A family of ponies, consisting of unicorn parents and a pegasus son. The male had light blond hair, that almost seemed grey, with a blue coat. His wife had dark brown hair with a lighter blue coat. Their son had darker blond hair and black fur.
The rest of their family that consisted of a silver female diamond dog, her white mate and their sons, one being silver while his brother was light brown, certainly was an odd bunch.
“Thank you for everything. Especially when we've been together for so long,” the male diamond dog said
“You're welcome. Besides, you're family no matter what anyone says,” the pegasus said
“Silverbelle, are you alright,” the female unicorn asked as the diamond dog doubled over
“No. I haven't been hungry at all,” Silverbelle replied
“Anything you need, mom. We'll do it,” the silver male said
“Just you being there for me helps,” Belle said
“Want to try eating something easy,” the unicorn male suggested
“I'll try,” Belle replied
After being given a broth of hay and vegetables, it seemed to stay down for a while and soothe her. A few hours later, the broth seemed to be in disagreement and found itself being expelled.
“Sorry, sis,” the pegasus said
“It worked for a little while. Hopefully this is just temporary,” Belle replied
The next day, they tried the broth again, but without including any vegetables and that seemed to stay down. While gems are a diamond dog’s main source of nourishment, the boys were able to eat, but were still worried about their mom.
“Come on mom, you need to get better,” the brown one said hugging his mom
“I'm trying. I just wish I knew what was wrong,” Belle replied
The next two weeks passed the same way with Belle just eating broth. Everyone was glad it was staying down, but the question as to what happened still was on everyone's mind.
“How do you feel,” the white male asked
“Lousy. I don't know why I don’t have an appetite. I hate this,” Silverbelle replied hugging her mate
“As do we. None of us like seeing a family member wasting away,” the unicorn female replied
“That's the question though; is ‘why’. We keep asking ourselves why did this happen, but still don't have an answer,” the pegasus said
In order to clear his head, the pegasus decided to take off for a flight around town. Roughly an hour later, he returned with nothing helping.
“I may not make it any longer,” Belle said sadly
“Don't say that. You need to be positive,” the unicorn male said
“I love you all. Regardless of the looks we receive, every one of you is my family,” she said hugging them
“We love you too, mom,” her boys said hugging her
“As do I. I promise to look after the boys,” her mate said
“I trust you to be good when I leave,” Belle said
“We'll certainly try,” the silver male replied
“I make no guarantees,” his brother added
“Thank you for being our friend and family all these years,” the unicorn male said
“You've been a sister to me and certainly a daughter to them,” the pegasus replied
“We love you so very much,” the unicorn female added
That night Silverbelle laid down for the final time with her family around her to keep her company until the end.
“Silverbelle, it's time to go,” a voice called
“Who are you,” the spirit of Silverbelle asked
“A friend. I am simply here to guide you. It's time to be free of your pain,” the Grim Reaper answered
“What about my family,” she asked
“They will come to accept it in time. Your family loves you very much,” Grim replied
Some time during the night, the boys decided to give her space as did the ponies. None of them really wanted to sleep, but knew it was an inevitability.
“Oh Luna. This must be a nightmare. I'll wake up and everything will return to normal, right,” the pegasus asked
“I'm sorry to say, but this is not a nightmare. Your friend Silverbelle has gotten sick, and did pass away. I am not able to visit the dreams of diamond dogs usually, but she did think of her family often,” Luna replied
“I'm glad to know that we were always in her thoughts and dreams.”
“My condolences to you all. If you ever need any assistance in your dreams, I'll try to help,” Luna said
“Thank you. How's my parents handling it?”
“The same as you. Each of you share a collective sadness. I would not expect this to go away right away. Grieving takes time,” Luna said putting a wing around him
In the morning, while everyone mourned, the pegasus grabbed a shovel and started digging. It may have been easier for one of the diamond dogs to create the hole, but the hard way was better to collect his thoughts.
“You've been busy. Feel better,” his father asked
“No. It hurts to lose her,” the pegasus said through tears
“I know what you mean. I've been feeding her for weeks, in the hopes of getting better. I hated seeing her wasting away, while we could only watch,” his mom said crying
“The only thing we can do is be strong for mom. At least we know she is free of her pain,” the silver male said
“Agreed. Perhaps we should say something,” his brother asked as he placed her gently in the hole
“Silverbelle, thank you for everything. These years together have been the best in my life. We have a beautiful family and I promise to take care of them. At least you can be with your mom and grandma,” the white diamond dog said
“I love you mom. Thank you for being there for me,” the silver male said
“I love you, too,” his twin added
“Thank you for being a friend and family member all these years,” the unicorn male said
“Goodbye Silverbelle. I'm sorry I couldn't do anything more to help you,” the female unicorn replied
“Goodbye Silverbelle. At least you are free from the pain. Run in Paradise,” the pegasus added
After everyone said their parting words, each of them participated in filling in the grave. They headed back inside the house to grieve for their fallen family member. Luna kept her promise about visiting the group in their dreams to try and comfort her subjects.
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust
Return of a Not So Friendly Face
Author's Note
In memory of my oldest male who passed away on the evening of January 12, 2020.
Return of a Not So Friendly Face
Despite the comfort Luna provided by visiting the dreams of the three ponies; everyone knew it would be hard to just simply move on. All three of the diamond dogs lost the pillar of strength in Silverbelle. The silver male felt closest to her and started to shut himself off from everyone else as what he felt was his way of grieving.
