Lightning cracked through the sky the next day in Equestria’s capital city of Canterlot as rain fell from the sky. The drops of liquid pelted the ponies gathered in the military graveyard outside the royal palace relentlessly, but it did not stop them from their purpose in being there.

The majority of them were dressed in black and were holding umbrellas above their heads as they stood idly by an square hole in the ground that had been freshly dug. Among the ones in black standing next to the grave were Twilight Sparkle, who wore a black dress and whose tear-stained face was huddled up against her mother’s pure white mane. She had a forehoof wrapped tenderly around her daughter as she watched the proceedings, a white hankie floating in front of her face occasionally clearing away tears as she did so. Twilight’s father, also dressed in black, was standing by his wife, looking down steadily, as if unable to believe his eldest child was gone. Princess Cadence stood by as well, wearing the traditional veil of the widowed mare and black dress. Surprisingly, she was was one of the only ponies who were not in tears.

Also standing next to the grave were the remaining Elements of Harmony. Pinkie Pie’s usually puffy mane was down with depression as she held a crying Rarity, who was dressed in one of her elaborate black gowns. Fluttershy crying into the shoulder of Shadow Breeze, who was staring up at the sky, unwavering. Applejack, who was dressed up as well, was leaning on the Red Hoof Sergeant, Papyrus, who was dressed in his traditional Red Hoof plate armor. Blue Arrow stood by as well in his armor, his aging face staring up at the Equestrian flag flapping in the blowing wind. Slowly, he closed his eyes and wiped away a tear, glad it was raining and that no pony could tell he was crying. The alicorns, Lunar Eclipse and Luna stood by as well, both dressed in the royal regalia, Luna leaning on Lunar as they both stared ahead, silent.

Along the back of the gravestone stood Rainbow Dash in her Wonderbolt’s flight shirt along with Lightning Flash, who was similarly clad, her shirt newly mended after the close encounter she had with the Nightmare. Tears welling in her eyes as well, she turned her head to look down at her son. Blazing Dawn was dressed in a black suit his mother managed to force onto him for the event with a golden collar, cuffs, and matching tie. He stared steadily at the hole in the ground; the stallion who saved his life would be buried there forever.

He felt a head on his shoulder. Turning and sniffing sadly, he found himself being brushed by a familiar red Stetson hat. Applebloom looked up at the young alicorn and frowned.

Blazing Dawn just turned his head back to the grave, silent, letting the steady drops of rain cascade over his head, flattening his spiky mane.

Applebloom sighed and nuzzled his neck, “It ain’t yer fault...please believe me...he wouldn't want you to think it was fer nothin’...”

“That’s hard to believe, ‘Bloom...” He sniffed, closing his eyes. “That’s hard to believe...”

Blue Arrow, the Red Hoof commander, stepped forward from the crowd and stood by the graveside. He sighed, blinked away a final tear, then turned away from the grave, facing the large crowd of ponies that had gathered and the two lines of Royal Guards and Red Hooves that were lined up in front of the grave.

“AttenTION!” Blue Arrow barked with surprising strength in his voice. The two lines of guards and Hooves stood up, a crisp marching sound resounding around the cemetery. “Will everypony please rise for the Sovereign Ruler of Equestria, Princess Celestia!”

The ponies in the crowd moved as one, everypony instantly standing to their hooves as Princess Celestia made her way through the middle of the crowd, in between the two lines of military ponies.

“SaLUTE!” Blue Arrow barked, moving a forehoof up to his forehead and giving a prompt salute. The Guards and Red Hooves on either side of Celestia made a similar motion as she strode by, the rain having no effect on her flowing mane as she made her way towards the graveside. Rainbow Dash and Lightning Flash made similar salutes, as the Wonderbolts were a branch of the Equestrian military.

“Princess...” Blue Arrow bowed as Celestia turned and stood by the Red Hoof commander.

“Commander...” Celestia nodded, still staring ahead, not flinching when another crack of thunder sounded through the air, the rain pelting her saddened face.

A trumpet sounded from the sky above and everypony’s eyes were directed upward. Flying down from over the castle, four Pegasi Royal Guard ponies descended, carrying between them a casket. Carefully, they landed on all sides of the grave, lowering the casket so that it rested above the grave.

Upon seeing that the casket had a see-through glass cover, Blazing Dawn choked up and jerked his head downward, tears dripping from his face. Applebloom quivered as well and pulled herself closer to Blazing Dawn, burying her head in his neck.

