link1able - Aww, only eight out of ten? I must be slackin'! Lol just kidding, I'm glad you're enjoying the story enough to rate it that highly. And yes, I am a fan of Luna's; I'd like to see her with more screen time and speaking roles outside of guiding dreams in the future.

HYBRID BATTLESHIP INFINITY210 - Well my friend, your wait is over! As always, thanks for the awesome review!

A/N - So I forgot to mention last week but I finally saw the season four finale; am I the only one who thought that 'PonyBall Z' would have made a better title? Not that it wasn't awesome! Though I wish I would have had a pair of sunglasses nearby when the chest opened and 'rainbowfied' everypony. Now, on to news! I still don't have a computer, though I'm going to be picking up a tablet next Friday so I'm not doing this on my phone anymore, which will hopefully allow me to post that long-overdue bonus chapter. In chapter news, this one has some dark themes to it, so be prepared for that. The song I used is one of three that I have planned for the entire story, is called 'A Soft Goodbye' and is sung by Celtic Woman.

It took me every minute of the promised three hours, but it was done; it wasn't pretty, but it would serve its purpose. In front of me was a wood pile roughly a meter high by a meter wide by two meters long, with my tinder-stuffed clothes laying on top in the rough shape of a human. Just as I took a step back to admire my grim handiwork, I heard hoof steps behind me. "Howdy Blake, Ah'm here an' Ah brought what ya asked me to. Would ya mind tellin' me what's goin' on, or what that thing is? The orange farm mare asked me as she walked up from behind me.

I turned around to face her. "Hey AJ, you're right on time." I knelt down and wrapped my arms around the cowpony, which she returned. "I suppose I should've explained a bit, huh? This is what we call a balefire on Earth, and it's an ancient funeral rite."

Applejack's eyes widened as she released the embrace. "Ah don't mean no disrespect to yer customs Blake, but just what the hay are you thinkin'? Mah folks are already buried in tha Ponyville cemetery, Ah don't need no funeral fire for 'em." Applejack said, sounding offended. "But, it'd be rude not ta let ya finish what y'all were sayin'. Who knows; maybe there's more to this that might change mah mind."

I nodded' "Sorry AJ. You're right though, there is more to it. The thing on top of the pile is called an effigy, and it's meant to represent the deceased when you don't have their… physical form to burn. In this case, it's meant to be as much of a symbolic send-off as it is a literal one. The burning of the body is meant to send the deceased's soul to the afterlife, carried on the winds. The balefire is also meant to send belongings into the afterlife, so since they're already in the afterlife, you can essentially send a message to your parents telling them that you're still thinking about them and that you love them. It's also meant to give closure, knowing that your loved one is in a better place and giving a chance to say goodbye."

AJ sighed. "Ah-Ah see. Ah think Ah wanna go through with it Blake. Ah never really got ta say goodbye to 'em, and it'd be nice ta let em know Ah still love em." She paused for a moment and took a deep breath. "So how do we do this? Ah brought mah Ma's favorite hat and mah Pa's lucky scarf. Ah dunno how they escaped the fire, but Ah'm glad they did." Her eyes began to mist as she said this.

I wrapped her in another embrace. "It's ok AJ, I'm here for you. Just remember that this is only a temporary goodbye, you'll be able to see them again someday." She nodded into my shoulder. "If you'd like, you can also say farewell, some cultures believed that the same winds that will carry their belongings to them will also carry words."

She gave a shuddering sigh and pulled her forelegs back, allowing me to stand. "Alright, let's get started then. This is your show, so you lead the way." I nodded and turned to the pyre.

"You'll need to start off by placing the scarf and hat on the pyre, anywhere will be fine." She complied and placed the hat and folded scarf near the "head" of the effigy before coming to stand next to me. "Ok, now we can say a short prayer if you know any."

Applejack shook her head. "Not many ponies get into that religious mumbo-jumbo these days."

I nodded. "Alright. I never did either, but I can cook something up if you'd like, it sometimes helps."

"Sure Blake, you'd prob'ly do better than me anyway." She said with a weak smile.

