The entire bunker stopped work for the day. Everypony wore black. But, emblazoned on their black clothing, was a green apple. This day...this day would always be burned into their hearts. It was hard to imagine Big Mac gone. Most of the time, he was silent, but it was just...different.

With the help of Twilight Sparkle, a team of unicorns and the rest of the Apple family erected a statue of Big Mac in the center of their fields. A simple inscription was chiseled into the base:

This is a monument to Big Mac, who fought to the end

He fought for those he loved, family and friend

Granny Smith was largely silent these days, not saying much. The loss had taken a hard hit on her. Her old heart had barely taken it. She kept to herself, most of the time, and mumbled to the apples, speaking Big Mac's tale.

Applebloom was still in shock. Her only brother, her big brother. Gone. Big, strong, silent Big Macintosh. Gone. Her mind couldn't handle it. Not yet. Every day, she would ask Granny Smith when Big Mac was coming home. She was always answered with muttered whispers, incomprehensible speech.

The only other ponies who had taken it as hard as the Apple family were his teammates. Twilight had spent hours, past sunset even, in her books. Theory books about death. They all said the same thing. Death was permanent. If there was an afterlife, the only way to talk to someone their was to die yourself. All the same common sense. All the same bullshit.

Fluttershy mourned, for a bit, but she had her own problems. She talked to Derpy and Vinyl Scratch about her "ordeal" with the guard, since neither of them had known Big Macintosh very well.

" I wasn't in control! It was my other...me, I suppose. Ohhh... If only I hadn't taken Iron Will's classes. See, I have a split personality, who likes to take charge and push people around. It was like I wasn't in control! I could see what was going on, and...feel it...but I couldn't control myself! I was burning up! He was the only thing that made the burning go away. " Fluttershy sheepishly explained to her friends.

Derpy sat there, munching on a muffin, not really comprehending anything that had been said. Vinyl, on the other hand, knew what Fluttershy was going through.

" Look, Fluttershy, I know what your going through. I've been in similar situations myself. Being a DJ isn't just music you know. There's enchanting music, the lights, the laughter. It's all very hypnotic. I've made some decisions similar to yours. I might not exactly regret them, " Vinyl said with a chuckle, " but I learned from my experiences. You just have to move on and let it make you stronger. "

Fluttershy nodded. She was still worried about her alternate persona, but Vinyl's steady words, and confident, clear ruby eyes had given her the mental boost she needed. " Thanks Vinyl. I really appreciate...I really appreciate you taking your time to help me with my, uh, problem. " She blurted out shyly.

Suddenly, her heart beat loud into her ears. She could feel her blood rushing. Oh no. It was her other. What was she doing. She suddenly took a mental back seat. She saw her hoof reach out and stroke Vinyl's cheek. She watched as she saw herself lean in and land a peckish kiss, right on Vinyl's lips!

As fast as it started, it was over. She was back in control. She didn't know what to do. She squeaked in fright and darted out of the room.

" Any time Fluttershy, anytime. " Vinyl said, with a smile on her face. She looked over to Derpy. She forgot that Derpy was there. Derpy looked her square in the eyes (as much as was possible) and simply said, " Blueberry! "

Pinkie Pie...Now, Pinkie Pie didn't know Big Mac that well, but she still felt sad. She supposed. To take her mind off of sad things, she baked cakes, cupcakes, all kinds of sweets. She would pass them out to her friends. She triumphantly raised a hoof into the air and shouted, " Bake ALL the sweets! "

Rarity locked herself in her room, with her spa workers of course. She worked on a mourning dress so elegant, and so sad, that she thought that no one should wear it. But it took her mind off things, at least for a little while. As she was finishing up the stitching of the dress, she quietly sang to herself, "...And that's the art of the dress..."

Applejack and Rainbow Dash took it the worst. Applejack had lost her only brother, and Rainbow Dash felt as if she had  broken a promise. They sat in their room. Applejack hadn't felt like talking when they got back, and Rainbow didn't know what to say. That was twelve hours ago. A whole half day had passed, and neither had moved. Both were still in tears. Both were still in pain.

Finally, Rainbow gathered up the courage to say something. " Applejack... I'm so sorry! " The tears started anew. " I really tried to get to him! I did! You saw! Pinkie held me back! You can't blame me, you can't! I couldn't take it if you blamed me... " She blurted. She fell on the cot, defeated.

Applejack stopped crying. She sat up. She thought for a moment before walking into the bathroom and started the bath. Steam clouded their compartment. " Ah... Ah don't blame you RD. I saw what you tried to do. It just...It just ain't fair. Why Mac? He... " She stopped for a moment to gather herself. " He was the nicest colt you ever did see. I just don't understand why it had ter be him... Come on RD, we haven't had a bath since we got back. We stink, heh. Care to join me? " She said.

Rainbow Dash sighed, got up, and slipped into the tub. She was washing Applejack's back again when Applejack burst into tears again. AJ whipped around, sloshing the bathwater around. She normally soft, fluffly hair lay in wet strands down the sides of her face and the back of her head.

" Oh Rainbow! I miss him so much! It hasn't even been a whole darned day, and I'm a wreck! How? How can I live the rest of my life without Big Mac? " She sobbed.

Rainbow Dash was stunned. She didn't know how to react. But she had to help her friend, her lover. " Don't worry AJ. He's... He's in a better place now, alright? And no matter what happens, you'll have me to help you. " Rainbow explained.

" Thanks RD... " Applejack sobbed, " It means a lot. " The tears started anew. " Oh Rainbow Dash! Please! You need to help me. Take me away. Make me forget! I don't want to think about it anymore, or ever again! "

Rainbow Dash's eye widened at AJ's words. They made her hot under her collar. She blushed, and her wings immediately unfurled to their full length. . Was this really about to happen? She didn't have time to respond to Applejack's words. Before she knew it, Applejack rushed forward and ambushed her. Applejack's hot breath brushed against Rainbow Dash's neck. She felt a tongue on her neck, and her eyes rolled back into her head. Their lips met. AJ really did taste like apples.

Applejack whispered one word, her lips so close to Rainbow Dash's ear that it sent shivers down her spine. " Please... "

Rainbow led her back to their cot. She extinguished the magical orb of light with a flap of her wings. As the light faded, she looked into Applejack's emerald-green eyes one last time before the light faded. That word...it sounded one last time as the couple was plunged into darkness.

" Please... "

Next Chapter: Chapter 11: Exploring your feelings Estimated time remaining: 24 Minutes