Chapters Ponyville Hospital was unusually silent today, this was because the Apple Family matriarch Granny Smith had been taken to the hospital after a terrible accident on the farm:
A few days earlier, Applejack was on Sweet Apple Acres bucking apples and Big Mac was plowing fields to make room for crops. Both of them looked over to see Granny Smith playing in a field with Apple Bloom and Winona.
Applejack smiled, "Aren't they adorable having fun together Big Mac?"
"Eeyup."
Apple Bloom had taken Granny Smith out to play fetch with Winona and get her away from her farm duties for one day.
"Isn't this fun Granny?"
Granny Smith hugged her granddaughter, "Applebloom, this is the most fun I've had in months." she said, "but you must know that it's still hard to keep up with you and Winona in my old age."
Applebloom smiled, "That's okay Granny. I'm just so happy you're out of the house and having a great time with me."
Winona barked in agreement.
"Aww, shucks."
Applebloom said, "Are you up for a game of tag Granny?"
"Sure thing Applebloom,"
Applebloom tapped her grandmother, "Tag! You're it!" Applebloom started running around Sweet Apple Acres.
Granny Smith chased after her granddaughter and dog, "Slow down, Sugarcube. I'm gonna get you!"
She and Applebloom began laughing as Winona was barking with glee.
Applejack looked at Big Mac and told him, "Look around Big Mac. Our little Applebloom and Granny Smith are playing together. It's so beautiful.” She smiled and then turned to her big brother. “Do you remember back when Ma and Pa were still alive?"
Big Mac nodded.
"Well there was that one time when they went on vacation for their wedding anniversary and Granny Smith was left to babysit us. We didn't want to do our farm chores and wanted to spend the whole weekend playing."
Big Mac began to talk, "Yeah. Granny spent the whole time trying to keep us in line, 'Get yer flanks back to work. Yeh can have playtime later!' We managed to convince Granny that a little fun wouldn't kill her. She reluctantly gave in and the three of us played on the field until the sun set."
Applejack sighed, "I'm so happy Applebloom gets to experience these fun times with Granny. These are the little things she'll remember for the rest of her-"
"APPLEJACK! BIG MAC! COME HERE! GRANNY FELL AND SHE NEEDS HELP!"
The older siblings ran over to find Granny Smith lying on the ground clutching her chest and moaning in pain.
"What happened?"
Applebloom started crying, "We were only playing tag when Granny Smith started to grab her chest. Next thing I know, she was on the ground moaning. We have to get her to the hospital immediately!"
Big Mac put his ailing grandmother on his back and Applejack ran inside to call an ambulance.
"911, what’s the emergency?”
Applejack said into the phone, "Hello, it's Applejack. I'm calling from Sweet Apple Acres. Granny Smith was just playing with my youngest sister and our dog when she just collapsed out in the field! Please send an ambulance and tell them to be here as soon as possible!"
"We're on our way Applejack. Don't worry."
Pretty soon, the ambulance from the Ponyville hospital arrived and loaded Granny Smith into the vehicle.
An ambulance worker told the panic-stricken siblings, "Don't worry about your grandmother. The hospital workers will take good care of her. She'll be back on her hooves in no time."
But that would not happen: when Granny Smith was at the hospital, Dr. Stable learned that she had a massive heart attack while playing tag with Applebloom and Winona.
None of the hospital staff could make Granny better no matter how hard they tried. Her heart had taken a lot of damage and it severely weakened her.
Nurse Sweetheart looked over at Granny Smith, who looked pale and sick, "We're so sorry, Miss Smith. We've tried everything to make you feel better since you went into cardiac arrest, but it looks like we can't do anymore."
Granny Smith sighed, "So I'll be dead soon?"
Nurse Sweetheart took a tissue and blew her nose, "We're so sorry. It's best that you call over your grandchildren so you can say your goodbyes."
In the present day, Applejack paced around nervously in the waiting room, Big Mac was trying not to cry, and Applebloom was nervously clinging to her fellow Crusaders.
Applebloom sighed, "Thanks for coming to the hospital with Applejack, Big Mac, and I for emotional support. I really didn't want to say goodbye to Granny Smith alone."
