Eclipsis Solaris (The End of the World...Sort Of)
The annoying sound of my alarm clock woke me up from my dream of aliens and burgers. I blinked, trying to get my eyes into focus. Wiping away the drool from my lips, I reluctantly got out of bed and headed to the bathroom.
Same routine everyday, brush my teeth, wash my face, take a shower, take a tinkle, you know the drill. Another morning, another school day to be had at Canterlot High School.
Breakfast was eggs and bacon, with a side of slightly burnt toast and orange juice. My mom smiled at me, when I went up to kiss her good morning on the cheek. I gave a tired morning greeting to my dad, who was busy reading the morning paper. He replied to me with a grunt, as he flipped through the pages of the newspaper.
I sat down on the kitchen chair, pulling my plate of nourishment closer towards me. After a sip of orange juice, I began shovelling the eggs down my mouth. My mom turned on the radio and sat down beside me. She slowly twisted the dial, searching for her favourite radio station. No doubt wanting to hear the morning news. The sound of music soon filled the kitchen, as she found her station. She turned the volume up a bit.
"Good morning ladies and gentlemen of Canterlot City!" That annoying voice of the DJ caused me to groan. I don't really like him, but my mom told me to be quiet. "Its a spectacular thursday morning folks! The birds are singing. The sun is shining. What else could we ask for right?" My mom nodded in agreement, as if the DJ was speaking to her directly. I let out another groan and finished the last of my breakfast.
I stood up from my seat and proceeded to place my plate and glass in the kitchen sink. As I was washing the plate, a few words from the radio caught my attention.
"What people are calling the end..."
I turned around, the water still rushing down onto my hand, staring at the radio. Did I hear wrongly?
"It might be the last day..."
I turn off the tap and quickly went to dry my hands.
"Also known as the eclipsis solaris..."
The eclipsis solaris? What on earth is that? What language is that anyway, spanish? I returned to my seat, staring at the radio, hoping to hear more.
"So don't forget folks! Its happening today just before sunset! Have a great day people of Canterlot! And may god bless all of you."
God bless all of us? Why does he say it like he might never get to say it again? My dad gave a sudden grunt, turning my attention towards him. On the front page of the newspaper he was reading were the head lines;
'ECLIPSIS SOLARIS TODAY' I opened my mouth to say something, curious about the words---
HONK! HONK!
Oh no! The school bus is here! I gotta get to school! All thoughts about this 'eclipsis solaris' faded from my mind as I rushed to get my bag. After saying hurried goodbyes to my parents, I jumped into the school bus and headed for school.
The bus ride to Canterlot High was just weird. When we were stopped at a red light, some poorly dressed old man was screaming the words "THE END IS NEAR! THE END IS NEAR!" while holding a sign board with words 'THE END IS NIGH' on it. My bus mates continued on with their chats and gossips, oblivious to the man out there. A bead of sweat flowed down from my forehead. I was getting nervous.
What does all this mean? The radio.... the newspaper... and now this old man? What is going on? I needed answers, bad. I turn to face the person who was seated next to me. She had rainbow coloured hair, with light blue skin. I've seen her in class before, but we never spoke much to each other. Rainbow Dash was her name, if I'm not mistaken.
"Hey." I gave a light tap on her shoulder. "I need to ask you a question."
Rainbow Dash stared at me, with an eyebrow raised. She didn't say anything, so I continued.
"Did you listen to the radio this morning, or read the morning paper?" She shook her head, giving me a confused look. I sighed. Asking her about this seemed pointless. She doesn't really give me the impression that she's one of those types who would actually read something like the newspaper.
"Do you know what eclipsis solaris means?" Again, she shook her head. I groaned and thanked her, returning my gaze out the window.
"Hey!" Rainbow Dash gave me poke on the shoulder, making me jump. "You didn't even tell me why you asked me those questions!" I rolled my eyes at her.
"It was something on the radio during breakfast." I told her, "The guy was saying something about the end of something."
"What about this eclipsus--something something?"
"Eclipsis solaris." I corrected her. "Doesn't really matter though, I might be over thinking this."
I caught a glimpse of Rainbow Dash taking out her phone. After a few minutes of silent typing and scrolling, she quickly looked at me, with a mischievous smile on her face, it was for a brief second though, as her facial expression quickly turned into horror.
"I...I know what it is." she told me, her voice shaking and quiet.
"THE END OF THE WORLD?" I screamed, causing a few students to stop and stare, as we got down the school bus. "and its happening today!?" I was getting nervous. Eclipsis solaris is actually the end of the world? And its happening today, before sunset!?
Rainbow Dash lifted her hands up, trying to calm me down. "Don't shout! Keep your voice down!" She petted me on the shoulder.
"How could you be so calm?" I questioned her, bewildered by her cool and calm expression. "We have to warn everyone!"
"No we can't!" I stared at her, my eyes wide with shock. How could she even suggest such a thing? What kind of heartless person are you Rainbow Dash?
