Revenge of all Colours

Chapter 12
Eternal Laughter

Ponyville was dead quiet. Nearly two weeks after the identity of the Cupcake Killer had been revealed, ponies could still not believe who it was. Nether could they believe who's funeral was tomorrow.

Even after several funerals in Ponyville in the past few weeks, no one was prepared for this. Who could expect the happiest pony in town to become a murderer? Who could expect her to die?

By this time Rainbow Dash's body had been completely healed. Her faded coat had returned to shine in the sun light, her Grey left eye had turned back into its shining purple and all of her stitches had fallen out. Though everypony still walked cautiously by her fearing what was supposed to be dead, she was thankful to at least return to Ponyville not looking like a monster.

She spent the day before alone, resting at home in the clouds. She gave her self allot of time to think to her self. Think about what she had done, what she was to say at Pinkie's funeral, how to approach her friends. After a long night of little sleep, she was finally ready to face her friends.

The first friend she went to see was Fluttershy, the pony who she had known the longest. When she knocked on the door a quiet, shy voice answered. “Come in....”

Rainbow Dash opened the door and stepped inside. Fluttershy was sitting on the floor, looking out the window. She turned to face her visitor and game a shy smile upon discovering who it was. “Oh! Rainbow Dash, it's good to see you. We've all been so worried.”

Fluttershy approached the cyan Pegasus and gave her a welcoming hug. “You look much better Dash. I'm glad your all healed up.” Rainbow Dash looked in the mirror beside her.

“Ya, It's good look normal again!” Rainbow Dash looked back at Fluttershy, she wanted to say something else but she couldn't think of anything more to say. Fluttershy too felt the awkward silence and began scoping her mind for a conversation to begin.

But the only thing that both of them thought of, nether wanted to talk about. Dash finally pulled her self together and braved her next sentence. “So... Your gunna be at Pinkie's funeral tomorrow right?”

Fluttershy sunk in her stance and replied, “Of... Of coarse... Why wouldn't I?” Fluttershy's eyes wandered the room, fearing Dash's gaze.

“I don't know... just figured I'd make sure...”Rainbow Dash scratched the back of her head, she felt a little ashamed of her self. She had brought up Pinkie Pie too abruptly. She lowered her head and began silently lecturing her self.

Out of the corner of her eye, Dash saw Gummy waddle around the corner and approach Fluttershy. The baby alligator tugged on Fluttershy's tail and she quickly turned around, startled by Gummy's sudden crave for attention. “Oh! I had almost forgotten about you!”

The yellow Pegasus turned back to Rainbow Dash, “Sorry Dash, I had almost forgotten I was about to take Gummy for a walk. Would you like to join us?” As much as Rainbow Dash would enjoy hanging out with Fluttershy longer she knew she still had to visit three more ponies.

“Thanks but no thanks, I still gotta check on Twilight, Applejack and Rarity. Maybe next time though!” Rainbow Dash gave Fluttershy a strained smile and Fluttershy tried to do the same.

“Oh... Ok, I understand. Tell the others I said hi, if it isn't to much trouble.” Rainbow Dash opened up the door behind her and started off to her next destination, replying to her friend just before she flew away.

“Don't worry! I will!”

Rainbow Dash landed just in front of Rarity's house and knocked on the door. Her second and most generous friend opened the door with a bright smile and gave Rainbow Dash a hug. “Rainbow Dash, darling! It's so good to see you, you look much better!”

Rainbow Dash chuckled to her self and answered her friends abrupt welcome, “Thanks, it's good to see you too!” Rarity motioned Rainbow Dash to come in and took off to the kitchen to pour her guest some tea.

“Take a seat darling, I'll have tea ready in just a moment!” Rainbow Dash sat down at the coffee table and witnessed her surroundings. Rarity had been busy, there were several new dresses she had never seen before and, about three more being made that she could see.

Rainbow Dash studied the dresses and noticed they all followed a familiar theme. They consisted of bright colors and funny shapes, yet still being superbly organized and beautiful.

When Rainbow Dash looked closer she noticed they all bared the same style logo somewhere on its exterior. It was of three balloons, the two on the outside were a light blue colour and the balloon in the middle was a bright yellow. The Pegasus immediately recognized the symbol and bowed her head in respect, it was Pinkie Pie's cutie mark.

