The Night Sky
“It wouldn’t matter would it?” An orange hoof danced along the dandelions. The white angels floated through the sky, aloft from the light summer wind. The strong back pressed up against the earth, fighting for a secure spot. These days, anypony could be lifted off their feet from something.
The blue pegasus copied Applejack’s position, her wings extended to the earth ponies shoulders. Angle to allow a cradling of the head, those ruby eyes stared up into the evening sky.
“Ah suppose it wouldn’t. Ya know, it could be a waste of time.” The two continued to stare.
“It would bring sum closure I reckon.”
“I ‘reckon’ it would. A lot of closure.”
Applejack smiled at her friend, giving her a glance before returning the gaze back to its original home.
“Ya tried that too many times. Everywhere ah look, yar practically overflowing with booze.”
Rainbow sighed. “Misplaced attempts.” The gaze yanked itself away to stare at one another.
“Ya truly think that sugarcube? Misplaced?” Another breeze.
“I dont know to be honest. Sometimes, I just do things to fill the hole.”
Applejack allowed herself to fully commit to the grass. The angles seemed to stare at the two, intent on listening.
“What hole? The silence?”
Rainbow smiled, nodding. Again, the breeze warmed the two ponies. The angels continued to fly up towards the sky. The sky.
“Anything can happen in the dark AJ. Of course, I’m not saying I’m scared of anything-”
“Naturally.”
“-BUTTTTTT, others can get bothered by it. Common courtesy, you know?”
AJ smiled sweetly, mind blank except for the night sky dotted with angels. Her mind was filled with its imagery, its finality.
“If ya say so. It all comes around in the end, huh?” Both returned their gaze to the night sky once again.
They sighed as the breeze wafted over the distant mountaintops, themselves dotted with snowy peaks. It was clear of trees, leaving a certain emptiness in the field. Nothing to block the true view of the sky. The only sounds that were heard came from the ponies and the faraway flapping of a dove. Its gentle wings simply padded the wind; it eased itself on the stream, and eventually, was guided by two pairs of eyes. The beautiful bird joined the angels, sweetly singing a song reminiscent of Granny’s cookies and fresh air.
Rainbow smiled gently. “The end is something to look forward to. I learned so much from its impeding nature.”
“Yeah, you talking’ like a normal pony.” Both chuckled.
“Mmhmm, something you never learned.”
Silence. The mourning sky billowed out awakening. Geese ventured through the treeless area, honking with delight as they took off for the sky. Two ducks followed close by, practically attached to one another. They nuzzled each other with love. More doves came from the earth, scaring the ponies none. They took off with such gratefulness into the noon sky.
“AJ?”
“Yah?”
“Why would they care about us?”
“What do ya mean?”
“Why do we deserve to get happy endings? I dont want to go if it’s not deserved.”
“Oh, it’s deserved all right. Trust me sugarcube.”
“I’ve trusted too many ponies Applejack. It’s part of the reason why we are here together. Sorry if I’m a bit cautious.”
“Regrets, huh? Had a few? Ah know ah should as Tartarus have some as well. But ah’m your friend sugarcube. Ya could be honest. Remember?”
“...”
The sky tried to convince them to move, but the voiceless protest was too strong. They simply weren’t ready. They needed more time. The angels glistened in the sunlight now, reflecting a sense of purity.
“I dont know what to say anymore. My wit left me a long time ago. Drowned out by everything I guess. I missed you guys.”
“Ya the one that left girl.”
“Yeah, well I regret that, ok? Is that what I’m supposed to do? Stand up and beg? If that’s what I need to do to avoid losing it all, then I’ll do it.”
“Ah don’t have the answers.” Rainbow turned to her friend with desperation.
“You always did AJ. I’m afraid. My years of drinking and leaving and destroying my body made me pretty quizzical on where I stand with you guys. And in general. How do they reward deserters?”
“Rainbow-”
“Please AJ, anything.” AJ didn’t have anything to give. She looked down at the ground with disappointment, and Rainbow knew.
“AJ, I can’t leave myself behind.”
“Ya bring it with you. Ah'm sure.”
“You can’t lie, you know that.”
“Ah might not know the fib ah tell sugarcube. Ah’m trying to comfort you, that’s all. We need a conversation. It’s all there is to it. Welcome the silence Rainbow. A beautiful thing.”
The afternoon sun attempted to lead Rainbow away.
“I don’t want to get hurt again AJ. I don’t trust myself.”
“Not even with an ending?” A breeze.
“Especially. I want to wait here forever. I don’t know if I’m ever going to agree AJ.” The pony in question bore a strange look on her face. One of sadness and melancholy.
“That’s not what Rainbow would say.”
“AJ-”
“Let’s stop talking now. Enjoy the silence.”
Rainbow tried to protest, but a gentle wind blocked her anger as the sky was now a light black, stars twinkling in the distance.
“Ya mind does things honey. It understands that. Ya have to believe it.”
“I dont. I cant.”
“Your Rainbow Dash, you always took risks.”
For an unknowable amount of time, the two friends looked into the inviting sky, the peaceful mountains. They could see their friends waiting for them. All waving in the distance, barely in a line of sight.
“Ya ready now darling? The silence will help.” A smile. “Trust me.”
Rainbow reluctantly got up with her friend. “Yeah. Ready as I’ll ever be”
Two doves flew up to the sky, snowy white feathers accented by the sunrise. They were guided by knowledge of better times, of peaceful silence. It would welcome the doves as they made their journey. Light would dance upon them as they would live a true, quiet life. There was never something to run from. Only to run to.