A/N: I'm back with the sequel to Human Nature, so read that first! I don't own any of the shows mentioned, or the show the fanfiction revolves around.

Chapter 1

One Does Not Simply Kill Bradford

I sat bolt upright, screaming. I was alive, which confused me. I sat in a chamber composed entirely of gold, and there were massive thrones around me. Each was occupied by a being bigger than a dragon. A few of them were massive Gryphons, a few were Equine, a few Dragon, and the rest appeared to be Raven. I recognized two to be Celestia and Luna. They were arguing.

"I can't believe you just up and brought him from Elysium!" One of the Raven gods said.

"He deserves it. After all, the world is in turmoil, and we can't modify it," One that looked like an Equine said.

I spoke up. "Uh... What's going on?"

"He can still speak," One of the Gryphons said. "That's something."

The one in that said I deserved to be ressurected pounded his hoof on the floor. "You have been brought before the gods to be sent back to the plain of the living! What say you!"

"Dude, I'm confused. I died. And what are the princesses doing here?" I asked.

"We're the goddesses of the Sun and Moon. We've just been allowed to use physical forms to govern the country of Equestria. Tanner, however, killed us, and we were sent back here," Celestia answered, followed by a nod from Luna.

"So what does this mean for me?" I inquired.

"You have been given the rare opportunity for life after death. Do you accept?" One of the Gryphon gods asked.

"Of course!" I exclaimed. "But why me?"

"You have been determined as the only one with enough power in Elysium who could possibly make a difference in the world," One of the Raven gods said.

"I made Elysium? Why don't I remember it?" I asked.

"Because that knowledge is too much for mortals. We have allowed all of your possessions to be returned upon resurrection, such as your bracelets, your orbs of minerals, your Arrow of Light, and even the gift of immortality bestowed upon the Raven King or Queen. You will be given an extra advantage as well. We shall unlock the gift bestowed prior to death." One of the gods waved his hand, and I instantly felt stronger.

"The gift increases your physical abilities by a large margin, allowing you to be physically dominant over most," The god who had brought me back said. "Also, we will answer one question on your mind."

"I have just one." This had been in my head for a while. "The conduit disease can't just be a mutation. It has to be special. What makes a conduit?"

One of the Dragon gods answered. "This is a new one. We know the answer. All conduits are directly related to one of the gods, however distant."

"So which one of you am I related to?" I asked.

The equine who had revived me raised his hoof. "That would be me. I took the form of a human, and mated with one of your species when they resided in this dimension. Clearly, it paid off. In case you would like to know, I am the god of death, Rokon, which makes you a child of death."

"So I'm a demigod of the god of death? Cool."

"Yes. I will chose to unlock the powers of your heritage now, and send you back," My very great grandfather said. "However, resurrection in combination with demigod powers may result in physical transformation. Also, it had been ten years since you died. Go!" He didn't wait for an answer, and began to radiate power. I was enveloped in a white flash, and transported away from wherever I was.

I lay on the ground back in life, then got up. My Arrow was in my hands, and my bracelets on my wrists, as well as my book of forbidden magic in my cloak. My clothes, however, had changed. They were a pure radiant white, and were very soft. It was a nice change of pace. I spotted a puddle. They had said I would look different, so I looked at my reflection in the water. I gasped.

My face looked the same, but my skin was extremely pale. My hair had taken on a color akin to my new clothes, a radiant white. And the colors of my eyes had gone from hazel to a piercing red. I had turned albino.

I was worried about burning in the sun, but it wasn't a problem. The sky was extremely overcast. I broke through the trees around me, and gazed on the terrible sight before me.

The features of the land told me this was Ponyville, or was. The town had been taken down, and in it's place, a city of brick had been erected, similar in appearance to the high Gryphon City. I was not a short distance from the city, so I ran. I was considerably faster than before, on account of my new abilities. I could only wonder what my powers as a child of death were.

I reached the city quickly, and instantly hated every inch of it. I wasn't worried about people recognizing me. They all thought I was dead, and my appearance had been changed.

There were several Equines within the city, yes, but they weren't the same. They were slaves. Pulling carts, carrying the heavier loads. There wasn't a single one not unattended.

On the street corner was a small diner, and I was feeling hungry, so I put aside my intense hatred for my own kind for a few minutes on lunch. I pulled out my gold sphere, and created a few coins. Stepping in through the door, the sweet smell of breakfast food reached my nose, and the sound of a beautiful instrument reached my ears. I sat down at the bar, and ordered a serving of fried eggs. I then chose to look at the player of the music. It crushed my spirits.

