The Death of Sweetie Belle

>It was a good service
>You were never INTENSELY good threads with rarity, but you came on principal
>Everyone was there, even Mayor Mare
>With a small, tight community like Ponyville, you'd expect that
>A Pianist played a song the deceased wrote, I guess they went though her room and found some pieces she had from a little bit back
>She must have sung the song around the house, because Rarity and the rest of the family started crying really hard when it played
>A punch of ponies made short speeches
>Apple Bloom and Scootaloo didn't say anything formally, but they left flowers and cried with everyone else
>There were other, less related ponies who didn't cry, but they felt bad
>Sweetie Belle never struck you as very interesting
>It's a sad thing that she died, and you feel very very bad, but you didn't cry.

>Apparently, she was found dead of poisoning
>She was wandering around and tried eating some berries she wasn't wary of
>What a horrible way to die
>After the service, everyp0ny was let loose to get up and drink punch and talk about how sorry they were
>You felt a bit like an outsider, so you sorta hung out in the corner with a red cup
>Over walks your buddy Rainbow
>"Hey, Anon."
"Nice service."
>"Yeah. She was a good kid."
"Yeah. I didn't really know her that much, but she seemed... happy."
>"Mmh." She takes a sip of punch
>Twilight joins the equation. She has tear residue in her eyes.
>"Hi, Rainbow. Anonymous."
"Hey, twi. You ok?"
>"I'm alright. You should see rarity, she's... a mess. *snff*"

"Wow... really?"
>"Yeah."
>"What do you expect, Anon? It's her sister's funeral. If Scootaloo... ended up like that, I'd... bawl my eyes out too."
>"She wasn't crying, Rainbow Dash."
"What?"
>"She hasn't cried tonight. At all. That's why she's a mess. I haven't read much about funerals, but I'd assume she should be crying a bit."
"Wow."
>"I guess she figures crying isn't too, 'ladyike'."
"Hey. Quit it."
>Dash quits it and gets a little quiet
>The silence is infectious
"I'm... I'm gonna go talk to her."
>"Really? Why?"
"Because I haven't ever really... you know, talked to her. I just think I should... say... something."
>Dash agrees
>"You should go, Anon."
>You head off for the punch table, where rarity's been lounging with a red cup

>Upon coming nearer, you observe Rarity talking to Applejack
>You come up to the table and say hi
"Hey, Rarity. AJ. What's up?"
>"Hi, Anon. I was juss' payin' mah respects. Now, you just come get me if yall' wanna talk about anythin', okay sug?"
>"Yes... sure."
>"Oh, and Applebloom sends her... condolences, too."
>"Yes.. she's a... wonderful... darling..."
>Rarity's talking like she's hindered
>AJ leaves
"Hey, Rarity."
>"Anonymous."
"Uh.... I'm really sorry."
>She looks at you like she might be mad
>"Don't... Don't say that. That you're sorry. That doesn't even make sense."
"Uhh..."
>"Anon, It's... not your fault. It's a bit impolite to flood me with "sorries" when I'm trying to... *hic*... grieve here."
>You pause a bit
"Did... did you just hiccup?"
>"Yes, Anon. I... It's not very graceful, but under the circumstances I think... I deserve some leeway."

"You're right. I'm sorry i said... sorry... err... I just wanted you to know I'm... here for you."
>"Wow, really? Fabulous."
>She downs her punch and then turns around and refills her cup
>She reaches in her dress and pulls out a flask
>Woah
>She pours some kind of liquor into her punch, filling up the other half of the cup
"Uh... Rarity?"
>She swirls her drink around a bit and takes a big swig
>"Yes, darling? *hic*"
"...You're drunk."
>"...Quite."
>You look around a little, then back to Rarity
"... Are you serious?"
>"Hmm?"
"You're drunk."
>"I'm also at my sister's... funeral. Your point?"
>You pause
"You just... didn't seem like that kind of person."

