//------------------------------// // One Last Day // Story: Cinematic Adventures: Corpse Bride // by extremeenigma02 //------------------------------// Panic… dread… immense sorrow… such negative emotions permeating through the atmosphere, as the group of ponies (Spike, Victor, Victoria, and Emily included) stood over a fallen Applejack. The poor country pony groaned in pain, clutching the still bleeding slash across her chest from Barkis’s blade. Her head currently sat on Rainbow Dash’s lap, as the cyan Pegasus cradled her carefully while gazing upon her with great worry. “A.J., why would you do that?!” Rainbow panicked. Though finding it difficult to move, much less talk, Applejack looked toward Rainbow and managed a slight smile. “Well… ah couldn’t let ‘im do ya in, can I Rainbow?” She answered weakly. “Look at you!” Rainbow gestured the wound. “You’re losing a ton of blood.” Rainbow Dash quickly looked around, desperate for something to help. “Does any pony have any green leaves?!” The ponies and Spike looked at each other in confusion. “Please!” Rainbow begged. “Green leaves… with little red specks on ‘em. They’re supposed to heal ponies.” “You mean… like this?” Rainbow turned toward Pinkie Pie, who pulled out a single branch with the very leaves Rainbow described. Not bothering to ask questions, Rainbow took the branch from Pinkie’s hoof. She carefully removed the leaves from the branch and carefully ushered Applejack’s hooves aside to position the leaves. Gently, Rainbow placed as many leaves along the wound as possible, Applejack grunting and groaning as they tried to press the leaves. After a few seconds, Rainbow looked down toward the wound… but it still bled. Stressed beyond words, Rainbow pressed the leaves again… and again… but the results remained the same. “It’s not working!!!” Rainbow shouted. Fluttershy held a wing over her hoof, fighting the urge to cry as she tearfully gazed at her fallen friend. Rarity turned toward Twilight, a look of desperation upon her face. “Twilight… can’t you cast a healing spell to fix her?” “I’m not sure Rarity,” Twilight answered honestly. “Even for most advanced magic users, healing spells are very complex. No pony has ever been able to successfully make it work.” “We have to at least try,” Fluttershy whimpered. “We just can’t let poor Applejack die.” “Come on Twi,” Spike encouraged. “If any pony can do it, it’d be you.” Rainbow looked toward Twilight, her tearful eyes silently pleading for her to try. Taking a deep breath, Twilight nodded and fired up her horn, which sputtered and surged with magical energy. Focusing her power on healing Applejack, Twilight aimed her horn as a magical glow formed around Applejack’s wound. But after a moment, Applejack cried out in pain and the wound only worsened. Twilight quickly dimmed her horn. “It’s no use!” Twilight shook her head. “My magic isn’t strong enough; I keep going, it’s going to make whatever time she has left less and less.” Everyone in the church looked down toward Applejack, tears forming in all their eyes. Applejack grew paler every moment, her breathing shortening. Bright Mac and Pear Butter came to their daughters side, in the saddest shape they’ve ever been in their lives. Applejack’s mother clutched her daughter’s hoof with her own spiritual grip. “My little Apple Pie…” Pear Butter croaked. “We’re sorry this happened to you…” Applejack slowly turned her head toward her parents, smiling just a tad. “It’s alright ma,” She said. “No… no it ain’t,” Bright Mac argued, tears streaming. “It weren’t supposed tah end like this, not fer ya darlin’. Yah still have so much left tah live fer…. Yer brother… yer sister… yer friends they all need ya.” Rainbow Dash carefully pulled Applejack’s face back toward her. “He’s right A.J.,” She cried. “We all need you!” Rainbow closed her eyes for a moment, releasing a deep exhale. If this were truly the very last time she’d probably see Applejack, she may as well go for broke right here and now. “I need you…” Rainbow confessed. “I… I… I love you A.J.” Everyone in the group looked at Rainbow Dash in shock. Normally the tomboyish Wonderbolt normally wouldn’t speak about her feelings all that often. There had been some slight indications based on their actions, the fact their friend might like other mares was hinted often. But still… to actually hear her confess something so huge was still utterly unbelievable. “There… I said it, okay?” Rainbow nodded. “I don’t just mean as my best friend either. I mean… I’m in love with you. I think I have been for… well, Celestia knows how long! But… I just… I just couldn’t really admit to it myself.” Applejack herself, even though she was quickly bleeding out, seemed genuinely shocked. “Ya mean that Sugarcube?” She asked. Rainbow gave no reply; instead, she nodded her head slightly as tears fell down her face. With this confirmation, Applejack used whatever strength she