"Do you have to go?"
"Yes, Apple Bloom, I do. Don't ya worry though, I'll still be with ya." Applejack caressed her sister's worried face.
The little girl did not seem convinced. "Does this have to do with the Bearer of Magic's death?"
Apple Bloom turned her head to look at Twilight's burning body. The evening sky over Ponyville made the sight even more gloomy than before. Pinkie's mangled corpse burned alongside her and the rest of the fallen Assassins surrounded them. It was a proper ceremony for the last Assassins.
I sat on my horse, holding a satchel that held Laughter, Magic, Generosity, and Loyalty. My stoic face watched the Bearer of Honesty converse with her little sister. Fluttershy was on a horse next to me. Her eyes constantly gazing at the ground as if she was counting the blades of grass. I did not want to speak or utter a sound and so watched the remaining Assassins pay their dues to the deceased Bearers. I recognized some of them, Lyra, Cheerilee, and others. They each had been influenced and guided by at least one of the Bearers. Not one Brother or Sister was not in mourning.
"Please don't go AJ. Granny's already lost too many of us." Apple Bloom pleaded.
"I'm sorry. I have to do this. It's the best for all of us. You will be strong, will ya? Will ya take care of Granny and the farm?" Applejack asked.
Apple Bloom nodded. "I'll try."
"That's my sis."
The sisters hugged tightly. I could not bear to watch it. Applejack had already told me her plans. I knew what awaited us at the Tree of Harmony. Such sadness overwhelmed me. In an attempt to distract myself, I got off my horse and walked over to Twilight's burning. The smell of the smoke made me gag slightly. I forced myself through the wind to her. She had not been on fire for a long time as her face was still recognizable. Her lips and face seemed at peace in death. Pinkie's toothless smile also was yet unharmed by the flames. We had found her that way. Even in death, she could not stop smiling.
I gazed at Twilight's face through the flames. My eyes started to burn and a lump formed in my throat. I had so much to say, yet I knew she would hear none of it. These words that formed in my mind were not new at all. I had been holding them up since I joined the Brotherhood. Words of Kindness and sincerity, unheard by her. With quivering lips, I uttered every one of them.
"Thank you, Bearer Twilight. Never has one turned my life around like you. Never has one made me seek knowledge and truth like you. You taught me to read. You taught me to think. In all of my complaints and doubts, you guided me. In your wisdom, you helped me become the person I am today. Without you, I would have never tried to make friends. I would have stayed that antisocial cellist. You climbed towers with me. You made me soar higher than I myself thought I could. With Vinyl, you taught me how to love and how to be loved. None have been my mentor more than you. I am so honored to have been trusted by you. I am so honored that I could be a part of something worth living for. It pains me to see you like this. I struggle still to think you are dead and a betrayer. If I could, I would take your spot on that pyre. You deserved to be the survivor more than me. And...If it wasn't for the flames that surround you now, I would hug and kiss you, just to show you that I'm sincere. Let your seeking of knowledge be found in me still. Let you not die as a villain, but rise back as a hero. May your legend never die."
I bowed and and moved to Pinkie. "You smile still, showing just how you lived. I can safely say that none of have been as joyful as you. Throughout all this Chaos and destruction, you were a beacon of hope, not only to me, but the rest of the Assassins. That was the part I never understood about you. I could never comprehend your selflessness. You always, without fail, put someone before you. I can only imagine how blessed your sisters were to have you. I have always sought what is best for me. I know you would reply that there is nothing wrong with that, but it prevented me from ever surpassing your humbleness. Like a beat of a drum, or the strum of a fiddle, you were action were there was solemnity and tune of bliss in the midst of a sorrowful ballad. I never showed gratitude for you. I had the tendency to dislike your company. It was because I knew I could never feel the happiness you felt. I saw it as blissful ignorance, but I now see you were less ignorant than me. You knew all the horror of our world and you chose to have bliss. You chose to be happy when others were depressed, not to satisfy yourself, but so that your joy would reach the sad. The whole reason you lived was to spread cheer. There can never be enough thanks for a person like you, Pinkie. Even when Twilight fell, you held on to your beliefs. You put yourself in danger just to save your friend from herself. How can I say a negative thing about you? Rest in peace, Pinkie, and let even Tartarus melt beneath your Laughter."
