Reaper Mare

Willing to bet that Rainbow was out of the hospital, Applejack set out for the pegasus' cloud-house on the other side of town. Briefly, she wondered how she would actually get up to the cloud-house, but figured she would find some way up to it.

As she passed by the Library, she spotted a familiar golden chariot sitting a few steps from its door. The armored Pegasi that drew it were idly watchful for any threats, not that there was any in quiet Ponyville. At least, none that She couldn't handle.

And if She was here.

“Oh no.” Applejack muttered as she dashed into the library.

At a small table, Princess Celestia sat with Twilight, who was on the verge of tears while trying to explain the unexplainable.

“You know I would never normally say anything like that, Princess. I was a wreck. I had destroyed half of the library. The mess took days to clean up, but, after I got over the hangover-”

“You turned to alcohol?” Celestia asked in a concerned tone.

“I had only one, but it was pretty potent. Spike reminded me of what I had done and I knew I had to apologized immediately and...” She winced in expectation of a blow. “Please don't hate me.”

Celestia glanced around the room and, for a moment, the Alicorn's gaze locked on to Applejack. She blinked once before giving a nearly-imperceptible nod.

“I understand, Twilight.” She said, returning her attention to the Unicorn. “I, too, have known the pain of lost friends, but rarely so suddenly. Perhaps my years have hardened my heart more than I'd care to admit. I will forgive you on one condition.”

“Name it!” Twilight nearly leaped onto the table with eagerness.

“I would like some tea.”

“Tea! Yes. Of course. Right away.” She galloped off to see to her mentor's wish.

Celestia returned her gaze to Applejack. “Why do you linger?”

Her jaw fell and, cautiously, she approached the Alicorn. “You can see me?”

Celestia smiled. “We now share something very unique. Neither of us are mortal. It's a burden my sister and I have had to live with since our births. We have the ability to see and interact with the lingering dead. As time passed, what few genuine friends we had would age and die while we remained the same. Sometimes, we would find one or two that lingered for whatever reason. I was able to convince them to continue on while I did the same, letting them live on in my memories. Luna never had that ability. She was torn between wanting them to move forth to a better place and needing them to stay by her side forever.

“In time, this conflict drove her mad. Now, answer my question.”

Applejack held out a hoof and called her Scythe, its blue aura glowing brightly.

Celestia's eyes widened. “So, it has taken an apprentice. Why, Applejack?”

“Ah did it to make sure Rainbow would be okay and Ah do it because Ah made a promise and Applejack keeps her promises.”

“Your loyalty to your friend is admirable, but you have no idea what you've done. Watching as your world changes destroys something precious within you and that's to say nothing of being Death. Not all ponies die old, warm and safe in their bed, surrounded by friends and family.”

“Ah wouldn't have done this if Ah didn't think Ah could handle it.” Applejack replied less than convincingly.

“You think so now.” Celestia replied, ominously. “But this; immortality will destroy you. The pain it causes me is nearly unbearable and I can only imagine how it will be for you. I have had to watch my loved ones die. You will be the one performing the act. Not murdering, but ending their lives all the same.”

She shook her head ruefully. “They say that absolute power corrupts absolutely. You hold the power of life and death in your hooves. A pony need not be on Death's doorstep for the Scythe to cut them down. It is as effective as any blade and more effective than most. Unlike common blades, your Scythe can cut through anything, piercing plate armor and shields as if they weren't even there.”

“Ah know what you're inplyin', Princess and Ah don't like it. Ah was the Bearer of Honesty, in case ya'll have forgotten, and Ah don't appreciate that trait bein' called into question. Ah am as honest as the day is long. Ah would never kill another pony in malice.”

“I never thought you would.” Celestia assured her. “But malice is subjective. What some see as a necessary deed, others see as an unnecessary evil. Where is the line drawn, Applejack? Will you end the life of a pony in great agony without any hope of recovery and see it as a mercy? Will you slay an evil-doer and see it as a service?”

“Of course.” She replied without hesitation.

“Ah, but what if the secret to recovery was a mere day away? What if the evil-doer was only a sick mind crying out for help? What then? These are the things you must always consider.”

“Then Ah'll only take the souls of those who have passed.”

“So you'll harden your heart against the suffering of others? A suffering you yourself know so well?”

“Princess, who are you talking to?”

Twilight had returned, levitating a tea set with her.

The Princess gave Applejack a final glance before smiling. “Myself.”

“It sounded like you were answering somepony.”

“One of the odd quirks that one who has lived as long as I develops. I find it helps me to sort my thoughts quite well.”

Applejack left the pair to their discussion. It was getting late and she would have to return to Death soon, but she still wanted to see Rainbow.

