The Pale Rider by Artemis

by Apollo and Artemis


Ch.3: Arrival

Death sighed in frustration as Despair galloped towards Canterlot. So far, the day wasn't going so well. He had been attacked three times already and it wasn't even noon. "I have to find the Tree soon. I can't stand this place." He grumbled as he approached Canterlot. He eyed the city disdainfully as he approached the rather ornate gates. "Hmph. Unimpressive." He said as he trotted Despair up to the gates. The Phantom Horse turned around and drew its legs back. In a single swift motion, Despair bucked the gates with all its might, causing the massive doors to swing open with tremendous force that crushed some unfortunate guards who stood behind them.

Ponies shrieked in confused terror as the massive gates of Canterlot swung open, killing many guards in the process. But that was not the only thing they screamed about. Standing at the open gates was a massive horse. Or rather, the corpse of a horse. In place of a mane and tail, sickly green flames blazed. It's hooves were cracked with age, and yet they were the very ones that bucked the gates open. It's eyes shone green with supernatural power, casting a piercing glare at the terrified ponies who looked on. It was a beast of nightmares. And just when they thought it couldn't get worse, they looked at what was riding it. Atop the nightmarish steed sat a bipedal creature. It was similar to its steed in that it seemed like a corpse, skeletal and deathly in nature. It's bony, claw-like fingers were wrapped around the saddle's horn, the already terrifying visage augmented by the defiled saddle. It stared on at the terrified ponies with orange eyes that cast a baleful glare at them. Guards who survived scrambled to meet this new threat. But as they rushed to their stations, they felt a certain uneasiness. As if they knew that this was no enemy that they could defeat. Nevertheless, they took position, weapons raised against the Nephilim. A white stallion with a blue mane trotted to the front of the steadfast guards, holding his head high as he glared at Death.

"I am Shining Armor, Captain of the Royal Guard of Princess Celestia! Who are you and what reason do you have for being here?" Shining roared as he noticed the dead guards at the sides of the gates. At the sight of his comrades dead, Shining's eye twitched in barely suppressed anger. Who was this monster that he could so callously take pony life? Death dismounted Despair, the Phantom Horse disappearing into the ground in a flash of green fire.

"I am Death, Horseman of the Apocalypse. I seek your Princess." At this, Shining snapped. Judging by what Death had already done, he could only assume that he was here to harm Celestia. He grit his teeth in rage as he issued a single command to his forces.

"Attack! He must not harm Celestia!" He screamed and the guardsponies flew into action. Those wielding melee weapons charged headlong into the battle, while those with ranged weapons attempted to strike from afar. Shining Armor himself joined the attack, preparing to unleash a barrage of spells to subdue his foe. In the face of all of this, Death scoffed. He grabbed his scythes and prepared to meet his attackers head-on. He swung his scythe right, its blade loosing a torrent of blood as it bit into a guard's chest, tearing right through his armor as if it were tissue paper. He swung his other scythe left, this time bisecting a guard, its body severed cleanly at the stomach. He weaved through the crowd of guards with grace and fluidity, his strikes bearing the full intent to kill. With each slash, the streets were stained with blood. With every scream, a soul was sent into the Kingdom of the Dead. This was his duty. This was his art. This is who he was. Death, the Pale Rider.

All around, ponies screamed in terror at the horrifying dance of death playing out before them. They all tried to flee, some of them even getting trampled in the process, but none of them cared. All they cared about was getting away from the monster that was murdering ponies like they were nothing.

Shining was stunned by the skill and grace of this opponent. He moved faster than his eyes could follow and before he could register that he had killed one of the guards, he had already killed another. "What in Tartarus is he?" Shining thought to himself as his horn came to life, purple firebolts flying towards Death at high speeds. The Nephilim rolled out of the way and connected his scythes, throwing the gestalt weapon forward. It spun rapidly, tearing through the ranks of guards assembled to fight him and nearly taking Shining's head off. The scythe returned to his hands and he stared Shining down, all the other guards dead as he stared back, rage burning in his eyes. Before he could light his horn up for another spell, he heard a desperate and fearful cry come from behind.

"Death, please stop!" Celestia cried out as she burst through the main castle doors, tears beginning to pool at the edges of her eyes. Death chuckled morbidly as he returned his scythes to his hips, Shining taking his eyes off of him and turning to stare at Celestia.

"Princess!?" He said incredulously as Death walked to her.

"Ah, Princess. Shall we get down to business?" He asked as he ascended the steps, Shining lighting up his horn.

"Captain, please stop." Celestia said dejectedly as she turned away.

"But-" Shining began, but Celestia had already ushered Death inside and ordered the gates shut. "Dammit!" Shining cursed as he stamped his hoof on the blood soaked streets and gazed upon the carnage wrought by the strange monster. Bodies of ponies littered the street, hacked to pieces by its wicked blades. Ponies that had friends and families. Ponies came out from hiding, horrified and in tears at the sight of the massacre. Shining let out a harrowing cry of anguish and rage as he knelt by the corpses of his comrades and friends. Death would pay. For everything.


Celestia was silent as they walked towards the throne, her gaze cast downward, unwilling to look Death in the eye. Suddenly, as they neared the throne, Celestia stopped walking. Death walked a few meters ahead before noticing.
"Hm?" Death grunted in mild curiosity.

"...Why?" Celestia asked, her shoulders shivering. Death merely stared on, not answering. "WHY!?" She suddenly screamed as she lifted her head, enraged and with barely held back tears as she gazed at Death. The Nephilim scoffed in response.

"I did not start that fight. Your Captain did." He said, annoyed.

"And you complied!?" She retorted.

"Did you expect anything less?" He deadpanned. He could tell that Celestia was a very young Old One. She had neither the will nor the apathy required to weather the countless years and endless loss that came with being both a ruler and an immortal. Celestia looked away, her teeth gritting in rage and her horn lighting up.

'No, don't do it... You'll only make things worse...' She thought to herself as she breathed deep, trying to calm her rage. "..No, I did not..." She choked out as she looked back up to him. "Let's get you out of here." She said as she walked up to Death and they proceeded down the hallway to the right. "I will take you to my sister, Luna, and we can discuss matters properly." She said, her voice low with sadness as they walked. Death looked out the stained glass windows as he walked.

'Thank the Creator for this mask.'