itself know to me. I looked at myself instead of the scenery and found that I had a new wardrobe to go with the job.

Just so you know what I look like now I'll describe. Black, long sleeve shirt with a silver outline of a cross dominating the front and back; Tan cargo pants and steel-toe combat boots; Two gun holsters on my sides with the pistol grips somehow not falling out; Black, finger-less, plated gloves; and finally a ragged, torn, red and blue scarf around my neck, like Dastan from 'The Prince of Persia'. The scarf was smooth like silk but when I tried to rip it the thing might as well of been steel.

"Actually it's made of spider silk." I jumped as I turned to face Death standing next to me with a smile on his face. "Golden Orb-weaver to be exact. Very rare here in Equestria."

"Would you PLEASE not do that again." Death just chuckled.

"Now I know you just got here but I have a mission that needs to be done soon and the other Wraiths are a bit preoccupied in Manehattan." I wasn't really paying any attention to what he was saying as I was trying to get over the shock of him suddenly existing next to me. He pointed to some caves in the cliff face in the distance. "The targets are located in that cave over there. They are low level spirits so even a novice like yourself shouldn't have too much trouble. As soon as the mission is complete I'll send over someone to properly train you." Death turned to leave but stopped to look over his shoulder.

"And I let Dante win by the way."

"Wait what?" Before I got an answer, Death left in a way that I cannot describe. It wasn't a flash, or a poof, he just disappeared in less time than it took me to blink. I turned back to the cliff and sighed.

"Well, I guess I better get a move on." The walk to the cliffs was a long one, so I decided to see what my new toys could do. Pulling out only one I held it out in front of me.

"Wraith Gun Activate!" Blue tendrils shot out of my right arm and connected to the holes in the grip. Blue light poured out of the top and formed into a cobalt Desert Eagle. I let out a whistle at the craftsmanship of the handgun. even had a lion engraved into the sides. Then an idea came to mind and I pulled out the other gun. It activated automatically as I grabbed it, but with the difference of color. Instead of blue, the gun and tendrils in my left hand were red. That, however, wasn't what I was thinking of.

"Wraith Gun, Rapid Shot!" With that the twin pistols turned into a pair of TMPs. I just laughed at how cool this was. "Okay, that's enough goofing off. It's time to get to work." I deactivated my weapons and started running for the caves. While running, my mind kept drifting to one thought no matter what I tried to think of. Just how was I running this fast? This was stupid crazy levels of fast.

The caves were directly above me after a couple of minutes. A one liner was perfect for the moment.

It's show time."

"Grrrrrr... Just..." I was hanging from the face of the cliff by a branch.

"Gotta..." The cave was up and to the right from my current position.

"Grab..." I found some footholds but was having trouble reaching the next one.

"Rock......" I grabbed it and started to pull myself up when the rock gave way. I barely hung on to the branch as I started dangling.

"DAMN IT!" I was pissed and at a loss. I was just hanging there, swaying in the breeze. I was about to see if my weapons had a grapple function when I heard a southern accent from above.

"Ya need some help there partner?" Looking up at the cave I could see a yellow pony with a orange mane staring at me. The most ridiculous part of the entire spectacle was the stetson and vest he was wearing.

"NO I DON"T NEED ANY HELP! I CAN DO THIS ON MY OWN!" I started swinging on my branch while making vain attempts at grabbing the ledge to the point was swinging my arm wildly. The pony just raised an eyebrow and smiled awkwardly. My branch started to give way from the cliff and I grabbed onto it for my life... err... Unlife. The pony reached behind himself just as the branch gave way and I began to fall. I screamed for about five seconds before I felt a tug on my right leg. Looking up I saw that the pony had lassoed me and was pulling me up.

When the pony had gotten me up I huffed while turning away. "Didn't need your damn help..."

The pony just chuckled "Yer welcome." We just sat there for a while before he spoke up again. "Names Braeburn."

"I'm James." more silence floated around for awhile.

"....Ya mind me askin' ya a question?"

I decided to humor him. "Shoot"

"Why were ya tryin' ta climb up a cliff face when there was a trail right there?" I looked past the pony and sure enough there was a sloped path that snaked up the side to the top and bottom. I stared at the path before curling up in a ball at the corner of the caves entrance and cried.

.

The Reaper's Dance Pt. 2

I hadn't noticed it, but the sun was setting when I was hanging from the branch. Braeburn and I were sitting in front of the campfire that he had set up using Branchy the Reliable. He was drinking from a canteen and I was roasting a marshmallow with a twig. When he was done, Braeburn let out a content sigh. He looked at the drink in his hooves then turned to me.

"Thirsty?" Despite all the marshmallows I had eaten, I was still kinda peckish. Though a drink should help that.

"Sure." He tossed me the canteen and I took a large swig. The taste of apples flooded my brain and by George it was delicious. I smacked my lips together savoring the flavor while giving an approving nod. "That's some good stuff." Braeburn grinned and stuck his chest out in pride.

"'Course it is. That there is Apple family cider. The best cider there is."

"I'll take your word on it." I leaned back while tending to my mallow, pulling the flaming ball of goo from the fire. I puff of air and it was ready to eat. Braeburn looked up at the moon and got up to stretch.

"You can head on ta bed, I need ta keep watch."

"Watch? For what?" Braeburn turned to me and furrowed his brow.

"Some Bandits have been terrorizin' Appleloosa lately and ponies have been disappearin' from town every time they show up. They certainly are a weird lookin' bunch I'll tell ya that. I would of just left this ta Sheriff Silverstar and his deputes but they were some of the first ta vanish. I was dubbed sheriff until we find him. So far, I've tracked them to this here cave, but I can't seem ta catch any of 'em." I was shocked to say the least. But a thought came to mind. I had learned of the general knowledge of the ponies from the entry into Equestria. I decided to ask about the Bandits to see if I could find an anomaly that would point to anything supernatural.

"What exactly do the Bandits look like?" Braeburn sat tapping his chin for a moment.

"Well... They all had the same colors. White an' green... They all had these glowin' eyes too." To emphasize his point he went wide eye'd and wiggled his hooves next to his face.

"They could have died there colors, and the glowing eyes could be magic."

"That's what Ah thought, but that's not the weirdest part..." He shuttered as he remembered the image. "...They ALL had the same cutie mark. A single, colorless eye."

Now that was just not natural. Identical cutie marks was completely impossible. Something was going on and I was pretty sure whatever Death sent me after was behind this.

'The 'Bandits' are probably possessed ponies... note to self, use non-lethal attacks.......Do these things have a non-lethal function?'

I realised that taking Braeburn with me would be putting his life at risk, But with his position as the law man (temporary or not) I couldn't ask him to stay behind.

"Hey Braeburn? Mind if I help you with this?" Breaburn was taken aback before he started grinning.

"Yer willin' ta help a total stranger?" I just rolled my shoulder and cracked my neck.

"Well you did save my life so it's the least I can do." Braeburn laughed and tipped his hat back.

"Now aint that something! I've been needin' some help ever sense my posse vanished yesterday. Welcome aboard partner." With that we shook hand and hoof. We talked about what he knew about the bandits and what they did. Apparently they had a color system for all the hideouts they had occupied. Braeburn wouldn't tell so I headed into dreamland while he kept watch.

When the sun rose I yawned and stretched my tired arms. I took a look around and saw that Braeburn had fallen asleep on the log across from me. I decided that he needed some sleep after staying up longer than myself. I glanced at the cave, A crazy idea running through my head. I walked into the cave and found a fork in the path.

Well now what? I noticed during my pondering that there was a white rock lying on the ground in the middle of the right path, and a unnaturally black one in the left. I could go on without Braeburn or head back and grab the cowpony. Going back for Braeburn was the better option to keeping his trust. I got about half way back when I saw Braeburn walking into the cave.

'Crap, now I got to explain why I left.'

"Hey Braeburn! Sorry for bailing earli-" Breaburn ran past me in a blur screaming his head off.

"RUUUUUN!" I looked back towards the entrance and saw a mob green ponies headed straight for us.

I couldn't agree with Breaburn more.

James Vs. Possessed Bandits
Rebel 1, Action!

James vs. Possessed (Theme)

We ran like the devil was at our heels. The fork in the road came up and I was about to panic or do something stupid. "WHAT PATH DO WE TAKE!?"

"HEAD FOR THE WHITE PATH! THE BANDITS ALWAYS MARKED THE SAFE PATHS WHITE!" Braeburn turned right and headed into the path, only to stop when he realized I didn't follow him. "What are ya doin'!"

Turns out it was something stupid.

"Keep going, I'll hold them off! Mark the paths you take at every fork! Hurry!" He was about to protest when I pulled my weapons out. "WRAITH WEAPON ACTIVATE! NON-LETHAL!" A light show later I was sporting a pair of high tech stun dart launchers connected to my arms by a single tendril each and Braeburn had run on ahead. The possessed ponies were about 50-35 feet from me when they stopped their charge. I glared them down before flipping them the bird.

"BRING IT BITCHES!" Three of the possessed accepted my challenge and ran forward. I shot the two on the sides and pistol whipped the third, electrocuting him on contact. "Huh, looks like these do have some close combat capabilities. Heh-oh Shit!" Apparently the possessed didn't like my alliteration cause another six ponies had started to advance forcing me to flee. As I ran the possessed followed closely. about five got close enough to grab my legs and slow me down. They got smack-shocked hard in return.

Most of the time I was shooting behind me blindly. I managing to hit some every now and then, but most of my shots ricocheted off the walls, missing completely. I kept following the marks that Braeburn had left and caught up to him and oh how I wish I hadn't.

We were standing in the middle of a massive intersection. There were tunnels leading every which way. Every one of them had a stone on them, but none of them were white. For once in my life I wasn't panicking, Braeburn was. "Darn it. Where the hay do we go from here?" I looked back at the tunnel and saw the possessed had caught up.

"Braeburn! I hope your ready for a fight!" A pony jumped on my back before I elbowed him off and shot him in the crotch. "Cause a real big one just followed me here!" A pony tried to do the same trick to Braeburn, but he bucked the Bandit in the gut before pulling out his lasso and hogtying the unconscious pony.

"Alright then, ya'll are under arrest!"

The combined assault of the possessed was no match for us. They fell like flies as I shot, pistol whipped, and kicked while Braeburn bucked and lassoed. Every time one of us would get overwhelmed (mostly Braeburn) the other would takeout the extras. By the time we were done, not a single one was left standing.

"Aw yeah! We Rock!" I started dancing a little victory gig just cause I could, but Braeburn had to burst my happy bubble.

"We're not finished yet partner." awwwww. "I need yer help tyin' up these varmits." oh, okay. When Braeburn and I had finished hogtying them, one of the Bandits started to glow with a purplish light. And by purplish, I mean it was almost black and had a violet sheen to it.

"Uhhhh..... Braeburn?" He turned to look at me from tying a final knot on the last bandit.

"Yeah?" I pointed to the now hovering pony.

"Are ponies supposed to do that?" Braeburn looked to where I was pointing and went wide eyed.

"Nnnope"

The unconscious bandit soon fell out of the aura and a entirely different pony fell out. No longer was she green but was orange with a brown mane. The aura was growing as it removed more from the other bandits turning them back to normal. Once the aura was finished collecting itself, it shot into one of the caves and disappeared. One of the ponies was waking up noticed us while grabbing his crotch.

or at least attempting to, despite the bindings he was in.

"Braeburn, Why the hay am I tied up? And who bucked me below the belt." Braeburn was slack-jawed for a while before he was able to talk any further.

"SHERIFF!?" I did a double take looking back between the Sheriff and Braeburn.

"Wait. HE'S the Sheriff?" Braeburn nodded.

"The one that went missing?" Another nod.

I went over to the sheriff and untied him, only for him to buck me in the crotch, 'I did kinda deserve it.' He was confused, in pain, but most importantly PISSED. It took a while but we managed to calm him down and not kill me or my children. Although that does raise an big question.... 'can wraiths have kids? Schme. I'll ask Death later. Braeburn's done calming Sheriff Silverstar down.'

"So yer sayin' that some sorta magic made the first group ah Bandits, and then said Bandits were kidnappin' the towns folk in order ta make more?"

"That's pretty much what all I've found points to. Especially after seein' it happen right in front of my eyes." I looked around the cave taking note of all the ponies covering at the sight of me, before tapping him on the shoulder. I pointed over to the crowd and he facehoofed. which in all honesty is kinda funny to watch. "Don't Worry Ya'll! He's friendly!" Most of the ponies were still nervous but had started to come up to me after they were untied. One in particular surprised me.

"Excuse me, mister?" I looked down and saw a colt, not even half the size of the other ponies. "What are you?" I normally would have been offended but he was just a kid, and kids have a tendency to be rude without knowing it. Like that one time an eight year old called me the 'nicest weirdo ever!' after saving his cat from a tree by face planting into the ground.

"Well I'm a human." The little guy's eyes went wide with wonder as a smile spread across his mussle.

