The Final Moments
I confess I don’t know how I’m here.
But that isn’t important. Whether I will be able to leave in time for this world to disappear doesn’t matter either.
What matters is that all these wonderful characters I see before my eyes for the first time, those same ones that we all watched and laughed with for years and built communities around, will be gone soon.
I could've seen the familiar ones, the characters we all knew and loved; they have had so many adventures for us it seems unreal, I’ll admit I don’t envy some of the things they have been through.
But I’m not here for them; they’ll get their happy ending no doubt about that.
I’m here to do what I can for the ones that people may forget. Who knows, I might be making a mistake and wasting my time, the creators probably won’t forget about them, they never have before.
But I’m not willing to chance that, and I’m sure no one else in my position would either. This is a unique opportunity to lessen a horrible blow to characters who’ve given us so much just by being themselves, they’re owed that much.
First order of business is a mare that pretty much every one of us knows; for a lot of us she is a symbol, a representative of us and embodies the best parts of us. As I look into her window I can’t help but agree; the wall-eyed mare is curled on the ground with an adorable filly wrapped up in her as they both sleep. I’d expect nothing less.
It’s a simple enough matter because I never planned to meet them face to face so this actually makes things easier. I reach into the huge bag on my back and fumble my hand until I find the right parcel: a rectangular box wrapped in bubble patterned wrapping paper.
I lay it down on the doorstep and take time first to write my first note of the evening.
Dear Ditzy, Dinky and Time Turner
You’ve never met any of us face to face which is something that I do regret but I’m just leaving you a gift here to say a simple thank you. I’m part of a large group of people, we like to call ourselves Bronies, and for a long time we weren’t very sure of our identity, we were confused, fresh and disagreed a lot.
Ditzy was one of the first things we saw in this world and Ditzy, you have no idea how much it meant to us that you kept popping up, we took you up as our mascot and you responded in kind, always there even in just barely noticeable little bits to remind us, always, that we weren’t wrong, or freaks, or stupid; thank you for showing us all that it didn’t matter what was different about us or what anyone else said.
Dinky and Time Turner, thank you for being a family to Ditzy; from the moment we saw her we hoped that she would always be happy and you kept up that promise in ways we couldn’t.
Thank you
The Bronies.
I didn’t know exactly how this world worked and there obviously wouldn’t be enough time to understand it properly now but if what we assumed about Time Turner rang true in any way, they would probably understand.
Time for the next delivery.
It wasn’t hard to find the next recipient; Ponyville was almost completely quiet at this time of night.
Almost
Just off in the distance, in a small park, a beautiful tune can be heard drifting into the ears of anyone still awake to hear it. I’ll admit I don’t know why she’s awake this late and still playing but maybe it’s a musician thing, I wouldn’t know.
I leaned myself against a tree for a little while, content just to watch her play for as long as I could allow myself. It tore me up to know that she had never gotten the attention she deserved but hopefully she would appreciate the gesture I could offer.
I waited until she finally stopped playing before leaving my next gift, tied loosely to the park gates that she was walking toward. It felt so wonderful to see her eyes widen to impossible sizes and a tearful smile on her face as she saw the bundle of roses with a card for her.
Dear Lyra Heartstrings
I want you to always know how much you are appreciated. You have more fans and admirers than you realise and you will never be alone; even if things seem dark and there seems to be no way out, we will always be there and awaiting the beautiful sounds of your lyre with baited breath.
I hope this letter will mean even half as much to you as you do to us.
Sincerely
The Bronies/The Humans
I could see her squee loudly and gallop off at speed to her home after this, almost forgetting the roses entirely but she remembered before she’d gone two steps and picked them up, with an adorable embarrassed look. I could only imagine that she was going home to see Bon Bon and celebrate that humans were real and they loved her.
I looked up to Luna’s night with a heavy heart; did even the Princesses know what was going to happen?
I made myself ignore my thoughts and took off to the outskirts of town; I didn’t know how but I knew what I would find there. Sure enough after about ten minutes I was met with a small travelling carriage, not too different from the one that it’s owner had used before.
