The Return of the Reaper of Life

Okay... so hello everyone, it's been a long time. Before you read further I want to say something, this story was my first one ever done and contained elements of a Video Game that I and several others were working on known as Heroes of Heaven. All that information has been moved to the story Fire Fox and as such I plan to remake this story. Some parts will remain the same while others will change I plan to reformat this and remake it in the style of writing I've developed over my time doing these stories. For those who are new here, welcome! And to those who have been loyally waited for the return of this story then sit back and enjoy the remake.

I signed as I and my friends entered the convention center where PAX was being held; being the mega nerds they were the moment that we stepped through the doors they went crazy and ran in different directions like someone had smashed a bottle on the floor and yelled scatter, I just sighed again and walked into the crowd. As I walk around I saw a lot of people walking around dressed up in some badass gear from franchises that I mostly couldn’t name.

There was a Man dressed as an Assassin from the Assassins Creed franchise, a Madalorian from the game Star Wars the Old Republic with armor modeled after the Corellia Boltblaster Armor however the helmet he wore was designed for the Mandalorian Enforcer Armor set, there was a man dresses as Steve form Minecraft and he even had a diamond sword in his hand and there were even some dresses as anime characters. I smile as I see a few cosplayers wearing costumes form Team Fortress 2, good to see there’s those still loyal to the greatest game ever. One of the Cosplayers was a blue spy walking with a group of people dressed as characters from Naruto wearing a mask that had the face of Naruto on it, clever and hilarious. One of the Characters I saw stood out form the rest however, Umbrella from RHG and Stickpage, which was odd as he was a character made by Resh not a show or game.

Unfortunately I didn’t exactly have the time to make a good costume so I’d done the next best thing and dressed up in one of my old Halloween costumes; the costume I'd selected was my Grim Reaper outfit and before you say that's lazy let me tell you about it. The cloak was hand stitched and perfectly ripped around the sleeves, bottom and around the hood. The cloak was open in the front similar to that of a Jedi robe is allowing me to show the silver armor with gold inlay underneath that one of my friends had hand forged for me as well as the utility belt that went from my left shoulder to my hip and held fake potions and empty bottles. This alone was pretty intimidated but perhaps the most intimidating part was my mask, the mask was ivory and carved to look like the skull of a human. The only openings in the mask were in the eye sockets and they had been carefully carved to reveal only enough to allow a person to see with their vision not impaired. However I had forgotten the most important part of the costume and that was the scythe as well as the custom sword that I had hand forged myself specifically for this costume.

Unfortunately I still had the scabbard for the sword; I guess that was for the best though, if I'd brought them my costume might have been to real, already people were keeping their distant. Oh well I sighed and continue wandering around, looking at different vendors, I see a few choice looking ones, I turn to see a My Little Pony stand with a few people looking at comics or plushies, I continue on my way down the stands till I come to the end. That's when I saw the Resident Evil 4 merchant.

“Well, hello Stranger. It's interesting to see a collector among the rabble.” Since the vendor had the slight cockney accent and the voice down-pat, I felt it only respectful to play along.

“Greetings fair Merchant, it is rare for one to willingly speak with one such as I, for your courage I would ask permission to peruse your wares.” My voice was slightly deeper and gruffer but held an air that commanded respect.

“Heh, it would be an honor to serve the Grim Reaper. What're ya in the market for my friend?” The Merchant asked as he very clearly gestured to a scythe with an engraved handle, exactly like the one death is depicted using but at the same time it was different… somehow. It held an other worldly air to it and my eyes widened as the Merchant chuckled, having caught his customer like he knew he would.

“This here is the genuine Scythe of the Great Reaper; legends tell that the scythe holds the power to not only take life but also to give it.”

“You know my needs too well Merchant for I have lost mine, what's your starting price?” I knew to fall out of character would be disrespectful right now, and the twinkle in The Merchant's blue eyes and his amicable raspy chuckle told me he appreciated it.

“For you free, but only if you buy these.” The Merchant said as he blindsiding me with the change in offer, the scythe an incentive but the items he brought out was incredibly tantalizing. “The Hourglass of Death, said to have the power to tell when ones time is growing near and show anything that the user desires. As well as this,” once again the merchant pulled from his stall a sword locked in its sheath. “Silver inlay with Obsidian engraving, she’s named Oblivion. The smith who forged it claimed that only Death himself could release it from its sheath.”

“You must be kidding. Scythes like that go for 1,533 dollars and that's not even including the sword or Hourglasses. How could any con goer afford that?” I was no fool when it came to medieval weapons. I was nuts about these things to a point that I was borderline obsessed. “Let alone there aren't any actual weapons allowed in here, security's running scans at the entrances.”

“This thing isn't worth much to me, I'm a gunman myself.” He said as he opened his coat to reveal a sawed off. “It came in with a bunch of props by mistake and I opted not to mention it. This thing is the genuine article though, just requires a little sharpening, easily enough done at a later date. Since this isn't normally something I specialize in, I'll be making a killing with whatever price I can get for it. I'll cut the price down to what you feel is fair, so long as you aren't trying to cheat me. As for the sword, well I can’t remove it from the scabbard so she is no use to me either.” The Merchant said and demonstrated trying to remove the sword and failing.

