Rock On From Beyond. (Rerecording.)

by Debonair

Rating: teen
Tags: Adventure, Crossover, Dark, Human
Length: 5980

Rock and roll in the grave! (Currently going through a desperately needed rewrite.)

Rewrite in progress on hiatus until caught back up.

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2013-01-03 22:31:53 UTC

Hard Rock Arc: The Show Must Go On. Rerecording.

An old man sat across from me backstage, He sat there silent just tapping his finger on my guitar case. "Dude we gotta go on." Terri my somewhat of a girlfriend, had signed us up for a Battle of the Bands contest. I couldn't take my eyes off of the creepy dude. My concentration was shattered by my guitar case being thrown into my lap. "Dude, GET YOUR ASS IN GEAR!!!!" The guy was gone, it was like he was never there. She pulled me out of my chair and dragged me stage-side. "Stay here while I get Jamie" Jamie was my little brother by three years probably drinking away his stage fright. Our little three man band was gonna take the prize. I sat down on the stool next to the stage door and went to work tuning my guitar. I found tuning my guitar calming, all the stress just flows out y'know? A familiar hand perched on my shoulder, Manuel Garcia's. Manuel was what you could call our manager, but that's the legal term.

"What do you want Manuel?" I kept tuning my guitar, every few seconds strumming to make sure.

"Oh nothing much, just what you owe me, amigo."

"I've told you a thousand times, when we get the money,"

"It'll be put in my pocket, but your word isn't good enough,"

"Trust me, Manuel once tonight is over, we'll never have to speak to each other again." I smiled wide.

"You get me the money, or else."

"Or else what?" My grin grew even wider.

"I'll shove my foot so far up your ass, you'll be tasting steel."

"The feeling's mutual." He grumbled and stormed off to his seat in the front row. Terri walked in with Jamie, who was a little buzzed. "You guys ready to rock?"

"Yeah, let's rock their world." Jamie was as always eager to hit the drums.

"Let's go."

"Ladies and Gentlemen, our next contestant Dragon Fire!" The announcer called over the loudspeaker.

"That's our cue, Let's rock this joint!" I shouted as we ran onstage. The crowd was cheering, the lights were on me I had the whole world in front of me, then the earthquake. The entire crowd was thrown around like tomatoes at a bad comic. I managed to turn and loo up. The stage lights were coming undone. Without so much as a thought, I tackled Terri and the light smashed me instead. As my vision grew dark I saw the catwalk fall on Jamie and Terri. I woke up to sharp pain in my chest. I roll onto my back, and grab for my heart, it wasn't beating.

"Elijah Cantor, 5 foot 11 inches, blonde, self proclaimed rock-star," That creepy dude had a folder and read it out loud.

"What are you some kind of fan-boy?"

"Well I have been following you for quite some time."

"Are they okay?"

"Who?" He was completely ignorant.

"Terri and Jamie."

"Dead,"

"Am I dead?"

"Yeah."

"Fuck,"

"No thanks I'm straight." I sat up and raised an eyebrow.

"Several questions, one, who are you? Two, how am I talking to you?, Three, what do I do now?"

"One I am Death, two I am Death, three you owe me twenty years,"

"What do you mean twenty years?"

"Remember April fourth, 1992?"

"My fifth birthday," Images started rushing through my head. My mother laying limp over the steering wheel.

"You were supposed die that day." I reach for my necklace. "But that thing saved you." My fifth birthday present really was lucky. "Hence twenty years." This guy made a good point. "And that is why you'll be working for me."

"What?"

"The Wraith Program, I take souls that die early, deserve a second chance, or in your very rare case of dying late, and give them a new life, in exchange for service."

"What kind of service, and what happens after my time is up?"

"Fight for me, and no one's survived that long, or turned rogue."

"That's reassuring, you got a deal." I held out my hand and he helped me up. "Can they come too?"

"Why do you ask?"

"They're the only family I got,"

"I don't know yet, we'll see." He held out a small coffin shaped suitcase. "Here,"

"This some kinda joke?"

"Just take the damn thing,"

"Fine." I rolled my eyes and took the case. It was extremely light.

