Chapters “One thing I have to say is that it was quick and thank Celestia for that. I dont know if I could handle a slow painful one.”
I opened my eyes to see that infact I was in a room that looked very similar to the court waiting room. White walls, black stone floors as well as a receptionist what looked about as thrilled with her job as a pony at the local McHayfries. Approaching the counter I cleared my throat. She looked up at me and picked up a clipboard and pen with a small stack of papers.
“Fill out the first page with your information and take a seat till the door opens, admitting you.“ She said as a scroll appeared beside her in a puff of white smoke. She quickly dismissed me as I picked up the clipboard and pen then found myself sitting down looking over the contents. ‘Date of birth, Name, age, sign?’ I didn't know what that was about but I continued to write and read. ‘place of birth, place and time of death.’ I did a double take of that one and looked up at the clock and rounded back ten minutes. After finishing off the questionnaire the door across the hall opened slowly as the darkness inside beckoning me forward. I stood up placing the clipboard on the reception desk as the mare picked it up.
“Please proceed to the office he will see you now.” She said looking over the paper and signing a few lines. Hesitantly I made my way into the darkness and as soon as I was far enough in the door it closed behind me startling a squeak from me. A light turned on and a hooded pony sat at a desk. I couldn't see their face but my gut told me who it was. Death. Robotically my body moved forward and I sat across from him. He looked to his computer screen and began to type with his bone hooves. Ok I should mention I'm pretty numb at the moment and seeing an undead pony typing just did it for me. I fainted.
"Yooo hooo. Vine... Get up sleepy head." A male voice called to me.
"Don't bother me I'm tired." I said annoyed. Which garnered a chuckling voice from the stallion. Opening my eyes I saw a shiny white skull with empty sockets and an ever smiling grin of a skeleton. My eyes became pinpricks.
"There you go all wide awake now?" He said calmly.
"Y-your." I stammered.
"Dead? Haha well comes with being death but eh." He shrugged.
"You get use to it." He put his hood up and then quickly removed it and where a skull was now a chocolate brown coated stallion with a black mane was smiling at me.
"How?" I blinked.
"Oh bones and the doom and gloom is all about the uniform." He said offering a hoof to help me up. I took it and looked at him confused.
"What is going on?" I asked
"You my dear are dead and well before you fainted I was pulling up your profile and I have to say you have messed up your life, fraud, putting innocent ponies away, corrupting evidence..." He made a clicking sound as he shook his head in disapproval. I felt the guilt gnawing away at my insides.
"I'm not proud but I did it because I was getting paid to do a job." I said weakly.
"You indeed were paid to do bad job, but you were good at it, maybe that's why she choose you. But eh who am I to judge I'm retiring finally!" He said smiling.
"Wait what?" I asked cocking my eyebrow.
"You heard me. I'm done now that my replacement has come. Oh and if you didn't guess you're it." He said giving me a wink. It was then my legs gave out.
"Why...how...who?" A torrent of questions rushed my mind all wrestling to be spoken.
"Don't know, but come on I'll give you the skinny, and well have you reaping in no time haha." He smiled. He opened a closet, closed it then a key floated out and entered the lock. Reopening it, sunlight poured in through the door frame. Standing up I shakily walked up beside him. Through the door was the town of ponyville. I had grown up there.
"How?" I asked.
"All this and more will be given to you. You don't need to be a unicorn to have things do your bidding without a hoof or a mouth. Very convenient if I do say so. So anypony can be the reaper." He then proceeded to walk through the portal. Following him I looked around surprised and slightly homesick. I hadn't been home in a long time. I looked over to see a pony walking towards me and I was about to say something but it died in my throat as she passed right through me.
"....." My jaw hung open. Death chuckled.
"You get use to it. Now to explain how to reap a soul." He said casually. I felt odd and uncomfortable to say the least. He began to walk along the road and turned a corner, walking towards the hospital. I gulped as we walked through the doors instead of opening them. Getting into an elevator three other ponies entered.
"Burr is it cold in here or it just me?" One asked another.
"No I feel it too, so odd it's usually so comfortable." The other pony agreed. Death chuckled looking at me.
"We tend to be too cool for the living." He then laughed out loud stomping his hoof as if the joke was just to funny. I looked at him cynically. As he wiped a tear away.
"Whooo that's a good one." He said to himself. For death he was oddly quirky.
The elevator stopped and they got out. He walked past the desk with a nurse doing paperwork. They stopped at a door. He pulled up his hood and all sense of fun and play were gone. He walked into the door as I followed. The room was bare as an elderly pony laid there surrounded by three other ponies all very much younger than himself. The old pony was smiling as they looked on teary eyed at him.
"Dad...you have been so strong I...I don't know what I'm going to do without you." The one on the left said placing a hoof in the elders forehoof. He coughed and quickly the other pony cleared away the saliva that had been coughed up. Death then stood at the end of the bed where the elder pony looked right at him and smiled nodding at him. Death nodded back solemnly and forebodingly. I looked between them as my heart sank. His scythe lifted up over him as the old pony looked at all of his children and smiled lovingly.
"You will all do fine my little ones...if time has told me anything is that my love for my family is more important than anything. Remember my son the Bar is a business but family is everything..." He turned his head to look at his two daughters.
"Look after your kids...I love them so much...and find a mare for your brother..." He laughed jokingly but it turned into a violent coughing fit as they all looked on worriedly. Deaths scythe touched the ponies forehead and his body went limp. He lifted his scythe as a ghostly apparition of the pony followed after the scythe and gently landed beside her.
"Dad...dad!" The stallion exclaimed horrified as he clenched his teeth in pain. One of his sisters came up behind him, quickly hugging him as they all began to cry. A nurse came into the room but could already tell, she quickly but gracefully placed the covers over the elders face. The ghost of the old pony began to tear up as he saw his kids begin to mourn his passing. Death placed a hoof on his shoulder and silently pointed to the window as the light began to brighten, he smiled as an old mare smiled and waved at him encouraging him to cross over to the light.
"I'm coming dear." He chuckled as he walked into the light. Death looked at me.
"Bar Stool. 87. Various medical problems. Diagnosed with leukemia 3 months ago. We are here to end his suffering. Its surprising it developed now. He has been bedridden for two months. Vine. The job you are to inherit is very important. We reapers are meant to keep the balance of nature and give rest to the ones in pain. As well as keep harmony between both sides of nature." I could only nod as the scene before me was too gut wrenching for words. Death turned to the door and placed the magical key into it, opening it to reveal the office. Going into the office the pony secretary stood up and smiled as they entered.
"Hello. I have a few things you need to sign. So your retirement is without problems." She said as he nodded and chuckled.
"Of course." He said as he took a pen and began to sign his signature.
"Also Vine lots of paperwork. Apple Scroll here is amazing in that she does most of it giving you the time for your duties as Death." He explained, finishing his last signature. Apple Scroll pulled out an old looking piece of paper, several signatures were on it with numbers beside them.
"This is the Death contract." Apple Scroll began to explain.
"This contract binds you to carry out your duties as death and also makes sure you adhere to the regulations and rules that come with the position." She said
"If you agree and sign the contract your job begins automatically."
"If I accept? I get a choice?" I asked surprised.
"Well yes, you can say no but with your track record you take this job or well get punished for 100 years. Its not the good kind of punished, trust me." Apple said surely.
I took the contract and began to read it. Being a lawyer I read contracts all the time looking for flaws and loopholes in them to exploit but this one was different.
"To whom ever accepts this contract you are accepting the responsibilities of the office and station of Death. As such you must adhere to the rules and regulations that are involved with it. Out of all the rules and regulations you can read in in the guide book 'How to be Death for Dummies' that will be provided to you. This contract is non negotiable and you accept that you may have to deal with situations that would kill your average pony. Decapitation by demon or angels can be brought to the attention by the ministry of angel/demon abuse. Earth is your domain and anything that is not without proper license to be there are to be automatically transported back via asking nicely or diplomacy 'aka scythe'. Any problems that are not mentioned in the contract may be elaborated upon in your handbook. Again thank you for choosing to upstand the ideals of Death." I simply looked at them as they smiled.
"Decapitation....really." What stuck with me.then I read again out loud.
"How to be Death for dummies? You have to be pulling my leg." I said.
"No its true. Fun fact one of the prior deaths desired to start writing the series of books on how to do things. You get bored in retirement or so I hear and well, need to preoccupy your time haha." He said.
"So this or hell?" I asked unenthusiastically.
"Well its not called hell but yea essentially yes." I looked at them.
"What do you call it?" I asked
"New maresy..." He said then couldn't help himself as Apple Scroll looked at him half lidded.
"I won't miss your crummy jokes." She said. He was still laughing despite both of them look at him not getting it. After he calmed down he chuckled a bit.
"Well its called Hades. Like how old Greek ponies called it." He said. I didn't get it but there were a lot of things I still didn't get. I looked back at the contract and placed my signature under the last one and a number 17 appeared beside my name. Suddenly my body became cold as the robe that was on Death leaped from him and assaulted me or well what I thought was assault but it turned out to be very warm...comfy not heavy or too light.
"700 years and now I feel naked..." He said as he floated the scythe to her and touched the butt end of it to my head. I felt a hot explosion of magical and supernatural energy envelop me. I looked at the scythe as it hovered in front of me. I gave it a command and it swung and then I brought it to my side.
"Death..." I began to ask.
"Please its Tootsie Pop." He chuckled.
"Come again." I asked pulling my hood down.
"Ya I use to be a candy store owner and well I died in my store fire and well I got picked. Now its you. There is a scroll in your pocket located in your robe that well can carry like anything, within reason. But anyways, the scroll shows where you have to be and when. There are your contacts you can get ahold of at anytime via scroll or for emergencies...I say again 'emergencies' you can use a mirror by drawing the number by the name of the pony you wish to call , that way you can have a face to face time." He sighed and smiled. I looked at him.
"I don't feel ready." I said.
"Your first couple of days you won't but I think you will fit into this job nicely. Vine...I mean Death." He winked at me. I looked at him with half lidded eyes.
"Well I'm off." He said pulling out his own magical key as he opened a door and the sound of jamarekan music could be heard.
"I'll be havein a bomba clockin good time mon." He said pulling a hat from nowhere and stepping through the door closing it. Leaving me and Apple Scroll who turned to me.
"Well ain't no rest for the dead if Death isn't working. Your first customer time is nigh and well its time for you to go." She said taking her seat behind her desk. I looked at the scroll and a name burned itself into the parchment.
'Feather Bright. 14. Stage 4 cancer." My heart ceased in my chest. How can I deal with this...
The key shook as I lifted it to the door and opened it leading me into a hospital ward.
Author's Note
I know this is a bit deep quick but it is death and well yea...
The hospital ward was quiet. I looked outside the window and placed this hospital to be in Canterlot. I felt my robe give pressure against my back, pushing me gently in the direction of the young filly named Feather Bright. I wanted to run but the robe kept me moving forward, a phantom force driving me onward. As it passed overhead I looked up at the arch, a vibrant rainbow and balloons decorated the sign reading children's ward. I felt sick. My hoof steps were silent, instinctively I stopped in front of a door, and with hesitance I stepped through, the hem if my robe trailing behind me. Unlike the old ponies room I was last in, this one was filled with get well cards, wishes of good luck, stuffed animals, and day old flowers. In the center of it all, there in her hospital bed lay Feather Bright, with nopony around. I walked up to the end of the bed and began to lift my scythe just wanting it to be over.
"Mom?" A small voice squeaked. I froze as the little filly rolled over and looked at me with her hazel eyes. My scythe lowered as the young filly stared up at me. Her ears flattened against her bald head as her wings tucked against her sides. My hind legs gave out as I began to weep. How could I end the life of a child...?
"I didn't make it did I?" Came a small voice, shattering the silence. I looked up to see she had made her way to the end of the bed and was looking down at me with sad eyes. My voice caught in my throat as I could only shake my head. She smiled sadly, catching me off guard.
"Don't be sad." She chuckled. Finding my strength, I stood up as the filly went back to her bed. She patted the bed offering a place to sit. I obliged as I wiped my tears away.
"I thought death was a hard, scary pony but you seem...caring." She said placing her hoof on my forehoof.
"I'm not very good at it yet." I said explaining meekly. She laughed and put her hooves over her mouth and smiled.
"I don't want to reap you...it seems unfair." I found myself saying. Feather Bright's smile faltered and she looked down solemnly.
"My mommy said life is like a circle." As she spoke she drew in the air with her hooves.
"I've been in and out of these hospitals since I was 9. I've had needles, and tubes put inside me and I've had a few of my birthdays in here..." She paused.
"But my mom and dad never gave up on me...so I didn't give up either."
"What do you think life is about and why did I get this illness...?" She asked, looking up and into my eyes, searching for an answer. I didn't have one....hell I don't think even Celestia had one, but this filly was going to die and wanted answers that I couldn't give.
" Feather Bright. I don't know why you got cancer. But what I do know is you have influenced the lives around you." My mind began to flash back into foreign memories.
"Your little brother. Always looking up to you, your friends whom you spend time with writing music to help them gain their cutiemarks. Feather, life is not about the beginning or the end, it's the journey you take on getting there. Your journey however short your life has been." I placed my hoof on her shoulder.
"Has reverberated in the world touching hundreds of ponies." I didn't know where I was coming up with this. It felt like my heart was able to flow freely conveying what I wanted to say. She scrunched her nose and looked up at me.
"What is..rever..rebidated...reverbetated." She began to ask. I chuckled and smiled.
"Reverberated. It means you have effected a lot of ponies with your smile, your struggle and your constant fight." I explained.
"Too bad I lost it." She said and the room became quiet again.
"Does it hurt? To die?" She asked after another moment of quiet. I flinched, but looked at her shaking my head, hoping it to be true.
"I'll miss mom, dad. Of course my little brother." She smiled sadly. Looking up at me, tears filled her eyes and she gave me a crooked smile. All the strength she seemed to have had just a moment ago was gone and her body seemed too heavy for her.
"Can I ask a favor...?" She asked. I felt uncomfortable but nodded.
"Can you write down what I'm about to say. So my family can read it." I nodded. I could that.
"Sure thing." I said.
