My breathing was shallow, my vision blurry, and my heart empty of any regrets. A few months ago I went in to ponyville hospital for a headache. After a few tests it tuned out that I had a grade three Astrocytomas A.K.A. Stage three brain cancer. They told me I only had five months left. It...It hit me hard to say the least, but not nearly as hard as Scootaloo. A few years back I adopted her and raised her the best that I could. Now she's all grow up and helping Starlight in Twilights school of friendship along with Applebloom and Sweetie Belle. Once I found out that my time was limited I started working on my bucket list. I'm surprised it only took me two months to complete it. I turned my head slightly. Even though I could barely see Scootaloo and my other loved ones, I could see him clear as day. His hand of bones wrapped around his scythe and his head covered by a black cloak.
"I wished I could've done more for Scootaloo." While I loved her I always felt like I could do more for her.
"Why do you say that?" His voice was...Indescribable. Not because of how weird it was, but because how simple and common sounding it was. My vision started to clear up, my breath coming back to me, And my heart monitor flat lining. I stood up, looking down at my body. Good God did I look like shit. I walked over to death.
"I'm not sure really. I just always felt like I failed her somehow." We stood in a moment of silence. "So...It's my time now huh?"
"Yes, but you don't have to walk alone. I will be here to guide you along the path to the afterlife." He turned around, walking out the room while I followed. The hallway started to grow darker. Roots were started overtaking the walls and the tiled floor turned to a gravel path. Soon the walls were left behind as we entered a forest. Beside the path was everyone I knew standing around a grave with my name on it. Scootaloo was crying on Twilights shoulder. It was clear that this was the tail end of the funeral.
"What's going on?" I was confused about what was happening.
"The path shows how your friends and family moves on from your death. I never found out why, but I think it tries to comfort the person and not have them worry about the living." We started walking again, my head full of questions.
"Where am I going?" I sure most would want to know where go when they die.
"It's different for each person. Christians go to heaven or hell. Hindus are reincarnated according to the cycle. It depends on the deads view for the afterlife."
"So..I'll go to heaven?" I will neither confirm or deny my voice raising a pitch or two.
"It's just as likely you could go to hell. Much like Cain did." I shut up after that. A shining white figure started to approach us. It wasn't human nor pony. I was more of an orb like things. It slammed into my chest with a flash of light. Once I could see again I noticed my clothes had changed. I had on a white toga with gold trimming. It also had gold leafing across them. Off to the side I saw another vision thing.
It was of Scootaloo in a wedding dress. I couldn't hear her but I tell she was happy. She left her bouquet at my tombstone before leaving with blue earth pony beside her. I won't lie, it had certainly brought a tear to my eyes.
"How old are you?" I was genuinely curious. I always wondered how old the man the helped you walk the path to the afterlife was.
"I was the fourth human to ever be born. Older than any civilization but younger than the Garden of Eden." The fourth? and why point out the Garden of Eden. Unless...
"Wait, your Abel?" He simply nodded his head. Another orb came from up ahead. It slammed into me like the last one. Once I could see again I noticed a slight yellow glow above me and my back was heavier than usual. Looking back I saw a new pair of wings. Looking up I saw a golden halo. Guess it's safe to say that I'm going to heaven.
Then I was another vision. It was of Pinkie pie. She was alone at my grave, her hair completely flat. She left a flower before walking away. I looked closer at her, something seemed off about her. Her stomach was larger than usual. Not in a fat way but a pregnant kind of way.
"I appreciate that you are walking with me through all this."
"Not many are. Most think that I am the cause of their death." The tree began to depart. In front of us was a large golden gate. Behind it was what I can only describe as wonder incarnate. "Here we are. This is where I leave you. The path has given you comfort and molded you. Enjoy your new afterlife."
I looked at the gate before looking at Abel, "Why do you walk with me and the others to their new place. Why not stay here in heaven."
He turned to look at me, "I was the first man die, as had to experience the walk alone. The path had changed me and I couldn't bare the thought of someone else walking the same path. After the trek I ripped off my wings and shattered my Halo, vowing the none would walk alone again, since I would guide them." He walked away, disappearing into the forest.
I turned back to the gate as it started opening. I was going to miss everyone but I'll get to see them again one day. I took a deep breath and walked into heaven.
