Carrot Top's Lament

The flames were put out, but by that time it was too late. The Royal Guards found Carrot Top's charred body inside her nearly burned down house. The Royal Guards then secluded the area and began to look for clues. They found dry hay all around the base outside the house. They came to the conclusion that the dry hay combined with the heat of the Sun must have started the fire. They also concluded that the hay must have fallen off from the hay-made roof.

I just don't know what went wrong, thought Derpy Hooves, the next day. How could Carrot Top, the love of my life, be dead? Derpy had just delivered her last round of mail. They were invitations to Carrot Top's vigil, which will be held tonight at the remains of Carrot Top's house. She flew back to her house, walked inside, put her mailbag down, and went to her room. She got into bed and began crying.

"It's just so sad", said Fluttershy. Twilight invited her friends to her house after they got the invitations.

"I agree with Fluttershy", said Pinkie Pie.

"What in the hay is a vigil anyway", asked Applejack.

"A vigil is a period of staying awake, usually for a somber occasion, such as the death of loved one", said Twilight.

"Oh."

Later that night, the whole town of Ponyville gathered around the house that belonged to the late Carrot Top. Tears flowed from everypony's eyes as they mourned the loss of Carrot Top. Even Derpy came. She cried the hardest of all.

It was raining. Umbrellas covered everypony's head. Except Derpy's. The rain soaked her mane and coat. Twilight walked up behind her, using her magic to levitate an umbrella, and shielded Derpy from the rain. Without warning, Derpy grabbed on to Twilight and cried on her shoulder.

Twilight patted the crestfallen mare's back. "I'm sorry, Derpy." This made Derpy cry harder. Twilight sniffled and tear fell from her eye. "I'm so sorry."

The next day, everypony went back to their usual day jobs. Roseluck sold roses, Pinkie Pie made cupcakes, Rairty sewed dresses, even Derpy delivered mail. Everything seemed normal. But it wasn't. It would never be normal ever again. Carrot Top's death shook Ponyville in ways not even they can understand.

"I brought you a letter", said Derpy as cheerfully as she could.

"Thank you, Derpy", said Twilight. She took the mail and closed the door of her library house. Twilight opened the letter with her magic.

"Who's it from", asked Spike.

Twilight examined the letter. "It doesn't say who it's from."

"Maybe if you read it aloud, that'll give you a clue", replied Spike.

"Good idea. 'I'm really sorry to hear about the murder of your friend, Carrot Top.' Murder? Carrot Top's death was an accident."

"Keep reading, Twilight."

"Okay. 'I'm sure you may have heard the Royal Guards say it was just an accident, but I knew better. Carrot Top was burned alive. Rumors got around that she was a witch, some kind of powerful Earth pony with great powers. Someponies accepted that she was just great at gardening, other ponies...well, not so much. These other ponies came to Ponyville just to get rid of her. Her friends, the ones who accepted her, told them to back off, but Carrot Top just gave in. She was nice like that. After they killed her, they immediately left Ponyville. I know because I saw it with my own eyes. But I also know Carrot Top left something behind. This is where you and your friends come in, Twilight. I've searched everywhere for a sign she left, but couldn't find anything. You and your friends must locate what Carrot Top left behind. It's somewhere in her house. Once you locate it, bring it to Derpy. She'll know what to do with it. Sincerely, unknown mare. P.S., only you and your friends must know about this. Not anypony else..'" Twilight put the letter down and looked at Spike.

"What are you thinking, Twilight?"

"I'm thinking...we must find what Carrot Top left behind." Twilight raced over to her other friends houses and told them about the letter's message. The Mane Six all went over to Carrot Top's house, well, the remains of it. "Let's being our search." They searched high and low, low and high, high and low, but came to no avail.

"This is ridiculous", exclaimed Rainbow Dash. "We've been here forever and found not a thing!"

"It's only been 15 minutes", said Twilight.

"Oh."

"We must keep looking, everypony." Twilight and her friends continued their search. An hour later, Twilight said, "Girls, come look at this!" Twilight was levitating a carrot.

"It's just a dumb carrot", said Rainbow Dash.

"Not exactly." Twilight walked over to a dead plant on the window sill of the house. Once she put the carrot on the pot of the dead plant, the flower began to bloom.

The others gasped.

"Oh my goodness", said Fluttershy. "Do you know what this means?"

"It means we found what we were looking for and must take it to Derpy", said Twilight. "Come on, girls!"

The Mane Six ran over to Derpy's house. Applejack knocked on Derpy's front door.

Derpy opened the door.

"Here." Twilight gave Derpy the carrot. "I know this may be confusing, but-"

"Thanks." Derpy slammed the door in Twilight's face.

"That went well", said Rainbow Dash sarcastically.

"Let's just go home, everypony", said Twilight.

Derpy carried the carrot to her room. "Now the resurrection can begin."