Friday, April 6, 2012

Story: Near Death Experience (Update Complete!)


[Grimdark][Shipping][Comedy] I'm trying to decide if the normal tags or the additional ones break my head more. Jury's still out.

Author:
Hadles

Description: A horrible accident lands a pony on the crossroads between life and death. Can she bargain with the pony of Death to get her life back?
Near Death Experience (All Links)(New Chapter 26+Epiliogue!)


Neat Death Experience (Alternate)

Additional Tags: Death, OC, romance, dramedy, mood-whiplash

142 comments:

Dawid said...

Read it few days ago.
Good to see it here.
OCxDEATH ship.

Flatterscheu said...

Wait what, now we even ship death itself?
What comes next?

crazyredemu said...

Death ship......MUST READ! Well it sure beats having another unimaginative Dash is gay ship.

Warp said...

@Flatterscheu
We ship...with THE SUN!

ToonNinja said...

Wait a minute... Somebody ship Death with Rainbow Dash! We've found a gap in her record!

crazyredemu said...

You know in one of my stories I have Fluttershy's mom ( an 80s pony) dance with death before moving on into pony heaven but it wasn't a ship Her name was Dancing Butterflys, it was her thing.

Haybuck said...

...Did we just ship with the Grim-Bucking-Reaper? WHAT WON'T YOU PONIES DO?!

Fluffey said...

Isn't it wrong to ship with Death? I mean, in the End you must definitely pay with your life...

ninto55 said...

@Warp


Wouldn't shipping with the sun be kind of like shipping with Celestia? I mean she controls the sun, and I'd be suprised if there isn't a CelestiaxLuna/Twilight fanfic.

The Real Motherfucker said...

YOU BASTARD! THUNDERHEAD DESERVED TO LIVE!!!

Bugsydor said...

@Toon Ninja:
That...actually makes a surprising amount of sense. She's probably brushing by death all the time with her crazier stunts, anyhow.

crazyredemu said...

Wait, there was no shipping in it! I liked it but the only shipping in it was an off hand comment about somepony getting flowers for a mare.
Still it was a fun story

ToonNinja said...

Where's the shipping and comedy in this? I'm... not really seeing it. Also, those three tests? I'm sorry, but those were anticlimactic as f*ck.

ToonNinja said...

@Bugsydor
I can just see it now:

Death's cloak swirled as he circled around the rainbow pegasus. "For every stunt you attempt, every time you risk your life, I wait for you. And yet... you have always eluded me. I've begun to find myself... rather fascinated with you, Miss Dash."

crazyredemu said...

@ToonNinja
But it would be a female Death with this fandom lol

Trainguyxx said...

Not bad, not bad at all =D

I had "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" stuck in my head the whole time, even if it was death vs. ponies XD

Soljer13 said...

@ninto55

There actually are a few...

RainbowDat said...

> [Grimdark] [Shipping] [Comedy]
> shipping involves an OC pony and... Death?
O_o

Now I have to read it.

Noahjam325 said...

Probably one of my favorite stories so far.

brongaar said...

No shipping that I saw, well of you count Death shipping souls (Yes he had the BOL's to do it) to the afterlife so be it.

no_space said...

@brongaar

You know there's seven chapters, right?

Anyway, when I saw this, I... I had to read it. I was... absolutely compelled, and... and I love it. And you, Hadles. I love you. Thank you so much for doing this, you crazy bastard.

Bartekko said...

now let's hope death is a brony so we never die

KingTwelveSixteen said...

An excellent story here, but I can't help but think that Death isn't quite thinking this "romantic date" thing all the way through, you know?

firehawk010 said...

lessee here...

well written? check
decent length on first post? Check
interesting topic and story? Check

ees good!

benjamin said...

really, really good. some shipping fics suffer becasue they feel forced. this just feels so natural. the author has real talent.

Lucid said...

Not going to lie, when I first read the premise, I thought that it was going to be pretty stupid. Glad to say that I was wrong

StrangeNoise said...

nice; though i couldn't see the shipping, or the comedy, or the grimdark tbh.

I thought when she woke up her pinwheel cutie-mark would be gone, as the price; and she'd have to earn/find another one.

richfiles said...

That was one rough kiss! Guess that black forked tongue got itself caught up on some esophagus there. Goodness... If that was what happens with just a kiss... What would... OH GOD!!!

Cokegamer said...

@richfiles
Yeah it's probbably best to not think about it..

ColourSplash said...

