Foals are not supposed to die. Luckily, those who must leave this world far too soon are taken to Heaven by their princess.
Princess Luna has a heartbreaking job: Granting the last wishes of every doomed pony before escorting them to heaven. Each of the ponies she helps has a unique story that deserves to be heard. This anthology holds the stories of the littlest wishers, the foals, the ones who should never have entered Luna’s care, but still needed her love nonetheless.
The peace of the most sacred area of the dream realm was abruptly destroyed by a bloodcurdling scream. Princess Luna sighed softly and shook her head as she walked in the direction of the sound. A tiny purple unicorn filly with a pale pink mane and tail lay curled in a tiny ball, trembling. Luna exited the dream realm momentarily to investigate the circumstances surrounding the sudden appearance of the foal, and what she saw was absolutely devastating.
The newborn filly lay broken and bloodied on the floor of an abandoned house, surrounded by cameras, needles, and instruments of torture. Luna had to turn away for a second to hold back her rage, her eyes filling with tears. She picked up the foal, who immediately quieted, then returned to the dream realm, where the same foal was still wailing and trembling. Luna cradled the tiny filly, whose cries softened as she opened her hazel eyes to look up at Luna.
“There, there, little one,” she whispered, rocking the little foal. “Your pain will soon be gone. Let’s get you cleaned up.”
Luna teleported them to a beautiful nursery on the outskirts of the dream realm. Smiling slightly, she conjured a small bathtub and filled it with warm, sudsy water, covering the filly’s umbilical stem with a towel. The tiny foal started to giggle and splash as soon as she was placed into the water. Luna chuckled softly and allowed the filly to play in her bath as she washed her off.
“You need a name, my lovely,” she cooed, tickling the filly’s tummy. The foal gurgled a reply and smiled up at Luna, who felt her heart begin to shatter.
“Look at your pretty coloring,” Luna went on, kissing the foal’s cheeks. “What an adorable little one you are. I think I’ll call you Amethyst Rose. Do you like that name, sweetheart?” She tickled the filly under the chin and kissed her tiny nose, making her giggle.
“All right, my little Amethyst Rose. Why don’t we finish your bath, and then I’ll sing you a little song? Would you like that?” Amethyst Rose answered Luna’s questions by cooing up at her with an adorable smile. Luna longed to be literally anywhere else. She began to sing:
“My little dreamer, Fly off to bed. I’ll sing you to sleep As you lay down your head. From this moment forth, You will know only love. When you awaken, You’ll be home, high above. So close your sweet eyes, Let your weary mind cease. When they open again, you shall know boundless peace.”
Luna’s voice broke as she finished her lullaby. The foal’s breathing had slowed, and the dreamscape lapsed. With a heavy sigh, Luna carried Amethyst Rose to a set of gates and handed her to a waiting white alicorn.
After reentering the waking world, Luna walked to her balcony, took a deep breath, and completed the job by speaking two words:
The stench of filth, cigarette smoke, urine, and rotten food caused Luna to gag as she teleported herself into the rundown house near Sweet Apple Acres. The floor was littered with soiled diapers, dog and cat urine and feces, dead roaches, cigarette butts, empty beer bottles and cans, and toys. Luna held her breath and tried not to vomit as she found the two-year-old gray Earth colt for whom she had been searching. He was lying in his own excrement, his ribcage was jutting out from his sides, and he was gasping with every breath he took. Luna shook her head and entered the dream realm.
The colt stood motionless, crying and shivering in pain and fear. His spindly little legs shook as he tried to run into Luna’s outstretched hooves. Luna choked back a sob. Usually, the only ponies who ran to her were elderly, terminally ill, or had endured unimaginable suffering. The princess lifted the colt and gave him a tender nuzzle.
“Well, hello there,” she said gently. “I’ve been looking for you, little one. You don’t feel very well, do you?” Luna stroked the foal’s head lovingly.
