Chapter 1 - A Vivid Memory
PART ONE: INTRODUCTIONS
35 years ago, in a single catastrophic event known simply as, The Great Crisis, the once proud country of what was once referred to as, Equestria, or the Pony Nation, came frighteningly close to being completely wiped off the map. The devastating consequences of that day are still being felt by the new generation, and especially by those who actually had the misfortune of having lived through it.
However, there was a beacon of hope that rose from the ashes of those terrible times, and that was the birth of a new capital: Dawnation.
Unfortunately, every nation has its own hardships to bare, and the sins of ours is that of a mighty burden. 14 years ago, another travesty connected with our civilization lead to the deaths of roughly 1,200 of its citizens in one single day, otherwise known as, The Dawnation Massacre.
Now, 35 years have passed since those days of painful hardship, and enough time has passed, that there are many who believe that these historical events should be written down and not forgotten. For if we were to commit the crime of neglecting our tainted past, we would be doomed to repeat it. Which is why this publication has been written up, and I, Luster Dawn, have taken it upon myself to interview those selected few who did witness and partake in these events.
This is their story.
~
APPLE BLOOM INTERVIEW (SESSION #1)
I arrive at the large and extravagant Dawnation Engineering Factory, which is where I am told is the meeting place that I am to have with my interviewee. In the Yester Years, engineering was not as common as it is with us today. With the integrated culture of magic and spells seeming to have died out with those by gone days, due to the recent mistrust of Unicorns, engineering has taken a prominent step into furthering Dawnation's advancements. With the demand for more materials for structural rebuilding and with talks of possible expansion into the lands beyond Dawnation, this factory has become a very important asset to our civilization.
However, as I stroll through the diverse and immense factory, I can't help but to feel the hard glares from some of the Earth and Pegasus engineers as they notice my race. Unicorns have unfortunately become quite shunned upon in the last ten years or so. Ever since the Massacre, many residents have grown to feel very resentful towards Unicorns and the use of their magic.
Suddenly, I hear the sweet, southern drawl of a voice calling my name. I look over to see the widely known, country mare, known as Apple Bloom, standing in the doorway of one of the factory's many small conference rooms. She waves for me to come to her, and I do so. As I approach her, she gives a tip of her weatherworn farm hat, as a sign of friendly greetings.
As has been said by many, Apple Bloom has been well-known throughout the community as one of the best engineers in all of Dawnation. Despite her age, she has been described as to having as much hard-working endurance as a "young colt in his prime." But not only that, on top of her engineering career here at the factory, she has also made sure to keep busy keeping the community well-fed with her freshly grown apples on her very own apple farm, which she still tries to maintain despite her busy schedule. However, with the help of her family, the farm is still able to stay up and running while she is busy with other matters. It is because of these many reasons and more, that Apple Bloom has become such a popular individual, as well as an inspiration, to all here in Dawnation.
"Howdy there! Luster Dawn, is it? You must be that writer that's been hounding me for an interview for the past three months!"
I suddenly feel my cheeks begin to flush at the mentioning of my eagerness. I had felt a little embarrassed at my own persistence. However, how else was I going to get into contact with one of the most busy ponies in all of Dawnation. After all, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. However, Apple Bloom gives a subtle chuckle at my own self-conscious predicament, as she tries to reassure me.
"Oh, don't you worry none, Sugarcube, I was only kiddin'."
She opens the door to the conference room, and gestures for me to step inside, and I do so. The room is not very spacious, and the only piece of furniture to be seen is the large rectangular table in the center, with the two chairs at each end. As I set my notepad and recording equipment onto the large table, I notice Apple Bloom still standing there in the doorway, her sharp eyes glaring intently at the sea of engineers, busily working their machinery.
She then sharply shuts the door behind her, and makes her way to the only other available sitting place in the room. I hear her mumble something under her breath, as she pulls out the creaky chair from the other side of the table and sits down. As I hastily try to finish setting up my recording equipment, I hear her take a deep sigh as she sits back exhaustively in her seat. At first I think that she's beginning to get impatient at my delay, however once she speaks, I know that it is not me to which she is sighing about.