It was Octavia, playing her Cello. She was bound in chains on her hind legs, and looked years older than she was last time we met. Made sense, I suppose. According to the gods, it had been ten years. After receiving my eggs, I paid the waitress with a few golden coins, and I ate swiftly. I ordered an apple next, and she said it was on the house after the generous tip I had given her. She handed me a small red apple, and I took it. I walked over to where Octavia stood, playing her instrument.

She stopped to look at me. "Any requests?" She asked.

"No, I just wanted to thank you. I haven't heard music like yours in years, and I wanted to thank you. Here." I held out the apple, and she just stared at it.

"I'm not allowed to accept tips," She explained.

"Not a tip. Consider it a gift." She smiled, and nodded. She gladly took the apple, and bit into it.

An expression of joy washed over her face, and she began crying. "Thank you. You're the first person the show any sort of kindness in ten years."

I smiled. "Don't mention it. I'll be back to hear you play again, so get ready."

"I'll be right here."

As I walked out of the eatery, I received a few negative comments about my kindness, but I ignored them. I took a small walk down the street, and frowned at what lay around me. I noticed Vinyl Scratch at the counter of a record store, with chain around her neck.

I came across a slaver, lining several equines up on an auction platform. Sadly, I recognized several of them. I noticed Lyra, her friend Bon Bon, and even Ditzy.

I was happy to see six in particular. All six of the Element bearers were there, with sullen looks on their faces and marks of whips on their flanks. One thing confused me. Those sullen looks were worn by faces no older than the last time we had seen each other. "I'll figure that out later," I thought.

The auctioneer was yelling out prices. He directed the crowd to the six Bearers, and shouted the price. "And here's a deal for you, folks! These six are quite the set, and work better together than any others! We'll start the price at two gold pieces!"

A few shouts of minorly increased prices rang out, but I had a plan. I took out my gold sphere again, and modified it into a gold bar about a foot long. I held it up. "I have this!"

The crowd stared in awe at my fortune, and the auctioneer gladly accepted it. He handed me the connected reins controlling my friends, and I led them away.

As we were walking, I heard Twilight speak. "Well, at least we were put together again."

Rainbow dash was next. "But who's this guy? I've never seen 'im before."

I picked up the pace, and led them out of the city. When we were a considerable distance away from the city, I stopped. It was surprise time. "So, are you ready?" I asked.

"Fer what?" Applejack inquired.

"This." I concentrated my magic on the restraints on all of them. But rather than the black aura I expected, they were enveloped in one of white. I released them all from their bindings. They all stared, dumbfounded.

Twilight spoke. "What are you doing?"

"Being nice, Twilight Sparkle."

She was taken aback by the use of her name, which obviously hadn't been spoken by a human in a long time. "H-how do you know me?"

It was time for a bit of fun. "I've done my research. I know all of you. Rarity, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and even Pinkie."

They were visibly nervous by then. It was all I could do not to burst out laughing. "Wondering how?"

Applejack glared. "Hay yeah we are!"

"Simple. I'm a demigod. A son of death, to be precise." Technically, I wasn't lying.

"A demigod?" Twilight confirmed. "Those don't exist."

"Yeah!" Pinkie agreed.

"Your opinions don't matter; I know it's true. Besides, it's not like you have any options. You can't leave without being pursued by the law, and I promise I'll treat you fairly. I'll treat you like that friend of yours... Bradford?" I was referring to myself in the third person, which was pretty funny. Cruel but funny. I've found that many of the reason they could send me to Tartarus overlap with what I find funny.

Their expressions went bleak. Surprisingly, Fluttershy spoke. "You could never replace him."

"You couldn't possibly be as kind as he was," Rarity said. "He fought his own kind for us, and died as a result."

"One of you bastards killed him, and he didn't even hesitate to fight!" Rainbow Dash yelled.

"He was the only other one who could understand animals like I can," Fluttershy said wistfully.

"There wasn't a single thing he did that didn't help us all us in some way," Applejack said.

"He was always ready for fun, bad time or good," Pinkie observed.

To be honest, I was touched. I had yet to figure out how to explain that I really was back, so I had to lead into it. "By the way, what happened in the last ten years? I was in a coma."