"Now, through that door you will find your new life awaits," He pointed to a stage door as it creaked open. He pushed me through it. "Oh and Happy Birthday." The door slammed shut. It was about sunset here, the weather was perfect, the air was fresh. This place isn't so bad, maybe dying was a good thing, I found a bench and sat down. I had stayed up all last night writing a song I didn't get to sing, I stretched my arms and let out a big yawn. Whatever he needs me to do can wait till tomorrow right. I laid down on the grass propping my head with the case. The sun had set, the stars were out, and the crickets were chirping. With another yawn and some more stretching I drifted off to sleep, listening to the songs in my head. Lullaby

Hard Rock Arc: Roadies Rerecording.

I awoke to the sound of lock-picking, I looked to the side and saw something tryin' ta steal my birthday present. "You're not trying to steal that are you?" The Gryphon thing shot up. "Did you ever stop to think if there was someone in that coffin?" I laid perfectly still, waiting for her flustered answer.

"Uh well," She sounded like she was from Boston. Her almost gravely voice, and fur feather combo, made her unique to say the least. "I'm kinda a little strapped for cash."

"So you were gonna steal my stuff, and pawn it?" Apparently she couldn't read my poker face.

"Well when you put it like that."

"Let's start over, what's ya name?" I turned my head slightly.

"Gilda,"

"You can call me Eli,"

"You're pretty cool lookin' Eli, what are you?"

"Dead man walking," That was the best thing I could come up with.

"Like a Zombie?"

"You could say that,"

"That's Awesome." Man Gullible!

"Yeah it is." Some things that looked like ponies trotted by. I am definitely not in Central Park. I could always read people like song books, and these kid's heartstrings were playing Death Metal. "Alright time to rock." I swung my leg out and turned over into a handstand, and then pushed off and landed on my feet. "Let's roll."

"You're leaving?"

"No We're leaving."

"Why me?"

"You're strapped for cash, right. help me and I'll see you get compensated." She paused for a moment, I could see the 'not bad' expression. "C'mon" I grabbed me case, 'thinkin' like a pirate' and headed off to follow those punk Unicorns. They were going to school, probably trouble makers. This place was laid out like Manhattan

"Hey what are we tailin' 'em for?" Gilda was flying around like nothing.

"I gotta bad feeling, I'm surprised no one's seen me yet." We carried on a complete conversation amidst the hoof traffic.

"This is Manehatten Dude, They're too busy thinkin' about themselves." Manehattan really, where the hell did he send me? They arrived at the schoolyard, and singled out one target. A brown one, green eyes, red mane slash tail 'thinkin' literally'.

"Blank Flank," The Unicorns teased, didn't know what in the blue hell that meant, but it sounded like an insult. Name calling graduated to a full of hoof fight. I made my move, I did a barrel roll, 'will you shut up now Peppy?' they seemed scared of me, probably cause I was holding a coffin about their size. "What are you, some kind of freak?"

"See this?" I put down the coffin case. "Mess with me, and you might end up in it." I knelt down and poked one's nose. "Got it?" She swallowed the words she just ate.

"Yeah," She nearly had a heart attack, before taking her friend and bolting inside.the schoolhouse. I turned to the one who was bullied.

"Hey you okay?" I blew my hair out of my eyes and she did the same.

"Yeah," This one sounded like she was from Hoboken. "Thanks,"

"No problem," She reminded me of myself, a lot. "What's your name?"

"Babs,"

"I'm Eli, this is Gilda."

"Dude, how did you do that?" Gilda was thunderstruck.

"It's all about how you carry yourself. There's some things you two need to learn."

"And you're gonna teach us." Babs was skeptic.

"I don't know am I, if your parents and teacher say it's okay to miss school for a few days."

"Be right back," Babs ran inside, and started talking with her teacher.

"Well, looks like deady bear has a soft spot for kids."

"Ha ha,"

"What's in the coffin?" I picked it up and dusted it off. "You said it was all you had."

"Let's find out together." I found another bench and sat down. I laid the case over my lap, and opened it.

"Eli!" Babs ran back to us. "My teacher says It's fine."

"Now to talk to your parents,"

"C'mon," She led us through the streets to a loft. "Here, my dad's always away on business, lots of money to be made in citrus." She pushed open the door and showed us in. "Mom I'm home,"

"What's the matter?" A light orange mare 'I guess' come out of the kitchen. "You just left an hour ago."

