Written for the League of Extraordinary Gentlecolts fic swapping event! Apologies for how very, very rushed it is.
*****
There was a time when all little Camera Shutter had to worry about was other ponies making fun of his name. Those days are long gone. It's hard for anypony to taunt you when you're a ghost and they can't even see you.
But he doesn't care about that anymore — all that matters now is finding his mother and saying goodbye one last time. However, with life continuing to throw everything it can at him and with Death only allowing until ten p.m. to find her before sending him to the afterlife, it's a task that's easier said than done...
Chapters (7)
A thumb and no views?
For shame, Alex.
A more substantial comment will be placed when I read the story.
1024530 That was me, I really liked it
1024546
Fair enough.
Will read it soon, it certainly looks interesting.
Ok. I don't really know what to say, but... it will be featured. Also, I cried a little. Damn good job, Alex.
Who the hell would thumb this down?
Great, great story.So much emotions it made me feel. I miss my mom alot, it´s been 6 years but sometimes it feels like it was yesterday. Bah. :(
Faved
That was a Death worthy of Pratchett novel, except for the "no scythe"-part.
From the summary and the character-list I assumed that Fluttershy would be the mom. What a red herring!
Anyway, quite emotional but no tear-jerker.
that was really good
you deserved my thumbs up!
I love how this is written, Lucky. I know from reading your other works that this is a direct attempt to simulate a nine-year-old's writing, and you're doing very well. The events move along nicely, the emotion is well-conveyed, and there are enough silly bits and non sequiturs that the voice feels young. This is an original and tragic premise. I look forward to continuing it soon.
"Nothing is as it seems." Well placed.
Beautiful and hearthwrenching. I commend you.
Your story is a blessing. I will cherish this.
This is the actual author speaking. I thought I should thank everyone who read and commented on this thing.
1024719 I would've been pretty stunned if this had been featured (20,000 words long and with the sad tag?), but I'm really flattered that you thought it would be.
1028784 I'm very sorry to hear about your mum -- I've lost people close to me as well, and the pain never goes away, despite what people say. I'm glad you enjoyed the story and that it made you feel.
1029853 The thing is, the possibility that Fluttershy might be the mother didn't even occur to me until after I'd finished the story and read it back to myself -- that was completely an accident! Definitely a happy accident, though. Also, a Death worthy of Terry Prattchet? That really makes my day!
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Trying to find a good place to put that gave me untold amounts of stress, but it suddenly seems worth it!
1048876 It makes me happy that someone used the word 'heart wrenching'. It's what I was trying to go for, but it's not until someone actually reads it and tells you that you can be sure that you've managed to achieve it
1053838 What a dream of a comment
1053960
You have got very nice style of writing.. I like that, and can thank only Alexstrasza that I found you. Give us more
The image you painted of Death was amazing. That is one creepy alicorn. If I was any good at drawing, I'd sketch out what I see in my head and ship it your way. Have you ever drawn him?
Great chapter. I got so nervous for Camera when the train to Ponyville was leaving. Great tension and buildup there.
I hope he gets to see his mom!
Okay, now that I've finally read this, I can safely say that yes, this is indeed awesome. I approve wholeheartedly of this story, and look forward to more like it.
:')
What an ending. For how terrifying he looks, you sure made Death a likable character. This story was perfectly sad, but the humility of its hero was heartwarming to say the least.
Thank you, Lucky. This was a lovely story.
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1067150 And thank you for the lovely comment. I might actually have to go and draw a picture of Death now. Somehow, it never occurred to me to do that (probably something to do with the fact that I made up his description completely on the spot).
Ooh, your description of that hellish bear sent shivers down my spine.
I wonder what chased it off?
Guss I'll found out later.
Lucky Dreams already knows the content of this comment, but I feel it right to leave it here anyway. Even if only to give this amazing story credits it so richly deserves.
And if any of you readers out here were wondering if this story is worth a shot, maybe this comment will persuade you to read it. And trust me - it will be time well spent. 
Because, you see, this story is simply brilliant. I may feel a little ashamed now, because where Lucky can paint beautiful worlds with words, I have almost next to none to properly express my amazement towards his skills.
The thing that captivates me the most in Lucky's writing is how seemingly easily he can convey emotions.
Some inevitable spoilers
I swear, throughout the story I felt everything Camera felt - the confusion and fear after he died, the dread when he met the soul-eating wolf, the anger when he found Apple Bloom in the snow, the joy and peace of mind when he finished his little adventure, and - above all - the anxiety when he traveled to Ponyville. For God's sake, I could almost feel the hands of the clock ticking away his time in Equestria when Death gave him his last day to find his mom. I literally sped through the story 1.5 faster than usual, simply because the ride in the roller-coaster of words you designed felt so smooth and enthralling.
No more spoilers from here
If I wore a hat (Cheshire cats don't wear any, however
) I would tip it off to Lucky for being such a skilled writer. He's a writing genius, I tell you! 
I usually steer clear of stories with OCs - simply because not many writers can make them interesting. Lucky, on the other hand, can whip up a pony on the spot, and instantly make the reader feel for him/her.
Celestia damn it to the moon, I'm certain he would drop the world to its knees with his writing. 
Because (in my humble opinion) a likeable character is a foundation for every good story. And Lucky seems to have no problems in both those areas. 
If I were to take a guess, I would risk saying that he would probably have much success in writing his own story - you know, not a fanfic, but an actual book.So, yeah, I'm gonna finish my rambling now. If any of you readers wonder if the story is worth a shot, definitely give it a go. You won't regret it.
Especially since Hoofprints got so few views and upvotes, for a story that magnificent. I mean come on! 399 views? Seriously? While this glorious story remains in the dark corners of Fimfiction, the feature box is constantly littered with 2k word Pony Verbs a Noun crap or some random clop. 
Oh, the humanity. 
beautiful!!!
No small caps?