The sounds of clutter hitting the floor echoed down the corridors of a majestic, crystal castle. Voices can be heard arguing with each other behind a wooden door at the end of the hallway. Behind the door was a group of ponies, sitting on large turquoise chairs around a circular crystal table, and a singular baby dragon.
"But, Twilight!" A young, boyish voice pouted.
"For the last time, Spike! I can't take you along with me! It could be dangerous for all we know!" A rather harsh sounding feminine voice exclaimed.
The voice came from a certain pony named Twilight Sparkle. Twilight was meticulously checking her list for the third time that hour. She was about to enter into nopony's land. A whole new alien world beyond Equis. She discovered the planet by sheer accident when she was studying the night sky. A new spell she found while reading a book in the Royal Canterlot's library allowed her to see beyond the stars of the night sky, and because of it, she was able to observe whole new galaxies! While writing down everything she saw, something caught her eye. A deep royal blue planet with small blotches of green and white. After studying more about the planet, she was able to discover that not only did it have signs of life of but it also had signs of intelligent life!
Days went by as Twilight only had one thing in her mind. The new mysterious planet. Studying on how it was able to sustain life, its atmosphere, its rotation around it's sun, everything. The greatest part? She could actually go there! This was most likely the greatest discovery in the world! Fantasizing the fact that she could step foot into a new world with many more potential discoveries allured her so greatly that she dedicated the next two weeks to find out how to arrive there. After many sleepless nights, she finally made a spell strong enough to last for a few minutes that could take her to the new world. Of course, she wasn't going to go alone. She wasn't careless enough to throw herself into the unknown. That's why she would bring her best friends along. Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Rarity all agreed with assisting to explore the world they dubbed "Dawn".
"Why not? How come you all get to go!" Spike protested while sticking out his claws and pointing at the collection of ponies sitting around the table in the middle of the crystal castle's throne room.
"I can't risk letting you get lost in Dawn! Or worse for that matter!" Twilight huffed out rather frustratingly as she stuffed down a book into a saddle bag laying on her barrel.
"Twilight does have a point, Spike," An elegant voice said in a motherly tone. Spike turned and looked at the mare. It was Rarity. Her deep magenta mane was curled like it always was and her white fur was so neatly groomed that the chandelier's light reflected of her coat.
"I wouldn't be able to live with myself if you get hurt on Dawn, or worse! It's safer for you to stay here with Starlight, darling." Spike sighed in defeat. Rarity was right.
"Fine. I guess you're right, but promise me you guys will take me next time!" Spike said to everypony there.
Twilight gave Spike an annoyed yet bemused look because of how quickly he changed his mind after Rarity said something, but thankful that it ended their argument. Twilight cleared her throat to prepare herself for what she is about to say.
"Ahem. Alright girls, we're about to enter to the unknown. We won't know whats on the other side of the portal aside that there could be potential intelligent life-" Twilight was rudely interrupted by the bubbly pink mare in the room. The pony took in a deep breath. After what seemed like ages, she finally broke the silence and spoke.
"What if there are spooky scary aliens that will eat us whole! Or what if we can't breathe the air there?! What if there are big monsters that are going to-"
"Pinkie!" Twilight hopelessly called out to the mare. She wasn't going to stop anytime soon.
"Or what if the moment we take a single step on the planet and we explode!? Or what if they don't have CUPCAKES?!" Pinkie drew in another deep breath.
"WHAT IF THE ALIENS DON'T LIKE PARTIES?!!??!?!" Pinkie yelled.
"Pinkie! Ya' scaring poor Fluttershy!" A southern accent quickly broke Pinkie's existential crisis. It was Applejack that managed to somehow break Pinkie's trance. On the right side of the table the girls were sitting around was Fluttershy, who was retracting further back on her chair.
"Ohmygosh! I'm so sorry, Fluttershy I didn't mean to scare you!" Pinkie said in a now, calmer tone. She turns her head and looks at the now, annoyed Twilight. Pinkie swore she saw steam coming out her ears.
"It's okay Pinkie, I forgive you." Fluttershy's quiet voice peeped out through her mane. Pinkie turned her attention to Twilight.
"Hehe, sorry Twi." Pinkie grinned, albeit forced. Twilight snorted.
