//------------------------------// // Cobalt // Story: Princess Luna’s Anthology of Final Wishes: Little Angels // by Drunk Luna //------------------------------// Luna had to fight the overwhelming urge to destroy everything within striking range as she absorbed the terrible sight before her. A five-year-old pegasus colt lay on a dirty rug, struggling to breathe. His dark blue coat was bruised and bloody. Both of his wings and all four of his legs were broken. The grotesqueness of the sounds that came from the colt's small body as he gasped for air and choked on a mixture of blood and vomit nearly made Luna sick. His dark brown eyes were wide with fear, and his protruding ribcage heaved as he fought for every breath. The princess hung her head, closed her eyes, and entered the Sacred Hall. Sunlight caressed a now healthy foal, who bounced around a flowery meadow, laughing. His steely gray mane and tail flowed in the warm breeze as he frolicked in the soft green grass. When he saw Luna, the colt fluttered over to her and greeted the princess with a hug, which she returned. “Tell me, Cobalt,” Luna said, “what are your greatest wishes?” “Hmmm,” the foal replied thoughtfully, “I’m not really sure, Princess. I mean, I’m sure a lot of ponies want parents who love them, but I really just don’t want to be hit anymore. I’m tired. If you’re asking me what’s on my bucket list, I don’t know. I just want somepony to love me.” Luna’s heart shattered into a million pieces as she listened to Cobalt’s single, simple request. Tears began to roll down her cheeks. The princess wrapped her wing around the little blue colt and pulled him against her. “My dear, precious little prince,” Luna whispered as she nuzzled Cobalt tenderly, “from this moment on, you are my son, and I will not leave your side. Shh,” she cooed, drying Cobalt’s tears with one of her feathers. “There, there, my sweet, brave colt. You have been through so much, but you will never feel any pain again. Mommy is here now. You are safe, and you are so very, very loved.” Her voice trembled, but she continued, “Do not be afraid, my son. I love you, and I will stay with you all night if you need me to. Hush, now.” Luna squeezed her eyes shut and stifled a sob, then magically looked back into the waking world, where Cobalt was still holding on, though the sound of his death rattle had begun to fade. The fully visible outline of the foal’s ribcage protruded from his heaving sides as he continued to choke on his own bodily fluids. The princess exhaled a long-held breath, knelt beside the dying foal, and cradled him in her hooves before returning to the dream realm, where Cobalt was waiting for her. “Mommy!” he yelled, running into Luna’s embrace. Luna held him tightly, rocking him back and forth and humming a soft lullaby. Though she longed to hold Cobalt forever, to restore his strength and save his life so that she could adopt him, Luna reluctantly reminded herself that the colt, whose unfairly short life had consisted solely of pain and suffering, could not be saved; still, she would give her entire heart to Cobalt and send him to his next life with all the love of which he had been deprived on Earth. “Hello… my son,” Luna whispered, kissing his cheek tenderly. “Are you ready to get your angel gown?” Cobalt nodded excitedly, and Luna teleported herself and the foal to the “final nursery,” where Cobalt chose a white gown embroidered with stars. As soon as Cobalt was dressed, Luna transformed their surroundings into a moonlit meadow next to a large pond that was fed by a creek, which trickled melodiously over the little stones that crossed its path. Fireflies danced in the gentle evening breeze. The warm air smelled of honeysuckle and fresh grass. A small, arcing bridge connected both sides of the creek. Luna lay down near the pond’s edge, and Cobalt joined her. “This is my favorite spot in all of Equestria,” the princess said. “Whenever I need to relax or clear my head, I come here. Nopony else knows about this place—not even my sister. I am the only pony who has access to this little meadow; only I know the spell that opens a portal to reveal it. You are the only pony I have ever brought here.” The outer edges of her mouth curved upwards in a small smile. “Tell me, my little prince,” Luna said, wrapping her wings around Cobalt, “what are your other two wishes? You can have whatever you like.” Cobalt began to cry again. “I just want you to remember me,” he whimpered. The lump in Luna’s throat grew ten times larger, and she turned to blink away another scorching deluge of tears that threatened to reveal themselves. The alicorn nuzzled the colt lovingly and gently tilted his chin upward with her hoof so that their eyes met. “My dear little one,” Luna said resolutely, “I will always remember you. Your life mattered. I’ll make sure that nopony else will ever have to suffer the way you did. Your story will be heard, and your abusers…” she gritted her teeth, and her voice deepened to a low, guttural growl, “…your abusers will pay dearly for what they did to you; they will never hurt another foal, do you understand? I will destroy them.” Her eyes flashed with rage for a fraction of a second, but she steeled herself and took another ragged breath. Cobalt looked up at Luna, his face suddenly full of anxiety. “Will it hurt?” he asked in a small voice. Luna shook her head and nuzzled the foal’s cheek with her velvety nose. “You will feel no pain,” she promised. “I will make certain that you will pass peacefully. You aren’t hurting right now, are you?” She knew that Cobalt’s earthly body was still alive and in horrible shape, but as long as he was in the dream realm with her, he wasn’t supposed to feel any physical discomfort. The colt’s eyes widened, and he suddenly began to thrash violently in Luna’s hooves. “I don’t wanna die!” Cobalt screamed, fighting Luna’s hold on him. “I won’t let you take me! I won’t! I won’t!” Luna lay perfectly still, hugging the little foal tightly as she squeezed her eyes shut and stifled a cry. She allowed him to fight, kick, and bite her until he was visibly exhausted. Finally, Cobalt looked up at her again. “I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I’m just… so scared.” He blinked sleepily, and a low chuckle made Luna’s side vibrate as she gave him another nuzzle. “Somepony wore himself out, didn’t he? Are you getting tired?” she cooed in a soothing voice. “Come, lie down beside me and rest, my little prince. I will carry you home, and you will wake surrounded by peace, comfort, and beauty beyond your wildest imagination. Mommy will take care of you; you are safe in my hooves, darling. I will love you forever, and my love will stay with you, even when you can’t see me. Sleep now, my precious one.” Luna began to sing a soft lullaby, rocking Cobalt in her embrace. The foal’s eyes slowly closed as he cuddled under Luna’s wing. Luna curled her body protectively around Cobalt and wrapped him in her wings. She dropped a featherlight kiss on his forehead, her heart shattering as the dream began to lapse. Then, the alicorn gently lifted the skinny little foal and cradled him in her hooves. Luna walked at a glacial pace toward the gates to paradise, lowering her head to inhale Cobalt’s scent as she did so. When the waiting angel extended her forelegs to take the colt, the princess felt the primal urge to clutch Cobalt against her chest and never let go. After a few moments, Luna allowed her tears to flow unabated. “I love you, my little one,” Luna whispered, giving Cobalt’s forehead a final kiss. “Take good care of this colt,” the alicorn sobbed to the angel, gingerly passing the sleeping foal into his arms. “Please, just… look after him.” Without waiting for a response, Luna averted her eyes, lit her horn, and returned to her bedchamber in the waking world. The princess fell into bed and sobbed until she had to lower the moon.