A Fool and His Filly Are Soon Parted

by Firefox Lantern

Rating: everyone
Tags: Random, Discord, Princess Celestia, Sad, Original Character, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Rainbow Dash, Comedy, Fluttershy
Length: 5614

An accident leads to a jarring sequence of revelations and confrontations

One day you had the ultimate dream fall into your lap, almost literally: your very own rainbow pegasus. Alas, while the dream lasted a good 15 years, it was not meant to be. Ultimately you had to part ways.

Two decades later, an unfortunate accident brings back your past brush with magical ponies to the forefront in less than auspicious circumstances. Will you be able to handle the bizarre turn of events, a new nemesis and another painful goodbye?

Author's note: This fic draws heavily upon the scenarios established in "My Little Dashie" by ROBCakeran53 and "The Cold Hand of Mercy" by Staeg Masque. With that said it is still possible to enjoy this story without them however it might feel even more random. Both stories can be easily found by searching on equestriadaily.com

Published 2012-01-18 17:49:46 UTC
Last updated 2012-01-23 00:23:25 UTC

The Fool

Note: This fic draws heavily upon the scenarios established in “My Little Dashie” by ROBCakeran53 and “The Cold Hand of Mercy” by Staeg Masque. It is recommended but not required to be familiar with them.

A Fool and His Filly Are Soon Parted

by Firefox Lantern

Chapter 1 : The Fool

I gently tread across the rotten tiles of the rooftop, surveying the damage to figure out the materials I will need to fix it. I look up at the sky, the sun is shining brightly with a few clouds lazily gliding across. I picture her taking a nap on one after she had fluffed it out.

It's been over two decades since the joy of my life was gone. Rainbow Dash, my dear little Dashie somehow crossed into my universe as a foal, whom I found in a cardboard box. I adopted and raised her like a daughter for 15 years. With the apparent time shift between our dimensions her 15 years here was only 15 days over there. Still it must have felt like an eternity to her friends and Princess Celestia who frantically searched for her and finally found her here. And taken her back to Equestria.

In the immediate aftermath I was just an empty shell mechanically going through the motions of life and flipping through my photo album of her, the only remaining trace in this world of her passage. Princess Celestia had deemed it necessary to restore everything back to the way it would be without Rainbow Dash's arrival. Her belongings, like the posters in her room, all gone by magic. I can only hope her memories of me weren't completely wiped out when they restored her Equestrian memories, like Twilight implied.

I pondered, mulled over, examined that day under every angle to see if there could have been a different outcome. Ultimately I accepted that no, it couldn't have gone any differently. This is the way it had to be. I scout the horizon again, visualizing a cyan mare beating its wings, making daredevil maneuvers. Carefree. The image tingles my senses and with a similar attitude I carelessly set down my foot without looking. This particular spot of the roof was weakened from years of wear and tear and caves in just a bit under my weight. Enough however to make my body lunge sideways and lose my balance.

Time seems to slow down like in a movie. I desperately flail my arms at lightning speed to get a grip on something, anything. Unlike the movies I don't get the lucky break. My body continues onwards in its tumbling motion. In an instant I'm soaring through the air. Or so I wish to believe. In reality I dive head first onto the stone tiles lining the rear exit of my house.

*thud*

Bizarre, I barely feel any pain in my crash landing. In fact, I don't feel anything at all. I try to get up, move my arms and legs. No response.

Uh-oh.

It looks like I paid a very high price for my foolishness. I am sprawled out on the steps leading to my backyard with no way of locomotion. I try screaming for help. No answer of course, I live in a picturesque rural area and the nearest neighbor is miles away. Today is Sunday, so no chance of the mailman or such passing by.

In some of my past depressions I had toyed with the idea of prematurely ending my stay on this planet. I decided against it because my equestrian best friend would have certainly deemed it the coward's way out. Now it looks like my darkest wish may come true whether I like it or not. I yell out from time to time, each subsequent shout carrying less force. With every passing moment breathing becomes laborious. I had probably sustained some internal injuries. I stare into the sky and imagine the crazy flying antics of a rainbow coloured pegasus to fight losing consciousness.

