Throughout all of the Millennia that I have served this world I would not have ever imagined the events that I am going to retell. For starters, I am Death, everything rotten, decaying, and rancid. The one who would rip your soul from this world when your name came up. The one true certainty in Equestria. That was true, and know this, the old Death was a jerk.
Yes, even immortal beings can change, and I have. I once said that Ponies are nothing but ants, well those ants saved my life. It is ironic is it not? Saving Death's life? Well, I am thankful for it, and so was all of Equestria.
***
I stood upon the roof of one of the many houses in Canterlot watching as the last of the mortal ponies hurried to their homes. The last rays of sunlight were shining ever so gently upon the city. Not that I cared, I was in the shadow behind a chimney, preparing to enter the home and lead yet another soul to the Eternal Herd.
I was early so I had some time to kill. I sat back admiring the sky as the last of the day's glow
"Ponies are disgusting, everything about them reeks. But nature, nature is beautiful, especially twilight," I think with a sigh. "Why could I not have been a spirite of nature and stars in stead of leading this filth to their 'Eternal Herd'!" I looked out upon the streets of Canterlot and could barely suppress a shudder, it was time.
I stood and sank through the roof of the building, amused at how fragile everything was. Landing softly by the bed of the sick Unicorn I lowered my horn and began to gather his soul.
"Wait, what's this?" I shake my head in confusion, there was resistance. I began to pull harder, it was his time to die and die he shall. "Ugh, It is almost pitiful when they resist."
"No!" The sharp shout startled me caused me to leap back. The Unicorn sat up his horn glowing.
"Impossible! He should not be able to detect me much less react!" As If to spite me, a second later the Unicorn in question turned and looked right at me.
"Not today." He said in a calm tone, just like he was talking to an old friend. And with that he released his magic, aimed right at my chest. Three thoughts raced through my head in quick succession.
1. Laughter at this ignorant whelp who thinks he can harm me.
2. Every swear word that has been thought up ever as his bolt somehow pierced my shadowy body.
3. Pain.
***
I groaned as I came to awareness, or at least partial awareness.
"Where am I?" I did not even know if that was aloud or thought and frankly, I did not care. The only thing I knew was that I did not know where I was, literally. "How did I get here? Wait... I... Who am I? What am I?" I had no memory of my past.
Looking down I saw four legs covered in black fur that ended in four hooves. The word 'pony' jumped into my head, I don't know why, but it made sence. "So I am a pony," I stated to the trees. For indeed I was surrounded by trees, I was in a forest of some sort.
Turning I saw a flash of red in the corner of my eye but it vanished as I completed my rotation. Looking over my shoulder I found the source of the red, no longer a flash.
"Of course! I am a pony, I have a tail and mane" I thought. And it was a dark sanguine red, a lovely shade. "Well I'd best start moving, I need to find some others. And maybe my past."
***
Some time had passed after I started walking when I encountered any sign of sentient life. I found good news and bad news, the good news was that there was a cluster of houses about 200 yards from the forest border. The bad news was 100 of it was strait down.
"Well, crap." I muttered as I looked around for an alternate way down, finding none I cursed again. I shifted my gaze to the entire forest, from what I could see, about a mile to the west the land levels out. Unfortunately for me it would take me hours out of my way to get to the town below me.
Seeing no better options I sighed and began to climb down.
****
Back in Canterlot, a sick unicorn died with a smile upon his face. He had accomplished an ultimate victory for the Brotherhood. The trap worked perfectly and the ritual gave him the power. Those twenty Ponies did not die in vain. Death was killed.
That Pony's soul was not brought to the Eternal Herd, it could not find the way. It was left wandering the dark between worlds until one took notice. That one devoured the soul and formed the energies into pure chaos. In the dark, Discord smiled. He would be free soon. And Equestria will pay.