had left to do something she’s done before, but an action that never really meant more than it did right now. Lifting her head with all her might, she planted her lips directly to Rainbow’s. The cyan Pegasus’ eyes popped right open with shock, but quickly fell closed again as she melted into the kiss. When Applejack finally pulled away, a smile formed on her face and single tear fell from her eye. “Ah love ya too Rainbow,” She smiled weakly. Rainbow smiled brightly, as she held Applejack close. The tears continued to fall from her eyes.” “I just wish we had more time,” Rainbow sobbed. “Ah know Sugar cube,” Applejack whispered faintly. “Maybe one day… we’ll see each other again… I love ya… Rainbow…” Applejack’s breathing faded, her eyes glazed over, and Rainbow drew back once she saw the life in her friend rapidly slipping away. She shook her head, her shock turning to anger. “Applejack…” Rainbow quivered. “No… no! You can’t end it this way, Applejack! Please! You don’t tell a pony ‘I love you’ and leave me… you can’t! I’m going to fix this some way, somehow… just please stay… Applejack!” As Twilight stood over Rainbow Dash and a dying Applejack in her arms, she thought long and hard over what to do. She contemplated any and ‘all’ possible ideas, just anything that could save her friend’s life before it’s too late… and then it hit her. “I got it!” She whispered in realization. Using her magic to conjure a giant spell book, Twilight frantically skipped through the pages. Everyone looked at her, wondering what she was trying to find. “What are you doing Twilight?” Trixie asked. “I can’t believe I didn’t think of this before!” Twilight told herself. Finally discovering the page she needed, she turned the book toward them. They looked at the ancient text and the scribbles along the page. Neither of the other ponies could quite understand exactly what Twilight was looking at. “What is this?” Spike asked. “It looks like a school filly wrote this!” “It’s an ancient healing spell, Spike,” Twilight answered. “This was written thousands of years ago, by one of the very first unicorns to walk Equestria.” “How the hay do you have this?” Rainbow asked. “It came from Princess Celestia’s library. Apparently when she and Luna tutored under Starswirl the Bearded, he was a passionate collector of ancient Ponish knowledge. I’ve read through this long ago and couldn’t understand it originally… but thanks to Starlight’s help, now I do!” “Understand what darling?” Rarity asked. Twilight pointed her hoof to a section of the page. “It says right here on this page the key that has been missing the entire time for a proper healing spell… the essence of life after death.” Hearing that, everyone in the group looked at each other in absolute confusion. “What does that mean exactly?” Victor asked. “We need a totem of sorts that has transfixed between life and death. Something that has been on someone living and is still with them in death.” Emily’s eyes widened, as she looked down at the ring sitting on her bone hand. The very same ring she wore in life… and in death before she lost it. “Is it possible this might work?” She asked, holding out the ring. “It was given to me when I was alive. I had it on me when I died… and I’ve had it with me in death.” Twilight took the ring from Emily’s hand in her magical aura. “It’s a long shot, but it just might work,” She nodded. “Please hurry…” Rainbow urged. “A.J. isn’t going to last much longer…” Twilight quickly lit her horn again, concentrating all her energy along the ring. The ring spun uncontrollably fast in mid-air, shooting a magical energy blast toward Applejack. Soon as the beam made contact, Applejack floated in the air as magical strands began to encase her body. As that happened, her wound instantly began to heal… her body slowly regaining its color. After a moment or two, Applejack lowered to the ground… the magical strands vanished… and when the spell was over, Rainbow Dash and the others looked down nervously… But Applejack’s eyes remained closed, her breath very still, and not a part of her body moved. Approaching Applejack, Fluttershy grabbed her left hoof and leaned it to her ear… but she does not seem to hear a pulse. Putting her hoof back on her chest… Fluttershy slowly turned toward Rainbow Dash and sadly shook her head. Rainbow Dash, staring at her friend, slowly shook and turned toward Applejack. “Applejack…” Rainbow cried. “Please… don’t leave me. You just have to be here! What am I going to do without you?” Rainbow Dash laid her face upon her hooves, crying away as her sobs echoed in the silent church. As the whole group looked down sadly, thinking that they have failed, suddenly Applejack’s eyelids began to move. Her left eye slowly fluttered open and she turned toward Rainbow Dash. “You’re the best mare that a pony like me could ever have…” Rainbow continued, as she cried. Hearing such sweet words from