The Soul Reaver

Chapter 15: And so we rest...

It's been two days since the mission in Avalon. Most of the time was spent in silence as Jay and I rested. Jay insisted that he stayed in a place where he'll be useful, so he ended up staying with Pinkie. Apparently he could "Bake" when he was alive.

Why do I get the feeling that the cupcakes will give the munchies?

Well, ever since the mission, I've sort of made it a point to go out of my way to get to know the others, and every time I would get close to them, I would hear this strange voice.

For Twilight, I heard Magician, for Fluttershy, I heard priestess, and for Tech and Jay, I heard fool.

These voices have just been confusing me, and they're getting more and more frequent.

Maybe I should ask Death about them? He more than likely has an idea on what they are. I guess I'll just wait until he shows up again. For now, it's time to rest.

I felt a tap on my leg. I looked to see Twilight staring at me.

"Something you need Twi?" I asked with an air of boredom in my voice.

"Dean, I was wondering if you could head to sweetapple acres and pick up some apples, would you mind?" She asked. I thought about it for a minute, and nodded. I have been sitting around for awhile and haven't done anything, so getting out of this dusty library might do some good.

"Thanks Dean!" Twilight smiled. I chuckled and got up from the couch.

I moved to the door and paused for moment before I took a deep breath and grasped the door handle.

(Dean's Town theme)

I looked around town, just watching the ponies go by and about their business. It was rather boring.

Well, now I know why I never walk around town! It's just so freaking boring, that it actually forced me to shut myself in! That is just freaking weird! Anyway, I made my way through the square, waving at those who did wave, and saying hi once in awhile. This really is strange, I've never really walked around any sort of town without having to worry about the police trying to compare their dicks with me. It's really... liberating.

"Hey Dean!" I looked up and saw Rainbow Dash flying towards me. She halted in front of me and looked fairly enthusiastic. I stared at her with a raised eyebrow, waiting for her to continue.

"I was wondering if you could help me with this trick I was practicing. I would ask Applejack, but she's busy on her farm." She asked. I nodded instantly. I wasn't one to deny someone help when it comes to improving themselves.

"What do you need me to do?" I asked as I walked along side Dash. She pointed her hoof towards a large tower that stood behind a see-saw like object.

"Okay, I need you to get to the top of that tower, and jump onto that wooden plank. I'll be on the other end, that way, when you land, I'll get sent flying and pull off a Sonic Rainboom!" She exclaims with excitement.

Sonic Rainboom? sounds like a weird knock-off of a sonic boom. Oh well, best not keep her waiting. I begin the climb up the tower, and can't help let out a low whistle as I look down. It was pretty high up, that's for sure. I finally make it to the top, and make my way towards the plank that hung off the edge.

Oh~ this will be fun...

I jump off and channel some of my soul wavelength into the soles of my feet to add more power to the landing. After a couple of seconds, I finally landed with a loud boom, and I saw Dash go cutting through the air like butter.

She didn't pull of the "Sonic Rainboom" but she did go pretty fucking fast. She soared before after maybe a minute she began to slow down. She zoomed over to me and wore this big grin.

"That was awesome! Sure I didn't do my move, but whoa what a rush!" She shouted. I chuckled at her antics, and moved to leave before she flew in front of me. She had this sort of bashful look on her face. "Look... um, Dean, I was wondering if you wanted to hang out later on?" I raised an eyebrow, and laughed.

"Sure thing Dash."

Chariot...

SONOFABITCH THERE'S THE VOICES! Okay, I have definitely got to ask Death about this. I know I'm not too crazy, so schizophrenia is out. I heard Dash's voice, so I snapped my attention back to her.

"Cool! Talk to you later Dean!" With that she took off. I chuckled at her antics, and went on my way to Applejacks orchards. It was uneventful, as the apple trees were multiplying in number as I went further and further into the orchard. I plucked one from the branches and began to eat one. and it tasted like...

Apples. What? The fuck do you expect me to say? It's an orgasm in an apple? It's just a freaking apple! Discarding the core, I continued on my way. I spotted the farm as I got closer and closer to my destination. I heard loud banging noises from the distance, confirming that either Big Mac or Applejack were at work. I move closer to the source of the banging. Turns out, it was just Big Mac. He spotted and smiled as he waved a forehoof at me. I waved back and beckoned him over. He trotted over at his traditional calm pace, wheat in his mouth and all.

"Mornin' Dean. What can I do for ya?" Big Mac asked in his deep southern drawl. I grinned and gestured to the surrounding apples.

"I'm here for some Apples of course. Best in equestria, right?" Let it never be known that I don't know how to butter people up with compliments. Big mac chuckled easily saw through it.