"Once Tanner won the fight, he razed the city, and built this. He enslaved all of the survivors, and it's been like this for ten years," Twilight explained.

"Shame. Really, I don't approve of his methods," I said. "Frankly, I think efforts may go better with peace."

"Bullshit," Rainbow Dash said gruffly.

"I knew Bradford. He was a good man. I would have fought on your side, but I had fear of Tanner. You could say I knew him better than anyone. In fact, he knew me just as well."

"Prove it," Applejack demanded.

"How?" I asked.

"I have an idea," Twilight said. "There's things about us that he knew, things that we haven't told anypony. He only figured them out with mindreading or we confided them in him, but he knew them. I figure he might have told you, so give us one thing."

"You asked, not me. Pinkie, I'm aware of the fact that you are the foster mother of two children, the children of the Cakes. Also, Dash achieved seat of the Wonderbolts, and she's the only one who could fly faster than Brad. Also, the only one who can perform a Sonic Rainboom. That must have been common knowledge ten years ago, but I'd assume you haven't done one recently. Fluttershy, Brad gifted you a Phoenix, and the first time you saw one you freaked during it's regeneration spell. Rarity, I know you grieved more than any of the other people here over Dinky's death all those years ago, because she and your sister were great friends, and she came to the Boutique frequently. Applejack, Brad gave you many more acres of land for your farm, and he was knocked unconscious on the same property. Twilight, you were the apprentice of the late princess, Celestia. You were an avid reader, and one of the strongest Unicorns around. Enough?"

They all stood there, mouths hanging open. "You'll catch flies like that. Close your mouths."

They did so, and Dash spoke. "Either you're a convincing liar, or he's telling the truth." She smirked. "There's one thing only we and he knows about. Nopony knew it was him who did it, except for us, but he may have told you. It includes the life of a filly."

This was easy. "He changed the life a Pegasus filly, unable to fly and her parents weren't ever around. He healed the disease preventing her from flight, and convinced her parents to spend more time with her. And for added effect, her name was Scootaloo."

That got them. "He must have really known you," Fluttershy said.

"Better than himself. Any more proof?" I asked.

"I still don't believe him," Dash said.

"Need more proof? I've got a few more. You all wield the Elements of Harmony. Applejack: Harmony. Fluttershy: Kindness. Pinkie Pie: Laughter. Rainbow Dash: Loyalty. Rarity: Generosity. Twilight Sparkle: Magic. You've used them a few times, first against Nightmare Moon, next against Discord."

"So you know about history, big deal," Dash insulted.

I was tired of this. "You know what, let's get on with this. I didn't know Brad, I am him. I was given a quest from the gods to restore this world to the way it was. Let me guess, you think I'm nuts, right?"

They all nodded. "Figured. Rainbow Dash, you know this better than the rest. During the final battle with Tanner, I was locked in a last stand using my Lunar Blitz. My friend, Xavier, fell from the sky after he gave me a large portion of his energy. You caught him, gave me a smirk, and flew him to safety."

"Okay, there's nothing that says otherwise, but just incase, truth spell!" Twilight exclaimed. Her horn began to glow. "Okay, are you the real Bradford?"

"Yes." The barrier didn't react, which meant I was telling the truth.

"Oh, by Celestia's... No. You died. Tanner incinerated your body after the battle," Twilight stated.

"I got better. Also, that stuff about me being a demigod isn't false. It turns out all conduits are distantly related to one of the gods, and my very great grandfather is the god of death, and the reason I look like this is because he unlocked my powers as a son of death. I don't actually know what they are, but I'll figure it out. I was tasked by the gods to return this world to balance. Also, did you know that The Princesses were actually goddesses? They were given the chance to go to the world of mortals and govern over this country. Really does explain the sun-moon thing."

"Wowie!" Pinkie shouted. "Bradley's back from the dead!"

"Have you seen any of the three humans I trusted? I want to meet them again."

"Nope," Dash said. "I haven't seen them in years."

"In that case, head as far away from town as possible. I'll find you." They nodded, and started galloping away. I teleported to Canterlot, which I discovered had been taken over. The town had been transformed from it's alabaster colors to an emerald color. I strolled right into the city, and took a walk around. None of those in slavery were equines that I recognized, so I ventured closer to the castle. I stood in the castle garden, no occupied by much more fierce colors than before. Rather than the pleasant hues of purple, green, and yellow, the garden now held flowers of red, orange and white. I jogged inside, prepared to fight if somehow recognized. Inside were several well-dressed humans, and a few slave ponies. I ventured further inside, and put on cloaking spell. I walked past the private chambers, and one caught my eye. Inside was a man practicing with a sword, viciously slashing at a dummy. I stepped inside, and revealed myself. Upon closer inspection, I knew him.