I took a moment to think of something to say. "We gather here today, a pony and a human, to honor the lives and memories of those that are no longer with us. We ask that any who are listening watch over these kindred spirits, and guide them to their loved ones when the time comes. We send to them worldly possessions that they once held dear, we ask that the winds carry these items to them in their rest and remind them of those who wait to be reunited with them. We pray to whomever may listen, Amen."

Applejack released another shuddering sigh, along with a single tear. "Ah really hope somepony hears that Blake."

"I do too AJ, I do too…" I stood and walked over to the pyre and took the firesteel from my survival kit.

I walked around the pyre and used the steel to ignite the various tinder bunches that I had placed around it, ensuring an even burn. The pyre caught quickly thanks to the oil that I had poured over the wood. Once the balefire was fully caught, I walked back and took my place next to Applejack, who had sat on her haunches while I was lighting the pyre.

Applejack began speaking, though I could tell immediately that it wasn't to me. "Ah can't begin ta say how much Ah miss the both of you. Big Mac 'n Granny Smith've been doin' a fine job of lookin' after me an' little Applebloom." She chuckled slightly through the tears that were now flowing. "She can be ornery and she gets into all kinds of trouble, but you'd be proud a her, she's growin' up inta somepony Ah'm proud ta call mah sister. We all love ya so much, an' Applebloom keeps askin' where ya are, Ah hope Ah'll have tha strength ta tell 'er what happened someday; Ah know you prob'ly think it's weak a me, but Ah just can't bring myself ta tell 'er." Her voice was cracking and I could tell she was close to breaking down. "Ah wish Ah could see y'all again, just one more time…"

I wrapped my arm around the farm mare's shoulder to comfort her as she finished her goodbye. "That was so sad…" We heard from behind us. We turned around to see Rarity standing behind us with tears in her eyes. "I'm so sorry to interrupt a private moment like this… I was looking for Blake to tell him that his wardrobe is finished. If it's not too much of an intrusion, might I ask what this is about?"

Applejack spoke first. "Sure Rare, though Blake should probably explain it, it was his idea after all…"

"It's called a balefire, and it's a way of sending off loved ones that we've lost. In Applejack's case, it's her parents, while in mine, it's… well, everything."

The fashionista's eyes went wide. "O-oh dear, I'm so, so sorry, I didn't mean to intrude on such a somber event. I'll take my leave and allow you two your privacy."

Applejack called out as Rarity turned to leave. "Wait Rarity, ya can stay if ya want, you are an honorary member of the Apple family after all."

Rarity walked back over to us and wrapped Applejack in a hug before taking a seat next to her and turning her attention to the fire. "You know, I had always wondered why your parents were never around, though I'd never had the courage to ask. I'm sorry for your loss, and for anything insensitive I may have said or done concerning them."

"It's alright Rare, Ah know ya only ever meant well." AJ replied honestly.

"Oh my, mister bunny was right about there being a fire." We heard a timid voice that could only belong to Fluttershy squeak behind us.

Rarity walked over to the butter-coated Pegasus. "Darling, this is something that our friend Blake set up for Applejack and himself, it's a send-off to their loved ones. I'm sure Applejack would welcome your company if you'd like to stay."

"Alright, I'd never abandon a friend when they needed me, so I'll stay." And with that, the fashionista and the animal caretaker joined us in watching the blaze.

There was suddenly a rainbow blur and a gust of wind as Rainbow Dash landed before us. "Isn't anypony going to do anything about this fire!? We need to put it out!"

Fluttershy walked up to our brash Pegasus friend. "It's ok Rainbow Dash, this is something that Blake and Applejack are doing for their lost loved ones."

Dash's ears pinned themselves to the side of her head. "Oh. I-I didn't know…" She said sadly. At Fluttershy's gesture, she joined the growing group of friends.

"I was looking for you Blake." I heard Twilight's voice next to me. "Don't worry, I heard what this is about, so there's no need to explain it again."

"Oh boy are we having a party? I love parties, especially with all my friends! Hey, how come nopony brought any marshmallows? I mean what kind of- mmm mmph" The pink party pony was cut off by a cyan hoof being planted in her mouth.