"Are you the one who saved us from those mean ponies Mr. Human?" I smiled and knelt down to rub his head.

"Yep, but don't give me all the credit kiddo. Braeburn helped too. Now..." I stood up and looked to every pony in the room. I hadn't noticed but they all had been listening to our conversation intently. "...let's get everyone home." Cheers rang out from the ponies. I even saw a few hats getting tossed into the air. As I was leaving I noticed a certain cloaked figure standing at one of the caves entrances. I pulled Braeburn aside for a moment.

"You go on ahead. There's... something I need to take care of." he was confused for a moment, but saw some ponies headed the wrong way.

"Alright, just hurry on out once yer done." Braeburn rounded up the stragglers and soon every pony had left the room. I turned to Death as he entered the center of the room. He wore the same neutral expression with a slightly agitated look.

"Your mission is still unfinished."

I scoffed "Figured as much, guessing you want me to go after that aura?"

"That would be the general idea. That 'aura' is a possesser. It was your target and needs to be delt with soon James." I sighed. It figured that my new boss would do this.

"I'll get to that after I get these civilians back home. They're innocent and need to be helped." Death glared at me and raised his scythe to my trout.

"Devouring that soul is your Top Priority. You better have it done soon or I'll take it's soul and your's myself." With that death left once again.

Shit. What have I gotten myself into?

.

The Reaper's Dance Pt. 3

I had gone back to Braeburn and told him what I was about to do (I left out the part about working for Death of course) and he was reluctant about leaving me alone to deal with it. But he was needed to get everyone out of the cave. I had also remembered where I had heard of wraiths before now. The whole soul sucking thing kinda freaked me out, but I figured that if I suck to non-sentient life that I'd be fine.

One thing had proven itself over the past..... three hours? I don't know anymore.... Finding this stupid possessor was proving harder than I thought. Cause Damn these tunnels are dark. Maybe mocking the thing would work.

"You who~ Purple ghostie~ Come out and play~" I stood there for a moment watching and listening for anything. All I got was an echo. "Well that didn't work." I grumbled as I kept walking further into the caves. I was bored out of my mind, tired, and- "Hey what's that smell?" I took a couple of sniffs and followed the sent to it's source. I was surprised that the smell was from one of my favorite foods.

"No way... How the hell is there a Papa John's here?" I picked up the box and cautiously opened it to reveal a nice and hot Meat Lovers Pizza.....With Jalapenos... mother... fucking....JALAPENOS! My mouth was watering at the sight of pizza perfection and I grabbed a slice. I looked around the room and checked to see if any traps were set around the immediate area. I even checked the pizza slice in my hand. Seeing nothing wrong I dug in to the pizza.

Only for the slice to poof into purple dust between my teeth. Worse yet it was artificial grape flavored.

I spit out the dust while gagging as laughter echoed through the cave. "Okay, Who did that!" the laughing was cut short when the glowing purple light of the possessor oozed out of the walls and coalesced about 5 feet away from me. The form grew and eventually there was a jester's head floating infront of me. Jingling bells and all.

"What's the matter? I thought you wanted to play? YAHAHAHAHAHA!" I pulled out my weapon and fired a shot only for his astral head to open a hole for the bullet. "Missed me~....HAHAHAHA! If you want to beat me you're going to have to do better than that.~" The head morphed into a blob once more and bounced down the tunnels.

"COME BACK HERE SHIT HEAD! YOU OWE ME A PROPER PIZZA!!!!" I bolted after the blob, spewing insults as the tunnels sped past me, the trickster laughed harder as the verbal abuse continued. The chase didn't last long as I entered the mass junction once more, but with a noticeable crack in the ceiling that let a couple light beams into the otherwise dark cave. The jester had formed himself a proper body and I took in the details of his appearance. He had goofy, feathered sleeves and pants that looked like they belonged in a old Ren-fair, complete with the jingle shoes. Every last part of him had green, white, and purple stitched together. He was cackling at something in front of him as he bent over to look at me from between his legs. His pale face had a manic grin plastered on it.

"It's about time you showed up. I was beginning to wonder if you got lost." I glared at the Harlequin before continued. "I just so happen to have a little friend for you to meet." He moved over to the side and revealed a tall, pale man clad in overalls, and a white-grey plaid shirt with a pick-ax in his hands. His facial features were masked by the shadow cast from his helmet. there was something about this guy that told me 'non-lethal' was not an option if he attacked.

"This WONDERFUL man's name is Carlos Grancia. He died in such an unfortunate mine collapse that I simply HAD to save him. Did that freaky clown say 'died?' If that's the case then then I guess non-lethal would be kinda redundant. I told him that if he could kill a wraith here in this world that he could go back to his loving family. Carlos snarled as his gaze moved towards me. You two play nice now~. HAAAHAHAHAHAHA" The jester jumped into a crystal on the far wall, leaving me with the tall miner who was readying his pick. I sighed before getting into a combat stance with a TMP at the ready.

"Today just isn't my day is it?"

James Vs. Carlos Sentiment
Rebel 1, Action!

(Carlos Sentiment Theme)

Carlos roared like an animal into the air and what little light was in the room was absorbed in to his helmet's flood light, leaving only red circles where his eyes pierced through the dark. I stumbled around until my eyes adjusted. When they did I could see multiple copies of Carlos made from pure yellow light.

The Carlos' moved slowly forward as I shot multiple bullets into each clone, causing them to disappear from sight. For every clone that was defeated two more would take their place. It was around then that I noticed the pair of red dots moving about and started aiming for those. Soon after I fired Carlos cried out in pain and the light he had captured was released from his helmet.

I blinked a couple of times to clear my sight and ducked just as Carlos' pick embedded in the wall where my head was a second ago. I could see the wounds I had inflicted as smoke was leaking from several holes in his right arm. Carlos took the moment and delivered a crushing blow to the side of my face with his knee, causing me to fly into the wall. I slowly pulled myself from the rubble and fell to my knees.

"Fuck that hurt...." I glanced up at Carlos who was absorbing the light once more. "I'm gonna need something with a bit more accuracy." The clones had appeared and started their advance. "Or a lot of flash." I jumped out of the way as one of the Carlos clone's attacks smashed into the rock. I quickly shifted my weapons into some Sawed-off shotguns while blasting away a clone away. the clone flew back into the real Carlos, sending both sprawling until the clones vanished again. Carlos roared again but the light remained as he charged me.

I countered his strike with my own as the butt of my gun smashed into his face. I wailed on him as he staggered back, and eventually knocked him into the air. As he fell back down, I finished my combo with two shot to his abdomen. I decided about then that it needed a name and said the first thing that came to mind.

"Boomstick Beat" As Carlos landed on the ground, he cried in agony as his body collapsed on itself and formed a small yellow sphere. It hovered where he once was and looked like it was made of crystal. I walked not a foot before that purple madman bounced back into existence, holding a cane that had a replica of his head on the end.

"Well it seems like Carlos wasn't able to keep up his end of the deal. Oh well, It's not like I was going to revive him anyways. As for you, I hope you enjoy your prize~" The Jester took the cane and shot the topaz ball at me with the precision of a professional golfer. I caught it in my hand as he turned to retrieve something from the inside of his shirt. He pulled out a large black wad of cloth and tossed it at my feet before vanishing into a miasma. It was a rubber costume of Death, complete with a cardboard scythe. "I hope you liked my performance earlier~ Ol' Deathy is so hard to copy right. YAAAAHAHAhahahaaaa.......

Soon after he left I heard a tone ring in my mind. "James, what happened? I haven't been able to contact you for the past 5 hours." I blinked in surprise.

"Death? That you?"

"Yes and you can talk to me telepathically. Even though you appear to be alone at the moment, it will help you from looking like some crazy when in crowds." I gave an approving nod before realizing that Death himself wasn't able to contact me. Which brought forth a new question.

"While that's nice and all, Can you explain who the fuck that was just now?"

"..........Was it a purple jester?"

"Uh....Yeah actually, that's right on the money." I couldn't believe it, but I think I had just made Death groan.

"I thought he was dealt with centuries ago. James listen to me carefully, His name is Hamlet. He was once a wraith I hired from the 1500's, but he somehow turned into that demon you just met after he went mad. You must not try to eliminate him on your own. You'd be killed in less than a second." Worry filled my thoughts as I remembered our little chase through the tunnels. I sure hoped that he didn't take the 'comments' about his mother too seriously."Thankfully he can't do anything without a sediment nearby, and it seems you found the one I sent you after.

"Hey Death?.. This 'Hamlet' guy said something about promising Carlos that he could live again." Death materialized next to me in his tuxedo, staring at the ball in my hands.

"That is one of Hamlet's ploys in stealing the powers of his victims. He makes promises for the impossible and once you complete your end of the bargain he takes all of the power for himself." I looked at the sphere as I held up to the beams of light coming from the ceiling. It made a single image appear on the side. On the sphere was a picture of Carlos, but there was a little girl grabbing his leg and a slender woman holding his hand.

"Death... Who was Carlos Grancia?" Death reached into his front pocket and pulled a slip of paper just like when we first met.

"Carlos Grancia.... Loving father and husband.... Died when one of his fellow miners went crazy and triggered a cave in, killing him and 9 others. His soul was the only one I wasn't able to recover that day." I let out a sigh, realizing that the image I looking at was one of Carlos' memories, and that the sphere was what was left of his soul. I knew that Hamlet was probably... no, Absolutely responsible for his death. Carlos, a man that I never knew, had been ripped from his family by a psychopath. a little girl would grow up without a father because of it.

I was beyond pissed. I held the soul to the light once more and stared at the reflecting memories of his past.

"Carlos. I don't know if you can hear me. But I swear, on my very soul, I will make that bastard pay for what he has done." As I finished a picture of Carlos crying with a smile on his face flashed across the sphere. I looked towards Death as he gave me a curt nod. Without any hesitation I placed the soul in my mouth. A feeling of peace rushed through my body from my core, followed by a chill running up my spine. I gazed at the light once more, raising my palm to it. The light washed over my hand like it had been stuck into a waterfall of ethereal energy, bending to my will as I saw fit. I shot some energy at the wall and focused it into a point as I began carving the stone.

"James I'm a bit curious..." I turned to Death. His face had one of interest and confusion "...Why did you promise that? The chances of you winning against Hamlet are near impossible." I didn't have any hesitation with my answer.

"Because. No one deserves to grow up with out their father. I lost mine when I was 12 and had to help raise three younger siblings. Hamlet will pay for causing that little girl such pain." I left the caves after saying goodbye to Death. Now if you head into that alcove, you'll find a large rock carved into the shape of a cross. At the center, words that shined as the light hit them were carved in the most delicate of writings.

A Canterlot Symphony Act 1: Letter Of Summons

(ost)

I've been staying in Appleloosa for about a week now. Even met a couple of buffalo, which was pretty cool. They almost fainted at the sight of me though. Kinda disheartening, but understandable. After all, I was a supposedly extinct race. Death said that tracking Hamlet would take anywhere from a week to a full year and that I shouldn't worry myself. So instead of worrying I would normally spend my time helping around the fields and performing small light shows with the powers that I got from Carlos. Heck I could stare at the sun now like it's a light bulb under water. The foals would get a kick out of it every time I made a ball of light bounce off of somepony's nose, it would always be a random pedestrian too.

Braeburn's had a interesting past two days himself. Just yesterday he got a letter from his cousin, in reply to his own about me, saying that she knows a human that lives in her hometown of Ponyville named Dean. He even had been given some time off for stopping the bandits (Even though it was mostly my doing, but try telling that to a sheriff who's still miffed about getting tazed in the crotch. I mean it's not like I knew it was him!) and was relaxing next to me under some trees just watching the sunset. Of all the ponies that I had met I found a friend in him and him alone, but that's what happens when you meet someone who resembles your family.

'Family........I hope they're doing okay after what's happened.' I thought to myself. I stared at the sun as it was setting in the distance.

"Ya okay there James?" I tore my gaze from the celestial light and noticed Braeburn's concerned eyes staring at me.

"Yeah, just thinking of home."

"Missin' yer family?" I gave Braeburn a nod. He didn't press further and got up to pop his back before sitting back on his haunches. We sat there for the rest of the afternoon staring at the sun as the final rays pierced the darkening sky.

"Mr. James! Mr. James!" Or at least we probably would have if a certain young colt hadn't started running up to us. That's right, yesterday afternoon during a light show, the kid from the caves declared himself my number one fan. The kid's name was Chocolate Apple. He was brown with a red mane/tail, and no cutie mark. He had a scroll in his saddlebags and was headed right for me. I also noticed a very unhappy, off-yellow pegasus chasing him. Chocolate skidded to a stop and was panting as he grabbed the scroll.

"Mr......James.......Ah have......a letter...... fer ya......phew." The pegasus had caught up and snatched the letter back.

"Finally caught you you little thief!" I stood up and walked over to the pegasus. His eyes went wide for a moment before he cleared his trout. "Y-you must be this 'James' I was told about. I have a summons for you from the castle" He tried to handover the letter, but I stood there refusing to accept it. "Is there a problem sir?"

