Granny Smith's Departureby Zoom zoomChaptersPart 1Part 2Part 3Part 1“Oh but Granny,” cried the small filly, “It’s only a little bit of ice cream. Please please please can I have some?” She did her best to put on the sad face that always made everyone else besides her brother cave to her demands. “Yeah,” squeaked her unicorn friend trying to do the same. “It’ll be so cool if you could,” added the last one, an orange pegasus. “Ah said it once and I’ll continue to say it young’uns,” grouched the green mare, “I said no. You’ll spoil your appetite. Now get your patooties up to yer room for ah dun give ya dinner either. Yer can ‘ave some tomorrow instead since you’re so insistent.” The girls groaned with disappointment in unison. They knew when it was hopeless to argue. They just trotted up the steps deciding to instead bring up more ideas of what else to do after they eat and their big plan to try getting a cutie mark. At least till they were out of earshot so they could start blaming the other for messing up the ice cream plan. Granny Smith huffed, she was in the right after all. Still the look on the filly’s face when she said that was disheartening. For a moment she remembered the foal’s mother having the same face when she was the same age. She supposed having to deal with that already is the reason only she and Big Macintosh were able to say no when Applebloom made that face. Applejack and Big Mac would be home soon after working for so long so it was up to Granny Smith to make food. Lunch would be ready soon enough and then Applebloom would be ready to make up with her. At least she hoped. As she overlooked her Peanut Butter and Zap apple jam sandwich. Nearly perfect balance as usual. This was her husband Lock’s favorite lunch she would pack for him before work every day. It was one of the few things she could clearly remember about him without looking at her photo album for reference these days. What was it now? Thirty years? Her trail of thought was snatched away when there came a rapping on the front door. Big Mac and Applejack didn’t knock to come in so it must be a visitor. “I’m coming,” she said. The rapping grew louder. “I said I’m coming,” she shouted now, “just hold your horses. I an’t young anymore ya know.” She opened the door a crack to peek out at the visitor. It was a pale white stallion with a jet black mane in a very well tailored black suit with a black bow tie to match. “Yes,” Granny finally piped to get his attention. “Hello,” said the unicorn with a comforting smile. “Do you mind if I come in? I have much to discuss with you Mrs. Smith.” “How do yer know mah name,” asked the old mare scanning the stallion with her good eye from the crack in the door. “Why surely you must know who I am Mrs. Smith,” replied the stallion fixing his black bow tie. “I came for your husband some years ago, and now I’ve come to pick you up. Is there anything I can do to help you along with getting your family prepared?” “What are you talking about? I don know you. What's that about a pair? Who are y'all anyways?” “There isn’t a need to know my name you only need to know my purpose.” The stallion tilted his head and said simply. “I am your guide Mrs. Smith. We must discuss your departure.” Granny Smith’s Choice By Masteroflag (AKA Nicholas Jorvan) Granny Smith didn’t freeze like most would in this situation. In fact she didn’t show signs of reaction much at all. She simply slammed the door on the black suited stallion and walked away muttering to herself. “Crazy young’uns trying to trick me with their weird woo ha.” Still muttering as she rounded back into the kitchen she found the black suited stallion sitting gingerly in her rocking chair. “This is actually quite a nice set up Mrs. Smith. You’ve done well in the few years since I saw you last.” Granny Smith screamed. “Thief! Applejack, Big Mac there’s a thief in tha ‘ouse!” The middle-aged stallion didn’t react to her screams. He just sat there rocking slowly. Granny just continued to scream as he waited. Once Applejack had burst in it didn’t take long for all three grandchildren to be in the room. “What happened granny? Where’s that thief you were yellin about?” “Right there,” said Granny pointing at the stallion. “I shut tha door on ‘im and he just came in anyway with his magic hoopla.” All three grandchildren looked in that direction than at each other. “You sure granny,” said Applebloom. “Cause there an’t no one here.” “You callin me a liar,” yelled the old earth pony, “He’s sitting right there in the chair.” The pale stallion just shook his head, “They can’t see me Mrs. Smith. Only those who are to come with me on departures can see me. Your efforts to avoid this are in vain I’m afraid. So please calm down and have some lunch. We can discuss the details after you send your grandchildren off.” “What do ya mean they can’t see ya,” said Granny sternly. “You’re talking ta me, they should at least be able to hear ya if I don’t need by trumpet for ya.” “They can’t hear me either. Though I dare say they must believe something is up if you’re talking to your chair.” Granny Smith looked around her. Indeed by this point Applebloom’s friends had come down to see what the commotion was and all of them were staring at the old mare. “You sure your okay Granny,” Applejack asked trying to console her grandmother. She placed a hoof on her grandmother’s hip and Granny sprang in spasm at the touch. “Oh mah gosh,” Applejack said holding back her scream. “Quick get her on the couch,” called Big Mac. The two grandchildren lifted her and placed her on it. Granny had half a mind to yell at them again for doing that, but in lifting her she noticed her mysterious visitor had disappeared from the room. “I’ll get a doctor,” said Applejack rushing out leaving the remaining ponies in a daze as to what to do. “I’m just fine,” Granny finally snapped, “Now go eat ‘fore your food get’s cold.” They seemed to calm down after it was obvious Granny was too hurt to move and went into the kitchen at her shouting request. “Quite the head of the house you are Mrs. Smith,” came the black suited stallion’s voice by the love seat Big Mac used normally in the living room. “So with you unable to move around as it were I guess now is the perfect time to run everything by you.” Granny nearly sprang out but her hip hurt again and she just fell down on the couch again. When she checked he was again gone, only for her to crane her neck a bit and see him on the family time out stool. “Would ya stop that?! You’re exciting me too much.” The stallion just used his white magic aura to hold his notebook as he seemed to be going over some things. “Let’s just confirm everything correctly Mrs. Smith. Your Full name is Apple Pie Smith, wife of Lock Smith, daughter of Pokey Oaks and Sew n’ Sow Apple, mother of Applejack, and grandmother of Applejack junior, Big Macintosh, and Applebloom. About fifty other extended relatives including one other resident in this town Pinkie Pie. Now is that all correct? Paperwork will be even worse if I don’t get this right the first time.” “How do yer know all that? Not even my grandkids know they are related to her.” “Good,” nodded the stallion, “So that means everything is correct and I won’t have any issues when this is all done then. Now departure time is any time of your choosing in between 2 hours and 5 hours after midnight tonight. I will assume you wish to get the most out of your time so 5 hours it is then. And it is set for during your sleep cycle so no pain. Is all of this alright with you?” “What are ya babblin about?” cracked the elder, “Why can’t anypony else see yer or hear yer. And I didn’t schedule no trip.” The stallion sighed, “Mrs. Smith if you still don’t know who I am then I ask you look up at that mirror above the fireplace for a moment and you’ll see.” Granny looked over to the mirror and saw, no pony on the