Hellfire Dash

by Centurion Pike-Wall

Chapter 7~The Venerable Dead

Umbra yawned, stretching in her bed and reaching for her hat at the same time. She looked out past the edge of the blinds, seeing the sun setting below the horizon. Her stomach growled, indicating it wanted some food. She was technically immortal, but she still could get hungry and thirsty. So, sliding the hat onto her head, and she headed for the door, planning to head downstairs and get some dinner.

On her way over, she heard loud sobbing from the Map room. Stopping before the door, she looked inside, and her heart sank. Applejack was in her seat, a box of tissues in front of her and used ones scattered around the map, bawling her eyes out. The rest of her friends, along with Tempest and a stallion she recognized as Caramel stood around her, trying to comfort the sobbing mare.

"G-gr-granny!", AJ sobbed, blowing her nose and continuing her crying.

Rarity wrapped her arms around her, tapping her lightly on the shoulder. "There there, darling. There, there."

"Yeah, AJ", Caramel said. "We're here for you. We're here."

Umbra removed her hand from the door frame, stepping back as quietly as possible and leaning against the wall, developing a large interest in her hooves. She had done this to her friend. She had caused her such misery, and it was all her fault. If she ever found out it was her, would AJ ever forgive her? Even if it was her job? No, that would make it worse. However she sliced it, she was a horrible pony. She was going to kill Abaddon when she got back.

"I'm sorry, AJ", she muttered.

Another voice said, "What did you say?"

She jumped, whirling around in panic. Spike was standing behind her, an eyebrow cocked and arms crossed, a tissue box in his hand. Umbra said, almost at a yell, "Don't. Do that. Dear Lucifer, you almost gave me a heart attack."

"Lucifer?", Spike asked, and Umbra cursed at her statement.

Umbra said, "Look, my boss has an interest in Daemonology. Guess I just picked up a few terms."

"Ok then", Spike said. "What are you doing?"

"I was just going to go get some dinner, when I heard, that, going on in there. What happened, anyway?", she said.

Spikes look changed from a look of suspicion to one of sadness. It wasn't much better, but at least he was somewhat off of her back. "AJs grandma, Granny Smith, was found dead in her home. Apparently, the railing broke on the stairs, and she broke her neck on impact."

Umbra said, "Oh. Oh, I see. Well, give her my condolences."

"You're not going in yourself?", he questioned.

"No", she said. She didn't know if she could keep herself composed in there, but couldn't exactly tell Spike that. "I don't mean to sound rude or insensitive, but, I don't really want to. I, I don't do this kinda stuff well, ok?"

Back to raised eyebrow Spike. "O-kay. Well, I'll do that for her."

"Cool", Umbra said, and the two parted ways. When Umbra was around the corner, she let out a sigh of relief. Thank the Styx she didn't slip up. It was getting too close, too often. Looking back to make sure no one was following her or watching her, she stuck to her plan, and headed for the stairs to get some food. While she did, she contemplated what she would do tomorrow.

Two days later, she stayed in her room for several hours after she had awoke, reading a random book she found on her rooms bookshelf. She had overheard that the funeral was two days after Granny was found dead, according to her wishes in the will. After she was certain that everyone in the castle was gone, she slipped on her hat and jacket and headed for the door.

When she reached the door, she looked out. A few ponies walking about, but rather few. Since it was a Tuesday, most ponies would be in class, at work, or at the funeral. Still, better safe then sorry, as she didn't really want to raise suspicion as to why she was out and heading to the graveyard. So, behind the door, she said, "Ergo videtur quod non sit de caelis.". When the purple miasma faded and she was certain nopony could see her, she carefully slide out the door, and spread her wings, taking off towards the Ponyville Graveyard.

She landed on a hill, near the top of the graveyard, which gave her a great look down on the funeral procession. Despite her invisibility, she didn't want to take chances. Sitting down and leaning against a large headstone, she watched the ceremony.

Most of the ponies present were nearby the Ponyville area, but she was able to see some members of the Apple family that lived as far away as Appleousa. All of them, despite their normal clothing, were wearing black formal wear, and several of the bigger stallions were carrying a large casket. Most of them were simply in their seats, eyes faced downward and she was able to make out several of them sobbing. As the stallions set down the casket, Mayor Mare stepped up to a podium, and began reading something. Her Will, maybe? She wasn't able to hear it from her position.

Umbra just looked down between her invisible legs, staring down at the weathered grey stone she was sitting on. Her job, her decision, led to all this. She had caused all of this. How was she supposed to feel? Most of her contracts she didn't know; only like, one out of every fifty were even in Equestria! Part of her deal with the Boss made it so she wouldn't get contracts in this area for at least a hundred years; keep her from having any personal connection to anypony in town. But, that vindictive buck Abaddon had decided to have a little fun.

By then, the coffin was being lowered by Big Macintosh and Braeburn into the grave. The dirt was lowered over her grave, and her headstone was placed on it. Some of the ponies were beginning to leave, while others were still their, sobbing or looking forlornly at the tombstone. She stood up to leave, wanting to head back to the castle before Twilight or anypony else noticed she was gone.

However, she suddenly remembered something. Namely, something was in here that she would be quite interested in seeing. So, she turned around and headed towards the other side of the cemetery. She had been shown a photograph by one of her hallmates who took another contract in the area, so she knew where the gravestone was. Once she was certain she was alone, she dropped the spell, coming to a stop in front of the gravestone she was looking for.

It was a simple stone, with only those words on them and a carving of her cutie mark. However, it was somewhat surreal. How many ponies got to look at their own grave? Well, a lot of Daemons and Celestials did, so, probably a decent amount. And, maybe some vamponies, so that number was actually pretty high, all things considered. The brief smile that came from that train of thought soon lead back to a frown when she looked back down at her grave.

Was her body in their? Obviously, she wasn't in it, but her mortal body? If she dug it up, would she find a pile of bones? Or just an empty casket? An interesting proposition. One she really didn't want to find out.

She spent a good while just looking at the grave, hands sliding into her pockets as she did so. She reached up and pulled off her necklace, looking at the star-shaped purple gem. Her ears flattened further against her head, and she lowered it back down. She spent another few minutes just looking at it, and finally slide the amulet into her jackets pocket.

She turned to leave, but stopped when she noticed the gravestone next to hers. It was a VERY unorthodox one, with weird, slopping shapes and a few other pieces of rock jutting out. Besides the very odd look of the tombstone, it also had a weird writing on it; squiggly and slopping, changing lettering types from one letter to the next. That didn't mean it wasn't legible, however, and she was able to make out the words written on it rather easily.

"So", she said. "They buried me next to the Draconequus. Huh." She then looked at it for a few minutes. She never really liked Discord. However, she couldn't help but feel a bit sorry for him, and for Fluttershy. She was the closest to him, and was hit hard after his death. And for as annoying as he was, he was kinda a cool guy. And, dying like he did, having betrayed them and being betrayed, then dying from, supposedly, a shattered spine from his fall.

She looked back down the hill. By then, the only ones still at the grave of Granny Smith was Applejack. No one else seemed to be in the graveyard. "Best get back to the castle 'fore anypony notices. So, she spread her wings and took off.