“Do you like them?” Rainbow Dash nearly flew out of her chair, startled by Rarity who was now sitting on the opposite side of the table sipping tea. She looked down and noticed there was a small tea cup on her side of the table also and filled the cup from the kettle in the center of the table.

“Ya... Actually, there beautiful as always...” Rainbow Dash was hesitant, scared to go too in depth about Pinkie Pie. She didn't want this to end the same as her visit with Fluttershy. Rarity sensed Dash's caution but figured it was best to carry the conversation.

“Do you think she'd be proud?” Rainbow Dash looked up at Rarity shocked. It seemed that Rarity was more comfortable with the conversation. Rainbow Dash looked back at the dresses and smiled lightly.

“Yeah... I bet she would...” Rarity also gave a smile admiring her dresses. She looked Back at the Pegasus friend and continued conversation.

“So how are you feeling?” Rainbow Dash's eyes fell, she had hoped no one would ask her that. She turned and set the chin on the table, staring blankly at her tea cup.

“I'm not so sure yet.... I kinda feel guilty.......” Rarity sighed and took a sip of her tea.

“Now why would you feel that Dash?” Rarity took another sip and and rested her head on the back of her chair. Rainbow Dash never moved .

“I know there was no other way... I know it had to be done... I know she's happier and in a better place now.... but....” Tears began to run from Dash's eyes.

Rarity stood up and crouched next to Dash, she threw a hoof around her and pulled her close. “Go on darling...” Rainbow Dash felt a sharp pain through her heart and the tears flowed even harder.

“But I still....” Rainbow Dash sucked in a large breath of air and continued, “I still killed her!!” Rainbow Dash shouted in frustration and banged her head onto the table. Rarity kept her hold on Dash and continued comforting her.

“Shh shh shhh.... It's not you fault Dash....” Rainbow Dash grit her teeth and replied.

“I know that! But I still...” Rarity raised her voice a little, grabbing her friends attention.

“What else could you have done!?” Rainbow Dash's eyes snapped open and her tears stopped. Rarity continued, “You did the right thing Dash! You set Pinkie Pie free, and saved the lives of countless ponies...” Rarity brushed Dash's hair and wiped away Dash's tears with a napkin. “You did the right thing!”

Rainbow Dash hugged Rarity, “Thank you....” Rarity returned the hug and let out a small sigh of relief.

“Any time Dash.” After a few cups of tea and moments of small talk, it was time to Rainbow Dash to leave and visit the others. Rarity gave her a little doggy bag of small chocolate chip cookies for the road and sent her on her way.

As Rainbow Dash took to the sky but quickly returned and said one last thing. “I almost forgot! Fluttershy says hi!” As the Pegasus rocketed to her next destination, Rarity closed the door giggling to her self over her friends forgetfulness. She finished her last cup of tea and continued to work on the dresses.

Her next stop was Twilight's house. Spike answered the door and let her in. Spike was unusually quiet but Dash just assumed that children handled death differently, and she didn't think too heavily on it. Twilight galloped down the stairs and borderline tackled Rainbow Dash with a hug.

“Rainbow Dash! How are you!?” Twilight acted lively and awake, but the bags under the Unicorns eyes and the large pile of books next to her bed told Dash otherwise.

“I'm fine, thanks. Have you been up all night reading again?” Rainbow Dash replied raising an eye brow. Twilight's eyes darted side to side nervously, she was almost as bad a liar as Applejack.

“Me!? Of coarse not! A pony needs lots of sleep and...”Rainbow Dash kept her eye brow raised and watched Twilight's smile slowly fall until she finally dropped her head.

Twilight sighed and looked back up at Dash weakly, “Fine... You got me... I've been up all night reading books about coping with loss of a loved one.”

“And have they been working?” Rainbow Dash kept her stern took locked on Twilight until the Unicorn's head sunk even lower.

“Not really...” Twilight looked back up into Dash's eyes, holding back a few tears. Rainbow Dash finally broke her stare and hugged Twilight again.

“No book can help with this Twilight.... Only a friend can...” Twilight let out a single tear and returned a hug. After a moment they detached and sat on the rug in the center of the room.

“So how have you been? Would you like me to get Spike to make us some tea?” Spike snorted, slightly irritated dusting off book shelves as Twilight gave the hint. Rainbow Dash chuckled and then answered.

“No thanks, I already had lots at Rarity's.” Spike gave a sigh of relief making Twilight and Dash giggle amongst them selves again. Dash continued her answer. “I'm going around and visiting the gang today! I already met up with Fluttershy and Rarity, after this I'm going to go see Applejack!”

