Chapter 6: May 28
Dear Journal,
I took my time with this one, wanted to see how good a job I could do if I really focused. As you can see, I've still got some work to do. Maybe next time I'll try some colored pencils or something. I wish I could draw somebody else. Maybe soon. Wait, what?
Yes, that's right, major breakthrough today! Exciting, so I’ll be as brief about everything else as humanly possible.
Went out for radio equipment, so I could keep a permanent broadcast from here and monitor as many of the frequencies as possible at the same time. Looked in the phonebook (older people still have those in their houses, thank goodness), and set off across the city. Rather long way away for a walk, but my coordination is getting much better. I don’t seem to get tired, and all it took was throwing a few water bottles into my wagon and I knew I’d be good to go for the day. Plus, with Huan to watch my back, I feel way less afraid. He looks to be healing well, no sign of infection or anything. Replaced his bandages before we started off, hid some vitamins in the scraps I brought for him today.
Hearing more and more barking and other animal noises, though nothing too scary. If there were any strays on our route today, they left well enough alone. Probably they’ve got as much to worry about as I do. Was it selfish of me not to spend all my time letting animals out of houses before they starved? I think I’m going to feel bad about it for awhile, even if they’d probably have killed me and I could never have possibly have made much impact. Hopefully they’ll get out on their own once it’s clear their people are missing. Or maybe some of the dogs and cats and things got taken when the people did. Seems unlikely, but… I don’t know for certain they didn’t, right?
Getting distracted, mind wandering. Happens when I’m excited sometimes. Found the radio things, and went to a clothing store. Obviously they didn’t make anything for tiny horses. Can’t say it was an enjoyable experience (and I’d never cared much for shopping to begin with), but I couldn’t say it wasn’t necessary. Lots of tight, athletic sort of clothes in the smallest sizes. I can’t say I was really concerned with what matched my strange bluish fur or this mane of mine. Maybe one day I’ll be able to care about style and fashion again, but not today.
All that day, there had been no signs of human life, same as every day before. But last night I found one of the civilian bands seemed to have some sort of transmission on it. Not silence, but static that stopped my radio when it was set to scan to what was apparently a constant broadcast. I left the radio on at its highest volume setting in my wagon, listening to the occasional hiss of static but not hearing much of anything that I could definitively identify as human.
That all changed while I was gathering up the clothes I’d found and preparing to leave the store, my radio made a noise I’d almost already given up on hearing again. Speech.
I don’t think I’ll ever forget her words. The first words I’d heard in five days that didn’t come from my phone’s MP3 player or my own lips. The voice was clearly female, high and thready and afraid. “Hello? I’m not sure if anyone can hear me. I keep talking into this thing… I really don’t think there’s anybody out there… but if you are, please say something.”
I practically shouted my response into the radio, but the silence on the other end went on and on. Eventually she said: “yeah, that’s what I thought. Nobody’s there. Nobody’s anywhere. Maybe tomorrow.” The signal vanished.
Of course, it wasn’t difficult to figure out what must be happening. Either she’s using a very powerful transmitter and I don’t have the range to send back to her, or she’s using a little civilian radio like mine, many of which mute themselves while transmitting. Her signal had seemed to be constant throughout the day, a steady static that only ended when she said something about trying again the next day. That must’ve been when she switched it off.
So how can I find somebody who can’t hear me to respond? There’s the idle hope she’ll mention where she is of course, or indicate a building or other landmark I can use to find her approximate location. But that would rely on chance. I am not willing to put the only opportunity I might have not to spend the rest of my stupid horse life alone in the hands of chance!
It’s a good thing I’m so good with my hands. Or… used to be good with my hands. Whatever. Made another stop by the store, this time for everything I need to directionally monitor signal strength. Got a map of the city too, some pins and markers and thread. New house already had a cold soldering gun waiting for me, though I’ll freely admit it took me over an hour to get up the courage to solder with my mouth. Never guessed my lips would be that strong and that secure. Didn’t even shake all that much. Pretty amazing.
Also got a portable speaker with the largest battery I could find for the wagon, one I can pair with my phone. Figure I’ll blast some awesome music while I’m at the search tomorrow, get her attention. The person I heard sounded distressed, as distressed as I feel. Maybe they’re not as practically minded as I am.
