A Chance Encounter with Death

I was only a filly when I first saw Death. Not only in that a pony had died, but Death himself.

I had been put to bed, my parents had gone out somwhere. This wasnt a new occurrence, they left me on my own a lot. I could handle it, even though I didnt have my cutie mark yet. It meant I could get out of bed once they had left, and eat all the ice cream I wanted. We lived pretty far from town, so it was fairly safe, my parents often said.

Settling onto the couch, ice cream bucket firmly in hoof, I heard something thump outside the window. Freezing in place, my eyes slowly turned towards the noise. I couldnt see much outside in the darkness, but something was definitely moving out there. I hugged my teddy close, before throwing him onto my back and sneaking up to the window. I peeped an eye around the corner, looking out into the night. I could see shapes moving, so I pushed my face against the window to see clearer.

There was a pony, and it looked like he was fighting with another pony! They traded blows,  muffled thumps reaching my ears. Over and over again they went back and forth, each hoof connecting.

Suddenly one of the ponies collapsed to the ground, and didnt get back up. The other pony walked up to him, and slammed his hoof down again and again onto the fallen pony, the muffled squelching causing my tummy to twinge with disgust. I started to shake, fear gripped me tightly. The bigger pony turned, I dropped down below my window frame, my heart thundering in my ears. I knew who the pony was, he was the Big Stallion who ran the carrot farm, Mom had him around sometimes when Dad wasnt home.

I lay on my floor for what felt like hours, my ice cream had almost melted away, before steeling myself to peep out the window again. Poking my head above the windowsill, my eyes locked with eyes; he was standing right outside my window, his breath fogging the glass. Dark coloured sweat ran down his face as he stood there, staring at me. I shrieked and fell to the floor, covering my head as  glass sprayed in on me, a huge hoof breaking the window pane. He was coming to stomp me into dust too!

The hoof groped around, trying to find me. I flattened myself down as far as I could, squeezing my eyes shut. “Pleasegoawaypleasegoawaypleasegoaway,” I chanted quietly in my head, because my teeth were clenched closed in fear.

I sensed the hoof retract through the window, and heard thumping hoofsteps walking away. I breathed a small sigh of relief. He was gone, thank Cele-

'BOOM' went the front door as it crashed off its hinges. I screamed, dived for under the couch, but I felt hooves grab my hindlegs and dragged me back out. I was flipped over, staring up into the eyes of the Evil pony. I felt my bladder let go, like a baby I started bawling and begging.

'Please let me go! I didnt see anything!'

The Evil Pony snorted, 'Sorry kid, I need no witnesses.'

'Please oh please, I'll be good-'

I felt a hoof press down over my moouth, muffling my cries.

'Shh kid, I will make it quick, unless you really piss me off. Now, is anyone else home?'

I tried to speak, but he shoved his hoof harder against my mouth.

'Just nod or shake.'

I shook my head, and Evil Pony let out a sigh.

'Well thats a relief, at least.'

He flipped me up and over his knee, hooking a hoof around my throat. Spots began to dance in front of my eyes as he squeezed.

I couldnt breathe, and I couldnt move! My limbs went heavy,my lungs felt like they were on fire.

I was dropped. Coughing, I focused on getting sweet cool air into my lungs. Looking up at Evil Pony, my eyes swimming with tears, Evil pony was looking at something. There was another pony in the room! I tried screaming, telling the new pony to get out and run away, but only harsh squeaking came out.

Blinking hard to clear my eyes, I saw the huge blue Evil Pony facing a smaller, slender grey earth pony, with an electric green mane.

'The fuck are you?' Evil Pony demanded, stepping forward.

The new pony, in a surprisingly soft, high voice, replied. 'I am here for you.'

'For me, the fuck does that me-' Evil Pony suddenly shuddered, and fell to the floor, shaking with spasms.

'It means it is time for you to die, Brazen Bull.'

The charcoal pony stepped over the twitching body, and lifted my chin so I was looking at his eyes. They were a deep brown, so deep it was almost black.

'Are you well, little one?' He asked, the kindness still in his voice.

I swallowed, words dying on my tongue. I nodded, the stallion looked relieved.

'Very good. It is not your time yet.'

The stallion stood, moving towards the front door. He cast one more rueful look at me, before fading away.

The after image of his cutie mark has been burnt into my mind since then.

It was a scythe, dripping with blood.