Hopping down from my seat after writing the farewell letter. I positioned myself at the foot of her bed, lifting my scythe over her. My tears began to flow again, making everything blurry. The scythe moved to touch her forehead and her body seemed to get heavier as the last air escaped her lungs. The heart monitor flatlined and soon a nurse bursted into the room, soon calling down the hall for help. The spirit of Feather Bright landed beside me with a sad smile. Her bald head now had a beautiful mane full of curls.
"I feel a lot better...you were right it doesn't hurt. Thank you Death." She said. My heart swelled as water leaked from my eyes. I was in a storm of emotions, easily being swept up in it. A light began to brighten the room and both of us looked at it.
"Grandma?" Feather Bright said smiling as the chaos of the room became numb to her. Doctors and nurses rushed about, trying to resuscitate her. Feather trotted slowly into the light, embracing her Grandmother, and soon the light receded leaving me in the room full of doctors and nurses. Soon after, two other ponies burst into the room. Feather Bright's parents. Her mother took one look at Feather's limp body and collapsed, tears welling up in her eyes. Her father held her to his chest as he openly sobbed. It was then I realized that death is sad, but it is also to be celebrated. The dead do not worry about pain or suffering, they are free of it and it is the living who are in constant pain. I felt bad for them. The activity in the room had blown the letter under the bed where it couldn't be seen. I panicked but only for a minute as I reached under the bed with my scythe, catching the edge of the page and sliding it to where the mother could see it. She blinked once and leaned forward to pick it up. She took a breath and began to read it out aloud, making everypony in the room stop.
"Dear mom, dad, little brother. Everyone.
I'm sorry that I have to tell you this but I'm not going to make it. I tried. But as you're reading this I will have moved on. Don't be sad, I find that I've lived such a wonderful life. Mom, I loved the blueberry muffins you always made me after a treatment. Dad, I loved it when you took me out to the park on my good days. I'll miss getting into fights with my brother. But most of all I'll miss your support. When you tell my friends, tell them to celebrate my life as I hope you all will. I'm sorry that it didn't work out. But if anything Death has told me is true, it's that life -- in my case -- even though short, has impacted my friends and family in the greatest of ways. Love and Friendship is what I gave and I got love and friendship in return. I love you all and hope you can all live you lives to the fullest..." She finished reading and she hugged the paper forcefully, tears flowing freely down her cheeks. I turned around and lifted my key, inserting it into the lock and putting the whole scene behind me. I walked into the office where Apple Scroll stood there waiting. She looked at me with a soft smile.
"You did well." She said as she hugged me. The hold on my scythe let go as I sobbed into her shoulder, hugging back.
"Its not easy but at least you have a heart Grape Vine." She murmured comfortingly into my cowl. I looked at her and smiled.
"Thank you." Apple Scroll patted me on the shoulder. Lifting out the scroll I looked at the next name burning into the paper.
"Berry Green, 34, electric chair." I read and looked up at her.
"Never rest for the dead." She chuckled. I smiled meekly.
"If Death is not working. I know I know.. But what about that book I am suppose to get." I asked. She perked up.
"Oh how forgetful of me." She went behind her desk and pulled out a book labeled 'how to be Death for dummies'.
"Thanks." I said taking the book and putting it into my robe as I walked to the door lifting the key. Opening the door I walked into a room with several ponies looking through a glass at a Berry Green who was strapped into place as a metal conductor on his head.
Death, Convict, and Demons
The energy in the room was so thick you could cut it with my scythe. I saw the group of ponies granite faced as the stared into the eyes of Berry Green. Walking through the wall I got a better look at the pony who I was about to end. Clean shaven, lime green coat with a blue chopped mane. He seemed to be calm. Then the police stallion raised a clipboard and quickly flicked a switch letting the speakers in the room hum as he began to speak.
"Berry Green you are sentenced to death for the six counts of kidnapping, molestation, and murder of Nadi Leaf, age 16, Carrot Mash, age 14, Venus Drop, age 14, Grape Juice, age 13, Flick Care, age 12, and Wing Whip, age 10. Oh all counts you pleaded innocent but were proven guilty in the court of law. How do you plead now?" He asked, his loathing obvious as the families of the deceased looked at him through the window with eyes of anger mixed with despair at the sight of their children's murderer. I was slightly horrified but not as much as I would guess some other ponies were. I had dealt with ponies like this before. It was rare but I usually had more wealthy customers. I frowned at how calm he was. Something flared in me as he simply smiled.
"You're killing an innocent pony I have never done anything wrong." He said simply. Two stallions yelled angrily in protest as this he chuckled coldly. I looked at him more closely now. Images of several young fillies staring into my eyes with fear and horror as I maliciously damage them. I shook my head as my body shuddered. He was evil...I stepped in between him and the glass as I wanted him to see me in all my deathly presence. Maybe it was those who lived closer to death who could see me but this pony did not. I growled in disappointment.
"Since you have nothing important to say," the police stallion said as he lifted his hoof, placing it on the switch, "May Celestia forgive you for your sins...we all know we can't." he said as he flipped the switch.
I would like to say that watching the body get 50,000 volts of electricity pumped through it is not a pleasing sight or smell. His calm demeanor and smug look of satisfaction vanished, replaced by bulging eyes, convulsing, and clenched teeth as he foamed at the mouth. He lasted only 12.3 seconds as I lifted my scythe, placing it on his forehead. I pulled his soul away and it landed beside me, he blinked and looked at himself.
"Oh would you look at that. Well it was fun while it lasted," he looked up at me and smiled as his ghostly body began to morph into something demonic. He began to chuckle as I stepped back, not knowing what to do. Then a thought occurred to me. The book! Quickly I lifted the book and opened it and it seemingly went to the page of info I wanted automatically.
"Ghostly demonic transformation. If you find yourself to be in to company of a murderer/convict/ or other very uncouth fellow they may begin to transform after you have reaped them. Now try to stay calm and just wait for the clean up crew. In the meantime enjoy these illustrations of the manifestations of different GDT. (Ghostly Demonic Transformations)" I frowned at looked up at him as he looked up at me deadpanned.
"So the grim pony is real. I bet you must like me, it’s ponies like me that keep your business running." He chuckled. I frowned.
"I have enough business without butt jobs like you." I cursed. He cocked his head in question as he began to step towards me. Every fiber of me wanted to step back but that's what he would want.
"I wonder if I could kill death?" He asked questioningly, I felt my heart race but I calmed myself.
"I would..." Before I could continue, time in the room seemed to stop and the heat increased dramatically. I looked around in confusion as did he. Two crevasses opened up suddenly on either side of Berry Green.
"Wha-what's going on?" His voice was shrill and full of newly found panic.
"The clean up crew?" I asked myself out loud. He looked up at me and two large stallions who were as big as Celestia roared as they escaped their fiery crevasses. They looked down at Berry whose ears had flattened against his head as he cowered between the two. The one on the left stamped on the ground startling me and making berry run he didn't care where but he was trying to get away. The one stallion looked to the other and smiled as the other replied in kind. With a stomp of his hoof the stallion on the right had called twin chains out of the ground, they raced towards him and caught him by the back legs. They latched like coiling snakes, not letting go. With a second stomp spikes protruded out and stabbed his legs, making him scream out in pain. He was dragged slowly towards the flaming hole and soon he was swallowed up and silenced as the floor closed up over him.
I stood there jaw hanging and without words. A simple thought occurred to me. That could have been me. The two demon stallions turned their attention to me, I recovered quickly and lifted my scythe in warning. The stallion on the right hissed aggressively at me as he dove into the ground, disappearing. The other one, though, smiled coyly.
"You’re the new death...how cute," his voice was smooth and yet stern. I felt myself blush only for a moment and thanked Celestia for a black hood that hid all my emotions.
"You’re done it’s time for you to leave," I said in the sternest voice I could muster. He raised his eyebrow.
"I would, but I've been asked if I can get you to visit with or... well, visit is not the best term. Lucifer has asked for an audience with you and I am to escort you through Hades safely," he said very matter of factly. Can I do that?
"I'm afraid I am busy at the moment," I said, placing my scythe on the floor firmly making a thud. He flinched, I don't know why, but he took a deep breath in and sighed.
I walked over to a door, unlocked it and saw Apple Scroll looked up to see the demon pony. She smiled and waved then he waved back. I looked at her.
"Who is he?" I asked. Apple Scroll chuckled.
"Fire Pleasure," he interjected, I looked over my shoulder pulling back my hood. Looking at him half lidded. Apple Scroll chuckled
"He's like you only for Hades. He collects the evil or bad souls from this plane and takes them back. You will bump into him every now and then," she explained.
"Then who crosses the good ones over?" I asked, ignoring Fire Pleasure.
"Oh, well you do," she said. I guessed that made me like an angel but I would keep that to myself.
"I can't go to see Lucifer right now. I'm much too busy," I said beginning to look at my scroll again.
"You can go, there are no pressing deaths at the moment. Besides its good to meet your coworkers," Apple Scroll said. Fire Pleasure smiled triumphantly.
Truth be told I didn't want to go to Hades, I’d avoid it as all costs if I could, but it seemed unavoidable. I replaced my hood and turned towards him and approached him as he stomped the floor making, it break open. A staircase formed going down into the glowing depths. He began to walk and I looked back at Apple Scroll who waved and the door closed by itself, leaving me alone with the demon.
The walk was uneventful simple stone walls and the sound of our hooves striking the stone. He turned to me.
"So you're a mare," he began. Truth be told I didn't want to engage him in conversation.
“Yes I seem to be.” I said but my voice sounded hollow as it it didn't belong to me.. I only guessed it was another gift granted by the robe.
“You know, its funny because most of the time the grim reaper is male.” he said smirking. I simply didn’t answer.
“Not that there is anything wrong with a mare being death. I think it suits you really.” he chuckled. I glared at him and hoped he could understand I was angry with that last comment but he seemed unfazed but he seemed to get the hint. I began to feel the heat in the tunnel rise as the light began to grow in intensity. We proceeded under an arch and the landscape that unfolded before me was both breathtaking and terrifying. The screams of ponies being tortured for sins unknown to me.The bile in my throat began to rise as i saw one demon began to cut into a pony who was strapped down. I looked away as I heard a cry in pain. Fire Pleasure looked down at me and smiled cruelly.
“What a sight eh? hes being tortured for Murder of three and the molestation of one.” he explained. It made me feel a little better but still sick. We rounded a stone pillar and a large stone fortress with flying buttresses dominated my vision. Proceeding to the front gate two imposing guards looked at her and shifted uneasily as they opened the doors. Walking into the castle i was shown somthing i did not expect. Sure one would assume that the inside of the castle of Lucifer would have skeletons of ponies, rotting corpses, and ponies being tortured. But it was completely the opposite, ponies walked too and fro with papers in in hoof ponies taking calls. It looked like a legitimate business. Which Iam sorry to admit I was impressed with. Fire Pleasure got some looks from the mares that were swoons and smiles. He simply smiled back with a kindly wave. Walking up to the office door that was labeled Lucifer C.E.O. Fire was about to open the door but stopped short as a loud booming voice could be heard from the other side.
“WHAT do you mean the shipment isn't there! I ordered those souls moved over to the pain fields! How do they just DISAPPEAR.” the voice paused for a moment.
“Oh you better hope you find them or else You will be a member of those tourchered souls!” there was a loud slam of him hanging up. Fire knocked on the door.
“WHAT!” came a angry roar.
“Sir its Fire, here with Death.” he said cautiously, there was a pause.
“Come in.” He ordered. Fire proceeded through first followed by me. Now I should say that when I was a filly and I first heard of the name Lucifer, it conjured up images of a scary dangerous and evil stallion like nightmare moon only burning red with fangs, horns, smoke, pain, damnation but... what I saw. Sitting behind an oak desk was a black coated stallion with a flowing mane that mimicked the flow of fire. I had only seen Celestia and Luna from afar but their manes moved as if alive with magic. His was very similar only his horn was long and his wings were like a bats. He was an alicorn and he looked at me. Oh my Celestia his eyes….they were red a rubies, his smile seemed forced but i felt my heart leap into my throat.
“Sorry you had to hear that...im having some trouble around here.” He nodded to Fire dismissing him. Fire nodded curtly and left closing the door. Ok i was now alone with an amazingly attractive owner of Hades.
“Grape Vine. I had a good line up for you.” he said looking at a file. All my feelings of attraction were dampened. I nodded and pulled back my hood.
“Nice to meet you to Lucifer.” I said. He chuckled and sighed
“Celestia has allowed me to greet you. It is not often we will meet one another. But i have a favor to ask while you're on the job. there has been a slight disturbance here in Hades souls have been disappearing and i am worried about the effect it may have. So while you are on the job keep your eyes peeled for anything odd.” he said standing up walking towards me. his height towered over me. What else could I do I nodded.
“Good. You may go now. i think Celestia also wishes to speak with you about the same thing. I think your next soul is needed to be collected and its a big order it seems.” he said smiling slightly. I looked more at him He had bags under his beautiful eyes as well as he looked fatigued.
“You look like you could use some rest.” I blurted out and realized too late at what I had said. he raised his eyebrow and smiled.
“You are a nice mare to be sure but my job has so much to be done. I...unlike Celestia have a very busy job.” he said with a hint of cynicism. I nodded and went to his door lifting the key and then looking at the scroll.
‘Veza Nwe, 34, Starvation, Bre Nwe, 13, Starvation, Maza Nwe, 10 Starvation.” I looked again at it and frowned ‘how does anypony die of starvation.’ I thought. Putting my key into the door i opened it and found myself walking into a dark lit town were bug like creatures laid about tired and famished. My eyes became pinpricks. These are Changelings.
Author's Note
Sorry it took so long but here's the next chapter. I hope you all can also maybe give me ideas I can incorporate into the stories heck maybe even peoples OC's haha
"How could they be so sickly?" I thought to myself as I walked along the cobblestone road. Changelings walked too and fro seemingly without hope or direction. My robe gently tugged me, showing me the way. There was no laughter, no smiling, and no love. I stopped in front of a seemingly beaten house, covered with dirt and grime. I pushed open the door to find the inside was equally dirty. The air was heavy with a metallic taste. I proceeded down the hall and through a door to see a mother and two fillies. They were skinnier than the others. The mother was brushing their leathery manes with a kindness that spoke volumes to me, and again I found my heart being squeezed by sadness. Soon they would die, for that is why I am here. The other filly coughed and closed her eyes as she nuzzled into her mother's bony chest.
