Author's Note

Warning: Sorry if you don't like to cry, this chapter is sad.

(CH1) Gray Sky

The sky was gray over all of Equestria.

Rainbow Dash glided down to Canterlot, and landed on the cobblestone street. She is wearing a black shirt, black pants and black hoof shoes. The only time she wears black as it did not match her mare and fur. She walked amongst the other ponies that lived in Canterlot, who were dressed in black. All of whom had a mournful expression on their face. A few with tears in their eyes. Rainbow Dash had a neutral expression. But it didn't hide the anguish she felt storming inside of her.

Like rough waves crashing against large rocks during a bad storm at sea. She refused to shed a single tear until she arrived at her destination. Which is the same destination every other pony was heading to. All of the stores and businesses were closed for the day. Signs saying "Closed" hung on the doors as the as the owners quietly walked along with the other residents ponies. Rainbow Dash never liked the big cities, she felt like she was being watched.

...

There was a location in Canterlot that was rarely been used. A spot that looks over all of Equestria. At least, the areas you could see. You can see the Everfree Forest, Cloudsdale , and Ponyville. A sea of gray blanketed the sky. Darkening the landscape in a gloomy setting that would be fit for a sad film. Ponies for all species were seating in the chairs that were available. The trees surrounding them were decorated mostly black ribbons, there where some of purple and blue with pink. Three separates portraits were standing at the front surrounded by a variety of flowers. The left portrait feature Shining Armor; grinning and dressed in his Canterlot Royal Guard armor. In the Middle one featured Princess Mi Amore Cadenza or Princess Cadance; she was dressed in her royal attire. The one on the right featured Twilight Sparkle; in that portrait it should her in a blue button up shirt with a purple skirt that has her cutie mark on it. She was surrounded by books and smiling sweetly.

Rainbow Dash spotted her friends sitting at a part of the front row that was specially reserved for them. Pinkie Pie was dressed in a black dress with a black rose corsage in her hair. Applejack wore a black shirt with black jeans, she wore a black bandana around her neck and she was not wearing her hat she had it in her lap. Her head bowed respectfully. Fluttershy wore a black gown decorated in black ribbons; a black ribbon tied around her neck as well. She seemed to be on the brink of tears. Rarity was dressed in a long black dress and had a few black bows in her elegant, and her purple hair. Spike was sitting beside her wearing a suit with a black bowtie around his neck. Tears already brimming his eyes.

Rainbow Dash quietly took the empty seat by Pinkie Pie. Rainbow spotted somepony setting behind her it was Prince Blueblood, she thought to herself 'what is he doing here'. He had a red rose in his hand and wore a black suit and a black bowtie. He was crying? The normally Pinkie Pie seemed to acknowledge her presence, but said not a word. None of them did. Rainbow looked to the row on her right and spotted Twilight and Shining's family. Their mother weeping heavily while their father had his arms wrapped around her in comfort. But he too seemed to be reaching his breaking point.

The Royal guards where present, there as they where some rifle stallion and one of them had a trumpet. The new Royal guard Caption Iron Hoof was just a lieutenant, now he is caption. He was Shining Armor's best friend.

Princess Celestia and Luna were standing at the front over looking the crowed. Like the rest they wore black. Celestia raised her head and opened her eye, which were filled with sorrow. "Let the service commence." she said in an even voice. Trying to fight back the tears that threatened to fall. Every pony present lifted their heads up to the Alicorn sisters.

Celestia took a moment to swallow before speaking. "Today we are here to remember the lives of three very brave and heroic ponies: Princess Cadance, Shining Armor, and Twilight.. Sparkle.."

Rainbow Dash closed her eyes sadly. Remembering the entire incident back in the Crystal Empire a week prior to this. Witnessing King Sombra destroying the tower where Twilight was last seen in before their very eyes, and seeing the death of Princess Cadance. How Shining Armor suddenly went berserk and ordered them to flee the Crystal City while he attacked Sombra viciously.

'Maybe.. I could've done something,' Rainbow Dash thought to herself. But she knew that there was nothing she could've done to save Twilight. Even if she tried.

"Mow... we may begin the speeches..." Celestia said before she walked over and stood by her sister.

Night Light and Twilight Velvet were the first to go. They stood before the crowd of ponies who gathered for the service. Night Light mustered whatever mental strength he had left and spoke. "First of all, my wife and I would like to thank Princess Celestia and Luna for holding this service for our children and daughter-inlaw. Twilight Sparkle, Shining Armor and Cadance were... very good ponies. Twilight and Shining were the greatest thing that's ever happened to my wife and myself. And... for what that monster, Sombra, did to our children... I hope he is brought to justice!"

The Royal Guards couldn't get to the empire as the weather was strong and it was like the empire had disappeared. That means that Sombra destroying the Crystal Heart. But with the help Twilight Sparkle's friends being witnesses they knew that the Captain of the Royal Guard can't fight a pony with that power. But they did found the pikes heads of Cadance's and Shining Armor's the new was horror to every pony in Equestria, Twilight Velvet would come out of the bathroom form hearing that.