>Rarity takes another big swig of her drink and hiccups again
>You feel more uncomfortable now than ever
"...Are... Are you serious?"
>She looks at you like you're an idiot
>"What do you mean?"
"Are you serious? With this?"
>She keeps condescending on you for a moment then trots, unstably, to the door of the room
>She walks out on her sister's funeral

>The next day
>It's a normal day
>Go to Sugarcube Corner in the morning to get a nice baked-goods breakfast
>Blueberry muffins
>Sit down and begin to eat
>You're enjoying it
>When you're half-way through, Pinkie comes down the stairs and says hi
>You talk for a while before she heads out
>After your muffin is done, you take a bit to lounge around and look out the window before the day really starts
>From the left of the frame, Rarity arrives
>She notices your face and stops to look at you
>You're now separated by only a thin sheet of glass
>She turns to come into the store and you brace for the awkwardity

>She comes in and sits down opposite from you without a word
>Awkwardity
>"...So... how was the rest of the funeral?"
"It was fine. You didn't miss much. Really, you were totally free to leave, the service was over, it's just the way you stormed out of there."
>"Did I... make a scene?"
"Not much. People attributed it to the general drama."
>"Oh... That's... good, I suppose..."
>Awkwardity
>"Anon... I'm terribly sorry I brushed you off."
"Don't worry about it."
>"No, what I did was undignified."
"I was just surprised by the booze."
>"Yes..."
"It didn't seem... canon. For you."
>The seconds turn into a minute as you both compete to not look directly at each other.
"Look, I know we're not really close friends. Really... don't worry about me. You have plenty of great friends, ones who you can really count on. Applejack. Twi. I don't have to be your listening ear."
>More awkward
>"Yes, but... I don't know..."

>You look on as she gathers her words
>"I can't talk to them..."
"Hmm? I don't understand it, you and Applejack seem like decent love/hate friends."
>"I know... Anon, the truth is... I don't think I'm really friends with anyone..."
"What? That's absurd."
>"Applejack... We're only friends because she's the OTHER least-liked pony... I try to be fancy and fashionable all the time but sometimes... I think ponies like me less for it."
>Damn, these long silences are getting annoying
"I'm your friend. I can be here any time you need to talk."
>That's a strong commitment to a pony you barely even know, but you feel like it's the natural thing to say
>"..."
>Rarity starts to half-cry on the table
>You sit with her and put a hand over her hoof
>It's so damn sad
>She looks up, noticing your friendliness
>Gathering herself, she gets up and walks past you to go to the door
>Upon passing you, she stops and hugs you
>"Th-... thanks... It's so good having s-.. somepony who... cares..."
>She leaves
>That muffin sits in your stomach like a rock

* * *

>Later, you're in the park
>Rainbow is with you, and you're loosely talking about the morning's events
"...You think what she said was true?"
>"What, that no one likes her? No! That's crazy, we're all best friends. I mean, I rip on her sometimes for being all girly and prissy and junk, but I'm just joking."
"I feel bad. I'll say it: I've avoided hanging out with her."
>Dash blushes a little
>"... Okay... I guess I have too."
"Right?"
>"Well what can she expect? She'a always acting so pushy! She just insults people whenever they do something that isn't perfect!"
"I know, Dash. I know she acts out sometimes, but you overlook things like that when you're friends with someone."
>"Hmm. can we stop talking about Rarity? I keep thinking about Sweetie Belle."
"I know. It's depressing."
>"Scoot's devastated. She won't stop. Breaks my heart."
"Yeah. From the way AJ was at the service, I'd assume Applebloom is depressed, too. It's terrible to lose a friend at that age."

>There is a silence
>"You don't think she'd... do something... dumb, do you?"
>You dismiss the thought
"No, no. Nah, I don't think so. She doesn't seem like that kind of person."
>"Yeah, well, she didn't seem like an alcoholic either, but that changed fast."
>A moment goes by, and a breeze comes
>You shudder
>Was it the breeze or the thought of a hanging Rarity?
"...I guess you have a point."
>You hope no pony dies today so there doesn't have to be any more drawn-out silences
>Dash changes the subject, "Wanna do something fun this weekend?"
"What?"
>"The wonderbolts are flying in town on Saturday. Wanna go?"
"I don't see why not."
>The day goes on like no pony died

* * *

>Friday morning
>Sugarcube Corner
>This Breakfast with Rarity thing is becoming a routine thing