"Can you believe them folks out there? Standing there gawking at you like that. It's shameful!"
I couldn't help but to let a small smile break across my face at the sound of her frustrations. It's good to know that not everypony feels the same way about how Unicorns are looked upon nowadays. Once I finish setting up the recording equipment, I decide to make some small talk before officially conducting the interview; just to break the ice.
"I can't tell you how grateful I am for you to take the time out of your busy day to meet with me, Mrs. Apple Bloom."
"It's nothin' really, Sugarcube. It's my pleasure."
"How has your family been?"
"Oh, they've been doin' fine, just gettin' along like the rest of us. But I'll tell ya, that colt of mine is about to drive me up the walls."
"Your son?"
"Oh yes, he's a wild one."
"Think you'll have any more?"
"Well, me and my husband have been tryin', but I suppose we'll just have to wait and see."
Apple Bloom then pauses, as she suddenly shifts her eyes away from me, only to direct them toward the floor below her. I then notice her unconsciously adjust her farm hat further onto her head. She then lets out a gentle sigh. She appears to be troubled about something, so I decide that we should probably move on and get started with the interview.
"Mrs. Apple Bloom, are you ready or do you think you'll need a moment?"
She lets out another sigh, more intensely this time, and directs her attention back towards me.
"I'm alright, Sugarcube. I'm ready whenever you are."
~
Could you state your name, please?
My name is Apple Bloom.
Your occupation?
Engineer and farmer.
How long have you been a citizen of Dawnation?
You mean after the Massacre?
Yes, ma'am.
Well then, that would have to be...about...14 years now.
Could you please tell me how you knew the Great Princess Twilight Sparkle?
Oh, well...you probably wouldn't believe me, but we actually knew each other in the Yester Years, before The Great Crisis. My older sister, Applejack, was a good friend of hers. One of her best friends actually...
[She becomes quiet for a moment or two, and then continues.]
However, as I'm sure you know, we did meet again after everything was destroyed.
Could you please tell me how you knew Trixie Lulamoon?
[She appears nervous and hesitates to answer.]
Umm...well...she was with us when the whole mess started actually. She and I were among the very few that actually made it out of Ponyville alive.
Could you tell me more about that?
Oh dear...well, I wouldn't even know where to start.
How about we start at the beginning. Tell me about your life on the Outside, starting with The Great Crisis.
Fair enough. Before The Great Crisis, I was just an innocent, naïve, little filly. Always runnin' around; gettin' into trouble. Just like any other typical youngin'. I lived on my family's farm, Sweet Apple Acres, with my two older siblings and my grandmother. I didn't know it then but, pretty soon everything that I'd ever cherished or cared for, was about to disappear...forever...
[Her eyes slowly begin to wander, as if she were searching for the memory in some far-off place.]
I...I'll never forget that day. I remember it all vividly. I was sittin' there, all alone in the apple field. I don't remember why I was there, but I know that I was sad about somethin'. I wish I could remember why...but anyway I distinctly recall that there was no breeze that day. The trees were absolutely still and everything was quiet. The calm before the storm.
And then it happened...the earth under my hooves began to shake. It was subtle at first, but then it grew more spontaneous by the second. I noticed as the apple trees surrounding me were beginning to tremble as the fruit, which was hanging from their bows, began to fall to the ground. We were having an earthquake.
Now, you must understand that where we lived, earthquakes were not common, in fact until that moment, I had never experienced one. So, as you can imagine, I was absolutely terrified. All I can remember was lying there in the grass, too scared to move.
But then I saw my brother come a runnin' from the house, and he came and picked me back up. He didn't say anything, but just gently stroked my mane.
[She lets out a gentle sigh, and pauses a bit before continuing.]
My brother...he...he wasn't really much for talkin'. He usually took things very seriously. But in that moment, when we both saw what was coming, I had never seen him so scared before in my young life.
And what was coming exactly?
Well, we both looked up, and at first I thought they were shootin' stars.
"But that couldn't be," I thought to myself, "You don't see shootin' stars during the day."
