Applejack gazed into her mirror, staring at the plain black dress that clung to her body.She stared at the simple lace that blanketed over the black cloth and noted how it drooped around the dress.The sleeves and the cuffs, how they stretched halfway down her legs and were baggy enough that she could swing them around her hoofs.Rarity had designed the dress for comfort and simplicity rather than for style and flashiness.Applejack appreciated the sentiment.The last thing any-pony needed today was to worry about a dress riding up their back-side.
Glancing up at the clock, Applejack noticed it’d be time to go soon.She stared up into the mirror, looking into her own eyes, finding it difficult.What’ll happen after this?She couldn’t help but ask herself.Will we all still be friends?The question circled through her mind.
A soft knock tapped on the door, startling Applejack.“Be out in a minute,” she called back, not quite ready to leave the safety of her room.Another knock came, slightly annoying her and she turned around, “I said, I’d be out in a . . .” and Applejack’s voice dropped off as she caught her little sister, Apple Bloom, sneaking into the room.“Apple Bloom, I’m sorry I . . .” her voice trailed off as she stared into the watery eyes of her sister.
Apple Bloom walked over to her and just leaned against Applejack. She sniffled a bit and Applejack rested a hoof around her.“She’s really gone isn’t she Applejack?” and not knowing how else to respond to her sister, Applejack nodded.
“Applejack?” and AJ glanced down to find her sister’s eyes meeting hers, searching her.“Are . . . Are you still mad at Fluttershy?”
The question pierced through Applejack as she’d been avoiding thinking about her friend as much as possible. Every time she thought of Fluttershy, she hurt.Even now, she felt the tightness around her chest, sucking the life out of her.Applejack always prided herself on her dependability, her work ethic, and her loyalty to her friends.When they counted on her to do something, she always saw it through to the end; no matter what.And with Dash’s death, she’d been counting on Fluttershy.
“It’s complicated” Applejack finally answered after her silence had almost convinced Apple Bloom there would be no answer.
A brief silence, and then the next question from her sister, “Why?”
Applejack bit her lip. She didn’t want to be discussing this right before the funeral. “I don’t think ya’d understand Apple Bloom. You weren’t there,” she said, trying not to be short with her sister, but wanting to end the conversation as quickly as possible.
Nodding, Apple Bloom pondered her sister’s words for a moment, and then said, “Well, neither were you.” Applejack’s shocked reaction startled the little filly and Apple Bloom began to stutter as she tried to explain herself, “I-I mean, you were too busy fighting and all, you never saw what happened when she went after Rainbow Dash, did ya?”
“Well no Apple Bloom, but that’s not the point . . . but how would you know what happened?”Applejack didn’t mean for her question to sound so forceful. She’d become agitated, uncomfortable, and slightly annoyed with the questioning, but could see her sister cowering a bit before her.
“I’m sorry Applejack,” Apple Bloom answered quickly, “I was just so worried about you that when Twilight came, I kinda followed her into the field and . . . and I heard what happened.” Apple Bloom started rambling, knowing she’d angered her sister. “That’s when I realized that, you wouldn’t have seen what happened either because . . . because you can’t fly and . . .” Her voice trailed off as she noticed her sister had stepped away from her.She glanced over and found her sister back at the mirror, trying to comb her hair. “I-I’m sorry Applejack,” she said defeated.
“No Apple Bloom, it’s not your fault.” Applejack sighed, “I know you were just trying to help but, I don’t really want to talk about it right now is all.”
Backing off, Apple Bloom returned to the door. “Oh, okay. Well, it’s almost time to go Applejack.”
Nodding, Applejack said “thanks Apple Bloom” and allowed her sister to step out of the room.
The walk to the cemetery was silent.Applejack eyed the ground during the whole trip, only taking brief glances at her family.Granny Smith stuck close with Big Mac, her eyes focused on the path ahead while Big Mac watched over her.Apple Bloom trailed a few steps behind them and Applejack couldn’t help but worry about her sister. This was Apple Bloom’s first real funeral she’d be attending.
As they approached Ponyville Cemetery, Applejack gazed up into the sky and saw several Pegasus flying overhead, pushing around charcoal black clouds. The sun quickly drowned behind the thick clouds, casting shadows over Ponyville and creating a bitter chill that drifted through the air.Applejack shuddered, thankful for the dress on her back as they passed through the cemetery gates and up ahead, she could see the white tents swaying in the wind.
