//------------------------------// // Chapter 15: A Dance with Denial // Story: Equestria in Ruins // by Eclipse Shine //------------------------------// The once jovial hostess now stood in horror at the base of my bed as I grew weaker with every moment that pasted. Breathing slowed as heart raced, the venom in my flesh stung me as my blood ran black like the darkness that cursed it. I had not cut nor severely bruised during the incident but that did not conclude that the curse brought no pain to my once energetic body; slowly draining me like a freshly squeezed orange. But unlike an orange, death brought no sweet taste with it. “Isn’t there anything you can do?!” Apple Bloom barked at Celestia, thoughts racing in her mind, leading her to drastic measures. She shook me vigorously with fury and anguish in her eyes. “Stop pretending to be injured, you’re fine!” The pain aggravated as I tried to buck her off of me but no success came from my efforts. “No she’s not and there’s nothing I can do to help her; this isn’t my doing. “ Celestia bowed her head in shame to the God of death; seeking nothing in return for her resentment. “Please do something…” Apple Bloom sat down, almost collapsing as she did so. Her front hooves against her brilliant orange eyes, she couldn’t bring herself to cry. No tears would welcome her in her desperation as sorrow held her against her will. “It’s okay Apple Bloom.” Each word came with a price as I cringed in agony. I couldn’t stand to see them like this, even in these times, I tried my best to make them feel better; to reassure them that everything would be fine when I know it wouldn’t. Things will never be the same. Babs Seed escorted Apple Bloom out of the room, the pain becoming too much to bear for the yellow mare. Returning to the room, Babs brought me some cider, which despite my best efforts; I couldn’t bring myself to drink. I wasn’t thirsty, nor was I hungry; my body had more important things to sort out than basic necessities. ~ Rain pounded on the window, leaking through the ill-maintained windowsill that carried a breeze with the evening storm. The Gods above were morning the loss of innocence of the three fillies that lay beside each other, shedding tears that Apple Bloom couldn’t bring herself to let out. It was over, the trial had ceased just like I would eventually. I overheard Celestia telling Apple Bloom. Babs Seed and Shining Armor that it wasn’t certain if I would make through the night. I wasn’t sure if Starshard and Unity spoke the same concern as they tried to rest; but no sleep came to them. Perhaps the next time I shut my eyes to relax, it would be the last. Death haunted me through my life but it was about time that he caught me in a moment of vulnerability. Regardless of what happens, I know that I lived a better life than most ponies twice my age. I’ve experienced more than all of Ponyville combined and I was ready to face Death and look him dead in the eyes. The rain kept pounding in an awfully familiar pattern, almost as if I revisited the night that Starshard had been attacked but I was in her place this time. Death become more and more imminent as the hourglass was running dry for me. The pain was growing more and more agonizing as I struggled in my pursuit of comfort. I kept getting weaker and weaker as the hours passed; it wouldn’t be long before the reaper manifested himself before me. It wouldn’t be long before I closed my eyes once and for all. “Goodbye.” “Eclipse, don’t say that!” Starshard hissed at me. “I’m scared that I won’t be able to say it when the time comes…I…I love you all so much. Thank you for staying by my side…” Each word ached in my throat as I barely held back tears of my own. “You believed in me when you rescued me…I believe in you Eclipse. Please don’t go…” Starshard met my eyes with grief as she glided her hoof across my mane. “Starshard, didn’t you hear Celestia, there isn’t anything we can do to save her…” “Shut up!” Starshard become furious as she interrupted Unity’s efforts to preach the truth. “But Celestia said…” Whoosh! Starshard’s hoof cut the air as it met Unity’s jaw, sending the filly flying off the bed; hitting the floor with a violent bang. “I…I’m so, so sorry…” Starshard was seeking redemption after her actions. Regret brought waterfalls to the filly’s eyes as she buried her head in a coffee-brown pillow that stood beside me. “I…I didn’t mean to…” Her words were barely audible at this point, cut off by the sound barrier beneath her. “I’m sorry as well…I should have stayed silent…” Unity seeped regret from her eyes as well, trotting up to Starshard. ~ Dusk approached and the rain slowly died to a soothing drizzles as hooves clamored down the hallway towards my room. Babs Seed, Apple Bloom and Shining Armor joined us without the presence of Celestia. “Where’s Princess Celestia?” Unity asked, concerned about the whereabouts of the celestial being. “She’s outside, taking a walk by the zapapple trees.” Babs replied, trotting closer to my bed. “In the middle of a rainstorm?!” Unity’s concern grew as she got up from her resting place. “It isn’t that bad anymore; she just needed some fresh air.” Shining Armor helped Babs with her explanation. “Is she okay?” Starshard asked with the same concern as Unity, eyes wide open. “She’s fine; she just needed some time alone.” Babs placed another glass of cider beside me which I tried to down. As I expected, my body couldn’t handle the fluid and I ended up spilling some of it accidently on my sheet. “Eclipse is getting worse.” Unity had her head down in defeat, emotionally drained from today’s unfortunate events. “I know.” Shining Armor met Unity and brushed his hoof across her delicate mane. “Will she make it through the night?” Starshard trotted up to Shining Armor, equally defeated as her eyes threatened further tears. “No.” Out of the shadows, Celestia emerged, her mane and coat soaked from the droplets of rain. She must have been wandering across Sweet Apple Acres for a while. No words came from any of us, we just stood still without the breath required to argue. ~ The clock struck 24:00, a 25th hour approaching and threatening even more pain to my weakened body. But no pain came, just a soothing relief that it will soon be over. Starshard and Unity had long fallen asleep beside me, their pelts warming my cooling blood. Tick-Tock The clock ticked on as the night reached its darkest hour. Tick-Tock My eyes grew tired, threatening to close at any second, it was beyond my power. Tick-Tock The reaper drew closer, rapping his hoof at my door. Tick-Tock His trotting met the old hard-wood floor. Tick-Tock He looked me dead in the eyes, starring directly into my soul. Tick-Tock The night reached its 25th hour as my body embraced the cold. My time was up; all I could do was watch in acceptance as he guided me through the abyss. I was the light in the darkness guiding Equestria towards serenity but this time I was the one that needed help to find my way. The storm ceased as I drifted off, my mind was blank, embracing Death as he showed me the way to my own serenity. It then became clear to me. I was that light in the darkness. I was the good in the evil. I was the truth in the countless lies. I was the dawn that overwhelmed the dusk. And I was the one that had to fall in order for Equestria to rise up from the ashes of its destruction. FIN