One Last Job
One of the advantages of having a town library made mostly out of tree is that it’s relatively easy to reconstruct; at least when you have access to magic. A few days had passed since the most eventful night of Ponyville’s recent history*, and in that time even the Princesses themselves had come to visit (at Twilight’s behest), and had aided in regenerating the Golden Oak Library. Twilight would have to count, of course, but she was almost certain it was exactly the same, down to the last leaf and twig.
Many ponies had come and gone, helping to clean out debris and rescue what books they could from the ashes. Still others had donated their own to make up the loss. As for her lost personal effects, Twilight had already been given six toasters by the generous citizens of Ponyville. She hadn’t actually owned a toaster before the fire but she felt it would be rude to refuse.
It was as she was sifting through another pile of singed and burnt books, looking for any she could salvage, when she noticed a large, black tome with golden lettering and yellowing pages.
“Of course you survived,” she said half to herself, rolling her eyes as she picked up the Necroponicon and buried it behind a pile of books on advanced magical theory on a shelf she hoped no one would ever peruse. Behind her, she could hear increasingly raised voices.
“... and that one should go in second- Hey! Spike, are you listening to me? It’s important all these go in the right order, right? Well, I’m the expert on it and I say that Daring Do and the Jade Mask goes after Daring Do and the Cloak of Gems!”
“Look, Dash, you just said that Jade Mask went after Prisoner of Griffonstone, and that Cloak of Gems wasn’t canon!”
“What? I never said that! I said Jewel of the Sun wasn’t canon and that it went after Cloak of Gems! And besides, you’ve got those four back to front, too.”
Twilight turned to see Spike sigh wearily as he began rearranging the Daring Do series on the shelf while Rainbow Dash hovered just over his shoulder, her arms folded. They were currently the only thing on that shelf. Spike had a large pile of novels standing next to him that were also meant to go on there, but he’d spent the last fifteen minutes dealing with the ‘expert’s’ ‘help’**.
“Thanks again for donating your collection of Daring Do books, Rainbow. It’s a good thing they’re so popular; so many of them were on loan that we only lost three in the fire!” Twilight said, shuffling diplomatically over to give Spike the time he needed to re-order everything. Again.
“You’re welcome, Twilight. I found a guy in Canterlot who’s going to sell me all the first edition copies anyway, so I thought I might as well donate my old ones to a good cause!”
“Everything’s coming back together,” Twilight nodded. “I’ve even got a new section: ‘Otherworldly Literature’! That lovely orangutan gave me some of the best novels and reference guides from his world, I’m sure I’ll spend hours reading them all. And it’ll be good to re-open! I can host a book-signing, or a read-a-thon, or even advanced crosswords! It’ll be great!”
Rainbow Dash grimaced a little. “Yeah. Great. … Say, what time did Pinkie say she’d be leaving?”
“Later this afternoon, she’s said she’s got a lot of special treats to make before she goes back with Bill Door to clear things up over there.”
“Wait, it’s afternoon already?” Dash exclaimed, “I was meant to help move a stormfront before lunch! Okay, see you later Twilight, and make sure Spike gets it right this time!”
“Don’t worry, I will!” Twilight lied to the rapidly retreating blur that had previously been Rainbow Dash. Spike let out a sigh of relief.
*’Recent history’ encompasses at least the last month. Except for that incident three weeks previously with the belligerent geraniums.
**Dash was highly insistent that Spike followed her ‘Certified Most Awesome and Official Timeline (Ever)***’ when arranging the books.
***Spike agreed that it wasn’t without its merits, but Dash’s notes explaining her headcanon looked less like a structured, ordered timeline and more like a bowl of spaghetti with novel titles sticking out the ends of each individual noodle, so it was easy to get confused. Especially when she contradicted herself every other minute.
Outside Ponyville, Bill Door and Fluttershy were sitting on top of a small hill under the shade of an old oak tree while sharing a last lunch together. Fluttershy had prepared sandwiches and a pitcher of fruit squash, and had made particular effort in buying the best tomatoes she could find for a salad. She had hoped that Bill Door would appreciate it, and although he had said very little to her throughout the meal, she got the impression that he did.
However, a feeling of sadness had been hanging low over their time together. She knew he had to go back to his own world today. As he had explained to her, with neither himself nor Pinkie playing the role of ‘Death’, things would… start to get out of hand. He had made a vague reference to an earlier, similar incident that he preferred not to go into.
The question she wanted to ask danced on her lips, but she couldn’t find the confidence to say it. She suspected she wouldn’t want to hear the answer.
I am sorry, he said at last. I have enjoyed our time together, however brief, more than anything in these last eons of my existence.
She smiled, and the question rose in her throat again. She gritted her teeth, blinked welling tears from her eyes, and chose to ask it.
“Will I ever see you again?”