The two tents had been set up on either side of where Dash was to be buried with four rows of benches under each.Applejack’s family drifted over to the tent on the left side, meant for those that simply wanted to pay their respects.The tent on the right was reserved for close friends, family, and special guests. And next to the open grave rested a podium, and a rolled up white cloth.
Taking a deep breath, Applejack turned to the tent on the right and made her way inside. She stepped past Bow Hothoof, an empty bench, past some ponies she didn’t recognize, past Tank, and then finally to the back where, Rarity, Twilight, and Pinkie were seated.Applejack took her seat next to Twilight who smiled sadly at her. “Hey Applejack. How are you doing,” she asked softly, her voice a bit hoarse.
Applejack shivered, already feeling the cold air blowing against her body. “I don’t know Twilight. I just don’t know . . . I just want this day over with.”
“I think we all do.” Twilight comforted, and then she turned to Pinkie Pie and Rarity, and began chatting with them.
Her body weak from the previous day’s picking, Applejack made herself comfortable. There was no telling how long they’d be waiting for everything to start. Though that in-and-of itself was the worst part; the waiting.She almost couldn’t bear it.“Twilight,” Applejack asked, just realizing something, “where’s Fluttershy?”
Twilight, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie grew quiet at the question. They exchanged glances with each other before Twilight finally said, “We don’t know. No-pony has seen her since . . . well since . . .” Twilight struggled to find the right words and her voice drifted off into silence.
“Since you chased her out of my boutique,” Rarity finished, her voice rigid, and unforgiving. “We don’t have a clue where she’s at.”And lowering her head onto the bench, Rarity eyed the ground as she whimpered, “I do hope she’s okay. Such a fragile little thing.”
Applejack listened in shock, as Pinkie Pie curled up away from her friends.She was afraid the arguing would start again. And she just couldn’t take it; not today.It hurt too much for her as it was.For her friends to begin arguing like this, she had to cover her eyes to hide her crying.
Applejack didn’t respond when she’d heard Rarity’s words.She only managed an, “oh . . . okay” and slumped back down into her seat.Twilight went back to calming Rarity down, but by then, Applejack had stopped paying attention. She focused her eyes on the empty seat next to her.Was she happy Fluttershy wasn’t here? She honestly couldn’t tell.At this point, everything felt the same.
The sound of a trumpet suddenly caught every pony’s attention as Princess Celestia and Princess Luna came into view, marching up the path and towards Rainbow Dash’s grave.Applejack let out a soft breath of relief. It was finally starting.She watched as behind the two princesses, Rainbow Dash’s parents walked up in procession, both of them eyeing the ground.Then followed a pony that Applejack had seen maybe once or twice, but knew who she was just by looking at her firm, at-attention body. It was Spitfire from the Wonderbolts.
Behind Spitfire was the final set of ponies.Four ponies, dressed all in black carried a mahogany veneer coffin.Cries could be heard from both tents as the procession advanced in silence to the grave.Both Princess Celestia and Princess Luna couldn’t bear to look at any-pony in attendance.They focused solely on the task at hand and approached the podium.The coffin was laid out on the white cloth by the grave.Then the four ponies stepped behind the podium and returned with a large black cloth.
Applejack watched as they spread the cloth over the coffin.Rainbows adorned the edges, meeting in the corners with lightening filled clouds. And at its center, was Rainbow Dash’s cutie-mark.Jewels of each color of the rainbow glimmered and sparkled under what little light could sneak through from the sun.Rubies, sapphires, and crystals packed neatly together, gave a despaired beauty to the whole scene. It took only a moment for Applejack to realize the hoof work behind the cloth. She turned to Rarity only to find the pony beside herself, being held by Twilight and Pinkie Pie, sobbing.
Applejack bit back her tears as all the ponies took their seats except for the two princesses.Princess Celestia stood at the podium, drying her eyes with her wings, Luna standing behind her.She cleared her throat as she stared out at everyone for the first time.Her eyes filled with sorrow and regret, for letting something like this happen. Celestia’s voice quivered as she began, “Welcome every-pony, and thank you all for attending the burial of one of Equestria’s most beloved ponies, Rainbow Dash.Her absence from this world will most certainly leave a chasm that no pony will ever be able to fill.For the time of her passing has left us all . . . without words.Had Rainbow Dash’s life been given the proper course, who could say where her friends, her family, her talents could have taken her?” And Celestia looked from pony to pony during her speech.“None unfortunately will ever know.We can only hope her rest here is as peaceful and enjoyable as those she surrounded herself with.”