"Yes, could you care to explain to me what all the fuss over that letter was about?" The pegasus snorted and looked at Chocolate.

"This colt here snatched my letter away while I was asking for you location." Chocolate blushed and started rubbing the back of his head. I raised a brow and started tapping my foot after directing my gaze to him.

"You care to explain?" Chocolate was kicking the ground with a hoof.

"When ah heard the letter was fer you. Ah thought ah could get my cutie mark in mail delivery by bringing it to you. I guess it wasn't such a good idea, was it?" My expression softened as his ears fell. Kneeling down to his height I rubbed his head, tossing his messy mane everywhere.

"No it wasn't. The next time you get a crazy idea like that, ask if you can help. 'kay?" His head moved faster that then I could see as it turned into a blur. "Good, now I think you owe somepony an apology." Chocolate turned around to the pegasus and hung his head.

"I'm sorry." The pegasus gave a nod and Chocolate smiled before running off. I turned to the guard and took my letter. He took off at blinding speeds as I opened it up to see some beautiful calligraphy on the blackish blue side of the paper done in silver ink.

Braeburn was looking up at me after I finished reading. "So what's it say?"

"Apparently I have an appointment with Princess Luna..." Death popped into my head right about then.

'I suggest heading for Canterlot immediately, it would be easier to start your training over there.' He left after I gave him a mental salute.

"...Braeburn do you know the fastest way to Canterlot." Braeburn stood there with his mouth hanging open before shaking his head clear (heh, man is that a funny sight) before looking at the sun's position.

"There's a train that leavin' fer Ponyville in about half an hour. If ya stay on board when it gets there it should take ya straight to Canterlot." I gave him a big thumbs up and called over my shoulder as I ran into town.

"Thanks! I'll be back as soon as I can!" I ran for a while and the town was dead ahead. I decided to walk the rest of the way, just cause I had time to kill. I was passing the saloon (Yes you heard right, saloons exist in a land of colorful ponies) when some of the local kids stopped me.

"Mr. James! Can you show us some tricks!" "Yeah! Do that one with tiny humans fighting each other!" "No, do that one with the tiny ball! Make it bounce off Sheriff Silverstar's nose this time!" I cringed internally at the last one of those but gave a smile to the kids.

"I'd love to guys but I have a train to catch." All of them voiced their disappointment, mostly in the form of 'Aawwwwww'. One little filly pushed her way to the front and looked up at me.

"But where ya goin'?" I smiled and gave her a pat on the head.

"I just have to go to Canterlot for a bit. Then I'll be running back here as fast as I can!" They all cheered and ran off to do whatever they were doing before I showed up. I saw one troublemaker look around before grinning like a fox as he pulled out some fireworks from behind a barrel. I just shook my head and walked to the train station. Right as the train pulled in, I felt a tug on my leg. The little filly from before was there with a letter.

"Could you please give this to the Princesses?" I picked up the letter and was about to open it when she bucked my shin. "No peaking! That's for the Princesses eyes only!" I just chuckled and apologized for trying to read the royal mail as I placed it in my pocket. She smiled and ran off to join the others yelling 'Thank you' as she went. I hopped into the train after paying for my ticket and found a nice car to rest in. I leaned back on one of the seats and thought that a nap was well deserved. It didn't last long as a food trolley came out and knocked on my door. It opened to reveal an elderly mare with her hair in a bun.

"Would you be interested in something deary?" I looked over the cart and noticed some cupcakes. She followed my gaze and handed me one before I even asked. I just smiled and handed her the money as she left. I ate my cupcake over the course of the trip, and it was pretty uneventful other that it going from desert to plains. When the train reached Ponyville I was amazed at the size of it. I mean it looked like such a small town from a distance. The train had stopped at the station and the elderly mare came round again.

"Excuse me, I hate to be rude, but when will the train continue on to Canterlot?" The mare just gave me a friendly smile before answering.

"The train will be stopped for about...oh....another 40 minutes before we head on to Canterlot. Until then you can either wait here on the train or step off for a moment to tour Ponyville. Have a nice day now." I decided to wait on the train and enjoy the privacy that came with that decision.

'I've been needing some rest for a while now. Especially after helping the Apples for a week with all those....well, apples.' I leaned back on the cozy seats and slept for the rest of the trip.

for real this time.

.

A Canterlot Symphony Act 2: A Surprise Companion

When I woke up the train had started to move again and was well out of Ponyville. I looked out the window as the locomotive entered the caves leading up the mountain. The moment all light was gone from the booth I felt my chest tighten. I don't know if it was from my new powers or if I got a really bad feeling about heading to Canterlot. It turned out to be Death taking the seat across from me. We exited the tunnels with him scaring the shit out of me.

"Hello again James."

"Would you please stop doing that." Death smiled and pointed to the castle that had come into view.

"There is someone I want you to meet in Canterlot once you get there, You'll know who she is right away." I was guessing it was the princess or something. I mean I was already heading for the castle anyways. "Oh and just so you know. It seems like you have a new friend following you." Death vanished and took with him the seat cushion he was sitting next to, revealing a very shocked and exposed Chocolate.

"Um....Hi?" I groaned as my face said hi to my palm.

"Choc? What are you doing here?" I stared at the colt as he shifted nervously. He couldn't see it but I was mildly panicking about the return trip if he was here. 'I hope that Chocolate asked his mom first, if not, Appleslice is going to kill me............ again.'

"I wanted to see if I could get my cutie mark somewhere in Canterlot. So I asked my mom if I could follow you." He smiled as innocently as he could. I narrowed my brow and looked him in the eyes.

"Was her answer yes?"

"Um..... Maybe?" I groaned and facepalmed again. Looking out the window, I could see that the city was almost upon us. I could already hear Appleslice yelling at me, but it wasn't like I took him with me on purpose or could take him back now.

"Well, it's not like I can just send you back..." Chocolate started to beam, but was quickly sniped in the bud "BUT!...You'll have to listen to me for the entire trip. Okay?" He gave me a wholehearted salute and sat in the seat next to me. It didn't last long as the train station was only a couple of minutes away. I stepped off the train and Chocolate followed. The moment that my feet hit the street I heard someone yelling.

"CUUUUUUUUUUUNNNNNNNNNNNNT" Me and Chocolate looked around and found many ponies doing the same that were either confused, offended, or both. Chocolate looked up at me and was really confused.

"Mr. James... what's a cu-?" My face went red and I quickly covered his mouth. I looked around again and saw ponies laughing or looking at me with mild interest, but most were still offended.

"Y-your mom will...tell you when your older....so uh... OH HEY! THERE'S THE CASTLE LET'S GET GOING!" The walk was mostly uneventful aside from the stares I kept getting, but I had gotten used to those. We were about a quarter of the way there when Chocolate pulled on my leg. He was pointing to some fast-food joints and was giving me the 'puppy-dog' eyes. It was super-effective, and I forked over the cash for his meal while I just got a magazine. It featured some article about a royals and it got me thinking.

'With my luck I'm going to get roped into something fancy, I'll probably get an invite from the royal themselves too.' I took a quick look at myself and noticed that my appearance was... less than appealing. I took notice of a clothing store and decided that I needed some more duds.

"Hey Choc. We're going to make a couple of stops before we get to the princesses, okay." He wasn't really paying attention and gave a muffled 'yes sir' through his hayfries. I got up and we headed to the establishment. Right as he saw that there were dresses everywhere, he tried to bolt through the solid wood door. "Nice try bud, but you wanted to come with me on this trip."

"But dresses are for girls!" Did he really just.... I need to laugh.....badly.

"We're not here for dresses bud. I thought that some new clothes were in order..." I looked down at him and smirked "... for me of course." I walked up to the pale, yellow coated mare who had walked in and was surprised to see me for all of three seconds before letting out a small giggle.

"I didn't think that I'd find another human in my shop so soon." Wait, another? I guess that means the chick I'm supposed to meet is another wraith.

"It's nice to meet you mam. I was wondering if you could make me some spare clothes, if it's not too much trouble."

"Not at all, I actually enjoy making clothes for you humans." She shuddered for a moment "Even if my last client was... frightening." I decided that it would be best not to ask. No sentient being shudders like that without a good reason.

"I'll take your word for it." She smiled and ushered me over. I complied while Chocolate sat in the lobby bored out of his mind. She asked me to take off my clothes (Not for that you sickos) and took some measurements. She was humming a little tune as she worked and it was kinda catchy.

"There! Now that the measurements are done, I'd like to know what kind of attire your needing."

"Well if my current streak of luck is anything to go by, I'll be needing a suit." She just stared at me and quirked an eyebrow. "Just trust me on this." She shrugged and went to work, making comments on how little scaring I had. (Which was VERY weird but probably has to do with some other costumer that was here) It didn't take her very long either. She was done in about half an hour, which was more than enough time for Chocolate to fall asleep.

"Your suit is done sir."

"WOW! This is... Amazing!" She blushed like mad, but I wasn't joking. It was one damn fine suit. It was also black but instead of a cross completely covering it, the cross was limited to the pocket on the front, and on the cuffs she had embroidered some wisp-like trails in, you guessed it, blue and red. managed to get the sides right too.

"Oh it really wasn't any trouble at all. Now that will be fifty bits for the suit please." I handed her the money while she folded my attire into a nice bundle and boxed it. After I reentered the lobby, Chocolate stopped what he was doing (which was reading some fashion magazine for some reason) and followed me outside. We got a little further when some guards stopped me.

"Is there a problem sir?" The guards narrowed their eyes at me and Chocolate. He didn't even say anything, he just pointed behind....

us....

oh.

The street from the dress shop back was a disaster area with carriages upturned and on fire among other things. Chocolate was beaming an innocent-as-a-crocodile grin as I overlooked the damage. I looked down at him and sighed.

"Did you decide to look for your cutie mark while I was inside?" He just kept grinning and started climbing up my leg, then my torso, then finally perched himself on my head. "Run?" Chocolate nodded.

And so we ran.

A Canterlot Symphony Act 3: A Royal Waltz

Imagine this.

An 18 year old boy wearing a red & blue scarf, running through the streets of Canterlot with a colt that is grinning like mad on his head and a box under his arm, being chased by ponies wearing armor while heading for the castle that resides in the center of the city.

In a strange way it reminds me of home.

I had been running for a while now. I think it was about.....10-15 minutes. Some Pegasi had flown from the chase to grab some clouds to put out the fire Choc's crusading had caused. I just got to my second trip around the city when another swear pierced the sound barrier.

“BBBBBBBBBBBBUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUULLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIITTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!”

Chocolate leaned forward in front of my face, blocking my line of sight. "Mr. James? What does bull-" I pushed him back onto my head and kept running.

"I'LL TELL YOU WHEN YOU'RE OLDER!" As I ran past the destruction for a third time, I got a good look at it. Dang Choc can do some damage, even lit the stone on fire. I'm not sure if I should be scared or proud of the kid..... Scared. Definitely scared with a hint of pride.

"Halt... In the name of....the princesses...." The guards shouted after me. Must be getting tired after chasing me for so long. Right then, a stray thought managed to worm its way into my brain.

'wait... I was the wimpiest guy in my class. How the fuck am I out-running trained soldiers?' I shook the thought out of my head soon after and made a left turn straight through the city. There were no guards in front of the gates when I got there because the first attempt at entry made them chase me along with the rest of the guards. I ran straight for the castle doors and burst through them. I quickly slammed the doors shut and pressed my face against it to rest. I was panting as all the running finally caught up to me. Chocolate was still on my head and was starting to tremble.

"What the matter Choc-" I stopped talking as I realized that I was surrounded by spears pointed at me. "Oh.....um....Hi?" The guards just glared at me and raised a spear to my jugular. But it seemed that luck was on my side for once, as a booming voice scared the guards shitless.

"GUARDS! WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?" The volume of her voice was enough to make Chocolate nearly fall off of my head. The guards and myself turned to see a displeased, midnight-blue Alicorn in regalia trotting up to us. The guards (except the ones holding me at spear point) gave an immediate bow.

"P-princess Luna, this human broke into the castle an-" The guard was interrupted as Luna boomed a second time, which successively knocked him off my head. He did however manage to grab my scarf, turning it into a makeshift noose.

"HE DID NO SUCH ACT! WE INVITED HIM FOR AN AUDIENCE WITH US!" The guards lowered the spears and started to back away. I lowered my torso enough that Chocolate was touching the ground and he hid behind my legs. This made Luna have a sympathetic smile for the colt. "T'is alright young one, thou art not in trouble." Chocolate looked like he was about to cry. I knelt down and put my hand on his back. This made him look up at me and I gave him a nod. He turned back to the princess and hung his head.

"I'm sorry." Luna looked at him with a gentle smile.

