//------------------------------// // Chapter IV - A Final Farewell // Story: A Secret Never Told // by NightmaresKiss //------------------------------// A Secret Never Told By NightmaresKiss Chapter IV – A Final Farewell The sun rose steadily, and became brighter every minute that passed by. The few clouds that tainted the blue sky were now gone. Though far off in the horizon, new clouds could be spotted. The wind was changing, and the clouds soared towards Ponyville in great haste. Ponies were busy out in the streets, making the best of the good weather while it lasted. Surely it would not last long. The air became heavier, and the clouds in the distance became darker. Rainbow flew right behind Fluttershy, about two meters over the ground. Rainbow had disregarded the doctors orders of not flying until her wing was fully healed. The wing ached all the way, but she paid no heed to it. She had suffered enough pain these last days, and she was getting used to it. They flew towards Carousel Boutique. Rainbow assumed the others where there. She dreaded seeing their faces, looking upon her best friends and see nothing but sorrow. But she had to get through this. She knew deep inside her heart that this was the only right thing to do. Fluttershy dropped to the ground before the door to the boutique. Rainbow did the same, and was relieved of the pain in her wing. Fluttershy opened the door and they stepped over the threshold together. There they all stood, all clad in black. Rarity, like Fluttershy, had veiled her face. Twilight stood by herself, looking out of the window. Rainbow gazed at everyone. No one seemed to notice that they had arrived. Rainbow's glance turned to Pinkie Pie, who stood near Rarity. Rainbow had never seen her like this. She didn't resemble the happy, hyper, pink pony that she remembered at all. It seemed like a dark shadow was about her. Silent tears streamed down her face, and didn't bother to wipe any of them away. Fluttershy walked to Pinkie and embraced her in a mournful hug. First then did the others notice their appearance. Twilight's and Rarity's gaze went from Fluttershy and Pinkie to Rainbow, who was still standing near the doorway. Nobody had uttered a single word yet, and it seemed like no one wanted to break the silence. Twilight stepped forward and said to Rainbow with a fake smile: “I'm glad you came.” “What else could I do?” Answered Rainbow. “The ceremony is about to start. We better get going” said Twilight before she started making her way towards the exit. Rainbow stepped out of the way and let her pass. Rarity walked out next, followed by Pinkie and Fluttershy. Rainbow stood still for a moment, before she too walked out the doors of the boutique. The weather had changed dramatically on the few minutes they where inside. The once clear blue sky was now grey with clouds. It seemed darker than before, and it looked like it was getting darker all the time. Greyer and greyer clouds came into view, and far off the sky seemed all black. The five ponies strode off towards the graveyard in a single file. Nobody talked to each other, nobody even looked at each other. This had to be the worst day in all of their lives. When they came near the graveyard, they saw that a lot of ponies already had gathered around a white coffin. The coffin stood on a table, and was covered in flowers of every colour. On top of the coffin, surrounded by red roses was a single red apple. The five friends went past all the ponies, and made their way to the coffin. Rainbow saw many familiar faces, and also unfamiliar. It seemed like everybody in the Apple family was there. When they had passed everyone, they had a clear view of the coffin. Next to it stood three ponies. Granny Smith, who seemed older than ever. It seemed like she had given up. Next to her stood Big Mac, and in his hooves he held his little sister. Applebloom was crying uncontrollably, her eyes were shut and she held on to Big Mac with all her strength. Applebloom opened her eyes and saw the five ponies standing in front of her. She turned to Rainbow and her eyes seemed to blaze. She ripped herself from Big Mac's grip and ran towards Rainbow. “YOU!” she shouted. Her voice cracked, but she didn't seem to care. She was filled with rage. “How dare you show yourself here? This is all your fault!” Rainbow was speechless. Her heart started pounding and she had a lump in her throat. She couldn't utter a word. Hearing the raging screams of Applebloom made tears come to her eyes. Applebloom continued screaming, tears still streaming down her face. “My sister died because of you! I HATE YOU!” Applebloom's eyes was raging with fire, and her voice was filled with hatred. Big Mac grabbed Applebloom, and tried to contain her, but Applebloom resisted. She twisted and squirmed, but she couldn't break free from his grip. Though he couldn't silence her. She continued screaming in hatred towards Rainbow. “You don't deserve to live! You should just KILL YOURSELF!” Applebloom screamed before she went limp and started crying uncontrollably once again.” During Applebloom's last sentence Rainbow started running away. She heard the last two words in the crying wind. “Kill yourself”. Those two words rung inside her head over and over again. Like a never ending echo. She kept running. To where, she didn't know, and it didn't matter. She just wanted to get away. The sky had only grown darker, and was now jet black. It seemed like night had already arrived. As she ran, she could hear a faint thunder, and felt a few raindrops on her face. The rain only became more violent, and before long it was pouring down. Rainbow continued to run, to get away. Suddenly she stopped and found herself on the foot on the hill where it all started. Rainbow looked up towards the top, and started walking. She couldn't hear anything but the sound of the rain beating down on the ground, and the wind that cried in the dark. She quickly reached the top, and once again she stood there. Where she stood four days ago, though it felt like an eternity. She looked out over the same fields, but now they seemed grey. She could barely see anything through the dark veil of rain. She was soaking wet, and she couldn't tell the difference between raindrops and tears. As she stood there, gazing into nothingness, the world started to become distant. She was alone with her thoughts. “Applebloom is right” a voice in her head said. She closed her eyes, thinking of Applejack she started walking forwards. “I've made up my mind” she said to comfort herself. She was terrified, but kept walking. Suddenly there was no more ground to tread on. She fell down. She kept her eyes closed, as she fell through mist and rain. “I'm coming, Applejack.”