> Equestria: Legacy Part 1 > by Redman48 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Chapter 1 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- It was cloudy today. It has been like this for 3 weeks now. Weird, since we don’t get this kind of weather until winter. And winter happened 3 months ago. It was awfully chilly too, on rare occasions any wet puddles on the street would freeze over. Last night I carelessly left the window open, letting the cold breeze dance in my room. I buried myself under the sheets of my bed, not to let any heat seek the outside. The sheets were made of silk that my “aunt” insisted were ideal for a teenage girl to use. Personally, I didn’t really enjoy them. Combine them with silk mattress covers and you’ll be finding yourself on the floor in the middle of the night. A loud yawn was let out of my mouth, exactly like a dog would after lying down in the shade all day. My body coiled up, making me want to stay in bed a little while longer. I stretched under my sheets and gave another yawn when my alarm clock went off. I groaned knowing I would have to get up soon. Then the lid of my right eye slowly open, forcing me to stare at the time: 6:14 am. An hour or so till the train leaves for school. A place where I would have to work on stuff I never truly understood and to hear the nagging of Mr.Dan. Although it was friday, if I can get through this day I’ll have a whole weekend ahead of me. I rolled to the side of my bed, purposely dropping to the floor to help wake me up. My legs staggered across the room to reach the restroom. I nearly fell fast asleep on the way, tempted to sleep on the soft rug. I struggled with the door knob for while, until I used both hands to open. When I finally reached the sink, I immediately turned on the cold water and splashed a handful at my face. Freezing, but now I am fully awake, along with the stinging of my eyes. Wiping the blur off, I brushed my teeth and rinsed twice. After the first step of my morning routine, I noticed myself in the mirror. I have my mother’s face, as some people would tell me, with strips of her red hair in mine with my father’s brown tangling with it and her blue in my eyes. I even have her ears, nose, even her voice. I might as well be a color coded oc in a fandom. I just look exactly like her. My nose went runny. Remembering why I have left a warm, silky bed, I grabbed on to all of my hair n’ makeup products and closed the restroom door. After the continuous brushing of the hair, and the choosing of which of the same outfits to wear, I looked like the average teenager. I Wore my striped, orange, hoodie, with a shirt underneath and a skirt to go with it. All of my school tablets were already packed in my backpack and everything tripled checked. All that’s left to do is to fill my needy stomach. Slipping on my pack, I walked to the kitchen. The apartment was, as always, glamorous. Everything beyond my room is worth five-thousand dollars or more. With the wall lamps shining like diamonds and wall textures so perfect people would pay just to see them. That is how much money my “aunt” Rarity makes. I technically could have had anything I wanted, but so far I only asked for what I needed. Yes, a three-thousand dollar holo-computer is a bit much, but it WAS for school, so I say it was worth it. And besides, I feel like giving up your chance to move to manhattan to raise your friend's kid... is already giving too much. It was strange that Rarity wasn't up yet. Usually she was up and ready for a day of creativity, starting with healthy breakfast in the morn. Instead, her fabrics and tools are taking her place on the twelve-thousand dollar sofa. God knows what kind of material it is made of to cost that much. Either she was out with her boyfriend or passed out working on her latest outfit. Most likely the second one, since I saw her car through the garage’s holo-view. Anyway, I sat down on a stool near the glimmering counter. We were all out of my favorite cereal, so I had to resort to Rarity’s bland fiber flakes. I don’t even know why she likes this kind food. Luckily, there were some artificial flavor packets in the basket and I gladly took the strawberry kind. After pouring in the milk into the bowl of fibers, with clap of my hands the holo-tv turned on. “Today’s threat level...” the reporter said, already on the news channel, “Is level orange. We suggest that everyone should seek nearby shelter in case of nuclear onslaught.” I sighed, not in disbelief but in annoyance and a bit of fear. This second Cold War has started since I was a filly, a name my parents use to call me. For some reason everyone in the world got pissed off at each other and fighting soon broke out. People were panicked at first, then after one or two years they just treated it like another offshore war. My fiber flakes got all soggy, due to me for watching the rest of the news report. I took a spoonful and all I tasted was strawberry milk and poorly made dough. I wouldn’t mind one of Applejack’s apples right now. Suddenly, I heard a door from the hallway slam to the wall; hearing panting and panicking at the same time. Running to the sofa was my “aunt” Rarity, digging through her