time out stool. But instead of him being gone she gazed back and still saw him sitting there. She did a double take a few times to be sure it was the case. Then the stallion waved a hoof over to a Lilly flower Applebloom had brought home and stroked it. Almost immediately the Flower wilted at his touch. “N-no,” stuttered Granny. “It can’t be. You, your-“ “Death,” the stallion said simply. “You may call me Death or Mr. Death if you like. So do you remember yet?” Granny shook her head hesitantly, “Ah think ah would have noticed meeting Death back in the day. That is if that is how you are.” Mr. Death sighed again, “What must I do to convince you further? You have seen what I can do first hand and even though of my name before I uttered it. There is nothing else short of taking your family dog’s life to prove this without messing up the cosmos, and to be honest I would rather avoid taking unnecessary lives that I can’t undo.” He said all this while looking at the flower which had started to shrivel up and grimacing. “No need for that,” said Granny a little calmer. “But of all times why did you pick now? I still got plenty of kick in these bones. It’s not like I’ve been sick or nothing.” “All true Mrs. Smith,” said Mr. Death curtly, “However healthy ponies die every day. But many of them die in violent accidents. We can’t inform any of them of their departure since they are not precognitive. You on the other hand fall under the opposite. So with all that said I believe it is time I take my leave of you Mrs. Smith. Have fun with your last moments with your family and I’ll be back in the morning.” “Now hold on a second young feller,” piped the old mare, “I just told you I an’t even feelin’ bad. I’m not ‘bout to go without a fight. Mah family needs me around thank you very much.” The stallion still rose from his seat. “Unfortunately Mrs. Smith, I cannot do anything about that due to your deal. Your time has been extended enough. I can never understand why so many of you are opposed to coming with me when it is unavoidable.” “What deal,” shouted the grandmother. “I an’t made no deal with you. I'm not followin' at all sonny.” The stallion took a deep breath before continuing. “Very well Mrs. Smith. I had hoped this would not be the case but our time is being wasted if I must repeat myself so many times.” And suddenly a white glow filled the room from his horn and Granny could see nothing for some time. Part 2When Granny Smith’s eyes refocused she found herself in a hospital room. Mr. Death stood over her but wasn’t looking at her. She tried to move around but couldn’t. She was just frozen in place as she slowly turned. Mr. Death’s voice echoed in her mind, “You’re in my memories Mrs. Smith. As such you’ll only be able to see what I see. I apologize in advance for what you are about to see, but it is the only way to show you what must be done tonight.” She couldn’t speak, she couldn’t move. All she could do was stand there and watch what Mr. Death watched and hear what was going on. The light breathing of a green mare with a white mane sleeping in her hospital bed, but her face was not so peaceful. It tensed it agony. At her bedside were two ponies. One was a grey stallion but had the look of someone getting very pale and sick from exhaustion and more. The other a newborn foal, looking just like Applejack did when she was born only with red hair. That’s when Granny realized it wasn’t the Applejack she was currently used to, it was her daughter. It was her own little girl still so small she could fit in one hoof no problem. The foal wasn’t crying, she was sleeping just like her mother. Hers was a peaceful sleep and a small smile could be seen on her face. Granny smiled at this, and then she realized she couldn’t move. Mr. Death was smiling down at the young foal. She could feel his own enjoyment at seeming such life in the child. The stallion however wasn’t in any good mood at all. When he looked up and saw Mr. Death smiling as he looked at the foal he got up and slapped her away. “Don’t you touch her!” He fell back from the motion and coughed loudly, a trail of blood oozing from his mouth. Mr. Death helped him up and he pulled away. “I’m sorry Mr. Smith. It is unavoidable. That infection is going to take your wife in a few hours, and in a week or so I will be coming for you as well. We decided to give you a week longer due to the obvious need to set your daughter’s life in order. There is nothing else I can do.” Weakly he rose. Granny finally saw his eyes, the eyes of her husband that had died shortly after their daughter’s birth. She had never seen him like this however, he was broken and weak. Anger fueled his every movement. “It isn’t fair,” he spat. “After so long we finally have a child and now you’re saying we have to leave her alone in the world? Let alone that my wife who hasn’t had a sick day in her life is suddenly going to leave this world because of me. Why do you have to do this?” “I’ve no choice in this matter Mr. Smith,” replied the black suited stallion. “Our scheduling does this all the time. I can do nothing for either of you.” “The nurse,” said the sickly stallion getting up, “The nurse was saying how if she got past the first few hours, then she could live past this infection with all the medication they gave her. Can’t you just delay it a little bit longer?” “Even if I did, which I cannot without a switch mind you Mr. Smith, we would then have the complication of when she would actually die again. An indefinite delay messes with the system a bit. It would mean switching her with someone else with an unknown death time. These things often make it harder on everyone anyway. I don’t know why I was told to show myself at all to you however considering you don’t really count.” “I do,” he said with a smile. “I asked Celestia to let you talk to me.” “I don’t work for her,” Mr. Death said simply. “But I suppose the higher ups would be interested if someone wished to see one of us. Why then did you call?” Granny sensed he already knew the answer. He had come only to confirm everything he suspected. “I called to offer you something besides her,” he said coughing again. “I called you so I could make this deal. I-I give you this sodden carcass of this aging weak idiot before you. Take me now and give my wife the time she needs to recover. Our daughter needs her far more than a sick stallion like myself.” He crawled and held Mr. Death’s suit tightly as he cried out. “Please, please take me and spare my wife. Please just don’t take her I beg you. Take me and be done with all this, just take me.” With that he collapsed again into unconsciousness. Mr. Death didn’t make a sound. He just leaned down and placed a hoof over the stallion. The foal started to cry as the life left the stallion’s body. Everything faded to white again as Granny heard nurses rushing into the room. Suddenly, they were back in the living room. Mr. Death stretched a bit from the magic he had just used. “So as you can see Mrs. Smith, your time was already extended via your husband’s plea. So you can’t possibly-“ “Oh no,” said the mare. Seeing what her husband had done had only given her more vigor. She wasn’t about to just let this guy take him if she wasn’t ready if her own love had to go for her. “Ah have no intention of going with you. Like I said my family needs me, especially Applebloom. Girl isn’t old enough to take care of herself.” “Her siblings are old enough to take care of her,” said Mr. Death simply. “Because of that I can’t file for you to get an extension again. You don’t seem to have gotten the point of my little flash back. Besides, you don’t have anything under the other two ways either that will qualify.” “What are those other two then?” Mr. Death sighed again, “You living ponies never give up do you? Very well the first is that you have a discovery that you need to finish.” He