To her surprise, he seemed genuinely taken aback. His eyes, which she saw now were not eyes at all, but little specks of cold blue light that shone in the darkness of empty sockets, were searching hers with uncertainty.
You… want to?
Fluttershy looked at him, and the corners of her mouth began to turn up in a smile. She sniffed, wiped her eyes on her leg, and laughed.
“Of course I do! I was afraid you were going to say ‘no’. Sorry, I mean… ’No’.”
This time, he laughed. That is a good impression. I thought you would not want to see me again, now that you know what I am.
“You’re a kind and gentle man who cares about everyone they meet, no matter what.” She moved closer to him and nestled herself into his side, spreading a wing to embrace his shoulders. “And I’ll miss you.”
He looked down at her, and although his jaw didn’t move, Fluttershy understood that he was smiling.
And I you.
Later that afternoon, it seemed as if the whole town were gathered outside the Golden Oak Library, ready to wish ‘Bill Door’ farewell. Admittedly, most of them weren’t really sure what was going on, but they had been informed that there was free cake available, and who could turn that down?
Death and Pinkie stood together at the centre of the circle, as he waved goodbye and she au revoir. Once all were satisfied, Death turned to Pinkie. He had packed his pinstripe suit into a bag, and had returned to wearing his traditional cloak, freshly laundered and ironed courtesy of Rarity. The Scythe of Office was by his side once more.
Ready to go?
Pinkie nodded, and together they stepped between the worlds.
On the Disc, life was mostly returning to what passed as normal. The little people, the people that narrative tends not to notice, the ‘background characters’ who provide atmosphere and backdrop to the main plot, they were going about their daily business without a thought for the events that had been unfolding around them for the past few months.
At least, most of them. There was still quite a dedicated number of the citizens of Ankh-Morpork who were very much aware of what had been unfolding. They dressed in pink with conical hats of many colours and held services for the blessings of birthdays, graduations, the passing of seasons, or any social gathering. The Congregation of the Pink Pony of Death were Ankh-Morpork’s hottest new religion, although in the absence of their founder (who had been taken into the great after-party, her work completed), they were struggling to remain relevant.
So it was that Roderick Wheatby, a lowly baker’s son, received a vision. As he recounted it to his brethren, he had been kneading the dough for the next morning’s bread when out from the floury haze appeared a shining pink figure, and it had given him a new recipe, burned into a slice of toast, to spread to the faithful in reward for their dutiful service.
It called for chipped potatoes, lemon juice, sweetened beverages through which air had been alchemically embedded, and earthworms. The vision of the Pink Pony had called them ‘Baked Bads’.
The schism in the church that followed this revelation (and the resulting epidemic of minor food poisoning) became known as the First Croissade. It was to spell the death of the Congregation of the Pink Pony of Death as a major religion, and very soon all the altars of the Pink Pony had been taken down and replaced with the traditional favourites; Offler, Blind Io, and Om, amongst others.
Pinkie felt a little guilty about the whole affair, but Death had assured her that it was the kindest way. In his experience, most religions tended to only die off when their followers did. En masse.
That dealt with, Pinkie and Death returned to his Domain to make amends with Albert and the Death of Rats. Albert was so overjoyed to see his master return to his work that he quite forgot all the hassle, worry and clean dishes Pinkie had put him through, and the Death of Rats summed up his feelings with a simple and forgiving ‘Squeak.’
After the pair of them had returned to their own duties, Pinkie and Death were left alone in his office. Following a moment of quiet contemplation, Death turned to her.
Tell me, he said, as he fiddled with a timer, Why did you perform the Ritual of Ash’Kente that day, to summon me to Ponyville? I have been wondering.
She seemed slightly subdued as she answered, “I didn’t mean to do it, to pull you into Ponyville, I mean. I was actually trying to… talk to someone.”
Death thought a moment longer. Your grandfather?
“Yes!” she blurted out, looking back at him. “I just wanted to let him know I was working with you. I’m sure he’d have been happy. I guess I got the wrong spell, or maybe it’s because I’m an Earth Pony.”
There was a short pause. Death put down the timer and raised himself from his seat, walking around to the front of his desk. Once he came to where Pinkie sat, he knelt down from his full eight feet in height to bring his face level to hers.
I have just remembered. I have one last task for us to perform together.
“Don’t cry, my love. There are many worse ways to go than this. I’m grateful and thankful that you’re all here with me, many wouldn’t even have that. Believe me, I know.”
Binky struggled to push himself upright in his bed, and took the hoof of his beloved wife in his own, trying to bring her a measure of comfort. Around the bed stood his whole family; his sons and daughters and all of his grandchildren. He had been ill for some time, and the doctor had advised him to call them all here.
Of course, Binky knew he was dying. He had a bit of a knack for it. You picked up these things, over the centuries. His time in Equestria had been very short, relative to his unnaturally long life in Death’s service, but he had spent his time here to the fullest.