"Pinkie, this isn't a party, it's a send off for loved ones that Applejack and Blake have lost." The rainbow-maned Pegasus explained.

Pinkie Pie's eyes began to water and she nodded before Rainbow Dash took her hoof out of the party mare's mouth. There was a strange sound, like a deflating balloon, and Pinkie's hair seemed to… deflate… somewhat. She then joined us around the pyre.

I felt the silence was inappropriate, so I took it upon myself to fill it with one of my favorite songs for lost loved ones.

When the light begins to fade,
And shadows fall across the sea,
One bright star in the evening sky,
Your love's light leads me on my way.

I had six watery-eyed mares looking at me now. Somewhat embarrassed but not wanting to slip back into silence, I continued.

There's a dream that will not sleep,
A burning hope that will not die.
So I must go now with the wind,
And leave you waiting on the tide.

Time to fly, time to touch the sky.
One voice alone - a haunting cry.
One song, one star burning bright,
Let it carry me through darkest night.

Applejack began openly sobbing and I tightened my grip around her and continued to sing.

Rain comes over the grey hills,
And on the air, a soft goodbye.
Hear the song that I sing to you,
When the time has come to fly.

When I leave and take the wing,
And find the land that fate will bring,
The brightest star in the evening sky,
Is your love far from me.
Is your love waiting far for me.

The six friends remained silent for the remainder of my performance, save for Applejack's quiet weeping.

She turned to me once I finished, eyes red and puffy from crying and still glistening with tears. "That was beautiful Blake, where'd y'all hear a song like that?"

I looked back to her. "It's an old song my grandma taught me. I've always thought it was a beautiful song and it felt… right, here."

"It certainly was a beautiful song darling, did your grandmother compose it?"

I shook my head. "No, it's just an old song from her home country. She and my grandpa taught me most of what I know."

"Really? What about your parents?" Twilight asked from beside me.

That struck a nerve in my heart, and I looked back to the pyre. "That's something I'm not sure I should tell…"

"C'mon sugarcube, it can't be any worse than what we already know about ya, can it?"

I looked at the orange farm pony. "I think it just might be AJ, but if you really want to know, I already know I can trust you all not to judge me." I took a deep breath. "Ok, here goes. I never got to know my mom; she died giving birth to my twin sister, not five minutes after I had been born." There was a chorus of gasps at this. If only they knew what was coming… "My dad blamed the both of us for her death and wanted nothing to do with us, so we spent most of our time at our grandparents, our mom's parents, house. My sister and I were all each other had for most of our childhoods, being ostracized by other kids for what happened to our mom. They thought we were cursed or some nonsense like that. Anyway, when we were fourteen, my dad decided he'd had enough of us costing him money and reminding him of our mom, so he… he took my sister and I on a car ride, promising us that he had changed and wanted to take us camping to prove it. When we got where he was taking us, he got out of the car and led us both into the woods, us believing the whole way that we were headed to a camp ground. We came to a clearing, and I felt a sudden, sharp pain at the base of my skull; then everything went black for a bit. When I came to, I couldn't move; he had tied me up and I couldn't escape."

Twilight placed a hoof on my shoulder comfortingly. "But you did escape, otherwise you wouldn't be here."

I shook my head, tears threatening to burst free at the memory. "That's not all. When I came to, I could hear my sister screaming, but I couldn't see her. I managed to roll over so I could see what was causing her to scream like that… I wish I hadn't…" The floodgates opened at that memory and tears began streaming down my face. "Our dad had tied her up as well and was… he was… defiling her…" There was another chorus of gasps.

"H-how could anypony do that?! It's simply… monstrous…" Rarity said shakily.

