The following presentation is rated PG-13 for: Violence, some coarse language, implied mild sensuality, frightening scenes, scenes of death, and some graphic gore
PrologueThe day was gloomy; overcast, even for a cooler autumn day, it was gloomy. It had been several years since the Elements of Harmony had been gathered. The entire towns of Equestria, Ponyville, Manehattan, Appleloosa, and even some of the outlying small towns; they had all gathered not in Canterlot, but instead in Ponyville. The Princesses sat on either side of what could only be described as the most elaborate, most ornate coffin ever seen in all the kingdoms.
The coffin itself was closed; the cover adorned with both Princesses royal insignias, and save for the symbols, the remainder of the coffin was covered and surrounded by flowers. At the base of the casket, the Princesses had created an eternal flame, which would be placed over the final burial mound before the burial site was enshrouded with a shield spell. As the sun set, the sky turned a deep, almost blood-like red and both Princesses stood, staying in their places at either end of the casket.
"We have gathered here tonight to pay our respects to our fallen friend." Celestia began; as both she and her sister lit a ring of torches around the circle that everypony had formed.
"Our time here is not infinite; even we will someday pass into the next world. And, while we do mourn today, let us not forget why we have all shown up here today… friendship." Luna continued. Both Princesses were fighting to hold back the tears; it showed in both their voices and eyes.
"While shedding tears and crying are unavoidable, especially during times like these, we must remember that our fallen friend would want us to remember the happy times we had with them. We must remember that they gave their life in defense of Equestria so that we may live safe and in peace."
"In honor of our friend, we ask that everypony present take a moment and concentrate on your happiest memory of our friend, to help them pass into the next realm with warm thoughts and memories going with them." Every pony closed their eyes and focused their concentration on their happiest memory of their fallen friend. As each pony focused harder and harder on the memory they chose, the Princesses horns began to glow a pale white, and soon a pale white shapeless mist rose out of the casket and floated towards the evening sky.
"It is done. Our friend has crossed over to the next realm. We will bury our friend tomorrow during the Raising of the Sun." Both Princesses spoke in unison.
"I have a personal request… for the rest of the month; I would like all shops in Equestria to make their wares available for free. The Royal Treasury will reimburse all shops for all wares." Princess Celestia added.
"There will also be a reception here in Ponyville throughout the night lasting until the burial rites in the morning. We have been notified that should anyone need sleeping arrangements, everyone's residences will be available, as well as tents will be available." Princess Luna stated. Everypony started dispersing and talking amongst themselves, many of them crying and hugging. The Princesses stepped down from next to the casket and mingled. One after the other, the Royal Guards, followed by the Pegasi Guards and the Unicorn Guards then the Earth Pony Guards each went up to the casket and paid their silent respects. Once the crowd started to thin out a little, the ponies representing the Elements of Harmony went up as one group and spent almost an hour paying their respects and crying.
Once they had all paid their respects, the group of friends walked over to a nearby shop that was serving a hard cider that the Princesses made sure to have on hand; the sisters knew how hard the past weeks had been on the group of friends, and had lifted the ban on the sale and distribution of alcoholic drinks. Both sisters had been to too many funerals, and knew how hard they were on everyone. This funeral had been for a very close friend, much closer to Celestia and Luna than most of the funerals they had been to in the past. In addition, to help their loyal subjects, Celestia and Luna were willing to do everything they could; even legalizing something like alcohol that had been outlawed so long ago.
As the night went on, more and more of the townsponies retired to wherever they could find to sleep. Some of the last to head in to get a little sleep before the sun rose were the Princesses and the Elements of Harmony. They had at first sat around outside of the cider tent drinking, crying, and reminiscing; by three in the morning, they had all fallen asleep or passed out; and while the Princesses were still sober enough, they teleported the Elements back to Twilight's library, before they themselves fell asleep in the living room. A few hours later, Celestia awoke first and proceeded to go around the house waking everyone up for the morning's burial ritual. Once they were all up and as awake as they would be considering the amount of hard cider some of them drank, they all made their way out to the burial plot.