“Mommy daddy not gib me food,” the colt explained, looking up at Luna with big green eyes. “Dey said I been bad, so my brudders and sissy get snack time, but I don’t. I hafta eat duh icky food.” Luna’s stomach lurched as she remembered all the rotten food that had been strewn all over the house.
“Oh, dear little Nero,” she whispered, cuddling him close despite the caked feces that had built up in his matted coat, “you will never have to eat that yucky food again. Why don’t you tell me about three things you want more than anything else in the whole world? I’ll make sure you get them.”
“A bubble baff!” Nero said. “Mommy and daddy never give me a baff, so I feel dirty and stinky awe duh time, and I no wike it. Aaaaand… a buncha toys! And cookies and candy!” The simplicity of the colt’s requests shattered Luna’s heart. These were basic necessities that all foals should be given. She blinked back tears, forced a smile, and nodded.
“All right, then, little Nero. It’s bath time!” Luna declared, chuckling as she magically created a luxurious bathroom with a gigantic white bathtub. Smiling, she filled the tub and added an entire huge bottle of bubble bath to the lukewarm water, then conjured a large basket of bath toys. After she had washed the little colt, Luna sat on the edge of the tub so that she could splash and play with him. She felt incredibly relieved when she realized that there was so much water on her face that Nero didn’t notice the river of tears that streamed from her eyes.
“Don’t be afraid to splish splash as much as you like, my little one. Go on! Play in those bubbles!” Luna told Nero, dousing him with water. Nero smirked and returned Luna’s assault.
After they had played in the bath for about an hour, Luna wrapped Nero in a towel and dried him off, then she gave him a giant bowl of candy, which the foal devoured in less than five minutes. Finally, she filled the room with a literal sea of toys. Nero played with his new toys for nearly two hours, until the dream began to lapse. The colt looked up at Luna, his eyes filled with fear. Luna cuddled him under her wing, nuzzling his little head.
“Shhhhh, shhhh,” she soothed him, humming a soft lullaby. “You are going to be all right, little one. Come, I will walk with you; you don’t have to be afraid.” Nero whimpered softly and pressed against the alicorn’s side. Luna lowered her head and took one step forward, then another. A familiar set of wrought iron gates appeared, opening slowly. Nero took off toward the beautiful light on the other side of the gates without hesitation, never once looking back.
After the gates had closed, Luna hung her head and sobbed until she received the signal that told her she was needed again.
Smoke billowed from every orifice of the ranch-style house, creating a suffocating cloud of ash that changed Luna’s glossy blue coat to a dull shade of gray. Luna coughed violently as she gazed down at the three charred corpses that had been placed on the ground and covered in a white sheet. She had just taken the two larger decedents home, but now there was one last thing for her to do. The husband’s and wife’s bodies clung to the remains of their four-year-old daughter. The lunar diarch’s sides inflated, then deflated with a heavy sigh as she illuminated her horn and entered the dream realm.
In a fragrant green meadow, at least twenty foals frolicked under a clear blue sky. Luna searched the herd until she found a baby blue filly with a curly pale pink and white striped mane and tail. The small foal lay in a fluffy ball, trembling and crying. Luna folded her legs under her and lay down next to the filly, then draped her wing over the foal’s shoulder. Two fuzzy blue ears flickered as Luna gave them a soft nuzzle.
“Hello, Poppy,” Luna whispered. A pair of bright mint green eyes peeked out from between Luna’s feathers, and the foal whimpered as she cowered and tucked her dished face under her forelegs. Luna smiled sympathetically and decided to use her most effective approach.
“Poppy,” she said gently, “what’s your favorite flavor of ice cream?” Poppy’s ears flicked again, and she slowly raised her head.
“‘Nilla,” she squeaked. Luna magically created a giant bowl of vanilla ice cream, which Poppy immediately devoured.
The little blue filly relaxed as she finished eating the frozen treat. The princess cleaned the sticky ice cream off of Poppy’s face, then cuddled the foal lovingly beneath her wing.
