dawn
the wind whistled across the empty streets of pony Ville, looking for unlocked shutters and rickety doors to force into movement. the trees swaying in defiant response to the invisible force. what one would not notice upon this cold morning, upon this slowly rising sun. would be the library among other things, and more so than that would be the inhabitants of this great tree. rarity was up all night out of fear, and temptation. the floor had become soothing to her hooves, her legs had almost become numb. she had watched the sun come up that morning, she had watched the great crimson rays bleed across the sky to over come the cold ice that grips her ever changing land. the clouds slowly moving on and on in their own ways. she had watched that and thought about her self. how
she could relate to those clouds, and how she couldn't.
when she managed to pull her gaze from the sky, it shifted to the three ponies that lay beneath her. applejack, flutter shy, and twilight. they all slept soundly and coldly. the only indication of life was the slow rise and fall of their chest. rarity knew what was coming, she had been waiting for this.
dreading it.
the library was cold, very cold, the wood of the wall emanating a slow pulsation of ice. like it was threating the young ponies of some unfathomable something. rarity was ready to lay down for the long nap that awaited her, the only relief of this dreadful life was just moments away. she was the only one left now.. all of her friends where gone, having left her in this world. the utter truth was killing her, three days now had she been without sleep. trying ever on and on to post-pone her now immediate fate. she sighed, her breath swirling and fighting like flame to reach the sky above. the heat was fading in this world the warmth of a summers day, the warmth of another's touch.
just go to sleep, it will be over then, dear, just go to sleep. that thought reverberated in her head over and over. tempting her to seal her fate and be done with it.
she fought herself inside her own head, it would mean utter death. having seen it before she knew to well the course of action this thing would take. the course of action that sleep itself would take.
the world was slowly becoming silent, one pony at a time. now all rarity had to comfort her ears was the slow breathing of her friends. now rarity could only speak to the clouds in the sky.
she stiffened at a slight jerking sound, and then a lack of said breathing among her three friends, which one was it this time? flutter shy applejack or twilight? she turned slowly as if she didn't want to see. as if the cold was taking her already. only four of us left, the last four in equestria. a tear fell from her eye as she thought back to her little sister, her lively attitude towards the world. what would sweetie bell do when something like this was happening? the last thing rarity needed was something like a good memory. her head made the turn to find, among the sleeping bodies, one had ceased that all too familiar motion.
flutter shy had slipped away, through rarity's hooves, like so many others before. far too many before. rarity choked on a tear for her fallen friend. the strength to cry had left her many days ago. rarity bent down to touch the lifeless corpse that lay before her. she picked up a hoove and felt the what she expected. the cold had reached her, it had rose up her hooves into her heart and ended her. just like that, she was gone. rarity chuckled to herself,
you made it father than almost every pony, flutter shy.
she dropped the appendage and just stared at the wall of the library challenging the threat of its icy aura. she did not want to live in this world any more. it was killing her every second, slowly eating away at her soul. some nights when rarity would just lay on the floor and listen, it was almost as if she could hear his approach. like death was tempting her, slowly taking her heart from her. slowly but surely destroying her world, both on the inside and the outside.
rarity heard another sound, though this time it was different, not a jerk or pull, but instead a slight gasp and then... "hello, rarity is *Cough* is that you?" rarity couldn't believe her ears, was that applejack? she stood up and turned to see those green eyes staring back at her.
"a.. applejack. *sniffle* you woke up." said the broken pony.
"rarity... how long." the orange pony inquired.
"three... three days. I'm the only one left," the room seemed to grow colder as she went on," .. I... I don't know what do any more... I thought I was going to die alone... a..*sniffle* and now i have to lose you again." all she wanted to do was die but she couldn't just slip away anymore. it was like the world was trying to kill her on the inside before it destroyed her body, so slow was its work so... effective. it sent rarity into hysteria ," I I DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO ANYMORE, EVERYPONYS DEAD AJ ALL OF THEM!"
applejack rose to stand despite her legs aching in defiance. "rarity... just calm dow."
