//------------------------------// // Chapter 1: Who Spiked My Cherry Root Beer!? // Story: Deaths Blossom // by BioQuillFiction //------------------------------// Three days. I had three days to enjoy E3, my first time at any kind of convention really. It was a long drive, and I had to take a train from the PARKING LOT! I knew these things were huge, but damn! I checked my phone, looking over my checklist. I’m forgetful, sue me! Find a reasonable hotel Took forever, but check. Get dressed in Reaper costume Check. I looked myself over. It was a pretty good costume, good thing too, cost me four hundred dollars. Detail was good. Did you forget the tickets idiot? I checked my pocket, the ticket there. Nope, take that past me! I then pulled out my earbuds and played some music, seeing as I was dressed for it, I played Soldier 76 VS Reaper by JT Machinima. I had a lot of songs, and some movies and such on this phone, or rather, the 500 gigabyte Micro SD card. Internal Storage is only five, three of which is used my by the OS software on the phone. Why phones...why you do dat? The train ride was an hour, finally stopping a block away from E3. Once off, it was like I was in a herd of sheep with all the people around. Waiting in line just to get in took two hours...my legs, wake up! “Ticket sir?” The doorman asked. “Huh, oh!” I said, reaching into my pocket and taking it out. He looked at it, scanned it with some kinda scanner and let me pass. Once in, game tracks blasted from the loud speakers, stalls showing off indie, up and coming games, demos of games in development...this is my heaven! I went up to a retro gaming stall, they had vintage and remade NES’s, 64’s, and games to match. I got an NES, 64, Gamecube, and ten games for each with extra controllers. I used to have a gamecube, but a puppy apparently thought it was a square fire hydrant. Yeah call me paranoid, but I brought my consoles from my home with me, games included...shut up, I’m paranoid. Though, carrying a duffle bag this large around had perks, I could put all the things I buy in it, even though I will be carrying probably a hundred pounds of stuff with me, or more, I say it’s worth it. A few stalls later I bought a portable gaming environment, which was basically a suitcase with a flat screen and storage for consoles. I also got adapters just in case for the NES and 64. With that out of the way, I searched for games for my PS3, PS4, PS2, and nintendo systems, just a gameboy, 3ds, and the switch...and Wii U...It’s a BIG bag. Biggest I found between stores, Ebay, and Amazon. Kept all my games in a sleeve folder though, to that saved space. After buying more games, and downloading some on my laptop. Wifi here is amazing. Thank you for a terabyte laptop. This thing, and the games I have in my oversized backpack, are most of my saved up money that I splurge on myself, probably more than the few grand I’m spending on myself here. But by far, this Laptop is my most expensive buy ever, an Alienware 17.3, cost me little over two grand plus taxes, but it’s storage and power alone are worth it! I also keep my games that are known to be heavy on consoles here, it plays them easy. After downloading more games from steam, some indi ones from Gamejolt, I packed that all up and decided to buy some trinkets, gonna have to find a outlet soon, thank god I also brought all my chargers. A bit of walking and I found something odd. It was a stall near a window, just a fold out table, and a man in a hoodie sitting there...but there was a display case, well, stand, whatever, and it had exact replica’s of Reaper’s shotguns! My costume didn’t come with those… My inner collector/OCD made my legs move, walking up to the stall. “Hey, um...how much?” I ask, looking at them. “Fifty dollars each.” The man replied. Damn, he sounds like he needs a cough drop of something. “Why so cheap?” “Just overstock from my online store, figured I can get rid of them here cheap.” “Oh, alright.” I said, taking out a hundred dollar bill and handing it to him. I too the replicas. Damn, they got some weight. “Thanks for taking them off me stranger.” He said, starting to pack up. “Don’t go getting into trouble now.” I chuckled. “You either sir.” I said, walking off. I placed them into my bag and headed to the bathroom. Upon entering I quickly realized it was empty. My inner child, who often makes my decisions, I took out the shotguns. Heh, damn they look realistic. “Bang, bang, bang!” I said, pretending to shoot the stalls. “Heh, cool.” I said, looking at them. I flinched, the lights suddenly going out. “Oh shit…” I mutter, suddenly feeling like...falling. Damn, mom warned never leave your drink unattended. Swear I chugged that thing empty before putting it down to check out that Fallout 5 demo. As I was falling I began to see lights, then I was falling from a sky. I managed to turn around, and saw myself falling into a city. “Craaaaaap!” I yelled, falling face first onto the brink ground of an allie. I laid there, a crack echoing from my neck...before a dark fog came out of my body and I was able to move again...I immediately backed away from the spot...Did I just die...and come back?! ...Reaper can’t do that! I sat with my back against my backpack against the wall. Heh, least I still got that...where the hell am I? How the hell did I get here? I got up and walked slowly towards the alley entrance, seeing...anthro ponies… Am I in an anthro Equestria? Colors look right...and from the style of those clothes...Canterlot...great, I’m in snob city. Damn...how to do this...I look different, and