"Hello Miss, uh..." I took off my sunglasses. 'When did I get these?'

"Orange," She seemed calm, unlike those girls at the school.

"Miss Orange," Damn this place just gets weirder and weirder. "I can see Babs has some Self esteem issues,"

"Are you a psychiatrist?" She asked with an upper crust attitude.

"Traveling musician, and I thought I could take her on my journey, y'know work on her self image." Why am I doing this? I watched as Babs sat on the couch with Gilda.

"You expect me to let a total stranger, take my daughter Celestia knows where, for Celestia knows how long?"

"When you say it like that," I had to pause and think. 'Like a Bawss time. "This opportunity will help broaden her horizons, help her learn about other places, a hooves on approach if you catch my drift. A way for her to see what happens outside the city limits."

"Please," Babs made the puppy dog eyes which worked a lot better than normal on that face.

"Yeah this'll be good for the kid," Gilda saw no problem in it. "I mean, you'd do the same thing."

"Well," She scratched her chin with her hoof, then caved. "You may go with him, on one condition, You write from wherever you end up."

"Thanks," Babs jumped for joy, and I felt like I just won a guitar battle with Tom Morello.

"Thank you for seeing it our way." My stomach growled. "I'd better go find something to eat."

"Nonsense, any friends of Babs are friends of the family,"

Hard Rock Arc: Gilda's Nirvana Rerecording.

I open my eyes and I'm staring into Gilda's wide eyes, and laying in her 'arms'. "This never happened." 'Damn it brain,'

"Yep." She shifted her eyes. The knock on the door scared us and I was somehow thrown onto the floor. 'Thanks Ozzy' The door opened and Babs came in. 'Thank God my Pants are still on.' Babs trotted over to check if I was okay.

"Are you okay, Eli?"

"I've taken stage dives, that did less damage." I use her as a hand hold and sit back up on the bed. I look at the clock, 7:05.

"You're fine," Gilda stretched like a cat, yawning.

"Like you care." I snapped back. "Now let's get some breakfast and then we can leave."

"What're we havin'?"

"I can cook something up." I stand up and walk into the kitchen. I kneel down to look into the sorta short fridge. "Eggs, Tortillas, Tomatoes, Green peppers." Babs and Gilda stood in the kitchen doorway listening to the list of foods. "This is where the Traveling part of my job comes in handy." I grabbed some strawberries, some bananas, a pineapple, and some other fruits. "The first course fruit salad." I went to work slicing the fruit, 'Tomatoes and Peppers are fruit!' I grabbed bowls from the cabinet, and filled them with fresh fruit salad. I grabbed a skillet from the dishwasher, threw some butter in it, and threw the tortillas in it. In another pan I cracked three eggs each, and scrambled them. "Second course Huevos con Chilaquiles. Gilda if you don't eat eggs I can make something else for you."

"Go right ahead, chicken eggs are fine."

"Awesome." I took the tomatoes, peppers and Pineapple, and mixed up some salsa to go with the eggs. and some regular salsa to top the Chilaquiles. "And for desert, cinnamon raisin french toast." I found some bread in the breadbox and toasted it using the grease from frying the tortillas. Threw them on a plate and sprinkled cinnamon and raisins on top. I set down four plates of the first course, since I saw Mrs. Orange walking around in the den.

"That smells lovely." Mrs. Orange sniffed the air as the scent of a Mexican Morning filled the house. "May I?"

"First course is on the table, second course's coming up." We sat down and slowly tasted the salad. the sweet banana and the tart pineapple made a winning combo in my book.

"This is amazing, where'd ya learn ta make dis?" Babs was wolfing it down.

"A little place called Albuquerque,"

"I might have to hire you as a personal chef if your music career doesn't pan out." Mrs. Orange still kept her usual cleanliness.

"Is it really that good?" I was answered by three nods. "Thanks guys." I got up and brought in the second course. " Here you go, eggs scrambled, fried tortilla chips covered in mild tomato salsa, and some pineapple salsa to go with the eggs, it's a little spicy so be warned." We dug into the Chilaquiles and eggs, Gilda scarfed down the second course in minutes.

"This is good, dude."

"I better finish up desert." I took the salad bowls and put them in the sink. The toast was done and I grabbed some plates and maple syrup. I set the plates in front of them. "And Voila, French Toast." I look at the clock, 7:45. "Once we finish, we gotta hit the road if we want to make it to Ponyville on time."

