Original Link:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1R1-C-0clG5iM0zY6j1pie0nRUvDl5YyGeJyjB4MnaBA/edit?usp=sharing

Obsidian didn’t sleep the night he killed Angel. He had been awake for almost 24 hours now, yet he didn’t feel tired. Any kind of feeling had been replaced by the deep sadness that filled him. It was another emotion he was not used to. The last time he had been this taken was when he discovered his parents were killed, almost 345 years ago. Just like back then, the moment he freed their souls from their undead shells, he sat motionlessly to think about what he had done and what he should do now.

The reaper spent half the night in total darkness, staring at Angel’s grave. Fluttershy’s crying was nearly unbearable for him, but she somehow managed to fall asleep after a few hours. The scene from the moment he returned home kept repeating itself over and over again in his mind.

Obsidian did what he was best at: killing. He spared Angel hours of torture, which only would have lead to the same result. But was this the right thing to do? Applying the rules for ponies he had been trained to follow on animals?

The black stallion was very focused on Fluttershy. He valued her a lot. So naturally, her expression of hatred aimed to him was branded in his mind. Obsidian was used to handling physical pain. He had been enduring things that would have driven other ponies to insanity. Yet, emotional pain was something he couldn’t handle. Lacking the natural understanding for emotions normal ponies have, he simply failed to understand why this hurt him so much and why her rage filled face caused him to experience sadness. Not a single moment did he actually think about the little bunny he murdered.

“Well, well, Obsidian. Looks like I was right to begin with. You have become soft,” a familiar voice spoke in disappointment.

“Odd Cirs... you do have the nerve to talk to me now?” Obsidian asked, a bit angered.

“I would have had a chat with you sooner if it wasn’t for certain circumstances that I couldn’t talk to you,” the voice commented.

“Your muteness during winter was pleasing. Why do you not just continue?” the reaper questioned, causing Odd Cirs to chuckle a bit.

“Oh but it would be so boring without me, wouldn’t it? Especially now that Fluttershy hates you and most likely doesn’t want to see you ever again,” he replied.

“Tacē!” Obsidian growled.

“You really don’t understand it, do you? You just killed her best animal friend! You should feel guilty, Obsidian!” Odd Cirs exclaimed.

“Guilty...?” the reaper asked a bit unsure.

“Yes, guilty. You have done something unacceptable for ponies,” the voice replied.

“Guilt...” Obsidian mumbled and hung his head. Now he had a name for the sensation he experienced. Odd Cirs was right, but not the way he thought. He couldn’t let him know that. He couldn’t let him have that victory.

“If I were to experience guilt or regret over a kill, what kind of reaper would I be? Quit this nonsense and vanish again, Odd Cirs,” Obsidian commented.

“You would be an emotional one. Anyway, you have some work ahead of you. Don’t forget who is supposed to die today,” Odd Cirs stated, causing Obsidian to look up again.

“You know the content of my book of death?” the reaper asked in shock. Odd Cirs started to laugh.

“Of course I do! I’m bound to you after all! How am I supposed to resist the opportunities to look inside your book of death when you summon it?” he asked back.

“So you are bound to me,” the reaper stated. As soon as he said this, the voice stopped laughing. Apparently, Odd Cirs said something he didn’t want to expose.

“How?” Obsidian asked.

“I’ll tell you that when you finally figured out my real name,” the voice stated.

Obsidian sighed. He didn’t even bother to waste any thoughts on Odd Cirs so far and he surely was not going to start with that. He had way too much to do. Way too many other tasks to resolve.

“Oh! Look to your right, Obsidian! Derpy is coming! Seems to be important if she decides to come to you so late at night,” the voice commented.

Obsidian turned and indeed saw Derpy Hooves flying towards him with high speed. This could only mean bad news.

“Oh by my mistress, am I glad you are here and awake!” she stated as soon as she landed.

“What is it, apprentice?” Obsidian asked.

“There’s no time for explaining things! You have to come with me!” she spoke hastily and started drawing a teleport supporting rune in the ground.

Derpy knew what she was doing. When she became so alarmed, it had to be urgent. Obsidian had a grim suspicion what it might be about.