looked around and waved his hoof at the batter furniture and the outside farm. “I doubt you are inventing the latest innovations even among farming equipment. As for the other, that is if you have unfinished business of a sort. Raising your grandchild doesn’t count and I highly doubt you have one strong enough besides that to warrant an extension.” “No, no I do,” claimed the mare. “Just let me think about it for a moment.” She put a hoof to her chin in thought as she rubbed. “I never told my secret recipe to the Zap Apple Jam I make every year.” “I’m sorry Mrs. Smith,” the stallion said putting his note pad away in his suit pocket. “But you already shared with your grandchildren how to prepare for making them. And Applebloom already knows all the details. That will not be sufficient.” “Oh,” said the old mare in surprise. She wasn’t about to wish she never told her grandkids how to make the stuff. After all until today she figured there would be a time when they would need to know when she left them. As well as it was some of the best time she spent bonding with all three of them. Especially with Applebloom gaining a new respect for her despite the admittingly silly steps it took to make the Zap Apple Jam. She thought some more. Then it hit her. “Zap Apple Pie!” “Come again?” “Zap Apple Pie,” she repeated. “It’s so simple. I never did get everything right to make it as good as mah Zap Apple Jam.” Mr. Death noticed that desperate look in her eyes grasping for anything and looked away. “You’re really that determined?” Mr. Death said in a dull monotone. “Of course,” said the old mare. Then she smiled, “Ah didn’t hear a “no” in that last statement.” “I’m going to regret this,” he muttered. “But in light of this and the fact Applebloom is not old enough just yet I will take leniency and extend your time.” “Yeah hoo!” Granny was nearly over ecstatic over her this enough to jump. Her hip wasn’t hurting anymore either. “Not so fast Mrs. Smith,” he said with a smile. “It isn’t that simple. You will of course be expected to improve on your Zap Apple Pie until it is at least better than its current state every year, and Applebloom will not be young forever. You would do well to keep both in mind and make sure all your arrangements are set completely for my return.” “Your return?” said the mare now with a cocky attitude. “Beg pardon but I’ll not be expecting you till I’m far too weak to move around sonny. And that isn’t happening any time soon.” He blinked, “what did you just say Mrs. Smith?” “I said I’ll try but it isn’t reasonable I’ll ever improve it past what it is already at in for quite a few years. And at the way Applejack’s been flirting around I’m sure to get a great grandchild to help raise by her or Big Mac within the next year or so.” “So,” said Mr. Death his voice hardening, “you’re going to take advantage of my kindness.” His head dropped slightly but as he exhaled and continued. “There is nothing I can do for it now of course. But you do remember what I said about balancing out the souls to your husband correct? You may wish to reconsider.” “No way,” said Granny ushering him out of her house. “I’m good. Now run along and go find yourself some other soul while I go make some REGULAR apple pie.” “Mrs. Smith,” he said simply. “I must ask you one last time to reconsider our deal. I believe you don’t know the gravity of what you have just done by taking advantage of me.” “Look here sonny,” snapped the mare. She now got physical with the stallion poking her hoof into his chest. “I got the best of you fair and square. There is nothing you can do about it. You’ll have to sleep in your bed with the choice you made.” “That may be Mrs. Smith,” he said in his dull monotone. “But the same will be true of you. And since you are not coming with me I’m forced into getting an alternative.” As soon as he finished saying this there was a loud crashing sound that rang out all over the farm. “Wh-what just happened?” asked the mare. Mr. Death didn’t say anything. He remained quiet and emotionless and he trotted out of the open door and slowly moved into the direction of the sound until he was at the end of the porch in front of the house and just looked in its direction. Applebloom came thundering down the path crying out for a doctor. Mr. Death just stood there only blinking every now and then as Granny pushed past him. The doctor Applejack had bringing was finally coming up the trial to meet Applebloom. “What happened?” he asked looking over Applebloom and finding nothing. Granny could see even from this distance that Applebloom was crying. “I’m not sure. Scootaloo just fell out of the tree we were climbing and hit her head. She won’t get up! Please doctor she needs help!” The doctor nodded and followed Applebloom. Granny turned in shock to see Mr. Death. “You didn’t.” “Had to,” said Mr. Death again without a single hint of emotion in his voice. “I have to take somepony back with me at five after midnight. With you now put at an unknown time of departure I had to swap you with someone else instead of just a reasonable delay of a few months to a year as I intended.” “But,” argued Granny staring at the suited Stallion who was not trotting down her step, “she’s just a little filly.” “Indeed,” he replied coldly, “But a little filly that was to one day leave this plain in a terrible accident at some point in the next hundred years. I warned you Mrs. Smith. But you didn’t listen. Now I have some other business to take care of before coming for the child in the morning, if you’ll excuse me.” “Now wait there,” spat Granny, “Hold it, I didn’t say I’d agree to this. You can’t just go taking a little filly’s life away from her like that. I’ll go with you if you really want, just spare her. Yer hear me sonny? I’ll go if you want just don’t let her...” She trailed off at a loss for words looking at the cold features that had grown on the once pale but warm expressing stallion. Mr. Death didn’t say anything more as he continued to trot up the road, slow but at a pace Granny Smith could not follow. She watched him slowly move out of sight and into the horizon, and then like a whisper he was gone before he made it completely out of her sight. Part 3Granny sat with Applebloom and Sweetie Belle in the hospital’s waiting area. The various tones of the machines and wheels rolling were all that could be heard in the hall. Applebloom and Sweetie had fallen asleep at some point holding onto the old mare for stability. “Don’t worry young’uns,” said the old mare. “Your friend will be alright. I guarantee it.” They didn’t respond as Granny got up and set herself free, leaving the two fillies to sleep on the chairs alone holding each other instead. Granny trotted for some time until she got outside of Scootaloo’s room. Her parents were informed, but with them out of town it was up to Applejack who they had given legal rights to in their absence. She was discussing things with the doctor now as Scootaloo lay still asleep in her bed. All Granny could catch out of the situation wasn’t very good, except for one small note: “All in all,” the doctor said, “We’ll know if she’s okay by the morning. I don’t know when she’ll wake up, but the worst will be gone by then if the magic sets in.” “And what if it doesn’t?” Applejack asked worried. “Let’s not talk about that just yet,” said the doctor. “It’s best to keep a positive mind during these things. No sense in worrying yourself half to death if she turns out to be fine in the morning and you know the old saying, ‘Bad thoughts Bad vibes’. “ “That’s a sayin’?” “Doesn’t matter, my point it your better off sleeping on this than being up all night for nothing. We have a free room for the four of you down the hall. Take the kids and your grandmother there.” Granny moved slowly and simply after hearing this. Applejack didn’t notice this and was calling for her as