Falling Temperatures

Some say that death is a peaceful affair; others say death is something to be feared. Yet they’re both wrong death is very... boring.

“Well this is a predicament now isn’t it?” I asked myself as I wandered through the darkness.

“You do not belong here yet mortal,” a voice rasped.

I turned in place toward the voice yet still saw only darkness.

“Show yourself, I wish to know who I’m speaking with,” I called into the darkness.

“Very well mortal,” the voice sounded closer but still permeated the entirety of the darkness around me until I saw a lantern appear in the distance. I walked towards the light source only to see a hooded figure standing, unmoving in the darkness.

“Hello mortal, I am Death,”

“I kinda figured,” I deadpanned him.

“You do not seem concerned that you are dead, tell me why is that?” he asked respectfully.

“Do you want the short, long, or extra long explanation?” I asked with a smile on my face.

“Short,” he said.

“Well I’m a Vampony first of all, secondly I pretty much lost everything tonight, and third I don’t have any reasons to stay in the physical realm,” I rambled out.

“You say you have no reason to stay alive, but do you have a reason to stay dead?” he asked politely

That made me think, “Do I have a reason to stay dead? Well there is Crystal, Key, and maybe even Celestia… but other than that I really don’t have a reason to stay dead,”

I looked back at Death who I could have sworn he was smirking.

“You are unfortunately not dead,” he said flatly.

I cocked my head to the side in curiosity; Death simply chuckled.

“Your new powers keep you from dying from any normally fatal wounds bar decapitation, or did you forget that already,” he said coyly

“How would you know what is and isn’t fatal to Vamponies?”

“You’re asking Death about fatal wounds?” he deadpanned

I face palmed at my own stupidity before death spoke up again.

“Besides I’ve dealt with all of your victims, all them came here holding their own heads believe it or not,” he said with a chuckle.

“All of my victims? That means…” I thought as I franticly put pieces together.

“What about my friends?” I asked quickly.

Death then moved his hand to cut through the darkness to reveal a brilliant plain of light. Looking into it I could see hundreds of thousands of ponies down there. All of them had smiles on their faces and looked to be in genuine paradise.

“Your friends reside in Elysium now, there troubles and worries are gone. Nothing but the greatest of joys fills their eternities now,” Death droned in monotone.

“Can I at least see them?” I asked

“Yes, but for only a short while, while you still live Elysium will try to force you out,” he said as he placed his hand on my shoulder.

He motioned with his hand and the souls of Crystal and Key appeared in front of me. I started to tear up at the sight of two of my friends enjoying a paradise I could only dream of.

“Ram? Is that you?” Key called.

“Yep it’s me,” I said weakly.

“Oh thank Luna we found him! Crystal we…found…him..,” he trailed off when he noticed the tears in Crystal’s eyes.

“How are you even here?” she asked.

“Umm I guess you could call this a near death experience?” I questioned as I looked at Death for an answer. He nodded.

“Well everypony else is ok if you want to know,” I said as I looked away in shame.

“Why do you look so down about seeing us man?” Key asked.

“It’s because I couldn’t save you. I can’t even tell you how sorry I am for not being able to do anything to save you,” I looked them in the eyes before I lost my composure,

“I CAME SO CLOSE!” I screamed as I hammered my fist into the ground and I collapsed to the ground. I looked at the fresh cuts on my knuckles and began to sob, yet I felt something wrap itself around me. It was warm and soft; looking through teary eyes I saw that Crystal was hugging me, trying her best to comfort me. She broke the hug,

“Better?” she asked.

“Much,” I answered. Key then proceeded to sit with us and we sat there for I don’t know how long just enjoying each other’s presence. So I became aware of a faint pain coursing throughout my body. I looked down and saw that my form had begun to fade and blink rapidly.  I was being pushed out of Elysium.

“I have to go now… I don’t know if I’ll ever see you two again so...,” I trailed of as I was embraced by my two friends. I faint light enveloped us as I was finally forced back into the void.

“Now you have a choice,” Death said, his tone was even but demanding.

“I know,” I said to him flatly.

“You may choose to give up your mortal bonds and join your friends in Elysium or you may choose to return to your body, and live a long and fulfilling life before returning here,”

“I don’t know what to do, but I made a promise the day they died and I promise to Luna that I would help the Knightwatch. I will honor my word before dying, as much as I want to stay,” I said flatly.

“Very well then, your choice is made?” he asked.

I confirmed with a nod of my head. He placed his hand on my forehead and uttered something in a language I didn’t understand. At first I felt nothing, but soon I felt myself being pulled out of the void. I rocketed towards nothing as the void became darker and darker. Soon I could see nothing but black, and try as I might I couldn’t move, however I felt warmth, as if a blanket was placed on me. I focused on opening my eyes as I couldn’t seem to get anything else to respond. As my eyelids drifted up I could make out muffled cries of distress and joy,

However all I could think was, “Well here is where it all hits the fan isn’t it,”