Return

"Rarity, don't leave me!" Spike begged as he held the old pony's hoof. Rarity's grey hair glistened in the morning light.

"Oh, Spike, don't be silly. I'll never truly leave you when you love me! But that isn't an excuse to sit and mourn! You have your life to experience! I love you, Spikey!" Rarity crooned as she managed to pull her wrinkled face into a smile.

"But, Rarity, I love you, I can't live without you!" Spike moaned as tears escaped his bright green eyes. Rarity just smiled and turned her head for a moment to look out of the window.

A lark was flying up in song and to Rarity it seemed to show a sign of a new beginning, one away from her beloved. that was when Rarity began to cry.

"Don't worry, Spike; we'll see each other again! Never forget that we'll see each other again!" Rarity ordered, a spark of life returning to her aged eyes. Spike smiled at her and nodded.

"My brave dragon, I love you." Rarity whispered and stroked the dragon's face with her hoof. Her fur was matted and had worn away in places and her skin beneath it was wrinkled. But her eyes twinkled with beauty, always. Spike could only nod; for words had left him.

"Goodbye, Spike, my darling." Rarity gasped, before falling back and sighing one last time. The old pony had lived for so long, many believed it was her love for Spike that had kept her alive all these years.

Spike watched her eyes fall shut, gracefully. Rarity still had a smile on her lips. That smile gave Spike courage. Courage to not forget his love and what she stood for.

Many ponies thought it was ironic that Greed and Generosity fell in love. But Rarity had always laughed whenever anypony mentioned it and instead insisted it was romantic.

As Rarity let out her last breath the whole world seemed to stop for a second and wait. Water stopped rushing in the rivers, the wind stopped blowing and Princess Celestia and Princess Luna both looked down in respect.

Then, all at once, birds burst into song and everything began anew.

Except for Spike.

He still gripped her hoof, as if letting go meant she would fade into nothing. Tears were now flooding from his eyes as he sobbed.

"Rarity, my Rarity." he sniffed as he looked at her face. She was still beautiful to him, even though life had fled her.

The lark which signaled a new start now seemed to mock him.

"She's not coming back." he despaired. The sun rose steadily behind him as the beams cut through the window. It spread warmth on his back and he turned towards the light.

"I will remember your light, Rarity." he whispered to the air.

There was a sound of flapping wings and then silence. Spike listened to the silence and waited.

"Spike?" asked a hesitant voice at the door.

"Yes, Twilight, it is fine, you can come in." Spike told her, he was still crying.

Twilight opened the door with a creak. Her wings were folded against her body and she was crying too. Her eyes rested on Rarity for a moment, sadly, before focusing on Spike.

"Oh Spike! At least she rested peacefully." Twilight said with a small smile that was tinged with sadness and loss. She couldn't bring herself to say 'die'. Rarity was the last of her friends to die and, although she still had the Princesses and Spike, she felt alone.

"Spike, we understand if you need a minute, but Celestia and Luna are about to make the speech. And I think you'll want to hear it." Twilight informed him softly. She knew that Rarity had meant everything to Spike. To her surprise, Spike stood up and walked from the room.

Twilight followed him, painfully aware of how much he was crying. Spike stopped walking when he came to a small balcony. There was a clear view of the Princesses and they were close enough to hear what was being said.

"Ponies, dragons, magical beings. It is to our great sadness that we say goodbye to one of Equestria's bravest heroes, today. Rarity was a beautiful pony, with an even more beautiful soul and spirit. She will greatly missed here and we must never forget her memory. Her light will always shine over Equestria and I know she will protect us, always. She was the most generous pony I have ever known. We must all remember her. Remember Rarity." Princess Celestia announced. Everypony could hear the tone of sadness in her voice.

Rarity had been such a happy part of the world for so long. Everything seemed cold.

Spike was still crying and would not stop. Twilight looked at him in concern and pulled him into a hug.

The sun beamed down on the world and suddenly it felt warmer to all below. Even Celestia felt it. Princess Luna and Celestia were in the Royal Study when they felt it.

"Sister, what was that?" Luna asked in alarm.

"I do not know. But it is something good, for the world is warmer again."

The lark flew up once more and its melodic call rang though the city.