“Now then, my dear little one,” Luna said, “can you give me a list of three of your greatest wishes? I will do everything in my power to make them come true.” Poppy’s brow furrowed for a moment as she thought, then her eyes widened.
“I want to be a vet, live on a farm with lots of animals, and give a feather from my new angel wings to grandma and grandpa after I’ve gone to heaven so they’ll know I’m okay,” the filly said decisively. Luna nearly broke down as Poppy revealed her third wish. Tears began to pour down her cheeks, and she turned away from the foal to compose herself. After a few seconds, Luna refocused on Poppy.
“All right, Poppy,” she said, “close your eyes.” The filly did as she was told, and in less than two seconds, Luna magically gave Poppy all the knowledge she needed to become a veterinarian. She asked the former dean of students at Canterlot University to present the foal with a veterinary degree, which he did. Poppy was given her own practice, where she had the opportunity to heal a sick puppy and mend a kitten’s broken leg.
Luna teleported herself and Poppy to a picturesque farm in the countryside, which was filled with cows, pigs, sheep, goats, chickens, ducks, cats, and dogs.
“This farm now belongs to you,” she told the filly. “You’ll be able to live here once you get to heaven. Let’s get you into your angel gown.” With an effortless sweep of her horn, Luna changed Poppy into a beautiful white dress just as the dream began to lapse. The angel who stood guard at the gates of heaven provided Poppy with her wings and halo. Luna smiled as Poppy reminded her of her third wish as she turned to present her new wings to the princess.
“Consider it done,” Luna promised as she took what was needed.
Poppy’s funeral took place a week later. As the grieving family left the cemetery, Luna caught up with the foal’s living grandparents. Both elderly ponies’ wrinkled faces were heavy with exhaustion, the rims of their eyes red. Luna half-expected them to ask what their daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter had wished for, but she knew that they probably had no idea that her job included such responsibilities.
“As your princess,” she explained to them, “I am tasked with guiding every departed soul to heaven. Your sweet Poppy told me to give this to you. She is at peace with her parents.” Luna magically revealed a small wooden box, which she opened to reveal a tiny white feather. As she explained its significance to the elderly couple, tears streamed down their faces.
“Thank you,” the filly’s grandmother whispered. “You have no idea how much comfort this brings us.” She threw her hooves around Luna’s neck, sobbing. Luna returned the embrace, then hugged Poppy’s grandfather.
Luna left the cemetery with a profound sense of peace. As the princess raised the moon, she released a long-held sigh, stretching her wings to relax them. For about thirty seconds, she allowed herself to weep. The sovereign of dreams could not afford to wallow in grief; she was needed when darkness fell. Luna refused to brood over the emotionally taxing nature of her role because she knew that her fortitude was needed by the souls that she was tasked with ushering to the afterlife. She cast a spell that replenished her physical and emotional strength. When she returned to the most sacred place in the dream realm, she was once again fully prepared to accompany more ponies on their final journeys.
The outskirts of Ponyville consisted of ramshackle cabins and tiny houses that reminded Luna of shoe boxes. The princess magically broke the window of the house to which she was summoned, guided by the weak, hoarse cries that echoed from a bedroom in the back. The entire house was freezing. Roaches and rats scattered around Luna's hooves as she walked through their droppings, which had caked so much that the wooden floor was barely visible, though it creaked with every step she took. The stenches of death, feces, urine, and rotten food saturated the thick air. Luna forced herself to breathe through her mouth, but it was nearly impossible for her to keep herself from retching.
Finally, Luna reached the back bedroom, where she audibly gagged at the revolting odor that greeted her as she crossed the threshold. In the far corner of the room, a small Pegasus filly lay curled up in a fluffy ball, though her emaciated body and paper-thin wings did little to protect her from the merciless cold. The foal's labored breathing confirmed Luna's worst fears; she was all too familiar with the death rattle, a sound that kept her awake and haunted her dreams. This filly was clearly around eighteen months old. Luna leaned down next to her.