fabrics and tools she had left last night. Before, I got say “good morning”, she got a hold of what she wanted and double dashed to her workroom. I just sat there in silence, with a bowl of strawberry milk. It was normal for her to act like this, especially when she came close to a deadline. One time I found her passed out in the hallway, just outside her room. Guess she took more than she could handle. She later came out again, right after I finished my “breakfast”. With her hand she wiped away what looked like sweat and a string of hair that laid on her fore-head, then out of her pocket came out her holo-phone. “Tom,” She said to the guy in the floating projector, “Tell Mr. Fancy Pants that his new suit is ready.” “Just in time too...” he said “He just asked for it, I’ll inform him right away.” “Thank you... oh and is there anything else am I supposed to be doing today?” “Let me see.” He said as reached for his planner. “Mmmm, nope. Just your contracts.” “Alright.” She sighed. “I really need take in less orders..” “I’m sure you’ll figure it out, have a nice day.” And the session ended. “Morning, Rarity.” I said, right after her phone call. “Dawn! I didn’t see you there. Did you sleep well?” “mhm.” “I bet you’re glad I got you those silk coverings.” “Yeah, I am.” I lied. “Sooo, do you have anything else happening today?” “That is what I’m trying to figure out.” She responded. “Why?” “Oh, no reason.” I lied again. The tv soon got our attention once the volume rose up automatically. “Russian forces skirmishes with Chinese forces, in an all out firefight...” “It doesn’t seem to get any better does it?” She said glancing at the tv. “It doesn’t seem to be.” “Well, don’t worry darling, this thing whole thing will soon blow over.” "I hope so.” I really do. Just the thought of it gives me the chills and a gulp I try to deny. I know Rarity has them too. Last week, I eavesdropped over her phone calls. She said things like, “reserve” and “bunker”. Made it difficult for me to sleep. Rarity continued to skimmed through her phone, she still had the feeling that she was forgetting something and she was. Before I left, I washed the sogged infested bowl to save trouble for the maid. Just when I finished washing and was just about to leave for the door, Rarity looked into her calendar app and remembered what today was. “Oh, no. It’s- It’s your birthday today! I completely forgot!” Not this again, I thought. “I bet you expected me to remember. Oh, I’m so sorry. Let me see if Pinkie can come in such short notice.” She was like this until she ended up just walking around in circles. I hated it when she loses her cool. Usually the maid would calm her down and make some stress-relieving tea, but she still hasn’t showed up and I don’t know how to make tea. “But what if she doesn’t have the time...” she muttered. I looked into my phone and it seems that I have a few minutes to spare. So, I might as well calm her myself. “Rarity.” I called out, but kept on muttering. I tried again, but still nothing. “Rarity, the reason I didn’t remind you or anything was because… I honestly do not want to celebrate it this year.” “What?” Finally getting her attention Seriously Rarity? Any caretaker would be thrilled to not do anything for their kids. “Listen, I know you and everyone else treat birthdays as a big deal, I know pinkie does, but it’s not the same with me” “But darling it is important for a girl to celebrate her birth, especially when she turns-” “I know. I just- Please and besides, it looks like you use this day for yourself.” She looked into the hallway mirror standing next to her. As she looked she spotted a bit insomnia under her eyes and the lock of hair that strayed away from the rest. She has worked hard this week, she DOES deserve some time for herself. “Well, alright.” She said with a calming voice. I placed my hand over left shoulder and thanked her. I know she just wants to make me happy, like if I was her own, but she can be a little too generous. I then spotted the clock overhead, reading: 7:23 am. “Oh crap, I have to go.” Walking towards the door, I turned around and said my goodbyes. “Have a nice day.” “You too.” She said, before I closed the door. > Chapter 2 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Canterlot City. It has looked liked what movies from 2007 would have predicted, more or less. The air smelled like.. air and many of the buildings were either grey, greyish-grey, or greyish-grey with giant projectors, showing off ads for useless products. “Upgrade your phone for only $40.” Which you can get for free if you jailbreak it. “Get instant cash to pay off your loans!” which will get you in even more in debt, along with the departure of your family and dreams. There were also a couple of ads from Vault-tec, the “Prepare For The Future” company, the company I heard Rarity talk to over on the phone. The only Ad that caught my attention was that The Diolinists are heading to Canterlot. With their main members Octavia and Vinyl, The ones who found out you CAN put DJ and Classical together. The pair have made some good hits throughout the years, won a stack of music awards, and they have even teamed up with the Rainbooms a long while back. Some