She must be doing well again, I thought as I rummaged for her parcel, good thing too, she deserves it.
I was a bit surprised to see that this one wasn’t a parcel but rather a letter; I had a moment of confusion there but soon the knowledge entered my mind that this wasn’t mine to write. I smiled and got a bit of a chuckle at the thought of the writer of this but it still warmed my heart as I slid it through the mail slot.
I didn’t know what was on the letter to Trixie and I admit I don’t think I would’ve known what to write but I had a good feeling that whatever was written would warm her heart as much as could be asked for, even if she wouldn’t admit it.
Well he finally got a letter to her. I imagine Sethisto is happy right now.
I smirk a little at that but still I’m sure he’d be happy to know it. Next.
This last one I have to admit I’m surprised is on the list but when I think a bit more about it I guess it does make sense, he is kind of unappreciated.
The library is a wonder in person and it actually almost makes me go misty eyed thinking that I’m actually here but still, job to do, stay on task.
It’s surprisingly easy to climb the branches of the tree and it makes me wonder if it had been made with that in mind. I’m lucky that the window is open but given how the rest of the night has gone, I’m pretty certain there’s more than luck at play.
I almost fell from the tree at the sheer weight of this next package; it didn’t look any bigger than the box I’d given to the Doo family but it weighed about ten times as much, and I had a pretty good idea what would be in this.
Once again, I took the time to write the letter, though I was careful not to enter the house itself, there would probably be some kind of crazy burglar trap knowing Twilight.
Dear Spike
Just a gift for our favourite dragon little guy; we know that you feel like you get left out a lot so I hope this makes you know that even if sometimes it seems like Twilight and the others get a bit wrapped up in their own thing, you’ll always have friends looking out for you.
Enjoy little guy.
The Bronies.
As I had with the others I tape the note to the gift box and slide it as best I can toward Spikes bed; it doesn’t reach all the way with the weight of it but it’s far enough that no one will step on it, not like that would do much anyway.
I slide myself down from the tree with a soft thump, landing just outside the library front door. Somewhere in the back of my mind I am informed of one last delivery to make before I’m finished.
This one confounds me because unlike my other deliveries the house is unfamiliar and the pony I can see sitting by the fireplace I don’t recognise, nor do I recognise the young filly and colt sitting with her or the stallion gazing with such love down at his sleeping wife and children.
The confusion lifts as it occurs to me that I don’t know them but so what? They are just as important as any other pony, the fact that I don’t know them makes no difference. I still pull my package from my bag just the same and gently slide it into the mailbox, though I have no clue what might be in this one. Famous or complete mystery, they will get the same love and adoration, just as they deserve.
It only takes me a few minutes to walk back to where this all started, a fork in the road just outside Ponyville, the thoughts that aren’t my own again letting me know that I need to go back.
“You have done a great thing tonight.”
The figure is somehow familiar even though I am certain I have never met them.
“This world has reached its end, as you are by now no doubt aware. I thank you for allowing these wondrous inhabitants one last joy before they must go.”
I nod, I’m still not sure exactly what to make of this figure that I can barely make out.
“Is there really nothing we can do?” It’s the first time I’ve spoken all night.
I can feel the answer before it gives it.
“I’m afraid not, but I feel that we have done all that we can; you and your fellow outsiders have been allowed to show this world that, even though they don’t know it, these inhabitants touch the lives of others in ways they cannot imagine. I think that is the best thing that can be done by this point.”
It somehow doesn’t surprise me to know that others have been going around just I have, rather it fills me with relief to know that everyone in this world will be shown just how valued they are, that we weren’t limited in spreading our love.
“It is time for you to go outsider. You have my most sincere gratitude for what you have done this night, it will not be forgotten.”
As I feel myself pulled from the world and returned to my own I make a promise to both myself and the figure right there.
It won’t just end.
Even if it really needs to finish, we’ll make sure that the lessons, the influence and the wonder it brought.