an uncharacteristic Rainbow Dash, Applejack looked toward her… and softly smiled toward her friend. But Rainbow did not see her right away, instead she looked up toward the skies as if she were talking to the heavens. “Oh please… please come back to me, Applejack!” Rainbow begged. “If you give me one more chance, I promise you… um… um…” “You’ll pick all the apples in the orchard?” Applejack asked softly. “Yes… all the apples… even the ones guarded by the fruit bats!” “And you won’t complain?” “No complaining…” “No pranks?” “No more pranks…” “That’s a promise?” “That’s a—” All at once, Rainbow’s eyes shot open. A loud gasp escaped her lips, drawing everyone’s attention. They turned over and saw Applejack, looking down at her now fully healed chest. She caressed the very spot from where she was struck only to find not a trace of the wound as if her injury never happened. “A.J…?” Applejack quickly looked toward Rainbow right next to her and smiled brightly. She grabbed her face in her hooves, crashing her lips to Rainbows with a heated, passionate kiss. Both ponies just sat there for the longest time, locked in each other’s loving embrace. “It’s about time…” Maud spoke, with a small smile. “Told you so…” Pinkie smiled at her sister. As Applejack and Rainbow kiss, Victoria held onto Victor after so long of being apart. “Oh Victor, I never thought I’d see you again,” Victoria said happily. Emily smiled happily seeing Victor reunited with Victoria and seeing Applejack alive once more. Feeling completely content, the corpse bride started walking towards the entrance. Victor noticed her walking away and quickly came up behind her. “Wait!” He called to her. “I made a promise.” Emily turned back to face him, smiling. “You kept it,” She smiled. “You set me free.” She took off the ring along her boney finger, placing it in Victor’s hand. “Now I can do the same for you.” Victor smiled, nodding in understanding. Then Emily knelt down, pulling all the ponies and Spike into a huge group hug. “Thank you all so much… for everything,” She said thankfully. “It was our pleasure Emily,” Twilight answered. “I only wish we could do more.” “We only hope that you’ve finally found the peace you’ve been looking for all this time,” Trixie added. Even Maud smiled slightly along her otherwise expressionless face. “We will always remember you,” She said. Emily pulled back, smiling at them all once more before turning to the two ghostly figures of Bright Mac and Pear Butter. Both of them threw their arms around her and she did the same. “We’ll miss ya something fierce Em,” Bright Mac said sincerely. “Thank you for being our friend in our time of need,” Pear Butter added tearfully. “You’re most welcome,” Emily responded. “You’ve both been the best friends I could ever ask for.” Then Emily stood back to her full height and once more made her way toward the entrance of the church, her flower bouquet clutched to her chest. Just as she made it to the door, she took one last look back toward whoever remained in the church. The ponies and Spike all waved one final goodbye, to which Emily smiled at. She then threw her bouquet much like a bride would after just getting married and it was caught by Victoria. “You know… I still feel terrible for her,” Rainbow spoke to Applejack. “To lose so much…” “Yea…” Applejack nodded. “But at least she’s finally free.” Then, drawing one final breath, Emily sighed as she was finally at peace. A glowing white light enveloped her body, transforming her into hundreds of blue butterflies that flew toward the sky. Everyone raced to the entrance and watched the butterflies flying high into the night sky. One of the butterflies flew back toward Fluttershy, landing upon her nose as she giggled softly. It then kissed her cheeks, as it took off to rejoin the others. “Good luck Emily!” Fluttershy said. After they all disappeared into the sky, the archway portal opened out of nowhere and every pony smiled, knowing just what this meant. “Guess it’s time for us to go,” Twilight announced. Victor and Victoria both knelt to their height, smiling toward them. “If this is goodbye, I’d just like to say… thank you to all of you,” Victor said. “Thank you for everything.” “You’ve all been a most wonderful help to us,” Victoria added. “There is no way we could possibly thank you enough.” “The only thanks we require is that you two get married and live as happily as you can,” Rarity smiled. “Y’all deserve yer happiness after everythin’ y’all been though,” Applejack agreed. “If we weren’t here with you guy, this probably never would have happened,” Rainbow pointed out. For emphasis, she leaned over and kissed Applejack one final time, which made the country smile like a goofy idiot and blush profusely. Every pony and Spike hugged Victor and Victoria for the last time before turning to face the portal. All, except Applejack of course, as she faced the ghostly figures