people even considered they are both lovers in secret, who can’t keep their hands off each other, but we all know that they’re just really good friends. Maybe. The sky was was beginning to brighten, with the clouds moving away from the sun, bringing heat to warm up the place. The traffic lights were kind enough to give me a walking white man on every street. I picked up my pace by every minute that passed by, dodging anyone who walked in my way, until I saw the metal platform just up ahead. As I walked up the stairs, a line of passengers were being searched by two men in uniform. It’s probably the TSA trying to “secure” the american people. Ever since this whole war started the TSA deployed five times their numbers, instead of fixing they annoyed and delayed. Today, these were two tough looking guys, with shaved heads and stubbed beards, searching everyone by detector or hand. Unlike the last two, who would just let anyone in without checking, they took their jobs seriously. “Put all electronics and metal accessories in the bin, and keep the line moving.” The left one said, as I joined in. The guard on the right gave me a scorn stare, but not one that could match up to Fluttershy’s. I placed my Holo-phone, bracelet, and my loose change in the plastic bin. Once the man in front was finished being searched I took one step into the metal detector. *Beep, Beep* “She’s clean. You may proceed.” I quickly took my stuff back and entered the train. It was public, so no ticket was required. I looked around inside, trying to find a good seat. On the right side of the car there were only a few passengers, on the left there were few familiar faces. There was Flame Cake, the boy from Bio class with the flamey hair, sitting next to a man with a briefcase, Gold luck, the man who owns 10% of the city, standing with his hand grasping a metal bar, Fluffle Puff, the girl who has enough hair to give everyone in here a pink wig, next to a window, and My friend Piedra, the girl in grey, sitting near a pink skinned women. Her father and mother both go to work early, so she has to take the train on a daily basis to get to school. Casually I sat next to Piedra. We considered ourselves as friends, but barely have anything in common. We met around middle school and have been like this ever since. Just like her mother she quickly responses, answering the fastest way she can, and leaves it as awkward silence. I guess genes don’t really skip a generation. “Hey, Piedra.” I greeted her. “Hey.” She simply said, continuing using her phone. “So how was your morning?” “Swell.” And after ten or twenty seconds she said nothing. “Oh.. Ok.” And I stopped talking from there. Piedra isn’t the most sociable person, but you do get some interesting facts if you stick around a little longer. Like having nice arsenal of comebacks, some that are hilarious or completely random. Guess she got that from Pinkie. With nothing left to do I played around with my phone for a while. I played a few rounds of Flappy Horse until I got bored, I didn’t even get to my high score; five. It was at this moment I realized the woman sitting next to us took a long glance at me. Like if was doing misdeeding. “Pfft…” She scoffed, looking at my phone. “You still have the old version?” And turned on her own phone, resting on her palm. “This is the Holo phone 45.6, it can do everything and anything you ask for. Listing, charting, budgeting, it can even walk your dog. And is lava proof.” She said with a snooty voice. “A girl like you would wish to have a phone this hip.” “Can it get YOU laid?” Piedra remarked, as I try to hold in a laugh “Hmph, you would know how cool this phone was if you could afford one.” “If you can afford that then why are you taking the train?” I asked, while the train slowed down for it’s next stop. “I have to have some way to get around the city while my car is in the shop. Oh, and that reminds me, I have to pick up my Blue Diamond jewelry set. So you girls have fun, doing... whatever the hell you were doing, and we’ll meet again.” And got up then she exited the train. “Ugh, I just hate the snooty people of this city.” “Isn’t your aunt a bit snooty?” Piedra asked, having lighten up. “She is, but mostly on her work not people’s lives. I mean I choosed to have this phone.” “Like you choosed not celebrate your birthday?” My head slowly turned towards her just as she ended her sentence. I took a moment to wonder how she found out. We were friends but never revealed each others birthdays, either for personal reasons or for not taking interest in these sorts of things. “How do you know that?” “Twitter.” She answered, showing me the web page. Checking my phone I pressed the twitter app and found out Rarity made post about me. Great. Now everyone in school will know, or at least all the other girls who follow her. They’ll probably ask why and try to think of something to make my life miserable, or they will give me a present which I will regret opening. God, I hate those girls. “So why did’nt want to celebrate?” “I don’t know, I just didn’t feel like it.” I admitted. “At least have this.” She said as she pulled up her sleeve and removed the colored bracelet she had on her wrist. She looked at it