Sanguine Souls

Sacrificing humanity is akin to the sea losing it's fish

The situation at hand was a heated one, indeed

In an unbelievable feat, Ira’s new form had acted as a sort of savior for him, easily allowing him to escape Soul’s attempt of sending him to the Underworld. Now the demon was bigger, stronger, and his rage burned like the fires that engulfed his entire body.

Ira’s sudden flames, however, had given Rainbow Dash an idea. She let out a small laugh as she quickly flew off into the sky, unnoticed by the demon, who was now intent on nothing other than destroying Soulless Reaper.

His red gaze locked on his target, Ira began slowly advancing forward. He walked as if sure nothing would dare stand in his way. His steps thumped on the ground, leaving small craters in his following path that burned a dull orange. Ira was now a walking flame. Getting near him could be catastrophic to Soul’s health, and being vampiric meant Soul could burn more easily.

Hopefully he’ll be content using his sword. That will keep him at some distance Soul hoped, eying the burning monstrosity approaching him. He readied himself to block any incoming attacks from the demon, and quickly turned towards Celestia as he spoke “Celestia, I need you to try that light attack again” he requested “Use it as soon as I get an opening ready on him, okay?”. Celestia nodded at his plan, returning her attention to Ira as they waited.

Ira seemed much angrier than before, but he patiently walked towards Soul. It wasn’t until he was merely ten steps from Soul and the other ponies that he finally struck, thrusting his sword towards Soul. Soul quickly caught the sword between his scythe's blades. He soon regretted the move, however, as Ira took full advantage of the weapon being wrapped around his edge. He tossed Soul’s weapon aside and slammed his blade down, causing Soul to jump towards his scythe to dodge.

Soul quickly realized the error of his sudden movement as he looked back. Ira’s blade had just barely missed the six ponies behind him, who jumped back in fear. To Soul’s relief, Ira lifted his sword up and quickly began advancing to him again. Ira no longer had any intentions of hurting Celestia in place of his intention to kill Soul.

Soul got to his hooves, ready for yet another attack. He waited in place as the demon ran forward, the stomps he made causing tremors in the earth. A few feet from him, Ira hopped off one foot and slammed down against Soul’s guard. Soul quickly reacted as Ira pulled back his sword, landing another blow against the staff of Soul’s scythe. He continued to repeat his action several times, slamming his sword on Soul’s adapting guard over and over again. Soul had been amazed at his own ability to block the flurry of slashes Ira attempted to land on him.

As the clash of weapons went on, Soul could barely see Rainbow Dash flying about above him. At his lack of attention, Soul had just barely stopped on overhead attack from Ira. The blow pounded against his guard harder than any others. Ira had seemed content with his blow’s impact, lifting his sword and returning the same amount of force multiple times against Soul until he had forced him to the ground. Soul was now sandwiched between the dirt and the match of weapons that was keeping Ira’s blade at bay.

When the situation seemed to be leaning in the wrong direction, Soul suddenly felt a drop of water on his forehead, He looked up to see Rainbow Dash peeking out from a cloud. She smiled as she slipped back out of sight, bouncing on the cloud harder, which was now raining more droplets of water. As it poured down, Ira began flinching as if he was being struck by arrows. From his position, Soul could see his expression wavering into weakness. He took the advantage and slipped out of the match, now standing a short distance from the weakening demon.

Soon, the flames around Ira body completely extinguished as Rainbow Dash stomped the cloud she was atop, causing more and more rain to pour out from under it. The loss of fire had apparently crippled Ira severely; he crouched at his spot, breathing heavily and pounding his head.

Self righteous fools! You’ve let him get the advantage! Ira spoke through his heaves, grabbing at his head.

The realization hit Soul quickly. Now’s my chance! I can end this! was the thought that rang through his head. He charged forward with his scythe, landing a heavy blow that caused Ira to reel back in pain. Soul then copied his example on Ira’s previous form, following into a flurry of slashes that ended with a heavy upward slash.

