Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash remained silent for the duration of the trot to the graveyard, and the Yellow Pegasus takes a deep breath as they reach the creaking steel gates of 'Ponyville Memorial'. Rainbow Dash casts a sideward glance, and a comforting smile towards her normally shy friend and opens her mouth to speak.
"Y'know, we could always-"
"I know what I'm doing."
Dash is taken aback by Fluttershy's interruption, but simply nods and follows her into the graveyard, passing row upon row of Pony graves... Fluttershy herself slows down, taking a few seconds to see what was engraved on the various tombstones. All kinds of ponies, rich and poor, hero and criminal, and she nervously continues stepping forward, her head down and hair in her face at this point.
Suddenly she notices a figure atop a rather tall hill in the distance, her coat a beautiful white, and her multi-colored mane seeming to compliment the coat as it unnaturally flowed in the wind. Fluttershy takes a moment to examine the individual and quickly takes note of the Wings, the Horn, and the Abnormally Wealthy bearings. She smiles, almost sadly as she comes to a steady conclusion. Princess Celestia, Twilight's Mentor, the Princess of the Sun and Ruler of Equestria. She was here to mourn her students death as well... She gasps, and bows low as the Magnificent Alicorn takes notice of her and Rainbow Dash, flying down to them, she gives them a gentle smile, and motions for them to rise.
"Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, so nice of you to come... if only this were a good occasion."
Fluttershy smiles and rises, Rainbow Dash follows suit, but says nothing, her focus directed towards the various tombstones, her mind off on an adventure of it's own. Intentionally avoiding thoughts of the reason they had gone there in the first place. But it was no use, she couldn't get the thought of Twilight out of her head and her stone face contorts into one of pain, she fights off a tear as Fluttershy converses with the Princess. But her eyes widen as she overhears a few bits of their conversation,
"Pinkie is missing?" Fluttershy says in her whisper-like voice, but it brings an air of concern. Celestia simply nods, looking grim.
"Yes," she says, "But... I believe I know the reason why." the Alicorn pauses for a moment, looking around cautiously to ensure that nobody heard this, and that this was kept between the two of them. The Princess takes note of Rainbow Dash not far behind Fluttershy and she beckons the Pegasus over. "Come," she continues, spreading her wings and flying back to the top of the hill from whence she came, "This is not a conversation to be heard by others."
The two nod in agreement, seeing as this may concern the fate of yet another dear friend. They fly right behind the Princess, landing at the Hilltop with relative ease. It wasn't the fly that was difficult, it was the view. Atop the hill, one could see what would be an Army of Ponies, had they not all been dead, It was a field of nothing but dead trees, and Dead ponies with stones to mark their burial ground. The sight made even Rainbow Dash cringe. It was awful. Fluttershy takes up one large ounce of bravery and turns to Princess Celestia, "Y-You were saying?" she says shyly, in hopes of having the conversation cause her to forget the sight below. Celestia senses her anxiety and nods, "Well... I wouldn't suppose you two have heard of the 'Cupcakes Murders'...? A series of gruesome murders-"
"-involving the mutilation of the Victim, and their processing into Pastries to be fed to unknowing consumers."
Rainbow Dash cuts in, "I would know... I've re- I mean..." she blushes, she doesn't need to talk about her 'Egg-headed' habits in front Celestia, the original 'Egg-head's' tutor... not today at least. "I've overheard it from one of the gossiping mares on the Weather team..." she suddenly gives her princess a serious look, "But what does that have to do with Pinkie?"
Celestia looks down, silent for a moment, "I..." she pauses, and looks toward the two in compassionate silence, "I have sources tell me that the person responsible for these murders... or at least, is somehow involved in these atrocities, is indeed Pinkie Pie... And this is why she's gone missing. Or, more accurately, gone into hiding..." she stops and shakes her head, "But we've enough dark tidings for one day... this may wait until later. Now go, Applejack and Rarity are waiting for you." Princess Celestia shoos them away, hiding a tear in the corner of her eye, "I need a moment to be alone... I will be fine... don't worry... just..." she fights back a tear, letting out a heavy sigh instead, "I just need a moment alone."