“Derpy... have the changelings returned to Equestria?” Obsidian asked while she was still drawing the rune.

“Yes! Well no, not really. I mean... ah you will see what I mean!” she stated nervously and finished the rune. They both quickly stepped on it.

“Where to?” the black stallion asked.

“Great Valley! Please hurry!” the grey mare replied. While Obsidian started casting the teleportation spell, he thought about Fluttershy. Now he had to go on war without even having the chance to say goodbye... and that after this happened...

Yes, Obsidian felt guilty. But he had to stay focused. In a few moments, he would be in a battlefield.

---

The bright flash of the teleportation spell vanished and the two reapers found themselves standing on a different teleportation rune, drawn on solid stone. It was silent. Suspiciously silent. Derpy led the way up a hill so they had a better overview. The moon was shining brightly tonight, allowing them to see good enough without the need of a light spell. As soon as they reached the top of the hill, they both became wide eyed at the sight presented to them.

“Per misericordiam dominae...” Obsidian commented. The entirety of Great Valley was filled with changelings. Dead changelings.

“This is even far worse than the report said... I’m speechless...” Derpy stated.

The two reapers walked down the hill and through the field of broken insect bodies. Judging from the wounds, they had been torn open, sliced, bitten, squashed and strangled. Many bodies were very incomplete and the green blood of the changelings was covering everything.

“This appears to be the work of demons. The sheer brutality is very typical for them,” Obsidian analyzed.

Derpy dipped her right front hoof into a puddle of spilled green blood and looked at it closely. The structure and scent of this substance was too foreign for her to make a clear analysis, though. So she licked it up to make sure.

“It’s still somewhat fresh. The attack can’t be more than twelve hours ago,” she stated.

“Who sent you the letter?” the black stallion wondered.

“Elder Crystal Blossom. She discovered this after you alarmed our mistress about the discovery of a changeling in Ponyville,” Derpy replied.

“We need to find her,” Obsidian stated.

The grey mare nodded in agreement and they both walked deeper into the corpse filled landscape.

---

Roughly ten minutes later, they finally found a reaper mare standing in front of a large collapsed slime structure, surrounded by more torn changelings than anywhere else. She was lightblue, had bat wings, a curved horn, a long white mane and black eyes.

“Salvē, Crystal” Obsidian greeted her.

“Salvē, Obsidian and Derpy. I am glad you both could come,” the reaper mare greeted back.

“What did you find out so far?” Derpy wondered.

“I can confirm two things without a doubt. First, the changelings used Great Valley as their base to prepare their assault on Equestria for at least three days. There are small structures and hives everywhere. Second, they were definitely attacked by a large group of demons. A stronghold not far from here opened its gates,” Crystal stated.

“Our first priority should be to regain control over that stronghold then,” Obsidian commented.

“That is just the thing... we already regained control. This onslaught was a blitz. They came out only to kill the changelings and then retreated back in the stronghold, all in less than an hour,” Crystal explained.

“What? This doesn’t make any sense! That’s completely unlike any demon behaviour!” Derpy commented.

“Unless this was planned,” Obsidian added. Crystal nodded in agreement.

“Yes. It seems like the demons knew about the changelings’ return sooner than we did. I have inspected the valley and came to conclusion that the whole assault was well thought through. They chipped away the defences of the changelings, assaulted this hive here first and then surrounded them, killing them very rapidly,” she explained.

“Why this hive first? From what I can see, it appeared to have been in the middle of the base,” Obsidian wondered.

“It was the most important one. Look over there,” the light blue mare stated and pointed at a very specific point inside the hive. One of the changeling bodies was slightly taller than the rest, though it was hard to identify what this used to be, due to it being dismembered and cracked open. Finally, Derpy realized the shocking truth.

“Unbelievable... they even got Queen Chrysalis...” she stated in astonishment.

“If she is dead, then it is official now...” Obsidian commented.

“Yes... the changelings became extinct,” Crystal agreed. A moment of silence came as all three of them took this threatening development in.