Several hours pass.

The night is now upon me. The stars twinkle in their distant dance. The moon graces me with a sad stare. Fluttershy flies towards me with a sorrowful expression.

Fluttershy!?

I would have lept up if not for the fact that I am paralyzed. Sure enough the form I had recognized as Fluttershy lands next to me. A bolt of joy pulses through me, giving me a second wind to stay awake. Was she sent to rescue me? Why is she alone? And why is she carrying a scythe and wearing a creepy black robe?

I gather every last ounce of energy I have left and barely manage to croak : "Fluttershy, is that really you?"

Fluttershy stood still, her eyes meet mine for a brief moment then glance to the side to avoid my direct gaze.

-Yes, it is me.
-I am so glad to see you. Did Princess Celestia send you?
-No she did not.
-Then how did you get here.
-Well... you see... it is possible now for me to go see anyone in the universe.
-Really? How on earth did you get such a...
-...when they are about to pass away.

Shock chokes off my remaining sentence. In my weakened state of mind it takes me a few moments for me to recover.

-What... what do you mean 'when they are close to passing away'?
-It is a long story that I do not wish to go into. The previous Grim Reaper, Blanche, chose me to be the successor in deathly duties. My only purpose in life now is to take it away.

Huh? I guess that explains her garb, but why would the element of kindness be playing such a morbid role? Maybe being near death I am becoming delusional.

-I don't understand.
-I help ease the separation of the deceased's body and soul. I guide the soul into the Ever so they can join their final resting place. I grant final requests whenever possible.

This only adds to the confusion in my mind. I want to question her about it however at this point I could barely form coherent thoughts as my lifeforce is slipping away. I figure I don't have much time left:

-Can I make my final request?
-I'll try my best to fulfill it.
-Tell me how is Rainbow Dash doing.

She recounts the adventures they've had. Some cute episodes like Rainbow Dash choosing a turtle as her pet because it rescued her while the others focused on the race she had set up. Some more nerve wracking like their confrontation with Discord and how they almost lost her. And some awe inspiring like how Rainbow Dash finally got accepted into the Wonderbolts, making her dream come true.

It feels great to hear all these wonderful stories from Fluttershy about my dear Dashie. I'm so proud, I wish I could relay that to her before I die.
“Please tell her how proud I am and how much I missed her.” I whisper with the throes of death upon me. Fluttershy droops a bit at my request:

-Umm, sorry I will only be able to do that once she is near death as I cannot communicate with the living.
-Oh.
-But I'll be sure to remember that when the time comes.
-Did she mention missing me?

Fluttershy blinks, then immediately turns away from me in a nervous hop and hesitantly replies "She boasts about how great a father you were to her. I'm sure she misses you a lot and cherishes every moment she spent with you ."

I know Rainbow Dash was the boastful type, but she wasn't particularly boastful about me; something rings hollow with Fluttershy's answer. I can see her trembling as much as the tree branches during the Running of the Leaves. Clearly she is uncomfortable with the question and wishes to avoid potentially hurting my feelings. Oh Fluttershy, even as the Grim Reaper you live on as the element of kindness. I am guessing Rainbow just got over me and quickly moved on with her life in Equestria. As tempted as I am to embrace these white lies, I need to know the full story.

-Fluttershy, I know you're trying to spare my feelings but if I die without knowing the truth my soul will never be able to rest in peace.

Fluttershy keeps her gaze focused on the ground, her left-front hoof twirling about in a vain effort of distraction.