With that, Celestia stepped away from the podium and Luna slowly walked up to it.The finality of things finally hitting Applejack as she pulled down on her Stetson hat, letting it cover her eyes as she trembled in fear. What am I gonna do?Her body shivered and spasmed as Princess Luna began her speech.It tore at Applejack’s heart, hearing this speech again; something she never ever wished to hear as long as she lived. And here she was, listening again to it.
Luna’s voice echoed firmly throughout the cemetery, not even a quiver to it.She’d done this many times, and never had it been this difficult to deliver this speech. She’d locked herself up in her room practicing this until she could do it without breaking up.It was of the utmost importance that a princess perform this duty without falter to give peace and tranquility to not only the pony’s family and friends, but also the pony’s final resting place.“Dear ponies of Equestria. Family, friends, and loved ones of the recently deceased Rainbow Dash.We gather today not in mourning, but in celebration, for having the privilege of loving and possessing such a dear friend, and daughter. Our lives would never have been the same without that presence. For that, every-pony here owes a debt of gratitude. Let us all bow our heads in thanks for the gift that was bestowed upon us.”
At those words, all ponies in attendance bowed their heads.And just as before, Applejack bowed her head with the rest.But how could any-pony be thankful? How could they show gratitude for this?It angered her to think that any-pony could be so thankful when something so precious was ripped from all of them; never to be returned.She began to cry harder, pressing the hat harder against her face, not wanting anyone to see. Her shoulders shaking as she could hardly stay composed, sniffling as Princess Luna resumed her speech.
“Now, before we lay Rainbow Dash down to rest, a special guest is here to present her with a final gift.” Princess Luna nodded toward the tent and Spitfire stood up with a small box.She approached the podium with her head held high, eyes closed as her military-esque poise demanded respect.
Presenting herself at the podium, Spitfire stood in her sergeant attire. She pushed up her glasses and thanked Princess Luna. Then turning to everyone, she spoke, “Thank you all again in attending this ceremony.I know all of you are mourning and are facing difficult times ahead, so I will keep this short.” Her voice firm and tart, Spitfire stared from each tent and then glanced down at the coffin, taking a moment of silence, allowing her voice to soften. “I have had the great pleasure of being acquainted with the late Rainbow Dash. Her determination, exceptional skill, and keen wits have left a lasting impression on not only me, but every pony at the Wonderbolts Academy.” Taking a moment to pull in a deep breath, Spitfire said, “The only regret I have today is being unable to witness the joy I just know I would see in Rainbow Dash’s eyes.As sergeant of the Wonderbolts Academy and Captain of the Wonderbolts, it is a tremendous honor for me to bestow upon Rainbow Dash, the official title of Wonderbolt.”Spitfire opened up the small box she’d carried up, and pulling out a golden medallion hanging from a blue ribbon, she finished, “May this medallion remind you Rainbow Dash, of the core attributes of being a Wonderbolt and may you strive in achieving the excellence and dedication that is expected of all Wonderbolts . . . wherever you are.”
Spitfire stepped down off the podium to what in any other circumstance would have been roaring applause and cheers of excitement. Instead, she stepped down to the sound of tears running off the cheeks of ponies, to the sound of dead air whistling through the grass.She humbly accepted it, and placing the medallion on the coffin, Spitfire returned to her seat.
Applejack had hardly been able to watch as Spitfire placed the greatest honor possible onto Dash.She took in deep breaths to calm herself down, for next would be the hardest part of the funeral. The part that she wasn’t sure she was ready for. A hoof rested on Applejack’s back and she turned, lifting her hat just enough to peak out of and saw Twilight, teary eyed, staring back at her.Applejack couldn’t say a word and just nodded. Behind Twilight, it appeared as Rarity had calmed down somewhat and was holding onto Pinkie Pie. The two supported each other as Princess Luna returned to the podium.
Glancing back to the empty seat, Applejack suddenly felt even worse. Fluttershy had yet to show up to the funeral, and this was it.What Luna would now announce would be the final chance to say goodbye to Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy was nowhere to be found.All the anger and animosity Applejack had held towards her shy friend, was quickly melting away.
