Home was gone. It had been so for a long time. It had simply taken Father and Mother a long time to come to the conclusion. The skies no longer allowed sunlight through. The Yellowstone supervolcano had seen to that. Then, Toba followed suit. On that same day, Taupo in New Zealand went up. Last but not least was Aira in Japan. In the three months since they had erupted, crop failures had been catastrophic the world over. Nations collapsed. Anarchy overwhelmed lesser governments. Ash covered everything. The world had gone gray.
I remember back then; it was just Mother, Father, my two sisters and my little baby brother. The world was ending. Humanity was falling upon itself. Life was dying. We were dying.
Then, they came. It was a rift in the sky and the clouds parted. Clouds had swirled and thunder boomed as the atmosphere was disturbed as though a great tempest had clashed with another. The very fabric of existence seemed to rip apart. For an hour this ungodly storm raged. It was all over the news. I remember seeing it with my own eyes, standing on the porch as Mother wrapped her arms around my siblings and me fearfully, her voice uttering prayers.
I can still remember it.
“Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done. On earth as it is in heaven…”
Father had to make preparations. He worked for the government. He was called. He was needed. There were stretches of days when he would be gone. On that day, he was home. It was to the point there was little more to do than make the best of things. Food was scarce. I was always hungry, I recall. Mother and Father ate even less than us.
The rift hovered there, in the sky for all to see. For some time, it seemed as though the world had gone still. Even the howling of the wind had abated. The world was gray and still and we watched. We were afraid, yet we wondered at the thing in the sky. It radiated all the colors of the spectrum, brightly as though the very gates of Heaven had opened before us.
Who knows if time itself had even given pause? It could have been mere moments or years for all I know.
She appeared in all her resplendent glory. At the center of the Gates of Heaven as I saw it, a creature of indescribable beauty made herself known. None would have bothered to notice her if not for the simple fact we all felt her the moment before she appeared. It was as though we were compelled to look as though the song of her voice called out to us. The voice we heard was gentle and motherly, soothing at our fears and suspicions.
We were afraid. I was afraid, at first.
It was the End of Days. A pale white horse had come for all of humanity.
But her voice, it sang to us into our hearts. “I am Celestia. Do not be afraid.”
This beautiful creature beckoned to us and pleaded for calm. Her great wings were those of a swan’s, her coat of the purest alabaster. She was a great horse, a beautiful horse. This Celestia was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. A mane and tail like a living aurora borealis flowed about her on cosmic winds. Her legs were long and powerful, perfect. She was clad in gold on her lower legs and about her neck and chest. A three pronged tiara rose up from her mane and between her ears, just behind the long spiraling horn in the center of her head.
Her eyes were large and gentle, sweeping over us all as though she was surveying our world with a practiced eye. Could she see us all? Was she a goddess? Was she omnipotent?
Was she God?
My mind wandered and many ideas sprang to my young mind.
She disappeared over the horizon, trailing behind her a golden stream. The rift in the sky remained. We could see little four-legged creatures on wings hovering around it. They were too far to make out, but Father fetched his binoculars from the house and watched them. His cell phone rang soon after she showed up and he packed some things into the car and left, leaving Mother tearful and afraid and us children unsure as to what was going on.
I was scared. I had nightmares. I saw a dark pony in my dreams. She was like the one who called herself Celestia, but dark blue and very serious. I remember so little of the dream other than before I woke up, she was banishing the bad things that had made my dream a nightmare. I was not the only one and she told me there were others she had to see to convince and ease.
Some days later, the television had our president speaking to us. He assured us the visitors were friendly and had offered to help. Our world was in upheaval and we did not have the technology to combat the natural disasters. We were introduced to Princess Celestia and her sister Princess Luna. I remembered Luna from my dreams. They called themselves ponies and had learned our language through years of observation. They offered to help us through the various world governments who were wary, but willing to listen.
With countless millions already dead, we were a desperate race. Though there were many voices calling to act against these princesses and their ponies. Base fears and ingrained distrust had to be overcome. Humanity resorted to warfare at the worst possible time. At the same time, there were incredible acts of kindness and self sacrifice. There was even fighting among those we had thought friends. I remember seeing my neighbors get into a fist fight. Mother went out and calmed them down. She had always been good at talking to people. She was so gentle and kind.
I had never been so scared. We were living in interesting times and it was shattering everything I knew and believed.
Celestia promised us food. She promised us shelter. She promised us land for our own. Her world was largely unexplored, wild and untamed. If we could claim it, it would be ours. This is what Father told us over the phone. There was disbelief in his voice back then.
They brought food. They shared it. There were distribution centers established. With food so scarce, they were always mobbed with people every Saturday. Mother would go alone, leaving us at home. She left early in the morning and would not return until that evening.
There was enough food for a week, but barely. Mother always went next door first thing and checked on the elderly couple living there. She often took some of that food with her. I would later find out the couple had no means to go and get the food themselves, so Mother always shared what we had.