of her parents. They both smiled fondly at her, as she slowly approached them with a tear in her eye. “Ah wish ah didn’t have tah leave y’all again,” She said, her voice cracking. “We just found each other.” Bright Mac and Pear Butter both shed a tear, as they drew their daughter in for a hug. “Ya must go sugar cube,” Pear Butter cried. “You’ve got so much left of yer life tah live now.” “We’ll see each other again one day,” Bright Mac assured. “Ah promise ya.” Applejack hesitantly pulled back, as her tears fell from her eyes. She really didn’t want to be separated from her parents again, but she didn’t have much choice. She indeed have so much left of her life to live, a life with her brother, her sister, Granny Smith, and all of her friends. And yes… even a mare-friend, seeing how she and Rainbow finally confessed to one another. Slowly but surely, she made her way back over to the others. With one final glance to her parents, they all made their way through the portal. By the time the portal closed, Bright Mac and Pear Butter both stood there with tears streaming down their faces as they watched their daughter leave. Elder Gutknecht slowly walked alongside both of them, holding the Wine of Ages in one hand and his ancient tome in another. “Your daughter and her friends certainly are quite the courageous bunch,” He observed. Both Bright Mac and Pear Butter nodded. “They certainly are,” Bright Mac concurred. “Ah only wish we could spend more time with them,” Pear Butter sobbed. “We barely saw Big Mac, Apple Bloom, Granny Smith, and… mah daddy.” “I know wut ya mean…” Elder Gutknecht looked toward the two ghostly ponies, seeing how distraught they were to lose their daughter all over again. He scratched his bone chin as he thought of something. “There is ‘one’ way,” He offered. Just like that, Bright Mac and Pear Butter looked at the old skeleton in shock. “Really?!” They both asked loudly. “Ya mean the Ukrainian haunting spell?” Bright Mac thought. “Not quite, my boy,” Gutknecht shook his head. He placed the tome along an empty bench, flipping through the pages. “Many years ago, I had the fortunate chance to meet another young stallion in our realm,” He explained. “He too had been separated from his loved one, just like the two of you. He was determined to find a way back to her, using my study to perfect a spell he believed could send him back to the Land of the Living for at least one whole day.” Finally coming to the page, he pointed at any ancient spell in cryptic writing… ponish writing. “It took him years to create… but it’s all right here. A single spell that allows anyone among the dead to travel back to the Land of the Living one last time. But it’s only fair to warn you: Once cast, there are no more chances. You’ll be left with one of two choices: Move on… or resign yourselves to the Land of the Dead forever. It’s up to you now…” Bright Mac and Pear Butter both looked at each other for a moment, then back toward the page. A chance to see their family one last time, only then must they move on or remain where they were forever. What a decision to make. <> One day later… Much time had passed since Twilight Sparkle and her friends returned to Equestria. Since the portal opened up after helping their friends, after every pony stepped through to the other side, a huge bright light shined through the halls of Twilight’s Castle. By the time the portal dissipated, Twilight Sparkle and her friends reunited with every creature in Equestria who had been watching the events unfold on the television. They had so much to catch up on after such a crazy adventure that day and by the time every pony settled down, they all decided to go home to rest. It was now early in the morning along the hilltops of Sweet Apple Acres. The sun had yet to edge its way over the horizon, but now the great story had finally passed. Though Granny Smith, Apple Bloom, and even Grand Pear were still asleep, Applejack and Big Mac were up and about knowing there was much work to be done. With most of their apples mashed up from the other day, they knew they needed to work fast in order to gather up the supplies they needed for the sales. Just as Applejack and Bright Mac made their way to the top of the hill, to make their way to the orchard… they stopped. Their eyes widened in surprise as one by one, basket upon basket of freshly picked apples laid in a single file row. Applejack and Big Mac stare in shock, glancing at one another for a moment, before edging toward one of the baskets. Looking closely, they saw that all their apples were ripe, not a single smudge on them. Just then, a flicker of a shadow waved over them drawing them to look up. Flying up around the sky, Rainbow Dash slowed her wings and lightly dropped along the grass beside Applejack and Big Mac. She trotted her way toward Applejack and kissed her along the cheek. “Morning A.J.!” Rainbow