“Thank you so much for being with us today, Spitfire.” Princess Luna said to an already seated Spitfire.The Wonderbolt merely nodded in acceptance and Princess Luna addressed the crowd. “Now, we shall commence with the final farewells for Rainbow Dash.We shall start with family and close friend first.” Essentially it meant Applejack’s tent would be going first as the ponies started to form a line leading up to Rainbow Dash’s coffin.Applejack ended up in the back, but just glancing ahead, she could already see Princess Luna opening the coffin’s lid.Every pony would now have a chance to say their goodbye, face to face.
The excruciatingly long wait turned Applejack’s legs to jello. She could hardly stand as Dash’s parents were the first to stop up at the coffin.They stayed up there for some time, weeping and stroking their daughter’s head.When they finally finished, they returned to their seats and the line moved forward.The jolt, though only a couple steps made Applejack a bit queasy.She just wasn’t ready for this.How could she be?
Bow Hothoof was next.He stood at the coffin, looking down into it, saying some brief words and then he was done.The line moved again and Applejack’s heart beat faster.A few more ponies slipped through and suddenly Pinkie Pie was up there.Her visit was short.She didn’t appear to know what to do.She stepped away from the coffin, her head bent down between her shoulders as she slumped back to her seat.Rarity stepped up next and didn’t say a word, just sat in front of the coffin looking in.After some time, Rarity bowed her head and left for her seat.Then Twilight was up.Applejack would be next. She swallowed the lump in her throat as Twilight stepped up to the coffin and engaged in a short, one-sided chat with Rainbow Dash.Applejack hardly paid attention.She was far too distracted on what she would do to even worry or care about Twilight’s farewell.Then before she knew it, Twilight stepped down.
The path was clear.It was finally Applejack’s turn.She stepped up to the coffin, glancing up at Princess Luna. The princess smiled tearfully and nodded her head, giving the okay to Applejack. Applejack peered down into the coffin and gasped.Rainbow Dash only appeared to be asleep. They had done her up so nice for the funeral, cleaned her fur, and brushed her hair, that she looked no more than a sleeping filly. Applejack’s lips trembled as she could feel the tears streaming down her face. This was it.
Applejack took off her hat, and setting it to the side, Applejack leaned in, stroking Dash’s mane.She couldn’t help but touch her. She’d never get to do this again.“I’m so sorry Rainbow Dash.” She whispered, her breathing a bit ragged as Applejack laid her head against Dash’s neck, feeling her fur tickle Applejack’s nose.“I wish I could have been there for you Dash. Wish I could have done something for you.”Applejack ran her face up, and rubbed her cheek against Rainbow Dash’s.“I’m going to miss you so much. What am I going to do without you?”Sniffling, Applejack took in a deep breath.She pulled away from Dash and looking down into the pony’s sleeping, cute little face, Applejack leaned in one final time and kissed her forehead. “You were a wonderful friend Rainbow Dash.”And with that, Applejack pulled herself away from the coffin, and grabbed her hat.
Applejack was about to wander off when out of the corner of her eye, she spotted something on a hill overlooking the gravesite. She stood for a second and squinted to see.It didn’t take long for her to figure it out. It was Fluttershy.Applejack stood in place, debating whether or not she should go after her.Princess Luna, apparently must have noticed though and whispered to Applejack, “She’s been there for the whole funeral.”
“Some pony ought to go get her.”
Luna softly shook her head. “I think if we try now, she’ll run off. There’ll be time later.”Applejack tried to argue, but Luna softly interrupted, “If you have finished, you should take a seat so the others may also say their goodbye.”
Applejack nodded, with one last look at Rainbow Dash, she whispered softly, “Goodbye sugar-cube” and returned to her seat.The ponies from the other tent went next, in much the same fashion.She watched Granny and Big Mac go through.Apple Bloom, too scared to go by herself, went with Scootaloo and Sweetie Bell.It was rough watching them up at the coffin together.They held onto each other and stared down into the coffin.Whether or not they said anything, Applejack didn’t know. Glancing back over at the hill, she searched for Fluttershy again, but the pony was nowhere to be seen.
Once all ponies had their goodbyes, Princess Luna returned to the podium as the lid to the coffin was closed. “Before we close, we have two ponies who would like to say something. I ask those ponies to come forward at this time.”
Rainbow Dash’s father was one of the ponies that got up to speak.The other pony, to Applejack’s surprise along with her friends, was Pinkie Pie. Pinkie didn’t say anything or look at any pony, she just followed Dash’s father up to the podium.