It was Jack.

"Who the hell are you?" He asked.

"I didn't think you would recognize me, after I went albino. Why in Tartarus are you working for Tanner?"

"First: I don't know you. Second, I'm the second most powerful mage in the army, and get out before I call the guards. Third, give me one good reason not to do that now."

"He must have wiped your mind. Get ready!" I stated.

"Get out of here!" He slashed at me with his sword. My new physical abilities courtesy of the gods came into play, triggering my new abilities. Purely on reflex, I jumped into the air, and kicked the sword out of his hand onto the floor. He was stunned, and I took the chance to slam him against the wall and bind him to it with a bit of magic. While he struggled, I pressed my fingers against his temples. I began the search the recesses of his mind, but found no locked memories. I did; however, find a series of gaps. This was a problem. I created a mental like with Twilight.

"Twi? Got any spells for restoring lost memories?"

"Just the one, in fact. Try this." She sent me an image of a spell page that showed a memory-reclaiming spell.

"Thanks." I hung up the connection, and began the spell. The broken sections of Jack's memory began to glow, and re-construct themselves. I completed the spell, and exited his subconscious.

He stared blankly, processing his reclaimed memories. He blinked a few times. "Oh my god... I'm the enemy of Tanner, and he brainwashed me into believing I was on his side! And you... Brad! But you died!"

I released him from the bonds holding him to the wall. "For the second time, I got better." I then proceeded to explain how I had been brought from Elysium by the gods, and sent here to finish my work, as well as how I'm a child of the god of death.

"So... I'm technically a demigod too?" He asked.

"Apparently. I just don't know you're related to. Where's Sara?" I asked.

"Follow me. We need to find Xavier, too." He ran out of the room, and I followed. He led me down to the barracks, and we found Xavier and Sara conversing over lunch.

They stood up and saluted. "Sir!"

"Sit down," Jack commanded. Apparently he was given some sort of authority. "My assistant is going to perform a mandatory magical evaluation for all mages."

They nodded, and sat down. I enveloped them in a veil, and began the spell. As their memories began to repair themselves, their eyes fluttered wildly. I finished the spell, and took a step back. They both stood up.

Sara made eye contact, then delivered a hard slap to my face. "That was for scaring me! How are you here?!"

I once again explained the process of the gods and such.

"Sweet. demigods. Sara like," She said, grinning.

"Wonder who I'm related to?" Xavier wondered.

"No time to find out. Xavier, I know you can teleport, so get everyone else out of here as soon as possible. I have to do something."

"But," Xavier stated, but I cut him off.

"Go!" Xavier teleported away.

There was nothing that could stop me from finding the Elements.

I sprinted through the halls to the throne room, where Tanner was sure to reside, and the Elements were sure to reside. I came to the door, where two guards blocked my path. I simply put my new abilities to use, jumping into the air, and planting a kick on each guard's face, then landed. I dashed into the hall, where a few lightweight mages tried to stop me.

One tried to thrust a dagger into my ribs, but I caught his wrist and snapped it. Another managed to grab my arms from behind, signaling the entire group to tackle me. The entire room mages piled on top of me, and I decided to stop them. I pulsed a large magical shockwave, sending mages flying in various directions. I stood, triumphant over the pathetic excuses for mages. I only knew they were mages because they were emitting a slight magical energy.

Sure enough, there was Tanner on the throne, clapping sarcastically. "Bravo, rebel. You've beaten the rest, but can you take down the best?"

"I'm not after you, Tanner. Give me the Elements. You know what I'm talking about. The necklaces you took."

"Go ahead. I couldn't destroy them, so there's nothing left for use. Also, die." He launched a magical bolt which I easily deflected.

"Tanner, don't even think about it. I don't know how much energy you've absorbed in ten years since our last fight, but I do know one thing. My name is Bradford, and I've been brought back to life for one reason, and that's to end you. I'll be taking the Elements now." I located the strongest source of magic in the room, which were the Elements, concealed behind his throne. I teleported directly in front of the throne, and, catching Tanner of guard, I bitch-slapped him across the room. I pressed my hands to the throne and melted it. I took the chest behind it, and teleported to the location of my Equine friends, in turn taking my human friends to the same location. We all materialized in the same spot, and I distributed the Elements to their respective Bearers.

