The First Farewell

The trip back home was a silent one. Nopony, not Big Mac, nor Apple Bloom, not even Winona dared to utter a single word or bark. On Big Mac’s back, draped over like a saddlebag, lay AJs body, for lack of better transportation. Mac knew he could’ve gone back to the farm to get the old carriage, but he didn’t dare leave his sister out in the barren fields, out of respect, and out of fear that some carnivorous beast would venture into the orchard, drawn by the scent of death.

The sun was near its zenith by the time they reached the barn. Winona, ears lowered, tail dragging behind her, silently walking towards her doghouse and curling up into a tight ball, shivering despite the sweltering heat. Big Mac looked at Apple Bloom with big, sad eyes, and she nodded. She understood perfectly, even if no words were spoken. Inside the house, most likely cooking up lunch or sewing, was Granny Smith, and they both knew she would not take the news well. The last time she’d worried for AJ after she’d disappeared, she’d become so depressed the doctors had been in and out of the house by the dozens, and they’d drained most of the Apple family’s savings. Now, with this sick, twisted, cruel twist of fate, this disgusting play of mother nature, there was no knowing how she’d react.

Apple Bloom walked into the house, and left Big Mac to his own devices. With a heavy sigh, he walked towards the barn, were they kept the spare supplies. He had enough bits saved up to pay for a beautiful coffin and a decent funeral, but he couldn’t just leave his sister in the grass. He wouldn’t call for the paramedics either. There was nothing they could do, and he wasn’t paying for them to tell him what he already knew.

The load on his back was heavier than any other he’d ever had to carry. It made him want to simply lay down and die, join AJ and gallop through the skies for nights everlasting. But he couldn’t, he just couldn’t. Every hoofstep was like torture, everything inside of him twisting in agony, wanting to give up, feeling as useless as ever. As useless as when his mother had died. As useless and when his father had left them. Useless.

He opened the barn door with a cautious hoof, and stepped onto the soft hay loitering on the floor. Finding a soft pile of hay, he gently set Applejack’s body down, leaving her in the golden-colored bed of grass. She looked as beautiful as ever, even more so than usual. He fought back tears as he just stared at her, looking like a sleeping angel, peacefully enjoying a midday nap on the soft hay. Had it not been for the nasty wound on her side and the stillness of her chest, anypony would’ve guessed she’d been sleeping. Not able to look any more, Big Mac turned away, and got to work on the makeshift coffin. He was no carpenter, but he would make sure it did his sister justice, even if it took him all day. Even if it killed him, which part of him hoped it did.

Inside the house, Apple Bloom sniffled as she searched for her grandmother. She had no idea how to tell her what had happened. Had it been her fault? It had been her idea to go out into the southern hills on the edge of the orchard. It had been her who’d asked Applejack to go with her. But she never expected it to turn out that way. The way the wind blew, just when they were passing beneath the tree. It could’ve just as easily been her. It should’ve been her. AJ had just heard the cracking noise before she had. So many ‘ifs’.

But now there was a bigger issue. She had to tell her grandmother that her other granddaughter had… died.

She found her in the kitchen, stirring something inside a pot. Possibly a stew, judging from the aroma of tomato and some other ingredients coming from that direction. Granny spotted her before she could speak up, and turned to her with a smile.

“Oh, there y’all are Apple Bloom, sweetie. Where’s Applejack? Go on and tell her and Big Mac lunch’s almost ready, would ya?”

Apple Bloom fought back a sob, but she couldn’t stop the tears that came. Granny’s smile vanished without hesitation as she dropped back to all fours and walked slowly towards Apple Bloom.

“What’s wrong sweetheart?”

“Granny… Somethin’ happened…”

Apple Bloom continued to sob, but she managed to say everything. Every last detail came pouring out. It felt so good to finally get it all out, but instead of the comforting hug or words that she’d expected, Granny Smith had remained still and silent as a statue. Once she’d finished, she was bawling, sprawled out on the floor, and Granny remained as silent as ever. Apple Bloom didn’t notice her turning away as walking through the doors into her room. Not a word was heard throughout the house for the remainder of the day.

Several minutes, after she had no more tears to give, Apple Bloom lifted herself up weakly, her knees trembling, and she walked outside onto the porch, seeking the fresh air that would surely alleviate her in some small, superficial way. Once outside, she could hear grunting and hammering coming from the barn, along with the occasional sob or tearful cry. She knew her Big Brother when he was upset, and nopony was safe around him when he was in one of his moods. He’d be in his worst mood right about now, and Apple Bloom was sure he’d be better off alone. She simply sat on the porch in the same spot where her sister usually sat, and stared out into the empty orchard. It seemed so lifeless, so senseless without her sister bucking the trees and running around, smiling and laughing as always. Memories of her sister were the only thing left in Apple Bloom’s mind, and the only things strong enough to keep her sane for the moment.

It could have been minutes, it could have been hours, nopony really counted, Big Mac finally emerged from the barn, sweaty and covered in sawdust, a few bruises here and there, but an overall victorious glint in his eyes. He walked slowly towards the porch, towards his eerily-silent sister, and sat down beside her. Not bothering to look at her, he stared off into the orchard along with her, and wrapped a hoof around her fragile, trembling body.

“A’ve got to go into town now… Get some ponies to carry her someplace better. Tell everyony what happened…”

“’K…”

“Y’all… You wanna come with me?”

“’K”

Neither moved a muscle. They sat silently, showing their respect for their sister, both thinking of the exact same orange cowpony as the minutes wasted away. After several minutes, Apple Bloom stood first, her brother echoing her actions, and they both walked slowly and solemnly towards Ponyville.

That day, an innocent soul joined the afterlife, scared and helpless, leaving behind everything she had ever loved. Having said goodbye to only one pony, she knew that many more would be affected by her premature departure. But she’d had no voice in the matter, and what was done was done. For in life, the only thing that’s truly ever known, is that death is the eventual, inevitable outcome.

That day, Ponyville would mourn for the loss of one of the most beloved ponies in all of Equestria, known by all as the holder of the element of Honesty. A pony that would give her life for her friends and country, a pony whose word was worth more than anypony else’s. The best friend anypony could ever dream of having the honor to call a friend, and those who did, knew that Applejack was the very best amongst many, the finest of ponies, and the dearest of friends. She will be sorely missed.

A/N: I apologize. I believe this story had a lot of potential, but I'm afraid I didn't do it justice. I will try to rewrite it someday, but for now, this is the last chapter. The sequel, if I ever write it, will pick up immediately where I left off here, but don't expect that one for quite some time. Thank you very much.

Your Humble Writer,

WordSPark37