> My Little Reaper
>  by Anima Reaper
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Don't Fear The Reaper
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The rain bounced loudly off of my black fedora as i walked down the dark alleyway thankfully the hat was bigger than most it provided a lot of protection from the cold rain the hat itself resembled the hat that Alucard wore in the anime show Hellsing. I had it custom made to look like his but instead of the hat being red, I had it dyed black. 

 "Goddamn rain" I groaned as I continued my walk. Shivering I shoved my hands in to the pockets of my black trench coat trying to provided them with some much needed warmth.

It was about one in the morning every, one was either at home, sleeping or working the night shift at there jobs, and where was I? stuck outside in a dark ally in the rain in forty three degree weather.

 I wrapped my coat tighter around me trying to hold in what little bit of heat I could. After turning the corner I heard a sound above me, like metal hitting metal. I slowly raised my head up to see what had made the sound. I quickly regret it. The water that had been puddling on my fedora drained from the hat and down the back of my coat. I jumped shivering at the feeling of the cold liquid running down my back. 

"Shit" I grumbled as I shifted my coat around hugging it tight around my neck.

I went back to walking not caring about what that sound was or what had made it. I just wanted to get out of this rain. I rounded another corner and found myself beside the old laundry mat. 

"Good" I said to myself, "Only three blocks to go." Gripping my coat tighter, I picked up my pace trying to get to my apartment as fast as I could. 

Turning another corner , I saw the end of the ally and the opening that lead to the main street. I started jogging to the end. When I heard a loud scream, I  stopped dead in my tracks as I turned toward one of the alleyways that branched off from this one. looking close, I saw a man in a black hoodie who was holding a woman at gun point.

"This is the third time this week" I sighed. I lived in a bad neighborhood and people getting mugged was a common occurrence. I just tried my best to avoid getting caught up in them. 

"Please someone help!" she screamed only to be silenced by the mugger. "look lady, just give me the bag and this will all be over real fast!" growled the mugger.

 "just give him the bag" I thought to myself as I turned to walk away.

"No!" the woman screamed, jerking the bag back. That just seemed to piss the guy off even more. He responded by pulling out a pistol and whipping her in the side of the head with it. crying out in pain, she fell to the ground clutching her head in her hands. the guy reached down and picked up the bag but instead of leaving, he pulled the hammer back on the gun and pointed it at her head.

 Wait this guy was going to kill her? Why didn't he just leave? He got what he wanted. He doesn't need to kill her. Thinking fast, I looked around for a weapon. My eyes landed on an old rusted water pipe. Picking it up, I slowly made my way toward the mugger.

The women raised her head  her eyes spotting me. I lifted my finger to my lips motioning for her to be quite the mugger noticing where she was looking before quickly turning around.

 "Fuck" I thought. "well well well" the mugger said raising his gun toward me. "looks like we got a hero". Thinking fast, I quickly flung the pipe at the mugger rolling out of the way at the same time the pipe struck his face. With a loud crunch, the man dropped the gun which went off with a loud bang before lifting his hands to his now broken nose.

Taking advantage of the moment, I charged him but my victory was cut short. he had recovered faster than I thought he would. Bringing his foot up he kicked me right square in the balls. Falling down to my knees, I gripped my crouch, crying in pain, but he wasn't done deciding that kicking me in the jewels wasn't enough,  he then gave me one good kick to the face. My vision went blurry. I felt a warm liquid in my mouth followed by the taste of copper.

The mugger was still standing over the top of me with a big smile over his face. "you should have stayed out of this, hero" he chuckled "cause now it’s going to cost you your life." 

slowly a smile spread across my face. I lifted my hand and flipped him the bird. "see you in hell" I chuckled and closed my eyes. 

I heard the hammer being pulled back, then the sound of the gun as it went off. I felt the pain as the bullet went through my skull. then a voice, a low whisper at first but then it grew to a loud deep booming voice it sounded like a lot of people talking. 

I couldn't make out what was being said. I opened my eyes to see a tall dark figure in a long black cloak, his face covered by a dark hood and his cloak tattered and ripped. in his hand he held a long scythe in which the end seemed to drip with blood.

 "Times up" the figure said its voice low and raspy 

"what?" I asked with a confused look on my face. Without answering, the figure raised the scythe high above its head only to bring it down as fast as a bullet. reacting quickly I rolled out of the way, jumping to my feet I began to run not knowing where I was going but any where was better than here. then I realized I wasn't in in the alley any more.

I was in a field covered in fog. I froze trying to figure out where I was then suddenly I felt a sharp pain shoot through my back. the dark entity had slashed me across the lower part of my back.

 Looking behind me, I saw it bring up the scythe for another slash. "shit" I screamed as I began to run again "Shit! Shit! Shit! Shit! Shit!' was all I could say running as fast as I could. I decided to look over my shoulder. bad idea, the entity had no trouble at all keeping up with me "shit, shit, shit!" I repeated trying my best to run faster.

I ran for what felt like hours. not slowing down, not looking back, I kept running but I didn't know how much longer I would last. the figure seemed to be getting annoyed he began swinging his scythe wildly. then I saw something that gave me hope a door. Why there was a door out in the middle of a field I don't know and I didn't. care please be somewhere safe, be somewhere peaceful.

 I conjured up the last of my energy and forced my legs to run faster. "I'm going to make it" I thought to myself. I was 10 feet from the door "shit" I realized something. when I stop to open it, he will get me. there is no way I could open it in time. he will catch me before I could even turn the knob. "Open!" I screamed from the top of my lungs.


I don't know why I said it. I guess I was just trying to find a way to comfort myself , but the door responded. it swung open and a bright light blasted through it. "NO!!" the entity screamed. 

I leaped through the air as I turned my body and flipped off the entity "NO!!!" it screamed again raising the scythe. it flung the weapon straight at me. I don't know if I'm just really unlucky or god just flat out hates me but the scythe flew through the air and stuck my left collar bone. The blade went clean through to the other side.

I fell through the door, the light engulfed my body but it wasn't a pleasant feeling. I felt like I was being torn apart. My limbs stretched to odd lengths. I felt the blade of the scythe cut farther down my chest. If it keeps this up it could cut through my heart. but as fast as the sensation came it was gone. 

the light disappeared, then I felt myself falling. 'THUD' the door had some how dropped me out of thin air I fell about 4 feet. The fall had left me winded. I slowly rose to a sitting position my eyes still closed from the blinding light. Then I heard someone.

"hey, are you okay?" the voice sounded like a small child. slowly opening my eyes my sight fell upon a small white filly. confused I looked for the person who had been speaking. wincing in pain as I felt the scythe dig deeper the wound had stopped bleeding but from the looks of it my skin had somehow healed around the weapon. turning my attention back to the filly I noticed something.
 it had a small horn sticking out of the base of its forehead. "what the hell?" I said as my eyebrows raised in confusion. lifting my hand I made a grab for the small horn. "hey, watch it!" the small unicorn shouted.

  I froze. did it just talk... no that's impossible. my eye began to twitch. "did....did you just talk?" I asked "yeah! and you better learn to keep your hooves to yourself!" 

 my jaw dropped open slowly a mixture of drool and blood spilled out over my lips and down my chin. her big pale green eyes gave me a confused look. "hello, are you ok?" the little unicorn asked again waving a hoof in front of my face. 'I'm talking to a unicorn' I thought to myself. 

this...this is amazing, how could this be happening. "hello?" she repeated while tapping her hoof on my head "are you ok?"  before I could respond the blinding light returned. closing my eyes to shield the light, the dark figure landed on my chest with a heavy thud knocking the breath out of my lungs

"NO ONE ESCAPES ME!!!!"  he yelled "NO ONE CAN ESCAPE DEATH!!!!"  the dark entity yelled again  its voice like nails on a chalk board. The cloaked figure ripped the scythe from my shoulder "AHHHH" I screamed as blood squirt from the wound that had now been reopened. 

The blood slowly started to pool around my body. I began to black out but the figure wouldn't allow that to happen "oh no you don't" it spoke again "its more fun when your awake" he placed his hand on the wound and the bleeding stopped.

"TWILIGHT!!! RARITY!!!!!" I heard the little unicorn screamed as she ran to get help running as fast as her little legs could carry her. In a few seconds she was gone leaving a cloud of dust behind her. Slowly the cloaked figure raised a bony hand. His hand had no skin, no nothing.

 It was just bone. "Marcus Creed, your time is up." the entity repeated its voice just above a whisper. Reaching up slowly, his skeletal hand gripped my face his touch was as cold as ice. My vision growing darker until there was nothing but darkness.

 Then I heard it the whispers started again but this time I knew what they were saying." 
......Dark skies are falling.......
.the reaper is calling....
he sees the tears that are forming....
 he hears your cries from afar…
he'll be by your side before morning…
.he wants to comfort you before people start mourn you..
..he's just like you he's got a job to do... 
so live your life before he come for you"
 

 'Meanwhile in Ponyvile'      ......Twilight.........
"Look Rarity, all I'm asking is give Spike a chance. He really likes you. how could you not see that?" the lavender alicorn said  a hint of annoyance in her voice, "I'm sorry twilight but I just have no interest in dating a dragon" replied the white purple maned unicorn .

“ Fluttershy help me out here” I groaned flopping back on to Fluttershy's couch. 

The yellow Pegasus  just whimpered and hid behind her pink mane

 "look rarity I just don't see the problem just let him take you out on one date what's the worse that could happen?." 

"I'm sorry twilight but no means no." 

" I give up!" I yell throwing a pillow over my face I didn't care if spike was going to be disappointed, there was just no way of talking rarity into accepting the date.

Sighing I used my magic to lift my book that had been thrown across the room by an angered rarity I placed the book in my hooves gasping as I saw the tear in the upper right corner of the cover reaching out with my magic.

 I mended the ripped page then returned to my reading then suddenly the front door of Fluttershy's cottage burst open nearly causing me to drop my book, Rarity to drop her mirror and Fluttershy almost having a heart attack.

"TWILIGHT, RARITY! come quick!" shouted a tired sweetie bell. "Why what's wrong?" I ask a confused look on my face, "there's somepony being attacked by some creature out by the edge of the Everfree" 

"What kind of creature?" I asked "no time to explain come on!" she yelled before turning and running back toward the Everfree Forest. I jumped up and followed her, shortly joined by Rarity who was then followed by a worried Fluttershy.

 We followed Sweetie Bell for about half a mile running as fast as we could trying to get there in time. "there!" she yelled pointing off in the distance right on the outside of the forest were two figures. One, from the looks of it laid pinned to the ground while the other sat on top of the other. "Come on girls!" I yelled and charged toward the creature. I hope we’re not too late...
                                                            ...............Marcus......................
"Give in to me!" the raspy voice of the reaper growled "don't fight it it’s easier if you don't struggle." I just stood there in the dark alone hanging on to what little bit of life I had left. 

"If I get out of here," I growled "I'm going to kick your skeleton ass!" he chuckled at this "I'm a lord of death mortal your threats mean nothing to me soon I will take what little life you have left and then you will be mine for all eternity!" 

his grip on my face tightened "so stop fighting and give me your soul!" he screamed. 

Suddenly there was a loud zap and the reaper was flung off my chest as soon. The second his hand left my face, my eyes shot opened. the death god had been hit by some unknown force and he laid about twenty feet away smashed into a tree.

I quickly jumped to my feet ignoring the pain that shot through my shoulder. I was losing a lot of blood. I was surprised that I could stand I slowly turned to look at my savor. I was surprised to find two more unicorns had shown up the lavender one shot another burst of purple energy at the fallen reaper, but he had already recovered from the last blast and caught this one before it could do any damage. 

"you dare challenge me!" He yelled.
he raised his arm like he was going to swing his scythe but stopped when he realized he was no longer holding it looking around his eyes landed on me. 

while he was busy making threats I had walked over and picked up the reapers weapon "give me!" that he yelled 

"no" I replied while smiling. This just caused him to roar in anger. he charged me screaming a scream that could make ears bleed I brought the scythe back pivoting on my right foot I swung the scythe around putting all my weight and strength into the swing the reaper, not able to slow down fast enough, took the long blade right where his heart should be. 

Roaring in pain he fell to the ground clutching his chest when something fell out that caught my eye.

A pocket watch, a silver pocket watch had fallen out of his chest he went to make a grab for it. When suddenly a lavender color aura lifted him away before he could grab it.

 The lavender unicorn had some sort of glow coming off her horn it connected to the cloud that held the reaper in place walking over I picked up pocket watch. it was an ordinary pocket watch. there seemed to be nothing special about it but when I went to open it the reaper freaked out 

"don't you dare open that watch!" he growled "it holds power you could never hope to understand"

I ignored him and started to open it when another voice spoke up "don't" looking up I saw the lavender unicorn staring at me "what?" I ask "don't open it." she replied "he just said it was full of dark power!"

 "fine." I replied. I walked over to a nearby rock. I placed the watch on the rock. then quickly brought the scythe down on it the reaper cried out in pain. shocked the unicorn let the reaper go from the lavender cloud he fell to the ground with a thump I raised the scythe again and brought down on the watch. it caused it to crack and burst. the reaper cried out in pain again "please stop mortal you know not what you are about to do!" "if it involves killing your bony ass then I don't care!"

I brought the scythe down on the watch again it cracked even more causing more screams of pain from the death god’s mouth. "Stop!" the lavender unicorn yelled. "your hurting him, can’t you see that?" "yes I can" I replied "and I don't care"

I brought the scythe down again "please help me!" the reaper screamed "did you care about my cries for help" I replied "did you care about my pleas for mercy? and what about all the souls you have locked away in this watch? did you care about them?" the reaper gave me a surprised gasp.

 "yes I know about them" I replied "earlier when you tried to drain my life away I heard them, there cries of pain and misery. did you care for them? you are supposed to guide souls to the afterlife not keep them to fuel your own power." the reaper suddenly reacted to this.

He jumped up and grabbed the lavender unicorn "give me the scythe or she dies." "Twilight!" sweetie belle screamed, frowning I turned back to the watch. "stop!" he demanded I raised the scythe over my head and brought it down with one final blow. 
It broke... the reaper screamed an ear piercing scream. black smoke flooded out of the watch "damn you mortal, damn you!" the reaper still had Twilight in his hands.

"If I die I take her with me!" he screamed. the smoke shrouded around me. before the reaper could make a move, I jumped over the smoke. He looked up at me in surprise. "times up!" I yelled and brought the scythe down on his head. The blade went clean through him. Twilight fell from his arms. I caught her before she hit the ground. then everything froze, like time had stopped.

"you have beaten me mortal but your victory was for nothing. you have released the souls of the damned upon this world, if not stopped they will destroy everything and you are to blame. I curse you Marcus Creed. you will take my place, you will feel my pain!" suddenly a hand shot in to my chest and gripped my heart, tearing it from my chest only to be replaced by a silver pocket watch.

"you will feel my hatred" the voice spoke again then a dark form rose from the reapers body only to dive into mine. it felt like my soul was burning. "you are now... Death. "you will forever be alone. may god have mercy on your soul!" with that the cloud dispersed and everything moved again. Twilight looked up at me in surprise. I looked down and smiled at her "I  got ya" I said while trying to catch my breath.

Then suddenly everything started spinning and going black "are you ok?" Twilight asked shaking my head. I leaned up against a nearby tree trying to gain my balance. The yellow pegasus flew over to help me stand. I slowly raised my hand to my eye only to feel a warm liquid running from it.

looking down I saw a black puddle of stuff in the palm of my hand then a stirring pain shot through my eyes. screaming, I fell to the ground, clutching my eyes. Twilight ran over to find out what was wrong. "what's happening to him?!" sweetie belle cried.

"I don't know" replied a concerned Twilight. "Fluttershy, Sweetie Bell" "yes?" they replied. "you two go get help, me and Rarity will stay here and try to stop whatever is happening." Everything was going black until I was in nothing but darkness. all I heard was faint chuckling in the distance, like someone laughing in the back of my mind, then there was nothing...


