Dawn of the Final Day

"Please. Please answer me."

"Ha... I don't know what I was expecting."

"I've been deluding myself. I can't do this."

"I need you. I've never felt so... empty."

"I thought I understood fear. I've been afraid before."

"And yet... for the first time in my long life..."

"I'm scared."

It was inevitable, wasn't it? No matter what I did, this was always going to happen. This was always going to be our fate. It was our destiny from the very beginning.

I've never seen Canterlot so empty during the day. Everypony must be hiding in their homes. Is this what Luna deals with at night? Ponies cowering in fear? How ironic, that they should hide from the moon, when it is the sun that heralds the end of all things. It was always the sun. My sun.

Eternal night would have been preferable.

I had expected rioting. This is almost creepy. I think I would have preferred the rioting, actually. Are they avoiding me? Is that it? Do they think I had something to do with this? Big bad Princess Celestia got sick of listening to whiny nobles and decided to torch the planet. Yes, that seems reasonable enough.

If that's what they need, a scapegoat, a villain, then that's what I'll be. If that's what will bring them peace in the end, then so be it. If being hated is part of my own destiny, then I'll gladly accept it.

After all, what choice do I have?

What do I do now? I can't just sit around and wait. Well no, I guess I could. I tried to make things better already, and that backfired splendidly. I was an idiot to think I could protect them. No, not protect. I was deceiving them. Maybe Luna was right. Anything I do at this point won't have any lasting effects. I could do anything, and it wouldn't matter. I know I said that I've done everything, but that's not true. There are so many things I haven't done. I could... I could just kill somepony. You know, in cold blood. No reason, just for fun. Just something crazy spontaneous. I'm sure I'm not the only one who's thought about it. Who hasn't? I could see how many laws I can break before nightfall.

Why aren't I? It would be easy, maybe even fun. So, why am I still just walking?

I'm not actually going to do it, am I? I guess I wasn't fated to jump off the deep end today.

Nope. Today's scheduled programming seems to include a visit to the hospital. Why am I even here? Oh, that's right. I made a promise. Eight hundred years ago, I made a promise to myself. I guess I had no choice here either.

Come on now, Celestia. Just push open the door and walk in. Stop being a coward. Deep breaths. Just do it.

Here we go.

Huh. There's nopony here. I guess that's not really surprising, but I expected at least one doctor to be running around or something. Are their patients still here? Did they just leave them behind? Can I really blame them?

Wouldn't I have done the same?

That doesn't matter now. Just, do what you came here to do. Let's see, maternity ward should be right where I remember it. This way.

There they are. Oh gods, they look so peaceful. It's just... not...

Come on, just find what you came here for and get out.

Let's see. There were one... two... four...

Nine of them. Nine foals born today. That's just in this hospital. How many more are there?

Don't think about that. Just... stay focused. Where is it? Which one was born last? Ummmm... here we go. Should be this one right here. Let's see what the record says.

Wait, what's this?

"You... you don't even have a name yet."

He doesn't even have a name. No name, no cutie mark, hasn't even opened his eyes for the first time. A blank slate. A blank slate that will never be filled. Is this your fate? Who are you, exactly? Do you even have a special talent? Surely, the world wouldn't be so cruel as to bless you with a talent that was never destined to be realized. If fate had determined that the world would end on this day, then why are you here? You won't ever speak your first word, you'll barely be here long enough to display a unique personality. No name, no memories. Can you even be considered a sentient creature?

He's waking up. Did I disturb him, somehow? His face is damp. Oh, I... I didn't even notice I was crying.

"I'm sorry, little one. I didn't mean to wake you."

I had hoped he would sleep through the night. I didn't want him to be awake for this. I can't believe this. I screwed up again.

He's crying now. I... this is my fault. I made an infant cry. I guess this was my fate as well.

I'm sorry.

No. That's ridiculous. My fate? To make a child cry? The rest, maybe, but this is just absurd. No, I can fix this at least. I'll make this better. I just need to find one of the nurses.

Oh, that's right. I'm the only one here. Of course, they're all with their families right now. They must have come to the same conclusion I did. There's nothing anypony can do. No time left. No consequences.

But, this child needs somepony now. He doesn't know what's going on, he couldn't possibly understand what's happening. He just knows he's alone. The hospital staff have run away to be with their loved ones, and he's alone.

Let's see that record again. Is his mother still here? Ah, she should be in room... 206.

"Alright, come on little guy. Auntie Celestia's got you. Let's go see your mom."

He seems to like being held, the crying has died down. My magic has been known to have a sort of soothing effect. At least I can do this much for him.

Room 204... room 205... ah ha! Room 206. Found it.

She seems to be asleep. No surprise. Does she even know what's happening outside? Should I just leave her alone, to die in ignorant bliss?

"Who's there?"

Not asleep. Her voice sounds kind of scratchy, like she's been crying. I guess ignorant bliss is off the table.

"Right now? Just a concerned citizen."

"P... Princess Celestia?!"

I guess my voice is more recognizable than I thought. I'm honestly surprised she managed to jump up so quickly, considering she's supposed to be bedridden.

"W...what are you doing here?"

Good question. I promised myself 800 years ago that I wouldn't let the last born child burn alone during the end times. I'm here because your kid is the lucky winner. Congratulations.

"I found somepony downstairs. He seemed kind of lonely, thought you might want to see him."

The little colt doesn't seem too keen on letting go of my mane. It's heartwarming, but...

