Pinkie hadn't had the heart to wake the others after Rainbow Dash passed away. So, she sat alone in the plastic chair by Rainbow's bed, staring blankly at the clock on the wall, waiting for dawn. The doctor had been alerted and a team of nurses had arrived to move the body to the morgue, on their way out they had paused to offer their condolences in this hard time.
Pinkie could hardly cry, for the tears seemed to well up inside. She felt as if she were drowning in a lake of her own emotions, bottled up within. She was not only sad, she was angry. She was angry at Rainbow Dash. She had always been reckless and boastful, and the thought of injury had never been a deterrent for the stubborn mare. Why? Why did she have to hurt herself? Why did she have to die? Pinkie didn't care if her death was out of her control, something in her drove her to blame it on Rainbow.
So, the pony sat in silence, wallowing in self pity as the first signs of light filtered in through the flower-patterned curtains. Gilda was the first to wake. "Pinkie? Where's Dash?" she said, rather groggily. Pinkie frowned, walking over to the Griffon.
"She didn't make it through the night, Gilda. I'm so sorry."
Gilda's eyes widened. "She's g-gone?" she stuttered. Pinkie could only nod. "No. She was my... best friend. My... only friend. I didn't even say goodbye to her." Gilda slumped down to the ground. "Was... was it painful?"
"No, she died peacefully I believe. It was all pain, but death was finally a relief for her."
Gilda smiled. "That's good, that she was happy."
The thought that Rainbow Dash truly rested in peace offered some solace for her.
"Should we, um. Wake the others then?" Gilda said, turning to where the ponies slept, oblivious to the events of last night. Pinkie nodded and made her way to where they were huddling. She tapped Rarity on the shoulder, then Twilight, while Gilda took care of Applejack and Fluttershy.
"Everypony, I have some sad news. Last night, Rainbow Dash passed away." Pinkie announced in a somber tone, turning to the now empty bed where she watched her good friend die. Several gasps chorused through the group. Rarity turned, bawling into Twilight's shoulder. Applejack removed her hat, holding it against her chest as tears escaped her eyes. Twilight used her magic to levitate a tissue, which she used to dab at her tears. Fluttershy simply shook with grief.
"The hospital says we are welcome to stay a little longer if we need, but I think it's best if we go back home. We all need a little time to recover."
Rarity wobbled to her legs, "I'll call a taxi right away." she sniffled, eager to find something to occupy herself with.
The taxi arrived soon after and the friends all piled into the back. Everyone was silent for the duration of the ride back home, Pinkie could hardly bring herself to even cry. She did not feel any pain, not anymore. She felt numb. Nothing. Smiles didn't exist for her. What was the point of smiling if the one pony who gave you your first smile was dead?
And for the first time since her day-long spiral of depression so long ago, when she had thought her friends no longer wanted her, Pinkie's hair cascaded over her shoulder, straight. The bounce had disappeared. She was once again Pinkamena.
The ponies had hardly managed to squeeze onto one taxi, so the extra size of Gilda meant she had to sit alone in the back. Pinkie glanced at her from over the seat. The Griffon held her head in one talon, a tear running down her cheek as the images of Ponyville rushed past her.
Eventually the taxi came to a halt at the town square and the ponies flooded out of the carriage. They all exchanged sorrowful goodbyes before trotting of in their separate ways. Pinkie waved farewell to Twlight as she returned to the library. Which left Gilda and Pinkie, their backs facing each other as they waited awkwardly at the stop.
Pinkie turned to Gilda. "Do you need somewhere to stay? If you do, you can crash at my place."
Gilda's eyes lit up. "You would do that for me?"
Pinkie nodded, "Of course."
"Anything for a friend."
The two made their way to Sugarcube Corner, where a sad-looking Mrs. Pie stood in the doorway, a platter of freshly-baked treats in her mouth. "Pinkie, I heard the awful news. I-I am just so sorry. You can have these if you'd like."
Pinkie eyed the selection, taking a cupcake with pink frosting. "Thank you."
The two headed upstairs to where Pinkie's room was. Gilda looked around, her eyebrow raised. "It's very... pink." she remarked, with a giggle. Pinkie felt the corners of her mouth lift slightly, as if her mouth were fighting to smile once more. To reveal her true nature once more. Pinkie trotted over to a desk where several books lay, papers littered the ground surrounding.
She pulled a large book with a leather cover from a row and set it on the ground.
"What's that?" Gilda questioned, taking a seat next to Pinkie.
"A photo album of me and Dash." Pinkie said, a hint of sadness tainting her voice.
And so, the two new friends, however bitter their hatred for each other once was, huddled over the album. Every picture held the familiar smiling face of Rainbow Dash, the confident mare that once lived and breathed. Every picture held a whole new story for Pinkie to share, from the time she and Rainbow were mere fillies enjoying a picnic together to the day Rainbow Dash performed her second Sonic Rainboom for the world to see.
Many tears were to be shed betwixt the Griffon and the pony as they poured over the album, the frozen images of their best friend at the happiest points in her life. Mrs. Pie brought up two glasses of pink lemonade as well, which they enjoyed thoroughly.
Despite the pain they had all experienced in this last day, despite how much their lives had changed with the death of a single pony, Pinkie and Gilda managed to salvage the happiness lasting in their old memories. Tomorrow, the ponies would gather for her funeral, to celebrate the life of a good friend. Of a loyal companion. Of the most marvelous, totally awesomest mare in all of Equestria.
Rainbow Dash.
The End.