"I am so sorry, little one," she whispered, blinking back tears. She steeled herself with a determined breath, then entered the moonlit meadow in the dream realm, where all incoming foals waited for Luna. A herd of at least forty little ones frolicked together in the flowery green field. The salmon-colored foal was laughing as she rolled in the soft grass.
"Everly," Luna called. The filly stood and waddled awkwardly up to the princess, still smiling. Her midnight blue eyes sparkled as brightly as the stars that adorned Luna's mane.
"Hewwo," the foal said. "What your name?" Luna smiled softly; she never introduced herself as a princess when she met with foals as young as this one.
"My name is Luna," the alicorn replied gently as she gave Everly a soft nuzzle.
"Wooo-na. Woona! Dat a pwetty name. It pwetty wike your mane." She gasped. "Moon!" She pointed at Luna's flank, then up at the crescent moon in the sky. "Moon!" The filly smiled proudly, and Luna would have done anything at that moment to take her place.
"That's right, Everly," Luna said, keeping her tone light and cheerful. "The moon is in the sky, and it's my cutie mark! You're so smart!" Luna chuckled and tickled Everly's side. "Everly, since you're such a clever filly, I think you deserve three wishes. What do you think?" She smiled at the foal.
"Yes!" Everly squealed, jumping up and down. "Pwincess! Castle! Ice tweam! One, twoooo, fweeee!" She giggled, tapping her tiny hoof on the ground three times as she counted. "Woona and Everwee fwens?" She cocked her head inquisitively. Luna's heart shattered. Her throat closed, but she composed herself again and summoned every last ounce of strength she had.
"Of course, Everly," Luna replied. "We will always be friends. You get to be a princess, just like me! Are you ready?" Everly nodded eagerly, and Luna transformed the foal into a magnificent alicorn with a diamond and pink sapphire crown and matching necklace.
"All right, Princess Everly," Luna said, fighting back tears, "are you ready to see your castle?" The filly nodded rapidly, and Luna created a gigantic pink castle with a large room that was filled with nothing but ice cream. Everly ate every bit of the frozen dessert, finishing just as the dream began to lapse. The familiar golden gates appeared, and Everly charged through them. Luna wiped a tear from her eye, then returned to the waking world.
Countless stained glass windows adorned both sides of the long hallway that led to Luna's wing of the castle. Each window, like the ones of the princesses in the throne room, depicted a different alicorn taking flight. Each window in this hallway, however, represented a different filly who had wished to become a princess before entering Heaven. Millions of these windows lined the hall, reminding Luna of the weight of her role. Each little filly would forever be remembered as royalty. Luna liked to think that they were laughing down from Heaven whenever sunlight streamed through all the windows and painted the walls with magnificent dapples of color. She wept for a few minutes, then dried her eyes, took a deep breath, and returned to her duties.
An orange pegasus foal lay in his small bedroom, surrounded by his parents, grandparents, and three older siblings, all of whom were weeping. The colt was eleven years old, and he was fading fast. His mane and tail were virtually nonexistent, and the unsettling gurgle of his death rattle filled the room.
Luna shook her head in dismay and entered the dream realm, where the colt, whose bright purple mane and tail were now completely restored, frolicked in an endless green meadow of flowers. The sun smiled down on him as he laughed and rolled in the cool, soft grass.
“Sky Charger,” Luna called gently. The foal’s head jerked up, and he looked around frantically. When he saw the princess, he raced over to her.
“Hi, Princess Luna!” Sky Charger said cheerfully. “Wow, I feel great! I can run and play again, Princess! I’m all better, aren’t I? Did you cure me? How did you do it when I was so sick just a minute or two ago? Thank you, Princess! Wait till my mom and dad hear about this!” The colt danced with excitement, fluttering his wings. In that moment, Luna wanted nothing more than to curl up and die.
“Sky Charger,” the alicorn explained softly, “after today, you… you will not see your parents again for quite some time, but fear not; I am here to take you to your beautiful eternal home, where you will never again know sickness, nor will you ever feel any more pain. You will never cry again, and you will be happy forever and ever.” Sky Charger’s face grew serious with realization.