Scootaloo put her hoof around Applebloom, "This is no problem Applebloom. Everyone in Ponyville has been supporting you through this. We will all help you."
Despite the reassurance, Applebloom was still worried, "I'm just worried what will happen afterwards. What if nopony you shows up to the funeral? What if Sweet Apple Acres shuts down? What if foal services split me up from my siblings and place me in a foster home far away from Ponyville?"
She started hyperventilating.
Sweetie Belle hugged her, "You know that's not true. Granny Smith founded Ponyville. Everyone will come to say goodbye to her. We'll all help you out on managing the farm."
Applejack interrupted, "And everybody knows Big Mac and I are responsible adults. No foal services will take you away. Right Big Mac?"
"Eeyup."
Dr. Stable walked up to the family, "Excuse me. I hate to interrupt your conversation but Granny Smith wants you to come to her room to say goodbye."
Applejack said to her siblings, "Come on guys. We have to go see Granny."
Sweetie Belle asked, "Can we come to?"
Applejack nodded, "Sure, I don't see why not."
Dr. Stable led the five to Granny Smith's hospital room.
Applejack was shocked at the sight: Granny Smith was lying down in her hospital bed, her heart monitor was beeping at a slow, steady rate.
"It's worse than I thought."
Dr. Stable led them to her bedside, "I'll leave you five alone to do your business." he then walked out of the room.
Applejack was the first to speak, "Howdy, Granny. How are you feeling?"
Granny Smith said in a weak voice, "Hey Applejack, I'm so glad you come visit me. The doctors said my heart had severly weakened from that heart attack."
Applebloom ran up to her grandmother and hugged her, "It's all my fault! I should have never asked you to play tag! You wouldn't be here!"
"It's not yer fault Applebloom, things like these happen when you least expect it."
"Ah don't wanna lose you like we lost Ma and Pa."
Granny Smith smiled, "Don't worry sweetheart. I won't be out of your life altogether. I'll be going up to the Elysians where I'll reunite with yer folks."
Big Mac walked up, "Goodb-b-b-bye Granny." he said as his voice quavered.
All three siblings hugged Granny Smith and Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo joined in.
"Aww shucks kids. This isn't goodbye, think of it as a 'see you on the flip side'."
Applejack wiped her eyes, "We'll take good care of Applebloom and Sweet Apple Acres for you."
Granny Smith smiled, "I know you will sugarcube, I know you will."
She slowly closed her eyes and her heart monitor flatlined.
Applebloom hugged the Crusaders tightly and Big Mac instantly broke down and ran out of the room.
He passed by Dr. Stable and Nurse Sweetheart.
Dr. Stable took of his glasses to wipe away a tear, "I'm really sorry for your loss. You're free to leave as we prepare the body for the funeral home."
Applejack said, "Thanks doc. We have to go report this to Princess Twilight."
Applejack led the younger fillies out of the room but stopped to look at Granny Smith for the final time before Nurse Sweetheart put the sheet over her head.
Author's Note
I actually cried while writing this chapter but I wanted to imagine a 'what-if' situation of what the Apple siblings would do if Granny Smith ever passed away. This would somehow ease my sadness.
Likes and sympathy will be good.
*knock, knock, knock*
Twilight put her book down, "Who could be at the door?"
"Twilight it's me, Applejack. I need to talk to you."
She walked to the entrance and opened the door to see Applejack, Big Mac, and the CMC.
"May we come in?"
Twilight gave Applejack a cup of tea and juice boxes to Big Mac and the Crusaders.
Twilight asked, "So what did you want to tell me?"
Applejack sighed, "A few days ago, Granny Smith and Applebloom were playing down at Sweet Apple Acres when Granny Smith suddenly had a heart attack and had to be rushed to the hospital. We thought that it was only a mild one, but it turned out to be fatal."
Big Mac nodded.
Applebloom said, "Dr. Stable called the house and told us that Granny Smith was going to die. We just got back from the hospital and Granny... she-"
She broke down in tears as Twilight hugged her, "I'm really sorry. Granny Smith was a great mare. Without her, Ponyville wouldn't be here today."