Next was a jar of Rarity's ashes. "I despised you. I spent years hating your presence. In my selfish ways, I threw you down as a noblewomen who cared too much for art and dress. Yet, throughout all the years you spent with me, you never returned the hatred. Every day, you gave up your time and energy for the Brotherhood. You sought convenience because no one else did. You would spend days on a robe or cloak just to make sure we did not get chilly. You would rest with us on rooftops when no one else would. I always looked at Generosity as the giving of money to the poor, like a philanthropist. However, you never believed that. There is nothing more valuable in life than time. Time is money as they say, and you gave up hours and days for us. Every robe was made to perfection because you would not let us wear something that was not your best. You helped whenever you could just so that we would not spend as much time on a project. In everything, you did your best. That is admirable, Rarity. How could I ever hate you? How could I have been blinded by my own bias to forsake you? You were always improving, always helping, and always believing in us. There could be no better leader than you, Rarity. You died as a warrior and lived as the kindest women I was blessed to know. It is a shame how you left us, in a whirlwind of flames, but I know you only care that you are not forgotten. Wherever you are, darling, may you be at peace."
I looked up to see Applejack staring at me with a stoic expression. All of our horses were by the bridge that crossed into the Everfree Forest. Fluttershy was still staring at the ground as she sat on hers. I wiped the tears from my cheeks and bowed at Applejack.
"Are ya ready?" She asked me.
"Indeed, Bearer. I have the other Elements in here." I patted the satchel.
"Good. Now let us get this over with."
"Just like how I left it."
Yearling climbed down a hill to reach the entrance to the cave. The Elements in her bag hummed as they grew closer to their home. The chatter in her head had died down as she approached the entrance. It was just like she left it. No human, not even Ahuiztol, had touched the place since she left.
"They must have never found it." She remarked.
"We're here." Applejack said.
I dismounted my horse along with Fluttershy. A small, beaten path was leading into the wildness of the Forest. The Elements in my satchel buzzed with some sort of excitement. Even Valor tingled in my hand. I knew we were close to the Tree. I knew that the days of the Bearers were coming to a close. Applejack took the lead, whacking any trees and bushes out of our way. Fluttershy followed and I took the back.
Fluttershy was crying, but it was a silent cry that could not be heard over the ambient sounds of the Everfree. Unlike Fluttershy, Applejack held her calm expression and fought the Forest. I remembered the last time I was in the Everfree. It was so long ago. Nothing had changed. The sky was still shrouded by the countless trees and the sounds of death were always nearby.
Yearling grunted as she removed the stone that blocked the entrance of the cave. There, in the back of the cave, was the the Tree. Its sight warmed her heart. This was it. This was when the Elements were returned safely and the world will return to its normal life.
"Never thought I'd see it again." She chuckled.
Applejack stopped before a wall of rock. The battled and destroyed castle was on a ridge above us. I was looking for some entrance to the wall of rock, but I could not see any. It was just a cliff in my eyes.
Applejack popped her knuckles before walking over to it. Without a moment of hesitation, she pushed a boulder out of the way, revealing a hole in the cliff. She gestured for me to hand her my torch. I quickly obeyed and we looked into the hole. It was the entrance to a deep and forgotten cave.
The two Bearers entered before me. Once I stepped through the hole, there is was. The magnificent Tree of Harmony was glowing beacon in the center of the cave. It was made of crystal and graceful gems hung from it like it was a weeping willow. I wish I could describe it in better detail, but it was far to majestic for me to comprehend. I felt a wave of relief grip me, like all my troubles had been removed for good. The Tree was captivating. The Tree was glorious.
"Come along." Applejack urged us.
We stepped through the cave quickly. I felt like I was intruded on some sacred ground. I watched where every foot fell. I made sure not to disturb the pebbles or the moss. The whole place felt pure and harmonic. Even the drops from the cave's ceiling all fell at the same time, giving a constant beat that echoed.
"Take a good look, Octavia." Applejack told me. "Ya won't be here for long."
"It's just like how Kindness told me it would look." Fluttershy said quietly. "It's beautiful."
Applejack nodded at Fluttershy's comment before returning her attention to me. "Get the Elements out."
I opened my bag and with my gloved hand, took out Laughter. The bright blue crystal rattled in my hand, as if to get free. I handed it carefully to the Bearer of Honesty. The Bearer took it and stepped up to the Tree.
"There are six slots in the branches of the Tree." She explained. "Each one holds a Seed, or Element of Harmony. Without the Elements, this Tree slowly dies. We've been using them for 200 years. I hope the Tree isn't permanently damaged."
She lifted the Element up to its slot. Both the slot and the crystal began to glow. Applejack released her grip and Laughter slowly floated into its place in the Tree. Once they connected, a beam of light went up from the Tree's branch and into the trunk. The Tree seemed to shift in its stance. It was pleased, no doubt.
