> Luna and AJ! > by fatmanspencer > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > First lesson > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Once upon a time on the moon, back before Luna came back, Nightmare Moon was lonely. Now this was not over missing her sister, who at the time was too busy to be bothered with what she had done only a few apple seasons ago. She had only the Stallions who guarded her, those thousands and thousands. However they soon bored the Princess who was missing the fellowship of another mare. “Oh me, you there.., Tell me a story of your childhood.” She commanded to one of her countless guards. One would wonder why she had this many guards, and how long the grudge that the very awful Current princess had on her rightful and beautiful younger sister. “My Lady I have already told you all I can recall… surely there is another?” The guard was one of her more senior Stallions, so he did not recall much of his colting. He did not agree with Nightmare often but it gave them all something to do. You could only look and tell stories so many times before things became bored and repeating. Back in the present time, Apple Jack was hard bucking apples. The season was winding down and she wanted to get the last few trees before the first frost came. Her flanks where heaving with the effort after a while and she yawned “Darn Wanowa, we only got a few more than we got them all. Think they hold over fer tomorrow?” Wanowa barked her response and AJ smiled and laughed” Aright. Tomorrow we will get these last ones.” However as she is walking back Luna popped in. Now most ponies would run in fright, since Luna had been an object of fear for a good long time. However AJ was not like others, being unafraid of anything, because she knew she could buck her way out of anything. She was forever bucking the lone timber wolves that strayed into the orchard. Howdy Princess, what can Ah do fer ye?” AJ asked in that pleasant voice, being the only pony no one could not be friends with, much like Pinkie Pie only she was much less… happy. She would tell ya how things where and didn’t give a buck what anyone thought. WE demand ye teach us how to approach ponies!” Luna still used the Royal Canterlot voice, not knowing what else to use when speaking with somepony. She folded her wings and would then look embarrassed coming to a subject for help. It was embarrassing yet she knew let else to do. “Well Princess… shoutin all the time aint no way ta go about things. Ye just… stop the shouting and I’ll show ya. Ye first... well... Ye are a bit scary ye know?” AJ rubbed her ears as they rang from the shouting inside of the barn. It was quite tight as AJ went about cleaning the ropes and such. “What do thou mean? Scary? Twilight said everypony would love me but the noble are still running like I bring eternal darkness.” “Sugar cube you must give them a chance. They aint knowin ya mean them no harm, and that voice don’t help none. Ye just need ta relax, and talk as Ah do… well... maybe not like Ah do... but using thous and othuse and whoest and weist aint helping none. How they know ye not speaking about ya and NightMare?” “Alright… so, speak more... Like... you do? I should... not yell at the nobles?” Luna asked in a confused voice. She actually hated the nobles as they were mainly money grubbing and power hungry ponies without much thought to anyone but themselves. That was so different from what Luna remembered, when a noble has to earn their title, and it was for valor and honesty, brave… the things a Mare or Stallion looked for in their mate. “Ah Not saying that so much as in… don’t try ta scare them. Those fancy smancy ponies are a bunch of stuck ups. Do them good ta get yelled at and cower sometimes... not all the time ya hear?” AJ was a big a fan of the snobbiest ponies as Luna was. She didn’t get why anyone would care more about what this mare did with that stallion, or her more favorite though she won’t say... what this mare did with this mare. “Thank you AJ… these should help me a good bit with all those snobby ponies that forever are running.” Luna sat back and would then grab an apple. Truthful she was the reason Sweet Apple Acres was now selling a good bit of their apples to the castle, ever since Nightmare Night and Luna having some of the Apple Families apples. In fact, her love of them was so big she ordered from all the different branches of the Apple Family since they all grew at different times.” AJ… why don’t you and your family come up to the palace more often? I would enjoy seeing you there, and your honesty is much more than the other ponies there… AJ blushed