"As I was saying, we're about to enter Dawn. We will be staying there for approximately for a single week. If anything goes haywire, we can return sooner. We must stick together," - Twilight glances at the cyan mare to her left. Her striking rainbow mane was as messy as always. - "that means don't fly off Rainbow."
"Hey!" Rainbow's tomboyish voice called out defensively. Rainbow was aghast that she was called out for something so accusing.
"Does everybody have what they need?" Everypony nodded.
"Rations?" Twilight questioned everypony to be one-hundred percent positive that everypony has what they need.
"Yup!"
"You bet!"
"Yeah, and I also have some cupcakes as well!"
"Of course. darling,"
"Yes."
"Are you sure?" Twilight prodded at the question again. Everypony nodded in unison.
"That settles it, I'm opening the portal now. Everypony stand back." The girls all stood from their respective chairs and back up by a few paces. Twilight pointed her horn above the table they were just sitting around.
"Inhale".
Twilight repeated this mantra to herself. She focused herself and cleared
her mind.
"Exhale".
Her horn starts to glow with a light magenta.
"Inhale".
Twilight's face starts to crunch up. The once bright in the room starts to become dimmer and dimmer as the seconds past.
"Exhale".
Sweat starts to role down the side of Twilight's head. "Come on, just a little longer!" Twilight internally told herself.. She positioned herself in a way that allowed her to brace herself better. The light is no longer there.
"Inhale".
Pink sparks started to form over the table. Everypony was worried for Twilight on how much she was straining herself.
"Exhale".
A hot pink orb with white swirls starts to form over the table. Twilight's hoofs started to tremble.
"Are ya alright Twi'?" Applejack asked worryingly.
"I'm... okay!" Twilight strained out on gritted teeth. The hot pink orb started to grow larger and larger. Her hooves gave out and Twilight tripped. If weren't for Rainbow's fast reaction speed, she would have surely hit the ground. The room was now illuminated by an eerie pink glow. After five excruciating minutes, Twilight finally managed to open the portal. A humming noise echoed through the room. The pink light was now more intense, the room no longer as dark as before.
"Woah..." Spike who was definitely not hiding behind a chair, took a few steps towards the portal.
"Huff... Be... careful... huff.." Twilight barely spoke out, she was exhausted. Twilight looked at Rainbow.
"Thank's... Rainbow. I wouldn't have been... able to open it without you... huff..." Twilight's mane is a mess now along with damp fur on the sides of her cheeks.
"You guys heard? It was because of me that we-" Applejack and Rarity just gave Rainbow Dash a look which caused her to cease her boast.
"Well, this portal is quite, marvelous. In sense of color though, I fear whats beyond it," Rarity admitted.
"Ah feel ya, Rare, this portal is mighty intimidating," Applejack said as she adjusted her hat. A minute passed and that was all Twilight needed to recover enough to walk and speak.
"We only have a few minutes. Are you completely sure that you are wiling to come to the other side, to Dawn?" Twilight looked at every single each of her friends. Hoping none of them were going to back out.
"Of course not! Why would we miss an opportunity to explore a world and show how cool I am to the aliens!" Rainbow cheerfully added while flexing her wings.
"Oh I wonder what their fashion is!"
"WhatiftheyarethealiensthatINVENTEDparties?!?!"
"I wonder what kind of animals live there."
"And ah course we would go along with you, Twi," Applejack smiled and all of the others nodded to what she said.
"Thanks girls, I don't know what I would do with out you all," What could go wrong if she had her friends to go along with her? Everypony is side to side with each other. All with their saddle packs for their journey. They climb up on the table, directly in front of the portal. It almost felt as if it was radiating warmth.
"Alright, on the count of three," Twilight gulps. She truly doesn't know whats on the other side, and she's pretty sure all her friends felt that, making her more appreciative that they agreed to go with her.
"Three," The portal started sparking.
"Two," There was tension in the air getting thicker. Each one of them looked at each other, all with unsure faces.
"One." And then they stepped forward.
"Day three-thousand two hundred and forty-eight since the event, and I still don't look like a year over fifteen years old." A young, masculine voice said solemnly.
Author's Note
Thanks for making it through my first chapter. Sorry if its a tad bit to short, but I'm planning on having the chapters longer from now on. If you happened to notice a mistake in the chapter please tell me so! I would like to have easy to read material.
