I wonder if Celestia would be mad if I decided to abdicate, Luna thought with a huff as she adjourned her night court proceedings early for the first time ever. Two hundred noble ponies acknowledged their princess with bows and curtsies as they filed past her on their way to the throne room’s huge double doors. Petitions had been especially petty this evening, and Luna’s patience was running dangerously thin as a result of everypony’s shameless immaturity.
“Why did literally all of the ponies here tonight act like insufferable teenage fillies?” she grumbled to a nearby guard.
“My thoughts exactly, Your Majesty,” the guard agreed. “It seems as if some ponies simply enjoy stirring up drama.”
“Well,” Luna said with a sigh, “at least it is over now. I must see to my other duties.” She turned and exited the room at a brisk trot, dreading the undeniable sadness of her next task, but also feeling a profound sense of purpose in the solace that she would soon provide to so many ponies who could only be helped by their princess of the night.
As soon as she entered the dream realm, Luna was startled and saddened by the sight of a chubby white unicorn filly, who looked to be about three months old and perfectly healthy. She had a pale pink mane and tail and the most beautiful blue eyes Luna had ever seen. The foal lay on her back, whimpering as she looked around at her new surroundings. Luna reacted quickly, picking the filly up and cuddling her.
“Well, hello,” Luna said softly as she lowered her head to nuzzle the little unicorn, who smiled up at her and cooed happily. “And who might you be, you adorable thing? Ohhhh, look at those chubby little thighs. I’m gonna get them! Yes, I am!” Luna gently squeezed the filly’s legs, making her giggle. Suddenly, Luna understood: This foal was clearly loved and well cared for by her parents. She was clean, full, healthy and happy, so she could only have ended up in Luna’s care because of SIDS. This revelation made Luna’s task even more difficult. The alicorn choked back tears as she rocked the filly, whose name, Luna noticed, had been sewn on her swaddling blanket: Bubbles.
“Oh, my goodness,” Luna said, cooing over the foal, “what a perfect name for such a happy little cutie. Who’s a happy little filly? It’s you! Yes! Yes, you’re such a happy little filly, are you not? Yes, you are! Who’s the most precious pony in Equestria? You are!” She tickled Bubbles’ tummy, grimacing as the foal giggled. Luna hated taking these doomed young ponies from their parents, especially when they were healthy. She could no longer hide the sadness that overwhelmed her.
“I’m so sorry, sweetie,” Luna sobbed, nuzzling the foal, whose little giggles had turned to nervous whimpers. The princess was far too aware that little ones as young as this one had no concept of what was happening to them, so she did her best to fill their last moments with a lifetime’s worth of love, care, and attention. She was their final mother, and she loved them long after the angels had taken them.
“Sshhh,” Luna soothed Bubbles, who quieted immediately and drifted off to sleep. The dream lapsed, a cruel reminder of a painfully short life’s imminent close. With tears in her eyes, Luna passed the foal to a waiting angel, who carried Bubbles through the gates that led to eternity.