this outfit won’t help at all. One of these ponies, people...whatever, sees me, and I’m in the dungeon for crime against, what’s something stupid...disturbing the peace? Probably. I wonder...I fell to the ground, broke my neck and got back up, there was that black fog of Reaper’s around me when that happened...huh… I looked up, seeing the top of one of the building’s that made this alley. Wonder… “Uh...Shadow Step?” I said, taking a step as it felt like my body became the fog that came out of me and I went up the side of the building and onto the roof, returning to normal once I was on top of the roof. “Cool.” I said, looking at myself. “Whatever did this to me...I don’t mind.” I then realized the shotguns were on my side. “...did that guy...huh, the rumors were right...Heh, still gonna enjoy this.” It was then that something hit me...I’m Reaper now… “Am I gonna be a hero...or a terrorist?” Boom! I Ran to the other side of the building’s roof, seeing what looked like a donut shop burst in flames. I could see some pony people trapped by the fire. “...Hero for hire...depending on what it’s for.” I said, quickly taking off my bag and jumping off the edge. The second I landed on the ground, I must have Reaper’s body cause that did not hurt, the pony people got scared as I walked towards the burning building. A pony person in gold armor pointed a spear at me. “Halt! What are you?” I looked at him. “Name’s Reaper.” He then raised the spear to my neck. “No pony in there is going to die.” I chuckled. “Who said anything about dying?” I said, Shadow Stepping forewards, through the fire, not feeling it and to the ponies trapped. My eyes widened. It was Twilight, but young...Really young, Shining Armor, no older than maybe twelve, and their parents. “You four the only ones here.” Twilight’s father, Night Light, if memory served, gulped. “Please...not our children.” “Or for the love of…” I said, grabbing Shining and Twilight, who must have been like, two, and Shadow Stepped back through the fire, dropping them into the safety of the street then going back in and grabbing Night Light and Velvet. “My name is Reaper, I’m not the reaper.” I goran, SPears surrounding me suddenly. “Okay really? I just saved these people and you’re pointing weapons at me?” “Put them down!” Velvet yelled, yanking one of the guards spears out of their hands and throwing it to the side. “This pony saved our lives! Have some manners!” I tried not to chuckle, seeing Velvet lecture the guards who hesitantly put the spears down. “So...who and what are you?” Night Light asked, looking at me. “That was some...fancy magic.” “Just...call me Reaper. As for what I did...Not even sure how it works myself, but it does.” “Well, thank you. Can we repay you?” “That depends, what can you pay?” Night Light looked surprised. “Oh, um...Well...Do you have a place to stay?” “Ah...no...I kinda...fell into the city.” “Well, we have a spare room you can use for as long as you need.” “Thanks...just like that?” “You saved our lives, it’s the least we can do. RIght hun?” Velvet stopped her lecturing, the guards now looking a bit scared of her, and turned to look at us. “Of course, stay as long as you’d like.” She said with a warming smile. “Alright...I’ll get my stuff.” I shadow stepped back onto the building, grabbing my bag and shadow stepping back down. “So...you going there now or…?” “Might as well, it’s been a day.” Velvet said. “Come on kids, hun, let’s show our hero our home.” Hero...Oh alright...I’ll see if Celestia will pay me. The Sparkle house was a fair sized, two story house, nice yard, and well kept. Upon entering I saw it was really well furnished, an elegant staircase leading to upstairs. “Shining, can you show Reaper to the spare room.” “Sure.” Shining Armor said, his tone seemed...Well, I can tell he’s unsure of me. I followed him upstairs and passed what I am assuming was the main rooms. He opened a door near the end of the hall, a wood stairway leading up was behind it. “Mom redid the attic as a spare bedroom. It’s got a nice view, bed, dresser, and a TV.” He explained. “Really?” I ask, surprised that there are TV’s in this Equestria. Well, it is anthro. “Yeah, but it’s not hooked up to anything other than a DVD player.” “That’s fine.” I said, walking up the stairs. When I got to the actual room It was about as big as my bedroom back on earth., bed was big, built for two, and the dresser was large, about six feet long, four feet high, plenty of drawers. The Tv was on it. It reminded me of my first TV I had in my room, very big, and heavy looking. I saw the DVD player on it and looked behind the TV, two outlets, same as back on earth, were where the plugs were plugged in, and the inputs were the standard Red, Yellow and White like on earth. Good, looks like paranoia paid off. I then but my bag down, it making a bit of a thump as I it hit the ground and began searching for all my consoles. I got each one out and placed them around the TV on the dresser. I then pulled out my disc folder, it was packed, easy six inches thick. I kept all my ds games and Switch games in a small box I glued on it’s spine from the outside. I knew how to reset it to the red, yellow, and white cables, so I pulled out my ps4 and looked through my games. I then saw Overwatch...heh, why the hell not. Canterlot was a buzz with the news of Death itself sparing a family rather than harvesting their souls. When this news reached Celestia, she took a carriage with her niece Cadence and nephew Blue Blood. She was told Death had gone home with that family, and part of her war