That's when I turned to look back at my big brother, and at first I couldn't tell what he was thinking from his face alone, but then I saw his eyes, and that gave it away. In that brief moment, he was struck dead with fear. I remember him standin' there above me, as still as a statue, as we both watched as the sky caught on fire.
MOON DANCER INTERVIEW (SESSION #1)
The Dawnation Public Library is just another name for the community's official archives. Built upon the ruins of the Yester Year's Canterlot Library of Magic, it is sad to say that the building's resources of reading material severely lack in comparison to its previous counterpart. You won't find much fiction on the bookshelves of this library, only long-forgotten records describing the ancient history of a by-gone world called "Equestria." Not many ponies in Dawnation ever really bother to visit these archives. They find it better to stay focused on the future, rather than to dwell upon the past of a civilization gone to rubble. There are some who even question whether Dawnation even needs these records at all, complaining that the building could be put to a much more valuable use. However, no matter how many of Dawnation's citizens may grumble about the misuse of a perfectly good structure, they know deep down that it cannot be helped. Because the royal adviser to the Princess would not stand for it if the library was to be repurposed. And it just so happens, that this such pony is my next interviewee.
As I enter the small, but quaint, library, I prepare myself for any possible hard looks that I might receive from any Earth or Pegasus occupants, however, I am surprised, albeit relieved, to find that the archives are empty of any such ponies. As I pass by row after row of practically empty shelves, I finally catch sight of my interviewee. Moon Dancer, the royal adviser to the Princess, is sitting all by herself at a small desk in a corner of the room, deeply entranced in the book that she is reading. I approach quickly, but quietly, so as not to disturb her too much. After a moment or two of awkward silence, waiting for her to notice my presence, I finally clear my throat, as a signal to let Moon Dancer know that there is indeed another pony in the room. However, she does not respond to my desperate plea to gain her attention. I finally dare to open my mouth.
"Ms. Moon Dancer, my name is Luster Dawn, the writer you spoke to. You sent me a letter saying that we could meet today."
She finally looks up from her book, and stares into my face. A little dumbfounded at first, but then she quickly remembers and responds.
"Oh, yes. That's right. I forgot."
She closes the book that she was reading, and places it off to the side. With a movement of her hoof, she gestures for me to sit in the chair in front of the desk she is sitting behind. I gladly do so, and begin setting up my recording equipment. I open up with my usual ice breakers.
"How are you doing today, Ms. Moon Dancer?"
"Fine."
When we had first met face-to-face a few weeks ago, I found out very quickly that Moon Dancer is the type of pony who is very blunt and to-the-point. With a sort of "no nonsense" presence to her. Not a very big surprise, seeing as how a lot of ponies nowadays have adopted that same mentality, but it appeared to me that Moon Dancer was just naturally like that.
"If you don't mind me asking, what was the book you were reading?"
"The Undiscovered Philosophy of Equestrian Economics by Pampered Pearl."
"Oh, wow. You...have an interest in that sort of thing?"
"I suppose..."
I decide to move on, seeing as how Moon Dancer is not exactly the chatty type. As soon as I finish setting up my recording equipment, I turn to face her and ask if she is ready to proceed. With a nod of approval from her, I begin the interview.
~
Could you state your name, please?
Moon Dancer.
Your occupation?
Currently, I am the royal adviser to the Princess, and the sole librarian of the Dawnation Public Library.
How long have you been a citizen of Dawnation?
[She lets out a quiet little scoff of exasperation and sighs deeply. She shifts in her chair before responding.]
Let's just say I've been here ever since its foundation.
So, 35 years?
If you say that's how long it's been.
Could you please tell me how you knew the Great Princess Twilight Sparkle?
I knew her before "The Great Crisis," actually. I even knew her before she became a Princess. She was my friend, during the Yester Years that is. After Equestria had fallen, and Dawnation had been founded, we met again after I had escaped.
Escaped?
Yes. Did you want me to talk more about that?
Well...don't worry. We can go over the details about that later. Could you tell me how you knew Trixie Lulamoon?
