//------------------------------// // Epilogue // Story: Element of Loyalty // by AirDasher //------------------------------// Twilight's eyes slowly opened at the sound of church bells, the sound that had been so relaxing and indicating the end of a week had moved on, now only signalled a bitter end. she didn’t want to remember what today was. Twilight just lied in bed, her duvet was a mess indicating just how much sleep she had gained that night. She pulled the duvet up to her head and turned around staring at the frame of her bed, she felt tear well up in her eyes. small sobs erupted from deep inside her, she missed the sky blue pegasus so bad. she just lied there for a while, just crying to herself. She twitched an ear at the sound of somepony opening the door to her bedroom. Twilight poked her head out from under the cover, “You asked me to wake you up” the purple dragon said in the softest voice he could muster. Twilight slung her hind hooves over the edge of the bed, “Y-yeah, thanks Spike” The purple dragon slowly made his ways to the bottom of the stairs leading up to her bed, he climbed it slowly, Twilight didn’t budge, lost in her thoughts. By the time Spike had climbed up the stairs was she sobbing out loud again, Spike felt his cheeks getting wet as well. He couldn’t help but cry himself, Spike walked up to Twilight and wrapped his claws around her neck. Twilight was taken by surprise at the dragon but returned the hug full force. They sat like that for a while before spike released his grip around her neck, “I miss her too Twilight ” Spike shook his head gaining a few tears, at the memories of the pegasus. He walked over to the curtains that blocked out the day outside. Twilight was half expecting the sky to be dark and cloudy, the sound of heavy rain against the window. She couldn’t be more wrong, when spike pulled away the curtains to her bedroom did the sunlight flood the entire room, small particle of dust catching a golden glow as it slowly descended towards the floor of her room. Twilight covered her eyes as she waited for her eyes to adjust to the brilliant light. She moved her hoof a little and was awestruck at the display she saw, the sky was all clear, not a single cloud in sight. The sky itself was a pure light blue color, it even looked as if the colors itself was glowing. The sun had rose just a bit over the horizon making the hillside a light grey. Twilight dried away her tears, a weak smile formed on her muzzle since after Rainbows departure. The thought of her Sky blue friend in her cloud house moaning as the light would rudely wake her, Twilight felt a small giggle build up in her throat as she pictured it in her mind. Like lightning from clear sky did a picture of Rainbow Dash in the hospital bed covered in gauze shoot into her mind. Her smile quickly turned to a frown as tears welled up in her eyes again. Twilight was now fully awake, well, at least how awake you can be after a sleepless night. She descend down the stairs to the library, wearing a simple black dress. Even spike wore black cloth despite how much he hated to wear cloth. He saw Twilight descend the stairs, her eyes were bloodshot as she had recently cried. Twilight glanced over to the clock again, it had only passed ten minutes since last time she looked at it. She laid her head down on the table again, not paying much attention to anything except the clock. A sudden knock on the door made her jump in her seat and fumble backwards. Spike went to get the door as Twilight found herself on the floor still in a little shock as she rose gingerly to her full height. Rarity and Pinkie Pie stood in the doorway, both wearing black dresses. Pinkie pie and Rarity entered the library, Twilight once again feel her eyes watering. They found them selfe in a group hug crying in each other's presence. Pinkie pie’s puffy hair was as straight as rain on a late afternoon, and by the look of Rarity it didn’t seems like she had gained any more sleep than Twilight. The small group walked towards the outer edge of Ponyville, they met up with Applejack and Fluttershy on the way. They all wore black dresses, Applejack’s trademark was missing though, she never removed her stetson, but for the first time she didn’t wear it. The rows of house became more scattered as they closed in on the edge of ponyville. They mostly walked in silence, none of them had much to say as they were all lost in their own thought, memories and events that had occurred before the tragic outcome. Once they rose over the small hilltop did they all come to a halt, before them in the valley, stood a large crowd of ponies, the dirt road from the bottom had a red runner all the way up between the masses of ponies, on each row of seats was a pair of armored ponies, either earth pony unicorn or pegasus. The armored ponies between the rows had the banner to the first battalion. Twilight looked in shock as sobs were generally heard from the crowd, even crying. Twilight looked away from the crowd and to her friends “H-how come there are so many?” Rarity wiped away a tear “I-i guess our fame come before us darling” Fluttershy was too shocked to say anything, Pinkie pie didn’t even lift her head to see the crowd. Applejack reached up to hold