In Search of The Merchant
Twilight Sparkle. Personal student of Princess Celestia a gifted unicorn and an egg-head. She could not be happier, than she was now. Not only had she saved her big brother’s wedding, by defeating the Changeling threat that lurked around the corner, but she also gained another family member.
Cadence. Princess Mi Amore Cadenza. Her foalsitter, friend and new family member. She could not be happier. She loved both of them. Her brother and his wife. The wedding went as she had planned. After the attempted invasion, of course.
And now, Twilight was happily reading a book o her bed. Letting out a sigh of relief as she flipped over to the second page of her book. "Extraterrestrial life: Does it exist, or not?" She read out loud, chuckling to herself. "Yeah right, like aliens actually exist."
"it might," said her assistent. Turning her head, she smiled at the you dragon.
"Spike," Twilight said chuckling to herself. "Aliens aren't real. They're fictional."
"You don't know that," retorted her young assistent, crossing his claws. "What if they actually exist? What if they're up there, watching us." he trailed of. "If they ever come to Equestria, I'll be waiting for them."
Twilight raised an eyebrow at her assistant's comment. "Really? Why's that?"
"Because aliens are awesome!" Spike exclaimed, throwing his claws up. "I mean, they have these huge ships that go 'pew', 'swoosh' and they are either super scary, or super cool." A twinkle appeared in Spike's eye. "I wish I would get the chance of meeting one," he sighed.
"Spike," Twilight said. Getting of her bed, she walked towards the young dragon. "I'm sure that if you wish hard enough, you will get the chance to meet one of them." Twilight smiled at him.
"Alright!" Spike beamed, closing his eyes. Standing in the middle of Twilight's bedroom, the young dragon had firmly closed as seconds passed.
"Spike?" Twilight asked, a hint of concern in her tone. "Is everything alright?"
"Quiet Twilight," Spike replied, opening one eye to look at her. "I'm making a wish. Don't ruin it."
Twilight shook her head, chuckling as she returned to her bed and book. "Aliens," she whispered, looking out of her window as she watched the setting sun. "They don't exist. It's too un-logical."
And with that said, the young unicorn returned to her book, smiling to herself as she flipped over to the third page of the book.
****
Comic-Con. A sacred place for certain people. A place where man and woman alike can express their love for their favorite super heroes, or villains, and dress up as their favorite hero, or villain. Most people would call cosplayers crazy. Others would call them awesome. Opinions differ, but let's make one thing clear: Some people just aren't into it.
This is the case for seventeen year old: Sean Connors. He wasn't a fan of cartoons, comics, anime, or anything that was fictional. He always thought it to be a waste of time. But when you have a friend that is the complete opposite of what you are. A friend that has a completely different view of things, than your view. Things can get.. Weird. Having known Simon for eight years now, Sean knew how he could be. Simon was a very random guy. He would always say the most idiotic things, at the wrong time. But that was probably the main reason they became friends. You see, Sean was a very serious guy. He was always focusing on his future, while Simon would sometimes dwell in the past.
Both of them weren't too muscular, but they weren't fat either. Simon had short, spiky brown hair. And Sean had short blonde hair, that was swept to one side.
So, in truth, they helped each other out. Sean would keep a close eye in Simon, making sure he wouldn't dwell in the past for too long. And Simon would do the complete opposite. That's one of the main reasons they became such good friends. Sure they had different opinions about certain things, but that didn't mean they couldn't get along. But in all honesty, Sean was getting slightly aggravated. And here's why.
****
"Look, it's Iron Man!" Simon exclaimed in joy, pointing his finger at an Iron Man cosplayer.
Sean sighed, rubbing his temples as he took a quick glance at Simon. "That's the fifth Iron Man we've seen today," he said, looking at the cosplayer. "Aren't they ever going to run out of costumes?"
"I don't think so," Simon replied, looking at Sean and nudging his arm. Iron Man is very popular. "And to be honest, I understand why so many people want to cosplay as him."
"I don't see the benefit of dressing up as a fictional character," Sean said, looking at the variety of cosplayers. "There's The Incredible Hulk," Sean said, pointing his finger at the Hulk. "And there's Wonder Woman," he said, pointing his finger at a Wonder Woman cosplayer.
"Well, I think it's really awesome," Simon retorted. "I wish I had one of those awesome costumes," he sighed, looking at Sean with pleading eyes.
"No," Sean said sternly. "Like I told you before: No weird cosplayer things. I really dislike it."
"That's your opinion," Simon said as he and Sean walked past several stands. All of them had various items, and they all very expensive. "But you've got to admit, they really did an awesome job," Simon said, looking at Sean.