> Welcome To Ponyville 
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

I was alone standing there in complete darkness.
"Where am I... what is this place?" I thought. "am i dead?"
"No, your not dead... not even close" someone replied.
I slowly turned around searching for who ever the voice belonged. Then my eyes shot wide open as I came face to face with the figure that had spoken to me. I gasped in surprise at the sight before me. Standing about five feet away, was a tall figure wearing a long black trench coat, black silver buckled boots, black shirt, and a black fedora. The man slowly raised its head. My mouth dropped open. He was me. He had on the same clothes I was wearing, same hat and everything. It was like looking into a mirror.
"What are you?" I asked my voice sounding more afraid then I had hoped.
He chuckled at the question. A big smile spread across his face. I flinched at the sight of it his teeth which resembled that of a shark. Every one ended in a point and his eyes had no white to them. They where completely black. His pupils glowed a dark red as he continued to stare me down. I froze, my body refusing to move as if his eyes were holding me in place. Finally finding my voice, I shouted,
"Who are you!?"
He took a few steps forward closing the gap between us. He stopped about a foot away. I tried to back away, but my legs wouldn't listen. He leaned forward and stopped just inches from my face.
"I... am you" he replied the smile still on his face "I'm the one you keep locked away in the corners of your mind. I'm the anger and the hatred you feel for others. I am... your demon and I think its time you let me out."
Suddenly, his hand shot up and grasped my throat. His grip tightened every time I attempted to breathed.
"You've kept me locked up for far to long" He growled his grip getting tighter.
I clawed at his hand, trying to pry it from my throat but this just seemed to make him tighten his grip even more.
"Now your going to be the one suffering" he yelled.
I slowly started to close my eyes, my lungs burning from the lack of oxygen. My life slowly flashed before my eyes. I saw my first day of school. There, all the kids pointing and laughing at my bright white hair. Some called me old man, others pretended like it was blinding them. The scene shifted. It was the day of my parent's accident. I was crying as the cop told me that they had hit head on with a semi truck. The scene faded again, this time, i was standing on stage at my high school band concert. Everyone was applauding and cheering. I placed my cello in its case then turned and took a bow. I remember how nervous I was when the teacher had told me i was going to be doing a solo. I remember the joy i felt after walking off the stage hearing everyone cheering behind me. It continued like this for what seemed like forever but could have only been a couple of seconds. The last thing i saw was last night when i had took on that mugger. I saw myself attack him and him fight back. I watched as he kicked me in the nuts followed by kicking my face.
"Wait a sec?" I thought. I quickly opened my eyes. The other me looked up in surprise. His eyes held a confused look.
"You just refuse to die, don't you?"
My lips shot up in to a toothy grin. This just seemed to confuse him even more.
"What are you so happy about" he asked.
I drew my foot back and with all my remaining strength to kick . His eyes shot down as he saw what i was doing but before he had time to react my steel towed boot slammed straight in to his crotch. I think i even herd a crunch sound afterwards. he fell to the ground yelping in pain his hand releasing my throat and cupping his balls. I chuckled as he lay the whimpering in pain while i caught my breath. I walked over to him, stumbling from dizzy ness. My head was throbbing and i could feel a migraine coming on as i stood in front of him. He looked up still in pain.
'You cheap shooting bastard" he yelled.
I laughed at the insult before bringing up my foot and kicking him hard in the face. He fell back now clutching his face. Black liquid dripping from his nose and mouth. I walked over to where he lay and placed my boot on his neck pressing down. As i put pressure on him, his black eyes shot open. He grabbed at my boot trying to push it off but i just pressed down harder. He looked up at me fear in his eyes. Still smiling, I raised up my other boot causing me to put more weight on his throat. I herd a loud crunch as the bones in his neck broke. More of the black inky liquid poured from his mouth. Still smiling, i brought my raised foot down toward his face but before it made contact a bright light appeared out of nowhere. I fell back closing my eyes to try and block out the light.          *beep, beep, beep* I slowly opened my eyes i was laying in a in a bed in what appeared to be a dimly lit hospital room. I looked down at my body several. iv's were stuck in my arms pumping them full of god knows what. Sighing, I laid my head back down on the soft pillow.
"It was just a dream" i said to my self.
It was all just a dream. How i got in the hospital, i don't know but i didn't care. I was alive. There was no reaper trying to kill me... no evil twin trying to choke me to death and no talking ponies.
"YOUR AWAKE" yelled a voice out of no where.
I jumped at the sound causing me to rip the i.v out of my arm. I jumped out of the bed searching for who ever had yelled. My eyes fell upon the lavender colored alicorn.
"Dammit" i sighed it wasn't a dream. I was still in this wried world. I looked back toward the alicorn who was now blushing and looking away.
"What" i ask.
"umm..." she replied pointing at the gown that was hanging from one of the bed rails. It must have been torn off when i jumped out of bed. Looking down at my now nude self, blushing, i quickly grabbed the gown and threw it around me.
"Okay, you can look" i said turning her head back towards me still blushing.
I sat down on the bed and motioned for her to sit beside me. She climbed up and took a seat.
"So..." i ask. "your a talking horse?"
"Yes. Is there something wrong with that?" She replied looking a bit offended.
"No no! There's nothing wrong with it... but its not exactly normal" i say back.
"Well, your not exactly normal yourself" she said still a looking offended.
"Were getting of to a bad start, aren't we?"
"I would say so" she replied.
"How about we start over" i say while reaching out my hand.
"Hi. I'm Marcus creed. I'm twenty one years old and I'm human."
Smiling, the alicorn reached out and shook my hand. "Hello, my name is Princess  Twilight Sparkle, and I'm an alicorn."
"I can see that" i said chuckling before i realized what she said.
"Wait, did you say princess?"
"Yes" she replied.
jumping to my feet, i began to bow down only to be hit in the forehead by twilights hoof.
"Ow" i yelled clutching my head.
"What was that for" i ask.
"Please don't bow. I hate it when ponies do that."
"But I'm not a pony" I replied.
"I don't care what you are. Don't treat me like royalty."
"Well sorry your highness" i said in a hurtful tone. She looked at me with an apologetic look.
"Sorry for being so harsh on you" she said with a sad look in her eyes. I staggered to my feet.
"Its okay" i say before sitting back down beside her. "I just i thought, if i didn't bow you would cut off my head or something."
"What gave you that idea" she said a shocked look on her face.
"Well, that's what usual kings and queens do were i'm from."
"That's horrible" she replied.
"Well they don't anymore" i said trying to calm her down.
"And where are you from exactly" she asked.
"New York" i replied.
"Where" she ask looking confused.
"You know, Manhattan."
"You mean Manehattan" she replied.
"Mane what?" i said with a confused look.
"Am i still in America" i asked.
"Where" she said again.
"You know. America, land of the free, home of the brave."
"Did you hit your head or something" she said giving me a concerned look.
"Where am i exactly?"
"Your in Ponyvile" she replied.
"And what country am i currently in" i asked.
"Equestria of course" she replied smiling.
I flopped back on the bed the sudden movement caused twilight to flinch slightly.
"Are you okay" she asked.
"I'm just trying to rap my head around this."  I closed my eyes. Deep in thought, the bed moved a little telling me twilight had gotten off the bed. I thought back to the field that the reaper had chased me through. I shuttered at the thought. Then i remembered the door. The door must have teleported me here when i asked to go... somewhere safe. Then i remembered the white little unicorn. My eyes shot open and i rose up.
"The white little unicorn that found me. Where is she" i asked.
"You must mean Sweetie Bell. She's either at Carousel Boutique or Sweet Apple Acres i think" Twilight replied.
"Is she okay" i ask concerned.
"She's fine. Probably a little sore from all the running yesterday."
"I was a sleep for a full day" i asked. "It felt like only a few minutes"
"You where cut up pretty bad" she replied
"You had a big gash going from your shoulder down to your chest after you saved me. Thanks by the way" she said smiling.
"We picked you up and carried you here. The doctors didn't know what to do. They had never see anything like you before. We were all surprised at your recovery. It took only about an hour for your wound to heal."
I reached up to my shoulder and felt where the scythe had been. There was a faint scar but the wound had healed up. I looked back towards twilight.
"Can we go visit her" i asked.
"Sure" she said "just let me go tell the nurse your awake and then we can check out she" said while walking towards the door.
"Wait! one more thing" i said.
She turned back towards me.
"Yes" she replied.
"Umm... you don't happen to know where my clothes are do you?"
She chuckled at my question.
"Over there." she pointed a hoof at pile of black clothing then walked out the door.
As we exited the hospital i groaned as i examined my hat. It had been through hell. It was bent up and ripped in several places and my coat wasn't in the best shape either. The sleeve had been all but torn off and the other had a long rip down the arm.
"You don't happen to have a needle and thread do you" i asked while putting my hat on.
"No. Sorry" she replied. "But where going to Sweetie bell's house and her older sister, Rarity, is a clothing designer.
"Wait. Ponies wear clothes?" i asked.
"Well, not every pony" she replied as we walked past a fountain.
I paused to look in to the water. I stared at my reflection i looked like hammered shit. My white hair was a mess. My clothes were not in the best shape ether. I looked like a hobo. Suddenly, i saw something move behind me. I looked close at the reflection what ever it was it was fast and coming straight for me.
"Watch out!" I heard a voice yell.
I turn around to see a blue rainbow maned pegasus flying straight for me.
"Dammit" was all i could say before she slammed into me knocking the air from my lungs. We fell in to the fountain my head striking the bottom. I slowly raised up from the water. My eyes rolled around in my skull seeing nothing but stars.
"Ow" i groaned looking down at the pegasus still sitting on my chest. She slowly lifted her head rubbing it with a hoof. As soon as she saw my face she froze.
"What are you looking at?" i say causing her to jump off of me.
"Twilight! What is that thing" she shouted hiding behind Twilight.
"Yeah... nice to meet you too" i say before climbing out of the fountain.
"Its okay Rainbow" said Twilight, "this is Marcus. He's a human."
"A what?"  the rainbow pegasus replied raising an eyebrow.
"He says he is from a different world" explained twilight.  
"Another world? What so he's an alien?"
"I guess you could say that" replied twilight.
"Wow... he sure looks... different." the pegasus replied.
"I'm standing right here" i say while trying to fish my hat out of the fountain without falling back in when suddenly, i felt someone grab my arm.
I turned to see the pegasus hovering at my side while holding my hand in her hoofs.
"What are you doing?" i ask with a confused look on my face.
"I'm just looking at your... hands" she replied taking a closer look.
"Well, stop it" i said before jerking my hand back. "your creeping me out"
I turned to try and pick up my hat again when i felt her tugging on my jacket.
"What now" i say before turning around my voice sounding annoyed.
"What are you wearing?" she asked, "I've never seen clothes like this before."
"Me either" Twilight claimed, both of them with a curious looks on there face.
"Its a leather trench coat" i replied before turning back around and picking up my hat and placing it on my soaked head.
"Whats it made of?"  asked twilight.
"Its made of co........" i stopped before finishing the word.
I turned to look at them.
"Do you have cows here" i ask.
"Of course! duh" the rainbow pegasus replied.
"Do they talk?"
"Yes" they said.
"So... they're intelligent?" i say before being answered by another yes.
"Well then it doesn't matter what its made of "
"What is it?... Oh come on tell us!" the pegasus moaned.
"Nope..." i replied.
"Fine then. I have better things to do than sit around and argue with an alien. I'll catch you latter Twilight" she said before leaping  in the air then flying away leaving a trail of rainbow behind her.
"Okay... who was that" i ask turning to Twilight.
"That's Rainbow Dash" she replied.
"A bit cocky if you ask me" i say before walking over to stand beside her.
"Yes. she can be that way sometimes" Twilight said. " But she's loyal and a good friend."
"She seemed a bit rude" i said.
"Yeah, but don't let her get to you. Now shall we continue our walk?" she said before starting down the street.
I looked up one last time at the rainbow pegasus before turning to follow Twilight. We passe a lot of shops as we walked, all selling strange things things that didn't have anything to do with each other. We passed one shop called 'quills and sofas'. In what way do quills have anything to do with sofa? We also passed a lot of other ponies while we walked. As we passed one i saw it had a strange mark on its flank. It was quill laying across a book. I looked around at the other ponies. They all had a strange mark on there flanks. I saw two ponies run by me one was a chestnut colored stallion with the shape of an hour glass on his ass followed by a blonde maned gray pegasus with bubbles on hers.
"Doctor! Wait up!" she yelled chasing after him.
I stopped and turned to face Twilight.
"Is something wrong?" she asked.
I ignored her and walked around behind her. She blushed when she saw where i was staring. She too had a mark. How did i not see this her mark? It was a magenta pink six pointed star with another white one behind it surrounded by five mini white stars.
"What are these" i ask before tuning my face away from her flank.
"Oh, you mean my cutie mark" she replied.
"Yes, that" i said.
"Well its a mark that every pony gets when they learn what their special talent is" she replied.
"Well, whats yours supposed to mean" i ask.
"My special talent is magic. she replied "wait, you don't know what a cutie mark is?" she said with a curious tone.
"No" i said, "we don't have those where I come from."
"Well... how do you know each others special talent?" she asked.
"Well most of us really don't care" i replied.
"Well that seems a bit harsh don't you think?" said twilight?
"Its a harsh world were i come from" i said back.
After that our conversation ended. We just kept walking every pony we passed giving me strange looks but i just ignored them i could care less what these ponies thought of me. I sighed and kept walking. I was starting to become annoyed the colorful town was giving me a head ache.
"So where dose Sweetie Bell live?" i asked trying to brake the silence.
"Not far from here" twilight answered. "We are almost there."
I was about to say something else but was cut off by someone.
"Hey Twilight!" yelled somepony with a hick voice "Can i speak to ya for a second!"
She stopped talking when her eyes landed on me. She started backing away slowly. It looked like she was trying to hide her face in the big cowboy hat that was sitting on her head. I couldn't help myself, i started to laugh casing the cow mare to flinch and Twilight to give me a confused look.
"Whats so funny?" Twilight asked still confused.
"She's... she's wearing a cowboy hat" I managed to say before i started laughing.
"Again, i don't get whats so funny?" Twilight replied.
"A pony wearing a cowboy hat. Doesn't that seem a little strange?" I chuckled
She just looked up at me raising an eyebrow. The country pony finally spoke up.
"There anit nothin wrong with me warin a hat!" she yelled.
I just laughed even harder. This seemed to make her even more mad. She then spirited forward charging at me but was caught by Twilight's magic soon after.
"Applejack! Calm down. He didn't mean it" Twilight said trying to calm the country pony down.
After i finally stopped laughing i walked over to the cow mare and bent down so i could talk to her face to face.
"Sorry about that" I chuckled. "Its just I'm not used to seeing things like this" i said before reaching out my hand.
"Truce?" i said.
She reached out her hoof. I grabbed it before she could shake however she socked me a right hook causing me to fall flat on my ass.
"Applejack!" Twilight gasped before running over to check on me.
I waved her away.
"No... i deserved that" i said sitting up.
"Darn right ya did!" Applejack replied.
"I said i was sorry" i grumbled.
" I don't care if ya are" Applejack replied. "You just don't go around making fun of ponies. Its not nice."
"Well, as you can see" i said while climbing to my feet I'm not a pony."
"Yeah, i noticed" she said before turning to Twilight. "Who and what is that creature?" Applejack asked Twilight.
I just turned around and played with the hole the scythe had left in the shoulder of my jacket while Twilight explained everything to Applejack. after they were done applejack walked over and placed a hoof on my shoulder.
"I'm mighty sorry for punching ya earlier. If i would have known what you've been through i wouldn't have acted that way."
"No... I'm the one who's sorry for laughing at you" i said climbing to my feet. and besides the punch wasn't that hard" I lied.
"I can make it harder if ya like" she said bringing her hoof back.
"Again. No, that wont be necessary" i said flinching away.
She just laughed at my reaction.
"So what were you wanting to talk about?" Twilight asked finally speaking up.
"Oh" AJ replied. "we need your help down at the farm. Two of the support beams in the barn broke. we were able to keep them in place but we don't think it will last for long. We were wondering if you could use your magic and help us fix it."
"Sure" Twilight said before pausing. "Wait. I cant. I'm walking Marcus here to Rarity's so he can talk to Sweetie Bell and get his clothes fixed."
"But Twi! We really need you right now!"
Twilight groaned and lowered her head. she looked like she was trying to decide what to do. When her head shot up.
"Pinkie!" She yelled causing both me and Applejack to jump. We turned around to find a pink pony with a puffed up mane ease dropping on our conversation. I flinched at the sight of her not expecting to see her.
" Hi!" she yelled a wide smile spread across her face.
"Pinkie, would you mind escorting Marcus to Rarity's house."
"Sure, I'll take him." she said giggling.
"Thanks Pinkie" Twilight said before running off with Applejack leaving me alone with the pink mare.
I turned toward the mare with an awkward smile on my face.
"So... who are you again?" I ask.
"I'm pinkie pie!" she yelled.
"I'm Marc-" i started to say but was cut off.
"Your Marcus Creed. Your a human from another world who escaped the grim reaper and was teleported here." she said still smiling.
"Okay... that's creepy." i said.
"Whats creepy?" she replied.
"How do you know about me?" i ask.
"Because i overheard you guys talking silly!"
"Oh, that makes sense" i said before turning to face down the street.
"So... should we get going?" i say turning back to Pinkie Pie.
"Why? Were are we going?" she said with a confused look on her face.
I face palmed at her  response.
"You were taking me to Rarity's." I groaned.
"Oh yeah" she said before bouncing down the street.
I sighed and began to chase after her. We kept walking for about an hour. It was about one in the afternoon and the pink pony had never stopped talking since we met. She kept rambling on about parties cupcakes and pudding. She froze when she started on the topic, her eyes half open and her mouth watering
"Are you okay?" i asked while raising an eyebrow.
"Puuudding" was her only response.
"Okay..."  i said. "This is getting a little weird."
I waved my hand in front of her face a couple of times trying to get her attention but it didn't work.
I sighed to my self, "how did i get myself into this?"
I sat down and crossed my legs while Pinkie just fascinated about pudding.
"I just want to get to Rarity's... is that to much to ask?" i thought to my self.
I suddenly had an idea. A slow smile spread across my face. I climbed to my feet and walked over to Pinkie. I bent down to her level then brought my face beside her ear.
"Hey pinkie" i said my voice a low whisper.
Her ear began to twich that let me know she was listening.
"Twilight told me that there was pudding at Rarity's house" i said before standing back up.
Her eyes shot wide open at my words.
"Rarity has pudding!" she yelled before she took off trotting down the street almost knocking over a stallion carrying tow crates of apples strapped to his back.
I chuckled at the sight before running. I will admit that pony could run. I had to stop a couple of times to ask the shop keepers if they had seen the pink pony run by. They never said a word. They just pointed in the direction she had went with a scared look on their face. It took me a while but i finally found her. She was pounding on the door of a shop. The sign  read 'Carousel Boutique'. It was a fitting name considering the shop looked like a carousel. I walked over to Pinkie who was stood stiff pounding on the door.
"Rarity! I know there's pudding in there! Open the door!"she yelled louder.
"I swear Pinkie, there is no pudding." came another voice from behind the door.
Pinkie just ignored her and continued to pound on the door.
"Maybe this was a bad idea after all." I sighed.
I leaned to Pinkie's ear again. "Pinkie. I forgot but Twilight said she was taking the pudding to Applejacks."
Pinkies ears shot up before turning toward me.
"So Twilight had the pudding all along, didn't she!?" I chuckled and shock my head.
"Yes." With that pinkie ran off toward the edge of town faster then she was running earlier.
I feel like I'm going to regret this later. I stood up and knocked on the door three times before i got an answer.
"I already told you i don't have any pudding" i herd Rarity's pleading voice on the other side of the door.
"Actually i was hoping I could talk to sweetie bell" i said while trying to hold back a laugh from the sound of fear in her voice.
I jumped back as a blue aura surrounded the door before it slowly opened and the white, purple maned unicorn's head poked out looking around for the source of the voice when her eyes fell on i was about to raise my hand and wave but then she gave me a funny look and said, "What in Equestria are you wearing!"
I looked at her with confusion. She used her magic to trying to pull my tattered coat, along with me, in the shop.  
"What are you doing?" I said pushing her away.
"Why darling, we just have to get that clothing off you. Its a crime to fashion itself" she said looking back at me.
"Woah... wait. Before that, i have some questions about yesterday. You do remember.... right?" She stared into my eyes. "So you were the other unicorn that helped me yesterday aren't you?"
She nodded at me in response.
"Thanks" i said, "If it wasn't for you and Twilight, i might have died again."
She looked up at me, a confused look on her face. "Pardon me but did you say you died...again?"
"Yup, that's what i said."  
"So you died before..." she asked a concerned look in her eyes.
"Its a long story" i replied "I'd rather not talk about it" i said as i lowered my head and stared at the ground.
"Well were are my manners" Rarity said causing me to look up. "Would you like to come in?" she said motioning at the door with her hoof.
"Sure" i said following her through the door.
Twilight didn't lie when she said Rarity was into fashion. The store was filled with different fabrics and dresses, some of them even had jewels sown into the fabric.
"Nice place you got here" i said turning back to the look at the unicorn.
"Well, i try my best to make the place look presentable." she said smiling before stopping to stare at me.
"Your clothes are a mess" she replied frowning at me.
"Well, you try getting cut up by a scythe and still look as sexy as i do" i said closing my eyes while placing my hands on my hips.
"That just wont do." she said before picking me up in her magic.
I yelped in surprise as she began to remove my torn clothing. She examined each piece of clothing with a look of disgust on her face before releasing me from her magic.
"Now," she said turning  her face towards me "lets get you into..." she froze in mid sentence. Her mouth dropped open and her eyes were wide her cheeks starting to turn red. It took me a  minute to find out what she was looking at before i realized what part of me her face was level with. She was staring at my  friend down stairs.
"Oh my...she whimpered"
I quickly covered my junk and turned away.
"Sorry..." i heard her say.
"Its cool" i said trying to hide my embarrassment.
I looked around for something to cover my self with. My eyes landed on a role of pink fabric. I walked over to it and rolled out a big enough size then cut it with a pair of scissors laying nearby. I quickly rapped the fabric around my waist then turned back to Rarity. She was still blushing. We stood there for a good minute before Rarity spoke again.
"Would you... like a drink" she asked in a nervous tone.
"Y-yes please" i said wanting to end the awkward moment.
She then trotted over to the kitchen area.
"What would you like?" i heard her yell.
"Water would be nice" i called back.
She returned a few moments later carrying a tray with two glasses of water. she carried them over to a big red sofa and motioned for me to sit down. I walked over to the couch, carefully not to let the fabric fall from my waist. Before sitting down, she sat down beside me then handed me my glass of water. I sipped at my drink not sure what to say. She picked up her glass with magic then took a small drink before sitting it down on the coffee table that stood beside the couch. I took another sip of water before sitting it on the table beside me.
"So why did you want to come see me darling?" Rarity asked in her fancy voice.
"Actually, i came to see Sweetie Bell. I wanted to thank her for bringing you and Twilight to help me. Is she here?" i asked.
"Yes, she's up stairs." Rarity replied. "Sweetie Bell! You have a visitor." she called.
"Coming!" called a voice from the top of the stairs.
Then the sound of small hoofs coming down the stair. A few seconds later, the small unicorn walked in to the room. She froze when she spotted me sitting on the couch. I brought up my hand and waved nervously. I was surprised when she ran across the room and jumped in to my arms hugging me tightly. I smiled then wrapped my arms around the small filly. Then i felt warm tears running down my naked shoulder. I raised an eyebrow confused.
"Why are you crying?"  i asked picking her up so i could talk to her face to face.
She looked up at me, her face still wet with tears.
"I thought i would never see you again..." she said with sadness in her voice.
"Your not getting rid of me that easy." I said chuckling.
She smiled before leaning in for another hug.
"Thanks for not dying." she whispered in my ear.
"Thanks for not leaving me to die." I said returning the hug.
I looked over to Rarity who was wiping tears from her eyes. She looked over to me and gave me a caring smile. I rolled my eyes and smiled back. Sweetie Bell finally stopped crying after about two minutes before sitting down in my lap.
"Sweetie Bell, why don't you show our guest your room?" Rarity said before climbing off the couch.
"Okay." Sweetie Bell said excitedly.
"And while your doing that, i will see if i can repair these... rags."
"Please don't put any sparkles on them." I said as Sweetie Bell dragged me up the stairs.
"As you wish." Rarity said with a smile.
I followed the white unicorn to the second floor of the shop which must be were they sleep. As we walked into Sweetie Bells room, she ran around picking up different things and bringing them over for me to look. It was kind of hard to hold all the items and still keep the pink fabric wrapped around my waist. After a while, she had finally shown me all her things. We took a seat on her bed we didn't say much we just sat there. I looked over at the unicorn. She was staring at my snow white hair. When she saw that i noticed her staring, she turned her eyes to my face.
"Why is there hair on your head but not your body?" she asked.
I laughed at the question.
"Well, i do have hair on my body." i replied. "But it doesn't grow as thick."
I lifted my arm to show her. She leaned in closer to get a better look. I grabbed some of the tiny white hair on my arm and pulled them up straight so she could see.
"That's weird." she said before bringing her head back.
"Its normal for humans to not grow a lot of hair on there body, although some of us did. I just thought they were creepy." i said chuckling to myself.
Sweetie Bell looked up at me, confused.
"Whats a human?" She asked.
"A human is... well its what i am." i replied.
I explained to her what a human was and told her what we had done in my world. The good and the bad. After i was done, she looked at me with understanding eyes before asking me another question.
"So... was that thing that attacked you a human?"
"No." i said my voice went cold my expression went from happy to pure anger.
"He was something else..."
"What was he?" she asked in a curious tone.
"In my world, we called him the Grim Reaper." I replied. "We saw him as someone who would carry souls to the after life."
"After life?" she said confused.
"When humans died, he would come to take care of our souls. He was supposed to take those who were good to heaven and those who were bad to hell."
"Whats heaven?" she asked still curious.
"Heaven is were all the good souls in my world would go after death. Its an ever lasting Paradise but  hell is were the bad souls go. Hell is a place of never ending torture and punishment but the reaper wasn't doing his job. He kept the souls to fuel his power. I heard their cries for help when i fought him." I flinched at the memory of the cries of pain trapped in the darkness. "So no... he wasn't human."
Sweetie Bell was about to say something but was cut short by Rarity calling from down stairs.
"Sweetie Bell, dinner is ready and Marcus darling  I'm done fixing your clothes."
"Yes!" i cheered.
I was getting tired of wearing this pink man skirt. We both rushed down the stairs. Rarity stood at the bottom holding my outfit in her magic. I ran over to grab them. She handed them to me then released her magic. They fell into my hands with a flop. I quickly looked over my trench coat. All the holes were gone, there wasn't even a sign that they existed. I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around to see Rarity holding my hat she had fixed. It too yielded no trace that any damage had been done to it.
"Thank you." i said before bending down and hugging Rarity. She flinched at my action but relaxed a second later.
"It was nothing." she said blushing. "But i am curious about one thing." she said.
I released her from the hug then looked up confused.
"Curious about what?" i said.
"What exactly is that coat made of?" she said raising an eyebrow.
"You really don't want to know." i said standing back up.
" oh, but i do." she said. "I would love to make some outfits from that fabric."
"Trust me," i said "you really don't want to know."
I looked around for Sweetie Bell to try and cause a distraction but she was already in the kitchen. I slowly started to back away from Rarity witch was a big mistake. The pink fabric around my waist was caught on the railing of the stairs causing it to be pulled from around me. I quickly stepped back to retrieve it but i stumbled on a stool causing me to drop my clothes once again exposing my naked body. I had whacked my head on the floor witch had rendered me dizzy. When i got my vision to stop spinning, i found Rarity once again staring at my down stairs. I groaned in annoyance before picking up my clothes and walking around the corner. Rarity just watched my naked self stand and walk away. I quickly threw on my boxers and pants, then my shirt before pulling on my socks and boots. She had even shined the silver buckles on them. I then put on my coat. I walked back into the main room to retrieve my hat witch lay a few feet from the frozen Rarity. I walked over to her and picked up my hat. I then placed it atop my white, snowy hair. I looked at the white unicorn who was still standing there staring off into space. I was about to flick her nose when the door burst open causing me and Rarity both to jump. I turned to look at the pony that was standing in the doorway. My heart stopped and a large lump formed in my throat. In the doorway stood a messy maned Twilight Sparkle and she didn't look happy. I started to slowly back away shaking in fear trying to hide from the angry alicorn princess.
"WHICH ONE OF YOU TOLD PINKIE I HAD PUDDING!!!" she yelled.
Shit, i knew this would come back to bite me in the ass. I gulped before answering.
"M-m-me." i said with fear in my voice.
"Do you have any idea what I've been through!?" she yelled. "I've been making tub after tub of pudding just to calm her down!"
I started to reply but she cut me off before i could say anything.
"Don't say a word!" she yelled. "I don't want to hear your excuses!"
She stopped when she saw me and Rarity, both backed up in a corner. I was holding Rarity in my arms and she held me in her hoofs. Twilight seemed to calm down a bit when she saw she was scarring the living shit out of us.
"I'm sorry..." she said in a calm tone. "Its been a rough day."
I released Rarity and stood to walk over to Twilight. Rarity just stayed curled up in the corner not daring to move. I knelt down beside twilight before  wrapping my arms around her.
"I'm sorry for putting you through so much trouble." i said trying to make amends for my actions.
"Its fine..." she said."I think i will just go home."
She paused for second, then looked up at me.
"You still don't have a place to stay... do you?" she said.
"No." i replied.
"He could stay here." i heard Rarity say from the corner.
I shivered at the thought.
"Don't get me wrong. Rarity is a good pony and a good friend but i really don't want to stay somewhere with someone who cant get enough of seeing me naked. Actually," i said turning to Twilight, " I was hoping i could stay with you."
"That wont be a problem." she replied."Then its settled." she turned and walked out the door.
I stood up and waved goodbye to Rarity then gave Sweetie Bell a quick hug before walking out the door. I had to run to catch up with Twilight. She still seemed a little angry about me telling Pinkie Pie she had pudding so we just walked down the street in silence. It was about seven in the afternoon. The sun was setting and all the shops had pretty much closed up for the day. We kept walking for a while. Neither of us said anything till we turned one corner. I found myself staring at a massive tree that looked like it had been turned it to a house.
"There it is" Twilight said smiling.
"Y-you live in a tree?" i said in a confused tone.
"Its also a library" she said as my mouth dropped open.
"You live in a library?" I asked.
"Yeah"she replied.
"Why?" i asked.
"Because i love books." she said back. "Do you like to read?" she asked looking up at me while we walked.
"Actually, yes i do" i replied.
"Really!?" she said in an excited tone
"I'm a big fan of horror stories but i absolutely hate romance" i said in a disgusted tone.
"I like almost every type of book I can get my hooves on" she said still smiling.
We had reach the front door. Twilight grabbed the knob with her magic then swung it open we stepped in then turned on the lights.
"SURPRISE!!!!" the sound causing us both to almost jump out of our skins.
I looked around to find the whole place filled with ponies all wearing party hats and all of the standing around a big table with a giant cake in the center. A banner hung from the walls that read,
'WELCOME TO PONYVILE MARCUS'
in big pink letters.
> A Walk In The Park
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                You have got to be kidding me I thought as I looked around the room of the library all the ponies were laughing and enjoying there conversations while I just sat in the corner thinking to my self what the hell, they were all afraid of me less then few hours ago and now here they are throwing me a welcome party, what kind of town is this! I sighed and began to scan the room for Twilight after a couple minutes I found her over by the buffet table talking to Applejack I stood up from my hiding place in the corner and walked over to them but was stopped by a party crazy Pinkie Pie "Do you like it" she screamed over the loud music witch wasn't necessary considering she was right beside my ear.

I flinched away from her screaming voice before nodding my head yes. In reply the smile on her face grew even bigger I thought her face was going to split in half "YES!" she screamed "I knew you would like it." She then began to ramble on about random things that I really just didn't care about I just smiled and nodded "God please kill me." I thought to my self
Then an idea sprang to mind "Hey Pinkie" I shouted she stopped her rambling and leaned closer to me so she could hear I leaned in then pointed a finger out the window to an old stallion that was walking by the library with an annoyed look on his face "He must not like the party" I thought "Do you see that stallion outside" I yelled "Yeah." she replied "He has pudding" I said before backing away from Pinkie who froze up for a few seconds before her eyes shot wide open "PUDDING she screamed before running out the door knocking a few dancing ponies over in the process

"That should buy me a couple minutes" I chuckled then resumed my walk over to Twilight it took me a good two minutes to reach them even though they were only on the other side of the room it took me awhile to wade through all the partying ponies but I finally made it. Twilight turned to face me as soon as I exited the crowd "Did you set this up." I said raising my voice so she could hear me she shook her head "I had nothing to do with this." she replied "It was all Pinkie." I brought my hands up to my face and groaned loudly this just made Twilight and Applejack giggle.

I slowly dragged my hands from my face before looking back at Twilight "I'm going to go for a walk." I yelled over the loud music are you sure you're missing one heck of a party twilight yelled back I nodded and made my way for the door I waded through the crowed of ponies once more I quickly grabbed my coat and hat from the coat rack before walking outside I breathed a sigh of relief as i exited the library i had never been so happy to get out of a party I straightened up before walking down the street the night was quiet and peaceful a light breeze blew through my hair I smiled as the cool air touched my face. it felt good to finally have time to my self.
I raised my head to look up at the night sky.

My mouth fell open as I looked up at the sky. It was lit up with billions and billions of stars. I know its stupid to freak out over stars but in the city I never really saw that many stars because of the smog and light pollution prevented that so you want to know why I was freaking out because there were so damn many here I was snapped out of my daze when I felt something slam into my chest causing me to stumble a little but I managed to keep my balance.

I looked down to find a dark gray Pegasus pony rubbing his forehead with his hoof. I was about to ask if he was ok before I was rudely interrupted. "watch were your bucking going." The pony yelled before standing up and flying away "Well fuck you to" I say as I watch him fly away I turned around and continued walking down the deserted street. I walked for a good thirty minutes and found my self outside the quills and sofa shop. I shook my head as I looked at the sign. "In what way do quills have any thing to do with sofas." I asked my self. I just shrugged and began walking again. "Better not question it" I said to my self. I walked in silence after that the only sound that could be heard on the empty street came from my boots hitting the sidewalk as I turned another corner and began down yet another empty street. I thought about going back to the library. I mean it was getting late so maybe most of the ponies at the party had left
.
I was about to turn around and head back when a sudden sound cased me to almost jump out of my skin. A loud scream ripped through the night air I turned to face the direction the sound had come from. I found my self facing a big deserted park. "Should I go check it out" I thought no whoever it was would be fine I turned to walk away when my mind flashed back to the night I had died when the mugger had almost killed that women. "Damn it" I groaned then turned around and ran into the park trying my best to stick to the shadows. I don't know if it was my imagination but I could have sworn I heard a quiet laugh in the back of my mind I ignored it and kept running.

................Dying Rose..............
Dying Rose the Pegasus walked down the dirt path of the dark and quiet park she all ways found comfort in the darkness. She didn't know why she just found it peaceful. She smiled as a faint breeze blew through her black and purple mane. She stopped to enjoy the gentle breeze. She loved nights like this.

The night sky was cloudless, the moon shined brightly, and the stars were beautiful. Dying rose climbed back to her hooves and began her walk. "It's not safe for a young mare such as your self to be out alone this late at night" Said a voice behind her. Dying Rose jumped at the sudden sound. She turned to face the pony who had spoken her eyes fell on a familiar grey Pegasus  "what do you want Lightning Rider you know I said not to talk to me any more now come on" he said. "Cant you spare some time for an old friend" .

"You and me both know we are not friends" I reply before turning around to finish my walk rose don't walk away I herd lighting say behind me i just ignored him and continued walking "Rose I'm talking to you" He shouted I spread my wings open readying my self for flight "I'm bucking talking!" Lighting yelled be for before flying through the air and tackling me knocking the air from my lungs he landed on top of me he then brought back a hoof before bring it down on my face. I felt blood flowing from my muzzle he didn't stop there he kept hitting me over and over causing more blood to flow from my battered face.

My sight grew blurry and I could feel my self about to faint if he keeps this up he's going to kill me. I have to try and get away from him. He stopped his punches it seems beating me senseless had left him winded I felt his hold on me loosen up. This is my chance. I quickly jerked my hooves free and landed a good right hook Lightning fell off of me the force of the punch making him dizzy and disoriented I jumped up and made an attempt to fly away but was caught by lightning who then proceeded to land a good kick to the back of my head.

I collapsed and fell to the ground my body going limp stupid girl lightning said I'm going to have to punish you some more for that  little stunt you pulled i raised head my vision was slowly returning i turned my face to lightning who was standing between my hind legs it took me a second to realize what he was doing no i said my voice shaky a big grin grew on his face as he walked closer I closed my legs and tried to crawl away but that only got me another kick from Lightning.

still smiling he took my hind legs in his hooves and forced them open "No please no." I cried. "Just shut up and enjoy it." He said. I did the only thing left that would help. I had to get help from some pony and fast so I opened my mouth and screamed as loud as I could. It even caused lightning to flinch away. "Shut up!"  he yelled and punched me in the head hard my vision grew dark the world started spinning then every thing went black.

.............................Marcus...........................  
I had made my way through the park walking slow and trying to keep my self hidden in the shadows. I had made my way to the edge of the park and found two Pegasus ponies . One was laying on the ground unconscious she was a black mare with a purple main with black highlights her cutie mark was a wilted rose with a few peddles falling off it the other Pegasus I recognized it was that gray Pegasus flew into me earlier.

I looked closer and saw what he was doing he had the black Pegasus legs spread and his member between them. I felt a sudden rage flow through me it burned like fire but yet it was also cold as ice. It felt good. It felt like power.

Then I heard it.The laughing inside my head it was quiet at first just a low chuckle then it grew in to a loud insane laugh. Then a siring pain shot through my eyes. I raised my hands to my eyes and felt a warm liquid flowing from them. I lowered them to look at the substance it took a second to see it because it was dark but I gasped as i saw the black liquid that covered my hands "No no no" Suddenly I felt a sharp pain go through my teeth. I had to fight back a scream as the pain shot through my mouth I raised a hand up to my mouth and touched my teeth. I drew my hand back instantly all of my teeth were sharp and ended in a point then I grew dizzy the world faded everything was slowly turned black. I was once again in total darkness but I could still hear the insane laughter echoing through my mind.

Lightning moved closer to Dying Rose readying him self for the fun that he was about to have! Then he heard something. Lightning jerked his head toward the sound eyeing the bush that sat a few feet away.
After a few seconds he turned back to the task at hoof turning to look at the bush one more time to make sure no pony was there what he saw cased him to freeze standing no less then three feet away was a tall dark creature. It wore a long black coat and a wide brimmed fedora.

But that wasn't what scared Lightning. Its face. Its horrible face instead of eyes it had two black hole's with q crimson red glow in the centers. The hole's leaked with an unknown black fluid and its smile its terrifying smile was spread in to a big grin each tooth ended in a sharp point. "What the buck is this thing" Lightning thought to him self. 

The creature took a step forward into the moon light as horrible as it was lightning felt like he knew this thing. he had seen it some where before. Then it dawned on him this was that thing that had been walking around Ponyville earlier that day with that Princess Twilight and this was the thing he had flown into less then thirty minutes ago.

The creature took another step forward causing lightning to jump back away from the thing. It took another step forward lightning back even further away things kept up like this until to lightnings horror he couldn't back up any further. He had backed  into the cold stone of a big boulder even though lightning had stopped moving the creature didn't lightning just watched in fear as the figure grew closer.

He had to do something and fast. He leaped into the air in an attempt to fly away but  cold pale hands grabbed his hind legs keeping him from flying any higher. Lightning managed to get one hoof free then gave the thing one good kick to the face black blood burst from the things mouth followed by a loud crack but it didn't even care he just turned his head back up to face lightning rider lightning's kick had broken the creature's jaw witch now hung limp off the left side of his face it was wired looking because while that side was a low frown the right side still had the big sharp toothed grin the creature let out a low insane laugh before smashing lightning in to the ground the impact cased most of lightning ribs to break and a couple other bones.

The figure stood over lightning lightning looked up and began to cry "Why why are you doing this lightning" asked the figure. It  chuckled before grabbing his left jaw there was a loud pop as he put the bone back in place he opened his mouth a few time making sure the bone was set right before looking down at lightning causing the Pegasus pony to flinch away from his gaze.

The tall figure just laughed at the ponies action. lightning cringed at the sound. The laugh was full of fear insanity and pure hatred "What are you!" lightning cried. the figure's laughing immediately stopped. He looked down at lightning his face blank of any emotion the once big smile he wore on his face was now gone the figure looked down at him self a pained look in his eyes he turned away from lightning only to walk over to a near by fountain he then stared down at the water "What am I" he said speaking for the first time his voice strange it was evil but yet sad it had anger and yet misery the figure just continued to stare deeply at his reflection not moving not speaking he stood as still as a statue

"This is my chance" lightning thought. He tried to stand but was greeted by pain shooting through his broken limbs. He cried out in pain before falling back to the ground. It was no use. He had broken both of lightning's back legs. Lightning then tried his next plan. He tried to flap his wings but once again was only greeted by pain. His left wing was broken too.

The creature hadn't moved from his spot. He still stood there staring into the fountain. He hadn't even noticed lightning trying to escape or he just didn't care. He just stood there staring into the water of the fountain black tears were running down his eyes. Lightning just laid back down against the rock he let his hoof fall to his side .....Clank..... Lightning's ears stood straight at the sound.