her stetson but her hoof flailed in the air as she suddenly remember leaving it at home. “Ah guess it’s thei’re way teh say thank yeh?” Applejack was about to go down the hill but another presence made itself clear. “It’s all of us saying thank you Applejack, thank you for your sacrifice to let us having the freedom and will to live on as we do” Twilight quickly looked over her shoulder only to see her mentor “P-princess Celestia?” “And thu not forget about us” Luna walked up next to her older sibling. Princess Celestia had ordered for the main five to sit on the front row, Twilight had asked what she was doing here, when Princess Celestia had told her student she was here to hold the funeral was her trusted students eyes all covered in tears of happiness. If royalty was to hold a funeral it only meant the pony had done something really important or heroic it gave him or her a royal status funeral. Once Twilight and her friends was out of Princess Celestias sight did her horn light up, Lune looked at her big sister with a grim expression “Is thou sure it is the smartest thing tho do?” Celestia closed her eyes concentrating on the spell “I’m sure little sister, It is the right thing to do” “Thus let me help” Lunas horn sparked to life as the two royal sister united their magic. Mist started to form in front of the two sisters as the shape moved and formed into something pony like. The shape took the form of a pegasus, the mist ended in a bright light. The pegasus stood facing the ground with its eyes closed. Once the pony opened her eyes it exposed her magenta colored eyes, once opening her eyes did her normal colors slowly take her over. Her sky blue coat and multi colored mane regained its colors. Rainbow Dash looked around bewildered “Huh? Where am I?” “You are currently in ponyville” She spun around and saw Princess Celestia and Princess Luna “How did i get here?” she sent Celestia a questioning glance before she eyes the crowd “Why are there so many ponies here? ARE THE WONDERBOLTS PERFORMING!” Lunas expression went from a sympathetic smile to a shocked expression. Before she could say anything had Princess Celestia already covered her mouth. “Rainbow Dash, they are not here on some wonderbolt show. They are here to attending your funeral.” Dash looked away from the crowd and to the Princess “M-my f-funeral?” Princess Celestia let out a sigh “Yes, you died in the hospital 4 days ago. You’re friends were there to the very end don’t worry. They are here right now, I know this is a lot to take in Rainbow Dash, you were taken away far from your time. You’re currently a ghost among us it’s just me and Luna that can see and hear you. This is our gift to you for your sacrifice” Rainbow Dash couldn’t believe her ears “Y-you c-can’t be real!!” shouted at the top of her lungs, She ran down the hill and into the crowd looking for her friends, she was sure they would see her. How could they not? Rainbow Dash ran between the rows of ponies, it couldn’t be true. She couldn’t be dead! she spotted the golden mane to Applejack in the front row. She ran out of the row she currently was in and sped down the red carpet. It couldn’t be true! There was no way she could be dead and here at the same time, a deep hollow feeling erupted from her chest. Rainbow Dash ran up to her friends, tears welled up in her eyes as she slowed to a halt a few meters away from them when she heard Applejacks voice. “Ah can’t believe she’s really gone” the southern accent was unmistakable. Rainbow Dash smile faded as Applejack was soon followed by Twilight, sobbing already “It can’t be real, It’s just can’t..” Rainbow Dash trotted in front of them crying “I’m right here...” Rainbow Dash looked directly at the friends in front of her. All their eyes was turned to the hilltop. Rainbow Dash looked up the hill top, a coffin was placed on top of it. Rainbow Dash moved her legs slowly, her slow approach turned out to a trot as she came up beside the coffin. Rainbow's eyes widened as she looked at the mare in the coffin, her rainbow mane looked exactly like hers, SHE looked exactly like her.. She couldn’t believe it, it had to be some kind of sick joke. Rainbow Dash looked at herself, she suddenly started to laugh out loud. IT was a joke? wasn’t it? “Good one guys! to make me think i’m dead and staging all of this? How did you get Princess Celestia and Princess Luna in on it?” It was all silent, to her agony no pony seemed to hear her, Rainbow Dash yelled the question again, no answer came, Rainbow felt tears push against her eyes. Rainbow walked down to her friends again and started to sob out loud as she was half there before she collapsed in tears. After a few seconds did she rise gignergly, she walked down to the front row where she had located her friends. dragging her hooves with her as she skidded to a halt in front of them. She fell back on her haunches and laid down covering her face with her front hooves crying. “Why can’t they see me...” The voice of Princess Celestia filled the air “Ladies and Gentle colts, we are gathered here today to honor the memories of not just our our saviour, but a close friend. She dedicated her life to us, helped us in every day's routines made us laugh and awe stuck by her amazing