My Little Bokurano

"Why does it have to be me? Why do I have to go through with this? I don't want to die..." - Spike

"Are you ready to go, Spike?" Twilight Sparkle asked.

"Yeah," Spike said quietly.

Twilight Sparkle and Spike were getting prepared for Shining Armor's funeral. Twilight had on a black dress, while Spike had on a tuxedo shirt.

"That tuxedo looks really sharp on you," Twilight Sparkle said. "Plus, it'll do a really good job at hiding your mark."

"Hiding that is the least of my problems now..." Spike muttered.

"I'm sorry you have to be the next pilot, but you'll have the opportunity to save Equestria," Twilight Sparkle said, placing a hoof on Spike. "I'm sure you'll be given a hero's funeral."

"Let's just go," Spike said.

They both left the library to find Big Macintosh, Applejack, and Apple Bloom standing at their doorway.

"Thanks for picking us up," Twilight Sparkle said. "But you didn't have to stand in the rain."

"We're alright," Applejack said, "Sorry about what happened to your brother."

"I'm glad I still have you around, Applejack," Twilight said. "Oh, do you know whatever happened to Pinkie Pie's body?"

"Not sure," Applejack replied. "Last time I saw it was back in the cockpit."

"I guess we should find everyone else before it starts raining too hard," Twilight Sparkle said. "The carriages that were sent for us should be here any minute."

Eventually, the Mane 5, the Cutie Mark Crusaders, Derpy Hooves, Big Macintosh, and Spike gathered in the center of Ponyville where there were two horse drawn carriages that would take them to Canterlot.

"What should we do when the princesses ask us about Pinkie Pie?" Fluttershy asked.

"I've got it covered," Twilight Sparkle said.

Eventually, the two carriages arrived in Canterlot. The eleven friends disembarked and were greeted by Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. Everyone bowed at the sight of the two princesses.

"Thank you all for coming," Princess Celestia said. "Princess Twilight, I offer my condolences."

"Pinkie Pie seems to be missing," Princess Luna said. "Where is she?"

"She went missing in the attack on Ponyville yesterday," Twilight said. "We're not sure what happened to her."

"I see," Luna said.

"Anyways, I would like you all to meet with me after the funeral," Celestia said." There is something very important I'd like to discuss with you."

The eleven friends and two princesses entered the castle, and Twilight Sparkle was greeted with a hug from her parents.

"I'm so glad you came!" Twilight Velvet said.

"I wouldn't miss my brother's funeral for anything," Twilight Sparkle said.

The next hour was filled with grief. Speeches were given, solemn hymns were sang, and tears were shed. During the closing moments of the funeral, Spike snuck out the back door. Once the funeral ended, Princess Celestia gathered Twilight Sparkle and her eleven other pony friends in a private chamber.

"Hello everypony," Princess Celestia said. "I've gathered you all here to ask a very important question. What happened to Pinkie Pie yesterday?"

"With all due respect, I already told you," Twilight Sparkle said. "She went missing in the attack on Ponyville."

"Oh, so how can you explain this?" Celestia asked.

Two guards carried out Pinkie Pie's corpse, which was covered in mud and leaves.

"Oh dear..." Fluttershy whimpered.

"It's so gross!" Rarity cried.

"We found it in the Everfree Forest this morning," Celestia continued.

"This isn't what it looks like!" Twilight Sparkle blurted out.

"It's alright, I know everything that happened," Celestia said.

"I had to tell Aunt Celestia about the game," Cadance spoke up. "Sorry everyone."

"This is a threat that should not be scoffed at," Princess Luna said. "This is a top priority for all of Equestria, and as such, you will all be escorted by a guard around the clock."

"Alright, but I don't think they'll be able to come with us when we're summoned to Equextria," Applejack said.

"Equextria?" Luna repeated back.

"That's the name of our robot," Apple Bloom said. "Once we're summoned to it, we have no choice to fight."

"Hundreds of ponies have died so far, and there will certainly be more to come," Celestia said. "I don't want you all to bear that responsibility."

"Does that mean we'll be saved?" Fluttershy asked.

"As my sister said, this is a top priority," Celestia explained. "We will do everything in our power to ensure that you will not be forced to pilot the robot. Speaking of which, do you know where it is?"

"We actually don't have full control of it," Twilight Sparkle said. "Whenever there's a battle, Dung Beetle makes it appear."

"Dung Beetle?" Celestia asked.

"I think we should introduce you to him. He should appear if we call," Flash Sentry said. "Dung Beetle!"

"Dung Beetle!" Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo called out.

"Dung Beetle!" Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle called out.

"Are you there, Dungy?" Derpy Hooves asked.

Soon, everyone was calling out Dung Beetle's name. The princesses looked mildly confused.

"Someone call?" Dung Beetle said, appearing out of nowhere. "And Dungy? Are you serious, Derpy?"

"Hello Dung Beetle," Celestia said. "Equestria is in grave danger, and we need your assistance in investigating how Equextria really works."

"Truly, I don't know myself!" Dung Beetle replied. "All I know is that it's powered using life energy."

"Alright, so what do you all remember about the previous three battles?" Celestia asked.

"Pinkie Pie was the pilot for the last one, Shining Armor piloted the robot in the battle before that, and for the very first battle, somepony named Kokopelli piloted the robot," Twilight Sparkle explained.

"And I assume this Kokopelli is dead as well?" Luna asked.

"I guess so." Scootaloo said.

"Well then, who's the pilot for the next battle?" Celestia asked.

"It's Spike," Twilight Sparkle said. She soon noticed that Spike was absent from the meeting room. "SPIKE?!"

"Spike, where are you?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"I'll see if I can find him," Rarity said, exiting the chamber. "I sure hope he hasn't gone far."