To the Dogs

Chapter 4: Tribulation
The yellow pegasus quickly raises her ears in response to the wailing tea pot over the blazing fire. "Oh, the tea's ready.", she squeaks. "I'll get it."

The drab, elderly unicorn rests his eyes as his daughter fixes the beverages. "Thank you sweet pea.", he mumbles.

Within a few seconds, Fluttershy returns with a pot full of piping hot tea. "Here you go, daddy.", squeaks the chipper pegasus.

"Thank you, pumpkin.", muttered the stationary unicorn.

The bright mare gently rests her flank down in the chair next to her father's. "What was in the letter daddy?", she innocently questions.

There is a long silence, as the stallion struggles to find words to send to his daughter. "W-well...", he began.

The sky was a dreadful shade of grey that windy Sunday morning. It seemed no different than any other morning, sitting with your Papa. With no idea of the terrible news which was about to be unfolded, I laid lazily upon his lap, as I received one of his ecstatic back massages.

Suddenly, there was a knocking upon the door. It was a very rare occurrence for me to get visitors. In fact, your Papa was the only one I'd met throughout the entirety of my stay.

"I go get it.", he barked.

After making his way over to the front door, he through it open with one of his mighty paws. Standing outside was a wall-eyed mailmare. She seemed unsurprised at the grey canine towering above her. With no hesitation, she reached into her mailbag and pulled out a plain envelope.

"I brought you a letter!", she chimed merrily.

"Thank you.", responded Scrape, slowly pushing the wooden door shut. He then made his way over to me with the mysterious letter.

Using my magic, I gently pulled the paper from his grip. "I wonder what it could be.", I said.

It was then that I noticed that it was marked with the royal stamp of Celestia herself. I began to wonder to myself what Canterlot would have wanted with me. Fears of being drafted into the Royal Guard invaded my head. The suspense of the unknown contents were eating at my insides. *rip* I tore the envelope open with my horn. Pulling out the papyrus sheet from within, I began to read.

Dearest Ebony Hack,

I regret to bring you this disheartening news.

Last night, your mother passed away in her sleep.
Her funeral is to be held in Ponyville Cemetery, on the 27th of September.
My heart goes out to you in these most troubling times, and you have my utmost sympathy.

Sincerely,

Princess Celestia

The world around me vanished in an instant. Every spark of joy and warmth I had once known had abruptly fallen to shadow. I was but a cold, emotionless husk. That was until the tears came. I found myself precipitating heavily into my large partner's furry arms.

"I am so sorry.", he whimpered, as he delicately stroked my mane. "It is okay to cry, little Ebony."

There was no response to which I could give to my faithful companion. All I could release were despairing squeaks of hopelessness. My dearest mother was gone, and I never even got to say goodbye. Life seemed so cruel.

It was then that Scrape hoisted me up in his monstrous arms, cradling me next to his pounding heart. "I know what it is like to lose family.", he whispered softly into my ear.

After several minutes of uncontrollable tears, I finally regained my composure. "W-why did this have to happen?", I wheezed. "Why couldn't I have been there?"

It was then that Scrape looked deeply into my red, dripping eyes with the strongest empathy I had ever seen. "Sometimes...", he began. "Life take away what we love most."

I wrapped my hooves around his neck. "I love you, Scrape.", I yelped. "You're the best friend I've ever had."

My face was then met with a comforting lick. "I love you too, little pony.", he cooed, as he nuzzled my face with his.

After a our lengthy embrace, my thoughts turned to the funeral. "Oh my gosh...", I sighed.

Scrape cocked his dead puzzled. "What?", he muttered.

"How am I going to get to Ponyville like this?", I said, pointing to my limp back legs.

A broad smile stretched across my muscly friend's fuzzy face. "I take you to little pony town.", he charmingly replied.

I gave no audible response to the dog's wonderful proposal. All I had to answer with was another warm hug.

He crushed me upon his broad chest. "You are welcome, little pony."