"Mom, where is the love...Queen Chrysalis said," The little filly on the left began, but seemed to have no strength to finish her thought. The mother looked down at them and smiled weakly.
"Don't fret, it seems that the good queen's noble plans have been foiled by some ponies." Her voice seemed to spew some venom but her fiery anger withered.
"I know a lot has happened my dears but where we will be going the love there is boundless....so be good and when the grim pony comes embrace the darkness for it is only another beginning." She said looking up at the ceiling, not having the courage to look into her own daughter's eyes.
Something in me told me it was her time. I reached forth and the scythe touched her gently. Her soul left her body as the mother began to cry. A single tear ran down her cheek and soon it was her daughter next whose breathing slowed as she rested her head against her guardian. I quickly placed my scythe on her forehead, withdrawing her soul. The mother looked at her now lifeless fillies and began to sob as her body began to shake. The first filly was bewildered and looked at me as I touched my scythe at last to the mother. Her sobs began to quiet and her body slumped forward. Her body seemed like she was protecting them even in death. I stood there like a statue. As the ghosts of the family looked at each other and looked at me, the mother began to become protective. I felt the feeling of warmth of the room increase as the air clarified, much like the center of a forest. There at the other side of the light, a masculine changeling observed his ghostly family before him and smiled.
"It's nice to see you love." He said.
"Daddy!" The two fillies exclaimed and ran towards him, tackling him to the ground with hugs. I couldn't help myself and I smiled with a small laugh. The changeling mare looked up at me with a small smile.
"Thank you." She said and walked into the light to her husband and children. Just as quickly as it appeared, the light left the room and I was alone again. I looked at the bodies of the mare and fillies and sighed. I felt happy but...sad at the same time. It was odd to say I mourn the dead, yet at the same time say I feel happy for them.
As I was about to open door with my key, life seemed to stir in the populace causing me to pause. A large changeling flanked by a contingent of guards landed in the square. I exited the home and made my way to see what the commotion was. The changeling Queen, her face a calm visage, but I could discern the grief behind her militaristic form. Bags under her eyes, with stains of tears.
"My children, I have failed you. I promised... I promised to have us feed better than kings! But through my callousness, I have failed you." She paused. Her look became galvanized as a smoke began to swarm around her. I frowned, no pony was acting any different. Maybe a show of dominance I guessed. But soon that assumption was replaced by shock and horror, as red demonic eyes appeared by her ear. My blood, if it was pumping at all, ran cold.
"We as a species have lived in the shadows long enough! No longer will you and yours starve. I call you, my subjects, to arms! I will declare war on Equestria and we will fight until every home is fed, and every changeling happy!" She declared. Her subjects got caught up in her speech and cheered. I looked around at the madness that was just presented with horror. Open war?!? Are they serious?! My mind raced. I had to tell Celestia...or anypony. I ran to a door as the smoke noticed me and flew in front of me with wicked speed. I stopped dead and leveled my scythe. It recoiled in fear and hissed at me.
"You are too late, Death...soon you will have too much to deal with... When we meet next? it will be in my true form." It flew skyward and over the house upon giving the warning. I quickly took out my key and thrust it into the lock tuning it thinking of naught but Celestia. I didn't look, but simply entered and came face to face with a room full of ponies, Celestia in court. As soon as I stepped into the room Celestia and Luna looked at me. I began to approach and Luna shook her head and I stopped. Celestia turned to Luna and whispered something and she nodded. Luna stood up and gestured for me to follow. I walked through the crowded room through the populous of ponies, and met up behind Luna. As she left the room, she lead me to a study where she nodded for the guards to close the doors. Being in a room with royalty was not the craziest thing I had done today.
"Death, why do you come?" She asked with what seemed with a bit more force than what was necessary.
"I was just collecting the souls of some changelings." I began but stopped as Luna made a sound of distaste.
"I do not know why you collect the souls of such creatures." She said. It disturbed me, how callous she was, even at the mention of them. What I had witnessed and felt with the family of changelings would prove her otherwise, had she experienced it.
"Because they have souls worth saving..." I found myself saying and blinked surprised at myself. Luna looked at me and waved her hoof.
"Well what did you want." She asked, seemingly more reserved.
"The Changeling Queen will declare open war on Equestria." I said. When the words of open war left my lips, her eyes went wide and became pinpricks.
"You lie. We have defeated the creatures when they tried to take Canterlot." She said, assurance in her voice. I glared at her as I pulled back my hood and she became uneasy. I could only imagine it was me as a skeleton.
"If you don't listen to me many good ponies, and changelings will die. I've been at this a little less than a day and I'm already having to deal with this!?" I exclaimed. Luna looked at me with a cocked brow.
"You are not Tootsie?" She asked surprised.
"Do I look like Tootsie?!" I asked sarcastically.
"Well, you have no skin, how am I to know?" She said. I pulled my hood back up and down again and she visibly changed.
"What is your name?" She asked.
"Grape Vine." Came a new voice of a regal Celestia walking into the room. Both Luna and I turned to look at her. The door closed behind her as she approached.
"She says the changeling queen will declare open war." Luna said seriously. Celestia frowned in concern and disbelief.
"I am surprised that the new death brings me news of such weight when only on the job for less than a day. If what you say is true I'll get my agents to look into it." She said as she walked past me and Luna taking her place behind a desk.
"If what she says is true we must muster our forces and prepare for an attack." Luna began. Celestia nodded in agreement.
"Begin battle preparations Luna." Luna nodded and left the room promptly. I stood there looking at Celestia as she wrote a message rolled it up and it disappeared in a puff of smoke then looked at me.
"I'm glad I chose you." She said smiling.
"Why...why me I'm nopony special." I was glad but still unsure.
"I have a hunch about you and usually my hunches have merit." She chuckled. I couldn't help but roll my eyes. Typical political tactic, tell them something but not the truth.
"I am glad you brought this to my attention. But you still have much work to do. Please go on and remove the pain from suffering ponies." She said. I sighed lifting my hood up and walking to the door, while lifting the key and I looked to my scroll.
"Sound Melody, 97, heart attack." I opened the door and walked into a lightly lit room where several ponies stood around an bedridden old stallion. A dark gray coated mare with a nicely combed black mane accented with a pink bowtie around her neck as she stood beside him.
"Grandpa..." She said sadly. He smiled at her.
"Don't cry Octavia... I've had a wonderful life." A tear rolled down Octavias cheek as she held his hoof. In the room was several other ponies looking down trodden. The emotion in the room was palpable. I steeled myself again I was going to take another life...
Author's Note
I like to thank my Friend Timber Monson for proofreading and helping me along with grammar.
The next chapter will deal with Octavia. At the request of a friend. :3
The room was nice and cozy as the group of ponies stood around the dying pony. All of them had instruments in the corner and one could tell they were well looked after and well played. Octavia laid her head on the dieing ponies chest and smiled meekly as a white coated mare with a vibrant blue mane walked up beside the other ponies in the room.
"Tavi are you ok?" She asked.
"Grandpa has just fallen asleep for the moment." She said sitting up and looking at her grandfather lovingly. A knock at the door captured their attention and they left the room as I looked at the old pony. His life began to bubble up in my mind. It was a simple and fulfilling life with little struggle but he loved his granddaughter Octavia. He had taught her to play the cello and he was there when she got her cutie mark after her first concert. Walking into the room a pony with a doctors bag and stethoscope. He walked over to his patient and began to take vital signs and blood pressure. After several minutes he walked out of the room and looked at the old ponies friends and family.
"He time is close now." He said shaking his head in sympathy. Octavia's eyes welled up with tears as Vinyl placed a reassuring hoof on her shoulder.
Being alone in the room, the pony must have sensed me because he opened his eyes and looked around till his eyes found mine. The frailty in his eyes seemed to light up as he looked at me.
I felt a picture was being played out before me in my mind of a strong young mare who fought on through hardships and is being herself for the first time. I opened my eyes and felt a tear roll down my cheek and I raised my hoof up to my eye and pulled away a tear and the old pony liked at me with a smile on his face as he looked up at Octavia.
"Its beautiful. You all did a wonderful job, I think even death would shed a tear at how well it was done. He closed his eyes and coughed slightly and smiled as Octavia's tears fell on her cello. I raised my scythe and gently removed his soul as his body sunk into the bed a little heavier than when it was full of life. He landed beside me and smiled.
"Thank you." he said gratefully and soon the light filled the room and a young mare waved to him beckoning him and he seemed to get a pep to his step as he made his way to her.
A small pain jabbed at the back of my mind as a darkness flooded the light and black tendrils reached out from the shadows lunging at the elder. Before my mind registered what I was seeing my body reacted slicing the tendrils with a single sweep allowing the stallion to escape. The darkness turned on me with a hiss that I recognized as the creature that was looming over the changing queen as she declared war. I felt the air go cold and soon the darkness receded and I was left in the room of mourning ponies. First thing that crossed my mind was I needed to inform Celestia. I tuned to the door and placed my key inside willing it to the study of Celestia. I walked through it and found myself in the lobby of the castle where Celestia looked up at the intrusion and blinked surprised.
"We talked not even an hour ago...what is it that bothers you?" She asked slightly annoyed. I ignored her tone and flipped my hood down.
"Something else is trying to steal souls from me..." I said and the comment hung in the air as her eyes became pinpricks and her mouth held open with the word "impossible" just barely escaping her lips.
The crackle from the fireplace in the study was the only sound that broke the silence that hung between Celestia and myself. I don't know but her look of concern and disbelief made the pit in my stomach all the more troubling.
"What did you say..." She asked again.
"I was collecting a soul and blackness came out of nowhere and then tried to capture the stallion." I explained as evenly as I could.Being so new to the job I could only imagine what could be going on in Celestia's mind. I'd only ever seen her aloof and smiling in the pictures I had seen. This news had...ponified her.
"Darren!" She said suddenly, a guard opened the door.
"Your highness?" He asked puzzled.
"Get my sister immediately." She ordered. He nodded and disappeared closing the door. She looked back to me slouching back against the chair back.
"What did the darkness try and do?" She asked.
"It seemed evil if that's what you mean." But then something popped to mind.
"Sister why has thou called me..." She stopped mid sentence as she saw me.
"Why has you come back surely nothing...." Her voice trailed off as she looked at Celestia.
"What is it dear sister?" Luna asked walking up and stopping beside me.
"Something foul is amiss?" She asked. Celestia looked at me.
"Tell her everything you told me." She ordered. Luna looked at me puzzled with worry, obviously she has never seen her sister like this. I begin to explain the entirety of it all, all the while her expression getting more and more grave just like Celestia. As I finished she found a cushion to sit on as she digested the information. Just then there was a knock on the door where a pony opened the door and sat the two sisters.
"Your highnesses I bring news..." He said darkly. Both sisters looked at each other.
"There has been a sighting of a vast army of changelings making for our border at the badlands. It is odd because unlike their usual cloak and dagger methods they usually avoid a front war..." He said almost to himself. Celestia stood up and lifted a pen with me magic scratching the quill against the parchment then lifted the paper waving it for the ink to dry.
"You had our army mobilized like I had ordered?" She asked he nodded in turn.
"Good I want you to send 6 platoons of earth ponies, 8 of pegasus, and 3 unicorn to reinforce the fort at the border of the Badlands." She said and looked at Luna.
"Luna I want you commanding that fort." She said and Luna nodded.
"Of course sister I won't let changelings take our beloved Equestria." Luna stood up and walked with the messenger pony out of the room and I simply stood there letting things seemingly fall apart.
"What do you want me to do?" I asked slightly overwhelmed.
"No credit to you Grape Vine but this is the worst possible scenario to have and you new on the job....but ponies will die and you need to work. But this takes precedence over the collection of souls. I'm sending this letter to both Heaven and Hades to collect the necessary souls. I want you to go to Hades and figure out how Lucifer is losing souls." She explained as she rolled up the scroll focused her magic and then two appeared side by side and then both vanished. And what next happened made my head spin. The room erupted in both a blinding light and an intense flame and there stood Lucifer and a beautiful pegasus.
After the flashy entrance Lucifer looked over at the beautiful pegasus with a smirk.
"Well If it isn't Angel Wings." He said in a mocking tone. She looked at him with daggers. Even her angry stare was beautiful.
"You missing souls...." She simply said.
"Oh you know how they are, some hide some just get recycled." He said rolling his hoof.
"Lucifer Brimstone..." She spoke evenly. Angel Wings smiled like a sibling watch the other get in trouble.
"Oh full names? Ok maybe..." He spoke softly so nopony could hear him.
"Have gone missing but nothing I can't handle." He said simply.
"How many." Celestia asked again more firmly. Lucifer looked disheartened.
"Around 38 thousand last I checked. First it was ten now it's exploded.... I have my demons working on it."
Celestia sighed and closed her eyes rubbing her temples.
"I am having Death go with you and find out what is taking the souls and where they are taking them." She said. Lucifer looked less than enthusiastic.
"I don't think that's necessary." He began but she raised a hoof silencing him.
"Angel I want you to fortify the army of heaven I don't think this will go without a fight on both plains of existence." Angel Wings looked at her oddly.
"If that is what you wish...but about coming to the earth to collect souls? Are you sure?" She asked hesitantly. Celestia looked at Lucifer more than Angel.
"Each demon and angel will have a set amount of time before they must return to their respective plain if they do not they will be ripped from this world violently...." Lucifer looked unfazed and nodded along with Angel Wings. Lucifer vanished leaving behind the smell of brimstone. Angel Wings looked at me with hesitation.
"If you could..." She looked at Celestia whom nodded.
"Can you take a special interest in Big Mac and his daughter.... Just make sure nothing happens to them." She smiled sadly.
"I can't make any promises but I'll do my best." I said. I didn't know who Big Mac was or who he was to her. She was soon gone leaving the smell of rosemary. Celestia looked at me now alone with her.
"Things are happening that cannot be undone Grape Vine....if we fail...equestria no, The world will be thrown into chaos.
"You called?" A second voice interjected Celestia looked more annoyed than surprised. A creature I knew only by reputation and look appeared out of thin air and hovered there.