The only thing stopping me from curling up in a corner and doing nothing all day is having a concrete goal in front of me all the time. Maybe they don’t have that. She didn’t sound like she was in good shape. Will I sound like that in a few months?
No, I won’t, and she’s about to get better. Even if the two of us have nothing in common, even if we end up loathing each other every moment of the day, that would be preferable to being alone for the rest of our lives. Humans are social animals, right? Horses even more so. I can only assume that bright, colorful horse-creatures have both desires. Even if whoever that woman is kept her body, I’m sure she’d still want to talk to me if the alternative is nobody at all.
I don't think the significance of this discovery can be overstated. This is like finding life on another planet, only the other planet is Los Angeles and I'm an astronaut who never left my homeworld. And if there's one, there's got to be others!
Two people can’t be a society, but they can be at least a friendship, right? Wish me luck tomorrow.
—A
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He can draw better with his mouth, than I with my hands.
Oh boy it is taking route B as I named it... Good. I like this, but there is this nagging voice in the back of my head hoping that the someone on the radio transmission will be, well I'm not going to spoil it if it happens...
And the moment of truth approaches! Had everyone left behind been turned into ponies now or will something else happen? Oooooh I can't wait to see what happens!
A ray of hope shines with radio waves. The question becomes whether this other person—B, I suppose—is human, pony, or something else entirely. Or if she'll even muster up the energy to try again. Here's hoping; if this doesn't work out, it could crush A's spirits like nothing else.
6029450 Will be dead? Or maybe will be the one resposible...
A is not alone!
6027105
Oh god
I'm imagining a tearful meeting, lots of shouting, and then at the end, he'll end up feeling a little horse.
Honestly this fic seems to just get better. You've done an excellent job of portraying the situation in a believable and realistic manner. This kind of thing is always right up my alley. The only thing I'm really hoping is that you've got some awesome way of explaining what's really happening, or at least a way of making us really not care.
I also realised I'd read over 10,000 words without spotting a single grammatical error. Usually in these things I spot a couple. So good job there! I'll be seeing this one through until the end.
The plot thickens!
And because this is Fimfiction, making it practically mandatory, lets ship them already! -A x Radio Voice!
6029307 Dirty pretty pony! Yes, thank you so much ;) Well, no parasites now, well done, A.
Seriously, your illustrations are great. And no, not spammy at all.
6029469 Considering the description
I'd venture the guess Griffon.
Well, we'll find out. I love this story.
6029563
God damn it Carlos.
6028348
Well, being alone for that long can make anybody go a little crazy. Or anypony, as the case may be.
6028551
I think the fandom is starting to reach a point where all the colors that look natural for an Equestrian pony are going to be taken. With the way pony names work, it's only a matter of time until those are all gone too. Still, at least hey're unlikely to perfectly match up.
6028718
I can't tell for sure, but I definitely feel like being an author here for a year and building some trust has helped me get here. Of course, nothing is certain. But I'm sure nervous about reading a story if it's the only other story the author has posted. Having a few others gives me hope they know what they're doing (and might be able to finish)
6029199
A's lucky that's the case. I have a feeling being transformed so drastically would make one pretty testy about it. Particularly about people who haven't been transformed and "don't know what it's like, man". A would be so jealous of everybody up in this chat right now.
6029307
I shiver just thinking about how gross that would feel. I don't even think Applejack, the consummate earth pony, would be willing to do that.
6029437
Well me too. Some of us are artists and some aren't. I'm jealous too, it's okay. Now being turned into a pony? That I'm not so sure about. A can keep that so far as I'm concerned.
6029450
And soon we'll see how good your guessing is, I'll be really interested to see if you get it right.
6029462
At least the schedule means you won't have long to wait. Just ONE DAY. Too bad more stories don't update that often, though granted it does make each chapter pretty short...
6029469
That's quite true. As much as having another person around (human or pony) would make A's life about ten times better, being let down would be much worse than never finding someone in the first place.