He looked beside him his hoof had fallen on a half broken bottle he smiled as an idea sprang to life in his head he gripped the bottle in his hoof and hid it behind his back "look if you're going to kill me just get it over with!" lightning yelled. The monster turned his head toward lightning. "Yes" he said. "Lets." His eyes still held that sad look to them.

He walked over and knelled down to lightning who lay broken against the boulder. Lightning readied his glass weapon. The creature raised his head to face lighting his eyes looked even sadder then a minute ago "I'll make it quick." He said. He slowly reached his hands toward lightning neck at an attempt to snap it but before his hands made contact, lightning quickly lunged the bottle forward the jagged end stabbed deep in his throat.

Lightning smiled in satisfaction as he saw black blood squirt from the wound he gave the bottle a few good twist the glass dug deeper into the monsters flesh. It ripped and tore its way deeper and deeper before striking bone. Lightning let his hoof fall from the bottle. He stared at the creature confused why didn't he react he didn't so much as flinch. The creature raised his pale bony hand and gripped the end of the bottle. Then slowly pulled it from his neck bits of glass breaking off as he did.

Lightning just watched in horror as he watched the bottle come out of the monsters neck blood pored from the wound. It all ran down his body like a river a shard of glass would fall out every second or so. After a minute the wound had stopped bleeding. It was now healing up a second later and there was no trace of his neck ever being damaged.

Lightning began to cower in fear as he saw the once sad look on the monsters face slowly change his insane smile spread across his face once more. His black eyes turned back to their hate filled self "Ha ha ha HA HA" The creature let a cold bone chilling laugh before turning his attention back to lightning.

lightning  burst in to tears the amount of fear that look showed was too much. A pale hand shot forward, grabbing lightning by his neck before lifting him up in the air. With his other hand he lifted up the bolder that lightning had been resting against he then slammed lightning on the ground. 

Lightning cried in pain as he felt some more of his ribs break. The creature then let the rock fall it landed with a bone crushing thud on lightning's good wing. He opened his mouth to scream but was silenced by a bony pale hand covering his mouth. The creature looked from lightning to his other broken wing his smile grew even bigger "No please no" Lightning said. His voice muffled by the pale hand but the attacker just ignored him. He gripped the wing tightly causing more cries of pain from lightning.

As pain shot through the broken wing he slowly leaned down beside lightning's ear "What am I you ask" said the monster "I am.....The Reaper" Then with a hard jerk he ripped the wing from lightnings body. Lightning screamed a scream that nopony would ever hear. The Reaper smiled as he saw the pony wither in pain underneath his grip. After lightning had stopped screaming he removed his had for a split second then picked up the broken bottle he then crushed what was left of it and forced the shards down lightnings throat. 

He then shoved the ponies own discarded wing in his mouth to silence him. He laughed the entire time. He enjoyed causing pain to others. He liked it more then that goody two shoes Marcus who was trapped in the darker reaches of his mind. His anger had allowed me a little bit of freedom from my prison but I can't stay out forever. I can already feel him fighting for control. I have to hurry this up.

The Reaper looked back at lightning who was still choking on glass. The Reaper opened his mouth and picked up a large shard of glass then he then stuck the jagged side in his mouth and began cutting his cheeks. The shard wasn't that sharp so he had to put a lot of force to get it to cut. I could hear lightning's muffled screams as he saw what I was doing I just laughed even harder.

After a few minutes I had my cheeks cut wide open allowing my mouth to open a little wider. I then grabbed my jaw and popped it out of place my mouth dropped open wider I feel the blood pouring from my cut cheeks slowing down. It was starting to heal up. I looked down at lightnings stomach then took a huge bite out of it I had to push up on my jaw to bite witch popped it back in to place. I tore a big chunk out of lightnings stomach. My smile grew as I heard his cries of pain and as I watched the blood and bile pore from the open wound.

I shoved both my hands into the hole griping his skin underneath lightning screamed even more. He kicked his front legs wildly trying to get me off with one quick pull I ripped a long tear across his stomach exposing  his organs his intestines were the first thing i grabbed before ripping them out.

Lightning was now screaming non stop and it was music to my ears I quickly began to pull out all his internal organs. After a while his breathes became shallow and his kicks stopped. I stood up and looked over my work organs were scattered every where and the ground was stained with blood. I knelt back down beside lightnings head I stoked my long fingers through his gray mane. "Thats it" I said. "Go to sleep."

His eye lids fluttered a little but slowly closed. I raised my had over his chest while focusing my energy on my leftt hand. I dove my hand through his chest. A few seconds later I pulled it out holding lightning's soul in my hand. I then reached in to my chest and pulled out the silver pocket watch.

I felt the life slowly leaving my body as the shiny piece of metal left my chest i looked at the shiny object that had set me free. I brought my finger to up and opened it instantly lightnings soul flew inside. I laughed as I felt my power grow I placed the watch back in my chest then stood up. I  walked  back toward the path. As I entered the dirt path my dark crimson eyes fell on a young Pegasus mare still unconscious.

I walked over to her and knelt down "I guess I could add one more." I said. I reached my hand toward her but was stopped only a few inches away.
My arm just refused to move "Marcus" I said while letting out a demonic growl. I tired to move my arm again but it wouldn't respond. "Fine" I growled. The Reaper fell back letting out a high pitched demonic scream.

The loud noise waking up the unconscious Pegasus. My vision slowly started to return I could feel myself slowly regaining control over my body. After my vision had finally returned I found my self staring face to face with a black Pegasus "Oh hello" I said. "Nice whether tonight." She just continued to stare blankly at me. I opened my mouth to say something else but I suddenly felt really dizzy. The world started spinning again and the next thing I know I'm surrounded by darkness again.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Dying rose...................
She just stood there as she saw the strange creature pass out in front of her. "What the hay happened while I was out." I looked down at the strange being that lay on the ground in front of me I looked around for lightning rider but he was no where to be found. I sighed. "Well I can't just leave you laying around hear can I." I walked over to the strange creature and grabbed the collar of his coat and began dragging him down the path.
> A Demon In The Basement
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                               .......................Dying Rose...............
Dying Rose groaned in annoyance as she dragged the limp figure down the street. Every now and then she would pass a pony who was out for a midnight stroll.

One gave her a look of disgust when they saw the unconscious figure she was dragging using her mouth. Rose just rolled her eyes and continued dragging him.

She was dragging him past the town library, and was passing under the balcony,  when a voice called out from above her”Marcus!!” She released the collar of the creature's coat to let him fall limply to the ground. She backed away a little to see who was calling from the balcony. Princess Twilight was standing there, staring out over the town with a worried look on her face.

“Excuse me, but who is it your looking for? Rose shouted up to the alicorn princess . She looked down, not expecting to see me.
“I’m looking for my friend, she replied. ”He left a while ago, and hasn't come back yet. Rose looked from her to the unconscious body that laid limp under the balcony, just out of the alicorns sight.

”What does he look like?” Rose asked.
Twilight thought for a second before answering, ”Well, he is wearing black clothing with a big black hat.”Rose frowned and looked back to the limp form, just a few feet away.

“I think I know where he is, I yelled back up to her.
“Really?” Twilight said. “If you could please tell him to come back, its getting really late, and I’m starting to worry.”
”Ok, one sec,” Rose called back before trotting over to the limp form and dragging him into the light that shined through the library window.

Twilight gasped as she saw his limp body before flying down from the balcony to land beside Dying Rose. “What happened to him?”
“Well, after I woke up, he said something about the weather. Then he passed out,” I replied.

“What do you mean after?” She asked, confused. Rose sat down and motioned for her to do the same. She then told Twilight how she was walking in the park, when Lightning had jumped her and tried to rape her. Then about how she passed out.

”And when I woke up, he was sitting there, holding his head in his hands. He then said something about weather, then passed out.”
Twilight sat there for a second, rubbing her chin with her hoof. She looked from me to the limp form known as Marcus.
“What happened to lightning rider?” she asked.

“I don’t know, when I woke up, he was gone.”  Twilight continued rubbing her chin “Hmm, well lets get him inside,” . His body twitched as the magic came in contact with him. She then turned to carry him inside. “Would you like to come in?” Twilight asked.
“No I wouldn’t want to intrude
.
“It’s quite all right,” she said, smiling. I returned the smile, then followed her in.As we entered the library, my mouth fell open.The place was a wreck! There was trash and party streamers laying all over the floor. Plastic cups littered the room, and there was a little purple dragon running around with a broom, sweeping up the trash into dust pan before turning to face us”Can’t this wait till morn~,” he stopped mid sentence as he saw Marcus laying limp in her magic. “What is that!?” he said, dropping the broom. “This is Marcus. He[ was the one I was fixing the basement up for earlier.”

“This is the guy that’s going to be staying with us?” Spike yelled. “Yes, is there a problem with it?” Twilight asked.
“He's not even a pony!” Spike yelled, causing Marcus to twitch slightly. “You’re not a pony either,” Twilight replied. “But you still live here.” That’s different,” he retorted. I just hung back and giggled at the two. Spike turned to me, noticing me for the first time. “Is she staying here too?” he asked
.
“No, she found him unconscious and brought him here. Actually, it was a stroke of luck that I had passed the library when I did, or I would have had to drag him all the way home,”

“Can’t he go stay with her?” Spike asked, while pointing a claw in my direction.
“No,” I said quickly. “I can barely take care of myself, and my house isn’t big enough.” He just groaned before returning to his work. “Oh, come on, Spike!” Twilight said. “Give him a chance. You might like him! She turned to head down a set of stairs to where I presume the basement was. 

I followed after her, leaving the purple dragon to his chores as we entered the basement. Twilight used her magic to light a few candles, while still holding Marcus in her magic. She then walked over to a couch that sat in the corner of the room. She laid his limp body down on the couch gently. He stirred a little, but didn’t wake. “Now, just let me check his injuries,” she said.
“Injuries?” I asked, confused.

“Well, he was hurt pretty bad yesterday. He healed up with in an hour, but the nurse at the hospital wants to check and see if everything healed up right.” Twilight then began to scan his body, touching certain places with her hooves. She placed a hoof on his chest, but quickly pulled it back.

“What? What’s wrong?” I asked. She pointed her hoof at the upper left side of his chest.
“I guess thats were his heart is. I walked closer and lifted my hoof up to his chest.

“What the buck? There was a small out line of something just beneath the skin. What is that? “I don’t know,” Twilight replied, her voice a little shaky. She used her magic to lift up his shirt. Sure enough, there was something poking out of his skin. We both moved closer to examine the item: a watch. 

“That can’t be right, Twilight replied I placed my hoof on top of the lump. I could feel it ticking just beneath the skin. Twilight reached out with her magic, and the watch lifted up a tiny bit, causing the skin over it to stretch.

Marcus's body twitched, then he sat straight up. His eyes shot open to reveal nothing but black holes. His mouth opened to reveal rows and rows of sharp, pointed, teeth. He then let out a demonic scream before collapsing back on to the couch. his breaths were shallow, and his chest rose up and down slowly. His eyes slowly closed. I stood back up and turned to see twilight laying over in a corner, a look of horror on her face “Ok, what just happened?”

“I have no idea,” she replied. “But what ever it was, it can’t be good,” she replied. “I must write a letter to the princess about this!” She quickly threw a blanket over Marcus before running back up the stairs I took one more look at the sleeping figure on the couch before following Twilight up the stairs.

She ran into the main room, and quickly used her magic All the trash floated into the air then flew into the bag that Spike held in his claws. Twilight then grabbed a quill and a piece of paper, and scribbled down a quick note.

“What’s wrong?” Asked Spike. Twilight just ignored him, and kept writing her letter. After a few minutes, she turned to the purple dragon, holding the scroll in her magic.

“Spike, I need you to send this to Princess Celestia.” Now the baby dragon just shrugged before taking the letter. He took a deep breath before blowing out a small green flame. 

As the green fire engulfed the letter, Twilight turned to face me. “I’m going to have to ask you to leave. I’m having a meeting with the Princess.” I just shrugged before turning and walking out the door. I stopped for a second, “Is it ok if I come visit him again?” I asked.
“But of course,” I heard Twilight say from behind me. “Ok, well goodnight then.” With that, I turned, and trotted out the door.


................Twilight Sparkle.................
”Please hurry,” Twilight said, before turning and running down to the basement.

“What’s got her so upset?” Spike said. “Well, whatever it is, it can wait till morning.” The baby dragon then climbed into his bed and fell asleep almost instantly.

I approached the limp figure that lay on the couch. My hooves made a faint echo off the basement walls as I trotted over to Marcus. He was still asleep, his face had returned to normal. He just laid there, snoring lightly, It would have been cute, if I could get the image of him from earlier out of my head.

I slowly reached a hoof towards his chest. I placed it atop the ticking watch that sat under his skin. Marcus let out a small growl. I turned to look at his face, and immediately pulled my hoof off the watch.

The left side of his face had turned pale white, and his left eye was leaking with a black fluid. The left side of his teeth had turned back into sharp and pointy. As I removed my hoof from the watch, his face returned normal.

I backed away from the sleeping human, then flopped down on the cold stone floor. I crossed my hooves, deep in thought, when I heard a faint knock  from the front door upstairs. Then I jumped up from my spot and turned to run up the stairs.
> The Reaper Meets Royalty 
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                           "How many times am I going to end up in this place...?" I said while looking around the black abyss I was currently floating in "As many times as you let me out." A demonic voice replied "I didn't let you out!" I shouted back "You forced your way out!" "Nonsense, your anger allowed me a brief moment of freedom." He chuckled before slowly materializing in front of me "It would be alot easier if you just gave in to me." He said. "Why? So you can kill every last thing you see?"

"Why on earth would I do that? I'm the demon of a reaper, not a murderer. Everything will have its time." He mused "Back then, why did you try to take that one mares soul? "I thought she was dead." He responded before letting out a quiet chuckle.

"You know damn well she wasn't dead!" I screamed back as smile slowly spread across the demons face "Maybe I did, maybe I didn't." He replied before floating closer to me "I want you out of my head..." I told my evil side before turning away from the wretched thing.

"Don't be that way Marcus, I am unable to leave." He said while placing a pale, bony hand upon my shoulder "I am a part of you. Its not like I entered your mind by force or anything. YOU made me Marcus. YOUR feelings of pain and hate created me. WE are the same." His whispers reaching my ear.

"We are not the same! You are nothing but pure evil!" His grip tightened upon my shoulder as he proceeded to slowly turned me around to face him "You think i'm evil do you, Marcus? Well think about it. You created me Marcus, so wouldn't that make you as evil as I?" He cooed. His smile grew even bigger while the words left his mouth.

I jerked my shoulder from his grip and threw a right hook with his head my main target. But it was no use as he caught my hand before it made contact. He then leaned forward, just a few inches from my own face. I threw another punch with my free hand but it too, was caught before it made contact. "Why must we fight?" He said while bringing his face even closer to mine. I leaned my head back and gave him a good headbutt, though the attack didn't even effect the demon. He just continued to stare at me for the longest moment before tilting his head back and letting out an insane cackle.

The laugh sent shivers down my spine and a tingling sensation were my heart was.Wait... a tingling sensation were my heart was? The demon had stopped laughing and let my arms go. We both peered down at our chest. In unison we both looked at each other in confusion before the tingling sensation turned in to a hard tug that caused us both to collapse and scream in pain. But as soon as we screamed, the pain stopped. "What did you do!?" I yelled at the demon while he climbed to his feet. "I did nothing! Why would I do something to hurt myself!?" I placed a hand over my chest and felt the familiar shape of a watch just beneath my skin.

The demon did the same. "Damn it!" He yelled "I didn't put it back deep enough! What I ask, when I took that ponies soul, I didn't put the watch deep enough?" I simply replied "You dont understand human." He growled "If that watch is ripped from us and is not returned, we will turn to ash and die!" I thought back to when the watch had fallen out of the reapers chest. No wonder he looked so weak. "And you already know what will happen if it is destroyed..." He growled.

"Wait!" I said while climbing to my feet "You took out the watch to take that one ponies soul?"

"Correct."

"Did you send it?"

"Send it where?"

"To heaven or hell!" I yelled back "I'm not even sure if this place has a heaven or hell." He said. "Send it NOW!" I growled. "And if i don't?" He replied.

"Ahhh!" I yelled as I charged and tackled the demon. We both fell, locked in each others grip. The tingling had returned to my chest causing me to look down at its source. The demon must have felt it since he too looked down and let out a low, demonic growl. As soon as the sound left his lips it stopped. He then began to chuckle "Whats so funny?" I asked. "Whoever keeps messing with the watch is afraid of me. Now, where were we?" He said before landing a punch to my right cheek.

...........................Twilight Sparkle........................

I rushed to the front door before swinging it open to see the two princesses of Equestria. princesses Celestia stood there, a tired look in her eyes. Her long flowing main that was usually well kept had a serious case of bed head. Her sister Luna stood not far behind. "Thanks for coming princess." I said while stepping out of the way so they could enter.

"Good evening twilight." Celestia said as she walked in, Luna following shortly after. she gave a nod of her head to twilight before walking in. Quickly, I closed the door before trotting over to stand in front of them. "So, why have you asked to see us so late?" Celestia asked in a sweet motherly voice.

"I have somepony I want you to meet." I said, my voice a little shaky. "But could you have not waited till morning to call on me?" Celestia asked. "No, this is kinda important." I answered in a nerves tone.

"Very well. Where is this pony?" Celestia said, her eyes scanning the room "He's in the basement." I replied "Very well, lead the way." Celestia said while stepping back for me to take lead. I sighed before trotting over to the basement door and walking down the stairs. I was soon joined by the two princesses. They froze when they saw the figure laying on the old couch. I looked from them to the sleeping form across the room.

Luna took a few steps toward him before stopping. "What is this creature sister?" Luna asked. "I'm not sure." Celestia replied before a few steps forward herself. They both turned to me, a curious look in there eyes. "My dear student, where ever did you find him?" Celestia asked.

"He arrived yesterday." I replied.

"Where from?" Luna asked. "He says he is from a different world." I replied. "Is it dangerous?" They both asked "Well, so far he hasn't shown any sign of danger."

"Why didn't you send me a letter when he first arrived?" Celestia asked. "Sorry princess. I haven't really had time."

"Its ok my student." Came her reply.

"It is kind of cute." Luna said walking over to stand beside the couch. "Sister!" Celestia gasped. "Can we speak with him?" Luna asked.

"Sure. Just let me try to wake him." I trotted over to the sleeping form "Marcus?" I said while giving him a little shake. He didn't move. I gave him another shake, though much harder this time. He didn't respond.

"Let me try." Luna said before leaning over him. She drew in a deep breath. "AWAKEN!!!" She yelled in her canterlot voice, causing the room to shake and dust to fall from the ceiling. I heard Spike fall from his bed up stairs. Marcus's eyes twitched before they slowly opened "Huzzah!" Luna cried.

...............................Marcus..........................

I was awoken from the darkness by a loud voice. Slowly, I opened my eyes to find a dark blue alicorn standing over me. I just stared up at the alicorn. I don't know why, but I felt really nervous. "This one is slightly attractive..." Wait, what the hell am I thinking?!

I quickly removed the thought from my head "Ummm... hello." I said. "Greetings." She replied.

While slowly raising up I found myself laying on a couch in a basement with three alicorns. There was the blue and attract..... damn it, I really have to stop thinking like this. Then there was a tall white one. Well, we were the same height. She looked to be about six foot five. I stood six foot seven so if any thing I was just a little taller. And then there was the small lavender pony standing over in the corner.

"So Twilight, how the hell did I get here and who are these two?" I said pointing to the pair of alicorns. Twilight hesitated before answering me. "Well, this mare dropped you off earlier. She found you unconscious in the park so she dragged you here." My mind flashed back to the black mare with a black and purple mane.

"And these two are the rulers of Equestria. This is princess Celestia. She raises the sun every morning." Twilight said while pointing a hoof at the white alicorn. "And this is princess Luna. She raises the moon every night." She said, pointing her hoof at the dark blue alicorn. Luna gave me a quick wink causing me to blush.

"And you are?" Celestia asked. Her voice was kind, gentle and motherly. After I had finally stopped blushing I looked up to face the princess "My name is Marcus Creed." i replied.

"And where are you from strange one?" She asked again "I'm from a place called Earth. I live in the city of Manhattan also known as New York. The princess gave me a confused look "I do not think I have ever heard of such a place." Celestia said.

"You wouldn't." I replied "As far as I can tell this is a whole other universe from mine."

"So, you say you come from a different universe?" Luna asked.

I gave a small nod. "What is it like?" Luna asked while flopping down on the couch beside me. Celestia gave her sister a disapproving look but Luna just ignored it. "I would like to hear about it too." Twilight chimed in while pulling a quill and parchment out of nowhere.

So I told them about humans and all the different religions we had. All that good stuff. I told them about our wars. They all gave me a scared look when I spoke about our warfare. I told Twilight about our books and culture. She made me promise to tell her some of our stories later. When I talked about our solar system they looked at me like they didn't believe me.

"What?" I asked. Twilight was the first to speak up "Your sun and moon raise themselves?" She asked, a shocked look on her face. "Yeah. Doesn't yours?" I asked.

"No." Celestia said "I use my magic to raise the sun while Luna uses hers to raise the moon." "Well thats not how things worked where i'm from." I replied "Our sun is so big that our planet is caught in its gravitational pull. So our plant orbits the sun while the moon, on the other hand, orbits us and the planet turning is what causes day or night."

Twilight just sat there writing away on her fifth sheet of parchment which was funny because each piece was filled front and back. The other two just stared at me in amazement. After a few minutes of awkward silence Luna was the first to speak "But how ever did you get here?" she asked "Well, its sort of a long story."

"Please, do tell." Luna said as she rested her head on the arm of the couch. "I really don't...."

"Please...!" Twilight begged while giving me puppy dog eyes. It was just to friggin adorable to resist. I sighed and slowly told my story. I saw Twilight grab another sheet of paper and start writing. When I began to talk I told them how I was walking home and saw a women getting mugged and about how I tried to stop it. They gasped in shock when I told them I had died but I just kept talking. When I brought up the reaper Twilight tensed up a bit but still continued to write. When I got to the part about the door Celestia said it must have been some sort of teleportaion that responded to my request.

"Thats what I thought too" I replied. I looked over to Luna who motioned for me to continue. I talked about how the reaper followed me here and how we defeated him. "We sensed a great power at that moment but when we went to investigate we found nothing but the remains of a pocket watch." Celestia said. After that Twilight stood up and walked over to me.

"And that brings me to the main reason I asked you to come here tonight princess." Twilight said before turning to me. "Marcus, would you please lift up your shirt?"

"why?"

"Please just do it." Twilight demanded.

"Ok, ok. No need to get your panties in a twist..." I said before lifting up my shirt. There was a moment of silence before I herd Luna speak up "What is that?" She said while poking my chest with her hoof and causing me to blush slightly. Then I realised what they were looking at. A big lump formed in my throat and it was suddenly hard to breath.

"It appears to be a watch." Celestia stated. A small tug on the watch and I felt my teeth grow sharp and let out a low, demonic growl. The tugging stopped instantly. I lowered my shirt and caught them all staring at me. "Please don't do that." I say before standing from the couch. "The other me dosen't take to kindly to that and nether do I."

"The other you?" Twilight said confused "I sort of have another personality you could say." I replied. "But trust me, you don't want to meet him." I felt my face suddenly heat up and my eyes began to sting as my teeth started to hurt again.

............Twilight.................

We all watched in horror as Marcus's face slowly changed. His eyes grew dark and were soon only black holes with a crimson glow in the center. His skin grew a paler black. "But I want to meet them." Marcus said, his voice dark and demonic. It was full of anger, hatred, and insanity.

"Ma...Mar.." I stammered "Wha..what happened to you?"

"Do not adress me with that name." He said while turning his head towards me. His eyes looked like they were staring in to my very essence. "I am hatred and pain." He said, his voice becoming more hostile "I am insanity and sorrow!" His hand slowly moved toward my face. I tried to back away but his eyes seemed to hold me in place. I saw a faint golden glow come from behind his back before a bright flash of light followed by a scream of pain filled the room. The spell had knocked him to the floor. The body twitched slightly before he sprang back up to his feet. He then turned around to face the two princesses. He froze when his eyes landed on Luna.

The insane look left his eyes and the dreadful smile left his face. His head cocked to the side causing several popping sounds to come from his neck. He continued to stare at the lunar princess. It looked like Luna wasn't ok with this. She just stared at the floor, not daring to meet his gaze. His hand slowly moved toward Luna. He didn't look like he planned to hurt her. He had a look of curiosity in his eyes. Celestia charged her horn for another spell. The evil Marcus noticed this and focused his sights on Celestia but he was to late. A powerful paralyzing spell hit him square in the chest.

He stiffened up before falling backwards. Celestia then threw magic bindings around his arms and legs before she lifted him into the air. After about a minute she lifted the paralyzing spell and dropped him to the floor. His left eye twitched a little before letting out an insanity filled laugh.

"Is that the best you can do?" He said "But make me sit still for a minute?"

"Who are you?" Celestia asked, her horn glowing with a golden light.

The demon just stared up at the sun goddess, a big grin spread across his face. "I am insanity ." He whispered.

"Leave this ones mind now!" Celestia shouted, her voice no longer held its motherly tone. It was cold as ice. It even made me back away a little but the creature didn't flinch. He just let out a short, insane laugh before bringing his attention back to Celestia.

"I cant." He replied.

"Leave him now!" Celesta ordered, her voice growing colder and her horn growing brighter. The power radiating from her was amazing but the reaper didn't seem too impressed. How could he stare down such a powerful being and show no fear? "Leave him or I shall force you out!" Celestia growled.

"Do you know how the mind works princess?" He said, the smile fading from his face into a low frown.

"What!?" She replied confused. The reaper just continued his speech.

"The mind is a fragile thing. If its put under too much stress the mind fragments. It breaks itself apart in order to protect itself." he said, his voice growing even darker and demonic. "However this comes with dire consequences. Usually it results in the unfortunate... hehe ...victims degradation into a state of psychosis. Why am I telling you this? Hehehe... Because fragmentation dosn't seem to make sense to you!" The reaper growled. The room grew darker and the reaper was putting off a power even stronger than Celestia. But this power didn't amaze me. It made me want to run. he continued with his speech.

"And getting rid of me would be like fragmenting his mind. That would drive even you insane." He spat at celestia "You can lock me away in his mind all you want but it wont last forever. His will is weakening and soon his life will be mine to control." His crimson eyes glowed brighter, his voice started to fill with power "I am his mind. Break me off if you dare but be warned, he will be damaged far more than I. So take your best shot, I dare you. Because the death of me is the death of him! Hahaha! Could you live with that, princess!? Tell me! Could you!?"He hissed "Could you sleep at night knowing that you killed an innocent being!?"

Celestia jerked her head away but her look of anger never left her face. The reaper just let out an insane cackle. The sound caused me and even Luna to flinch. "So go on Celestia, tear me from his mind! Drive him insane! Come on sun goddess, kill me! kill me! Kill Us!" The reaper screamed. Celestia just stared at the form laying on the floor, her horn grew really bright as she charged up her spell. The reaper just laughed at the scene before him.

"Sister stop!" Luna yelled, running to stand over the reaper. "Move Luna!" Celestia ordered.

"No!" She replied "Even though he contains this dark being he is still innocent."

"Do it!" he said. He was still laying under Luna and it seemed he got sight of something near her flank that caused a wide smile to spread across his face.

"He could be a great threat to Equestria." Celestia said. Her voice was stern and and cold "That still dosn't mean he will be!" Luna cried. I just sat in the corner and watched as the princesses argued. A sudden movement under Luna caught my eye. The demons body started twitching and jerking violently. His teeth flattened back out and his eyes slowly started to turn back to normal "Shut Up!" He yelled, but it wasn't the demons voice. It was Marcus's. Marcus was the one speaking now. The princesses both froze at the sound of his voice.

..................Marcus..................

The alicorns stopped talking after I shouted. "I have really got to learn how to control my darker side..." I shook my head trying to get the feeling of hate from my mind. I looked up and found myself staring up at the dark blue alicorns plot. My cheeks felt warm and I knew I was blushing. "Umm..." I said. Luna looked down and realized what I was looking at. She quickly jumped off of me, her cheeks were a bright red as were mine. I started to raise up but found myself to be bound by magic bindings. I looked at Celestia with pleading eyes "Could you please release me?" I asked in the saddest way possible. Her mood never changed. She just continued to stare down at me.

She looked like she was trying to intimidate me but i wasn't impressed. I just looked back, not blinking or showing any sign of fear. We stayed like this for about two minutes before I decided to break the silence "If you plan to scare me with that look of yours it wont work." I said. "I have stared down the god of death and defeated him. So I think I can handle a magical pony looking at me funny." This seemed to make her even more mad. Twilight let out a small gasp. Luna just let out a quiet giggle.