This is rather awesome!!! I can't wait for more to be released, I can't wait to see how Pinwheel and Dea- ahem, Pale Hoof's relationship expands :3

ColourSplash said...

DUDE YES SOMEPONY WRITE A FIC SHIPPING DASH AND DEATH!!!!!!

richfiles said...

Seriously, 5 stars and a bookmark on my 3DS so I can check for updates when I'm on the go. NEVER would have though a date with death could be so entertaining.

I am also quite glad that Philomel and Thunderhead are doing OK in the afterlife and are happy enough about it. It's a nice turn to let those ponies not be forgotten. Haha! temporary stand-in reapers... I'd have used "Substitute Soul Reapers" instead, for the lulz! That is what they are.

To anyone on the fence about this... It's genuinely good! I 5 stared it. I haven't laughed so hard at a story since the Happy Luna stuff... and thenI went all O_o at an esophagus being "rent asunder" by death gettin' all smoochie smoochie! Oops... ANd then smiling again afterwards...

Poor AJ's tree too...

What a trip!

You should totally read this superific, totally awesomtastic story! DO IT!!!

GreyFire said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Johuotar said...

Weirdest ship so far.

640x480 said...

OH GOD I CAN'T STOP LAUGHING

Chapter 7 is shocking, yet funny at the same time. I mean c'mon! That second-to-last part was... Oh you know what I mean and I don't want to spoil anything.

Keep it up Hadles. I would like to see some nice conclusion for this story.

NeverKnown said...

i have to say ive never read anything like this before :D keep up the good work

Bronode said...

Actually, this is really rather good. Well written and compelling enough to hold my interest, and holy moly, dat kiss.

But I wonder, do I really want to know what happens when the Reaper takes a mare's still-juicy corpse out for a night of steamy fun?

Also, poor Dizzy.

GreyFire said...

Now that we all know that Death is a necrophiliac, we have a whole new reason to fear dying!

F.eather- said...

Lolol. I love this story so much. The best date ever, I felt so sorry for Death at that part.

ToonNinja said...

Confound Fanfiction.net and its confusing chapter thingies. Now that I've read the rest of this, I must admit that I am now seeing the shipping. Not much comedy to be labelled a comedy, in my opinion, but whatever.

Good read regardless.

lanna-kitty said...

This is both twisted and awesome and I think I love it. Well done!

Suzzle said...

Neat idea well executed, but the tests would have been better if there'd been more build up and such. Still pretty cool, though.

terrycloth said...

*giggle*

"That tree was totally like that when we found it."

Also, super-mega-creepy at the end of chapter 7. Yeeek.

Jesus said...

Nice story, the 3rd test was too easy.

Eytan said...

This suppose to be a ponified version of "Meet Joe Black?"

coolbond said...

personaly i thought death gave up at the third test for no color can stand the test of time even the brightest of colors fades into darkness with time

Golden-psyco said...

The buck have i just read...not a great thing to read close to bedtime

MobyD said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
MobyD said...

I lol'd then I read then I lol'd some more then I read some more lol'd at ambassador of for death thing read some more went 0.o at the kiss then lol'd several more times, in summary very dry feeling humor with it being most from Pinwheel panicking but I must say I enjoyed it greatly more please my good pony.

YhokoLunaris said...

@ninto55

TwiLunEstia? Yes please!

Timber said...

Very good story so far.

artrcland said...

Ho... So need that next chapter!!

Garnet Glow said...

I went in expecting something ridiculous and lulzy. What I didn't expect was how charming and genuinely fun it was! I'm the type that always roots for the unlikely couple, so I hope we see more of PinwheelxPale Hoof.

RainbowDat said...

It went through phases of charming, funny, sad, and that last bit was just sick. Not good sick, either, sick as in gross and disturbing. It is only out of morbid curiosity that I shall continue reading through the next chapter

BTW, guys, there are SEVEN chapters so far. If you can't find the shipping part of the story, try scrolling to the bottom and clicking NEXT.

Stormcloud said...

I bet Pale Hoof makes her into an undead or something. Probably a lich.

Apsuenbwyfer11 said...

fell from 100ft
every bone in her body destroyed
no pulse
a couple hours later

Pinwheel:....GAH

Nurse Redheart: OMGWTFBBQ

Apsuenbwyfer11 said...

*end of chapter 7*

I wonder what "pale hoof" has planned...

Sir Leadhead said...

Argh! you must write more! This ship is just too fun to sail ;)

oh Death... you are so in the doghouse now :D

Wierdplatformer said...

Dark humor, lol!