6029497
Well, I've already received a request to write a spin-off story in the same universe. My response is that I'd like the story to be a little further on (IE, for us to know if there are really other survivors or not, and what form they take) before other people start posting stories in the same cannon. It would real spoil the suspense if there were a handful of spinoffs already going with lone ponies in other places. We'd know that of course there were other survivors and A should keep hoping, even though A doesn't know that.
As an author I'm not against having other stories written in the universe. I would just ask they not be written until we know if there are survivors and what they look like. At that point, I'd love to see what sort of other ideas people come up with! It's very possible we'll know tomorrow, or maybe we won't. There's a good chance we'll know if the answer is yes! If it's no, well... that might take longer.
6029507
Or somebody left a radio transmitting. Could be that too. >.>
6029563
[youtube=oShTJ90fC34]
6029581
Well, we'll have to see what happens. I absolutely know what caused this situation, as well as how and why it's happening the way it is. I need to know in order to write out the consequences of it in as realistic a manner as possible (for something so insane). What it really comes down to is whether A will ever learn the truth or not. Sometimes things are just too massive in scale and power for us to understand. Ask the ancient Greeks, with all their intellect, to explain the movement of the planets, and you'd get some answers that sound interesting but are quite far from what really happens. A might end up that way.
If so, I might release a blog post with my production notes at the end, so if people want to write more about the world they can. Or, if it does well, I might do a prose-form story next in the same world. Guess we'll just have to see.
6029597
X.x they haven't even appeared on-screen together!
(Keep in mind that this is absolutely, purely, totally a compliment)
This message on the radio has a certain Bradbury-like vibe to it))
I'm soooooo very much faving this one!
Amazing work, keep it up!
6029694
Nien! The dream won't die!
6029694
I was considering doing one too but I'll wait a bit then
6028551 The birthday paradox applies.
http://blog.xkcd.com/2010/05/03/color-survey-results/
According to this survey - and for the moment not taking 'gay' as a valid colour.
Assuming for the moment, the top 48 colours named are the ones we're using for ponies, and that every pony can have three of these in their coat, eyes and mane.
That's 48*48*48, or about 100K.
You only need to get to a very much smaller number than this to get dupes.
The first dupe happens (statistically) once you have a pool of around 2500 random ponies.
(the square root of 100K).
If we just consider mane and coat colour, then this drops to 48 ponies.
If we just go by an 'unambiguous' list of colours - perhaps 20 - then it falls much more.
I think by now we can safely assume that the main character is male...
well at less he is not the only survivor
It would definitely be nice if this was another survivor, though it does seem to slightly contradict the story title for A to find a fellow tiny horse this quickly. Then again, whoever she is she isn't found yet.
More!!!! MORE I SAY!!!!!!!!
Everything's okay, A! :D
I love this story. I hope it goes on for a while.
Okay, this is pretty damn awesome. I'm intrigued as to what this message is, something that can't be said for most stories I read, because usually I know beforehand (Blame TVTropes and Media Studies). It's the first story I've read in a long time where that happens, so bravo, good sir! I look forward to future encounters. (Sorry if this comes off wrong, it's a compliment. Trust me.)
... That said, please, PLEASE don't let Mysterious Radio Voice be called Eve. Please.
6030014 They last awhile unattended but they will still eventually break. California is known for seismic activity and even if everything can SURVIVE impressive quakes, they'll still wear down. On top of this, water pressure behind the dams from them not being regulated, storms, stuff clogging the output channels... They'd eventually crack, crumble, and then break.
6029698
Oh, I would take it as a complement! Being compared to such an excellent author. Granted, he wrote some depressing stuff. Though, I guess being dumped alone in the world would be pretty depressing too.
6029708
If this becomes a thing, I might want to keep a list going of all the different cities that people have characters in. Assuming there are any other characters, which we'll probably learn tomorrow...
6029754
I think the biggest limiting factor is creating ponies that look like characters from the show. If we had the entire range, we would probably have many more combinations (not to mention multi-color arrangements like Twilight that open up things even more). Given that he character has to be fairly well know for an overlap to matter, that would give us quite a few. But there are already way too much black and neon alicorn characters. Not that A is on any sort of alicorn list. Missing the horns and the wings gives us tons of ground to cover.