"I never said that they didn't do an awesome job," Sean stated, pointing his thumb at his chest. "I just said I wasn't into cosplaying."
"A lot of people are going to disagree with you," Simon said, cautiously looking over his shoulders. "Some of these guys are really sensitive, he whispered.
"Quite frankly", Sean whispered back. "I don't care."
Simon sighed, rubbing the back of his head as he looked around him. "We still have a long way to go" He sighed.
"So? I thought you liked it" Sean said, raising an eyebrow at his friend. "You do like it, right?"
Sean shrugged. "I think it’s alright," he replied. Suddenly, Sean felt a tap on his shoulder. Turning around, his eyes fell upon a very strange sight. In front of him, stood a Stormtrooper, Darth Vader, Captain America and finally, Hawkeye.
"Can I help you?" Sean asked politely.
"Yeah," the Hawkeye cosplayer replied, smirking at him. "Where’d you get your costume? Because it looks really cool," he said sarcastically, looking back at the other cosplayers that were with him. Right guys? He asked.
"Yeah," the other cosplayers snickered.
"Well look what we have here," Simon said, gently pushing Sean aside and standing in front of him." Dorkeye and the dork squad. What are you tweeks doing in a nice place like this?"
"What is a dork like you, doing in a place like this?" The Hawkeye cosplayer retorted.
"Enjoying the scenery," Simon replied, pointing his thumb at Sean "With my best friend," he smiled as he looked back at Sean.
"Dorks," the Hawkeye cosplayer said, glaring at Sean. "What’s up with your hair? It’s swept to one side. You look like a doof, dude!" he laughed.
Sean sighed, cracking his knuckles as he grabbed Simon’s shoulder and pulled him aside. What did you call me? Sean asked.
The Hawkeye cosplayer gulped, looking back at his friends, who had already took a few steps back. "Guys," he said, cautiously taking quick glances at Sean. "A little help." Suddenly, he felt a certain pressure on his shoulder. Turning his head, he looked at Sean, who had now placed his hand on his shoulder.
"I’ll ask again," Sean said, giving him a small smile. "What did you call me?"
"A-A doof," the cosplayer replied. Closing his eyes and preparing for the worst, the cosplayer was surprised when he felt someone patting his shoulder. Opening his eyes, he saw that it was, in fact, Sean who was patting his shoulder.
"Alright, get lost," Sean said, turning the cosplayer around and shoving him into his friends. "Go and admire your comic book hero, or something." Sean sighed.
Simon watched as the five cosplayers walked away from them. Looking at Sean, he patted his shoulder. "Good job, dude," he said, smiling at his friend. "I’m surprised you didn’t kick their butts.
"They’re nerds," Sean replied, shrugging and digging his hands into his pockets. "I’m not going to waste my time on them."
"That’s a good Sean," Simon cooed, patting Sean’s head. Looking off into the far distance, Simons saw even more stands and cosplayers. He looked at Sean, smiling and clapping his hands together. "I’m going to head that way, you coming?" He asked.
Sean shook his head. "No," he replied. "I’m going to check out some of these stands for myself. I’ll catch up with you later."
"Sure thing!" Simon replied, quickly running towards the stands he had spotted.
Sean couldn’t help but smile a bit. Sure, Simon could be an idiot from time to times. But he was Sean’s best friend.. And to be honest, he was Sean’s only friend. Because of Sean’s serious, and sometimes radical attitude, people would always ignore him. But not Simon. No, Simon would always be cheerful about everything. That’s why they became best friends. They saw each other as brothers, and they treated each other as brothers, too.
Sean turned around, walking back and passing several stands, which all sold various items. Iron Man helmet, Sean said, shaking his head. This was the second stand he’d come across, which sold Iron man armor. Sean was about to turn around, until a man, sitting on a Persian carpet, caught his eye. Walking towards the man, Sean became more worried with each passing second. The man had his head resting between his legs. He wore a long, brown leather jacket. A brown leather pants, and an old western like hat.
Sean got on one knee, cautiously tapping the man’s shoulder. "Sir?" Sean asked, a concerned look on his face. "Are you alright?" He asked.
The man’s head shot up, and he looked Sean directly in his eyes. "Yes?" The man asked.
Sean squeezed his eyes, observing every aspect of the man. He appeared to be in his mid-fifties, he had a short, gray beard and a scar on the left side on his cheek.
"How can I help you?" The man asked.
Sean smiled at him awkwardly, "I just thought there was something wrong with you," he said, rubbing the back of his head. "I guess I was wrong."
"Well," the man said, stretching his arms and back. "Thanks for caring," he said, looking at Sean and giving him a small smile. "Say, are you perhaps in search of certain ‘items’?" the man asked.