That legacy will live on through us.
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Ahh. Now that was a satisfying read! The way the sentences were weaved kept an air of mystery that guided my hand to the bottom of my screen to prevent reading ahead. THATS how good it was. Now, allow me to don upon you something I don't normally mention in my reviews. I. Hate. HiE. And the fact that I simply couldn't stop reading this (if only for the descriptions painted) only proves your prowess as a writer at the very least. By the time it became so warily clear that the Bronies were deeply involved, I was too ensnared to give a damn.
God dammit, you have my favorite. I hope you're proud...
2391017
I myself am not usually one for HiE but I think it CAN work, it's just not the easiest thing in the world to make interesting, which is fine, I like to challenge myself.
Initially I wasn't sure whether to make it clear that the Bronies were involved but considering how the last chapter ended it made sense to have them be the ones going around with the deliveries. If people are just going to connect the dots anyway, might as well, not to mention as you can see in the authors note this chapter really was FOR them, much like how last chapter was for the creative staff.
You flatter me my friend with your praise and I hope I continue to entertain.
2391017
Out of interest did the choice of musical accompaniment work or did it not matter?
2391059 Didn't really matter. But if it I can paint a clear picture for you, I imagined 'An End Once and For All' playing as I read. Turned it into a full-fledged tear-jerker, let me tell ya!
2406795
Good to know
It's like Ood Sigma said to Ten before he regenerated: "This song is ending, but the story never ends."
2407257
Huh, I'm a huge Doctor Who nerd, how did I not see that connection?
Ah well, the inspiration was actually the Torchwood episode "Random Shoes". Bad episode but good premise.
I wonder who the last lot where... and who Sethisto was.
2588748
Sethisto is the creator of Equestria Daily and a huge Trixie fan.
That reference is also rather hilarious considering this fic is banned EQD.
2596646
Ah right... how come its banned?
2596724
I sent it to them and basically the response email amounted to "oh my god what the hell is this s@!$"
But hey, you can't take it too personally, we're on the internet and putting work out for free for others enjoyment, you're going to get criticised eventually.
2596729
... Huh
Title: The End of an Era
Author: ObsidianPony
Reviewed by: Quillbit Marelor
It can probably be agreed upon that the majority of fanfictions on FimFic are created for the sole purpose of entertainment. They allow new headcanons to be formed and the imaginations of fans to soar. However, there are a fair few within the site that can do far more than give audiences a brief escape. There are those rare types of stories that can make one think about their time in the fandom and come to truly appreciate more than before. ObsidianPony’s story, The End of an Era, is a story that does just this, bringing readers a creative story that is sure to tug on their heartstrings.
Full Review
Score: 9.5/10
Saving your life?
Dear me, I'm glad to be partly credited with this, but I'm curious as to how.
2800480
The Brony fandom was (along with the community at Video Games Awesome) were essential in pulling me out of a suicidal depression that had been hanging over me since my mother passed away from cancer soon after I failed to finish college.
I will forever be grateful.
2800485 Well, on behalf of all bronies everywhere, you're welcome.
Based on your work in the writer's group and your stories generally, you are definitely one of the ones worth saving.
I envy your writing ability so darn much...
I don't think I've seen anything that you've written that I haven't liked! 
3060583
Meh, I'm nothing terribly special, there are probably others who could've done this concept better justice but I'm proud of what I could do.
The following review is brought to you by Zero Punctuation Reviews.
I'll admit that I find myself a little taken out of my element, and am currently floating in the ever loving pool of "don't-know-what-the-fuck-I'm-doing". "The End of an Era" is technically a 'story' in the same way that "The Divine Comedy" is technically a cooking self-help book. It's completely thrown me for a loop, I feel like a man used to herding cats that's been hurled into the bean packing factory without so much as an induction course or word of encouragement. Basically, what I'm saying is that "The End of an Era" is not a story. The essential story components - characters, story arc, narrative, plot, rising action, climax, unsatisfied love partner, awkward laundry day - ain't here. What's even more mind boggling is that whatever "The End of an Era" is, it's good! And I like it!