A disheveled face stares into the mirror that lays in front of it. The mirror had seen better days. Its once pristine shine now worn by the hands of time, having mold growing on the corners of it and dust covering its once smooth surface; giving out a dull, dirtied reflection. Even without these flaws, the face that peers into it wouldn't look any better. Streaks of mud are splattered on the face of a young human teen, discoloring his tan skin with a mess of browns. Shadowy bags underneath his forest green eyes prove unrest and sleepless nights. Long locks of black matted hair are parted to one side of his head reached to his thighs. He inhaled through his small nose. Holding the breath in for a few short seconds, he releases it as a deep, melancholy sigh. His lips formed a short frown as he inspects his depressing self.
He is hunched over on a porcelain sink that now contains long thin cracks and imperfections on its surface. The sink has long lost function as the pipes and waterworks were unmaintained for years. No one to fix it. A drab dark green hoodie that has small tears and holes is worn over his body, sleeves covering every inch of his arm. Wrinkled gray cargo pants with miscolored patches sewn into it to fix its once gaping holes are snuggly fit around his waist. The teen wore black boots with the laces haphazardly tied. These were the only pairs of shoes he had, as they were the only usable pair in his size. After standing there for a few minutes, he finally decided to start his day. Pushing himself up from the sink, he stretched his tired muscles. He pulled his torso backward in an attempt to crack his stiff back that was making him uncomfortable. A satisfying series of pops echoed in the shady room he resided in. Pleasured with the outcome, he turned and glanced over the room he called home.
It was one of the few apartment buildings in the area that was close enough to his needs and wasn't completely destroyed. The room in question was located on the first floor of the maroon building. Part of it was caved in, but the rest is almost completely untouched aside from the elements.
In the right corner of the room was a spring mattress on the floor in which, surprisingly, was in somewhat alright condition. On top laid a neatly folded navy blue blanket, with a vague scent of sweat. He folded his comforter out of habit. One of the few things that still keep him sane. Away from the mattress by a few meters was a door that led to the bathroom. A baren oak desk laid in the middle of the room accompanied by an office rolling chair. The once plush fabric on the seat of the chair is somewhat torn, exposing the dirty yellow foam that filled its inside with a long rope of fabric that is peeled off onto the floor. Blank sheets of copy paper are strewn on the desk along with a few writing utensils. Some of the sheets of paper contained drawings of people that are now no more.
Next to papers was a mishmash of electronics that were put together. There was a single circuit board with a few colored wires connecting to a small solar panel, no larger than one of the sheets of paper right beside it. Its sole purpose is to provide electricity to charge a portable phone battery. The teen spent around a week constructing the damned thing for a smartphone. Even without society, he can't live without one. His only source of entertainment in the form of digital media. Of course, the internet was no longer a thing now. He depended on the things that were already downloaded on his phone. On lucky days, he would find other phones that had an intact SIM card. With that, he had the ability to view more media.
On the left side of his room was the mirror and sink he was just at. Beside that was a kitchen with fine oak cupboards and a black, sleek granite top. An old fridge was in the center of the kitchen. He sometimes finds himself opening the cursed thing only to be disappointed by mold. And then he would do it again as if it would magically poof food into existence if he would to open it once more. Beside the fridge was a small gap that led to the stove, which thanks to the heavens, works. All he needs is propane tanks as the stove is gas-powered. If it weren't for the fact that this was a rather old building in terms of modern times, he wouldn't have had a stove. With this trusty stove, he would cook himself warm meals. The walls of the room had red and orange wallpaper that had the two colors in a pattern in vertical lines. Some of it is peeled, but what can you do about it. The floor by his matress was carpeted with a dirty shade of gray.
He put his hand on the doorknob of the front door. Next to the door frame was a machete leaning on the side of the wall. It was dull, just like everything around him is. Unfortunately, he couldn't find a blade whetstone for it. He mainly just carries around with him. It gives him a sense of security. Mostly because he doesn't know when those things will return. Along with the machete was its sheath. Putting one the sheath around his waist, he put the machete in it.
