//------------------------------// // Chapter 17: Psychopath // Story: The Reaper // by Blade Trail //------------------------------// Spokes led Reaper up to the second floor of the palace and into a small hallway. The hallway had only one entrance, three doors on either side, and led to a dead end. The entrance was guarded by two stoic minotaurs armed with spears, and the bare wall on the far side had the outline of a frame where a painting had been until recently. “These are the guest rooms, Commander Reaper,” Spokes explained. “I assure you that they are all identical and well-maintained. Once your fellow ambassadors have finished their meals, I will lead them here as well. The rooms were designed to be occupied by a single minotaur each; however, given the difference in size between the members of your contingent and the average minotaur, sharing one should also be possible, if you prefer.” Spokes paused and looked at Reaper, giving the smaller creature time to respond, comment, or ask a question. When it became clear that Reaper would remain silent, he continued. “Should you have a request or require assistance in any way, you may inform one of the guards stationed at the entrance of the hall, and the palace staff will attend to you as soon as possible. This includes any time you wish to travel to and from these rooms. For your own comfort and safety, I must insist that you refrain from moving about the palace without an escort. Is this acceptable?” He says that like we have a choice, Reyes said. Reaper nodded. “Very good,” Spokes said. “I will leave your companions’ bags out here in the hallway, so that they may bring their possessions into whichever room they ultimately choose. Rest assured that our guards will allow no harm to befall any of the items stored within. Now, if that is all, there are other things I must attend to.” “Just go,” Reaper commanded. Spokes gave a slight bow then turned around and left the hallway. Reaper walked in the opposite direction and went through the door on the far right end. The room inside was large and spacious, relative to Reaper’s size, but also spartan. It contained no furnishings beyond a single, almost military, bed and an empty closet. There was a door at the far end that lead to a simple bathroom with a sink, mirror, toilet, and shower. Although the bathroom was also overlarge for Reaper, he noted that the layout still made it seem small and cramped. Had he been as large as a minotaur, using this bathroom would prove difficult. Not that it mattered. He hadn’t needed to use a bathroom since his transformation. There are benefits to the whole undead thing, Reyes commented. “Like not needing to rest,” Reaper agreed. Reaper stored his backpack in the closet, taking a minute to check that his citizenship papers were still safe inside as he did, then walked back towards the room’s main entrance. He paused in front of the door and considered his options. We could stay here, Reyes began. Wait for everyone to regroup first. They’ll probably learn a thing or two during dinner. That ought to give us an idea of what we should be doing. Reaper shook his head. “Waste of time. Besides, there’s only so much you can learn from talk. Some things, the crucial things, you have to find.” Like this King Minos they’re so eager to forget, Reyes agreed. “That’s where I’ll start,” Reaper said. “Even if I don’t find anything conclusive...” The more intel we have, the better our decisions will be, Reyes completed. But how do we get out of here? “There were vents in the bathroom roof. Drains, too,” Reaper said. Both too small for us to travel through, even in our current form, Reyes countered. And the main entrance is guarded. “Neither of those would be a problem...for a wraith,” Reaper said. Reyes did not respond. Reaper examined his right hand. He slowly closed his fist in the familiar motion of gripping his shotgun and watched as the mist poured out of his body and materialized into the weapon. Then he waited. Silence. But that was expected. The act of forming his guns had always been nearly automatic. It took no effort. It did not wake the hunger. Reaper unclenched his hand and let the gun fade back into mist. The next step would be harder; more dangerous. Turning into mist always was. Reaper stared at his empty hand, and noticed that he was shaking. “What, no clever quips?” Reaper asked the voice in his head. “No sly comments?” No, Reyes replied. Only doubts and fears. It’s hard to keep them in check. Almost overwhelming, actually. But we had a deal. “I...We beat it once before. We can do it again,” Reaper said. “Besides, this might not even work.” It will work, Reyes assured him. Reaper knew