"We have to move. I pissed off Tanner, and there's no way I'll get off the hook. I have to get to the Raven City, get to old Canterlot castle in the Everfree. I'll meet you there." I tried to teleport myself into the city, but found myself unable. So, I teleported fourteen feet away from it. I stepped through the barrier keeping Raven City concealed, and was relieved to find it undamaged. However, an alarm went of, and I looked forward to see several Raven guards charging me. I spread my wings, which were now a pure white, and soared into the castle. Several Raven gave chase, so I teleported them back to the ground. I landed on the balcony of my chambers, and ran inside. Sitting at my desk was an unfamiliar man, who immediately stood up and summoned a warhammer. Obviously, he was mage, so I readied for a fight. Then I noticed his bracelets.

They were the shape of a cross. It was Sedrick.

"Who are you? A dog of the human military?" He grasped his hammer menacingly. "Answer me!"

"Sedrick! Put away your weapon!" I pleaded.

"I don't know how you know my name, but the lord of the humans is the only one with as much power as I can feel from you, so I have no choice but to try to fight!"

"Listen! It's me, Bradford!"

He stopped and stared for a bit. "Lies! My father died in the war, murdered at your hands! Of all the dirty, underhanded, tricks, impersonating him!" He threw his warhammer at me, and I sidestepped.

Clearly, I would have to subdue him to explain myself. I summoned my scythe, and took a combat scythe. The warhammer returned to Sedrick's hand, and he gasped.

"There's only one man who can wield that weapon." He ran up and embraced me. "Father. I thought you had died."

I broke off. "I did, actually. The gods sent me back to fix the world. How have you been faring?"

"Better than I expected. I have managed to keep the humans at bay with the cloaking barrier, and you gave us quite the scare when you entered city limits. Why the change in demeanor?" He asked.

"It turns out that I'm the grandchild of Rokon, the god of death. He unlocked my powers as a child of death."

"That's new." Sedrick's face lit up. "We have to announce your arrival! We knew something was wrong when you died and no one was made immortal, but we couldn't figure out what!"

"Gather the citizens. I'll do some spells, and they'll see it's me. I'll be in the meeting hall." Sedrick nodded, and started towards the door. I stopped him with a grab of the shoulder. "Sedrick?"

"Yes?" He replied happily.

"I'm glad I can count on you to keep this tribe going when I'm gone. I won't die over time, but there's a good chance I'll die in combat. Something tells me I won't get another chance," I told him.

"Thanks. Will things be different now? I'm technically older than you, being nineteen."

I smiled. "No. Regardless of age, you're still my son."

He smiled in return, and sprinted away. I walked back to the railing of the balcony, and leaned over the edge. Sighing, I looked out over the edge, and down on the people.

"Need any advice?" A voice from my side said. I looked to my left, and there was a regular man standing there. A human man. He had white hair, and red eyes, similar to mine. He was about six feet in height, just under me. He was wearing white robes identical to my own.

"Um... How did you get in here?" I asked him. Humans shouldn't be able to get past the barrier.

"What, you don't recognize your own grandfather?" He said defensively.

That could have only meant one thing. "Oh, hi. What's the god of death doing here?"

"I can't see my only living relative?"

"No that's fine. It just seems like you would have a few things to attend to," I said.

"I can do that from anywhere. Here, look at this." He pointed to an old woman in the streets. "She doesn't have long left. I don't like watching people die, but it's necessary. She's about to suffer a stroke, and won't recover." Sure enough, she collapsed, right there in the street.

"Can I do that?" I asked.

"No, but it doesn't limit you. Look at her again," Rokon suggested.

I looked down at her, but saw two of her. She was a spirit, staring down at her body in awe. A door appeared, and she stepped through it. It disappeared, leaving the body behind. "I'm gonna have to guess and say no one else saw that."

"Just you," Rokon confirmed. "I'd assume you have other abilities, but realistically, I can't determine what they'll be. For all I know, you can kill people with a thought or, even resurrect them. I guess we'll find out."

"Yeah..." I agreed.

"Farewell," Rokon said, then disappeared. I stood for a few more minutes, then decided to go wait in the hall.

This was gonna be good.

A/N: I love how much potential this story has!