Fic: Ghostly Lessons [1/2] (The Who, M7:ATF, Soul Eater Crossover fic, PG-13)

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Title: Ghostly Lessons [1/2]
Series: Reaper
Author: Sparrow
Fandom: Magnificent Seven: ATF, The Who, elements of Soul Eater
Characters: JD Dunne, Keith Moon, John Entwistle and the rest of M7
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: I do not own The Who or M7: ATF or Soul Eater
Author Note: Just want to say thanks to sierraphoenix for the wonderful beta! Additional information for this story can be found under the lj-cut.
Spoilers: Please read Soul Reapers first.
Summary: Life has gotten pretty weird for JD Dunne. Ghosts, tutors and crazy Soul Reapers; its only beginning.

Story #1: Soul Reapers



Words in Bold represent Keith Moon’s thoughts
Words in Italic represent John Entwistle’s thoughts
Words Underlined and in Italic represent JD Dunne’s thoughts


The so-called normal world of today has been aware of the Supernatural one since the nineteen hundreds when a large scaled war of vampires and werewolves broke out in America. The death toll was enormous, for vampire, werewolf and human alike. It was a gritty and gruesome introduction to this mythical world.

Surprisingly it didn’t turn ugly afterwards, it was embraced and accepted by many around the world.

It is this world that JD Dunne has grown up in. It is this world that will change him.

~~~


It was now four days since he left the hospital. Four days of trying to control his emerging power. Four days of Keith Moon almost driving him mad.

To be fair, Keith hadn’t had a body in over thirty years and everything was new to him. No matter how much he explored JD’s memories, he had to experience the real thing.

Real world experience to make my own memories. Keith explained one day.

John just sighed quietly in the background.

The hyperactivity that fueled the drummer in life seemed to fuel him in death as well. And it transferred over to JD. He had to keep moving. Couldn’t stop. It was like he was hyped up on sugar, caffeine and adrenaline all at once and it couldn’t be turn off.

Inside JD’s body, John laid a calming hand on Keith’s shoulder and sent out a pulse within. JD sighed as outside in the real world the hyperactivity slowed down to a trickle. Something he could manage.

Thanks John. JD sent.

Not a problem JD. He does get to be a bit much sometimes. JD felt John’s amusement and happiness at just having his brother back with him.

Gah. Keith babbled out as sleepiness claimed him inside.

You don't have to sleep. You don't have to give into the jitters now, either. Or give them to him. You're in control now, not this.

Keith was stretched out on the grass field looking up into the sky. I just wanna experience everything John. We’re awake, we have a Reaper. We’re alive again through him.

That kind of thinking led to your death.

Low blow, John.

But accurate Moonie. Ease off a bit for now. JD’s a helpful lad, he’ll let us experience things again when we can be summoned. John smiled at the prone figure.

Yeah, okay Ox. Sorry about all this JD!

It’s okay Keith, just gotta be careful where you direct that energy. Keith felt JD smile within.

“JD?”

JD opened his mismatched eyes to find Buck in front of him. “Yeah Buck?”

“Everything okay in there?”

“Yeah, just some boundaries being set up. It’s new to all three of us.”

Buck still looked slightly nervous, but smiled. “Just as long as you don’t let them push you around.”

JD smiled at Buck. “Three minds, one body. We’re working it out Buck.”

A knock drew their attention to their apartment door.

“Guess that’s the Tutor.” Buck said.

“Yeah I guess so.” JD said.

Let’s do this!!

JD opened the door to find a man standing there, hand held up for another knock. He had a black cowboy hat on with black jeans, a black shirt and a black duster. Black cowboy boots with spurs were on his feet. A rifle in a gun holder across his back completed the look. Sandy blond hair spread over the back of his neck, just below his ears and brown eyes twinkled merrily.

“Wow, I knew I was right in accepting this tutorin’ assignment. Didn’t quite figure on you looking like him so much though.” The man in black walked into the apartment and stared at Buck. “Two of you…heh.”

"Excuse me?" JD asked, puzzled.

“Sorry, it’s just you two resemble a couple of men I knew a long time ago. It’s kinda uncanny.”

“Uh yeah.” Buck said. “I’ll leave you two to your tutoring, gonna go meet the others at The Saloon.”

JD waved goodbye to Buck as he exited quickly. “Later Buck!”

The man in black just smiled sadly and then looked back at JD. “I’m sorry, I didn’t rightly introduce ourselves. I’m William Travis, but you can call me Billy. This here Weapon is my Soul Reaper, Chanu.”

"JD Dunne." He held out his tattooed arm. "Soul Reapers are John and Keith."

“You got two of them.” Billy breathed as he shook JD’s hand.

“Is that bad?” JD asked.

“No, just a little different and unusual. Rare too.”