"Discord. You are not needed." She said. Discord waved his paw dismissively.
"Oh please you don't need me. If anything you need me more than ever. Evil baddies making themselves known, souls missing, heck I'm surprised the new death has done so well considering her time on the job only....what a day. Way to go bones." He summoned a big foam finger that said number one along with a drinking cap. Celestia looked like she was going to slam her head against the desk but refrained from doing so. But then she smiled.
"Discord I want you to accompany her while she looks for clues in Hades." With that Discord seem to have the winds taken out of his sails.
"I don't know I have a fairly busy schedule." He said making a big book appear that looked so patched together with crayons and paper scraps it looked as if it was put together by a filly.
"You and I both know you have nothing to do. Everypony is affected by this....that means Fluttershy." She said. Discord slightly sobered up with that recollection.
"I'll help...but not because I want to..." Discord folded his arms. I looked at Celestia like she was nuts.
"Me work with Discord?" I asked.
"He is a god in his own right...albeit an annoying one." She said.
"I am right here you know...." He said pointedly. Celestia nodded at me.
"Ok...but I feel weird about this." I say.
"Noted. Now go to Hades." She said. I tired to the door lifting the keys and turning it. I flipped up my hood and walked through followed by Discord. My day couldn't get any worse...could it?
The feeling of hot air assaulted my senses as I seem to walk into an oven and I quickly raised my hood to fend off the uncomfortable temperatures. Discord made a gesture with his paw fanning himself and a fan appeared.
"Well don't have to worry about catching a cold here." He mocked. I ignored him but he seemed fairly quieted given the setting.
"Not a fan of Hades?" I say pointedly.
"No self respecting pony would like to be here..." He said sipping a cup of water.
"Oh its not all bad when you get use to it." A third voice said smoothly. I turned to see Fire Pleasure smiling at the most oddest pair, death and the god of chaos just walking into hades.
"So that's what it feels like being the drop on you." Discord said smirking. Fire Pleasure walked over to us. I have to admire his seemingly without a care in the world way he made everything attitude, what with war looming and souls missing.
"Celestia sent us to help with the investigation." I said getting to the point. His stoic face looked slightly annoyed.
"We have it under control." He said assured.
"I'm sure, but its a matter of making sure." I said quickly. Fire was giving me the same political runaround I had dealt with my entire career as a lawyer and I was good at that game.
"This way." He said as he began to lead us. It was quiet for a moment before moans and screams of the tourchered began to echo off the walls. My skin crawled as it was going on but unlike I was being lead to the castle last time I was being lead into the fields of pain themselves. A new fear gripped me as we ascended the steps.
"So Fire Pleasure does you name benefit your job? Or are you just a simple pyro." He said jokingly. Fire looked over his shoulder and I swear to this day a gleam of joy flickered in his ember red eyes as he said.
"I got my name and cutie mark for slowly burning a soul of a young mare, she had murdered 37 stallions by luring them with sensual pleasures....and I used fire to show my.....pleasure." He chuckled. Both me and Discord stopped and looked at each other just shocked and quickly caught up to him but I kept my distance.
They arrived at a station that was warped and demonic in nature. The train engine was if anything alive. It had a single slitted eye where a headlamp would usually be and it looked at me giving me pause for my mind to catch up and tell me I am indeed in Hades. Fire Pleasure walked up behind a normal looking earth pony but both her coat and mane was dark as a moonless night. Around her sparks of purple spots that seem to pop up out of nowhere and disappear just as quickly.
"Endie, this is Death" Fire Dancer introduced. Endie turned towards me and her eyes were a light purple but her irises were a deeper shade as she looked at me. The only other thing I could say was she wore a black scarf....now I don't know why she would wear a scarf in Hades, what mares do for fashion even in Hades.
"Charmed, but why is he here?" She said, right I look like a guy I am suddenly reminded.
"She...is here to help with the investigation." Fire explained. To this she frowned at me obviously unhappy.
"I don't need help. But if they must be here the train is here and it has sent been interfered with since the crime." She said looking over her clip board. I looked at the train and automatically was taken back at how long it was. But then something odd happened my eyes keened on the 76th car where a small bit of residual darkness was clipped. I began to walk without bothering them. Discord smiled at me and looked at the spot as I stopped.
"Looks an awful lot like that darkness you mentioned." He said making a eyeglass and inspecting it as if he was sherlock hooves.
Fire pleasure and Endie looked at me.
"It seems you had the same problem I did but this time they got the souls they were after." I said.
"I can track this back to its source." Discord said sounding serious for the first time.
"Really?" I asked surprised.
"If it wasn't for your keen eyes I don't think we could have found this key piece of evidence." Endie said slightly impressed. It wasn't my eyes...it was the robe just want else can this robe do I wondered.
Discord snapped his claws and then a clear box appeared in his claw. He picked up the scrap of blackness which seemed to come alive at his touch and placed it in the box closing it. A thread of white smoke materialized give a direction down the tracks.
"Anypony want to stop me from walking into the unknown against Celestia knows what." I offer. Of course nopony said anything.
"I have to report this back to Lucifer." Endie said looking at Fire Pleasure.
"You have this?" She asked him.
"Naturally." He said smugly, Endie scoffed at him and vanished in a puff I'd purple sparks. Fire Pleasure stepped forward toward Discord and myself who looked at each other.
"I'll accompany you." He said.
"The more the merrier right?" I said but I knew he was my foalsitter made to keep tabs on me it annoyed me but he was known by Apple Scroll and I trusted her judge of character.
"Alright let's do this." I said as I lifted my scythe and begin down the track into the unknown with a god of chaos and a Demon.
Author's Note
This time I am listening to song's that have the personification of death to give me inspiration. Also Endie is the OC of a fellow reader named Chica. Thanks for letting me use her in my story. :3 and to everypony else thank you for reading my story and I hope you all stick around for the end.
The tunnel was dark and foreboding. I couldn't shake this uneasy feeling if being watched. I looked to my left and Discord was looking at me.
"What?" I ask after an uncomfortably long pause.
"I'm trying to make sense of you Bones." He said floating alongside us. I didn't know what he was getting at but it seemed irrelevant to my current thought process.
"Don't try and make sense of me just help us and you can go back to doing whatever it is you do." I said maybe a bit too harshly. If it fazed him it didn't show he simply rolled over and began to backstroke swim in mid air. Fire Pleasure was quiet which didn't surprise me. I looked at him with a side glance. He looked around the darkness seeming squeamish for some apparent reason.
"What do you think well find?" Fire said suddenly and looked at me. Really? Truly I didn't have the foggiest idea.
"Oh I think well find an odd thing for sure." Discord said as he read a book as his eyes lit up like lamps. He turned a page.
"You seem unfazed at the parel we could find ourselves in." Fire said.
"Oh I am well aware but are you?" He said raising his eyebrow.
"Do you know something we don't." I asked.
"Do you know that history of that scythe?" He asked suddenly. I looked confused and pulled my hood down and looked at the scythe. The metal gleamed even with the reduced light.
"I don't." I said honestly. He flipped over his book and it showed the picture of the scythe.
"Says here that no weapon can rival the scythe of death. Its power rivals the creation of this world." He said making a lollypop appear in his claw as he began to suck on it. I looked at the seemingly simple tool.
"Hard to see. But what does this." I begin to ask. Fire pleasure had a moment of clarity.
"You aren't suggesting that..." He said. I looked at the both of them.
"What?" I ask confused.
"What do you think I'm suggesting." Discord said as if he didn't know what he was saying.
"If so were in for a real problem." Fire said.
"What are you two on about!" I exclaimed and they both looked at me as if I was completely a lost cause. Which didn't help my mood.
"What are souls made of?" Fire Pleasure asked.
"Life?" I say without thinking.
"Exactly, and if creation created your scythe enough souls could create a weapon to rival the scythe. If you can defeat death you can conquer all." He said darkly.
"Wait are you suggesting that whomever is stealing souls is trying to create a weapon to defeat me?" I asked surprised.
"Now you understand why were worried." Fire said.
"Nah our hero hear will do fine." Discord said landing on the ground walking beside them. This was troubling indeed I thought then a crack caught my eye and I walked to it. Large enough for a pony it I looked down to see some left over darkness.
"This is where the souls must have been taken." I said lifting up my hood and leveling my scythe with the darkness as I stepped forward where I suddenly found myself on top of a mountain where cold wind a blew snow and ice. Discord was soon beside me in winter wrap up gear and I looked to see Fire Pleasure with the most uncomfortable look on his face.
"I hate the cold." She growled. I couldn't help but smile. I looked over the scene again and then a cave lighted up in the distance.
"There." I guestured. We began the small trek and soon we stood outside a large cave that had large wooden doors with fire braziers that Discord rubbed his mitted gloves together and tried to gather heat. My hooves were frozen and I lifted my scythe and was about to knock when a smaller door opened up and a blue scaled young dragon looked at me.
"Come in he's expecting you." He said. We all looked at one another. Making are way inside we shook off the snow and felt the heat of a furnace. The room was enormous. The ground shuddered as a large grey scaled dragon looked down at us.
"I was wondering when you would show up looking for those souls...." He said sadly.
"Harry!" Discord shouted as the dragon gave a toothy grin.
"Well if it isn't young Discord." He chuckled softly.
"I thought I recognized this place." He smiled as he looked around.
"I'm sorry to cut to the chase but what did you say about the souls....Lucifer is livid what happened to them." Fire said as I looked up at the dragon.
"I was blackmailed into creating a sickle and shield to rival that of my finest creation." He pointed at the scythe.
"He didn't nearly have enough souls but I made them." He said with a pained expression.
"What did he blackmail you with that could sway you." Discord said curious. Harry sighed and looked at the young dragon who was now sitting down watching us.
"He threatened me with taking Cobalt and using his soul to..." He trailed off.
"Dragons souls are different then pony's he would be close to filling the weapons. The weapons collect the souls and the longer you wait the more power he gains." He said.
"You enabled him and for that we could all die." I said harshly which made him frown and growl.
"I know this well Death but understand it is your job to keep the balance." He pointed his claw accusingly. I pulled my hood back and glared back at him.
"You can't put this on me!" I lashed back. Its now that I know a dragons temper is short. For the world around me became upside down as my head hit the wall and I looked to see my body standing ten feet from me. I couldn't help myself. I screamed.
Discord grabbed his sides and rolled on the floor laughing.
"I am in no mood for your lip pony." Harry said.
"And stop screaming!" He bellowed, I looked at my body and it seemed unfazed and I felt like I was going to faint. Fire pleasure approched me as I looked up at him hoping he would help me. Of course he did something better.
I know have sympathy for hacky sacks. Discord stood up and waved his claw.
"Oh oh me! Tag me!" I flew in the air and I bounced around before I yelled in rage and my body leveled its scythe at Discord who held his claws up in mock giving up.
"Ok ok." He picked me up and placed my head back on my body. I cracked my neck and I lifted my hood up.
"I've decided I hate you all." I said with loathing. Harry shrugged like he cared.
"The Demon who took the weapons named himself Vedra." At this name Fire Pleasures smile ceased and became grave.
"Friend of yours?" Discord asked.
"No, but he's the lead general of the armies of Hades... If he's trying to overthrow Lucifer this would be the way but the fact he's chosen to reach for higher goals surprise's me." He said and I turned going to the door lifting my key as the scrambled to follow me.
"Goodbye Harry I hope we never meet again." I said as I opened the door and walked into my office lobby slamming the door behind me. Fire Pleasure and Discord looked at me.
"You report to Lucifer, and You are going to Celestia I can't deal with you two right now!" I nearly scream. Both shrugged and left going to their respective places.
Apple Scroll walked in with a cup of tea.
"Tough first days?" Which I looked at her as if that was an understatement.
"Hmm maybe call the previous death. He's on a cruise right now." She offered. I nodded and walked into my new office that I hadent even been yet. I looked at the scroll and saw the number. Placing my cup of tea down on the desk I approached a large mirror and breathed on it and wrote the number and waited. The glass shimmered and a smiling face greeted me.
"Well if it isn't death." He joked I calmed down and sipped my cup of tea. Whatever Apple put in it, it calmed me.
"Oh wow Apples tea? You must be in deep." He said as he distorted the image and what looked like a straw.
"How am I talking to you?" I asked.
"In my punch. But that's not what you called about what's up?" He said and I took a deep breath and explained everything. His face went from light hearted slowly to a brooding face with hard eyes. The image disappeared and I looked bewildered.
"What! I wasn't finished!" I sighed and felt on the verge of tears when a hoof came out of the mirror and I stepped back as he stepped from the mirror. In a Hawaiian flowed shirt and straw hat.
"That is a problem." He said simply.
"You have strolled into something dire." He said removing his straw hat. I outwardly sighed as I found my seat behind the desk where I was not to long ago. He took a seat across from me where I sat where it seems so long ago.
"Did this ever happen to you?" I asked sipping my tea and a warm feeling over came me.
"Not that I can recall. But this move by Vedra, he must have been waiting for my new replacement. The cloak can only do so much, You seem to be doing fine till his tampering." He said sitting down.
"Just what am I supposed to do now? War is coming, souls are missing, weapons have been made and soon there is going to be alot of souls up for grabs. Those souls will power the weapons and if that happens I don't know if I can take him..." I say unsure. He smiled and chuckled.
"This is the reason we leave our numbers in case something like this happens." He said cracking his neck.
"Ok it seems were now out of options, Discord has gone on to tell Celestia and Fire is going back to Hades." He said thinking. I placed my cup down and looked at my cloud computer.
"As it stands we have no choice but to wait for his next move." I say with consern. He nodded and stood up.
"I'll call in some favors and see if I can get the ball rolling." He said smiling. Making his way to the mirror I stood up and walked to him.
"Thanks for this." I smile.
"Not a problem, it seems you have your plate fuller then usual but the dead never stop." He said finally leaving through the mirror. I lifted up my scroll and a long list of names began appearing. Then a comment came mind that I promised to Angel Wings. I walked out to see Apple Scroll busy as ever.
"Thank you for the tea...it really helped." I said to which she looked up and smiled warmly.
"We all need a calming moment Grape." She said.