Shining Armor lay in the casket, his eyes closed as if he was sleeping peacefully. His wounds were cleaned and it looked as if no harm befell him at all. He was dressed in his favorite uncle’s ceremonial guard armor. Resting in between his two forehooves was his sword, unsheathed.

The guards who had carried him down to the grave stood at an upright position, as if awaiting orders.

“Fillies...gentlecolts...” Celestia cleared her throat, “Friends...family...” She looked behind her at the Element of Harmony and Twilight and her parents before turning back to the rest of them, “We are gathered here today to mourn the loss of our Guard Captain...our husband...our friend...our brother...Shining Armor.” She sniffed sadly, looked down at Shining’s corpse, and gave a small smile, “But we should be celebrating as well.” She looked up, “He lived a full life and served honorably as Captain of my Royal Guard and diligent protector of Canterlot.” A tear fell from her regal face, “Were it not for his noble sacrifice, Equestria would surely be in utter turmoil.”

Blazing Dawn, still looking down, shuddered at Celestia’s words. Applebloom wrapped a tender forehoof around him and patted the nape of his neck, kissing it gently to calm him.

“I have asked a few ponies to say a few words before we send this brave soul off to the next world...” Celestia said, blinking sadly, “To give condolences to those whom he knew and loved, the Prince of Death, Lunar Eclipse, shall address you...” She turned and blinked the raindrops out of her eyes as she gestured at Lunar, “Lunar...”

Lunar Eclipse nodded politely and walked to where she stood, “Good afternoon, everypony. For those who may not know not know me too well, I am Lunar Eclipse and am known as ‘The Prince of Death’. I admit that when I was able to return to my home country, to my fellow ponies, and to my princess...” He glanced at Princess Celestia and Princess Luna who offered him small smiles of support, “I was afraid. Afraid I’d be considered an enemy, afraid I’d be distrusted by everypony, but that was further from the truth as the first pony who had welcomed me back to Equestria with open hooves was Shining Armor himself. He had welcomed me like a child would welcome their father home, like a brother would welcome their older brother after being apart for years. I grew to trust not only the citizens of Equestria, but myself. He and Luna were the reason I found the courage to truly try and do something with myself.”

The Prince of Death stared out at those in attendance before glancing over at Shining Armor, “To me Shining Armor and Blazing Dawn are like the younger siblings I never had. Shining Armor inspired confidence, self-will, and strength in oneself with every step he took. He may have come off a as a serious pony, but he was a total goofball.” He chuckled deeply, tears still pouring down his face, “A lovable goofball who knew how to have a darn good laugh and not a day will go by that I won’t miss him, but I know he’d be happier if I learned to live on with my life, as should everypony here. All his good deeds, devotion to his loving wife, to his kingdom, friends, and family should be something everypony should honor and live to be a good citizen by example...” He allowed the rain to further flatten his mane for several moments before he sighed deeply.

“I know many of you who know of my abilities, would want me to bring him back, and I truly wish I could, but the time I spent in a coma let the window of opportun-nity s-slip by...” Lunar Eclipse could no longer hold his composure as he quietly sobbed in front of everypony. Princess Luna felt her heart cry for him as she approached him and wrapped her hooves lovingly around his neck.

“It’ll be okay, my love.” She whispered into his ear before kissing it softly.

He chuckled somewhat bitterly, “You always manage to cheer me up...” A small smile tugged at his lips. His horn glowed a soft red before a black rose appeared in his mouth.

Lunar Eclipse walked over to the open casket and place it down near his heart. He leant down and whispered to Shining Armor’s corpse, “I’m so sorry I couldn’t save you, Shining, but I know you’d haunt my flank if I didn’t move on...I’ll do my best to keep everypony’s spirits up, and I swear I’ll be there for Cadence every step of the way.” Lunar tapped horns with his brother and followed Luna back to the side, allowing the next speaker to go up.

Cadence, incidentally, was next to speak. She stepped forward, her black widow gown flowing out behind her. Using her magic, she lifted up her veil and looked down at her husband. “Shining...” She closed her eyes. “I...I have always loved you. Even when we were teenagers looking after Twilight...” She looked over at Twilight, who still had her head buried into her mother’s shoulder. “I don’t hate you for leaving me and our unborn foal behind...” She looked down at her stomach. “Not at all...” Finally, tears started steadily pouring out of her eyes. “I will remember you forever...and our foal will know what a hero her daddy was...” She did the same spell Lunar did and a pink and yellow rose appeared in her mouth as well. “Goodbye, Shining....” She heaved in a sad breath before dropping the rose next to Lunar’s black one. She leaned down and kissed her husband on the cheek before standing upright, using her magic to lower her veil, and stepping back to where she was standing before.