beet red and chuckled softly” Well Princess… Ah suppose Ah could, only problem would be if Ah didn’t have ta do so much” AJ had enjoyed her time in the food shops and in the Palace listening to the music they had there. After a bit more thought and admiring the way Luna’s flank looked in this lighting AJ said” Ah would not mind Princess if ya can hook me up with a place ta stay while there. Ah not really sure where ta stay while Ah “Luna cut her short with a hoof “You may stay in the Palace with me my apple bucking friend. I would enjoy your company more than others and it’s always nice to hear a friendly voice after a very stressful day” Luna’s tone bore no argument as she whisked away to the place with a note saying’ you will be there by the weeks end. AJ would then board the train the following week, and get into the luxury coach only to find out…. > A Surprise Guest > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ( New writing style. hope you enjoy) Apple Jack walked into the luxury car, only to find out that her long marefriend Rarity was on the cart as well. Since Apple Jack was not used to really anyone knowing what she did, most ponies in fact did leave the much love and adored head of Sweet Apple Acres alone, she didn’t think now was the time to converse. How could she explain that she was going to see not only the princess of the night, but now Princess of the Arts to a mare who knew most of her secrets? Which included fashion, as Luna would flit from designer to designer, mainly to give them all a try out, while still helping her subjects. AJ walked and sat in one of the very comfy single benches, with leg room Big Mac would enjoy. ‘I sure hope nopony sees me… Specially Rare. She would just be torn up knowing Ah didn’t tell her. Ah suppose Ah could…. Maybe she is going fer a class….” AJ bickered with herself for a few more minutes, still not sure what to do when the decision was made for her as a food cart rolled by the server saying” Complements of the Train and the Luna Performing Arts Academy.” AJ tried in vain to quiet the mare, who was in truth only doing her job but soon looks where coming her way, and she would slide her hat down and mutter” Just a cake please… not a thang more.” AS the cake was handed to her she would give the mare a few extra bits, since while most didn’t know it, SAA made a very good profit, enough so that Apple Bloom would be going to LPAA to work on what Apple thought was her cutie mark, set design and possible architecture. She had already spoken with Big Mac and Granny Smith and they approved, but they were still waiting to hear if Rarity was sending off Sweetie Bell. Through the confusion Rarity looked back and spotted her friend, and came trotting down to meet and greet. It was rude otherwise and Rarity was if nothing the most genteel pony one would find. “Hello Apple Jack, how are you this very day?” Rarity voice held a warm affection for AJ since both had once been like sisters. Although life had took them in different paths it was still easy to both knew each other enough AJ said” Shucks Rare, ya not needing ta be so formal. We just riding a train” Oh my dear but we must! One must never not greet a friend, and on a train ride to Canterlot we still have a few hours. IT has been a few weeks since our last tea… mind if we catch up?” As Rarity turned to order the tea they both shared a love for, a rare Ponasain blend of chamomile and orange spice mixed with hazelnut. “Now my dear… whatever are you going for? Is it to find out more on Luna’s Academy? I have chosen to send Sweetie Bell there but only if your Apple Bloom and Dash’s cousin Scootaloo may go. Those three are rather like us back then. Always getting into things. But I have a feeling Sweetie will find her cutie mark if she goes. Luna has a gift for picking the best in her students, even ones who aren’t magical.” AJ nodded and would chat with Rarity for a good long time. It soon was now on to things that only two marefriends could talk on. AJ had never really spent much time with her best friend and they soon where sounding like a bunch of fillies on the first stallion that caught their eye. In fact, as they talked and drink their tea it did get to a few stallions in the car with them, and both would eye the train conductor the few times they went up there, just to ‘check on things’ as Rarity said. However soon the girl’s fun would start to be dampened as they noticed more and more the suburbs of Canterlot coming into view, making AJ sigh and say” Rares… it has been a real pleasure ta chat with ya. But we soon are gonna have ta get off.” The train would pull into the