she found the foals without her around. Granny reasoned that Applejack would think she had left for home or at least leave her be long enough to do what she needed to be done. “Are ya hear sonny? I wanted to talk to yer about somethin’.” The black suited stallion appeared quickly enough. He still didn’t say anything as Granny looked at him. “I know what I did, and I’m sorry fer foolin ya. But you have to understand, I’ve never really been in this kind of situation before. Ah always thought when I went it would be an accident on the farm. I’d throw mah back out doing something I usually do or trying to correct something and it would go wrong. It’s why I was okay with letting the young’uns do all the work. I didn’t want to do work knowing that was likely. Big Mac will be okay, but Applejack and Applebloom where far too young when they lost their parents to really know what happened. No one in the family has really died yet and it will be so hard for them when I go even if they do…” Mr. Death didn’t change his look. “Midnight,” he said simply. “Five hours remain till my appointment and I’ve nothing better to do but sit here Mrs. Smith. You may continue to babble on about your nonsense if you wish. However it changes nothing. I was at fault for assuming you had a similar trait to your husband in that he accepted his fate and used it to his advantage to save you. But it appears you are just another old pony who just tries to justify their own existence. Your presents here is annoying, and it will disturb the child. If you wish to give her more time I suggest you live me be while I take a quick nap of my own.” “Don’t you speak of my little Locky that way,” said Granny. Years of holding in that sadness and not knowing why she did flooding her. “He did want to die either.” Mr. Death blinked slowly with heavy eyelids. “All ponies don’t want to die Mrs. Smith. What I don’t get is why you’d wish to spend so long without him if you cared so much in the first place.” Granny tried to slap him but the hoof went right through him. Mr. Death closed his eyes and became transparent as he slept there, a light snoring coming from his nose as he sat there. Giving up she decided to get to work and proceeded out of the room. The hospital cafeteria was pretty small, but then again it wasn’t like they even had a full time cook there since anything ordered at night could be handled by their stock they got from the various eateries in town. Granny found herself glad she never had to be here more than a few hours in her past. She didn’t have to wait long. Big Mac entered is a good set of left over zap apples. He didn’t say anything, only giving his grandmother a quisitive look. “Trust me Mackey,” she said. “This little Zap Apple Pie ritual will solve everything.” “Mm’kay,” replied the red stallion as he placed the apples on the counter. “Well everything’s here,” Granny said with a hint of more energy than usual. “What do ya say my little Mackey. Wanna join me in baking what will be the best Zap Apple Pie you ever tasted?” “Eeyup,” said Big Mac with a smile. Though that was soon followed by a frown and looking back in the direction of the farm. “Oh don’t worry about that,” said Granny giving her grandson the usual affectionate noogy. Because he had grown so much she could barely reach him so the effect was mostly gone. But the act itself got the stallion to smile and nod his agreement. The two worked for quite some time, the scent of the Zap Apples themselves gliding through the halls and waking Applebloom and getting Applejack’s attention as well. The two walked in as Big Mac pulled out the pie and Granny put on the finishing touches. “What’cha doing Granny?” both girls asked. “Old little family magic spell of a sorts,” she explained. “If we eat this happily then I guarantee Scootaloo will be perfectly fine by morning. But ya have to be sincere about it. No fake smiles will help if you’re going to join.” And so they all sat down for their rather odd but delicious midnight meal. They ate together happily, all three grandchildren having pieces of pie filling on their faces. Laughter filled the same halls as the smell and soon Applejack was going around giving a small slice to any patients who had been awoke by the sound. Sweetie Belle even got a slice before zoning back off to sleep. What Applejack found odd about the night the most though was how one extra slice seemed to disappear from her palette as she did so. Still all in all it became a fun night for everyone as the clock slowly rolled to three in the morning and everyone decided it was best to go to bed. Granny for her part went back into Scootaloo’s room. There she saw Mr. Death chewing his piece of pie he had taken from Applejack without her looking. “Very good Mrs. Smith,” he commented. “I must say I’ve never had one of these before but it is quite the meal.” “Yes,” said Granny with a chuckle. “Applejack even said it was the best I’ve made in so long she couldn’t tell if it was the best I’ve made. Always thought that secret ingredient of mine was the key to making it better. At least my little Mackey knows it now.” Mr. Death smiled. “Well then, does this mean you’re ready?” “As much as I’ll ever be I suppose,” Granny said with a hint of depression. “Still at least I had a good run eh?” “Indeed Mrs. Smith,” said Mr. Death in a cheery voice, “A nice long run that lasted a few centuries is decent enough for many ponies. You’ve had a most interesting life compared to most I’d assume.” “Well ah dare say Applejack has me beat on that already,” Granny said trough a light chuckle. She paused for a moment. “Can we at least wait until the real time before I go though. I sort of wanna say my goodbyes to them first.” “Go right ahead Mrs. Smith,” Mr. Death replied with a bow. ‘I’m not going to stop you.” And so she did, kissing all three of her grandchildren good night and finally resting her body on the chair Mr. Death had sat in near Scootaloo. “So when does it happen?” “What are you talking about Mrs. Smith?” “Ah mean, when do ah… when do ah…” “Oh that,” he said with a smile. “That is already done. Look over by the door.” She did. Her body lay there motionless on the grounds. “I sort of thought I’d feel all sorts of pain when that happened.” “Are you kidding? You ponies always think it’s going to be painful. But what you all think will be coming like thunder, is nothing more than a whisper. Death, Mrs. Smith, death is only the start of an even grander adventure. In fact your husband is still waiting to start his. He figured it would be improper to do on his own without ya since you didn’t remarry.” “Isn’t that just like him,” she said feeling none of her old aches. In fact, based on how she saw her limps she could swear she was back to being young again. “Well let’s not keep him waiting.” They started to walk out. As they did Granny noticed Applebloom out of the corner of her eye, a single tear running down her sleeping face. Mr. Death saw this and said, “Don’t worry yourself Mrs. Smith. She’ll be along soon enough.” Granny Smith glared at him. “Oh I don’t mean like that. When you’re around as long as me what could be a long time to you would be nothing to me. She’s also on are predicted list, all of them are. So you can look forward to checking in on them when they go.” “Well, it would be fun to think about how they’ll raise their young with mah husband while we’re up there.” She paused as she just realized, “up there?” “Don’t worry about that Mrs. Smith.” Mr. Death said trying to put on a bad accent. “Y’all made it, every last one of the Apple family to date.” They walked off into the sunrise and slowly disappeared as Granny spotted Scootaloo’s parents running for the hospital. She felt said that soon enough these two would be the ones to find her body. But that didn’t matter. She knew her family would carry on without her. She had some others to catch up on for now.
