After the flash of light had disappeared again... Canterlot castle lay in ruins. Discord's creations had disappeared.
Slowly, as the dust started to settle ponies started to emerge from the rubble... startled and shocked, but otherwise unharmed. Whatever the blast had been, not a single soul had been hurt by it... not a single soul, except Discord himself.
When the mane six and Calindria finally found him, Celestia and Luna were already standing next to him, watching his unmoving and charred form in wonder. "I never thought something like this would be possible..." Celestia whispered, "To think that there was something besides the elements that could actually defeat him..."
"So..." Rainbow Dash felt unpleasantly out of place, "Should we... you know?"
"Yes, that would be best." Celestia replied with a sigh as the element bearers prepared to imprison him in stone once more, "But where is Aergad? What happened to him?"
"You don't think he..." Luna's face saddened as she saw Celestia sink her head, "No... I refuse to believe he would simply go like that!" behind her, a flash of rainbow colors signaled that Discord was once again imprisoned in stone.
"Neither do I, princess." the paladin tried to reassure them, "I'm sure he's just waiting to pop out of some place..." she failed to hide the uncertainty in her voice, "We should look for him..."
"We'll help too!" Twilight and her friends walked up to them, "I'm sure he is alright."
Ponies and changelings alike started to shift through the rubble, searching for any clues to the necromancer's whereabouts. The progress was slow, everywhere guard ponies and servant needed to be dug out of the rubble. When the imps arrived though, they finally started to make some progress.
It took them two hours to clear the rubble away... and when they finally did find the necromancer, a devastated silence spread over the grounds of the former castle.
All that remained of him was a skeleton in charred and torn robes of black, a white skull with empty eye sockets grinning at the sky and watching the clouds pass by. Next to him, the shattered remains of a small black pebble were spread out over the ground.
"Oh, no..." Celestia whispered and hung her head, "Not like this..."
"This is my fault..." Calindria murmured with a devastated voice,"If I hadn't screwed up his spell all of this would never have happened..."
"And we never would have met... nor would we have gained such a good friend to remember." Luna replied with a sad smile, "Do not blame yourself for this... he made this decision for himself. He saved us all when we failed at our most troubled hour." she turned to look back at the skeleton, "And we will remember his valiant sacrifice."
"Why didn't he just hide?" Twilight asked with sadness, "We could have figured something out..."
Celestia shook her head with a sigh, "I do not know, Twilight..."
"Celestia?" they looked up to see Chrysalis approach them, "Have you found Aergad? What are you..." she became silent as she saw what they were looking at, "No... this can not be true... it must be a joke of his..."
"I am sorry, Chrysalis... but Aergad is..."
"ALIVE! Or something like that..." a voice interrupted them, making all of those present recoil in surprise as the necromancer's skeleton jumped onto his feet and started to dance around, "Who's awesome?! I'm awesome!" he turned to look at the terrified expression of those around him, "What?"
"You're..." Calindria stammered, "What in the hells are you?!"
"You mean, besides being awesome?" he chuckled and his bones struck together, making a ridiculous clacking noise in the progress.
"How are you still here if your vessel is broken?" Celestia asked with a bewildered expression.
"My what now?" he took a step to the side and a crunching sound reached his ears, "Huh?" Aergad lifted his foot and spotted the broken pebble below, "Oh... that means..." his arms fell to his side, "Ahh... shit."
"What does it mean?" Twilight managed to ask, still baffled at his new appearance.
"It means that Aergad has finally taken my place..."
They turned around at the sound of the hollow voice... and stared into the eyeless pony skull of death himself.
"Is that..." Applejack swallowed, "Is that who I think it is?"
"Hi, dad..." the necromancer's voice became low.
"Dad?!" Celestia cast him an incredulous look before turning to Death, "What is the meaning of this?"
"From time to time, as the dimensions continue to grow... I grow tired." Death stated, "Aergad was born as my son... and from this moment onwards, he will be the Death of this world." he gave Aergad a short nod, "It is good to see that you have finally stopped running."
"Yeah, yeah... suck it up." Aergad rubbed his skinless temples, "So how does this work? If I shake my wrist do I..." he shook his wrist and immediately, a list appeared in his fingers, "Huh..."
"Your tools will come as you require them." Death explained, "I am sure you will do fine."
"He's the new death?!" Twilight finally started to put the words together inside her mind.
"I don't believe it..." Calindria groaned, "Someone tell me this is a dream."
"Some dream..." Luna remarked next to her.
"Okay, I admit that was kinda cool..." Aergad shook his finger at Death, "But I am not going to look like a pony!"
"That is your decision to make." Death replied.
Aergad scratched his head, "Wait, does this mean I can poke people with a finger and make them drop dead? That would be so cool!"
"You will be able to summon a scythe to do your work..." Death replied, "But yes, the touch of death is an option too."
"Can he really just appoint a new Death like that?" Chrysalis asked Celestia with a frown.
"I don't know..." Celestia replied with uncertainty.
