Romance and the Fate of Equestria

Welcome to Part Two. The date is August 1, 2013.

While some might be inclined, once posting the "end of part one", to mark the story complete and begin Part Two as a completely new story, that's not what I'm going to do here. I've done it a couple of times before, but I've decided that if every portion of Romance and the Fate of Equestria exists in a single, epic-sized mega-story… well, eventually it'll stand out more, head-and-shoulders above the usual fare of a mere 100,000 words.

To begin, a shout-out to shadeflower927, who popped up shortly after I posted the previous chapters, and to Pizzachic, who has returned to reviewing after a six-month absence. So grateful to have you both! The story feels so loved and alive now. But that doesn't reduce the impact of ShadowofaDemon88—you're not One Guy anymore, but you're still very much appreciated.

Of course, none of these people have finished Part One, so it might be a while before they see this. So may I just say, if you're reading this page, whoever you might be, thank you!

Chapter Thirty-Seven

The Mayor of Ponyville cleared her throat, her voice quivering. "We're here today to pay our respects to Granny Smith," she announced. "I see family and friends here from all over Equestria, come to pay their respects to a… to a truly amazing mare. Granny Smith was a mentor to many… a mother and grandmother… her loss diminishes not just Ponyville, but Equestria as a whole.

"Granny's contributions to our fair town and country cannot be overstated. Without her discovery and innovations, there would be no Ponyville. Our town's entire 102-year history… completely nonexistent. But enough of my impersonal laurels. I would ask that we hear from the one who was closest to Granny Smith, the one whom she loved the most. Applejack, if you would step forward…"

Applejack took the Mayor's place at the podium, her hair and clothes done in an appropriate style for mourning, and looked out at the veritable sea of ponies spread out in front of her. "Um… thank you, Mayor," she said with a light tremor. "I, um… well, y'all know I'm not much for talkin', so I'll try to keep this short… Try. But bear with me if I, uh… if I go off a bit.

"Wow, there's a lot o' you out there. I… I guess this has brought in folks from all corners of Equestria, and… and that's good. I think that Granny Smith, if she, um… if she saw all of y'all here, so many of ya, mournin' her like you're doin', well… well, she'd probably kick all of your asses, actually."

She glared harshly at the crowd as a few of them laughed from sheer shock. "Granny would not want to be mourned. She never knew exactly when or where she was born, but we think she was around 121 years old… ish. That's a long time to be alive. And when she died, it was in a warm bed, with her only three grandchildren right there by her side. And on top of that, she died because she was fightin' a good fight to protect one of those grandchildren. That is one hell of way to go, folks, 'specially for an oldster like her who would have only had a few months left in her anyway.

"So I'm not mourning. And I don't want to catch nopony else mourning neither! We're here to celebrate a life well spent. Just look at all these ponies… if the last thing Granny accomplished was bringin' all these folks together, well that's great. Try talkin' to somepony you haven't seen in a while, or somepony you've never met, who you wouldn't talk to otherwise. And enjoy the buffet; there's as much love and care in that buffet as there was in everything Granny ever did, I made sure of that. The food, and bringin' the ponies together, that's what Granny Smith would want her funeral to be about, not… not sadness."

Applejack swallowed hard, fighting back tears. "That's… that's all I got to say. I've… I've got… I've gotta… I gotta get outta here 'fore I lose it. Thanks for comin', y'all."

She rushed back to her seat as quickly as she could, burying her face in the crook of an elbow.

-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-

Granny Smith's casket was open, and ponies were filing by one-by-one to take a final look at her. She had been put in a black lace dress, one with a high neck to conceal the slash marks on her throat.

Silver Spoon looked down at the seemingly sleeping old mare and lingered there far longer than the previous ponies had. "You were my hero," she whispered. "Just wanted to tell you that."

She turned away and found herself nose to nose with Apple Bloom. "Hey, Silv."

"Apple Bloom. I was just, uh…"

"I heard you," Apple Bloom said gently. "That was a really nice thing to say. I, uh, know we haven't spoken for a while, and I'm real sorry about that. I know you wanted to… you know."

"Yeah, no, it's okay," Silver Spoon said hastily. "You've had stuff to do…"

"Well, you wanna come hang out with us now?" Apple Bloom said, leaning her head back to indicate Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo close behind her, as well as Twist, Truffle Shuffle, and Featherweight, farther behind and looking puzzled.

Silver Spoon looked around and spotted Diamond Tiara, by her father's side, scanning the crowd angrily. Silver Spoon knew she was looking for her.

"Yeah," Silver Spoon said. "I'd… I'd like that, yeah. Let's go."

-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-

Big Macintosh stood numbly at the buffet table, not taking anything, just staring off into nothingness.

Twilight tapped him gently, and he turned to her.

"Hey," she said apologetically. "How are you holding up?"

He shrugged.

"Hmm… yeah, I thought so," Twilight muttered. "Listen, I was wondering… this is probably the worst possible time, I know, but I need to ask… could I have my Smarty Pants doll back?"

He raised an eyebrow. "Sorry?"