smiled. “Surprised?” “You… you harvested all our apples?” Applejack spoke, stunned. Rainbow Dash smiled, as Big Mac looked back toward one of the baskets as if doing a double take. “You… did all this? By yerself? In such a short time?” “I don’t know if these apples are more than enough to make three thousand bits,” Rainbow Dash shrugged. “But I made you a promise that I would make it all up to you the other day… and I keep my promises.” Applejack turned over toward all the baskets that were filled to the very top. True, at about a dozen baskets or so, it seemed like an impressive number especially if Rainbow had been picking apples all night. Probably not enough, but even Applejack had to admit it was impressive. She turned back toward Big Mac, who looked back at his sister and nodded with an approving smile. She turned back toward Rainbow Dash with a smile. “It’s a start Rainbow,” Applejack smiled. “Thank you. Would you like to help carry these baskets to the barn?” “I’d be glad to.” Rainbow was relieved to see she at least made it all up to her friend, proving how far she’d go to make her special some pony happy. They start to make their way back, each carrying a basket or two to carry into the farmhouse. “Rarity told me that Parfaite pony will soon be cleared to leave the hospital in a few days,” Rainbow added. “She said we can all pay a visit to meet up with her and help her get settled at Rarity’s.” “That sounds like a mighty fine idea, Dash,” Applejack smiled. “Ya know, I think we keep working now, we’d actually be finished before the day’s over. Then we can go back to the house, and maybe—" Applejack didn’t get to finish when Big Mac clutched her shoulder. Turning toward him curiously, she saw him looking straight out toward the horizon, his eyes wide as saucers. The girls turned toward his direction… and then their mouths gape open. As the sun rose steadily into the sky, a bright ray of light shined down along the field a few feet before them. As the ponies stood blinded partly by the light, their vision slowly adjusts as two silhouettes walk toward them like motioning through a brightly lit hall. When the light soon faded, their silhouettes coming to full view, the three ponies stared in shock. There before them… a pair of very familiar ponies stood upon the ground, the grass brushing against their now mortal hooves. A pair of faces that hadn’t seen the face of this world in years, though for Applejack’s and Rainbow Dash’s case… it felt like only yesterday. “Ma…?” Applejack spoke tearfully. “Pa…?” The two Earth ponies looked upon their daughter, smiling warmly. “Hello Apple Pie…” Pear Butter spoke softly. Crying out happily, Applejack raced toward her parents, who opened their hooves toward her and embraced her in a warm hug. It felt like such a surreal dream, everything Applejack always imagined time and time again… now here they were, back before her. Watching in shock, Big Mac slowly approached the two parents. Bright Mac looked upon his son, the two stallions facing each other in the eye. “That’ll do Big Mac…” Bright Mac spoke proudly. “That’ll do…” Tears streaming down his eyes, the giant Apple sibling no longer holding it, Big MacIntosh cried as he approached his father. The four Apples held each other in their arms, embracing this tender moment as Rainbow Dash looked on proudly. Pear Butter looked up, seeing Rainbow Dash standing a few feet away… and silently reached her arm out, beckoning her to join them. Feeling honored, Rainbow Dash casually took Pear Butter’s hoof… only to be thrust directly into the pile. Though Rainbow Dash wasn’t often into mushy-gushy stuff, this heartfelt reunion between the ponies was too beautiful to pass up… and Rainbow smiled, as she closed her eyes. Eventually, they slowly made their way back to the house (The work from before was on hold for this moment). By then, Granny Smith just pushed the door open as Apple Bloom followed, yawning cutely. As Apple Bloom rubbed the sleep from her eyes and looked out, she gasped at the sight before her eyes. Granny Smith also looked on in surprise, clutching her chest as if overcome by emotions. There they could see Pear Butter and Bright Mac following the two Apple siblings and a friend, looking on to the farmhouse proudly. “Mama…” Apple Bloom gasped, slowly smiling. “MAMA!!! PAPA!!!” Apple Bloom raced from the farmhouse toward her family, Rainbow Dash and the two siblings splitting off to pave way. The two parents laughed as Apple Bloom leapt into Pear Butter’s arms, as she in turn hugged her little girl. Bright Mac smiled, patting Apple Bloom along the back as Apple Bloom pressed her face upon Pear Butter’s shoulder, crying happily. As mother and daughter embraced each other, Bright Mac looked up seeing Granny Smith lean along the patio. Bright Mac slowly made his way toward Granny Smith, a mother looking upon her long lost son after Celestia knows how long. For a