Celestia to the rescue!

Oscilous said...

Chapter 8 is up! You can find it on the chapter navigation tab on FF.net.

Nice job, Hadles. I really like were this story is going. It was one of those things you first see and more or less convinced yourself that you wouldn't read it, but then you feel the temptation of wanting to know what it's about and you read it anyway and you're hooked for good. lol

ZSurvivalist said...

It does update, just check the link regularly and look for the next chapter. I hope he updates soon, I really like this.

Gypsy said...

BEST FUCKING SHIPPING TO HAVE EVER EXIST AND GOING TO EXIST NO OTHER SHIPPING CAN COMPARE TO THIS ALMIGHTY SHIPPING!!!!111

this is the funnest story ive ever read, and ive read aloooot of fanfic

Taylor said...

Just read it all in one go, and it was incredible.

Death's innocent nature from being detached was horribly, horribly funny; I could just picture the scene from the mortified spectators' viewpoint, all the while Pale Hoof might as well have been whistling a pop-song as he happily skipped down the road.

Looks like I'm bookmarking another fic. Keep up the great work.

richfiles said...

I was so excited when I woke up after a wonderful sleep after a 27 hour all nighter the days before when I saw the Equestria Daily post saying Near Death Experience had been updated...

Only to realize that poor Seth is half a week behind and it was only him catching up to the chapter I already read half a week ago when I realized an update at FFnet had occured.

I can't begin to say how much I LOVE this story. I think it might be outlawed in some states, cause I think it qualifies as a narcotic at this point. It's ADDICTING, and I need my fix!!!

Ah wan'nit NAOW!!! :D

Keep up the good work, and don't leave us all worried about poor Pinwheel in limbo for too long now, you hear!

DantE.MusT.DiE said...

Good Lord... that was really something, and I've all but ran out of words to describe this.

There's something oddly entertaining about this, but words fail me just as much as, well, something.

TL;DR whut.

wolfiew said...

Alright, this fic got to me. I read all 8 chapters in one sitting and now I'm craving the hell out of the next chapters.

morbidwaffle said...

MOAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

Jesus said...

mm i read all chapters, it as suck me in.

monkeyshine89 said...

This is pretty cool! I love it so far, although death talking in capitals is pretty distracting, I constantly think he is yelling.

ZSurvivalist said...

New Updated! Chapters 9 and 10 are out!

Taylor said...

Indeed it did, and it's AWESOME! It makes me smile to see how nice and sweet Pinwheel is being considering all that happened, (though she might not be fully aware of EVERYTHING that actually happened.)

Otherunicorn said...

Hehe. That was a fun read. I got to bed 2 hours late because of it!

Rampart said...

Chapters 9 and 10 made me lol. I want more! Now!

no_space said...

"-End Part 1-"

Squeeeeeeeeee! More more more more more more more more more more more more more more more. More.

Please.

VonCloud said...

D'aww fucking B'aww
Like a BAWSSS

shadefox said...

I...

Absolutely love this.

It's a mix of cute and horrifically gruesome, in a strangely awesome way.

fizzlefist said...

first time i've looked at this fic since the first chapter... read it all in bed this morning and loved it :)

Bryan said...

So, Spike and Pinkie Pie were right to be concerned about the possibility of zombie ponies back in Bridle Gossip? :)

Jesus said...

2 new chapter, i wonder if it will continue its a good story.

Xael said...

nicely written ....

but my reaction is still:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cq8_tDJpePk

FennecFyre said...

Part 2. NOW.

...Please?

richfiles said...

I was kinda hoping Zombie Pinwheel would be considered already dead, and could touch Pale Hoof... Like she could, as a spirit leave and enter her body, but he could only take or grant life, or restore it, only if she was out of the body in it's dead state...

Alas... They will have to resort to body condoms, kinda like the TV show Pushing Daisies. Hey look, a clear plastic tarp, lets totally smooch! I miss that show.

Gypsy said...

part 2 now!!!! i feel empty

Parchment Scroll said...

Laughed so hard at Pale Hoof dragging Pinwheel's body around Ponyville. So hard. OMC.

karaterachel said...

I went from vaguely nauseated to Aww in about 10 seconds flat. I love this.

no_space said...

Aaaaaah update! This is why I check this story every day!

Gypsy said...

lulz cutting off heads like a badass

artrcland said...

Nothing like a good story about death incarnate and tonight there was two of them!
I fell a few chapters behind on this story. Its good to be all caught up and wanting more.

Wierdplatformer said...