She still found it hard to believe that Rainbow lived all alone in such a huge house. Applejack was a pony of practicality and didn't see the point in having more space than absolutely needed. A single pony would do well with a small apartment. Still, Rainbow was a pegasus and, as a pegasus, she was able to manipulate clouds. When a pony could build and live comfortably in a house of clouds, she could see how it would be easy to get carried away.

The real problem, though, was that Rainbow's house was made of clouds and sat fairly high off of the ground with no easy access for a pony who couldn't fly. However, from one of the lower windows, she could see a bit of the room beyond. She memorized it, pictured it, swung the Scythe and stepped through the portal.

She exited about three feet above the floor and dropped onto the pillowy clouds.

“Well, how do ya like that?” She marveled as she bounced slightly.

Up a rather extensive flight of stairs, she found three rooms. A bathroom, a spare room for storage, and Rainbow's bedroom. Inside, the pegasus sat on her bed, staring at a photograph.

“You depended on me. I should have spotted that tree and scouted for a better route. That was my job. I failed you, Applejack. I had to watch out for you, protect you, and I couldn't even do that right. What's worse, I never told you how I really felt. I was too embarrassed. I was too afraid that you would laugh at me or blow me off completely.” She let out a bitter laugh. “Look at me, I'm supposed to be the toughest, most awesome pony in Equestria and I was too afraid to say that I loved you. Now you're gone.”

She set the picture aside. It was a photo of Applejack in that ridiculous dress Rarity had made her wear during a game of Truth or Dare. Twilight had taken the photo and made copies, passing them around the group. Everypony had a good laugh, except Rainbow. The mare had merely stared at the picture, then stared at the farm pony, as if seeing her in a new light.

Applejack was shocked. She had never figured Rainbow would go for mares, not that she could blame the pony. She could appreciate a fine-looking mare, and Rainbow was a fine-looking mare. Toned body from years of training to be a Wonderbolt. Finely groomed coat and wings. The roguish style of her wind-blown mane.

Rainbow laid down and curled up. “Why did it have to be you? You've gotta family and a business to take care of. I just have me.”

She didn't like the sound of that.

“Maybe there's nothing left for me. If I can't have you in my corner, what's the point of achieving anything?”

She didn't like the sound of that at all.

“Please, Rainbow, dontcha go and do anythin' stupid, alright? Ah know ya feel bad about what happened, but that ain't no reason to go and throw everythin' away. Don't do somethin' that's gonna hurt our friends more.”

“Maybe life's not worth living anymore.” The pegasus mumbled.

Her mind spun. If Rainbow was actually considering taking her own life, something needed to be done quickly. Applejack didn't have any influence to steer her friend from this dark path, but she knew one pony who did.

She brought up the unforgettable room that she had seen only occasionally and swung her Scythe, hoping that the one she needed would be there.

Her hooves struck the marble floor soundlessly as she stepped out of the rift, which closed behind her, and looked around the massive throne room of the Sun Palace in Canterlot. Celestia's throne of gold stood empty, but the one next to it, equally massive and made of obsidian and dark-blue velvet, was occupied.

“So the rumors are true.” The younger Alicorn observed. “I had hoped my sister was joking though, in retrospect, I cannot see how this is a laughing matter.”

“It ain't” Applejack replied, approaching Luna. “Princess, Ah need your help with somethin'.”

“Why are you not surprised that I am aware of your presence?”

She waved the question away. “Celestia explained everythin'.”

“I see. Continue.”

“It's Rainbow Dash, ma'am. Ah just came from seein' her and she contemplatin' doin' somethin' bad.”

“And what terrible deed is she considering?” Luna queried.

“Ah think she's gonna try and take her own life. Ah can't stop her and Ah don't know of any other ponies, 'cept you and Celestia, who Ah can go to.”

Luna sat back and frowned. “This is troubling news. Celestia has left Ponyville, but has not returned as of yet. If what you say is true, Applejack, then we must begin immediately.” She rose from her throne and began to gather shadows about her. “I will go and enter Rainbow Dash's dreams to confirm if she is indeed contemplating the unthinkable. You must return to Ponyville and inform Twilight Sparkle. Her word carries a great deal more weight among the Elements of Harmony than mine or Celestia's ever could.”

“How am Ah gonna do that?” Applejack asked.

“You must find a way. Contact Twilight Sparkle. She is an intelligent mare and will listen to what you will say. You need only find a way of speaking to her.”

And, with that, Luna had vanished.

“Talk to Twilight? How in the hay am Ah gonna do that?” She muttered as she paced. There was no getting around it. She swung the Scythe, opened another rift, and was gone.