"We are sure whatever thou did isn't as bad as our guards are making it." I glanced around nervously, I hope that the whole 'destruction of a fifth of the town' thing didn't come back to bite my current standing with the royals. Even though it wasn't my fault. I managed to hide my fears with a stupid grin that I had mastered years ago as the princess looked upon me. "Now you must be this 'James' I have heard of?" I decided to try and be formal so I wouldn't end up in a dungeon.

"That would be correct your highness. I am James Fredric Hindenburg; it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance." I even gift wrapped it with a bow as I finished, which made Luna gave a chuckle at my royal tone.

"You needith not be so formal. Now come, our sister awaits thine presence." We obliged and set off after the Alicorn of the night. The walk was silent for the most part, Luna did ask why I had a kid with me and I explained that he jumped in on the ride. Chocolate stayed close to me every time we passed a guard post or passerby. I was fascinated by all of the detail that was put into everything there. I know it was a palace but DAYUM was it elaborate. We soon reached the throne room (or at least I think it was) and we beheld who I assumed was the princess of the sun sitting at a small table. I gave another bow before the white Alicorn, making Luna shake her head as she sat next to her sister who was just staring in my general direction with a small frown. The other princess apparently was so deep in thought; she didn't seem to notice me or anything else at all until her sister nudged her back into reality. She blinked a couple times before sighing.

"Please let this one be better than Sarah Luna, is this the guest you invited?" Luna gave a curt nod and joined her sister at the table. The white Alicorn motioned for me to take a seat across from them, so I obliged and Chocolate sat on my lap. "So you're the 'James' I've heard about from my student?"

"That would be correct your highness. My name is James Fredric Hindenburg, and my young friend here is Chocolate Apple." Choc gave a shy wave when I mentioned him. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance Princess..." The princess smiled and set down her tea.

"Celestia, Princess Celestia." I grabbed a cup to get a drink but noticed that there was a bite taken out of the porcelain.

"Uh, should I even ask..?" Celestia shook her head as she went to pour herself another cup but the teapot was already empty. The door opened soon after and some servers came in with fresh tea. Made me wonder if they were spying on us....... Schme. We all poured ourselves some tea (Except Chocolate, he got a soda from the maids. The kid seriously needs to turn his swag off) and had some idle conversation. Luna was the one to start our latest topic.

"If it is not too much trouble sir James, we would like to hear thine story of how you arrived in Equestria. We have heard one other and it was.." Luna shuddered for a moment "...unpleasant." I made a small frown at the mentioning of the event, but I knew that it would come up sooner or later. I looked down towards Chocolate and he seemed confused by my change in demeanor.

"Certainly, but I'd like to ask if we could speak in private." I picked Chocolate up and placed him down next to me. "Chocolate, would you do me the favor of distracting those pesky maids that are sitting outside the door?" Hooves could be heard scurrying away as a single maid opened the door for him with a blush. Celestia chuckled as the door closed and her horn lit up. The room was bathed in a yellow aura as she finished casting her spell.

"The room has been sound-proofed. Nopony can hear anything from us for now." I smiled gratefully.

"Thank you Celestia. Now where do I start. I was out hunting with my sister Amy when I suddenly blacked out..."

"....Afterwards I was placed in the desert near Appleloosa the way that I am now. I've got to say, that town is amazing." I leaned forward on the table as I finished my story. I think one of them mumbled something about how weird my death was. Luna looked somewhat uncomfortable with how I described my death, and Celestia probably wasn't fairing much better, but she had one good poker face so I couldn't tell.

"What was your life like before you became a wraith? If you don't mind my asking." I smiled and stared into my tea.

"I had a good life for the most part. My parents loved me and my brothers for the first 12 years of my life and my foster parents took good care of us." Celestia paused for a moment to digest what I had said. I knew what she was going to ask about already. I'd heard it too many times to count over the last six years. All of the DAMN FALSE SYMPATHY from others who pretended to care.

"First twelve? Did something happen?" Called it. I took a deep breath as I started to tell the story that I'd had to tell more times than I'd have liked to.

"When I was 12 years old my dad went missing for months. When they found him he'd been dead since a week after he vanished and the guy responsible died of a stroke three days ago. My mom was so heartbroken that she just lost the will to live. Ended up dying in her sleep from the stress and emotional pain." A tear rolled down my cheek and landed in my drink, but I kept the tale going.

"We were put in social services for two years, home after home of rotten people using us for money or some other form of gain. Then this elderly couple found us and managed to take all three of us in over time. I went from the eldest of three, to the middle child of seven. I had four new siblings, two of which were new sisters. Amy was the oldest of them and was the only direct descendant of the Hindenburg line. Most of my new family was adopted as well and it made things easier to cope with. They may not have been blood related but they were the greatest family I could have asked for." I took a swig of tea and sighed.

"Well that's all the secrets I have to tell. The sound spell won't be needed anymore." Celestia removed the spell, while Luna wiped her eyes. She had been crying freely since I had started. I got up to stretch my legs, as the princesses had gotten themselves into a more presentable state. I walked over to the entrance to open the door and Choc came back inside faster than I had ever seen him move. When I saw the reason why, I started snickering. He was covered in big. Red. Kisses. The kid needs to learn how to turn his swag off. "You have fun with the castle staff kid?" Choc glared at me while I busted out laughing, but his glare turned into a grin.

"You won't be laughing once I tell the princess about last Tuesday!" I gasped at the threat. He was going to tell them that! I still need to pay the sheriff back!

"You. Wouldn't. Dare." He grinned and ran up to Celestia and beckoned her over. I tried to stop him but Celestia started to lift me into the air as she gave Choc her ear. He started whispering that dreaded days events into her ear canal and she almost lost her poker face for a different reason as her eyebrows raised almost to her hairline. Luna had leaned in when he started and was now rolling on the floor clutching her sides.

"TH- THOU DID ALL THAT.... WITH JUST A......A SANDWICH!?" I blushed like mad and she laughed harder. Celestia was laughing as well, just more controlled.

"I was wondering what that paper was about." My confused look made her laugh more as she hovered a newspaper towards me. As I read the front page my face burned.

I sighed in defeat, while slumping into my pillow/seat. I was about to excuse myself when I felt something in my pocket. I pulled out the letter that was addressed to the princesses.

"I almost forgot, I believe this is for you two." Celestia and Luna took the letter and opened it. Luna aww'd at the letter and Celestia's smile grew ever so slightly. Getting up again me and choc were just outside the doorway when Celestia stopped us.

“If you need a place to stay there are a variety of hotels in the city, One of the cheaper ones should be a couple streets down if you take a right when you leave the castle. It’s a nice and humble place perfect for when traveling with younger companions.” I gave her a final thanks and picked up Chocolate before leaving the castle.

After I got lost and followed some directions that some local passerby gave me, the hotel was sitting before us. It looked a tad out of place from the rest of the city. The place looked more like a cottage than a hotel. As we entered, a small bell jingled and a light green mare that was working on something behind the counter turned around with her eyes closed, giving off a bright smile.

“Welcome to the Hummingbird Inn, How may I help you- oh!” She stopped what I assumed was her signature introduction when she opened her eyes and saw me. I just gave a light chuckle.

“Excuse me but, how much would a single room be?” She was stock still for a moment more before she regained her composure.

“That will be 20 bits” I reached into my pocket and found that I had just enough to afford the room and maybe some breakfast tomorrow. I paid her and took Choc up to the room. We got a room with two beds so I put him down on on the one farthest from the door. Choc yawned before he climbed under the covers. I couldn’t help but smile as I climbed into my own bed and gave one last glance at him.

Cause for a moment it wasn't Choc sleeping there, but my youngest brother Tommy.

I laid on that bed for who knows how long thinking about my family back home. Mom and Dad would be hit hard from losing not just me, but their only direct child. And how would Jake handle being there for Tommy. No matter what I tried to think about I couldn’t get off of the topic. In the end before I passed out into a dreamless sleep, only one thought came to mind.

God, how I miss them.

Meanwhile, a solitary figure with long brown hair, dressed in a silver-blue t-shirt and grey slacks, and a compound bow draped over her shoulder, overlooked the royal city as it was bathed in the moonlight. She sat in her perch amongst the trees, while fiddling with her wolf necklace as she watched a cottage like building for signs of activity.

“He’s somewhere in this city, right?” Death floated behind her as he rested his hand on her shoulder.

“Yes, but know that I don’t normally do this sort of thing. His mind, however, is unstable and He needs someone familiar nearby to help him cope. Otherwise, not even I know what will happen.” She stood and hopped down from her post and cracked her neck.

“Don’t you worry James” Her green eyes gleamed she turned her head to her new destination.

“Your big sis is here.”

Author's Notes:

I derped for about a minute until I saw that I forgot the amount of money for the room. That should explain the update shpeal.

Anyways MYSTERY CHARACTER can you guess who? Oh and fellow wraiths, DO NOT SPOIL THIS FOR THE READERS!!

A Canterlot Symphony Act 4: Meeting New Friends

(ost)

The sun sure is being a real bitch this morning. I raised my hand to bend the light away from my face. It was working for the most part, until Chocolate decided to use me as a trampoline. “Mr. James, git up, git up!”

I sighed and sat up in bed. Chocolate was sitting on my legs and smiling with that infernal youthful energy. “What is it Choc?”

“It’s time fer breakfast!” Breakfast... What a concept. Wonder where I’ll find some souls here in Canterlot? Maybe there’s a park I can find some squirrels at.

I got out of bed once Chocolate stopped jumping on me, and made my way to the hotel lobby. When I got there, the mare from yesterday was cleaning the counter. She gave me a friendly smile and waved.

“Good Morning! I trust that you slept well?”

I gave her a smile and a small chuckle. “Absolutely, It would be a crime to not enjoy staying in such a nice place.”

She blushed and giggled at the complement. “Oh, my business isn’t anything special.”

I was enjoying myself, this was way too easy. “That is where you are wrong. This place is marvelous and I got the best sleep I’ve ever had while traveling last night.” Chocolate made fake retching noises and I smiled. “Now if the beautiful mare in front of me could please give me her name...”

“It’s Feather Light. Thank you for asking.” I bid her adieu and left the establishment with Chocolate.

Choc looked up at me as we walked down the street. “Can we get breakfast now?”

I had gone to the local park after I’d gotten Choc some hayfries or whatever they’re called. I had managed to distract him by letting him play with some of the local kids and nabbed me some squirrel souls. “These ought to last me about a week or two.” I stuffed the extras into my pockets and walked over to a park bench near Choc and those other kids.

Chocolate was waving his arms around. “‘nd then the barn just went BOOM!”

The blue colt started to glare. “You’re bluffing! A sandwich can’t do that!”

Choc got in the blue ones face. “Ah am not! Ah saw it with my own two eyes!” The kept bickering while the yellow filly facehoofed. I chuckled as I got up and walked over.

The blue one went wide eyed as he saw me and started pointing at me. “It’s that thing from yesterday!”

My eye twitched for a moment. “I’m not a thing, I’m a human, but most importantly is that Choc here needs to stop telling that story, It’s embarrassing.” Chocolate grinned as he rubbed the back of his head.

About then a white pegasus in a postal uniform trotted up to me and tapped my leg. “Are you James Hindenburg?”

I looked at him a bit uneasily. “Yeah.”

He reached into his bag and pulled out a envelope. “I have a letter for you from a miss Appleslice.” He flew away with the ‘have a good day’ line as I grabbed the letter and gulped. It was definitely from Choc’s mom. Only she could write this in such a neat fashion when stressed.

James,

I haven’t been able to find Chocolate anywhere and the entire town was looking for him. If he’s with you in Canterlot please make sure he gets home safely or it’s your head on the line.

Sincerely

~Appleslice
P.S. I hope your trip is going smoothly~

I slowly folded the letter and placed it in my last free pocket. “Choc. When we get home, we are in so much trouble.”

Choc was confused until he saw who the letter was from. “Uh oh.” I picked him up after letting him say good bye to those kids. I was about to leave the park when I thought I saw someone in the trees. I looked back but nothing was there except branches waving in the breeze.I was headed to the Train station and was planning on sending Chocolate home when we passed ‘The Silver Wing’ hotel. There was some kind of commotion coming from inside.

Death appeared next to me right out of a nearby ally, scaring both me and Chocolate. “Sorry about that James, but I thought you’d like to know that the wraith I sent you to meet is inside this building. Her name’s Sarah, just ask for someone with white hair and the patrons should point you in the right direction.” Death saw Chocolate and gave an apologetic smile. “And I’m also sorry for scaring your companion, do take care James.”

Choc stared at Death as he vanished “Who the hell was that!”

I gave him a bop on the nose. “Language, and that was my boss. I’ll explain that bit when you’re older.” Chocolate pouted and mumbled something about always having to be older. I was about to walk into the building when I saw something I didn’t really expect.

I was rather intimidated by the first one. She had long white hair and scars while she just felt.... evil. There was no other way to describe it. She was just. Evil and scary as hell. My nuts seemed to start hurting at the sight of her. This was probably Sarah.

Chocolate didn’t seem intimidated by her appearance in the slightest and started waving from his perch. “Hi!”

