From Ashes to Apples

Chapters

Prologue: Dawn
Entry 1: A Sign
Entry 2: Leaving the Past Behind
Entry 3: Encampment

Prologue: Dawn

The sunrise was beautiful today

I watched everything unfold that morning, in fact, I was out working the apple orchards long before daybreak. I'd been getting up earlier for the past week or so, given that there was an Apple Family reunion being held in Manehattan of all places, and Granny, Big Mac, and Apple Bloom were all there. Normally I wouldn't dare miss a reunion, but, being so close to the end of the season, someopony had to work the farm, and that somepony was me.

I was just returning to the farmhouse with a fresh cart of Apples strapped to my back, and was nearly to the door, when the daylight seemed to dim. I turned around to find what went wrong, and... well, I saw it coming. To me, it looked like a black sandstorm, a dark, thick billowing, cloudy mass, blotting out the distant horizon.

Quick as a whip, I ran the apples into the barn and shut the door, looking out at the approaching dark storm. At that point, I could hear it; a rushing roar like a continuous, rolling thunder. I'd compare it to a twister, though FAR larger, as if someone had thrown a hurricane onto the ground and sent it straight at us. I saw a few trees being ripped up in the distance, and I knew I had to get under cover. Fast

I dashed over to the cellar, slamming the doors shut behind me, as I ran as far from the entrance as I could. By the time I had a lantern lit, The deafening roar was uncomfortably close. I saw the cellar doors begin to rattle, and I tucked myself behind some of the spare food shelves we had. Then, in an instant, the roar multiplied twofold, as the doors were ripped off of their hinges. I wouldn't be alive if we hadn't dug the cellar into solid rock, because even there, the very walls shook around me.

There I stood, for what seemed like days, though it was likely mere hours, until finally, the roaring died down, and the shaking stopped. My ears were ringing, and my hooves were shaking, as I stood up carefully, looking over to where the doors had been. There, falling gently through the air, was what appeared to be ash, and the very atmosphere around the door seemed...grey. I cautiously walked over, and hesitantly sniffed the air... resulting in a MASSIVE coughing fit.

I reeled back the moment the charred air hit my lungs, retreating towards the rear of the cellar, nearly choking on what I had just inhaled. But, Wait... If the very air is poisoned, then...

My mind raced in panic as I ran towards the Fertilizer pile. Come on, it has to be here somewhere...aha! I thought to myself, triumphantly holding up The mask Big Mac wore to filter out all the harsh fumes from fertilizer mixing. Slipping it on and taking a few slow breaths, and quickly donning a few boots, I ran out of the cellar, to get a look around, and maybe help someone!

...I fell to my knees as I looked out at the path of the storm. The Barn was little more than a few pillars of wood still standing, the house, destroyed. And there, in the center of town... not even Twilight's castle remained fully standing. It lay as a crystal stump, among a city of obliterated homes, and businesses... In all directions, everything was covered in a layer of ash, like snow, which even now fell from the sky. As the ashes touched my skin, they burned like drops of acid, forcing me back underground until they stopped falling.

In an instant... all of Ponyville was wiped out... and only I was left to survive.

My name is Applejack, and this is my story.

Entry 1: A Sign

Year Two, Entry #1

I haven't written in this journal for... land sakes, must have been months now, but in my defense I haven't had much of anything to write about up until now, because today, I saw my first real glimmer of hope since the Black Wave!

Before I get into that, I have some catching up to do, what with the lack of entries and all. Where to begin?

Well, every week I still run down to the town square and scavenge whatever I can. I mentioned towards the end of the old entries that I tried sweeping up the ash from the street as best I could, and at this time, most of the main street is clear! I... found a few more poor souls while I was sweeping up... I carried them over to the Graveyard with the rest. It's not much, especially considering that I can't identify who's who, so I can't make a proper marked grave... but at least it's something.

In lighter news, Carrot Top's garden did finally start putting out some small crops, so that's been supplimenting all the jar food I've been eating for so long. Even better, I added a boiling still right next to the town well, which saves me a lot of hassle in the long run. I Still haven't seen another living pony... And no trains either, and it ain't for lack of looking!

In building matters, I improved the shack over the cellar since I last wrote! I found some pretty solid boards still left intact in the old town hall, and managed to pry them up. Built myself a proper little two-room home I did! One room for sleeping, as before, and a new room that I've been using as a workshop. I even replaced the old hammock with a much sturdier one, using some curtains from the shattered palace. Speaking of that place, still haven't found any dragon bones, or alicorn bones for that matter, so... my hopes for those two live on.

But, I'm rambling. I didn't start writing in here to talk about all that stuff again, heck, the monotony of my writing is why I stopped it a while back. But, today, there's something worth writing about. Today, I saw something in the distance that gives me hope that, at the very least, someone else is out there! Because up in what's left of Canterlot, on the mountain, I saw a light! And not just a random fire either, this was a beautiful blue light! I've been so focused on just keeping myself alive, and restocking the cellar, that I haven't put much thought into... actually leaving. A year ago, the thought was unimaginable; leaving the one place that I had supplies and a good way to clean my mask filter? Never! But... with supplies running lower every day, the gardens putting out so little, and a mask washing technique I learned a few months back... maybe it's finally time that I leave Ponyville.