Fluttershy approaches the Princess as the Alicorn has her back turned to the two Pegasi, and she tries to console the broken princess, but a hoof blocks her path, Rainbow Dash shakes her head, her eyes sending her the message that Princess Celestia wanted to be alone, and no matter what the intention may be, bothering her would not be wise. Fluttershy nods, and follows Rainbow Dash as the Cyan Pegasus flies off the hill and back onto the Graveyard Path, and they silently continue to trot down, no longer paying attention to the graves around them. Fluttershy falls into a sort of Daydream, her mind wandering off onto many different things. But she starts as Rainbow Dash speaks in hopes to break the Silence, "SO...." Rainbow Dash mutters, "Where do you think Pinkie might've gone?"
Fluttershy looks down shyly, she was never good at giving opinions, and this time was no different,
"W-Well, um..." she stutters, nervous as ever, if not more so, seeing as she was in the middle of hundreds, if not thousands of death ponies, "I-I'd say Pinkie would hide in a place everypony would expect.. like... S-Sugarcube Corner... but I doubt she'd stay for long..." the Yellow mare plays with her mane, "B-But that's just assuming Pinkie Pie IS the culprit... I'm not saying she's e-evil." She pauses, and thinks to herself.
"But I shouldn't be so vocal about Pinkie... She and Rainbow Dash were really good friends, they did all kinds of things together..."
She blushes a pretty pink when her mind wanders off into other kinds of 'things'... but she quickly shakes the thought. It was a naughty thought, and she wasn't a naughty pony. She was innocent and kind... but as her thoughts return to that one idea, she blushes again. Only to snap out of her daydream when Rainbow Dash waves a hoof in front of her eyes,
"Helloooo!" she beckons distantly, "Equestria to Fluttershy! Come in, Fluttershy! We are at the funeral!"
Fluttershy shakes her head wildly, trying to get the rather... strange thought of out her head, and back to the topic at hand. She smiles as she is greeted by Applejack, the Blond-maned Earth Pony looked tired, a dark shade under her eyes symbolizing she hadn't slept well in days. It seems Fluttershy wasn't the only one who could not rest, could not forgive herself, more accurately.
"Howdy Fluttershy." She says with a smile, turning to tip her stetson at Rainbow Dash, "Mornin' Rainbow... you're both lookin' mighty fine this Mornin'..." she turns and heads down the isle, motioning for the two to follow, "C'mon!" she says, "Rarity's up front, we're gonna give'em a speech in ten. Ah fer one ain't much of a speechist, but Ah'm more than willin' t'try for my friend Twilight's sake."
Fluttershy smiles and nods, quietly moving to the Front row, Rainbow Dash staying behind to have a word with Applejack, Fluttershy passes through row upon row of random ponies, though a certain couple on the Frontmost Right side seemed to resemble the deceased a little uncannily, chuckling lightly as she notices a particular couple of ponies sitting not too far from the front, one Mint-colored mare trying to sit in her usual 'human' position, while the other, her lover trying to convince her to sit normally with a look of embarrassment on her face. She stops herself from chuckling, her thoughts returning their focus to the matter at hand and she continues moving. Coming to a stop at the front-most left side of all the rows to find her friend, the normally composed, and rather posh unicorn Rarity crying her heart out as she sees a jar sitting atop a pedestal, yes... ashes. That was all that was left of Twilight Sparkle, the Element of Magic. As sad and grim as it was, this was the only possible outcome. Rarity notices Fluttershy and breathes deep, calming herself for the moment, she wipes the tears and wet makeup off with a hoofkerchief and forces a smile,
"Fluttershy, darling... so glad you could b-be here." she says in between sobs and quick breaths of air in an attempt to gain composure. "You've made it just in time, the ceremony is about to start..." She bites her lower lip, a tear rolling down her cheek as she pauses momentarily, "W-We're going to see our dear friend off... one last time."
