The CMC's Terrible Kindergarten Graduation

After Rarity's death, each and every one of Ponyville's citizens was hit hard by the tragic event; even more so were the friends of the fashionista. Sweetie Belle had been missing ever since the news got out, and nopony seemed to have a clue as to where she had gone. Spike had joined in on the royal guard's investigation into her murder, hoping to find the culprit before the guards did, so that he could subject them to his own form of torture.

But that didn't his mind off of his newest companion.

Loneliness.

After his sudden increase in size, the town was weary of approaching the dragon. Even though he was still the same baby dragon everypony knew and loved, his size was a lot for ponies to take in. The only friends he had until the town realized he wasn't a threat were Twilight, AJ, Rainbow, and Fluttershy. Nopony knew where Pinkie was; all that was known was that she was a stagehand for the graduation. That fact didn't sit well with the royal guards or the victim's friends.

At the moment, Pinkie was one of the royal guard's suspects, as she too disappeared after last night. But there was one more suspect on their list, the children's teacher, Mick Dagger.

Ponies had seen him at his house earlier in the day, but he seemed to disappear as well.

Right now, the town was gathering at the town cemetery, for Rarity's funeral and burial service. Each of the friends and family of the deceased had given their final goodbyes to her.

Her friends sat in the front row, each of them already tearing up. Spike sat at the very back, not wanting to get in the way of anypony. Even though the town was uneasy about spike at the moment, they all knew how important Rarity was to the dragon... and they didn't want to anger a dragon double their size when he was already visibly angered and saddened.

The unicorn in charge of the burial said his final words, and lowered the coffin into the ground. Spike and his friends broke down at this, sobbing openly, as were many of the attendees. Afterwards, a stone slab, cut into the shape of a diamond, and magically set into the ground.

After the service, everypony went to their homes to grieve, except Spike.

Spike sat in front of the tombstone, staring at it, hoping that he would wake up from this dream. All of his attention was on the grave, so he didn't notice the pony approaching behind him.

He felt a hoof touch his shoulder, and turned his head to see an adult female pony with white fur; her face hidden by a black hood.

He reached over to pull back her hood. "Can I help you, Miss..." He gasped when he pulled back the hood to see a familiar face.

"Sweetie Belle, you can call me Sweetie Belle."