Her Most Sacred Duty
Princess Luna landed outside Ponyville Hospital and teleported inside. She knew exactly where she was going, but her focus still shifted, slightly jarred by the overwhelming sense of loss that always seemed to fill this area of the hospital. The hallway smelled of alcohol, floor cleaner, sadness, and death—a stark contrast from the cheerful, bright colors and pictures that adorned the walls of the ward. Luna hated this place, and for the briefest of moments, she wished she had stayed on the moon; at least on the moon, foals barely old enough to speak didn’t have to die.
The alicorn sighed and continued down the hallway. Her destination was the fourth room on the right. Even before she opened the door, Luna could hear the sound of agonal breathing, a clear sign of a life’s imminent departure; doctors called it “the death rattle” for a reason. Though Luna had heard the death rattle billions of times by now, the sound still tied her stomach in knots—especially when its source was a pony as young as the one in this room. She knew she didn’t have much time; she needed to get to work.
Sighing heavily, Luna magically opened the door, closed her eyes, and entered the dream realm. Luckily, the foal’s dream was the first one she saw. The little filly was bouncing around a meadow, healthy and happy. She spotted a pink and white butterfly and chased it through a field of fragrant pink peonies, laughing as she rolled among the flowers.
“Sweetie Belle,” Luna called. The filly’s ears perked, and she raised her head at the sound of Luna’s voice.
“Princess Luna, you’re here!” Sweetie squealed. “Wait… I thought you only came into ponies’ nightmares.”
“Usually, I do,” Luna said, swallowing the pony-sized lump in her throat, “but I wanted to give an extra special dream to one of my favorite fillies tonight. Now, how about some ice cream? What’s your favorite flavor?”
“Hmm,” Sweetie said, “I like… cookies and cream.” Grinning, Luna created a giant bowl of cookies and cream ice cream, which Sweetie Belle dove into. After the filly had eaten her way to the bottom of the bowl, Luna cleaned Sweetie off and asked her about her favorite kind of cake.
“Chocolate!” Sweetie squealed, giggling. Luna created a giant chocolate cake with the most delicious frosting Sweetie had ever tasted. As Sweetie finished her cake, Luna lay down in the soft, cool grass and motioned for Sweetie to join her.
“Now,” Luna said, “why don’t you give me a list of things that you have always wanted to do? What is your greatest dream?” Sweetie thought for a second.
“To have my cutie mark, be an alicorn princess, and live in a huge castle with my family and all my friends, like you!” Sweetie said.
“All right,” Luna said with a nod, “then an alicorn you shall be. Stand still, little one.” Sweetie’s mouth dropped open as Luna sent a glittering swirl of magic from her horn. The magic lifted Sweetie upward. After Sweetie had reached the ground, she shook her head, confused.
“Come and stand next to me, Princess Sweetie Belle. This evening, you shall reign alongside me as Co-Princess of the Night!” Sweetie’s eyes widened, and she gasped as she turned her head and noticed her brand new pair of wings.
“There is more. You also get your very own crown and necklace, but first, try out your wings,” Luna encouraged the filly. Sweetie spread her wings and flew in a graceful circle, then landed next to Luna, who conjured a white crown and matching necklace, which both glittered with huge diamonds and were decorated with a pink rose.
“They’re beautiful, Princess Luna, but why is there a rose on the front of my regalia?” Sweetie asked. Luna smiled warmly.
“Why don’t you look over your shoulder and find out for yourself?”
Sweetie gasped as she looked at her flank, where a pink rose, which looked exactly like the one on her crown and necklace, had just appeared. Tears filled the filly’s eyes as she realized that her most fervent wish had come true; she had finally received her cutie mark. She took a step forward, and a pale pink rose grew where she had just stood. Sweetie took another step, and a white rose appeared. Then, the filly spread her wings and took off, leaving a fragrant trail of pink and white roses on the ground beneath her. Soon, Sweetie had created a meadow full of fresh roses. Luna took a deep breath and blinked to conceal her own tears.