flying skills. Many of us know her as Element of Loyalty, but i’m sure many more know her as a friend. I’m not here to remind you of what happened, but rather what to come. Rainbow Dash” Rainbow Dash dried away her tears and looked up at her friends, they were all crying holding around each other. Rainbow sniffed before she turned her head and looked up at the Princess of the sun, “I’m sure her name light a spark in everyones heart, a flame will blossom with memories of her, I’m also sure she is here with us today” Princess Celestia shoot Rainbow Dash a glance before she continued her speech “ I’m sure we all hold her dearly in our hearts and remember my little ponies, memories will never die” Princess Celestia stepped back Princess Luna walked forward. The rows of ponies cried. it wasn’t hard to hear or see, even the 1’st battalion with their stone faces couldn’t help the tears running down their cheeks. Princess Luna cleared her voice “Thus i have not been here for long, I remember i was imprisoned in the form of Nightmare moon. I’m not proud of what happened but i want to share with you a my memory of her. Thus i had cut the old bridge to the castle i knew she would flew over, Thus i came in the form of the shadow bolts and offered her to be captain of the shadow bolts. A offer most pegasi would accept, she refused. She told me in a simple phrase “YOU, thank you, for the offer i mean. But i’m afraid i have to say no.” I didn’t expect her say no to her dream, she sparked curiosity in mte. She and her friends, who are present here” Princess Luna smiled down at the group “Saved me from the monster i had become.” Princess Luna flapped her wings a few time and rose over the grassy fields below. “My final thanks to her will be this” seven spots in the sky light up, even though it was day, the pattern on the sky was just the same as the thunderbolt of her element necklace. the princess of night descended down to earth in front of awe struck crowd. Rainbow Dash looked up at the sky where her element hung in the sky. Tears of joy rolled down her cheeks. She was so proud, she would be remembered whenever someone looked to the night sky and saw the pattern of stars formed as a thunder bolt. Rainbow Dash closed her eyes, tears still streaming down and muttered “Thanks” a weak smile was planted on her muzzle. Princess Celestia walked in front of the crowd “Our memories will be sparked whenever we look up at the night sky, I have a gift for her as well. A statue, in the royal garden, and her armor will be moved to the castle for display in the throne room for all to see. I’m sure there is at least one among us that want a few word. Twilight” The group of friends watched Twilight as she rose from her seat and walked up the hill. she turned around and faced the massive crowd in front of her. Tears still dripping from her cheeks as she cleared her throat as best she could “I’ll go directly to the point, the last couple of days have been a terrible time for us all, living a nightmare that we have all struggled to come to terms with, but the one thing I can say is that Rainbow Dash would be so very proud of the way that everyone has been there for each other and pulled together, united in their support. It just goes to show that we all carry a little bit of Rainbow Dash inside ourselves; that deeply entrenched natural instinct to care for one another. So, if we are looking for positives to come out of something this painful, it is that new friendships will be formed and built for life…and i’m sure Rainbow Dash would just love that.” The wind started to pick up as the sound of rustling leaves built up. Those too weak to hold onto the branches of the trees was caught in the wind, carried away by some unknown power. Blowing between the rows of ponies and the lavender unicorn giving the speech. “Nothing was more important to Rainbow Dash than those close to her, so let’s keep close to each other and do what she would want. Rainbow Dash is still alive in every single one of us and between us we have so many amazing memories to share, so let’s just keep sharing them and enjoying them. She would want us to be happy. Laughter always got her through all her hard times and laughter will get us through ours. So I guess what I’m trying to say here is…and these are Rainbow’s words, not mine, “Don’t forget to laugh and when you do laugh, don’t feel guilty because you are supposed to be mourning for me, laugh because I am still here with you all, laugh because I can hear you. Your laughter and happiness is what keeps her alive and close to us, because it is the closest we can get to feeling her warmth. So carry on as Rainbow Dash would want you to, be strong, dedicate things to her, continue to make her proud…speak to her, speak about her, keep her close and in your heart. Let the memories of Rainbow put the spring back in our lead-heavy legs, let the warmth of her eyes and smile dry our tears and let her voice boom out, “Stop flipping crying you softies, you’re setting me off too!!!” Whenever I hit rock bottom and start crying, I can never stay there for long before I start laughing as I remember ‘the good times’…so take a moment please to laugh those tears away by remembering some of Rainbows