JD sighed. “Unusual seems to be the theme around me this past week.”

Billy let loose a full out laugh. “Nothin’ wrong with that, keeps things interesting!”

JD smiled as warmth filled him from that happy laugh. He didn’t know why, but he felt he could trust this man.

“So, I heard you got the crash course by Reaper Malone.” Billy clapped his hands.

“Yeah, tossed into the deep end head first.”

“Well, it’s about to get a bit deeper JD.” Billy grinned ferally.

Gulping at that look, JD wondered what in the world he had gotten himself into.

Billy ended up driving them to a warehouse he set up as his housing and training facility all rolled into one.

Weapons were set up along the far right hand wall with training mats on the floor. Fake walls were set up to the left hand corner where Billy said his bed was. Right beside the bedroom was where the bathroom was located. An eating area was off the side.

“Wow, pretty big set up you got here Billy.” JD looked around.

“I like it. Reapers have set ups like this all over the world. Although it’s nice to be back in Colorado, even if it’s Denver.” Billy draped his jacket on one of the chairs near the table in the eating area.

“Been in Colorado before?” JD inquired as he looked at the various weapons on the wall.

“Was born in Colorado. Although my hometown has long been gone.” Billy said sadly.

“Sorry to hear that Billy.”

“Don’t worry about it JD.”

“Okay, so now what?” JD inquired.

“Now we get started!” Billy said, Weapon in hand.

Settling down on the practice mats and placing his Weapon on the side of him, Billy gestured in front of him for JD to take a seat. JD sat down and looked at Billy. “Now JD, you got a little bit of a crash course in being a Reaper, but you don’t know the first thing about being a Reaper. What I’m about to teach you is a basic first lesson that all Reapers learn.”

JD looked determined.

“What you’re about to learn is the basic meditation techniques that are taught to all Reapers.” Billy said.

“Meditation techniques.” JD said skeptically.

Billy just smiled and nodded. “Now, close your eyes and take a deep breath. Let it out slowly. While doing this, look inwards for your Reaper power.”

JD rolled his eyes and followed Billy’s instructions. Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Continuing this, he looked inwards. Something felt different to JD. Opening his mismatched eyes, he found himself floating in space.

“Just a different representation of your mind JD.”

JD looked to the left and saw John, looking to the right, he saw Keith.

“Wonderful. Guess we go looking for my Reaper power now.”

Keith grinned. “Should be interesting.”

JD and John looked at Keith and then at one another as they sighed.

Propelling themselves forward, they flew through space. Stars went past them as they looked around. JD felt a tugging. Turning left, he headed towards a large white star.

“Guess that’s it then,” JD said as he floated towards it. Clasping it into his hands, he brought his Reaper power to his chest. The power slowly started to cover JD, leaving him with a white line surrounding his body. It softly glowed. Two lines shot out from JD and hit John and Keith. A glowing outline surrounded them as well.

Meanwhile outside of JD’s body, the slow breathing continued, but a faint glowing white outline surrounded the young ATF’s body.

Billy’s eyes went huge. “Chanu, do you see this?” The Rifle that was on the side of Billy exploded in a cloud of smoke and there stood a Native American. Dressed in similar clothing to Billy, except he was dressed in all dark brown.

“He is very strong in his Reaper powers,” Chanu said.

“I don’t think I’ve seen anyone access their powers this fast.”

“He has an old soul Billy. Lots of power. Will be hard for him to manage.”

Billy looked pensive. “Must be why he could resonate with two Soul Reapers.”

“I’m assuming as well. Think it’s time you brought him out.”

Billy pushed himself closer to JD. “JD, listen to my voice. It’s time to come out now.”

JD opened his eyes and Billy gasped slightly. JD’s mismatched eyes had a small rim of glowing white surrounding them. His eyes widened further and the glowing white started to form something behind his back and on his left hand.

He’s starting to manifest! Billy thought wildly. It’s too soon!!

Billy attempted to reach out with his own Reaper power as Chanu went back into Weapon form in his hand. He was flung backwards as JD’s power batted him away and the Soul Reapers attempted to manifest.

A bass guitar manifested first on JD’s back and then a cymbal in his left hand. The white glow sucked itself back into JD’s body and he slumped forward, eyes dilated, breathing quick and hard.

“Shit!” Billy breathed and ran forward to help the fallen Reaper. “JD! JD, can you hear me?”

JD blinked hard and then moaned. “Can hear you just fine Billy.”

Billy helped JD sit up, eyes returning to normal. “Don’t ever do that to an old man like myself again kid.”