"Ponyville, that's where Applejack lives," Mrs. Orange said after swallowing a bite. "My niece, you could stop in and say hello for me."

"Well we'll only be there for a few hours, but I'll see if I can manage."

"Ponyville, huh?" Gilda sounded disappointed. "I'm just gonna stay on the train."

"What's wrong,"

"It's just, me and the ponies there aren't on speaking terms." Probably her anger issues.

"Well you can tell me all about it, on the way there." I was gonna get some answers one way or another. 'Maybe I am a psychiatrist.' "Alright I'd hate to say goodbye but,"

"I'll go get my bag." Babs left for a minute and came back with a suitcase handle between her teeth.

"I'll go get my Guitar, then we'll head out." I stepped forward a tripped over something. I took a moment for my face to feel, and then looked back. "Got it." I don't know if I should be freaking out that this guitar has a mind of it's own, or that it can get up and walk away. With one swift motion I slam my knees into the floor and spring onto my hands.

"Where'd ya learn that?" Babs was wide-eyed.

"Dance to the beat of a different drum."

"But there's no music,"

"First lesson, taught to me by the great Billy Joel ; the city's got a beat, once you hook into it, you can do anything." We walked outside after we said our goodbyes. I saw a band with no singer in the park.Musical Number! No this is not a Disney movie! Oh what the hell. The music flowed out and the lyrics flew out my mouth. The dancing was caught by a pack of hobos and they sang backup. The song made the entire park come to life. 'Billy you've done it.' After several back flips we ended the number. We were met with hundreds of ponies giving us rounds of applause. "Thank you Manehatten," I heard the train whistle and bolt back to Gilda and Babs. "Let's get movin'." About a minute later I slid through the doors after them. "I've had some close calls, but that takes the cake."

"You had to Pull a Pinkie didn't you, that was not cool." Gilda fell back into a booth laying her back paws on the chair across from her.

"Who's Pinkie?" Babs asked as she sat next  to her. Gilda rolled her eyes as I pushed her lion legs off my seat.

"One Pony I hate more than her."

"Start at the beginning,"

Gilda Flashback,

About two years ago I was the best back at flight school, one day a new recruit found her way into the top. We hit it off faster than thoroughbreds out of the gate. She was fast and fun, we pulled all sorts of crap. But when she left for that job at the weather factory, we started drifting apart. So after a about a year I went to see her, y'know to see if she was still top gun, but her stupid friend Pinkie had the notion to throw me a party. Tabasco in the punch, ice water in a dribble glass.

"No blow out candles," I had been victim to these pranks before.

"Yeah," She rolled her eyes again.

"Those sound pretty harmless unless you trigger them in that order."

"And to top it off it was Rainbow Dash my friend put them up."

"It sounds like they wanted to be friends." Babs said what I was thinking,

"And they're in Ponyville."

"Yep,"

"The second lesson i'll teach you was taught to me by an old friend Huey Lewis, he always had the news. The Power of love is a curious thing, makin' one man weep but make another man sing, change a hawk to a little white dove, moore than a feeling it's the power of love."

"I don't love her," Her claw clenched as she shot it at my face. Without so much as a second I caught it.

"I'd rather share a bed with a lesbian rather than be in bed with a chick who doesn't care."

"What's a Lesbian?" I could hear the echo of my mental facepalm.

"He means Filly Fooler." Gilda had the answer, sounded stupid but it fit.

"Oh,"

"Anyway, Love is like music, hundreds of genres, I was never insinuating that you 'loved her' just that you had a little bromance, nothing perverse." Our discussion was interrupted by a stallion in armor. "Problem Officer?"

"I just noticed your carry-on,"

"You want to make sure no pony's inside right?"

"Yes,"

I placed  a finger on the handle and it slowly creaked open. "See it's just an instrument,"

"Looks more like a weapon."

"You caught me Officer, slap the cuffs on me and take me away. My music is a weapon."

"Very funny," He rolled his eyes and turned to leave but I stopped him with a well aimed bit to the back of his head.

"Hey what's with the get up?"

"I am a royal guard."

"Ooh royalty, I might drop in and say 'ello after this is all said and done."