>"So I said, 'Well, you can wear that if you WANT TO, but just know that you're the ONLY pony who wants to.'"
>Oh man
>Talking to this pony is like watching Sex and the City
"... Oh man... Jeez, rarity, you're a riot!"
>You both laugh for a while and chomp on your muffins
>"Haha...! Why, thank you, Anon..."
>You two share a silence with extremely low awkwardity
>"Anon... thanks for this."
"What? You paid for that muffin."
>"Heh, no. I mean this. Just sitting here and... talking. In the mornings. It's so nice to share the company of such a well-mannered... friend.."
"Hey, thanks. It's cool, isn't it? Nice to start off the day with a conversation."
>"Yes..."
>She seems very content with the scene
"Well, it's time for me to go. Me and dash are going to see thw Wonderbolts today."

>Rarity sorta looks at you for a second
>"Oh... uhm... I've... never REALLY been a fan of the Wonderbolts, Anon..."
"Come on, it'll be fun! Look, I know you and Dash are polar opposites, but it'd be good for you to get out."
>She sits and it looks like the words are bouncing around in her head
>"Well, I-... I was going to ask you if you wanted to help me make dresses today, actually..."
>Oh
"Oh."
>"Yes. I thought we could work together a bit and... you know... socialize?"
"Oh, I'm sorry, Rarity. I'd stay, but I already kinda made a commitment to Rainbow. We can do that some other time, though."
>Awkwardity
>"Heh.. yes."

>You reassure her some more, thinking on your toes
>Once she seems cheered-up enough, you say goodbye and leave
>You're a bit worried about her
>She seemed kinda depressed when you left
>You ARE kinda her only REAL friend, and you basically ditched her for Dash
>Screw it, she'll be fine
>Wonderbolts!

* * *

>"Won-der-bolts!"
"Won-der-bolts!"
>Everyone's chanting
>Big huge stadium
>An announcer pegasus flies out onto the field
>"ARE YOU PONIES READY?"
>It's unanimous
>The bolts are bid out onto the field
>"Wow!"
"I gotta admit, Rainbow, this is cool!"
>"Cool? This is BEYOND cool!"
"How often do you see the bolts, anyways?"
>I've seen them 7 times, but never here. They almost never come to Ponyville, I always have to save up and go out to Canterlot or Manehattan or something."

"Why do you think they don't come down often?"
>"It's just not as big a venue. Why do you care?"
>WHY DO YOU CARE
"I don't."
>"Then watch, they're about to sta-"
>gunshot
>The bolts are off
>For some reason there's something resonating at the back of your head
>It's Rarity
>Something about painting
>Something about a gun
>That's stupid
>She's not that kind of pony
>"Are you eve watching this?"
"Huh?"
>Your daydreaming drifted your gaze high up from the field
"Oh. Sorry, I'm daydre-"
>"YEAH! WOO!"
>You try to watch the races and tricks, but rarity keeps nagging at you
>She's in a bad place right now
>You shouldn't have left her alone like that

>You think about what you could do about it at the moment
>Turn to your right
"Dash, I thi-"
>"WHAT?"
>The crowd is roaring like a dragon
"I THINK I'M GONNA CUT OUT OF THIS EARLY."
>"WHAT?! WHY?"
"BECAUSE I KINDA DITCHED RARITY TO BE HERE AND I FEEL BAD!"
>"DUDE! YOU'RE DITCHING ME RIGHT NOW!"
"YEAH, WELL, YOUR SISTER DIDN'T DIE LAST WEEK!"
>She thinks
>"YOU'RE RIGHT. GO. BESIDES, YOU'RE DISTRACTING ME FROM THE ACTION ANYWAYS."
>You get up and chuckle as you walk away

* * *

>Walking back through Ponyville
>You can hear some voices just beyond Sugarcube Corner
>Decide to investigate it real quick
>Applebloom is talking to Mr. and Mrs. Cake
>"Well that's fantastic, Applebloom! It's great to know it finally happened!"
>"Yep! Ah was really happy when it happened! Ah just wish Sweetie Belle was here to see it."
"See what?"
>"Mah cutie mark! Juss' came in today!"
>You eye her flank
>It's a hammer and some nails
>"Mah special talent was buildin' things all along!"
>Mrs. Cake chimes in
>"Isn't it great, Anon?"
"It is! When did this happen?"
>"Juss' this mornin'! Ah told Applejack an' Big Mac, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Mr. an' Mrs. Cake, an' you so far, an' Ah'm off to tell everyp0ny else!"

