90 Days of Famine

by Epicken

Rating: teen
Tags: Alternate Universe, Dark, Tragedy
Length: 1883

Sweet Apple Acres always seemed like a simple farm that supplied ponies with a surplus of delicious fruit. After a thief steals from them in winter, Ponyville realizes that their stomachs rely on that farm.

Winter has just began. What's worse? A thief comes and steals all of the stored food at Sweet Apple Acres. That's nearly impossible. They had three months' worth stored in there. The how and why aren't clear, but Twilight isn't going to let her town die. She must think of something, anything, to stop this. She has to keep them alive for 90 days.

Special thanks to Tetrominon for editing.

If you notice anything that doesn't make sense (things that shouldn't be able to happen, or should have happened, plot holes, etc.), don't panic. Most of these are indeed intentional and will be addressed later on.

This is written in an epistolary format, told by the documentation of Twilight's journals.

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2015-04-24 19:47:48 UTC

Day 01

Day 1

Time: 8:20 PM

Journal Entry 1:

I decided to get my very own journal to document my life when I was just a filly. I was so caught up in school, however, that I never got to write anything. Then, I lost interest. I had no need for it. Today is the first day I can use it. I've never done this before, so if you're reading this, please excuse me if I make things too scientific. I have a lot to write about. Things in Ponyville, well... They're changing.

When I awoke this morning, Spike was nowhere to be found. I called all over the castle, I looked in very little nook and cranny, but I couldn't find him anywhere. I finally gave up looking on my own, so I asked my friends. I was fairly worried at this point.

Now, Pinkie Pie hadn't seen him, nor had Rainbow Dash. Fluttershy, however, directed me to Applejack's farm. The quest for Spike was coming to a close! Or, so I thought.

When I arrived at Sweet Apple Acres, her entire field of crops had died. The entire harvest, from red apples to green apples, was gone. Applejack lay crying by her barn, along with Big Macintosh, who had no expression, Applebloom, who cried along with her, and Granny Smith, who simply looked at the ground with sorrow. I didn't get it. The crops always died in winter. They had stored food for this purpose. Something else must have been wrong.

I approached them and asked what had happened. A thief, they said. At night, somepony stole their entire apple supply. It was the first day of winter. There's no way to plant in the winter. If they couldn't find a new source of food within a few weeks, we'd all starve. A pony can't survive that long without food. Considering the short timeframe, and the season it is, this task is nearly impossible.

I decided they were in bad enough shape. I left my best wishes with them before leaving to continue the search for my assistant. I can only hope that our town survives.

The only friend left to ask was Rarity. I entered the Carousel Boutique. Rarity was speaking to Spike in the far end of the room. I couldn't make out what they were saying, but I sure startled them with my presence. Rarity stuttered a bit as she attempted to explain what was happening. She claimed he was helping with her dresses. She obviously isn't the element of honesty. I could see the words liar written all over her face. I decided not to fret. It was most likely private and did not concern me.

Spike and I, on our way home, made a trip to the city hall. Mayor Mare spoke with us about Applejack's farming problems. She instantly informed the city council, and with luck, we will have all the help we need tomorrow.

After I got back to the castle, I was still questioning what Spike had been doing. It was silly, of course, but it was so unlike him to leave without telling me. I continued asking questions until he seemed quite aggravated. I didn't ask after that.

I could have sent a letter to Celestia, but I'm not sure if I trust Spike to do that anymore. The mayor is probably going to contact her anyway. I guess we could even go to Canterlot, but the trains aren't in commission during the winter.

That's pretty much it for today. I just hope the farm problem goes away. I couldn't imagine us all starving... The chaos that would come from it... I don't want to think about that.

-Twilight Sparkle

Day 02

Day 2

Time: 6:45 PM

Journal Entry 2

I've decided to continue writing in this journal. I'm going to use it to document what happens, in case things take a turn for the worse. I know it won't come to that, though. I hope...

Today, I made another trip to Sweet Apple Acres. Applejack had yet to receive any sort of help with the situation. For now, we'll just have to live with it. We have no farm to rely on.

Perhaps I should send Celestia a letter? Or... I'm sure the mayor has it covered.

On a happier note, I discovered we aren't COMPLETELY out of food. Pinkie Pie had been stocking up some desserts and ingredients in the cellar of Sugarcube Corner. This was originally to prepare for Gummy's birthday party, but our survival is a bit more important. It wasn't difficult to convince her to ration it out to everypony. Today's lunch was one cup of cake mix, with exactly three sprinkles per pony.

Because children can survive with a lot less, the rations for them were a bit different. Anypony who has yet to mature receives exactly half of the consumables as everypony who is no longer an adolescent.

I'm beginning to worry. It is possible that Mayor Mare doesn't get help. Perhaps it is time to leave, before it's too late. Of course, I couldn't leave my friends. My home. They need my help.