Days passed. The rift in the sky swirled, churning the angry clouds. The falling rain was poisonous and anything green died. Father would call when he could, but it was infrequent. Mother worried a lot. My sisters acted out a lot because he was gone.
Home was gone, but we had nowhere to go. Everything was dying. We could not go outside. It was too dangerous when it rained, very unhealthy. There were stories of people getting very sick from the rain. There was sulphur in it.
Word got out there was a chance to save some of us. Rumors flew about. There was going to be a lottery. Families would go to Celestia’s world and live there. Father confirmed this. It was announced on television. People with criminal records were excluded from consideration, the people on the news said. Mother said they were referring to convicted felons when I asked her if it meant her speeding tickets were going to be held against her.
My sisters were not amused at my observation.
In the meantime, the fighting went on. So many people were fighting over everything. It was terrible and Mother cried a lot at night. My sisters argued with each other and then with me. They always picked on me because I was younger than them. My little brother did not smile much.
The princess called Luna visited me in my dreams. She visited lots of children of all ages. I remember her telling me she wanted to see into our hearts. The adults fighting concerned her greatly and she was worried. It reminded her so much of her ponies from a long, long time ago. Humans and ponies were not so different, she said. She understood conflict was what helped humanity develop and grow as a species. Luna was afraid of the destructive potential of humans. Celestia could see the great things we were capable of. They balanced each other equally, one needing the other to be at her best.
I did not know this then. I was too young.
One day, Father came home. He was excited. Our family had been selected among ten thousand other families across the world. There were other rifts opening in key locations. It had been over four months since Celestia had come. We had another month to get ready when we would be picked up. We could only take one suitcase.
When it was formally announced, there was rioting. A president from another country was assassinated. Religious leaders railed against the evils of the ponies, calling this the final war between good and evil. Anarchists went after everything else. Cities burned. Persecutions were done to just about any race, religion and creed existing. Doomsday was upon the human race, but even through it all, there were still voices of reason trying to keep order. Good tried to stand against what was evil, though it was difficult to know which was what.
I was so young then! Only when I was older was I able to look back, read through the history books. I had no idea the cost. I did not know I would never see my friends again.
The convoy picking up those who would be going over finally came to get us. It had been four months since Celestia had come. The rift in the sky was daunting. I wondered how we would be taken up. The rain had let up. We were told the ponies were stopping it, but they could only do so for so long before tiring.
I saw my first pony up close at the processing center. She was a white unicorn with an electric blue mane. She only looked vaguely like any pony I could remember seeing. I stood just a little bit taller than her, but she was larger. Her language was strange. I could not understand it, but she seemed nice. Mother was afraid of her. Father was wary, but assured us everything was all right.
The compound was a converted domed stadium. In a place of entertainment, thousands of refugees went about doing what needed to be done in order to prepare to leave for this new world. Apparently people had already gone through and had been guests of the ponies. There were flatscreen monitors everywhere looping images and videos of what was supposed to be our new home.
There had been talk the ponies were probably going to exploit us, or kill us. The rumblings were few, but some of the talk shows back home had people claiming Celestia could be the next Hitler and we were to be her Jews. I did not like the thought, as it had been taught to me that was one of the darkest times in history.
For five weeks explores had free reign to explore this new world. Nothing had been denied them. Father said this, so it must have been true. Though he had his doubts, he wanted to believe in Celestia’s promises. I wanted to believe her. The whole family did.
Mother was terrified of the great white pony. She held my baby brother close to her, the worry having seemed to have formed a permanent mark on her face. The ponies who we did see could not speak our language, or only knew a practiced phrase or two. Most had a guard with them to give instructions to us. Everything was kept orderly. I think the ponies were there to prepare us.
I remember seeing a woman run screaming upon seeing her first pony. As I was but a boy then, I thought it was funny and laughed. None of the adults did. I felt ashamed when they all gave me scowling glares.
This day, I saw a purple pony, a lot like Celestia. She wasn’t as beautiful as Celestia, but she caught my eye because I could see her up close. The pony was chatting with one of the people in charge, or it was at least an important person, I thought. She spoke our language and she seemed very wordy. Her mane and tail were not as magnificent as the great white pony’s, but it was straight and pretty with two tones of purple. My own fears were spiked when she saw me staring and came over. Very softly, she said hello to me. Her accent was strange. I found myself burying my face in Mother’s side.
I was very shy, I recall.
This pony introduced herself as Princess Twilight Sparkle. She spoke to Mother, asking her to express any concerns she might have. Father said some things. My sisters remained as silent as me. The princess stayed a safe distance from us and apologized if we were uncomfortable with her. I blurted a question, asking if I could touch her.
She said yes, and with a smile.