"I'm going out I have to make a stop by a Big Mac and his Daughter." I explained going to the door but I paused as Apple looked slightly saddened.
"No doubt Angel asked you to watch over them?" She said. I nodded.
"Angel is very new to the heavens but has a truly pure heart, she was one of the few that ascended from an earthly soul. Big Mac was her husband before she died. Her daughter was only possible because a friend was a surrogate mother for their baby. She died before she could see the baby." Apple explained as I digested the information.
"Thanks for telling me." I said as I flipped up my hood and slipped my key into the lock and walked through the door where my senses were assaulted by wood smoke, hay, and apples.
I closed the door behind me and heard a lively laughing and conversation as I rounded the corner to a scene of happiness. As I looked at the group, all of their names and pasts flashed before my eyes. Applejack sat beside Granny Smith who was in her rocking chair. Pinky Pie was playing with a beautiful filly that had a likeness of Angel wings to be sure. Rainbow dash was closest to me by leaning on the doorframe and Twilight was flanked by both Rarity and Fluttershy. Big Mac smiled warmly but I could sense a feeling of sorrow about him. No doubt because of Angels death. Applebloom walked into the room passing through me with the mail in her mouth and she gave an involuntary shiver.
"Big Mac a letter for ya." She said as she gave it to him and hoofed over the rest to Applejack. Everything seemed fine as far as I could tell and so I turned to leave when Big Mac stood up slowly.
"No..." He said his voice betraying nothing but anguish. All of them looked to him.
"I've been Drafted to fight." He said and the mood instantly changed. I looked across the room and my eyes fell on Pinky who had locked her eyes on me and stared at me as her boncy rebellious hair deflated to a flat state.
I looked at Pinky slightly surprised she seemed to see me as Twilight moved to Big Mac's side and took the letter and read it.
"If I write princess Celestia I could get spike to.." She began but Big Mac placed his hoof on the letter shaking his head. Granny Smith had stopped rocking and sat there reserved.
"This is horrible." Fluttershy said first and Twilight became panicked and angry.
"I did not be a surrogate mother for you and Angel to lose both of you!" She exclaimed.
I felt my robe gently coherse me to leave, I had a job to do after all. Pinky never took her eyes off of me till I was at the door with my key turning it and walking through it and away from the sad scene.
It took me a moment to place myself and my heart kept into my throat as well as a taste of bile at the smell. The moans of the wounded mixed with the smell of urine, blood, and other smells I rather not put into words. I was in a combat hospital. I forced myself forward finding my first pony, a pegasus whose wing that was once there was now a stub and missing forehoof. His bandages were soaked through with blood and they had done everything to save him given the conditions but it had been fruitless. His breathing was shallow, I lowered my scythe and gently removed him from his painful state. What happened next frightened me, the earth ripped open and pulled in the pony to Hades screaming and kicking. It took me a moment to recover and carried on trying not to think about it as their lives flashed before my eyes and cruelly got to know them before they were judged. Every soul I pulled they were promptly removed by a ground shudder, fiery chains and a scream and Hades was one soul more as my own seem to be chipped away.
I stopped at a young stallion that had internal bleeding, eight broken ribs and several fractures. Again I saw his life flash before my eyes. A shy stallion from a farm outside Vanhoover never did anything wrong of major evil, then a letter in the mail, training with new found friends, being transported to the front, Luna's rousing speech, his first kill, then a changeling bombardment, and finally now in the hospital going to die. I pulled his soul gently and soon as his ghostly hooves touched the ground he vane me a sad smile. The ground began to shudder and break open, my heart sank. I was looking at this innocent stallion begin to get pulled into Hades. Without thinking I swung my scythe cutting the chains as if they were mere rope. He looked at me surprised. As no sooner as I had cut the chains the tents time stopped and an explosion of flame erupted and a very severely peeved Fire Pleasure stood there frowning.
"Who do you think you are?!" He exclaimed.
"He's Innocent!" I yell back which he replied with a roll if his eyes.
"Think again! He's killed some pony!" He rebuttaled.
"Were at war!" I retorted which to he had a look of annoyance.
"You think war is a valid reason for somepony to kill? Open your eyes." He stated.
"This stallion is innocent." I reinstated.
"You going to do this for everypony and changeling you come across and think they are innocent then we will have a problem." He said as he stomped the ground and three demons appeared in a burst of flame beside him. I frowned.
"Are you threatening me?" I say dangerously and lower my scythe which gave him pause.
"Your stopping me from doing my job, do yourself a favor and lose your emotions. Death has no need for them." He said matter of factly. I have to say I have never been so affronted in my life.
"I don't know how you work but emotions are what differentiate us from mindless monsters." I said lowering my scythe.
"Look around you Death, the sick and injured are here because of problem and ponies ruled by emotions and morals. If they didn't want to kill one another you would would think they would help the starving changelings and not force their hooves to invade to simply survive. Have you not seen how dire their predicament is?" He said accusingly. My mind flashed to the deaths of the starving changeling family.
"But all of this has been facilitated by Vedra...so." I began.
"Should they all get a free pass?" He said sarcastically. I glared at him, sure he's a demon did he have to be such an asshole?
"Promise me that all of them are not being treated very poorly." I said now knowing that this debate was fruitless. He was right I have to be so impartial that it hurts. There is no black and white, life is grey full of contradictions.
"Its Hades..." He said simply as the stallion who was quiet during the entire conversation looked at me with horror I'm his eyes as the three demons descended on the stallion and the earth swallowed them all with a sudden and loud scream. It broke me. I was alone with Fire and I collapsed shaking and sobbing who visibly relaxed and walked over to me.
"I c-cant do this." I start to sob as he sat down beside me with a sigh.
"I'm sorry." He said simply and I gave a small mocking noise.
"I am, war is ugly and always unfair. No matter what you do at the end of the day you just must keep the world balanced and turning." He explained simply. I looked up at him and saw he was being sincere.
"You don't like being a demon?" I asked sniffing.
"We were angels once, but you know...balance." He said bitterly, moving his hooves to act as if they were scales.
"What about that story about you got you." I asked and he laughed.
"My cutie mark? I made that up." He stood up and helped me to stand.
"I got to go, if you need somepony to talk to go to Apple Scroll first, I suck at this kind of thing, sentimentality isn't my schtick." He said uncomfortably.
"Thanks Fire and I think you did well considering." I said even though I didn't feel any better. He waved to me and burned up and was gone.
I looked around the hospital and began to finish the reapings. I felt a numbness begin to fill me up as I went about the grim business. I stepped out of the tent and was greeted by the sight of war plane and simple. Were I was I overlooked the field of battle. Magic fire laced through the sky and as changelings dive bombed into the ranks of ponies as pegasus fought above them. Cries, screams, and blood covered the muddied fields but something was felt off. I wiped my tears away and I could see souls being drawn up into the sky by an eerie green light. Focusing on it it took the form of a centaur who looked over the field of death and pain with a sadistic smile as the weapons he held emitted the green light as they consumed the souls of hundreds.
"Vedra!" I exploded with rage and without a thought boned wings exploded from my back and found myself closing the distance between us at an alarming rate. I raised my scythe and yelled as he just noticed me and his smile disappeared.
"Ahhhhhhhhhh!" I screamed and swung my scythe with all I had and he just blocked it with his shield but he flew into a mountainside. I was shaking, but now it was with rage. He pulled himself from his own crater and he was on me in a second. I blocked his attack.
"Death..." He said simply. I began to attack viciously and all he could do was block but a smile crept across his face.
"You can't stop me..." He said and I growled and swung aiming at the shield which connected with a loud bang and a small crack appeared in its armor making Vedra look at me with annoyance.
"My army marches on Hades and Heaven its only a matter of time till I have souls of demons and angels and I'll be more powerful than even you." This gave me pause and he took advantage of this swinging his sickle at me as I just blocked it and made me fly into the ground making the world spin. I recovered and flew up from the dust cloud to find he was gone. I screamed in frustration.
"Celestia Damn it all!" I cursed as I saw the battle below had come to a slowed pace as the troops from both sides tried to discern who's weapon had caused that crator. She looked to see the fort that most likely Luna was in commanding the military from. I needed to alert Lucifer and Celestia about the armies moving on the other plaines. I need to stop the fighting long enough to slow the amount of souls that Vedra can get his claws on. I racked my brain and came to an uncomfortable solution.
"Discord..." I to myself.
"You called?" His voice said softly into my ear making me recoil in shock.
"How?!" I asked in shock. He was already poking my skeletal wings.
"I'm like superman." He said and looked into a blue and red costume with a large D on the center of his chest.
"Superman....who or nevermind can you stop this conflict?" I asked
"Ya why." He said flexing muscles he didn't have.
"Why didn't you...nevermind please stop them." I asked.
"What's in it for me...I find this rather chaotic... I have a soft spot for chaos." He said and that made me blink in surprise.
"Because its the right thing to do!" I say louder then I should have.
"Oh alright." He said rolling his eyes snapping his claw and thousands of other Discord's appeared by everypony and stopped many of them in mid fight, canceling magic and freezing some in place and picking them up moving all of them to their appropriate sides and went on to form a line between them and poofed into a wall with barbed wire tops. Several Discord's patrolled the wall dressed with a blue helmet with white letters 'UN' emblazoned on them.
"Thank you." I said.
"Oh don't thank me yet...now you owe me." He said smiling with a hint of mischief.
Author's Note
I kind of like this chapter. Tell me how you all are enjoying it as it is now. Things are heating up.
As grateful as I was for Discord to stop the conflict, owing him a favor made me feel uneasy but I would have to deal with that when I came to it.
"We need to inform Luna and Celestia." Discord was playing with a Paddle ball bouncing it up and down rhythmically.
"Discord!" I yelled to get his attention and he missed his beat and looked at me.
"I'm sorry what were you saying? I was bored with waiting." He said.
"What? Wait its been moments..." I said confused.
"Maybe for you." He said simply and tossed the paddle away. I decided not to question it further. I flew along with him till we landed on the fort balcony and pushed open the door to see Luna in full battle regalia surrounded by other armored ponies who were in a frenzy at what had just transpired on the battlefield.
"Princess Luna, we must strike now while we have the element of surprise." Said a seasoned pony. He was immediately contradicted by a pegasus pony in nurses attire.
"We need to use this time to recover!" She insisted.
"Enough!" She said in a loud voice that displayed power. The room fell silent and she finally saw Discord and myself.
"Look after the wounded and fortify our current positions." She ordered with a wave of her armored hoof.
"Leave me." She stated and quickly the other ponies left quickly leaving us alone in the room.
"Discord...I might have know." Luna said unenthusiastically.
"Your Princessness..." He said with a bow.
"Why did you stop the battle?" She asked.
"Lady Death here asked me to." He said with a shrug. Luna looked to me then with a softer look.
"I can understand but why?" She questioned.
"The demon Vedra was gathering souls directly from the conflict below. We also have bigger problems that need attention. I don't know how he has mustered an army, but he is marching on Heaven and Hades with weapons that almost have the same power I do." I said pointedly. Luna frowned and walked to a stand where ink, quills and blank paper were ready for use. Luna began to scratch down a letter.
"Are you certain of this?" She said as she wrote.
"I have just come from fighting him." I said which gave her pause and looked at me.
"So you defeated him?" She said with some hope. I shook my head in response.
"No, he escaped before I could recover from his attack." I say disheartened.
"No offense Princess but Bones here has been running everywhere trying to fix up this mess. You could thank me for lightning her burden." Discord said filing his paw.
"Discord the day I thank you for anything is the day I will dye my mane pink." She said flatly. Discord smiled.
"Let's put a pin in that." He said as a corkboard appeared with several notes where he added another one next to another note with what I think said 'world domination tour'. I made a mental note to ask him about that later. I refocused on Luna as she finished scratching out the letter. She rolled it up and sealed it with her magic and it vanished in green flame.
"You will hear from Celestia soon." She said nodding as a knock on her door brought her back to more earthly problems. I went to the balcony door and placed my key and unlocked it walking into my office as Discord followed me. He looked around raising his eyebrows.
"A bit dreary even for you Bones." He commented.
"I just got the place, décor Isn't really high on my current to do list." I said finding my seat behind the desk. It was comfy, as I settled myself into it Apple Scroll's voice came over buzzer.
"The previous Death is here to see you." She said, I pressed the button and responded.
"Send him in." Discord sat across from me and looked back to see him walk into the door.
"Oh Crunchie! How you been!" Candy looked at him and gave a forced smile.
"Discord, why am I not surprised."
"Crunchie?" I said questioning.
"Long story." he said clearly not wanting to get into it.
"If you're here I'm guessing your sources have found something." I presumed, he nodded and was silent for a moment which gave me a hint.
"Discord could you leave us...don't cause Apple any unneeded stress." I warned. Discord rolled his eyes and gave an exasperated expression.
"Fine I'll leave." He said leaving out of the door. When he was gone and the door closed Candy looked at me with hard eyes.
"Working with the God of Chaos is not the wisest choice." He said, to which I nodded.
"Trust me when I say it isn't my favorite plan but he has helped quite a bit and I'm steadily running out of options." I said.
"Well my contacts have located Vedra's lair. Only problem is he's taken to the battlefield. His troops are legions of forced changed souls made to do his bidding. I don't know how but it seems he's been doing this since before you took over." He said frustrated.
"I'll figure something out." I said trying to comfort him.
"I can't believe I missed something this crucial." He said shaking his head. I gave a half hearted smile but his look told me there was no point in trying to reassure him.
"I'll go to Celestia, I'll tell her what I've just told you. You should go and inform Lucifer. No doubt he'll be ready to settle the score with his former General." He said standing. I stood up with him and approached him giving him a hug. He gave a look of surprise.
"Thank you for helping me." I said as he hugged me back anytime.
"We will see this through. After all I'm still looking forward to my retirement. Can't have the world end when I'm not even a week off." He jested. I put up my hood and went to my door as he left through my mirror. As I walked into the lobby Discord was beside Apple Scroll looking like a secretary but by the clearly annoyed expression on Apple he was not helping.
"Discord, leave my secretary alone." I ordered.
"What? I was only.." He began and I silenced him by raising my hoof.
"I don't care, I'm going to Hades. I want you to keep an eye on the ponies and changelings. Keep them from killing each other." I said. He waved his claw dismissively.