[Moon Dancer becomes deathly silent, and it seems as if that question alone resurfaces some hidden dark feelings from within her. I allow her time to compose herself before she finally responds.]
I was one of her..."Knights."
[She emphasizes the word "Knights" with a twinge of disgust in her voice.]
I'm sorry, I don't think I quite understand. What do you mean by "Knights?"
I was a member of her "Royal Guard." "Knights" was basically just the title we carried. I suppose she figured it made us sound more "official", or whatever...
I see...so am I to assume that was the position you held before you escaped?
Yes.
[I take a brief moment to jot down this new information into my notepad.]
Before we discuss any further about your life in Dawnation, I wanted to ask if you could relate to me your experiences during "The Great Crisis."
If that's what you wish.
[Moon Dancer then closes her eyes and remains silent for a moment or so, as if she is mentally preparing herself for what she is about to relate.]
I won't go into details about my life before "The Great Crisis." Let's just say that I mostly kept to myself and my books. I didn't have many friends, only a few here and there in Canterlot.
Canterlot?
Canterlot was the capitol of Equestria, which was where the Royal Princesses were situated.
Did you know the Royal Princesses?
Not personally, no. Twilight knew them better than I did.
Could you state their names?
They were known as the Two Royal Sisters. Princess Celestia was the eldest, while Princess Luna was the youngest. They both ruled Equestria together.
Do you know what happened to them?
No, and I don't think anypony does. They must have...died or...disappeared some time during the chaos that was unfolding in Canterlot...when the meteor hit.
Could you tell me more about that?
Fine. At the time, I was at home, reading of course, when everything happened. The funny thing is, I couldn't tell you the date it happened, but I could certainly tell you the time.
I looked up at the clock which hung on my wall, and the time stopped at 8:17 AM. All of the clocks stopped at that exact time. I noticed that the hands on it never moved. Time went on, but the clock never moved forward. It struck me as odd, when the earthquake began.
It was very intense. I had experienced a few quakes before, and had even read about them in books, but nothing could have prepared me for the one that I experienced on that day. It was a quake that lasted for a solid 4 minutes, I know because I counted the seconds! It seemed to last for an eternity.
The entire time I just hid underneath my desk, just hoping that it would all be over soon. Pretty soon, my cottage was in shambles, with furniture turned over and books scattered all over the floor.
As I laid there, covering my head, I heard screaming coming from outside. Along with the screams, I heard sounds of structures crumbling and falling like thunder. I thought for sure, that pretty soon my cottage would be caved in by a fallen tower, and that I would surely die by being crushed under the rubble. And as if like clockwork, it happened.
What happened?
My cottage must have collapsed on its own. I knew that it couldn't have been fallen rubble that brought it down, because I would have surely died if that was the case. All I know is that one moment I was lying there, covering my head, just counting the seconds and waiting for this nightmare to end, when one of the wooden support beams came crashing down on top of me!
When it came down, it split the table I was hiding under in two, and I felt the full weight of that heavy beam. It knocked the wind out of me, and I began to cough violently because of the debris that was stirred up from the cottage caving in. Then a terrifying realization hit me when I realized that I couldn't breathe. I was being literally crushed to death by this gigantic beam on top of me, and I knew that I had to get out of there, or I would die.
So, how did you get out of there?
Well, at first I thought that if I could position myself to where I could lift up the beam with my legs by standing up, I could maybe get out. But, of course, that was easier said than done.
Let's just say, that I've never been the most...active individual, I suppose. I was not very strong, in fact, I was just the opposite. There was absolutely NO way I was going to lift up that beam on my own. I was trapped, utterly and truly.
I mean, the only way I was able to breathe at all was in desperate gasps for air that made me feel lightheaded. I knew that it wouldn't have been long before I would've eventually passed out and died I'm sure.
[Moon Dancer takes a deep sigh, and afterward let's out a small chuckle.]
But luckily, I had...a friend...to help me out of that death trap.
Was this one of your friends in Canterlot that you mentioned earlier?
Yes. Her name was Minuette. She was the only one who came to my rescue...even in all of that chaos that was going on...she still had time during all of that...to think about me...