“Go on, honey...” Twilight’s mother said solemnly to her daughter from behind Blazing Dawn. Blazing Dawn kept his head lowered as Twilight Sparkle was heard walking behind him. Her hoofsteps stopped next to Blazing Dawn. Blazing Dawn hesitated in his sobs, feeling Twilight’s violet eyes on him.

“Twilight...I...I...” Blazing Dawn sobbed. “I-I’m s-so sorry...I...I c-c-couldn’t...”

He felt a hoof on his shoulder. He looked up and his eyes met the tear-stained eyes of his Aunty Twi. She had a small smile.

Twilight lowered her hoof and walked up to her dead brother, still levitating her umbrella overhead. She smiled down at her brother and did the same thing, a purple rose appearing in her mouth after a brief flash of light. She dropped it with the other two roses and turned to the crowd. “Shining Armor was my B.B.B.F.F...Big Brother Best Friend Forever...” The crowd chuckled lightheartedly through their overall tone of sadness, as did Twilight. She sniffed, wiped her eyes, and continued. “He was my role model...my inspiration...” She looked down and let the rain splash on her mane for a moment before looking back up. “I’ll never forget him...” She looked down at her brother once more. “Love you, bro...” She did as Lunar did and lowered her horn to his before standing back up and walking back towards her parents, again bursting into tears..

Rainbow Dash embraced her friend and rubbed her back comfortingly. “It’s okay, Twi...it’ll be okay...”

There was a moment of silence for a moment before Blazing Dawn felt several pairs of eyes burning a hole in his head. He looked up and shook his head at Celestia, who trotted up to him. “Y-Your Highness...I-I can’t...”

“It would be his wish...” Celestia said, sniffing sadly. “That the pony he died defending speak, Blazing Dawn...”

Blazing Dawn gave a sidewise glance to Applebloom and his mom, who both nodded with a small smile.

Celestia stood aside and allowed Blazing Dawn to walk up to Shining’s corpse. He felt all eyes on him as he stood above the casket, looking down at the stallion who had died defending him. He inhaled sadly, then stood up.

“Shining Armor...” Blazing Dawn laughed a little. “I...didn’t know him that well...” He looked out at the crowd of ponies. “I only knew him as the captain of the guard that would get on my tail for accidental damage I caused the castle...or the nobles...” This was met by several light chuckles from the various ponies around, including his mother, who was now standing with Twilight and her family. “But now...” He looked up at the rainy sky. “I know...he...he was much more...” He looked down. “The short time we fought together....side-by-side...he...he...” Blazing Dawn began to choke up. He shuddered, regained his composure, then looked up, tears streaming out of his eyes. “He showed he was...is a true hero of Equestria...worthy of the title ‘Captain of the Guard.’” He smiled slightly when he saw several small smiles appear on the faces of the various ponies in the crowd. “I will miss him...” Blazing Dawn continued. “And I will never forget him...”

He closed his eyes and concentrated, as Lunar had taught his shortly beforehand. There was a bright flash of light, and a brilliantly glowing golden rose appeared in his mouth. He slowly turned and dropped the rose on top of the others.

“Guard...” Celestia said after smiling at the young alicorn’s words. “Prepare to lower the casket...”

He fell to his haunches and stared at the casket as the four Pegasi who had carried him down slowly lowered the lid of the casket onto Shining. One could still see through the lid, as it was made of glass.

“I’m...so...sorry...Shining...” Blazing Dawn thought as he sobbed in the silence, save the drops of rain that splashed around him.

Blazing Dawn looked up slowly at the casket as Blue Arrow called out for the military present give a salute or draw their weapons in honor.

As the guards left to retrieve the flag he would be covered in, a small tenor voice started ringing through the rain.

A beautiful, lilt-like tenor voice that was strangely familiar to some of the older ponies there.

Amazing grace...

How sweet the sound...

That saved a wretch like meeee...

Sure enough, Blazing Dawn held his head high in the air, still sitting on his haunches.

He was singing.

I once was lost...

But now I’m found...

Was blind, but now I seeee...

“Ace...” Rainbow Dash managed to say through the tears that were coming to her eyes at the sound of her son’s beautiful voice he had inherited from his father.

Applebloom only smiled, happy he finally managed to start singing in front of other ponies

Blazing Dawn opened his eyes and stood up, staring at the casket as the guards spread out the flag over Shining’s casket.

‘Twas grace that taught...

