In the pre-dawn hours, while most of Equestria slept, a lone bipedal figure dressed in a deep red cloak walked the streets of Canterlot. The being was in no hurry to reach their destination, each step slow and deliberate as they walked along the cobbled street. Their cloak silently trailed behind them, dragging across the ground like a gentle stream trickling over a bed of rocks.
Their slow gait took them past a small bakery where a pony was delivering milk, but the stallion didn’t even seem to notice the odd figure as they worked to unload their delivery. As the creature walked past the cart, a small foal turned to look at them and screamed, backing away wildly from them. The cloaked figure paid the child no mind, even as the adult pony came racing over to check on their foal. The cloaked figure didn’t even turn as they walked, the little pony continuing to point and shout as their caretaker tried to calm them down, claiming that there was nothing there.
Soon, the shouting faded away into silence again, as the figure continued their slow, implacable march. They slowly passed businesses, offices, and homes, as well as the very rare early riser. Just as they reached the clear edge of a distinct district of the city, a voice called out to them. “Hey, Mr. Death,” the kind of squeaky, high-pitched voice said as the sound of hooves approached.
The figure in red turned to look at a small foal, no older than five, racing over to him. The little scamp’s red coat was dirty and stained, but they had a smile plastered on their face as they skidded to a stop in front of Death.
“Hello, little Red. I see you’re still causing trouble,” he said as he reached down and ruffled the little foal’s mane.
“Nuh-uh, Mr. Death. I was just exploring,” he said, his lie as obvious as the dirt and grime in his coat.
“Your guardian is bound to be worried about you,” Death chided as he stood back up to his full height. “You wouldn’t want her to be worried, would you?”
“Nu-uh.” The little red foal replied as he shook his head. He looked at the cloak. “Why do you have a red cloak today?”
“It’s a special day, little Red. I have to visit the castle,” Death says as he looks towards the towering peaks of the marble castle in the distance.
“Is it Mrs. Starshine’s time?” The little red colt asks heavy-heartedly as he looks up at Death.
“I’m afraid it is, little one,” He answered looking back at the little foal, “but you know that all living things must pass.”
The little red colt nodded as tears formed in his eyes as he looked at the castle. “I don’t want Mrs. Starshine to go.”
“I know Celestia feels the same way.” Death kneeled down and put a hand on the little red colt’s head. “But all things must end, Red Shade. Just as your parents gave their lives to protect Equestria, Mrs. Starshine dedicated her life to Princess Celestia.”
“Can I come with you?” Red Shade asked as he looked up at Death. His little slit eyes shone brightly with tears.
“I’m afraid not, but I can promise you this; she will be at peace.” Death said as he scratched behind the little pony’s ear.
“Thank you, Mr. Death,” Red Shade said as he wiped the tears from his eyes. “Do you think you could let me see my parents again?”
“I’m afraid I can’t today, little Red Shade, but next time you see me, I promise I will.” Death stood up again and turned towards the castle. “Goodbye, Red Shade.”
“See you soon, Mr. Death,” The little foal said as he took to the air, his little bat wings flapping hard to keep him hovering.
Death continued on as the little foal flew off into the pre-dawn darkness. The rest of the trip to the castle was quiet. No other foals or ponies were present to see the cloaked figure as he marched up to the gates. The two night guards gave him a passing glance as they stood watch. Death respectfully bowed his head to them and continued on in. Step by step, he drew closer to his destination. His cloak trailed softly behind him as he took each step up the grand staircase to the castle’s doors.
As he reached the doors, they swung open, as if they had been expecting him. The entrance hall of the castle was just as impressive as the outside, with candles in their sconces reflecting their light off the marble walls. Stood at the top of the staircase, directly across from the doors was a regal white alicorn. She stared down at Death, a sad look on her face as her horn lit up and the doors swung shut again.
“Celestia.”
“Death.”
The short exchange of names and tones was all that was needed. The white alicorn turned and started traveling along the right hall as Death walked slowly up the stairs. Celestia’s pace was slow enough that eventually Death strode at her side. They were silent for a long while as the two of them walked. Each bat pony they passed bowed to each of them before continuing their duties, each regular guard simply bowed to Celestia and continued on. Their pace was glacial at best, as they slowly wound their way through the halls of the castle towards their destination.