"Best advice, Don't the Princesses have a lot on their plate, and need no distractions." He went and sat down in a booth.

"No Queen huh," This place get more and more like home the longer I stay. "I'm gonna take a nap, Babs wake me up in an hour, Gilda here might have me sleep through the stop in Ponyville, I need to go, my manager made it very clear."

"Okay I'll wake ya."

Hard Rock Arc: Metallic Dream Rerecording.

I was surrounded by my hall of records, each shelf stacked with hundreds of vinyl records, Rock, Country, Classical, all of the genres, I searched High and low, low and high, high and low, but nothing. What did I do to deserve this, what did they do, I needed an answer and the giant jukebox that is my brain doesn't have a single one. Ever since I could remember I've always had an answer, be it through Hard Rock or Country, music has been my master, my teacher. But now everything I've ever known, Everything I've ever loved, is gone. I never knew my father , I barely knew my mother, but this place has so many things to offer. But I'll give it all up just to get them back. A familiar song began to play over the speakers.

Man Who Sold The World

It wasn't exactly the answer I was looking for but it got me thinking, Death must have heard the classic rock and appeared next to the record player and set one of his own.

Dancing With Myself

"I see you're conflicted."

"What can I do to let you bring them here?"

"I don't do that for just anyone, considering that you owe me, that really lowers your chances."

"I'll let you add ten years to my sentence if you bring Jamie here. I've been the only family he had since Mom died."

"You do realize that he has a chance to be with your mother now."

"I know, but would he be happy without me?"

"A valid point, Depending on his answer I may accommodate you." After the song ended he took his record and left.

"Eli,!" Babs signature accent pierced through the overhead speakers. "Wake up, we're here." With a deep breath I returned to reality. I could see ponies shuffling off the train.

"That was fast."

"It's been three hours." Gilda was unenthusiastic.

"Oh let's go," Babs and I got up and walked to the door but Gilda didn't move. "You too G."

"Nah," I walked over and tucked her under my arm. "Get your hands off me you damn dirty ape!"

"Can't do that, you're my friend, and you need to get this over with."

"I don't want to."

"Life is not tried it is merely survived if you're standing outside the fire." The more she struggled the tighter I squeezed. "I'll be with you every step of the way."

"You'll just ditch me like she did." About twenty ponies watched on as I dragged her through the door.

"If I was gonna do that, I would've clipped your wings." I heard ten gasps from our audience. "Lucky for you that's no longer an option."

"You wouldn't!" Her eyes actually looked at me in fear.

"I would, and I will if you don't cooperate, you've seen what's in this case." That snapped her beak shut. I dropped her on the ground and changed my disposition at the drop of a pony's hat. I reached down and dusted off the Stetson Fedora and held it out to the one who dropped it. "You dropped this."

"Keep it," The beige Pegasus smiled and flew off. Something's familiar about her. I put the hat on and instantly the answer started to play in my head. Eureka That's it! I could plainly see the geek on my face in the reflection in the window.

"Got a new hat, gotta get some food, and then off to," I rustled through my pocket and pulled out a note. "Carousel Boutique?" My mental face palm echoed throughout my mind. "And find this Rainbow Dash character."

"Don't forget to say hi to my cousin."

"That too, man my to-do list today is boring," I bowed to my audience. "Thank you for watching my act, entertainer by trade, it gets boring when working with a script and professionals." I was met with relieved sighs. Gullible. "Now if any of you would be so kind, my friends and I need a tour guide, I will happily compensate you." A blue Unicorn mare with an Hour glass tattooed on her ass, stepped up and introduced herself with a slight dutch accent.

"I am Minuette, I can get you anywhere, within the confines of quaint little Ponyville I can show you all the shortcuts, time is money you know." She bowed.

"How much for a quick tour of the shopping district?"

"Five bits, two for you, two for her, and one for the filly."

"You've got yourself a deal." I counted out five of the coins and threw them in her direction. both the coins and her horn were encased in light blue magic.

"Now follow me," She trotted off toward some buildings. "This is Sugarcube Corner, Ponyville's sweet center, to your right you'll find Ponyville Library, and that way is Carousel Boutique, residential tailor, and a fine one at that, she has several famous clients, such as Sapphire Shores."