I handed Applejack the other Elements, one by one. The Bearer took each one to its respected slot. All the energies from them flowed to the trunk, where Magic was being held. I did not like that Element. It was less energetic than the rest, as if it did not wish to be there. It must have been my imagination. How could I understand the feelings of crystals anyway?
Yearling ran through the cave with her flashlight. The Elements bounced in her bag as she jumped from stone to stone. Her mind was clear now, her abilities at their best. The warmness of the cave filled her being. The Elements seemed happy, so she was too.
She stopped right before the Tree and looked up at it. Its branches were all stretched out like a star. It was not a very tall tree, but every inch of it was covered in crystal. It had no bark or any leaves. It was as if someone chiseled it from a giant crystal. She took a deep breath and opened her bag. Before she had fully opened the bag, the Elements flew out of it and floated to their respected slots in the Tree. Each one gave a high-pitched click sound when it reached its slot. The Tree gave a low hum as all six Elements were returned to their proper home.
"I'm never removing these again."
"It's done."
Applejack took a step back and admired her work. The Tree was humming loudly with a note of satisfaction. Applejack's smile did not last long and she looked at the stone floor with regret. She placed her large hands on her hips and sighed.
"Well, it's time now. We came here to put all the Elements back."
"I wish it could wait." Fluttershy sniffled.
"C'mon, Flutters." Applejack said gently. "Don't be scared. We gotta do this."
"I know...just...why now?"
"Because we have nothing else to do. Think about the others, Fluttershy. We aren't Harmony. It's a shame we were chosen, but it's no time to regret. The Elements aren't meant to be handled by humans. Not now, now ever."
"Just make it fast..."
I took a step away from Fluttershy as Applejack approached. Tears were filling the Bearer of Kindness's eyes. She could barely look at her fellow Bearer. Applejack stepped up to her and hugged her closely.
"I just' wanna tell ya now that I love ya. You've been a great friend and have sacrificed so much for us. Have no regrets, Flutters. There's no reason to. You did everything you could and that's all that matters now."
"I love you too, AJ. I'm sorry all this had to happen. I just hope everyone can recover."
"Me too, Flutters, me too."
Applejack turned to me. "Now, are ya ready for my last order?"
"I am ready."
"You're gonna leave here right now. Ya gonna go back and disband the Brotherhood for good. Tell them that the orders are mine and that you are the highest ranking member of the Assassins now. Make sure none of them try to go after the Elements and make sure that Equestria is safe without us. Those are ya orders. Now go, and close the cave behind ya."
I bowed and began to walk away. She had already told me the orders before, but they were far heavier this time. This was the end of the Brotherhood. I was the one who was to give the confirmation of our disbanding. My steps were loud in the cave. I glanced back to see the two Bearers still hugging.
I reached the cave entrance and started to move the boulder. It was harder than Applejack made it look, but I rolled it. As I was closing it, I watched the two in there. They were saying their goodbyes. Fluttershy nodded in some understanding and took a step away from her friend. I saw her close her eyes and stand like a statue. Applejack lifted her arm up as if to strike. I knew what was coming next. As her hand flew at Fluttershy's chest, I shut the cave with the boulder. A squeal of pain was heard from inside, but it only lasted a quick second. I may have imagined the cry of agony. With the terrible news in my possession, I started back up the path to the horses. It was time to fulfill Applejack's commands.
Yearling felt a rush of relief as the Elements were now at peace. Her mind no longer had any Bearers or any Elements clogging up space. She sighed a long and triumphant sigh. As she turned around, she jumped back. She almost stepped on a pair of skeletons. She had forgotten about them being there. One had a green cloak and the other had some pieces of armor. Strands of pink and blonde hair were still attached to their ancient skulls. They both shared holes in their ribs, right where the heart would be.
"Well, ya two are finally at peace." Yearling remarked.
The skeletons dampened her mood. She saluted them and then walked back outside of the cave. This place was going to be hidden again. She rolled the stone back over the entrance. The sunlight crept through the old trees on her. It was a new day. She still felt the presence of the Bearers within her. All that knowledge and training did not leave her. In that moment, she felt alive. She wanted to run. She wanted to be free.
Yearling took the hood of her hoodie and tossed it over her black and gray hair. Her eyes looked up to the trees. Paths along the branches formed in her head. She quickly climbed a tree and began running from branch to branch. She was now free. The Elements were safe once more and Ahuizotl was crippled. In her attempt to run away from all her experiences, she ran along the trees. The wind rushed in her hair and birds flew away as she streaked by them.
"Now what shall I do with my training?"
~