Celestia finally said something after that. "Guards!" She yelled. A few moments later four pegasus ponies walked in. Two wore golden armor with the symbol of the sun on the chest plate. The other two wore jet black armor with the symbol of the moon on there armor. They must be the princesses guards. Celestia turned to face the two in gold "Take him to the carriage. We are taking him back to the castle with us." She ordered. The golden armoured ponies walked toward me. They seemed hesitant to even look at me. Celestia picked me up in her magic and placed me on there backs.

I leaned closer to one of the guards ears "Be gentle." I whispered. He seemed to flinch away from my voice. I laughed at the ponies reaction. I felt there bodies tense up underneath me as I did so. "Is there anything you require your highness?" The dark armoured pegasus asked. "No." Luna replied. "Just help them get him to the carriage."

They nodded before turning to follow us. "Catch you later." I said as I passed Twilight who stood frozen in the corner. "Quiet!" The luner guard yelled. "Who the fuck shit in your cheerios?" I said. His bat like wings twitched before he spoke again "I said quiet!" He yelled.

"Yes, sir." I replied sarcastically. He snorted before continuing to follow the other guards. I was carried outside and placed on a golden chariot. Well, it was more like I was thrown on to it. "My head whacked the side of the chariot!" I yelled.

The guards just snickered at my words. I rose into a sitting position. My head hung low, my hat hiding my face. "So you think thats funny?" I asked. They just laughed even more. I felt hatred start to boil in my mind. A quiet laugh left my lips. The guards stopped laughing and looked at me funny. I just continued, my laugh slowly growing louder. Soon I was bursting with laughter. But it wasn't normal.

It was dark and full of insanity. One of the guards stepped closer and lifted a hoof up to my hat. He began to remove it but stopped when I shot my head up and looked at him. He jumped back, a look of terror and fear on his face. I turned and looked at my reflection on the side of the chariot. I stared at the shiny metal. My eyes were black as the deepest abyss with a crimson glow in the center.

"Damn it..." I said. I closed my eyes and tried to calm myself down. The feeling of insanity slowly left my mind. My eyes shifted back to normal as I turned back to the guards. They were all backing away slowly but stopped at the sound of Celestia clearing her throat. They quickly pulled themselves together and stood at attention. Celestia and Luna walked out of the library and climbed onto the chariot. Twilight stood in the door way with a worried look on her face. I lifted my bound hands and gave her a quick wave. She hesitated then smiled and waved back.

The guards walked in front of the chariot and slipped into the leather straps that pulled the chariot. There was a sudden jerk and the chariot launched into the air. I looked down at the library and saw Twilight slowly close the door. I turned back and looked at the front of the chariot, at the guards pulling it. A small chuckle left my lips.

"Whats so funny?" Luna asked looking down at my bound form. I looked up at the alicorn and chuckled again. "Ponies pulling ponies. I never thought I would see the day." I replied. A warm smile spread across Lunas face and she let out a soft laugh. I looked over at Celestia. She was just staring off into the distance deep in thought.

"My first day in this weird world and i've already been put under arrest." I thought to myself. We flew for a good fifteen minutes and no one spoke. We all sat there in silence. We were passing by the forest that I had landed by when I first got here.

It was about three in the morning and the night air was kind of chilly. Maybe because of how high up we were. We were flying over the area where I had fought the reaper when a sudden wave of dizzyness washed over me. The chariot made a sudden steep climb to avoid a cloud. The change in height caused me to slowly slide backwards toward the edge of the chariot. I knew I was going to fall but it was almost like I wanted to. My body slowly tumbled off the side and started to fall to the ground below. I felt the air blow through my hair as I fell. I wasn't scared or anything.

There was a loud 'Thud' as I hit the ground. The landing had knocked the air from my lungs leaving me winded. After I had managed to catch my breath I slowly rose up. There was loud popping sounds and a stabbing pain that ran up my spine. It had been broken but I could feel the bones snap back into place and heal.

I shook the pain from my head and began to look around at my surroundings. I was by an old tree with a rock sitting nearby. Wait, this place looks familiar. It then hit me. This was the exact place that I had killed the reaper. I was torn away from my thoughts when a low growl coming from the forest caught my attention. I turned and looked to the woods and saw two big, yellow eyes peering back at me. I tried to climb to my feet but then I remembered the magic bindings that were placed around my hands and feet.

"Damn it.." I said before looking back at the forest. There was a brief movement as the creature exited the woods. It was a big thing. It looked like a lion but it had wings and the tail of a scorpion. "Is that a manticore?" I thought as I looked at the beast. It slowly stalked toward me, its tail twitched a little causing a few drops of venom to drip from the stinger. The beast moved closer and closer to were I was sitting. Its tail shot forward and stabbed deep into my chest.

"Gahhh!" I cried as the pain shot through my body. The stinger pumped my body full of the venom. Blood and venom poured from the wound. The beast slowly lifted me off the ground. Its tail still stabbed deep within my chest. It brought me close to its face and did something I didn't expect. It opened Its mouth and black smoke erupted from its gaping maw.

"Give in to me reaper..." It spoke. Its voice raspy and dry.

"What!?" I asked. Blood poured from my mouth after the words left my lips. "You will NOT put me back in the watch..." It replied. I just looked at the beast confused.

"Dont you see it?" I heard voice say in my head. "See what?" I thought.

"The darkness that has possessed this beast." My inner demon replied. There was a sudden pain that shot through my eyes making me close them. When I opened them I no longer saw the manticore but instead a tall black cloud of smoke. I looked down and saw a skeletal hand jabbed into my chest. The bony hand was dripping with a green venom. I looked up and found myself staring into the eyes of a gruesome creature.

Its face had skin but it was torn and dripping with green liquid. It had one eye. The other socket was empty and oozed with the same liquid. I saw another hand reach for the left side of my chest. It plunged deep into my skin causing more screams of pain from my bloody lips. Then I felt it grab something.

"There it is!" The demon growled. He slowly started to pull the watch from my chest. I quickly grabbed the demons skeletal arm and gave it a hard twist. The thing screamed in pain and released the watch before pulling the broken arm from my chest.

"How dare you!" It screamed as the bone popped back into place. It raised its hand again, ready to make another grab for the watch when a blinding golden light hit the creatures side and flung it in to the nearby tree. Unfortunately its other hand was still in the center of my chest and I was dragged with him. When he hit the tree his hand came out of my chest. I looked over to my saviours and saw Celestia standing there, her sister Luna right beside her.

The four guards were currently charging straight toward the downed beast, each holding a sword in there mouth. They all four stabbed their blades deep into the beasts chest. There was a cry of agony from its maw and then silence. The guards retrieved their blades from the monsters gut. I looked over at it and saw the body of the manticore laying there. I looked at my reflection in the blade of one of the guards swords.

My eyes were back to normal. I could no longer see the demon that was there but I still felt his presence. "What is a monticore doing out of the Everfree?" One of the golden armoured pegasus said confused.

"I know!" The others replied "They never leave the Everfree..."

"Well it doesn't matter." One of the black armoured guards said. "We took it down and thats all that matters."

"But what about him?" The golden guards asked while pointing his hoof at me. "It looks like he has been pumped full of its venom."

"He will be dead in about ten minutes." The black armoured guard replied.

"Its not over..." I heard a voice say in my head. He is still here. There was a sudden movement then the tail of the manticore stabbed through the head of one of the guards. Blood splattered the faces of the others and bits of brain were stuck on the end of the scorpion-like tail. Then a huge paw swiped two more guards making large slashes across their backs. Blood poured from their wounds like a river. Its tail swung at the other guard knocking him in the direction of the two princesses. The beast slowly walked toward me, green blood and black smoke poured out of its chest wounds. It raised its tail high before trying to bring it down on me.

I quickly rolled to the side only dodging the attack by a few inches. But when I rolled I felt a weird shape under me. There was a burst of dark blue and golden light that smashed into the manticore. I looked over and saw Luna and Celestia running forward while charging another spell. I rolled over to inspect the item I was laying on and saw the long shape of a scythe.

Suddenly the loud sound of laughter filled my head. "Take the weapon!" My darker side ordered. "Cut your bindings and take arms!" He yelled. I brought my hands up to the blade and worked my hands back and forth. The magic bindings didn't cut but decayed after touching the blade for a few seconds.

I repeated the process with the bindings around my legs and stood up. I felt a sudden surge of power shoot through my body. A black mist slowly formed out of nowhere and I was engulfed in it. "What is this?" I asked myself.

"This is the true power of the reaper." My demon said. "The weapon has recognized you as its new master and is allowing you to use its great power."

"It... It feels good..." I whispered. My demon chuckled "We now possess the true power of death!" He screamed. When the fog cleared I saw the manticore had knocked Celestia unconscious and Luna stood there alone firing spell after spell. "Why wont you just die?" She screamed. The beast opened its mouth and a cloud of black smoke bellowed from within. I ran forward and jumped in front of the cloud and quickly raised my scythe. My body was acting on its own. Like something else was in control.

I opened my mouth and spoke three words "Che ko strax." suddenly a gray force field sprang up around us. "What did you do?" Luna asked surprised.

"I don't have a fucking clue..." I replied. The smoke rebounded off the shield and struck the manticore. It screamed in pain as its form began to change shape to once again reveal the tall smoke covered demon. It looked down at itself with a confused look before looking back up and charging straight at us.

"Dont mov..." I started to say to Luna but she had already jumped back and was charging her horn for another spell. As soon as she jumped back the gray force field fell, leaving us un-protected. "Damn it!" I said before the demon smashed in to me, knocking me to the ground. He then picked me up by the throat and started stabbing his hand into my body and tearing the flesh from my bone.

Luna just froze when she herd my screams of pain but she recovered quickly and fired a spell straight at the demon. A big ball of blue flames came flying towards us. The demon just swatted the spell away and it hit the ground about thirty feet away causing a big explosion. Luna collapsed to the ground. She had put all of her remaining magic into that spell. I turned my attention back to the monster who was currently trying to choke me to death. He raised his hand toward Luna and snake-like smoke slithered out toward her, its fangs dripping with deadly green venom.

I raised the scythe above my head and tried to bring it down on his arm but he caught it before it made contact. But when he moved his hand away from Luna the snake disappeared into thin air.

"Give up!" He said. His voice was like nails on a chalkboard. "You cant win reaper. Your not as strong as the other one!" His fingers dug into the flesh of my neck. As his grip tightened a big smile spread across my face. After the words left his lips he looked at me confused. "I am about to kill you reaper and you just smile?" His grip grew even tighter and causing more bones to break in my neck.

I opened my mouth and let out a loud laugh. I filled it with all of my pain and hatred. The demon flinched at the sound. I felt my eyes burn and sting, my teeth grow and sharpen. I felt power. So much power flowing through my veins. The demon just froze, too afraid to do anything but stand there. I quickly grabbed the hand that was holding my neck and broke it off. The demon screamed in pain as the bone snapped. I dropped to the ground and landed on my feet before charging the monster.

He brought up his other hand and threw a ball of green venom at my face. The venom burned away my skin. It was painful but it didn't stop me. I just kept running at the monster while he just kept throwing ball after ball of venom at me. It burned away alot of my skin and hurt so bad but i kept charging him. He threw one more blast of the venom. That was it, I couldn't take it anymore.

I dropped to the ground screaming as the venom burned the last bit of flesh from my face. "This is it, im going to die here..." I thought as the venom kept burning me. A tear slowly ran down my skinless cheek. "No!" I screamed. "I died once and im not doing it again!" I gripped the scythe tighter in my hands and felt a surge of energy run through me. Suddenly a pain shot through my body causing me to fall back to the ground. I looked at the scythe. The blade was glowing a crimson red color. I saw the skin on my hands melt away to bone "Gahhhhh!" I screamed in pain as the rest of my skin slowly melted away. Then my trench coat shifted, transforming into a long black cloak. My hat shifted into a dark hood that covered my face. I let out a ear piercing scream but it wasn't in pain. It was in anger. And it was full of hatred and death.
> The Reapers True Form
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                  I felt power.
A searing heat that flushed through me in waves, carrying away all traces of fatigue and pain, leaving in its place shock, giddiness, and...  
'F̸reedom̸.'

I looked down at myself; I was no longer wearing my trench coat, but a long black cloak, my hat was replaced with a black hood that blocked my peripherals,  I raised my hands up to my face. They were now nothing but bone.
'what am I?'

I looked back at my assailant and something inside of me gave a sadistic grin, jarring the bewilderment out of me.
'Obliter̸at͟e ͞t̀he͜ ̸fool! Fĺay͝ h҉is͡ f͏lesh̢, ́fea͢st ̶o̴n̕ ͟hi͢s so͜u̴l!'

Moving to obey the shrill call, my hand rose, almost involuntarily, and pointed at him.
He flinched and started to back away, I just laughed at the sight of him, so suddenly struck by fear. But my laugh didn't come out right; it was a lot deeper then it usually was and it felt more sick, more perverse, more utterly evil then my inner demon. I was not being forced into a back seat here, I felt as though my movements were my own; as though the words I heard were suggestions, not directives.
Yet I was too intoxicated to care.

I pushed onwards, advancing one step forward for each pace wasted by my prey in retreat. As I passed Luna, I glanced at her for a brief second, she stared at me, eyes widened and mouth agape.
While I continued to walk toward my would-be-killer, he finally mustered the sense to turn and run. I rose my scythe in his direction and a faint red glow suffused across its blade, gathered into a single point and fired a black chain at the demon; filling the air with a dragging, clinking, echo and the smell of burning metal.
The demon looked back just in time to see the chain hurtle towards him and warp around his legs. Amid the sound of its many links striking one another, he let out the sweetest cry of what I could only imagine was hopelessness before hitting the ground in a cloud of dust and displaced underbrush.

“Aw, too bad for you.” I chuckled, grabbing the end of the chain before slowly pulling him back toward me. He squirmed around and even started to pull on his bindings, when that didn't work, he opened his mouth and spat out a glob of his acid-like venom on it but all it did was sizzle and drip off of the chain, leaving not a single blemish.
I knew he would never break them, I didn't know how I knew but i did, my head was filled with whispers, feeding me knowledge and egging me on to confront, to torture, to kill, all foolish enough to raise a hand against me.
'A̧ga̛ín͝s̷t͘ us̕'

I turned toward the big oak tree that stood a few feet away and walked over to it, flinging the free end of the chain over a low hanging branch. I moved to grab it once more and pulled. The weight strained against my shoulder bones, causing them to give a surprisingly comfortable pop.  
Following much heave-hoing and no small amount of cursing, threats, and pleas from my captive, he was hanging upside-down from the tree. I wrapped the excess chain length around its trunk then fashioned it so he could not fall and get away, then faced the demon.  
He hung there, a look of fear on his face, apparently he had no more fight left in him. How dull.
I closed the gap between us. He brought back a fist and tried to hit me but it stopped a few inches away. I raised an eyebrow at that pitiful display, hardly worth my time.
'̴H͡e s̴háll̛ scr͜ȩam̡ ̕f͜or o͏u̴r͘ a̵m͟usème̷n̕t ̕s̨oon̴ e͞n̢ough͘.̨'͟

His already rotted arm started to decay rapidly and turn to clumps of ash. He jerked his hand away and it slowly started to heal, he then opened his mouth and spat out a thick, meager trail of venom, it was clearer than before and lighter in coloration. I side stepped his attack with ease then stabbed the blade of the scythe into the ground.
The thing inside of me chuckled with elation, I felt it surveying my catch, pondering upon what to do with it like a kid with a new toy. Images —none without copious amounts of gore—flashed by, yet each of them were dismissed because they had “been done before”. Finally, it told me to speak.
“Grim Rodrick?” I raised my head in the air, searching for a face I couldn't see.
'No҉ ͝yo͡u ̨i͝m̧bécile͠! R̴ȩp̨ȩa͘t it̛ ͘exa̡c̨t̴l̡y͜ ͜as͠ I s͘a͘y.̨'͢ ̴ ͞
́
*Grim. Ro. Drek.*
A faint red glow emanated from the ground under the demon. He looked downwards, confused, before two long chains shot out of the dirt and wrapped around his wrists.  These chains glowed bright red, with orange marking the places where the individual links connected. Smoke actually rose from the point where metal met flesh, they seemed to tighten with every scream he made.
I heard his cries of pain fill the air and echo into the woods behind us, smelled his rotten skin, charred black under the heat of the chains, saw him writhing in agony. Whatever allowed his arms to regenerate from their ash-like state only proved to his detriment at that point. Black clumps of flesh would fall  to the ground only to reveal fresh new skin underneath, which would then be burned away.
Over and over again.
This was excessive, unnecessary, cruel. I wanted to be sick at the display, wanted to deny that I derived   pleasure from my foe's misery, but it was not so.

He was mid-scream when my hands grabbed the top and bottom of his jaws, creating a dry shruking noise as bone ground against bone. A trail of saliva oozed from his upper lip to the grass below. I forced his mouth open. Wide, wider, and wider still.
I heard his bones pop and his skin groan like overstretched plastic, the trail of saliva was soon tainted with red. I took a moment to revel in the feeling of him shake his head against me, then pulled and gave a satisfied smile as I heard the bones in his jaw break.
With prompting from the voice, I opened my mouth and brought it down to his face, I then inhaled deeply. A green mist left his body and I drank it in. Though tasteless, as it entered me I felt euphoria and even more power fill my entire being. I finally understood why people would go out of their way to get high.
“No!” he screamed as a green fiery glob, far larger than what came before, left his body, soon all the dark energy dissipated and a demon no longer hung from the chains but a man, seemingly unharmed yet still, a naked scraggly-haired man. He looked up at me, eyes widened, tears flowing out of his eyes, unto the ground and into his mouth.
I just slowly raised my hand and pointed at him.
“Guilty!”

I snapped my fingers. A hole opened in the ground and screams of rage, agony and torment from an indecipherable number of voices rose up to a near deafening point. Red, black, and milky-white arms, claws and even a few tentacles shot up with a bang and a splay of blood that drummed across my hood like rain before grabbing the man, trying to pull him down. But the chains around his legs held him in place, I slowly raised my scythe, the man looked up at the chain then at me.
'Ah, t͞h͡e le͝gio͝n͟ o͞f̕ th̨e ̷dam҉n͝ed; uncouth̢, ̛l̀o̴ud a̧nd͠ ͢dreádf̵u͝l͢ĺy ug͠l̢y.̕.̛.̴ B͏u̴t͡ alway͏s ̶on tim̕e͞,҉ ̧and o͢ḩ s͏o açc̴ep̕tin͏g̕ ̸of̢ ̴ǹȩw͜c̸óme̛rs͟!̶'
“Oh God,” the man said, sobbing, all the while managing to speak above the voices; “Please no, please show mercy!”
I just laughed at his words and came as close to him as was possible without putting myself at risk of falling into the —for lack of an official term—  Pit o' doomy doom®  

“Sorry, all out of mercy.”
I swung the scythe. It cut through the chain like a knife through butter and the man was jerked into the fiery pit, the appendages following him down. The howls became gradually fading laughter as it sharnk inches at a time. Before long there was no sign of it ever being there.
I turned around to face the lunar princess but found my self face-to-face with Celestia, frowning, with horn poised forward.
I tried to walk around her, but a golden aura enveloped my limbs with a knee-locking pressure. She tried to pull me away from her sister but I trudged on, slowed but not halted by her grip.

I heard a growl come from behind before a ball of energy screamed past my ear and slammed into a nearby tree with the sound of a thunderclap that I could feel in my chest. Bark, twigs, and leaves burst into the air upon impact, engulfing what remained of the tree in an ethereal flame that illuminated the leftover blood and venom on the ground.
I turned on my heels.

“Your first and only warning,” Celestia said, igniting her horn again. She bared her teeth at me, the glossy sheen from the nearby fire in her large eyes made them more prominent, more threatening.

“I am not your enemy,” I said my voice cold and stern, despite the voice urging me to repay her 'warning shot' with a cracked horn.
“Then what are you?” she shouted back, spreading both pairs of legs to cover more ground. Her tail flicking from side to side.
I paused at that, not entirely sure of the answer myself, the voice however, was only too happy to provide it for me.  
“I am the reaper.” I thrust my scythe handle into the earth.  

“I judge souls bound for the afterlife. I decide if they deserve everlasting paradise, or everlasting torment, I am nether good nor evil; whether you are the richest of the rich or the poorest of the poor, whether you are the strongest of the strong or weakest of the weak, you are all equal in my eyes”
Celestia just stared at me, her eyebrow raised and head cocked to the side, reminding me of a confused puppy.  
I turned away from her, my long black cloak slowly shifting back into a trench coat, my veins, then muscles, then skin crawling back to cover my hands. The hood on my head then shifted back into my fedora and the immense power that I felt before waned along with the voice's presence, leaving my body cold and trembling and my mind alone, for the moment.

I walked over to Luna and knelt down beside her, she was covered in cuts and scrapes, some of which looked deep, but not mortal. She was either asleep or unconscious. Amid the crackling flames I could hear her breath match the steady rise and fall of her chest.  
Wrapping my arms around her, I lifted her up and grit my teeth against my muscles' screams of protest as I cradled her. It was difficult, considering she was bigger then most ponies.

I turned back toward Celestia; “We need to get your sister to someplace where she can get help.”  my chin brushed against Luna's fur with every syllable.
Celestia blinked twice like someone jarred out of a thought; “Yes, we will take her to the castle, she can get medical attention there.” For the moment, she had dropped her hostile tone. I caught a glimpse of Celestia tilting her head towards me, her horn alight.  
Then there was a blinding flash.

...................................?????..........................
“It seems he has been granted the power of the elder.”
“Yes, but he still doesn't know how to control it. There is much for him to learn.”
“Should we contact him?”  
“No... Not yet, let him play with his little pony friends for a while longer, we will confront him soon enough. For now we will return to headquarters, the master will be interested in this development.”

.....................................Marcus...................................
When the light faded, I found myself in a room dimly lit by candles perched on an overhanging chandelier. Long, purple standards of what looked like silk trimmed with gold were draped from the walls at regular intervals. I squinted at the one closest to me and could make out an emblem of the sun placed slightly under a crescent moon.
“On the bed,” Celestia said, pointing her hoof toward its large frame in the center of the room.
I walked over and gently laid Luna down on the mattress, she stirred after her body partially sank into it, but didn't wake.
“I will fetch the medical staff.” An echo spread across the room after Celestia, clacked her hoof against the floor, sending a wave of golden energy across its marble surface like ripples in a pond. I could hear a metallic pattering in the distance.

“I will have six armed guards posted here.” She turned her head towards me. “If you dare think about harming my sister in any way, they will not hesitate to kill you.”
“I have no intention of harming her,” I said, turning toward Celestia.
“And how can I trust a being such as you?”she asked in a voice like something between a shout and a frustrated whinny, I watched the long shadows cast by her legs move up and down the wall as she faced me; “That... creature you fought. You tortured it while it was defenseless.” She shook her head. “While it was broken and bleeding and crying for mercy, you laughed!” Celestia slammed her fore-hoof on the floor, pulled her lips back into a snarl, and ignited her horn.
I could see the energy brimming from it and dropping off in small sparks, she looked about ready to kill me on the spot when a barely audible mrph came from Luna, prompting us both to glance at her. She rolled over unto her side and nuzzled her head into one of a few dozen pillows, eyes still closed.

Celestia took a deep breath and with it, the light of her horn dissipated, when she spoke, her voice was barely above a whisper; “I have faced my share of monsters, tyrants, and rebels, though I can count on my hooves how many took pleasure in such a thing as cold-blooded torture. Why should I allow you a chance to recover while you're weak? So that you may go free to do harm to somepony else?”
“Just hear me out. Please.”

I meant to sound firm but it came out as a croak. My arms ached from carrying Luna, my legs faltered in protest of being on my feet for so long, and I found it harder and harder to keep my eyes open. In the fringes of my mind, I felt my demon press against me, vying to assume direct control over my exhausted body, adding to a muddleheaded haze.  

“I don't completely understand it myself, but what you saw in the basement of the library was the manifestation of all the pain, hatred, and misery I have experienced in my lifetime. I can feel it almost constantly trying to overpower me and it has taken a metric crap-ton of effort to keep it at bay.” I sat at the foot of the bed, it felt like a beanbag filled with memory foam.

I gave a silent yawn as my muscles relaxed, I allowed my eyelids to droop, hardly noticing the soft crackling of candle-fire above me fading.
A cold, sharp, though painless, tap on my forehead made me snap awake. Celestia had closed the distance between us, her horn just centimeters from my face;“And I assume that the one I saw near the forest was another being entirely?”

“Yes, and please, don't ask me what that was. I don't know for sure.”My voice came out colder then I expected.
Celestia gave me a hard look, like she was staring into my very soul, but I held my ground and didn't flinch away.
To tell the truth, I really wanted to.
“You may stay here.”

I looked up. My disbelief must have shown on my face, Celestia's voice took on a softer, almost comforting tone.
“Everypony deserves second chances. Everypony deserves solace. Everypony deserves mercy.”
I expected another hard look after that, but instead, her gaze was directed at Luna. Celestia's ears flopped down a bit, the no-nonsense look that she wore just moments before was replaced by doleful frown.

“I will still have a contingent of guards keep an eye on you,” she said before walking out the door.
After a few seconds there was the sound of hoofs and metal outside. Six armed guards appeared in the doorway, each of them wearing midnight blue armor. They all stood, staring at me with stoic expressions.

I wanted to move far away from them, but before I could process another thought, four unicorns in nurse outfits entered and made a bee-line for the bed.  
“I will have to ask that you leave, Celestia said you will be sleeping in the dungeon.” One of them said. She brushed a hoof through her mane, avoiding eye contact and almost as an afterthought added; “Temporarily of course, just until another arrangement can be made that is both secure and comfortable.”
The six guards approached me, one of them holding two pairs of iron shackles in his mouth. I could have sworn that my vision blurred as I turned my head to size each of them up in turn. Though they were shorter than me, from close up I could see lean muscle showing through all but one of the guardsponies' fur in the places where armor was not present.

Though that one had a horn, undoubtedly offsetting any physical disadvantage.  
There would be no use in attempting fight nor flight. Even if I got past these ponies, who knew how many more Celestia would have on standby?
I held out my hands and the unicorn placed the shackles around my wrists and ankles, leaving a tingly sensation when they came into contact with the pony's white aura.
We walked down hallway after excessively long hallway. With the guardsponies only rendering curt nods, grunts, or nothing to any conversation attempts, I tried to hasten time by counting the number of turns we took.
I stopped at forty-two.

We came down yet another one, covered in banners and tapestries containing symbols of either the sun or moon, much like the rest of the castle.
Superimposed into a nearby wall was a large iron door. My shackles made me stumble approaching the sharp decline in the flooring that led up to it, but I was caught by an armored hoof around my waist halfway down.
Before I could mutter a thank you, the guard stepped forward and knocked on the door three times.
After a few seconds, the door creaked open to reveal another guard, this one in golden armor, whose half lidded eyes seemed likely to shut at a moments notice.
But he woke right up when he locked eyes with me.

He retreated a few paces, to a wooden table with a sword and a crowded ring of keys on it; “What in the name of the maker is that?” he asked, eyes crawling up and down my form.

“How should we know what he is?” One of the guards to my left said in a flat tone; “Celestia wants him locked up for tonight”
“Is it dangerous?” The golden armored one took yet another few steps backwards. If I were unbound and didn't think that doing so would break the energy bank, I would have sighed, fake smiled and made a hopefully amicable palms up gesture to avoid being bludgeoned to death by a cute pony in my sleep in the name of preemptive self-defense.
I had to settle with a simple; “I'm not” and a half-smile that felt more like a grimace.
“It can talk!”

The splotch of dark-blue in my right peripheral dipped up and down curtly. The same pony executed that sigh I wanted for myself; “Even if he is dangerous, what harm could he possible do while restrained?”
“Well even if he is,” the prison guard replied; “We need to search him, at the very least. The last minotaur we had hid a shiv in his pants, I'm not taking any chances.”
The six guards started patting me down, one of them reached into my coat pocket and pulled out my leather wallet; “Hmm I was wondering where that went,” I said.
“Quiet,” one of the guards muttered.

'Well I'm glad I left my scythe outside the forest, that could have caused some trouble.'
As soon as I thought the words, my palms started to feel warm and tingly, the next thing I knew, the long weapon was in my bound hands.
All the guards jumped back and drew their swords. I looked up from the scythe and into their faces. Slowly, carefully, I turned its blade to face away from them and offered the handle to the closest one. As he took it in his mouth with a whuf of warm breath on my knuckles, I was painfully aware of a blade pricking the back of my neck. Had I sneezed then and there, I would probably have been given a view of my own jugular.
This reaper job was going to be the death of me.