the voice was right. When he had used his power to save his dog, the darkness that had felt so distant had come closer. When his body had changed after he recovered, the faded specter at the edge of his senses had become clearer. It still could not reach him, but he knew with absolute certainty that he could reach it. And when he did, there would be no pushing it away again. We shouldn’t do this, Reyes said. “We have to, eventually,” Reaper countered. But not now. Not here, Reyes argued. “Then when?” Reaper asked, his fear giving way to anger. “Here and now, we can make a difference. Here and now, we can matter.” It isn’t safe, a voice cautioned. It sounded distorted. “Blackwatch doesn’t play it safe. It gets things done. And so do I,” Reaper declared as the tips of his fingers turned into mist. As the rest of his hand began to fade, realization struck him. He’d said those exact words before; used them to justify the experiment that would ultimately transform him from Gabriel Reyes into the Reaper. He’d been desperate then; willing to do anything to salvage the dumpster fire that his life had become. But having that operation done had been the biggest mistake of his life. Was he about to make another? Reaper willed his hand solid and clenched his fist. “I want to help. I want to keep them safe,” he told the voice in his head. “But…you’re right. This isn’t safe.” A tall, red-headed woman appeared before him. “We all make mistakes, commander,” she said to him. Her voice was initially distorted, but eventually cleared up into the haughty tone Reaper remembered she always used. “For example, I appear to have joined an organization run by a fool.” “Moira?” [1] Reaper asked, reeling. “How did you…?” “You appear to be confused, disoriented...weak,” Moira said. “Though I suppose that’s all within my expectations.” “I’ll show you weak!” Reaper growled. He reached into the darkness, but then stopped himself. “No!” A cowboy appeared next to Moira. “I’m leaving, boss.” “Jesse?” Reaper asked. He reached out, but the cowboy turned away. “Wait!” “Things just ain’t like they used to be,” McCree said. “And neither are you. We both know what’s coming. Lookin’ back, I guess it’s been coming a long time. I won’t stop you - Lord knows you have your reasons - but I won’t help you either. It’s been a good ride, old man, but...this is my stop.” “I said wait, boy! You will - no...NO!” Reaper screamed. He clutched his head. “That was years ago. You said that years ago. Both of you. You aren’t here. This isn’t real. This isn’t...this is...Reyes! What is this!?” The voice in his head did not answer. Pain flared throughout Reaper’s body and he fell to the ground. Reaper grit his teeth and suppressed a scream. Something was wrong. Something was very very wrong. The pain doubled in intensity, but through sheer force of will, Reaper remained conscious. “Don’t fade,” he commanded himself through grit teeth. “Do. Not. Fade.” A burning sensation spread across his chest, as if someone had pressed against it with a branding iron. Reaper tried to move his right arm to feel the area, but it felt heavy and would not bend. He looked down to see that his right arm had grown to twice its previous length and that a green orb was coming out of his chest. As the orb slowly grew outwards, Reaper heard someone laughing. After a moment, he realized that the laughter was coming from his own mouth and forced it shut again. “Dragon magic’s a crude and unreliable thing, isn’t it?” an unfamiliar voice asked. “Sure, it’s got raw power in spades, but you never know exactly how it’s working - or for how long.” Reaper looked up and saw what appeared to be a small, deformed minotaur standing over him. The creature was only around half the height of a pony, but possessed a large, thickly muscled torso and a head with two long horns curved like a ram’s. It’s legs were diminutive, and did not appear to be able to support the weight of its whole body, forcing it to lean forward and prop itself up with its arms for balance in a similar stance to a gorilla’s. Embedded in its left ear was a conspicuously large jewel. The creature leaned down closer to Reaper and sneered. “Pity it’s all that’s holding you together.” “DIE!” Reaper screamed as his overlong right arm went for the creature’s throat. The jewel in the creature’s ear glowed and Reaper’s arm compressed, becoming thinner and shorter and leaving the creature’s vitals out of reach. “Fortunately for you, I’m something of a magician myself,” the creature continued, ignoring Reaper’s attack. “And my magic’s far more reliable. I can keep your body proportional and...somewhat stable until that little orb in your chest is ready to let