"If anything happens I'll let you know right away by staying with you." He said smiling and his uniform disappearing. I opened the door that would have me descend into Hades when the normal heat that it would produce was now cooler.
"That's odd..." I said walking into the ground followed by Discord.
"If I didn't know...it seems like Hades has frozen over." As he said that we rounded the corner to see the fields of pain covered in snow and Lucifer's castle under siege from force changed souls.
Discord and I stood there in shock for a moment.
"You don't see that everyday." He said bundling up in a scarf and mittens.
"How do we get in?" I asked out loud. Discord smiled and said with an odd accent.
"We terminate." He cocked a metal barreled weapon and charged ahead of me. We charged across the fields of pain and approached the edge of Vedra's army and the first Changed souls turned toward us and hissed leaping and bounding at us looking to attack without though if self preservation. Discord began to fire his weapon and the first several within range transformed into cute puppies and baby ducks as he laughed like a maniac. I was confused to say the least. The souls that attacked the new little ducks and puppies themselves were turned into harmless animals. When they began to lash out at me I was less chaotic in my disposal of them. Cleaving flesh from bone, one lunged to bite me with fangs. I blocked him with my scythes shaft and twisted it quickly snapping its neck. Not pausing to consider it I swung my blade in a wide arc separating heads from bodies. Just looking around me it was the worst state of chaos I have ever seen. Discord smiling as if he was in a dreamland. He shot five more times and it clicked. He put it behind him and lifted it again into the air above himself and it had transformed into a sword.
"By the power of Equestria!" He proclaimed and held the blade in front of him.
"I have the Power!" Then began to swing it back and forth.
"Thunder, Thunder...Thunder! Thunder Ponies HOOOOOO!" He exclaimed and began going to town carving his way towards the castle. I looked behind myself and saw the souls that had been transformed began to return to their previous forms.
"Discord!" I exclaimed getting his attention. He looked to me and saw what I was yelling about.
"We need to get moving! I'm almost spent!" He said as we finally made our way to the lines between both armies were engaged in heated battle. A demon exploded in front of me in a fit of purple sparks as she obliterated 4 changed souls. I recognized her.
"Ender!" I exclaimed and she looked at me. Though now she was clad in battle armor and still sporting her accessory scarf that now in the cold had a useful purpose.
"Death?!" She said surprised. Discord jogged up to Ender and blocked and attack and tossed it aside.
"Don't forget me." He said as I approached.
"Where is Lucifer?" I asked.
"On the battlements overlooking the siege." She said then kicked an attacker back and waved her hoof making the sparks strike three more back.
"I'll take you to him." She said and she engulfed us in her magical sparks and the world blinked black and I stood on the battlements. My mind took a moment to recognize where I was when a voice centered me.
"Death, nice to see you." Lucifer's smooth voice said as I looked to him. Lucifer wore a black armor that had flecks of red that made him look like a glowing ember.
"I was coming to inform you of this attack but it seems I'm to late." I said looking over the battlefield.
"Indeed, shortly after your stint they began their attack." He said which made me feel awkward.
"Ender, thank you for bringing them here. Go to Brimstone and help push the right flank." He ordered.
"Right away." She said and vanished, Discord took a seat as his ears drooped.
"Are you alright?" I asked.
"Haven't felt this weak since Luna and Celestia first imprisoned me." He recollected.
"That was fun to watch." Lucifer said and Discord scowled. I looked at Lucifer.
"What is with the snow?" I asked steering the conversation away from internal conflict. Lucifer now scowled.
"Vedra knows I'm weakened in the cold, if my domain was at its normal temperature I could end this conflict by reconverting the souls with a wave of my hoof." He said angrily.
"They look like demons." I said and he scoffed.
"Demons can think, these twisted souls are merely puppets of Vedra's will. Vicious, strong, and many in number but without any intelligence. No self preservation makes them hard to deal with but easier than usual to manage. But they are hard to control." He said.
"How does he control them?" I wondered out loud.
"The weapons the dragon made. He's the same creature that created your scythe. It gets its power from the soul well." He said as if it was common knowledge.
"Soul well?" I said quizzically.
"I don't have time to give you a full explanation. The well is where new creatures that are born into the world come from. When a soul does its time in Hades or Heaven they go back to the soul well to be recycled. Rinse and repeat, your scythe is connected to the well directly because you are the vital link that helps them get back to the well. Vedra has somehow managed to tap into the well indirectly. That would explain how he's gained the power and army he has now." He said
"Well if anything that needs to be severed." I said.
"The only way I think would be to defeat him." He said.
"If he's pulling troops from the soul well I suggest you and Celestia cooperate by combining your forces to deal with him."
Lucifer looked at me dangerously.
"What your asking hasn't been done in a very....very long time." He said
"Either that or we all fail. Heaven is probably dealing with this very same thing." I said simply. He looked out Over the battlefield silent for a moment.
"Help break this siege and I'll consider it." He said.
"I want to hear a promise." I said and he turned to me his eyes alight.
"Fine...I Promise to help Celestia defend Heaven." He said through clenched teeth. I turned.
"How do we get the heat back on?" I asked.
"Oh you will have to reignite the furnace... You will need a dragon." He said looking at me and I dreaded the thought and Discord laughed.
Discard wiped away a tear as my expression showed that I was less than enthusiastic about dealing with another dragon.
"Know any?" I ask.
"The world dragon, or Henry as he's known." Lucifer said.
"Pass. Anypony else?" I inquired. Lucifer shrugged simply as Discord stood up and walked over.
"She burned that bridge with her last visit with Henry. But I happen to know of another....dragon if you can call him that." Discord smiled mildly.
"Is he a dragon or not." I asked pointedly.
"He is, but he's young one." Discord said. I waited for him to explain more but he was quite finally I asked.
"What is his name. Where do I find him?" Discords smile seemed off but he answered.
"Spikey....Wikey and he lives in ponyville." He said sounding serious for the first time ever.
"Spikey....Wikey." I say as if this was a joke.
"Yes he works in the town library with a unicorn named Sparkler Twig." He said rolling his wrist.
"Ok we will go get this Spikey Wikey from Sparkler Twig place and bring him back to light the furnaces." I said to Lucifer who nodded and looked to Discord who gave him two thumbs up.
"Hurry back." He said as I walked to the door leading to a tower and walked through it and into a library that was grown inside a tree by the looks of it. The smell of ink, wood, old pages of books permeated the air. A purple coated unicorn was walking down the stairs floating books in front of her obscuring Discord. But she must have caught a glimpse of him because she doubled over dropping all of the books.
"That's Sparkler Twig." He said holding back some laughter. My eyes became half lidded.
"That is Twilight Sparkle. I know her from seeing her before...." I corrected. Twilight scrambling to her hooves then looking at the Chaos god she glared.
"Discord, what are you doing here?" She said defensively through clenched teeth.
"I need you dragon." He said simply.
"No." She was quick to reply.
"I don't think you have a choice." He sounded villainous and I looked up to him with disapproval.
"He's not going anywhere with you alone." She said with a hint of anger.
"I'm not alone." He said which gave her pause. At that moment I wondered if I can let ponies see me.
Then the door behind Discord and I burst open and Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy in followed by a walking pile of boxes and bags. They slumped down and a small purple dragon with green scales whipped his scaled forehead.
"Oh Darling Spikey Wikey....thank you for." She stopped mid sentence as they all looked at Discord and the only one happy to see him was Fluttershy who trotted up to him.
"Oh um Hi I didn't know you were going to be in t-town." She said softly.
"Hello Fluttershy, this was a bit spur of the moment on business." He said softer than his usual tone.
"You look tired have you been eating right?" She asked with eyes of concern evaluating him. I looked at them and Pinky had not said a word because she was staring at me. There was no doubt she could see me I don't know how but she could and she was frightened I could taste it like a cold metallic taste.
"I'm simply tire, I've been helping a friend complete tasks Celestia has requested done. But right now I need little Spikey Wikey." He said.
"Like I said you can't have him." Twilight said defensively. I closed my eyes at this moment and took in a deep breath and soon the room became cold as the wisps of warm air became mist in front of the mouths of the living. When I opened my eyes Discord simply crossed his arms.
"You don't have a choice." He said again.
"D-Discord stop m-messing around." Rarity said taking a have step back.
"I'm not here to take Spikey Wikey away for good." I began to explain but their looks gave me an indication that what I said was odd. My cheeks reddened but thank Celestia I had my hood up. Discord was holding his sides and doubling over laughing.
"Discord..." I said angrily.
"I'm sorry I couldn't help it." He said through fits of laughter. The small dragon stepped forward hesitantly.
"I'm Spike...Why do you need my help? Who are you exactly?" He asked.
"I am Death, I require a dragons fire to relight the furnaces of Hades." I said. Rarity fainted, Twilights jaw dropped, Pinky Pie gave a large smile, and Fluttershy let out a soft.
"Oh dear."
"I need him now and I don't have time to waste." I pressed. Twilight was the first to recover and say something.
"N-no even then he's only a baby and he is not going to Hades!" She proclaimed and Discord frowned as he began to argue. Fluttershy was fanning Rarity with her wing as her eye fluttered open. Rarity sat up quickly and joined Twilights side. I disregarded them and focused on Spike who was quiet and looking at the ground. He seemed lost in thought till he looked up at me with eyes of steely resolve.
"I'll do it." He said and only Pinky and myself heard at first. Then Twilight and Rarity looked at him.
"No Spike...it's too dangerous." Twilight began.
"Yes Dear Twilight is right let Discord and....Death find another dragon." Rarity said.
"I'll be fine I'm with death what could go wrong?" He said with a shrug. Both Rarity and Twilight looked at one another uncomfortably.
"It will be dangerous. If you feel up for it follow me Spike." I said as I turned to leave. Discord took that as a que and followed out with me.
"Spike! You can't go!" Twilight burst suddenly and Rarity nodded with a look of worry.
"I agree with Twilight dear...it's too much for you." Spike stopped and looked at them.
"You guys always do amazing things all the time...its my turn to do something amazing that only I can do." He said as he stood beside me. Discord waved as the door began to close.
"Oh! There's a war in Hades going on between Demons and Warped souls." Discord said smiling.
"WHAT!" Twilight and Rarity squeaked out in a high pitched horror as the door closed.
"Was that necessary?" I asked.
"No, but the look on their faces...priceless." He said smiling.
"So what do you want me to do." Spike asked.
"Breath fire." I said simply.
"I can do that." He said and displayed a small burst of emerald green flame. I looked to Discord.
"I did say he was a baby dragon." He said shrugging.
"I'm not a baby!" Spike retorted.
"Only a baby would say he wasn't a baby." Discord said back.
"Enough. Spike you will have to breath more flame if you're going to relight the furnaces." I said as I opened the door back to steps and I frowned.
"Why didn't you take us to the wall?" Discord asked.
"I thought I was." I said unsure. Just then smoke and fire exploded in front of us making Spike scream in terror and find safety behind me.
"Death." Said a smooth voice as the smoke cleared and Fire Pleasure stepped forward greeting them. His body was covered in an insect like armor that interlocked at his joints covering most of his body. His mane was burning brightly as his two horns protruded from his face armor.
"Fire Pleasure." I said just as evenly as I could.
"So this is the dragon? Not much if I may." He began as Spikes cheeks puffed out in anger and he stepped out from behind me.
"I may be small but I'm still a dragon." He said angrily. Fire gave a peeved expression, clearly he didn't like being interrupted.
"Indeed...I'm here to take you to Lucifer." He said as he stepped towards us. Spike stepped back into my chest and looked up at me fearfully.
"It will be ok." I reassured him. Fire Pleasure struck the ground and we were engulfed in flames and soon we stood on the walls overlooking the siege. Spike looked over the wall at the battle on the field. He stepped back in shock.
"This is the dragon you found to relight my furnaces." Lucifer said stepping toward Spike. I stepped forward protectively as Spike's eyes showed fear.
"Yes this is Spike." I introduced placing a reassuring hoof on Spikes shoulder. His shaking lessened.
"He won't do as he is now." Lucifer said matter of factly. Lucifer's blade like horn glowed and a beam of black flame engulfed. I felt anger and surprise, Discord looked on in shock, Spike screamed and shielded himself fruitlessly. Lucifer's magic cease and spike looked at his claws.
"What did you do?" I asked and before he could answer Spikes eyes glowed purpled and he fell forward in a cry of pain clutching the ground as his body began to grow. His small green spikes became sharper as his tail and torso grew in length. He stopped after several intense moments Spike was breathing heavily and his entire body was shuddering. He looked up at Lucifer with now very predatory like face of cut angles as sharp as diamond. He pushed himself up wright and now look at all of us. He had grown up at least two heads taller than me and his originally chubby baby fat was traded for a lean figure of a teenager.
"What?" He said in surprise and confusion.
"Now you should be able to breath flames big enough." Lucifer said looking at Spike. Spike looked at me as he clenched his claws tight now with a rekindled fire in his eyes.
"I feel stronger. I feel I can do this." He said smiling as his newly gained sharp teeth glinted in the light.
"Oh I bet....Cause if you don't Spike." Lucifer said as all of us looked at him.
"The fall of Heaven, Hades and everything in between will cease to exist." Spike looked at me as he gulped.
"Sounds great...." He said feebly.
I looked at Spike unsure of what to really say but if he could get the job done. A shout echoed.
"You best go now, I don't have time to wait for you the fires must burn again. Take Fire Pleasure with you as a guide." I looked at Discord then Spike.
"Let's go." I said and Fire Pleasure walked beside me giving me a curt smile as the world erupted in flame around us. They now stood in a barren area with scorched earth and stones made charcoal black from intense heat. I followed Fire to a plateau that overlooked a large basin where what looked to be boilers formed into rows upon rows. Spike knelt beside him with a worried look on his face.
"You expect me to light all of them while fighting off enemies?" Spike said in disbelief. I shared his feelings of uncertainty. Fire Pleasure shook his armored head not removing his eyes from the gates that were being guarded by a large contingent of warped souls.
"There is a central burner you have to light, we light that and it will jump start everything." He said then adding. "and get rid of all this infernal snow." He said scornfully then turned his gaze at all of them.