worried, the other was curious. Death, saving ponies...what purpose would there be in that? “Auntie, why are we going with you to see this poser?” Blue Blood said. Celestia sighed. “He may not be Blue Blood, can you turn into black fog and pass through blazing fire unharmed and bring others with you and keep them safe from the flames?” “Uhhh...Well no, but can’t a spell do that?” “None that I know of, and I have had time to learn most all, even the dark ones.” “What do you think he’s like?” Cadence asked. “No idea, he must be good if he saved them, but this is all odd.” “How so?” “Death exists to let the dying find peace, the afterlife.” “Well, maybe it wasn’t their time?” “Perhaps, but this is the first time he has made a physical appearance, if it is him.” “You talk as if you know him?” Blue Blood asked. “...Once, a long time ago I came face to face with Death. He spared me, and I returned as the alicorn you two see now.” “But, you made Cadence and Alicorn, and she didn’t die.” Blue Blood pointed out. “Cadence is a different type of Alicorn, unlike me, she can age and die. I cannot age, nor die. The reason for that is that my soul is bound to my Celestial, the sun. Cadence’s soul isn’t, they are linked, but not bound.” “That’s...kinda nice to hear. I was afraid I was going to be thirteen forever.” Cadence said, making Celestia laugh. “No, you will grow up Cadence.” “Princess, we’re here.” The carriage driver said as it came to a stop. “Thank you, you two, come, and please be respectful.” Celestia said as she stepped out, Blue Blood and Cadence close behind. She walked up to the door, and rang the doorbell. Twilight Velvet opened the door, and upon seeing the Princess as her front door she nearly fainted. “P-p-p-p-p-p-p-p-p-p-Princess! What brings you here?!” “I think you know miss...Velvet, correct? Where is Death?” “A-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-Attic room.” “Thank you. Could you please lead me and my niece and nephew there?” Playing overwatch offline was weird, they made a DLC that makes it able to play offline, no internet at all. The Ai’s are pretty good, smart, and ass holes sometimes, but it’s...weird. There was a knock at the door. I immediately turned off the TV and threw the sheets over the consoles. I then got up and walked down the stairs to the door. When I opened it, I stared right into the face of Equestria’s monarch...and closed the door. I went back to my bed and put in my ear buds and tried listening to some music. When I looked to my side, I saw Celestia standing there, looking a mix of annoyed and confused. I sighed, taking out an ear bud. “Can I help you?” “Yes you may.” Celestia said, crossing her arms and tapping her foot. “Mind telling me why you appear as Death, and seem to posses powers related?” “Short answer, I bought these.” I lifted up the shot guns. “From some guy at a convention and was messing with them when the power went out, next thing I know I’m falling from the sky into an alleyway.” “I see...so in other words you think the person you bought those, whatever they are, from somehow did this?” “Well maybe. I heard rumors of people going to these conventions and disappearing. Just thought they got lost and ended up in some other city or something.” “I see...and where are you from?” “Earth.” “What nation is that?” “Not a nation, a planet.” “Wait, you’re from another world!” I looked behind Celestia, seeing a young Cadence there. “Yup.” I reply simply. “Are you not wanting to go home? You seem...pleased with where you are.” Celestia said. “I had nothing back home, family was...not worth talking about, job was boring.” “So what are your plans?” “Well, that depends, you hiring?” “E-excuse me?” “I got powers, abilities, and I strike fear into all who see me just by standing somewhere. You could hire me for something.” “Uh…” “You can be my servant!” I looked to Celestia’s other side, seeing a young Blue Blood there. “Or body guard, whichever.” “Blue Blood!” Celestia snapped. “Deal.” I said, making the three of them look at me in surprise. “You...accept his offer?” Celestia asked, confused. “Well, I need a job.” “Alright...But, on one condition.” “Shoot.” “Take off your mask. I want to see your face.” I sighed, clicking the straps on my mask and took it off. Hair fall down from my forehead and sides. My hair was short cut before this all happened. I really became Reaper then. Huh. I looked up, seeing Celestia surprised. “Well, as you can see, I’m not a pony.” “What...what are you? In all my years. Physically you are similer to us, but…” “No pony ears, or fur, or multi colored hair. Or tale. I am what’s known as a human.” Listening to myself in a calm room. At least I still sound the same. “Well then...When will you be able to start?” Blue Blood asked. “Tomorrow I guess. If you’ll let me I’ll pack up now and hitch a ride with you.” “Sure.” Blue Blood said. I got up and pulled the sheets off my games and consoles. Celestia, Cadence and Blue Blood all looked at the items in awe. “What are they?” Cadence asked. “Entertainment, and very expensive.” I say, packing them carefully. Once everything was back in my oversized duffle bag I strapped it on. “Let’s go.” Cadence and Blue Blood made their way down the steps, and placed a hand on Celestia’s shoulder. “Keep an eye on the filly that lives here. She has a destiny.” “What?” She asked, I ignored her question and walked downstairs. She’ll get it sooner or later. As I was at the door I saw the filly Twilight there, watching me from a corner. “Practice your magic some kid, I have a feeling you’ll be good at it.”