“I just don’t get it! Why would they do that? If the demons had allowed them to attack Equestria, it would have given them enormous advantage! Why would they ruin that for themselves?” Derpy wondered.

“There is only one plausible explanation: erasing the changelings provided them more advantages than letting them attack Equestria again,” Obsidian said.

“I might have an idea what they were aiming for,” Crystal started. “I noticed that a majority of the corpses had barely any extra wounds besides those which were lethal. They seemed to only make sure the queen was definitely dead. The demons didn’t even eat any of the bodies. Which means they wanted something different from them. Something not of material value.”

“They devoured their souls...” Obsidian concluded.

“That would make sense,” Derpy commented. “Changelings can’t fall under Maledictum Insania. They can’t give birth to demons. So they devoured their souls to make those demons that already exist stronger. But that means...”

“That means they are preparing for something very, very big,” Crystal finished.

“Indeed. Queen Chrysalis became a huge threat due to the events of Princess Cadence’s and Shining Armor’s wedding. If they decided it was worth the risk to attack her, this can only mean annihilating the changelings was part of a bigger plan,” Obsidian summed up.

“The fact that they succeeded means her soul got devoured, too! And because she was so strong, then that means there is at least one demon that became a lot stronger as well!” Derpy stated.

“We have to notify our mistress immediately and declare crisis state. All reapers need to be ready. We are about to face disaster again. This may turn out even far worse than the Heat Lake war,” Crystal explained.

---

The moon was already low when Obsidian and Derpy teleported back to Fluttershy’s cottage and removed the rune there. Derpy flew off to make preparations and alarm her mistress, but Obsidian remained outside. For a while, the fall of the changelings distracted him from what he had done to Angel... and Fluttershy. But now that he was back and saw the little grave, he couldn’t even feel relieved he wouldn’t just have to disappear without a trace. His personal crisis and now an upcoming national crisis...This all was a lot to wrap his mind around.

Obsidian spent the rest of the night outside, glancing on Ponyville deeply sunken in thoughts. There was a lot to do. Yet, for those things which mattered to him the most on a personal level, he could do nothing.

---

The sun shined inside Fluttershy’s bedroom, awakening the yellow Pegasus mare. Her night’s sleep was not very restful. Not only because of what happened to her pet and the nightmares she had, but also because something was missing by her side. Or rather, somepony.

Slowly, she got up and fed the remaining animals in her house before making breakfast for her own as usual. Only this time, Obsidian wasn’t around. Fluttershy appeared rather depressed and thought about the black stallion all the time. She still had this moment in front of her eyes. The moment he snapped Angel’s neck. It shocked her thoroughly. She wasn’t expecting this to happen.

After the yellow mare finished her breakfast, she went outside and the first thing that came in her sight was the little grave of Angle's. It made the memories and emotions even worse for Fluttershy, letting tears fill her eyes and roll down her face. But then she noticed Obsidian. He was sitting on the ground, facing Ponyville with a sad expression she had never seen on his face. What intensified this impression was the fact that Obsidian was facing the sun. Usually, he avoided sunlight as much as possible. But right now, he appeared so lost in his mind that he didn’t even seem to realize the sun was blinding him.

Fluttershy walked over to the grave and wished Angel farewell. Hearing her voice snapped Obsidian out of his thoughts. He turned around to make sure she was really there. Then he looked in the opposite direction, avoiding eye contact.

The yellow mare slowly approached Obsidian. Even when she was right next to him, he still avoided to look at her. For a moment, they both just sat there, neither one saying a word. It was weird to see Obsidian like this. The golden morning light shining on the black stallion’s scarred face, while he had this expression. It was so unlike his usual, confident self. Fluttershy decided to break the silence.

“It’s okay... I’m not mad at you... Not anymore,” she started. Obsidian seemed to listen, but didn’t give any kind of response.

“I understand why you did this. I’ve been through enough with you to know you by now. You only wanted to spare Angel from the pain. I was... just so shocked... I didn’t expect his condition to be that bad. I didn’t expect to lose him so suddenly... I’m sorry I hit you,” Fluttershy explained.