The Royal Guards had all been stationed around the casket all night and some of them had been standing guard around the library, and as they saw the Princesses heading their way, the guards around the casket stepped off to the side. Within thirty minutes, everypony was crowded around the burial site; some were already crying, some stood silently trying to keep from crying, yet others just held onto whoever needed it and offered their support. During the night, the gryphons and dragons had arrived from their provinces; the guards had been notified by the gryphon and dragon ambassadors of their peoples' attendance.
"We have gathered here to lay our fallen friend to rest at dawn, as has been tradition for millennia for those who gave their life in service to the kingdom." Luna began, once the crowd quieted down. Celestia turned to face East and brought the sun up until just the rim of it peaked over the horizon, turning the sky a bright red.
"We gather to lay our friend to rest, but also to help them pass into the next life." Celestia spoke as the sun's red rays touched the casket. "We know not what awaits our friends and loved ones on the other side, but we can take comfort in the fact that our friend will be with their friends and family who have passed on, and our friend would not want us to feel sad about their passing."
"They would instead want us to celebrate their life and legacy. Therefore, that is what we should try to do here today… remember our friend for the great inspiration she was. During the toughest of times," Celestia nodded to the Unicorn Guards who used their magic to pick up the casket and hold it over the grave, "our friendship was tested, but our friend's logical mind and perseverance would shine through. Our friend saved the town of Ponyville, and maybe even the whole of Equestria if not the entirety of Terra countless times, all the while wearing a smile on their face." Celestia gave the guards a slight nod and they began to lower the casket into the grave, "And, when a task was handed down to our friend, they would always see it through to the end, no matter what." The guards finished placing the casket, and powered down their magic.
"It is because of these reasons, and countless more, that we bestow upon our friend one of the highest honors they could receive. In absentia, we bestow upon our friend the honor of being crowned Princess for all eternity… Princess Twilight Sparkle." Both Princesses said in unison, both tearing up as they said her name. Many in the crowd started crying again, as well.
" As is tradition for a Royal burial, we ask that the departed's closest friends, followed by everyone who wishes to do so, come up and help bury our friend by placing a hoof-full of soil in the grave." Luna explained. Without any further words, the Princesses and the remaining Elements of Harmony gathered at the final resting place of their best friend and placed the first hoof-fulls of soil on top of the casket, while everybody who had gathered formed a line; dragons, gryphons, ponies, and even woodland creatures lined up to help. Once Fluttershy's rabbit friend, Angel, got up to the partially filled grave, he solemnly scooped two paw-fulls of soil into the grave before breaking down crying. Fluttershy stepped in beside him, placed her hoof-full of soil in the grave before collapsing, sobbing too hard to stand. The Princesses stepped forward and helped the shy Pegasus pony and her rabbit friend away from the grave. The rest of the Elements and the rest of the crowd followed, and soon the grave was filled, with Celestia using her magic to place several plats of sod over the grave. Then, both Princesses cast the enchantment to keep Twilight's grave and casket safe for all eternity. They then turned to look at the crowd,
"There will be another gathering for all who wish to attend, then Princess Luna and I must return to Canterlot to take care of some business, but we will return as soon as we can. For anyone who wishes to come to the castle to talk to either of us, there will be Royal chariots available anytime to take you there and bring you back." Celestia added. At that, the crowd began to disperse; some heading back inside their houses to be with friends and family, some heading for the hard cider stands, though most stayed outside and talked with friends. The remaining Elements stayed in their group and talked amongst themselves.
"Ah never heard… why the closed casket?" AppleJack asked. The rest of the Elements shook their head, Fluttershy breaking into another round of crying.
"None of us has the heart to speak of something so terrible ever again." Rarity spoke up. The rest of the Elements nodded in agreement.
"I don't ever want to talk about it again. It's a safe bet that if they're still out there someplace, the Princesses will find them, and Celestia help them when they catch up with them." Rainbow Dash said, having been the third on the scene. Everyone's usually warm demeanors were totally gone; replaced with an almost cold demeanor. "And, I won't try to stop them, either. They got it coming for what she did."