for a few brief seconds and handed it to me. “What’s this?” I asked. “Pinkie mailed us all of these rock candy bracelets, but you can have it.” And tossed it to me. “Didn’t she made this for you?” Piedra rolled up her other sleeve showing five more bracelets, “I have plenty.” And she smiled. I gave her a smile back and put on the stringed candy. Piedra went back to surfing the web on her phone and I decided to do the same. Out of the front pouch of my pack I took out my headphone and browsed in my phone’s music library. I had a few singles from The Diolinists, but I decided to save the satisfaction if I ever chose to go to their concert. Let’s see… I have a bunch of music from the 10’s, which is the reason why all the other girls call me a hipster. La Vie En Rose, other retro music, soundtracks, and I even have music from videos games. Then at the end of my library was the complete album of The Rainbooms, One of the most famous girl bands out there. You know It’s been awhile since I actually listen to one of their songs, I’ll have to admit, their music can be a little cheesy but still really enjoyable. They disbanded way before I was born, it was mutual so no worries their. The only way I found out about them was from my mom’s memory boxes in the attic. I guess she was big fan. It contained all sorts of cool stuff in there, pictures on how she looked like in high school, how my “aunts” looked like in HS, and how she met dad. She never did tell me how her younger days were like, then again I never asked. I wonder what else did she hide from me? Finally, after skimming through my endless library, I randomly chose a song and stared off to the streets of the city. Things may come and things may go… Despite the news announcing code orange many citizens still drive to their weekly arends in their eco-friendly cars, getting their morning coffee on the way. Soon I’ll be able to get my own driver’s license and do the same with my car, feeling the wind in my hair as go to the store. I failed the driving test a few times, but I have a good feeling about the next one. Maybe I’ll get one of those two-seaters cars at the car dealer, once I get license of course. I been saving quite of bit money to buy at least a used one. I don’t expect Rarity to pay for it, but would be nice if she paid part of the cost. After all, she is the one the media calls “the woman to represent generosity.” Now that I think about it, I never really did say anything apeartiative to her in all these years. Not even a grateful thank you. She deserves to hear something from me, but what do I say? “Thanks for risking your career to raise me?” Every time I see her exhausted from work I feel guilty. I think it is time to get rid of that feeling. One of the cars on the road collided with another, I continued to look at the crash until I lost sight. Guess someone had their morning drink. On another street the same thing happened, this time with three cars. Then all at once everything on the street came to a halt, cars colliding with one another, and pedestrians rushing into the nearest open establishment. I didn’t what was happening, was there something at the sky? I looked up and nothing there. I look away from the window only to see passengers covering their ears and quivering in their seats. I took off my headphones and when I did I heard the wailing sound of a siren. It was the air raid siren, the alarm the city would use incase of attack. The city had drills that they promised would only last twenty seconds, this was much longer. Then the projectors of the city, including tv monitors of the train, turned to bright blue and words in white came up. A man also appeared on the screen with a piece of paper in front of him. He was struggling to read it, not because he couldn’t read, but because he was sobbing. This is R.E.D. News. This country has been attacked with nuclear weapons and it has been confirmed. The third World War has begun. Communications have been severely... disrupted, and the number of casualties and the extent of the damage are not yet known. We shall bring you further information as soon as possible. Meanwhile, stay tuned to this... wavelength, stay calm and stay in your own house. Remember there is nothing to be gained by trying to get away. By leaving your homes you could be exposing yourself to greater danger. If you… if you leave, you may find yourself without food, without water, without accommodation and without protection. Radioactive fallout, which follows a... nuclear explosion, is many times more dangerous if you are directly exposed to it in the open. Roofs and walls offer substantial protection. The safest place is indoors. Make sure gas... and other fuel supplies are turned off and that all fires are extinguished. If mains water is available, this can be used for fire-fighting. You should also refill all your containers for drinking water after the fires have been put out, because the mains water supply may not be available for very… very… very… I’M SORRY I CAN’T! *Technical Difficulties* During this message no one bothered to listen any word of it. Anyone on foot ran to shelter and anyone with wheels stepped on the gas pedal like there was no tomorrow, maybe