Orchestra of Death

(OST)

For the second time I since I became a wraith, I found myself in the dream coliseum. I looked around and found myself not in the preparation rooms, but instead, I was sitting in the stands. A banner was blocking my view and was still as the others were waving in some unknown wind.

I stood up and moved around the banner to find the other me from last time wasn’t in the arena. I looked at the stands and the large VIP box to see if I could spot him anywhere but found only dusty chairs and curtains.

“Hello again James~”

I turned around to find the other me standing on the back of one of the seats. He grinned with grey sharpened teeth as he looked down at me with blood red eyes. Unlike last time though, they were not glowing, revealing the blackish grey ‘white’ of his eyes which was fucking creepy as all hell. I also noticed that his hair was slightly darker than mine, uncut, and ragged to the point you would wonder if he knew what a comb even was.

“Yes, I do look stunning don’t I?”

Okay that was freaky. “Who are you and what is going on?”

He let out this strange laugh that sent a shiver down my spine. “Oh wouldn’t you like to know.”

I scowled and reached for my gun. “Just tell me where... I...” I patted my sides but couldn’t find my weapons. “Huh?”

“Looking for these?~” I looked back and saw him holding my holsters. “You won’t be needing these little things. At least, not at the moment anyway.” The holsters were thrown into the center of the arena with a flick of his wrist.

I looked into the arena and felt a crushing pressure on my head. I keeled over slightly as I clutched the sides of my head in agony. “JUST WHAT IS GOING ON!”

“I’ll at least answer that one for you.” He appeared in front of me and I jumped back into a seat. “It’s something every single one of your ancestors have gone through. Ever since the first of your past selves managed to piss of the god Loki.”

What is he talking about? Ancestors? Loki? Just what kind of answer is that!

I glared before I swung my fist at him, only for him to jump over me and land on one of the seats in the back row. “And Just what would that be huh!?”

“Now that would be spoiling the surprise~” He pointed behind me and had a calm smile as he did so. “Loookie there~ and you can leave.”

“I hope I don’t see this place again.”

I turned around and saw him jump down and land in front of me, before grabbing the sides of my head and lifting me off of the ground. It hurt like all hell as he purposely started stretching the skin on my face. “We’ll be seeing each other again. I can promise you that.~”

I struggled in his grasp as the ground and arena started to fade. “Just... who... are you!?”

He grinned as his eyes started glowing as they did the last time. His mouth vanished as he drew his arms back. “I think you’ll find out soon enough.” He threw me away from himself and I landed in the center of the arena.

The ground shattered under me as I landed before I fell into an increasingly intense white that stung my eyes and burned at my skin.

“GAH!” I shot out of the bed and smacked my head on the roof of the train car. “Owwww. My head.”

I looked over to talk to Alex. But instead of him, I see a girl in Alex’s spot, “Umm... Hey James.”

I blinked for a moment before squinting at her. She looks a lot like...“Alex? Tha-” My hand clapped around my mouth as soon as I heard my voice. Why is my voice this high? “What’s going on?”

“I accidentally the rule 63 spell.” The... rule what now?

I stared at her for a moment in confusion. “What are you....” I looked down and noticed that something was VERY wrong. One, was that I had more weight on my chest. Two, my hands were much more slender. Three, there was long strands of blonde hair hanging in front of my face.

And four, was the haymaker that was the reason for numbers one through three.

“WHY DO I HAVE BOOBS!!”

Alex grinned uneasily, “Happy hanukkah!?”

I jumped down from the bunk I had taken and grabbed her by the shirt. “Don’t make a joke about this! You better explain why I have boobs right now or I will DESTROY YOU!!”

“I accidentally cast a spell that turned everyone in the train car to the opposite gender and I can’t reverse it!”

Can’t... Reverse!...“WHAT!!”

A deep masculine voice rang from the bunk behind us. “Would you shut up James! I’m trying to sleep.” I turned around and saw a muscled man looking at me and Alex. “And why the hell are you two crossdressing? That’s just weird, even for you James.”

