The Soul Reaver

Chapter Six: Journey to Arcadia

"Did you see me!?"

"Yes Dean. I did."

"I told you I could do it!"

"I never said you couldn't little one."

"I'm not little damn it!"

"I don't think your mother would appreciate such language."

"Geez mister butler! Lighten up a bit!"

"hmhm. Well, since you insist."

"Umm... what are you doing? Put me down!

"No, I think not."

"Get me down!"

"Only when you learn to stop swearing so much."

(Xenogears - My village is number one!)

My eyes shoot open. Why are these dreams getting more frequent? Is it some sort of sign? Well, I won't get any answers just laying here. I best get up now. My head rises from the comfy pillow and I look around the room. Fancy, I'll give it that. It was too bright, though. The wall was painted white, and the bed sheets were also light colors. Jesus, this is not the first thing I want to look at in the morning everyday.

I spot my cloths resting on a chair. I get up to find my self in... my... underwear...?

WHAT THE FUCK!

When did that happen?! I only took my damn shoes and shirt off! unless... they undressed while I was asleep? I look to my left at the night stand and see my wraith blade hilt sitting there. Good, at least that was untouched. I jump out of bed and look myself over. I find myself in nothing but an a-shirt and my boxers. I hear the door knob begin to fiddle and I look towards it.

A servant pops through holding my hat. She's wearing a maid outfit, and she's a dark blue earth pony. I clear my throat to get her attention while glaring at her. She looks at me with wide eyes, along with a slight blush.

"So. Any particular reason you guys undressed me in my sleep?" I asked her through gritted teeth. she jumps back a little bit and looks down trying to stutter out a reason. I held my hand up and silenced her. "Look, that's besides the point. Just warn me next time." I grab my hat and lift her from the waste. I hear a small squeak in surprise. I open the door and set her down on the floor. "Now, no peaking." with that, I close the door and proceed to get dressed in my favorite suit.

My mind begins to wander. How are the other two doing? They're probably pissed at me.

Oh well!

(At Twilights library.)

"Where the hell is he!?" Tech shouted in annoyance. He was here for an entire day, just waiting for his supposed "Instructor" on how to be a wraith. In all honesty, he didn't trust the guy. He looked way to shady. He's seen his type before, and he was worried.

"Dude, just calm down. complaining about it won't make him come any faster." Jay calmly told him. Tech turned towards the man with the a stoner like demeanor.

"I know that!" He exclaimed. He sighed, "I just want to get this over with. I mean, devouring souls? I had no Idea I would be doing that!" He said.

Jay got up from the couch and place a hand on his companions shoulder. "Hey, I don't like it anymore than you do. But well, if we want to survive, we need to learn to accept. You heard Dean, we can't puss out now that we already did it."

Tech nodded in understanding and sat back on the couch. "So, what do you think of our "Instructor"?" Tech sarcastically asked. Jay grinned.

"You really don't like him, do you?" Jay chuckled. Tech frowned.

"He's too shady. I grew up in a bad neighborhood, so I know how to spot gangbangers." Tech explained. Jay laughed even harder.

"Bro, I don't think he's a gangbanger. I think he was something a lot better in terms of crime." Jay said. Tech looked confused. What did Jay mean? Jay caught his confused look. "I think he was in the mob." He explained with his grin growing wider. He always wanted to meet a mobster.

Tech's eyes widened. He was working with a mobster. That didn't sit well with him.

"What's a mob?" The two noobs look down and see Spike the Dragon looking at them with confusion. The two wraiths look at each other in a silent conversation. They both come to an agreement.

"We'll tell you when you're older." They both tell him. Spike huffs and sits on the couch with them.

"So, how are you guys dealing with the whole "Dead" thing?" Spike asked them curiously.

"Well, it's a bit weird. I mean, we don't have to breath, but we do it any way out of force of habit. We don't have to worry about heart attacks or old age, and we no longer get hungry for material food." Jay explained. He then raised an eyebrow. "How come you're so willing to talk to us instead of Dean?" He asked. What did Dean do to warrant so much distrust?

"Don't get me wrong, he's a cool guy! He's just too weird!" Spike exclaimed. Tech scoffed.

"Yeah, no kidding." he agreed.

"Morning you three!" Twilight yelled out as she descended the stares.

"Morning." The males called back. They look at all three of each other and smiled. This was the start of a good friendship.

Spike then burped up a letter, surprising the shit out of the wraiths. "Twilight! You got a letter from the princess!"

Why do I get the feeling someone just insulted me? Oh well, may as well go see Celestia before I head out. I make my way towards her room, hoping to catch her before she deals with the court. I see the guards and sigh. I honestly hope they don't give me any trouble.

As soon as I get close, they lock their wings together.

GODDAMMIT!

I Sigh with annoyance. "We went through this when I first visited. We went through this yesterday, and now we're going through this again!?!" I exclaim. I hear the door opening and Celestia coming through it. She spots me and tells the guards to stand down.