"That's who I'm here to see, say Minuette, would you mind taking them to Sugarcube Corner?"

"I don't see why not."

"And uh," I motioned for her to come closer and whispered in her ear. "My Griffin friend has a little problem, she needs to work out with a Rainbow Dash, I was wondering if you could make sure that she's there, for a little extra."

"I will see what I can do."

"Okay she'll take you two to lunch while I look for a new wardrobe." Before Gilda could say a word I ran off to the Boutique, coffin strapped to my back. Okay this thing is starting to freak me out. I stopped at the door and knocked. nobody's home, I spotted an open window on the second floor, and a tree I could climb up on. I slid in through the window just as the owner walked up to the door. I quickly ran down the stairs and slid behind a curtain.

"She'll be here any minute Opal I've got to put the finishing touches on her order." This must be the town tailor, her voice sounds melodious, perfect for singing. The curtain started moving like a cat was clawing at it. "Is something there?" The curtain slid open leaving me face to face with the white mare. "What are you doing in my shop?"

"I was up in the tree, lost my balance, and I fell in through the window." Please let her buy it if she calls the cops I'm done for.

"What were you doing in the tree?"

"A kite got stuck up in the tree and I got it down for a colt."

"Really?"

"Yes,"

"Who are you."

"Elijah Cantor, Dead Man Walking, travelling musician, and all around good guy." A bell rung and caught her attention.

"I'll deal with you later." She trotted off to greet her customer. "Hello Sapphire, I trust your trip was good."

"It was, and I must say it's nice to see you again Rarity."

"Well thank you, here they are." I looked around the corner and saw an off white colored Mare. Her song was by no means tuned, it was like nails on a chalkboard. If this is what a famous musician here is they seriously need a dose of reality. "I hope they are to your liking."

"They are perfect, absolutely sensational!" The cat scratched at my leg.

"Stop it ya stupid cat." The cat hissed and dug it's claws through my clothes. "Hey cut it out!"

"Opal, let him go!"

"I don't think that's gonna work." I bent down and ripped her off, and tossed her on the floor. I stepped around the corner to see a surprised Sapphire Shores.

"My, my who is this?"

"Elijah Cantor, Travelling Musician, Dead Man walking, all around good guy," I bowed to what this place called music royalty. "I've heard that you were quite the singer, and was wondering if you needed someone to back up your incredible voice." Goin' out on a limb here. 'Maybe I'll find that kite.'

"Do you have any idea how many ponies ask me that."

"Three-thousand two-hundred fifty-three."

"What?" She checked a little book. "How did you ever guess?"

"I didn't."

"You gonna say a little birdie told ya aren't ya?"

"Depends."

"On what?"

"What kind of bird?"

"Mocking bird."

"We're getting off track here. I have a special thing that sets me apart from those others in ya book."

"And that would be?"

"I can figure you out like a four piece jig-saw puzzle,"

"That's some pretty big talk back can you walk the walk to back it up?" I sense a little bit o Aretha Franklin in dere to. 'Oh my I'm Cajun naow.'

"Mon Cherie, would you please take a seat. While your music career is booming, that feeling is still looming, for something that can't be found. On your own or with your friends, your time is soon at it's end, you long for a deep someone whom to sleep and love all the rest of your days, because to wake up each morn next to one you adore is the only thing in life that pays." Both of their jaws dropped. "Am I close?"

"That's incredible," The one I assumed was Rarity said slack-jawed.

"You're quite the poet, Cantor."

"May I and my associate join you on your journey, for fortune, fame, and family?"

"Well I don't see why not, the train leaves in an hour meet me at my private car." She headed out the door carrying the bags full of her outfits.

Which one's yours?" I followed her out and asked.

"You'll know." She turned her head and smiled before walking off.

Hard Rock Arc: AsCend / DesCend Rerecording

Mrs. Orange was nice, most people back home wouldn't even speak to strangers, let alone feed them. I thought maybe this really was a fresh start. "So Eli, where did you say you were from?" She asked between bites of her, 'I wanna say salad' even though she practically shoved her face in it, she ate very cleanly. 'That's high society life for you.'

"Well, I've been so many places, I don't really know where to call home." I said between bites of my salad. "Well you know what they say, Home is where the heart is,"

"And my heart is in my chest." Gilda finished. "Words to live by,"

"Where is your instrument?"