Dash’s father was the first to speak, “Good afternoon everyone.My name is Sonic Dash, and for those of you who don’t know me, I am Rainbow Dash’s father. I just wanted to thank everyone for being here today. The news broke the Dash family about as hard as one could expect. And every pony here in Ponyville has been absolutely wonderful in helping us through this time.If any pony ever needs anything, please don’t hesitate to ask us.”His gruff voice faltered as he stood awkwardly up at the podium for a moment. Finally, he finished, “Thank you again. Thank you . . . so very, very much.”And with that he stepped down.
Pinkie Pie stepped up next, her hair brushed to the side and Applejack had the sudden urge to go up there with her.But doing so would have been vastly inappropriate.She watched as Pinkie Pie struggled to control herself, her hair continually getting in her face as she attempted to brush it out.Finally, Princess Celestia assisted her and held her hair back. Pinkie Pie shyly thanked the Princess and spoke in a soft voice, “After everything that has happened, I . . . I just want to invite every pony over to SugarCube Corner.” Pinkie’s voice trembled as she spoke, rambling quickly through her words as tears soaked her eyes. “We’ve prepared a small party . . . a Farewell to Rainbow Dash party.We’ll have some snacks and drinks and ev-everyone is welcome. Uhmm, that is all.” And Pinkie Pie quickly stepped down from the podium.
Princess Luna smiled lovingly at the pony as she hurried back to her seat. “Thank you Pinkie Pie for that generous offer. All ponies are welcome to remain here for the lowering of the coffin, or you may head on to SugarCube Corner, or where-ever you feel the need to go. Be peaceful and at rest for today.”
With those words, the four ponies who carried the coffin in returned to its side. The medallion was handed over to Dash’s parents and the black blanket that Rarity had made, was carefully rolled up and returned to her.Some ponies began to file out as the coffin was moved into a rig, and Applejack sat and watched as the coffin slowly disappeared into the earth.
“Applejack?” Twilight called. “We’re heading over to Pinkie’s. Would you like to join us?”
Applejack glanced over to Twilight and the others, “You all go on ahead without me.” She said, “I’ll be over after a bit.”Twilight nodded and with the others, they walked off out of sight.
As for Applejack, she stepped out of the tent and curled up by the grave, watching as ponies began pulling down the tents, removing the benches and all other props that were used during the burial.The princesses had long retired from the grave, and soon the only other pony there was an older earth pony by the name of Speckled Stone.His cloudy grey fur blew in the wind.He had a faded beard hanging from his chin, and his cutie-mark was that of a round stone surrounded in flowers.He was the grave keeper of the Ponyville Cemetery.He had been here when Applejack’s parents died and then too, he’d been the last one to leave.And as he did before, he took his shovel in hoof and slowly began to scoop the dirt back into the hole.
For a while, Applejack just sat and watched him.He worked silently, as he always did.For if any pony stayed to watch him work, it wasn’t him they were really watching. And he knew that quite well.
“Applejack?” came a voice from behind.
Applejack turned around, finding Mrs. Dash standing before her.Her cheeks were puffed up and red, eyes sore, bags under them and wet, she needed sleep.“Yes Mrs. Dash?” Applejack asked politely, unsure of what else to say as he’d never met Dash’s parents before.
Mrs. Dash stepped up to Applejack and placed a hoof around her, hugging the pony. “Thank you so much for always being there for our daughter. She’s talked a lot about you” She said, whimpering softly.
Applejack, unsure of what to say or do, stood silently in the hug.
“Rainbow Dash was so lucky to have friends like you Applejack. You took great care of her. All of you did.” And smiling, Mrs. Dash ran a hoof under Applejack’s chin, smiling sincerely, “We just cannot thank you enough.”
Applejack looked away from the Mrs. Dash and apologized. “I’m sorry we couldn’t save her.”
Mrs. Dash wouldn’t listen to that kind of talk as she interrupted, “That’s not for you to worry about. All of you did your best.”At Applejack’s silence, Mrs. Dash stroked the earth pony’s mane and said, “My husband and I are heading over to SugarCube Corner for the party,” and she nodded to Mr. Dash behind her, “We’d love it if you joined us.”
“I don’t know Mrs. Dash. I was kind of thinking I’d just . . .”
“Please Applejack, I hear Pinkie Pie has some wonderful snacks for everyone to enjoy. It’d mean a lot to us if you did.”
Sighing, Applejack nodded, “Okay. Let’s go.”Mrs. Dash smiled and leading Applejack away from the grave, her and her husband walked with Applejack in almost uninterrupted silence to SugarCube Corner.