6029790
I won't comment either way. I want people to make their own decisions on that. It's like a microcosm of how people perceive sex and gender, very interesting stuff. Lots of factors stack in favor of A being male, like "his" previous job being one dominated by males. Is there any evidence to suggest "she" might be female? If not, that probably indicates A is male. Otherwise, that just makes it even more confusing.
6029950
Yeah, and I would feel guilty about that. I don't think the title would be changed, though. It could still describe the suffering and the attitude even if A wasn't alone forever...
6029987
Soon! Less than 24 hours till next update! ^^
6030029
Until it's finished! I don't leave stories undone, or abandon them. Even when few people read. Obviously this story doesn't have that problem, so it should be easy to stay focused.
6030041
Well, I do take that as a complement. Means the story's authentic if it can't be easily predicted based on cliche sand tropes. Of course there are bound to be a few... tropes are tropes for a reason, and its not like I'm actively trying to avoid them.
6030430
If this is a possibility, I might set it in my own region of the area around DFW. Start in a small town and move elsewhere
ALSO curse your vagueness
6030430
A strikes me as being male. The way A is written, and reacts, definitely says that to me. And his pictures make A look more like a colt than a filly.
Wow it was hard to write this in a way that couldn't be taken a wrong way!
So jusT powered through all the chapters... now tapping a currently non existent next button
Also is there gonna be some kind of thing where the worlds cross or something like that and A'll be like 'mergurd, horsey princess dream pony' (must be said in exaggerated voice)?
Also this getting a fave
Man, this is good. I feel like I'm reading The Martian MLP crossover that I played around with in my mind when I read that book.
You're doing a real bang up job at this and I can't wait to (possibly) meet some new characters.
Well, that ending theme was dissonant. Sounded like a phone commercial.
Not too much new to comment on.
6029563
i.imgur.com/IjHUeOM.png
6029950
Yeah finding another pony would contradict the title, but if you had a story that followed one person who never interacted with anypony/anyone ever would start to get a bit boring. I recently watched a TV show called The Last Man on Earth and if that show hadn't started bringing in additional characters, I doubt it would have made it through 13 episodes, not to mention it got renewed for a second season. (Also it was on FOX, which is notorious for canceling shows before their prime.)
I don't believe finding another survivor is going to take away from the story or it's title. If anything it should make things much more interesting.
Calling it now....
vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/le-miiverse-resource/images/f/fd/Ancient-aliens-guy.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20140915005854
Oh gosh yeah like I said I've thought about having to do that if all the humans suddenly vanished and it's too much responsibility!
And OMG! Another survivor at last! Plot! WHO IS SHE? I know she's probably a human or ex-human since she said everybody but it would be cool to get a natural pony in the story...
Also if they've gotten that good with their mouth they should be able to write by mouth at least.
Holy maccaroni!
Intenseness intensifies!
That was brilliant.
If it turns out there is nobody there or that the person commited suicide, I will be very dissapointed in you, author, and my feels will run you over with their ENERGY LEEEEEGS!
6030440
Well I'm either vague or I spoil things! I can't risk that! You deserve to appreciate the story as I wrote it, not to have it ruined by me saying things out of character that didn't actually happen. Of course, if you really do decide to write stuff and find yourself running into specific unanswered questions, you can always PM me, and there's a fair chance I'd tell you in that case. But... I wouldn't want to spoil it for anybody else, including text in the comments here.
6030481
Oh, I won't take it the wrong way regardless. I'm not mad about people deciding for themselves what A is and building up reasons for it. If I wanted everyone to get their gender correct, I could've just said it and ended the uncertainty. I just think it's more fun this way.
6030706
You askin' if the princesses are going to appear? I couldn't spoil that! I'm always pleased when somebody talks about reading everything in one sitting, because that's what I've done to all my favorite stories. Sorry short entries mean there isn't much here after a week or so of posting. Well, six days. It's crazy to think it's only been six days.