-Fluttershy, just how well does Rainbow Dash remember me?
-She remembers you... a lot.
-Hmpf, you're just saying that because you think that's what I want to hear.
-No no, she talks about you... all the time.
-All the time?
-All the time.
-If she doesn't remember much about me you should just say so.
-But she does remember you... a little.
-You just said a lot. Now it's a little?
-Umm, both?
-Which is it, a little or a lot!?
-Please stop asking me this, I...
-Just be honest with me.
-Really, that's all...
-Come on.
-No, I can't...
-Tell me.
-Eep...
-Tell me tell me tell me tell me TELL ME!
-Alright, since you really want to know *deep breath*: after we got back to Equestria we talked about how we rescued her in the human world but all she could show was a puzzled expression and we told her the story about the way you found her in a cardboard box but she dismissed it as 'no way could I have been so uncool'. We showed her the photo album with you and she exclaimed 'woah, now that's one fugly creature' so we explained to her how that creature took care of her for 15 years and she got quite attached to it and cried when she had to say goodbye but she snorted 'how could I have possibly tolerated some Everfree Forest runaway freak, ugh' and dumped all the photos into the trash.

My breathing freezes at the torrent of words. I would have cried out in agony if the shock had not robbed my vocal chords of its capacity to function.
-...but err, you know, we recovered the photos and stored them in the Royal Archives where they are safe.

The Filly

Chapter 2: The Filly

My body feels very light, almost like it is floating. Is this it, have I left the world of the living and joined the Ever? I open my eyes to take in my new surroundings. Whiteness, opaque, as far as the eye can see. I glance in all directions for a sign of any other presence whatsoever and spot one single being. It stands a fair distance away but I can still perceive the mess of body parts it seems to be formed of, a mish-mash of feline, equine and dragon elements.

"Welcome to the afterlife." the peculiar creature greets me with a bored-out-of-my-mind intonation.

I stare, not knowing what to make of it. I glance around again to make sure I haven't overlooked anything. Nope, it looks like we are the sole occupants of this infinite void. This is certainly not what I expected in any kind of heaven or hell. I slowly take steps to be closer until I reach hand shaking distance of my afterlife greeter.

-The name is Discord, and I'm here to help you settle into your final resting place for all of eternity.

Discord. Didn't Fluttershy mention him as a villain they had to defeat using the Elements of Harmony? Was he also chosen by Blanche or Fluttershy to accommodate the dead? I didn't have much to go on as I never could bring myself to reconnect to the fandom to catch up on episodes after season one. I believe she described him as an agent of Chaos. In any case I should be cautious around him.

-Each resting place is customized to reflect the virtues and accomplishments of its occupant. As you can see you have a whole lot of... nothing.

On 'nothing' I perceive a slight hint of disappointment in his voice.

-A reflection of just how pathetic your miserable existence was.

Did I just see him smirk for a brief moment? I can't help but think Discord's entire bored attitude is just an act to hide his true emotions, far more sinister than Nightmare Moon's.

-Your untimely end in could have probably been averted if anyone had been around to get help. However you lived all alone. No family. No friends. You poor little thing.

Our positions stayed the same, yet why do I have this sinking feeling that he is looking down at me now?

-Today may be the luckiest day of your lif... ahem afterlife. You see, whereas other afterlife agents may have been content to abandon you to this place of nothingness I refuse to believe this is all what you amount to.

Discord's discourse audibly perks up:

-My merciful nature sees fit to bequest you with a golden ticket out of here. Your current soul, with all of its memories, reintegrated back into your body at some point in the past so you can change the course of your path in life. Make it meaningful. And have something more than this emptiness waiting for you at the end.

So that is his plan? Send me back into the past so that I may wreak havoc with alternate timelines? In any case I'm not interested in going along with any of his schemes: "Thanks, but no thanks." I simply decline.

-A second chance at life, do you realize just how big of a gift I'm offering you?
-I have no regrets, there is nothing worth going back to in my life.

Discord gives me a stern look, his eyes boring into my being to scrutinize my thoughts. He shuts them, appearing to be in deep thought, then slowly reopens them like he finished formulating his plan. He deftly slinks closer to me, his leonine paw clutching my shoulder.

