Purple storm

Death.

Death was many things. Cruel, unforgiving, the list goes on, but above all else, there was one word that death wasn't.

Predictable.

Or maybe it was. Maybe death was looming over them this whole time. Watching, waiting, hungering, regardless Apple Bloom started into the still form that once called itself her brother. Taking note of every little detail as possible. Everything from the night guard armor he wore, to the large gaze that was wrapped around his head.

Dead.

Her brother was dead.

Beside the young mare was her family. All of whom had various expressions on their faces. Most of whom showed heartache and utter despair in one form or another.

Dead.

Her brother was dead.

Humming a soft tune Apple bloom pulled her little sister who's Walls filled the near defining silence around them into an embrace.

Dead.

Big Mac was dead.

Looking over at their parents Apple Bloom could tell that they weren't fairing any better. Ma clung tightly to Papa. Tears falling freely from her face, and yet no sobs escaped the mare's lips. Instead, she gazed longingly into the casket of her now dead colt. Wanting nothing more than to embrace the once strong stallion one more time, and yet

She couldn't.

Something held her back from doing so. A force that gripped her heart so tightly it felt like she was about to suffocate. She wasn't the only one who felt this way, but regardless no pony around her dared to speak. At least not while not in front of the one they loved and cherish so dearly.

Looking over at her father Apple Bloom could tell that the old stallion was barely holding it together. However, unlike the mare, he held in his grasp his expression was hidden under the confines of his hat. While she saw no tears the way his body shook told Apple Bloom everything she needed to know.

Dead.

Her big brother was dead.

Cradling her sister Apple Bloom bent down to whisper words of comfort into the filly's ear. She knew doing so would solve nothing, but if there was one thing Apple Bloom hated more than anything it's seeing her little sister cry. As she did this the mare cast a glance at the old mare next to her.

Granny Smith stood tall. She didn't cry, didn't sob, didn't shake, the only thing she did do was stare into the casket that held her nephew's corpse. An expression that was a mixture of fondness and grief in her eyes. Even with this in mind, there was a small genuine smile on her face.

Dead.

He was dead.

Upon hearing a pony clear their throat Apple Bloom turned. Only to see the last pony she wanted her or her family to talk to right now.

Princess Luna.

The goddesses of the moon looked a little out of it. Apple Bloom could tell that something weighed heavily in her mind. Not that she particularly cared at the moment, but the mare had a feeling that it involved her brother in some way. Perhaps the sole reason that leads to his death in the first place.

"Are you ready?" The princess asked softly. Her gaze showing nothing but compassion sympathy.

Dead.

The one she loved was dead.

Apple Bloom smiled kindly and nodded. Upon seeing this the princess smiled back. After a moment she gestured for the mare and her family to take a seat.

********

"Good evening mares and gentle colts"

Luna paused.

Looking around the goddess took note of every pony in the room. Each of them stared back at her with a look of expectancy. Signing Luna cleared her throat.

"We've come here today to honor the loss of a great stallion." "This Stallion was strong, kind, gentle, and most of all had a strong sense of justice."

There were murmurs of agreement, some even chuckled.

"The stallion known as Big Macintosh was unlike most ponies I met in my long life." Luna smiled slightly. However, said smile looked forced. Something that Apple Bloom took note of.

"He was unique, special in a way that I have difficulty putting into words." The forced smile on the alicorn's face faltered slightly. Along with a flash of something in the mare's eyes that only a few ponies were able to pick up on.

Regret.

"When I first met him I knew right away that souls like him are once in a lifetime, so with this in mind I immediately made him the caption of the Lunar guard."

After a moment a tired sigh escaped her lips.

"I've hoped that in doing so it will help him reach his full potential, but instead I fear that it merely played a part in his downfall."

Silence.

All eyes were glued to the mare that stood before them. A look of shock and confusion on their faces.

All expect Apple Bloom.

Looking over at her Captain's corpse Luna's expression turned sorrowful. The princess couldn't help but ponder over the memories the two shared. While their interactions were brief, Luna couldn't help but personally connected to the stallion in a way she couldn't explain. Perhaps he was a reincarnation of a soul she met earlier in life. Or perhaps the impression he left her stood out as one of a kind. Regardless her heart ached with loss. An emotion she only felt a few times in her long life.

Looking back at the crowd Luna spoke, voice grim.

'There are many different types of evil in this world, types that are so wicked and deranged that they had little to no place in the history books."

