Forgotten

Rarity raised a hoof and knocked on the cottage door. "Flame Mane, darling, you've got to come out! You've been holed up in there for so long!" Flame's friends were increasingly concerned over the poor pony's mental state. It had been a week since Equestria reverted back to normal and Twilight was killed, and the only time Flame had emerged had been for her private funeral. Her friends had all delivered tributes to her, but his had been the most heart rending. He spoke of his endless devotion and love for her, and by the end of it, everypony was sobbing all over again. Yet, through the sadness, there was a humongous sense of beauty added to it which made it all the more memorable.

Now, Flame's friends had gathered on a self-imposed mission to help the heartbroken stallion. They just needed for him to open the door. Each of them had come alone in the past few days, trying desperately to get Flame to speak with them again. But so far, none of them had any luck in convincing him. He would come to the unopened door and yell at them to leave. But, even as they turned away, they could hear him crying out for Twilight. When he did, it broke their hearts, and they turned away with tears stinging their eyes.

For a few moments, nothing happened. "Come on, everypony," Dash said sadly, "I don't think he's in the mood."

"No!" Rarity said, "we can't give up on him! Twilight wouldn't want us to!"

Suddenly, they heard the door rattle and creak open and Flame finally stepped into the sun again. "What do you want?" He asked dryly. His eyes were red and puffy and he looked as if he hadn't gotten any proper sleep in some time. Rarity stepped forward and grasped him in an embrace. "We want to show you that true friendship never dies," she said simply.

He gave her an odd look. "What the hay's that supposed to mean?"

"It means we ain't givin' up on ya," Applejack said as she smiled kindly, "we loved Twi just as much as you did, and she'd want us to show ya that we're as faithful as my ol' Wynona." She beamed at being able to use her country comparisons properly again.

"Well, thanks," he said gruffly, "but I'm fine. I just need to be left alone."

"That's no excuse," Fluttershy said firmly, "nopony should be alone in their time of need, and you, sir, definitely qualify for that category."

"Fluttershy's right," Starlight said, "and as the pony who's been named Twilight's successor, I cannot allow myself to sit idly by while you destroy yourself."

"Alright," Flame said, "come in."

So they followed him inside and collectively dropped their jaws at just how unraveled his home had become. The messy, disheveled room reflected his spirit, and they all realized it. It was as if his heart had been taken from his body and all of its contents emptied out in piles of dirty clothes and broken furniture.

"Please excuse the mess," he grumbled as he walked over and sat beside a picture of Twilight.

"The mess in your heart is more important than the mess on the floor," Starlight said wisely as she went and sat beside him, "and we want to help clean that up. You letting us in is a great first step."

"First step to what?" Flame asked angrily, "more hopelessness? More death? More despair? What point is there when all we know will die eventually? Everypony we love…will be put in holes in the ground. Not even Celestia herself is free from this fate."

"No, she's not, and neither are we," Starlight said, "but death isn't the reason for living. Life is, and, from my experience, it can only be enjoyed when you have friends by your side."

"I have no friends," Flame said, "not anymore. I thought I did…but then she was taken, and I've driven you all away."

"Have ya ever heard of a little thing called forgiveness?" Applejack asked, "yeah, y'all might've driven us away faster than Apple Bloom runs at bath time, but we can forgive ya for it."

"Why would you? For that matter, why would I want you to? Maybe I like being alone."

"Flame, no offense, but you have a HORRIBLE poker face," Rainbow Dash spoke up, "you need us and we need you. That's what friendship is, and that's what Twilight taught all of us."

Starlight looked up and smiled at Flame. She saw that his eyes betrayed his want for them to surround him, and she was very willing to grant that wish. She nodded at them and they all tightened their circle. "What are you doing?" He asked, trying to keep up his depressed front, even though he desperately needed them to continue coming around him.

"We're supporting you," Starlight said, "it's what friends do. Flame, quit lying to yourself. You've got friends, and we're all here for you. So buck up!"

Suddenly, Flame broke down sobbing. He just couldn't take it anymore. Everything came crashing down on him and his emotions exploded. He dropped to his stomach and cried harder than he'd ever cried before. Starlight bent down and put a hoof on his shoulder. Maybe we overdid it just a little, she said.

"Thank you," Flame said amidst his grief. Starlight backed up a bit. She wasn't expecting gratitude. "Thank you for being here," he went on, "I need all of you, especially now. I don't deserve such wonderful friends."

"It's not about whether or not you deserve friendship," Starlight said, "friendship is granted no matter what. I can think of so many ponies who didn't deserve Twilight's friendship, but she gave it anyway because it was the right thing to do. Now we want to follow her lead."

So they all gathered around him and embraced. He was thrilled to have so many ponies who truly cared about him, and wouldn't stab him in the back like others had done. He opened his eyes and saw Twilight's picture looking back at him, and her smile seemed to be real. Alright, Twilight, you win, he told her, I'm not gonna stop being a friend, and I won't hole myself up anymore. These mares mean more to me than anything in the world, just as I know they meant so much to you. But you will always have my heart, my love.