//------------------------------// // Not a chance in- wait, where am I? // Story: What Defines A Soul? // by The Joeker //------------------------------// Dead... Again... You know, just when I think it's over, it's not... at all... I was in a car crash, lost my legs and died. I was brought back as a cybernetically enhanced superhuman, and was blown up. Then I met G-Man, who made me a deal to go to a world that needed me. In said world, I did the heroic thing and sacrificed myself for them, earning me the gratitude of a nation or two, and a very stubborn Princess. And the love of another, the lengths we go to, eh? But it turns out that wasn't enough, as I now find myself in the void once more. "When I said, 'We will never speak again.' it turns out I was wrong, Mr. Francis, and for that I apologise, as I am not usually wrong." said G-Man. "Its fine, it was good while it lasted, a few hours." I chuckled, I was once more human, not a cyborg. "However, this world still needs you, Mr. Francis." he said ominously... who the fuck am I kidding? everything he says is ominous. "Ok…" I waited for him to elaborate. "Hmm, I need to know I will have your full cooperation... Mr. Francis." he said. "But of course sir." I said in a posh accent. "Excellent, I have already placed your mortal body where you need to be, I also reconstructed it exactly to scale since you... errm... imploded, the bad part is it has been found by… shall we say… bad people or ponies in this case… and you went on a bit of a rant about something, you sang 'Voices' or 'Randy Orton's old theme song' and sparked something…" "Wow... really?" I asked. "Yes, luckily you were but a blurred illusion and not fully conscious or fully formed, and you may suffer slight memory loss when you wake up Mr. Francis." he said. "I see… Francis… Basilli Francis… haha" I chuckled. "I assume you know?" I asked him. "But of course, the question is: who do you trust enough?" he asked. "Currently? no one…" I answered. "All I will say Mr. Francis is relationships are not built on lies…" he said. I looked at him quizzically. "What do you mean?" I asked. "You may… or indeed may not see, in time Mr. Francis, now then, are you willing to take another chance?" he asked. "Of course." I answered; I seemed to be doing a lot of answering. "You have something on your mind Mr. Francis?" asked G-Man. "Yeah, what's your angle in this?" I asked. "That is… not as simple a question as you think…" he… lied, he lied again! "That is a lie." I stated. "You are ever vigilant Mr. Francis, for seeing through me, which most people can't, and for what you've been through... you deserve an answer." he said. "Thank you." I said in a 'finally!' type voice. "My… dear little sister… Queen Galaxia, was the monarch before the sisters, she is with us somewhere in the abyss currently, as is my brother-in-law, they wanted some... protection for their daughters, insurance if you will as lately the tide of fate has been changing, and I obliged, I sent them you, you performed your duty admirably, however your fate was... premature." He said. "Your brother and sister?" I asked. "Yes, my dear baby sister wished only harmony on her world, and my brother 'Sol Flare' or King Cosmos as he is known now did also… and it ended… violently, they were lucky to get here, now I- hold on a second…" he said and picked up a phone. "Mmm hmmm, yes… yes… indeed." he said and put it down. "Well…" I said, waiting for him to explain. "I need to go for a minute Mr. Francis." He said and in the blink of my eye, disappeared. "Huh, rude…" I mumbled. "Yes, my brother is known for that particular characteristic." came a soft feminine voice and I spun around to reveal a bright, vibrant white pony, she was an Alicorn with a silver crown with a ruby in the center atop her head. "Queen Galaxia." I greeted. "Mr-" she started. "Please ma'am, call me Baz Mr. Francis is- was my father." I said. "Very well, if you call me Solana, that was my name before I was monarch." she replied. "Yeah, sure whatever floats your boat." I said, and she laughed. "You have no respect for authority, and I love it! too much, too often people used to grovel at my feet and beg for mercy, even though I wouldn't harm any of them." she said sadly. "I'm sorry." I said, I truthfully didn't know what to say. "I have also imprinted this trait in Lulu and Tia, Lulu might act like she wants to be worshipped, but she truly just wants to be loved, as does Tia, you wondered why she instantly returned your affection, didn't you?" she asked. "Yeah, I didn't expect her to tell me she loved me, maybe she felt similar but not exactly the same, it surprised me, but I was too busy being on the brink od death to pay much mind." I said. "You will find out why eventually, and I thank you for saving my great nieces kingdom, and for sacrificing yourself for it." she said. "Yeah well… you know, now I can cross 'implode' off my bucket list of death." I chuckled. "This is exactly what I'm talking about, you talk to people of authority so casually, and we need that." She chuckled. "Ok, back to the point at hand, or hoof in your case respectively, I know roundabouts where I'm going but not exactly where." I said. "You will find out soon enough, Baz." she said. "So… Lulu and Tia huh?" I asked, trying to make small talk... to a fucking Alicorn. "Yes, but they only use those names in each others company, and only dear friends call them that." she said. "Sounds about right." I smiled. "Yes, but... where you are going… is very dangerous." she said solemnly. "…" I gestured to myself. "Hahaha... really though…" she said and had a serious expression on. "What? dangerous? Sombra is the most dangerous thing I've come across." I said truthfully. "You will see what I mean…" she said. "I suppose I will… first-hand." I replied. "I wish I could help you in some way, but immortals like you and me sometimes must rest." she said. "But I'm not immortal…" I replied. "After being here physically you are, and those implants of yours increase your lifespan by tenfold anyway, a beneficial trait, I think for you." she said. "Providing I don't implode again." we both laughed. "Yes, I have to go now, farewell Baz." she said. "Goodbye Solana." I waved as she ran into a white light away. "I see you met my sister.. and you are even on a first name basis with her." said G-Man, who appeared through the portal she left. "Yes, apparently so." I said. "You must go now Mr. Francis, I may see you again." he said, and I started to fall...