“Hey, Shadow; how are you doing,” the pegasus asked casually a while later
“Go away. You know how I'm feeling,” Shadow retorted angrily “You may have lost a friend, but that was my mom.”
“We know. It's not something any of us will forget,” the unicorn male argued
“Especially when we helped her give birth to the two of you,” the unicorn female added
“Alright, that's enough,” the white diamond dog said “Your brother Butch is acting more behaved right now than you.”
“Angel’s right,” the pegasus chimed in “We don't need to fight. Silverbelle wouldn't have wanted to see this.”
“Sorry dad,” Shadow said sadly
As they all knew; their grief would and did persist for the next two years as everyone got older. Angel had already turned eighteen; making him a senior in diamond dog culture while his kids had turned nine years old.
“I'm going out for a walk,” the unicorn male stated simply
“I'll go with you old man,” the pegasus decided “Besides; I could use some air.”
With that; the pair of males headed out and made their way towards the main portion of the town. After looking around the stores with nothing in mind; they began the trek back home. During a small break, the pegasus decided to stretch his wings and spotted a creature. He landed near it, to find a white female diamond dog, just slightly smaller than him.
“Help me,” the creature begged
“What's your name?”
“Snowball. I don't have a home and no one else will take me in,” she said sadly
“Well; I think you're in luck,” a voice called from behind
“Welcome back, old man.”
“And who's this,” the unicorn asked
“Snowball,” she answered
“Welcome to the family,” the pegasus offered “If it's okay with you, that is; pop.”
“That's fine,” the unicorn decided
“Thanks dad,” she said, hugging the pegasus; before turning to the unicorn “And you too; papa.”
“Well; it looks like we need to be getting home,” the pegasus mused “And don’t worry; I'm not going to rush.”
“I'd hope so,” the unicorn replied jokingly “You have someone else following.”
A little while later; the three finally arrived home. Snowball took one look at the house and started running around, taking in the scenery.
“It's so big,” she said cheerfully “My new home!”
“Who's this little one you’ve added to our menagerie,” the female unicorn asked curiously
“Snowball,” the female diamond dog said “And this is my daddy. He said it was okay.”
“As I'm sure they've already mentioned; welcome to the family,” the female unicorn announced “These are your other family members. Angel, and his sons Shadow and Butch.”
“Hi doggy-daddy,” Snowball said, hugging Angel
“Hello. It's nice to meet you,” Angel replied “Sorry. I'm a little old so I don't move all too well.”
“It's okay to me,” she offered “I'm just happy to have a home. Hi big brother.”
“Hi to you too,” Butch added
“Go away,” Shadow demanded, getting in her face “You don't belong here with us. Leave or else.”
“That's enough,” the male unicorn and pegasus stated together
“I don't care if you don't like it; she's staying with us,” the pegasus added “Besides; we could use a female; especially since Silverbelle passed away.”
“No. She doesn't belong here. No other female needs to be here,” Shadow argued
After spending some time running around the area; Snowball seemed to settle down and started trailing the pegasus around the house, along with sleeping with her daddy. Despite the enthusiasm of having a younger member of the family; Angel knew he was getting older and had to be careful to prevent injury while Snowball played with Butch, somewhat roughly.
“Ow,” Angel whined, as he fell
“Come on; I'll help you up,” the pegasus offered
“Thanks. My body's not as young as it used to be,” Angel replied, getting to his feet “I was just trying to go outside.”
"Alright. Let's go."
Upon getting his friend to his feet; the pegasus decided to float low enough to guide Angel outside. Seeing this; both unicorns decided to use a small levitation spell to act similarly to their son's actions.
Although having the help was great; Angel had a feeling his time was getting shorter and wanted to spend time at night looking up at the stars.
“I'll be joining you soon,” Angel whispered
As the two unicorns set out to get everyone fed for dinner; Angel was noticeably laying on the floor. In recent days; he'd taken to laying there as he didn't feel able to walk all too much.
“Dinner time if you're hungry,” the pegasus offered
“No thanks,” Angel replied weakly
“Sorry.”
●ANGEL●
“Angel,” a voice called gently “Are you ready?”
“Come on,” another voice added
“You're here,” Angel realized
“Of course we are,” a third said “All three of us came to see you join us.”
Standing next to the Grim Reaper were the figures of his wife, along with her mom and grandmother; all three with translucent wings. Angel gladly walked aside his guides as he took his place in Elysium.
●FAMILY●
After everyone finished their meals; the female unicorn checked on Angel; only to find him unresponsive.
“Goodbye old friend,” the pegasus said through tears “I love you.”
“We all love you so much,” the female unicorn added, wiping her eyes
Snowball headed over and gently nudged the body “Doggy daddy; wake up.”
“He won't wake up,” the unicorn offered
“Why not,” Snowball asked
“He's gone to a special sleep. One he won't wake up from,” came the answer
“Come on; let's get him buried,” the male unicorn stated
Butch gave his dad a final hug while Shadow kept himself isolated as usual. With the female unicorn leading; she and her husband gently carried the body outside and towards the same area Silverbelle was buried. The pegasus grabbed the shovel and got to work digging while trying not to let tears flood his vision.
"Goodbye old friend,” the pegasus started “We'll meet again.”
“We love you,” the unicorns added
Neither Butch or Shadow could offer any words as they waited inside for the burial to be completed.