He began coughing again, and Granny Pie nodded for everyone to leave the room. She didn’t want them to see him pass away. They sat together for what felt like hours.
As the clock chimed midnight, Binky Pie grinned. “You have impeccable timing,” he said, to no one in particular. Granny Pie had long loved, and later tolerated his eccentricities, but this she knew wasn’t one. Although she couldn’t see what she imagined her husband could, she knew the time had come. She steeled herself and bit back the tears. There would be time for that later.
“My old friend,” Binky continued, “I would like you to meet my wife. She has stood by my side for all the long years I’ve spent here. I wish you could have seen our wedding! The cake! It was magnificent!”
He chuckled, which set off a fit of coughing. When it had abated, he slumped back into the pillows with a sigh. He turned to face his wife, and breathed his last words.
“He says he sends his sincerest condolences.”
Pinkie dried her tears as Death cut the cord and raised Binky to his feet. They looked at one another like old colleagues, and firmly shook hand and hoof.
I confess, I am not alone. She was quite insistent.
Binky looked confused for a moment, and looked around him as the room faded away into darkness. A figure persisted, one his old eyes, now free of mortal frailty, began slowly to recognize.
“Why, is that…?”
Pinkie smiled as she walked over and threw her arms around him.
“Hi, grandpa. You wouldn’t believe what I’ve been up to…”
THE END
Also LikedSimilarAuthor
- Parchment_Scroll · 44k words · 270 4 · 5k views
- Chengar Qordath · 4.9k words · 971 21 · 15k views
- Dromicosuchus · 116k words · 532 14 · 8.9k views
- Paleo Prints · 35k words · 196 13 · 12k views
- Chengar Qordath · 224k words · 1,002 40 · 16k views
- Terse · 1.6k words · 23 2 · 1.9k views
- Shadow Crystal Mage · 2.7k words · 14 8 · 1.2k views
- Ink Swirl · 2.1k words · 927 views
Stats
Page generated in 0.239 seconds
Total duration
952 users online
205,660 hits today, 2,244,100 yesterday
FIMFiction
My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Fanfiction
Designed and coded by knighty & Xaquseg - © 2011-2024
Follow & Support Us
Support us
SubStar
Chat!
Discord
Follow us
Twitter
MLP: Friendship is Magic® - © 2024 Hasbro Inc.®
Fimfiction is in no way affiliated with or endorsed by Hasbro Inc.®
One Last Job
THE END
Goodbye, I gonna miss you. for all the time we have been through.
Nobody understands this, but 6 years is a very long time.
Thank you Miyajima. To bring back to Discworld.
Best ending ever, couldn't find better way to end this story
I've loved this story for years. I'm sorry to see it end, but I'm glad to learn how it ended.
You know, I have yet to read the Discworld cannon, but I have to say this nearly brought a tear to my eye. I feel compelled to find the real books, especially now that the author has passed away. Thank you for investing in this.
Happy to see a well loved story get a well done ending.
Awww! That's a great ending!
....Meanwhile in Ponyville.
"I wonder if a book on advanced magic theory will help us get our cutie marks," mused Sweetie Belle while nosing several weighty tomes to the side. They all smelled like smoke and made her want to sneeze, but a dark volume near the back of the shelf caught her attention.
"The Nacro... Necor... Necropeony... Aww, skip it. There's probably no cutie mark stuff in there at all. This one looks easier."
She hefted the second book off the shelf and leafed through it for a while before giving out a squeal of joy. "So that's the secret. It's perfect for us, since Apple Bloom can do the potions, I can do the magic, and Scootaloo can handle the lightning."
She darted down to the checkout box and tossed her signed card at it before running to catch her friends. If they hurried, they might even be able to ressessisistate something by noon. Behind her, the signed card fluttered unnoticed to the floor.
Title: How I Did It, by V. Fronkenstein. Checked out by: Sweetie
This was an amazing story, one that truly captured the feel of the original books. If Terry Pratchett hadn't passed on, I'd still be convinced you were actually him as a secret brony.
Bravo. Bravo.
Truly, a bittersweet ending. Lovely work; thank you.
For all non-British readers, fruit squash is fruit drink. Because you squash the fruit to get it, you understand.
7854995
Yanno, I didn't even think that US readers may get confused there. Yay differences in dialects.
Quite wonderful. The Wordsmith would be pleased with you.
Time to reread everything. It's been a while.
As one book falls silent on the shelf, another is opened, to begin a new story.
Long be THE MAN.
And, Party On Dudes.
In case people wonder how you get a multiverse, it's via stories like this one. Miyajima, I think you just earned yourself a lifetime Key to the Disc for this one. Nicely done.
This was a great story, thank you.