Putting a hand on the brass doorknob, he twists it. The sound of wood creaking announced his exit. Pushing the door open, golden rays of sunlight forces its way in, giving the dull room a mellow glow. It also assaulted his eyes, causing him to pull up his hood. He loved the sun, always did. The warmth provided to him on a cool afternoon, the yellow light that shone through the curtains of his long-gone home. But now, after the calamity, the suns rays became harsher on his skin. Though, it only seems like it affects him as everything else is fine like it always was. Plants didn't get sun damaged, the water didn't evaporate at a high rate. It just seems as if the sun is after him, burning and skin that's exposed to it longer than a few minutes. Strange things like this have been popping into existence after the dreaded day. One of the strangest things to happen is the skyscrapers defying gravity and physics. Floating hundreds of feet in the air, twisting into strange shapes acting if it was semi-liquid, producing noises of rope being stretched.
Before completely going out the door, he made sure all his skin was covered properly. Last time he didn't check, and it gave him swells and irritated skin because of his carelessness. He walked out and closed the door behind him. There was no need for a lock since there was no one else out there. In front of him lays a rectangular patch of overgrown grass and plants he planted himself. Since he couldn't just go to a grocery store and buy himself fresh produce, he grew his own. Tomatoes, potatoes, a few greens such as cabbage and cucumber, to name a few; were all being grown in this garden of his. He was quite proud of it. He made sure it was properly protected as he planted fencing around his crops with small fine nets to keep animals out.
Around the garden is a cement pathway that leads into other apartment building's doors and exits from the open building space. One of the exists are caved in. The numbers that were once on the doors are faded, barely legible. The roof can be seen from the open space, it's spanish tiles have green mold growing on them. A gutter runs along the edge of the roof that leads into the garden space that leads into a rain barrel. The teen cleans it regularly and uses it as a water collecter.
The sounds of a rooster call echoed throughout the building. The teen's head snapped to the right to see a rooster perched on top of a metal fence post that surrounded his garden. It was one of the chickens he found during an expedition outside of the city.
"Goodmorning to you too, Pip." The solemn voice escaped from the teen's lips. The rooster simply stared at him, then blinking after a few seconds. It had a large red crown that stood proudly on the top of his small head. Its black feathers had a green and blue shine to them.
Clucking was heard as well. Walking over to the fence, he peered down to see the rest of his chickens he found. They were all hens of different colors pecking at the floor in a small clearing in the grass. One had black feathers with white stripes with an orange crown, he simply called this one Zebra. The second was just a normal hazel brown hen with a sunflower yellow beak he called Amber. And finally the third was a lovely pearl white hen, its the biggest one of them all. He called this one Cloud, as its white feathers were always poofed up. He maintained and cared for these chickens as they provide him a daily food source in the form of protein, eggs.
A smile crept up his lips, he enjoyed having them his only company. He turned and looked an open bag of dried corn he collected on his journey outside the city. He was using this as feed. Besides the bag of dried corn was a couple of dozen closed bags of dried corn. He wouldn't run out of feed for his chickens any time soon. Reaching into the open bag, he grabbed onto a small Tupperware container. Scooping up the dried corn, he called over his chickens.
"Ksksks, come here little guys, it's time for your food." He cooed to the chickens.
The chickens all stopped what they were doing and started to slowly walk over to the fence where the teen was. Lifting up the now filled container, he started to lightly shower the clearing with dried corn. Picking some up with his open hand and holding the container in the other. The chickens all began to scurry over to the corn that landed closest to them, pecking at the small pieces on the floor. This was all part of his daily routine, and he enjoyed it. Seeing the chickens wander around the small clearing they had for themselves, watching them drink water on a mini trough he found. It was also one of the few things that kept him going. After feeding his beloved chickens, he started to head out on one of the exits. To prevent the chickens from leaving the building, he barricaded the other exits and put a door in the one he uses.
Recently, he had a problem of the rooster flying from his post onto the low roof above it, so to solve this problem, he was going to a home improvement store today to look for a net large enough to cover the open roof. This also comes with the added benefit of some light shade and it also prevents debris from entering the gutters of his water collector. Unfortunately, the nearest home improvement store is a few miles away. This trip would take up most of his day. No better time to start than now.
"Alright little guys, I'll see you in a bit. Pip, please stay in here for the love of God. I don't want you getting lost."
A simple cluck came from Pip.