brief moment, neither Apple said a word to one another. Nothing but looking at each other, Bright Mac seeing how Granny Smith has aged since he last saw her and Granny Smith seeing his son… just the way he was before… before… well, that did not matter anymore. Finally, releasing a happy sigh Granny Smith hugged her son and he in turn hugged her back. While this joyous reunion amongst the Apples take place, as Pear Butter carries Apple Bloom in her arms (With Applejack and Big Mac beside her), she looks up toward the door as another familiar face looked out from inside. Standing there in complete shock, Grand Pear silently gasped as a long-lost face stood before him. Carefully, Pear Butter put Apple Bloom down as she crossed over to look her father in the eye. For a while, neither one knew just what to say as the others looked on nervously, seeing how their last meeting was… not so fortunate. Yet as he looked upon her daughter, seeing how beautiful she is… he can’t help but smile tearfully. “Pear… Butter…?” Grand Pear croaked. “Hi Daddy…” Pear Butter greeted softly. “I must be dreaming again… how are you—” “Would you like some coffee? Just the way you like it?” Grand Pear looked on with surprise. There was no malice in her words… nor any hint that she holds a grudge for what he said. She’s just smiling at him; with an offer he hadn’t heard from her in a while. The old stallion smiled upon her, slowly nodding. “Yes…” Grand Pear smiled. “I’d love a cup very much.” Pear Butter turned toward Granny Smith, who nodded with a warm smile. <> In the kitchen, Granny Smith and Pear Butter worked together preparing the coffee with Pear Butter explaining to Granny how she does it. Once the coffee had finished brewing, after taking a tiny spoonful of sugar and adding a pinch of cream into the cup, Pear Butter filled the cup with freshly made coffee stirring it with care as she approached her father, who sat at the counter. As the others looked on, he takes the cup and sipped the warm beverage down his lips. He released a sigh, as he looked upon his daughter. “You never forgot how you did this,” Grand Pear spoke. “No… never had,” Pear Butter smiled. Grand Pear nodded in understanding, as he looked upon his daughter then toward Bright Mac. If this were a dream, it was the most real he ever imagined it would be. “Pardon me for feelin’ so confused,” Grand Pear apologized. “I’ve dreamt of this moment so long… now that yer both here… how?” “Let’s just say… a very old friend of ours gave us a chance to visit,” Pear Butter spoke simply. “Does this mean y’all gonna stay with us forever?” Apple Bloom asked hopefully. For a moment, Pear Butter looked upon her daughter, toward her sweet innocent face, and didn’t utter a word. She turned back toward her husband, who only returned a look. After a moment or two, she turned back toward her daughter. “Let’s just enjoy the rest of the day…” Pear Butter suggested. “All of us… as a family.” “Any plans on what you wanna do, Bright Mac?” Granny Smith asked Bright Mac. “Fer now…” Bright Mac spoke, smiling. “Whatever we do, let’s enjoy it today… ‘living’.” “We’d all like that very much,” Applejack agreed. <> And as the day wore on, for Applejack and her family, and especially Rainbow Dash, the Element of Honesty herself looked upon this union and saw it as the happiest day of her life. As if all the problems seemed to disappear from each other’s mind. There was no bitterness, there was no cause for worry, and most importantly, there was no grief. There was only the Apples, side by side… like they never left. Even the simplest of activities became their most treasured memories together. The girls fixing up each other’s manes, which was hardly something they had done together. Even Rainbow Dash somehow found herself dragged into it, much to her chagrin and the amusement of Big Mac. At one point, they fixed up Rainbow’s mane to resemble a mohawk… which actually got a chuckle out of Rainbow, even imitating a rock star as they all laughed. In the kitchen, they drew pictures together out of the arts and crafts they could find. Most of the pictures would relate to all the moments that Pear Butter and Bright Mac had missed out in their absence. All the ups and downs the kids had, the laughs they shared, the sorrows they bared, and all the dangers they encountered. Apple Bloom even put together a picture of how she and her fellow Cutie Mark Crusaders finally got their cutie marks. And Granny Smith and Grand Pear looked on at this tender scene, Granny Smith leaning her head against Grand Pear’s shoulder. And the whole time… neither Pear Butter nor Bright Mac said anything about ‘how’ they came back nor even the fact that their time with them would be very short. So as not to frighten their family and risk everything being spoiled. But this timeframe was a treasure for them, and only them to share. There was no harm in spending this day