"Sorry," Sean replied, getting up. "I don’t do drugs." He said.
The man quickly got up, giving Sean an awkward smile. "I didn’t mean it like that," he said, rubbing the back of his neck. "What I meant was: Are you looking for some neat cosplay items? Like a light saber. Or Monkey. D. Luffy’s straw hat? Or Kaneki’s mask. Or--."
"I’m going to stop you right there," Sean cut him off, glaring at the man. "I have absolutely no idea what all of those items are."
"Then.. What are you doing here? In Comic-Con?" The man asked, raising an eyebrow at Sean.
"I’m only here, because my friend is a big fan of all that anime and cartoon nonsense." Sean replied.
"Oh, well that makes sense," the man said, smiling at Sean. "So you’re here, because of your friend? But you aren’t a fan of any of this." He said, motioning at the huge sign that said ‘Comic-Con’.
"Yes," Sean replied. "But if you don’t mind, I will be on my way." Sean said, turning around.
"Actually," the man said, getting Sean’s attention. "Would you mind, telling your friend that ‘The Merchant’ would like to have a word with him?" He asked.
"Sure thing," Sean replied, quickly walking away from the man. "Weirdo," he whispered.
Sean quickened his pace, desperately looking around, trying to find his friend. He let out a sigh of relief, when he saw Simon, talking to a cosplayer.
"Thanks Iron Chick!" Simon thanked the female cosplayer.
"Simon!"
Simon turned around, smiling and walking up to his friend. "Sean," he said. "What’s up?"
"Nothing," Sean replied pointing his thumb over his shoulder. "There was this guy who wanted to talk to you. Called himself ‘The Merchant’."
"Really?" Simon asked, raising an eyebrow. "And why did he want to talk to me?"
Sean shrugged, "I don’t know. But he mentioned a light saber, a straw hat of a certain Monkey, and a mask." He replied.
"… Take me to him." Simon ordered.
"W-What?" Sean asked as Simon walked past him. Sean quickly turned around, catching up with his friend. "Why the sudden change of heart."
"Fanfictions," Simon replied dryly.
"Fanfictions?" Sean repeated in confusion. "Those stories people write about their favorite show?"
"Yes," Simon replied, looking at Sean. "In a lot of fanfictions, there is this guy called ‘The Merchant’. ‘The Merchant’ usually sells awesome stuff. Like anime items, and cartoon items that can be used for cosplaying. Whoever this guy is, I want to see his Merchant costume!" Simon exclaimed enthusiasticly.
"I don’t follow," Sean said, genially confused.
"Just lead the way, dude," Simon sighed.
Sean nodded as he led his friend to the old man he had met just minutes ago. And there he sat, on his Persian carpet, looking at them with a big smile planted on his face.
"Greetings!" The Merchant said, looking up at Sean and Simon as they stood in front of him." Please, have a seat," he said, motioning them to sit down on his carpet.
Sean and Simon did so, sitting down and looking at The Merchant.
"Hello," Simon greeted The Merchant, smiling at him. "That’s a neat costume you have there, sir."
"Why thank you," The Merchant said, bowing his head as a ‘thank you’. "This must be your friend," The Merchant said, looking at Sean. "Right?"
"Yes," Sean replied. "Now, why did you want to talk to him?"
"Well," The Merchant began, looking at Sean. "I can sense a lot of tension between the two of you. Best friends you may be, you both have your flaws. The example is right in front of me. You dislike anime, cartoons, and basically anything that is fictional, right?" The Merchant asked.
"How did you?" Sean asked, only for The Merchant to cut him off.
"And your friend is the complete opposite. Your friendship is deep, but I think that the bond between you two can be deepened even further. So I am going to give you two, two options," The Merchant said, looking at Sean. "You either give each other a big hug," he looked at Simon. "Or I will sent you on an adventure to deepen your friendship."
"Or," Sean said, getting ready to get up. "We leave now, and leave you alone."
"Okay," The Merchant said, opening up his jacket and reaching for something. "But first, let me do this!" He said as he threw a handful of sand into Sean and Simon’s eyes.
Sean and Simon rubbed their eyes furiously.
"Why’d you do that?!" Sean asked, anger clearly present in his tone.
"What is your problem, dude?" Simon added, anger clearly present in his tone, too.
"Whoops," The Merchant said, reaching into his jacket again. "Wrong sand," he said sheepishly, throwing another handful of sand in their faces. "Time for a jolly adventure, with much jolly coöperation," he said with much joy
Author's Note
I hope all of you enjoyed this first chapter. Feedback is much appriciated!