Oh shit oh shit oh shit oh shit oh shit. I was frozen in place as I stared at him. There was a small filly curled up in his arms. OH SHIT OH SHIT OH SHIT OH SHIT APPLESLICE IS GOING TO KILL ME!!!!

“FIND A COUNTER SPELL OR SOMETHING NOW!!”

The man sitting in the bed was looking at himself in confusion and even checked in his pants. “James, why do I have a penis?”

I looked around the car before pointing at Alex. “Uh................. I BLAME HIM!”

Alex leaned back, “Ye son of a...”

We were both lifted into the air by the back of our shirts by my new brother. “Would you two knock it off?”

I gawked at her before going into a full blown rage. “YOU DON’T GET IT!! BECAUSE OF HIM..er. HER!! I DON’T HAVE MY JUNK ANYMORE!!! I WANT THAT BACK DAMNIT!!!!” We were dangling as my shirt began to slip off. OH SHIT!

But it was too late. I landed on the ground with a thud and looked down at my chest and sniffled. “I have boobs now.....”

I paused and let the thought and what I saw sink into my mind. Wait........ I have boobs...... Boobs.......Big... Boobs.........Yeeeeeeessssssssssss.

I started reaching when my arm was grabbed by Amy. “Don’t even think about it.”

Alex spoke up with a bright green glow, “Um... Don’t take this the wrong way, but ye have amazing tits.” Don’t know how to react...... Now that I think about it, his are.... NO, BAD BRAIN!! NO!!! JUST NO!!!!

Amy was looking away with a slight glow. Dang it, that’s not helping!

We all froze when we heard a yawn from the bed. “What’s all the noise about?”

Alex’s eyes widened, “Oh god....” I quickly grabbed my shirt from Amy and put it back on. The boobs kept getting in the way.

Choc looked at us in confusion. “Who are you people? Where’s Mr. James?”

Alex looked at him, “Choc, don’t panic but I might have turned us into the opposite gender so that means that Mr. James is now a Miss. And ye are a filly, soooo yeah.”

He blinked in confusion for a moment before looking between his legs. “AHHHHHHH!” He quickly shot his head in my direction. “Why am ah A FILLY!”

I ran over and started holding him in a hug. “Don’t worry buddy! I’ll force Alex to find a way to fix this!” Cause it’s his fault to begin with!

Alex was looking through his book, “The spell says that I can’t reverse the spell within a day of casting it, but I can cast an illusion to make us look normal. But if we run or yell it will shatter.”

I grabbed her by her shoulders and pressed my forehead to hers. “DO IT!! DO IT NOW!!”

“OKAY, Daoine bhfolach!”

A flash of light washed over us and I found myself to have the appearance of a male once more. “Oh, thank god.” I looked over to Choc and leaned down to the colt. “Now remember, No running or yelling. We do not need to cause a commotion that I will be blamed for.”

He gave a quick salute. “Yes sir, Mr. James!” He started to walk down the car but stopped when his ears perked up. “Does this mean no crusading today?”

“Sorry bud, but yes it does. Besides, I don’t think you mom’s going to let you crusade for a while anyways.”

“Awwwwww.” Choc started pouting and Amy was chuckling as she stood behind me. I couldn’t blame her, that was pretty funny.

Alex smiled and leaned closer and whispered, “I think I know what ye’re going to do later.” He raised his eyebrows rapidly.

I glowed slightly and turned away. “I have no idea what you’re talking about....”

“O rly?” He leaned closer, “I think ye’re going to sit in your room and explore your body, and come up with an excuse so I can postpone reversing it.”

“Ha!”

Choc looked between me and Alex before turning to Amy. “What did he mean by explorin’?”

Amy glowed a light silver before Alex interrupted, “Well... I can tell ye, but it’s a secret.” Amy nodded in approval to Alex’s tactic to avoid the question. Thank you for once Alex.