My heart to fear...

And grace my fears relieveeeed...

How precious did that grace appear...

The hour I then belieeeved...

Tears started forming in the young alicorn’s eyes yet again as the Equestrian flag came to a rest and he continued his beautiful singing.

His chains are goooone...

He’s been set freeee...

Shining Armor my savior...

Has ransomed meeee!

And like a floood...

His goodness reigns...

Unending love...

His father, Ace, stood next to him, also crying and staring at Shining Armor’s casket. Upon seeing his son looking at him, the apparition turned his head and nodded at his son, smiling.

Shining promised good to me...

His act my hope secures...

He was my shield and my protection...

As long my life endures...

Everypony who attended the funeral for Shining Armor that day couldn’t ever recall exactly what happened when the young alicorn sang with the beauty of not one, but two voices. Where the second voice came from, no pony could ever explain. However, what Blazing Dawn did next was so beautiful and meaningful that even the powerful Celestia herself broke down in sobs as the four guards started lowering Shining’s body into the grave.

As Blazing Dawn continued to sing with the second voice that came from nowhere, his horn and cutie mark began to glow a bright gold. The clouds cleared away just over the graveyard where Shining was being buried and Celestia’s sun blasted down a beautiful beam of light onto Shining’s grave as they lowered the casket. As light emanated from the young alicorn, he continued to sing with his father, whose apparition was standing next to him with his eyes closed.

His chains are goooone...

He’s been set freeeee...

Shining Armor my savior, ransomed meeee....

And like a flooood....

His goodness reigns....

Unending love....

Amazing grace...

As the sun shone down brightly on the service as the guards covered up the casket with magic. Rainbow Dash, Lightning Flash, and the rest of the Wonderbolts made a thunderous booming sound as they by overhead in honor of the deceased capatin.

Blazing Dawn and the other unknown voice kept singing the chorus as Celestia, tears streaming out of her eyes at the beautiful music, trotted up and used every ounce of magic she could muster to produce a stature of Shining Armor and Blazing Dawn over the grave. Shining Armor had his sword drawn and was standing back to back with Blazing Dawn.

Shining Armor
Brother, Husband, Son, Friend, Captain, and Hero of Ponyville
“Heroism is endurance for one moment more...”

Rain still pattered the windows of Canterlot Castle after the funeral for Shining Armor ended. No pony stood outside the great doors to Celestia’s Throne Room except Blazing Dawn, still donned in his suit, though his tie and collar were loosened. His mother Rainbow Dash, still in her flight shirt, and Applebloom stood behind him, staring at the young alicorn.

Blazing Dawn was steadily looking down at the floor, still saddened by the events of the day. As another crack of thunder sounded outside and lightning flashed through the sky, Blazing Dawn lifted his head up, closed his eyes, and sighed.

Rainbow Dash exchanged a look of pity with Applebloom before walking up behind her son, turning him around, and wrapping her forehooves around him into a tight hug. “Whatever the Princesses want, I’m sure it’s nothing bad...”

A lone tear of happiness fell from Dash’s right eye as she continued to hug her son. “I’m so proud of you...” She pulled back and smiled at her son. “Always remember that...”

Blazing Dawn sniffed and nodded, his golden eyes shining at his mother’s magenta eyes. “I...I will...”

Rainbow Dash then flapped her wings and took to the air and headed towards the doors that led outside. “I’ll be waiting for you outside in the hallway.”

Blazing Dawn sighed and turned towards the Throne Room doors to go inside. He was stopped, however, when two yellow forehooves wrapped around his neck and he felt somepony hugging him from behind.

“Good luck, Blaze...” Applebloom whispered in his ear before kissing his cheek and getting off of his back, releasing him, and then she, too, began to make her way towards the exit.

The young filly stopped short with a forehoof raised. She sighed and turned around. She had a feeling she knew what this was about.

Blazing Dawn blushed and looked down at the floor before looking back up at Applebloom. “Do you...do you remember what...what happened...in Sugar Cube...OH boy...” Blazing Dawn stopped himself and looked down, blushing even more.

Blazing Dawn slowly looked up at his childhood crush with a look of surprise. “You could?”

Applebloom nodded, her smile growing slightly bigger. “Ah do. Ah was tied up in mah mind, and ah saw some parts of...what it tried to do to ya’....” Applebloom switched to a frown. “It made me sick...”

“So...you...” Blazing Dawn paused and pondered how to ask his question. “You have...no...feelings for me then?” Blazing Dawn jerked his head downwards and stared at the ground. “I’m...so sorry...”