I chuckled nervously as the gaurdspony laid the scythe on a nearby table; “Sorry about that, I was... tired.” the guard stared me down and gave a barely audible sigh. I was pushed along, now at weapon-point, down a long set of stairs, soon, we hit a poorly lit hall full of cells.
I followed their lead to one on the far end, the golden armored pony stepped forward, produced a key from a ring around his neck, undid my bindings and then unlocked the cell door. After I backed into it, he said; “please don't start any trouble,” before shutting the door and locking it with a click.
“Now what makes you think I would do that?”

He looked at the spot on the floor where I sat down then up at a point behind me; “I wasn’t talking to you.” he and the other guards walked off. It was not until I could no longer hear their hoof-steps when  logic hit me.  
'Then who was he talking to?' I thought to my self.
A large warm object, roughly the size of a piece of bratwurst, landed on my shoulder.
I turned my head to see a finger, its nail cracked and caked with grime, drumming on me.
'Oh, gawd.'

I did not want to look behind me, and for a while, I didn't, but the drumming would not stop. I clenched my teeth and forced my self to turn, ever so slowly, to find myself looking up at an eight foot tall minotaur with greasy black fur and a very disheartening smile; “Well, you sure are a big'un aren’t you?” I said, looking up.
The only indication I had of him grabbing my sides was the intense pain that shot through my left kidney as he lifted me up. I just continued to stare at the monster and much to my internal shock found that I was not afraid of him.

A voice that wasn't my own spoke up; “Come on big guy, show me what you've got.” with that, he snorted and threw me into the door of our cell with a loud bang. 'Well, this is about to get interesting' the same voice sounded in my head, as I felt my teeth sharpen into a point and the familiar black liquid pour from my eyes.
“Okay big guy,” My deamon said, getting on my feet, tiredness mitigated by dark energy and adrenaline.
“lets play.”

.........................Celestia...................
With the sun raised and a well-rested mind, Celestia was on her way back to her sister's room. She may have even been awake, considering that she had slept through her night for once.

She turned down the corridor, acknowledging the greetings of many guardsponies, butlers, and sleepy -eyed hoof-maidens just starting their daily chores on her way. She stopped at a window that took up much of the heavily adorned wall to her right. With its curtains parted, the sun's warmth flowed freely into her coat. She closed her eyes and stretched her neck back in a silent yawn, basking in its pleasantness for a moment.
“I simply must share this spot with Lulu.”  

A blood curdling scream ripped through the air and sent frozen chills down her spine, prompting her to snap her eyes open. She quickly galloped into the room that the noise came from. Luna's room.

What she saw caused her to stop dead in her tracks. Luna was floating in mid-air, her eyes shut tight, with green puss oozing from her wounds. Above her was an abomination of lime-colored smoke and beady, black, bottomless holes at central mass.

She scanned the room for the medical staff only to find several skeletal figures laying on the floor, four of them wearing a doctor's uniform, her heart fell into her stomach as she looked back up at the creature and found it looking back with a large sharp toothed smile that dripped with the same green liquid that seeped from Luna's body.
The monster let out a loud scream, Celestia felt and heard a force crack into her chest like a war-hammer. Colors blurred past her vision as she sailed backwards, only to halt abruptly when her back connected with the hallway's wall, leaving spiderweb-cracks on it.
Dust, as well as chunks of marble fell from her face and mane as Celestia stood back up.

She angled her now lit horn towards the gas-ball monster and charged, wings outstretched. Each hoof-step sent a jarring pain through her spine that she consciously had to brush off. She saw the mass puff up and glow a brighter shade of green before the doors to the room slammed shut and a fire of the same color erupted around it.
Celestia growled, skidded to a halt, and fired blast after blast of concentrated energy at the barrier. The flames warped, yet did not disperse, much to her horror, they glowed brighter and seared her lungs with  
the smell of brine and rotting flesh.

The sound of hoofs hitting marble called her attention to six elite soldiers from the lunar guard galloping in her direction followed by six elite soldiers from the day guard. They halted in front of Celestia at attention.

She rounded on them with a grimace; “Ten of you stay here and see what you can do about these flames.”
“Yes your majesty!” the guards said, almost in unison.

“You two,” Celestia said pointing her hoof at two day guards; 'You will accompany me to the dungeon.”
They fell in step behind Celestia, moving through the castle as fast as hoof and wing could take them.  when she reached the incline leading down to the dungeon she jumped and opened her wings to glide to the bottom followed by the two guards. Celestia didn't stop to knock on the dungeon door, opting to reach out with her magic and rend it open, the guards behind her had to duck as it flew over their heads and crashed into the wall behind them.

The prison guard just watched in surprise and confusion as the princess of Equestria gunned it at full speed past him, down the stairs that led deeper into the Canterlot dungeon. The prisoners just watched  amid a few gasps as she went past cell after cell stopping in her tracks only when the large hand of a minotaur shot out of one, almost causing her to trip. She looked down at the figure laying on the floor.
“Please your majesty, get me away from him!” he cried; “Please get me away from that monster!” he pointed a finger at a figure who was sitting on a bed near the back of the cell.  

The darkness prevented her from making out said monster before a cold laugh cut through the air; “Stupid cry baby,” the figure said between bouts of laughter, Celestia pushed a little bit of magic though her horn illuminating the area enough for her to see who sat on the bed.

He sat there, legs crossed, long coat removed and laid beside him on the bed along with his wide brimmed hat. The left of his long pale arms that ended in gnarled, clawed, 
hands held a nail file that he was using to sharpen his teeth with the sound of scraping plates. His empty eye sockets looked just like the monster's currently in Luna's room, save for a red glow in their center. A horrid black liquid  poured from them giving off the appearance of tears.
The being looked from the crying minotaur to Celestia; “Is it time for my hour in the yard boss?” he asked.
“What?” Celestia cocked her head to the side.

“Never mind.” he sighed before leaning back against the wall and running a hand through unkempt white hair; “What do you want sun goddess?” he said in an annoyed tone.
“I wish to speak with Marcus”
“I am Marcus.” he chuckled.

“No, I do not wish to speak to you, demon,” Celestia growled raising her wings to full height and lighting her horn.
“Well I'm sorry, but Marcus is a bit tired from the fighting last night, so while he is taking a break I thought I would pop out and say hello to this fine fellow,” he said before tapping the minotaur's leg, eliciting a flinch from him.  
“He wasn't very nice at first though,” the demon crossed his legs again and gave a mock-pout with his lips; “He tried to smash my head into the wall, so thought I would teach him some manners.”

“I don’t have time for your nonsense!” Celestia snapped; “Release your hold on Marcus!”
The demon just rolled the crimson orbs in the center of his eyes; “I told you, he needs to rest!” he leaned forward, a frown pulled on his features which curved into a slow condescending grin;“Would you like to leave a message?” He materialized a quill and a piece of paper out of nowhere.
'This creature is almost as annoying as discord.' Celestia thought.
“Buuut if you're having trouble, I could help you,” the demon said, that big smile still spread across his face; “You just gotta spring me lose.”
“How do I know I can trust you?” Celestia asked.

“From what I can tell, you don't really have a choice, do you?” He placed his large black hat atop his head then slid into his coat.
Celestia groaned in annoyance as she turned to one of her guards; “Please fetch the key to the cell,” she said.
“Oh that won't be necessary.” the demon chimed in an almost sing-song voice.

Celestia turned back to see him place a hand over the cell bars; they creaked and groaned then began to rust away. Celestia ground her teeth together, as the bars fell apart. They were laced with many durability increasing enchantments. It would have been a chore, even for her, to break them.
“Shall we be going then?” he said, motioning toward the stairs.

“Yes, we shall,” Celestia replied, forcing back her ire with his casual tone. The guards just stood there still trying to figure out what they just saw the demon do.
The creature in question stopped on his way out and bent down next to the still crying minotaur; “See you later, champ” he said, patting him on the head, causing the grown male's crying fit to take on renewed vigor.

“Well you heard the lady, boys.” The demon passed the guards waiving them over with claws outstretched; “We got work to do.”
The guards just shook their heads and began following behind their princess to the top of the stairs at a brisk pace. The demon pointed a hand toward a nearby table with the scythe Celestia saw Marcus use in the forest. It flew into his hands before he rested it on his shoulder and kept walking.
Celestia watched cautiously as he took the weapon; it seemed like he did not plan on using it on any of them but she wasn't taking any chances, she pushed a little bit of magic down her horn and thinned it out in an invisible shield around her guards and herself.
“There's no need for that.” she heard from behind.

“What ever do you mean?” Celestia craned her neck around, looking the demon in its eye sockets.
“Whatever ward you put up won't be needed; if I wanted to kill you, I could have done it without my scythe.”
From behind the demon one of her guards silently knocked a hoof against his fetlock, just above his armored shoe. A sign, informing her that he was prepared to strike preemptively if necessary.

No she signaled with a seemingly meaningless sweep of her right fore-hoof against the dust on the    
floor. Celestia looked up at the demon; “Is that a threat?” she growled, angling her head slightly downwards, innocuous body language for most creatures, but a perfect way for a unicorn to put their horn into goring position. Celestia flattened her ears, a chill traveling down her spine.
“No,” The demon said back; “Just a statement of fact.” He chuckled, sending echos across the wall.

Celestia rolled her eyes at him yet gave an inward sigh of relief. “We don't have time for this.” She grit her teeth and darted forward, the sound of heavy boots hitting the floor from behind let her know the demon was still following. They had reached the hallway leading up to Luna's chamber when the boot-steps came to an abrupt halt.
The demon stood, hands twitching under a spot of sun directly by the window she visited moments before. He looked up at Celestia, his face contorted into a grimace, the liquid that dripped from his eyes had stopped and looked to be drying up, the crimson glow in his eyes dimming.
Celestia reached out with her magic and plucked the creature from the floor, into shadow of the large wall beside them.
“The light hurts you?” Celestia asked.

“No,” the demon replied; “I just find it to be really annoying, it drains my energy.” his words came between breaths of air, as though he were winded.
“From what Twilight told me, Marcus was trotting around the market in broad daylight yesterday, why wasn't he affected?”
“He isn't a demon.” The the black liquid was once again dripping from his eyes and the once dim crimson glow turned a vibrant red.
When they reached the door to Luna's room the ten guards were still trying to put out the raging green fire.

One of them spotted Celestia, and galloped over, he rendered a quick salute; “Your highness, water and chemical flame retardants have proven ineffective. Draining them has a visible effect, but our unicorns  can't seem to siphon enough energy before they burst to full strength again. We believe the flames are being fed from the inside.”  
“Thank you, captain,” Celestia replied; “You and the others are dismissed.” He dropped his salute before conferring her orders to the rest of his contingent. They took their leave, most of the unicorns dragging their hooves with tired ears.

Celestia was about to turn to the demon when he shoved her out of the way, raising a startled whinny which turned into a growl, but he walk forward, unabated. He stopped in front of the flames and looked at it for a moment.  

The demon stabbed his scythe handle into the floor and removed his hat, running his claw-like fingers through his hair; “hmmm.” he looked up and down the flames and even probed them with a finger which was quickly drawn back and shaken in the air.

After moments passed into several minutes Celestia's agitation grew, feeling like a pit of bees in her head; “Can you help us or not?” Celestia yelled.
He let out one of his insanity filled laughing fits; “Calm down, I know what I'm doing.” With that, he took deep breath and blew a small gust of air onto the flames. They flickered a little, then went out.

“Now that wasn't so hard was it?” he asked, another chuckle leaving his lips.
“How did y-” Celestia's query was blocked out by the groaning of oak-wood doors being swung open.
“Now lets see what's behind door number one!” the demon said. A cloud of green smoke flooded the hall, causing Celestia and the two remaining guards to cough. The demon however, just took in a deep breath, a wolfish grin on his face.  

........................Demon Marcus,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
I retrived my scythe and walked into the smoke filled room with a jovial little bounce in my step, when Marcus iced the demon back in the forest, I was worried that I had missed a chance at some fun.

“Well, you certainly made a bold move,” I said as I walked to the center; “How you managed to escape  is remarkable I never thought you would hide in the princess's body.” I clapped my hands together like a spectator at a golfing tournament; “Smart move on your part.”
The smoke in the room faded giving me a nice view of an oversized human-ish skeleton,  hovering over Luna's body; “Trying to regain your form eh? Sorry but I can't let that happen.”

The monster's skull jerked to face me before it let out a low growl and spat a large glob of acid which struck me.  
I raised my hand to feel at the slick glob sticking to my head and absorbed it before it could drip on my clothes. The demon opened its jaw in a gasp as I tsked my tongue at it; “Your power doesn't effect me anymore,” I chuckled; “I absorbed most of it earlier so all your doing now is giving me more.” I then gave my scythe a quick spin before walking over to the bed, as I got closer, its horrid face grew even more fearful before leaping from the bed.
It made a break for the door; “Shut them!” I shouted.

Celestia nodded and I caught a glimpse of her horn igniting before the doors slammed closed.
The demon turned and looked at me, darting around the perimeter of the room. It grasped a heavy window curtain and tore it down. As it did, the harsh light of the sun shone through, forcing a painful scream from it. I calmly walked over to the demon and knelt down beside him, its writhing body and harrowed shouts compensating triple for my own relative discomfort.

“Now why did you go and do that? Did you forget that we don't do well in sun?”
The skeletal monster just continued to scream

“You know what? I take it back; you're a lot dumber than I thought you were, that was a fools move on your part,” I scratched my head and positioned myself to the side of the bed, where less light reached.

“You have no host to dampen the sun's effect on you.” As I looked down at it I snapped my fingers, mouth pulled into a grin of revelation.
“Wait, you didn't know that I have a host, did you?” I lost my grip on my scythe as I laughed until a pain rippled though my sides, the black ooze coming from my eyes thickened into a steady stream for a moment;“The pain you feel in the sun without a host is excruciating, I can't believe that you would try and screw us both over!”
“Help me!” It screamed, inching closer to my shaded spot at a hilarious millimeter a minute.
“Nope, I don't think I will.” I stood, raised my arms above my head and did a quick stretch.

I bent back down and retrieved my scythe; “Well, sorry to cut this conversation short, but I'm getting rather hungry and you would make a perfect snack.”
I stabbed the blade deep into his bony chest and slowly lifted him off the floor, his screams of pain grew louder as the blade sank a few inches further, aided by his weight. I brought my hand up to his throat and held him there as I slowly pulled the blade from his chest before opening my mouth wide and breathing in.
I almost lost my grip as the demon thrashed against me, letting out more loud screams as I absorbed the rest of his energy, making me feel half-full inside. The demon let out one last scream before becoming ash, cascading unto the floor in a pile, I flung a clump of it that mixed with the sweat in my hand away.  
I turned back to the window and snapped my fingers, the curtain shot back up and blocked out the irritating light.

“Now let's see how you’re doing,” I said, walking over to the Lunar goddess's limp form; “Hmm... I wonder If a pony soul tastes like anything.” I reached my hand toward the alicorn's chest but it froze mere centimeters away from her.

I tried to move it but it still wouldn’t budge; 'Don't even think about it!' Marcus's voice rang in my head.
Just couldn’t stay asleep for a few more minutes, could he?
“I was only going to heal her wounds,” I replied with a sigh.
'Sure you were' He said, I could feel him trying to force his way through to his body, a pressure against my limbs and head that intensified by the second.
“Fine! I won't eat her soul, but I truly can heal her wounds.”  

'Then do it, but if you try to take her soul again, I will lock you back up the first chance I get, understood?' I felt the pressure spike, and then go to an uncomfortable, yet bearable level.

“Yes, mom,” I groaned, after I felt his hold on my arm release, I opened and closed my hands before placing both of them on Luna; one on her head and other on her chest. I closed my eyes and concentrated, pushing my own energy, most of which was recently stolen anyways, into Luna's body.
I opened my eyes again and as I did, a dark red glow engulfed Luna. I winced in pain as a long gash ripped across my chest followed by more cuts and bruises all over my body. I continued the process for a couple more minutes before sighing; “That should do it,” I said before laying on the floor in exhaustion.
'Great.' I heard Marcus say; 'Now we are the ones who are hurt'

“Shut up,” I replied “Can't I get a break? Besides, we heal quickly enough,” I could already feel the wounds beginning to crawl closed, though not visibly so; “I know one thing though,” I said

'And what is that?' Marcus replied.

“I'm tired, I don't like being in pain, and I think you can have you're stupid body back. Fun's over, anyways.”  I sat up when the door to the room burst open.  Flanked by twelve guards, Celestia ran over to Luna while the guards surrounded me, each of them holding a sword in their teeth.
“A thank you would be nice.” I chuckled before I felt my senses fading from me.

....................Marcus..................
I sighed in relief as I was pulled out of the darkness. I could feel my teeth start to flatten back out and was about to run my tongue over them when the black ooze along my cheeks drained back into my eye sockets, it felt like someone was pouring acid into them, causing me to give a startled yelp, but the pain was gone after a few seconds.
I had to blink a few times before I could see straight again. When I finally could, I found myself surrounded by twelve ponies, six of them wore golden armor while the others wore midnight blue. Each of them held a sword in their teeth.

I looked up; Celestia was holding a crying Luna in her arms; “It's okay I'm here now, Celestia said, a few tears falling from her eyes as well. She glanced in my direction. It felt odd, seeing her with teary eyes and a warm smile in lieu of a frown or scowl.
I was still wondering which one of her faces looked more natural when my feet left the ground. The guards look up at me as I rose above them and I kicked rather futilely in mid-air, my legs and the rest of me covered in a tingly golden aura.
The feeling faded when I was pressed against her warm, soft barrel, she wrapped her forelegs around my waist in a tight hug; “Thank you!” she cried; “Thank you so much!”
“C-can-can't breath” I choked out.

Luna joined in on the hug making it even tighter, it felt like being smothered to death by giant pillows; “We thank thee for thy help,” she said, tears still in her eyes.
“S-still c-can-can't breath.”  
     
> Reaper's Midnight stroll 
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                                                    .................Marcus...............
I stood in the center of a massive throne room, staring at Celestia as she sat atop her throne with her sister, Luna beside her. "Marcus Creed, you have been summoned before my court so we can discuss the terms of your actions," Celestia said, her voice full of authority. I just stood there quietly, awaiting them to pass judgment on me. I knew that my demon would start to cause    problems, I thought to myself. "After the events that took place in my palace, we have decided that you shall not be executed."    
"That's a relief," I sighed.

"However, you will not be permitted to leave the castle grounds," Celestia finished, a hint of a smile born of malice appearing on her lips.  
"So where will I go," I asked. 

"We have prepared a room for you here in the palace," Celestia replied. 

"You mean the dungeon?" I asked. 

"No, we have decided that you will be staying in one of the guest rooms. However, you will still be under heavy surveillance. You may have saved my sisters life, but i still do not fully trust you." I started to retort, but stopped myself. I didn't want to make more problems for myself.  
"
Thank you," I replied, giving a quick bow.  

"So you understand our terms?" Celestia asked, her voice slightly colder then before. I hesitated before answering.
"They are crystal clear," I replied.  

"Good. I now declare this court session over," Celestia said as she motioned a hoof for her guard to step forward. He was a dark grey pegasus with dark green eyes. Bright golden armor rested upon his well built frame, similar to the others I had seen, but his chest plate had the image of the sun with two swords crossing it out. "Please take Mr. Creed to his quarters."

The guard gave a quick salute before heading out of the room. Quickly, he motioned for me to follow him. We walked through the castle halls in silence. Occasionally, we would come across a random maid cleaning something, and each time we saw one they almost fainted at the sight of me, but I paid no mind to them. I knew they were afraid, which in my opinion was a good thing. It meant that they wouldn't bother me.......

We rounded another corner, but as I turned to head down the next hallway, I saw a large, white object slam into me. It didn't hurt me, but the pony that was currently laying on the ground looked like he had just ran full speed into a brick wall.

"Why you stupid peasant, watch where you're going!" the white stallion yelled.

"I'm quite sorry," I chuckled before offering my hand to help him up. He froze when he saw the appendage hovering in front of his face. His eyes slowly began to move up my arm, then to my face. I moved my hand closer to him. Suddenly, he let out one of the most girly screams I've ever heard in my life.  
"Guards! Guards! There is a beast in the castle!" he screamed as loud as he could. I just gave him a confused look before turning around to face the guard who had been leading me to my room.

"What's his problem?" I asked, motioning at the screaming pony currently laying in front of me. The guard just shrugged as he stepped forward.
"Excuse me Prince Blueblood," the guard said as he addressed the white stallion, "but this creature means you no harm. He has been ordered to stay within the castle grounds during his stay."  

"Under who's orders?" Blueblood yelled.  

"The orders came from Princess Celestia herself," the guard responded. Blueblood turned to look at me, his face full of annoyance and confusion.  
"Why in Equestria would she dare let such a foul, disgusting thing into the palace?"

"What the fuck's your problem?" I replied. Blueblood cringed before turning to look at me again.
"Oh, even its voice is disgusting," he said as he jerked his head in the other direction, trying to avoid looking at me. I wanted to beat this little pony into a thin, red paste for the way he was treating me, when suddenly I heard a demonic voice echo in my head.

"Hahahaha! This guy seems pretty rude. How about I teach him some manners?" I heard my demon say as I felt my teeth sharpen.
"No," I replied to it.

"Awww! You're no fun!" I heard the demonic voice cry. I just chuckled before turning my attention back to Blueblood. He was currently rambling on about how my clothes were almost as disgusting as the creature that was wearing them. I frowned at the comment when suddenly an idea formed in my head.
I smiled devilishly as I opened my hands. I leaned toward the guard and told him to play along.

"What do you mean?" the guard whispered back.

"Just play along," I replied. After a second, a long, black scythe appeared in my grip. Blueblood jumped back and began screaming again. I smiled before slowly walking forward and bent down in front of the white pony. "Look, you stuck up prick, I don't have the time nor the patience to stand here and continue letting you insult me." I gently ran the blade of the scythe down his back. He shivered and began to cry. I leaned in closer to his face. "Tell me Blueblood, do you fear death?" He continued to sob loudly as he nodded.
"I'm sure you don't want to die, do you?" He slowly shook his head. "Hahaha! Good, now I will make you a deal. If you can get out of my sight in less then three seconds, then I wont kill you. Understand?" I asked, slowly dragging the blade across his cheek. He cried harder before nodding his head. "Alright then," I replied as I closed my eyes then quickly reopened them.

The white pony gasped and almost threw up. I looked deep into his eyes. "Run," I said before I released him. He sprang from the floor and ran down the hallway, screaming.
"Auntie! Auntie!"

The guard and I just chuckled as we watched the white unicorn run away. After we had quit laughing, the guard turned and resumed his walk. I quickly looked at a mirror that hung from the wall nearby. I quickly looked at my reflection and saw a faint trail of black liquid being absorbed in to my eyes. I then turned back down the hallway and jogged to catch up with the guard.

The sound of a large, oak, wood door opening echoed down the hallway. "This will be where you will be staying," the guard said, pointing a hoof into a dimly lit room. The tall walls were painted a dark grey and a large four poster bed sat on the far side of the room. I walked in and continued to look around at my new setting. The room actually seemed quite cozy. I kicked my boots off and flopped into one of the large over stuffed chairs that faced a large fire place.

I sighed in relief as I sank down it to the large piece of furniture. "Aw, this sure beats sleeping in a dungeon," I said as I noticed a mini bar in the far right corner of the room.  
"I hope everything is to your liking," the guard said as he began to turn to leave. "There will be guards stationed outside your door twenty-four hours a day. Her majesty wants us to keep a close eye on you." I turned to face him, a small glass of brandy now in my right hand.  

"Wait, I never caught your name," I said before he got a chance to close the door.  

The guard was silent for a few moments before answering me. "My name is Silver Pride."

"Well, Silver Pride, would you care for a drink?" I said as I offered him the small glass of brandy. He stared at the drink for a moment.

"I'm on duty," he replied.

"And I don't like drinking alone," I replied. He gave me a nervous look.

"But I have to inform the rest of the guards," he said while pointing a hoof at the door.

"I'm sure you can manage on your own," I chuckled as I handed him the glass of brandy.

"B-but I-" he stuttered before hanging his head in defeat and following me to the two large chairs in front of the fireplace. I flopped down in my chair and watched as Silver nervously sat down in the other chair. He just looked nervously into his drink. I just chuckled before downing my glass in one gulp.
"I never even knew you ponies had alcohol in this world." Silver looked up from his drink and gave me a confused look.

"What do you mean, this world?" he asked. I just groaned in annoyance when I remembered, not very many of this ponies know where I'm from.    
"Look at me," I said as I stood from my chair, "Have you ever seen a creature like me before?" Silver just shook his head, not before taking a sip of his drink. "Well, long story," I said before walking across the room to grab the bottle of brandy and refill my glass.  

"I'm from an entirely different universe." I stood there, holding my glass and the bottle of brandy in my hands as I waited for his response. We sat in silence for a few moments. It seemed the only response I was gonna get was a look that said 'you're fucking with me'.  

I just sighed before once again taking my seat. I turned and looked out the window and saw the sun setting on the horizon.
"There have been rumors about you," Silver said as he took another drink from his glass. I turned away from the window and raised an eyebrow.  
"I've been here for three days, and I've already been arrested, then almost killed by a demon, and then thrown in a dungeon, and now you ponies are already spreading rumors about me. So, let me hear them," I said before taking a drink from my glass.  

"Well, I've only heard a few things here and there, but most of the other guards say that you were a top secret weapon that the princess hid beneath the palace, and when i saw you, save princess Luna, I thought it to be true."

I sighed when he finished. "Ok, let me tell you the truth. Silver, I'm not a top secret weapon, and that thing you saw, save Luna, wasn't me."

The pegasus gave me a confused look before responding, "But it was wearing your clothes and everything!"

"Can we please not talk about this right now?" I asked.    
"Of course," he replied.

I sighed before relaxing and letting myself sink into the large chair. I smiled before closing my eyes. I heard the guard climb from his chair and head for the door. "I'm sorry, but I must excuse myself so I can get the rest of the guards."  

"You do that," I said, waving a hand in his direction. I heard the door close before opening my eyes. Staring at the ceiling of the dark room, I sat there in silence, the room slowly 

becoming darker as the sun was setting. I need to get back home, I thought to myself.  

"And how do you plan to do that?" I heard a voice echo throughout my mind.

"Please shut up," I responded, "I don't have the strength to put up with you right now."

"Oh, is the big bad reaper home sick?" the demonic voice mocked.
"Shut up," I growled. The demon chuckled sending shivers down my spine.    

I stood up from the large chair I had been sitting in and walked toward, what I assumed to be, a bathroom. Luckily, I was right. As I walked into the room, candles sprang to life, filling the room with a cozy, warm light. I sighed before removing my trench coat and other clothes, then, walking over to the large bath tub in the corner of the room, I turned the faucet and waited for the water to heat up before slowly climbing into the bath. My muscles ached and my body felt broken. I moaned as I felt my muscles begin to relax.

"Oh yeah, that hits the spot," I said as a smile spread across my face. I glanced down at the surface of the water that I was currently submerged in.
"WHAT THE HELL!" I saw my reflection staring back at me, but it wasn't exactly my reflection. I growled as the face of my demon stared back at me, a large sharp toothed grin spread across his face. "What do you want!" I yelled.        

He simply shrugged before replying, "I thought you would need help washing your back," he chuckled.
I groaned in annoyance before laying down and submerging my body completely. I opened my eyes as I laid there under the warm water. I heard my demon shouting at me within my mind, but I just ignored him and enjoyed the relaxing feeling that the warm bath brought me. After awhile, I dozed off not even knowing I had fallen asleep.  
......................................
I was standing in a large open field. I looked around, confused as I tried to understand my new surroundings. I spotted a large oak tree off in the distance. I could just make out the shape of a man standing under it. "Hello!" I yelled, but the figure didn't move.  

I slowly walked across the large field, making my way to the large tree. As I got closer, I could make out the shape of a frail old man, standing in the shade of the tree. After a few minutes, I was standing six feet away from the old man. He raised his hands up to the hood that currently covered his face and removed it, reveling himself.

His hair was a light gray and cut short and ruffled. He also had a small, gray goatee. His skin was dark, resembling a farmers tan and his eyes were a dark, ocean blue. He wore a long, black, hooded robe and sticking out of the ground beside him was a long, old, wooden walking stick.
"Good evening," the old man said, his voice full of kindness. A warm smile was spread across his face.

"Um hello," I responded, "Who are you?"

The old man gave me an amused look before letting out a quiet chuckle. "You don't recognize me."

"I've never seen you before in my life," I replied.  

"Well of course you never saw me in life." the old man laughed.

I looked at him confused. "Why is that funny?" I asked.

The old man chuckled once more. "Why wouldn't it be funny?"      

I continued to stare at the old man in confusion. "You're not making any sense."