“Now, Celestia! Do it now!” Soul yelled towards the princess, who had begun her attack in anticipation. The brilliant beam from her horn struck Ira in the back, to which he reacted as he had before, this time lifting the demon off the ground in a brilliant display of light.

Before he could retry his spell, however, something caught Soul’s eye. The crimson armor had begun to fade away from the demon. His black pits suddenly opened to reveal regular eyes, colored a light shade of green. The sword he dropped had reverted to a long golden-hilt sword. By the end of Celestia’s attack, the demon had receded into what seemed to be a normal human being. A familiar looking one that twisted Soul's memory's about in confusion.

The human landed heavily on the ground, crouching and breathing heavily like the demon had before him. Suddenly he spoke between his gasps of breath “You guys...have no idea...how impressed I am...”

He looked up to Soul, his face sweating and his expression weak but happy. “You...you’re some kinda super pony, y’know...good work!” He said ecstatically before struggling and finally standing back on his feet. He picked up the golden sword and placed it in the sheath on his back.

Suddenly, Rainbow Dash swooped in beside the human “Well, it was a little rain that put Mr. fireball out!” She spieled, revelling at her own handiwork.

“Yes” Celestia spoke as she and the other ponies approached “It was thanks to Rainbow Dash’s intuitive thinking that saved Soul in the nick of time”

“Yeah, thanks Dash” Soul added.

“Hey, no problem” Dash replied, practically soaking up the attention as the various other ponies complimented her action.

Jay simply stared at Dash in disbelief, scratching the back of his head. Finally, he spoke “Dash...of all the many beings that form has encountered, you’re the first one to think of putting out his fire”

“Well, it was just common sense, y’know” Dash chuckled

“That’s my point” Jayhawk remarked, almost in a joking tone “I’m glad you managed to act on it. As for the rest for you...” Jay stopped when he noticed Fluttershy meekly stand up, a small bit of blood dotted on her nose . He continued, a feeling of regret in his voice “I...I just...apologize for any damage done, is all. I, er....wasn't myself”

Jay approached the yellow pony slowly and crouched down in front of her “You okay, little one? You got hit pretty hard” Jay spoke softly, in attempt to sound comforting.

The pony turned her head away without replying. She avoided meeting his gaze, and her long pink hair covered her face almost entirely. He could tell she was either still afraid of him, or just really shy. Her expression of sudden embarrassment was unseen to Jay as he pet her head lightly before standing back up. Rainbow Dash let a small snicker upon noticing Fluttershy’s pink cheeks.

Jay spun around to face the other ponies around him and clapped his hands together “So, who wants to hear the explanation behind what just happened?” Jay said with a small smile, fanning his view across the ponies. To his relief, most of them looked intrigued.

“I would love to know” Twilight added, approaching the door of her library “Come inside, everypony. Jay can explain himself to us all”. Jay barely noticed the glare Twilight had given him.

'Yeah, keep staring. You’ll soon find out I had nothing to do with this' Jay thought, intent on relieving his possible blame. He wanted to make it clear that him and Ira were two very different things.

The rest of the ponies, and Spike, followed Jay and Twilight inside the library. Jay took initiative as he grabbed the nearest chair beside a desk and swung it in his hand to the middle of the room. He plopped down on it sideways as to avoid his sword getting caught on the back,and slouched forward, his elbows balanced on his knees.

“Gather ‘round, gather ‘round” Jay spieled, beckoning to the group of ponies with both hands “It’s story time, little ones”

The group amassed in front of Jay, most ponies content with seating themselves on the floor. After they all seemed settled, Jay stopped and pondered how he would manage to abbreviate such a tale.