Blazing Dawn sighed and shook his head, “No, ‘Bloom. I screwed up. I shouldn't have asked you-umph!”

Blazing Dawn felt a hoof under his chin suddenly. The hoof forced his head upward towards the yellow filly. She smiled, then leaned forward and kissed him on the lips. Blazing Dawn’s widened in shock before they closed with relaxation. It was a simple kiss; just lip and nothing else.

The two young ponies stood there, lips locked, for a good ten seconds before Applebloom finally peeled her lips anyway. Both ponies opened their eyes and stared at each other, fierce blushes exploding across both their faces.

“Ah do have feelings for ya’, Blaze...” Applebloom said, smiling. “But...we should still be friends right now...”

“No no no...look at me...” Applebloom lifted his head up again. “Ah’m not saying no.” She nuzzled him. “Ah’m just saying...not now...” Applebloom’s orange eyes gleamed as she stared into Blaze’s golden eyes. “Let’s actually go out on dates ‘n stuff...like Applejack and Papyrus did before they started goin’ steady...okay? Ah jus' wanna be sure...this is what ah want...”

Applebloom turned, brushing her tail across his muzzle as she did so, and trotted towards the exit. “Good luck, Blaze...”

As soon as he heard the sound of doors closing, he turned towards the throne room door, jumped into the air and did a little hoof-kick in the air with his hind legs. He used he wings to land squarely before he quietly pumped a forehoof with a smile. “Yessss....”

He then remembered why he was in the castle when lightning again cracked through the sky outside.

“Right...” He gulped and walked towards the large throne room doors and used his magic to open them.

As they swung open, Blazing Dawn was greeted by several pairs of eyes staring at him.

“Blazing Dawn...” Filthy Rich, who had a bandage over his head from an injury he suffered in Ponyville, narrowed his eyes and gestured the young alicorn forward. “Late, as always...”

Blazing Dawn was in no mood to take crap from Filthy today. After he used his magic to close the doors, he scowled and simply said, “Buck you, Filthy...I’m in no mood...”

There were several gasps around the room as Filthy Rich reeled back in shock at Blazing Dawn’s extreme assertiveness. Twilight face-hooved, worried the Princesses would get mad at Blaze. Celestia and Luna did not gasp or do anything to punish Blaze. Rather, they retained straight faces. As Blazing Dawn walked up, his eyes fell on the stained-glass window with his Dad on it. He shook his head and sighed before bowing before the princesses. “You summoned me?”

Celestia was the first to speak up. “Indeed.” She nodded. “Blaze, as an alicorn, you should know by now that alicorn’s possess ability to alter the world in a deity-like fashion. I control the sun, and Luna controls the moon...” Celestia gestured over at Luna, who simply nodded. “And Lunar is life and death...” Celestia pointed at Blaze. “You, Blaze, have just discovered your alicorn powers in full-force...”

Lightning Bolt, the female Pegasus hierarchy member, nodded. “We read the reports. It appears you used energy from the sun to produce an extremely powerful fire attack...” She leaned forward, extending her wings. “Is that true?”\

Blazing Dawn shrugged. “To be honest, I don’t remember much of how I defeated the Nightmare...” Blazing Dawn looked down and sighed. “All I really remember is getting angry at seeing Shining Armor die, then...” He looked up. “I yelled really loud, and I don’t remember anything after that...” He didn’t feel like explaining seeing his dad to the princesses, so he kept that a secret.

This was greeted by more gasps from the hierarchy members. Celestia and Luna exchanged glances with each other before Luna spoke up. “‘Tis the Royal Canterlot Voice!”

“Sister!” Celestia barked as everypony in the room covered their ears in pain at Luna’s yelling.

“It’s okay...” Celestia smiled at her sister, then turned towards Blaze. “If you demonstrated the Royal Canterlot Voice in this battle, we must step up your training with Lunar.”

“Indeed.” Fancy Pants spoke up from his desk. “It very well may be that Blazing Dawn is destined to become a Prince.”

“WHAT!?” Blazing Dawn, Filthy Rich, and Twilight Sparkle all yelled in unison.

Blazing Dawn galloped forward. “But...c’mon, your Highness! I’m not Prince material!”

Celestia nodded. “Whether you think so or not, Fancy Pants is right.” She pointed a hoof forward. “Someday in the future, when your training is complete, you will be dubbed Blazing Dawn...” She smiled. “Prince of Fire.”

A New Dawn on The Horizon

by thunderhawk7865

Epilogue 2: Unforgotten Sacrifice