“M’not a kid,” JD mumbled. “Turned twenty-nine a month ago.”

“Still a kid to me,” Billy said.

“Why, how old are ya?” JD snarked.

“I’m over a hundred and thirty years old, kid. And will still be ahead of ya for many years to come.”

JD’s eyes went huge. “Over a hundred and thirty years old…do, do Reapers have that kind of long life?”

“Longer. Oh we can still die like normal folks, but we’re just longer lived.”

“Oh.”

Billy helped JD to his feet and guided him to the kitchen table that was set up as JD stared blankly at the far walls. He then felt the extra weight on his back and in his hand. Looking down he saw the cymbal and then twisting his head around he saw the bass guitar.

“John? Keith?”

Right here JD! Although this is a bit unusual to be one’s instrument.

Well, get enough practice in I think you can manifest me fully here JD. ‘Cause I’m not just a cymbal, I know that much.

Full drum set?

JD could feel Keith grinning. He echoed Keith’s grin on his face.

“Weapons there say somethin’ funny?” Billy inquired as he set a couple of glasses of water down.

“Yeah, the cymbal here is not Keith’s fully manifested form. Gonna be a full drum set.”

“That might be a bit hard to cart around.”

JD focused inwards. “I’ll be able to fully manifest the drum set, but I can use just various parts of it as a weapon. Yeah, that feels right.”

“Yeah, when you first start out, instinct is gonna run you around a lot. I think I drove my teacher crazy doing that.” Billy laughed.

They continued chatting for the next twenty minutes as JD’s body adjusted to having his Soul Reapers outside of his body, rather than in, when the sounds of squealing tires outside of the warehouse drew their attention.

“What in the world?” Billy voiced as he grabbed his Weapon.

The door was roughly pushed opened and there stood a Vin Tanner with a visibly shaken Ezra Standish.

“Four of them now. It’s a day of all kinds of reunions,” Billy whispered as JD shot out of the chair and hurried forward to Vin and Ezra.

“What happened?” JD asked as he helped Vin support the empath.

“Hell if I know JD! He got even more whiter if possible and then tore outta The Saloon and headed here. Was on my way to discuss a case with him when he come runnin’ out. Managed to get in his car and we ended up here,” Vin explained as he lowered Ezra onto the kitchen chair.

Billy came up beside them. “What’s wrong with ‘im?”

“S’been like this since JD here got his Reaper powers. Said he couldn’t feel the kid anymore,” Vin voiced as he brought a glass of water and set it on the table. “Ez felt a flare from the kid and then apparently ‘JD disappeared off the face of the earth once again!’”

“Couldn’t feel JD anymore?” Billy eyes then widened. “Oh hellfire! He’s an empath!”

“Yeah, does that make a difference?” JD asked.

“Yes it does, especially for you. Does, um, what’s his name?” Billy asked, faking confusion.

“Ezra,” JD and Vin said together.

“Right, does Ezra have empathic links to all of your teammates?”

“Ah do,” Ezra said, accent thickening as his hand slowly shook.

“Right. JD, grab the other chair and sit in front of Ezra here.” JD did as Billy told him and he found himself eye to eye with one Ezra P. Standish.

“Ezra, I need you to take your hands and cup JD’s cheeks,” Billy instructed.

Ezra did so and JD shuddered slightly at the cold clamminess. “Ah apologize for the state of my hands Mr. Dunne.”

“S’okay, Ez. Let’s get you back online with me, then worry about your health,” JD smiled.

“If we do this correctly, Ezra’s health will improve right away,” Billy said.

Vin stood off to the side, worriedly looking at his friends.

“Right, now Ezra when you reach out for JD here, do you hit anything? Feel anything?”

“Ah, ah feel like ah’m hitting a bubble of some sorts and it gently propels me back from the link I originally established with JD,” Ezra said, hands holding on desperately.

“Right, JD, when Ezra hits that bubble, I need you to look inwards to find the impact point and then using your Reaper Powers, extend that link towards Ezra.”

JD nodded and then looked into Ezra’s eyes. They both reached something there and started.

Vin and Billy stood off to the side and watched their friends attempt at putting Ezra’s link back to normal with the youngest ATF member of Team Seven.

A white glow surrounded the two and they sunk deeper into retrieving the empathic link. The white glow also surrounded the rims of both their eyes and then Vin and Billy could visibly see a white line that linked the two together coming from Ezra’s forehead to JD’s. And just as suddenly as it started it stopped and the two slumped forward slightly.

Vin hurried over to Ezra, while Billy hurried over to JD.

“Everything all right there pard?” Vin asked of Ezra.

Ezra’s head slowly lifted up, green eyes twinkling merrily. “I can feel JD again!”

“JD?” Billy inquired.

“I’m here Billy. Was definitely interesting,” JD grinned as he slowly lifted his own head up.