A white haired man in a hoodless cloak walked out of the building and stood next to Sarah. “Hello there.”

Sarah just smiled with sharp, bloody teeth and waved with an equally sharp, blackened claw instead of a hand. My eye twitched as the prospects of what she could do with that ran through my brain.

Chocolate just went wide eyed and smiled “Cool...”

She quickly turned her claw into a skeletal arm, I guess that’s her weapon. “Sorry, forgot about that... Nice to meet you, I guess.” She offered me her normal hand and I tentatively gave her a quick handshake.

The next one was, thankfully, a pony. After her was a really tall and seemed to loom over everyone. He had a top hat and and was wearing a cloak like a cape. and oddly enough there was an elf to his right. It’s probably a good thing my sister isn’t here.

A growl came from behind the pony and a RIDICULOUSLY big wolf came out from behind her. It is a REALLY good thing my sister isn’t here, for she would have smothered it with hugs. I heard a *squee* from the trees behind me and turned to look. Again, there was only branches and leaves.

I turned back to the group in front of me, blinked, then turned to Choc. “Well that was odd.”

The white haired guy pointed to the trees “What did you see?”

I shrugged. “Just what you would expect in trees. Leaves, leaves, and more leaves.”

He glared at the trees, “Then explain why I saw something about my height move.”

I turned back and stared at the tree. Maybe those squirrels mutated and wanted revenge. “I have no idea.”

He was about to say something else when the elf in front of me started yelling “Gah, Dammit, WHO ARE YOU PEOPLE!?”

Chocolate climbed down from my shoulder and ran up to her. “My name’s Chocolate! What’s yer name?”

“Arlosia, nice to meet you. Now get the hell out of my face.” Choc started to to tear up and ran behind my legs and I glared Arlosia. “What? What the hell do you want?”

I started tapping my foot on the ground as I intensified my glare. “Well for starters, I would like an apology to my friend here.”

Arlosia leaned to the side to look at Chocolate, “I’m sorry you can’t handle someone being slightly upset with you.”

I let out a small growl and turned my attention to the white haired guy. “So what’s you’re name?”

He held out a hand, “The names Michael, a pleasure to meet you.”

I took his hand and gave him a firm shake. “James.” I turned to the gargantuan man pole, I mean seriously, he’s almost a solid foot taller than me! “And you?”

He stood there and responded. “James.”

We stood there staring at eachother. “...…Well this is awkward..... ”

Michael nodded in agreement. “Yep, we got a problem within a couple minutes of meeting. How wonderful.”

“Well” He looked down at me, which made me feel a little weird. “you could just call me Jav, that’s what everyone back home called me, most of the time anyway. There are a lot of James’ in the world, for whatever reason.” Well that became a lot less confusing.

Michael spoke up “Okay then,” He pointed at me “You’re James,” he switched over to Jav “and you’re Jav, Now what about that pony that’s with you?” Oh, I’d almost forgotten about her.

The pony looked at us tiredly. “I’m Ardiente Fragua, former member of the Polomino family mafia, friend of Sarah’s. I would say it’s a pleasure, but your friend threatened my friend, and I don’t like you so much because of that.” She then climbed up onto the wolf’s back and fell asleep.

Michael only blinked. “Okay...”

Sarah pointed to the other pony there and laughed.

I knelt down and let Choc get back on my shoulder, before turning to the other pony. “And your name would be?”

She blinked before she responded “My name’s Flare Dancer, I chased you across town yesterday before Princess Luna saved you.” Apparently wraith’s glow when we blush, cause I lit up like a gold light bulb.

Sarah started talking as she stared at me. “Jesus Christ that’s actually kinda funny, I think I’ll laugh now.”

I stood up and coughed as Sarah was rolling on the ground. “Ah, well....yes, about that.”

Michael’s eye started to twitch as he looked at me. “How in the name of all things logical are you doing...” He started gesturing to all of me. “THAT!?”

“Uhh, I guess wraiths glow when we blush...wait. Oh god that means I was like a beacon yesterday!” Chocolate started nodding to confirm my statement. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

Chocolate grinned “Cause it was funny.”

Sarah was finally getting over her fit of laughter. “Ah God dammit, why was that funny? Whatever, Flare? You are no longer on the list of people I wish to kill, eat, then masturbate with the bones. Now it’s only kill.” Flare was making this.... face. I can't really describe it.

Chocolate looked up to me. “Mr. James, What’s Masturbating?” I was at a loss as for what to do...

So I opted to act like a goldfish. “I- uh, It’s... Uh... I’ll let your mom tell you.”

Sarah started smiling. “S’Where I stick a bone up my vagina.”

Before she could say it I covered Choc’s ears. “Please don’t ruin his childhood. It would be the end of me.”

Sarah just shrugged “You make it sound like I should care about you. Besides, what’s knowing a few bad words? Way worse can happen to a kid.” She had absolutely no idea what she was talking about. If he even mentioned that in front of his mother..... oh god the pain.

Michael smiled and looked at Chocolate. “Why don’t we go get some ice cream?”

Chocolate perked up at the mention of the frosty treat. “ICE CREAM!!!!” I started cleaning the inside of my ear. Good god that kid can be loud. “Mr. James can we? Can we can we can we can we can w-” I clapped my hand over his mouth.

“Yes Choc, we’ll get some Ice cream... just... calm down first.”

Michael started chuckling “You’ll have lead me there...” He turned to Flare. “Know any good ice cream spots?”

Chocolate was enjoying his strawberry ice cream as I had a simple vanilla waffle cone. Michael got himself a mint-chocolate chip, and Sarah had a chocolate ice cream. Flare had some cinnamon ice cream.

While we ate Sarah was staring at her cone. “This thing full of drugs or something?” I just stared at her. “Don’t want a repeat of last time. That was a bad time, many dead bodies and chloroform.” I turned back to the road and tried to ignore them. I didn’t want to know about whatever twisted things happened.

Michael spoke up “No... Why the fuck would you think that?” I stopped Choc before he could ask.

Sarah started to stare at him with a mad look in her eye. “A.N.G.E.L. Fucked up people, many drugs, many many drugs. Chemicals too. Lots of them. So many drugs...”

I turned back to her and stared again as Michael was choking on his ice cream. “Wha-huh?”

She turned her mad gaze towards me. “Oh yes, bad people, did a lot of things, bad things, very bad things, mostly to me, other people too. One girl, beaten and killed, right in front of me, they raped her body, not fun, made me clean up mess too. Still better than me, at least she died, I didn’t for a while, got a lot of stuff. Lots of stuff, so much stuff. Rape, torture, stuff like that, some stuff worse, some stuff better. Mostly worse stuff. Lots of worse stuff. Like skeleton, tore me open, put in metal, now it’s mostly metal, very strong, very painful, always hurts to walk around.” She had fallen to her knees at this point and was clutching her head. “Wasn’t fun, not fun at all, lots of bad things, bad people, bad memories, not fun. Not fun at all, not fun...” She passed out, collapsing on the ground right there.

Choc jumped from my shoulder and was looking over her. “Is she gonna be okay Mr. James?”

I started to try and lift Sarah but only got her to lift about half an inch before having to put her down. “I.... don’t know Choc... I don’t....know........ WOW she is heavy.”

Jav had run up to us at some point and was pointing his hand at Sarah. “Suspension.”

The next thing I knew Sarah was floating in the air and Michael was spasming on the ground. “What should we do about-”

Arlosia, Ardiente, and Jav started to walk away. “Leave him.”

Me and Choc watched as they left. I took one look at Michael’s twitching form before sighing and picking him up by the arm. “This better not bite me in the ass later.”

Chocolate gasped and hit me in the shin. “That’s a bad word Mr. James!” I let Choc walk next to Flare as we headed for the hotel.

From up ahead I could hear Arlosia call Choc ‘a bad word’. No really, she said Chocolate was a bad word. That doesn’t even make any sense.

Flare got up next to me and lifted Michael’s other arm. “Here, I’ll help.”

I gave her a smile and a quick nod. “Thanks.” as we walked away I couldn’t help but make a connection in my head. “Ya know, you kinda remind me of my sister.”

“Really how so?”

I let out a small chuckle “She normally was the one helping me get home.”

Chocolate started scaling my back using my scarf as a rope. I was slowly losing oxygen as he got to the top. Once he got there he turned towards Flare. “Ms. Flare, Why are you following Mr.Michael around?”

Flare chuckled. “Orders from Princess Celestia, I’m suppose to report to her about Michael.” Chocolate made the ever classic ‘Ooooh’ as we continued our trip in silence.

Author's Notes:

Sarah, Arlosia, Jav, Ardiente and Feral the wolf belong to FireBlanket.
Michael and Flare belong to Light Mask

This was fun to write.

A Canterlot Symphony Act 5: A Minor Interlude

We were walking back to the Silverwing following the others. Most of the walk was uneventful until some guy in a white suit started charging at Jav with a blue phase-blade or something. About half way the guy started speeding up as his eyes glowed and lunged at Jav. He managed to dodge but dropped Sarah in the process. She sat up groaning as she held her head and seemed to recognize the other guy.

The guy with the sword started yelling at Jav. “I’m going to kill you like I did your colleague you corpse-fucking piece of shit!” I was staring at the spectacle and quickly put myself in front of the others. This guy just called Jav a corpse fucker..... If he is a necrophiliac, I’m going to kick him in the balls so hard.....

Jav easily dodged another of the man’s attacks. “I do not fuck corpses. A corpse and a zombie are two different things!” .....Just what the hell was going on?

The man’s eyes glowed brighter as Jav continued. “Besides, I don’t even know who you’re talking about, the only recent family death was- Wait a bloody minute, you killed Mary!?” Chocolate was shaking as he hid behind me and Flare.

The man smirked viciously. “Shotgun blast to the face. Felt awesome bro.”

Jav glared at the man as he held his cane at a downward angle, “Alright, now I’m pissed. Claymore, activate.” The cane then turned into a large black sword which he held in both hands and prepared to strike.

“Compensating for somethin’ Necro-fag?” The man taunted with a smirk.

Chocolate was confused and scared. I didn’t know what was happening anymore and just wanted to scream.

So I did. “Just what the heck is going on!?”

Jav glanced at me in annoyance, The mark on his eye became glaringly noticeable. How the heck did I miss that?

“Shut up.” Jav then raised his sword above his head to strike and said, “Heavy Swing!”

When he brought his sword down, The man quickly reacted by with his own sword. The fact that the ground cracked from the force of the blow was.....Disheartening. Maybe kicking him in the balls wasn’t going to happen. The other guy then kicked Jav in the chest, causing him to stumble.

The attacker began slashing away at Jav’s chest, sending blood splattering onto the ground with each strike. After a couple seconds of slashing, the guy jumped into the air and double kicked him in the chest and sent him flying a few feet.

After struggling to stay standing, Jav looked at the man with hate in his eyes, “God damned brat...” Leveling his hand with the attacker, he shouted, “Lock and Key!”

The man’s body locked up and his eyes widened with anger. “Damn old man...”

With some strain, Jav ran up to The guy and placed his hand on his chest, “Death Siphon.” I don’t really know what happened after that cause I was busy trying to calm Chocolate down and keep him from seeing any more of the fight. They just kept going at each other, there was even another boom from when Jav’s sword smashed into the ground a second time.

Eventually Arlosia started whispering to Sarah.

Sarah sighed. “No, just... just don’t.”

Arlosia seemed disappointed that whatever her idea was got rejected. “Aw come on, why not? Guy’s a complete prick!”

She sighed and shook her head, shaking out of whatever daze she was in from waking up, “I’ll try and reason with him.” She walked over to the crazed maniac, who was still glaring at Jav, and kicked him the shin, “Would you fucking stop already!?”

The guy began hopping on one foot as he held his knee. “OW! What the fuck!?!” He swore in pain.

“I’m sorry, I guess I wasn’t clear enough in negotiation, let me try again.” She then kicked his other shin, making him fall to the ground. “Understand yet, or should I continue?”

The guy rose from the ground he fell on and glared at her, “Was that really fucking necessary?” He asked angrily.

“Oh, I don’t know,” Sarah said sarcastically pointing to Jav while she glared at him, “Was that?”

The guy rolled his eyes, “I’ve fought that bag of cock’s relative, I’d have to say yes since she was one big psycho bitch with kleptomania of people and turning them into one big sack of fuck! I ain’t going to let him continue her work, not after all that work I put in to stopping it.”

Jav yelled from his place on the ground, “For your information, I don’t want to continue her work. I left the family ages ago! Hell, I’m glad you bloody killed her! Mostly.” I more than likely missed something while calming Choc down cause it sounded like he was mostly glad his sister was dead.......

The guy shouted back, “I don’t give a beavers nipple! You’re a damn necromancer, and I don’t trust you, since your relative didn’t exactly help paint a good picture of them!” Holy Shit...... Jav is a necromancer?! That’s...........pretty cool actually. WAY better than a necrophiliac by my call.