there won’t be. The train stopped at a platform and everyone swarmed out of here. I sat there waiting for my senses to come back and realize what is happening. I felt hollow and empty inside, as if someone took all of my organs out and showed them to me. Piedra went on without me and I don’t blame her. As the last passenger went out the door I dashed on out. The ad projectors crashed leaving nothing, but words saying “Lost Signal” and everyone sprinting at every direction. I had three streets in front of me and no sense of direction. I could to left and return to the Apt. I could go to right and bunker at the school. I could go forward and join others in their looting spree. I finally just decided to run to- well I guess it doesn’t matter anymore. Running through the streets I hear the yelling, screaming, and the downright misery of the city. “This isn’t happening it has to be a dream!” “We warned you!” “Sally! Sally where are you!” “My legs!” I just wanted to close my ears and listen to the soothing sound of silence, but then I would risk my chances for survival. I ditched the group of people I was running with and ran alongside the curb. I looked over my shoulder and I see two people lying on the street. In my mind I wanted to help them, but my legs wouldn’t turn. *wwhhooosh* The sound above spread chills around my spine. At school they have taught us about nuclear logic, precaution, and fallout, excluding stuff like Half-life and formulas. They even showed us a simulation video of a nuke, yet the sound from the screen could not match the roar of the one above me. It had no sign or symbols, but it was as dark as a starless night with flares coming out from behind. Any hope that I had left for living swift away, while I watched the prologue to my death; coming down at a slow pace. Oh, god. I’m going to die. There is nothing I can do to stop it or any chance of surviving this. By the time I am gone everything else in the world will be as well. I just wanted to hide somewhere, somewhere where I can go numb and forget what was happening. Out of the loss hope I just crouch down to the floor and backed up to the taxi car behind me. I buried my head in my arms to drown out the sounds of panic. My mind keep repeating the same words. “there is no hope.” “no chance for anything.” I looked up wanting to see the glowing sun one more time only to be blocked away by the clouds the second I laid eyes on it. I dived back into my arms. I had enough with the torment. I wanted something to hold on to, something to help me get through this. Someone’s hand, a teddy bear, hell even a sewer rat would be comforting right now. Suddenly I heard footsteps out of the thousands running on the streets. It was a little girl casually walking on the road. Wait... not walking, more like skipping happily, not noticing her fate in the sky. What hell was wrong with her? There is a bomb coming down at us. I was about to reach her when she tripped and scraped her knee. She started to tear, but no cry or wail came out. Without thinking I grabbed her wrist and pulled her towards me. I hold the child tightly. The screams of people filled me with sorrow, too much for me to bear. I closed my eyes tightly trying to think of good thoughts before the inevitable. Nothing. My head was hurting, wanting to drain out my tears. Nothing. The child in my arms teared down to her cheeks. I wished for her to stop, but she wouldn’t. Finally my eyes shed out it’s tears. I will soon see my parents again. Then everything went into a halt as I waited for my place in the void. > Chapter 3 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- All I saw was darkness coming from each and every direction. An endless field of nothing, nothing at all. No sounds, no colors, nothing. Is this the afterlife? I mean, if there was a creator then he or she would have a place for the dead, but there is nothing here. I guess that is what you get for not believing. Am I going to spend eternity here? Why bother having a conscious then if there is nothing here? Why can I still think? Why can I still feel my heart pounding? Why can I- Wait… If I can still… No. That’s impossible. I saw it. I saw the missile coming down at me. I heard everything go silent. I felt my body vaporize. If I’m really dead, then why can I still feel the sweat in my palms? I have to calm down. I was already freaking out, panicking will make it worse. I need to prove that I am still alive, for some reason I’m rejecting the idea. Opening my eyes seemed like a good way to prove existence, but I’m afraid that I’ll just see the missile hit the ground and these were only my final thoughts processing through my head. Screw it, It’s not like there’s anything “here” to wait for. I took in what felt like breaths and opened my eyes. Once open I found myself hugging my own knees, sitting on the pavement with a taxi car behind me. Right in front me was a wall of red light. No, Not a wall. It’s a dome and it has trapped me inside. My hand felt shredded glass scattered around the floor, but not sharp enough to pierce my skin. The road underneath was as smooth and clean as always, as the city had promised. The dome was giving off a red dimming light, giving