“No, mea amāta... do not apologize. You did the right thing,” Obsidian responded.

“W... what?” Fluttershy wondered in surprise. Obsidian hesitated a moment to reply, but ultimately turned his head towards the yellow mare and looked at her with a regret filled expression.

“I killed him without letting you know I was going to do it, because I knew you would try to stop me. I put getting Angel out of his misery above you and our relationship,” he explained.

“You acted like any reaper would act. I was the fool who didn’t see this coming. I should have known better. You are a reaper after all. An elder on top of that. You only did what was best for him,” Fluttershy spoke.

“Funny you say this... I never cared for him... I never cared for any being... until I met you. The heart of an elder reaper is hard to conquer, but you managed it. You are the only one I truly love,” the black stallion said.

“Obsidian...” Fluttershy spoke.

“You may have been able to tell yourself my actions were justified. But I need you to know something. I do not regret it. I do not even feel bad about it. Killing is natural to me and the moment he gave his last breath, I did not even think of him anymore. Even as I dug his grave and sat in front of it. The hit you gave me snapped me out of my trance, my routine. It made me realize how little I cared about those I am meant to end and their beloved ones. I tear apart families and lovers without a second thought, even now,” the reaper explained.

“Wow... That is... I mean... actually... that doesn’t entirely surprise me. I mean as a pony, this is pretty heavy to hear... but I guess, this is the only way reapers are able to do their job. But... why are you so sad then?” Fluttershy asked, causing Obsidian to look away and down again.

“The only thing I do regret is hurting you, mea amāta... I misjudged the situation. As one who faces death every day, and even had been at the brink of death countless times himself, I failed to be sensitive enough to understand... Tu, quaesō, dīmitte mihi,” he apologized. Now Fluttershy came close and embraced him.

“It’s okay. I forgive you. I just love you too much to be mad at you over something that is natural to you, even if it was something like that. I will miss Angel, though. He had been part of my life since I moved to Ponyville. But... I guess he really is okay now. He won’t have to suffer anymore,” the yellow mare stated. Obsidian sighed and turned his head back to her.

“It fills me with relief to hear that. Although... I must ask... would you still care for me if I ended the life of another being that is dear to you or our friends?” he wondered.

“Goodness...” the yellow mare spoke before sinking in thoughts over this question. It took her a moment to come to an agreement with her mind and feelings.

“Well, I trust you. I know the ponies you kill are meant to die. It’s just what you do. I think... yes. I knew what I was getting myself into by falling in love with you. No matter who you are forced to reap, it wouldn’t change a thing between us,” she concluded.

This statement took a huge weight off Obsidian’s heart. Now, he embraced her as well.

“In that case... I have to tell you something. But you must not interfere or warn them. This has to happen without them knowing it is coming,” he explained.

“Um... okay,” the yellow mare agreed.

The reaper looked around, making sure no one was listening. Then he came close to Fluttershy’s ear and started to whisper. He revealed that today was the final day of a much appreciated pony. As soon as Fluttershy heard who this pony was, she held a hoof in front of her mouth and became sad again.

“Oh my... I... I’m so sorry for her family... When is it going to happen?” she asked.

“In the early afternoon. I originally planned to simply walk up on her and take her life, like I usually did with the ponies in my book. But after I have seen what such a behaviour causes, I am unsure what to do now,” the reaper explained.

“Well... you may not feel anything when it comes to this. But you can imagine how ponies must feel. Just try to be gentle to her and to her family. Let them know what you are about to do. They may start to argue about it, but if you talk with them, they will understand,” Fluttershy suggested.

“I do believe the keeper of kindness does know best about kindness,” Obsidian stated, smiling lightly again. “If you believe this will lead to a successful, timed reap, then I shall do so.”

They both spent a bit more time together, watching the sun rise further and further above Ponyville before Obsidian had to get ready for his patrol through the village.

“Revealing a date of death is amongst the riskiest things a reaper can do. The fact that I told you about this now endangers my success. Do I have your word you will neither interfere, nor warn the victim or her family?” Obsidian asked to ensure.

“I won’t do anything to get in the way, I promise,” the yellow mare responded.