Part 1“Oh but Granny,” cried the small filly, “It’s only a little bit of ice cream. Please please please can I have some?” She did her best to put on the sad face that always made everyone else besides her brother cave to her demands. “Yeah,” squeaked her unicorn friend trying to do the same. “It’ll be so cool if you could,” added the last one, an orange pegasus. “Ah said it once and I’ll continue to say it young’uns,” grouched the green mare, “I said no. You’ll spoil your appetite. Now get your patooties up to yer room for ah dun give ya dinner either. Yer can ‘ave some tomorrow instead since you’re so insistent.” The girls groaned with disappointment in unison. They knew when it was hopeless to argue. They just trotted up the steps deciding to instead bring up more ideas of what else to do after they eat and their big plan to try getting a cutie mark. At least till they were out of earshot so they could start blaming the other for messing up the ice cream plan. Granny Smith huffed, she was in the right after all. Still the look on the filly’s face when she said that was disheartening. For a moment she remembered the foal’s mother having the same face when she was the same age. She supposed having to deal with that already is the reason only she and Big Macintosh were able to say no when Applebloom made that face. Applejack and Big Mac would be home soon after working for so long so it was up to Granny Smith to make food. Lunch would be ready soon enough and then Applebloom would be ready to make up with her. At least she hoped. As she overlooked her Peanut Butter and Zap apple jam sandwich. Nearly perfect balance as usual. This was her husband Lock’s favorite lunch she would pack for him before work every day. It was one of the few things she could clearly remember about him without looking at her photo album for reference these days. What was it now? Thirty years? Her trail of thought was snatched away when there came a rapping on the front door. Big Mac and Applejack didn’t knock to come in so it must be a visitor. “I’m coming,” she said. The rapping grew louder. “I said I’m coming,” she shouted now, “just hold your horses. I an’t young anymore ya know.” She opened the door a crack to peek out at the visitor. It was a pale white stallion with a jet black mane in a very well tailored black suit with a black bow tie to match. “Yes,” Granny finally piped to get his attention. “Hello,” said the unicorn with a comforting smile. “Do you mind if I come in? I have much to discuss with you Mrs. Smith.” “How do yer know mah name,” asked the old mare scanning the stallion with her good eye from the crack in the door. “Why surely you must know who I am Mrs. Smith,” replied the stallion fixing his black bow tie. “I came for your husband some years ago, and now I’ve come to pick you up. Is there anything I can do to help you along with getting your family prepared?” “What are you talking about? I don know you. What's that about a pair? Who are y'all anyways?” “There isn’t a need to know my name you only need to know my purpose.” The stallion tilted his head and said simply. “I am your guide Mrs. Smith. We must discuss your departure.” Granny Smith’s Choice By Masteroflag (AKA Nicholas Jorvan) Granny Smith didn’t freeze like most would in this situation. In fact she didn’t show signs of reaction much at all. She simply slammed the door on the black suited stallion and walked away muttering to herself. “Crazy young’uns trying to trick me with their weird woo ha.” Still muttering as she rounded back into the kitchen she found the black suited stallion sitting gingerly in her rocking chair. “This is actually quite a nice set up Mrs. Smith. You’ve done well in the few years since I saw you last.” Granny Smith screamed. “Thief! Applejack, Big Mac there’s a thief in tha ‘ouse!” The middle-aged stallion didn’t react to her screams. He just sat there rocking slowly. Granny just continued to scream as he waited. Once Applejack had burst in it didn’t take long for all three grandchildren to be in the room. “What happened granny? Where’s that thief you were yellin about?” “Right there,” said Granny pointing at the stallion. “I shut tha door on ‘im and he just came in anyway with his magic hoopla.” All three grandchildren looked in that direction than at each other. “You sure granny,” said Applebloom. “Cause there an’t no one here.” “You callin me a liar,” yelled the old earth pony, “He’s sitting right there in the chair.” The pale stallion just shook his head, “They can’t see me Mrs. Smith. Only those who are to come with me on departures can see me. Your efforts to avoid this are in vain I’m afraid. So please calm down and have some lunch. We can discuss the details after you send your grandchildren off.” “What do ya mean they can’t see ya,” said Granny sternly. “You’re talking ta me, they should at least be able to hear ya if I don’t need by trumpet for ya.” “They can’t hear me either. Though I dare say they must believe something is up if you’re talking to your chair.” Granny Smith looked around her. Indeed by this point Applebloom’s friends had come down to see what the commotion was and all of them were staring at the old mare. “You sure your okay Granny,” Applejack asked trying to console her grandmother. She placed a hoof on her grandmother’s hip and Granny sprang in spasm at the touch. “Oh mah gosh,” Applejack said holding back her scream. “Quick get her on the couch,” called Big Mac. The two grandchildren lifted her and placed her on it. Granny had half a mind to yell at them again for doing that, but in lifting her she noticed her mysterious visitor had disappeared from the room. “I’ll get a doctor,” said Applejack rushing out leaving the remaining ponies in a daze as to what to do. “I’m just fine,” Granny finally snapped, “Now go eat ‘fore your food get’s cold.” They seemed to calm down after it was obvious Granny was too hurt to move and went into the kitchen at her shouting request. “Quite the head of the house you are Mrs. Smith,” came the black suited stallion’s voice by the love seat Big Mac used normally in the living room. “So with you unable to move around as it were I guess now is the perfect time to run everything by you.” Granny nearly sprang out but her hip hurt again and she just fell down on the couch again. When she checked he was again gone, only for her to crane her neck a bit and see him on the family time out stool. “Would ya stop that?! You’re exciting me too much.” The stallion just used his white magic aura to hold his notebook as he seemed to be going over some things. “Let’s just confirm everything correctly Mrs. Smith. Your Full name is Apple Pie Smith, wife of Lock Smith, daughter of Pokey Oaks and Sew n’ Sow Apple, mother of Applejack, and grandmother of Applejack junior, Big Macintosh, and Applebloom. About fifty other extended relatives including one other resident in this town Pinkie Pie. Now is that all correct? Paperwork will be even worse if I don’t get this right the first time.” “How do yer know all that? Not even my grandkids know they are related to her.” “Good,” nodded the stallion, “So that means everything is correct and I won’t have any issues when this is all done then. Now departure time is any time of your choosing in between 2 hours and 5 hours after midnight tonight. I will assume you wish to get the most out of your time so 5 hours it is then. And it is set for during your sleep cycle so no pain. Is all of this alright with you?” “What are ya babblin about?” cracked the elder, “Why can’t anypony else see yer or hear yer. And I didn’t schedule no trip.” The stallion sighed, “Mrs. Smith if you still don’t know who I am then I ask you look up at that mirror above the fireplace for a moment and you’ll see.” Granny looked over to the mirror and saw, no pony on the time out stool. But instead of