//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 - A Vivid Memory // Story: Dawnation: An Oral History of Our Bloodstained Civilization // by Harmonator //------------------------------// 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.