I just suppose it's hard to move on, but... me staying here and kicking the bucket like everyone else won't help Equestria in the slightest. So, maybe, just maybe, I can get together enough stuff for a proper journey.
I'll take this journal with me if I do, at least I'll have something more substantial to write about than just weekly scavenging! I imagine that entries after today will be a bit longer as well, given that this time was just a bit of a catch-up session.

I've had a lot of questions for a long time... if Granny, Big Mac and Apple Bloom made it... if any towns survived... what caused the storm... a good long journey may finally put my wonders to rest.

Entry 2: Leaving the Past Behind

Well, I've done packed up all that I think I'll need. It's been about a week since the first entry, but it's finally done. I was able to finally finish rebuilding the old pie cart, found a replacement axle from a carridge in town, and now it rolls like there's no tomorrow, sturdy as a rock to boot!

Truth be told, I fixed up the cart about 4 days ago, but, I wanted to be absolutely sure it would be fine on the journey, and since I have no idea just what I'll find out there, I went ahead and tried my best to up-armor it. I took some of the metal roof sheets from in town and bolted them onto the sides and doors of the cart, made sure that they could withstand a buck or two, and cut some to cover the wheels as well. I know that if Rarity had been here, she'd be criticizing the hay out of how "drab" or "rustic" it looks, but so long as it keeps my supplies safe, I'm happy with it.

I loaded it up with all I could carry: all of my canned food, a few bags of the crops I could grow, my water still, bags for scavenging, buckets in case I find some water, a big broom for sweeping up the ash, some camping stuff, pots and pans, and finally, a bag of apple seeds. Before I loaded that up, I swept up a nice big area around the farmhouse, and planted three seeds. After the storm ripped up the old trees, I had tried a few times to bring some back, to no avail, but maybe these three will do me proud when I return... If I return.

Well, with the the cart all packed and locked up, I took just a few minutes to gather up what was left in the shack. My hammock, my tools... and a picture of my family. It was a simple picture, black and white, Granny, Apple Bloom, Big Mac and I, all standing out front of the barn after a good harvest. I looked at that image, and something inside of me hardened. Me sticking around in this shack won't get me any closer to seeing them again.

Before I hitched up the cart, I made sure all my gear was clean before I put it on: my rubber boots, my toolbelt, my trusty gas mask, and of course, my hat. Once that was all on, with a big sigh, I wrote a note on the shed. It said "If anyone's reading this, feel free to stay the night in here. You are not alone!" Not sure if I wrote that last part more for them or for me, but I put it there reguardless.

It was time to go. I hitched the cart up to my back, and began to trot to the town, not looking back. My goal was to make it to the train station, and follow along side the tracks up to Canterlot, but to get there I'd have to walk through Ponyville one last time. I slowed down as I hit the main street, looking around me at this place. The street was swept clean thanks to me, but the buildings were still in ruin.

To the left stood what was left of the old flower shop, with a few wilted and shriveled roses still sitting on a shelf inside. To the right, I passed Carrot Top's old garden, which I had been using to get a little extra food. No new sprouts today, which was just as well, seeing as how I'd already packed up. I looked around at the marketplace, a series of stained-black, collapsed stalls and crushed buildings, that must've been blown into each other like dominoes. I'd scavenged a few times from these places, and I could see the gaps where I had taken boards for my shack, but aside from the clean-swept street, the place looked as if it had been abandoned for centuries.

I shook my head and continued walking, making my way to the town square, seeing the broken, long-dried-out fountain, and a few blanks spots on the benches, where ash did not fall. I had to look away to stop feeling a bit sickly, because a year ago, them spots weren't blank. I had to bury what was left sitting on those benches myself, and after enough of that, seeing what happened to them... well, all I can say is, I hope it was quick.

I walked by the crystal stump of Twilight's palace, and veered off course for just a spell to see if I could find anything. I knew deep down that I wouldn't find them, I must've checked this place a few hundred times already, and I never saw a trace of Twi or Spike. But... I had to look, just one more time. It was sad to see it all like this, the top of the palace in a few million pieces on the ground, beside an empty, collapsed stump, with shredded curtains, and ashy piles here and there within. No matter how many times I reminded myself that the toxic air would have gotten anyone who survived the initial event... I still searched. I didn't look long, so after my final once-over, I continued my march to the station, keeping my eyes forward, never back.

I passed the bowling alley next, but tried, and I reckon failed, not to think about it. It reminded me too much of Apple Bloom and the other Crusaders, back before they had their marks. I know I could be overprotective of her sometimes but... since Ma and Pa passed, she needed someone to look out for her, responsible like. Not saying Granny couldn't, just that, well, in her older age... I just felt Apple Bloom needed another set of eyes watching. And now, after all of this... I hoped desperately that all the lessons I had tried to pass on paid off, and that she, along with Mac and Granny, were alright out there, somewhere.