go of all the bits and pieces. Interested?” “And what...do you...want?” Reaper managed to ask. He screamed in pain as other parts of his body began to expand at different rates. “Oh, not much,” the creature answered. “I’m just setting up a little game, you see. And I think someone like you could really kick things off with a bang.” The orb in the creature’s ear flashed, and the room’s door crumpled like paper behind it before exploding outwards in a shower of splinters. The guards in the hallway yelled in surprise. Despite the pain, Reaper began to laugh. “Gladly!” Reaper seemed to choke, then he groaned, “Not a...goddamn...chance! I’d rather...die!” “Well, it’s not like I need all of you, anyway,” the creature said with a shrug. It placed one muscled arm against the orb on Reaper’s chest and pushed, the orb it its ear glowing as it did so. Reaper screamed in pain as the two minotaur guards stormed into the room. “By the mountain!” one exclaimed. “Is that -” “Ambassador!” the other cried, thrusting its spear at the creature. *BANG* The attacking guard screamed in pain, then fell to his knees. He had no visible wounds, but he felt as though someone had ripped his heart from his chest. The pain was immense, but even worse was the feeling that something had just been taken from him. “Yes! Yessss! Your life is mine!” Reaper exclaimed as he stood. He was larger now - about two-thirds of his actual height - but much skinnier. The other guard backed away in fear. When Reaper turned to face him, he dropped his spear and ran. Reaper moved to give chase, but the creature - now much smaller than Reaper - held onto his leg to stop him. “Let him go,” the creature said. “The more noise he makes, the better.” Reaper pointed his gun at the creature. “I don’t take orders from you.” The creature gave Reaper a hard look. “And I don’t have to keep helping you.” The orb in the creature’s ear flashed and Reaper’s left leg expanded, causing him to lose balance and fall over. “But I am willing to compromise,” the creature continued. It’s orb flashed again, and Reaper’s limbs were once more proportional. “As long as you vent your ire on the palace guard, I’ll keep you functional.” “Fine,” Reaper agreed as he stood. “But when this is over, you die.” The creature grinned. “Sure. Now go cause a commotion.” Reaper growled at being given an order, but did not attack. Instead, he turned and walked out of the room. As soon as he was past the doorway, he faded to mist and flew off. The creature watched Reaper go, then moved to examine the fallen guard. The guard was prone and unresponsive, but still alive. The creature surmised that he would not awaken for quite some time. “He could very easily have taken every ounce of life you had, you know,” the creature told the unconscious guard. “And that is without access to his full strength. What a monster! Gehehehe!” Outside, the sounds of battle could be heard as Reaper began his rampage in earnest. The creature ambled out of the room and slowly moved in the direction of the fighting. He could move faster, but he wanted to let Reaper mow through the guards for as long as possible. “Truly terrifying,” the creature commented as he went along. He smiled to himself as he passed another living, but seemingly dead guard. “But some part of him still holds back. Fights him from deep within. He is torn, conflicted, and broken, but also strong! And angry! And violent! Oh, that such a creature would just walk into my palace! Truly, fate smiles upon me this day! Gehehehe!” ~~~ Reaper swayed to the side, avoiding a sword thrust, and fired a shot at his attacker’s chest. The minotaur guard staggered, his eyes rolling upwards. Reaper slammed a shotgun against one of the guard’s legs, sending him crashing to the ground. Reaper walked past the fallen guard, already seeking his next target. It had been so long since he had fed; so long since he had felt this feeling of power coursing through him. His strength was still diminished in his current half-finished form, but he was finally dangerous again, and he gloried in it. Reaper pushed open a set of doors and found himself back in the main hall. Inside, a squad of guards with crossbows had formed up to face him. “Fire!” commanded one as soon as Reaper came into view. The crossbow bolts flew harmlessly through Reaper as he faded into mist, causing some of the guards to shout in alarm. “Reload, and hold fast!” the same guard from before commanded. As the squad began to reload their weapons, Reaper reformed in front of the one shouting commands and fired two shots into him. The rest of the squad scattered to put distance between themselves and Reaper. Some dropped their crossbows in surprise. All were shaking. