Well this is the final chapter. Thank you so much everyone for reading and I thank everyone for the reviews that they have left. It has meant so much to me while writing this story, and I'm so glad to hear that people are enjoying it. This being my first MLP story, I hope the characters weren't OOC too much. So with this final chapter, please leave a review if you can. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. Thank you so much.

Chapter 5

Arriving at SugarCube Corner, Apple Jack followed the Dashes into the building, with Pinkie Pie greeting her at the door. "Hey Apple Jack!" she said in a soft, yet energetic tone. "Thank you so much for coming."

Apple Jack nodded and replied in earnest, "Thank you Pinkie." And standing awkwardly in the doorway, still not entering, Apple Jack scratched her head as she realized what she needed to do. "Listen Pinkie Pie, about yesterday . . . a-and today, I'm really sorry about all of that."

Pinkie Pie only nodded her head and gave Apple Jack a quick hug. "I know you are Apple Jack. I just hope we can stay friends for a long time. But, I'm not sure it's me you need to be apologizing to." A small tear dripped down her face as she said those words.

"I know." Apple Jack said, weakly returning the smile.

"Now get in and enjoy some snacks." And Pinkie Pie pushed Apple Jack into the party, closing the door behind her.

Walking around, Apple Jack discovered the party to be quite different from any of the others that Pinkie Pie had thrown. No music played. No pony danced. No balloons or elaborate decoration setup, just a few tables of food, and ponies enjoying each-others' company and reminiscing over memories. Apple Jack stepped up to the food tables, not really hungry, but just curious as to what they had. A round, white cake was the centerpiece, with a picture of Rainbow Dash in the center, and just below read the words, "In Loving Memory." Rainbow colored frosted decorated the outskirts of the cake.

Other food included a variety of sweets from SugarCube Corner, looking just as delicious as always. A couple punch bowls had been set out and on the far end sat a few baskets of muffins. With no appetite, Apple Jack wandered aimlessly through the crowds, passing by Derpy, and even Spitfire had stuck around for the party. She could see Twilight talking with some-pony, but couldn't see who. Apple Jack felt lost at this party, unsure of what to do with herself as she wandered around.

Catching sight of Granny Smith and Big Mac, Apple Jack hurried over to the only ponies where she'd actually feel comfortable around. They both sat in a back corner of the room, near a table that Apple Jack hadn't seen when she first entered. On the table rested various photo albums and pictures of Rainbow Dash. Granny Smith and Big Mac were both skimming through the photo albums when she arrived.

Granny Smith didn't acknowledge Apple Jack's presence. Instead, she placed the photo album open on a page with pictures taken of Rainbow Dash and all her friends. Sighing, Granny Smith said, "It really is a shame for her to be gone so young. I always figured my time was closer than any of yours. But things don't always work that way."

Apple Jack sat next to Granny, and glancing at the pictures, she said, "No one wants you to die either Granny."

Flipping to another page, a picture of Rainbow Dash on Cloudsdale from when she had saved Rarity at the competition, glimmered against the protective plastic. Granny smiled sadly at the picture and turned to Apple Jack, "No pony ever wants another to die. But my time will come, just as it will for all ponies." And turning another page, Granny Smith turned to a picture of Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash when they were small, years before Apple Jack knew either of them. Granny Smith chuckled at the picture. "Aren't they the cutest little phillies?"

Taking a closer look at the picture, Apple Jack said, "That's right. Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash have been friends for a long time. I'd kinda forgotten about that."

"Oh Apple Jack, it doesn't matter when your friendship began. What does matter is that you don't let it end." And turning the page yet again, a picture stared back with Rainbow Dash and all of her friends, smiling happily under the old library that Twilight used to live in, before the Castle of Friendship. "Look at her Apple Jack. So happy with all of her friends."

Apple Jack stared at the picture, suddenly hit by Granny's words. They sounded so familiar to her, like she'd heard something similar before.

"Well, I'm gonna head off and grab me some of that punch. Come on Big Mac." Granny hollered.

"Yep."

