//------------------------------// // Memorial (Rewrite P4) // Story: Unforgiven // by There Is Nothing Here //------------------------------// Apple Jacks memorial service would be held the following day. The hospital had to prepare her body for the open casket. They had to make her look like she did before the burns from the accident. The rest of the day Rarity was in a slump, as were the rest of her other four friends. Would they ever recover from this, especially Rarity, who never got to say she was sorry. I felt absolutely terrible for this, I felt as if I died now it would be fair, it could give me solace. But I couldn't die now, Sweetie Belle needed me, speaking of which the little foal hadn't come out of her room since she sent her up. I trotted up the stairs to get her. I knocked on the door, "Sweetie Belle?" I called. "Sweetie Belle I'm sorry, I've behaved terribly to all of the ponies I care so deeply for." I confessed. It felt good for somepony to listen. I opened the door and saw the open window wind blowing through it. A note on the bed. Dear Rarity, I'm sorry I can't be the sister you always wanted me to be. So I'm leaving, don't come looking for me you won't be able to find me. I'm going to look for a sister who cares enough to spend time with me. Maybe this way you can focus on what you really love, your work. Look at it this way, now you don't ever have to worry about me bugging you anymore. I can't give you gray hairs if I'm not around right? At least that's how it sounded like to me every time you told me. Anyways I'm leaving and never coming back. I know you don't really love me, so goodbye, unsister. Don't love, Sweetie Belle I felt the tears streaming down my face. I put down the paper and saw the drawing she made for me, the one that filled my heart the first time and made me want to participate in the Sister Hooves Social. My eyes filled with tears I'd been so insensitive. I spoke out loud. "I'm so sorry Sweetie Belle. I've been a terrible sister." I went on, "I promise if you come back I'll be a better sister. I took you for granted." I fell to the floor not caring about my mane, I curled up in the carpet. "It wasn't you who was the sister I never wanted," I said whispering to no pony, "You were the sister any mare could hope for. I took you for granted for so long Sweetie Belle, and now I've driven both you and my friend away from me. You both hate me now I''m a terrible sister and a horrible friend." I cried as I heard my door creaking open, I didn't want to deal with customers now. "Go away," I shooed, "the sign says open but I just forgot to change it." I told the visitor off. "Did you mean all of what you said?" I jumped up and spun around, there was my sister standing in my doorway, tear struck eyes, dirt all over her coat and mane, twigs and leaves in her hair. I threw my hooves around her, I cried. "I promise I'll be a better sister Sweetie Belle." I told her sniffling, "Now, let's get you cleaned up," I paused, than "unless you'd rather play hoofball." I told her, she nearly jumped a hole in my roof. I'd never seen her so excited. We played for a few hours before we went inside. I tucked her into bed and kissed her horn. "Goodnight, Sweetie Belle." I told her. "Goodnight, Rarity" she told me. I began to leave, I put my hoof on the switch. "Rarity?" I turned around as I turned the light off looking at Sweetie Bell, her eyes were closed but her night light illuminated her face. "Yes, sweetheart?" I replied. "I love you sis." she told me sleepily. I smiled as a tear rolled down my cheek, "I love you too, Sweetie Belle." The memorial service began that morning, I wore a plain black gown. I didn't think it would be right to make a new dress for this. We all wore black, it was the respect of it. As the service began the tears didn't stop. I looked around at my friends, they all got their goodbyes, as for me, this was going to be my one attempt for solace. One by one they went up to the podium. Granny Smith was first. She heard as she began, "'Ah remember the young lass," she started, standing bravely without her walker, her legs trembled, "she was always happy and full of energy. She loved that orchard too much to let it burn." she said, then whispered, "she would have wanted it like this, I'd go the same way givin the choice" she went down and was comforted by her two grandfoals. Apple Bloom was next. She held a brave face looking at her sisters body in the casket, although her voice wavered as she began, "Apple Jack was the best sister any pony could ask for." she was beginning to break down we could all see it. I was too, "she love to play, laugh, and lasso." Rainbow let out a gagged crying cough, even she still tried to seem brave. "'Ah'll always love ya sis." she went over an laid a kiss on her sisters reformed cheek. The doctors had done whatever reconstructive surgery they could. There was still patched in her fur, but in the casket she was smiling and dressed in her work duds. Her hat placed in her chest hooves crossed. Big Macintoshes turn. He stood tall and glanced over to his sister. "She," he began looked over to her again, he couldn't say anymore, he looked down as he bit his lip in agony, "Eyup." he said as a tear rolled down. He went back down to his seat. Twilight was next. "Apple Jack," she began, tears forming, "you taught us all what honesty ment, and how important it was to be hard working and dedicated." We were all crying remembering her, "We will never forget you." Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy both turned down their invitations. Well Fluttershy did, we all knew she couldn't stand to get up there, AJ would have understood too. Pinkie Pie just went up and had a five minute crying session before the pastor asked her to go back to her seat. Rainbow Dash went up and we could all see the pain in her face, even though she didn't want to show it. She bit her lip every time she paused, then finally said. "AJ," she began, we could all see the tears now, "I guess you got your wing now." she tried to chuckle at her joke but broke into a cry, "I just can't teach you to fly now." she cried all the way back to her seat. It was my turn. I went up. I had nothing prepared, what could I say. I looked at her smiling face. "I'm sorry" I whispered, it was barely audible and was only slightly picked up by the microphone. I went back to my seat.