“Really? How are they? I haven't gotten to talk to anyone yet.” Twilight spoke out in a slightly worried interest. Dash thought back in her memories and answered.

“Well Fluttershy's still a little choked up about it, but no one should really expect more from her. Rarity on the other hand is doing really good! She's designing dresses devoted to Pinkie Pie and I must say, they're pretty awesome!” Dash continued to think making sure she didn't miss anything.

Twilight's eyes sparkled a little, “Really? Good for her, I'm glad she's ok. As for Fluttershy, we can all talk to her tomorrow at Pinkie's... uh.... ya...” A long silence followed, the subject was still very delicate.

Finally, Spike broke the silence. “Uh Twilight?” The two mares jolted up to face Spike, startled by the broken silence. “Can I run to the store quick? We need more cleaning supplies.”

Twilight and Rainbow Dash sat back down, Twilight sighed and dismissed the baby dragon, “Sure, just don't be gone long. We have to meet up with the Princess later remember?”

Spike opened the door and cocked his head at Twilight, “Ya I remember, it will only be a few minutes! See ya!” The door slammed behind Spike and Rainbow Dash turned back to Twilight confused.

“Meeting the Princess?” Twilight sunk a little then replied to the confused Pegasus.

“Ya, Princess Celestia is helping me plan the funeral tomorrow.” Twilight gave Dash a weak look as the cyan Pegasus grew even more curious. Dash had knew Twilight volunteered to plan Pinkie's funeral, but why was the Princess her self involved for?

“The Princess? What would she want to do with it?” Dash asked. Twilight stared blankly at the floor and spoke in a quiet tone.

“Celestia not only respected Pinkie Pie as a warrior of harmony, but she also loved her as a friend. She's probably not as close to her as we were but... Try and name one pony who's life Pinkie didn't touch...” Twilight remained still and silent.

Twilight was right, everyone loved Pinkie Pie. Pinkie Pie was the one pony who could make anyone smile no matter how horrible the situation. The turned anger into fun, she turned fear into laughter. No one could ever replace Pinkie Pie, and Dash was the one who took her away.

Guilt stuck Rainbow Dash like a hammer and she sunk to the floor. Twilight looked up and saw her friend lost in her painful thoughts, “You ok?” Twilight asked.

Rainbow Dash got up and started heading for the door, “Ya I'll be ok, I suppose I should head out now and let you get ready for the Princess's arrival. I still have one more pony I gotta see before it gets late anyway!” Rainbow Dash opened the door and flexed her wings, “I'll see you tomorrow!”

And just like that, the Pegasus took to the sky leaving Twilight dumbfounded. Spike ran in with a bag of supplies concerned, “Is she ok? She took off pretty fast!”

Twilight just patted him on the back and headed for her book shelf. “She'll be ok, she's tough! Now lets focus on preparing for Celestia!”

As the cool air whistled through her rainbow mane, Dash still felt the pain of guilt at the loss of what seemed to be everyone's best friend. She soared over Applejack's farm and saw the golden earth pony working in the field. When Dash went in a little closer to get a good look she saw what Applejack was doing.

She was removing Dash's old grave. When the Pegasus touched ground it startled Applejack, causing her to loudly drop her shovel. “Geez Dashie, you scared the hey outa me!”

Rainbow Dash trotted up to Applejack and gave her a big smile, “So cleaning up are we?” Applejack smirked at Rainbow Dash and looked down at the freshly filled hole and chuckled.

“Ya, Ah reckon we won't be needin it no more!” Applejack looked up and Gave Dash an endearing smile. “So what are y'all up to anyway?” Applejack sat down and rested under a tree and Rainbow Dash sat next to her and joined her.

“I'm just goin around town checking up on everyone. I Visited Fluttershy, Rarity, then Twilight. Now it's your turn!” Applejack chuckled to her self and gave Dash a smug look.

“So ya left best for last didja?” Rainbow Dash laughed loudly and returned with another smug look.

“Ya, you keep telling your self that!” The two mares laughed until tears began to run. Finally Applejack wiped away a tear and continued conversation.

“So how are the others doin then?” Rainbow Dash searched her memories again, finding the answer she had already been asked before. She just needed to add the status of one more friend.

