The life and times of Lafayette Ryder

Dark grey clouds float above the capitol city of Canterlot. They blot out Celestia’s sun and darken the palace with gloomy shadows. Any of the number of Pegasi within the castle could easily dispatch the overcast weather but a far more pressing matter has presented itself before them all.

Crammed inside the guest hall of the palace and even loitering on the grounds around it are thousands of mourning Humans and ponies alike. Though only a handful of friends and relatives of the honored man are allowed into the inner sanctum of the astral sisters all none are leaving just yet, none will leave until his passing has been spoken of.

<><><><><>

In a small room fit for a princess nine souls mourn in their own manor; Twilight weeps and Elizebeth sobs, Dulcie quietly hugs her lover and Thaddeus rereads his father’s favorite book for the tenth time, Starlight Bright prays under his breath and Leeroy clucks solemnly, and Celestia and Discord simply sit together and smile at the many memories of their friend.

A knock at the door signals the arrival of another friend of the deceased.

“Come in.” Discord mutters after realizing no one else is able to speak at the moment.”

The double doors creak open and an old, winkled earth pony limps in.

“Hello Father Waddle.” Celestia says softly as the knobbly kneed priest enters the room and takes a seat next to the grieving widows.

“Your highness.” The elderly pony nods his head and smiles softly. “I know this is hard for you all, but I do think we should proceed with the service soon. The crowd outside is growing anxious.”

“Well then,” Thaddeus says as he stands and slides the worn, dog eared book into a pocket, “let’s get this over with.”

The two sons, one human and one pony, walk side by side with each other and lead the family out of the stuffy room. Behind them their mothers follow slowly and their sisters stand still.

“We’ll meet you in a bit.” Dulcie says with tears in her eyes.

“Ok sis,” Thaddeus tells his angelic sibling without even breaking his stride, “just don’t take too long.”

“I think we’ll need a moment as well,” Twilight says as she and Elizebeth stop in their tracks, “you two go on ahead with Father Waddle and Celestia.”

“Sure thing Ma.” Starlight says as he and his brother walk away. Once they’re out of earshot of the other he speaks again, but much quieter this time. “Now that father’s gone and Sujenymos is dying we’ll be facing a diplomatic shit storm.”

“Yeah,” Thaddeus agrees soberly, “and with Zaran and Duwiqdencaf fighting-”

“And Sujey’s son Suweihenymus vying for the spot as new leader of his family,” Starlight adds.

“And because of that,” Thaddeus agrees, “we’ll be facing a war if we’re not careful.”

“What are we going to do?” Starlight asks as they near their destination.

“Try and prevent it.” Thaddeus deadpans.

“And if we can’t?” Starlight asks yet another question.

“Then we raise an army and fight.” Thaddeus explains apathetically.

“…” the equine brother is caught off guard by this and remains quiet as their family approaches them.

"We'll discuss it further later, Ok?" Thaddeus says and Dulcie walks up.

“Are we ready?” Dulcie asks them.

“Just about,” Thaddeus answers, “all we need is for the Pope to get here.”

“I’ll be there shortly.” The siblings turn to see Father Waddle limp towards them. “Do forgive me; these legs of mine aren’t what they once were.”

“No worries Father,” Starlight assures the aged priest, “We’re in no real hurry.”

“Then let us begin.” Father Waddle says as everyone gathers around the doors to the outside.

“Who’s going first?” Twilight asks in-between sniffles.

“If you wish,” Celestia steps forward, “I’ll begin the service.”

“That’s fine.’ Elizebeth tells the new Queen of Equestria.

Celestia nods and passes through the doors to a balcony overlooking the waiting crowd.

<><><><><>

Five thousand Humans and hundreds of ponies fall silent as their queen appears before them. Not a cough, nor a sneeze, nor a neigh, nor a hoof beat can be heard as Celestia begins to speak.

“My loyal subjects, both Human and Equestrian, today marks the passing of a great man, a man respected and admired by all. He was a good friend of mine; he saved me long ago when I gave into temptation and very nearly made a tremendous blunder, he was a good father; his boys are just as well liked as he was in our communities, he was a good husband; his wives loved him deeply and truly, and he was a good man; he risked his life on several occasions to protect us all, he is the reason that we are at peace with the Dragons and the Griffins, he is the reason the feral Orcs no longer disturb us, he is the reason for all the new cities that have been constructed around our nation in the last century, he is the cause of too many great things to name.” The queen of the known world bows her head and stifles a tear. “I am sure that you have all heard the rumors of his passing and I wish to make things perfectly clear. Lafayette Ryder has indeed passed away; early this morning his heart stopped and his mind faded away.” Celestia pauses and takes a deep breath. “He will be dearly missed and in his honor I proclaim today, the eighth of November, to be a holiday.” A cheer erupts from the crowd at the announcement. “I have said all I wish to say, Father Waddle would like to speak for a moment before we are finished here.” Tia moves out of the way as the first Equestrian Pope slowly takes center stage.

“I knew Lafayette well, he was the founder of our church, he organized and quite literally built it from the ground up, and I spoke to him often in regards to the new dogma given to us from God himself and about how things should function. Anytime anyone needed him for anything he would drop whatever he was doing to help them, without his guidance and leadership we would not know of world such as the one we live in today.” Father Waddle stops for a brief moment to cough and catch his breath, his asthma stymies his efforts to speak loud enough for the entire congregation before him to hear but he carries on nonetheless. “The Cardinal Bishops and I spoke this morning and we have already come to a unanimous decision; for all the charitable deeds, selfless work, and overall quality of character along with dozens of miracle performed during his life Lafayette shall be beatified by the holy Catholic Church. He will become the first Equestrian Saint and shall be known as such.” A second, louder roar of approval arises from the crowd. “Let us never forget the sacrifices he made and the battles he fought for us, may his memory live on and may he rest in peace forever more.” Father Waddle crosses himself and then the crowd and a final hurrah escapes the lips of those gathered around the castle as he and Queen Celestia leave the balcony and return to the family of the deceased inside.