"I can." Death interrupted her, "This has always been his destiny and... Aergad, don't..."
"Twilight... hold still for a moment." Aergad chuckled as he stood above her, "I'm going to make a practice run." he raised one of his fingers.
"You are going to what?!" Twilight started to grow pale and quickly backpedaled away from him.
"Don't worry. First one is always a dud!" he laughed as he started to run after her, "Don't make me get my scythe!"
Death watched his son chase the screaming Twilight through the ruins of Canterlot castle, an invisible smile passing over his features, "It seems I am no longer needed here." he turned to the alicorn sisters, "Goodbye." and with that, Death vanished again.
"I still can't believe it..." Celestia mumbled as she watched the laughing Aergad continue to chase the terrified Twilight, "Aergad is the new Death of Equis..."
Calindria let a tired groan escape her, "Just when you think things can't get any more insane... he goes and tops it all."
"Come back here, Twilight! I still have to poke you with my finger!"
---
Pipsqueak took another look out of the window as he got ready for sleep. It seemed that everything had turned out well... the huge vegetables had disappeared, the rain had stopped... everything was back to normal. Two weeks had passed since that day of chaos and many things had happened.
The paladin had left, accompanied by Tobie and carrying countless chests filled with strange scrolls and charms. The tower had been reopened again and the changelings had made a public apology followed by a proclamation about some strange bottles...
Pipsqueak himself had talked to his parents about what he had asked from the necromancer, and after hearing what had happened in Canterlot they had tentatively agreed to allow the young foal to study under his guidance... It had taken a whole week for the necromancer to reply to Pipsqueak's letter, but when it finally came in the form of a small note Pipsqueak was overjoyed.
He found it strange that the necromancer had not been seen anywhere these days... what could he be doing? Pipsqueak closed his eyes with a small smile, it didn't matter now... because tomorrow, a new life would start for him.
Tomorrow, he would become the necromancer's apprentice.
Little did Pipsqueak know what a strange journey he was heading for.
F*ck you, too man... I thought he was actually going to go out! NEVER scare me like that again!
First book..You sunova......
YOU PLANNED THIS!
cant wait for the sequel man. keep it up
Well that was a fun ride. Thanks for bringing us along, I'm looking forward to the sequel.
3278178 I may have...
It will give me some breathing space to work on my other stories too... (Yes, I will start to write the sequel as soon as possible, don't fret.)
Lemme get a youtube to describe this
Edit: here you go
This was a fantastic read, Gnoll. Seriously. I loved every damn bit of this story and it really deserves more love then it already has, I look forward to the sequel! (Seriously, I want it now)
There is not enough room in the comments for mustache emotes to give you for this story, great job as always!
Aw, sadness as we have reach the end. It was a great ride with both dirty and heartwarming moments!
Cheers to you, Souls apart!
Great ending
Though i was looking forward to the a sad ending with how the previous chapter ended
ok this is going to be really fun!
Wat.
suddenly not a downer ending? what?
3257757
called it (#2)
...WOOOO! GO AERGAD! YOU THE DEATH! YOU THE DEATH!
SEQUEL SEQUEL SEQUEL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THERE MUST BE A SEQUEL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Soooo sad, i loved this story sooo sooo much! it was so good!
Thank you so much for writing it, its have given me hundreds of laughs and a thousand smiles.
I am readily looking forward to the sequel.
Also, good ending!
Not sure if I should be excited... or if I should realize you are truly the greatest at making plans/secondary-plans/tertiary-plans.
I can't wait for the next part of this story. The only problem I have is Pipsqueak being the center of attention. I would much rather it be on the Aergad or Calindria. Not some kid.
I don't have much to say. I enjoyed this story. It was quite fun. I await the implied sequel.
The Smileyrat
You don't know how much I love you right now. You really don't.
You are the most awesome cunning bastard I've seen in a long time.
Also don't forget to post here to tell us when the sequel is out!
Sir i must say i enjoyed every part of this story and when i logged on to find an update it made my day. You are a writing god and i applaud you for the great story. NOW I NEED A SEQUEL please
This is hands down one of the greatest fics I've ever read ever. Fantastic, sir, absolutely fantastic.
Best fic I have ever read.. Await sequel! Don't make me wait...
yes! yes! yes! yes! yes! so much yes! thank you gnoll, you magnificent rapscallion, you! yes! yes! yes!
I feel bad for poor lonely Chrissy
Nice ending everyone got blind sighted right at the end
So... what are they gonna do now that the new Death rules his own country? That's kind of a scary thought along with the fact that he's a troll.
I knew it. But one thing remains to be seen... how is chrysalis going to react to his.... boney state?
Huh! Huh!? .. ..*chirp chirp*....I'll be going now.
Awesome ending, very... Discworld of you. Heh.
3279831
That... is a very good question. Can someone who's passed on legally own a country? Would not snuffing it, even to become Death itself, not cause the reign of power for that country to pass on to it's heir(s)? I'm fairly certain it does since you're dead, not I'm-a-lich undead. And who would be the rightful heir? The Paladin? Did he bother writing up a will at all before getting himself killed?