"So, you're heading out?" She asks with noticeable worry. I nodded. She then did something I totally didn't expect, and neither did the guards. She grabbed me and gripped me in a tight hug. My eyes widened and I felt confused. I didn't know what I was supposed to do. So, I went with what I felt was right, and hugged her back. "Please, be careful Dean." She pleads to me. I chuckle.

"Oi, come on now. I need to get going." I tell her. She then has a flash of realization.

"Take the elements with you." She tells me. My eyes widened in shock. Why the hell...?

"Look Celest, I know you're worried and all, but they're just going to slow me and my boys down. They'd be practically useless against the sentiments!" I exclaim. She looked at me with determination.

"You don't know that. For all you know, they could make the mission go by faster." She rebuked. I sigh in defeat. She had a point.

"Alright, fine. I'll take them with me." I concede. That's a first. I'm not arguing any further? What sorcery is this!? She smiles happily.

"Thank you." She exhales a sigh of relief. She then tells the guards to go get Shining Armor. I raise my eyebrow. She catches it and tells me "So you don't get lost on the way back to the station." She giggles at my annoyed look. I swear, she treats me like I'm defenseless or something!

Shining arrives and looks to the princess for his instructions.

"Captain Shining armor, you are to escort Dean to the Train station." Shining saluted and looked at me with confusion. He knew that I could take care of myself. I shrugged. I didn't understand her reasoning either. "Oh, and Dean!" I looked towards Celestia waiting for her response. "You'll find the supplies delivered when you arrive. I made sure to pack for the elements and sent a letter to twilight." She informed me. She planned this all along, didn't she? That sneaky bitch!

I sighed as we left the castle, until Shining interrupted my thoughts. "How did you know?" I turn to him with a raised eyebrow. "How'd you know that I... was in love?" He elaborated. I grin at him.

"Simple. Your soul. It has a hint of a light pink to it. that usually signifies love." I explain. His eyes widened.

"You can see ponies' souls?" He asked in wonder. I sighed.

"Yeah, it's my job to look into souls. So I can best judge on whether to send them to my boss or not when they die." I inform him. His eyes widened even further. I look to him and smile. "Don't worry bro. You're a shoe in for paradise. So is the lucky gal." I say in a calming tone. He smiles happily. Best dissuade him from relaxing. "That doesn't mean you go around making an ass of yourself!" I exclaim. He pushed me with his forehoof playfully. I grin and shake my head. He'll do fine.

We arrive at the station and I get ready to board the train leaving for Ponyville. I then hear Shining calling my name. I turn to hear what he has to say. "Your okay Dean! let me know when you're in town again, I'll buy you and me some drinks!" He offers. I grin.

"My my~ no dinner first?" I tease. He laughs and waves me off as the train leaves.

Emperor

The hell was that? I shake off my confusion and proceed to my section of the train. It's a closed off area, So I can take my naps! YAY, NAP TIME!

I lean my head back against the seat and doze off.

"So, how much?"

"Ten thousand and not a penny less."

"Make it seven thousand and I'll throw some extra turf for your boys."

".... Very well. You drive a hard bargain Marcelo."

"Hey, maybe I'm part jewish?"

"Hehe, maybe."

"So, when can I expect the shipment?"

"A week from today. You know how it is with the coast guard and all that."

"Of course. No rush at all."

I wake up on my own this time. The door to my booth opens to reveal the same mare that I met yesterday when I arrived.

"Oh! Your awake this time!" She says surprised. I grin at her.

"I'm just that awesome." I tell her. She giggles and informs me that the train has stopped. "By the way!" I call out to her. She stops and looks at me with a pleasant smile. "What's your name? I never heard it yet." She giggles at my question.

"Sparkler. And what's yours?" She asks in return. I grin at her.

"Dean Marcelo. Nice to meet you." I begin to make my way off the train and spot Twilights friends and the Noobs, each holding a small pack along with a big bundle.

"About damn time you got here." Tech said annoyed. I roll my eyes and just say this.

"Just make sure these six don't come to harm. Now come on, we need to head to the Everfree forest." I saw the mares tense up. Oh great.

"Why there? If you don't mind me asking." Fluttershy asked with nervousness, making her shake all over. Now wasn't the time for comfort though.

"Because Everfree is Arcadia." I tell them. I see the ponies looked shocked. I snickered at their response. Really? They've lived next to it for how long and they've never wondered 'Gee, I wonder why the Everfree forest is so random!' good lord this trip is going to be long.

"That's amazing!" Twilight exclaimed with excitement. She just realized that she went to a foreign country before. Yeah, not all that cracked up to be, if your me anyway.

We reached the edge of the forest and I looked at the company I'm bringing. Jay looked as happy as ever, Tech looked slightly impatient, and the ponies looked somewhat excited.

Oh my god I'm screwed.