making memories that they always want to cherish with them forever. And since it had been ages since they shared this one moment, even though it was no pony’s birthday in particular, they baked a cake made from the rest of the apples they picked together in the orchard… even the pears Grand Pear grew for the family to share. It was as beautiful as it was delicious, with all the candles meant to represent not so much the number of years… but having all of them together under one roof. “Care to make a wish father?” Pear Butter asked. “I don’t need to…” Grand Pear smiled. “My wish already came true.” As they all blew out the candles together, one single candle remained lit and as the parents looked on… their smiles dropped slightly. By now, all the windows in the house were beginning to dim. Soon their time together would come to an end… <> As the hours drew late, Luna’s moon rising into the sky, all was quiet inside the Apple Family home. By now, most of the ponies were all tucked into bed to sleep after such a long, yet eventful day. Pear Butter softly adjusts the sheets covering Apple Bloom, the little filly sleeping so peacefully in the bed. She smiles at the wonderful sight before leaning down to kiss her on the cheek. “Good night Apple Bloom…” Pear Butter whispered gently. “Hmm… night mom…” Apple Bloom said sleepily. A sigh escaped Pear Butter’s lips as she leaned back, regretting the fact that this was truly the last time she’ll see her. A hoof touches her shoulder, as she turned toward Bright Mac. “It’s time… Buttercup…” Bright Mac spoke. Pear Butter nodded in understanding, as they turned to leave the bedroom. Pear Butter stares back at her daughter one last time, a sad smile upon her face, before they turn the corner and work their way downstairs. But their motions do not go unnoticed, as a face peeks out from the room watching them leave. <> The cold winds brush against the fields as Pear Butter and Bright Mac stand before a giant tree with intertwining branches. They stare in admiration of the two seeds they planted, joining together to become this magnificent tree. A symbol of their undying love for one another despite their differences. They look on silently, to breathe in the moment before they have to make the ultimate decision. “Pear Butter!” Pear Butter and Bright Mac quickly turned around, as Grand Pear and Granny Smith worked their way as hard as their limbs could carry them to reach them. Not far behind, Applejack and Rainbow Dash followed making sure the elderly ponies did not fall. “Wait!” Grand Pear called out. “Daddy?” Pear Butter spoke. Pear Butter slowly approached Grand Pear as he stopped before her, the old stallion catching his breath for a moment or two. When his strength eventually returned, he looked up towards his daughter’s face, his own stricken with tears. “So many things I wanted to say to you… and only one comes to mind…” Grand Pear spoke. “I’m sorry… I’m so sorry for leaving you that day.” “You don’t have to apologize, Daddy—” Pear Butter assured. “No… no I must. I’ve been bitter and angry at this family, for so many years that I’ve lost count. When I got your letters in the mail, and I saw your name on each of them… I couldn’t bear myself to read them. I was so angry… and betrayed… I thought that if I just ignored them, I’d never have to bear the weight on my shoulders and just focus on my work. Even when they kept piling and piling, I stayed firm in my beliefs that you’d just give up and move on… like I did. “And then… when they did stop… I felt… confused. And I asked myself… ‘Why now?’. That’s when I finally opened an envelope and the first letter I read… it told me, that little Apple Bloom was born. Soon one letter turned to another and the next and the next… suddenly I realized I’ve been missing out on every precious moment I could’ve been there for. Had I known what you’ve been up to sooner, had I known your family back then… if I hadn’t been so—” Before Grand Pear could spiral any further, Pear Butter gently laid a hoof upon her father’s shoulder and he looked at her with such tears in his eyes. And looked up him with the same tearful eyes. “Father… all I ever wanted was to see you one last time,” Pear Butter spoke. “To see you getting’ tah know our kids, to see how much they’ve grown. I am glad to say that’s all come true. It took an unfortunate circumstance true… but here we are. Together again…” “But I just found you,” Grand Pear sobbed. “Please don’t go away…” “I have to Daddy… our time’s up. Today was our only chance to see you… and I don’t regret a moment of it.” “I love you so much…” “I love you too Daddy…” The two Pears hugged each other, not daring to let go knowing this will be their final time. Bright Mac slowly approached Granny Smith, who looked up to her late son. “You’ve been really good to our kids, ma,” Bright Mac smiled. “They would not be the kids they are today if not fer