“Little Red Shade wanted to come,” Death finally said, breaking their long standing silence.
“Was he out exploring again?” Celestia asked as she glanced over at the cloaked figure.
“Yes,” Death replied as they turned a corner. “He’s a precious little thing.”
“I know. I’ve seen him around the castle when his guardian is working.”
“I expect that, in time, he will grow to be a wonderful guard, or perhaps a spy,” Death said as he tapped the bottom of a previously hidden staff against the ground. “That is, if he learns that people can still see him hiding in their shadows.”
The little red bat pony colt appeared to pop out of Death’s shadow, landing on the floor with a thud. The little colt looked up at Death and Celestia before looking away in shame.
“Come now, little one, I understand why you want to see Starshine again,” Celestia assured as she used a hoof to lift his gaze up towards her and Death. “It’s very loyal to want to see her off on her final journey.”
“Y-you really think so?” Red Shade asked as he stood straighter and looked up at them.
“It is, though you will have to tell Angel Bell about what you did,” Celestia admonished as she looked down at him with a disappointed frown.
“I will, Princess,” he agreed as he bowed his head.
“Now come along, Red Shade. If you’re ever going to join my guards, or my spies, then you’ll need to follow through with your decisions.” Celestia pointed towards the door at the end of the hall.
Red Shade nodded and started towards the door. Princess Celestia and Death followed, albeit a bit slower. On reaching the massive wooden double doors, Red pushed as hard as he could. Even with all of his might, he struggled to barely crack them. Celestia mercifully opened them the rest of the way, and the group walked into the castle infirmary. The nurse on duty nodded to Celestia and went back to checking on her patients, horn glowing as she cast a diagnostic spell on the patient in the bed before her.
The little group slowly made their way to a small, sectioned-off area in the back of the ward. The curtain parted under the glow of Celestia’s magic, letting the trio into the room. Lying on the bed was an old and sickly-looking mare, her once vibrant blue coat had dulled to a silvery metallic blue and her eyes were closed. Red Shade hopped up onto the bed and gently laid down next to her. Celestia stepped up to the same side as Red and gently laid a hoof on Starshine’s foreleg.
Death, meanwhile, stepped up to her other side and looked down at the mare. Once, many years ago, this mare had spoken to him. She had been just a foal, ignorant to the world and had wanted to make a friend of the strange creature that was passing by her on her way home. They ended up talking for a bit, and chatted every time he came to Canterlot. Eventually, she grew up though, and like most ponies, she lost the ability to see him. Seeing her again had brought up those distant memories.
Gently, Death reached out and put his bony hand on the opposite foreleg as Celestia had touched. Slowly, a ghostly figure rose out of Starshine. This apparition of her had a pristine blue coat, wonderfully silver-blue mane and dusty grey eyes with bright blue speckles. She blinked and looked around at the small group.
“So it’s time?” She asked as she looked at Death.
“I’m afraid so, Starshine. Though it is good to see you again.”
The ghost let out a giggle as he mussed up her mane. “It’s been too long, Death.”
“Mrs. Starshine?” Red Shade murmured as he looked up at her ghostly body.
“Ah, it’s good to see you one last time, little Red Shade,” Starshine smiled as she reached down and tried to gently brush his mane, her hoof phasing through it.
“I don’t want you to go,” Red Shade said as tears started to roll down his cheeks.
“I know sweetie, I know, but in the end, Death takes care of us all. You will see me again some day,” Starshine replied softly as she looked down at him. “However, it is my time and I must go. Goodbye little Red Shade, be good for Angel Bell for me.”
At her words, Death offered her a hand as he turned towards the door they entered the infirmary through. Together, the two of them walked towards the door as Red Shade clung to the forehoof of Starshine’s body as Celestia’s hoof stroked his mane. The ghost and Death walked arm in arm away from the two living ponies, and slowly faded from existence as Celestia and Red Shade wept by Starshine’s body.
Later that day, a small funeral was held for Starshine in the castle cemetery, attended by only a few ponies who were close to her. Her body was buried besides the many close friends and advisors who had been part of Celestia’s life. The whole time, in a far off corner of the cemetery, a lone figure in red watched the proceeding, and when it was over, he vanished.