Was excited to see a new update, and then saw it was the end...
A very sudden ending, but also sweet... which is probably fitting in more than one way.
(... is it so wrong I kind of want to see what Rainbow Dash's headcannon looks like written down?)
Awesome fic man thanks for all the hard work on it! Hope you enjoyed writing it.
It pleases me enormously that you were willing and able to finish this after such a long time. Too many stories never get finished on this site. I am glad this story isn't one of those.
7856243
Happy to try and explain it - what didn't you get?
Machete Order, I'm telling you.
7854995
7855003
I think this might even be a regional thing, because "fruit drink" doesn't ring any bells for this Texan.
I'd assumed from context that it was just fruit punch, but after checking with Wikipedia, it sounds like Italian soda would be the most comparable beverage that's widely available in the US.
7857831
Truly, "fruit drink" isn't a thing to me either. How I should have phrased it is that in this context, "squash" refers to a beverage.
7857894
7857831
"Squash" to me, here in the UK, would refer to a sugary, concentrated syrup made from fruit juice and natural or artificial flavourings which is diluted in water before drinking. In France it's called 'sirop'. What I imagined Fluttershy making would be closer to what Americans consider lemonade - that is, a still beverage made from lemon juice, sugar and water (which is very unlike British lemonade, which is a type of 'soft drink' or soda).
derpicdn.net/img/2012/8/29/85422/full.png
End of an era
I feel if my timing was perfect, because I just started reading this last week! Most excellent.
Now I want to go to a library and attempt to use stored knowledge for magic
7861776 How can you read so slowly ?
I've read this just today (whole) and it took me propably 4-5 hours (I didn't count)
7862670 Because I took my time?
7862754
It's actually deliberate in this instance. 'Zhe' is (or was, at the time) an accepted gender-neutral pronoun. Albert normally knows Death as male, but here she's temporarily female.
This is as Pratchett as you are going to get without performing necromancy.
I salute you.
7862905 I'm sorry, I didn't know.
Cracking good story, by the way.
D'awww! What a perfect ending! <3
I don't get it when death came in the first chapter the grandpa had already been dead for years now at the end it's happening again but with her there? They didn't go back in time did they
7866744
As I tried to illustrate in 'Mercy' and a few other places in the story, the concept of 'time' doesn't really mean anything to Death. From Pinkie's perspective, Binky (her grandpa) had died many years ago, but to Death it technically hadn't happened yet. He doesn't necessarily have to collect souls in a linear order, you see.
7866820 well besides already having his hourglass broken at the time of death I feel bad for your thought processors for having come up with something so complicated or complex I'm not sure which word fits
7863959
This was perfect. A perfect ending to a perfect fanfic.
7866906 As good as it was going to get.
7862681 I don't read it with express speed
I simply read it all at once - this way I can remember the whole story and also get more immersed the longer I stay focused on the story and a 2x 2.5h (propably) focus makes any book feel more real
Splendid ending to a wonderful story.
Bravo.
I loved this story. I can't believe you made me ship Fluttershy and Death, but you did it. And you did it with one of the most wonderful stories I hace ever had the pleasure of reading.
Finally caught up on this. It was delightful! Thank you for writing it.
7937876 Oh, yeah. I realised that pretty soon after I commented. Sorry.
Absolutley wondeful. This ending was worthy of the master himself. Now, I am going to murder a curry in his honor.
Very nice almost forgot this story was going on with the pauses. Still awesome tale. Fitting of Sir Pratchet himself .......if he wrote about ponies any way.
One has to wonder if Equestrian unicorns can be dealt with the same way elvish ones can.
This was a fun read. Only problem is that Death is supposed to speak in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS.
8064924
He does, throughout the entire story (unless your formatting's wonky), except for the times when he's not Death.
8065507 My formatting must have been wonky then. Read the epub version.
A moment ago was finished to reading that story in Russian. Very nice. Deepest gratitude for both Miyajima and Sir Terry.
Managed to miss this for over a year due to marking the story complete prematurely. Better late than never. Thank you for one of the true classics of the fandom, and one of its first demonstrations that crossovers can be amazing.
This story has been in my "read it later" list for years, and is right now sitting, I kid you not, on page twenty seven on that list between The Dancer and the Diplomat from 2015, and To Sleep, Perchance to Dream from 2012.
For a while I checked it occasionally. It was one of those stories I didn't want tor read until it was finished. Then last night tor whatever reason, the site recommended list on the right pointed me to The Wizzard and the Pony, which I read years ago...but remembered it fondly and decided to read it again.
It contains a shout out to Binky Pie, and so I followed the link see that, egads! Binky Pie is finished!
Over a year ago, apparently. I don't often go digging much past page 5 of my read it later list.
All of these years, I had no idea that this story was a Discworld crossover.
Finally I got to read it.
Cheers.