him being gone she gazed back and still saw him sitting there. She did a double take a few times to be sure it was the case. Then the stallion waved a hoof over to a Lilly flower Applebloom had brought home and stroked it. Almost immediately the Flower wilted at his touch. “N-no,” stuttered Granny. “It can’t be. You, your-“ “Death,” the stallion said simply. “You may call me Death or Mr. Death if you like. So do you remember yet?” Granny shook her head hesitantly, “Ah think ah would have noticed meeting Death back in the day. That is if that is how you are.” Mr. Death sighed again, “What must I do to convince you further? You have seen what I can do first hand and even though of my name before I uttered it. There is nothing else short of taking your family dog’s life to prove this without messing up the cosmos, and to be honest I would rather avoid taking unnecessary lives that I can’t undo.” He said all this while looking at the flower which had started to shrivel up and grimacing. “No need for that,” said Granny a little calmer. “But of all times why did you pick now? I still got plenty of kick in these bones. It’s not like I’ve been sick or nothing.” “All true Mrs. Smith,” said Mr. Death curtly, “However healthy ponies die every day. But many of them die in violent accidents. We can’t inform any of them of their departure since they are not precognitive. You on the other hand fall under the opposite. So with all that said I believe it is time I take my leave of you Mrs. Smith. Have fun with your last moments with your family and I’ll be back in the morning.” “Now hold on a second young feller,” piped the old mare, “I just told you I an’t even feelin’ bad. I’m not ‘bout to go without a fight. Mah family needs me around thank you very much.” The stallion still rose from his seat. “Unfortunately Mrs. Smith, I cannot do anything about that due to your deal. Your time has been extended enough. I can never understand why so many of you are opposed to coming with me when it is unavoidable.” “What deal,” shouted the grandmother. “I an’t made no deal with you. I'm not followin' at all sonny.” The stallion took a deep breath before continuing. “Very well Mrs. Smith. I had hoped this would not be the case but our time is being wasted if I must repeat myself so many times.” And suddenly a white glow filled the room from his horn and Granny could see nothing for some time.
Part 2When Granny Smith’s eyes refocused she found herself in a hospital room. Mr. Death stood over her but wasn’t looking at her. She tried to move around but couldn’t. She was just frozen in place as she slowly turned. Mr. Death’s voice echoed in her mind, “You’re in my memories Mrs. Smith. As such you’ll only be able to see what I see. I apologize in advance for what you are about to see, but it is the only way to show you what must be done tonight.” She couldn’t speak, she couldn’t move. All she could do was stand there and watch what Mr. Death watched and hear what was going on. The light breathing of a green mare with a white mane sleeping in her hospital bed, but her face was not so peaceful. It tensed it agony. At her bedside were two ponies. One was a grey stallion but had the look of someone getting very pale and sick from exhaustion and more. The other a newborn foal, looking just like Applejack did when she was born only with red hair. That’s when Granny realized it wasn’t the Applejack she was currently used to, it was her daughter. It was her own little girl still so small she could fit in one hoof no problem. The foal wasn’t crying, she was sleeping just like her mother. Hers was a peaceful sleep and a small smile could be seen on her face. Granny smiled at this, and then she realized she couldn’t move. Mr. Death was smiling down at the young foal. She could feel his own enjoyment at seeming such life in the child. The stallion however wasn’t in any good mood at all. When he looked up and saw Mr. Death smiling as he looked at the foal he got up and slapped her away. “Don’t you touch her!” He fell back from the motion and coughed loudly, a trail of blood oozing from his mouth. Mr. Death helped him up and he pulled away. “I’m sorry Mr. Smith. It is unavoidable. That infection is going to take your wife in a few hours, and in a week or so I will be coming for you as well. We decided to give you a week longer due to the obvious need to set your daughter’s life in order. There is nothing else I can do.” Weakly he rose. Granny finally saw his eyes, the eyes of her husband that had died shortly after their daughter’s birth. She had never seen him like this however, he was broken and weak. Anger fueled his every movement. “It isn’t fair,” he spat. “After so long we finally have a child and now you’re saying we have to leave her alone in the world? Let alone that my wife who hasn’t had a sick day in her life is suddenly going to leave this world because of me. Why do you have to do this?” “I’ve no choice in this matter Mr. Smith,” replied the black suited stallion. “Our scheduling does this all the time. I can do nothing for either of you.” “The nurse,” said the sickly stallion getting up, “The nurse was saying how if she got past the first few hours, then she could live past this infection with all the medication they gave her. Can’t you just delay it a little bit longer?” “Even if I did, which I cannot without a switch mind you Mr. Smith, we would then have the complication of when she would actually die again. An indefinite delay messes with the system a bit. It would mean switching her with someone else with an unknown death time. These things often make it harder on everyone anyway. I don’t know why I was told to show myself at all to you however considering you don’t really count.” “I do,” he said with a smile. “I asked Celestia to let you talk to me.” “I don’t work for her,” Mr. Death said simply. “But I suppose the higher ups would be interested if someone wished to see one of us. Why then did you call?” Granny sensed he already knew the answer. He had come only to confirm everything he suspected. “I called to offer you something besides her,” he said coughing again. “I called you so I could make this deal. I-I give you this sodden carcass of this aging weak idiot before you. Take me now and give my wife the time she needs to recover. Our daughter needs her far more than a sick stallion like myself.” He crawled and held Mr. Death’s suit tightly as he cried out. “Please, please take me and spare my wife. Please just don’t take her I beg you. Take me and be done with all this, just take me.” With that he collapsed again into unconsciousness. Mr. Death didn’t make a sound. He just leaned down and placed a hoof over the stallion. The foal started to cry as the life left the stallion’s body. Everything faded to white again as Granny heard nurses rushing into the room. Suddenly, they were back in the living room. Mr. Death stretched a bit from the magic he had just used. “So as you can see Mrs. Smith, your time was already extended via your husband’s plea. So you can’t possibly-“ “Oh no,” said the mare. Seeing what her husband had done had only given her more vigor. She wasn’t about to just let this guy take him if she wasn’t ready if her own love had to go for her. “Ah have no intention of going with you. Like I said my family needs me, especially Applebloom. Girl isn’t old enough to take care of herself.” “Her siblings are old enough to take care of her,” said Mr. Death simply. “Because of that I can’t file for you to get an extension again. You don’t seem to have gotten the point of my little flash back. Besides, you don’t have anything under the other two ways either that will qualify.” “What are those other two then?” Mr. Death sighed again, “You living ponies never give up do you? Very well the first is that you have a discovery that you need to finish.” He looked around and waved his