Eventually he took a deep breath, and spoke “In my world...on Earth...fate may guide a man to meet one specific person or find one specific thing, even if such guidance eventually leads him to darkness. A man simply cannot forsake his own chosen path. What you saw...what you experienced just then....that was part of my chosen path”

Jay looked down at the floor, still piecing together his sentences as he went on “Often there is a time that one is forever unable to retrieve. In pursuit for forgiveness one is destined to atone by living through agony and letting time slip away. I refused to do just that by taking up the Guardian sword" Jay tugged on the handle of his blade in a motioning manner before continuing "When its powers were bestowed upon me, my personality was copied into to two other beings: a demon, and an angel. They are both inside my head, per se, and getting rid of either would forfeit my powers back to the sword. Just then, the demon had managed to take control”

“I see” Celestia suddenly added, gazing idly at nothing as she thought. She returned her attention to Jay “So your powers have quite a payment”

“I wouldn’t really call it a payment” Jay remarked, looking up to meet her gaze “I’m the Guardian of Harmony. I harbor both powers of light and darkness. Practice what you preach, right?” Jay shrugged, half-heartedly joking off his internal struggle.

Soul had intentionally kept quiet. At this point, he preferred to take an incognito approach and listened whilst others talked. He eyed the human who sat before them carefully.

Something about him rings too many bells. Who is he? Soul pondered, still keeping his eyes on the familiar man seated in front of the group. He needed a name.

Before Soul was going to ask, Twilight had entered the conversation just as Celestia finished. She seemed less stern than she was before, and frequently barraged the man with questions and inquiries. Soul could see the annoyance growing on the man’s face as he reluctantly answered.

“No, it’s not like that” Jay said, scratching the back of his head “The demon has a mind of it’s own. He just sounds like me, and resembles me slightly. We’re two different guys, in a sense”

“But, doesn’t that just make him your alter ego?” Twilight pressed “He is part of you, after all, right?”

As their quarry went on, Soul felt like something was missing. As if there was something else he was meant to be doing. He wondered if he was about to experience the same effects he had on the train ride.

A sudden thought hit Soul as he remembered that Zecora gave him a potion to sustain his disease’s symptoms Daring! She’s still waiting at Zecora’s. I wonder how long it’s been since I left her there... Soul thought, admitting he nearly forgot about her entirely due to the fight.

“Excuse me, everyone” Soul said, raising his voice over Twilight and the human’s quarry “As much as I’d like to stay, I’ve got something I need to attend to. If you don't mind, I'll be taking my leave now” Soul turned and headed for the door, intent on wasting no more time to return.

“Wait” the human replied, causing Soul to turn to him “You...there’s something I wanted to ask you” The human stood up and walked towards Soul, eyeing him and his weapon curiously.

“What is it?” Soul inquired, hoping he could answer quickly

“I...well, I’m impressed as I said before. You’re one of the only beings that has ever stood up to Ira, next to a few different super humans...” Stated the man, talking as if he barely knew what to say “I just need to know...who, or what...are you? You’re no normal pony, at least not normal for this world. Also, you..seem familiar”

“You’re right, I’m not normal” Soul replied, almost dwelling on his abnormality “I’m from the underworld. I don’t have a name. I’m called ‘Soulless Reaper, and I work under Hades as a hunter”

The human’s eyes widened upon hearing Soul’s name. He scratched his head and closed his eyes. as if trying to remember something, and then let his hands fall down limply.

“Soulless Reaper, huh?” He said, a small smirk on his face “You’re one of the reasons I was okay about traveling to the world. It’s me, Jayhawk. Cell block 6C, prisoner 7025. We fought in Hades' tower. Nice to know our pact will come into some effect”

It was now Soul who returned the same shocked expression upon hearing the human’s information “Jayhawk...now I remember! The Guardian of Harmony. I should’ve known” Soul remarked, recalling the events that occurred roughly a year ago. The memories were still fresh in Soul’s mind.

Jay had been a prisoner that miraculously escaped his from his cell in Tartarus by means Soul never found out, and fought for his freedom in an agreement. Hades was displeased with Jay’s ability to break free, and in Jay's attempt to fight his way towards Hades to retrieve his sword, he dueled Soul. When Jay achieved a surprisingly quick victory, Hades decided to let him free. Soul and Jayhawk had made a small pact upon Jay’s leave of the underworld, in which he promised to help protect Equestria should he ever find himself there. It was simply perfect convenience that he was there now, while trouble was afoot.

“So...you’ve decided to visit here for once?” Soul joked, noting Jay’s total absence even in Equestria’s few troubled times.