I sighed. "I don't know Rarity, I really don't. But it still gets worse. After he was… done with her, he started beating her… He beat her until all I could hear was his own ragged breathing. Then, he looked over to me and said 'Did you enjoy the show?'; then left us there, still bound, to die. After he was gone, I managed to get free of the rope he had tied around my wrists and undid my legs. I went to my sister as fast as I could, and when I got there… I don't even know how to describe what she looked like… I ran for the road as fast as I could and waved down the first vehicle that came down the road. Fortunately it happened to be a police car, and he called for paramedics as I led him to where my sister was. The paramedics arrived and took us in an ambulance; I was so sure that my sister would be alright, I mean they were supposed to save her… but they couldn't…" I began choking up again. "She... she died on the way to the hospital. I felt the life drain out of her hand as I held it, but I couldn't do anything to stop it. After that, I was sent to live with my grandparents full-time. I never found out what happened to the bastard that I'm supposed to call a father."

"Blake, it's ok. That's all in the past, and we're all here for you now." Twilight said as she wrapped her hooves around me, the others quickly following suit.

This action snapped me back to reality and I realized that tears were still streaming down my face and my hands were clenched so tightly the tendons were threatening to snap. "Blake, Ah-Ah'm so sorry… Here Ah am blubberin' ta you about mah problems, not even realizin' you got it so much worse. You must think Ah'm a terrible pony." Applejack whispered into my ear.

I hugged her tighter. "I would never think that AJ, just because I've had tragedy in my life doesn't mean that the tragedy in yours is any less valid, in fact, it means that we can understand each other better. Isn't that why you came to me to begin with?" She nodded slightly into my shoulder.

After we broke the embrace, we just sat around the pyre in silence, watching it burn. I had to admit that I felt better, about a lot of things, after that ordeal; I could only hope that Applejack felt the same. "So what happened after ya went ta live with yer grandparents?" Applejack asked quietly after a time.

I sighed. "Not much to tell after that, I went to therapy for awhile to help me get over what happened that day, then I lived my life; my grandparents taught me skills they thought I would need: my grandma taught me how to cook and sing, and my grandpa taught me how to fight and survive, he even taught me forge work. I graduated high school when I was eighteen, shortly afterwards I got a job as a construction worker, and I've been doing that for the last decade. I went back to school to become a civil engineer, and I was working on my Master's degree in that when I came here. Three years ago I met a girl and fell in love, then we got married about a year later. We both wanted children, but when we went to the doctor after several months of trying, we found out that she was incapable of conceiving. We had planned to adopt, but the paperwork kept getting lost in processing. I think that's how I'm taking everything that's happened as well as I am, because I'm no stranger to tragedy."

There was silence for a time after that. As evening approached, the balefire finally began to die down, and with many hugs, consolations and well-wishes, our friends took their leave to turn in for the night. Eventually, Applejack and I were the only two remaining, watching the dying light of the pyre as it burned down to ashes and embers. We sat in silence, enjoying each other's company and the calm of the evening.

"Blake, do you think Ah'm… attractive?" The question came from left-field and caught me completely off guard, especially after the somber events of the day.

"I-I um… uh, where did that come from all of a sudden?"

She looked me in the eye. "Ah just wanna know. Ah'm only a few years younger than you, but Ah've never dated a stallion before… Ah've been thinkin' lately that there might be somethin' wrong with me."

I regarded her for a moment before answering. "I'll be honest with you AJ; I don't know how to judge physical appearance in anything but humans, since that's the only species I've been exposed to from a courting standpoint. I can't tell you one way or the other without lying to you, simply because I don't know." She seemed crestfallen at this. "If, however, I were to judge solely based on your personality, I would have to say that yes, you're very attractive." A broad smile lit up her face at that.

"Thanks Blake, Ah needed that." She seemed to grow nervous, rubbing her left foreleg with the right. "Do you think maybe, Ah dunno, you'd wanna go… no, nevermind, it's silly."

I placed a hand on her shoulder. "It's ok AJ, you can talk to me, you know that."

She hung her head. "Ah know… it's just, Ah'm not used ta stuff like this." She locked those emerald eyes of hers with mine in the fading light. "Ah guess what Ah'm tryin' ta say is; would you like ta go out sometime? With me…" She asked as she drew little circles in the dirt with a forehoof.

I tried to hide my frown at this. "Normally, I'd love to AJ, but I'm already kinda-sorta giving Luna a chance."

She hung her head and squeezed her eyes shut at this. "Oh… Ah see, so yer a one mare stallion then… ferget Ah said anythin'. Ah'll see ya bright an' early tomorrow Blake." She got up and made to leave.

