//------------------------------// // Chapter 6 (Final) // Story: Minus One - A MLP:FIM Fan Fiction // by RedZobe //------------------------------// The day of the funeral arrived at last. Rarity had crafted dresses for the funeral visitors and Applejack, who was still in her wheelchair, was preparing the refreshments for the visitors. Twilight Sparkle, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash cleaned and prepared the coffin cart for Scootlaoo's coffin. The day was sunny and not a cloud was in the sky. Miss Cheerliee and her class waited in the classroom for the carriage to start towards the grave yard. Among the group where Sweetiebelle and Applebloom. “Do you think you'll cope?” Sweetiebelle asked Applebloom. “I'll try. Can't promise anything.” Applebloom said, looking anywhere except Sweetiebelle. Miss Cheerliee stamped her hoof to gain the class attention. The class stopped chatting and looked at her. “Now class, we shall be joining the funeral cart in a moment. Any one who wishes to stay behind, raise your hoof.” Miss Cheerliee called. No hooves went in the air. “OK then. We set off as soon as it is visible.” Miss Cheerliee said. The class waited, and waited. At last, a group of ponies wearing black and white suits turned the corner, followed by two stallions pulling the cart that contained the coffin. Spelled out on the widow in flowers read “MISSING YOU”. The inside of the box which contained the coffin had flowers and cards all over it. Miss Cheerliee signalled her class to follow it. The class followed the cart quietly and respectably. Sweetiebelle and Applebloom tried not to look at the cart, trying to prevent either of them having a breakdown. * At long last, the cart and group arrived at the cemetery. The group was escorted into a nearby building while some ponies organised the coffin and other arrangements. Inside the building, ponies were gossiping and talking, probably about Scootaloo, or other things. Miss Cheerliee told her group to stay together to prevent anyone getting lost. Twilight Sparkle spoke to Sweetiebelle. “Where's Pinkie Pie? I would think she would be here.” Sweetiebelle said confused. “She decided to drop out last out the last minute.” Twilight Sparkle replied. “I can't blame her though.” Applebloom looked out the window towards the gravestones. Two stallions were putting down there spades and two others were placing the coffin next to it. The message, card and flowers had been transferred from the box and placed next to the gravestone. “Life changes so fast, that sometimes we just can't keep up.” Applebloom said sadly to herself. Sweetiebelle joined Applebloom. “What they doing?” Sweetiebelle asked curiously. “Probably sorting out the burial later.” Applebloom said frowning. “There you are, Applebloom and Sweetiebelle! I thought we had lost you for a moment!” Miss Cheerliee said. “Oh, sorry Miss. We were just looking at what the stallions were doing.” Sweetiebelle explained. Miss Cheerliee looked at the window, and saw the stallions chatting. “I see.” Miss Cheerliee said. Applebloom and Sweetiebelle followed Miss Cheerliee back to the group. Every pony was still gossiping and talking. At last, the vicar entered the room. “Ms Applejack? Ready to head on with the burial?” The vicar called. “Yes, vicar.” Applejack said nodding. “OK. Every pony follow me please.” The vicar called. Every pony followed the vicar to Scootaloo's site. The group formed in a half circle, with the vicar standing beside the gravestone. He got out his book and began to read. “Ladies and gentlecolts, we are here to witness the burial of Isabella Scootlaoo, a much loved filly that everyone knew to the heart.” The vicar started. Some ponies began to form tears, a small drop even fell from Miss Cheerliees cheek. Two stallions slowly carried the coffin and put it down next to the hole. Two stallions placed a rope at each end of the coffin. “She's ready to drop!” called one of the stallions. A crane slowly dropped the coffin into the hole, trying not to damage it. Soon enough, the coffin was in the hole. The ropes were detached and the crane moved away. When everything went silent again, the vicar started reading again. “A much loved filly she was. Her and two other fillies had adventures everyday, hoping that they would find there destiny's. But unfortunately, this cannot be said for Scootaloo.” The vicar read. A mare gave everyone flowers to throw on the coffin. “If you may, one by one, place your flowers of blessing onto the coffin please.” The vicar instructed. One by one, every pony threw there flowers onto her coffin. As soon as everyone has participated, the vicar continued. “We shall continue on to bury Scootaloo. Everyone repeat after me” The vicar said. Every pony remained quiet. The vicar began. "We therefore commit her body to the ground; earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust; in the sure and certain hope of the Resurrection to eternal life.” Every pony said as dirt was placed onto Scootaloo's grave, signalling the start of her burial. “May every pony follow me back into the building please.” The vicar said. Every pony followed him back into the building. Soon enough, every pony began to gossip again. “I'm happy that Scootaloo is now a peace.” Sweetiebelle said cheerfully to Miss Cheerliee. “Me to, and every pony else it to.” Miss Cheerliee smiled. Sweetiebelle and Miss Cheerliee embraced, knowing that from today, a new start would dawn. Later that day, when the funeral was finished, and every pony had gone home, Applebloom strolled down the forest herself, Sweetiebelle and Scootaloo were last Sunday. In her mouth, she held a flower. Applebloom looked around as she strolled along. Everything was exactly the same as it was the day the came. She looked into the horizon and saw the three coaches roofs peeking out the bank. Applebloom scurried back underneath the fence and looked at the coaches. They were in the same condition as the day they came; rotten, run down and beyond repair. Applebloom looked at the front of the first coach. A little ribbon blew in the wind. She grabbed it. It read “CRIME SCENE, DO NO-” The rest of the ribbon had been torn off. She let go of it and it began to blow again in the slow moving wind. She walked to the side of the coach that Scootaloo had jumped from. The door was still open and the buck mark was still there. Applebloom quickly jumped into the coach and placed the flower near the open door. She then sat down and stared at the open gap. “Hi there Scootaloo.” Applebloom started. “It's well... been a while since I've had the chance to talk to you. We've buried you today at the cemetery; every pony was grieving over you, especially me; but I didn't show it. I couldn't let any pony see me upset.” Applebloom paused for a moment, trying to hold back her tears. “Oh, sorry for that. Now where was I? Oh yes. I've never been myself since, you know, what happened at this exact sp-” Applebloom was interrupted by a speeding train. The train was going in the same direction as the one that hit Scootaloo. When it had passed, Applebloom continued. “I'm gonna guess your not a fan of trains anymore.” Applebloom chuckled, trying to put some humour into the conversation. “I will never forget you. You were the best friend a pony could have, and for that...I will be eternally grateful. I swear to you Scoot's, we WILL get our cuite marks, no matter how long it will take, and no matter what they are. And we will get them for us...and for you. You will never be forgotten, I will make sure of it.” The tears began to stream down her face as she spoke. Applebloom got up and jumped out of the coach and looked back. “Goodbye Scootaloo.” Applebloom finally said. And by saying farewell, she could finally let go. THE END