Sarah slashed him lightly across the face with her fingernails, “Alright then, fuck off you criminal piece of shit.”

The guy stared with wide eyes before he narrowed them and made them glow. “The fuck did you just call me...?” He whispered with rage. Fuck Sarah just pissed him off again....

“I’m sorry,” She said, “but I don’t associate with mobsters, after how bad an image the Blancas painted for me. It’s obvious you’re no better than them.”

At that point, a stream of mist was literally flowing out of his eyes as he began giving off a ice blue aura. Just what the fuck was this guy!? As soon as it came though, it disappeared. The fire died, and so did the glowing of his eyes. He started to chuckle before it turned into a full laugh.

Sarah looked at him in confusion “What? What’s so funny?”

The guy shook his head as he smirked, “Clever girl. I see what you’re doing. Not exactly that subtle, are you?” He asked with humor.

She shrugged and smiled, “Got you to stop though, didn’t it?” He laughed again.

“Yeah, I guess it did.” he replied with his own smile before he turned serious. “Still, I don’t trust him. Like I said his relative didn’t help, but I won’t attack him.” Okay, this is getting confusing... and I don't even know this guy's name.

Flare tapped me on the shoulder about then. “James can you help me lift Michael? The commotion seems to have died down enough for us to get him inside.” I nodded in agreement and We all headed inside. Choc stayed on the opposite side of me that was facing the crazy guy that was now talking casually with Sarah.

If I ever see him again I will punch him in the face. We got upstairs and helped Flare get Michael into the room. Afterwards, I took Chocolate back to the Hummingbird Inn to get some rest. As soon as we got to our room I laid down and sighed. “Today has been all kinds of crazy.”

Chocolate was in his own bed and just stared at his pillow. He kept looking over to me and tossing around on his bed before he jumped out and walked over to mine. “Mr. James... c-can ah sleep with you tonight?”

I looked over and saw his watery eyes. You just can’t say no to something like that. It is physically and mentally impossible from how heart wrenching it is. I would have had caused a mass depression in all emotional existence if I did! “Sure kid, hop in.” He hopped up onto the bed and wormed his way under the covers, huddling close to my chest like a cat and we both fell asleep.

A Canterlot Symphony Act 6: The Racing Champion

That night I had a pretty weird dream. One cause I normally I don’t dream at all, and two that I’ve never had a dream this vivid before. I was in a narrow hall that was lined with seats. As i walked down the corridors I found an open gate. On the other side was this big, open coliseum that was lined with banners of a solar eclipse. It looked like the Roman coliseum during it’s glory days while under the rule of a solar tyrant. At the center of the arena was something that I hadn’t expected to see.

There was some guy with similar clothes to myself facing away from the entrance.

The differences were that he dressed in a off-white shirt with a blackened cross outline and the pants were black as crude oil. The gloves he wore had small blades sticking out of where mine just had a metal plate, while his scarf was a dark gold and was torn almost to shreds as it waved in some unknown breeze. If he wasn’t for the fact he looked like me I would have thought it to be a mane instead.

Suddenly the coliseum started to shake and collapse around me. He turned towards me and showed his beady red eyes and blackened skin. He stared into my eyes and smiled with a jagged his smile. I started to black out as he slowly walked up to me. Right before the dream ended he grabbed me by the collar of my shirt and pulled me up to his face.

I awoke with a small jolt going through the back of my head. I sat up groaning as I clutched the back of my neck. “Ohhh.... What time is it?” A quick look out the window showed that it was sunrise. I looked over to Chocolate who was running in his sleep next to my pillow. Probably having a nightmare about that guy in the white suit. “Hey Choc, wake up.”

Chocolate woke up and looked around. He huddled into my chest and started crying and mumbling about a scary thing in a black suit. One of the perks of being an older brother is knowing how to calm down little kids. ”Shhh. It’s okay, It was just a dream.”

He sniffled and started to wipe his eyes. ”B-but it was so scary...” As I was calming him down I thought I saw another shadow in the window. When I turned my head to look there was nothing.

I think I might be going crazy, or I have a ninja stalker. Course, that wouldn’t be the first time. A small shiver ran through my spine at the thought.

When I got Choc to calm down we went to the lobby, Feather light was walking in from a back room with a food tray. “Good morning Ms. Light.”

She turned to me and smiled after setting the tray down on a table. “Good morning! I hope you slept well?”

I gave her a tired smile. “We slept just fine.” I looked over at the food noticing the salads that were on it. “Is that for us?”

Feather looked at us before letting out a small gasp. “Oh no, this is for one of the other guests. I was just about to take it to them.” She quickly picked up the tray and went up some stairs that were leading to the other half of the building. I was about to head out and get some food for Choc when her head popped out from the top of the stairs. “And I must thank you for staying here. When some of those dense nobles saw you enter they came in to see if I was alright and saw how lovely the establishment is. I haven’t had this many guests in ages!”

I blinked a couple of times. “Uh... you’re welcome?” She let out a small squeal of delight before she headed back to her desk. Choc climbed on my shoulder as we left the Inn with her giving us a fond farewell.

Choc looked at me from his perch on my shoulder while being utterly confused. “Mr. James, what just happened?”

I gave him an equally confused look. “I don’t know Choc, I don’t know.”

We walked through town and didn’t really do much. Chocolate was sitting on my shoulder again and I was just looking at all the market stalls cause I was broke and couldn’t afford anything more than a few meals and the ticket I’d need to send Chocolate home. Without me. I was in a tent looking at some necklaces that one of the locals had crafted when a pegasus in a leather jacket shoved me over. “Eh! Watch it!”

The blue pegasus looked at me and glared. “What do ya want ya freak?”

I glared back as the store owner started looking around nervously. “You can’t just shove me over! Go wait in line like everyone else.”

The pegasus flew up to me and shoved me in the chest. “And who’s going to make me, Punk.” God this guy is getting on my nerves.

“You want to go a round?” We were practically pressing our faces together as we glared.

He suddenly smirked. “Wait, I recognise you. You were that thing the guards were chasin’ a while ago.” Some other pegasi in similar leather jackets were entering the tent and started surrounding us.

I crossed my arms as I leaned back. “So what if I am?”

He flew back into my face. “It takes some serious speed to outrun the guard.”

“Your point?”

His smirk grew into a grin. “How ‘bout we settle this with a race?”

I just stood there and blinked at him. “A race?” The next thing I knew He and some of his goons had pulled me out of the shop and I was standing in the street next to this guy. Everyone in the area had cleared the street. Chocolate was standing next to the shopkeeper with a big grin on his face.

(ost)

The gang leader crouched down and readied himself “First one to go around the city and back wins, that alright?”

I grinned at the prospect of the challenge. “You’re on.” We both were crouched down for the signal. One of his goons dropped a checkered flag and we took of like bullets.

As we ran next to each other I jumped over stalls and various obstacles as the stallion flew next to me. We were neck and neck, going at speeds fast enough to cause a slipstream.

He smirked at me from his spot on my left. “You’re actually keeping up with me, I’m impressed.” He sped up enough to pass me and flew over a moving crew that was in the path. “Hope you can dodge this though!”

I kept my eyes on him, sliding under a mirror that was being unloaded by two pegasi. “Just watch,” I blew past him as he stared at me in shock, “you might learn a thing or two!” He growled as we matched speeds again.

I laughed like a madman as adrenaline pumped through my veins. I could see ponies up ahead clearing the streets and some of the others from Sarah’s group wondering what was going on. I pumped my legs harder and got a lead as we passed them.

Time seemed to slow as I shot them a wave. Michael’s expression was the most priceless out of them all. His mouth was hanging open and his eye was starting to twitch. Me and the gang leader kept speeding past as time reverted to normal.

We kept up our dance of passing each other and dodging the occasional pony. Eventually we got to the halfway point and He was starting to get exhausted and wasn’t looking too happy. “How the hay are you still going!”

I just smiled calmly and kept running next to him. “I have no idea.” A devilish smirk replaced my smile as I faced forward and started to increase my speed. He let out a roar of frustration before catching up to me.

We were about a quarter of the way to the Finish when some of his goons had started to fill the street. He smirked as he flew level with the roofs above me while yelling to his goons. “GET ‘IM BOYS!” I rolled out of the way as one of the gangsters launched themselves at me. Three of them jumped in front of me in an attempt to dogpile on top of me.

I smirked as I raised my arms and bulldozed through them. “Scuse me, pardon me, COMIN’ THROUGH!” The gang members went flying to the sides of the road as I passed them. That cheating bastard was almost at the finish line. Like Hell if I’m just going to let him win.

I started to push myself faster as I jumped above the street gangs’ heads. I started running on top of them as I caught up to the leader. He was smiling as he was about to reach the finish only for it to be shattered as I passed him not ten feet away from winning.

The crowd erupted in cheers as I skid to a halt and stood. I raised both my arms and waved to the crowd. It seemed that our little race had attracted a good bit of attention.

Chocolate ran up to me and clamped onto my leg with a death grip. He climbed onto my shoulder and sat there smiling. “That was awesome! Ya just plowed right on through ‘em! When did ya learn how ta do that?!”

I laughed as I remembered my last couple years of High School. The crowded hallways and a violin case. You do the math. “That is a story for when we’re home.”

Choc smiled and hugged my head. “At least ya didn’t say when I’m older.” We both laughed until the gangsters started to surround us. I watched the blue pegasus as he made his way over to me.

The gang leader looked at me with a glare before sighing. “Looks like you won.” His smirk was back in an instant and he started laughing. His goons were confused as they turned their attention to him. “Nopony has ever beat me in a race before now. That alone is a feat, but doing it without even flying and with all we threw at you... You’re something else.” He flew up and offered his hoof. “Name’s Cerulean Shield.”

I really wanted to punch this guy, but after that adrenaline high I think I’ll make an exception. “James, and the next time you want a race... Let’s make it fair.” I started to walk away but stopped to yell over my shoulder. “And if I find out any of your gang members caused any trouble, I will find you just to punch your face in.”

Cerulean cocked an eyebrow and stared at me. “Trouble? The most the Blue-Wing gang do is protect our turf and have some friendly races. It’s the guys on the other side that are the problem.”

I waved over my shoulder as I walked away. “Then it shouldn’t be an issue!” I paused and turned around again. “I do have one last thing to say though!”

Cerulean flew closer and landed next to me. “And what would that be?”

I gave him the most deadpan look I could. “Blue-Wing? Really? You couldn’t find anything more original? It practically is a tribute to yourself.” Choc was laughing as Cerulean glared at me before he started laughing himself as we walked.

One of his goons ran up to us and grabbed his boss’ tail. Cerulean stopped and turned to face his subordinate. “Where you goin’ boss?”

Cerulean turned and gave a cocky grin to his subordinate. “I’ll just be walking around with this guy. You and the others head on back to the hideout and I’ll get back in time for the meeting.” The other pegasus gave a curt nod and flew off.

I was about to ask what he was talking about when I saw him. That crazy guy from before was standing in the crowd. Choc had noticed too and hid behind me.

I cracked my knuckles from how hard I clenched my fist. “Choc, I need you to stay here for a moment.” Chocolate nodded and

I walked over to the man as he notice my presence. The man seemed to be cheerier than the last time I saw him. His eyes were close like that of a fox as he sensed me coming.

“Nice race kid.” He bowed as he pulled his hat off in a quick bow and put it back on. He held out a hand for me to shake. I stared at it for a good two seconds before reeling my fist back and landing a punch right in his face.

He... he didn’t even flinch...

It was like punching a steel wall...

Oh god what did I just do... He opened one eye, and it began to glow blue as he smirked evilly.

“Kid?”

I tried to look as intimidating as I could despite the fact that this guy was the absolute definition of scary and was making me sweat bullets. “That... was for s-scaring my friend yesterday with your crazy, madman assault on Jav.”

His smirk grew wider as his eyes glowed brighter, “Well, if you expect an apology, you’re going to have to look somewhere else.” I felt a boot to the side of my head and was sent flying a few feet back.

“Because right now, you just went and pissed me off!” He yelled as I rose from the ground. I flew back and crashed through a conveniently placed fruit stand.

I pulled myself out of the rubble and felt my back pop a couple of times. I looked at him and cracked my neck audibly. “Then I guess I’ll just have to force it out of you.” I ran at him to land a punch but he dodged to the left and I hit nothing but air.

“Kid, you’re going to have to try harder.” he mocked as he smacked me on the side of my head.

I growled as I turned to face him. I went for another punch only to meet the same result. I turned and tried to deliver a kick to his head only for it to pass over him as he pulled off some matrix bullshit. “Stop, Fucking, DODGING!!!”

“Nope.” He then delivered a kick to my chin and I was launched by a black and blue beam.

“Infernal Rapture!”

I landed on the ground with a solid thud. Pulling myself up for a second time as I glared at him. “Oh, So it’s going to be like that eh? Fine then!” I slammed my hands together and a ball formed between them. “Light Puppets!” The ball split apart and formed many copies of this asshat. “Attack my minions!”