"Please don't pretend, I know you have her," Twilight pleaded. "It's just… she used to be the closest thing to a friend I had. I was okay with letting her go before, but now… I've been through kind of a bad scene, and I need all the comfort I can get."

He snorted. "You need…? I just lost my granny."

"I know, I know," Twilight said hastily, "of course you did, and that's why I wouldn't even ask, except… well…" She pointed a hoof over Big Mac's shoulder.

He turned, and saw Fluttershy, nervously chatting with a pair of Apple relatives, two mares who seemed deeply interested in what she had to say. She noticed Big Mac looking at her and gave him a tiny wave as she spoke.

"You've got her," Twilight whispered. "You've got a real pony to keep you warm at night. You know? It's a real treasure, a gift, to have that in your life. And I… well…"

"Eeyup," Big Mac muttered. "I… I get it. I'll bring her by sometime this afternoon. The doll, I mean, not…"

"There's no rush," Twilight said. "Just any time you—"

He put a hoof on her shoulder. "I'll do it," he said firmly.

"Okay," Twilight breathed. "Thanks."

-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-

"She sure looks dead," said Spike.

He was looking up at his olive tree, planted in the backyard of the Golden Oaks Library, bare of all its leaves and covered in frost.

"Naw, she ain't dead, Spike; she's just hibernatin'," Applejack assured him. "In the spring, all her gorgeous silver leaves'll come back, and she'll give ya the best dang olives a tree ever gave, 'cause you love her so much."

"Yeah… of course," Spike said. He tied a scarf around the tree's trunk. "Sleep well, Olivia. I'll see you when spring is here."

Applejack gave a small smile. "She's got a name, too? You're so sweet. Why do you call her Olivia?"

"Why do you think?" Spike said slyly.

She scrunched up her face for a moment as she thought it over, then brightened. "Oh! I get it now. Heh…" Her chuckle faded away, as if she wasn't able to laugh anymore, and she looked down at the ground.

"Hey, listen…" Spike said. "What you said up there this morning, about not… um, mourning, I guess. That was actually really beautiful. It spoke to me. A bit hard to take the message seriously, though, considering… well, considering how torn up you are. You can let it all out, you know."

"I know, Spike. But Granny wouldn't want me to mourn her passin', I just know it. We talked about it all the time."

"You did?" he said, surprised.

"Well, yeah," Applejack said. "I mean, look, she was ninety-five when I was born. We've always known this day was comin'. I mean… make no mistake, Crazyface will pay extra-hard for what he did to my family. But all in all, Apple Bloom's fine, the trees will grow back, and Granny… well, I've been ready to say goodbye for a while. It's just…" She sighed.

"What?" Spike asked.

"With Granny gone, Sweet Apple Acres belongs to me," Applejack said. "Now, I've been doin' most of the work my whole life, but having to face up to all the work, without Granny, because Granny's not there for me anymore, I… I don't know. At least the season's over and I've got a few months to think about it. But…" She closed her eyes and rubbed her forehead with a hoof. "I've never run into a burden that I couldn't handle, but this might be it. I'm terrified, Spike. What if I don't have what it takes?"

Peewee dropped from the top of the library-tree, landing daintily on the ground and bobbing toward Spike and Applejack like some gigantic towering robin. He bent down toward Applejack and warbled as he nuzzled her face.

"Aw, howdy Peewee," Applejack said, stroking his beak.

"You do have what it takes, AJ," Spike said. "You have true friends."

Applejack guffawed. "Aw, now if that ain't the cheesiest line I ever heard… but that don't make it not true. You're right, Spike. You're a pretty smart boy, aren'tcha?"

Spike ran his claw down the bark of his tree again. "Nah, I don't think so… I just call 'em like I see 'em."

"Well, it works."

-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-

"So…" Twilight said, leaning forward with quill and parchment at the ready. "When did you start to hate yourself?"

"Hard to say," Rarity said, sprawled across her couch, which she had brought to the library. "It was a slow and prolonged process. But I would guess… well, I've already told you, haven't I? The royal wedding. Fancypants. I'm not good enough."

"And why do you think you're not good enough?" Twilight cajoled.

Rarity rolled over to stare at Twilight. "Seriously? You're going with that?"

"Well, it's a bit early to just start contradicting you, isn't it?" Twilight said. "I'm just trying to be productive. Tell me why you think that."

"Because it's true!" Rarity exclaimed. "I've always been the girl who was ready to fight and bite and kick and bleed to get to the top, and… and I didn't get to the top. It accomplished nothing, because I'm not good enough."

"And what, pray tell, led you to think you've never accomplished anything?"

"Oh, you've known me a while, Twilight," Rarity said bitterly. "Name me one thing I've accomplished."

"Sapphire Shores' entire touring wardrobe. Thirty Grand Galloping Gala dresses commissioned and sold. The much-publicized design of the royal bride and bridesmaid dresses. Fancypants' favorite party guest. And, um, oh yes, one of the Element-bearers who's saved Equestria twice." Twilight smirked. "Hmm, let's see, that's five. I must be good at this."

Rarity raised her eyebrows expectantly. "Mm-hmm, and?"