“Well, Fluttershy could be better. But as I told Twilight we can't expect much more from her. We can all talk to her and cheer her up when we meet up tomorrow. Twilight could be doing better too, she stayed up all night reading about how to cope. I'm kinda worried about her too, but she's probably with the Princess right now making arrangements for tomorrow. As for Rarity, she seems pretty good. She's designing some pretty awesome dresses dedicated to Pinkie Pie!”

After Dash's long reply Applejack took a moment to think about her friends. “Well that's cool! I'm glad to hear that Rarity's makin the best of things! As for Twilight and Fluttershy.... As you said, we'll just hafta work with that tomorrow!” Applejack turned to Rainbow Dash in concern, “So what about you?”

Rainbow Dash sank again, feeling the weight of Ponyville on her shoulders. “I'm fine...” Applejack cocked her head at Dash and gave her a nudge on the shoulder.

“Y'all don't look fine to me Sugarcube. Y'all know you can talk to me about what ever's puttin you down!” As rainbow Dash looked up to Applejack, the earth pony gave her a confident smile. Dash turned back and stared at the ground.

“It's just.... I feel guilty about all this.... Everyone's sorrow at the loos of Pinkie Pie... It's my fault...” Rainbow Dash sank even lower and shut her eyes. “Rarity already told me about how it wasn't my fault, that I saved so many lives, that I saved Pinkie... But does that?...”

Rainbow Dash gulped down the lump in her throat and continued, “Does that really make killing her right!? I look around at the sad, colorless town... Without sompony to make them smile, without sompony to make them laugh.... She's gone...” Rainbow Dash bursted into tears and covered her face with her hooves, “And I'm the one who took her away!”

Applejack lowered her head. She looked weakly at the crying Pegasus and sighed. Applejack wrapped her hoof around Dash, pulled her close, and gave Rainbow Dash a small kiss on the forehead. As Rainbow Dash froze from the sudden loving contact Applejack rested her head on Dash's and did her best to comfort her.

“Y'all ain't a bad pony Rainbow Dash... They may be sad now... But if it weren't for you Dashie, they might not even be alive... Pinkie Pie wouldn't want you to feel guilty for her death... In her dyin words she thanked you Sugarcube.... You really are the hero even the Wonderbolts hardly deserve!”

Rainbow Dash turned and hugged Applejack, nearly suffocating her. Among the sniffing and sobbing Dash could let out two words, “Thank you...” Applejack smiled and brushed Dash's hair.

“Any time Sugarcube...”

As Rainbow Dash awoken, she felt the soft sheets surrounding her. The Pegasus jolted up in fear she had missed the funeral. “Y'all can relax, it doesn’t start for a while yet.” Applejack was lying beside her smiling with one eye lazily open. Rainbow Dash tiredly nodded and nestled in. It had been a long time since Dash could relax and enjoy her self, so she wanted to spend every moment she could just like this.

The two mares awoke feeling more relaxed and at piece than they had felt in a long time. After a few moments of morning conversation Rainbow Dash went home to clean her self up and prepare for the funeral. When she got home she had a quick shower, brushed her teeth and fixed her mane.

She left home with a single rose for her fallen friend. She held the flower firmly in her mouth as she descended from the heavens back to Ponyville. When she arrived at the funeral it was already packed. It seemed that every pony from Ponyville was there. There were even a few ponies that she had never seen before.

Rainbow Dash looked around for her friends and saw them all standing in a circle outside the massive group of ponies. All of her friends carried a different flower for Pinkie Pie. Fluttershy carried a Daffodil in her mouth while Rarity had Lady Slipper. The Slipper was placed behind Rarity's ear, holding her hair up. Twilight had a curved branch of Lilacs wrapped around her neck and Applejack also had a branch of small Apple bud flowers around her neck.

Dash gently landed and met up with her friends. They all gave her a tired and weak smile, they all welcomed her but the setting was restraining allot of enthusiasm. An old colt walked up on the stage and signaled everyone to take a seat. Beside him was a casket, no one could see inside it but everyone knew its contents. Rainbow Dash took a seat at the end of the first row, Applejack followed and sat next to her. Rarity followed, then Fluttershy and Twilight.

The Pony that sat next to Twilight Sparkle were the Princess's them selves. It was odd how Celestia and Luna both acted like normal civilians at Pinkie's funeral. How well they both blended in showed how much respect they had for her, Rainbow Dash admired this and gave them both a welcoming smile witch they returned to Dash.