-Aren't you forgetting the one thing you badly wanted to change during your pathetic existence.
-What are you trying to say Discord?
-What I'm trying to say is you could have stayed united with your dear little Dashie. You remember that fateful day Celestia came to whisk her away?

The pain from that memory comes flooding back into me. The day I saw her smile for the last time. I try to block it out before it overwhelms me.
-Of course, what about it?

Discord's pupils narrows, his arm springing around my body to pull me closer to him and he brings his mouth right next to my ear to softly whisper:

"What if there was a way for you to keep Rainbow Dash by your side."

I try to stay cool in the face of his shadiness, but my body involuntarily flinches. How much does he know? He presses on:
"Scratch that, there *is* a way for you to keep her."

I can't help but blurt out the first words which come to my mind:
"Really, how!?"

Discord steps away, erasing all expression and returning to his neutral stance, yet he must realize he got my attention.

-Ah ah ah, it would be boring to just give you the answer. How about a hint: what element of harmony did Rainbow Dash represent?
-Loyalty. She would always stay loyal to her friends.
-Exactly. And at the moment Celestia and co came to fetch her, to whom do you think her loyalties were strongest?
-To...to...

I was dumbstruck. Was it as simple as that? Discord read my thoughts:
-I know you're thinking 'Oh but Celestia wouldn't leave it at that!'. Well how would you know unless you tried it?
-You mean she might not dare take her back by force; but what a horrible human that would make me in her eyes!
-Why should you care? She certainly didn't care about your feelings when she pried away your dear Dashie and erased all the memories she had of you!
-That's not true, there was that photo album...
-Pshaw! A couple of photos, what a generous souvenir indeed. Not to mention you should have seen the look of disgust when Rainbow Dash threw hem into the...
-Shut up! Don't you belittle my time with Dashie! You would never understand the bond we shared. I didn't just give her up. She had to go back. She had to forget me. It was the only way.

If I were a dragon Discord would have seen smoke fuming from my ears and nostril as I try put on the angriest expression I could muster. Too many daggers of past memories are stabbing into my heart.

A long awkward pause lingered on. Discord's keeps up a stone cold face, yet I can't help but sense that something was up. My knees start shaking a bit, my teeth grinding. I feel like some other force is trying to work its way into me. I try to fight it, but I don't have a clue how. I can only quietly struggle under its assault then Discord breaks the silence:

"I must say I'm very disappointed in you. Fine, if you insist on letting others have it their way I certainly won't waste my pity on you." he spats.

I look on wearily as Discord flies away. Part of me is relieved to be left alone in my final resting place, but another part of me is shrieking its way into my consciousness: "A chance to be reunited with Rainbow Dash! And you're just going to let it slip away like that? You might as well have abandoned that foal in the cardboard box!"

I grasp my head in my hands. The pain, the fear, the regrets all rushing to the surface of my consciousness, forming a tidal wave and crashing into my resolve. Little did I know the magical boost it is getting from a nearby entity of Chaos. The breaking point is inevitable.

-Wait...

A mutter escapes from my breath. Discord turns his head around slightly, feigning disinterest.

-...you went out of your way to make such a generous offer, I would be a fool to turn it down.

Am I really going to walk right into his trap? Something is wrong, I feel like a puppet and someone else is pulling on my strings. Discord looks like he is trying hard to hide his glee, but I can see the corner of his mouth ever so slightly curl up into a mischievous smile.

-Ah, am I glad you came to your senses. Very well, your wish is my command. Just keep in mind that piece of advice I gave you and everything else will fall into place.

As he finishes that sentence, he flicks his tail and snaps his claws. A white flash blinds me. As soon as my eyes can readjust I find myself back at that fateful day, my last day with Dashie. I glare at Princess Celestia and co who had arrived to take her away from me. Not this time, my core being swelling with new-found pride and anger like I had never felt before. I don't hesitate to vocalize it:

"I have raised Dashie for 15 years. We may not be connected by blood, hell we aren't even the same species, but she is still my one and only true daughter. As far as I'm concerned if you want her back it will have to be over my dead body!"