Finally, I reached the train station, seeing the collapsed structure of the building splayed all over the ashen platform. I crossed over so that I was beside the tracks, lined up to head towards Canterlot. I looked up, wiping a bit of the grey soot from my mask lenses, and I could see that shimmering blue light in the distance, refilling my hopes and pushing away my regrets. I'll be putting my journal away now, so I can focus on the journey ahead. It'll be long, but from this perspective... it'll be all worth it.

Entry 3: Encampment

I've just finished setting up camp for the night. I followed the train tracks from Ponyville for a few miles, didn't stop until the sun began to set. I was honestly hoping to find some region untouched out here by the Black Wave but... everything so far has been ash. I had never dreamed that it'd been this big, but then, that would explain the lack of trains and all.

The journey has taken a while, and, while uneventful in the way of encounters, I certainly learned a lot more about what happened... and it wasn't pretty. Everything I passed, every yard I walked... everything was just... ash coated, or ash caked. The grass, not even visible, the gravel? All blackish grey insteal of whiteish.

On my way here, I passed old forests, once green, flourishing, healthy. Now, many were uprooted, and they looked almost... melted? It was such a strange sight. I went over and started investigating, searching for usable wood to scavenge, but, to my surprise, even the rings in the tree trunks were sagging. They were far less circular and more crescent shaped. If that's what it does to trees... I don't want to know everything it'll do to a pony. I had a hard enough time cleaning up what was left of 'em in Ponyville, I never tried looking at any bodies too closely, never wanted to... and frankly, now I DEFINITELY don't want to.

Trees weren't the only things I saw, I found some rivers and streams too, but, unfortunately, they were useless. The water in them was a sick, churning gray, completely unfit for drinking. Even worse, the air around the water had a gray tinge to it, which made me all the more thankful for my gas mask. Not one bit of drinkable water to find, even in what used to be good springs, if I remember my maps correctly. It was disappointing to say the least, but I knew I could boil fresh water wherever I needed to, so it didn't impede me too much.

It was a long trail, seeing everything ripped apart like that. I saw a shack or two along the side of the tracks, each one in splintered, shattered boards, strewn all around a cracked old foundation. Thankfully, I didn't find any bodies, and after seeing those trees, I was glad. I did rummage around them a bit, looking for food, or medical supplies, though I came up with nothing of any use.

The tracks themselves stayed pretty straight, for the most part, althoygh at some portions, the iron rails were bent, or the wooden slats between the rails were rotted, or melted. I have yet to actually find a train, though, but after witnessing what the winds had done to my barn, and Twilight's castle, I can't imagine being on a trail would be a very good experience. There was evidence that something had been around here during the event though, or at least, sped through when the event started. It was hard to find in the ash, but the evidence was still there: Coal chunks strewn here and there. Whatever was moving, it was moving fast. I'd have to keep on the lookout for any engines as I travelled.

I can't rightly say how far I've been exactly. Must have been a few miles, given that the station disappeared from sight long ago. All I know for sure is, I travelled long enough for the sun to travel down, before I set up a place for myself. Wasn't any wildlife around, so at least I needn't worry about any varmints getting to my food supply.

I started off by finding some flat ground beside the track. There was a dull, murkey lake a short distance from the site, perfect to gather water to boil. It was a simple matter of sweeping up the campsite, using rocks I found to mark off the edges and keep most of the ashes from blowing back. I knew that broom would come in handy. I set up the still next, Making a few gallons of fresh water: Some to rinse off my boots, some to clean the broom, and some to drink.

After the site was clean, I lay down a tarp at the edge of camp, carefully took off the boots, and sighed as I could walk free again, even if only for a short while. I inspected them, making sure the ashes hadn't burned any holes through, and thankfully, they hadn't. I took a quick note of that: Ashes didn't seem to burn through thick rubber.

Finally, the tent and Fire were set up. The air was chilling, so the warmth of an open fire was welcoming. Temperature had been dropping since the Wave came through, not sure exactly why, but good old campfires always did the trick. I sighed and lay back, looking up at the sky, before writing. I'm stargazing as I log the day's events in here. Well, Stargazing as best I can. The sky certainly looks much duller since the wave... sun not as bright, stars not as many, or radiant, Moon not as shining...

But, It occurs to me... The Sun and the moon still rise and set, on their own. I'm looking at Canterlot now, I see that light over there, glimmering again, and I have to think, one of the Princesses has to still be alive, maybe both of 'em. After all, only they can raise the moon and the sun, right? Sure I asmed myself this many times over the years, but I just... I always wondered why Celestia or Luna never came out to help, to look around, if they really were alive.

Well, regardless of who's raising them, It gives me hope to see the sunrise, to see the stars. Someone... Someone else has to be out there. Someone with the power to fix this, maybe... and I'm going to find them.