“Grātiās tibi agō, mea amāta. It means a lot to me that I can trust you this much. If things go right, I shall return this afternoon,” Obsidian stated.

---

A few hours later, Applejack and Applebloom came back from the orchards to prepare lunch. The relation between the two sisters improved again after Applebloom stopped taking things from the farm. Apparently, she now got everything she needed to get started and already earned her first bits, so she could keep supplying herself with the materials she needed. She also seemed to have become a lot more skilled. Applebloom decided to make it her little free-time activity to renovate the buildings on the farm. The results were very sturdy and of high quality, ensuring there would be no need for repairs for quite a long time. Applejack was very pleased about this. It seemed like everything turned out alright in the end.

While eating together, Applebloom proudly told them about how much money she had earned from her latest order. Both of her bigger siblings were very impressed and congratulated her. They also thanked her again for fixing up the farm all by herself. Granny Smith, too, wanted to say a few words. But her high age and low energy wouldn’t allow her to stay awake or focused for very long. Applejack reasoned with her, telling her to save the energy and just focus on eating up. They already knew her well enough to know what she wanted to say.

It was a happy moment for the family. The apple business was on a full roll and it seemed like nothing could put them all out of their high spirits. Yet, very soon, this would change.

Just after the apple family finished cleaning the dishes and wanted to go back to work, somepony knocked at the door. They all looked pretty confused. None of them were expecting any visitors today and all of their friends knew that today was a day of labor, so they wouldn’t have time to go out. Applejack walked up to the door and opened it.

“Salvē, Applejack,” Obsidian greeted.

“Oh! Howdy, Obsidian! C’mon in!” she greeted back.

The black stallion slowly walked inside, greeting Applebloom and Big Macintosh as well. Although Applebloom was pretty happy to see him again, her big brother had a rather sad expression. He knew what was coming.

“So what brings you here today?” Applejack wondered.

“I regret to say, but it is duty,” he responded.

Both, Applejack and Applebloom, looked at him in confusion, expecting an explanation. Obsidian wasn’t very good at this. He didn’t know how to explain what he was going to do. So, he just made a gesture telling them all to come with him over to Granny Smith, who had fallen asleep by now. The reaper tapped on her right front leg to wake her up again.

“Miss Smith. I am sorry to say, but I would like to ask you to come with me,” he requested.

“Huh? What do ya need Granny for?” Applebloom wondered.

After the old green mare came to her senses, Obsidian turned around to the teenage filly, looking for the right words. He failed to find them. Instead, he just summoned his book of death and tried to make the situation clear to them by reading out his next reap.

“Granny Smith. Earth Pony. Scheduled to die on the 27th March 1627 at 14:32. Cause of death: Caducity.” he quoted, then let the book vanish again.

Both, Applejack and Applebloom stared at him in shock. Big Macintosh’s sadness intensified now that he was certain. It seemed like Granny Smith, although she was the one affected, was the only one who barely reacted to the announcement at all.

“Y-yer kiddin’, right? Yer just making jokes, right?” Applejack wondered.

“I wished I was. But sadly, I am being honest. Today is miss Smith’s final day. She will die in thirty minutes and I am supposed to guide her in the afterlife,” Obsidian explained.

The shock in Applejack’s face suddenly disappeared and was replaced by enormous anger. She pushed the black stallion aside, ran over to Granny Smith and positioned herself in front of her to protect her.

“Ah won’t let you have Granny! Get the hay outta here!” she shouted in rage.

“Applejack... I can not do that. I must reap her. It is my duty. You know that,” Obsidian tried to reason.

Now Applebloom started to cry as she realized this situation was as serious as it could be. She as well ran over to Granny Smith and held her tightly.

“Ah don’t care what ya say! Yoh won’t get Granny and that’s it! What were ya thinkin’ to tell us this that late anyway? Half an hour before? Half an hour?!” Applejack continued shouting.

“It is better to have a short farewell over a long and painful one. Trust me when I tell you I speak out of experience,” the black stallion explained.