“Yeah, for once” Jay laughed “Which is what I was going to explain next, before I was interrupted...” He glared back at Twilight, who simply rolled her eyes in response.

“Anyways, I should go into detail as to why I’m here” Jay said, returning his gaze to face most of the group “After all, I did come here on my own will, through a portal...of sorts”

“Hey, didn’t you say you were looking for people?” Dash chimed in, remembering Jay’s words from before.

“Yes, exactly” Jay replied, glad that Dash recalled his intentions “Some...fugitives have apparently tried to escape to this land. I intend on catching them before they cause any more trouble”

“What kind of trouble?” Twilight quickly asked, a small sound of worry in her voice “And just who are these ‘fugitives’ anyways?”

“I don’t know what kind of trouble. That’s why I need to find them quickly” Jayhawk remarked “They were quite the troublesome bunch in my world, and I don’t expect they’ve changed much”

Causing “trouble”? Maybe... Soul was hoping his suspicions were correct as he spoke his thoughts “Jay, would these ‘fugitives’ have anything to do with blood? Or perhaps it’s color?”

Jay suddenly shot Soul an expression that seemed as if he would smack Soul any second. Jay then turned his body to face Soul, bending over slightly to inspect him carefully. “Soul, how did you manage to be so spot on with just a guess?” Jay asked, hopeful that Soul had a lead on his objective.

“Not a guess, actually” Soul admitted “I may have run into who you are looking for...”

Soul quickly summed up his encounter with the tall figures inside the abandoned repair shop. Soul intentionally left out that he had apparently contracted vampirism from the event, unsure if it would be proper to say so out loud. Jay simply stared at Soul blankly, as if he had heard the entire story before. When Soul finished, Jay placed his hand on his chin and closed his eyes as if he was trying to remember something. Upon opening his eyes several moments later, Jay looked as if he was bothered by something.

“Soul...have you been feeling weak, or restless lately? Or perhaps a feeling like everyone around you is...watching you?” Jay asked, dropping his eyes down to meet Soul’s.

Soul was taken aback by Jay’s question. Those are the exact symptoms I had before. He could blow my cover right now... Soul thought, his nervousness slowly rising.

“No, not recently. Why do you ask?” Soul replied, hopeful he could admit to Jay alone later. He would understand for sure.

“Hmm...I guess you are pretty tough” Jay murmured in conclusion, dropping his subject “Well, that’s a suspicion that I’m glad was wrong. So, what should we do now?”

“Ohh! Ohh!” Rainbow Dash piped up, swooping out in front of Jay “You guys should totally come see the Wonderbolts’ tour show in Ponyville! It’s gonna be awesome, and...” Dash suddenly calmed herself upon noticing Jay’s annoyed reaction “...maybe we could ask them to help us track down who you’re looking for!”

“Alright, Dashie, that heavily depends on two things...” Jay replied, seemingly annoyed

“And those would be?” Dash inquired.

“One: who these ‘Wonderbolts’ are, and two: how they could possibly help me” Jay stated, pointing out his fingers to motion one and two.

“Oh, y’all shouldn’t have asked that...” Said an accented voice from behind Jay. He could already guess which of the unnamed ponies was talking.

“Who are the Wonderbolts?!” Dash shouted “You’d definitely have to be from another world to not know the Wonderbolts! They're a team of the most awesomest, coolest and-”

“Alright, alright...” Jay quickly cut in “I get it. They’re famous, right?”

“Yes. Quite famous indeed” Celestia added in “I have been left impressed by every air show they perform. They really are professionals”

Air show? They must be some sort of fancy flying pegasus troupe. That gives me an idea... Jay thought, not noticing the smirk on his face.

Don’t say yes, Jay... Soul pleaded to himself, hopeful that Jay would be more inclined to focus on serious matters. Soul needed to get back to Zecora’s anyways.