Dean laughed, “Oh come on now! You seemed smarter a second ago!” he pulled out a hilt of a sword and disappeared. I tried looking for him, when all of the sudden the light puppets started disappearing one by one.

The final puppet vanished but he was nowhere to be seen. “Where the hell did he go?” I felt something slam into the back of my head right after I said that. I skid across the ground and laid there as I heard him walk up to me.

He stepped on my right arm to prevent me from moving.

“You know kid, I was just trying to be nice. Then you had to go and antagonize me by cold-cocking me in the face.” he pressed harder on my arm, making me wince, “I for one don’t appreciate being attacked unprovoked.”

I was about to retort when I saw Choc running up to us. I tried to shoo him away with my free arm but he ran up and tackled the guy’s leg. “Stop being mean to Mr. James!”

He looked down to Choc, not even wincing. He stared long and hard at him, before sighing. “Look, you’re friend here attacked me first. He told me that I scared you from earlier, and while I do regret that (slightly), I’m not apologizing for beating the shit out of him.”

“Ah don’t want an apology! Ah want ya to stop hurtin’ him!” Choc was tearing up and staring up at him.

He paused for a moment before sighing again, “give me a second.” He then stomped on my arm hard enough to dislocate a bone. Before I could yell in pain, he put it back in place.

“Now we’re even dumbass.” He growled as he picked me up.

“I deserved that...”

He then punched me upside the head and smacked me in the face.

“...and that as well.”

He then enclosed his fist on my nose and smacked it down, hurting it even more than my faceplant did.

I gave him a deadpan stare and popped a kink in my neck. “Okay now, that’s pushing it.”

“Oh this is way too much fun...” he snickered.

I sighed as I popped yet another kink out of my neck. “Well at least you’re not Amy. She’d have caused much more pain.”

He froze in place for a moment, before shakily asking me, “W-what would your last name be?”

I blinked a bit as I stared at him. “Uh... Hindenburg, Why?”

He then did the face that Will Smith makes from Fresh Prince of Bel Air. The one that looks like he’s crying.

“Oh gaw~d...” He cried.

I blinked again and cocked an eyebrow. “Is there any particular reason this troubles you?”

Suddenly a shadow fell from one of the trees right behind him. My face paled as the figure stood and became more apparent. She stood and faced the guy with a look of pure unbridled hidden rage. I recognized who it was instantly and had the utmost urge to flee for my life.

“She... she’s right behind me, isn’t she?” he asked with total fear in his voice. I could only nod as I locked eyes with the demonic entity that stood behind him.

She clapped a hand on his shoulder and he visibly shook with terror. ”Hello Dean~”

“Oh lawd...” He slowly turned and smiled shakily, “H-hey... Amy...” He greeted with fear.

I looked between the two of them in fear and confusion with an eye twitch, “You know each other?!”

“We dated,” Amy smiled darkly, “or at least we did until someone decided to break, up, with, me.” She was punctuating the last four words by stepping closer to the guy (who I’m assuming is Dean).

I looked over to Choc and motioned him to climb up onto my shoulder with a few flicks of my wrist. He complied and began to climb. I gave a similar motion to Cerulean and he prepped his wings.

The moment he was on my shoulder I turned back only to find a blue, man-shaped cloud of smoke that was dissipating and one of the scariest people I’ve ever known in my entire life. “Uh..... hehe, Hey Sis! How are you. Great? That’s great! Just great and uh...”

Amy stared at me and smiled. “You have three seconds.”

I soon left a similar cloud of gold smoke that Dean had while screaming at the top of my lungs and being followed by a blue pegasus. “WAIT FOR MEEEEEEEE!!!!”

Dean was running like the devil himself was behind him.

“DEAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNN!!!!”

Which wasn’t far from the truth!

I was running next to him after a couple minutes. I think that we passed Michael again but I wasn’t sure. I decided that I might as well make the chase interesting. “So, I don’t think we’ve been properly introduced. Name’s James!”

“Dean! Dean Marcelo!” He replied. An arrow flew over our heads and I looked back to see Amy with a compound bow. So that's her weapon...

“FUCKING REALLY!?!?” Dean shouted to Amy with grin.

“YOUR ASS IS MINE DEAN!!” More arrows shot over us and landed into trees and stalls that lined the street.

“YOU MEAN LIKE THAT ONE TIME?”

I stared at him as we ran, despite the fact that an arrow nearly clipped my knee. “I didn’t need to hear that...”

“Yeah well, heat of the moment always makes me say stupid shit.” He shrugged as he ran.

“AND YOU’RE NEXT FOR BEING NEAR HIM JAMES!!” I shot a look back at her that screamed WHAT THE FUCK DID I DO?!?!?!

“Sorry ‘bout that. The break-up was... Not that great. It’s my fault, but she had to leave...” He trailed off. I blinked and was about to stop and say something that I thought would have been comforting until another arrow clipped my ear.

“Oh Come ON!!!” I turned back to her and started running backwards. “Would you stop trying to KILL US!! I got a kid on my shoulder!!!”

“I don’t think you noticed yet,” he jumps as an arrow zooms under him. he lands and continues running, “But she’s kind of trying to kill me, and if I use you as a decoy, I’ll only hurt the kid...” He looks at Cerulean and grins. “Sorry dude!”

Cerulean blinked as he was addressed “Wait what?” He then flips over me, kicks Cerulean in the face lightly, and sends him flying towards Amy. “Fucker!!”

Amy grabbed him by his tail and threw him at us. “YOU’LL HAVE TO TRY BETTER THAN THAT DEAN!”

Dean jumped past the screaming Cerulean projectile and sighed, “Damn it, I was sure that would work!”

I ducked under another arrow. “Dude this is Amy we’re dealing with.”

Dean nodded, “You’re right, going to have to be more versatile.” he looks at the passing buildings. “Well, nothing like trying parkour!” He then grabs Choc and me and jumps onto the buildings.

Choc screamed in excitement as we flew through the air. I looked at the kid in amazement. One moment he’s scared shitless and the next he’s the biggest daredevil I’ve ever seen.

Amy skid to a halt as she looked at the building. “GET DOWN HERE SO I CAN CASTRATE YOU DEAN!!”

“LIKE I SAID WHEN YOU CHASED ME WITH MY CAR, FUCK YOU I’D RATHER LIVE!” He shouted back. She chased him with his own CAR!?

We could hear Amy’s screams of rage from her spot at the bottom of the wall before she started to run at us vertically. “YOU’RE ASS IS MINE!!”

Dean pulled a troll face and grabbed us and jumped from building to building.

I was flailing like a ragdoll and occasionally smacking into random objects as he dragged me around. “WHY ME!?!?”

Dean looked down to me, “You want her to rip your dick off?”

I stopped screaming for a moment and thought over his words. “True. You may continue using me as a flail.”

“Wasn’t asking for permission!” He replied as he continued to be a ninja. Amy was still running after us as we landed in front of the Hummingbird Inn.

I looked over and got to my feet before charging inside with Choc. “Quick! In here!”

Dean then produced a disguise... the infamous groucho glasses. The lenses even had swirls in them, he then took his coat off, his tie, and his hat, and threw them behind a plant. He then produced a newspaper and sat on a bench.

Amy crashed into the street soon after causing a spiderweb of cracks to form. “DEEEEEAAAN!!!” She looked around and started running in a random direction when she couldn’t find him. Dean looked over the glasses and folded his paper.

“Cartoons. Gotta love them.” He smirked as he took off the glasses. He reached behind the plant and put his things back on.

“If I had known she was here....” I trailed off as I thought of all the precautions I would have had to take. I remembered quite vividly the moment on my fifteenth birthday when she had chased me down the street with a semi. I still don’t know how she got the keys to it.

“Trust me, it wouldn’t have mattered.” He gestured towards the cafeteria, “The kid hungry?”

Choc beamed at the mention of food and started drooling. After all the insanity of the last... good god half a day, I couldn’t help but bust out laughing.

Dean chuckled as he placed a hand on my shoulder and guided me to the cafeteria, “Come on chuckles, lets get something to eat.”

“Hah, heh hooo. Man I needed that.” We left the streets and got some food. The next couple of minutes were spent just talking about the stupid antics that we have had during our time here in Equestria.

“And this one time, she asked me to kick a tree, just to see if I could handle it!” Me and Choc laughed at Dean's story.

“Ha! Oh that’s priceless. Okay, Just yesterday I got chased around Canterlot by the guard, I didn’t even do anything!”

“I heard about that! Wasn’t it little man here that did everything?” he gestures towards Choc.

Choc smiled and rubbed the back of his head. “Ah was just lookin’ fer my Cutie Mark.”

“Kid you set the street on fire.” Choc huffed and pouted in his seat.

“I don’t want to set the world on fi-yah!” Dean mocked. “But seriously, I know three fillies who really need to lighten up about it...”

I laughed “Yeah, He and a couple kids back in Appleloosia made some group called ‘The Cutie Mark Crusaders, Appleloosia division’ or something. Got the Idea when his cousin visited town for a week.”

Dean’s eyes widened as he groaned, “Oh god, he wouldn’t happen to be an Apple, would he?”

I smiled and patted the little guys head “Yep, Chocolate Apple.”

He then grimaced like he was talking about Excalibur, “Oh god they’re multiplying...” He groaned as he facepalmed.

I chuckled and started rubbing my temples. “I’m guessing you live in Ponyville?”’

He nodded with his face still in his hands, “Yeah,” he then looked at me, “I take it you live in Appleloosia?”

“Yep.”

He then smashed his face into the table, “He even fucking talks like Big Mac, great...”

I blinked and glanced around to see many ponies looking at us. I turned back to him and poked his head. “Hey, get up man. You’re making a bit of a scene.” I froze as I looked out the window.

He peeked his head past the table, “I don’t give any damns. It’s like my vacation in Manehatten all over again...” I gestured to the window with a look of fear as an all too familiar face showed up again.

“DEEEEEEEEAAAAN!”

Dean looked at her then back all calmly, but then his eyes widened and he turned back quickly.

“FUCK ME SIDEWAYS!” He shouted before he sprout from the table and took off.

I tried to get up and follow but stopped as I felt something grab my shirt. I slowly turned to face my doom. “H-hey there Amy, s-sorry about running e-earlier, but uh, um... please don’t kill me.”

“RESTRICTION LEVEL 2 RELEASED!” I then felt myself getting grabbed, and saw Choc come with me. I look and saw Dean with a determined look on his face.

“I AIN’T LEAVING ANYONE TO A FATE LIKE THAT!” He shouted as we soared past the ponies.

I cried manly tears as I looked up to my savior. “Thank you Raptor Jesus!” I think I saw Michael again as we flew by. I just keep seeing him today.

We made it to the train station as he stopped and Dean was panting.

I stood and looked towards the streets. “I think we lost her. For now at least.”

“Oh thank god!” Dean exclaimed before falling on the floor taking deep breaths. He was looking worse for wear as I helped him stand up.

“Damn... I need a-” He pauses when he see’s Choc ,“something to eat!”

I reach into my pocket and pull out one of my many squirrel souls. “Here.”

He greedily took it and devoured it, “Sandy, but good enough...” He sighed.

I shrugged. “With all the crap I get from them, They had it coming.” He quirked an eyebrow and I waved it off. “I’ll tell you later.” I turned around only to see Cerulean standing in front of me glaring at Dean.

“The hell, was that.”

Dean reacted quickly and punted him into the air, sending him to the other side of town, “NOOOOOOOPE!!!” he shouted as Cerulean went soaring through the sky. My eye twitched as I saw him soar involuntarily. It had just crossed my mind that I could have sent Choc on a train home with him as an escort, only to have the plan dashed with a quick kick to the nuts before it could come to fruition.

“Today has been ten kinds of crazy... I need a drink.”

“Trust me, it wouldn’t help.” Dean patted my shoulder. I gave a half hearted chuckle and let Choc climb onto my shoulder for the upteenth time today.

“Yeah, but I still need to see if I can get drunk now that I’m here in Equestria.”

“Like I said, it wouldn’t matter. Pony Alcohol isn’t even strong enough to tingle your tongue.” He grimaced. I take it he tried it before.

“Well damn. I guess I’ll just head on back to the Inn and call it a night.” I walked about two feet before turning on my heel. “Oh, do ya mind if I ask for a favor?”

Dean raised an eyebrow, “Depends.”

I pointed to Choc. “Could you take him back to his cousin’s place? He hitched a ride here and didn’t ask first.” I let a small shudder run up my spine. “His mom isn’t exactly happy.”

He paused for a moment, when suddenly a blonde man appeared from nowhere and wrapped an arm around Dean’s shoulder. I don’t know why, but this man...

“Oh there you are Dean.” he said to him. Dean froze, looking more terrified than when Amy was chasing him.

“Oh... hey Louis...” he said with caution as he palmed his blade hilt. I felt my arm raising for my gun instinctively. There was something that was just... wrong about him.