I bristled slightly, the Merchant's challenge of my integrity really ate at me. Those who know me know I follow what’s called the law of equivalent exchange; I always give something of equal value when I make a deal and I quickly reached into my cloak for my wallet. Fishing out all the cash I had, and smacked it on the table. “10,000, I've been saving up for this con and I want what your offering so I’ll lay all my saved cash on them, besides what you offer is the best deal in the entire convention. I’d be a fool to not take this opportunity”

“Well, that’s quiet of ya generous ain't it? Alright then; 10,000 for the scythe, Hourglass and sword.” The agreed as Merchant took the cash and put it in his lock box behind the stall, one he did He handed me the Hourglass which I tied it my utility belt and the Scythe which I strapped to my back however before he handed me handed me the sword he pointed to the scabbard on my belt. “If you want I’ll take that off yer hands.” I smiled and nodded as I unclipped the scabbard and passed it to the Merchant and in exchange he passed me the sword but held onto it for a second. “Oh, and one more thing, always mind the natives. A collector has to be wary of his debtors after all.”

I nodded, taking the words to heart as they were filled with truth. “Thank you for the warning fair Merchant, I will not forget your advice.” I said just before I tied the scabbard of the sword to my belt and pulled my cloak hiding it inside. The moment the sword was strapped to my belt I walked away but as I left I had a thought. ‘What if like the merchant I could not draw the blade?’ Slowly I reached for the hilt and grasped it, the moment I touched the blades hilt there was a click and the scabbard unlocked. I took a deep breath with the scraping of metal on metal drew the sword and examined it, the blade was beautiful; it was sharpened and polished, looking as if had been just forged. Suddenly the blade glowed and I felt a presence that seemed to attach itself to me.

“At last you have come for me Death, I have a Master.” The Blade glowed brighter as arcs of red energy rippled through the blade and then I vanished in a flash of red light. People watched in shock as they saw me disappear; the only proof of my existence was a circle of scorch marks left on the floor

27,000 years later
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Twilight Sparkle sat on the balcony of her castle several books open and floating in her magic while several more lay scattered around her with a noise that sounded like a mix of a groan and a scream she slumped back into the chair she was in. “It just doesn't make sense!” Twilight exclaimed as she angrily slammed the book shut and groaned.

“What doesn't Twilight?” Spike asked as he lazily looked up form one of his comics concern showing on his face. “Twilight if you don't mind me asking, what is it you’re looking for?”

Twilight sighed. “Remember last week when I went to see the princesses?”

Spike nodded. “Ya, when you got back you asked me to look for any books we had that were written before Discord’s rise.” He said with a shrug. “You’ve been looking for something but you haven’t even bothered to tell me what is it that you're looking for Twilight, is some new evil villain rising and Celestia and Luna asked you to research him?”

Twilight shook her head. “It’s not that Spike, have you ever noticed that the Celestia and Luna never mention there father? I mean we have stories referring to Queen Physis as their mother and there is even mention of a king but if you actually search for a name or even an appearance there is nothing! It's like any information about him was erased, even his name is unknown!” Twilight sighed and hung her head.

“I'm sure it's nothing Twilight.” Spike said slowly thinking about what Twilight had said. “I mean not a lot survived form Discords time and given what he’s told me I can kinda see why.”

Twilight frowned “I don’t think that’s it Spike, after I started looking into it and considering all the facts I realized that aside from the holidays there is only two time that Celestia and Luna ever closes court. It's on Mother’s Day and Father’s Day and the days leading up to those days they're always really upset.” She countered as she stood and stretched. “I think there is a lot more to this than we can see. I think I’m going to head to Canterlot; I need to return some of these to the archives and maybe go ask the princesses about this. I mean this is a huge part of our history that’s just missing.”

“That isn't the best idea Ms. Sparkle.” A voice said causing Twilight to spin around to find Discord sitting on the railing.

“Discord, what do you mean by that?” Twilight asked as she turned to look at the Draconequus.

“Before you go running off you should be aware of what the ramifications of this question. There is a reason that the saying, ‘some questions are better left unanswered.’ exists.”

"What do you- wait, you know who the King is!” She said with a gasp. “Who is he Discord and what would be so bad about asking?" Twilight asked.

Discord looked away and sighed. "Just don’t Twilight, just don't." Twilight stared at Discord for a moment before turning and entering the castle. “Tread carefully down the path you've chosen Twilight Sparkle, lest you be swallowed whole by it.” Discord sighed “Spike?” He called to the dragon who turned to him. “Send a message to Celestia, tell her that Twilight is on her way and that she can't cuddle her any more she figured it out and is on her way for answers.”

Spike nodded and quickly took out a scroll and quill quickly writing down Discords message “Got it anything else?”

Discord thought for a moment. “Yes, ask her if I should get the other elements and that I'll join her shortly.” Spike nodded and finished the letter before sending it.