“Those Weapons of yours are…certainly intriguing Mr. Dunne,” Ezra grinned.

“Can definitely say that again.” JD said.

We’re unique that’s all we are. Keith laughed.

Ezra’s eyes went huge at that statement. “JD, I think, I think I just heard one of your Weapons.”

JD’s eyes echoed Ezra’s and he had a dumbfounded look on his face. “But how?”

“Probably when you linked up. It’ll either be permanent or it’ll fade slowly,” Billy slowly nodded. “And JD, you might have a bit of Ezra’s ability there. Not too sure, this is definitely different.”

JD sighed. “Wonderful.”

“I’m assuming JD’s Reaper powers are what is causing all of this?” Ezra asked worriedly of Billy.

“You don’t have to worry Ezra, it’ll all turn out right,” JD beamed a smile at Ezra.

The Southerner’s eyes went huge. “JD, you felt that?”

“Well, guess we know now that you have a bit of Ezra’s power there kid.” Billy stated.

“Ah’ll teach you how to shield JD. It’s not hard,” Ezra said reassuringly.

JD winced as another feeling spiked its way through his head. “You deal with this all the time Ez?”

“All the time Mr. Dunne. But I’ve gotten better.”

“I think you can only feel Ezra’s feelings there JD,” Vin stated.

JD turned confused eyes towards the Texan.

“I’ve been sending you a happy feeling since you said you could feel sumthin’ and you haven’t said anythin’ in my direction.”

“Makes sense,” Billy said. “Been projecting my feelings too and nothing from ya JD.”

“I’ve certainly been feeling it gentlemen,” Ezra huffed.

“Sorry Ez,” Billy and Vin chorused together.

JD felting a teasing lick of warmth from Ezra and JD sent his own happy feeling towards the undercover agent.

“Well, guess since there’s link action going on between you two, you’re joining in on the lessons then pard!” Billy slapped Ezra hard on the back.

“Mister… what exactly is your name and who are you?” Ezra asked as he regained his balance from the slap.

Billy laughed. “I guess in all the kerfuffle that was forgotten. Name’s William Travis, feel free to call me Billy. Soul Reaper here is Chanu,” He indicated the Rifle on the table and then held out his hands to shake. “And I’m JD’s tutor.”

Vin and Ezra slowly shook the hands.

“Well, I’m stayin’ too. Looks to be mighty interesting,” Vin smiled.

“More the merrier. But the first week is just going to be very boring. Meditating and stuff,” Billy said.

“Joy,” Ezra voiced.

“At least you won’t be doing all the work Ez,” JD teased. “Can finally catch up on some sleep, you feel really tired.”

“I am really tired Mr. Dunne. The past week and a half has not been fruitful to one’s emotional health,” Ezra groused.

“Wow. Vin, Ezra just voluntarily gave up what he was feeling health wise,” JD joked.

“I see it too, JD. Maybe we better call Nathan to make sure we have the right Ezra,” Vin quipped back.

“If you gentlemen are done,” Ezra glared at them.

Vin and JD shot Ezra a cheeky grin.

“JD, I think we’re done for the day. Return here tomorrow, same bat time, same bat channel,” Billy said as he watched these different versions of ghosts long past.

“Yeah, okay Billy!” JD said.

“Also, JD.”

“Yeah?”

“To house your Weapons back in your body, merely think ‘Return’,” Billy instructed.

JD closed his eyes and thought the word. Without a sound, the bass guitar and cymbal were sucked back into his body. He pitched face first forward to the worried cries of his Soul Reapers and friends.

Billy came up behind Vin and Ezra as they supported the lethargic young man. “Don’t worry, always happens the first time. He just needs to get some sleep in and he’ll be good as new.”

“Could’ve warned him first,” Vin grumbled.

“It’s worse if you warn someone and then they try and prepare for it. Best to just let him get it out of system before the next lesson.”

Ezra meanwhile was brushing JD’s bangs out of his face as JD weakly protested. “Come on Mr. Dunne. I’ll drive you back to Mr. Wilmington’s.”

“Okay,” JD murmured sleepily.

Vin and Ezra helped the young Reaper out of the warehouse as Billy stood in the doorframe and watched them load him up into the car and drive away. Giving out a sigh, Billy closed the door and Chanu appeared in a cloud of smoke.

“That was mighty eerie there Billy,” Chanu said as he walked along his Reaper partner.

“Tell me about it Chan. Feel like I’m caught in some weird Twilight Zone episode,” Billy groused as he got out a bottle of whisky.

“Pour me one too. Only one though, I think we both need it after all that.”

Billy poured the drinks. “Amen to that.”

Sitting in the eating area, the two partners sipped their drinks, Billy took out an old faded photograph that stood to the test of time. Swiping a thumb over the image, he rested it against the bottle.

Seven men in western garb stood there, looking back at him. And four of them were mighty familiar.

“Why now?” Billy asked no one in particular.

“Who knows Bill, all we can do is roll with the punches,” Chanu smiled.

“Yeah, and it’s gonna be hell of a left hook.”