“Princess,” he said quietly, “I’m not a little foal; I’m eleven years old, and I’ve been receiving treatment for two years. Please don’t talk to me like I’m five. I know I’m dying. The doctor told me last week that there was nothing more he could do. We talked about hospice care and stuff. I’ve watched so many of my friends die from the same disease that I have, so if I’m going to die today, just tell me. Don’t sugarcoat it. I’ve fought this cancer like hell since I was nine years old, and I’m tired. I know exactly where I’m going, and I know it will be just like you described it, so I’m not afraid. So, I’m going to ask you straight up: Am I going to die today?” He looked Luna dead in the eyes. Luna nodded, shocked and moved by the colt’s maturity and courage.
“Yes, child,” she replied. “Your suffering will end long before the night does. You will be dead in no more than an hour’s time. Do you have any last wishes? Why don’t you give me three of your greatest ones?” Sky Charger didn’t hesitate.
“I want my mom, dad, and baby sister to remember me this way,” he said. “If it’s possible, could you bring them here and let them see me as a strong, healthy foal? I don’t want them to have to watch my mortal body die. Their last memories of me should include the real me. Leukemia has stolen so much from me, but I won’t let it take away their knowledge that I’m gonna be okay, and that they’ll see me again someday. My second wish is to be my little sister’s guardian angel. I know she’s only two, but I want her to know how much I love her. I want her to know that her big brother will always watch over her and protect her, even though she won’t be able to see me. My third wish is for my parents. Luna, if it’s possible, please take away as much of their pain as you can. Help them remember the way I lived and not how I died. Make sure they know how much I love them.”
Luna nodded, no longer able to conceal her tears. Such sensitivity and kindness were rare in a foal so young.
“You are wise beyond your years, Sky Charger,” the princess of the night said, drying her eyes. “Everything that you have requested shall be done. In fact, I would like to reward your incredible selflessness with a knighthood. How does that sound?” The colt’s mouth fell open, and he nodded in shocked silence.
“A knight you shall be, then,” Luna declared with a nod. “Kneel.” Sky Charger did as he was told, and Luna conjured a sword with which she gently tapped both of his shoulders.
“Rise, Sir Sky Charger, Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Lunar Order.” Luna draped the colt in a navy blue sash and pinned the order’s insignia to his chest. “Now,” she said, “let me get your parents.”
Luna swooped her horn upward in a graceful arc, and two ponies appeared. They ran to their son, holding him close. The three of them clung to each other for a long time.
“I love you both so much,” Sky Charger told them. “I need you to be strong for Liberty, okay? She needs you guys now. I’m going to be all right. I’m gonna watch over you forever. Please, don’t cry for me; you’ll see me again.”
The dream lapsed, and Sky Charger bowed to Luna, spread his wings, and soared through the gates of Heaven.
Luna ensured that Sky Charger’s wishes were carried out. His funeral rang with the music of laughter through tears as his family and friends shared happy memories of the colt. His life was celebrated, and his parents found much peace and comfort in the knowledge that they would one day reunite with their son.
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.
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.
The weak cries that came from the black trash bag in the freezing storm drain were so soft that Luna thought—no, hoped—she had imagined them at first, but unfortunately, as the princess gingerly opened the bag, she knew that these little cries were all too real.
An impossibly small unicorn filly shivered uncontrollably in the winter air. Layer upon layer of frost covered her entire body in such a massive amount that at first glance Luna thought the foal was white, but as she gently stroked the newborn, the frost fell from the filly’s tiny body in crystalline shards to reveal a glossy black coat. The little filly was completely naked, and she had no blanket to shield her from the bitter cold. Luna magically teleported herself and the foal to the final nursery, where she grabbed a warm blanket and quickly swaddled the newborn, who was still crying weakly.