After I had eaten my food, I went to Fluttershy's cottage with Spike. When we passed Rarity's, I couldn't help but notice him glance over there. Something was definitely up.

I don't like nagging, but it was possible this was something rather bad, considering they didn't want to talk about it. I pressed him for information.

Despite my efforts, I received none of the sort.

When we arrived at Fluttershy's, Spike and I chatted with her. We mostly discussed ways we may be able to stop the famine, but a few other concerns of hers were addressed. Mainly, she wanted to know if there was some way we could save her animals.

I proposed we could send them to the Canterlot castle's garden, but she said the animals there were too independent and wouldn't help them survive. I assured her they would be okay, before noticing the time. Spike and I had to get home.

We just ate dinner, by the way. I found some apples up in our cupboard. Spike ate one, I ate the other. I probably should have saved them. I'm so stupid sometimes...

Anyway, that's all for now. I may write again before I sleep.

-Twilight Sparkle

Day 2

Time: 10:05 PM

Journal Entry 3

Up until about an hour ago, Spike and I were doing pretty bad. I know I for one am very hungry. At least, I was until Rainbow Dash came crashing through my window. Now, she has resources in Cloudsdale. Anytime she wants, she can just go get some food from them. She brought me some apples and some carrots, which I gratefully consumed. She also got some gems for Spike. How they have these resources in Cloudsdale, I don't know.

After I filled up my stomach, Rainbow Dash decided she'd spend the night at my place. In case anything went wrong. I wasn't really sure what she meant by that, but I'm sure I'll find out. Things are looking pretty bleak.

It's getting really late now. Rainbow Dash is fast asleep, and Spike is attempting to follow suit. I guess I'm keeping him up.

It's kind of nice to see Rainbow helping out like that. She's always so energetic, athletic and cocky. To see her being as generous as Rarity, well... It just proves how much she cares.

Spike is whining about my horn light. I guess I'll have to put it out and let him, and myself, get some sleep. Hopefully things all clear up tomorrow. I have a feeling that won't be the case.

-Twilight Sparkle

Day 03

Day 3

Time: 3:45 PM

Journal Entry 4

Something is definitely going on with Spike. Today when I woke up, he was gone again. Yes, he was at Rarity's, discussing matters which once again did not concern me. Or so they say.

I don't know. Maybe I'm just being paranoid. Why would Spike do that, and at times like these?

I haven't had anything to eat all day aside from another small portion of cake mix. My stomach has been growling. Other ponies have been more active, more aggressive. Nopony wants to risk their hidden food stashes being found.

Oh, I almost forgot about Rainbow Dash! She didn't leave. I guess she just wanted to look after me. I don't really mind that she's staying. I just don't understand why.

She's been extremely friendly, though. This morning, she went back to Cloudsdale and grabbed a variety of fruits for us. If only all of Cloudsdale could give us some...

Spike is cleaning up my library. I needed to punish him somehow for being so sneaky. I can't quite decide whether or not I care what he's doing, but right now I'm leaning more towards the "care" side. If Spike is up to no good with Rarity, I want to know so I can stop it.

Yet, that sounds silly. What could those two possibly be doing? I bet they're just in some sort of romantic phase and don't want me to know.

Rainbow Dash is trying to get me out of the castle. The Mayor needs me for something. I sure hope this is good news!

I'll write more once I discover what she needs. And maybe after I get more food, too. Until next time.

-Twilight Sparkle

Day 3

Time: 6:35 PM

Journal Entry 5

That was a long conversation. The mayor and I had to decide what exactly it was that we wished to do with her news. The council had made contact with Celestia, and she returned quite quickly.

For my own future reference, and for my reader's convenience, I have taped the letter in down below.

Dear Ponyville,

I don't know what to do. I apologize for this, but I am unable to help your cause. You see, three other towns have just reported the same problem. Canterlot is one of them. I'm so hungry, mayor. I can't help Ponyville until I myself am not dying. I hope you understand. I'd suggest taking our route for now and putting up a patrol near the thief site. Look for anything unusual. Sorry I can't be of more help.

-Princess Celestia

That didn't add up. Not only did somepony steal an entire season's worth of food, but they stole that much from three cities, one of which is the largest in Equestria? This definitely isn't right. Something tells me we're up against more than a thief.

The mayor and I finally came upon an agreement. Starting tomorrow, Mayor Mare and the council will form a night patrol that will focus on Sweet Apple Acres. Spike tried to convince us not to. His reasons were valid, as they described the potential anger of Applejack's family, but we knew it was for the best. Better to have them angry than dead, I think.

Rainbow Dash hasn't left since she got us the food. I'm starting to worry. She's acting strange. Everypony around here is. Spike and Rarity behind my back, Rainbow Dash always helping me... Almost like they know something I don't.

Or, perhaps I'm being paranoid. AGAIN.