//------------------------------// // Chapter I // Story: Losing Ponies Sucks // by TheKing2001 //------------------------------// I sighed sadly as Starlight stared absent-mindedly ahead of her. She seemed to be staring through Trixie’s coffin all the way outside through the walls. Surprisingly, Trixie had wanted a simple coffin. At one point in my life, I’d have expected she would have wanted something grand and well, Trixie like. Something loud and out there. “Ah ain’t ever see Starlight like this before Twi,” Applejack whispered in my ear. “I know. These things take time. You know that better than any of us,” I replied as I cautiously watched the milling townponies in the funeral home. Surprisingly the whole town showed up. I will admit, as much as me and Trixie didn’t get along, I still felt it was slightly inappropriate for the ponies who ran her out of town to be here. Don’t get me wrong, I love Bon Bon but she did laugh at Trixie and didn’t really help her. Don’t even get me started on Raindrops, Shoeshine, Golden Harvest and Berry Punch. They’re good mares who made a stupid decision but they just shouldn’t be here. Raindrops was talking quietly to Cloudkicker in a corner, occasionally flicking nervous glances to Starlight and us. “They shouldn’t be here,” Starlight mumbled as she wiped a tear away. “They hated Trixie.” Me and the others made nervous eye contact. I have a feeling some one was gonna go off and based on how volatile Starlight was right now, I bet it’s gonna be her. “They’re here to support you is all,” Fluttershy said quietly. “That’s all, Starlight. Nothing more.” Starlight stared at her and I looked away. I absolutely hated the dead look in her eyes. “They never supported Trixie so why I should want the ones who ran her out here?” Starlight asked as she stared at Trixie. “She was my wife correct?” “Yes darling,” Rarity said gently. “But let’s not start anything.” Starlight shakily climbed to her hooves and shook her head. “Then I should be allowed to kick them out. Nopony who was rude or disrespectful to her deserves to be here,” Starlight stated firmly. I shared a worried look with Rainbow as Octavia and Lyra continued playing their respective cello and lyre. Starlights gaze fell over the townponies and none met her look. The flower sisters either looked up at the ceiling or in Lily’s case, she found the ground more interesting. Starlights gaze fell on the group I mentioned earlier and her eyes narrowed as she started to slowly walk up them. “We should probably do something,” Rainbow said nervously. Or well, as nervous as she would allow herself to sound. “This could get pretty ugly.” “Ah agree,” Applejack admitted and I nodded as we followed her. Starlight pressed a hoof to Raindrops chest. “Get out,” she said simply. “I’m sorry?” Raindrops asked in confusion. Starlight pushed against her chest again angrily with more force. “I said get out. You shouldn’t be here. You, Bon Bon, Golden Harvest, Shoeshine and Berry Punch need to leave. I don’t want you here. You all were rude to Trixie. Hell, Golden Harvest vandalized her wagon,” Starlight grumbled. “I want you mares gone before I have Rainbow and Applejack escort you out.” “Would you seriously kick us out Rainbow?” Raindrops asked. Rainbow sighed and looked away. “It’s Starlights decision. Trixie was her wife and Starlight is my friend. If she wants you gone and asked me to, then yes I would,” Rainbow admitted as she rubbed her head with a hoof. “Applejack?” Bon Bon looked to her for support and Applejack stared her in the eyes. “Ah’m sorry cousin. Ah know y’all are here to show y’alls support and all but if Starlight feels uncomfortable well that’s her right. Ah think she asked ya to go.” I stepped closer to Starlight. “Let’s not make too much of a scene please Starlight,” I whispered in her ear. “This isn’t the place.” I nodded around us subtly where some of the townsponies were watching quietly and nervously. Derpy was lifting Dinky up to see Trixie. Apparently the filly wanted to be a magician after seeing one of her shows. Trixie was pretty good with her. Good enough for her and Derpy to become friends. “Okay I know,” Starlight whispered back. “I’m trying.” I levitated some tissues over to us and wiped her face. “Let me get Ruby and we will go,” Berry Punch promised as Starlight nodded at her. Berry trotted off presumably to get her daughter and returned a few seconds later with a small filly on her back. “I’m sorry for your loss by the way. If you wanna talk, you know where to find me. I know what it’s like to lose a partner.” Starlight numbly nodded as the group turned to leave before Ruby jumped off Berry’s back and trotted up to Starlight, staring up at her. “I’m sorry,” Ruby hugged a foreleg and Starlight stared at her before hugging her back. “Thanks,” Starlight mumbled as the filly nodded and galloped off. “I’ll uh see you at home,” Bon Bon said to Lyra. Lyra nodded at her as she continued playing in her weird sitting posture. I always thought it was uncomfortable and painful to me. The earth pony trotted off after looking back at us and sighed. Starlight trotted up to the casket and slumped off, talking quietly to Derpy and Dinky. “Well that happened,” Cloud Kicker said casually and scuffed her hoof on the carpet with a nervous expression. “I’ll uh go find somepony else to talk to. I think I saw White Lightning and Sassaflash around.” The pegasus trotted off. “This isn’t fun,” Pinkie muttered. “Aren’t these supposed to be like a celebration of life? I don’t see much celebrating going on.” “Well Trixie only ever really opened up to Starlight,” I admitted and looked around. “Not many ponies really knew much about her other than her stage persona.” “She looks surprisingly peaceful,” Pinkie said as she stared. “I’ve never been to a funeral before. That I’m aware of at least. Going out in your sleep like she did must be the best way to go.” I gave a nod at that. I have to admit, dying in your sleep had an appeal to it. “I think Starlight gave a beautiful speech,” Rarity announced. “Very well put together. I assume you wrote it, Twilight?” “Uh I helped a bit,” I said sheepishly. “She mainly told me what she wanted as she drank a beer and I just wrote it down.” They all nodded and smiled a bit forcefully as we watched Starlight sitting down. I had a feeling this was going to be the new norm for a few years now. At least a good while.