"Because there is no fun in making sense," the old man replied.  

I sighed in annoyance. "Could you at least tell me where I am?"

"How should I know?" he asked as he leaned on his walking stick, "It's your dream, so you tell me."    

"Wait, I'm dreaming?"  

"Of course you're dreaming." he laughed. I shook my head. This old man has lost it.  

"Lost what?" he asked, confused. "I have lost nothing."  I gave him an amused look.

"H-how did you know what i was thinking?" I asked.    
"Well, we're in your head, so your thoughts are my thoughts." he chuckled again before his face suddenly went from warm and kind to cold and emotionless. "But I didn't come here to hear your thoughts, I came here to warn you Marcus."

"Warn me of what?" I asked. He gave me a look that could cause an entire gang of bikers to run away in fear.
"There is a darkness coming to this land, and you are the only one who can hold it at bay," he said, his voice had grown cold and harsh as he pointed a finger in my direction. "You unleashed it onto this world, and you must imprison it once again."  

"What do you mean I unleashed it? What did i unleash?" I yelled. The old man just stood there and stared at me. He had taken no mind of me yelling at him.
"You unleashed hell." His expression never changed nor did his tone.  "You broke the watch and let them out. Now, they will do the only thing they can do, destroy."  
I collapsed to my knees, my body suddenly felt weak. "You're telling me that everything in this world will die, and its my fault!"  

"Yes," the old man replied.  

"What, what do you want me to do?" I asked.  

"Your task is simple. You must hunt down and collect all of the damned souls you released, but-"    
"But what?" I growled.  

He bent down so we could talk face to face. "You can't do this alone," he said, his voice was now back to its kind tone. His eyes were no longer cold and unforgiving. They held a caring embrace to them. "Your gonna need help to take these monsters down."  
"Then help me!" I pleaded.  

He shook his head. "I'm sorry, but my assistance is limited. It took me all my remaining strength to contact you, but you need not worry my friend, your students will arrive soon enough, and when they do you must do your best to help them and gain their trust. Do you understand?"  
I looked up at the old man. My body was shaking and I felt cold and sick, but I slowly nodded.  

The old man smiled before patting me on the shoulder. "I knew i made the right choice," he said as he stood up and grabbed his walking stick. "You take care of your self Marcus, and don't make me regret keeping you alive." He pulled his hood back over his head and began to walk off into the field.
"Wait! I still have questions!"  

"They will have to wait for another time," he replied. "It's time for you to wake up Marcus."
........................................
My eyes sprang open and I found myself still laying under the water from my bath. I quickly raised up and drew in a deep breath.
"Well, well, well, look who finally woke up," I heard a demonic voice echo throughout my head.

"How long was I under there?" I asked.  

"About an hour," my demon replied.  

"That's impossible!" I gasped. It suddenly hit me that the water had gone cold, proving that I been in here for awhile.  

"You're a grim reaper and you're already dead, so I don't think you can drown," I heard my demon say as I climbed out of the tub. As I stood up, I suddenly felt very sick.

"Oh god," I groaned before emptying the contents of my stomach into the nearby trash can. I groaned as I stood back up. I had filled the trash can full of nothing but water. I picked up the bucket of fluids and dumped them into the toilet, flushing it in the process. I tossed the trash can to the side.

"Well, that was pleasant," my demon chuckled.

"Shut up," I responded as I slid into my boxers and black T-shirt and walked out of the bathroom. As I left, the candles that had once lit the room went out, leaving the room dark. I shuffled my feet across the carpet floor of the guest room. I felt around, trying to find the large four poster bed.

Failing horribly, I some how ended up in the castle hallway and found five guards in black armor standing guard out side the door. They all gave me a confused look before I slammed the door in their faces.

"Oh for fucks sake," my demon complained. "Here, this should help your sorry ass." I suddenly felt my eyes heat up and glow a dark green.
"What the fuck?"

"It's night vision," my demon added. I turned and faced the door I had just closed and saw five glowing green ponies on the other side of it. "You can also detect nearby life signs," my demon once again added.

After I was done admiring my new found ability, I walked over to the bed and crawled under the warm blankets.  I yawned as I felt my eyelids become heavy and slowly close.

.....????...........

The city guard stood watch out side the city walls as the night grew late.  A lone figure with dark brown fur in a dark, faded, red duster coat approached the gates. The collar of his coat was pulled up, hiding most of his face. His left eye was covered with a patchwork eye patch. His hide boots kicked up dust as he walked toward the city. He pulled a pair of hide fingerless gloves before sliding them into his pockets.

"Halt!" one of the guards ordered as he neared the gate.  Joat the diamond dog looked at the two guards that currently stood in his path.

"Well good evening officers."

"Your papers," one of the guards said as he held out his hoof.  

Joat just stared at the two with a confused look on his face.  
"What papers?" he asked.    

"You know," the other guard chimed in, "diamond dogs cant enter canterlot without the government permission. So where's your license?" he demanded, jutting his hoof forward once more. Joat scratched his head before turning the pockets of his faded red jeans inside out.  

"I have no license," he laughed, "but I'm still going in there."  

"Over my dead body," said one of the guards.    

"As you wish," Joat replied before grabbing the guard's head and bashing it into the wall of the guard house. The guard grunted in pain each time his head made contact with the cold, hard stone. His partner just stood there and watched in horror as his friend's head was bashed open. Before long, the wall was covered in blood and brain matter and the guard was flung to the side. All that was left of his head was chucks of flesh. Joat smiled before turning to face the other guard.

The guard began to tremble in fear. Tears ran down his face and the ground was covered in a mixture of his dead friends blood and his own piss. Joat walked toward the cowering pony. Each step he took caused the guard's crying fit to worsen.  

"If you would be so kind," Joat said, motioning to the gate. The pony nodded and crawled over to the gate and pulled it open. "Thanks," Joat said before delivering a punch that went clean through the pony's head.

He kicked the dead corpse aside before entering the city while whistling softly to himself.

...............Demon Marcus..............
I lay there floating around in the boring darkness that is Marcus's mind. He was currently in a deep sleep, which would leave his body open for me to take control. "Hehe and he wouldn't be able to fight back." I sigh as I continue to float around. "But what would be the point of me coming out? There isn't any fun to be had." Suddenly, a strong smell hit my nostrils. "That's not right," I said as I started to take control of the body. I stood up and headed over to the bathroom to put on the rest of my cloths.

I stop to look in the mirror to admire the beautiful masterpiece that is my face. I ran my snake like tongue over my sharp, pointy teeth. "You are one sexy devil," I said to my reflection before leaving the bathroom and heading for my window. I pull the curtains down to find a magical barrier covering the glass. "That pony wasn't kidding when she said high security." I chuckle before poking the magical barrier with one of my claw like fingers, the magical aura slowly began to fade into nothing.  
"She really needs to put more effort into making these things," I said before opening the window and leaping out.  

I landed on the ground with a quiet crunch before climbing to my feet and resetting broken bones. Why are these human bodies so fragile, I thought to myself. The sound of two guards talking reached my ears as they were coming around the corner. Thinking fast, I quickly leaped into the air and over the castle wall, falling on the rooftop of a large house.  

"Well that was easy. Now, where are you?" I lifted my head into the air and try to sniff out that scent. I stood to my feet and started to look around. My eyes began to glow a dark green as I began to look for life signs.  

Tons of green shaped ponies could be seen every where. "Come on, if you're out there, I will find you." I chuckle when suddenly my sight landed on something off in the distance. It was a faint red color and it almost looked dog like. "I see you."  I began to run toward the red light that my night vision detected. Leaping from rooftop to rooftop each leap bringing me closer to my target.

.........Joat.............
"Where the hell did it go!" I screamed, causing the ponies on the other side of the street to flinch and run away in fear. The reaper's scent that I had been tracking had suddenly disappeared. "That's not possible! No reaper has ever been able to elude me, my tracking skills are unmatched!"  

I began to punch the sidewalk repeatedly. "WHERE THE HELL DID HE GO!" I stood up from the small crater i had made and looked down at myself and noticed the red aura that had begun to surround me. I took a deep breath and cleared my mind.  "Ok Joat, just calm down. We will find him and we will get our revenge. We just gotta be patient."  -

BOOM!!-

A large explosion sent me flying through the window of a nearby restaurant.  Ponies screamed for their lives as I landed on the back wall of the building. "What the hell was that?" I said before climbing to my feet. I flinched in pain when I noticed a large piece of glass sticking from my hip.  

"Damn it!" I pulled out the shard of glass and flung it to the floor when suddenly a new smell filled my nose. It smelled repulsive and evil. "A demon," I growl as I made my way to the front of the building. I look up  on top of the building across from the restaurant and there he stood. He was a tall, humanoid being in black attire with medium long, white hair.  

"I found you," It said. The thing's voice was full of enjoyment instead of anger, which is quite odd for a demon. He just continued to stare at me with his empty eye sockets. The faint red glow in their center began to glow brighter before he suddenly threw the ball of energy that he held in his hand.

Acting fast, I leaped out of the way, dodging the ball of death by a mere inch.  

"Oh come on! That was supposed to hit you!" the demon wined. I snarled before conjuring a ball of fiery energy into my right paw.   The demon stared at my flaming paw before letting out an insane cackle. "You plan to use fire against me! AH HA HA! I was born from fire," he mocked.  

I smirked as the flame suddenly turned into a dark blue flame. I charged forward catching him off guard as I slammed the ball of holy flames right into his face. He immediately jumped back, screaming in both rage and pain as his demonic flesh was burned away by the holy flame.

............Demon Marcus.............
"YOU CHEATING PIECE OF SHIT!" I screamed as I fell to my knees. "AHHHH!" The fire continued to burn away at me. My healing was no longer a gift, it was now a curse. As new demonic flesh would take shape it would quickly be burned away again by the holy flames.

I tried to stand to my feet, but was soon hit with another blast of the holy flames. I fell to the ground below and continued to scream. My enemy just stood and watched my feeble attempts to put out the holy flames that had now engulfed my entire body.

"MAKE IT STOP! MAKE IT STOP! AHHH!" I cried in pain. I screamed for help, but it did not come. Suddenly, a quiet laugh could be heard within my head. It soon escalated into a loud, uncontrollable laughter of a human.  

"You've gotten yourself into some deep shit," Marcus's voice echoed throughout my head. "Haha say please and i will help you."  

I growled in pain, "Please help me."    

"Since you said please." The flames suddenly went out as mortal skin crawled across my body.  

..........Joat.........

I watched in amazement as the flames died out. "That, that's not possible!" Suddenly, the smell of a reaper flooded my nose. It was only for a brief second, but it gave me all the information I needed.  

"So you're the one I've been hunting," I growled. The demon rose to its feet before popping his neck and giving me a large, sharp toothed grin. "I will kill you! I will kill all of you! I must destroy every last one of you!" I felt the hate flow through me, filling me with power.

A dark red aura began to emanate from my body, but the demon just continued to stare at me with that shit-eating grin spread across his face.
"What the hell's your problem?" the demon asked as he cocked his head to the side while giving me a confused look.  

"Your kind will pay for what you have done to me, for what you did to my family." I snarled. "I will defeat you all no matter the cost!"      
The demon stared at me for a brief moment before bursting out into a fit of laughter. "You, my friend, take yourself way to seriously," he mocked, as he wiped a black blood like tear away from his eye. "And what do you mean my kind? As far as I know, there is only one of me."

The red aura that had gathered around me thickened around my left paw as it formed a thick metal gauntlet with the glowing image of an hour glass on the back of it. "Get ready reaper scum, because its time for your punishment." The dark demonic entity smiled from ear to ear as he held out his right hand.

"Okay you retched creature I will play your game." A long, black handled scythe then materialized in his hand, its large, silver blade shifted to a dark crimson. A black like mist flowed from its sharp blade. The reaper chuckled as a dark grey aura began to emanate from his body forming a protective layer of mist around him. He bent down into a low 
stance and motioned for me to attack. "Come on doggy, lets see what you got!"

I let out an anger filled growl, launching myself into the air and began to bring my gauntlet down on him. My target was that shit eating grin of his. "AAAAAHHHHHHHH!"

.
          
> Dead But Still Alive 
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

             “AHHHHHH!” I scream as I bring the gauntlet down upon the demon’s head. He didn’t even attempt to dodge it. He stumbled back, barely fazed by the attack.

“My turn,” he says, that big grin still spread across his face. He ran forward, swinging his scythe like a madman. A demonic cackle echoed down the street as he swung the mighty blade. I quickly dodged his attack before jumping over him and blasting him with another ball of holy flames.
The attack slammed into him like a fast, moving train, knocking him into the wall of a nearby building. 

He grunted in pain as he climbed to his feet, a trail of black blood leaking from his nose. He let out a low growl before charging me again. I jumped over him and once again fired a few blast of my magic, each one knocking him to the ground.

“AHH!” he screamed as he jumped back to his feet. I just smirked as he charged me once more, but this time, I charged right back. He swung his scythe, aiming for my head. I quickly ducked and delivered a hard punch to his stomach. He bent over, gasping for breath. Quickly, I grabbed him by his hair and slammed my knee into his face repeatedly before slamming him through the wall of the building that stood beside us.  

“Is this the best you can do? I thought reapers were the best warriors to walk the realms. You are such a disappointment,” I say as I walk through the hole I had made in the wall. The reaper lay on the floor motionless, his head completely smashed in, making a bloody mess on the floor. 

“Pathetic,” I lift up my foot and smash what was left of the creature’s head. “I expected so much more from you,” I say as I turn to leave. I had walked about twelve feet when a large, black chain suddenly wrapped around my neck, jerking me backwards. I look over my shoulder to see the reaper’s headless body standing there, holding the end of the long chain in his hands. 

A shadow-like mist slowly poured from his neck, taking on the shape of a head. “Where do you think you’re going?” a demonic voice said as a mouth formed on his shadowy face. “No one said you could leave.” The reaper quickly swung the chain, slamming me into the other wall of the large storage building we were currently in.  

He swung the chain once more, slamming me into yet another wall. “This party is just getting started,” he growled as he pulled me toward him.
I thrashed around as I tried to pry the thick chain off my neck, but it had somehow locked itself in place. The reaper just laughed as he watched me struggling to get out of the thick chain. He bent down and grabbed me by my throat and, lifting me up to his shadowy face, his mouth turned into a devilish grin as the chain began to wrap around the knuckles on his other hand. 

He quickly slammed his fist into my muzzle repeatedly. Pain shot through my face with each hit. Blood poured down my face as he continued to slam his chain-covered fist into my face. My rage increased with each blow. My mind was full of nothing but hatred. Memories flashed through my head, fueling my anger. Images of my family's dead, mangled corpses flashed through my mind. 

The sound of a gauntlet crushing bones rang through my ears, and the image of a tall, hooded figure appeared before my eyes. I gritted my teeth in anger as the red aura around my body grew thicker and darker in coloration. The hourglass on my gauntlet glowed with a bright, golden light as its power began to activate. The reaper brought his fist forward for another punch. I quickly opened my mouth and caught his fist in my teeth. 

............Demon Marcus.........  
I stare at the creature as he held my hand within his sharp teeth. His aquamarine eye shifts to a dark, sickening red. I grin as my head finally takes form again. I watched as his red aura that had surrounded his body grew thicker and darker in color.

My enemy let out a low, angry growl before biting down on my hand. I shrieked in pain before jumping back, my enemy dropping to the floor on all fours, growling in anger. I looked from my missing hand to the angered dog-like creature before me. I grinned as a shadowy shaped hand took the place of the one I had just lost. “You’re quite the feisty one aren’t you?” I ask mockingly as I point one of my claw-like fingers in his direction. “I think we will have to do something about your anger issues.”  

The angered dog just growled before sprinting toward me. I gasped in surprise when he suddenly slammed into me, pinning me to the ground. “Hahaha! And your speed is incredible!”   The beast just roared in anger before slamming his heavy gauntlet into my face.

I quickly kicked the creature off, sending him flying across the room, causing him to crash through the wall and roll into the street outside. I quickly jumped to my feet and rushed out to meet him.

As I exited the building, I was suddenly surrounded by a circle of spears and guards. I groaned in annoyance as I looked at the guards, currently blocking my way. “Get out of my way!” I demanded. They just stood there, motionless. I growled in frustration as I dragged my hands down my face. “Would you please get out of my way?” I asked in an annoyed tone. A unicorn walked into the middle of the circle of spears. His horn glowed as he charged it for a spell.  

“In the name of the princess, we have orders to arrest you for property damage, disturbing the peace, and breaking your terms of agreemen-” The guard was cut off as my enemy suddenly landed in the circle of guards that I was currently standing in.  

He was still on all fours, and his red aura had seemed to have gotten darker. The guards gasped at the sight before them. I face-palmed, giving out an annoyed moan. The unicorn that had been barking orders had finally snapped out of his shocked state and powered up his horn for an attack. The dog-like creature glanced over at the pony before snarling in his direction. 

There was a sudden flash of red, and the unicorn’s decapitated head laid at his feet. He turned to face the other guards, his lips drawn back, revealing his teeth while making a low growl. The guards cringed in fear before slowly backing off. My enemy slowly turned his head back to me. His rage seemed to increase every second he looked at me.  

There was another flash of red and I suddenly landed fifty feet away from where I was before. I had crashed through the window of a furniture shop. I climbed to my feet and felt a sharp pain shoot through my chest.

I looked down to find a long piece of wood, sticking from my chest. I grunted in pain as I pulled the table leg from my body.

I tossed it to the side before stepping out of the building. “How can you move so fast?” I ask my enemy. He just stood there, not even responding to my question. The silence between us began to grow to the point of being awkward. I sighed as I pointed my hand at the old storage building we had been in earlier. The rubble from the fallen wall shifted as my scythe flew out of it and came to my waiting hand. “You could at least tell me why you want me dead,” I say as I twirl my weapon. 

Silence continued to reign. “Okay, fuck it, I’m just gonna kill you now!” I bend into a low stance before running at my anger-fueled opponent. He growled before charging me in return.  

I brought back my scythe, preparing it for my attack. My enemy did the same with his gauntlet. Our weapons clashed; He was holding back my scythe with his gauntlet. I pushed harder, bringing the blade a few inches closer to his face. He let out a snarl as he tried to hold black my weapon.

The blade to the scythe suddenly began to glow with a bright, white light. I looked at my weapon in confusion before looking back to my enemy. He was currently staring at his gauntlet which had started to glow with a bright golden light. Suddenly, a surge of power erupted from both objects, causing a giant wave of force that knocked me away from my enemy and destroyed most of the buildings on the street.

I groaned as I climbed out of a large pile of rubble. I looked down to the other end of the street and saw my opponent do the same. I dusted myself off and picked my scythe up. It was still glowing with that strange white light. What the hell is going on? I thought to myself.  

I turned back to face my enemy, who currently stood at the other end of the street, looking over his now golden, glowing gauntlet. He looked up at me before slowly walking my way. I grinned as I stepped down from the pile of rubble and made my way toward him.

What started out as a walk turned into jogging, then to running, until we were both straight up charging each other. I raised my scythe for an attack and he pulled back his fist for a punch when suddenly, two spells slammed into us.

Both of our bodies locked up and fell to the ground, unable to move. What the hell? I thought to myself. Suddenly, a large shadow flew over me, followed by a smaller one. A few moments later, Celestia and Luna stood between me and my enemy.

“What is the meaning of this?” Celestia yelled as she lifted me off the ground with her magic. She lowered the paralyzing spell, allowing me to move again. I rolled my head around, working out the temporary stiffness that had fallen upon it.

“God damn it! You just couldn't stay out of this, could you?” I groaned.  

“Enough!” Celestia shouted, her voice causing one of the ruined buildings nearby to collapse. I just gave her an annoyed look before I noticed a cloud of red aura start rising from behind her. “Why must you always cause trouble?” she asked, her tone growing colder by the second. “I gave you a chance to redeem yourself, and you still deci-” she was cut off as I shoved her out of the way, only to be hit head on by the dog-like creature covered in the cloud of red aura.  

We both rocketed backwards. He slammed his boots into the ground, bringing us to a sudden stop. He held my neck in his claw-like hands as he brought me up to his face. He glared at me, his eyes now completely red and full of rage. I brought my fist back and delivered a hard punch to his jaw, but he just stood there, unaffected by the attack. 

His grip on my throat tightened as he lifted me into the air before slamming me into the ground repeatedly. My vision blurred and I could feel myself losing consciousness. I felt my teeth flatten back out and my black tears flow back into my eyes. “That’s it! I-I can’t take it!” 

............Marcus........
I opened my eyes, only to find myself caught in the grip of the large, dog-like creature. “Wha-what are you?” I choked out. The red mist around the creature started to fade as the beast calmed down. His once red eye had turned to aquamarine. He looked down at me, breathing heavily as he answered my question.

“I am Joat, and I am the one that will end your life.” He quickly brought back his fist and slammed it into my chest.  
“AHHHHH!” I screamed as I felt the metal gauntlet punch through my flesh and break open my rib cage. Joat smiled as he found exactly what he was looking for. I gasped as I felt him grab the watch within my chest before ripping it from my broken body.    

My screams of agony echoed down the street as I felt the silver object leave my chest. He stood up, holding the watch in his hands, a smirk spread across his face as he looked down at me.   

“This trinket seems to be very important to you.” Tears welled up in my eyes as I tried to reach for the watch. Joat just chuckled as he placed the watch in his coat pocket. I think I will hang on to this. You won’t be needing it anymore since you will be dead shortly.” His grin widened as he lifted up his boot. My vision began to go black, and I could feel life leaving my body. I felt cold and broken.

As I laid there bleeding out with no hope of escaping my fate, a strong force slammed into my face as Joat's boot continued to stomp my head until there was nothing left of it.

..........Joat..........
I felt a wave of pleasure wash over me at the sight of the dead reaper at my feet. “Revenge always does taste so sweet,” I say to myself as I turn to leave. I didn't get four feet until a large, white figure leaped out in front of me.

Celestia stood there, her horn posed forward. It began to glow as she charged her spell. I smirked before rushing forward and grabbing her horn. She gasped, and her eyes opened wide as she struggled to force magic down her horn. It sparked a few times, but no spell came from it. I chuckled as I let her go and quickly back, handing her, sending her flying a short distance.  

Luna growled before firing off a spell of her own. I quickly slapped the spell back at her. Luna gasped as she saw the spell rebound off of my gauntlet. Before she could react, the spell slammed into her. She too flew a short distance before landing next to her sister.  

“It would be wise if you just stay down. I don't want to kill you, but if you try to follow me, then I will have no choice but to do so.” Luna gave me an angered look, but didn't get up. “Ha-ha good pony!” I say before leaping into the air and landing on top of a nearby building.

There was something different about this one. I thought to myself as I looked down at the corpses lying in the street. I have a strange feeling that this isn't over. I shocked the thought from my mind as I turned away and began to make my way out of the city.

.........Celestia........
The sun goddess slowly sat up, her sister sitting beside her. “Sister, are you injured?” Luna asked as she began to look over Celestia's body.  
“I’m fine lulu,” I say as I stand to my hooves. “Where is the diamond dog?” I ask as I look around the ruined street. 

“He's gone,” Luna replied. The sound of metal hitting stone reached my ears as a squad of soldiers rounded the street corner. 

“Are you alright your majesty?” the commander asked before giving a quick salute.

“I’m fine captain, but I want you to gather more guards and be ready to lead a search party.” 

“Right away your majesty, who is it we are hunting?” the commander asked as he dropped his salute. 

“I want you to find out everything you can about a diamond dog by the name of Joat, and when you find him, I want him alive if possible.”  
“As you wish your highness.” He gave one more salute before turning to his squad. “I want three of you to come with me to ready the search party. The rest of you, set up road blocks and search for any injured.” 

“Yes sir!” the guards all said in unison. The guard gave one more salute before running toward the castle, followed by three guards.  
“Sister, are you sure this is wise?” Luna asked as we walked down the ruined street.

“Whatever do you mean?” I ask, turning my head in her direction.  
“We were just thinking that if that diamond dog could defeat the human so easily, then wouldn't the same fate fall on the search party you plan to send after him?”

I stopped and let my sister’s words set in my mind for a few seconds before answering. “You have a point,” I reply as I turn to face her again.  
“I will return to the palace and call off the search party so you are not chasing after him then?” Luna asked while giving me a confused look.  
“No, I still plan to have somepony look for him,” I reply as I resume my walk, “but this pony will have a more chaotic approach to capturing this foe.”

“You’re sending Discord after him?” Luna gasped. “Do you think he can be trusted with such a task? You do remember the incident with Tirek, do you not?”    

“Yes,” I reply, a small smile touching my lips, “but I can think of no other pony better suited for this task.”  
“If you say so sister,” Luna said as she walked over to a tall form laying in a small crater. I sigh before walking to stand next to her. We both looked down at the now dead being,  his head now gone, smashed to bits.

A hint of sorrow washed over me as I looked upon what was left of Marcus Creed, the human. Luna stepped closer to him, her horn lighting up as she grasped his discarded hat in her magic. She placed it over his smashed face before crossing his arms across his chest.  

“Sleep well strange one, and may you find peace.” Her voice held much sadness as she spoke to the fallen human. I placed a hoof on her shoulder. Luna looked up at me; a small tear ran down her face. “Sister, I do not know why I cry, but I can't help but feel sorrow for him. 

“It’s alright Luna,” I say as I pull my sister close. Another tear ran down Luna's face. I wiped the tear away with a hoof as a warm smile crossed my face. “I will make sure his body is treated with the dignity it deserves.”  

“Thank you Tia,” Luna responded as we resumed our walk.

........??????.........
Guards crowded the dark street as they dug and cleared away the rubble of the fallen buildings. A tall, shadowy figure walked through the ruined street, unnoticed by the guards as he made his way toward the form of the dead human ahead of him.  

His shadows danced around him, casting a shadow on the darkness itself. He stopped as he looked down at the fallen reaper. His shadows began to crawl toward the body, threatening to devour it. Suddenly, a gray mist surrounded the dead human’s body, forming a protective barrier that blocked out the shadows.  

“Still alive, ha-ha I expected as much.” the shadowy figure spoke, his voice just above a whisper. My shadows retracted back to my body. “I am not here to harm you; Only to provide you with a little assistance.” I knelt down beside the mist covered body. “So I ask you reaper, will you allow me to help you?”  

The mist covered body twitched and the gray mist faded away once again, revealing the body of the reaper. I chuckled as I removed the hat that covered what was left of his face. “That creature really did a number on you, didn't he child?”  

I opened my talons as a small, black pill formed in my clawed hand. “This should allow you a temporary means of life,” I say as the pill floats from my talons and is absorbed into the reaper’s body. “Its affects are only temporary and may corrupt the balance of your mind, but it will allow you to retrieve what was stolen from you.......but it’s gonna hurt.” A grin spreads across my face as I say the last words....”it’s gonna hurt a lot.”    

I watch as his body begins to twitch and shake violently. “Your body is rejecting it.” I lean closer to my patient’s face. “There’s more than one of you in there,” I say as I run a talon across his newly healed face. “That’s going to complicate things.”
I turn away from him and find myself face to face with another entity, cloaked in fire. “You have no right to be here Oblivion,” I growl as the hellish entity walks closer, his eye glowing a sickening red.  

“Neither do you, Lord Shadows.”

“I am the one who dwells within the cracks of reality. I go where I please,” I spat at the demon-like creature in front of me.  

“And I am a creator of reality. I have more right then you,” Oblivion replied, his patience growing thin.

“What would you want with a realm as weak as this one?” I ask as I walk toward him.  

“I have no interest in this realm. I have come for him,” Oblivion said as he pointed toward the body of the fallen reaper. “A fallen death god is just too much to resist,” he said as he made a move toward the body. A wall of shadows sprang up in front of him, blocking his path.  
“You have no right to claim him. It must be by his choice,” I say as I summon a wall of shadow around the reaper’s body. “You already control the deaths of your subjects in your realm. Why would this being prove to be any use to you?” I ask as I continue to stare down the hellish entity.  

He chuckled before taking another step forward. “The gift of death is wasted upon a being as weak as him,” he replied. “I only wish to relive him of his gift. It would be put to better use in the hands of someone who knows how to control it.”  

“And I suppose you think you have the right.” I growled.

Oblivion's form grew taller as he forced more of himself into the realm. “I am a co-creator of existence. I have more right than anyone.”
“You’re only the co-creator of your own reality,” I replied. “You hold no power over his.” The fire around oblivion burned brighter as his anger grew.

“You will give him to me shadows, or I will burn this realm to the ground! That reaper has already released enough damned souls onto this world that it would be nothing more than a kindness to end its fate quickly!”

I growled as I heard the words leave his lips. “You know they won’t let such a thing happen,” I spat back. Oblivion burst out in demonic laughter at my words.  

