Applejack was the first to go.
It was tough for everypony to say the least. We didn’t think she’d be the first one to go, considering Pinkie’s sugar addiction or Rainbow’s recklessness. It took us by surprise to be honest.
Looking back though, it seems more plausible that she’d pass away a little earlier. Applejack really did push herself, especially when it had anything to do with the farm. I still remember my first apple bucking season in Ponyville. She was as stubborn as a mule. That was quite a while ago, huh?
Even many moons after that, she insisted she do most of the chores herself. At most she’d have Applebloom and Big Mac help her, but we would rarely be able to help her out. All that work seemed to be a detriment to her health. The stress of running the farm while helping me rule Equestria must have got to her.
I still remember her last day like it was yesterday as she lay in that hospital bed surrounded by her friends and family. Applebloom was bawling her eyes out, her tears and snot smearing onto the sheets, begging her sister not to go. Applejack simply lay there, her eyes closed, slowly brushing Applebloom’s mane.
Big Mac and Sugar Belle were also trying their best to comfort the youngest filly. Big Mac remained silent, but it was obvious by the look on his face what he was feeling. Sugar Belle was rubbing Applebloom’s back while she watched Applejack.
Pinkie’s usual chirpy-self was nowhere to be found for obvious reasons. Her hair was no longer poofy but rather straightened out. It’s hard to see Pinkie like that. She looked just like a deflated balloon as she hugged Cheese tightly.
Rarity seemed to be holding up pretty well, surprisingly. Rarity sat there, her expression saying it all. I thought she would’ve been balling her eyes out, but she kept her composure, shedding an occasional tear or sniffling every once in a while. She comforted Fluttershy who was sitting right next to her, giving her a shoulder to cry on.
It seemed to hit Rainbow the hardest. She sat at the foot of the bed, blankly staring at her friend’s last moments. She didn’t say or do anything. She just sat there with the same expression. It was as if she didn’t want to believe it, like it was all some terrible nightmare. We tried to talk to her and comfort her, but she didn’t budge. She was like a hollow shell.
I tried my best to keep my composure, even stepping out of the room to calm myself down. I knew the day would come where I would see my friends move on, but I just couldn’t believe it was happening so soon. I remember the tears streaming down my cheeks as I stepped back into the room. Choking on a sob, I joined everypony in one last goodbye as we watched our friend pass away.
Fluttershy was next.
We all saw it coming.
As the years went by, Fluttershy grew weaker and weaker, to the point of being bedridden. Age simply caught up to her.
Discord kept her company, taking care of her day and night. He acted like everything was alright, but we all knew how hard it was for him though. He admitted to me some years later that seeing her in that state tore him apart. He begged her to accept his proposal, but Fluttershy would always shake her head. Fluttershy knew her time was coming, but was so graceful about it. I can’t even imagine how much pain Discord went through.
She looked so peaceful in her bed. Her breaths were soft and quiet, which was very befitting of her. She weakly smiled at all of us as we surrounded her bed, trying to comfort us even though she was the one who was dying. She was always so kind, thinking of others before herself.
Her smile never faded as she took her final breath. It was a peaceful passing, just as she hoped for.
I remember the room being quiet and the air being heavy. Discord excused himself from the room, saying he needed time to be alone. Pinkie muffled cries filled the room as she buried her face into the sheets. Rainbow stood there with downcast eyes, tears slowly dripping onto the floor. Rarity simply had a somber look on her face as she stared at the bed.
It was hard to not cry. The tears ran down my face as I tried my best to comfort Pinkie, who was practically bawling her eyes out at this point. We all knew death awaited everypony, but it was still hard losing such a wonderful friend. Soon enough, everypony had gone their separate ways. I was the last pony in the cottage. As I stood over her bed, I remember taking one last long look at her motionless body before exiting the room with a heavy sigh.
Pinkie’s death was easier to handle, thanks to her.
