Bittersweet: Epilogue
Written by nukeiffum
It was truly a beautiful day for a party.
They'd spared no expense this time on all the beautiful decorations covering the event. They'd held it outside of course, and a surprising amount of people had come out for it. Rainbow Dash could even see the balloons from here. Pinkie Pie always had the best parties, and this was no exception.
Rainbow Dash usually sped into Pinkie Pie's parties with great enthusiasm, ready to play pranks on whatever unsuspecting pony that happened to walk into them. However, today was different.
Instead of gliding excitedly towards the partygrounds, Dash proceeded with a slow trot. There was a strange tension in Rainbow Dash's stomach, making Dash feel slightly nervous as she made her way towards the party.
"Thanks for coming, Dash!" Pinkie said, trotting alongside her friend as soon as she saw her. "This party's been planned for months now, so if you missed it, everypony would be super duper disappointed! You seemed kinda hesitant to come, which is kinda weird since you always loved to come to my parties, ready to play a prank on somepony, like the electric buzzer on the hoof prank! I always loved that one, it's always so funny, and you're always so funny Rainbow Dash! Even when you're all tingly and nervous like right now, which is fine since this is a super duper important event, except I wouldn't be tingly and nervous because if I was, these super-duper fantastic fantabulishous parties wouldn't be able to be thrown all the time! And look!" Pinkie said, bouncing in her step. "You got all dressed up!"
Rainbow Dash laughed to herself. She didn't like to get dressed up, it wasn't her kind of thing. But today, she'd done it for Pinkie. "Yeah, well… it's the least I can do for you."
Pinkie just smiled at her in response. But very suddenly, her expression changed to one of worry. "… listen, Dash… There's something I need you to do for me."
"Sure thing, Pinkie!" Dash said as they stopped in place, surprised at Pinkie's uncharacteristically mellow response. "What do you need? I'll get it done super quick!"
"It's about time for you to completely move on." Pinkie tilted her neck down so that she could look up at Dash, smiling at her sadly. "Dash… you've always been my bestest best best friend, and I know you tried your hardest. So… no more frownie frown face, okay?"
"Pinkie Pie…" Dash just laughed again in response, shaking her head from side to side in disbelief. "You are so… random."
"Yeah yup yuh-huh!" Pinkie said, still smiling. "So you'll try? For me?"
Rainbow Dash responded by pulling Pinkie Pie into a tight hug. "I don't need to try anymore. If I stay tied down, I'd be disappointing you, right?"
Pinkie Pie smiled warmly in response, deciding to stay silent in Rainbow Dash's embrace. Unable to think of anything else they could say to each other, they simply stayed locked in that embrace, sharing a moment together. But before too long it was interrupted by the sound of footsteps coming up from behind them. Embarrassed to be caught in such a way, Dash lifted her head back up, a glimmer of a tear in her eyes. "So… aren't you going to go get started?"
"On what?" Twilight Sparkle's voice asked from somewhere close behind her.
"On the… on the…" Rainbow Dash choked on her tears.
For a moment, Twilight looked at Rainbow Dash with concern. "… where do you think we are?"
Rainbow Dash wiped her tears as she looked at the purple unicorn. The way her mane was combed neatly yet not too formal. The way she was dressed up in a party dress, just like Dash was. Slowly, Rainbow Dash turned around to look at the party. At all the people who had gathered there today. The beautiful decorations, all centered around a photograph of Pinkie Pie, with three balloons tied to the frame.
It was truly a beautiful day for a party. Only one thing was missing.
"Where's the sarsaparilla?" Rainbow Dash asked.
Twilight laughed and pointed to Derpy Hooves. "You're too late, Derpy drank it all already."
"Hey, no fair!" Rainbow Dash laughed. Everypony laughed along with her.
It's been one year since the funeral and everypony in Ponyville was throwing a party in remembrance. After all, what other way could a pony honor Pinkie Pie but with a party?
Life had gone back to normal, and although everypony kept Pinkie Pie in their memories, nopony allowed sadness to take hold of them because of it. Fluttershy was still taking care of the animals, Applejack still tended the farm with her family, Rarity continued to run her business, and Twilight Sparkle was still doing her research for Celestia. The only pony who still felt a pang of sadness when thinking about Pinkie Pie was Rainbow Dash.