"applejack I watched three sunrises, THREE SUNRISES alone completely alone. I was the last living thing on this planet, i was afraid to listen I WAS AFRAID TO FUCKING LISTEN TO THE WORLD AROUND ME BECAUSE OF THE SILENCE I KNEW WAS WAITING FOR ME, I.. I I was alone I was all alone I hadn't even accepted that. and now I have to lose you again," rarity looked applejack in the eyes," I'm lost I'm so lost and I don't know what to do, (sobs) I.. I." rarity was cut off by a warmth on her shoulders, and neck. this was the first time she felt this kind of warmth from another since the start of this madness, this undying nightmare. and it took her breath away.
applejack had rushed forward to rarity's shoulders," rarity I, I don't know either. and to be honest i cant seem to figure out what we did that was so bad, that was so wrong." rarity could feel her shoulder getting wet ,were those her tears or applejacks? rarity returned the hug. both bodies remained still neither one daring to break the embrace. applejack stepped back after the long pause. tears at her eyes she whispered," you said three days right?" rarity nodded slowly letting her own tears fall to the ground." rarity, have you slept at all? and... is twilight still..." she trailed off looking at the now stiffing body of flutter shy.
rarity sniffled," twilight has been like you were, and...,"rarity choked on her words as new tears began to form in her throat," flutter shy just left us moments ago..." rarity almost whispered those last words... apple jack stumbled over to the cold remains of their friend, one faltering step at a time. she collapsed only inches away from flutter shys outstretched hoof and, after closing her eyes, began muttering words of sorrow and regret between sobs. she had woken to an icy form of torture that no pony should have to. applejack had gone to sleep and woken in a broken cold world void of love and life. a world void of warmth...
rarity just fell to her knees, there was no reason to stand anymore. on that was there hardly even a reason to live anymore? applejack just sat there, crying and pleading to the lifeless corpse. rarity shifted next to aj. she put her face to the ground, the cold causing her to flinch upon contact.
the sound of applejacks sobs were fading into simple whispers." she's gone, I didn't even get to say goodbye, and now she's gone forever." applejacks gaze wandered around the room, as if she did not know what she was looking at. "all the wins and fails, all of the things we learned together," applejack paused for a long time, and slowly began to clear the haze that surrounded her thoughts.
" this is the end isn't it?" she asked upon locking her eyes to rarity's." this is our last hoorah, we cant make it... there wont be anymore parties," rarity flinched at the sweet memories of pinkie," no more adventures, nothin. we are going to die, alone, afraid,".
rarity raised a hoof to the air, tears at her eyes." stop, just stop. I don't want to face this again, applejack, I know were we stand." applejack was still, and rarity spoke," we shouldn't argue, I don't want to die like that,". rarity looked at the floor, it was damp with tears. they were already beginning to freeze, as if the cold was trying desperately to grasp the last bit of feeling left in the world.
the two ponies held that stillness, that undying understanding of each other for what would seem like a place out of time. before rarity spoke again," applejack i know where we are. there are no more chances of getting away from this, we are dyeing, and I'm afraid its going to be soon." rarity was hissing under her breath, fighting the all too familiar lump in her throat. she shook her head and spoke," look if were are not going to make it, i refuse to go out Hungary," a weak smile formed on her face, rarity was attempting to lighten the mood. she was right though applejack had been Hungary, even before she had fallen asleep, it had been three days now.
" yeah.." was the only response rarity got from applejack.
they slowly made there way to the kitchen, an ate a silent breakfast...
dusk
rarity looked into the sky and sighed, her breath visible in the fading light of the day. she rested on the balcony that lay atop the library, the two ponies had spent the day up there going over memories of days gone by.