The train started to come to a stop and I could see Appleloosa out the window. “I hope this plan of yours works Alex.”

“Don’t hope... Or it will fail.”

I looked back out the window and felt worry creep up my spine. Why do I have such a bad feeling about this?

~Alex’s POV~

As the train stopped James, Amy, Choc, and I left the train slowly and a light brown mare with a light blonde mane ran forwards and stared at Choc. “CHOCOLATE APPLE!”

Choc flinched and kept his head down as the mare marched up to him. “H-hi mom....”

She suddenly lost all traces of anger and swept him in a big hug. “Where have you been! I’ve been so worried about you!”

Choc broke down and started crying in her embrace. “I’m sorry... I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m sorry...” *sigh* Family....

I spoke up, “Um... Ma'am. Ye wished to see me about the Ponyville incident.”

The mares faced turned to an icey seriousness as she glared at me. “You’re Alexander Harris?”

“Yes ma’am.... I am.” I’mdeadI’mdeadI’mdeadI’mdeadI’mdeadI’mdead. Oh wait....

She picked Choc up and placed him on her back. “Come with me for a moment. We need ta discuss some... details, about the incident.”

I nodded and started moving, “Of course.”

I stopped when I felt James’ hand on my shoulder. “It’s been nice knowing you...” THANKS FOR THE CONFIDENCE!

I shrugged him off and followed her. We reached a quaint little home and she led me inside. She made her way to the stairs and put Choc on the ground. “Choc go to your room. You’re grounded.”

Choc hung his head and turned for the stairs, “Okay...” I lost sight of him as he made his way down the hall at the top.

I turned towards her, “So....”

I felt a breeze as a knife stabbed into the wall next to my head. OH SWEET JESUS WTF! “Kitchen. NOW.”

“Yes ma’am.” I quickly walked in and stood next to a small dining table.

She followed in shortly after and pointed to a chair. “Sit.” I sat down quickly, grunting in annoyance as my knees nearly touched my chest. “Good, now ah want to know exactly what happened, and if ah find out that ya lied ta me....” Another knife embedded itself into the table a solid inch.

I nodded calmly, “I was minding my own business in the Ponyville library when Chocolate and his cousin, with friends, asked if I could cast a spell, saying they wanted to see a ‘Trick.’ We went out to the outskirts of town and I added too much power to a simple summoning charm, thus tearing a hole in reality. I managed to get all of them to safety as James and Amy, his sister, helped in closing it.” POKER FACE BITCHES! Wait, hold on... NO SHIT! Okay, I’m back.

The mare stared at him before resting a fetlock across her muzzle. “I believe ya, but did ya say James has a sister?”

Why is she... oh yeah. “Yes... but don’t worry. She’s quite normal compared to James.”

She let out a sigh of relief. “Oh sweet Celestia, I thought we would have two walking disasters....”

I laughed at that, “Yeah... In the three minutes I first peacefully talked with him, he had five unlucky things happen.”

Suddenly, outside, an explosion could be heard. “OH COME ON!!” Oh boy... Here we go.

~James POV (5 minutes earlier)~

I was walking down the road with Amy following me. “So, want to see the town?”

She shrugged. “Sure, it’s not like I’ve been here before.”

I grinned and started leading Amy to the Orchards and grinned. “I have the perfect place in mind!”

She quirked a brow. “Oh really? And what would that be?”

I turned around and started to walk backwards. “I’m going to introduce you to my friend Braeburn! He can give you a proper tour.” I entered the orchard and looked around. “That is if we can find him.”

Amy looked at all the trees as we passed them by. “Wow, this is almost as big as that other apple farm....”

I raised a hand behind me and pointed up at an apple. “Sweet Apple Acres was the name. I said it in front of you multiple times.”

I ignored her attempt at a rebuttal due to the fact that I tripped on a root. I felt a strange sensation across my chest as I landed. “Ow.... that hurt.” I pulled myself up and tried to rub where the pain was and found something else.

