//-------------------------------------------------------// Ashes to Ashes -by Legolas_Redbard- //-------------------------------------------------------// //-------------------------------------------------------// Part I: Memorial //-------------------------------------------------------// Part I: Memorial The hearse pulled up to the chapel and parked outside. It was preparing, as the citizens of Ponyville were, for the funeral that nobody was expecting, but knew would happen. Carrot Top slurped her milkshake down and read the headlines at the bakery, when a very flustered stallion ran up to her. The stallion, she recognised as a local doctor. "Miss, your house is burning, and there's a child inside!" he exclaimed. Carrot stopped what she was doing, and ran to her house. The rows of pews were filled up. It had been ten years since the attacks of Tirek, and Ponyvill ple was now an industrial town. In the front were close friends and royalty. Twilight Sparkle was sitting with the royals. Pinkie Pie, her mane flat, sat next to Applejack, her Stetson low on her head, hiding her face. To the right was Caramel, who was trying to tell his and Applejack's daughter to quiet down. Next to the daughter, Apple Tart, was Rarity and her husband and kids. Then was the doctors and their spouses. Dr Fluttershy was sitting with her husband Nurture, both distraught. Then, finally was Rainbow Dash. If circumstances were different, she would look like a amazing Wonderbolt. The dress did a very bad job of hiding her pregnancy and scars from crashes. She was due in a few days. To the right of her, was the worst of all. Dr Maximum Velocity, the stallion who dicovered the fire that killed the one, the only. "DERPY!" yelled Carrot Top, as she ran to her burning house. THe doctor had pulled her daughter Dinky from the rubble. He was now helping Amethyst Sparkler out of the burning shell that was The Farmhouse. At that point, Rainbow Dash climbed up the hill, unable to fly due to her pregnancy. All Carrot Top remembered before re she blacked out was the sound of sirens. Not just fire and ambulance. Police. "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to remember the life of Professor Derpella Ditzina Hoover, otherwise known as Derpy Hooves. The crowd remained silent. "Though the way she acted sometimes gave off the wrong idea, Derpy was a kind, intelligent mare, with a loving family. To start our service, will you all stand for the first hymn. The ponies stood, some with horns glowing to hold the books After singing their praise to the Fausticorn, Max came up to the podium to read his speech. After switching on the microphone, he spoke. "Just a few days ago, me and my wife went to the Top household. We had muffins and played Twister" Max stated, staying as calm as possible. "Then Dashie's foal kicked, and Derpy told us there would be great times ahead, and nothing would ever stand between a parent and their foal." The crowd sadly looked on, realising how wrong she had been." I know what you're thinking. That she was wrong. Well I have news for you, Derpy hasn't gone anywhere! I have an analogy I used in when I had to explain death to children. Think of it as slow release sleeping pills that you swallow when you're born... Hey, this was Las Pegasus!" he retorted. The crowd let out a chuckle. "So I told the, that they can activate at any time. For some people was faster than others. And one last thing. Though I'll see her someday soon, Tuesday afternoons won't be the same without her muffins." And with that he went down. Up went Dinky, taking tremendous steps up with the CMC supporting her. She opened her mouth, and the words just flowed out You can shed tears that she is gone or you can smile because she has lived. You can close your eyes and pray that she’ll come back or you can open your eyes and see all she’s left. Your heart can be empty because you can’t see her or you can be full of the love you shared. You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday. You can remember her and only that she’s gone or you can cherish her memory and let it live on. You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back or you can do what she’d want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on. As the funeral goers smiled sadly, she added one last remark, with the help of the CMC. "But just cause you go on, doesn't mean forget." After no further ado, and some last words from the princess about how she affected so many people, it was time to lower the coffin at the grave. But as they walked out, a lone musician played a solemn arrangement of Do you know the muffin man. That was the song she wanted played. And it was time to say goodbye