“I won’t let this happen! You will not break our family apart! Haven’t we already been through enough when our parents died? And now yer comin’ here and wanna take our granny away, too?” Applejack stated in in a mix of rage and desperation.

Now, Big Macintosh decided to try to reason with his sister. He slowly walked next to her and placed a hoof on her shoulder.

“AJ... Granny’s a good old lady. She’s been takin’ care of all of us since that accident. Give her a rest, will ya? We’re all old enough now to stand on our own hooves. Just let yer friend do his job and stop hatin’ him for bein’ loyal and honest,” he spoke.

“No! For pete’s sake no! Have you gone outta your mind, BigMac? That’s not gonna happen! Granny’s just fine! All she needs is a bit of rest. A BIT of rest! Not forever! She’ll be the vital granny we all know again! Ah am sure of it!” the orange mare shouted back at her brother.

“Applejack... please...” Obsidian entreated.

“That’s enough, Obsidian! Get out! Go or I’ll personally kick yah around until you are out! And don’t you dare to ever set a hoof on Sweet Apple Acres again! You’re not welcome he-” the orange mare shouted, but found herself suddenly stopped by Granny Smith, placing a hoof on her other shoulder.

“Jackie... It’s fine. I’ll go with him,” she stated weakly.

“What?!” Applejack shouted in shock. “What the hay are you talkin’ about? Have you gone mad now, too? Y’all stay right here!”

“Yes, Granny! Please, please don’t go! Please don’t die!” Applebloom begged.

“Am sorry, mah little ones. But it’s mah time. I’ve had the feelin’ it was comin’ for quite a while now. Ah didn’t say a thing because ah knew y’all would react like that. But really, ah am quite relieved he’s here now to help me get about,” the old mare explained.

“Granny... You can’t go! What should we do without ya?” Applejack wondered.

“Don’t be silly now, Jackie. You’re all big and strong ponies now. You don’t need an old, broken mare like me anymore. Ah am only holdin’ y’all back and am beein’ a burden. Ah can’t do anything to help the farm anymore,” Granny Smith stated.

“That’s fine, really! Yoh don’t need to do anythin’ anymore! You’ve done so much for us all, ya can just put up your hooves and enjoy yer day!” the orange mare offered desperately.

“Applejack... Ah am tired. Very tired. I’ve been lookin’ forward for this day. I’ll get to meet mah husband and your parents again. Please just let me sleep,” the old mare spoke.

“Granny...” Applejack said, bothering to break out in tears.

“Please, Jackie,” Granny Smith requested gently.

Applejack finally gave in. She hugged her grandmother tightly and started crying heavily.

“I’ll miss ya, Granny. I’ll miss ya very much,” she stated, still sobbing.

“Ah will miss ya too, Jackie. All of you,” the old mare responded.

Now she gently separated herself from the still crying Applebloom and placed a hoof on her shoulder.

“Take care of ya, pipsqueak,” Granny Smith stated.

Next, she walked over to Big Macintosh. He tried to contain himself, but was already fighting the tears.

“You’re the head of the family now. Keep an eye on yer sisters for me,” Miss Smith requested.

“E...eyup...” the red stallion replied, finally breaking out in tears as well and embracing her.

Finally, she faced Obsidian. He stood there, only little moved by the whole scene, waiting for her.

“Ah am ready to go now,” the old mare spoke.

“Then allow me to escort you. We will do this on a remote location where nopony has to see this. After that, I will make sure to return your mortal remains to Ponyville for a funeral ceremony,” Obsidian explained.

“That’s very nice of you. Ya know, ah thought reapers were a lot more grumpy. But you’re a really good guy,” Granny Smith commented.

She turned around one last time, looking at the three siblings she was about to leave. They already were holding and cheering each other up. Yes. She can go. Everything was fine. They will be able to handle it.

“Goodbye, mah little Sugarcubes. Love y’all,” she spoke.

“Love ya too, Granny... Goodbye...” they responded.

Now finally, Obsidian could leave Sweet Apple Acres with her. This whole scene had cost a lot of time, but Fluttershy was right. This did turn out well. He had to hurry now, though. There were only about fifteen minutes left.