It was squishy.

OH GOD I CAN STILL FEEL THEM!!

NO SHIT!

I looked around frantically for the source of the voice and Amy just looked at me. “Uh... did you hear anything?”

She shook her head. “No, why?”

I shook my head and stood up. “It’s nothing. Let’s just get going.” I looked up at the apple tree and smiled. “Want an apple?”

She smiled and licked her lips. “Sure, it’s been awhile since I’ve had some normal food.” I’m not even going to ask...

I reached up to grab the apple when I heard the sound of wheels moving down the path. “Outta the way!” I looked over and saw a green pony with goggles on speeding towards us in a cart. Okay, just what the fu-

Time seemed to slow down as the cart collided with my hip. I was sent rocketing into the air flailing like a ragdoll. When I reached the peak of accent, I looked down to see where I would land. I see Choc’s house from here... wait. OH SHIT!!

I started falling and crashed with a small boom. “OH COME ON!” I then heard the sound of shattering glass and saw my disguise had vanished. “Oh, no....” I quickly looked around and saw that I had knocked a lot of dust into the air and dived into a nearby barrel. They won’t be able to find me here... I hope.

I heard Alex’s, now feminine, voice come from inside, “YE FOOL, THE SPELL WAS LINKED TO ALL OF US!” Wait... Oh crap... I looked around from my barrel and started to tip toe my way over to the back door and snuck my way inside. I could hear Appleslice freaking out.

“WHAT IN TARNATION!!”

“Okay listen... I cast a spell that might have turned all of us into the opposite gender.” I heard a knife imbed itself into the wall. “I CAN REVERSE IT, I JUST NEED A DAY!!!!!”

She glared at him as I snuck my way to the stairs. “Did this affect my little Chocolate too?”

“... Aye.”

I was sure that Choc, Alex, and I were going to die in the next few moments as Appleslice glared into Alex with the fury of a thousand suns. At least, until she started to grin devilishly. I don’t like the look of this.

“And James as well?”

“Aye...”

She suddenly turned to the stairway and saw me half way up. Oh shit. I froze as she looked straight at me. “James... Get down here.”

I bolted up the stairs as a knife embedded itself into the wall. “I WANT TO LIVE!!” I quickly found the bathroom and locked myself in. Not even she can stab a knife through this!

Alex sighed, “Damn it James.” The door shimmered as Appleslice walked through it.

I squealed in fear when she popped through. God damnit even that changed... She looked at me with a rather amused face. “Don’t kill me... He followed me, I swear!”

Appleslice chuckled as she sat down on her haunches. “Ah figured as much. And seein’ ya freak out was enough of a punishment fer me.” THAT EVIL MARE!! SHE DIDN’T EVEN COUNT THE KNIVES!! HOW IS THAT NOT PUNISHMENT!?

Alex chuckled while standing outside, “Your face when.... It was hilarious.”

I glared at him and glowed intensely. “Sh-shut up!”

“Oh?” He did this pose and squished his boobs together, “Like what ye see?” I stared at him and noticed his chest was jiggling. Good god..... Must turn away..... Must..... TURN!..... I noticed a small trail of blood leaving my nose. God damn it. He’s actually SEXY like that!!

I started glowing with the intensity of a thousand suns. “Leave. Please.”

He... She sighed, “Fine, if ye want.” A flash of light filled my vision and we were alone in the desert, “Ye never said where or with who~”

I stared at her in shock. OH GOD OH GOD OH GOD!! “I meant that I wanted to be alone!”

She smirked and started walking away, “If ye want... Goodbye James.”

I watched him leave for a moment until I realised that Appleloosa was nowhere to be seen. “WAIT FOR ME!!”

She laughed, “Alright then lass!” Not going to comment. He slowed down as I ran next to her.

We walked for a while until a thought crossed my mind. One I haven’t really had ever since I became a wraith. “I gotta pee.”