"If we tell everybody about this, the whole school will panic!" She spread out an arm behind her, motioning Canterlot High.
"But we can't just do anything! Its the end of the world!"
"There is nothing we can do! Don't you get it? There is nothing left for us to do." She was right, deep down I know it. The end of the world. I can't believe is happening. All this time I've always waved it aside as something that is not real, only appearing in movies and novels. But now, here, in reality, the end is approaching. I started to hyperventilate.
"Calm down, dude." I felt the warm hand of Rainbow Dash on my shoulder. "All we can do now is make sure everyone enjoys their last day here, and that we leave no regrets behind."
She was right... again. I can't stand here whining about the end. I must do all that I can to live through this last day, and to also leave no regrets behind. I need to be strong. I need to be fearless. I faced her and nodded at her in agreement.
"Let's do this."
"So...what exactly should we do?" I asked Rainbow Dash as we entered the classroom. "Its hard to act normal you know. With all this 'end of the world thing going on'" She gave me the same mischievous smile on the bus.
"Well... we should make things more fun and exciting!" Rainbow Dash rubbed her hands together. "And I've got the prefect idea." I couldn't help but smile at her. We need more people like her in the world. Even when faced with a situation that will end all of humanity, she could still be so calm and happy. Even still willing to live her life to the fullest, all the way towards the very end.
I stared at the clock on the wall. 7 hours before the arrival of eclipsis solaris, according to Rainbow Dash. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down. I stared around the classroom. Smiling faces surrounded me, all ignorantly chatting away, unaware of the impending doom that awaits us all. Or maybe they do know, but acted like Rainbow Dash.
I returned my attention to Rainbow Dash. "What's the plan?"
"There is going to be a surprise test later on." Rainbow Dash whispered in my ear, pulling me close. "We're going to sabotage it!"
I would normally object on things like this. But hey, end of the world. Time to go...WILD.
"Leave it to me." I whispered back. The teacher, Miss Cheerilee had entered the classroom. We both returned to our seats.
"All right class...I have something important to tell you. Today...there will be...A SURPRISE TEST!" Almost everyone in the class groaned. Miss Cheerilee showed the class a stack of papers. "I hope you all are ready!"
Now its the time for me to shine. I stood up from my seat and approached my teacher. She stared at me with a confused look.
"Can I help yo---" I snatched the paper away from her hands. The entire class gasped. I took a deep breath.
"NO TEST TODAY!!!!" I screamed, tearing the test papers in half. The entire class gasped again, shocked from my actions. "Don't worry my friends! We are meant to enjoy this last day! And we will not enjoy it with a surprise test!" I throw the ripped papers at my teacher. Her mouth was hanging wide open. Rainbow Dash started laughing loudly, I looked at her and saw her giving me the thumbs up. I smiled back.
Miss Cheerilee wasn't smiling though.
"PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE, NOW! YOU TOO MISS DASH!"
"I still can't believe you did that!" Rainbow Dash said, as we both stepped out of the office, skipping in front of me. "That was just. So. Awesome!"
I waved the praise away with my hand. "You would have done the same." I told her, my face smiling.
"I was planning on doing something else---like maybe ditch the test or something--- but your idea was definitely more awesome!"
"Still can't believe we are getting detention on the last day of earth." I sighed. We've been in the principal's office for more then two hours, listening to Principal Celestia going on and on about the importance of exams and education.
5 hours before the end arrives.
"Hey." Rainbow Dash gave me a bump on the shoulder. "At least you won't be alone. Don't forget I'll be there too!"
"But you didn't do anything wrong."
"Who cares? It beats seating down in class and listening to the teacher all day." She stopped right in front of me, causing me to brake. I've never paid much attention to Rainbow Dash before, except today. Despite her tomboyish attitude, she was actually really pretty. I couldn't help but feel sad though. I wish I got to know her better sooner instead of today. I guess this is a regret that I will be bringing to my grave. Rainbow Dash place a hand on my shoulder, grinning at me.
"What you did just now. Totally worth it." We both laughed.
3 hours before the end arrives.
I chatted quietly with Rainbow Dash as we sat through detention. Vice-principal Luna was in charge of looking after us, and giving us tons of work to do. I couldn't help but to feel glad that Rainbow Dash was here with me, I've gotten the chance to get to know her better, before we perish from this world, and I was not going to let it got to waste.
But still... there has to be something else I can do. To enjoy these last few hours. An idea struck me.
"Hey, Rainbow." I whispered to her, making sure Vice-principal Luna wasn't looking at us. "Want to get out of here?" Rainbow Dash looked at me, and gave me a grin. I nodded at her.
"Excuse me vice-principal Luna?" I raise my hand. "I have something I wish to say."
Vice-principal Luna stared at me. "What is it?" she asked
"I want to thank you for taking care of us today. Even in these last remaining hours of earth, you still continued to do your duty diligently." vice-principal Luna raised an eyebrow at me. Rainbow Dash snickered in her seat.