"Hey Rainbow Dash, you okay?" Twilight asked.
"Yeah… it's been a year after all, right?" Dash grinned. "I see her in my dreams sometimes, but it ain't all bad since I'm able to laugh with her there." Twilight's worried expression remained on her face. "Stop worrying about me! This pegasus isn't going to stay down forever! Besides!" Rainbow Dash squeezed her face to make a silly looking expression. "It's a party! So you should be so worried, Twilight!"
Twilight Sparkle couldn't help but laugh at Rainbow Dash's face. "Oh gosh, now you're almost as random as Pinkie Pie!"
"Yeah? I don't think I'll ever be as random as her, but I can sure try!" Rainbow Dash decided to fly upside-down with the goofy expression still on her face.
"Now why in Celestia's name are ya foolin' around like that?" Applejack laughed, only arriving to the party with Rarity and Fluttershy just now.
"Hey Applejack, you think I can be as random as Pinkie Pie?" Rainbow Dash asked. "I think it might make me 20 percent cooler!"
"More like 20 percent sillier!" Rarity commented. "I dare say you must be out of your mind if you can be as random as that pony! Isn't that right, Fluttershy?"
"Oh, uhm…" Fluttershy cowered at having the spotlight suddenly shine on her. "Well… uh, I think that… um, that face is… nice."
The other ponies laughed merrily at her response.
"That is so you, Fluttershy!" Rainbow Dash commented jokingly. The blue pegasus bared her wings. "Hey everypony, you wanna see me do something awesome?"
"Don't be so full of yourself, Rainbow Dash!" Twilight said.
"Ya know that's like askin' DJ Scratch P0N-3 to stop jammin', right sugarcube?" Applejack asked, grinning.
"I know…" Twilight said, blushing. "It's just that… hey, Rainbow Dash!"
The blue pegasus already lifted up into the air, letting the wind flow beneath her wings. Everything was right in Ponyville, and everypony lived happily like usual. Rainbow Dash gazed back at the portrait of Pinkie Pie at the centerfold of the party. She smiled.
Nothing would stop this pony from zooming through life. Rainbow Dash made her decision about this a long time ago, keeping her fondest memories of Pinkie Pie fresh in her heart.
-
"Oh Shaadoooowwwww?" Celestia called out. "Would you mind fetching me some tea, please?"
The wolf bowed grudgingly. "Yes, m'lady." Shadow sighed and left the room to get more tea, where he ran into Gruff.
"Oh, heyo boss!" Gruff said energetically. "Haven't seen you in a while!"
"No kidding." Shadow muttered. After being zapped by the Elements of Harmony, Shadow and Gruff were transported to Celestia's castle, where Celestia put them to work as her and Luna's manservants. It was either that or be punished harshly as treaty-breakers.
"You know, boss." Gruff said. "Workin' for these ponies isn't that bad! We get weekends off and paid benefits, it's great!"
"Yeah, great." Shadow huffed. No matter how good these jobs were, there's no way he'd let go of his pride as a wo…" he sniffed the air. "Is that… some black tea? Oh goodie!" The wolves went out to perform their duties as Celestia's manservants.
Celestia giggled at the wolves. It sure was interesting to watch them work. Although she did let them off easy for bringing so much trouble to her student and her friends… but she decided to look the offense over, for her protégé learned a valuable lesson because of those wolves. And they sure were amusing!
Princess Celestia laughed to herself and pulled out a letter from the drawer where she kept all of Twilight Sparkle's friendship reports. She opened it up and fondly read over its contents.
Dear Princess Celestia,
I know I haven't sent you a single report in the past week, but today I've learned a valuable lesson in friendship. I'm sure you know about the death of our dear friend Pinkie Pie, as you sent your condolences earlier (I apologize for not sending a reply, I was unable to think of a proper response). I learned that it is inevitable for everypony to experience tragedy at some point in their lives, and that it is sometimes extremely hard to get over the sadness resulting from it. However, a pony doesn't have to cope alone. Everypony has friends to support them through their darkest times, even if they don't acknowledge them. There is always a friend to lend a shoulder to cry on, or an ear to listen with, you just have to be willing to accept their kindness. Coping with Pinkie Pie's death has been hard for all of us, but with each other's help and support, we'll be able to live on despite her absence.
Your faithful student,
Twilight Sparkle