And as Granny started to move away from the table, she placed a hoof on Apple Jack and said, "I hope you will hold all of your friends as dear to you as she had." With that, Granny Smith pushed her way past some pony hovering near the muffins and over to the punch.

Apple Jack stared at the picture. She couldn't take her eyes off of it. Granny's words reverberated in her head as she tried to remember why they sounded so familiar.

A sound of thunder interrupted her thoughts as the other ponies quieted as well. A few drips against the windows slowly turned into a steady downpour. It had begun. The rains that the Pegasus had brought would surely last through the night.

Apple Jack stepped away from the table as she heard the sound of the door opening and closing. Glancing around, it didn't take long to find the source. Twilight, Pinkie Pie, and Rarity were all seriously discussing something with concerned expressions; Pinkie Pie soaking wet. Apple Jack walked over to them and asked, "What's going on?"

Rarity, still angry with Apple Jack, glared at her and refused to speak. Twilight, ignoring her stubborn friend said, "Fluttershy isn't here yet. And she's not at her cottage. We have no idea where she is."

"What?"

Pinkie Pie shivered from the cold water dripping from her body, chimed in, "Mr. and Mrs. Dash have been asking about her. They wanted to see her and so I went to her cottage to go get her. But she wasn't home."

"We're afraid she could get sick if she's out in this rain for too long. Or worse, get hurt." Twilight admitted, and then glanced out the window as lightning crawled against the sky. Thunder bellowed out over Ponyville, making Pinkie Pie jump in fear. The other guests took notice, but returned to their conversing soon after. "I don't know how any pony is going to find her in this."

"This is all my fault," Apple Jack whispered, and when the others looked at her, she removed her funeral clothes and before any pony could ask, Apple Jack said, "Listen ya'll, it's my fault things are like this. I was just too hard on Fluttershy cause I let my anger get the best of me. I'll go out and find her." Twilight and Pinkie Pie tried to argue into joining her, but Apple Jack shook her head, "I better do this alone. I've got some owning up to do with all of this anyway."

"Just be careful Apple Jack," Rarity said, surprising the earth pony with her sincere words.

Apple Jack smiled back at Rarity and rushed out into the rain. Her body quickly soaked up the cold droplets of water as the dark clouds had turned the afternoon into night. Her hooves splashed through the puddles as Apple Jack galloped out into Ponyville, first hurrying over to Fluttershy's cottage. She knew Fluttershy wouldn't be there, but she needed a place to start, and that seemed like the best place. Of course, once she got there, she was met with the expected disappointment of no Fluttershy.

Panting, Apple Jack wiped away water running down her forehead. Her hat wasn't helping much as the water had long soaked through it. Staring out into the storm, Apple Jack squinted to see anything that might lead her to Fluttershy, but nothing. She could hardly see 15 feet in front of her, let alone any pony that may or may not be out there. "Fluttershy!" Apple Jack yelled out into the rain. "Fluttershy!"

No response.

Apple Jack worriedly glanced around, "Where are you sugar-cube," She whispered, panting as she screamed out Fluttershy's name again. Her body shivered from the cold rain as she attempted to get her bearings. She needed to figure out where to look next, but Apple Jack honestly had no idea where Fluttershy might be.

A sudden kick to the behind sent Apple Jack flying face first into a growing puddle of mud. "What in tarnation?" She asked as got up only to be kicked down again. Temper rising, she angrily turned on her attacker, "What the hay do you think . . ." and her voice trailed off as she stared at a small white bunny rabbit, aggressively stomping its foot against the ground, arms folded and glaring at Apple Jack.

It took Apple Jack a few seconds to figure out who this bunny was. "Angel?" and when the bunny nodded, Apple Jack, relieved to see a familiar face, exclaimed, "Oh thank Celestia! Angel, do you know where Fluttershy is?"

Angel responded by angrily kicking Apple Jack again and sending her tumbling into the mud. Rain beat hard against her fur as she stood back up. Before Apple Jack could begin arguing, Angel pointed to a path that disappeared over a hill and towards the Everfree Forest.