you.” “Bright Mac, that’s very kind of you to say…” Granny smiled sadly. “But I’m not the same pony I used tah be. I have no idea what I’m doin’ half the time.” “No parent ever truly knows everythin’. But a very special pony taught me that.” “Who…?” “Heh-heh… you did ma. Learned from the best.” Granny Smith chuckled as she leaned her head against Bright Mac’s chest, sobbing away as he patted her shoulders. Grand Pear turned back toward Bright Mac, a sigh escaping his lips, before he smiled. “Bright Mac…” Bright Mac turned toward Grand Pear, the two ponies staring eye to eye. “I never did give ya my blessin’ ages ago…” Grand Pear admitted. “But you were very good to mah daughter… just as you are to them kids. Better late than never…” “It was mah highest honor, sir,” Bright Mac smiled. “Please… call me ‘dad’.” “Of course… ‘dad’.” Grand Pear nodded his head with satisfaction, while Bright Mac smiled. All of a sudden, a bright light could be seen behind them. A signal that their time was running out and the time had come to make their choice. The two spiritual Apples looked toward each other, their eyes reading a decision having been made. But before they go, they turned toward Applejack and Rainbow Dash who approached them. The former tried to fight the tears threatening to emerge as she looked up toward her family. “Ma… pa…” Applejack sighed. “There’s so much I wanted tah tell ya before… so much I…” “Apple Pie…” Bright Mac interrupted softly. “We ‘knew’ all along.” This made Applejack raise her eyes with surprise. “Yah always were different compared to all the other gals… yer mom and I had it figured while we were alive. Granted, we never recalled such a thing in our youth, and we knew how hard ya tried tah hide it. But I want y’all tah know what yah have between you and Rainbow here is beautiful, and we’ll always luv ya no matter what. Y’all have our blessin.” Pear Butter nodded in agreement as she approached Applejack, gently caressing her face with her hoof. “Love is the most powerful friendship in the world,” Pear Butter smiled, turning toward Rainbow Dash. “Take care of our daughter, Miss Dash.” “Always…” Rainbow promised. Satisfied, she turned back toward Applejack, adjusting the Stetson hat upon her head. “One day… we’ll all be together again. But till then… always remember us not for how we died, but the way we lived. Can y’all do that for us? For me?” Applejack pondered over it for a moment, though the terms of her parents death were still in the air. But for this tender period in time, she looked up toward her mother and nodded her head. “I promise ma…” Applejack vowed silently. “Tell Apple Bloom and Big Mac… we love ‘em so much. We’ll never furget ‘em.” Applejack nodded her head softly, as Pear Butter returned to Bright Mac’s side. Their affairs completely settled; they slowly make their way toward the light that would raise them toward a world beyond Equestria. “Say hi to Emily when you get there,” Rainbow called out. “Heh-heh… we’ll do Dash,” Bright Mac called back. Before they left, however, there was just one more thing to do. “Before we go, I just need to do one more thing” Pear Butter said. She reached behind herself and pulled out a guitar. “I wanna sing ya a little song that I sang to yer daddy long ago, just before we got married” Applejack and Rainbow Dash both smiled brightly as they leaned against each other, nuzzling lovingly as Pear Butter began to sing. Then, as the two Earth ponies settled themselves beneath the light and slowly turned back toward their family, they waved their goodbyes toward them. The family in turn, with Rainbow Dash especially, they waved tearful farewells. Soon, the two were slowly lifted up toward the sky looking down upon the world they are leaving behind again… only this time for good. A spectacle witnessed by very few eyes on this night. From Bright Mac and Apple Bloom secretly looking out from their windows, smiling sadly. Even their friends could see the light so bright piercing into the night sky: Twilight Sparkle and Spike from the balcony of their castle; Rarity from the window of her shop; Pinkie Pie and Cheese from her room at the Cake’s bakery beside Lil’ Cheese’s crib; Fluttershy looking up as she tucks her animals good night; Trixie as she organizes her fireworks and props occasionally looking out her window; and even Maud Pie, as she makes a slow walk to her cavern home turning right over to the sky and a small smile forms. As the two figures ascend up toward the heavens, a single glowing blue butterfly perched along a nearby branch and seemed to look up toward the clouds. Then it proceeds to flutter around, up above the highest trees into the skies. Ascending upward as if to join the new arrivals to their newfound home. And somewhere past the clouds and starry sky, as the three figures disappear into the atmosphere, Pear Butter’s voice could be heard… “We’re always watchin’…”