[I notice as Moon Dancer's eyes begin to tear up, as I offer her a tissue. She makes the best effort to compose herself before continuing.]
I...uh...heard her calling my name. It was faint but I still managed to pick it up, even while trapped underneath that cursed beam. I wanted to cry out to her, to let her know I was there and that I was alive, but I didn't have the breath nor the strength to do so. I then heard her desperately digging through the tattered remains of my cottage, all the while crying out for me.
And then, in the midst of the darkness, a sharp stream of white light broke through, and I knew that she was getting close. Then suddenly all I could see was that blinding light of the surface, as I saw Minuette's silhouette standing above me. Unfortunately, I lost my glasses when the cottage caved in, so I couldn't see very well. Minuette's face was nothing but a blur, but it comforted me to know that she was there. I must've looked like I was in pretty bad shape, because her voice quivered as she spoke. She was rambling about a thousand words a minute. I couldn't tell you what she was saying, but pretty soon she was hollering for others to come and help lift the beam from off of me.
After that, I couldn't tell you what happened. They said I passed out as they were trying to get me free. Obviously, they succeeded or else I wouldn't be sitting here.
Who's "They?"
I'll get to that.
The next thing I knew, I found myself lying on a cot, with this doctor standing over me. He had a stethoscope pressed against my chest, checking for a heartbeat I guess, when he saw my eyes open.
"Ah, good. She's coming out of it now." He said, as I struggled to sit up. My glasses were gone, so everything was blurry. I didn't know where I was. When I tried to get up, the doctor gently held me down to prevent me from moving.
"I'm sorry, my dear, but you'll have to lie still for now. Can't risk you hurting yourself again." He said, politely.
"Is she gonna be okay, Doc?" I heard a voice say to the doctor. I then knew that it was Minuette. Knowing that she was there with me, immediately put me at ease and I laid back down.
"Oh yes, she'll be fine. She just needs to take it easy for the next couple of days, That beam badly sprained her back, so you watch over her. Make sure she doesn't exert herself too much, alright?"
"Yes, of course. Thank you, Doc." She said as the doctor quickly moved on to the next patient.
It was at that moment, when I finally began to notice my surroundings. At first, I heard the painful moans of ponies who were severely injured or dying all around me. I thought that maybe I was in a hospital, but that wasn't the case. I was in some sort of underground bunker, and they had taken me to a room where all of the injured were kept. The doctor which had just been beside me, was now tending to another poor soul, who had these severe burns on his face. I began to feel grave as I looked into Minuette's eyes, as she stood beside me.
"What happened? What's going on?" I asked desperately, hoping for an answer to the unbelievable undertakings that surrounded me.
"It's okay, Moon Dancer. Everything's going to be fine. You're safe now." Minuette said, as she sat down beside me. Her voice was so soft and gentle, like a mother trying to calm her frightened child. And then, I lifted my head and was shocked to see my other two friends who lived in Canterlot sit down beside me on my right. Their names were...Lemon Hearts and Twinkleshine...
They each came and hugged me tight. They all seemed so worried about me that I almost started crying...and I...I...
[Moon Dancer trails off again, as she begins to choke up. I ask if she would like to stop for now, but she insists that she's fine.]
I just...I don't think I ever truly realized how much they cared for me. If only I had cherished those precious times I had spent with them. Those three were the best friends a pony could ever ask for. Back then, I was just too jaded to see how important they really were...
[Moon Dancer takes a moment to compose her emotions before continuing.]
Anyway, Minuette told me that Lemon Hearts and Twinkleshine were the ones who came to help lift that beam off of me. That was when I had passed out. They said that all of Canterlot was in shambles. They told me about the death and destruction. They also told me about the meteor.
They said...that it looked as if the sun itself was falling from the sky and came crashing down on top of us. After the impact, there was the earthquake, which nearly killed me, and then...and then they told me that there was fire raining down from the sky...
All of Canterlot was on fire. Our home...destroyed...
[Moon Dancer is silent.]
I'm sorry. Can we stop for now?
Yes, of course. We'll pick this up another time.
(End of session #1)