Angel reared her foot to kick again, but Apple Jack moved out of the way just in time. "Now listen!" She shouted, her oversaturated hat slipping down over her face. "I know what I did to Fluttershy was wrong! And I deserve every kick you throw at me! But it's not helping me right now. I need to find Fluttershy. I need to set things right" Apple Jack fixed her hat, and said, "So please, will you just take me to her?"

Angel debated only for a second and nodded her head. She led Apple Jack into the Everfree Forest, leading her down a narrow path, with trees arching overhead. The only upside being that the trees caught the brunt of the rain, leaving just a steady drizzle onto Apple Jack and Angel.

Moving past some bushes, Angel pointed to a large tree growing from a stump of land. Fluttershy sat below, her body shivering, shaking as she gazed longingly into a small pond of water. She sneezed and hiccupped, her lips trembling with each breath that she took. Some of her small critter friends danced crazily about her, trying to dry her mane and keep her warm amidst the rain. Fluttershy made no acknowledgement of any of the critters.

Apple Jack stood speechless. She couldn't believe the state Fluttershy was in. One of Rainbow Dash's longest and oldest friends, was in a state like this. And Apple Jack, was at the very least, partially to blame if not fully. Apple Jack took in a deep breath and slowly walked up to Fluttershy, taking a seat next to her. She could feel the pony's body freeze and stiffen up when she sat down. Apple Jack thought long and hard about what she should say, about how she should explain herself.

"I-I'm sorry," Apple Jack turned to Fluttershy when she spoke. The two words had been so soft, she almost didn't hear them. Fluttershy's eyes still glued to the water, she continued, sounding out of breath as she spoke, "I'm just . . . I don't know why I couldn't do it. . . I'm sorry Apple Jack" She repeated, curling herself up as she sounded almost ready to cry. "I'm very, very sorry."

It pained Apple Jack each time Fluttershy said those words, and she placed a hoof around Fluttershy, pulling her in close. "I know ya are Fluttershy. But . . . you really shouldn't be apologizing." And Fluttershy looked up at her confused. "I should be apologizing. I let my anger and my fear control me. I just couldn't accept what had happened. And I still don't . . . but, it's not your fault."

Fluttershy sniffled as she hugged herself. "But you were right. I could've flown faster. I could've done something more. I let every pony down."

"It's not your fault Fluttershy." And as Fluttershy attempted to argue, Apple Jack interrupted, "It's not fair or right to blame you when you tried so hard to save her. I can't possibly imagine how you must have felt when you found her." Fluttershy closed her mouth and just nodded her head, eyes falling to the ground. Apple Jack rested with her friend, staring into the water, watching the panging of the rain droplets splash across the pond's surface.

"Apple Jack" came Fluttershy's soft voice. "What are we going to do?"

Apple Jack closed her eyes as she thought about the question. Her thoughts drifted back to the party, and what Granny Smith had said to her. Those words that had been so familiar to her, she suddenly recalled them. "I think I know what we'll do . . ." and Apple Jack turned to Fluttershy, and saw that the pony watched her expectantly, waiting for the answer, waiting to be told what to do. Apple Jack just smiled, and ran her hoof through Fluttershy's mane. It was soaking wet, knarled and knotted from the rain water. "I remember when I was a young philly, after my ma and pa passed on, I felt much like you do now; afraid. I didn't think I'd ever be able to live without them."

"What happened?"

Apple Jack licked her lips, her mouth dry as she remembered that day, remembered the rain that came down afterwards, just like today. "Well, I hid in the barn, behind some bales of hay. Granny came looking for me, and when she found me, she said something that I should have never forgotten." Fluttershy scooted in closer and Apple Jack happily embraced her, welcoming the warmth as she took in a deep breath, her voice breaking up a bit. "She held me close and said, 'Apple Jack, everything in Equestria has a beginning and an end. From the seasons we raise our crops in to the birthdays we celebrate with our kin folk. The critters have their beginnings and endings; and so do us ponies.'"

Apple Jack cleared her throat a bit and brushed off some tears. "But, neither the beginning nor the ending is ever very important. It's what happens in between that matters most. The time that is spent and who it is spent with, that is what leaves the biggest hoof-print."