"I mean it!" The teen worryingly exclaimed.
He began to head to the exit of his building. It was a small corridor that led to the outside. In the corridor, was his orange camping bag that contained all he needed for his trips. Picking up the heavy bag and putting the straps over his shoulders into place, he opened the door. Outside was a small parking lot with a handfull of abandoned vehicles. Some of the paint from the cars have been worn off by the elements. Thin vines grew over the cars as well. One of the small trucks in the lot was completely rusted. It's quite strange actually. Some cars look abandoned for a year or two and others look as if they were there for dozens of years. The teen always just assumed it was with the messed up time thing after the calamity.
Making his way through the lot, he pulled out a smartphone from his pocket and black cords from the other. They were his headphones. His device has been working perfectly, allowing him to charge his portable charger every day completely. He then used the portable charger one his phone. Plugging in the headphones, he started to fiddle with the screen of his phone. It was in good shape, with only a few small cracks on the corners of his device. He had a couple of hundred songs he had downloaded prior to the calamity. He decided to continue from where he left off in his music. One of his favorite artists began to play. The familiar tune brings him back to a better time.
He reached the main road in front of his home. He reached back with his arm and grabbed onto a map that was in the water bottle pocket of the camp bag. Pulling out from its place, he kneeled on the sidewalk he was on and spread open the map on it. It was a map of a portion of the city he was in. There was plenty of circles and crosses on the map that was added by the teen. He was looking at an orange circle on the map. It was his destination for the day. There was an orange line connecting to the circle. It was a path he marked from the store to where he resided in. It was about four miles away.
The sounds of rope being tugged on and stretched echoes down the road he was near. It broke his concentration. He looked up. In the distance was one of those strange skyscrapers that floated hundreds of feet from the ground. He saw it twist and knot into itself. It almost as if it came straight out of Doctor Stange. He never dared to go near one. He feared it as it appeared the day when it all began. The quickest way to the store neared the strange thing by a mile. It wasn't that close, but he didn't think too much of it. As long as he's not next to the thing he'd be fine.
After being satisfied with checking the map, he folded it up again and it back into its place. Getting up from the hard sidewalk, he took his first step into the direction of the store.
The noises stopped. Everything was silent. The ambient sound of wind blowing was gone. The sounds of the strange building were gone. A shiver went down the back of his spine. Goose bumps formed on his arms. Something was wrong, terribly wrong. The light started to get dim. He began to panic. His breathing rampant. It all was happening so quickly. He thought the world was ending right there and then.
"The hells going on?" He broke the silence, dread in his voice.
The once bright sunlight was now dimmed to a weak glow. The once blue sky is now gray. He couldn't see from far anymore. One could describe is as a deep fog that's evenly spread out on everything. It got dimmer and dimmer. He began to run back to his shelter. Passing the lot to the entrance. He grabbed onto the door's handle, struggling to open it because of the fear. He could hear his heart beating.
"C'mon! Open you stupid piece of shit!" He cursed at the door.
Suddenly, as if it was a shockwave, the light returned. He saw the sky turn back into a blue hue. It was as if it was all returning almost in the form of a dome. A breeze appeared from now where, blowing his hood back and swaying his long hair into the wind.
"What in the actual fuck was that?"
He saw a hot pink gleam in the corner of his eye. Facing the direction of the mysterious light, he saw something unexplainable. A hot pink crack was forming in the sky. It was mesmerizing yet terrifying.
"Is this another anomaly from the calamity? That happened years ago, though!" He was confused and anxious about the growing crack in the sky. It must've been at least a couple dozen miles away. He swore he saw six dots fall from it. And then, as fast as it arrived, it disappeared.
"I think I need to lay down." He rubbed his temples. He reached for the door handle.
BOOOM!!!
A massive earth-shattering sound suddenly filled his ears. The ground vibrated and shook as if an earthquake was occurring. The sound was so intense it caused him to trip and hit his head on the door handle. He collapsed onto the floor out cold.
Author's Note
Sorry, it took so long to bring this one up! Hurricane Dorian didn't do much to Florida thankfully but ravaged the Bahamas and a port in North Carolina. My power just went out for a day. I also got terribly sick during the prior weekend, slowing me down on this story. Hopefully, I can actually update more frequently now. Have a good day!