hoof at the batter furniture and the outside farm. “I doubt you are inventing the latest innovations even among farming equipment. As for the other, that is if you have unfinished business of a sort. Raising your grandchild doesn’t count and I highly doubt you have one strong enough besides that to warrant an extension.” “No, no I do,” claimed the mare. “Just let me think about it for a moment.” She put a hoof to her chin in thought as she rubbed. “I never told my secret recipe to the Zap Apple Jam I make every year.” “I’m sorry Mrs. Smith,” the stallion said putting his note pad away in his suit pocket. “But you already shared with your grandchildren how to prepare for making them. And Applebloom already knows all the details. That will not be sufficient.” “Oh,” said the old mare in surprise. She wasn’t about to wish she never told her grandkids how to make the stuff. After all until today she figured there would be a time when they would need to know when she left them. As well as it was some of the best time she spent bonding with all three of them. Especially with Applebloom gaining a new respect for her despite the admittingly silly steps it took to make the Zap Apple Jam. She thought some more. Then it hit her. “Zap Apple Pie!” “Come again?” “Zap Apple Pie,” she repeated. “It’s so simple. I never did get everything right to make it as good as mah Zap Apple Jam.” Mr. Death noticed that desperate look in her eyes grasping for anything and looked away. “You’re really that determined?” Mr. Death said in a dull monotone. “Of course,” said the old mare. Then she smiled, “Ah didn’t hear a “no” in that last statement.” “I’m going to regret this,” he muttered. “But in light of this and the fact Applebloom is not old enough just yet I will take leniency and extend your time.” “Yeah hoo!” Granny was nearly over ecstatic over her this enough to jump. Her hip wasn’t hurting anymore either. “Not so fast Mrs. Smith,” he said with a smile. “It isn’t that simple. You will of course be expected to improve on your Zap Apple Pie until it is at least better than its current state every year, and Applebloom will not be young forever. You would do well to keep both in mind and make sure all your arrangements are set completely for my return.” “Your return?” said the mare now with a cocky attitude. “Beg pardon but I’ll not be expecting you till I’m far too weak to move around sonny. And that isn’t happening any time soon.” He blinked, “what did you just say Mrs. Smith?” “I said I’ll try but it isn’t reasonable I’ll ever improve it past what it is already at in for quite a few years. And at the way Applejack’s been flirting around I’m sure to get a great grandchild to help raise by her or Big Mac within the next year or so.” “So,” said Mr. Death his voice hardening, “you’re going to take advantage of my kindness.” His head dropped slightly but as he exhaled and continued. “There is nothing I can do for it now of course. But you do remember what I said about balancing out the souls to your husband correct? You may wish to reconsider.” “No way,” said Granny ushering him out of her house. “I’m good. Now run along and go find yourself some other soul while I go make some REGULAR apple pie.” “Mrs. Smith,” he said simply. “I must ask you one last time to reconsider our deal. I believe you don’t know the gravity of what you have just done by taking advantage of me.” “Look here sonny,” snapped the mare. She now got physical with the stallion poking her hoof into his chest. “I got the best of you fair and square. There is nothing you can do about it. You’ll have to sleep in your bed with the choice you made.” “That may be Mrs. Smith,” he said in his dull monotone. “But the same will be true of you. And since you are not coming with me I’m forced into getting an alternative.” As soon as he finished saying this there was a loud crashing sound that rang out all over the farm. “Wh-what just happened?” asked the mare. Mr. Death didn’t say anything. He remained quiet and emotionless and he trotted out of the open door and slowly moved into the direction of the sound until he was at the end of the porch in front of the house and just looked in its direction. Applebloom came thundering down the path crying out for a doctor. Mr. Death just stood there only blinking every now and then as Granny pushed past him. The doctor Applejack had bringing was finally coming up the trial to meet Applebloom. “What happened?” he asked looking over Applebloom and finding nothing. Granny could see even from this distance that Applebloom was crying. “I’m not sure. Scootaloo just fell out of the tree we were climbing and hit her head. She won’t get up! Please doctor she needs help!” The doctor nodded and followed Applebloom. Granny turned in shock to see Mr. Death. “You didn’t.” “Had to,” said Mr. Death again without a single hint of emotion in his voice. “I have to take somepony back with me at five after midnight. With you now put at an unknown time of departure I had to swap you with someone else instead of just a reasonable delay of a few months to a year as I intended.” “But,” argued Granny staring at the suited Stallion who was not trotting down her step, “she’s just a little filly.” “Indeed,” he replied coldly, “But a little filly that was to one day leave this plain in a terrible accident at some point in the next hundred years. I warned you Mrs. Smith. But you didn’t listen. Now I have some other business to take care of before coming for the child in the morning, if you’ll excuse me.” “Now wait there,” spat Granny, “Hold it, I didn’t say I’d agree to this. You can’t just go taking a little filly’s life away from her like that. I’ll go with you if you really want, just spare her. Yer hear me sonny? I’ll go if you want just don’t let her...” She trailed off at a loss for words looking at the cold features that had grown on the once pale but warm expressing stallion. Mr. Death didn’t say anything more as he continued to trot up the road, slow but at a pace Granny Smith could not follow. She watched him slowly move out of sight and into the horizon, and then like a whisper he was gone before he made it completely out of her sight.
Part 3Granny sat with Applebloom and Sweetie Belle in the hospital’s waiting area. The various tones of the machines and wheels rolling were all that could be heard in the hall. Applebloom and Sweetie had fallen asleep at some point holding onto the old mare for stability. “Don’t worry young’uns,” said the old mare. “Your friend will be alright. I guarantee it.” They didn’t respond as Granny got up and set herself free, leaving the two fillies to sleep on the chairs alone holding each other instead. Granny trotted for some time until she got outside of Scootaloo’s room. Her parents were informed, but with them out of town it was up to Applejack who they had given legal rights to in their absence. She was discussing things with the doctor now as Scootaloo lay still asleep in her bed. All Granny could catch out of the situation wasn’t very good, except for one small note: “All in all,” the doctor said, “We’ll know if she’s okay by the morning. I don’t know when she’ll wake up, but the worst will be gone by then if the magic sets in.” “And what if it doesn’t?” Applejack asked worried. “Let’s not talk about that just yet,” said the doctor. “It’s best to keep a positive mind during these things. No sense in worrying yourself half to death if she turns out to be fine in the morning and you know the old saying, ‘Bad thoughts Bad vibes’. “ “That’s a sayin’?” “Doesn’t matter, my point it your better off sleeping on this than being up all night for nothing. We have a free room for the four of you down the hall. Take the kids and your grandmother there.” Granny moved slowly and simply after hearing this. Applejack didn’t notice this and was calling for her as she found the foals without her