Soon Parted

Chapter 3: Soon Parted

-Hahaha, oh you should have seen the look on your face. Priceless!

Discord snorts and contorts as he laughs and laughs. I am not amused.

I had bellowed my iron resolve to keep Dashie by my side no matter what, steeling myself for whatever fury may come my way. The reaction of Princess Celestia and co was... jack shit. Nopony even batted an eye.

Umm, hello? Has everypony suddenly turned deaf? I turn to face Dashie and call out to her: “Dashie! I want you to stay with me!” I try to pass my hand on her mane but it goes right on through.

Ugh, I am nothing but an invisible ghost to them. I facepalm as I had let my hopes get so high, only to have them crashing down on me. I express my deep displeasure:

-Dammit Discord, this isn't what you promised!
-No need to thank me, the pleasure was all mine. You were much more entertaining than that boring old geezer Picard. Now if you'll excuse me, I have more incoming souls to troll.

With a snap of his fingers Discord is gone. I simmer down my anger and embarrassment. I guess I should feel happy to be with her, even if it's in spirit only.

In my rush to lay out my ultimatum I had failed to notice that I was not in my house. I am in fact in Fluttershy's cottage. To my defense both of our homes are decorated in a similar rustic style. It looks like Princess Celestia and the mane six are having a meeting here for some reason.

Their conversation is quite lively, I start to pay attention to it:
“And so she left, just like that, without rhyme or reason” Twilight posits with agitation.
“She visits us full of tears. The next instant poof she disappears.” Pinkie Pie follows up with her best Zecora impression.
“Knock it off Pinkie, our best friend skips town and all you can think of is fooling around.” Rainbow Dash admonishes.
“Man we wer'all shook up when she sprung this nonsense about having to leave forever on us that we didn't know how to react. Naw that we've snapped out of it we gotta go git'er!” Applejack snaps.

The girls continue their animated discussion. Looks like somepony has abruptly left Ponyville from the sound of it. Princess Celestia is quiet, seemingly deep in thought. She's been like that since I got here, I wonder what's on her mind?

“Girls, we all agree the circumstances surrounding Fluttershy's departure are far from reassuring but we need to keep our wits together on this if we want to have a chance of finding her.” Rarity attempts to regroup.

Hold on, did Rarity say Fluttershy is the missing pony? Not that she mentions it I don't see Fluttershy around. She's always so quiet I don't notice her absence. So they've gathered here to start looking for her. Where could she have gone to? On no, could this be related to...

Before I can complete my thought Princess Celestia speaks up:
“Twilight, do you have a Ouija board?”

Twilight blinks at the request.
“Err, I think the library has one for the fillies to play around with but what does this have to do with...” Twilight goes quiet as realization of the implication sets in “Oh my gosh, you can't possibly think that Fluttershy is dead?”

“WHAT!? FLUTTERSHY DEAD!?” exclaims the rest of the group.

“Calm down ponies, this isn't about Fluttershy. A few moments ago I sensed the intrusion of an otherworldly being.” Celestia explains to the assembled mares.

“You mean like a g-g-g-ghost?” Rarity gulps.

They all glance at each other with fearful expressions. Dashie tries to put on a brave face, but I can see her wings jittering.

“Twilight?” comes the reminder from Celestia.
-Yes of course, right away!

Twilight rummages through the boxes with all the board games, then levitates out a thin cardboard case with strange markings.

-Here it is.
-Thank you Twilight. Now everypony I am going to infuse the Ouija set with a special kind of magic that will create a link to the spirit world. This should enable our mystery guest to get in touch with us, should they choose to make themselves known.

As Princess Celestia casts the spell it dawns on me that I am the 'mystery guest' she is referring to. Jesus, what should I do? Will they get spooked if I answer truthfully who I am? Well, maybe this is my opportunity to say hello to Dashie. I've got to give this a shot.