"But..." I continued, "I wish to make an ANNOUNCEMENT. I regret to announce that--- though, I believe 2 hours is far too short a time to spend with you--- that this is the END. I am going. I am leaving NOW. GOODBYE!" and with that said, I grabbed Rainbow Dash's hand and quickly ran out the door, leaving the vice-principal stunned and confused.
We both laughed loudly as Rainbow Dash and I ran out the front gates, still holding on to each other's hands.
"That. Was. AWESOME!" Rainbow Dash shouted, jumping in the air. "That announcement you gave to the VP! You should have seen the look on her face! It was hilarious!"
"We're not out of the frying pan yet." I turned to look behind us, and sure enough two teachers were running towards us, shouting incomprehensible words.
"Well, come on then! Lets make a run for it!" This time Rainbow Dash took the lead, pulling me forward, laughing and cheering as we left the pursuing teachers behind with our dust.
1 hour before the end arrives.
I've never ditched school before. Heck, I've never done any of the things I've did back in school. But I was having fun. I wanted to help the others, but the thought of them soon left my mind. All I wanted now, was to enjoy this last hour with one person. Rainbow Dash.
We went to Sugarcube Corner and bought some muffins. Play games at the arcade centre, and now currently browsing through a guitar shop. I never knew Rainbow Dash love guitars. It was kind of entertaining, listening to her talk about guitars. I could probably listen to her talk forever.
But I don't have forever. The end is nigh. I want to make this last hour a memorable one. A special memory, to bring with me to heaven.
"Rainbow." I said. She looked at me.
"Yeah?"
"This is it you know. The last hour." Rainbow Dash glanced at her watch.
"Oh my gosh! You are right! Quick! We have to go the nearest hill!"
The nearest hill? "Why?"
"Eclipsis Solaris dummy! Come on!" She dragged me out of the shop and started running.
She wants to see the end of the world happen? Is she crazy? Then again, if we are going to go down, might as well go down swinging. I run after her.
30 minutes before the end arrives.
We reached a rather small hill overlooking Canterlot. I can spot my school in the distance. I wonder what are the students doing now. I try to search for my house. I should have gave my parents a call. At least to say goodbye...
"Ahh..." Rainbow Dash gave a sigh and sat down on the grass, stretching her arms. I sat down beside her.
"Today is probably the best day ever." Rainbow Dash said, staring at the sky. "I've never had this much fun before."
"Glad you enjoyed it." I followed her gaze towards the sky as well. The sun was getting lower, and birds were flying across the sky. A soft breeze blew on us. It was cooling and gentle. I dropped my gaze from the sky and looked at Rainbow Dash. She had her eyes closed, enjoying the wind. She looked so peaceful, and pretty.
One last memory huh?
10 minutes before the end arrives.
We said nothing in the past 20 minutes, just staring at sky, and enjoying the quietness. It was really nice, to be here seated next to her. If I was going to die with her beside me, maybe dying doesn't sound so bad after all.
"Hey, listen" Rainbow Dash said suddenly. "I have something to tell you." She turned to look at me.
6 minutes before the end arrives
"What is it?"
"Its about this eclipsis solaris." she rubbed her hand behind her neck and looked at the ground. "I'm sorry."
"What for? I'm not sorry at all."
She looked up at me, her eyes surprised. "What do you mean?"
I looked up the skies. It was getting darker now. I suppose this is it huh?
4 minutes before the end arrives.
"I was so afraid this morning, when you told me about all of this. But now, I don't feel so afraid any more." I looked at her. "You know why?"
She shook her head.
I leaned closer towards her. Just one more memory with her before we die. "Because you're here with me. When I die today, I will be happy, because you showed me fun, and happiness in just one day alone. I was so scared of dying, that I forgot to focus on other things. Like enjoying life, having fun, and also...falling in love."
Rainbow Dash blushed, her cheeks turning red. She turned her head away. "Y-yeah its about that actual---" she gasped as I suddenly grabbed her hand.
2 minutes before the end arrives.
"W-wait! Please listen!" Rainbow Dash looked at me and to our hands repeatedly, still blushing furiously. "Let me explain!" Darkness was slowly approaching us. Canterlot was soon covered in the dark. The last rays of sunlight began to fade away, as something huge and black made its way along the sun, blocking out the light.
This is it. I place a hand onto Rainbow Dash's cheek, and slowly pull her in close towards me. Her eyes widen.
15 seconds before the end arrives.
I kissed her. As our lips met, I could feel her warmness spreading around me. I extended both my arms and hugged her gently, pulling her as close to me as possible. No regrets must be left behind.
5 seconds before the end arrives.
As our lips separated, I could hear her softly panting, with her hands on my chest. She looked dazed at our sudden kiss. After a second though, she shook her head and punched me on the chest.
"You big dummy..." she said softly, resting her head on my shoulder and hugging me. "Eclipsis solaris is latin... for solar eclipse."
Author's Note
Got this idea while watching The Amazing World of Gumball. Hope you guys enjoyed this one-shot. Thanks for reading!!