"Now now, Dean, that ain't goin' to drop the prices just cuz' you decided to compliment them." He teased lightly. I snapped my fingers in mock-annoyance. Big Mac gathers a some apples from the various buckets and puts them in a single bag and hands in to me. I reach into my pocket and give him the required amount of bits. "Thank ya' kindly Dean." He nodded and was about to get back to work before I stopped him by poking him on the shoulder. "Something ya need?" He asked with curiosity. I swear, these ponies eyes are just so huge that you can easily read them at poker.

"Yeah. I was wondering..." I trailed off. Was this a good Idea? I mean, I do hate lounging around, but I also hate manual labor...

Screw it. I need the exercise anyway.

"Could I work for you guys? I need money in a bad way." I asked. The stallions eyes widened in surprise, and narrowed his eyes at me.

"That ain't the only reason, is it?" He prodded. I shrugged, figuring that I may as well tell him the real reason.

"Nope, I'm asking mostly because I'm bored as hell." I tell him. That got a small chuckle out of him.

"Well, I don't see a problem with it. Just know that it won't be a trot in the park though." He warns me. I wave him off.

"Don't worry about me bro. I can handle myself just fine." I hold my hand out to shake his hoof, which he accepts. After the motion is done, he stares at me with a raised eyebrow. "What?" I ask.

"Y'all know that your hands are cold?" He tells me. I chuckled with mirth.

"Trust me, If I told you why they're that way, you'd be pretty shocked." and probably hate me at the same time...

"Try me." He stares at me. Oh well, may as well kill my job application here and now!

"I eat the souls of the dead for nourishment." I bluntly tell him. His eyes shoot open in shock as he stares at me with an open mouth. I sigh and proceed to leave with the bag of apples. I felt a hoof on the back of my leg stop me. I turn around to find Big Mac staring at me with a stern expression.

"I don't hate ya for being what ya are Dean. But I do need to know if you actively go out of your way to eat other ponies souls." I stare at him for any hint of deception that he's lying, and to my surprise, he's being sincere. This is a first for me...

I shook my head. "No. If anything, my diet has consisted of souls of animals from the everfree forest." I tell him. He nods and smiles.

"Then there ain't nothin' to worry about. If anything, I should respect you for keeping yourself in check for so long." The giant stallion smiles. I couldn't help but laugh.

"Listen Dean..." He gets my attention. I look at him with a raised eyebrow. "AJ told me about your trip to that human city, and I wanted to thank ya for protecting her the entire time." He tells me. I smiled and shook my head.

"It wasn't just me that did it Big Mac. It was mostly Tech but he left to go train for..." I stopped before considering what to say. "Reasons that are his own." I finish. He nodded with understanding.

"Still, you helped. If ya need anythin' jus' let me know." He smiles.

Justice...

Well, there's another one.

I wonder how Jay is doing...

(Sugarcube corner - Jay's P.O.V)

I get the feeling that questions will start right about...

"Jay can you plea~se tell me why you wiped Deans memory!" now. Well, my timing was a bit off, but I was close.

"No Pinkie." I stop my self and think about what happened back at Avalon. Dean was beginning to remember... But how? I made sure to take all of that portion of the soul! unless there was a tiny fragment of it there...

That's the only explanation that I can think of.

I... I felt horrible enough doing that to a child. But now that I'm his friend, I can't do that again. It just isn't right. I sighed, and was about to get to work before I felt pinkies hoof on my leg. I stared at her and...

Oh dear lord that is adorable and gut wrenchingly sad at the same time...

Her mane deflated to the point that it was straight and her eyes were brimming with tears.

I'm sorry if I asked you something sad..." She apologized. Geez, that's what got her worked up? I pet her mane with a grin.

"Don't worry about it. That time was..." I pause and think about it. "it was a bad time for me, but I got over it. I did what I had to do, but I guess that wasn't enough." It's true. It's only a matter of time before Dean remembers completely who Nex is. I... I have to be there when he does. I need to make things right between us.

I guess the saying is right. Some folks you never forget, no matter how hard you try. I patted her head with a bigger grin.

"Come on, we need to get to work. I want some freaking brownies now." I tell her. Her mane inflated back to her normal poofyness, and her hyperactiveness returned in full force.

"Alright! Brownies sound great right about now!" She exclaims. I laugh as we prepare the dish.

(The road to ponyville - Dean's P.O.V)

Ah, I get the feeling that he's fine.

I can't get the events of Avalon out of my head... Why did that headache happen when I tried thinking about that Nex guy? Is... he can't be familiar, can he? That would be way too creepy. Then there was when I thought about... my mob life. That time was the highest and lowest point. I don't regret doing it, I never will. But it was rough.

Someone needs to be told, but I can't tell the others. They would just over react...

Maybe...

Okay, it's decided.

Celestia is going to find out about my past. Joy.

To be Continued...

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