around. Granny reasoned that Applejack would think she had left for home or at least leave her be long enough to do what she needed to be done. “Are ya hear sonny? I wanted to talk to yer about somethin’.” The black suited stallion appeared quickly enough. He still didn’t say anything as Granny looked at him. “I know what I did, and I’m sorry fer foolin ya. But you have to understand, I’ve never really been in this kind of situation before. Ah always thought when I went it would be an accident on the farm. I’d throw mah back out doing something I usually do or trying to correct something and it would go wrong. It’s why I was okay with letting the young’uns do all the work. I didn’t want to do work knowing that was likely. Big Mac will be okay, but Applejack and Applebloom where far too young when they lost their parents to really know what happened. No one in the family has really died yet and it will be so hard for them when I go even if they do…” Mr. Death didn’t change his look. “Midnight,” he said simply. “Five hours remain till my appointment and I’ve nothing better to do but sit here Mrs. Smith. You may continue to babble on about your nonsense if you wish. However it changes nothing. I was at fault for assuming you had a similar trait to your husband in that he accepted his fate and used it to his advantage to save you. But it appears you are just another old pony who just tries to justify their own existence. Your presents here is annoying, and it will disturb the child. If you wish to give her more time I suggest you live me be while I take a quick nap of my own.” “Don’t you speak of my little Locky that way,” said Granny. Years of holding in that sadness and not knowing why she did flooding her. “He did want to die either.” Mr. Death blinked slowly with heavy eyelids. “All ponies don’t want to die Mrs. Smith. What I don’t get is why you’d wish to spend so long without him if you cared so much in the first place.” Granny tried to slap him but the hoof went right through him. Mr. Death closed his eyes and became transparent as he slept there, a light snoring coming from his nose as he sat there. Giving up she decided to get to work and proceeded out of the room. The hospital cafeteria was pretty small, but then again it wasn’t like they even had a full time cook there since anything ordered at night could be handled by their stock they got from the various eateries in town. Granny found herself glad she never had to be here more than a few hours in her past. She didn’t have to wait long. Big Mac entered is a good set of left over zap apples. He didn’t say anything, only giving his grandmother a quisitive look. “Trust me Mackey,” she said. “This little Zap Apple Pie ritual will solve everything.” “Mm’kay,” replied the red stallion as he placed the apples on the counter. “Well everything’s here,” Granny said with a hint of more energy than usual. “What do ya say my little Mackey. Wanna join me in baking what will be the best Zap Apple Pie you ever tasted?” “Eeyup,” said Big Mac with a smile. Though that was soon followed by a frown and looking back in the direction of the farm. “Oh don’t worry about that,” said Granny giving her grandson the usual affectionate noogy. Because he had grown so much she could barely reach him so the effect was mostly gone. But the act itself got the stallion to smile and nod his agreement. The two worked for quite some time, the scent of the Zap Apples themselves gliding through the halls and waking Applebloom and getting Applejack’s attention as well. The two walked in as Big Mac pulled out the pie and Granny put on the finishing touches. “What’cha doing Granny?” both girls asked. “Old little family magic spell of a sorts,” she explained. “If we eat this happily then I guarantee Scootaloo will be perfectly fine by morning. But ya have to be sincere about it. No fake smiles will help if you’re going to join.” And so they all sat down for their rather odd but delicious midnight meal. They ate together happily, all three grandchildren having pieces of pie filling on their faces. Laughter filled the same halls as the smell and soon Applejack was going around giving a small slice to any patients who had been awoke by the sound. Sweetie Belle even got a slice before zoning back off to sleep. What Applejack found odd about the night the most though was how one extra slice seemed to disappear from her palette as she did so. Still all in all it became a fun night for everyone as the clock slowly rolled to three in the morning and everyone decided it was best to go to bed. Granny for her part went back into Scootaloo’s room. There she saw Mr. Death chewing his piece of pie he had taken from Applejack without her looking. “Very good Mrs. Smith,” he commented. “I must say I’ve never had one of these before but it is quite the meal.” “Yes,” said Granny with a chuckle. “Applejack even said it was the best I’ve made in so long she couldn’t tell if it was the best I’ve made. Always thought that secret ingredient of mine was the key to making it better. At least my little Mackey knows it now.” Mr. Death smiled. “Well then, does this mean you’re ready?” “As much as I’ll ever be I suppose,” Granny said with a hint of depression. “Still at least I had a good run eh?” “Indeed Mrs. Smith,” said Mr. Death in a cheery voice, “A nice long run that lasted a few centuries is decent enough for many ponies. You’ve had a most interesting life compared to most I’d assume.” “Well ah dare say Applejack has me beat on that already,” Granny said trough a light chuckle. She paused for a moment. “Can we at least wait until the real time before I go though. I sort of wanna say my goodbyes to them first.” “Go right ahead Mrs. Smith,” Mr. Death replied with a bow. ‘I’m not going to stop you.” And so she did, kissing all three of her grandchildren good night and finally resting her body on the chair Mr. Death had sat in near Scootaloo. “So when does it happen?” “What are you talking about Mrs. Smith?” “Ah mean, when do ah… when do ah…” “Oh that,” he said with a smile. “That is already done. Look over by the door.” She did. Her body lay there motionless on the grounds. “I sort of thought I’d feel all sorts of pain when that happened.” “Are you kidding? You ponies always think it’s going to be painful. But what you all think will be coming like thunder, is nothing more than a whisper. Death, Mrs. Smith, death is only the start of an even grander adventure. In fact your husband is still waiting to start his. He figured it would be improper to do on his own without ya since you didn’t remarry.” “Isn’t that just like him,” she said feeling none of her old aches. In fact, based on how she saw her limps she could swear she was back to being young again. “Well let’s not keep him waiting.” They started to walk out. As they did Granny noticed Applebloom out of the corner of her eye, a single tear running down her sleeping face. Mr. Death saw this and said, “Don’t worry yourself Mrs. Smith. She’ll be along soon enough.” Granny Smith glared at him. “Oh I don’t mean like that. When you’re around as long as me what could be a long time to you would be nothing to me. She’s also on are predicted list, all of them are. So you can look forward to checking in on them when they go.” “Well, it would be fun to think about how they’ll raise their young with mah husband while we’re up there.” She paused as she just realized, “up there?” “Don’t worry about that Mrs. Smith.” Mr. Death said trying to put on a bad accent. “Y’all made it, every last one of the Apple family to date.” They walked off into the sunrise and slowly disappeared as Granny spotted Scootaloo’s parents running for the hospital. She felt said that soon enough these two would be the ones to find her body. But that didn’t matter. She knew her family would carry on without her. She had some others to catch up on for now.