“Shhh, shhh, you are safe now,” the princess whispered through her tears as she cuddled the filly close against her chest and began to gently rock her. “There, there, little one. I know, you aren’t feeling well, are you?” She touched the foal’s forehead with the back of her foreleg and sighed in frustration. The filly’s fever was far too high; even with the most advanced medical care, she had no chance of surviving. Luna cursed under her breath. This little foal’s life had only just begun; she couldn’t have been more than two hours old. Nonetheless, Luna knew she had a job to do, and in some ways, caring for abandoned newborns was heartbreakingly easy because each one made the exact same, painfully simple wishes. As the foal began to cry in Luna’s hooves, Luna forced a smile and lowered her head to nuzzle the filly.
“So,” she cooed, still rocking the foal, “what shall we call you, sweetheart?” The foal stopped crying, blinked up at Luna, gave her a smile, then sneezed adorably. An invisible dagger twisted in Luna’s chest, but she gritted her teeth and continued to gaze into the foal’s big, innocent eyes. She began to sing softly, and the foal smiled at her.
“You like my singing, don’t you?” Luna giggled through her tears. “I believe you have just named yourself, my little one. I think I’ll call you Melody. Do you like that name, Melody?” She gently squeezed the filly’s chubby little legs, eliciting another weak giggle from the foal.
“Melody,” Luna whispered, kissing the newborn’s forehead. “Your name is Melody. Come, my dear, let’s get you cleaned up.”
Luna placed Melody into the small bathtub and tenderly washed her tiny body, then changed her into a fresh diaper and dressed her in an angel gown embroidered with music notes before swaddling her in a clean, warm blanket. As Melody yawned contentedly and fell asleep in Luna’s hooves, the princess reluctantly acknowledged the lapse in the dream.
“Fly high, beautiful Melody,” the princess whispered as she cradled the filly and walked up to the gates of heaven. She gave the newborn a final, tender kiss on her forehead, lovingly caressed her head, then handed her to the angel who stood sentinel outside the gates.
After returning to her bedchamber, Luna fell to her knees and wept. That little filly had only known love because of her. Though the world had changed so much over the last few millennia, it was no less cruel. Luna reminded herself that she had an indispensable role to play in Equestria, as a ruler, mother, and guide. Unfortunately, her job was necessary. With a sigh, Luna dried her tears and reopened the portal to the dream realm. Many more souls needed the comfort of her presence.
The air was saturated with the pungent, salty miasma of the marsh. Luna could not avoid wading through the mud and brackish water that surrounded her. The princess was not afraid of getting dirty, and she thought it impractical to fly ten feet to the weathered boathouse that stood before her; still, she took immense pride in her appearance, especially when she was about to make a first—and last—impression.
As she walked into the boathouse, Luna’s left front hoof broke through the rotting wooden floor. The startled alicorn cried out and jerked her leg back, cursing under her breath and seething in pain as she caught sight of the deep cut that the sharp, jagged edges of the hole had dealt her. A scarlet rivulet trickled down her leg, and Luna huffed in annoyance. She illuminated her horn and magically healed the wound, then stepped carefully through the inky blackness. The air in the building was thick with evil, as if something incomprehensibly terrible had happened within the ancient walls of the dilapidated structure. The negative energy in this place was so strong that it nearly stopped Luna in her tracks. The princess was suddenly hit by an overwhelming urge to turn and run, but she knew she had to keep going; she was needed here. Luna’s ears flicked nervously in every direction. As she took a few more steps, she heard the unmistakable sound of crying. Without thinking, Luna took off in the direction of the cries.
Eventually, the sound led Luna to a padlocked door. The princess sent forth a turquoise bolt of magic that broke the lock in half, then she shoved the heavy metal door open and gagged at the sharp odors of vomit, ammonia and filth that greeted her. In the far corner of the room, a dark gray Earth colt, who looked to be around eight or nine years old, lay motionless. His body was riddled with cigarette burns, and his underside, like the floor, was caked with old and new urine and feces. Rotten food, cigarette butts, filth, cockroaches, and maggots littered the ground. Flies buzzed everywhere. Luna rushed forward and lowered her head to give the foal a gentle nudge, but it was too late.