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” Reaper said with a grin. One of the guards that still had their crossbow brought it up to fire. Reaper was faster. A shot rang out, followed by a scream, and the guard was down. From then on, Reaper moved like a blur. He surged forward, moving in between two guards and downing them both at once. He shifted his aim and downed another, then another. A guard came up behind him, gladius ready to strike. Reaper fired a shot behind him, catching the guard square in the chest, then twisted around the guard as it fell forward, tossing his spent guns as he did so. More guards had poured into the room as he fought. It didn’t matter to him. He would kill them all. A spear thrust at him from the right. He leaned away from the attack, grabbed the spear shaft with one hand as it passed, and pointed his other hand at his attacker. A new gun materialized and the guard had just enough time to show a horrified expression before Reaper fired. Reaper lifted the fallen guard’s spear up and parried a clumsy sword swing. The force of the impact pushed his small body backwards, but he stayed on his feet. An axe came at him from above. Reaper dropped the spear and rolled, firing as he did so. The axe-wielder fell, and when Reaper rose, he shot the sword-wielder. Reaper faded into mist, disorienting the guards that were attempting to surround and overwhelm him. He reappeared in their midst, two fresh guns in his hands. Using his small, agile form to his advantage, Reaper weaved through the guards, downing them with quick, but carefully aimed shots before they could react to his presence. Although he was alone, he overwhelmed them, shattering their morale. Soon, the guards broke formation and scattered in every direction, each seeking to save themselves from the white-faced demon. But this only made them easier targets, and the battle turned into a slaughter. Reaper cackled madly as minotaur after minotaur fell before him, and the cacophony of their screams, punctuated by the thunder of his guns, echoed throughout the palace. ~~~ Axe followed the sounds of thunder to the main hall. There, he saw dozens of the palace guard sprawled across the floor, and in the middle of it all was a skinny, black-robed figure about one and a half times a pony’s height. The figure held two strange weapons in its hands, and was cackling madly. Rainbow Dash flew in just a second after Axe and gasped at the scene. “Oh my gosh...Reaper?” Screaming in rage, Axe rushed Reaper with his axe raised. Reaper turned to face him, a wicked smile on his deathly white face. He spread his arms wide, welcoming the attack. “Welcome to death!” Reaper exclaimed. Axe reached Reaper and swung, but he sidestepped the blow. Axe tried to follow up by smashing the butt of his weapon against Reaper, but Reaper used his smaller size to duck the attack and step behind Axe. Without a wasted movement, Axe shifted his stance and continued his assault. Axe displayed the prowess of a seasoned warrior; channeling his rage into swift, precise attacks and sudden bursts of measured movement. Each of his strikes flowed smoothly into the next, and as he fell into the rhythm of combat, they increased in speed and ferocity until his arms appeared to be little more than a blur of muscle and steel. Despite this, his opponent remained unharmed. Reaper laughed at Axe’s frustration as he deftly weaved between attacks. But Axe was not deterred. Faster and faster he struck, his eyes always one step ahead of his arms as he tracked his opponent’s movements and adjusted accordingly. From the way Reaper moved, Axe determined that the smaller creature was faster and more experienced than him, but that it was also incredibly arrogant and sadistic. Reaper ignored any opportunity to counter attack, instead taking that time to goad him with cruel laughter. When Axe reached the limit of his speed, he let out a frustrated cry, much to his opponent’s delight. He stepped back, panting from exertion. “Was that all?” Reaper asked with a sneer. Axe screamed in rage and burst forward at top speed, weapon raised. Reaper again moved to dodge, but Axe’s left elbow slammed into his face. Axe had dropped his weapon behind him on the backswing - a feint - and used the increased speed of his unencumbered arm to catch Reaper unprepared. As Reaper staggered, Axe pressed his advantage with a powerful right cross, but hit only empty air as Reaper dissolved into black mist. The figure reconstituted from mist behind Axe, both weapons raised. “Playtime’s over,” it declared, scowling. Rainbow tackled the figure at high speed, knocking it to the ground. She pinned