In the dawn of Equestria, several ponies were given unique jobs to aid the Princesses in making the world around them run smoothly. Of the offices created, by far the most important was given to a pony by the name of Mortis--the office of death. His job was simple: he was to collect the souls of ponies dead before their time, and send any lingering spirits--in the forms of ghosts--back to eternity.
Centuries marched by, and Mortis grew weary of his job. He appealed to the Princesses, who saw the pain in his inability to live a normal life. Princess Luna gave him a task. She said that if he could give the office to another pony--willingly--he could live his life as a normal pony, and vacate the office of Death.
Thus, the office changed many times over the years. The office brought with it some power, and much responsibility. In time, without fail, whoever held the Death cloak eventually wanted to pass it on, and the rules to do such never changed. Now, the current Death, a pegasus by the name of Dashing Cloud, is ready to move on. An earth pony by the name of Rose Petal is nominated, the only pony alive who could fill the role.
But, as she will quickly find out, Death is not a job for the faint of heart.
(Idea for personified Death "borrowed" from Piers Anthony. All else is my own brain's creation)
I liked it, upvote.
As for where to go from here, how about philosophical. What happens when ponies are about to die? Beg for another chance? Try to bargain with death? Fight her? Run away? How does Rose feel about taking the soul of a foal? Or of a pony on their wedding night? Or a grandma in front of her grandkids? Or a mother who just gave birth?
I hope that gives you a few ideas.
1945605
Thank ya kindly. No matter what route we decide to take this, there will be some philosophical thoughts to it as Rose becomes Death and tries to make the office hers
I do recall a story with pretty much the exact same premise, but with Fluttershy. Not that I'm calling out your idea, just that you're going to get a lot of folks who are going to.
Other than that, looks good!
I haven't read this story yet but I just wanted to say that is a nice looking scythe. I hope I can find someone to make that into reality.
1945640
I know of no such story, nor does it really affect me. This shall be my own story, it's just not really far enough along to distinguish itself yet.
1946069
Sorry, friend, I make stories, not scythes
Looking forward to future chapters. And thanks for the shout out. Have a and .
Once again, sorry for the wonky indents. I upload from GDocs, and apparently it screws with the indenting. Just another reason not to do it in my opinion. Hope it isn't too distracting
Crap! Almost forgot! Lots of love to TheCloudtop and InsanityCorps for making sure my Dayquil haze didn't balls anything up.
This is SO AWESOME
i just refreshed my box twice and this pops up YAY!
2085093
Happy to please.
loving the story so far! I'm looking forward to the next update.
Hawt.
Plus first comment.
LOL
I make me laugh. A LOT.
This looks good. Whoever did the editing job really knows what they are doing.
Poor pony...
One question,
Can this pony turn into a corvette as well?
I waited for a LOOOONG time for someone to inspire off of On A Pale Horse, THANK YOU.
PS, Are you doing the other IOI books as stories as well?
2412974
You... you literally just made my day. Unfortunately, to weave a tale as amazing as IOI would require some skill and foresight, of which I have none. I may do something with some of the other Offices mentioned in this, such as one revolving around Space or Fate, but nothing quite like the Incarnations.
This story has a very interesting premise, and I'm glad that it updated again so soon! I look forward to further chapters from you.
Wow, I had thought of making a story along these lines, except not a ponyfic. This looks very interesting, though, so I'll definitely be taking a look at it.
2649462
Here's hoping you won't be disappointed.
Hello! Author! Down here! HI! Quick question;
IS THIS WHO YOU WANTED TIME TO BE!?
EDIT: I cannot size.
fc09.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2012/066/e/5/mlp___two_sides_of_doctor_whooves_by_tehjadeh-d4s20w1.jpg
2671977
WAIT! If you let me, I can use the concept of the mostly-immortals to make a fic starring THIS AWESOME GUY!
fc05.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2013/091/5/4/the_master_pony___wallpaper_by_flipnote_strudel-d605amk.jpg
AND DIS GUY!
th02.deviantart.net/fs71/PRE/f/2012/087/8/6/dr__whooves___wibbly_wobbly_timey_wimey_by_jamey4-d4u9k0s.png
Give me permission please!
2671977>>2671995
....What...?
2673595
he want's your permission to make a story based off some of the characters in this one.
...I think...
2671995>>2767768
Tell ya what, wait until this story is done, then ask me again. Because Time is not what you're thinking.
Ah, Rose is already going through the torments of Death. The ones you love slowly dying, one by one.
2776481
And how do you think I felt writing it?
Huh, that is an interesting way to go 'bout things. A death that will save if she can save, or make things less painful on their passing on to the afterlife. I bet though, cloud is going to be piiiiiiiiisssssed!
In the short of things, great!
In the long run...
2802807
Whatdya mean?
2803043
Spoilers
2802951
Short-term, yay! You saved a life!
In the long run, do you really think there will be no repercussions for ponies not dying?
2804070
See comment above.
Pretty great Chapter! Though, in the long run, problems could arise from Apple Bloom being saved from Death...
Didn't find any plot holes/spelling mistakes/grammar mistakes here. Can't wait to see what you have planned for on coming chapters.
2808374
Working on the next one as we speak. Actually, I'm editing something for InsanityCorps, but Death is open in another tab, and is two and a half pages in.
2808391 I'll take a look, next chance I get my hands on a computer.
2808935
Now where's the fun in that? Spoilers.
2808941
Fine.
1. Nice Doctor Who reference in the AN.
2. YOU KILLED CLOUD.
3. I have a quote!
"The inner mechanisms of my mind are an egmigma...."
-Patrick Star
2872545
Doctor Who is the best (gonna miss Smith)
Yup
And fuck Spongebob. I detest that show.
2872717
1. WHY MUST MOFFAT MAKE US CRY ON CHRISTMAS.
2. Y U do dis. Cloud was best pone.
3. Yeah, I hate it too, but I thought it would be funny.
2873105
Spoilers.
2873382 I CALL CLOUD GHOST.
Shit's 'bout to go down. And I'm loving it. This'll be my next Sonic Reviews, by the way. It's coming out tonight.
3268526
Kick ass. Thanks.
Whenever I heard about someone taking up the job of death, I remember the story "On A Pale Horse"