everything in here a shade of red. What was this? Some kind of purgatory? New tech from the military? Hell if i know. However, I do like the color. I stood up, stumbling, to find out my legs were asleep. Seconds later after they woke I took a few steps closer to the dome. I wanted to learn more about this thing. Maybe there is a way to “open” this. I drew closer and closer. My hand out and ready. I was about to touch it with my index finger, wondering if it could shock me, when I stepped on a doll. I removed my foot from it and picked it up. Oddly enough this doll was made of cloth and other fabrics. These days little girls would only get the pink ones and the kinds that can move on their own. This, however, was blue and floppy. It was at this time I noticed a little girl sitting near the dome, swiping her finger on the red lighted walls. While she played with the dome I was able to get better look at her. She appeared to be 4 or 5 years old. Her clothing was a blue 20’s style little dress with the most classic girl shoes I’ve ever seen. Her skin was a bit pale, but it just adds more uniqueness to her look. She was kind of cute, overall, and the little red bow in her hair really adds it up. “Hello?” I called out to her, but no answer. I tried again and still nothing, as if she was absent minded. I then tapped her on the shoulder and she jerked away. She seemed startled at first, almost as if she just had jump scare, once she caught sight of me she then sort of relaxed and waved at me. I waved back. “Hi, what’s your name?” Again, still no answer. “My name is Dawn. What’s yours?” She then pulled out a card and handed it to me. It said: Sally “Sorry, I can’t speak!” Well, that explains her mute behavior. After reading this, Sally innocently skipped to the dome’s wall. As I followed she drew what appears to be a smiley face on the dome, before it vanished within seconds of it’s creation. This must have been her entertainment for… who knows how long. She continued to draw more doodles on it as if it was an Ipad 16. She may have an idea on what this is, but I don’t. The more I see, the more questions I have. Sally tugged my skirt, trying to get my attention. I obliged and she started to do some hand signals, probably sign language. The only sign I truly understood was the “OK” one. “Sorry, I don’t understand what you’re trying to say.” I admitted, even though she couldn’t understand me either. She gave me a groan look and pointed her finger at the dome. She then drew a star on it’s surface, until it disappeared a few seconds later. I think she wants me to draw with her, keep her company, until this whole thing blows over. Sally kept urging me to draw, trying to pull my hand to the wall. I gently shook it off and faced the dome. I stood there, thinking of what to draw. What can I draw? It’ll eventually slither away, so what’s the point? The kid was becoming impatient, tapping her little shoes on the floor, waiting for me to do something. I quickly thought of something I could easily draw. A picture sally might enjoy; a pony. My index finger grew closer to the dome. I hesitated before I touched it. I feared some kind of electrical shock would hurt me, but if Sally could touch it, I could too. I prodded the dome, but when I touched it, all I felt was a breeze and my hand went through the wall. The whole thing started to deteriorate, going away piece by piece, until it vanished into the air. Sally and I were free. [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][[][[][[][][][][[][][][][][][][][][] 14 years ago, I was in a play. Our theme was to teach everyone about the food groups. I played the egg. After the meats went on, it was time for the dairies. I was so excited on performing, I practiced my line fifth-teen times everyday and I even did some actual research on the part I played. Once I got on I froze. There was about 40 people watching me. It overwhelmed me, to the point where my parents had to go backstage and calm me down. [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] Today, there was 20 people and it still had the same effect. 20 people stared at me. Some were on the floor, injured from the stampede. Three of them were helping out the injured, doing their best to treat the wounds. Two were panicking on the floor, while three frat boys were just a few feet away from me. One of them was holding out a phone. All of their mouths gaped open, with no words coming out of them. They all stood still and I did too. The street was in complete silence. I noticed the sky had changed color. Instead of clouds and blue skies, it was red and mildly gloomy. The same color as the dome I was inside of. The shiny streets of the city were now less pretty to look at. The shoe store I would sometimes pass by was picked clean with the store windows now shattered on the ground. Five cars were abandoned with one crashed into a building floor. One of the guys, that were heading my way, started to move. I jumped back, bumping into the taxi car behind me. This made him rethink his decision. Speaking of “decision”, I needed to think of mine. What should I do? What will they do when I do it? God damn, my head hurts. If this was a dream I wanted it to