Wow, Pale Hoof is the definition of overdoing it.

Sebiale said...

I'm really hesitant about this one having a "grimdark" tag. Yes, it has the graphic/disturbing imagery one usually associates with grimdark, but it's not used to really shock or horrify, it's more ironic. A black comedy tag would be more appropriate.

Sir Leadhead said...

keep going. Lovin this stuff XD

BlackVion said...

Holy shit @ Chapter 13. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon got served.

I'm dying here! XD

Wierdplatformer said...

Scootabuse! D:

Poor Cherilee; it's hard being a teacher.

Gypsy said...

"THE DEATH IS A SIDE AFEECT" oh gawd what pure liquid gold i died laughing when i read that

shadefox said...

Straight up 5.

Currently my absolute favorite story for comedy.

DangeresqueIII said...

Where is chapter 14?! Please hurry! Btw, this story is what got me into fanfics. I don't know if I should be happy or mad as hell.

Party Favors said...

A long, long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...

This story updated.

richfiles said...

@Party Favors

Grrr.... I saw the word "updated" dropped everything, loaded the fic on my 3DS... and was disappointed that it was NOT updated.

Careful throwing around such powerful words for a joke... I really am missing this story. I hope it gets updated soon. I just love Pinwheel and Pale Hoof.

Hijinks ensue... or they would if this story would ever update!

Please... I hope this updates soon. It's such a fun, and cute, and creepy, and interesting, and disturbing, and lovely story.

shadefox said...

I love this story.

I truly love it from the bottom of my heart.

Jesus said...

It got updated let me look at my last comment September 10, better late than never.

cheezesauce said...

This story has got a great plot so far. but i think more elaboration, especially on the character's emotions, would be good. I've only read chapter 1 though.

SmoothOperator said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
SmoothOperator said...

This is one of if not the best fic I have ever read.

shadefox said...

Canterlot snobs + The Grim Reaper.

This is going to be a train wreck.

no_space said...

"Very well formed skeleton." Good Lord. I love this story so much it hurts, sometimes.

The Eigengrau said...

I don't really like the story's interpretation of a sentient Death, but I don't think I've read something as hilarious as-

"There was no doubt – she was stone dead. An idea formed in Pale Hoof's mind. His touch wouldn't hurt her if she was already deceased. They could have their romantic date after all!

"THIS WILL BE THE MOST ROMANTIC DATE EVER." He said quietly to the body, "WE'LL HAVE A CANDLE LIT DINNER AND GO DANCING, JUST LIKE YOU WANTED.""

I felt like I was reading a story on 4chan.

SuperUnknown1O1 said...

Chapter 16 was great. But excruciatingly short X'(

MOAR chapter please XD

Eridan said...

A brilliant story can't wait for more!

bestpony said...

what a lovely chapter! I loved the curse reveal, and seeing two of our favorite dead ponies (wow, that sounds morbid) made it even better. I only wish the chapter was longer - it was gone in the blink of an eye!

BlackVion said...

Chapter 19...

Damn, just damn.

pinkstar said...

So is this the end? Someone make alternative ending now!

pinkstar said...

So is this the end? Someone make alternative ending now!

BlackVion said...

Pretty sure this story isn't done yet.

richfiles said...

I'm pretty sure it just meant the end of part 2... Recall, there WAS a part 1.

That said, that was a pretty major event, and I have a feeling Pale Hoof still has some development. He has yet to be able to tie the significance with the mortal Pinwheel with the fact that EVERY mortal has a place in life. Just as he places a value in Pinwheel, each mortal places a value in the mortals around them, and just because he does not see it, doesn't mean it doesn't exist, as his narrow viewpoint still holds to.

I have a feeling that the Elements of Harmony are truly the masters of their universe. I certainly noticed Pale Hoof stand at attention when they were mentioned.

I think this story is only about to get interesting!

Also... random hug to the author... --hug-- There... That's for being AWESOME!!!

⎛◔◔⎞
⎝⫎ ⎠

HaloZombie298 said...

This is my second favorite fan fic ever. (First is the Silent Ponyvile series)

RDash said...

Woah, best chapter yet in my opinion!

MrFish said...

Something is wrong here, cause there isn't a Chapter 21 yet.

BlackVion said...

Oh, Pale Hoof.

What are you doing.

Nambuk said...

"IT READS," He cleared his throat, " '<> AND <> ARE OF NO CONCERN TO ME. THEY SHALL HAVE A WARM PLACE IN HELL FOR THEIR MOCKERY.'"