Applejack smiled, "Thanks sugarcube. We miss her too. Everyone we've run into has been very sympathetic to us. They all knew Granny Smith."
Twilight hugged Applejack, "The others and I are more than happy to help you plan the funeral. I'll even send an invitation to Celestia and Luna."
"Thanks Twi,"
Twilight called, "SPIKE!" the baby dragon ran into the room, "You wanted to see me?"
"Granny Smith has passed away from an unexpected heart attack. I need you to send a funeral invite to Celestia and Luna."
Spike was curious, "Did they know her?"
"Everypony knew all about her. I was thinking that they could say a few words about her at the funeral."
Spike nodded, "I can do that."
The next day, Applejack, Big Mac, and the Mane 5 went over to Mr. Waddle's funeral home to plan Granny Smith's funeral.
Mr. Waddle took off his hat, "I heard about what happened to Granny Smith. I'm really sorry. I'll guarantee that we will work really hard to give her a proper send-off."
Applejack smiled, "Thank you. I brought my friends here so they can help us out."
Mr. Waddle opened his door, "Come on inside, I'll show you how planning a funeral works."
He led everypony to the main parlor and told them to have a seat.
"First, after the hospital staff declares a pony dead, they are taken to the Ponyville morgue. There, the workers will prepare the body for the burial."
Rarity asked, "And how do they do that?"
"The workers will first bathe the body as a sign of respect and make sure it's all fresh for burial. Then they will drain the body of all of it's fluids to preserve it."
Rarity asked, "I'm not interested in bathing and fluid draining, but I can work in my boutique to make Granny Smith a lovely frock to be buried in."
Applejack looked at Big Mac and he nodded.
Applejack then looked at Rarity, "Okay, you can make her dress. But make sure that it's got a country feel to it. Maybe some gingham."
"I could do that. I have plenty of material to make a beautiful country dress."
Mr. Waddle said, "That's a great idea Rarity, how do feel about doing her makeup too?"
"I would love too darling! Anyone going to the Elysians deserves to look fabulous. I have to get to work right now!"
She gleefully trotted out of the funeral home.
Big Mac said, "Where do you pick out the coffins?"
Mr. Waddle led Big Mac and Applejack to a room where a variety of coffins were.
Mr. Waddle showed them around, "I have a variety of coffins for you to choose from. I have everything from mahogany to applewood."
Applejack said, "I think we'll take a look at the applewood coffins. Apples do run in the family."
"Excellent decision. They're right here."
He pointed to a dark brown wooden coffin with a cross on it.
Applejack smiled at the choice, "This will be perfect for Granny Smith. It's sturdy and comfortable."
"My pleasure. Will your grandmother be buried or cremated?"
Applejack replied, "Granny will be buried in the Ponyville cemetery next to our parents, Bright Mac and Buttercup."
"And what about the tombstone?" Mr. Waddle asked.
"We want it to say 'Granny Smith. Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and founder'"
Mr. Waddle smiled, "Thank you for the advice. I will have all of your requests made possible."
Meanwhile in the parlor, Twilight, Spike, and Pinkie Pie were measuring the room for the wake.
Twilight was looking at the table where the coffin would go, "The Apples want an open-casket funeral. So I want to make sure that Granny Smith's coffin is at the perfect position for ponies to look at her and pay their respects."
Meanwhile, Spike was confused, "There are so many ponies in the Apple family. How will they all fit in one room?"
Pinkie bounced up to Spike, "The funeral home is very big. That way, everypony will be able to come to the funeral home for Granny Smith's wake. I asked Mr. Waddle if I could decorate the main parlor for all of the guests when they arrive and he said yes. Afterwards, there will be a funeral procession to the memorial service, which will be held in town hall where we will all share our greatest memories will Granny Smith. After she is buried next to Applejack's parents, there will be a big reception in the town square."
"But how will you decorate the funeral home? You'll only have some flowers from the Flower ponies."
Pinkie Pie said, "Don't worry, I have my party cannon set to funeral so there will be lots of black balloons and streamers."
"What about the food?"
"Already had Applejack give some Apple family recipes to the Cakes."
"The music?"
"Vinyl and Octavia are playing at the funeral and I can play the pipe organ at the wake if you want."