My hand reached out, and I hesitated, not sure of myself. Twilight instructed me I could touch her on the neck behind her ears. She offered me the area without hesitation. I will always remember the velvety touch of her fur and the silkiness of her mane. The pony felt as though she was comforting to the touch. My fears fell away. Mother reached out and she too was soon petting a princess.
It was always one of my favorite memories.
We were screened for diseases. It was determined some viruses on Earth would be potentially devastating in their world and also some of what that world would be dangerous to humans. I was given a total of seven shots, one of them in my rear. I hated needles, but Mother and Father told me it had to be done. We were also told we would be held in quarantine for six months once we got to the other side.
I asked where we were going. I was told the name of the country we would be staying in was known as Equestria. I thought the name had something to do with horses. The prospect of staying cooped up for six months was not appealing. Still, we would have room to exercise and there would be school for us to learn the new language and culture.
They told us this in a large tent for orientation. For the next few days, we would get the basics. Ponies would teach us. They were unicorns and they could lift things with their horns. Magic! They could use magic! With rapt awe, I was paying more attention to the things they manipulated with their magic than what they wanted me to learn. I was a very easily distracted boy.
People were turned away when it was discovered they were not healthy. There was a lot of anger. Words fueled by rage and denial often filled the dome. Whole families refused to take the trip if they could not be together. I was afraid such a thing would happen to my family. Father assured us we would all make it, though it did not make me feel better. Every night, I could hear the crying of somebody who was not going to go to Equestria. Such a terrible thing to hear!
My own tears stained my pillows and I cried for those who would not be able to go.
Eventually the Day of Crossing came. We were not the first group to go. Several others had gone before. Father said they were engineers and construction workers. Doctors and scientists. People who needed to prepare the way had gone before so we would have a place to stay once we got to our new home. I was excited. The feeling had grown over time, overcoming my fear bit by bit. It was rumored Princess Luna was trying to settle our minds in our dreams to make the transition easier. She was said to have been very proud of her efforts.
I liked seeing her in my dreams. Princess Luna, I thought, was a very nice pony.
But how were we going to get there? The rift was high up in the sky. I gaped up at the rift. It was overhead and on this day, they opened the dome so we might see it. In the center of the field was a great disk, like a flying saucer from those science-fiction movies. It could hold up to a thousand people. We were instructed to get in it by very polite but professional people. I remember a pretty woman with her hair in a tight bun smiling at me. She told me to remember I was going to paradise and to appreciate how lucky I was.
Mother and Father ushered us to our seats and we anxiously sat down. There were seat belts. The seats reminded me of the kind you find on passenger airliners. They made themselves as book ends with us kids in between them. Our bags were stowed under our seats. Attendants made sure we were secure and a video was shown telling us what to expect during the trip. I don’t recall what was described in the video even coming close to what actually happened.
To be honest, I don’t remember much past feeling really queasy and puking my guts out.
Earth was home no more. It was the last time I ever saw the planet where I was born.
When I was old enough to make my own decisions, I chose to stay in New Haven, the human settlement adjacent to Ponyville. I became a historian, working to help preserve human knowledge. So many people stayed back on Earth to suffer what I imagined was a long and terrible demise. It was almost impossible to survive there, what with the extinction level event settling into its dreadful aftermath. Those who had no choice to stay met a terrible fate and I counted myself among the lucky few to live. To this day, I hope there were those who could manage to find a way.
After all these years, the princesses are finally considering reopening the rift and see what is left, if anything.
As for the several thousand humans who came to Equus, they had two options. They were offered the choice to stay or seek their own futures beyond the borders of Equestria. Some people chose to seek out their own lands with their own governments, or to explore the lands of the other sapient races we discovered existed.
It hurt the princesses to only be able to save a handful of humans. Where there were once nearly eight billion human beings on Earth, only a hundred thousand could be brought back to Equus. The group I had come with turned out to be the last as fanatics bombed the stadium, killing hundreds and shattering the rift. I don’t know how they did it, but it was widely believed missiles had been launched at it.
I did as any human has done in our short existence. I adapted.
Equestria became home and I came to love it, though the magic never really settled all that well with me. I accepted its impossibility as being very much possible and even dallied a bit in studying how it works.
Some things are best left respected, even if it cannot be understood.
I wrote a letter to Princess Celestia not too long ago. I thanked her for giving me a second chance. I thanked her for showing compassion to my species. I asked her a simple question: Why did she feel the need to save the human race?
I never expected a reply, but a reply I did receive!
I won’t go into full details of her letter, but the response to my question left me a lot to think about.
“Humanity has a spark within it capable of great things. Wonderful things. Terrible things. Your destiny is yours to make and unique to what ponies know. I truly believe humans will earn this second chance. Find your happiness.” ~ Princess Celestia Sol
Author's Note
Unedited by anyone other than myself, so it's probably rife with stupid.
My Oneshotober attempt. Tell me what you think!
Comments and suggestions welcome!
