Path of Kindness and Blood
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Chapter 3
Friends
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Part 5 - Burning Bridges
Three years before Nightmare Moon’s return
The rain outside the chapel fit the mood perfectly for not just the atmosphere of the funeral, but also the hearts of Sunflower and Little Seed. It had been heartbreaking to know that their friend had passed on, but to see her inside a coffin, smiling as if she was deep asleep, was too much for them to bare. No eyes were dry in the pews that stood before the deceased while the minister continued his speech. Sunflower and Little Seed, looked around, noticing that there weren’t many ponies attending. One of them, Ditzy Hooves, had introduced themselves as distant relatives of Flutterbat. It was strange that she never talked about her family, but it was the last thing on their mind.
“... thus as Ms. Flutterbat’s soul ascends into Elysium, we must not mourn that she is gone, but celebrate that she has lived a long life filled with joy and happiness,” finished the minister on his podium. “If anypony would like to come forward and say final farewells to Miss Flutterbat, now is the time.”
In attempt to be polite, the two friends decided to wait until the rest of the relatives had gone up to say their peace to Flutterbat’s body. Holding their hooves together, they continued to stare at their departed friend who wore a light mint green dress with red stripe down the sides. Her folded hooves held a single red rose, different from the dozens of lilies that surrounded the oak casket with red velvet cushions. Her smile was peaceful, but held a sadness to it that only made them cry harder.
They had demanded to know how long she had been sick, and it had turned out to be for months. According to what Derpy said, Flutterbat did her best to ensure that her friends were unaware of her condition until she would either recover or die. Although the two of them were angry after learning about this, they were even sadder to know that they weren’t with their friend in her final moments. From what was said, she died peacefully in her sleep.
Finally, after Ditzy Hooves walked away from the casket, it was their turn. Carrying the items they wanted to give their friend, they walked over to the casket and stared at their friend for the first time in a year and a half, while also the last time ever.
“H-hi, Flutterbat,” whispered Sunflower, who was finding it hard to stand. Her shaking knees would have collapsed if it wasn’t for the support of her friend. “I... I’m so sorry we weren’t there for you in your final moments. Why didn’t you tell us you were dying? Why let us find out like this?” She sniffed and rubbed her eyes. “I guess you didn’t want us to worry, huh? That’s so like you.” She pulled out a bouquet of flowers and gently placed them between Flutterbat’s hooves. Looking at her peaceful friend, she leaned down and nuzzled her forehead. “I just hope wherever you are, you’re at peace. Goodbye.”
Sunflower turned away and ran back to her seat in tears as Little Sun walked over and placed two objects in the coffin. The first was a small bag of bird seed, the same kind he used to give her in the old days. The second was a picture of the three of them, celebrating Flutterbat’s birthday a few years ago.
“Hey, Flutterbat. Guess you’ve gone to the big clouds in the sky, huh?” asked Little Seed, doing his best to keep calm. He tried to find the words to say something, but every time he opened his mouth, he just closed it a moment later. Finally, he shook his head and nodded. “You were one of the bestest friends I’ve ever had. I bet you’re up there taking care of animals like always, huh? Well, maybe when we die and meet you again, you’ll show us around the place?” He sighed before lowering his head and kissing her forehead. “Goodbye, Flutterbat. I’ll miss you.”
As he walked away, he didn’t see the small set of tears that dripped down the face of the ‘deceased’ pegasus.
***
Nopony said anything as the closed coffin was lowered into its grave, a thud echoing as it reached the bottom. One by one, the attendants threw flowers into the hole before walking away as it was covered in dirt.
Inside the coffin, Fluttershy held the precious gifts her best friends had given her and cried into her pillow. For one brief moment, she wished she could just pop the lid open and tell them the whole truth.
Yet all she could do was lie down and cry. Cry for her old life which now officially ended. Fluttershy’s life, however, had to continue. All she could do was wait for the diggers to come bring her out, and leave her empty grave forever.
Oh god the feeeeeeeeeeellllsss!
Well, that's one way of and generally the best way to get government killers off your trail
Wow, that is amazing in sad feels department. Good job. I hate funerals and and can't stand graveyards, but to attend your own funeral in the dirt.... can't imagine that.
Flutterbat is dead, long live Fluttershy!
Seriously, though, I hope she wont have to hide her immortality for much longer. Perhaps Luna will be able to help in that regard?
WHOA!!!
That was quick! And yet....THE FEELZZZZ!!!!
6676892
(add noive of whimpering)
6676939
Monster hunters are illegal organization. They don't work for goverment.
Still, Celestia's cannot exacly make any move. If she take action against Thestrals, it may leads to geneoside of one race, even if it is considered dangerous. If she make a move against hunters, there won't be any well trained line of defense in case thestrals decide to take over. So yes, goverment in this case stay neutral, because choising one side will have it's consequences.
6677221
6677367
Luna is still on the moon as Nightmare Moon. This story takes place before her return, but don't worry, I will try to write a story that takes place during Summer Sun Celebration in this AU.
Dire
6677644
If she had been doing her job right she would have had agents monitoring the vampire clans and vampire hunters to make sure nothing goes out of control.
Fluttershy's parents kept Cloudsdale and the surrounding area safe for all parties. When they died a power vacuum was created, and ponies are almost certainly suffering and dying in the aftermath. Celestia SHOULD put a bounty on the ones responsible and warrants out for their arrest - it's not taking a side in a conflict to punish the ones deliberately making the conflict worse, that's called moderating.
6677639
You should congratulate Rated Ponystar. He assisted me with the funeral scene.
6678578
Who said she didn't take action? However you need to keep in mind that thestrals are very experienced at hiding after doing it for centuries, and they have sharpened senses. Even monster hunters failed to set up agent that could spy on thestral clans. Do you think Celestia's agents would succed?
Even if she had a few agents in Cloudsdale, she is probably too busy with damage control to search for those responsible. After all, stoping clan wars that cause harm to the civilians is more important, and ever if she had an agent present among the thestrals, he probably died with the rest when the hunters attacked. Keep in mind that Flutterbat's mansion was located on a mountain, an isolated location. After the attack the only withnesses are Rainbow Dash and Flutterbat/Fluttershy.
6677644
I know, hence the future tense of "will be able to help". I'm hoping Luna will come back and make sure benevolent vampires like Fluttershy aren't persecuted.
Rated ponystar helped. No wonder it was so sad. He's good at that, I had to stop reading one of his stories because it was too sad for me to handle. Or in the internet dialect "Why can't I hold all these feels?"
THE FEELS
I knew that she was going to be alive, but I didn't really think she was just pretending. I thought she was asleep
SOOOOOOOOOO SAD, YOU GOT ME TO CRY, IT WAS JUST TO TEARS BUT THAT'S BIG FOR MY BROKEN MIND AND BLACKENED HEAT........... I LIKE IT. hrs sad song for all y'all