“Hey,” Thaddeus nudges his brother, “where did you say that dad wanted to be buried at?”

Starlight pulls a will from his saddle bag and skims through it.

“Uh, some place called the Everfree Forest, he wanted us to dig a grave right by the entrance of it for him.” Starlight tells the entire family.

“Then let’s get to it.” Thaddeus says with an air of authority.

<><><><><>

An hour later outside the dense and overgrown woods of the Everfree Thaddeus stands and pulls himself out of a freshly dug grave. He wipes the sweat from his brow with a dirty handkerchief and smiles slightly.

“It’s done.” He says to those gathered around him. “Let’s set him down.”

Together Thaddeus, starlight, Dulcie, Big Macintosh, and Tobias ease a wooden casket into the grave. They pull the ropes out and prepare to cover the oak box with the pile of displaced earth nearby.

“Any last words?” Starlight asks suddenly.

Everyone present either nods or speaks to the affirmative.

“Go ahead then,” Thaddeus says, “I can wait as long as I need.”

The first to stand and speak is Big Macintosh. The years have taken a toll on his unusually large body and he grunts from the effort as walks back to the graveside. He looks down into the hole and speaks.

“You were mah friend, a good one an a true one an that’s all I coulda axed ya for. You helped out every year with tha harvests an the buckings, if not for you ah’m purty sure the farm woulda gone under. I can’t thank ya enough for that. I can’t thank enough for tha confidance ya gave meh either, had it not been for ya ah never woulda had the guts to court my wife an I never woulda married either of my spouses. My life with them has been wonderful an it’s all thanks to you.” Mac chokes back a sob and continues. “Thank ya buddy, you take care now.” Mac nods his head and returns to his family.

Tobias walks up and smiles wistfully.

“I’m not a Mule of many words so I’ll just say this; I’ll miss you bro, I owe you a lot, be seein’ ya round.” And he walks back to his wife’s side.

Jacob struts over and takes a hit of a joint before speaking.

“You an meh, we was bruddas, you was my brudda an ah’ll neva fogeet dat. Once a GreenWind boi alweeys a GreenWind boi. Reest en peece brudda, won love.” He tokes the jay again and flies back to his spot with the other Griffins of the tribe.

“Won love brudda!” they shout together.

Dulcie leaves her wife and her baby boy and slowly approaches the grave.

“I love you daddy.” She whispers and walks away.

Thaddeus, Starlight, and Leeroy walk up together and kneel down.

“You taught us so much,” Thaddeus begins.

“You gave us the love of learning,” Starlight continues.

“How to read,”

“How to write,”

“How to respect everyone,”

“How to love them all,”

“Or at least tolerate their differences,”

“You taught us everything we needed to know.”

“Love you dad.” Thaddeus murmurs.

“I love you dad.” Starlight mutters.

“Love Mama!” Leeroy squawks.

The three stand up and walk over to their families; Thaddeus a wife, two baby girls and a young son, Starlight a husband and an adopted son, and Leeroy a mate and a brood of chicks.

Celestia, Discord, and Luna make their way to the grave of their mutual friend.

“Men like you are few and far in-between,” Celestia quotes, “I’m glad to have known you.”

“He brought a little chaos into all our lives,” Discord says with a smile, “and we all love him for it.

“I’m proud to have been able to call you dad,” Luna mumbles, “thanks for everything. I’ll take good care of you baby girl for you.”

Many others speak but they find that they can only sum up their love and respect for their friend in a few words.

“A great guy an a trustworthy friend.” Applejack says proudly.

“A great athlete, he was always there for me.” Rainbow Dash describes.

“Generous beyond belief.” Rarity adds.

“Super fun!” Pinkie Pie exclaims.

“The nicest, sweetest person I’ve ever met.” Fluttershy whispers.

“A cool dude.” Spike mentions.

“He made great muffins.” Derpy recalls.

Everyone speaks at least a few words until only his widows are left. Twilight and Elizebeth walk to the grave together and hug each other as they look at their husband for the last time.

“You loved us both so much,” Elizebeth begins.

“And we loved just as much.” Twilight finishes.

“Goodbye Lafayette.” They say together.

Everyone stays and watches as Thaddeus buries the man they all cared for. Whenever Thaddeus shows the least bit of tiredness someone or somepony or somegriffin steps in and helps out, by the time the grave is filled in all the way all present have helped out even if it was only one shovelful they had moved.

“I think we’re done.” Thaddeus says in a cracked voice as the last bit of earth is replaced over his father.

“We’re missing something.” Starlight nods at the lack of a headstone at the grave.

“I can fix that.” Twilight steps forwards and closes her eyes. Her horn glows and simple stone appears just where it should be.

Everyone smiles as they read the inscription and slowly they head for home, carrying with them the memory of a man who changed all their lives and their entire world for the better.

He may be gone, but he’ll never be forgotten.

<><><><><>

In the shadow of old growth trees in a forest forever free of the touch of either man or pony lays a grave site with only a small headstone to mark it. The words on the stone are few but they are true.

Here lies Lafayette Ryder
A better father than he thought he could be
A loving, devoted husband
A caring, kind, and wonderful man
In the end everything worked out
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