//------------------------------//
// Chapter 1 : Intro : Rainbow Rain 
// Story: Couldn't you just simply DIE?? 
// by Part-time Rarity 
//------------------------------//

	Everypony wore some form of black to cover their neon coloured coats and manes. Regal dress as well as tattered robes were worn throughout the groups. The rain was pouring down and there wasn’t a Pegasus willing to clear the skies. A neat rectangular hole had been dug, a large pile of dirt on its brink. Lined up at the back of this trench were five of the famed heroes of Ponyville; Fluttershy, Applejack, Twilight, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie (her mane straight and gray, hanging down all the way to the ground). 
With their hoods up high and heads hanging low, about fifty ponies also surrounded the pit. At the very front of all the groups was Scootaloo; she had her tail tucked into a bold but simple dress. She clutched a rainbow umbrella, shielding herself from the rain, as well as shadowing her face, keeping any sense of emotion under a veil of darkness. Suddenly, a slow snare drum began beating. A steady crash…crash…crash… followed by a gunshot ringing out. This was followed by twenty more, all keeping in time with the drum. The five ponies that stood at the head of the trench dragged themselves reluctantly from their position to make way for the “main event”; A large marble sarcophagus carried by four stallions. 
Each wore a ceremonial military dress of black, gold, and white.They walked slowly but purposefully, their heads held high. Spitfire, dressed in similar attire, but with many stars and decorations covering it, followed. She carried a folded triangle of yellow, white and black on her back. The drums stopped their drab rhythm the moment the stallions got to the trench. They set the coffin down and walked away. 
Spitfire then unfolded the banner, revealing the flag of Equestria. She draped it on the coffin, took off her hat, and set that down as well. Princess Twilight then walked to where Scootaloo still sat, and placed her crown upon a slate of marble, reading:

Lying forever in peace…

Danielle “Rainbow Dash” Rene
2003-2023

…may justice be sent upon her slayer

Twilight’s horn began to glow and her wings spread out as she timidly lowered the sarcophagus -flag and hat still atop its lid- into the trench. There was a moment of complete silence and stillness, then everypony walked away. Even the military and the remaining Mane Six left without a word…




…except for Scootaloo and her rainbow umbrella.