“And I don’t see the protectors here to stop me!” He suddenly lunged forward at an attempt to get past me. My shadows quickly wrapped around him, barely holding him in place. Even though he was just a shade of his true self, he still held a tremendous amount of strength.

A large blade suddenly appeared in Oblivion’s hands as he sliced through the shadowy veil with ease. I brought my hands forward, summoning a large book into existence. The large chain that bound it shut snapped, but before the book could open, a strong force knocked me and Oblivion to our knees. A loud roar escaped Oblivion’s lips as he began to push up against the force that was currently holding us in place.

I sighed and relaxed my body, allowing my shadows to extend across the dark street. By extending my darkness, I was able to sit in a more comfortable position.

A figure stepped fourth from a black, swirling vortex. He stood fourteen feet tall and dawned a metal staff and a black cloak, his face hidden from the world.  

“That one belongs to us,” he said. His voice was raspy and as thick as mud. Oblivion growled as he watched the figure step fourth and claim the body of the reaper. He looked from me to Oblivion before a small sigh left his lips.  

“Enough realms have fallen victim to the fights between the two of you, so can you just once stop arguing?”  
“You dare tell me what to do? You have the courage to demand something from the lord of the abyss?” Oblivion yelled as his fire burned even brighter. The hooded figure just looked at him, not amused.  

“Do not force me to call upon the order again, Lord Oblivion. They are already upset that you have ignored the terms of out treaty.”  
“To hell with your treaties!” Oblivion yelled before charging the tall figure. The hooded being just shook his head and gently tapped his staff against the broken street.  

“Be gone with you shade.” Oblivion's form burst into flames and was gone in a puff of smoke.

“And you,” the figure said, pointing a finger at me. “What did you do to our elder’s body?”

“I did nothing,” I replied. “I meant your elder no harm. I only wanted to help him.” The hooded figure stood motionless for a few seconds before responding.  

“I see no reason not to believe you Lord Shadows. You have never caused our order trouble, but the next time you try to infuse one of our kind with your shadows, we will have no choice but to add you to the to-die list, and  nether of us want another war on our hands.”  
The force that had been holding me down vanished, allowing me to move freely again. “Of course not gate keeper,” I say as I give him a humble bow. He returned the bow before disappearing, taking the fallen reaper with him. I stood there in the shadows of the ruined street, listening to the guard ponies talk as they cleared away the rubble of the fallen buildings.

Their mortal eyes could not see the events that had just transpired here. Their mortal eyes could not see us unless we desired them to. I sighed before turning toward the darkness of the night and disappeared into the shadows.

.........Oblivion The Lord Of The Abyss ..................
I fell to the hard stone floor of my throne room. “God damn you gate keeper! GOD DAMN YOU!” Fire erupted around my black armor as my anger grew.

How is it a weakling like him was able to cast away my shadow so easily? I punch the floor, smashing the stone and creating a small crater. I stood back up, still filled with rage. “Bring in the prisoners!” I yelled, causing the entire room to shake.  

A knight clad in black armor and equipped with a large, double edged sword  bowed before exiting the throne room. I walked up and sat on my throne. It was made of bones from my enemies. Large, spine-like thorns grew from the back of the throne and crawled up the wall behind me. I looked around the large room. A smile touched my lips, reveling my sharp, jagged teeth.

The large pillars held up the roof of the room. On each pillar were large, deadly spikes and on each spike was a damned soul, withering and screaming in pain, unable to die but still able to bleed. Their blood would drip down the large pillars into small channels which connected to a large fountain, full of the blood of the damned.

The throne room door burst open as the heavily armored knight walked back in, followed by six damned humans. I stood from my throne and began to walk toward them. A large sword, seven feet long, appeared in my right hand, the flames covering my body quickly covering the sword, setting the blade ablaze. The knight pushed in a brick on the wall beside him. The wall slid up, revealing a large variety of weapons.
“Take arms!” I ordered the humans, but none of them moved. I let out a low growl. “PICK UP A DAMN WEAPON!” The humans quickly ran to the wall and picked a weapon of their choice. After each of them had a weapon, I charged them faster than their mortal eyes could see.

I cleaved three of them into pieces before the other three could blink. I flung my large blade. It stabbed deep into one of their chests, killing them instantly. Now only two were left standing. I stood still and motioned for them to attack. They both ran forward, their swords raised high. I grinned as I suddenly appeared behind them, towering over them, standing fifteen feet in height.

I grabbed them both by the neck and lifted them up. I flung the one in my left hand against the wall. His body splattered against it, soaking it in blood. I looked at the last one, his face full of fear and my heart full of pleasure. I brought back my fist and punched his head clean off his body.

Flames spread down my arms and consumed the rest of his body. “Clean this up,” I say to the knight as I turn and walk back to my throne. The knight bowed and began to pick up the discarded weapons while the thorn covered vines that covered the far wall started to slither toward the other mutilated bodies. They wrapped around them and slowly dragged them back towards the wall. “Make sure to eat every single bite,” I say to the hellish plant.  

The knight approached my throne after he had put away the weapons. “Is there anything else you require my lord?” he asked in a dark, distorted voice.  

“Yes there is,” I replied. “Find my son and bring him to me. I have a job for him.”

.........Dying Rose........
Rose sat in her small apartment. The sun had just risen. It would have been a beautiful morning if it had not been for the storm clouds closing in. “Seriously, why must the weather team schedule a storm today?” I just let out a small sigh before crossing the small room to my couch/bed. 

I picked up the bag of ice that I had left sitting on the coffee table before placing it to a rather large bump on my head. Lightning Rider hadn't left any permanent damage when he attacked me the other night, but he had managed to give me quite the display of bruises. I groan as I lay down. My head still felt like it had been cracked wide open.  

My mind flashed back to the strange creature that had rescued me. “I hope he's alright,” I say to myself.  
“Indeed, he is,” a whisper sounded across my small living room, a tall figure covered in shadows that emanated shadows themselves rising from nowhere. “Hello Rose,” he said as he sat on the other end of the couch.  

“Good morning master,” I yelp as I quickly stand up and bow. 

“Now Rose, there's no need to bow. Please, sit back down.”  

“Uh, yes master,” I reply before sitting back on the couch.  

“And please stop calling me master,” the entity said before plopping the ice pack on my head. I winced as a small wave of pain shot through my head. “You will be happy to know that your little human friend is alive, but I wouldn't say well.”

“Mast…..Lord Shadows, what do you mean by not well?” The entity turned its shadowed head in my direction.  

“Rose, do you know what a Grim Reaper is?” he asked. I thought for a second before shaking my head. The entity chuckled. “I thought you wouldn't,” he said as he waved his clawed hand. The room grew dark as his shadow covered the room.

The darkness shifted before giving way to a large, skeleton-like creature, shrouded in a long, black cloak. “Master, wha-what is that?” I ask. The shadow entity sighed in annoyance.  

“I told you to stop calling me that.”  
“Sorry!” I squeak as I cowered under one of the couch pillows. He just chuckled before turning his attention back to the image of the being before them. “Grim Reapers, my dear Rose, are creatures that have existed almost as long as I have.

When life was created, death came as a side effect, but death could not move freely. He needed other beings to do his bidding, so death gave life to a creation known as the harvesters, or as most mortals call them, reapers. But death also gave himself a form. He is called the elder by his followers. Are you understanding any of this?” the entity asked, looking over at me a second time.  

I nodded my head and remained silent. The entity chuckled once more before carrying on with his lesson. “But since death had now given himself a body, he had also fallen victim to his own power-“  
“Like you?” I asked, cutting off the entity.

He sat in silence for a second before answering. “Sort of,” he responded. “I was a thought; the thought that created all thoughts. In my version of reality, I had always existed. I gave birth to the beings of light, and I gave birth to the darkness. I gave myself a body, and like everything else that lives, I now have an end.”  

“What do you mean?” I asked the entity once more.  
“My life will end when everything ends, as it is said within my tome of insanity. But I do not fear my own end. I will welcome death and go with him freely.”  

“So when you die, that’s who is gonna kill you?” I ask, motioning a hoof at the image.  
“No,” he replied. “Death’s reach is vast and takes many forms. It has been created over and over again in many different realms. When I die, it will be by other means.” We sat in silence for a moment as the entity thought about what he had just said. “But we’re getting off topic,” he said, ending the silence.

“Now, as I was saying, death gave himself a form, and now he too could die, but only his body. When he finds a mortal worthy enough to take his place, he will let that mortal slay him and transfer his energy to them, making them the new death.” The image in front of us shifts, taking on the form of Marcus.  

“What does he have to do with any of this?” I ask as I jump from the couch and point a hoof at the image. The shadow covered floor growled as I jumped up and down in curiosity. I yelped before jumping back on the couch. A large, jagged toothed grin appeared on Shadow’s face as he pointed a talon at the image.  

“That, my dear Rose, is the new god of death.” My mouth dropped open as the new information hit me.  

“You mean I..I met death?” Shadows let out a small chuckle as he turned and looked at me.  

“You met the reincarnation of death.” The image faded, and the shadows that had devoured my room slowly crawled back into the entity’s body.    

“But that still doesn't answer my question,” I say as I jump from the couch once more. I jumped a few times to make sure that the floor wasn’t going to growl at me again. “What did you mean when you said he wasn't well?” The shadowy entity stood from the couch as he walked toward the window. The sunlight had now been blocked out by the dark storm clouds.  

“Marcus the Reaper, hmm how do you ponies say it? He got his flank royally kicked  and was almost killed by his attacker.” I gasped. An image of the human saving my life flashed through my mind before it was replaced by a badly bruised and beaten version of him. “You’re not too far off,” the shadowy entity said as he stood in front of me. “He actually looked like this.”  

A sharp talon poked my forehead, an image of a badly beaten corpse lying in a small crater. His head had been all but smashed. Blood and brain matter was all that was left of his head and his chest was ripped wide open revealing broken bones and ripped organs.

Shadows removed his talon from my head, taking the sickening image with it. A wave of nausea washed over me before I emptied the contents of my stomach all over the living room floor. Shadows stepped back to avoid being hit with a stream of vomit. 

“I thought you said he wasn't dead,” I croaked.  

“He isn't,” Shadows replied, “He's just barely alive.”  

“Who did this to him?” I asked as I felt another wave of nausea hit me.
“It was a diamond dog by the name of Joat.” 

“How could a diamond dog do that to a god of death?” I ask as I grab the trashcan before vomiting in the small container.  
“Because he wasn’t completely mortal; He was a grim reaper, the same as Marcus.”

“But he isn't an elder like Marcus is. You can’t really call him a reaper either. From what I could tell, he has been cursed with the curse of Jason.”  

“What in the name of Tartarus is the curse of Jason?” I ask as I flop down on the couch. The shadow entity gave me a concerned look before answering me.  

“Each reaper has their own unique ability and Jason was one of the first reapers ever created. He had the ability to steal years off one’s life and add it to his own. It would seem that this Joat character killed Jason, and his power transferred to Joat, but it doesn’t work the same way as it does with the elder. Joat’s new ability will only cause him pain and suffering.”

“Wait, how do you know he killed this Jason guy?” I asked.  

“Because I saw him wearing Jason’s gauntlet.”

“Maybe he stole it,” I suggested.  

“No one simply steals a reaper’s weapon,” Shadows replied. We sat there in silence after the words had left his lips. I snuggled into my pillow, groaning as a wave of pain shot through my head when a pointy object touched my head.

“What are you do-?” My eyelids grew heavy as I slowly lost consciousness.

...........Darker Shadows.......
I forced a little bit of my shadow down my talon and into the small pony’s head. The large bruises that had adorned her face slowly faded away, as did the rest of her injuries. I removed my talon and smiled at the sight of the small, sleeping Pegasus. She snored softly as she seeped into a deep sleep.

“How do you always manage to get such injuries?” I chuckle as I pull a blanket over Rose’s body. “But you ponies always do manage to fascinate me.” I ran my talons through her dark purple and black mane. A smile touched her lips as she snuggled against my hand. “Take care of yourself child, and try not to get yourself hurt again. It is quite bothersome that I have to patch you up all the time.”  

I turn away from the sleeping pony and stare at the mess she had made with that little vomiting fit of hers. I chuckled as I waved my hand and the mess slowly disappeared. “Sleep well my young apprentice.” A large crack formed along her wall, giving way to the realm of shadows and insanity. I walk into the darkness, the crack slowly closing behind me.

..........Marcus.........
Screams filled my ears as I sat in the darkness of my mind. I felt cold. I felt like life itself had never laid a hand on me. “Make them stop!” I cried as the screams grew louder. Tears welled up in my eyes as I dropped to my knees. “Please! I beg you, make them stop!”

Whispers filled my ears, giving me no help from the screaming voices that echoed throughout my mind. I stood to my feet and began to run through the darkness, trying my best to out run the sound of that horrid screaming. “Please god, please make them stop!” My screams for help were cut short as I slammed into a tall figure standing in the darkness. I was knocked off my feet, but the tall figure just stood there, unfazed. “Demon is..is that you?”

The figure slowly turned around and stared down at me. There was no denying it; this was my inner demon. It still wore my black clothes and wide brimmed fedora, but something wasn't right. His head was gone, no not gone. It was covered in shadows. All I could see was his dark red orbs that served as his eyes.

A sharp, jagged toothed grin appeared on his shadowy face. He lowered his head and burst out in a fit of laughter. No, no wait, he wasn't laughing he...he was crying. That wasn't his insane laughter that I had gotten so used to hearing, they were cries of sadness.

His wails of pain echoed throughout the darkness of our shared mind. He dropped to his knees. I could make out tears running down his face. I moved toward him, but as I moved forward, he jumped back. “What have you done to us? How could you have been so stupid?” 

I ignored him and pressed forward. “No! No! You don’t understand!” he yelled. “Stay away from me!” I lunged forward and pulled him into my arms. His sobbing suddenly stopped and his body went still. “You've angered him! You allowed the shadows into his domain!” he croaked. The demon looked up at me, his hollow eyes filled with fear. “He is coming to punish us! You have brought this on us!” Silence fell over the darkened abyss as the words left his lips. Not even the screams from earlier could be heard. It was total and utter silence.

Suddenly, I felt the demon’s body twitch. I looked down and no longer saw a demonic copy of myself. In my arms was now a tall, thin creature. Its skin was a sickly grey and its body seemed to be nothing but skin and bone. I jumped away from the creature and began to crawl away. It slowly stood to its feet.  

Standing before me was an extremely tall creature. It wore no clothes. It's skin clung to its ribs, giving off an even more sickly appearance. Its hands were long and stretched, containing long, sharp talons. Its face sent a shiver down my spine. Like my demon, its eye sockets were empty, but two crimson orbs glowed within their depths and a black liquid seeped from the sockets.  

Its skin was pulled tight across it face and its mouth formed a large smile, sealed shut by a series of stitches. Long, black hair covered its head, but two seven inch, ebony horns stuck out from the creatures dark locks of hair and above them hovered a small, black halo.

The creature slowly raised a clawed finger up to its chest and slowly dragged the razor sharp claw across it, leaving a large cut in its wake. The wound began to spill with black blood and dark mist as the wound slowly opened, revealing a large, red, demonic eye underneath. The monster spread its arms out wide and as it did, two large, black, feathery wings sprouted from its back.

I tried to move. I tried to run, but that eye on his chest held me in place as long as its dark gaze was fixed on me. My body refused to move. The thing took a step forward. It almost closed the gap between us with only one stride of its long legs. Fear's grip had already taken hold of me, and I don't think its gonna let me go any time soon.  

The creature took another step closer, closing the gap between us. He leaned down, bringing its face close to mine. A faint whisper touched my ears. “Traitor,” the dark voice spat. “I chose you because I thought you were strong. I thought you were worthy to be my divine instrument of death, a being powerful enough to wield my scythe, but you failed me. You’re nothing more than worthless trash.”  

The creature’s long arm jutted forward and began to lift me up. Its hollow eyes stared deep into mine. The red orbs began to grow darker as he continued to stare at me. “Kill me,” I choked out. The monster gave me a confused look.

“Why would I destroy my own vessel?” the whispers asked. “No. I’m going to punish you, not kill you. Ready yourself child, to look into my eyes is to know ultimate pain and suffering.”  My body began to feel numb. I couldn't move anything. The creature’s hollow eyes stared deep into me, their gaze bringing fourth images, dark images, full of death, full of pain and darkness.

I saw countless people being slaughtered. I saw children die by the hand of their own mothers. This wasn't my past, no this was the past of every soul this dark entity has claimed since its time of existence. I saw every single way a person could die. I felt the pain of their deaths. I felt the sorrow that their loved ones felt after each victim died.    

“Embrace what you are,” the whispers demanded. “Cast out the shadows within you and embrace your true self. Cherish the gift I have given you. Embrace the pain it brings you. The sorrow molds you into what you will be...no, what you must be.”

Tears welled up in my eyes as the images of the fallen continued to flash before my eyes. Unbearable pain shot through my body in large waves. The pain of death’s victims surged through me as each poor soul was killed. I died over a thousand ways in a just a few minutes. 

“I am now you and you are now me,” the creature whispered. “We endure the pain of the dead. We cause the suffering of the living.” More pain shot through my body as screams filled my ears. This feeling was unbearable. Hell could not create a greater form of torture. It was as if I could see the death of everything past, present, and future.   

The stitches that held the creature’s mouth shut began to rip open. “We are death,” the monster spoke, “and death is all we can ever be. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, we are nothing more than dust, and to the dust all shall return.”

.................Gate Keeper...........
A bright light flashed across a dark, barren wasteland as it gave way to a tall, dark figure carrying a smaller figure in his arms. I sighed as I looked around the dead world. “We reapers are forced to live in home sweet home,” I mutter as I make my way toward a tall, dark structure off in the distance.  

A cold, dry wind blows across my cloak as I tread across the ash covered ground. The elder’s body twitched slightly in my arms. I chuckle. “It seems our dear leader is having a bad dream,” I say to myself.  

The wind suddenly picked up, stirring up the ash that covered the ground. I picked up the pace, trying to get to headquarters as quickly as possible. “I don’t want to be caught out here when the ash storm hits.” After about another thirteen minutes I stood in front of a large, black, metal door. I managed to bring out my staff and gave the door a few hard knocks.  

I growled in annoyance when no one answered. I gave the door a few more knocks with my staff, leaving large dents with each hit. “I’M COMING!” a voice yelled from behind the thick, metal door. My staff faded away from my grip, and the dents in the large door slowly repaired themselves.    

There were a few loud clicks as locks were unlocked. After another few minutes, the door slowly began to open. A young man in his twenties stood before me. He wore a red pair of sleep clothes. A belt holstering two 454 casull pistols hung from his right shoulder. His long, red, spiky hair covered his eyes and a low frown hung on his face.  

“Why is it that you need me to open a door for you? I mean, you are the gate keeper. Isn't it your job to open doors?” the young reaper asked in an annoyed tone.  

“Well maybe if you moved that damn hair out of your eyes you would see why I need your help Yuri!” Yuri sighed before reaching into his pocket and pulled out a pair of black sunglasses. They were the kind of thing you would see a blind person wearing. It was fitting, considering Yuri was blind.

The red headed reaper brushed back his hair, revealing his empty eye sockets before placing the glasses upon his face. “So this is him then?” Yuri asked as he raised an eyebrow and poked the limp body in my arms.  

“Indeed it is,” I replied. Yuri let out another sigh before stepping back and motioning for me to come in. The large iron door slammed shut behind me. The sound of its many locks could be heard resetting. “I guess you can take him to the doc. I'll go wake up the rest of the order, and send a message out to the others to return home. This is more important than work,” Yuri said as he turned and walked down the long, dark corridor.  

I let out a low sigh before turning and making my way toward the laboratory. I descended the dark staircase leading to the lower levels of the castle. The air grew cold and demonic screams could be heard from the holding cells deep under the catacombs. I kept descending deeper and deeper down the dark spiral staircase until I finally reached a small landing.

Two corridors one led down a small corridor into darkness. The other led to the ruined remains of an ancient broken bridge. I walked toward the destroyed bridge, praying that out dear paranoid doctor didn't change the illusions again. I neared the middle of the bridge, drawing closer to the section that looked to had collapsed.

I took another step forward. A sigh of relief left my lips as I felt my foot connect to an invisible floor and not thin air. I quickened my pace as I made my way toward the good doctors laboratory.

I walked down another corridor that opened up to a large laboratory. It wasn't really the cleanest place in existence. Blood stained the far wall, strange objects were scattered across the floor, and odd inventions clustered the many shelves that circled the room. I looked around, seeing no sign of the good doctor.  

“Hey doc, you in here?” I yelled. There was a loud bang as what sounded like a large chunk of metal hit the floor.  
“DAMN IT!” A familiar voice echoed around the lab.

“Doc, where are you?” I yelled again.  

“I'm in my office,” an annoyed voice called out from a room to my left. I walked over to a nearby examination table and laid our unconscious leader down on it.

His body went stiff like all his muscles had suddenly locked up. I was about to head to the doc’s office when Marcus's body began to twitch and shake violently. I head to quickly grab him to keep him from rolling off the table. “DOC, GET IN HERE!” I yell as I try to hold down the elder’s body, “NOW!”

I yelled once more. There was the sound of more heavy objects hitting the floor before the sound of footsteps reached my ears. After a few seconds, the slinky figure of Doc stood on the other side of the table. His long, blonde hair was a mess. His white lab coat was covered in blood, a black sludge. His dark green eyes scanned over the form that was currently violently flopping around on the metal table.

“Right,” Doc said as he looked up at me, “First, may I ask who this is?” he asked with a confused look. 

“It’s your new elder,” I grunt as I strain to hold him down.  

“No. No way,” Doc said as he placed his hands on his hips. “There’s no way this kid is the elder. I mean, look at him! He's so......young.” Marcus's eyes suddenly shot open. They seemed glazed over. Doc looked at him with astonishment. “No...no. He can’t be,”  Doc stuttered. Marcus let out and agonized cry as blood began seep from his eyes.  

Doc smashed a button on the side of the table. Straps burst from under the metal table and began to rap around Marcus's arms and legs, pinning him to the table. Screams of fear and pain escaped his lips as his eyes darted around the room like he could see something we couldn't.  

“Doc, are you going to tell me what the hell is going on here?” I asked, but he just ignored me and began to rip open Marcus's shirt. His eyes went wide when he saw what he was looking for.

“Oh dear,” he said as he leaned in closer. “Oh that's not good.....that's not good at all,” he said in a worried voice.    
“What?” I asked as I leaned forward as well. A gasp escapes my lips. A large hole was ripped open above his heart and what seemed to be a shadow like creature was attempting to seal the large, gaping hole. It would lay down new flesh, which was quickly eaten away by a dark gray mist. Doc looked from the wound up to me. “Gate keeper?”  
“Yes?” I replied.  

“Is this truly the new elder?” he asked. 

“He was the one who defeated Dark, so he is the new elder by rules of death’s combat,” I replied. A panicked look filled his eyes. He let out a worried sigh as he ran across the lab and began tossing trinkets left before returning back to the table. He held what looked like a cutting torch attached to a strange tank of liquid.  

He lit the torch, causing black and blue flames to spring to life. He turned down the torch, bringing the flames to a straight, steady beam of dark energy. “What is that?” I ask curiously.  

“It a combination of holy flame and hellfire.”  

“And how will that help?” I yelled in panic. Doc sat the torch down as he slid on thick welding gloves. 

“His body has been introduced to the shadows of insanity,” he explained. “In some cases, they can prove to be quite useful when it comes to healing, but not to an elder reaper. He is the soul embodiment of death, pure and divine. His body sees it as a threat; it’s rejecting it.”
“Well get it out of him!” I yell. “But that still doesn't explain why he's in so much pain.”

“Yes, the shadow would bring him pain,” he replied, “but it wouldn't cause any mental damage. I mean, look at him.” I look over Marcus's body.  
“What am I supposed to be seeing?” I ask, confused. Doc face palms before walking around to Marcus's head.  
“The pain isn’t coming from his chest; it’s coming from his mind. It’s as if death is punishing its host.”  
“That sounds ridiculous,” I say.  

“It’s just a theory,” he replied, picking up the cutting torch once more.  
“What do you plan to do with that?”  

“I'm gonna burn the shadows out of him,” he replied. “It’s quite clear death wants it gone.” he leans forward and slowly burns the flesh around gaping hole in the elder’s chest. Each time the fire touched the shadow, it would shriek and retract.  

“Come on you little bastard!” Doc said as he continued to burn away at it. After a few minutes passed, he quickly thrust his hand forward and closed it around the shadow. The shadow snarled and began to eat away at the thick glove on his hand. He quickly ran over to a nearby tank, removed the glove, and tossed it into the glass container before slamming the lid shut.

The shadow devoured the discarded glove and began to slowly drift around the small tank. “Do you intend to keep that thing?” I asked.  
“So what if I do?” Doc replied. “I might even be able to make something to help our dear new elder adapt to it, just in case such a situation ever rises again.”  

“I highly doubt you can do that Doc,” I reply.  

“Well we’ll never know unless we try,” he answered. “Now, back to the task at hand.” He clapped his hands together as he walked back toward Marcus. His eyes still seeped with blood, and even though the screaming had stopped, he was still shaking violently.
“What now?” I ask.  

“Well, first we’re gonna take care of that giant hole in his chest.”

“It would seem his artifact is gone,” I say as I stare at the misty, bloody wound.  

“It would appear so,” Doc chimed in.

“We could always use the never clock,” I suggest. 

“Yes, but they’re only temporary,” Doc said as he examined Marcus's eyes. “Hmmm, you go upstairs and see what you can do about locating his artifact. I'll prepare a never clock and then see what’s going on up here,” Doc said as he tapped Marcus's forehead.  
“Sounds like a plan,” I say as I turn to leave.

............The Good Doctor..........
I watch as the gate keeper leaves the lab. He looked tense and worried. “That's very strange for him; he never shows emotion,” I sigh as I turn back to my patient. His body was still trembling, but the straps had made sure that he didn't go anywhere. I had never heard of an elder as young as the one lying on the metal table in front of me. This guy couldn't have been over twenty. He had barely lived his life.

I lean down and place a hand on his shoulder. He twitched away. I chuckled at the display. “It’s alright, I’m here to help you,” I whisper into his ear. “I promise I will fix you right up.” A warm smile touches my lips when I feel him relax slightly.

“Now, let’s patch up that hole, shall we?” I reach under the table and pull out a large suitcase. The symbol of a large clock was burnt into the thick leather. “This is a demonic artifact. I would be lying if I told you this was safe,” I say more to myself than to him. I turn the hands on the clock. It ticked a few times and the suitcase opened.  

As I opened the case, a sudden feeling of dread washed over me. A tear dripped down my face as a long forgotten memory drifted to the front of my mind. I was ready to break down in tears right then and there when I remembered why I had opened the case in the first place.
I sighed as I lifted a small, metal object from the case. It was rusted and radiated a dark, demonic energy. I look down at the hellish artifact in the palm of my hand. It was a rusted up, broken pocket watch. The hands would attempt to move around, but would be quickly pulled back into place.  

“This was one of Lucifer's failed attempts at making one of death's divine artifacts,” I say as I turn back to my patient. “He was never able to get it right, but he got pretty close.” A slight chuckle escapes my lips as I position the watch above the large hole in his chest. I was about an inch away from the wound, when the hellish artifact was suddenly pulled into the awaiting injury.  

His body suddenly went still. Even his eyes had quit moving. I stared down at the man, confused. “Well that's ......different,” I say as I examine the rusted up watch. The hands were slowly turning backwards. “No, that's impossible! They only do that when a demon.........”
I slowly turn my head toward the elder’s face. His mouth was spread into a large, sharp- toothed grin. His eyes were gone, their sockets empty, save for a sickening red glow in their center. Black liquid streamed down his face, giving off the appearance of black tears. “.....oh god, what have I done?”

The thick straps that had been holding him down snapped. I tried to jump away, but he was too quick. His hands jutted forward and wrapped around my throat.

.......Demon Marcus..........
“Wow! What a wakeup call,” I say as I hold the so called Doctor in my grip. “I thank you kindly for freeing me from that hellish punishment.” I remove one of my hands, but continue to hold the doctor by the throat. I examine the rusted up piece of junk watch that currently sat in my chest.

My grin grew even bigger as I felt it continue to give me energy. I lean close to the doc’s face and inhale deeply through my nose. “Haha, you’re no human, and your sure as hell not a pony.” I take one more sniff as a realization hit me. A demonic cackle escaped my lips as I finally knew what that Joat character meant by my kind.  

“You’re a reaper, aren’t you?” I ask as I gently stroke the side of his head with one of my clawed hands.  
“Correct,” he choked out.  

“Well doc reaper, tell me why I shouldn't just rip your head off right here, right now.”  
The doctor just gave me a calm and cool expression. “Because if you kill me, you will have no chance at getting your original watch back,” he replied.  