This piece feels more like a poem wearing the disembodied face of prose rather than a story proper because shit happens to characters in stories, but "The End of an Era" is all about the feels. Sure shit kind of happens in the beginning with talk of Creators and Outsiders and other business, but that was all way too abstract and confusing to make me care. If stories were male (dumb, emotionally void and strangely motivated by sex) and poetry was female (crazy, emotionally high and generally not making any sense), then "The End of an Era" is a hermaphrodite. The aforementioned opening needs fixing like a man with no legs needs a wheelchair, but I'm willing to overlook that maelstrom of muddled vagueness because this is the first story I've read here that succeeded in what it was trying to do.
ObsidianPony set out to make me feel a specific emotion and I felt it. That spells success and a big fat twitterdickian thumbs up, my friends. My heart sits dumbfounded for emotion is a tricky toy to play with because it's so easy to cock it up and drive the experience to slog, tedium, boredom or aggravation. But surprisingly the-little-hermaphrodite-that-could pulls it off quite well. It's full of personality, care and genuine love that leaks the feels like the sweat off the back of a sultry concubine dressed as that video game character that you're ashamed to admit you'd like to bone. All the diction, sentence structure and shit towards the end do their job, and a poem that finds a way thru my Animus and Shadow (look it up here, dumbass) to successfully pull at my heartstrings can't be bad. "The End of an Era" is not bad. It's good. Hooray.
But alas, from Prometheus must come Pandora, from Tesla must come Edison and from a tasty Taco Bell burrito must come explosive diarrhea and self hatred; Recall that "The End of an Era" is a hermaphrodite, so both the bloody ovaries of poeticism and the awkward-math-class-erection of storytelling are both present. And since I let my stupid little heart out of it's cage to praise the emotion presented here, my brain has rolled back in to suck some of the love away. I've avoided talking about the opening until now for the same reason that you avoid talking about that pimple protruding from that girl/boy/goldfish that you fancy; It's so incredibly large and nefarious you swear it's beginning to take over.
The opening where shit is happening is bad because it's muddled and confusing. There are undefined proper nouns thrown all over the place, the imagery is kinda nice but lacks enough detail for my imagination to take off with it and the events are so under described that they're rendered meaningless. I didn't really get what was happening until about a third of the way thru the story where I was finally given enough detail to really get something out of it. I was honestly perplexed, it was like having my girlfriend come home, appear to be pissed at me for some reason then giving me the best head I've ever received. I'm not complaining in the end, but I stand a bit perplexed (and misogynistic). My transition into the land of the feels was rocky because I was so confused. However, once I was thru the muddy waters of WTFisgoingonburg and moved down into Ohthisisactuallyquitebeautifulville, ObsidianPony's writing ability really started to shine. If you can clean up WTFisgoingonburg, buddy, this thing will flow into the feels more efficiently. ObsidianPony is a good writer but a little wonky as a storyteller based on this piece alone.
However "The End of an Era" still gets a big fat thumbs up for making me feel the emotions that I think ObsidianPony wanted me to feel. Yeah, it's not very funny to like things - and it makes writing snarky reviews difficult - but I've got to give credit where credit is due. Sure it's not a story proper, but all of brain's hatred is mitigated by heart's knowledge that one of our fellow human beings cut thru his/hers/its caked on layers of self compromise and social acceptance to give a little bit of feeling from the core. I admire the risk of a person opening themselves to the internet and revealing a fraction of their inner beauty to this ethereal cesspool of fanboys, trolls and misogynists thereof. A foolish wager, I would think, seeing as the internet only embraces arrogance, assholes and porn. Pour some of that shit into a beautifully told story in the future ObsidianPony, and I will litter that thing with unrelenting praise and saliva, humor and self-respect be damned! Final Verdict: Enjoy this for what it is, you implacable, unpleasable fuckfaces.
3527667 While reading that I heard Yatzee's voice in my head