end. Sally was standing next to me, watching me while I had my little trauma, when she turned her head and spotted someone. She ran past the three men and hugged a woman’s left leg. The woman was confused until she she saw Sally’s face. She yelled “Sally!” then embraced her in her arms. Tears falling from their eyes. Looking at this heartwarming scene revived some hope that have died inside me. Seeing her the two huddling together rose some of my own memories, causing me to tear up a little. It was then I realized that everyone including the three men were distracted by the reuniting. I ran off as fast as I could, wishing I had left sooner. I ran through the broken window of an already looted store. I couldn’t tell what kind of place this was since so much of it was gone. The back door led to an alleyway, filled with spotless dumpsters. To my surprise, an undamaged van was place at the end of the alleyway. I would have used it if only I had the keys. I planned to turning right out of the alleyway, since that leads to the apartment. Once I tried I saw one of the men from the encounter and I immediately turned left. I soon found myself in the middle of town square. There were people here, enough to fill a small rally. Many of them had their phones out either calling loved ones to make sure if they were still alive. Although, they might just be youtubing the red sky. I think I can relax now. I soon found a nearby bench I could sit on and finally rest. I needed to figure out what was going on. I was on a train when a missile headed toward the city. I got off the train, crouched down in fear, fainted, then I woke up with a dome over me which broke with the touch of my fingers. It’s crazy to think that I somehow made that dome or the dome over this city or if any of this is real. For all I know a god could have done this. My brain started to hurt, small bits of pain here and there, then it started pounding. perhaps all this thinking was getting to me, but I want to figure this out. I just have to suck up the aching. Alright, let's see. There is no way this could be a dream. My aching head already told me that. Magic? Be real. US tech? Not in a million years. Aliens? Fat chance. I do know one thing: If this is all real then that dome just saved our lives. This is out of my logic. I think I should just enjoy the red sky while it is still pretty to look at. Maybe this will end up like that one tv program in the 10’s. I let my head rest on the bench. I didn’t want to stand up or my head would really start hurting. I didn’t even care if someone from the encounter found me here. I wanted to rest, at least for a little while. Just as I began to get comfortable my right eye spotted something, something purple. Could it be Rarity? Maybe, I mean she is not the only one with a purple hairstyle. At least 8% of the city’s population had purple hair. Once she got closer I realized it was indeed her. She was making her way through the crowd, searching for something. She had it her phone out, looking at it constantly as she gave nudges to get people out of the way. Obviously she was looking for me or her cat, but probably me. She seemed more frantic than she was in the morning. Whenever I got home late she worried if something had happened to me, she did this ever since I moved in. I figured I should go to her or else she’d really start panicking. Lifting my head felt like lifting a 30 pound weight, while being smacked in the head repeatedly. I finally got up and walked slowly to her. When I got close I started running up to her, calling her name as I ran. “Dawn!” She cried out, running to greet me. She placed her hands on my cheeks when we she got in arm’s reach. She moved my head around, searching for bruises or scratches, then proceeded to shine a flashlight in my eyes. “Are you hurt? Are you sick? Are you doing drugs?!” Clearly she was freaking out, again. I pushed her hands away from my face and placed them aside. “No, i'm fine, it’s just... my head kinda hurts.” “Oh, we better get back to your room. It’s getting ugly out here.” In her car I sat in the back seat wanting to lie down, but it made the headache worse. Instead I leaned on the car’s window, watching all the aftermath. The destruction of the city could have been worse. It’s mostly just broken windows and few crashed cars here and there, I’m surprised there weren’t any fires on the streets. When we drove through the shopping district many of the stores and shops were wiped clean, most likely from the looting that probably happened a while ago. When we got to the apartment building many of the employees who worked here were gone, except for the doorman who was cowering behind the counter. I didn’t think there was anything we could do to help. I simply waved to the doorman with sympathy as I entered the elevator. During the elevator ride I sat in the corner while Rarity crouched down to comfort me. I started feeling sick on the way up, partly because of the motion sickness. When we finally got there I sat on the sofa, while Rarity looked around to see if anyone was around here. I thought about watching the news while I waited for the headache to clear up, but it would probably be about the dome and I had