it down with her hooves and glared at its face, furious. “Reaper, what the hay!?” she yelled. Without responding, Reaper faded into mist. Not even a second later, a dagger plunged into the ground where Reaper’s head had been. Rainbow recoiled and took to the air once more. “Prince Dagger!” Rarity scolded. Before she could get another word in, Dagger called to his brother. “Axe! The creature is too fast for you! Fall back!” “And leave you the glory? The revenge?” Axe spat as he retrieved his axe from the ground. “Not a chance!” Reaper reformed behind Dagger, shotguns at the ready. “Dagger!” Rarity warned. Dagger turned his head, but too late. *BANG* Reaper fired, but a blue glow pushed his guns to the side at the last moment and the shot went wide. Reaper scowled at Rarity, but for some reason, did not point his guns her way. Reaper faded once more and daggers flew through the mist. Axe grabbed his brother’s shoulder. Dagger pulled away immediately and swung a dagger at Axe’s neck. Axe parried the blow. “Damn you, brother, not now!” Axe said. Reaper appeared again, next to the brothers this time. Rarity and Rainbow, who had been watching the mist, jumped between him and his targets. “Reaper, stop!” Rainbow cried. “What’s gotten into you?” Rarity asked. Reaper scowled and aimed his guns at the ponies, but did not fire. “Die!” he screamed, his voice seething with hate, but though his arms quivered, he did not fire. “You shouldn’t be wondering about what’s gotten in, but what’s coming out,” said an unfamiliar voice. Everyone save Reaper turned to face the new speaker, a small creature resembling a deformed minotaur that was standing nearby. “That form...could it be?” Axe asked in disbelief. “Sarangay,” Dagger said, mirroring his brother’s sentiments. “The betrayer.” “It is so nice to finally be recognized!” the creature said jovially. “Yes, it is I. Sarangay. The magicker. The hidden one. The stone cursed. Blah blah blah. I’ve hundreds of titles, but here’s the only one that matters: the rightful king!” “Who cares about any of that junk!?” Rainbow shouted. “What happened to our friend!?” “You know, I’m not entirely sure,” Sarangay replied. “Whatever it was, it must have been quite horrific! Gehehehe!” “And your handiwork, I assume?” Rarity asked, her gaze and tone accusatory. “I may have helped a little, yes,” Sarangay said with a mocking grin. “But what you see now has been inside him all along. Monstrous, isn’t it? Downright demonic, no? Will our noble princes stand to have such a creature walk among us?” “Why you little -” Rainbow cried, flying forward. Axe, however, caught her by the tail. “AH! What gives?” “No, Rainbow Dash,” Axe said, shaking his head. “That is no ordinary foe. That is Sarangay. It would be foolish to rush him head on. Although, by Minos, I want to!” “I don’t care who he is! He’s done something to my friend, so he’s going down!” Rainbow exclaimed. “So loyal!” Sarangay mocked. “So courageous! So...utterly powerless. Come on, then, pony. Try me.” “I’ll show you how loyal I really am!” Rainbow cried. She charged forward again, but Axe held her back with both of his burly arms. “Let me go, Axe!” Rainbow demanded. “It’s for your own good, ambassador,” Axe said. “Besides, if anyone has the right to tear this treacherous creature limb from limb, it’s me!” “What are you even - just who is this guy?” Rainbow asked as she struggled to free herself from Axe’s grip. “He is a figure from legend,” Dagger explained. “A monster meant to frighten children. Not unlike Equestria’s Nightmare Moon.” “And not unlike her, I am, in fact real,” Sarangay added. “And I do not appreciate what has been done to tarnish my name. As if I would stoop so low as to stealing left socks!” “I’m sorry, but what?” Rarity asked. “This isn’t clearing up anything at all.” But it is buying us time, Rarity added. Her eyes met Dagger’s and she knew that he was thinking the same. She had noticed Dagger’s guards quietly shuffling into the room, blocking the exits and moving to surround them. “Stealing left socks, hiding in closets, breaking toys,” Axe said. “Whatever a child’s parents think will work best - for a scary story, or a silly one - that is what Sarangay’s curse will be.” “We’re scared of a guy like that?” Rainbow asked, incredulous. “As I said, he is similar to Nightmare Moon, who has been painted as a creature who revels in candy and costumes,” Dagger continued. “And like her, the truth of his story is far darker.” “And oh so tragic,” Sarangay added with exaggerated drama. “It fills my heart with pain to recall! Would that I could pour my heart out to you all now, and lay the truth of my tale bare for all to see!” “Yeah? And what’s