Luna paused before shaking her head. A knowing look in her expression. "I fear that Macintosh met the kind that I helped create."

Silence.

No pony said a word.

In response, Luna smiled grimly.

"Thank you all for coming."

*******

The mare figured that catching some pony like the princess alone to talk wasn't going to be easy. At least not without having guards present during the whole conversation. Munch to Apple Bloom's surprise it was Luna herself who asked to speak in private. The young mare for her part agreed. Fast forward sometime later and we have Apple Bloom heading towards the meeting place that the two agreed upon. While on her way the mare accidentally bumped into a pony. Having been lost in thought.

"Oh im sorry!" Apple Bloom gave the pony an apologetic smile. The pony in question whose facial features were hidden underneath a hood merely waved a hoof.

"It's no problem that one is on me."

The voice belonged to a mare. That munch Apple Bloom was sure of. Even with that said she couldn't help but ponder the mare's choice in clothing. Even if it did consist of what looked to be a robe of some sort. Without that said, however, this month was the beginning of fall so she didn't think much of it.

Suddenly the pony before her gasped. A second later Apple Bloom had a hoof pointed towards her direction.

"Aren't you the element of kindness?!"

The mare blinked at the question before answering.

"Yep, that's me!"

Apple Bloom grinned. As she did the mare suddenly felt very light-headed. So much so that she found herself losing balance. Luckily the pony in front of her was quick to come to react. Just as Apple Bloom began to fall a pair of hooves stopped her just in time.

"Yikes! Are you okay?!"

Apple Bloom grunted before shaking her head. As she did so the mare felt the dizziness fade. Only to be replaced with a new sensation she couldn't quite explain. With this in mind, she wasn't exactly confident in getting to her destination. At least not without the risk of falling on her flank.

Or worse.

As if reading her mind the pony spoke up. The mare's voice was gentle and kind. Something that Apple Bloom was immediately drawn to for some odd reason.

"If need assistance im more than willing to help."

Apple Bloom smiled.

*******

"Now I found myself questioning why I shouldn't do it."

The nameless mare beside Apple Bloom nodded her head in understanding. For some time now the two have been walking around and talking. Well, Apple Bloom did most of the talking. The mare beside her on the other hoof merely listened. Despite only knowing the pony for a short time Apple Bloom felt a strange kinship blossomed between them. As such the mare felt comfortable enough to give the pony some details about her life. As well as venting out her frustrations regarding the princess and her brother. However, the more Apple Bloom talked the more comfortable she felt. Not only that, but the mare soon found herself unable to remember where they were headed off to in the first place. Luckily her newfound friend kept her on track.

It wasn't long before the pair arrived at the meeting location. Said place was an old church that's been around ever since the founding of Ponyvile itself. Memories of going to said church and praying to a certain moon God came to the Orange mare's mind. Reminding her of a life she will never be able to regain.

"You know what's funny?"

The voice of her newfound companion drew Apple Bloom back to reality.

"What's that?"

When the mare spoke there was an odd sense of humor in her voice. Like she was seconds away from bursting into a fit of laughter over a joke no pony else knew but her.

"Ponies and even so-called gods find themselves dancing to a familiar tune whether they like it or not." "Instead of just living life and becoming whoever you want to be you ultimately waste your time by worrying about the small things."

Apple Bloom raised an eyebrow, confusion written all over her face. A small part of her told her to get away from this pony. However, that was all but ignored. After all, they were friends, weren't they?

"Small things?"

The hooded mare chuckled.

"Morals, good and evil, right and wrong it's always about the limitations you put on yourself and others, a distinction that does nothing but holds you back from becoming your true self."

Apple Bloom paused.

There was a sense of growing despair forming itself inside the mare's stomach. Not only that, but every other part of her screamed at her to run, to flee while she's still able and never look back. In the back of her mind, Apple Bloom knew that something was wrong with the pony that stood before her. With this in mind, she wanted nothing more than to do as her body commanded her. However, there was only one problem.

She couldn't.

Something, some invisible force held her at bay. What made it even worse is that a part of her didn't want to leave. Why would she? The mare was her friend after all. Friends stick together no matter what.

Apple Bloom gripped her skull. Varies thoughts and emotions collided with one another. Battling for control within her mind.

Dead.

He's dead.

Friends forever!

He's never coming back.

She's one of a kind!

He loved you.

Overwhelmed Apple Bloom did the only thing she could think of.

She screamed.