"Once we get in and we light it...we need to get out quickly. You and Discord wouldn't stand the heat. Spike and I would be fine but all the same you don't want to be in it when it starts up. Plus...we can't teleport out only banishment can work in there and trust me you don't want to be banished to Tartarus." He explained.
"Why can't we teleport?" Discord asked with a raised eyebrow.
"It's a safety measure to make sure nopony can get in quickly and sabatoge and get out." He explained. I had a feeling of dread wash over me, last thing I wanted to be was burnt to a crisp.
"Great... Now all we need is to get past the group down by the gate." I said as I looked down at the group. A pop sound rang in my ear and Discord suddenly was gone and was now in the middle of the group acting as if it was normal before they all turned on him and descended upon him like Timberwolves attacking a helpless pony. Discord pulled out a bubble wand and swiped in all different directions as they attacked and groups of three even four were getting trapped within bubble prisons. We galloped down to him as he was just finishing capturing the last warped soul.
"You never cease to amaze me." I said and he smiled.
"I am the best at being awesome." He said as he made his bubble wand disappear and in its place he made a hat with a rainbow mane and cyan blue color then placed it on his head. The decal on the front in sparkly letters said 20% cooler. I didn't get it but then who would?
We moved through the gates and into the complex the large cylinders towered above us like large trees everything did have a peaceful feel to it, snow had that effect on me. We walked for several minutes before I became unsure.
"You know where your going right Fire?" I asked as we kept walking. Fire was quiet a moment.
"I'm pretty sure..." He said looking from left to right and back again. Spike looked at him with half lidded eyes.
"You can't be serious..." He said shaking his head. They walked for what seemed like and hour before they finally found a clearing that opened up to what looked like a large tourch burner.
"There." Fire said going into a trot towards the unlit torch.
"Don't you think it odd?" Discord said as he stopped and I stopped looking at him Spike took three more steps before stopping.
"What?" Spike said.
"Oh it just seems this is all too easy...if this were a videogame this is where I would put a" He said before a loud thunderclap of a sound cut him off and a large mass slammed into the ground before Fire sending him sprawling into a boiler and landing unconscious.
"...Boss." Discord finished and his ears drooped unhappily.
"Why...why did you have to say anything." I said frustrated. The smoke of the dust began to clear as the dark mass stood up to its full height and stepped out of the dust cloud to reveal a large horse like body that transformed into a solid chest. A centaur as I recognized him. His horse body was brown as his upper body was red, his horns were long and sharp and his eyes cruel.
"Tirik..." Was all Discord said. The name brought back a memory of a feared name from the beginning of Celestia and Luna's reign a centaur that stole almost all of the powers in Equestria. It took his brother to defeat him last time and well we didn't have his brother. I wondered if he could steal my magic.
"Discord?" He said slightly surprised and finished with a smile.
"Last I heard you were encased in stone." He said putting his hand on his hips.
"Last I heard you were locked away in Tartarus. How are you in Hades? You're not dead you're immortal." Discord said accusingly. Tirik waved his hand as if waving off a bad memory.
"I was given an opportunity to exact revenge on Celestia and Luna so I took it and so thousands of souls later I'm bigger and badder than ever." he laughed pointing at Discord.
"You should have taken the offer he gave you." He said and I looked at Discord shocked. Discord knew who the enemy was and didn't say.
"Are you two friends?!" I said livid.
"Hardly, more like in the same club of mischief, I'm president he's like a lackey." Discord said unenthusiastically. It didn't sway my anger one bit.
"Enough of these pleasantries. Death Ive been expecting you and well there is no way you are getting that...lizard near the torch." He said turning his attention to me making my insides feel like a gale force hurricane twisting my insides.
"You can try and stop us." I said evenly. I swear the cloak was the only thing that made me in control and threatening. Spike took another step forward.
"Lizard..." Spike said in a low aggressive tone. Discord hit his forehead and dragged his claw down his face, I looked at him still angry.
"What?!" I asked looking at him. He frowned and walked over to me saying.
"The only thing more prideful than Tirik himself is an adolescent Dragon." He said stopping beside me. My eyes widened and I turned just in time to see Spike springing up in the air swinging his fist and cracking Tirik on the jaw making him take two steps back. My jaw dropped and without missing a beat Tirik returned the favor sending Spike rocketing into a boiler creating a large dent. I lowered my scythe and Discord had taken up the guise of a character clad in black with a cape and chest piece that had several buttons. He raised a sword made of red light.
"*inhale* Tirik *exhale* I am not your father." He then lifted his hand and an invisible force slammed into Tirik making him slide backward making crevices of his hooves in the dirt. Spike stood up and shook his head and a look of explosive rage overtook him as he reared his head and yelled out a large spout of emerald green flame and then dashed at Tirik slamming into him rocking him onto his hind legs. My bone wings ripped out if my back as I thought of them and I sped towards him with my scythe raised yelling dispite myself. I lashed out at Tirik and sent him reeling. Spike landed and I landed next to him.
"Do you think?" Spike asked breathing heavily as small spout of green flame left his mouth. To answer him a angry yellow and orange beam of energy slammed into me. The world went black for a moment and I woke up looking at Fire Pleasure who was holding me in his red magic coat.
"You ok?" He asked.
"Ya...peachy." I said as he released me. Spike was engaged trying his best to subdue Tirik as Discord was deflecting beams of energy with his red light sword.
"Tirik." Fire said unhappily.
"Everypony seems to know him." I said picking up my scythe.
"He's a well known baddy. But the fact he's so strong means he absorbed souls." He guessed.
"He mentioned it. But how do we defeat him?" I asked bitterly.
"You have to remove his power." Fire said simply.
"Beat the tar out of him then?" I said.
"We can try. But it will be up to you to pull out the souls, you since your job is to retrieve souls." He said as I looked at him.
"How exactly do I do that?!" I said frustrated and a beam of energy lanced toward me and placing my scythe in it path it dissipated.
"Figure it out, after all you are Death." He said as he charged at Tirik and slammed his body into the centaur. I cursed frustrated and charged into the fray. We attacked and dodged before long we felt like it was hopeless. Tirik yelled out in anger.
"Enough!" He spread his hands out and a circular beam of energy pushed us all away from him and held us in place. I looked for my scythe and it too was being held down.
"No..." I said struggling as Tirik approached me. I looked up at him afraid.
"Don't struggle it just makes it hurt more." He said smiling.
"On second thought go ahead and struggle all you want." He said as the power holding me in place disappeared and I felt weightless and I was face to face with him. He opened his mouth and I could feel my very fibers being ripped from me. I wanted to cry out but my screams were deafening.
My screams became muffled as a darkness overtook me and I could see a large light and it took a moment to realize that it was all of the souls Tirik had taken. I reached out with my hoof and it was a small ball full of souls angry and terrified. All of their feeling rushed through me. I pulled the orb into my chest and the world became light again as I looked at Tirik his face surprised and terrified. I could see myself in the reflection of his eyes. My black cloak was now white my face was white and featureless except for the two white eyes that stared at Tirik. I opened my mouth but it was not my voice.
"Tirik, you have defiled us with your evil. Prepare to be punished." I lifted my arms up and the area behind me became alight with a blinding light as Tirik screamed in surprise and terror. When it was all said and done I landed softly on the ground and the once mighty Tirik was now a withered husk. My body was no longer the vessel for the soul's fury as I blinked not really sure what I had done. Discord, Spike, and Fire all approached me and Discord had reverted back to his normal self.
"That, that was cool." He said smiling giving me two thumbs up. I shook my head as I lifted up my scythe and planted it into the ground. I lifted Tirik up so I could see his eyes that were full of utter crushing defeat.
"You belong in Tartarus." I said and a black ooze sprang from the ground and enveloped as he screamed getting pulled downward. Spike looked at me scared but I shrugged it off.
"Let's relight the furnaces." I said, Spike seemed to remember why he was here. He looked up to the torch and jogged up to the top and looked at it. Discord and Fire both stood on either side of me.
"Taking down Tirik. No small feat." Discord said with a side long glance.
"I had help." I said solemnly and Discord simply smiled. Spike took a deep breath and let loose a jet of his green flame that ignited the torch. The ground began to rumble as the boilers began to come back to life.
"Time to go!" Fire said quickly and began running as Spike hopped down the stairs and we all began to run for the exit. The boiler jets of flame were massive as the passed them. Spikes green flames began to nip at their hooves and my wings sprung from my back as I picked up Spike and began to beat my wings. His weight was cumbersome but not impossible. The gate the had entered was now in sight and we all moved with a sense of urgency. We cleared the gates and not long after a loud explosion that knocked us to the ground. Looking back we saw a large plume of steam.
"One of the Boilers must have been badly damaged." Fire said. The snow was already beginning to melt and Fire gathered us as he teleported us to Lucifer's side. Lucifer was smiling fiendishly as he watched his demons fought with renewed vigor. He looked at me and then Spike.
"My thanks to you both, we are driving the souls back to where they belong." He said looking out over the battle again.
"What about the assistance you said you would provide?" I reminded. His smile waned and he looked at me again.
"You really know how to spoil a moment don't you. But yes of course I'll assist. Just give me a day to regroup and I'll March to assist heaven." He promised as he waves his hoof.
"I have your word Lucifer. Don't break it." I warned but he simply just nodded, I looked at Spike.
"We need to get you home. But..." I looked at Lucifer.
"What about his transformation?" I inquired.
"Oh it will ware off in a few more hours. No need to worry." He said waving his hoove nonchalantly. I turned towards a door and placed my key into the lock and turned it. Discord got ready to follow me. Spike looked woefully at his claws hoping he was to stay that way butbhe knew it was going to end in a while. I opened the door and proceeded into it with the library of Twilight Sparkle to bebthe destination. The door opened on the other side and the musty smell of paper mixed with wood seemed so inviting. Twilight sat at a table with her friends, she looked up and her eyes bulged as she looked at Spike.
"S-Spike?!" She said surprised as well as dumbfounded. Rarity stood up and approached him eyes wide taking him all in. Everypony seemed speechless. I looked at Discord who looked tired and just not in the mood to heckle which was a first. I made myself seen and everypony looked at me. I removed my hood and Twilight mouth opened speechless for a moment.
"Y-you're just a normal pony?" She asked shocked.
"No...I am far from normal but that not the point you need to hear. Spike was a great help, he showed great courage and commitment. Thanks to him Hades is back up and running again. He will change back in a matter of time..." I paused. "It will be painful. So prepare yourselves." I looked up at Spike who looked down on me.
"You're a good Dragon Spike." I finished putting up my hood and turning to leave.
"You sure you don't need my help again?" He asked which put a smile on my face.
"No I don't think so, but if I ever need a dragon I know who to call on." I said closing the door and putting my key in it turning the lock to opening up the way to Celestia's study. Discord waved at Fluttershy and closed the door behind me as he followed. Before I opened up the door to Celestia's study I stopped.
"Why didn't you tell me?" I asked turning to face him.
"About an offer made to me by a shady character? I didnt know anything about him truly. But that was the whole reason I decided to join you on this escapade." He said putting his hands on his hips. I wanted to believe him but a small part of me didn't.
"Ok I'll take you on your word." I said and turned to open the door.
Celestia sat behind her desk with her head in her hooves and suddenly looked up at them. Her face was not one of beauty and poise but of haggard and sleepless nights.
"You have been busy....stopping whole armies, relighting Hades...." She sounded angry.
"Did I do something wrong?" I said defensively. She shook her head and sighed.
"I'm not just stressed, you're doing amazingly well for just getting the job. I feel so useless right now." She said frustrated. Discord shook his head and snapped his fingers and a cup of tea and a slice of strawberry cake appeared beside her. She looked at it and sighed taking to cup and lifting it to her lips. She perked up at the taste of the tea.
"Thank you Discord." She said as he sat by the fire.
"These errands you have use doing is running me ragged." He said relaxing for a moment. The quiet was a small comfort and just as it had came it was shattered by a crack of lighting and a white pegasus looking battered and bruised with scorched armor stumbled and Discord waved his claw and she collapsed into a soft pillow.
"The gates of Heaven have been breached!" Angel Wings said breathlessly. The cup that Celestia held slipped from her magic and shattered on the floor.
"Heaven will be lost." She said choking back tears.
Author's Note
Soo sorry for taking so long. Life is a busy thing. Didn't have a proofreader so a enjoy the next chapter.
The room was deathly silent as Celestia stood approaching Angel Wings. I pulled my hood back and fawned after the angel and stroked her head. Discord stood up and approached Celestia but stopped short I looked up and the mare I had seen not even a moment ago had vanished. In her place stood a Alicorn made up of pure fury.
"Celestia?" Discord said and her eyes shifted to him and he gulped.
"Don't do anything hasty..." he said almost pleading. She looked at me and closed her eyes.
"Discord... Look after angel wings. Grape...come with me we are going to reclaim heaven." She said coldly. I stood up and I saw a flicker of a whisp of purple energy escape her eyes as they flashed red and green.
I stood beside Celestia and the air around us sparked and crackled. A flash of blinding light enveloped us and the air burst as we appeared on the parapets of a white castle and below maring the clean white scene was splashes of red, brown and silver. It broke my heart to see what must have been a beautiful place of tranquility defiled by conflict. Four pegasus landed before Celestia and bowed instantly.
"Your Highness we did not expect." He began but was cut off by Celestia's stare.
"Where is their leader." She said tactfully.
"Guarded by legions of warped souls and in possession of weapons that make him difficult to deal with." He said sounding frustrated.
"How is the sphere of light?" She inquired.
"He is making his way towards it." He said unhappily. Celestia eyes shifted in several directions as she thought of scenarios before looking to me and was about to issue an order when a loud explosion. Captured their attention. By the destroyed gates where the angels had been holding what they could of the line a large creature made up of what seemed to be a mass of heads.
"Is that a hydra?!" I said incredulously.