Took the names out to reduce the spoiler, but sweet crap man, I love you XD
Best line ever!

Dunno if someone has pointed it out before, but methinks someone is a Pratchett fan.

Absolutely loving this, 5 hooves up!
(What? I dont even...)

Multiversity said...

Hooray! Good story. Good ending. What's next?

Tom said...

What do you MEAN it's over?!

Unknown said...

Whoah, this is pretty awesome.

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
MasterContinuum said...

why are horse skulls creepier than human skulls?

Nambuk said...

End?
END?!
NOOOOOO!!!!!
Awwww....now I have to find something else to read....
*sigh* Well, I guess all good things have to come to an end...
I absolutely loved this story.
Its brilliant.
Please write more

9a403bd4-8043-11e1-88dc-000bcdca4d7a said...

Nooooooooooooo! *flail* It cant be over OnO

LadyMoondancer said...

Thanks for this wonderful story! Hilarious and heartwarming. :3

FennecFyre said...

AYEEEE.

Been waiting for this :D

Niels Olof said...

And here we are four-five hours later at 3:55(am), having read the entire thing from start to finish. What a wonderful love story.

Used as I am to other depictions of Death, I found the notions presented here appealing in an Equestrian context. I, in general, reject the notion of Heaven or Hell (be in conventional fiction, so-called 'holy' texts, or religious traditions), but happily, this work neither dwells on the topic nor actually requires either places to exist (though they make for a darling prediction to two certain upper class school fillies).

The execution was very good, and the plot meshed well with canon occurrences, and what is known about canon history. It says something for the author's skill that Death comes across as a more likeable character than Celestia herself, without the work being unfair to the Day Princess.

It is a sweet romance between Death and a (hoofed) maiden, with the occasional dashes of hilarity (the scenes with CMC were absolutely killer) and tragedy (as you would expect).

Highly, highly recommended. Most of the action revolves around OCs, but the Mane 6 are there in the background, and they are handled well, especially Rarity.

ambion said...

Seen this fic around for a while now and it's stood out to me as something to read. Just started and am a few chapters in, and this is going to be an all nighter, no doubts about that.

Thouroughly enjoying it so far, especially the potrayal of Pale Hoof. He reminds me of a younger, (if there can be such a thing) less experienced and more whimsical Discworld Death. Considering that T.P is my most favourite, all my hearts author, I am greatly pleased.

yay. you rock. woohoo.

ambion said...

I am now on chapter eight. - Half my brain is screaming, and the other half is gibbering. Occasionally they swap for a change of pace, but both halves are laughing and loving this story.

to anyone scrolling the comments, deciding to give this a swing or a miss... swing. definetly swing.

ambion said...

personally I feel it dropped off just a little in the last few chapters, though there's no accounting for my taste. The resolution is not what I expected and wanted, but is satisfying nonetheless.

twenty seven chapters in one overnight reading? Challange acc-- complete, actually xD
Very enjoyable concept and execution

David said...

Mother of god. They had children?! ME GUSTA. They did it without touching eachother? Maybe PALE HOOF agreed to IVF, whatev's.

richfiles said...

I'm amazed how little I've posted here.
I kinda feel bad for that.
I usually post a lot for such AWESOME stories!

I am sad to see it end.

Quite frankly, I would have loved to see a few more chapters between the princesses and the book signing. I'd love to see a second "life of" series that focuses on Pale Hoof's development and interactions amongst mortals. I'd like to see Pale Hoof respond to Pinwheel's aging, and eventual death... I'd betcha a million bits she acts as a reaper at his side when that time comes, just like Philomel and Thunderhead did while he was away in the mortal realm.

And for those who have not noticed... how /)-_- ... When Pale Hoof regenerates his skin, he is not deadly to the touch. Only his bare bones carry that effect. The skin masks his powers though, and the skin sloughs off if he uses his powers.

richfiles said...

Regarding my last comment...

What I mean, is Pale Hoof hasn't yet fully developed as a character. He is still in his own little world. He still doesn't "get" mortals. I would hope if you ever continue this in a second story, or an extension, that you explore Pale Hoof's developing view on the significance of life, and the meaning of mortality and friendship.

If there was a single disappointment in the story, it's only that it ended before getting to explore this. I think I speak for most of the fans here, that we kinda expected the story to go there, so yeah... The story feels like it ended abruptly.

Take that as a compliment... It only means we're sad there isn't more!

JeanMich02 said...

Too bad it ends. Pretty good through. (wish there was more)

Post a Comment