Could the princesses appear? I dunno. That depends on what you think the answer is to WHAT IS REALLY HAPPENING. Some hypotheticals would allow Luna to appear, for instance, while others might not. Guess we'll have to wait and see. And honestly, I might see the story way further ahead of any reader (since I keep more than a week of unposted backlog to make the daily schedule possible), but much of what happens is as much a surprise to me as anyone else. I know what caused the situation, but sometimes what the characters do surprises me too. It's rare, but so exciting when that happens.
6030794
Man, it's wild when somebody you know is reading. I've been meaning to read that book with the movie coming up soon. Now's as good a time as ever to hit those up I suppose...
6031102
Yeah, a few people have wondered if this story was inspired by that show. I ended up watching a few episodes, but it got a little wild after awhile, and I didn't care for the later ones.
6031293
Too bad for A that google only announced it today, several days after they all vanished. >.>
6031301
I find the determination A has shown so far to be pretty commendable, though I also think some degree of breaking would be inevitable. Should the other "survivor" prove to be nothing of the kind, I imagine the impact would be intense. I think we'll know pretty soon either way. Just a few more hours! Though I guess this story is always that way. A few more hours and there will be another post. Just a few more hours...
6031331
bon.se/live/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/skeptic-cat1.jpg
6031425
That's the depressing part. There are hundreds of thousands of pets all over the city, millions and millions all over the country. Maybe two to five days before they dehydrate or starve. Pretty awful.
6031679
6031743
No promises, though I must warn you. I do use the comments for ideas. For all you know, suggesting it may've given me the idea and now that new character is DOOMED!
Or I already wrote it a week ago and her fate was decided then. We'll know soon enough.
6031848
They got killed in all the zombie stories that are out there, so there were none left to star in mine.
6031815
Oh its not you (I can see how much fun youre having with this, jerk) I jjust don't want to sound sexist inadvertently, which I most certainly would.
So you're doing it daily, huh? Good for you. I would never be able to do that, I rely too much on inspiration to write consistantly.
6031815
Well I can wait then
hehe this story is addicting
can't wait for the next chapter.
hehe just read all the chapters in one go
6031293 On GPS - having the local maps is not the only problem.
The satellites will stay 'on' for several years likely - but they will not be providing a useful position after some moderately short time.
The satellite positions are measured from ground stations, and uploaded accurate orbits updated on a weekly or so basis.
Even if this was done automatically, then it'll stop after power goes out.
After some time not having contacted the ground, the satellites will set a 'failed' flag, or turn off.
Before they actually turn off, the position will get increasingly inaccurate.
6031876
If you scroll down you'll find the author has read and replied to all comments so far... not a mean feat for a story this popular.
If you compare comments with descriptions in the chapters you'll also find that A(uthor) has incorporated a lot of stuff brought up by readers... to the point where it almost feels reader driven in some places.
Yeah, I'm a fan. I love well written stories that put a good twist on a common theme and are brimming with actually researched facts, take their time to weave them into the narrative without rush and don't have them competing with character development. Also the intentional vagueness of it all (even the comment responses) is really well done in my mind. Intensive author/reader interaction completes the thing.
And we have another player to the game!
What was with the 'last pony on Earth' deal, this is awesome!
Is this going to be an Adam and Eve scenario? Eh, who knows.
6031854
Oh my, he's so handsome I'mma have to ship him with Double Diamond...
It's a Road Warrior world out there, for dogs.
6032086
I also like organic stories where the author actually modifies his original plans based on reader feedback, where appropriate. I'm not saying the author should be a doormat and ruin his own stories, but... I dunno, but I actually started my life's internet journey with participating in round-robin manga projects.
Even when I drew my own webcomics, I readily incorporated reader suggestions. "Oh, that's a cool idea, I never thought of that! It does fit better... and it also gives me another related idea!" *Goes off to modify script draft.* Some authors are too rigid to do that.
6029437 draw a box (Google those tutorials). It starts with easiest thing: line.
Guy even has patreon.
If you can't find, I'll look up the link when home.
Well, two can be a society if our protagonist has the proper equipment, if you catch my drift.
6033337
You mean if ponykind started with several generations of incest and inbreeding?
I certainly hope it will not be!
*eyes his soldering iron*
Star, I think you just gave me the best justification I've seen yet for lead-free solder. I'm gonna have to lay some in, now.
*twitch*
Just in case...