“And now, your castle, Princess Sweetie Belle,” Luna proclaimed. With one sweep of her horn, Luna created a magnificent, giant castle in the colors of Sweetie’s mane, complete with a moat and drawbridge. Sweetie flew inside, and Luna followed.
“Well, Princess,” Luna said with a smile, “what is your first royal decree?”
“I decree that Rarity, Scootaloo, and Applebloom shall become princesses, too, and that Applebloom and Scootaloo shall receive their cutie marks!” Sweetie declared. With a nod, Luna conjured Sweetie’s sister and best friends, turned all three ponies into alicorns, and adorned Scootaloo’s and Applebloom’s flanks with their cutie marks—a scooter and an apple blossom. Luna was touched that Sweetie’s final wish had not been for herself, but for the happiness of her sister and friends.
Suddenly, a lapse in the dreamscape told Luna that it was nearly time for her to perform her hardest, most sacred duty for Sweetie Belle. The filly also seemed to know.
“Am I about to go home?” Sweetie asked.
“Yes, little one,” Luna replied softly as she felt the heat of tears behind her eyes. This would never, ever get easier for her, but she also felt honored to play a role in these moments. She quickly conjured the rest of Sweetie’s family and friends. Sweetie ran up to her parents first, oblivious to what was taking place. Luna had just done the impossible; yes, this was a dream, but she had pulled Sweetie’s family and friends from the waking world so that they were actually, physically present and aware of everything that was happening. Their last memories of their daughter, sister, and friend would not consist of a sick foal lying gray and motionless; instead, they would always remember Sweetie Belle this way, as the vivacious, beautiful filly she was before cancer had stolen her from them.
“We love you, Sweetie,” her parents whispered, squeezing the filly tightly.
“Be good, little sister. Watch over us, okay?” Rarity sniffled a bit, pulling Sweetie into a hug.
Suddenly, from the distance, two healthy, strong unicorns approached Sweetie. They looked so young, but Sweetie still instantly knew who they were.
“Grandma! Grandpa!” Sweetie gasped. She and Rarity ran to hug them, but Luna stopped both fillies.
“You will see them again when your time comes, Rarity,” Luna said gently, “but now, I must escort Sweetie Belle to her eternal home.” Gently draping her wing over Sweetie Belle, Luna walked the filly to an ornate pair of gates, which immediately opened up for Sweetie. The filly gave Luna one final little smile, then she turned and ran to her grandparents, who lovingly embraced Sweetie as they welcomed her into the beautiful light beyond the gates. Her parents and sister returned to the land of the living. Luna’s eyes overflowed with tears as the gates closed. A sob ripped through her usually stoic facade, and she bowed her head, momentarily allowing herself to grieve. Luna’s entire body shook with the force of her sobs, and she gasped for air, falling to her knees. She and Sweetie Belle had always been close, as they had bonded over the fact that they both had sisters who made them feel overshadowed. This loss was uniquely painful for the princess of the night.
Luna simultaneously dreaded and relished these heartbreakingly precious moments; parents should never have to outlive their foals, but Luna always did her best to make these transitions, far too many of which she had seen during her long reign, pleasant and easy for the little ones who had reached the end of their all-too-short lives. She had ushered countless foals into the afterlife after they had been starved, neglected, abused, and, more frequently, after they had valiantly fought a long illness, as Sweetie had done. Luna felt a tiny pang of envy as she pondered the fact that her older sister would never know the pain that was such a common occurrence in Luna’s role as guardian of dreams. With a sad sigh for the little life that had just been snuffed out, Luna collected herself and teleported back to the dream realm. The night was still young, and there were many more dreamers in need of guidance and protection from their princess.
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Well, that's a punch to the gut I wasn't expecting today.
i wasn't expecting it... still i liked the story.
It must be comforting for the ponies to know, that the night will ensure they get to where they need to at the end.