Of there lives.
rarity scoffed, she was acting like an old mare reminiscing on her life. in all honesty it was a fitting thing to do, after all this was her last sunset. this was her last chance to see the light of day die into blackness, and she was afraid.
apple jack sat beside her without any hint of emotion. like a statue she was lifeless as she stared at the now darkening sky. after breakfast rarity had told her about the fate of applejacks family, it had broken the poor pony. it really was as though she had gone to sleep and woken in a world where everything she loved was gone, and she could do nothing to stop it. she felt guilty for not being there for them.
rainclouds were rolling in, rarity could smell the watery scent that accompanied them. she closed her eyes and breathed deeply, she had always loved the rain. it had always calmed her.. sometimes giving her a sense of serenity, now the rain seemed to be bidding her farewell. almost as if to say thanks for the time spent together... rarity was going to miss this world, no matter the bad moments.
rarity looked at applejack, the mare looked serene in the light. applejack was staring into the sky her hair flowing with the small breeze that accompanied the sunset. she almost looked calm like she was just enjoying the sunset, but rarity knew better. it was her eyes that gave the poor pony away sad and hollow like applejack was... dyeing and she knew it. though in all honesty so was rarity. she had known ever since the beginning that this was going to happen, ever since the princess.
it was almost... sad to think that pony's thought it could be stopped. like if an ant was trying to rescue his home from an angry filly. when it started twilight had wanted too stick together, told them she would find a cure. but as the days turned to weeks, and then months. months of no sleep only sustained by an ever waning source of magic... twilight was killing herself a little more ever time she cast that spell. rainbow had been the first one to go, she realized what was happening. she had come to terms with her fate before her unfortunate friends... and she didn't want to be a part of it.
weeks ago...
rarity had watched the sun rise once again, her companions all soundly asleep. but she couldn't sleep, no she was too afraid of what might happen. a shiver ran down her spine at the thought, when she heard a noise. if one wasn't accustom to the silence of their world it would go unnoticed. but rarity was, she turned and smiled. "morning rainbow dash, want something to eat?" she said in a cracked and sad voice.
rainbow turned to look at her, she seemed tired. like that fire in her rosy eyes had just... gone, leaving a broken and sad shell behind. rarity stiffened," what's wrong." she asked slowly.
rainbow chuckled and looked to the window," you know me to well for my own good." a tear streaked her eye. slowly falling down her cheek, " I'm leaving."
rarity looked at the ground," why?." she knew very well why, though she wished she was wrong. in fact rarity herself had been contemplating the prospect of leaving. though her friends would be broken, so she held on.
rainbow cleared her throat," we cant fight this, and even if we did succeed... equestrias just to far gone to bring back," there was a pause as rainbow considered her next words," rarity we're the last ones left. everyone else is... gone." she whispered that word, like it was... wrong. her voice was waning on the lump in her throat," I want to be home when I... join them." another tear. rarity looked to the window, rainbow dash had been through so much with them. she was literally just walking away from her life, like the universe didn't have time to wait for her. like it just wanted to be done with her.
rarity gave her friend a sad smile," I understand."
rainbow sniffled and smiled back," thank you... i guess ill be seeing you soon." the mare turned to the window and, after a pause, leapt through the opening. the only indication of her departure was the disturbed dust that now fell towards the floor. it looked like snow, slightly shining in the morning rays, it fell.
one spec at a time.
rarity began to cry. slowly at first shedding only a few tears, but as the realization of what was happening hit her she broke into near hysterics. this was the beginning of the end. deep down inside her she knew that there was no hope of making it out.
the next week was horrid, pinkie had been devastated when she learned of rainbows fate. When applejack told her she simply walked into twilights room and locked the door. by the time rarity had figured out what she was doing... it was too late. they found her curled up underneath twilights bed, clutching a picture of the six friends in her hooves. she had been crying, her cheeks were still wet with tears. she had loved rainbow beyond measure but never got the chance to tell her in full. the cold had taken laughter from them.
slowly it whittled down to just rarity. just her watching the sun rise every morning, just her tears. when she realized that she was alone there was a moment of panic that ran through her, like a wave of chills. it had hollowed her out completely, leaving an empty shell of what was once a dress maker full of optimism and hope. now she was just waiting for her time to come, for the cold to take her.