"Wait AJ…" I got up and followed after her. "What do you mean 'one mare stallion'? Are ponies polygamous?"

She stopped and turned back to face me. "Ah dunno what that means." She said with what sounded like a twinge of hope in her voice.

"Well, all it means is that one man, or stallion in this case, will have more than one woman, or mare in his life."

Her eyes lit up. "That's what Ah mean! We call it 'herdin', but it's tha same thing. In case y'all haven't noticed, mares outnumber stallions nearly five ta one, so a bunch o' mares sometimes herd with one stallion so's they don't hafta be alone."

A smile crept across my face. "Well, it's kinda the opposite of how I was raised, but I'm willing to give it a shot if you and Luna are; after all, I don't live in the same society I was raised in anymore, so I can't let myself live by its rules."

The smile she gave me practically lit up the blossoming night, and it was the only warning I got before the Stetson-clad mare reared up and wrapped her forelegs around me in yet another embrace. "Thanks Blake, ya haven't been here long, but y'all have really grown on me, ya know that?"

I chuckled. "I hadn't noticed." I said with playful sarcasm. "C'mon AJ, lets walk back to your place."

She broke the embrace, look on her face seemed to be an embarrassed one. "Aw shucks Blake, y'all don't hafta do that…" The tone of her voice, however, said 'but I'd like it if you did'.

The walk back to Applejack's home was made in peaceful silence, the two of us once again simply enjoying each other's company. The walk did my heart good, as I could practically feel the happiness that the cowpony next to me was radiating.

It felt like all too little time had passed before we arrived at the simple screen door to Applejack's humble country home. She turned to me and once again reared up to embrace me. "Thanks again Blake, fer everythin'. Ah can't tell ya how much what ya did fer me today put mah mind at ease…"

"Anytime AJ, you just ask, and I'll be there to help."

She smiled at this. "Thanks Blake, Ah will… You'd best get headin' back ta Twilight's though, we got a lot ta do tomorrow. Goodnight Sugarcube."

"Goodnight Applejack, sweet dreams." And with that, we parted ways.

The trek back to the library would have felt empty if it hadn't been for the beauty of Luna's night keeping me company. Even though the moon was only a thin thumbnail crescent, waxing its way towards a full moon, there was still plenty of light to see by thanks to the countless stars that glittered against the blue-black backdrop of the night sky. "Thanks for another beautiful night, Luna." I whispered under my breath.

It seemed as though she had heard me, as a wave-like shimmer flowed across the starry sky after I said this, making each star shine almost imperceptibly brighter, giving off what felt like a happy glow. I realized that I would have to talk to her about Applejack tomorrow, and hoped that she would accept this 'herding' idea.

I arrived at the library to find all the lights out, Twilight and Spike likely having already turned in for the night. I opened the door as silently as I could and let myself in. It still struck me as odd that this place was so peaceful that ponies seldom locked their doors. When I entered the main room of the library, I did a quick search in the dim light for a book; a book that I hoped would help me understand pony dating customs and traditions better.

The lack of light made the search difficult, but I eventually came across what I had been looking for. I could have used my flashlight, but i didn't want to wake Twilight or Spike with its light. With the book in tow, I crept across the creaky floorboards and up the equally creaky stairs. When I reached the top, I found what was expected: Twilight and Spike both sleeping soundly in their respective beds.

I made my way to my little side room and deposited the book onto the small dresser before making my way to the washroom to prepare for sleep. Once that was accomplished, I set the small lantern that served as my room's light source next to my bed and lit it before settling in for the night, opening the book to read about the intended subject matter before slipping off into another night of sleep in this admittedly strange, yet peaceful, world.

What I read in that book only partially surprised me; it turned out that the stallion, or more rarely mare, could ask the members of the herd for permission when adding to said herd, but it wasn't required. It also said that the size of the herd was determined by the number of members that the alpha could protect, though that's mostly a nicety carried over from more dangerous times.

With that knowledge under my belt, I snuffed out the lantern and made myself comfortable before slipping off into peaceful slumber.