enough of it. “It doesn’t appear that anyone was here, but it looks like some my of jewelry is missing.” She said as she came out of the hallway. I groaned in pain just as a migrain set in. “Oh, I forgot about the headache, I’ll get you some aspirin.” She looked through the crystal white cabinet in the kitchen, where she kept the medicine at. After a long five minutes her hands came out with nothing. “Blast it! We’re out. I’m so sorry... if I actually made time I would have told the maid to fetch them. I’m so stupid I am a terrible guardian...” Not again. Not now. “Rarity?” She kept punishing herself. “Rarity?” She kept going. “Rarity!” She stopped and finally started listening to me. “Not everything needs to be perfect!” I retorted. I could sense the horror she felt inside. Being yelled at isn’t nice in the first place, but being yelled at by your own kid… “I’m… I’m sorry. I think it’s the headache” “Oh! No no no! It’s my fault. I can get a bit too... hysterical.” “Can you just… calm down?” I pleaded. “Alright.” She said, taking quick breath. “Alright.” She quickly skedaddled to the sofa and sat near me. She gave me a quick smile then proceed to keep her head down, staring at her jewel encrusted shoes, not wanting this conversation to get anymore awkward. After this day the first thing I want to do was to get some sleep. Then I remembered the thought I had on the train, the one I promised myself to do. If nuclear war is how the world would end I might as well get things off my chest, before I get obliterated in radiation. “Rarity,” I said. “Am I a burden to you?” She paused. Her head slowly tilted up and looked at me. I could see the worry in her eye. I believe she had expected this conversation to come, but not during all of this. “What do you mean?” She asked softly. I sighed. “Ever since I moved in here I felt like nothing but a chore for you.” I admitted. “I know how annoying teenagers can be. The needing, the emotions, the drama, the trouble you have to go through to raise them. And worst of all you up gave your chance to compete with the big brands. I feel guilty for ruining your life.” The room grew silent. So quiet, that you could hear the ongoing looting on the streets. Even if the silence was a bad sign it still felt good getting that off my chest. However, I couldn’t decipher the look Rarity was giving me. “Dawn,” She said softly. “I knew what I was getting into when I took you in.” My eyes widen a bit. Did she? I expected her to make an excuse to get out of this conversation. “When your parents were... gone,” She continued. “The others and I knew that one of us would have to take you in.” She then stood up and walked over to the other side of the room, returning with a picture frame. It’s the future, but not everyone had let go of the outdated. Rarity sat right beside me and handed me the frame. It was a picture of all of my aunts and my mother huddling together, the main 7 as I like to call them. I imagine the fun they all had in their teens; the going out, the hanging out at a smoothie shop, maybe some BFF bracelets, the talk about which guys are the cutest, and the never leaving your side dedication. Just few of the things I failed as a teen. “AJ,” She started, as she pointed her index finger at the Gal of the countryside. “was willing to let you live on her farm, but ever since the drought and the fruit bat infestation her hands were already full.” Now she pointed at the girl with rainbow colored hair. “Rainbow wanted to teach you everything about her sporting expertise, if only she didn’t have to travel from game to game. Fluttershy was not sure if she could do it and we couldn’t have her forced to. Twilight is so busy these days and Pinkie… well, we all know why.” I certainly do. “On that night I knew I was the only one who could take care you, until you were old enough to make your own decisions.” She put the picture aside and continued her talk. “I was willing to adopt you, for the others, for the your parents, and for you” I find that a little hard believe. What am I saying? She did really care about me. It’s a relief to know that I wasn’t some kind of chore. “Really?” I finally mustered. “Absolutely.” She smiled It was about 9:00 o'clock when I yawned. I wanted to go to my room but my head pounded every time I took a step. After a few more failed attempts I decided just to sleep in the living room for the night. Rarity brought me two sheets and a pillow for me to sleep with, even though I told her it wouldn’t be necessary. She placed the pillow under my head as I lied down, with the the blankets over me. “Alright, if you need my help don’t be afraid to ask.” She said with her voice back to her cheery self. “Are you sure you’re alright?” “I am.” I tell her. “Very well.” She began to exit the living room, but before she entered the hallway, she looked back at me. “Good night Dawn, see you in the morning.” “Good night Rarity.” With that, she walked into the hallway, entered her room, and turned off the hallway light. I brought the blankets over my shoulders and settled in on the the sofa. Thoughts poured in my head, both good and disturbing. I just hope I can have a good night and maybe a morning with the sun in the sky.