stopping you?” Rainbow asked, irritated. “Well, you don’t seem all that keen on listening,” Sarangay answered. “What with your guards getting ready to jump me and all.” “Seize him!” Dagger commanded. The guards surrounding the group rushed forward. “You see? So uncaring! I’m hurt!” Sarangay said with feigned dismay. The orb in Sarangay’s ear glowed and the floor around him exploded upward and spun around him in a deadly whirlwind. The rapidly swirling debris forced the guards, the princes, and the ponies back towards the edges of the room. Reaper had disappeared. “What...is...happening?” Rarity asked, struggling to make herself heard over the loud whirling. She tripped as she tried to move away, but Dagger caught her and pulled her clear. “Damned magicians!” Axe shouted. “There is no way through!” “Does he think he can hide in there forever?” Rainbow, still struggling to be free of Axe’s grip, asked. “No, not quite,” Dagger replied. Shortly after Dagger said that, the whirlwind began to sink downward. In a few moments, the unnatural vortex was gone. In its place was a large, crude stairway built from the stones that had made up the room’s floor. The stairway was almost ladder steep, and led far down into darkness. The princes of Minos put down the ponies and approached the stairway. “Even you could guess where this must lead, brother,” Dagger remarked. “Aye,” Axe said. “If the stories are true, then there’s only one place Sarangay would want to go.” “And where, pray tell, is that?” Rarity asked, trotting up to the two with Rainbow Dash at her side. “The First Labyrinth,” Dagger replied. “A place sealed and buried a long time ago. The place where the betrayer earned his moniker.” “And his curse,” Axe added. “Will someone please just explain this guy’s story to us already!?” Rainbow cried. “All this cryptic mumbo jumbo is really getting old!” “Oh sure,” Axe said. “As soon as you tell us about the rampaging psychopath you call your friend!” “It’s not Reaper’s fault!” Rainbow shot back. “That Sarangay guy did something to him!” “Rainbow Dash, calm down!” Rarity cut in. “All this shouting gets us nowhere.” “Indeed,” Dagger agreed. “Whatever the case may be, it seems both of our parties have some explaining to do. That, however, can wait until the long trip down those stairs. First, we must see to the wounded and restore order.” “But what if he gets away?” Rainbow asked, eager to get going as soon as possible. “Trust me, little pony, if Sarangay is headed to the First Labyrinth, we aren’t pressed for time,” Axe replied. Before Rainbow could ask another question, Spokes came running into the hall. The steward was uncharacteristically panicked. He paused when he saw the devastation in the room - with the ruined floor, and the fallen guards - but when his eyes fell upon the princes, he made a beeline for them. “Highnesses!” Spokes shouted. “You must come with me! Quickly!” “Why?” Dagger called back. “What has happened?” When Spokes reached the group, he was visibly shaken and panting for breath. “The king...it is the king...” “What?” Axe boomed. “What about him? Out with it, bull!” Spokes swallowed then looked from Dagger to Axe. “My princes, your father...is gone.” ~~~ Sarangay stood waiting at the bottom of the makeshift stairs he had built, a large stone door with ornate carvings looming in the darkness before him. “Couldn’t bring yourself to hurt your friends, eh?” Sarangay remarked as Reaper reformed from mist beside him. “I...won’t,” Reaper began. His tone took a sudden shift. “KILL THEM!” Sarangay shrugged. “Makes no difference to me.” Reaper pointed a gun at Sarangay, but his arm was shaking. He growled, but couldn’t fire. “Now which part of you wants to kill me, I wonder?” Sarangay asked with a grin. “Both, I would imagine, but at least one of you is stopping the other.” “Just...die!” Reaper said. “Not yet!” “Gehehehe!” Sarangay laughed. “So the murderer is keeping me alive! Delicious irony!” Reaper screamed in frustration. “But he is right,” Sarangay continued. “You still need me, and I still need you.” “Why?” Reaper asked. “Why me?” “Because you, my demonic companion, present a unique opportunity,” Sarangay replied. “One I have been waiting a long time for. True, I hadn’t imagined things would play out quite like this, but so far, it’s going swimmingly.” “I will kill you for using me,” Reaper declared. Sarangay tried to laugh, but broke into a hacking cough. Though it was dark, Reaper saw that the small creature was shaking and coughing up blood. When Sarangay had recovered, he looked up at Reaper and smiled, his teeth stained with his own blood. “Sorry to disappoint, but by the time this is done...I’ll already be dead.”