It's Hard to Say Goodbye

Rainbow Dash looked at herself in the mirror. She couldn't believe how much her appearance had changed. It seemed like only yesterday that she was the weather manager of Ponyville, young and full of life. Now all the color in her once beautiful rainbow mane had turned gray, and her face was wrinkled. I need to stop thinking about this, I need to get to the funeral. Today was the day she said goodbye to the only pony she ever loved. She wasn't looking forward to this, but she had to see her face one last time, and say goodbye. She put on her black dress and her scarf. She opened the door to her home in Cloudsdale, and began her flight to Ponyville.

It was snowing and very cold. Rainbow Dash shivered as she flew through the cold sky. She is probably laughing at me right now. She is up there all warm and cozy, and I am down here freezing my flank off. Rainbow Dash giggled sadly at her joke. She flew on with the departed still the only thing on her mind. She made it to the funeral home right on time. She saw a lot of old friends standing outside that she had not seen in a long time, but she was looking for four specific ponies. She walked inside and hung her scarf up, and sure enough there stood her four best friends in the world. Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie. A tear came to Rainbow Dash's eye.

"I'm so happy to see you guys." Rainbow Dash said as she hugged them all one by one. "It's hard to believe it has been a year since we last saw each other." The others nodded. "Well Twilight, how has it been in the royal castle?"

"Tough, I am getting way to old for this, but I swore to the people of Equestria that I would serve them until death, and I intend to keep that promise." Twilight replied.

"Applejack, how has it been on the farm?" Rainbow Dash asked, with more tears forming in her eyes.

"Not bad Rainbow, same old stuff to be honest. Applebloom is still hanging out with Sweetiebell and Scootaloo." Applejack replied.

"Well could you ask those kids to visit me at some point, I miss them so much." Rainbow Dash said as a lump began to form in her throat. Applejack smiled and nodded.

"Rarity, I am sorry I missed you fashion show last year, I had to train the wonder bolts for an upcoming show." Rainbow Dash still felt guilty for that.

"Oh it's alright dear, I know you were busy and couldn't make it, and by the way, that was the best wonder bolts show I had ever seen." Rarity replied in a reasuring tone.

"Pinkie Pie, what have you been up to, last I heard you were running Sugercube Corner." Rainbow Dash was unsure of what Pinkie Pie was doing because Pinkie Pie had done so many things.

"Yes, and I still am." Pinkie Pie replied. It sadened Rainbow Dash even more to see the once vibrant party pony so tired.

"Well thank you all for coming, I know Shy is smiling down on us right now." Rainbow Dash couldn't control it anymore. The tears began flowing freely from her eyes. "I need to go see her before the funeral begins." The others noded and moved out of her way so she could make her way to the casket. She looked down at the peaceful pegasis pony laying in the casket. Rainbow Dash silently wispered, "You look as beautiful as ever Fluttershy. I miss you so much, and I always will." It felt like somepony placed a comforting hoof on her shoulder, but when she turned around nopony was close to her. "Do you remember our wedding? It was the most magical moment of my life." Rainbow Dash giggled. "Do you remember how Pinkie almost knocked over the cake because she was jumping for joy?" Everypony began taking there seets. The service was about to begin. She kissed Fluttershy on the forehead. "I love you Shy, and I always will." She took her seat.

The funeral was like any other. The preacher lead everypony in prayer, people cried, and afew words were said about how the peace that Fluttershy had found should be celabrated. Rainbow Dash couldn't help but feel like Fluttershy deserved better, but she would have wanted this to be short and simple. When the service was finally over the casket was closed. That would be the last time Rainbow Dash saw the love of her life's face. She watched as the paul bearers lifted the casket and carried it outside. She followed right behind them. Twilight had arranged for the royal gaurd to escort Fluttershy to the cematary. The cart they were to carry her in was lovely. It was white with gold ribbons hanging from the sides. The paul bearers loaded her into the cart and four royal gaurds were preparing to pull the cart to the cematary. They were off and Rainbow Dash followed along with everypony else.

Rainbow Dash still couldn't believe this was it. This was goodbye for good. It hurt her so bad to look at Fluttershy's closed casket. She cried harder than ever as they entered the large gates of the graveyard. She nearly lost it when Fluttershy was lowered into the ground. Everypony said their goodbyes to Fluttershy and each other and left, but Rainbow Dash stayed behind. She waited for the grave to be filled in before she walked over and said her final goodbyes. "I can't believe this is it." Rainbow Dash stared at the mound of dirt. Her heart was breaking. "I never thought about what it would be like without you untill now, and I hate it. I know I have said this a thousand times before, but I love you shy and I will never forget you."

She could have sworn she heard Fluttershy's sweet and soft voice reply, "I love you to Dashie." Rainbow Dash fell to the ground crying harder than she thought she possibly could.

"I can't wait until the day comes when I can see you again Shy, I will be counting down the days." Even though it was near freezing temperatures Rainbow Dash felt a sudden warmth overcome her and her tears stopped almost instantly.

She heard that voice she would miss forever again say, "It's ok Dashie, and I will be counting down the days as well, I will be in your heart for the rest of your time on earth I promise." Rainbow Dash stood up and turned away.

As she walked away she sadly smiled and said, "Thank you Shy, I love you."