The elder colt on stage cleared his throat and began his speech, “We are gathered here today to honor the life of Pinkamina Diane Pie.” As Rainbow Dash heard her name she shuttered. She wished that the preacher would call her Pinkie, the same way everyone else did. No one wanted to remember her as Pinkamina.

Rainbow Dash calmed her self down as listened to the rest of the colt's speech, “Many of you know Pinkie not only as a friend, but the very light that shined over Ponyville. When Celestia's sun was blocked by clouds, Pinkie shined bright and brought us all happiness and joy. Now that light is out, and it is our duty to shine for her! I will now ask any relatives or friends of Pinkie Pie, to come forward and say a few words on her behalf.”

The colt walked off stage and Pinkie's parents and siblings all walked up on stage together for their speech. As Pinkie Pie's mother spoke, the others bowed their heads in respect. “Pinkie Pie was the most joyful spark in our family. There was never a moment she wasn’t ether making us laugh or dance. The moment she was born I knew she was different, she turned our colorless little rock farm into the happiest place on earth!”

She paused to hold in a tear and her husband gave her a light, encouraging pat on the back. As she continued a small tear slipped from her gasp, “Pinkie Pie will always be the happiest pony in Equestria, and we will never forget her...” the four family members turned and faced the open casket. They each said their last words and walked off the stage.

The preacher asked for any others who wished to speak, but no one stepped forward. No one could speak. Rainbow Dash knew she had to speak for Pinkie Pie and alone stood up and began making her way to the stage. The Pegasus had no speech planned, but she still felt the guilt of being the one to take Pinkie away. This was the least she could do to repay Ponyville.

When she took the stage he knees began to shake, the spot lights were so bright she couldn't see her audience. In a way this helped her relax. She cleared her throat and let out what ever came to mind. “Hey everyone... As you can probably see, I don't really have a speech planned but.... This was also kind of a last minute idea too so...”

Rainbow Dash could not see the crown but could feel their growing impatience as the Pegasus scrambled to find her words. A discriminating mumble grew in her audience. Finally she calmed down, and said what came from her heart. “I've known Pinkie Pie for a long time and she was not only a great friend but a great mentor. As aloof as she seemed to be, she taught us so much about happiness and friendship.

The Pegasus had began to regain her courage and had an epiphany of her own, witch she shared with all of Ponyville. “And I'm sure there are allot of you thinking that that spark is gone. But your wrong! Every moment we shared with her, everything she taught us, it lives on inside us! Because laughter never dies, nor will her love for Ponyville and everyone in it!”

Rainbow Dash couldn't hear the skeptical mumbling anymore and fully regained her courage. She lost her self in the moment as she poured her heart into every word, “Her laugh will always be there to cheer us up, her smile will always be there to light our way! Pinkie Pie's memory will live on forever, and for that...”

Rainbow Dash turned to Pinkie's casket and peered down to her fallen friend, she bend down and kissed her on the forehead and said out load so everypony could hear it. “Thank you Pinkie Pie, for everything...”

At that moment everypony stood up in respect and admiration of Dash's speech. The Pegasus looked around shocked at the silhouettes now standing and a light satisfied smile grew on her face. “Thank you.” she said, and she went down and took her seat. Applejack kissed her on the cheek and the audience took their seat.

After the final ceremony they all laid their flowers of Pinkie's grave. Few words were spoken until the preacher finally dismissed everyone. The group reunited and each gave Rainbow Dash a hug for her gallant words. Fluttershy quietly spoke, “So... What do we do now? I mean... without Pinkie Pie, how are we suppose to..”

Rainbow Dash interrupted her with a rough pat on the head, “Hey haven't you heard a word I said? Pinkie Pie never left...” The group slowly grew admiring smiles and let Rainbow continue. “Pinkie's still here, in our hearts. She is still laughter and she is still our friend, we will never forget her and she will never forget us!”

They all had a group hug and walked together, no one spoke but each of the fires in their hearts burned brighter than ever! Each of them remembering Pinkie's last words to them and taking them to heart. They all repeated in their heads Rainbow Dash's last words of her speech.

“Thank you Pinkie Pie... For everything...”

Well it's finally over guys, I hope you guys enjoyed the story! For a novice I think I did a pretty good job!

And sorry it took so long for this one... Funerals are NOT my forte and it took allot of thinking and rewriting. Thank you for your patience! And I'll see you all in my next story!