silliest moments with you. We carry her with us every day wherever we go, so to Rainbow from all of us here today…this isn’t goodbye, it’s just a different kind of hello!” The hot air blew over the coffin as one blue feather left the coffin only to play in the strong gust, the wind carried the feather over the crowd of ponies before it started to swirl down to the ponies below. Twilight had cried half way through her speech, she slowly made her way to her seat in silence. as all the eyes was on her, she looked up as she passed her friends who muttered how great her speech was. Twilight saw something blue resting on her chair, as she got closer and dried away her tears with a hoof did she recognize it as one of Rainbow Dash’s light blue feathers. She wrapped her magic around it thugged it closer to her body. Twilight was sure Rainbow Dash was there that moment. Rainbow Dash sat in front of her friends, her eyes wide and full of tears. her cheeks were now soaked, she couldn't find the word to thank her enough for the speech. It was just one word that came to mind. The pegasus couldn’t help but smile to herself “It was AWESOME.” Rainbow Dash watched as the funeral went on, each of her friends were up there, telling the crowd of their most treasured moments with the pegasus. Rainbow Dash suddenly felt the urge to look to her left, so she did, and saw Princess Celestia gesturing for her to follow. Rainbow Dash got up and trotted over to the Princess. Celestia's voice was softer than usual “Rainbow Dash, i hope you know you will be missed, and remembered for what you have done.” Rainbow Dash smiled up at her, “But the question is if you are ready to leave?” Rainbow’s eyes was filled with fear, “C-can i make one last request Princess?”. Twilight and her friends walked back from the funeral that night, all of them had a smile plastered on their face. All their eyes was skywards looking at the new pattern of stars in the sky. “Ah wonder what Princess Celestia wanted to talk about?” Applejack gazed back to the road, “I have no idea Applejack, but i’m sure it have to be something about the funeral” Twilight followed lead as they closed in on the designated location. Rarity looked to Twilights tree house “It was simply magnificent how they described her, as well as you’re speech Twilight. It was perfect!” Twilight blushed, “Oh it was absolutely amazing Twilight” the soft voice of the butter colored pegasus was heard in the night. “It was super duper amazing Twilight, It deserves a party! but maybe not right now” said the pink party pony as she bounced beside her, her mane puffy again. Twilight opened the door to her house, the candles flickered as long shadows played on the bookshelves. Princess Celestia was in the library waiting for all of them to enter, she greeted one by one as they entered. Celestia looked at the group in front of her as they all stood in a half circle around her “Please sit down, no need for formalities when you're in the presence of only friends.” The group sat down on their haunches “So? what did you want to speak of Princess?” Celestia looked to her star student. “I’m here to grant someone their last wish” with that did her horn burst to life, the ponies in front of her covered their eyes as the light was too bright. Twilight moved her hoof slowly away from her eyes, what she saw made her eyes widen and mouth fell agape. “RAINBOW DASH?!” before she could say anything had the farmer already yelled out her thought. Rainbow Dash was indeed standing in front of them. Rainbow looked a little embarrassed before her voice filled the silence “sup guys?” Rainbow Dash didn’t even have time to blink as they all assaulted her at once into a hug. they slammed into a bookshelf crying tears of happiness. “Easy guys! If i wasn’t already dead i’m sure you would’ve broken my neck right now” she laughed. Once getting up again she met all their teary gazes and smiles. “I don’t have long, I just want to tell all of you how awesome you was today,” Rainbow felt tears press in her eyes “ I love you guys so much, I’m so sorry i couldn't keep my promise...” Rainbow Dash broke down crying. “I’m sorry i messed up” Rainbow felt a hoof on her shoulder and looked up, her magenta eyes meet tery emerald green “Yeh didn’t fail Rainbow” The farmer threw her front hoof around her and forced her into a hug. Rainbow blinked a couple of times before she returned the hug. Soon the others followed and they all sat there embracing each other, Rainbow Dash in the middle of the group. Rainbow opened her eyes again and slowly let go of Applejack “ I want you to remember me, of how i lived. Not go to some cemetery and mourn over me year after year, I want you guys to meet up and share stories, to laugh and have fun, remember me the way i lived.” Applejack hugged her once again as tears rolled down her cheeks “Ah will Rainbow..” Applejack could feel her grip slowly loosen, which didn't make much sense since she had just as much pressure as before. She looked up as Rainbow Dash smiled to her, Applejacks eyes widened as she noticed that Rainbow Dash was slowly fading away “No. no, no don’t leave us!” Rainbow kept smiling to the group as they looked at her “Remember me, as your friend, as the Element of Loyalty”