"We won't be able to hold the line with that added firepower." The stallion said angrily. Cooly Celestia took in a deep breath. Grape with me, Dive Shore you take a contingent and try and slow down the leader and we will be there as soon as we're done. Dive Shore nodded his head and took the other angels with him heading to a large tower. I looked back to Celestia and her horn began to glow and a light shot forth from the sky and stuck in the ground in front of her she pulled it free and out of the light materialized a beautiful spear and along with armor forming to her frame. Celestia now stood there not as a wise mentor but as a warrior of light. She opened her wings and was off of the wall speeding towards the hydra. I followed after her quickly, kind of feeling inadequate compared to her. She struck the ground causing a ripple effect knocking all of the enemies in a 50 meter radius to the ground, the angels cried their cheers as she pulled her spear out of the ground again and charged at the hydra as it spit fire and clawed at the angels. I dove down and removed a head that fell limp to the ground and after a few moments it sprang back to life sprouting two more snapping snarling heads.
"Crap." I said but dove down and landed beside Celestia standing behind her as the warped souls converged on us. I began to hack and slash defending her flank and my side. She was doing the same and as an effective fighting force the hydra then focused fully on the pair of us. I looked up just in time to see a pair of jaws descending on Celestia. My eyes widened and my body moved quicker then my thoughts pushing Celestia aside and putting myself in her spot the teeth ripped into my flesh and I screamed out as it flinged me up in the air as I sprawled like a rag doll. I could see its gaping maw ready to catch me and I blinked. So this is how I die again... I could see Celestia look up at me with terrified eyes and I lost sight of her as I descended into darkness of the mouth of the hydra.
It was dark, smelled and hot. I landed in what must have been the stomach because I could feel the stomach acid begin to eat away at me. There were moans of angels that had met the same fate as I had. I looked for my scythe but I couldn't find it. I could feel it like the feeling you get when you know something is watching you. I called it to me. The beast began to rumble and shake violently as I called for my scythe louder. Light broke through above me as my scythe ripped open the back of the hydra. A cry of triumph could be heard from the hole that my scythe had made. I climbed up and burst forth from the carcass of the dead hydra the fresh air I gulped in.
"Oh my Celestia! Dear sweet air!" I cried out as an angel landed and helped me out of the gash. Celestia stood not far off and had a smile on her face. I felt sick and walked three steps and couldn't hold it in and ralphed my hay. My body shuddered and I felt weak for a moment before I flapped my wings and made it over to Celestia who was now issuing orders.
"Decided to go for a Trojan horse kind of attack. A bit unorthodox." She joked.
"Ha-ha. I just didn't want you getting eaten is all." I said as my eyes were half lidded.
"And I thank you I was scared for you there and remembered your death." She looked now up to the tower.
"We need to get up there. There is still a vast army outside the gates we have a brief respite but the battle here is far from over. But if he gets to the sphere it will steal all power from angels and myself." She said worried and looked to me.
"Let us go." She spread her wings and I spread out my wings and followed after her. We arrived at the bottom of the tower where Dive Shore and a contingent had made their stand and lost. Celestia landed and looked at them with a look of utter sadness. Dive Shores eyes fluttered open as his haggard breathing became louder. His eyes found Celestia.
"Your Highness...I have failed...for-forgive me.." He said as tears poured from his eyes.
"You did your best. That was all I ever asked." She said calmly Dive Shore smiled as his eyes went dark.
"Vedra will pay." Celestia said angrily she turned toward the doors and before she could open them a loud earth shattering crash was heard and the light of heaven turned to a dank grey and Celestia collapsed eyes widened.
"He is at the sphere..." She said shocked. She looked at me and pleaded.
"Grape....I beseech you to end him and bring light back to us all. You are our only hope." She said as her eyes closed and my eyes widened in alarm. She can't be dead. I felt her side and her heartbeat was still there. I looked at the gates and stood up infront of them my scythe faithfully beside me.
"Don't worry Princess. I will end him and restore balance." I said to her not caring if she heard me because I was going to do this for me. The doors opened and I entered the staircase that winded up to the top of the tower. Speeding up the staircase I burst out onto the first floor where what looked like hundreds of warped souls stood between me and Vedra he turned and smiled.
"Good to see you here Death took you long enough but really you are the only thing that may stop me. After I defeat you I can't be stopped." He looked different somehow. His features were more like my own now. Similar to death but not quite death itself. I looked at all of the warped souls. I was mad yea but I couldn't take all of these enemies alone. It was then I heard a whistle and several hoofbeats begin me and I looked behind me and my eyes must have been deceiving me.
"Tootsie Pop?" I said surprised. The old death smiled as he had often did with his Hawaiian shirt a vast difference from the scene around us.
"Yo kiddo. Seems like you need a bit of help." He said as he stepped beside me and I hadn't seen his fishing pole but he slammed it into the ground and it turned black and a long blade seemed to grow out of it. His Hawaiian shirt flowed over him and became another black cloak. 15 other ponies that seemed like normal ponies from all walks of lives began to appear beside us each at one time Death all sworn to uphold the balance. I looked left and then right raising my Scythe.
"For Equestria!" I exclaimed and the yells of death echoed at the roof of the world. Fighting tooth and hoof I bashed, cut, cleaved and kicked my way into a flurry before making it close enough to Vedra He stood there stoic unfazed by the display of the Death corps. I yelled and leapt at him with my scythe raised coming down on him. He moved quickly and batted my scythe away and slammed me with his shield sending me flying back. I was able to stop myself in the air. Looking down at him he seemed to kneel and then launched himself at me, he sped at me like an arrow shot from a bow. I lifted my scythe just in time to deflect the blow away from me. The energy from the blow caused the clouds to separate. I lashed out with my hoof and kicked him in the jaw causing him to spin and gave me an opening to cleave him in two. I swung but he was able to twist his body using his shield to deflect the blow. The exchange between our blows were violent and shook the air around us. The battle below still raged on and I floated across from him.
"You know this is a fruitless battle. I still have many more souls to do my bidding. You cannot win." He said shaking his head with a shrug.
"You think because you have an army you will win?" I stated. To prove my point a horn pierced the air making us both look out over the gates of heaven and an army of demon ponies snarled and hooped and hollered as they stood underneath Lucifer. He smiled and nodded his head and his horde of Hades was unleashed on the unsuspecting warped souls army. I smiled but also hoped I didn't have to fight off Lucifer after fighting Vedra he looked back at me his calm visage cracking as he seemed to tremble with a seething rage.
"You see that the whole of the world is against you. Even Death itself cannot stand against the will of creation." I said pointedly as I repositioned my scythe.
"I will end you here and now." I proclaimed. He leered at me a moment and charged at me with his shield first and I attacked with the same aggression yelling for this one last confrontation. I slowed down just enough before he swung his sickle where it skimmed my neck cutting the robe and I swung me scythe sideways and felt it connect with his side making him cry out in anguish. I put more weight behind it and finally it sheared him in two causing him to swing wildly at me he struck me in the face with his shield and it sent me reeling. I crashed into the ground and so did he. The warped souls began to act oddly as the hold on them slipped. I stood up and the fighting stopped as the souls seemed to come out of a hazy dream. I approached Vedra looking down at him with mixed feelings. Anger, remorse, pity, sadness he was my enemy but he had reason for what he did but it didn't excuse him. He was breathing heavy as he looked at me and smiled with bloody teeth.
"You think you have one this day." He chuckled and coughed. He clung onto his sickle and shield still.
"If I can't have the world I'll make sure Death can't live in it." He said as he closed his eyes and his body glowed.
"Look out!" Tootsie said and shielded me from an explosion that sent us both crashing into the ground several meters away. The world was spinning as I was hugged by Tootsie still. Everywhere hurt but he stayed on top of me.
"Thanks...you can get off of me now." I said and his body shuddered.
"Sorry kiddo..." He sounded sad and I shifted to see the sickle protruding from his back. My eyes widened.
"No....nononono, Tootsie hold on you're ok we'll...." My words died in my throat as he shook his head.
"This is the end for me...you've turned out a great Death. Never lose who you are Grape. Always be fair." He said as my vision became blurry and a warm feeling of his a tear that rolled off his cheek.. His body then felt heavy and I cried out in anguish as a fellow death helped Tootsie off of me but I held onto him sobbing like a child.
The light had returned and the angels stood uneasily beside their demonic counterparts as Lucifer and Celestia were in talks about rebuilding for both realms. I came down from the tower as the other helped bring Tootsie Pops body and Celestia saw him and her eyes watered.
"Oh Tootsie Pop.... You always did work too hard." She said as Lucifer had a look of sorrow as well. The sickle that had killed him was removed and now sat on his body. Celestia took it and examined it.
"I'll have this dealt with." She pulled out a cloth and wrapped it around the blade and looked at Lucifer.
"I'll hope to see improvements about dealing with you subordinates." She said pointedly. He seemed to be hurt but brushed off her jab.
"Things have been put into place." He said and looked to his demons.
"Back to Hades." He said and several nodded going up I'm a smoke and fiery inferno.
"Where is the shield, was there not two pieces?" Celestia asked.
"Yes but it must have been destroyed in the explosion." I said unsure and I could tell that she shared my doubt. Lucifer sighed and looked at me.
"You did good. Don't be a stranger." He said and he was gone in a burst of flame. I looked at Celestia and wondered.
"What now? So much had happened." I said looking down.
"Now we carry on and pick up the pieces." She looked to all of the deaths that assisted in the fight.
"Thank you all for your continued service." They all nodded and soon left with Tootsie Pops body. One hanged back and removed her hood and to my surprise she was a Changeling.
"We'll make sure he's well taken care of. We will let you know when he will be laid to rest." She said with a look of sorrow. I nodded my gratitude. They left through a door like all deaths do. Celestia stood beside me and we were transported to her study once again where Discord was still caring for Angel. Luna was there now as well and looked to her sister with worry.
"What has happened sister?" She inquired.
"I'll tell you later." She insisted and looked to Angel Wings.
"How are you feeling?" She asked.
"I'm much better thank you your Highness." She said respectively.
"Good. They will need all the help they can get in repairing heaven." Celestia said. Angel nodded and looked at me with a smile. The vanished in a blinding light and I blinked away the dots. Discord stretched and yawned.
"Haven't exerted myself like that since I fought the two sisters." He said jokingly. He popped and was wearing a fishing hat and had a bunch of fishing tackle.
"I need some r&r" he said chuckling. Celestia nodded and Discord was gone. I looked at Celestia who looked just as haggard as I felt.
"You best go and do your job. Death is always needed." She said. I smiled weakly.
"I only knew him for a day at most but you knew him for 700 years. How does it hurt just knowing him." I said pulling back my hood. Celestia smiled softly and walked over giving me a soft embrace.
"He was just that kind of stallion." She said. I felt several more tears fall before I rubbed my eyes and put my hood back up.
"I'll pop in from time to time." I promised and left the princesses to talk as I transported myself to the office. Apple Scroll stood there with a soft smile.
"I have today's reapings." She said. I nodded.
"Let's do it."
Author's Note
So there will be an epologe so ya hope you enjoyed my story :3
Epilogue
Six months have passed since then and well my job has remained steady. Never out of clients. Peace talks began between the sisters and queen chrysalis and everything seemed to return to somewhat normalcy. The angels that had fallen in the fight I learned afterward was not the end to them, their souls would return to the sphere of light and be reborn in time much like the souls of the ponies I collect. Tootsie was not as fortunate. Nopony knew what happens when a death well...dies. I was thinking back to all that had transpired and it seems not real at all. The days begin to blur passed as I keep doing my job and nothing changes. More ponies die and others still live on. The monotony of it all is boring at times. I only hope that things never pick up like they did. I felt my scroll vibrate and I frowned pulling it out, Celestia was asking for me. I thought it odd because she rarely sees me let alone personally contacts me. I found the nearest door and I was soon standing in her presence as Luna was pacing back and forth before I could say anything she looked up and approached me with a hug.
"It is good to see you again." she said and looked back at Celestia who was walking from behind her desk.
"it is good to see you Luna...but I'm not here for a normal visit." I said as she nodded knowingly.
"No but I am glad you got here quick we have a problem." I frowned as she said this.
"What problem... You can't deal with it?" I said hoping that she could but knowing she wouldn't have called me if she did.
"The Sickle is missing." She said. My heart if it still worked, stopped.
"What." I said flatly pulling my hood back.
"You said you had the best defense." I began and she raised a hoof.
"I know what I said. But it does us little good now. It's missing and we have no clue who could have taken it." She said. My head began to spin as I closed my eyes.
"What can we do?" I asked. Celestia shook her head.
"Nothing for now until the thief decides to make himself known with it we just have to wait...." She said. I frowned.
"I hate waiting."
*Undisclosed location.*
A hooded figure places the sickle onto a holding place where it was propped up letting the light glint off of it. Stepping back the figure revealed that beside it was the shield. Hoofsteps behind the figure made it look around as a dark figure entered the room.
"Well done...now that all the pawns are in place..." A male voice said. Out of the shadow Lucifer's menacing grin appeared.
"Vedra did well....now I have the tools to do what needs to be done... And I have all the time in the world." He laughed as Fire Pleasure pulled down his own hood with a smirk.
Introductions
"Well to tell you how I came across my current job I should tell you that I am the only one who can do it. It's not glamorous or great but it is one that I carry out because I really do enjoy my job." Pulls back hood its hood to reveal a clean bleach white skull of an ever present skeletal grin.
"I am death or Vine to my friends." It said placing a skeletal hoof against its chin.
"I was once upon a time a mare of great standing. So if you could call me anything I'm a she..." She said
"Well it all started the day I well...died." She laughed
The day was warm as Celestia had raised the sun and I was on my way to my job at the courthouse. The large marble columns that supported the mosaic of ponies depicting many forms of justice none more prominent than an alicorn who held a scale and a sword being the centerpiece. My name at that time was Grape Vine and well I was good at my job for the right bribe to say the least which got me quite a few enemies who desired my early retirement. It wasn't by one of their hooves that my demise came.
"Look out!" A pegesus shouted as Vine looked up and saw a cloud letting out a lace of lightning that slammed into the mosaic above her breaking off the blindfolded Alicorn as it tumbled down. Vine screamed as she tried to escape but it was too late.
*CRUNCH*
"Ironic really. I still get queasy thinking about my own death." She said shuddering making her bones clatter.
"But I've accomplished a few things that the usual job of Death doesn't have to deal with...like the unbalance of nature and the end of all life as we know it, so this is my story of well the day I took the duties and responsibilities of being death." She said shrugging.
Author's Note
This is my first attempt at a darker idea and well telling it in first person.