"Aww! Well good for you, silly-filly! Oh, and I'm very sorry about what happened to Sweetie Belle."
>"Me too... but Ah don't think she'd want me ta' keep bein' sad about it. Ya know, Ah think she helped me get mah' cutie mark in the first place... in a way."
"Really? How?"
>"Ah volunteered ta' help fix up some pews fer' the funeral. Ah reckon' that was part of it: Mayor Mare told me Ah was the best filly she ever saw with a hammer."
"Well that's just great. You go tell everyp0ny else the good news, now."
>"Bye, Anon!"
>Applebloom trots off onto Mane St. to advertise her good fortune
>Off to find Rarity
>You get to her place
>The door is open
"Rarity? You there?"
>No answer
>You go to her room
>No pony there
>You scan the room for clues
>Everything seems fine
>You check her desk
>There's nothing on it but a notebook and a few unidentifiable wet spots

>Wet spots
>Tears
>Oh god
>You open the book
>The first bunch of pages are blank, but later you can see that she's been drawing some things
>You open up to a drawing of a dress for Sweetie belle
>Another dress for Sweetie belle
>Another
>Oh man you're bawwing inside
>All these dresses have blank patches at the flank
>You double-take her mannequin to see if she's actually made any
>There's nothing on the mannequin, but all the fabric that's usually in the room is gone
>You close the book and leave to find Rarity
>You see Pinkie Pie walking by as you leave the house
"Pinkie, have you seen Rarity?"
>"Rarity? Why?"
"Because I need to find her. I dunno where she is."
>"Well... I THINK I saw her going down Mane St. a little while ago."
"Which way?"
>"Sssssouth? Maybe?"
"Thanks, Pinks."
>As you turn to find Rarity, she yells, "When you find her, tell her I said, 'Howdy-doody!'"

>You're running south on Mane St.
>Who might know where she is?
>You stop Lickety Split
"Split, have you seen Rarity?"
>"Yeah, I've just been chillin' on this corner for a while now. She came down this way with a dress or somethin'. Went past that corner over there, but that's all I know."
"Alright, I'll see you later, Split."
>"Stay cool."
>You turn and run off to the corner Split pointed to
>Turn
>There's nothing beyond it except a trinket shop and the
>graveyard
>graveyard
>graveyard

>Sweet Celestia
>You run right for the graveyard
>As usual, no pony's hanging out around the area
>It's a pretty big graveyard
>You're running through fields of death
>A lot of the tombstones are really big, so it's hard to see everything
>Deeper in, you hear a faint weeping
>You follow it
>You're trying to run as fast as your can, you keep double-taking between gravestones
>You stop a bit, keep going, then go back
>There she is, and it's terrible
>She's sitting there, crying violently over her dead sister's 5-day-old body
>You inch closer to her
>"*sob*... nnh... Anon..."
"Rarity. Come on, this isn't okay."
>You get close enough to see down into the grave she's dug up
>There lies the already-greenish, rotting Sweetie belle
>face frozen in bliss
>She's wearing Rarity's new dress
>It's her masterpiece
>On the flank, the blank patch, Rarity has painted her a cutie mark
>It's a drawing of rarity and Sweetie Belle, a heart in between them
>You extend a hand
>She reaches up a hoof
>You pull her up out of the grave and embrace her, dirt and all
>"That thing they... *sob*... buried her in was just... awful..."
"I know, I know."
>You're still riddled with disbelief, but inside you think maybe this is good. She got to say goodbye.
>"I mean, it was just the worst thing they could have.."
"I know. It... it looks beautiful on her."
>You embrace for a moment
>After you two bury the grave again, you go back to Sugarcube Corner

>The awkwardity in the room is saturated
>Two inedible blueberry muffins sit on the table
>It's 5 years before you speak
"It's a great dress."
>".... thank you."
"We're... not gonna talk about this again."
>"Of course not."
>More silence
>"I think...."
>
>"I think I can let her go."
>
>
>She takes a big chomp of her muffin

-END-