Day 1136
It was supposed to be a normal day. We were fine, she was fine, everything seemed fine. We had plans to all go to a picnic that afternoon, to spend time together which had become so valuable now. We never knew how much time we had with one another, and we were reminded of that horrible fact today—suddenly out of the blue.
Discord came to us in a panic. He said she was fine all day, but out of nowhere it took a turn. Out of nowhere while out for a stroll, she wavered. He rushed her home, rushed her to bed, and rushed to find us. We came as fast as we could. We managed a few moments. Even then…
It doesn’t get easier.
Every time it has happened, I thought I’d be stronger. I thought I’d be able to keep it together. I thought I’d be able to understand.
The world isn’t kind, nor is time.
She however, always was.
Today, Fluttershy left us.
I had seen so many ponies I love leave my life, but this time had been ever so unique, and ever more painful.
One must be truly amazing to warp the Lord of Chaos into a weeping mess.
There were only four of us filling the room—Discord, Spike, Rainbow Dash, and I. An abundance of animals chirped and whined out the window and throughout the house. They all knew what was coming.
We all did.
She smiled warmly at all of us, that kind look in her eyes as brilliant as ever. Being at her home brought her a sense of comfort, she had always said she was scared of the hospital anyways. There was a semblance of relief that, even though it was sudden, she was home with her animals and friends—the most important things in her life.
When the others passed, Discord had become a mess. He was so scared of losing her. He offered, asked, and eventually begged her to allow him to grant her immortality. He feared being alone, feared losing his closest friend, and feared the pain that’d come with it all.
She always had calmly, quietly, and lovingly dismissed him, telling him that immortality wasn’t meant for ponies. It was true, none of us wanted it, and none of us were cursed with it—only him. The pains of losing those we love were a constant in all our lives, but for Discord he himself was that constant.
Yet he accepted her decision, even now as he watched her begin to fade away.
And so, we stood there, watching as she hummed to herself, the chirping of birds granting peace amongst our sniffles and cries.
Rainbow…just wasn’t Rainbow. She never looked this empty. I know she remained strong with every loss we faced, maybe for herself, maybe for me, or maybe for the ones we lost, but this time…
This time it broke her.
She clung to her oldest friend's side, wailing and begging her to stay. She apologized for every poor prank, every rude side comment, anything and everything she could’ve ever done wrong to the mare.
It earned a light, weak chuckle from Fluttershy, as she caressed that prismatic mane of Dash’s and simply dismissed her apologies. She told her she had been a perfect friend and wonderful pony to her. Nothing was needed to be apologized for and that only made Rainbow weep all the more.
She thanked me, thanked all of us, for filling her life with joy and wonders. Her smile faltered a bit, her eyes wavering as she coughed lightly.
She held onto Discord and Rainbow’s heads, feeling them pressing their tear stricken eyes against her chest, holding onto their beloved friend with every ounce of their being. I stood from afar, at the foot of the bed, looking on in shock and sorrow. It felt unreal. It was all too sudden. The pain of what was before me wracking my mind of any action but being locked in the moment.
She managed to smile at me, as if she knew and understood what I was dealing with—why I was stuck.
Why I was crying so much.
She held onto Discord and Rainbow with the little strength she had left. She wanted to calm them, and so she sang the lullaby she knew well.
A lullaby for her own, eternal rest.
Hush now, quiet now.
Her grasp around them weakened.
It’s time to lay your sleepy head.
Her forelegs fell to her side, limp.
Hush now, quiet now.
…
And she finally went to bed.