11483339
Exactly. I think as the ruler of the night and of the dream realm, Luna can sense when ponies, especially foals, are about to pass, as obviously she has to be really attuned to ponies’ brain activity. So, she would obviously know when the brain is shutting down and a pony is dying.
I'm not crying, you're crying! I can totally see Luna doing this and it was done great.
I noticed that Sweetie's dream had them get their cutie marks. So is this set before Season 5? Damn, we're back in the early days.
This was definitely a punch in gut. Especially when it brings to mind the loss of my sister when I was a child.
11483488
Thank you so much for the compliment! Yes, this takes place before season five.
I am not crying...
I am a strong man...
I don't cry to pastel ponies...
I swear...
I'm not crying!
You're crying!
It reminds me of a few people in this fandom in the past. Like Ninjadeadbeard, and Greyguardpony. I could have sworn that this kind of trope have been used before, yet it still feels like I am reading this kind of story for the first time.
At least she got her dreams fulfilled.
We need a lot more love like this in the world we live in...
I can just imagine Fluttershy, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo singing to Sweetie Belle a certain lullaby one last time.
Sleep now, quiet now.
It's time to lay your sleepy head.
Sleep now, quiet now.
It's time to go to bed...
11483646
Actually, I prefer the idea of Luna singing “Sleepsong” by Secret Garden. https://youtu.be/_yQpU_73Dv0
Who has ever played Spiritfarer? I cannot help but imagine Luna in that role...
Why does this story hit so hard?
11483657
Oh my stars! Just from glancing at the lyrics, I can see why!
I'm a bit torn on whether this is a sad story or not.
If "going home" is a euphemism for "ceasing to exist," then yes, it is sad. But this story seems to speak very literally of Sweetie Belle being escorted through gates and into the arms of her grandparents. Luna tells Rarity that she too, will return to them.
Are we to believe that she's lying to them? Are we to believe that these images are dream illusions to deceive and comfort them with lies? Or do we take them literally?
If Luna is a goddess, personally escorting her ponies to an eternal afterlife...escorting them home...how can that be anything but comforting?
I think it would have been more impactful with a random no-name filly, as once I read “Sweetie Belle” it jarred me out of it and felt a bit silly.
However, the idea (and execution of) Luna doing this kind of thing is very sweet, and does a good job of showing her own compassion and mental strength. That the pain of each loss isn’t lessened by time or count, but it’s worth helping anyway.
This felt pretty hamfisted, to be honest. The first sentence gives the whole thing away ("pediatric oncology"), and the rapid pacing afterward dilutes the impact. It could've been worse, but I found it way too easy to skim.
11483861
Fixed.
Having lost both my mother and father within a short time, this hits harder than I would have expected. To those that have heard the 'death rattle', you have my condolences, and I hope you never have to hear it again! For those of you who might read this who are medical professionals and caregivers who deal with end-of-life care, know that you are among the strongest people in the world!
This reminds me strongly of another fics here, one where a magical-cancelling flu strikes Equestria, and someone else must take up the bitter duty of granting a final dream to children taken before their time.
Yeah, I've lost a few friends to cancer (and other illnesses), and their parents always say that 'no parent should have to outlive their child.' That was actually also the case with my father (though that wasn't from cancer)— my grandmother said it, too.
When I had cancer myself—being the oldest one in the pediatric ward—I saw some young ones that were definitely on the verge of the death rattle. It's heartbreaking, especially when you see the parents. When you don't have the cases that look more promising, sometimes you can see in their expressions that they're just waiting for the rattle to come, and it's the kind of thing you have to just turn away from.
Anyway, good job with this; Luna serving as the Angel of Death as well as the Guardian of Dreams makes a lot of sense— I've used the idea myself. You've got a well-earned upvote from me.
11484043
Oooh I’d love to read that one! Is Luna in it?