The Ouija board is set up, all eyes staring it intently. The complete alphabet and numbers as well as a set of 'yes' and 'no' words in ancient styling are finely etched into the wood in a mixture of starry white plus hues of midnight blue. Celestia is first to set her hoof on the marker, followed by Twilight, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, and Rarity. Princess Celestia clears her throat and begins the proceedings:
-Greetings esteemed guest my name is Princess Celestia, monarch to the kingdom of Equestria. The 5 ponies present are my prized student Twilight Sparkle and her friends. If you would be so willing may you grace us with your name?

Here goes nothing. I place my hands on top of the pile of hooves on the marker. Oh my god, I can feel them! I gently push it towards the first letter of my name. Gasps accompany the movement of the marker, with a 'Hey, that tickles!' from Pinkie.

As my name is spelled out, Rainbow Dash suddenly flips out and causes the marker to tumble down to the floor.

-Oh my Gosh, I know that name! It's... it's...

Yes Dashie, it's me! You remember, you really do remember!

-It's one of Fluttershy's flying squirrels!

…
…
…
…what?

A prolonged sigh escapes my mouth. Fluttershy, why didn't you just borrow a book from the library if you had run out of ideas for new pet names?

“Ooh yes that's right! A weirdo name for a weirdo animal.” Pinkie Pie chimed in.

Double sigh. Sure why don't you rub it in Pinkie.

“Do you know where Fluttershy is?” Twilight inquires.

I hesitate. I hardly know the whole story myself, but enough to stop them from uselessly searching on the ground. I guide the marker towards the 'yes' spot on the board, hoping to be able to clarify my position on the question.

“Can ya tell us which city she went off to?” Applejack asks.

I'm afraid I have bad news, please don't shoot the messenger.

“T-h-e-s-p-i-r-i-t-w-o-r-l-d” I help spell out on the board.

The girls shriek at each other as the reality of my answer sinks in. A cacophony of exclamations threatens to derail the Ouija session. Princess Celestia motions the ponies to calm down and continues the line of questions:
-How do you know that?

With our painstakingly slow method I relay my story about how I am not the flying squirrel but the human who had taken care of Rainbow Dash, that I got into a fatal accident and how Fluttershy came to me in the guise of the Grim Reaper. Communication is further slowed down as Princess Celestia reminds everypony of their visit to my world (their memory of it was repressed, though not completely since Fluttershy somehow remembered my name to give it to one of her pets) as well as address the explosion of disbelief that Fluttershy of all ponies would be chosen to be the successor of deathly duties. Princess Celestia explained:

-Nowadays few ponies wish to keep tabs on these kind of grim tales so it's not common knowledge but some ancient texts allude to special caretakers of the dead who separate the soul from its body and guide it to a final resting place. What our human friend calls the Grim Reaper. These are volunteers who wish to postpone their time of final rest. In some cases however they get so attached to their task that they spend hundreds or thousands of years carrying it out and when they finally decide to move on they feel compelled to designate a successor. They spent so long doing it that they somehow feel the poor being they choose should feel honoured to be entrusted with it. The chosen one has unfortunately little say in the matter, either they accept to replace them or refuse and be directly sent to the Ever. Forced to leave the world of the living either way.

Several murmurs of horror bubble up from the mares during her exposition. My mind reels at the disturbing details: “What kind of sick bastard would do that to Fluttershy?” my voice erupts in disgust.

-Oh it's ok with me, please don't judge my predecessor too harshly.
-Aww you're being too kind Fluttershy.

Fluttershy!? I swivel around and sure enough she is standing right behind me in that same creepy black robe.