Spike walked up "Twilight was like a mother to me." He whimpered, "S-she was my best friend. I love working with her. I-I miss you, Twi.. W-why did you had to go!?" Spike went to his and cried. Burying his face into his little hands. It took the help of Rarity for him to walk back to his seat.

Next up was Applejack "Twilight Sparkle, Shining Armor and Cadance were great ponies I've ever met." she said griping her hat. " Twi, if ya hear up there, know that you'll always have a place in my heart sugar-cube. Rest in peace."

Rarity came up. "Before Twilight Sparkle, I didn't have many friend. But because of her, I was blessed with the gift of friendship. Plus I was able to meet a very special dragon: Spike." Rarity then turned her attention at the gray sky. Tear rolling down her beautiful face and messing her makeup a bit. "Twilight... I don't think I've ever said this..., but thank you. Thank you for everything."

Pinkie was next, but her face looked like she was about to explode it tears. "WAAAAAAAAAAAAH! TWILIGHT SPARKLE!!!" She Burying her hands in her face and got back to her seat.

When it came Fluttershy's turn, the shy pegasus found herself unable to control her emotions and cried on the spot. Balbbering gibberish that no one could understand.

Eventually it was Rainbow Dash's turn. The normally tough, strong pegasus stood before the crowd with shaking legs. Her voice cracking as she spoke. "T-Twilght Sparkle wasn't just a friend.... she was like a sister to me. We both had our differences... but I loved her like family!" She then looked up in the sky "Twilight if you can her me, I will make Sombra pay for what he did to you, your brother, and sister-inlaw." she then seat down to her see, she place her hand on Pinkie as she was still crying.

Suddenly Prince Blueblood stood before the crowed. "I knew these ponies that played down there lives on that day." he looked at Shining's portrait "Shining Armor was more that a good guard pony , he was like a bother to me." Then looking at Cadance's portrait. "Princess Cadance was my adopted cousin, she was more that that she was my sister, and.." He stated to tear up "foalsitter when she foalsitted I..l. saw a beautiful lavender filly." He looked the rose and then Twilight's portrait "T.. T.. Twilight Sparkle was my class mate in school and old friend. I was the one who gave the invitations to the gala that my aunt sent to her." He looked up the sky. "Twilight if you are listening... I... I love you, and you are the only mare that stolen my heart." He place the rose in front of Twilight's portrait. "My you rest with no pain." He then when back to his set.

Princess Luna stood up "Twilight Sparkle, Princess Cadance and Shining Armor." She said whispered. "For a thousand years I've been on the moon. Watching the Earth as it change throughout history. I have seen ponies be born in this world, and then I see them leave. But these three did not deserve his fate. Twilight... If it weren't for her and her friends... I wouldn't be standing her today." Luna closed her eyes just as a tear rolled down the lunar princess's cheek. "Thank you... Twilight... I'll make sure that Sombra will be put to justice.. I can promise you that..."

Princess Celestia was the last to go. There was a brief moment of silence as she stared at everypony present. As if looking into their minds and souls. In a slightly cracked voice, she spoke. "Shining Armor will be remembered as a bravest stallion that sacrificed his live for Equestia history. Princess Cadance.. was.. more.. like a daughter to me.. ever if.. she was not related... in blood. As for Twilight Sparkle...." Celestia suddenly found herself struggling to speak a bit. Wave of emotions coming at her all of a sudden.

Luna looked as her sister and put her hand on her shoulder. "Sister?"

Celestia calmed down and smiled at her little sister. "Thank you, Luna." She said before continuing. "Twilight Sparkle was the greatest student I've ever had the pleasure to know. She devoted to not only her studies, but also her family and friends. And... she was just a student like the others pony I teach before.... She was like a daughter to me... I loved her like I did with Cadance. I sometimes saw her as one. Night Light and Twilight Velvet were blessed to have such an amazing daughter. And son, as well." Celestia then shot her head up and a determined look appeared on her face. "From this day forward! I will do all it takes to bring the wrath of the sun to Sombra! All of Equestria will make sure that Twilight Sparkle, Princess Cadance and Shining Armor will not die in vain!" She stomp her right hoof to the ground. Leaving a few small cracks.

At that moment, everypony shot up and cheered. Supporting Celestia's commitment. Celestia rasied her hand and the everypony silenced immediately. "Now... we shall conclude the service with first the Royal guard 'Taps' to honor Shining Armor's serves. Then we will have a moment of silence."

As Celestia said that the Iron Hoof looked as his men. "Ready!" he said. the rifle men stood attention and aim there rifle in the air in a 45 degree angle. "Fire!" They fired the blanks, then the trumpeter play Taps. In the middle of the the Taps they fire again, and again. Then they where done, Iron Hoof walked to Twilight Velvet in his hands was a flag of Eqestria in a Triangle with medal on the top. He handed the flag the her. "Mrs. Velvet your son had served the highest honor, The Solar Star. Also he was my best friend and a brother in arms."

Twilight Velvet hold the flag a started to tear up again. "Thank you.." Iron hoof then walk back to his men. Then the moment of silence began.

Celestia looked at the portraits of Twilight Sparkle, Princess Cadance and Shining Armor. "Sleep well,Twilight Sparkle, Princess Cadance and Shining Armor..." whispered as her tears started to fall.