The Soul Reaver

Chapter Eighteen: Lets go to Manehatten...

(OST)

Geez, it took awhile, but Steams shift finally ended.

"Sorry it took so long Dean, my supervisor was galloping me ragged!" She tells me as she takes off her conductors coat and hat. She had a light brown coat with a short black mane. Her eyes were also a green hue, I guess you could say that like all of the other ponies, for whatever reason, she's adorable in a way.

"I'm not going to go into how annoying these puns are, but lets just get out of here." I tell her. She rolls her eyes as we board the train and head towards my usual booth.

Steam and I pass the time by making small talk and making jokes. I can't help but think back to... Nah, she's in the past. It's only going to open some old wounds.

We stopped talking and rode in silence, simply enjoying each others company. After an hour, the train finally stopped in Ponyville. We got off the train and agreed to meet back here in an hour. I looked around the town and sighed. I really don't want to drag out a goodbye, and knowing the mares, they probably will. Besides, it's not like I'm not coming back, just going to be away for a while. He headed to Twilights library and figured he'd better let her know first.

After a few minutes of walking, I finally found the library and headed inside.

"Yo! I'm home!" I called out. Spike was sorting the books when I came in, and he turned towards me when he heard my voice. He smiled as he saw me.

"Hey Dean!" He greeted as he jumped off of the ladder towards me. I caught him in mid air and placed him on my shoulder with a grin.

"How ya' doing kid?" I ask him. He shrugged in response.

"Doing good. Just finished sorting the books." He answered. I rolled my eyes at his mentioned task.

"You'd think that when she already knows where each book goes, she would know to put them back when she's not reading them." I sighed. I've helped Spike on some occasions when he was sorting the books, and not once did I enjoy it.

"Really, it's not that bad. I'm just used to it." He replied.

"Oh there you are Dean!" Twilight exclaimed as she came from the basement. I raise an eyebrow as I see that she's somewhat covered in soot.

"What's with all of the soot? you working on something?" I ask her. She nods and pulls out some sort of liquid in a bottle.

"Yup! I'm trying to create a potion that can help keep food fresh." She answers. Well, looks like she's trying to create a refrigerator. I chuckle before I reply.

"Just put it in cold temperatures. It slows the degradation process." I tell her. She nods and was about to head back down to try out my idea before I stopped her. I need to let you know that I'm going to be gone for a couple of weeks. I'm heading to Manehatten to take a vacation." I tell her. She looks shocked but looks sad at the same time, So I put spike down and kneel in front of her.

"Dean, I thought you were going to stay longer..." she says. I sigh and rub her mane.

"I'm tired Twilight. If anything, I need this vacation to relax." I get an idea. "Tell you what, I'll bring back a souvenir for you and Spike, how's that?" I ask her. She sighs and nods. I smile and pat her head as I get up.

"Good! I guess I'll see you guys later." I wave at them as I leave. Time to head to the farm to let Applejack know.

Took a good while, about thirty minutes, but I made it. It might have to do with the fact that I walked, but I'm too lazy to do otherwise. I found Applejack bucking the trees, as she usually does. She sees me and waves her hoof with a smile.

"Well howdy there Dean! Wha'cha doin' around these parts?" She asks me. I laugh as I tell her my plans for the next two weeks. She laughs at the mention of Manehatten. "Shoot, I ain't beet there in a long time! If you could, could ya' say hi to my uncle Orange for me?" She asks me. I raise an eyebrow before shrugging and nodded. She smiles and thanks me and gets back to work. Taking that as my que to leave, I begin to leave before Applejack calls my name.

"By the way Dean, Big Mac told me 'bout you asking for a job here on the farm! I want to let y'all know that you're more than welcome to work here any time!" she tells me as I leave. I turn and walk backwards and smile and wave.

Empress...

Well shit why not have another! I swear, this is going to bug me to no end.

I look at the sun and realize that I only have fifteen minutes to get to the train station. Time to book it I guess!

I finally make it to the train station where Steam was waiting with two briefcases. I smile and wave at her as she was holding our tickets. She smiles and waves at me.

"Hey there Dean! Got your ticket here." She gives me my ticket as I take her bags and head onto the train. We get back in and find our seats and wait for the train to take off. I notice that Steam is a lot more excited than she normally was, and I raise an eyebrow.

"A little excited aren't we?" I tease her. She chuckles as she rubs the back of her head with a hoof.

"I can't help it! It's been sixteen years since I left Manehatten and came to Ponyville, and I haven't seen my parents in a long time!" She replies. I laugh as I feel the train taking off.

(Outskirts of Ponyville)

Familiar figures stand, watching the train leaving.

"So Tom, should we let David and Hemlock know he's coming?" Zachary asked. Mot chuckled.

"Yes, that would be best. I believe they are in for a surprise when they arrive in Manehatten, especially that mare with Dean." Mot smirks evilly. Zachary laughed as he summoned his carriage and took off.

(Train bound for Manehatten)

I felt a chill run up my spine. Something bad is going to happen, really bad. But what?

"Dean, you okay?" Steam's voice comes from the side. I simply nodded and went back to my daydreaming.

I guess I should prepare myself for the worst.