I then felt a great pressure around my chest, making me groan in pain, “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” He smiled lightly. I saw his shadow and it had three pairs of angel wings. My jaw dropped.

“Wouldn’t want to be a paste, now would you?” My arms snapped to the side and I made a good impression of a statue. Choc got an idea and started swinging on my scarf like it was a rope for some reason. I didn't really give a shit at the moment.

The man chuckled, “Good boy. Now, as for the matter of you, young pony.” He looked at Choc before he smiled. “I think Dean can take you to your Cousin without a problem.” He then looked at said man. “Won’t you?” He looked at Dean, and a silent conversation could be seen being had between the two.

“Y... yeah. I can take you to Applebloom Choc.” He said shakily. Choc smiled and jumped off his makeshift rope and landed on Dean’s shoulder. The man smiled before looking at Dean.

“I’ll be waiting for you in Ponyville Dean.” He smiled before disappearing. Dean let out a breath of relief.

I stared at where the man was standing before looking back at Dean. “Just who was that guy!?”

He turned at me grimly, “Louis Cypher. Say it fast.”

I ran the name through my head before making the greatest imitation of the ‘oh shit’ face in the universe. The 'OH SHIT' face. “Oh.... That’s who.”

Dean nodded, “Yeah. Did you hear about the giant mushroom cloud from Everfree forest?” he asked me.

“Don’t tell me... It was his doing wasn’t it?”

“A single feather from his wings. That’s all it took to level an entire city.” He said grimly. I stared at him, not sure he was telling the truth at first until I looked him in the eyes. There was absolutely no way he was lying. He looked like he was in a daze for a moment.

“It scares me...” He began, “That the fact that he’s only slightly weaker than Death tells me that he’s in a league all his own.”

We stared at each other for a while until the whistle for the train sounded. “You better get going. If Appleslice doesn’t hear any news about Choc any time soon, “I rubbed my neck slightly “I may not live the next time I see her.”

Dean nodded, “Right. I know how much these ponies overreact. Don’t worry, he’ll be safe with me.” He then took his hat off and gave it to Choc, “Here kid. You can wear it until we get to your cousins.”

Choc was bouncing as he made his way over to the train. “YAY! I get to see Cousin Applebloom again!”

Dean smiled lightly and sighed, “Kids... well, I’ll see you around James.” He waved as he boarded the train.

I waved as the train left. “Later Dean!” I watched as it traveled out of sight. I let out a small sigh and turned around. I walked about a yard before I saw Amy turn the corner. “Oh not again...”

She spotted my and ran over. She grabbed my shirt and slammed me into a nearby pillar. I have no idea why there was one there but it hurt nonetheless. “Where is he!”

I pointed to the train station and gave an apologetic smile, hoping she’ll buy it. “He kinda just left town...” Amy looked like she was about to blow. Silver light was pouring out of her eyes and I swear that steam was coming out of her ears.

She let out a frustrated scream before kicking a wall to a music store. Her foot traveled clean through and sent the drum set that was on the other side flying. She just stood there and panted for a while before straightening up and drawing a deep breath. “You got lucky this time Dean.”

I was trying to sneak away when she whipped around and locked on to me. “And Where do you think you’re going?”

I flinched and started looking around for anything that I could distract her with. “Uh, well I was just about to... uh...” I saw Sarah walking down the street about then with, thank god, Feral at her side. “LOOK IT’S A BIG WOLF!”

She glanced over her shoulder and went wide eyed. “You are forgiven.” She dashed over and spun me around with the sheer speed she traveled at. When I came too she was hugging the wolf like her life depended on it.

I heard Sarah shout, “Who the fuck are you!?”

I shouted back to make sure she didn’t try and attack Amy. “Sorry Sarah! She really loves wolves! Could you make sure she gets back to the Hummingbird Inn?”

“Can I fuck her?”

An eye twitch. “THAT’S MY SISTER DAMN IT!!”

“AND!?” My eye twitched again and the only reason for her not to came to mind.

“She’s not gay!”

She stared at Amy for a few seconds before yelling back, “I can fix that!”

I facepalmed loud enough for a clap to echo down the street. “No, just no!”

“Can’t hear you, so I’ll assume you said yes!”

Amy didn’t even bother paying any attention to what was being said and kept hugging the wolf. “HE’S SO FLUFFY!” I just sighed and made my way back to the Inn. When I got there I gave Feather Light a small wave and made my way to my room. She asked about where Choc was and I told her about him getting sent to his family in Ponyville.

As I laid down in my bed I almost fell asleep instantly. I could think of only one thing at that moment and it didn’t completely involve my sister suddenly being in the same town as me, making the same deal as me, and chasing me and her Ex through town.

“Poor Feral... He’s going to get hugged to death.”

I hugged the wolf and rubbed my face into his coat. “HE’S SO FLUFFY!”

I was grabbed by the back of my shirt and was pulled off of the great canine, much to my chagrin. “Would you fucking stop that already? Jesus Christ, I don’t even know you and you’re just about choking Feral here!”

I looked back and saw who so dared to remove me from the fluff. There was a woman with a mask on staring at me. “But, but fluffy...”

“Great,” she sighed, “he dumped me with the ‘special’ one.”

Did she just call me special? That is not acceptable! “What, did you just call me?” I let go of the wolf and came within inches of her face. “I am NOT some special person! That is one of the biggest wolves I’ve ever seen and I was going to hug it if it killed me.”

She pushed me back and pointed at the wolf, “If you love him so much then fuck him and be done with it, I want to find something to do, and standing here is stopping me from doing that.”

She wanted me to what.... I looked at the wolf and back to her. “Uh... I like wolves, but not to THAT degree.” I was about to continue before I facepalmed at the fact that I didn’t even know her name. “Oh, where are my manners. My name’s Amy.”

She stuck her hand out. “Sarah, not so much a pleasure to meet you.” I took it and paused when I felt a non-fleshy appendage in my hand. It felt... Boney.

“Is your hand... Nothing but bone?”

She looked at me for a moment. “Well, I’d say it looks and feels more like metal, but yes.” Metal? Just what the hell.

My eye started to twitch. “That is not possible. No, no I reject this! Skeletons can not move without muscles! JUST, NO!”

Sarah then pulled her mask down and opened a mouth full of razor sharp teeth, “What the hell is your problem?”

My jaw dropped “Just... What!?” TEETH ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE LIKE THAT! Only Sharks can have teeth like that! I sighed and rubbed her temples in an attempt to calm down. If any more stuff like this happens I might go anal on something.

“You alright?”

My eye twitched again as I looked at what had just made itself known. What in the name of FUCK is that! “The Fuck... Is that?” I just had to ask didn’t I?

“I’m a blood elf, why?” Elf.... She’s an elf........ No. No no no nononononononono.

I started screaming at the top of my lungs as my brain finally quit. “ELVES DO NOT EXIST! THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE! NO!! NO NONONONONO!!!!!”

I was grabbed by my shirt again. Sarah had just grabbed me without even looking away from the elf. “Apologize right now, or so help me I will beat you unconscious, wait for you to come to, then repeat step one. Then repeat step two. Then one, then two, then one, then two, then one again for good measure.”

Why the fuck should I apologize? Reality just did a fucking U-turn! “No!”

She spun her head around and got right in my face. She bared her teeth while her eyes glew blood red, “Now.”

I glared back before sighing. “Fine.” looking past her I could see the elf was looking kinda sad. God damn it even if it’s an elf I still can’t take the feels when they’re that sad. “I’m... Sorry.”

Sarah let go of me and nodded, “Good. Now, what to do next... Jav, you got any ideas?”

I looked past the elf and froze. The man behind her had a mark on his eye that I knew belonged to some necromancer family that hunted down some werewolves I knew. We glared at each other as Sarah looked between the two of us.

“Oh I can think of one or two things, yes.”

“Necromancer.”

He nodded, “I am. And I’ll have you know something. I have had horrible experiences with your pitiful race, and I’m not too keen on meeting another one. Give me a reason to, and I will kill you where you stand, got it?”

I growled. “Same goes for you corpse fucker.”

In an instant, he had wrapped a hand around my throat and I was lifted into the air, “Don’t push me, girl, I am not a happy man when it comes to your people.” He then roughly threw me to the ground. God he’s strong, that fucking hurt. I think someone had taken care of her though...

I stopped my thoughts as I remembered who had finished that.

An animalistic growl escaped me, “Whatever, all I care about anymore is finding that Ivory coat wearing bastard and ripping him to pieces...”

“Who, Dean?”

I stopped moving for a moment. Sarah knew DEAN!? I turned to face her. “WHERE IS HE!”

She shrugged, “I don’t know, haven’t seen him for about two hours.”

Two hours... Two FUCKING HOURS!!! I lose sight of him and He’s GONE!!! “FFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCCCKK!”

“Is that why you’re looking for him?” Sarah asked.

I turned to face her. “After what he did, he’ll be lucky if he can still breathe if I see him again.”

What happened next about made me snap, she fell to the ground laughing. She was Fucking LAUGHING!?

I was growling as I fumed. What was so FUCKING funny that she found about this!? He... he... maybe it isn’t such a big deal. “Maybe, I need to let it go...” Damn I thought that last part a loud.

She was still laughing, but it was starting to die down. “L-let what go?”

NOPE! Minds made up. I still hate that bastard. I glared at her and growled showing her my teeth. “The bastard broke my heart damn it.”

“Is that all?” She laughed bitterly this time.

Does she think this is a fucking joke? “Is that all?...” the edges of my vision started glowing silver, She want’s to know why I’m pissed at him? FINE I’LL FUCKING TELL HER!

“IS THAT ALL!?!? HE MADE ME FEEL LIKE I WAS ON TOP OF THE WORLD!! HE MADE ME HAPPY!! AND Then he... He...” My knees were starting to give. “Took it all back...” I broke down and my knees gave way right there. I probably look like a fucking mess.

“You want to know something?” I looked up to see Sarah scowling at me, “I would love to feel like that, I would trade all of my life to feel the way you do right now.”

I stared at her in shock. Just what did she go through to make her WANT heartbreak? I slowly stood and wiped my eyes. “I-I’m sorry. It’s just... so frustrating! Everything was going so smoothly and he just... ended it.”

Sarah stood as well, still scowling. Then she smacked me across the face before I could blink. I turned to her and rubbed my cheek. “Boo-fucking-hoo, you’re life is so horrible. You fell in love with someone and then got dropped by them, that’s so devastating.” She put so much sarcasm into it you could swim in it.

I started to scowl back. “It is when they’re your first lover ever.” I stopped and gave a sad smile. She was right, I can’t change anything by being sore over the past. “But you’re right. I really do need to get over it.”

I smiled devilishly as I thought of Dean and thought of all the ways I could torture him. “Still going to kick his ass the next time I see him.”

Sarah frowned at me, “You are very unlikable, you know that?”

I smiled and gave a hollow chuckle. “I’ve been told.” It’s true too. I never was that likeable when I was alive.

Sarah deadpanned “I’m not surprised.”

I couldn’t help but laugh as I looked down at her. I thought came to mind as I realize that she was a foot shorter than me, reminds me that I was sent to make sure James was Okay. “By the way, do you know where my brother James is? I don’t see him anywhere.”

She just shrugged, “Not a fucking clue.”

I sighed and looked at the elf. Still can’t get over the fact that those ears are real. “I know I said sorry, but you still kinda freak me out.”

She frowned as she stared at me. “I will send you to the Twisting Nether and laugh as you are torn apart by abysmal horrors you never knew existed.”

I leaned back and put my hands up in defence. Man that sounded unpleasant. Makes the Wendigos seem like a cake walk. “And now it’s for a different reason.”

The elf looked at me with an unamused stare. “So, first it was racism, now it’s because I’m angry at you for being racist.”

“No, it’s just that I like my body in one piece.”

“Oh you’ll still be in one piece, that’s the fun part about it.”

I involuntarily gulped while smiling awkwardly. “Oh, that’s... Nice...” I looked around before turning to Sarah. “SO SARAH! You want to go somewhere?”

She shrugged yet again. “Sure, I guess.”

I grabbed her by the arm and started pulling her in a random direction. I had no idea where the fuck I was going but I didn’t care at the moment. “Great! Let’s get going then, shall we?” I walked in place as she didn’t move an inch. I looked back at her and saw she wasn’t even trying to resist. “Uh... are we going or not?”

She pulled her arm back and motioned for her friends to follow. She said, “Alright, let’s go.”

Author's Notes:

HELLO EVERYONE! Here's the latest Chapter of Orchestra of Death! Enter, the Sister with unstable emotions! And save James' ass from the wrath of an angry mother. But what will happen next? Stay tuned to find out!

Just to get this out of the way.... Picture a Raptor in Dean's outfit and a halo..... and try not to laugh.

Also, can you find the Spongebob reference in here?

Sarah, and her group belong to Fire Blanket,
Michael belongs to Light Mask, and
Louis Cypher and Dean belong to Serpenti.