She always told Twilight it was foolish to assume things. It makes an arse of her and others. She never quite listened. Today was a big day, and with a heavy heart, Applejack had to rise early to prepare the grave in Ponyville. Her parents were firm on wanting her to be buried where she ruled, rather than where she grew up. Applejack understood the sentiment. She'd have been angry if she'd passed away and was buried in Manehattan. Too far from what she lived for. The scent of apple cider and dirt. A real earthy feeling. She gazed out the window, while styling her mane into her signature braid. Twilight loved mornings. A fresh start.
"Applejack, I'm surprised you're a morning pony." She smiled as she said it, walking alongside Applejack.
"I can't just lay in bed all mornin', where there are trees there are jobs to be done. Ya' hear?" Applejack said, with a chuckle. Twilight beamed at her.
"Finally, somepony gets me. I always tell ponies that mornings are the perfect start for anything, but they never listened. Bet my brother's still the type to fill out reports at 9:13 pm instead of clearing hem first thing!" She laughed, her eyes squinting shut cutely as she did.
Applejack was fascinated at how quickly a posh, learned mare had changed to feel so homey and real. Perhaps it took a while to bring her around and make a difference. She used to organize everything, but now she really just makes a to do list and decides what to do each day.
"So, ya said ya were goin' to be taking a trip out to Canterlot. Visiting family?" Applejack questioned.
"Well, that, and I have a huge meeting with the councilponies and the royal family. It's a big deal, because we're....well. No. The reason is not important. But it's a big deal, it'll affect a lot of ponies. I'm hoping the right decision is put in place, you know?"
"Of course, everypony counts on y'all to keep things orderly. And don't be too worried, sugarcube. I read the newspaper, I know there's a lot going on up there." Applejack cast a glance to the nation's capitol in the distance.
"It'll be okay, Applejack. I promise."
I promise. What was it with ponies making brazen promises in the hope of cheering others up? Pinkie Pie did that, but she always kept hers. Not that Twilight knew she'd die, she made a promise to keep Applejack in a good mood. The stairs creaked beneath Applejack, and she heard soft chatter in the kitchen. She quickly grabbed the newspaper and went into the dining space. There were Granny and Mac. Applebloom went with her friends to set up a memorial service at the schoolhouse, Applejack heard them leave.
"Mornin'." Applejack said, trying to keep a normal feeling in the house. She opened the newspaper, and the conversation faded. The news was a mix of sorrow and situations. Applejack couldn't be bothered to finish the first page. The turmoil in Canterlot was on the verge of overboard. The royalty weren't sure how to handle anything right now.
"Hey, Twi. I never got around to tellin' ya that I appreciated you helping Applebloom with her science homework again."
"Oh that was nothing, honestly." She said, a modest hoof gesture accompanying the statement.
"Oh please, just take a compliment, Twilight. It's what you've earned. You help so many ponies, ya know?" Applejack retorted, shaking her hoof with her back turned. She was loading a wagon to take to the apple stall in town.
"Right, right. Sorry. I just never got used to ponies feeling like they owed me thanks."
"Well. I shoulda thanked ya quite a few times. But I figured you wouldn't want to hear it. So I thank you on behalf of my family rather than personally. You've done a little somethin' for all of us, one way or another." Applejack said, looking back at her.
"Really?"
The shovel drove into the plot laid for Twilight's burial. Applejack was sweating but some would've seen it as crying. She'd refuse to admit her sadness at the loss, but her motivation was always to focus on the future and not the past. She was grinding away at the work she'd been tasked with for a half hour, and finally had it deep enough. She sighed slowly. Looking into the empty grave space.
"Mama and papa were buried here too, Twilight. And ya know, I'll miss ya just as much as I miss them, sugarcube." She said to the lonely tombstone. The stone that was carved by Celestia herself. It read like any other way tombstone would, but something about it made Applejack certain that a tear or two had been laid upon it when carving. She climbed from the grave and gave it one more look.
"I'll be right back, sweetheart. Mama and I are gonna bring home ya little sister. I promise."
"It'll be okay Applejack, I promise."
Applejack felt tears in her eyes and silently passed her friend's grave, approaching the pair of graves. Labeled simply with the positives about the poor ponies who lay buried under them. The names were ones she'd heard a thousand times. "Bright Mac" and "Buttercup". Applejack took off her hat and said, "I'm doin' my best, Papa. I miss you and Mama so much. I'm sure you can see what I've had to do. Diggin' the hole of my friend. I hope you greet her in the next realm, you two. Let her stay close to you. So someday I can see y'all again..."
"She needs friends up there."