“Why would I want it back?” I chuckle. “As long as I still have this one, that pussy Marcus can't gain control over his body anymore.”  
“The never clock doesn’t last forever,” he calmly replied. “Even if it’s hooked up to a demon, it will still burn out.” A growl escapes my lips as I lean closer to his face.  

“Go on,” I say, my grip on his throat growing tighter. 

“You have a total of four days before that hellish artifact runs out of juice. After that, you will slowly die,” he replied, his expression still calm and collected. A low growl rumbled in my throat as I realized what I had to do.  

“Ok Doc, tell me where I can find my watch.”  

“I don’t know,” he replied, “but I know someone who does.”  

“Well then, take me to him,” I say as I release his throat. He coughed a few times before straightening his lab coat.  
“Shall we?” he asked, motioning towards the door.

“After you,” I replied. We left the lab and crossed what a large bridge. If I were a human, the bridge would have looked like it had been destroyed, but my demonic eyes could see through the cheap illusion. We walked into a dark corridor with another corridor branching off from it. The doctor did a quick turn and began to head down with me following close behind him.

We walked for several minutes until we entered a dark room covered in runes and strange symbols. A large white circle was positioned in the center of the room. A tall figure cloaked in black sat in the middle of it, his legs and arms crossed. “How's the search going Gatekeeper?” the Doc asked as he stepped forward, careful to not step into the large glowing circle. 

The Gatekeeper grunted. “I'm able to sense his artifact,  but I can't pinpoint its exact location. It's in a world we reapers aren’t too familiar with. It’s a world dominated by equines. The world is ruled over by princesses. The species is intelligent, and for some odd reason, the elder’s soul is bound to this place.”  

“Yea, about the elder,” the Doc said nervously, “He wants to speak to you.” The gate keeper looked up. As soon as he saw me, he jumped to his feet and summoned a long, metal staff.  

“Why have you brought a demon, this demon, here?” I quickly grab the doctor by his throat and pulled him close to me before placing one of my sharp claws to his neck.

“Let’s not do anything stupid,” I mocked. The Gatekeeper ignored me and began to walk forward. “Damn it! I warned you,” I say as I slit the doctor’s throat. Blood burst from his neck and spilled to the floor at our feet, but the doctor didn't go down. He stood there, counting the seconds on his fingers as they went by.

He got to twelve and the cut on his neck healed shut. “Twelve seconds exactly,” he said as he pulled out a small notepad and pencil. “Three seconds slower than last time,” he said as he put the notepad away. “You’re gonna need a lot more than that to put me down,” he said as he turned to face me. I grinned at his remark as I felt the long handle of my scythe form in my hand.

The Gatekeeper lunged forward, attempting to hit me with his staff. I quickly raise my hand and catch the metal rod while doing a quick spin and placed the blade of my scythe behind the doctor’s neck. He stiffed up and a look of fear crossed his face.

“Ok, here's a lot more!” I say as I pull the scythe toward me. It slowly began to cut into the doctor’s neck.  

“Wait!” the Gatekeeper yelled as he released his staff, leaving it in my grip. I chuckle as I toss the metal pole aside and lower my scythe. “What is it you want?” the Gatekeeper asked as a short, insanity filled laugh escaped my lips before I answered him.  

“I just want to get my watch back.”

“But I haven’t found its exact location,” the Gatekeeper replied, a hint of annoyance in his voice.  

“Then get me as close to it as you can,” I said, another laugh escaping my lips.

“If you insist,” he replied in frustration. He opened his hand and his staff flew back into his grip. I quickly grabbed the doctor and placed the blade of my scythe to his neck. The Gatekeeper turned away, gripping his staff in both hands. He slowly began to spread his arms outwards, his staff floating in front of him.

The air in front of him began to crackle with energy as the symbols that covered the walls began to come together, forming a large door made of pure energy. The Gatekeeper quickly grabbed his floating staff and slammed it on the stone floor. The energy based door flashed and became a thick, solid, metal door.

I lowered my scythe once again and walked to stand next to the Gatekeeper. “Where will this take me?” I asked.

“I looked for traces of energy left by your demonic presence. I chose one at random and opened a door to it. I haven't the slightest idea where you will end up,” he replied.

The large, metal door opened, flooding the room with a bright light. I twirled my scythe as I walked toward the door. I threw the weapon into the air. It quickly vanished, awaiting my call to use it again. I took a deep breath. My eternal grin grew. I let out one more laugh before stepping into the bright light.

.......Twilight.........
I stood there in astonishment as a wall on the far side of the room shifted into a large door, made entirely of light. Spike dropped the broom he had been holding. His bottom jaw dropped as well when he caught sight of the door. “T-Twilight, what is that?” he stuttered.

“I-I don’t know.” The light shifted as a tall, dark figure stepped from its depths. His white hair was a mess and his large hat was missing. “Marcus,” I stutter. The door closed behind him and vanished, taking the bright, blinding light with it. I stared at the figure in front of me. Through closer inspection, and without that blinding light, I could finally see what was standing in front of me.

I gasped and quickly jumped back, preparing a spell. “Spike, get behind me,” I ordered. Spike just stood there, still confused by the situation. The demonic Marcus slowly turned his head toward the baby dragon. His hollow eyes stared at Spike. The red, sickening glow within their depths glowed with excitement and curiosity.

“Well aren’t you an adorable little thing?” he said, taking a step toward Spike.

“Spike, get behind me, now!” I yelled once more. He jumped as he was snapped out of his trance and quickly ran behind me.  
“Aw! I only wanted to pet him,” the demon said while making a pout face and clinking his sharp claws together.

“You stay away from him,” I growled as I forced magic down my horn. The demon grinned and quickly jumped forward and grabbed my horn, cutting off my magic. I grunted as I attempted to free myself from his grip. The demon human just laughed as he continued to hold me in place.  

“Oh how I love it when they struggle,” he said. Suddenly, I felt tiny claws climb up my back and onto my head. Spike quickly drew in a breath before blowing a small gust of green flame at the demon’s face. He too opened his mouth and breathed in the green flames. “Oh, spicy!” he said, another laugh escaping his lips.

“Let her go!” Spike yelled as he quickly bit down on the demon’s wrist. He quickly let go. “Ow!” he yelped as he pulled his arm back with Spike still latched onto it. He raised Spike up to his face, an annoyed look on his face, his large grin now replaced by a frown. “Would you please let go?” he demanded.  

Spike had a terrified look on his face but continued to bite down on the demon’s arm. “Fine, have it your way,” the demon said as he grabbed the end of Spike’s tail. He tugged down hard, pulling Spike off his arm. He gently placed the purple dragon on my back before examining his wrist. Spike's teeth had torn a large amount of skin off, revealing bone and muscle underneath. The wound bled with black blood for a few seconds before new skin crawled back over it.  

“Now that that's over, how about we all just calm down and talk things out?” the demon said. He slowly raised his hands in surrender. “Oh, and lizard, you have a little something right there,” the demon said, pointing at Spike’s mouth, which was now covered in black blood. Spike ran a claw over his mouth and fainted after seeing the black liquid on his claws.  

We both just stared at the baby dragon, now passed out on the floor of the library. “Does he do that often?” the demon asked while pointing and raising an eyebrow. I didn't answer. He gave me an annoyed look. “I have no intentions of hurting you,” he said as he took a step closer. I quickly took two steps back, keeping my horn aimed at him. He let out a sigh as he ran a clawed hand down his face.

“I’m sorry for the events that took place in your basement a couple nights ago. It wasn't really my fault,” he said as he continued his apology. “I had just recently been released from my cell in Marcus's mind, and if you were trapped in the dark corners of someone’s mind for twenty one years, you would be a bit cranky too.”  A silence fell over the room after he had finished. He took another step forward and I took two more steps back.

The demon let out an annoyed groan. “Fine, you know what, maybe this will make things a little less tense,” he said before opening his mouth and slowly lowering two claw-like fingers down his throat. A few moments later, he pulled out a thick black chain about five feet long before letting it coil and lock around his wrist. “There, now there's no way I could hurt you,” he said before sitting cross legged on the floor.
“I thought you were with the princess,” I say as I cut off the flow of magic to my horn, canceling my spell.

“Oh, I was,” he replied, “But some things happened. Got my ass kicked and the thing that was keeping me alive was stolen. I almost died, but didn't. Then I met some new friends. They gave me this.” He opened his jacket to reveal a rusted, old pocket watch. The face of the watch was gone and the ticking hands of the watch could be seen winding backwards.

“Where's Marcus?” I ask, taking a step forward.  

“He is currently being punished by death within my mind for his stupidity. I can actually hear him screaming as we speak.”  
“Why is he being punished?” I asked in a worried tone.

“It’s a long story and I’m not in the mood for telling it,” the demon replied, his large grin still on his face. 

“Wh-why did you come to me?” I stuttered.  

“Well, it was actually coincidence that I came here,” he replied. “I’m actually looking for the thief that stole my watch. We couldn't pinpoint his exact location, so my new friends just sent me to one of the few places that had traces of my demonic energy and I guess this happened to be one of them.” I looked at him in confusion. What is he talking about demonic energy traces? New friends? This stuff isn’t making any sense.
A loud belch caused me to lose my train of thought. I looked over to see that Spike, while still passed out, had spat out a letter. The demon looked at the dragon, his eyes full of curiosity. “Da fuck did he just do?” the demon asked. I ignored him and picked up the letter, opening it with my magic.  

Dear Twilight
The reason I am sending you this letter is to inform you of grim news. The human known as Marcus Creed was killed late last night. He disobeyed my orders to not leave the castle grounds and engaged a diamond dog known as Joat in conflict. He was killed shortly after Princess Luna and I had arrived. We are preparing to send Discord to track down Joat. He seems to be the only pony that would be able to face Joat in combat and come back alive, but there is also something else that troubles me. I sent guards to recover Marcus's body but all they found was his discarded hat. There is a small chance that he is still alive. If so, and if he comes to you, please inform me at once.
-Princess Celestia-  

“So that's where my hat disappeared to!” I flinch away as I noticed the demon’s head positioned right beside mine. I didn't even hear him get up. “So,” he said, turning to face me, “Are you gonna take me to your dear princess sun butt?” he asked, his large iconic grin still spread across his face.  

I let out a small sigh as I laced the letter on my desk. “I am so confused right now,” I say as I walk toward the demon, “So yes, we’re going to see Princess Celestia.”

“Excellent!” the demon said, a small laugh escaping his lips. “I would very much like to get my hat back.” I push magic down my horn, preparing a teleportation spell. The demon just leaned down and used his sleeve to wipe the blood off of Spike’s mouth before standing beside me. “Well hurry up sparkle butt!” he ordered. I focused on the Canterlot Castle throne room, making sure I kept the image in my mind as I released the spell.

.........Celestia............
A bright flash of purple light erupted in the center of the throne room, giving way to two figures. Twilight stumbled a bit, as the effects of teleporting the two of them such a long distance had left her winded. Her passenger however, was now pressed up against the wall to avoid the sunlight streaming through the window.

“Y-you’re alive!” I gasped. The demon turned and looked at me, trying his best to not let the sunlight hit his skin.
“Well actually, I was never alive to begin with,” he replied as he eyed the black, wide brimmed hat sitting next to my throne. “Would you be so kind?” he asked, motioning to the object.

“How are you not dead? I saw you die!” I said, still confused.  

“No, you didn't see me die. You saw me get my ass kicked, Now give me the damn hat!” he demanded. I glared at him, surprised by his sudden outburst of anger. I picked up the large hat in my magic and levitated it over to him. He snatched the hat out of the air and placed it on his head. He started to take a step forward, but stopped in front of a beam of sunlight.

He stepped back into the shadow of the wall and removed his large coat before ripping off his already torn shirt. He wrapped the black fabric around his head, leaving only his empty eye sockets visible. He then slipped back into his trench coat. He made sure it covered his bare torso, and then placed his hat atop his head. He once again resumed his walk toward my throne.

“Now princess, you didn't happen to see where that dog thing went off to last night, did you?” he asked, his voice slightly muffled by the fabric covering his face. I hesitated for a brief second before answering.

“Reports say he was heading toward the Everfree. We were about to send somepony after him.”
“Oh really?” he replied as he leaned in closer to me, “And who were you planning to send?” he asked curiously.

Suddenly, a tall mixed matched creature took form beside the demonic Marcus. “My ears are burning and I have the slightest feeling that somepony was talking about me,” Discord joked before summoning a glass of water and splashing it on his flaming ears. The demon didn't flinch at the sudden appearance of the draconequus. Actually, he didn't show any reaction at all. He just simply turned and stared up at Discord, his hollow eyes filled with curiosity.

“And what, pray tell, are you?” the demon asked. Discord almost looked hurt by the question, but recovered quickly.

“Funny,” he said as he coiled around the demon’s body. “I was about to ask you the same thing,” he said as he flicked the demon on his nose. The fabric that covered his face disappeared, allowing the sunlight to hit his flesh. His body locked up and the red glow in his empty sockets grew dim, his black tears slowly drying up.  

“Hmmm, not a fan of sunlight,” Discord said, suddenly appearing above the demon holding a rather large, black umbrella. He handed it to the demon. “I can’t say I’ve ever seen a creature such as you,” Discord said as he pulled a magnifying glass out of thin air and began to look over the demon’s body. He positioned the magnifying glass over the demon’s eye and stared deeply into their dark depths.

“Oh my, what beautiful eyes you have,” he chuckled.  

“I could say the same about yours,” the demon replied. “Such an odd creature you are,” the demon said as he stepped closer to Discord, “A being comprised of different species of animals. This is most amusing,” the demon said.

“Don’t forget god of chaos,” Discord replied as a crown and multicolored cape appeared.

“A fascinating creature indeed,” the demon said, a large grin spread even further across his face.

“Finally, someone who appreciates my title,” Discord said as he crossed his arms. “You could learn a thing or two from him Celestia,” Discord said as he turned to face me.  

“Have you found our target?” I replied in a annoyed tone.  

“Of course I have,” he replied.  

“Where is he?” I asked. Discord summoned a nail file and began to run it across his eagle claw. 

“He is currently in the Everfree Forest. Seemed pretty beat up the last time I checked in on him.”  

“Good,” the demon chimed in. “That will make my job so much easier,” he said. His eyes held a devilish look to them. “You, chaos god,” he said, turning to Discord.  


“Oh please,” Discord blushed, “Call me Discord, supreme ruler of chaos.” The demon chuckled at his comment.

“You’re funny,” he replied, “but would you kindly take me to this creature so I can reclaim what he stole from me?”  
“Well I could,” Discord replied, “but I have demands of my own.” 

“Really?” the demon asked. “What is it you want?”  

“Oh, I want nothing from you,” he replied before looking to me. “I want you, Celestia, to say Discord rules and Celestia drools.”  
“Discord, I hardly think this is the tim-“  

“Say it,” Discord cut me off. I lowered my head in defeat.

“Fine, Discord rules and I drool.”

“Sorry, couldn't hear that,” Discord said, leaning closer. The demon just stood there, laughing into his palm.
“Discord rules and I drool,” I said louder.

“Indeed you do,” Discord mocked. “Alright my demonic friend, shall we?”
“After you,” the demon replied.  

“And he has manners,” Discord chuckled as he summoned a large, multicolored scooter with a side car. The demon didn't even hesitate. He quickly jumped into the side car, still holding his large umbrella as Discord hopped on the driver’s seat. “What do you think?” Discord asked as he tapped the scooter.  

The demon smiled as he looked up at the Draconequus. “Does it come in black?”
“Hmm, let’s see,” Discord replied. He snapped his fingers and the scooter morphed ito a large, black machine. The words ‘never ending strife’ were painted on the side, and large pipes stuck out of the back of the strange machine, multicolored fire firing out of them every few seconds, filling my throne room with a thick cloud of smoke.

“Now you’re talking!” the demon shouted over the engine of the great machine.

“Onwards!” Discord yelled as the machine shot forward and slammed into the wall. The wall rippled like water as they both disappeared into it. I shook my head as I stepped down from my throne and walked to the center of the room where Twilight stood, observing the events that just took place.  

“Would you like to accompany me to the garden for lunch my faithful student?” I ask as I walk past Twilight.
“Of course I would!” Twilight responded, quickly following after me.

.............Joat.............
Joat the diamond dog slowly walked toward the mighty forest called Everfree. Blood poured from his thigh, soaking the bandage he had covered it with. “God damned glass shard,” I say to myself as I continue walking toward the large forest. It had been almost a day since I had fought that reaper. The damage I had taken still remained. I was bruised, bloody, and beaten. “At least it had stopped raining,” I joke as I looked up at the now sunny sky and continued walking.

“He certainly put up more of a fight than the other ones did,” I say to myself. I chuckle slightly at my own words, causing pain to shoot through my ribs. “Ow, haha, ow, haha, ow, hah-OWWW!”  I yelped as a blur of purple fur slammed into me, knocking me to the ground. I was about to climb to my feet when the sharp blade of a katana stabbed into the ground beside my head.

The purple pony lying on my chest quickly jumped into the air, taking the katana with her. She opened her wings and flew back into the thick brush of the forest. “What the hell just happened?” I say as I climb to my feet. -clink- My ears twitched when the sound hit my ear drums. I look down and see that reaper’s shiny silver pocket watch had fell out of my pocket. I quickly bent down and retrieved the metal object. I eyed the watch, a sudden urge to open it washed over me.

I hesitated at first, but opened the shiny object. The face of the watch swung open and the white soul of a Pegasus flew out of it. The pony looked around before his site landed on me. “Oh thank you!” he cried, “thank you for releasing me! How can I ever repay you for getting me out of that horrible place?” Lighting Rider said. I shrugged as a metal gauntlet appeared on my left hand.

I jumped forward and grabbed the soul by its throat. “No!” the pony screamed. “Please god, no!” I opened my mouth and licked my sharp teeth. I slowly breathed in, absorbing the soul into my being. I closed my mouth, silencing the screaming soul as it slid down my throat.  

“Tasty,” I snickered before a loud belch escaped my lips. “Now where did that purple sword wielding pony run off to?” I grin as I feel the wound that covered my body slowly start to heal. The stab wound on my thigh stopped bleeding and closed shut. The energy from that soul provided me with a temporary means of healing myself.

I walk into the dark forest, the sunlight unable to pierce through the thick canopy of leaves above me. The sound of blades clashing could be heard off in the distance. I picked up the pace as I began to sprint toward the sound of clashing blades. I pushed through a thicket of brush and found myself in a clearing. In the center stood the purple pony from earlier.

Her mane was a dark purple. Her fur was a lighter shade of purple. Her cutie mark was a sword stabbed into a large berry. She stood there, holding the handle of her katana in her teeth and staring down a large demonic creature.

Its face was covered with a sack. Nails and knives were stabbed into the beast's head, causing blood to soak the sack that covered its face. Its body was just skin pulled tightly over bone. Its hands where huge, and instead of fingers, it had large blades. The demon growled as it lunged for the small pony. She quickly jumped over the beast, barely avoiding its massive blade like fingers. She stabbed the blade of the sword in the monster’s back and ran it down his spine, causing roars of both pain and anger to erupt from underneath the demon’s sack-like mask.

As the pony landed on the ground, she did a quick spin and sliced large chunks of meat from the calves of the demon’s legs. The demon let out another roar. As it spun around, it swiped its claws at the pony again. She quickly dodged and took off into the air and cut down the length of the demon’s arm.

She attempted to bank left, but was swatted out of the air by a third arm sticking out of the demons back. The purple Pegasus slammed into the ground hard. She bounced a couple of times before coming to a painful stop as she slammed into a tree. I watched as she whimpered in pain, but somehow managed to climb to her feet. Large cuts and scrapes now covered her body. She looked up at the demon while breathing heavily. “I-is that all you got?” she mocked as she spat out a large glob of blood and spit.  

“She's a tough little number, isn't she?” I say to myself. I admire her determination. Kinda good looking too…. The demon let out another loud roar before vanishing in a puff of red smoke and reappearing in front of the purple Pegasus. She gasped before he slammed his fist into her, pinning her against the tree.  

The demon brought up one of its blade-like fingers, preparing to decapitate the wounded Pegasus. “No you don’t!” I growl as a thick red aura surrounds my body. I dash forward. I was on the demon in less than a second. I leaped into the air, bringing back my gauntlet before delivering a hard punch to the demon’s head, sending it flying across the clearing. It smashed into a few trees, causing them to fall in the process.  

I chuckled as I saw the demon go flying. I raised my fists and did a few quick jabs at the air. “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee,” I say as I threw one more jab at thin air. I continued to stare at the place the demon had landed. When the dust had cleared, I saw nothing but a large, empty crater. He didn't flee, I could still smell him.

I took one more sniff before I quickly jumped into the air as an invisible force slammed into the ground where I had been standing. “Oh, so he wants to play dirt does he?” I say as I land on a tree branch above him. I reach up and remove my eye patch, revealing the sickening sight that is my left eye.

As soon as the eye patch was removed, the world around me changed. It grew darker and covered in a thick mist. I looked down below me and saw the now visible demon. I laughed as I jumped off the tree branch and landed on the demon’s shoulders. It let out a loud roar as it tried to shake me off.  

“You thought your little trick would work on me,” I laugh as I hang on the large creature's neck. “No one can hide from me! My eye sees everything!” I yell as I let go, only to be flung straight up, then land in front of the large demon.

“Round two!” I mock as I raise my fist. The red mist around me was growing even thicker. The demon roars in anger as it brings its claws back for an attack when suddenly, a bright, white light flashed throughout the dark forest.

I covered my eyes to block out the blinding light. The sounds of a sharp blade cutting through flesh mixed with the sound of music and a loud engine reached my ears. I opened my eyes to find the upper part of the demon’s body gone. He was sliced clean in half.  

I watched in confusion as the lower half of the demon fell over, revealing two tall figures standing behind it. I recognized them both; Discord, armed with what looked like an over sized croquet mallet, and the demonic reaper armed with his deadly scythe.

“Hello Joat. Miss me?”
> Conflict And Contracts 
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------



........................Joat...............

"Was that your big one-liner?" I ask as I stare at the demon.

“What's wrong with it?” he replied.  

“Well, everything. I mean "miss me?", that just sounds stupid,” I say as I walk toward him. I gave a brief glance at Discord before looking back to the demonic reaper, “And you also brought the God of Chaos? What’s wrong, the little reaper can't handle his own problems?”

The demon gave a slight growl as he tightened his grip on the large umbrella he currently held in his clawed hands. I smirk in satisfaction when I saw that my insult had upset him. The demon gritted his teeth as he slowly turned and faced Discord.

“Thank you for helping me find this rat,” the demon said with a hint of anger in his voice, “but I would like to deal with him personally.”  Discord gave a slight shrug.

“Suit yourself," he replied before disappearing in a flash of bright light.

A slight chuckle escaped my muzzle as I saw the demon turn to face me. “So, are you ready to get your ass kicked a second time?” I asked as I readied my gauntlet. The demon just continued to stare at me, those red orbs in his empty eye sockets looking straight into my being. “Well, are you just gonna stand there?” I asked.

He gave a slight grin before tossing down the umbrella, letting the bright light of the sun wash over his demonic skin. The crimson orbs in his eyes grew dim, but he continued to smile.

“So, you’re just gonna stand there and weaken yourself?” I asked in confusion. “Fine by me. It will make this second ass kicking so much easier.”

The demon just continued to stare before slowly backing into the shadows of the Everfree.

“Where are you going!?” I shouted, still confused. Suddenly, the faint sound of chain links grinding against each other echoed throughout the area.

I didn't even have time to react before a long, black chain shot out of the trees and coiled around my torso. “Crap!” I muttered before a hard jerk sent me flying into the shadow of the forest. It only took a few seconds before my face slammed hard against the trunk of a large tree.

The impact left my lungs empty of air and my head swimming in pain. The demon who had been standing a few inches from the tree gave a slight chuckle as he slowly began to wrap the excess chain around the tree, fastening me face first to its trunk.  

I shook my head, attempting to rid myself of the throbbing pain that pulsed through my skull while the demon began to dig through the pockets of my tattered jeans.  

“Hey! Watch where you’re grabbing there chief!” I say as he reached into my front pocket.  

“Where is it?" he growled.  

“Where is what?” I asked while still trying to shake the pain and dizziness from my head.

“The fucking watch!” he yelled.

“Oh, that old thing? I traded it for a bottle of hard cider.” I joked. Another growl escaped the demon’s lips before he tightly grabbed my ears and bashed my face into the tree. Pain once again overtook my face. I felt a bit of blood start to trail down my muzzle.  

“Where is it!?” he shouted again as he gave a hard tug on the chain that currently held me against the tree. Seconds later, it dropped to the ground.

I quickly spun around to to try and land a punch on his demonic face, but my vision was still a bit fuzzy from being slammed into a tree trunk a few times. I only succeed in losing my balance and giving the reaper a chance to counterattack. He quickly grabbed my arm and gave it a hard twist, bringing me face first into the dirt.

“Oh, I’m sorry, were you planning to hit me?” The chain that had held me to the tree moments ago slithered through the dirt and coiled back around my body, once again restraining me. I slowly sat up and looked into the reaper's eyes. Anger began to build up inside me as a red aura began to form around my body. I let out a growl of my own as I felt strength run through my body.

The demon was not amused. He quickly raised his boot and delivered a hard kick to my face. “Don't think hulking out will help you escape. I doubt you could break those chains,” the demon said as he slid a hand into my jacket pocket.

“Ah, there it is,” he said with a satisfied smile as he slowly lifted the silver pocket watch from my jacket pocket. He began to open his coat and stare at the rusted old watch that currently stuck out of his bare chest. The exposed object seemed to beat as if it was the creature’s heart. It seemed to pump his veins full of dark energy; the foul smell of it burned my nostrils. There was a long pause before he quickly placed the silver watch in his own pocket, leaving the rusted one in his chest.

“I still have some time to kill,” he grinned as the long handle of his scythe formed in his right hand.

“What do you say doggy? Do you wanna have a little fun?” he asked in a sing song voice. “I’m sure you’re just begging to get loose and punch my teeth down my throat.”

“Fuck you,” I growled as the dark red aura around me grew thicker. I tried and tried to free myself from the chains, but they remained tightly wrapped around me.

“You know, I could just flat out kill you,” he said as he gave his scythe a quick twirl, "but where’s the fun in that?” He chuckled as he knelt down to undo the chains, but stopped and gave a sinister grin. “That red aura could pose as a problem for me, seeing as it helped you kick my ass the first time, so how about we even up the playing field a bit?”  

Pain shot through my left leg as the reaper dug his claws into the calf of my leg. I grit my teeth in pain as I felt him tear into my leg, my anger continuing to build as he did his work.

“Come on doggy, let's play,” the demon mocked as I felt the chains uncoil and set me free. My rage continued to grow as I slowly stood up. Pain shot through my leg, demanding that I lay back down, but the adrenaline caused by my anger helped me ignore the pain.

“Aww! Is the little doggy mad?” he mocked again. Without hesitation, I quickly charged the demonic reaper. I brought my gauntlet back, readying a punch.

The demon quickly swung the scythe, attempting to strike before I could gain any ground. Reacting quickly, I reached out and grabbed the blade of the weapon, managing to hold back the attack. The demon quickly stepped forward and leaned into his attack, adding more weight and strength, bringing the blade closer to my face. The pain in my leg grew worse as I strained to hold back the reaper's blade.

A large, sharp tooth grin spread across his face as he brought the blade closer, only inches from my face. “Come on doggy, surely you can do better than this.”

“Room for one more?” A voice asked out of nowhere. The demon and I both turned to look at the source of the voice, completely ignoring each other and finding ourselves staring at a tall skinny figure with long red hair. He wore what looked to be a dark red pair of pajamas and a large, strange object on his back. We both stared at him in confusion. He returned our confused look with a slight smile before removing the dark sunglasses he was wearing, revealing his empty eye sockets.

“Well, it appears I have gained your attention,” he said, chuckling slightly before casually pulling the strange object from his back and aiming it in my direction. It gave off three strange pew sounds. As it did, I felt a stinging sensation in my chest. I looked down to find three darts stuck into my flesh. The demonic reaper jumped back as the darts hit me before trying to charge the stranger, but the stranger quickly aimed the object at the demon before firing three darts into his chest.

The world around me started to spin and everything began to fade. I looked over to the demon to see him collapse before the world went black.
> Reboot in progress 
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

So yeah sorry about the very long wait on the chapter just had a very hectic life lately and been a bit to tired or lazy to write but I'll be taking this story down soon so I can rewrite it and hopefully improve it cause Jesus Christ I rushd the hell out of this thing.

But yeah the story is not completely dead just suffred a bad case of busy and lazy writer but the the rewriten version will be coming soon an I hope all of you who have had a bit of faith in this story will stop by for its remaster 

This is the former darkbrony now anima reaper wishing you all a good day and I hope I can bring you back a much better story