Spike nodded.
Later when the group was together again, Twilight did a little neigh of delight, "With all of us working together, this will be a great send-off for Granny Smith."
Applejack smiled, "I agree. I know somewhere in the Elysians, Granny Smith is proud of us."
Everyone gave Applejack a big hug.
About five days later, it was Granny Smith's wake and funeral.
In Mr. Waddle's funeral home, ponies of all ages came over to pay their respects to Ponyville's beloved founder.
When Rarity had promised Applejack that Granny Smith would look beautiful in death, she wasn't kidding. Granny Smith was wearing a red and white gingham dress and had natural looking makeup.
Applejack looked at Rarity, "Well what do you know?" she said, "You said that you would make Granny Smith look perfect for the wake and you didn't disappoint. She looks great."
Rarity smiled, "Thank you darling. I worked really hard on her dress and many of my shop customers are requesting gingham dresses now. Ooh! Maybe I should start a fashion line with country fashion-"
Applejack left Rarity to ramble on her dressmaking and went to talk to the Crusaders, who were hanging out with Babs Seed and their classmates.
"Howdy girls? How did you like the card Miss Cherilee and your classmates made you?"
Applebloom said, "The card was wonderful Applejack. Do you wanna see it?"
The card for Granny Smith was a piece of yellow construction paper that read 'We'll miss you Granny Smith' and had everypony in the class sign little messages on it.
Applejack smiled at the note, "Aww. That's really sweet. Hey Babs, did you tell this to any of your friends back in Manehattan?"
Babs took out a series of notes in her dress, "They sure did. I got a lot of hugs from my classmates when I first told them the news. Some of them even wrote me little sympathy cards. Hairspray, my best friend from manestyling class sent you some flowers."
"You mean the bushel of apple blossoms?"
Babs nodded, "Yep." she said, " But I just have one question. Do you think your friend went a little overboard on the decorations?"
Babs Seed was right; Pinkie Pie had decorated the funeral home in black, grey, and dark purple balloons and streamers. There was also a big banner that read 'See you in the Elysians- everypony'.
Applejack sighed, "Well, Pinkie will always be Pinkie. And I think Granny would've loved the decorations. Speaking of Granny, I'm going to talk to her."
Applejack went up to the coffin and looked at the peaceful-looking Granny Smith, "Howdy Granny. Do you like the funeral? We made it just for you. Look, everypony in town came, even the princesses. They came to say goodbye to you. You were their founder, you're the reason there even is a Ponyville. *sniff* I'm so proud of you."
She came up to Big Mac and began weeping in his arms.
Applejack then turned to see Flim and Flam, who were kneeling at the coffin paying their respects. Curious, Applejack went up to the two con-ponies.
"Howdy, it's a bit unexpected to have you two here, especially after the cider and phony tonic incidents. And what happened in Las Pegasus.”
Flim said, "Well Applejack, when Flam and I had heard about your dear grandmother passing away, we left Las Pegasus to say goodbye to Granny Smith and also apologize for those times where we drove you insane."
Flam began to tear up, "Do you think your grandmother forgives us for our actions? And can we also stay for the funeral?"
Applejack was confused at first but then pulled the two into a hug, "Of course you can. Even though you two can be pains in the flank sometimes, I still appreciate that you both cared for her."
"Thanks Applejack."
About one hour later, Granny Smith's coffin was lifted up and carried to to town hall where everypony would follow in a procession to the service.
Applejack sat down with her family and surveyed her surroundings, there was a big picture of Granny Smith displayed next to the coffin, which was still open so ponies could look at her.
Vinyl Scratch and Octavia had worked to prepare a techno/cello remix of Cloppin's 'Funeral March' which would play during the service.
Mayor Mare stepped up to the podium to start the service, "Friends, family, royalty. We have all gathered here today to say farewell to Apple family matriarch and the founder of this very town, Granny Smith. Many years ago, she and her family came to Ponyville with so they could plant their seeds. It wasn't long before Granny had ventured into the Everfree forest and worked to invent the world famous Zap Apple Jam. Her delicious apple products attracted numerous ponies from all over Equestria and together, they formed the very city we live in today. I would like us all to think about how Granny Smith has made a major impact on our lives. Her granddaughter Applejack has prepared a eulogy about her grandmother, so if we could all give her our full attention, she will now speak."