"What do you mean, 'and'?" Twilight demanded. "What more do you need?"

"Where has it gotten me?" Rarity said grimly. "I'm in exactly the same place in life that I was before any of that happened. I might as well have never done any of it."

"Rarity… look around you," Twilight said softly. "Notice that it's daytime, that the world is orderly and harmonious. That wouldn't be possible without your help. You can't tell me you wish you hadn't done it."

"I was available," Rarity spat. "The Element chose me because I was the sixth pony there. I was good enough, but not… good enough. A number of things could be called my defining trait. Generosity doesn't even make the list."

"You're… sorely mistaken," Twilight said. "As you said, I've known you a while. You live up to your Element beautifully. But we'll get back to that… we've both mentioned Fancypants. You complain that he hasn't gotten you any status? I happen to know you've been ignoring and avoiding him. That would explain it, don't you think?"

"I… I…" Rarity stammered.

"So, what's your reason for that?" Twilight said kindly. "Please… tell me."

"Fancypants' company is… not good for my health," Rarity said. "He introduces me to ponies who shatter my dreams. Either they get my hopes up too high, leading them to splat on the pavement… or they just make me feel like crap by being everything I'll never be good enough to be."

Twilight pouted in sympathy. "You know, Rarity… everypony has the problem of being unable to perceive themselves as others perceive them. Some ponies think too highly of themselves, but I suppose the opposite problem can be just as tragic. If you could see what I see, Rarity… what all your other friends see, what Spike sees…" Rarity looked up at that. "Well, you'd be a lot less upset right now. Have you tried looking at yourself objectively?"

"I know who I am," Rarity said dully. "I live up here." She tapped on her head. "That's as objective as it gets. I appreciate that my friends see good in me, I truly do, but… anypony who can't see why I hate myself is a fool. In some ways, I respect Fancypants' rich and shallow yes-ponies… at least they see me as I am. They don't like me, you see."

"Uh-huh… so you believe your friends can't be objective, then?" Twilight said. "Well, what about Fancypants himself? Hmm? He's one of 'them', the rich elite. After all these months, he's still trying to locate you, to get your attention. Day after day. If you don't trust the judgment of your friends, trust the pony who wants to see you get ahead and has the means to get you there. If you're still willing to accept our friendship… well, then reach out and accept his as well. Meet his contacts. Listen to his advice. You might end up surprising yourself."

Twilight stepped forward and put a hoof on Rarity's shoulder. "The best way to feel good about yourself is by getting stuff done. You've been given an opportunity, don't turn it down. I know you feel like the past is against you, but take that little leap of faith. You can do it."

Rarity rolled over; she had been laying on her back and now got into a more standard sitting position, her legs tucked underneath herself. "I… I'm just…" She sighed. "Thank you, Twilight. You've given me… much to think about. Quick question: why is Rainbow Dash sitting in on all of this?"

"Hey, buddy, if either one of us wanted confidentiality, we'd shell out money for a real shrink," Rainbow Dash said from the other couch.

"I was just asking," Rarity said defensively.

Rainbow Dash sat up. "Look, Rare, the fact is that I'm going through a lot of the same stuff as you. Thinking things I shouldn't, feeling things I shouldn't. And beating myself up mercilessly. It's not healthy. Now, I can continue stewing in it, or I can do something about it. You can guess which option I like better."

"Of course," Twilight said, "I could help you a lot better if you'd actually tell me what your problem was."

"Meh," Rainbow grumbled. "Applejack knows. If you really wanna know, ask her. I just thought maybe I could pick up some tidbits of wisdom from what you're saying to Rarity."

"Well, I hope you're more certain about your next step than I am," Rarity muttered. "You're… you're right, Twilight. I'm going to write back to Fancypants and… see where it leads me." She walked off, taking slow and unsteady steps.

Several seconds after she walked out the door, she returned. "Forgot my couch," she said, pulling it out onto the streets with magic.

Once she left, Twilight turned to Rainbow. "Well? Seeing as we're alone, are you more willing to talk?"

Rainbow shook her head. "I'd rather not. I'll… puzzle it out on my own. Let's talk about you, Twilight."

"Me?"

"Come on," Rainbow said. "I think you're in a lot more pain than you're letting on. You loved him, Twi. And he… I get burned up just thinking about it, and I barely even knew the guy. Why don't you tell your friendly neighborhood Rainbow Dash what you're feeling right now?"

Twilight didn't answer for a long stretch of time. "I'm… I'm fine, Rainbow Dash. Really. All I care about right now is keeping things moving forward. He's gone now. Out of my life until somepony catches him. The important thing is my friends and how they're doing."

"Well… okay," Rainbow said, clambering up. "If you're absolutely sure, I've got stuff to do. The weather and all. If…" She sighed and shook her head. "If there's any way I can, I dunno, let a few extra sunbeams in… this just isn't a season for promoting emotional stability, know what I mean? …Catch you later, Twi."

Rainbow flew out the door.

"Bye, Rainbow," Twilight said, almost silently.

She looked around at all her possessions, and nodded to herself. "The important thing is our health. Body, mind, and soul. The future, that's what matters."