Radio Silence
A lone earth pony rose out of her bed early in the morning. It was quite. This wasn't unusual; since Radio Silence lived alone and had always been an early riser. She preferred this way, because it left her more time to get her chores done. She donned her saddlebags, and headed to the Ponyville market to pick up breakfast.
All of the stalls were empty. Not a single pony in sight. Odd. Even though it's early; the ponies would at least be setting everything up. Did I arrive too early? No, this is the usual time I arrive. Perhaps there's a pony in town that can provide an explanation.
KNOCK KNOCK. "Hello? Is anypony there?" Silence. "Hello?" Radio Silence knocked again. No response. Just complete and utter silence. "All right, I'm coming in if that's ok." She searched the house from top to bottom; only to find nothing. Similar searches in the rest of the houses also turned up empty.
What in the wide world of Equestria is going on? Ponies just don't vanish without a trace. There has to be an explanation. Perhaps one of the Princesses could give me one. Radio Silence went to the train station only to find it abandoned. No train, not even the conductor. Well, it looks like I'll just have to hoof there. She headed back to town to stalk up on supplies for her journey. Once Radio Silence's saddlebags were filled; she headed off.
Several moons later
"I can't believe it! How is this possible?" Radio Silence flung her saddlebags on the bed with frustration. "I've searched everywhere. Canterlot, Manhattan, even Applelosa, and not a single pony to be found! Zip! Nada! It's as if everypony just vanished into thin air!" Lashing out she bucked the wall. "Argh!" She continued to scream until she collapsed on the floor.
"Ok, calm down, there has to be another solution, something I'm not seeing." Radio Silence paced, seeking an answer. "Wait, my H.A.M. radio set! I could use it to contact the places I couldn't reach. But even if I'm able to contact some pony, it could take a long time for him/her to reach me. I need a way to survive until then. Well, I suppose that I could set everything up at Sweet Apple Acres." Radio Silence packed her saddlebags with as much as she could carry, and headed to the farm
Radio Silence arrived and set about doing the necessary work. First she headed upstairs and pulled out her ham radio. It was just a small black box with knobs and a head set, but it will serve. Next came the task of tending to the vegetable gardens. Radio Silence grabbed a nearby hoe and set to work. Once that was done she set it down, and headed to the orchard to do some apple bucking. I hate doing this, but it's necessary if I want to eat tonight.
Once Radio Silence finished up, she took a quick dip in the pond to wash the dirt and grime off her yellow coat and tan mane. Now that's done I can take care of what really matters. She headed upstairs to her ham radio set, and put on her headset.
"If there's anypony out there please respond. I'm broadcasting from Sweet Apple acres in Ponyville. My call sign is Radio Silence. I have food and shelter here for all who need it. If you can hear this please respond." The only response was the sound of static over her headset. Radio Silence switched to a different frequency and tried again. Nothing. She set the headset next to the radio. It had been a few hours. Perhaps there would be a response tomorrow. For now it was time to get some sleep.
Weeks went by. Then moons. Radio Silence continued her routine. Every day she broadcast, and every day she hoped that there would be a response. But to her dismay every time there was only silence.
"Hello? Is anypony out there? Please? If you can hear me please respond. It's been so long since I've heard a voice. So, if you can hear this pleases contact me. Please?" Nothing. Radio Silence fought to hold herself together as she tried again. Again and again she sent her message, until she finally collapsed onto the floor, sobbing.
How long had it been? Moons? Years? There was no way to keep track of time anymore. Radio Silence had to keep hoping that one day another pony would contact her.
***
A lone cloaked figure approached the farm. A hood was tossed back to reveal a crystal unicorn mare. Crystal Radio knocked on the door and walked in after receiving no response.
"Hello? I received your transmission. Sorry it took so long, but I had no way to send a response back. Not to mention it's long way from the Crystal Empire." Crystal Radio looked around the kitchen, and saw a rolled up piece of parchment on a nearby table. Crystal Radio levitated it toward her then began reading.
To the pony reading this,
By the time you read this I'll already be dead. I'm sorry, but I couldn't wait for you any longer. I just can't stand it anymore. This silence. No matter what I do it still there. Nothing helps anymore. The chores, all the attempts at making contact, nothing. It's maddening. It's far better to end it then to continue. I choose to meet my end at the highest point in Ponyville.
Goodbye,
Radio Silence
The parchment fell to the floor as Crystal Radio sprinted out the door.The highest point in Ponyville? That had to be the dam near the town. Perhaps if I hurry I could still save Radio Silence. Crystal Radio reached the dam and searched frantically for her, but saw nothing. Wait! There's something by the river. Could it be?
All Crystal found was a skeleton. Oh no. No. No! I'm too late. If only I had arrived sooner; then I could have stopped this. If only... Stop. This kind of thinking will get me nowhere. There's nothing left to do, but bury the body. She buried the skeleton next to the river. After Crystal Radio said a brief prayer over the grave; she walked back to the farm. What do I do now? Head back home? Or maybe, just maybe, I can succeed where Radio Silence failed. After all, if the two of them had survived perhaps there were more. There was no reason for her to give up hope.
Author's Note
Thanks for reading! This is the first of four stories I wrote for NaPoWriMo. I'll post the rest once I finish editing.