“Well, we have been in a rather tiring situation so far” Jay answered after a few seconds “I guess it couldn’t hurt to get a little...locally acquainted”

Soul’s discontent caught the better of him as he spoke “As tempting as that sounds Jay, I can’t really be bothered”

“Hey, it's just a little air show” Jay affirmed, apparently trying to sell Soul into the idea “Come on Soul. Get at least a little friendly”

“Sorry Jay, but we have more pressing matters at the moment” Soul replied, growing more annoyed “I’d suggest working towards them immediately”

Jay looked back at the group of ponies waiting for Jay and Soul’s final decision. Jay looked away, as if he was thinking, and turned to Soul. He leaned closer and turned Soul’s head to face opposite of the group “Listen, I have a plan to forward our own progress and I can almost guarantee it to work. Go do whatever it is you need to do, and meet me at the show, okay?” Jay whispered to Soul.

A plan...well, at least he’s letting me go back to Zecora’s. I hope I can trust you, Jay Soul thought, before nodding in agreement.

“So, whaddya say?” Rainbow Dash asked in a hopeful tone “You guys wanna come with us?”

Soul was the first to answer “Yes, but I have a...friend waiting for me somewhere, and I need to return to them as quickly as possible” He admitted, turning towards the door “I’ll meet you all there soon”. Soul quickly left the library, closing the door behind him.

“Alrighty!” the pink puffy haired pony from the group shouted at Jay “This will be a great way for me to introduce you to everypony in Ponyville and, OH! Maybe I can give out invitations for a party! I always throw a party when I meet somepony new, even if they aren’t a po-” the pony suddenly cut herself off, gasping loudly “I almost forgot! Wait right here!” She said towards Jay, taking off out the door.

“...well, I am thoroughly confused. Something about parties?” Jay said after eyeing the door for several seconds.

“That there is...er was, Pinkie Pie” answered an orange, blonde haired pony. Jay had guessed who had the accent correctly “She’s a real random one, and she loves throwin’ parties fer everypony”

“I see. So I should expect some sort of surprise soon?” Jay asked, a bit hopeful that he wouldn’t have to attend any parties at all.

“Yup. She probably went t’ go git her “Welcome Wagon”” the pony chuckled, obviously at some sort of inside joke

“...’Welcome Wagon’?” Jay inquired worryingly.

The pony chuckled once more at the words“Y’all may wanna step outside fer this one” She said, tilting her head towards the door.

“Applejack’s right” Twilight chimed in, walking to the door and opening it “I don’t want Pinkie making a mess of the library”

“Yes, indeed” added in a white pony with a rather nicely curled purple mane “There is more space for us outside anyways. I wouldn’t want to be in the line of fire...”

“Line of...fire?” Jay questioned worryingly again.

“You’ll see” Rainbow Dash smiled jokingly at Jay as she slowly floated past him. Jay hesitated before following her and the group outside.

It was a mere few seconds that the group was outside before Pinkie Pie returned with an equally pink wagon with a small button on the side.

“Check it out!” Pinkie exclaimed, gesturing towards the wagon” This is my Welcome Wagon! I use it to welcome everypony to Ponyville and I almost forgot to welcome you!”

No sooner than her words left her mouth did Pinkie press the small button, causing the wagon to split open and reveal several tubes and flags on the top, and what looked like a microwave in the middle. Various instrumental devices and flags moved about as they played a peculiar tune.

Jay’s confused expression intensified as Pinkie burst out into a musical number as she sang and danced about to the music and played a few different instruments herself. (I’m too lazy to write the lyrics) Near the end of the song, she leaped up into the air, landed on her knees, and slid towards Jay with her arms spread out in a showy fashion.

“...Wait, here it comes!” She said excitedly. Her words were followed by the very end of the song, and a burst of confetti from the microwave. As Jay opened his eyes from the barrage, he noticed the wagon rumble a bit. Suddenly, the machine blasted out what looked like a big slab of pale yellow goo out of the tubes on top. Jay had just barely enough time to dash quickly out of the way of the impending mess, which slopped heavily on the floor in a gooey mess.

“Oh, silly me! I always mess up the cake and the confetti!” A dough Pinkie exclaimed through light laughter

“I-I..wha-...” Jay said, stuttering in his shock” What in the hell...is that stuff?”