~~~

It had been a couple of days since JD started the lessons and Vin and Ezra were right there after work to help along. Chris had given them an earful about his and Ezra’s stronger empathic link with one another, but nothing could be done about it now.

Sliding his key into the lock of the apartment he shared with Buck, JD gave a happy sigh as he entered the room. Glancing around he was surprised to find it so clean.

Think this is the cleanest we’ve seen it kid. Even cleaner than when we all got back from the hospital. Keith said as he peered out of JD’s eyes.

Have to agree with Moonie on this one. Wonder if something’s wrong.

Buck’s been avoiding me since I got these Reaper powers, guess he’s found other things to do in his spare time.

Give it time Johnny-boy, he’ll come around.

It’s been two weeks! I’m just afraid he doesn’t want me around anymore.

JD felt the basking warmth from his Soul Reapers as they tried to reassure him and he sat down in a chair. Materializing John in the bass guitar form – he was still working on getting him in human form and Keith in a full drum set form – he slowly worked on chords with help from John.

John’s reasoning was if he was going to be used as a weapon, why not be used to make music as well.

The current problem was JD knew the chords and the music, he just didn’t have the dexterity and muscle memory yet or the calluses. But he was working on it.

So absorbed into the music he didn’t hear the door open or see Buck and Chris come in.

Heads up JD, company. John sent.

JD looked up from the bass guitar to see Buck and Chris staring at him.

“What?”

“Where’d you get the guitar from kid?” Buck asked.

“It’s a bass guitar, I’m not a kid and it’s my Soul Reaper,” JD shot back.

“Your Soul Reaper is a bass guitar,” Chris stated incredulously.

“Yes, he is.”

“What good is a bass guitar going to be in a fight?” Buck scoffed.

JD smiled. “Working on it.”

“You gonna be good for work soon, JD?” Chris asked has he headed into the kitchen for a glass of water.