With an angry huff, Luna entered the dream realm, where the colt still lay curled into a ball, shaking with fear, but physically healed. The princess nuzzled him, and he stirred. The foal’s brown eyes widened when he saw Luna. She smiled warmly and lay down beside him to make herself look a little less imposing.
“Fear not, Steel Heart,” Luna said gently. “I am here to help you. I know you must be so confused and scared right now, but I am going to escort you to a place where you will never feel any pain again. Your suffering is over. Would you like some ice cream? What’s your favorite flavor?”
“P-pony tracks,” Steel Heart stammered quietly. Luna nodded and magically created a bowl of the fudge-filled ice cream, which the colt devoured ravenously. Even as he ate, Steel Heart’s eyes served as windows to a lifetime of sadness.
Luna cleaned the colt off with a bathing spell after he had finished eating, then she cuddled him under her wing and asked him about his last wishes. Steel Heart cast a thoughtful look at the stars. After a few minutes, he looked up at the princess beside him.
“I wish you could make sure that nopony else is ever hurt by a grown-up again,” he said quietly. Luna’s heart clenched, her throat tightening. She nodded in agreement and gave Steel Heart a sad smile.
“Unfortunately, I cannot prevent such terrible things from happening,” Luna sighed. “I can’t use a pony’s dreams as evidence of abuse. I am powerless. Believe me, young one, if I could save you from what is about to happen, I would do so, but I cannot. I can only comfort you in your dreams, and…” Luna swallowed hard, “…and give you a peaceful journey to the other side in a few moments.” Steel Heart sobbed, and Luna wished she could take his place. He was too young, too pure.
“Princess Luna, I’m scared,” the foal whimpered, pressing against the alicorn’s side. Luna nuzzled him tenderly and wrapped her wings around him.
“It is quite normal to be scared,” she told him gently, “but you have nothing to fear now. I will not leave you. Do you have any wishes? Anything you want to do?” Steel Heart shook his head, still crying.
“I just want somepony to love me,” he sobbed, burying his face into her side. Luna’s tears finally breached their dam as she heard the little foal’s request. She let out an inaudible sob, then quickly steeled herself and magically dried her eyes. A few seconds passed before Luna could speak without breaking down.
“Steel Heart,” she whispered, inhaling deeply, “you are loved. I love you. I will not leave you; you have my word. You’re about to go to a place where you will be safe and loved forever.”
“C-can you go with me?” Steel Heart asked, his face full of uncertainty. Luna sighed again; she hated this question.
“Yes and no,” she replied. “I can walk with you to the gates, but after you pass through those gates, you won’t need me. Trust me, you’ll only see light and happiness. I will make certain that you will not feel any pain.” Steel Heart’s brow furrowed, but he nodded.
“I trust you, Princess,” he said. “My only wish is that somepony in heaven will be my friend; I didn’t have any friends at school because my parents never let me go there. They said I was too stupid to go to school.” Steel Heart said this so nonchalantly that Luna nearly lost her composure again, but she took another deep breath.
“You will have many, many friends in heaven,” she promised the colt. “You will get to play with lots of different foals every single day forever, and you’ll never have to stop playing. You’ll never be tired or hungry, and you’ll have fun all the time.” Steel Heart’s eyes lit up when he heard this, and he nodded excitedly.
“I’m ready, Princess,” he said, prancing in place with anticipation. “I’m ready to go to my new home. I’m not scared anymore.” Luna smiled and walked with Steel Heart toward the gates, gasping as he quickened his pace to a gallop and charged through them. She waited until the gates disappeared to fall to her knees and sob uncontrollably in the main part of the dream realm. This little foal had just embraced death with heartbreakingly unnatural grace for a pony his age. Luna couldn’t fathom how terrible his short life must have been for him to die so fearlessly. Sniffling, she composed herself and stood quickly, preparing to help whoever needed her next.