Her final moments were filled with joy and happiness. Surrounded by friends and family, she was still as joyful and energetic as ever. She walked around the room to chat with everypony, saying things like how much she’d miss them or hugging them and comforting them. She even made a corny joke about death that we all couldn’t help but laugh at.
As her energy died down, she sat in her favorite chair. She wanted us to Pinkie promise her one last thing: her funeral to be filled with joy and happy memories, not sad and depressing ones. She wanted it to be just like a party she’d throw, filled with smiles and tears of joy, not sadness.
As we Pinkie promised her, she smiled at all of us. Sitting there in the chair, she looked at every single one of us before getting comfortable and closing her eyes. I still remember the last thing she said.
Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.
We stood around her with teary smiles as she passed from this world, happy that we got to share a part of our lives with a pony like her.
With no surprise, Rainbow took death like a champ.
When we arrived at her house, she was just about getting ready to leave. Something about wanting to take flight one last time. Excusing herself, she soared through the sky towards Ponyville.
Some time passed before she returned. Her eyes were a bit red and puffy, but paying no mind to it, we smiled at her. Weakly smiling back, Rainbow silently nodded to us. As she climbed into her bed, she got comfortable and sat up.
After a moment of silence, Rainbow went on to talk about all the great things that happened in her life, starting with meeting us. Who would’ve thought that Rainbow would get so sentimental? If Applejack was here, she definitely would’ve said something about it.
She went on to thank us for always being there for her, even as she was dying. Then of course, she had to talk about how we saved the world countless times and how she went on to become the “best” wonderbolt. She even bragged about nurturing the best wonderbolts Equestria has ever seen, but I chose not to say that there can’t be multiple “best” wonderbolts. Also, that is subjective!
As she died down, so did the mood. We all knew what came next.
Scootaloo was sitting next to her the whole time with teary eyes. Rainbow eventually laid down, staring up at the ceiling. Telling us that she wanted to spend some alone time with Scootaloo, we all complied. Stepping out the room, I took one last long at Rainbow. She slowly closed her eyes and began to say something.
I couldn’t hear anything because her voice was weak. A voice so quiet that Fluttershy would’ve been proud.
We waited outside her room for a while until Scootaloo came out. Her eyes were red and puffy and her voice was shaky. We all knew what that meant.
Rainbow was gone now.
Rarity was last.
Sweetie Belle and I were the only ones beside her, as per her request.
We were in Rarity’s bedroom at the boutique. There were lots of fond memories made here. I still remember the dresses she made for us for our first gala. They were gorgeous.
Rarity placed a hoof on Sweetie Belle’s cheek. Smiling at her sister, she tried to comfort her as she cried and cried. Her voice was weak but very reassuring. As I watched the two, my own tears welled up.
I’ll admit, it was hard losing Rarity. She was the last one left, and once she was gone, the elements of harmony were no more. She must’ve noticed my pain though, as she turned her head towards me slowly with the same graceful smile she always had. That’s when I finally broke.
All I remember was bursting into tears and her pulling me into a hug. I don’t know how long I cried, but I’m guessing it was a while. I occasionally felt something wet on my coat, which I assumed were her tears. Rarity, however, didn’t move an inch the whole time though, whispering comforting words as I spilled out everything.
It felt good.
Letting go of Rarity, she smiled at me, and I smiled back.
Laying back down, she looked over to her table. My eyes followed hers, spotting the sketches on top. It was sketches of a beautiful burial gown. I stared at it for a while, my mind wandering all kinds of places.
My daydreaming was interrupted by Sweetie Belle sobs. As I turned back, I already knew why she was sobbing. Rarity was gone.
With that, all of my best friends were gone.
A cool breeze flowed through my mane as I slowly opened my eyes. In front of me was one of the most breathtaking views in all of Equestria. Off in the distance was a small, dainty seaside town and a beautiful city in the clouds.
“I really wish you were all here to see this.”
Author's Note
Wanted to try something out with the pictures, let me know what you all think. I've also been meaning to write something based on this song since it's just so good! I hope you all enjoyed this short little one-shot. Comments are always welcomed.
