One By One

Applejack peered into the long black casket placed in front of the congregation. Inside lay a weathered lavender figure. Its mane had once been a brilliant deep purple, but now had faded into a dreary violet. Its lavender mane held nearly none of its once youthful luster, and had also faded into a far less vibrant version of its former color. Lines and valleys traced along its once youthful face, fully revealing the age of the pony. Applejack shed a tear, eyes unmoving from the lifeless figure in front of her. "Goodbye, Sugarcube." A stallion approached her from behind, clad in a dark suit. "Would you like to say a few words regarding your friend?" A nod answered his question. She lumbered up the steps to the podium, joints popping in protest with each step. She let out a sigh, then began. "It seems like only yesterday that we all defeated Discord. Funny how time creeps up on ya. Often times I wonder what it's like after ya pass. But today, I realized it's not about what happens after you die. It's about what you did while you were alive, and about those you've touched. Twilight Sparkle made these last many years the best of my life, and it was in that time that I realized that the only important thing, more so than money, or popularity, or social status, or anything else you'd find yourself wantin', is the connection you have with your friends. No matter how bad life seems to be, your true friends will stay by your side, and see you through it. Twi had been there every time I was in need, and I know, right now, she's waitin' for me. She's waitin' for me along with Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Big Macintosh, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Granny Smith. And when the time comes, they won't have to wait any longer."

Applejack looked out into the crowd. A small bittersweet smile spread across her face. Applause slowly grew from the audience. Her speech had made an impact. Even the young fillies in the audience found tears forming in their eyes. She stepped down from the podium, a strange feeling warming her chest. It was the feeling of contentedness. The icy grip that held her heart in the past years had released. Still, there was that sinking in the pit of her stomach. There was that small pang of guilt that she wasn't there when she passed. Wish I was there, Twi, she thought to herself. She let out a sigh, still the slightest amount of grief evident in her mind. Her thoughts were interrupted by the heavy trotting of a stallion approaching, a note tucked into his teeth. He removed it, and began to speak. "Applejack," he started, "I found this in her hoof just after she... you know... I think she wanted you to have it." A strange look came over Applejack as she unfolded the letter. Curiosity got the better of the stallion. "She must have written it just before she passed," he said. "How did she pass anyway?" Applejack gave him a look of sentimental resoluteness. "Well, I guess her old ticker just stopped tickin,'" she said, in a sort of nostalgic way, as if remembering something from her days as a filly. She returned her attention to the piece of parchment, and read its contents. All traces of grief vanished, as a wide grin formed on her, tears outlining her features.