“You know, Twilight has a tomb prepared for all of us,” Rainbow Dash said, suddenly. 

“You’re kidding,” Applejack shot back, cocking her brow. “Seriously? Was the girl worried about us running off after our final buck.” 

“Oh, don’t be so hard on her, Applejack,” Rarity said, straightening her dress. It was a subdued piece, a swirl of greys and black that flowed around her like a storm cloud. “You know how she always stressed over time.” 

Applejack shrugged, her shoulders popping in protest. “Yeah, miss ‘twenty for eternity’ sure worried about time. Now don’t you look at me like that Rares, Ah know it's not that simple. Ah just it find it strange. You’d think [i]we’d[/i] be the ones worried about the future.” 

“Well, Twilight always planned ahead,” Rarity said, then sighed. “Still, I did find the idea of a tomb somewhat... disquieting let's say. It’s never wise to dwell on mortality too much after all.” 

“Shoot, Ah’m more mad that she didn’t ask us first,” Applejack shot back. “Some of us already had plans.” 

“Wait, hold up,” Rainbow interjected, holding up a hoof. “You’ve already got your funeral planned out? Seriously?” 

“Well planned might be a strong word.” Applejack sighed. “Ah would like y'all to keep this in confidence, but we’ve got a little grove of trees down at the farm. Apple trees, of course, but they ain't for growing fruit, they’re there to remind ponies. My parents each have a tree, Granny and her husband have a pair, and one day I’ll have my own. It’s a family tradition.” 

Rainbow pulled a face. “So you’re telling me you have a field full of dead ponies?” 

“Rainbow!” Rarity exclaimed, muzzling the pegasus with her magic. “One does not talk that way about a pony’s traditions.” 

“Yeah, my parents have a cairn on the farm,” Pinkie Pie cut in, with a wistful smile on her face. “Oh, that reminds me. It’s my mom’s birthday in two weeks, I’ve got to find her a geode for it.” She bounced on the spot, her greying mane threatening to escape the dozen pins holding it in place. 

Rainbow Dash just shook her head. “Earth ponies,” she muttered. “Pegasi just get cremated. Much less risk of zombies.” 

Applejack pressed a hoof against her head. “There ain’t no such thing as zombies, sugarcube.” 

“Eh, after all we’ve seen I figure we’ll end up facing them sooner or later. Then you’ll be lining up for a sky burial.” 

“Sky burial?” 

“Yeah, everypony that knows you gets together as many thunderclouds as they can find, then they send you off with the biggest bang they can muster.” Rainbow smirked. “I reckon that they’re going to see mine in Zebradia.” 

“Ooo, I’m going to have a huge party at mine funeral,” Pinkie Pie chimed in. “It’s going to have cake, and streamers and I have all the music planned out and the speakers and—” 

“Pinkie, you can’t organise your own funeral!” Rainbow exclaimed. 

“Says you. I’ve planned my grandfoals’ birthday parties out for the next twenty years.”

Rainbow shook her head. “What about you, Fluttershy?” She called over Pinkie’s head to where Fluttershy was hiding in a corner. “Are you going for a sky burial?” 

“Umm...” Fluttershy ducked behind her mane. “Actually, I was thinking of being buried behind my cottage. I, I would like to be with my animal friends after the end.” 

“Figures. Reckon anypony is actually going to end up in this tomb of Twilight’s?” 

“Well, I must admit being immortalized in stone has a certain appeal,” Rarity said, tossing her head. “Though I’d prefer to be remembered for my work in fashion than for beating up a few ruffians over the years.” 

“Ah-hem.” One of the many golden armour stallions cleared his throat. “Ladies, if you’re ready.” 

“I suppose.” Rarity said, sighing. “Well girls, shall we?” 

As a group they were lead out from the palace and out into the streets of Canterlot. Thousands of ponies waited for them there, stood in utter silence, watching with tear stained eyes as the procession formed up before them. 

“So,” Rainbow murmured to Applejack. “How do you think Twilight wanted her funeral to go?” 

Applejack looked out across the mourning city, at the walls that still bore the scars of yet another battle against ancient evil and the wide-eyed shock on thousand faces, and shook her head. “Ah don’t know, sugarcube.” 

With a sharp cry from Luna, in full regalia, the funeral procession began. 

“Not like this.”