Apple Bloom was face down on the table, eyes shut tightly. “Are you okay, Apple Bloom?” Sweetie Belle asked gently, placing a hoof on her shoulder. Apple Bloom looked up, rings under her red eyes. She just stared into space.
Rarity levitated a plate of cookies onto the table. “It’s a real shame she…passed away, dear. She was real nice.” Rarity pulled Apple Bloom into a quick hug.
Scootaloo began stuffing her face with cookies before asking, “Why aren’t you at the funeral, anyway?” Apple Bloom kept staring at nothing, deep in thought. Before Scootaloo opened her mouth to ask again, she answered in a dull voice. “’Cause Applejack thinks I’m too young to see.”
Rarity huffed. “No one’s too young!” Then she made her way to the front door of the Boutique. “Come, dear. Let’s go see your beloved Granny Smith.” Apple Bloom reluctantly stood up and followed Rarity, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo close by.
Just as the funeral was starting the open casket visitation, Rarity and the three fillies hurried in.
Rarity, what are ya doin’ here?” Applejack caught Rarity by surprise, making her jump. “I’m here with Apple Bloom to see Granny Smith before they bury her, of course!” she replied once her heart calmed down. Applejack looked behind Rarity, only to see Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo looking around. “Where’s Apple Bloom?”
Apple Bloom was already weaving through the crowd to get to the casket. Once she reached the casket, she peeked in and felt like she was going to explode. Granny Smith, once so full of love and laughter, was just lying there, eyes closed forever. Apple Bloom reached in and felt Granny Smith’s hoof. She was so cold. No blood was flowing anymore.
Where was that warmth that once wrapped Apple Bloom in an embrace more powerful than the sun? Where were those eyes that stared lovingly into hers brighter than the stars? Where were those words that poured out of her mouth that were wiser than the moon?
Apple Bloom’s tear ran down her cheek and dropped onto Granny Smith’s chest, over her heart. She turned away and slowly walked towards where Rarity and Applejack were. “How ya doin’, Apple Bloom?” Applejack murmured softly. Rarity wrapped a hoof around Apple Bloom and led her outside. “I think you need a moment.”
Apple Bloom sat down on a bench. ‘Why couldn’t this happen ta someone else?’ The thought made her boil with anger, punching the bench seat. She began getting restless and paced back and forth. She had enough of this and opened the door. They were starting the eulogies. Rarity looked back and waved Apple Bloom over. Apple Bloom quietly slipped into the seat next to Rarity as Applejack was saying her eulogy, glancing at Apple Bloom.
After the funeral, Rarity was holding a handkerchief, occasionally weeping into it. She looked over to Apple Bloom, sorry for her loss. Twilight and the others had been at the funeral and they were surrounding Apple Bloom, consoling her. Even Pinkie Pie. All of Ponyville were there and it wasn’t the usual, cheerful sunny day. Everypony was mourning and silent. Celestia and Luna had heard of her death and they put in that extra effort to make a beautiful sunset.
Once Rarity reached the Boutique, she began talking to Opal, petting her luscious fur. Opal obviously couldn’t understand a word, but it felt good to get it all out. Whenever Rarity was down, she would talk to Opal. Apple Bloom opened the door slightly, peeking in. Rarity looked up and had a warm, inviting smile. “Come in.” she called.
Apple Bloom didn’t look normal. Her mane and tail were frizzy and stray hairs were sticking out. Her bow was at an angle. Her eyes were bloodshot and had bags under them. Rarity gasped, taken aback. “You look terrible! Have you not been sleeping?” She rushed over to Apple Bloom, a variety of grooming tools in her magical hold. As Rarity sorted Apple Bloom out, she asked, “What happened?” Apple Bloom looked down to the ground then back up to Rarity.
Once Rarity finished cleaning Apple Bloom up, she was taken by surprise by Apple Bloom jumping at Rarity. “Oh, thank you thank you thank you thank you! I can’t thank you enough, Rares! Ya cheered me up an’ let me go to the funeral ta see Granny once more!” Apple Bloom was hugging Rarity so tightly she felt like she was going to explode. “It’s alright, dear.” she smiled, pushing Apple Bloom back.
Opal strolled over to Apple Bloom and rubbed her fur against Apple Bloom’s legs, purring. Apple Bloom laughed and started playing with Opal. Rarity thought it was a cute scene and turned away to begin working on dress orders.
Applejack stared out the window, scanning the fields. Big Mac came up to her and looked out. “What are ya doin’, sis?” Applejack replied, “Apple Bloom ain’t back yet, and it’s gettin’ late.” Applejack was worried Apple Bloom had gotten into some trouble on the way back. Suddenly, Applejack saw a small figure galloping towards the house. She squinted, barely making out the shape of Apple Bloom.
Apple Bloom burst in, panting. “Sorry, sis! I got caught up in Rarity’s Boutique! I was playin’ with Opal and lost track o’ time!” she explained, catching her breath. Applejack sighed. “That’s alright, but ya gotta get home earlier, Apple Bloom.” Apple Bloom nodded and ran up to her bedroom.
Apple Bloom lay on her back on the bed, watching Luna’s moon pierce through the blinds and illuminate the room in an eerie glow. It had been an eventful day and Apple Bloom was tired. Before her heavy eyelids dropped, she swore she saw a glowing blue pony trot up to the side of the bed and look down, smiling softly. Apple Bloom figured the pony was just a figment of her imagination and let sleep take hold of her.
When Apple Bloom’s eyes shot open, she saw out of the corner of her eye a note taped to the wall. She sat up, blinking the sleep out of her eyes. Once she was wide awake, she focused on the words of the note slowly coming together.
“The Angels Take Manehattan. –The Graveyard”
Apple Bloom was confused. “Angels? Manehattan? What’s this gotta do with Manehattan?” She ripped the note off the wall and walked out of her room.