Alex blinked, “... Shit.”

~Amy POV (When James went flying)~

The cart collided with James he rocketed into the air. He flailed like one of those ragdolls as he flew up over the town.

The stallion that was in the cart had finally gotten to a stop and looked up at him. “Sorry there!” Just who is this guy?

I heard James crash and start yelling. I ignored him and turned to the stallion. “Um excuse me?”

He turned to me and grinned. “Sorry about your friend there. What’s your name sir.” Sir? He raised a hoof for a shake and I took a quick glance down, noticing I was a man again. Damn it James....

I politely raised my hand and denied his offer. “Sorry, but I’d rather not say.”

He smiled, “Perfectly fine. Well, just to be courteous... The name’s Clever Apple!” He bowed in the cart, “A pleasure!”

I picked up an apple that was lying on the ground before taking a bite. “As it is for me. Could you show me where someone by the name of Appleslice lives? I’m looking for a friend.”

He got a puzzled look on his face. “You’re looking for my wife?” Oh, great. I met the dad already. “Well isn’t that convenient! I was just about to head home!”

I gestured over to the cart he was in and noticed that smoke was starting to come off the wheels. “I’m pretty sure it isn’t supposed to do that.” He quickly ran up to the cart and crawled under it.

“Darn gears... always burning or falling out....” A couple smoking gears flew out from under the cart and he followed soon after. “Great, now I have to fix that.” Okay now I’m curious.

I blinked a couple times before looking at him. “What is this supposed to be exactly?”

“Oh!” He looked at me and grinned, “This my good man, is an self powered car powered by an internal combustion engine.” He looked at the gear, “I just need to find a way to keep it from overheating, and keeping the gears inside.”

An inventor pony? cool. I never thought I’d see that. “That’s pretty cool. Maybe if you worked with a slower speed, it would generate less friction and heat?” He sat there staring at me only blinking every now and then. “I don’t really know what I’m talking about, this isn’t my kind of thing.”

“Ah... Hmm, I might try that.” He stood and shook his head, causing a few smaller gears to fall out of his mane. Ooooookay. That’s weird. “Let’s get going, shall we my good man?”

I flinched slightly but kept smiling. “Uh... sure. Lead the way.”

We had made our way to the front of his house and he waved a hoof at it. “Behold! My humble abode!”

I let out a small whistle. “Nice place,” Seen better... “So are we going to stand here or-” I stopped when I looked over and saw Alex and James glowing in the distance.

Clever noticed too and looked over. “Now who is that over there?”

I sighed and rested my face in my hand. “Just the friends I was looking for. I wonder what’s gotten them to glow so bright?”

I didn’t have to wait long for an answer. James and Alex walked past us and entered the house. I think I heard James mutter something.

He suddenly turned to Alex. “We will never speak of this again.”

Alex nodded, “Agreed.”

I looked between the two of them and just tried to piece what they had said with what I know. Okay... Both are glowing... never speak of it again... James was attracted to his own chest... Did they? No... NO... NONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONO!

Alex grinned and smacked James on the ass, “Ye’re cute when ye glow.”

OH GOD OH GOD OH GOD! WHY!! James glared at him. “Never. Again!”

“No. Later~” James shivered and walked up the stairs and I heard a slam from upstairs.

Alex chuckled, “Oh god...” He looked back at grinned, “Hey Amy! I’m already bored... Want to do something?” Nope nope nope nope nope! Yes, ye want this~

I raised my hands and backed away. “No, I’m good.” Nope... Ye want this. I quickly looked at him in shock. “How did you...”

He smiled, “Sorry, can’t control it....”

Clever looked at us and shrugged. “I don’t know what that was about.” He walked in and saw the mare from earlier. “Hey, Honey! Who’s our guest?”

The mare pointed to Alex. “That would me Mr. Harris. He’s apologized fer what happened and brought our little Chocolate back!”