“Doc says another week and I’ll be ready for work completely,” JD smiled.

“That soon? Think we should get another doc and get another opinion.” Buck grumbled.

“Yeah that soon, Buck.” JD flexed his hand. “M’body can heal faster now so, I’ll be ready for work completely. No light desk work for me.”

“Well la-dee-da, ain’t you special,” Buck groused out as he settled on the couch and opened the newspaper.

JD and Chris exchanged looks of concern at this.

“You got something to say to me Buck?” JD asked.

“No.”

“I think ya do. You’ve been pussy footin’ around me ever since I got these powers and haven’t once asked if I was okay or anything else! The Buck I know would’ve been by my side this entire time!” JD yelled out.

Buck’s hands clenched around the paper, but he kept silent.

JD’s face had gone red as he glared at his roommate.

Chris had been standing silent for the entire exchange before he strode forward and grabbed the newspaper out of Buck’s hands.

“Hey! I was reading that Chris!” Buck yelled out.

“I think you need to listen to JD. I’m heading out. Don’t kill one another while I’m gone,” Chris strode out of the apartment and slammed the door as he left.

Buck looked away to the side and crossed his arms.

JD looked sadly at his friend, his anger leaving him. “Am I really that horrible and different to look at now?”

“What? No JD!” Buck leapt off of the couch and crouched in front of JD. “I just, it’s just, aw hell.”

JD lifted his mismatched eyes to gaze into Buck’s blue ones. “Just what Buck?”

“Just, this happened to ya. Got Reaper powers, a tutor and pretty soon you won’t need old Buck. Figured I let you go.”

“Buck, I’ll always need you,” JD pulled Buck into a hug which the mustached man reciprocated back.

“Guess I was being pretty stupid,” Buck sheepishly said with a smile.

JD returned it. “Just a little.”

“So explain to ol’ Buck what exactly being a Reaper entails.”

Both sat down on the couch and JD explained as best as he could of what he knew about being a Reaper. The small rift between the men had healed.

A couple of hours later Chris came back to see JD showing Buck some of the chords he learned on the bass guitar.

“Everything all right now?”

“Yeah,” The two chorused.

“Good, won’t have to shoot both of ya,” Chris glared out.

“I have to go guys, got another tutoring lesson,” JD said as he stood up, bass guitar disappearing into his body.

“We’ll come with,” Chris said indicating himself and Buck.

“Sure, not too much going on right now except meditating, trying to manifest Keith right now,” JD said as he gathered up his bag.

“Keith?” Chris asked as he followed the two out of the apartment.

“Yeah Keith. I have two Soul Reapers, John and Keith. I had John out earlier, he’s the bass guitar and Keith I’m hoping to fully manifest today as a full drum set.”

“Oh that’s right, you mentioned him earlier,” Chris said.

Buck was mumbling to himself. “Bass guitar, John. Drum set, Keith. Seems mighty familiar.”

JD shared a smile with his Weapons.

Chris took his truck and JD shared with Buck as JD shared the directions with Chris over the phone and Buck listening in.

They made it to the warehouse in plenty of time where they saw Vin’s motorcycle parked and Ezra’s Jaguar.

“Ezra and Vin have been joining you in these lessons?” Buck asked.

“Yeah, ‘cause Ezra and I are more tightly linked now and Vin just ‘cause he’s interested.”

“I’ve let you down the past couple of weeks, haven’t I pard?” Buck asked.

“You’ve had your own issues to deal with Buck. You’re here now, that’s the important part,” JD said.

“Yeah, okay, let’s do this then!” Buck grinned.

JD returned the grin. “You mean I’ll do this and you’ll be on the sidelines.”

“Well yeah!”

“You’re so full of it Buck.”

There was a rapping on the window of Buck’s truck. “You ladies done?” Chris mouthed through the glass.

Buck and JD sighed as they nodded a yes and got out of the truck.

JD led Buck and Chris to the warehouse and opened the door. “Welcome to my tutor’s place of resident.”

Chris and Buck saw a man dressed in a black outfit talking with Ezra and Vin.

“JD’s tutor looks like yer twin there Old Dog,” Buck whispered to Chris.

“Just about. Might eerie,” Chris replied back.

