The Last Visit

Applejack trekked down the old, dirt Ponyville road. Mounds of dust flying up into the air as each hoof plummeted towards the dry soil. The sun beamed over her head, combined with the clouds, it created a combination of sun and shadow on the earthy ground. Faint gusts of wind buffeted her frizzed mane. Her bones ached, and her glasses were making the sun brighter than she could tolerate.

Applejack approached her friends, and sat beside them on the short blades of grass. She stretched her faded, tremoring hoof and gave a fresh, yellow rose to Fluttershy. “I saw this flower blooming at Apple Acres, it reminded me of y’all, Fluttershy.” Applejack rasped, shortly before releasing a sigh. “I’m just not what I used to be, girls.”

A wrinkled smile formed on her lips.

“I can’t remember the last time I went apple-bucking.” she began to speak, “Or the last time we went on one of them important adventures together.”

“I’ve missed ya’ll,” she said, “been so long since I’ve been able to make it here, to visit my five best friends, the Elements of Harmony.”

Her green eyes, just as vibrant and bright as they’d ever been focused on Rarity. “Ya’ll might want to know how Sweetie Bell is doing.” she said. “I saw her a couple a’ weeks ago. She said she misses ya’ll. Maybe next time we have one of our lil’ reunions I’ll bring er’ along.” Applejack offered. She beamed at Pinkie Pie.

“I’ve always missed your parties, Pinkie.” she generously said, glaring at her pink friend. “You’ll always make me smile.” she softly cooed, grinning as she said just this.

She then focused her attention on the once strong and athletic pegasus. “Rainbow Dash, I’ve missed ya’ and I’m sure y’all have missed your old pals and I too.” she rasped, “Your courage and loyalty is the same even now.” she told her friend. “Oh, those Wonderbolts are sure unlucky they don’t have a great pony like you with em’ no more.” She paused a few moments, trying to remember some of the old shows. She sighed when she found no memories.

She finally looked at the ring-leader of the group. “Oh, Twilight. How I’ve missed your brilliance and organization.” Applejack informed the purple unicorn. “I wish I could tell ya’ how Spike is doing now a’ days. But he’s probably out lookin’ after his own, flyin’ with the other dragons and eating all them gems and stones.” Applejack predicted, staring up at the sky, the sun nearly blinding her vision.

The girls had not talked in so long, ever since Applejack was struck with illness due to her old age. But she still loved her friends and knew that she had to visit them, like she had done weekly so long ago, before the time came. And the time was getting close, Applejack’s condition was getting intensely worse. She was past the time her death was predicted. And that made her decide, to see the five girls she has not seen yet has thought about everyday for the past decade. She managed to get out of bed, put on her old hat and set out to visit her friends, despite her aching joints, poor vision, and weak movement.

She spent the rest of the afternoon chatting with her friends about current events, she stood up and glared at her friends one last time before leaving. But they're not there, the five stone structures marking their graves are. She smiled lightly, before struggling to her hooves and beginning to walk down the same dirt pathway she came on, walking out of the graveyard for the last time until her own grave is placed beside her friends.