11484021
I’m so sorry for the loss of your friends. Yes, having worked in a nursing home for a while, I can tell you that once you’ve heard the death rattle, you will never be able to forget that sound, it stays with you forever. I remember coming into work one day and hearing that sound as I entered a lady’s room. It was so weird because it seemed so loud in that little room that my ears rang after I left. I can’t imagine the heartbreak of having to hear that sound coming from a child. I have so much respect for all healthcare professionals, but especially those who work in pediatric oncology and pediatric hospice/palliative care; those people are angels. Congratulations on beating cancer! You are a warrior.
11484021
I’m so sorry for the loss of your parents. Yes, having worked in a nursing home for a while, I can tell you that once you’ve heard the death rattle, you will never be able to forget that sound, it stays with you forever. I remember coming into work one day and hearing that sound as I entered a lady’s room. It was so weird because it seemed so loud in that little room that my ears rang after I left. I can’t imagine the heartbreak of having to hear that sound coming from a child.
11484043
Do you have the link to that story? I would love to read it!
11484080
I thought you'd ask, so I went looking for it - the hard way. I knew I'd bookmarked it, and it featured Humans in Equestria, so it had to be somewhere in that 800+ bookmarks I had on that topic. :)
It's part of the Xenophilia series by SpinelStride - Xenophilia: The Blank Plague. Be warned, it's heartbreaking.
https://www.fimfiction.net/story/121432/xenophilia-the-blank-plague
11484091
Wow, thank you! Also, am I going to hell for bursting out laughing at the part where Big Mac just suddenly went “Ayyup”?😂I feel terrible lmaoo
11484096
No. We have to laugh in the face of the darkness, or we'd go mad. I know that.
My mother went from pancreatic cancer, my father from bladder cancer, my SO from synovial cell sarcoma. I lost a best friend from a massive heart attack, and friends in combat from the first two Gulf Wars and Afghanistan.
If you can't find those painful smiles in the dark, you'll go mad. And those who love you wouldn't want that.
And however much it hurts, there is beauty in that final night.
11484114
Wow, I am so sorry for your losses. Thank you for your service.
Man, this really hit the feels.
11483953
I wasn't asking for it to be fixed, but okay...
An absolutely indescribably outstanding story! Im at a loss for words. Not many things make me cry easily but you have managed to through the poetic, magnificently heartbreaking yet staggeringly beautiful writing done here.
A true masterpiece!
11483657
I’m not crying, your crying
Vulkan I need the hug now
11484114
Thank you for your service
From an NJROTC senior cadet
O7
11484114
Agreed to that my friend.
Even those few smiles can help you get though a lifetime of darkness
11484385
Great story my friend
https://www.icegif.com/wp-content/uploads/clapping-icegif-10.gif
11484385
Holy cow that sounds like Luna.
Cool concept, very bittersweet and heartwarming. I think the pacing would have benefitted from it being a bit longer, since events go by so quickly, but it's well written. Is it implied that Sweetie Belle knew she was dying at the end of the dream? Might just be me but I couldn't tell.
11485253
Okay, so basically, no, Sweetie did not know she was dying until that little lapse in the dreamscape. When she asked Luna if she was about to go home, she was actually asking if she was dying.
I couldn't bring myself to read it. Seeing little Sweetie Belle pass away is just too much.
Have an upvote anyway.
11485373
Thank you! Also, oh my god, your username 💀😂
11483714
In the spirit of this story, I actually recorded myself singing this song. Definitely one of the most emotionally difficult recordings I’ve made. I hope this captures the essence of the story. https://www.smule.com/sing-recording/116154341_4558861165
No matter how young or old you are, you're still mortal. Though our time may be short on this Earth, the memories we make will last forever.
I have now recorded reading this for a Audiobook version to come soon.
Damn. This is one of the most bittersweet things I've ever read.
Death, especially the death of a small child, is always painful.
But the idea of there being an angel of death who can make going over to the other side less painful is just...
*sob
And the song just...fits so well.
This was a masterpiece, and I congratulate you for carefully handling the subject.
Featuring Lotus Moon as the voice of Luna.