"Oh it's over there," I pointed to the coffin leaning against the couch. "I know the case looks weird, but it was a gift."

"From who?" Babs asked as she finished her plate and reached for some candy. 'Heavy Metal light bulb!'

"My Manager,"

"So when do we leave?" Babs asked through a mouthful of the orange candy.

"Early tomorrow morning, so I suggest you pack for the trip, so we can go back to the park, and call it a night,"

"You're sleeping in the park?"

"I don't know about Gilda but I don't have a place to stay."

"I can just kick back on a cloud." Gilda's remark sounded stupid yet awesome at the same time. "I sleep anywhere the breeze won't blow me too far away."

"Well since you are already here, it wouldn't hurt for you to stay. There is a king size bed in the guest room, you and Gilda will have to share though." I could feel the awkward sexual tension between us. Wow not even twenty four hours, and I'm already going to bed with a chick, 'Hehe Chick.' Gilda took her plate under one arm and put it in the sink. She walked back over and grabbed a piece of the candy.

"You try anything, and I will bury you." She quietly growled in my ear.

"Under dirt, or blanket?" I whispered back. We started laughing. "Well, thank you for the meal, I'm gonna be outside for a bit." I put  Gilda's, and Babs',and my plate in the dish washer a small water drop fell on my hand and burned a little, thought nothing of it probably hot water.  I walked up the stairs and sat on the balcony. The fresh night air tickled my nose.

"So you're fitting in nicely," Death dude was sitting across from me again tapping on the case. "You would never find hospitality like this in Manhattan."

"Yeah, that's for sure." I chuckled but he stayed mono-emo. "So where's the gig?"

"Los Pegasus, there is a matter that needs a firm hand to remedy."

"Los Pegasus, Like L.A. right?"

"Yes,"

"What do we need to do?"

"Find the Target," He held out a picture, girl about my age, long blonde hair looked familiar, but couldn't place the name. "Take her out before she kills innocents."

"You expect me to kill this girl, I can't do that."

"She's already dead, she just needs a little help crossing over, that's all." He was calm and collected.

"Anything I need to know about her?"

"She loves to be seen, she'll show herself in front of a big crowd, the Sapphire Shores concert will be your best bet."

"Sapphire Shores?"

"The Pony of Pop, kind of a mix of Queen Latifah, Micheal Jackson, and Madonna."

"Sounds interesting, Where can I find this Sapphire Shores before the concert?"

"Well she may be stopping in Ponyville to pick up her costumes, tomorrow  evening."

"So if I could head her off, I could keep an eye on her."

"Incognito Style." 'Hey sexy lady, op op op, Incognito Style.' Rocking Gangnam Style. Death stood up and started horse dancing. 'Why the hell not?" I started dancing too. "I can read your mind."

"Once you feel that beat, can't keep from movin' ya feet."

"You could say that." He stopped cold and sat back down. "Tomorrow at 8:00 the train will arrive, to take you to Ponyville, you'll arrive at about noon, feel free to use this to buy some food, for your roadies," He tossed me a bag of coins. "Human money doesn't work here,"

"Anything else, I need to know?"

"Keep your eyes out for anything suspicious."

"You suspicious, or something that feels wrong?"

"The latter, we'll meet again, and then we can discuss your next Gig."

"Thanks, Keep on rockin'." I flashed him the rock on devil horns as he disappeared. I stretched and yawned. "This'll be first time I've slept two nights in a row since I was five." I heard Babs knocking on the balcony door. I walked over and opened the door.

"Who was that, and where'd he go?"

"That was my manager, he said we're going to Los Pegasus. The train leaves at 8:30 tomorrow morning, and he likes to make dramatic exits."

"Los Pegasus, are we going to be there for the Sapphire Shores concert?"

"That's the plan, so rest up."

"Cool, the guest room's down the hall, first door to ya left."

"Thanks," She turned and trotted off to her room. I grabbed my guitar and went to mine. Gilda was curled up like a puppy on her side of the bed, a really big puppy. She was snoring which sounded like a tweeting bird. I couldn't help but laugh, she reminded me of my mother, same accent and everything, I laid my guitar on the dresser and crawled under the sheets while she stayed on top of the comforter. I closed my eyes and listened to the music in my head.

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