present day
that was until applejack had woken up. rarity flinched at the breeze, it was getting colder. the sun was going down for the last time. that's what the cold did, it took away what ponies needed. it took the sun from the princess, it took loyalty from rainbow. it took rarity's little sister. she breathed deeply, she knew what was coming. that was when a thought came to rarity. the white mare had been nothing but a shell these past three days, nothing but a body without thought other than to survive. but for the last few hours she had been... happy
it was like color had just rushed back to her. the stiffness of her joints had faded into a smooth motion, and she had even laughed. it had almost felt foreign, how long had it been since she laughed? rarity looked to the sky once again, and sighed. the element of honesty remained silent for a moment. she breath heavily, and, clutching the red bow in her hooves a little harder, spoke," apple bloom and I used to watch the sky every weekend, we would just sit and gaze for hours. and every time a cloud would roll over we'd take turns guessing what it looked like," applejack was staring at the clouds in the distance, the sky was growing darker. it was almost entirely clear, save for the orange and purple clouds on the horizon. soon the sun would set, and rarity would be able to lay down.
she could end this nightmare.
" applejack, I... I just wanted to say that of all the bad things that have happened to us over these few months, I enjoyed today." rarity was slow to speak, letting her words fall into place as she went on," I don't care that we wont see tomorrow, and I don't care that you will be the last pony I speak to. in all honesty, I wouldn't have it any other way." applejack cast a sad smile to her friend. rarity stared into her deep green eyes, only finding sadness and hurt. but if she looked closely, it was almost as if there was the tiniest bit of happiness peeking through. like it was trying desperately to save itself from being snuffed out by the cold. what mattered, though, was that it was there. applejack had come back from the dead. it was sad though,
the only thing left to do was die.
rarity looked away, "are you ready applejack?" rarity wanted to see her friends again. she wanted to feel the touch of a warm summers day on her coat. but above all, she wanted to see her little sister. the one thing that brought her strength through this... nightmare... was the thought of seeing her little sister again. her lively, cheerful face. rarity had watched that face fade from the world of the living, it was almost to much to even think about. applejack simply nodded, still holding the red bow.
rarity stood, cracking a few joints. " I think ill grab us some more blankets. I don't want to be freezing out here."
applejack looked at rarity with a worried stare, " rarity, I don't want you to go," there was a pause as applejack considered her words," I dont want to be alone ."
rarity smiled and laid down next to her friend, though considerably closer than before." then I wont leave your side until we see our friends again."
they laid there, enjoying each others company, until the sun was just reaching over the horizon. it wouldn't be long now. it wouldn't be long until rarity would be taken from this dead land. she exhaled, quivering as she did so.
that thought made her scared
how long had it been? months... months without any pony but her six friends to comfort her. it felt like the world didn't even exist anymore, like beyond their walls and windows was just... empty space. but none of that mattered anymore. regardless of how hard they had worked to save it. equestria was lost, and rarity had said her goodbyes.
she rested her head, with applejack mimicking her actions. they were staring into each others eyes, green and blue mixing with the starlight from above. the night was cloudless, and the sun...
was gone
it didn't take long for fatigue to set in, soon it was difficult for the ponies to keep their eyes open. rarity could feel each hour of this nightmare weighing down on her, she could feel all the sorrow and regret that had piled up these past months. it was almost unbearable. though at the same time rarity was giddy with excitement, she was leaving her pain behind.
the white mare shifted her gaze from applejack, to the stars. they were glowing brighter than she had ever seen, she could have counted them. but instead she looked back at her friend, to find that, not only had her breathing become more calm, but her eyes had been closed as well.
rarity simply exhaled and, with a great deal of relief, closed her eyes.
almost immediately she heard a voice. a voice that she hadn't heard in far too long, a voice that brought tears to her now open eyes. far below her was equestria, but not just equestria. from her place in the stars rarity could see everything. the whole planet, and its moon were at a distance beyond possibility.
it was beautiful
rarity could make out each individual star in the sky, even celestias sun seemed far from her grasp.
once again she heard the voice, that voice. it sent a wave of warmth through her. she could hardly think as she turned towards the light. only one thing was on her mind, only one thing mattered to rarity. when she gazed into the light that was before her, a light more brilliant than celestias sun. she spoke in a whisper of disbelief and hope,
"sweetybell?... is that you?"
The End
Author's Note
I hope you enjoyed! this is my second fanfic to date and my first one centered around rarity. once again I hope you enjoyed this fic (it took me a god deal of time). I do hope to continue writing in future, so stick around if you like my style! thank you for reading and I hope you have a wonderful day.
-Baconhair