One By One

by Hodd

No More Goodbyes

A warm serenity wrapped Applejack; one that drowned out the commotion from the ballroom; one that erased the large regal guest room she was currently in, and replaced it with complete bliss. The memorial had been her final duty for her friends, and now, it was time to drift away, finally at ease with all Equestria had to offer. Almost immediately after her eyes slid shut, the entire world seemed to break apart and fall, leaving her floating in a state of utter peace. She felt herself rising; rising into a place she had been awaiting since the passing of her last closest friend. Her chest's rising and falling slowly gave way to stillness. Her steady pulse slowed, and eventually halted, releasing the physical bonds of her spirit. All uncertainties she had were replaced by a flowing warmth that spread from head to hoof. Time slowed as the final seconds of consciousness left her. A smile was the last action she would ever make.

**************************

Applejack found herself in a daze. She tried to shake the grogginess from her head. What just happened? she thought to herself. It seemed like a dream, but something was off. That feeling remained. It was a feeling of being content with the world. Everything felt like a blur. The memories her mind contained seemed real enough. She remembered explaining to Applebloom how she wouldn't be around much longer, she remembered speaking at the memorial, and she remembered falling asleep. But where was she now? She hadn't even taken the time to look at her surroundings. It was eerily familiar. Everything was bright, resembling the inside of a cloud, and it seemed like a bleached fog rolled close to the ground. She let out a small disappointed sigh as she realized what was going on. "Oh no," she grumbled out loud. "Another dream." She kicked a hoof at the ground, and noticed something that caused her to reel back on her haunches. Her orange coat was more vibrant than she had seen in years. Giving it thought for the first time, she realized her joints no longer ached, and her muscles held the strength that had been lacking for so many years. Her eyes widened. Is it a dream? she wondered.

She felt a hoof rest on her shoulder. She gasped, but dared not to turn to see who it was. Her heart raced, and thoughts flashed back to just before she woke here. She had... fallen asleep? She gave little thought to it at first, but then she realized that hadn't fallen asleep. It was more like drifting into the- heavens! She whipped around, half excited, and half terrified of what she would see.

"It's not a dream," said a familiar voice. It was a voice she hadn't heard in years. It was gentle and delicate. It was a voice that she heard in her dreams but never got to respond to. "Flu- Fluttershy?" she asked, Tears choking her off. The pegasus nodded in return, a gentle smile set on her face. Applejack let out a cry of joy and embraced her long lost friend, tears flowing from her eyes. She gazed past Fluttershy's embrace and discovered the silhouettes of six ponies, standing bathed in a glorious light. Applejack approached slowly, desperately hoping it to be reality. Soon her eyes adjusted and recognized the figures. Rainbow Dash, Twilight Sparkle, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Big Macintosh, and Granny Smith all stood, awaiting her. A wide smile formed on her face. There would be no more heartbreak, no more sorrows, no more goodbyes. At long last, her wait was over; she was at peace.

Comments

[Disciple4323]

well it worked you made me shed a tear

[DreZoma]

Seriously, they need to add a clapping emoticon.

Also, a "HOLYSHITTHATWASTHEBESTFUCKINGSTORYIEVERFUCKINGREADTHATSERIOUSLYWASHEARTWRENCHING" emoticon

[Hodd]

371968

Hmm... I'm getting the feeling you liked it...

[DreZoma]

368154

I'm with you. When it comes to media, nothing makes me cry.

Sure, it can move me.
It won't make me cry though.

[ArcaneTrex]

ending
so...sad...
love it

[Foregrip Butterfly]

This, my friend, has reached my books of awesomeness for eternity...beautiful story. Cant wait till i see my heaven

[Twilicorn]

I never cry at stories, but that was beautiful. You really have a power with words. My only suggestion is that the last two chapters seem a little tiny bit rushed. Seriously, just a tad. I'd love to see an epilogue btw ♥

[Hungrybear]

Amazing ending
Bravo from Colgate.
i.imgur.com/68mYz.gif

[tubaguy]

that was brilliant

[Teh Boi]

Literature nobel get!

[FlutterStar]

Nice i cant wait for you to write more fics, u r one good fanfic writer! /)^_~(\ (applause!!)

[Hodd]

373516

Funny you should say that. I'm actually in the process of writing one now!

[Hodd]

Thanks for all of the support, and sticking around until the end everyone! I had a blast writing this, and I hope you had as good a time reading it as I did writing it!

[Julyah]

Okay, I swear my keyboard is wet now. This was so amazing. I also wrote a story like this too.

Anyway, bravo... BRAVO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Hodd]

752384

Thanks man! I can use all the support I can get, and I'm glad the response to this has been so positive!

[Hodd]

948224

Oops. Yeah I think it should be six. I'll fix it sometime today.

[CrackletheDragon]

what about Spike? Any ending for him?

[Hodd]

1102948

Good point... Hmm. I'll think of someway to add him into all this. I'll be doing a full rewrite eventually.

[Unknown Presence]

Amazing story, Keep up the good work

[Hodd]

2322374

Thanks man, appreciate it! Also if you like the sad oriented ones, check out One Last Sunset!

[RainBronyDash]

I... I'm not crying...
It's just... something in both of my eyes.

[DramaQueen07]

...Poor Apple Bloom.