"Come on buddy, you need to be with your mom. She wants to see you."

We don't have time for this. Ah, that's right. Ethereal mane. Just a quick shape shift here and... he's lost his grip. Good. He didn't like that much, but it looks like she's got things under control. They do look happy together now. I should probably leave them alone. This is their time. Still, I just have to know...

"Forgive me for intruding, but I couldn't help but notice something on his record. Did you have a name in mind for him?"

Well, that sucked all the life out of the room. I thought it was an innocent enough question. Good going, Celestia. You try to do something good, and end up completely killing the mood.

"I... did. I was going to name him after his father."

"That's pretty common. You changed your mind though?"

"Sort of. When we found out about all of... well, this, he just left. Said he wasn't going to waste his last day in a hospital."

"What? How could he do that to his wife and child? What could be more important right now, of all times?"

"His mistress, apparently."

Oh. Wow. Yeah, okay, that would do it. I would feel guilty for digging up bad memories right now, but I'm guessing that's what she was crying about when I got here. Still...

"I'm... so sorry. That's just terrible. I shouldn't have pried. I should probably be going now."

"No, no. Don't worry about it, Princess. I'm really happy you're here now, actually."

"Huh?"

"I am. When the hospital staff left, I still couldn't get out of bed. I was so afraid. I didn't think I would be able to see my son again. I thought I was going to die alone, but then you showed up just now. I had just about given up hope. When everypony else left me, even my own husband, the Princess of the Sun herself came to see me. You have no idea how much this means to me."

Even if it's that very sun that caused all of this.

"Oh, no, I didn't really..."

"Thank you, Princess. I think I know what I'm going to name him now."

"Oh?"

"Yes. When I was lost to darkness, he kept me grounded, brought me back to the light. I think I'll name him Polaris."

The Guiding Star.

"How... fitting. It's a wonderful name."

"Thank you so much, Princess. For everything."

I don't deserve your thanks.

"Anytime. Now please, enjoy this time with your son. I'll leave you be."

So that's it. Joy can be found in even the darkest of times. Was this fate, too? No, that can't be. Too many coincidences, too many choices led up to that moment. The child's father chose to leave, plunging the mother into deep despair. The hospital staff chose to abandon them, condemning them both to a lonely end. And then I... I brought them together. Had I simply minded my business, or decided not to visit the hospital when I did, the fates of those two would have been drastically different.

Then there's the child. I thought him useless, destined to die as nothing. Was that true? Has anything changed? Because of my actions, he has a name now. Not entirely my actions though, he brought his own mother back from the brink of despair. Perhaps that was his purpose. Did fate decide that for him? Can fate even determine something so small in the grand scheme of things? Can one's destiny simply be to bring a smile to another?

Was I wrong?

I don't have time to think about that right now. There are still children in this building that haven't experienced the warmth of their own mother's embrace.

I still have a few more fates to change.

Flashback

Fate. Destiny.

Pathetic.

You're pathetic, trying to run from your own mistakes, blaming "fate" for your misfortunes. How could I have been so stupid?

Easy. I'm a coward.

I don't understand. I've lived a life with very few regrets. I've always done what I thought was right. I've given everything I have for my subjects. I've seen ponies die that have done far less with their lives, and yet they still died with a smile on their face.

Why can't I?

Have I not done enough? Am I not deserving of a dignified end? What do I have to do?

Why am I afraid to die?

It doesn't matter now. There's not enough time left to figure it out. I suppose I just have to accept that not everypony gets a happy ending. I had always sort of hoped that I would be one of them though. Is that selfish? It probably is.

I just want to lie down and wait for the end. Let death take me in my sleep at least. If I can't face it with dignity, then let it catch me unawares.

Hold up. I can hear something.

Someone's in my room. Who would waste their time here?

Hmm. Griffon feathers on the floor in the hall. Brown, with a little bit of... grey on the tips. Why am I not surprised? Let's see if I can sneak up on him.

Quiet. Quiet. Please don't hear me. Just a little bit closer.

"You'll have to try harder than that, Princess."

Drat. Hooves on stone is not ideal for stealth.

"As expected of my faithful student. Perhaps I've taught you too well."

"Much as I enjoy these games of yours, I hardly think now is the time to play around."

Ugh, he's right. I'm just trying to hide from my problems again. Is it so wrong to try to be happy though?

"No, you're right, of course. You seem oddly calm about all of this, Godwin."

"I've had practice keeping my cool. It comes with the territory, being your apprentice and all."

A facade, just like me. Is he hiding his fear as well?

"Is it safe to assume, Princess, that summoning the other element bearers would be a waste of time? The fact that you haven't called them already tells me this is a matter that harmony cannot solve. Am I right?"

He's a smart one. Always has been. Given a few more years, he could have gone on to do great things. Yet more wasted potential. Just another life unfulfilled.

"Right again. I knew I chose you for a reason."

Ha. Even on the brink of death, a little ego stroking still gets your feathers ruffled. Never change.

"Godwin, why aren't you with your family?"

"What do you mean?"

"You've already come to the conclusion that the elements can't help us. I have no more control over the sun. You know what that means, right? I'm sure you've already figured it out."

Don't give me that look, like you have to think about it. You and I both know what's going on here. The only difference is that I've had more time to come to terms with it.

"I've already said my goodbyes. I saw my parents just before coming here."

"There's no others?"

"You know I was always too busy for dating."

Too busy, or just uninterested? Maybe this is good, though. I could use someone to talk to right now.