Clever raised an eyebrow, “Mr.? He’s a girl honey....”

Appleslice started to chuckle to herself. “Not after what ah saw.”

Alex interrupted, “I’m a Mage... Lets just say that I have not perfected the gender change spell yet.”

His eyes widened and he made an ‘oh’ face. “I’ve never been one for magic but I’ve seen some spells go rather screwy.” He shuddered slightly. “Never mix magic with Poison Joke.”

Alex blinked, “Poison Joke?”

He looked seriously at Alex, “Never mess with Poison Joke, just don’t try.”

The mare looked over at her husband. “Like you did last week?”

He started to stutter and trip around his own words. “Th-that was just once! And I almost had it! If James wasn’t making a sandwich at the time, it would have worked perfectly!” He sat at the table and huffed. “Doesn’t help that we had to pay for the damages.”

Alex grinned, “Lad... I’ve done worse with a piece of bread.”

James stuck her head out from the hall leading to the upper floor. “IT WAS AN ACCIDENT!” She stopped when she saw that Clever was standing right there. The stare off continued before James slowly slid her head back down the hall.

Idiot.

Clever fell onto the ground and started laughing like a madman. “OH SWEET CELESTIA! WAS THAT JAMES?!”

Alex nodded, “Aye... He screamed that he wanted his junk back.... Oh um, Choc might have been... Um.”

Clever’s laughter stopped and he stared at Alex. “Chocolate?”

Alex rubbed the back of his head, “He’s a filly now.”

Clever started to rub the sides of his head and got back in his seat. His wife went over to talk to him and I pulled Alex to a separate room.

I brought Alex to what looked like a small living room and sat down in some of the chairs. “Okay, when can you change us back again?”

“I need about... ten hours.”

I looked out the window and saw that the sun was starting to set. “Then I guess we’re sleeping like this.” Which reminds me.

I stood and walked into the kitchen and tapped on the mare’s shoulder. “I hate to interrupt, but we don’t have a place to stay the night. Would it be alright if we stay here?”

The mare smiled politely. “Of course, but we only have one available room now thanks to your... sister.” I smirked and she started to chuckle. “I think you could stay in the room next to hers and your friend there can sleep on the couch.”

Alex smiled, “That would be great.”

I clapped my hands and grinned. “Thank you for your generosity!” I stopped to yawn. “sorry, but could you show me to the room?”

The mare smiled and showed her to the stairs. “Certainly.” We waked up the stairs and I noticed the blade in the wall. I decided to ignore it and continued to follow her to the third room down the hall. “Now James is staying in the room next to yours. Ah’ve told him ta go ta the inn, but he still needs ta get a solid income for that ta work.”

I looked in and saw a single bed and a small table with a lamp next to it. “Oh, silly me, I forgot to ask what your name was.”

She smiled as she ushered me into the bedroom. “It’s Appleslice dear. Now have yourself a good rest.”

I laid in the bed and thought about what just happened. Okay there were three rooms... Parents, kid, guest... Where was James sleeping again?

“JAMES YOU’RE SLEEPING ON THE COUCH!” ...Oh....

“Come here James, I’m waiting for ye... In the living chamber!”

James could be heard bolting the bathroom door shut. “NOT LEAVING THIS ROOM!!” I chuckled and laid back down. Yay.... No nightmares from any smexy stuff tonight!

Alex could be heard, “O rly!?” A door being kicked open was heard, “It’s raping time!” I facepalmed as I heard James let out a girlish scream. Nevermind... let the nightmares begin...

I slowly closed my eyes as more noises started pouring through the door and had a strange thought run across my mind. Kinda reminded me of that Psycho movie... schme, he’ll be fine.

I heard a rather strange scream come from the bathroom, “DON’T STOP!” GOOD GOD HE’S ENJOYING IT!!! THE NIGHT TERRORS!!! THEY BEGIN!!!!!

Sleep was hard to come by that night.... Very hard.