Fluttershy started tearing up and turned away as Apple Jack held her. "Rainbow Dash's ending is something none of use expected, or ever wanted. But, that doesn't mean our friendship has to end with her. If you ask me, that is the one thing that doesn't have to have an ending."

Bowing her head, Apple Jack closed her eyes and said, "I'm sorry for what I said to you Fluttershy. I'm sorry for how I treated you. I let my feelings get the best of me, and didn't think at all about how you must have felt through all of this."

Fluttershy, finally returning her gaze back to Apple Jack, nuzzled her head against Apple Jack's wet fur. "It's okay." She whispered, a small smile appearing on her face. "I-I think I'm okay now." And then, Fluttershy released a harsh sneeze.

"Why don't we get you inside now" Apple Jack said, taking off her hat and dumping the water that had accumulated in it. "I don't know about you, but I've had enough of a bath for today."

Fluttershy giggled a bit and nodded her head. "Can we stop somewhere first?"

Apple Jack stood in the cemetery, watching from a distance as Fluttershy stood alone at Dash's tombstone. She stood still, whispering to it, her hoof tracing over the lettering on the grave. Apple Jack's heart sank as she watched her friend. This was her fault as well. It was most certainly because of her that Fluttershy had been unable to properly say goodbye to her friend.

Apple Jack watched as Fluttershy placed a kiss on the gravestone and then turning around, Fluttershy slowly left the grave. As she walked up to Apple Jack, AJ said, "Look Fluttershy, I'm sorry that you weren't here for the funeral. I'm . . ."

"It's okay." Fluttershy admitted, teary eyed as they left the cemetery. "This worked out just fine. And I'll know where to find her if I need to see her again."

Apple Jack tried to come up with something else to say about it, but with nothing, she silently followed Fluttershy out of the cemetery. The rain had let up some, but with both of them soaking wet, she decided it was time for them to head indoors.

"There you are!" came Twilight's voice and when the two ponies looked, they saw Twilight, Pinkie Pie, and Rarity rushing towards them. "We were so worried about you." Twilight said.

"Wait," Apple Jack said, confused, "What about the party? You sure you can just leave all those ponies there like that?"

"Mr. and Mrs. Dash are still there, but most of the other ponies have already left," Pinkie Pie chimed in, "With all the rain, they kind of wanted to get home."

"That's when we decided to come looking for you." Twilight explained.

Seeing all the trouble she caused, Fluttershy stepped forward, embarrassed for everything. "Thank you everyone. I didn't mean to cause you all to worry."

Twilight just smiled and said, "You have nothing to apologize for Fluttershy. We're just glad to see that you're alright."

Fluttershy returned a smile and said, "Well if it wasn't for Apple Jack, I'm not sure what I would've done."

"I'm not sure what I would've done if I hadn't run into Angel. But Fluttershy, she kicks harder than a mule." Apple Jack said, chuckling as she was happy she could get a rise out of Fluttershy from the comment.

Suddenly jumping in-between them, Pinkie Pie exclaimed, "If everyone's had enough of the rain, how about we head back to my place and have some cake! I've saved some just for you Fluttershy!"

Fluttershy giggled and nodded her head. "You'll have to take a look at the picture book she has too." Apple Jack said, "Who-ever thought Rainbow Dash could have been such a cute lil philly?"

Fluttershy couldn't help herself but laugh a bit more as she said, "Oh my, that does sound wonderful."

"Well what are we waiting for, come on!" Pinkie hollered and started bouncing back towards SugarCube Corner, hitting every puddle along the way.

Apple jack hung back behind the crowd as she followed them, just enjoying the sight of Fluttershy back with the group. I almost lost them; all of them. She thought to herself.

Rarity stepped back next to Apple Jack, and said, "Thank you Apple Jack, for finding Fluttershy."

Apple Jack smiled and simply nodded, watching her friends as they made their way back inside for cake and snacks. It'd be different without Rainbow Dash, never ever the same. She'd probably never fully get over it, but that was okay. With her friends by her side, Apple Jack knew they'd get through it, together.

And with that, Apple Jack rushed inside after Rarity and the others, for cake, for snacks, for her friends.

The End.