Everyone applauded as Applejack took Mayor Mare's spot on the podium.
Applejack looked around and smiled, "Wow, I never expected that so many people would turn up for this. I'm so happy that you came here for Granny Smith, which brings me to my eulogy:
Granny Smith has had an amazing impact on all of our lives. We all know her for her amazing Zap Apple Jam and wait in line every year for her to serve you our world famous cider. But Granny Smith is more than special jam or cider, for she has influenced all of us in so many ways. She has taught us that sometimes all we need is a little boost of confidence to achieve our dreams."
Applejack pointed her hoof to Silver Shill, who was sitting in the crowd drying his eyes with tissues and gave Applejack a big smile to him.
"Or that anypony can be a friend to her,
She waved at the Flim Flam brothers in one of the balconies above and the two waved back to her.
But most importantly, she had a big heart and took care of everypony. As her granddaughter, I should know. After my parents Bright Mac and Buttercup died back when me and my siblings were young, we didn't know how we would manage. But Granny Smith always has a way of fixing things. At that day, she devoted her life to helping us run Sweet Apple Acres and taking care of the three of us. Granny Smith, if you can hear me, thank you for taking care of me, Big Mac, and Applebloom since our folks died. And also, thank you for being the seed that sprouted into what we call Ponyville. If it weren't for you, we all wouldn't be standing here in this very town hall. You are responsible for bringing us all together and you truly exemplify the magic of friendship. We'll always remember you Granny. We love you."
Everyone gave a big round of applause for Applejack as she left the podium and sat back down in her seat.
Mayor Mare sniffled, "Thank you Applejack for that beautiful eulogy. Does anypony else want to say a few words about her?"
In the audience, Filthy Rich rose his hoof.
"Great, why don't you talk about your prominent product developer Mr. Rich?"
Everyone applauded as Filthy Rich stepped up to the podium, "Granny Smith has provided me with her products for many years. People will always crowd in my stores whenever her famous Zap Apple Jam hits my shelves. But Granny Smith is more than just a source of income for the Riches, she was an amazing entrepreneur. She always made her wonderful jam with love and whenever I'd eat it, I think of how Granny Smith and her family worked so hard to make this happen. Her jam will never the same without her. Thank you Granny Smith for everything. Whenever we’ll eat your Zap Apple Jam, we’ll always think of you."
Everyone clapped as he sat back down.
After several more speeches about how Granny Smith has impacted everyone, Mayor Mare called up Big Mac, Braeburn, and Bulk Biceps to be the pallbearers.
"Thank you all so much for being at this wonderful funeral. Now, if you want to, Granny Smith will be buried at the Ponyville and anyone is free to attend and afterwards, there will be a reception in the town square."
She stepped down as everyone applauded.
A lot of people ended up going to the cemetery to see Granny Smith be laid to rest.
The pallbearers placed Granny's coffin onto the burial vault on her grave, which was right next to Bright Mac and Buttercup.
Mr. Waddle began to say a prayer, "Princess Celestia, as we lower Granny Smith into the earth, make sure that she makes it safely into the Elysians. May her body be commited to the ground, ashes to ashes, dust to dust, may Granny Smith lay into the earth until her resurrection. Amen."
Everyone said, "Amen."
"The princesses will now lower Granny Smith into her grave."
Twilight, Celestia, and Luna used their horns to lower Granny Smith's coffin into the ground.
Celestia looked down at the coffin, "Thank you Granny Smith. You truly are an example of friendship."
Applejack wiped away a tear, "Thank you Celestia."
When the workers were done lowering, everyone dropped their flowers onto Granny Smith's casket.
When the grave was covered, Everypony except for the Apple siblings left, for they wanted to say one final goodbye.
Applejack got her two siblings close and hugged them as they looked at the graves of their parents and grandmother, “Thank you Granny. We'll always remember you."
The End
Author's Note
Thank you all for taking the time to read this. I really appreciate the positive feedback.
