The Grim Reaper's Apprentice is a story written by Hal Rose and published on Tumblr. It follows Jax Nightingale, who answers to a rather unusual ad in the newspaper, causing him to become the apprentice of the Grim Reaper, lovingly called "Grimmy" by Jax.
The story is divided into 9 chapters, in which Jax learns the basics of his new job, meets the gods and the devil, and uncovers some mysteries about his past.
The Grim Reaper's Apprentice contains examples of...
- Cliffhanger: Several at the end of chapters, and a big one at the end of Chapter 9.
- Do Not Taunt Cthulhu: Jax decides to yell at the angels and gods. It goes about as well as one would expect.Jax:"I think I’m going to go fight the Gods."
- Dragged Off to Hell: Happens to the family in Chapter 3.
- Extremely Protective Child: Jax in the later chapters; learning that Heaven is forbidding his parents to meet as a punishment prompts his Rage Against the Heavens.
- Extremely Short Timespan: Chapters 1 to 8 take place on the same day, only a few hours apart; Chapter 9 takes place the next morning.
- Fallen Angel: Samson, who masquerades as Jax's father is revealed to be this.
- The Grim Reaper: Jax's new boss.
- Half-Human Hybrid: Jax's father is the Grim Reaper, which is why he was drawn to the newspaper ad; his mother used to be his apprentice, though she seems to be a normal human for all intents and purposes.
- Rage Against the Heavens: Jax is not amused learning that the gods punished the Grim Reaper for loving his mother.
- Really Royalty Reveal: When Jax keeps asking for answers, the Grim Reaper sends him to talk to his mother... Who explains that his father is the Grim Reaper himself.
- Satan: The ruler of hell.
- Satan Is Good: Pointed out by Jax, the Devil is an old friend of the Grim Reaper and has a rather pleasant chat with Jax when he comes to introduce himself.Jax:"You know, you’re really classy for being The Devil."
- Switching P.O.V.: The last chapter is told from the Grim Reaper's perspective.
- Wonder Child: Jax's conception had to be helped along by the Devil himself, though it's implied it's not because his mother is infertile, but because his father is the Grim Reaper.