Ezra turned from the talking as he felt them approach earlier in their vehicles and grinned. “Pay up gentlemen, it took them exactly five minutes from arriving here to enter your humble abode Mr. Travis.”

Vin and Billy grumbled as they handed over the money to Ezra’s waiting hand.

“Gambling on us there, Ez?” Buck grinned.

“Only when I know the bet is sure thing, Mr. Wilmington,” Ezra countered.

Billy startled a bit at seeing Chris Larabee, but pulled himself together. Chris caught the look and decided to confront Billy on it after the lesson.

“Ya ready for some more meditating, JD?” Billy said as he walked over to the practice mats.

“Sure, why not since I’m here,” JD grinned as he headed over as well.

Settling down in front of Billy, JD quickly settled into a meditative state and started to glow white. Billy echoing him by glowing a dark purple.

Chris leaned towards Vin and whispered, “They often glow when they do that?”

“Yeah, something about accessing their Reaper powers and it gives off a glow when they do,” Vin replied.

“Might be an issue during a bust and JD has to use his powers. It’s like painting a target on his back,” Chris fiercely whispered.

Ezra leaned in on this point. “JD is still learning Mr. Larabee, soon he’ll be able to make sure he doesn’t glow during a bust. But he is still a new Reaper by Reaper society. At least that is how I understood it when Mr. Travis explained.”

Chris swallowed his retort when he saw Ezra’s green eyes glowing, a white rim around the irises.

JD gave off a groan and sweat started to appear on his face as the bass guitar that had manifested while the others were talking started to take a humanoid shape.

The humanoid shape was glowing white as clothes started to form and give off colours. Blue Jeans and a black t-shirt, almost echoing JD’s Blue Jeans and white t-shirt. Limbs still glowing white started to show peach coloured skin. The face itself gave way to black hair to the shoulders, a black beard and kind grey eyes. The figure fell to his hands and knees as JD gave off a brighter glow.

Watching the event, the small group had to shield their eyes as JD’s white glow gave off a flash and enveloped Billy and the figure. Blinking to clear their eyes a drum kit was off to the side, the figure was on his hands and knees breathing harshly. JD was slumped over with a concerned Billy looking on.

Ezra quickly hurried over to help Billy with JD.

“JD, are you all right?”

JD gave off a moan. “John, where’s John?”

Ezra looked off to the side and saw the figure that had emerged from the bass guitar and came to the conclusion that this was John. Helping JD to his feet, Ezra brought JD over to John.

JD fell to his knees and put his hands on John’s shoulders. A shudder went between the two.

“John?”

Vin, Chris and Buck quickly got out of their shock and hurried over.

“Kiddo?” Buck voiced as he went near JD.

“Hang on Buck, gotta make sure John is okay.” Keeping one hand on the bassist’s shoulder, JD brought a hand to life John’s head up. “You okay John?”

Grey eyes peered at JD confused. “JD?”

JD smiled. “Hey.”

John smiled back and pulled JD into a hug. “Hey.”

A sound to the side pulled their attention as the pedal of the bass drum moved of its own violation. John and JD laughed as they made their way over to the drum set.

“Sorry about that Moonie, didn’t forget about you,” John ran a hand over the cymbals.

The others were forgotten as JD and John were in their own little world with the drum set that they assumed was Keith.

Buck was mumbling to himself.

“Whew, didn’t think the kid would pick all of this up so quickly,” Billy commented, purple glow dying off.

“What do you mean?” Chris asked.

“Well, it took me nearly two years of manifesting Chanu, that’s my Soul Reaper, in a rifle form and then into a humanoid form of his former body,” Billy said.

“Kid is certified at a genius level,” Vin said.

“Could be a factor, but I’m gonna wait and see,” Billy thoughtfully said.

“What do you mean by former body?” Ezra asked.

“Well, guess it was gonna come out sooner or later,” Billy mumbled. “Soul Reapers were once people who were alive. When they die, they have the choice of moving on, getting reincarnated or becoming a Soul Reaper. Most choose moving on, a few choose to get reincarnated and even fewer choose to become Soul Reapers.”

Ezra was watching JD and John interact, he already had an idea of who John was in life, same with the drum set.

