Gone with the Ashes

Fire. It's a natural beauty that occurs very rarely if done by nature or by anyone. One who witnesses this in action can get so perplexed by its flow. Fire is always in a flux wave pattern that seems endless. Its light can show more of the darkness of the night. Its heat is comforting when at the right distance, but too close can be agitating. Fire is not only a sight to see often, but also as a danger. It spreads quickly when handled wrong and will consume everything at its sight. It releases fumes that are toxic to life and its heat can burn on you resulting a mark that is left as a sign for greeting with fire. It's like it will never end. But how soon can one put out fire before it had already destroyed everything?

It was a calm night. The moon was one of the many lights shining above the dark sky. On the ground was a small town that was sound asleep. Many were in their deep slumber as for tomorrow would be another day to start anew. Not to far from there was a grand farm that has acres of apple trees. Owned by a small family, these trees were around for a lifetime. It is such a beauty to see these at night. The feeling of having no one bothering this scenery unlike if it was at a theater. The sound of crickets chirping and the occasional hooting of an owl without knowing where it came from was blissful. The dark green leaves of these trees were moved little by the cool wind. This was true peace.

Nearby was a barn where the owners lived. Started from nothing but wood and planks, this was a result still standing. It was old, but it still had a nice shine of red. Outside of this house was the oldest member who was snoring away at her rocking chair. Senile as she was, however a heart full of pride from the building of this farm. Right beside her was her grandson looking out at the farm. Formidable and a colt with few words, it was his job to keep his home safe and sound. Inside the house had the air of hospitality and comfortableness. There were pictures forever in that frame of life taken at that time. Some were old and crumbling from it's decaying yellow portrait that it was printed in. Others were bright and new as it looked more colored and clear. Upstairs was a hallway of a few doors. Inside was a bedroom with a resting orange pony. Hair like the sun at its brightest time of the day, but it wasn't distorted like right now. Just a calm night this time.

Except...something wasn't right. Usually her younger sister would be sleeping nearby her room, but she was invited over to friends as usual. Nothing to worry about on that at all. They would do nothing other than cause trouble. Of course not this late. Unless she remembered that her friends were hiding something under the cloth on the red wagon. What seemed like rockets were barely protruding under the sheet. No. She was certain that Fluttershy would take care of them and hopefully not use them. Certainly it wouldn't stir the night or in fact start a fire at the Everfree forest.

That's not where it would start. The sound of a whistle screeched into the night as it echoed across the world. It startled Applejack from her sleep. It alerted Big Mac as he turned to the sound. This was unfamiliar for there was no animal that could make that sound. The screech pitch down little by little. In seconds, it was gone. The night was calm once more.

Back where Applejack was, she was now looking at her room and behind her. She decided to look at her window and see what was happening. Her brother was the first thing she spotted at her window. Investigating and hoping to find the source of this sound. She thought that there was something flashing her eyes. A red flare flickering on and off, blocking her vision. It was expanding quicker than she could blink. The light crashed into the window and exploded right on the bed. A fire has begun.

The lights show didn't end there. Many more of these lights came quick and crashed into random areas of the barn and farm. Exploding onto flammable material. One rocket flew into a storage and caused an explosion that could be felt. A ringing noise was being heard through Applejack's ears. She was on the floor and dizzy from the blast. Getting up she looked around her room, but it was unfamiliar now. The fire already had burned away what was left of her bed. Her only escape was now blocked from the remains of her furniture. She reached for the door and ran out. In the hall, two rooms were already black as coal and burning like it too. There had to be a way out.

Applejack ran downstairs for she felt the second floor crumbling. Of all the times though, she clumsily slipped and a vision of black appeared in an instant. The sound of ringing was barely gone. She got up and looked around in shock and awe. The muffled noises of wood breaking apart was heard. She had to run. A stinging pain on her front hooves was felt. She couldn't slow down. She must escape. Two of the three exits were already blocked by the remains of upstairs. Limping towards the kitchen, Applejack was approaching the exit. This was it. The door handle was there ready to be turned and easy to open. But what was this. The handle was already turned, it didn't want to be pushed at all. She tried with all what was left of her and still couldn't. No way she couldn't buck it open from her injury. She looked through the window and saw collapsed columns. The smell of smoke was getting to her barely as she coughed from the intoxicating air. There was no way out.

No way out for her at all. The fire was getting near her. Burning continuously and finding new areas to destroy whatever it could find. Her hearing returned again. Did it matter now? Did any of this matter now? The ceiling was falling apart. Some pieces exposed the top floor in walls of fire. The ceiling of the second floor exposed the night sky. Gazing at it's beauty comforted her. It was all over. She looked back at memories before her very eyes. This was blissful. No worries. None at all. She remembered the first time she met her best friends. True memories of good and bad moments. From adventures to just everyday life of the farm with them. The sharing of sweet cider and the mishaps of her sister's friends. Even the times the house fell down. All struggles and successes of everyday life forever in her memories.

Reality returned to her like a slap to the face. Except it was debris hitting her from above. A yellow figure was seen above the night sky. Applejack felt the world was pulling her apart her vision. Everything was going farther away. She only tried focusing on the figure. The image cleared and showed her friend Fluttershy in a stunned expression. Applejack did her best to smile, but at the same time had tears of forgiveness. She kept that expression, but her friend was going to go in. The wood snapped as the house was falling apart. Keeping that sad smile she now had her last memory left of her friend. It was good that someone was at least there for her in these last moments. Applejack closed her eyes accepting the fate of herself. The house came crashing down and crushed everything in sight. A hat scorched by the fire was one of the few things left of the rubble. The light of life blinked out into a void of darkness.