Fluttershy feels something grip her as she sees the jar of ashes, but quickly turns to the stage as all rise, and bow as Princess Celestia takes the stand. Her cheeks wet with fresh tears, "Dearest Mares, and Gentlecolts." She says, in a wavering tone, "I'd like to thank you all for taking the time to come here to bid my beloved student Twilight Sparkle a safe journey to the afterlife... I know she had meant much to all that gather here. And to some, this is one of the most difficult things to do... " She pauses for a moment to give a sad, and understanding smile towards Twilight's Parents, the mother crying softly into her husband's shoulder, the man himself trying to fight back a teardrop. She then casts a look to the front row, and takes another deep breath, Shining Armor, Twilight's Brother and Captain of Celestia's Royal Guard had broken down into tears and wordless shrieks, then being taken away by his friends. All of them fellow members of the guard who tried their best to fight back tears of their own as they watched their normally stern, stone-faced Captain crumple into nothing but a husk of tears and sorrow. Celestia swallows a lump in her throat and continues, "But I ask that you all remain strong. Twilight Sparkle died a hero, and she gave her life to ensure that everypony in this room was alive in well." She casts a sideward glance to a hooded unicorn, her silver hair and blue coat almost apparent, despite her efforts to hide it, "No matter what they had felt for each other... she died because she loved everybody here." She begins to stutter and tear up, "But... out of all of this... I regret one thing above all else... That despite all my power... A-All the strength and Authority I possessed... I could do NOTHING to protect my apprentice... I-I could do nothing to protect my dear Twilight..."
The audience watched in absolute pity as their Mighty Ruler Princess Celestia had slowly lost her will to continue standing and falls over, her cries echoing throughout the Graveyard like a Banshee's wail as she mourns the loss of a loved one. The sight had caused many others to break down as well, the united cries continued on for what seemed like forever. But eventually, it all ended, and they all rose from their seats, and trotted up to the pedestal, placing flowers, be they one or in a bouquet they came. Setting Roses and Daisies down next to Twilight's ashes before slowly trotting out the Funeral home, some still in tears, others with faces of stone, as if they had already cried their tear glands dry. Rarity trotted out alongside Applejack, the Purple-maned Unicorn simply sobbing slurred apologies and regrets into her friend's side, Applejack herself fighting back tears in an attempt to reassure her friends.
Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash stood before Twilight's ashes for a short moment then moved out to follow the others. Applejack stops as she takes notice of the two and motions for them to follow, "C'mon you two... we got somethin' t'talk about at the Barn back at Sweet Apple Acres..." she gives the two a stern look, "Somethin' important." she then turns and continues to trot over to Sweet Apple Acres, Rarity still sobbing miserably as she continues onward.
The two Pegasi continue to follow the others, but at a slow, steady pace of their own, Rainbow Dash looks over to Fluttershy, who had her head hung low, as she let out a few quiet sobs as they trotted. Rainbow Dash moves in closer to give the Yellow Pegasus a soft nuzzle in an attempt to comfort the normally shy pony. Fluttershy takes note of this and smiles nervously, giving the her Rainbow-maned friend a sweet nuzzle of her own, causing Rainbow Dash to blush.
"Erm... Fluttershy..." she says, trying to hide her blush "That's close enough."
Fluttershy gives Rainbow Dash a rather sad look, but then sighs in understanding, backing away and giving a sad look toward the ground, her hair once again in her face. They trot silently along the road for a good two minutes before Rainbow Dash nervously tries to spark another conversation, "So..." she says, running a hoof through her Rainbow mane. "Why do you think Applejack wants to talk to us?"
Fluttershy shakes her head, not turning her gaze away from the ground, "I don't know..."
Rainbow Dash looks at Fluttershy once again, nervously trying to keep the conversation up, "Oh..." she mutters before trying to continue, "Well... uh... do ya know what it's about?" she says with a forced smile, but her smile fades as Fluttershy gives her the same, bland answer. Rainbow Dash tries to speak again, but feels that Fluttershy isn't in the mood to answer questions, or speak in general. She simply nods and they continue the rest of the journey to Sweet Apple Acres in silence.
Well, that's that. Sorry if I came in a little late. Keg and I have been pondering on ideas and, frankly, school leaves us both busy and drained of ideas. So please bear with me if the chapter isn't as good as the others. But I assure you that it will get better. Both in Story Mood and Finesse of writing. That's a Promise. Peace out!
- JC (Or Jay, whichever you bronies are more comfortable with. )