“When becoming a Soul Reaper, their body is shaped into a form that best represented them in life.”

“So they were once people,” Chris stated.

“Yes.” Billy said.

Buck suddenly came to life from his mumbling. “HOLY SHIT!!” He pointed his finger at the Reaper trio. “Y-y-you’re, you’re…”

“Something you want to share with the class Bucklin?” Vin asked amused.

Wide blue eyes settled on Vin as his finger continued to point at the trio. “He-he-he’s…”

“One John Alec Entwistle, former bassist of The Who. I am assuming the drum set is Keith John Moon,” Ezra drawled.

John looked amused. “Someone’s a fan.”

Ezra quirked a smile. “I am a person of observation, Mr. Entwistle. I believe Mr. Wilmington is a fan though, judging by his stammering.”

John laughed.

It was three hours later that JD managed to get Keith back into his body and keep John out. A very star struck Buck drove all three home, while the others headed out.

Chris stayed behind on the pretense of asking Billy Travis some questions.

Billy was slightly nervous, here was the doppelganger of a man who shaped and influenced his life very much. He hadn’t quite confirmed yet, but he had suspicions that these men were the reincarnations of The Magnificent Seven from the late eighteen hundreds. A period he had grown up in.

Shifting through the cupboards Chris found the whiskey and set it on the table, Billy supplied three glasses.

Chris picked up the glass and gestured towards the bottle. “Hope you don’t mind I help myself.”

“Not at all, Chanu and myself will join you,” Billy smiled as Chanu poofed into existence from his Rifle form.

Chris merely raised an eyebrow and took a sip from the glass. “Good stuff here.”

An uncomfortable silence settled around the three.

“So.”

“So.”

“So.”

“You look like a man who gets right to the point, so I won’t waste anyone’s time by dillydallying. What do you want, Mr. Larabee,” Billy asked of Chris.

Chris finished the whiskey off in his glass and set it down on the table. “When I came in today for the first time you looked like you had seen a ghost. What exactly did you see?”

Billy could answer this question two ways, one would be the reincarnation way or the other way would be telling Chris of the ghostly spirits of his dead wife and son following him around.

Billy went the way of the chicken and pulled out the faded photograph and wordlessly handed it to Chris.

Chanu knew what his partner was thinking and sighed. Boy, were they both about to get an earful.

Chris stared at the photograph, turned it to the left and stared some more. He placed it down on the table gently and in a calm and controlled voice, voiced his opinion on the picture. “What the hell is this?”

“A picture, Mr. Larabee,” Billy said simply.

“I can see it’s a picture, but why is it a picture of my men dressed in wild west clothing?”

At least that answered Billy’s questions if Josiah and Nathan were with them.

“Because that is your men and yourself. Or at least your past reincarnations.”

Chris looked at him incredulously. Chanu sighed and went back inside Billy’s body.

“I’m serious Chris. All of you have been reincarnated. These lives you’re leading are your current incarnations and somehow you look like your past lives.”

“Say I choose to believe you, how do I know your telling me the truth?” Chris leaned back in his chair.

“Mr. Larabee, Chris. I’m a fully trained Reaper, I can see spirits, I have otherworldly senses and I have been touched by the Supernatural. I can tell these things,” Billy said with a quirk of a grin. “Plus, when I was a small child, I grew up in a town called Four Corners. And there seven law men protected the town. The Magnificent Seven. Chris Larabee, Buck Wilmington, Josiah Sanchez, Nathan Jackson, Ezra Standish, Vin Tanner and JD Dunne.”

Chris looked at him wide-eyed and reached for the whiskey. Twisting the cap off, he took a long swig from the bottle. He grimaced as it burned down his throat. Slamming the bottle on the table, he wiped away the excess from his mouth.

Billy grimaced. “Bit much to swallow I know, but it’s the truth.”

“Gonna head out, need to think about all this.”

“I understand.”

Billy showed Chris to the door and sighed as he watched the trunk pull out and head out into the dark.

~~~

PART 2

Comments

[sparrowsverse.livejournal.com]

Yes, it's up, it's up! :D

Buck is awesome!

Soonish, sometime later tonight or tomorrow. :D

And I'm glad you're enjoying this, more is yet to come. *grins*