The pink pony chuckled as she somehow slipped right out of the goo, leaving a silhouette of herself in it. She gobbled down the statue in one bite, and made a delighted reaction “Hehe, it’s just cake dough. I mixed up the confetti and cake, again!” she happily admitted, acting as if it happened on a regular basis.

Jay moved his mouth to say something, but stopped and sighed heavily, hanging his head a bit and rubbing his forehead in grief “I’m never going to get used to this one, am I?” Jay asked at the group of ponies a few feet out of dodge from the landing point of the dough.

“Oh, it takes quite some time” Applejack chuckled “Pinkie eventually becomes everypony’s friend”

“That’s right!” Pinkie chimed in “I’m bestest friends with all the ponies in Ponyville! Even the ones who just pass by!” Jay eventually tuned out as the pink pony gabbed on and on about welcoming different newcomers and travelers to the town with the very same welcome wagon.

“Alright, alright, that’s...really nice and all...” Jay quickly replied as he stuck out his hand to notion Pinkie to halt her words “But, aren’t we on a schedule? When is that show starting, exactly?” he asked, looking back specifically at Rainbow Dash

Rainbow responded to Jay’s words as she swept up into the air and searched around. Soon her eyes stopped in what seemed like northeast of their position “I can see where the shows being held, there’s some bleachers out in a field! It looks like the show will be starting soon!” She yelled from up in the sky

“Perfect” Jay remarked, walking towards where Rainbow’s eyes lead “We should have just enough time to get there.”

“Well, have fun at the show everypony. I’ll be heading back now” Celestia said, turning towards a mountain in which what seemed like a castle was perched upon. She spread her wings elegantly in preparation for her takeoff.

“Wait, Princess Celestia, don’t you want to come watch the show?’ Twilight asked in a hopeful tone

“I’m afraid I’ve recently become very busy” Celestia replied as she turned her gaze towards Jay “I need to contact quite a few families about their losses” She concluded in what sounded like a slightly insulting tone.

Jay, stopped in his tracks silently, slightly turning his head so that he could just barely meet Celestia’s eyes “Oh, of course. It’s my fault you lost a few guards?” He spoke in a condescending tone “Please, tell me more about how I seem to control a separate demonic form of myself who uses panic attacks and migraines to weaken my sanity”

“I said nothing of the sort, but losing faithful subjects is not something that happens often..." Celestia shot back, obviously not afraid to spark an argument by the tone of her voice.

Jay suddenly turned and stomped towards Celestia. He stopped so that his face was just inches from hers “Listen, you royale bitch. I had almost stopped him from taking me over! It was your fault he got loose! ” Jay spoke harshly through his teeth, which he bared in anger “If you had left me alone and let me deal with my own problems, you wouldn’t have to be breaking the bad news to anybody!” He pulled back, looking at the ground as if he hadn’t even realized what he just said. Celestia waited patiently for what she expected was an apology.

As expected, Jay sighed lightly and left his gaze on the floor as he spoke “Look...I-I’m sorry, I just...I’m a bit sensitive on the subject” Jay admitted, the sound of regret in his voice “Any contact with the demon’s intended target makes me unable to stop him...It happens much too often these days”

“It’s okay” Celestia replied in a softer tone “I forgive you. I realize that it was not your fault”

“Yeah...forgiveness...” Jay spoke with a dull and lifeless sound to his words “What I wouldn’t give for it” He mumbled lightly to himself, still staring blankly at the dirt. Eventually he recuperated from his sudden depression and turned back in the direction of his destination.

“Let’s go. I wouldn’t like to be late” Jay said as walked forward, his back side still facing the ponies.

Before Twilight could follow, Applejack stopped her and looked towards Jay as she leaned closer “Listen, Twilight...ah think there’s somethin’ troublin’ him. Try an’ keep an eye on him, kay?”

“No doubt there’s something troubling him. Something dangerous” Twilight replied, eyeing Jay as well “We just need to hope it doesn't trouble us again...”