-I'm awfully sorry for your earlier encounter with Discord. When we defeated him he was sealed into a statue by our elements of harmony so his soul cannot join the Ever, leaving him free to spread chaos among those in transition. I hope he didn't perturb yours too much.
-He pulled the dirtiest trick imaginable on me.
-Oh. I'm really sorry to hear about that. All the caretakers are having a meeting this week to figure out how to deal with him. In any case I need to send you back to the Ever, if that's ok with you.
-No it's not ok, I'd like to stick around a bit longer. Maybe Princess Celestia has some magic which could help us.
-Oh please don't make this hard on me. I don't want any trouble from the fequitus committee.
-The what committee?
-They preside over all matters concerning us who are in between the Living and the Ever. If I don't properly take care of the souls I could get a visit from them.
“A perfectly valid concern Ms Fluttershy.” booms an unfamiliar nasal voice.

Fluttershy eeps in surprise as well as I at the intrusion. The sight behind the sound is just as unsettling: A cross between a giant bat and a badger of dark brown complexion wearing an oversized black robe with several beady necklaces around its neck. In its hybrid wing/limb it clutches a wooden staff with a permanent swirl of grey smoke twirling about. Rounding out the disturbing appearance are glowing yellow spheres partially recessed in its eye sockets in which I could distinguish some faint cloud like wisps floating about.

-Sorry for startling you, I should present myself. My name is Grey Ash, sitting member of the fequitus committee. Though janitor might be a more appropriate title as I clean up the mess left behind by inconsiderate caretakers.

“Ulp, I'm so sorry Mr Ash, I just ran into some... complications with this particular soul. Please forgive my tardiness.” Fluttershy softly squeaks.
-Uh yes there is indeed the matter of sending this fellow on his way after his detour here because of that clown Discord. Don't worry though Ms. Fluttershy, that's not the main reason I'm here. I should have taken care of your case long ago but I've been busy handling other issues such as the bickering over the styling of the new robes. Can you believe some putz was opposed to ordering a new set with grey highlights on them? Gah, some old fogeys are just way too obsessed with the sanctity of pure black.

“So I'm not in trouble Mr Ash?” Fluttershy timidly asks.
-No not at all. In fact I think you will like this piece of news: I am sending you back to the Living!

Wow, I think I'm getting dizzy from all these turnarounds. I am overjoyed for Fluttershy. Yet I am also envious that she will get to join her friends soon. Fluttershy stands still with a blank stare, her pupils dilated, her mind not yet comprehending what she just heard.

-You see, a caretaker of the dead has the power to bring in another still living being into the role. Normally they are supposed to choose someone already near death or who is particularly suitable. 1000 years ago the committee outlawed the practice in general because it was prone to abuse. Nowadays you must obtain expression permission from the committee before doing so. Blanche was one of the last die hard from an older era, I should have known he wouldn't bother to observe the ban. You never should have been caught up in this.

Fluttershy silently stood through Grey Ash's speech. She doesn't seem to react in any way, but upon careful observation I could see the edges of her lips curling up ever so slightly into a relieved smile.

“So that's it? You just wave your hand... wing... whatever and off we go.” I rhetorically question.
“In a manner of speaking, yes.” confirms Grey Ash.
“Well, I guess this means goodbye for me... again.” I gravely sulk.

Fluttershy quietly observes my diminished mood. She slowly approaches me, then unexpectedly she wraps her hooves around my torso and hugs me tightly. I flinch at the sudden contact, then relax and embrace it. I can feel tears welling up in my eyes and I don't doubt Fluttershy is doing the same. I really don't want to leave, maybe I should resist harder. Sadly I never was a fighter, I just roll with the punches. With the effects from that earlier kick from Discord gone I was as tame as a baby bunny.

“It is time.” announces Grey Ash.

Fluttershy and I slowly untangle ourselves and move apart. Grey Ash extends the staff and chants a hymn at a rapid pace. A bubble of sparkly white brightness envelops Fluttershy while one of stormy black darkness envelops me. I feel the magic working on us, one to send back to the Living, the other to the Ever.

I part with these final words:
-Fluttershy please continue being Dashie's best friend ever.

FIN