Actually, who did he "marry" from the Gryphon and Equestrian countries? They are the logical ones to inherit the place. So... some featherhead gryphon princess and, um, wasn't it Celestia and Luna (in a timeshare deal)? I seem to recall he was chasing Luna into the Maze for a kiss before the big boss battle went down.
Huh, that would be kind of awkward. Three Princesses all sharing the seat of power for the Necromancer's country. If there is a second book then we shall find out. Woot!
And what of the deal of giving up changeling bodies for experiments in exchange for the love-capturing flasks? Just pile em up next to the tower? Death has no use for them now although Pipsqueak could certainly need them for Necromantic "schooling supplies".
And why do I keep having this idea that Death will keep asking passed on ponies Death doesn't like to "pull my finger"? I bet Death will show up on Nightmare Night as well to entertain the Ponyville kids too. On a more somber note, I can imagine the new Death will have a very hard time doing the job when it involves foals seeing as how Aergad was very adamant about not harming children of any sort. (The feels!)
I swear that this fic is comprised entirely of pure unadulterated awesome!!!
It's sad to see it end but if there's I sequel I shall eagerly await it!
It's been a fun ride everyone take care and don't lose hope for the sequel!
Adios!
~Jay
...
Well, that sure was a thing.
...Does this mean that Chrysalis is Death's waifu?
3281059 THIS
3281059
Well... I think he still would enjoy to bone her :D
Excellent story!
Though there are still tons of unresolved plotpoints (no, Aergad, not that kind of plot), I hope GnollReader will find the time to eventually tackle them in book two (looking at the amount of fiction he produces, it is just crazy, don't burn yourself out dude!)
3281613 There is a pun deserving of only death himself somewhere in that comment. As in this. Quite easy to spot. Maybe not. Onto the next book!
3279936 'Without looking at you, some guy that stood next to you slowly raises a revolver to your head, and pulls the trigger'
Death sends his regards!
That was great! Loved it. Current favorite story. On to the sequel!
How is this possible, that every single one of your story is a masterpiece of action-comedy? It was brilliant! Off to the sequel!
I will tell you right now, that this is THE BEST AND MOST HUMOROUS STORY I HAVE EVERY FUCKING READ!
3281059 MIND FUCK!
this is a amazing story. I lol'd pretty much the whole time. It's 5:30 now. You did a great job, I hope that the sequel is as good as this
Obligatory.
WOHOO! ah... fun ride now time to horribly disfigure your ego with constructive criticism.
All joking aside, it was a very fun story the writing and pacing was solid, and I really liked how you played out the trope of the main character as a sarcastic bastard/asshole. You walked a fine line doing that. There are many people on this site that try to do that, but not many get it right so kudos to you on that. I did remember when reading the story that there were a few minor grammar and typo issues, but they weren't any glaring mistakes. I've seen more mistakes on some published books actually. The only other issue I can think of right now is the fact that the story didn't really have an over-arching plot. The story kinda went like character does stuff at point A; then goes and does other stuff at point B, and then goes back to point A and so on. Though considering the fact that it actually worked without an over-arching plot, I say good job.
To summarize solid writing, solid pacing, the characters were nice and while there were a few typos, who doesn't make them?
I give this story an 8.5 out of 10.
I was almost about to shed a tear and that happens, YOU ARE THE BIGGEST TROLL WRITER I HAVE EVER COME ACROSS
This story has been...
FUCKING AMAZING!!!
AWESOME!
This is the most surreal story I've found so far. I love it.
The only thing that disappointed me was Discord acting out of character.
This will forever be the best fanfic I have ever read. God damn you have done well soldier.
Ah, so that was what Death had in store for him. Though I think you went really light on the lichdom thing. I mean, come on, pulling out your own soul and storing it in a phylactery, and all that happens when it breaks is that you die like normal? I'd expect a literal shattering of the soul, a total destruction of the self as opposed to simply going on into the afterlife. Now, if that was what was supposed to happen, yet he was saved from that thanks to being the son of Death, that would have made for a better twist overall, no?
Other than that, honestly, I was hoping for more character development from Aergad. He was kinda static the entire time. Never matured out of his manic impulsive tendencies (which is really bad considering he's Death now), never apologized for any of his actions, and in the end even death isn't really a punishment or reckoning of any kind, since now he has become Death. The paladin, on the other hand, actually went through a good character arc, from being distrustful of the necromancer and fanatically believing in her Order, to realizing that Aergad really wasn't evil (although considering he trades souls and blood to demons, that's debatable) and that her Order isn't all it was cracked up to be, and getting past that.
Discord being OOC was a bit disappointing. Even if you don't consider his eventual redemption, he was extremely OOC even by his season 2 standards. No cunning, no deviousness, just straight up throwing power around? That's not like him at all.
This is the only story I've read that caused me health deficits through lack of sleep.
I'd do it again a thousand times.