station, The Royal Station, with its big clock where the time for the trains could be picked and looked over. AJ and Rarity would come off of the car, now to gather their luggage. It was a glorious evening, one that would be followed by the mare both girls admired and both secretly had a crush on, Luna. IT was not odd however for ponies to have a crush on the ruling sisters, seeing as both Twilight and Fluttershy had one on Princess Celestia. And when one though about as AJ often did, she herself should be more close to Celestia whose sun gave plants the needs sunlight to grow. But maybe that was the attraction to Luna, being the opposite. AJ, where are you staying this visit?” Rarity asked as they walked out into the main building after both had collected their bags from security. It had been a pleasant frisking, since the recent changlings attacked everypony coming in and out of Canterlot had to be checked with a spell that surprisingly Granny Smith knew. It had been furthered by Zecora, who everypony knew knew those odd spells and potions. “Ah don’t really remember, Ah just was goin see Luna and come back after getting her order right. Why?” AJ was not one really for spending time in Canterlot, having all those clubs and very lazy ponies. AJ didn’t understand going and partying every day without it being your cutie mark. Somepony just didn’t know how to work hard and find happiness in that. “Well if you don’t have a place please do come to the Royal Gardens. I have a suite with an extra bed that I have reserved that you must help me fill.” Rarity was blushing a bit and AJ ever honest as she was asked her on it. “OH! Well… see I was just thinking… It’s been an awful long while since we have had a sleep over… You could spend the night, we could go clubbing… or... maybe even just sit and take and order room service.” “Like a date?” AJ asked, as they now walked out into the carriage terminal. The sun was now just a sliver and both girls grew a bit more… interested in the things one does at night. AJ suddenly noticed just how smooth Rarity hair was, so perfect and flowing… like a waterfall. It must feel like heaven to run a hoof through it, maybe she wont mind. “AJ? Something the matter, dear? Do I have something in my hair?” Rarity asked her friend having noticed how hard she was staring into it. And with those big green eyes, like a spring meadow they were, one could lose themselves in. And that hat… oh.. Rarity always had a thing for hats, but AJ’s was just so simple, yet on her friend it was perfect. AJ blushed and would trip and start to laugh as they now found themselves at their separate partings. AJ would hug Rarity and tell her” WE need to meet for lunch tomorrow, Ah know a little shop run by the Cake’s cousins Bon Bon in Canterlot.” Rarity would nod and walk away. Soon after getting her room number and being told her friend was already in the suite, would AJ wonder on the ride up who the mare at the counter meant by friend? AJ hadn’t booked nor let any pony outside the family know where she would be. After Opening the door, she entered to find the one pony who no one would ever expect to see infront of them “WELCOME YOUNG APPLE JACK” Princess Luna said in a very clear voice. She was laying on the couch, an apple in her hand. > First Night > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- This is the first of a two-parter. It was getting too long and I dont wish to have such a vareity in word lengths. Next part next Satuday “Ah! Princess! Ya… what…” AJ bowed deeply to the Princess of the night, not really sure how to react. It was not every day one was from all the looks sleeping in the same room as the Princess of the night, never mind AJ marehood crush. (AJ had always like Luna, even NightMare Moon Luna.) She was not sure how to act so she just bowed. Her hat slide from her head and she scrambled after it while a certain Princess we all love was laughing. AJ finally managed to get her hat back but was now inches from Luna. “Well my wonderful friend, May we get started? Tia said that it would be best for us to room together.” Luna was a magnificent mare, and AJ could not help but feel a slightly bit aroused in her presence. Sure, she was pretty and all, all that flowing mane, that tail... Ohhh, it got AJ hot just thinking about it. But this was the Princess so she clamped down on her urges and went about the business of unpacking. Luna and her caught up on the few things, mainly apples, and Luna then suddenly asked” What stallion has caught your eye Loyal Apple Jack? You are very distracted.” Ah… Ah… not… well ... not one in particular…” AJ blushed and Luna giggled.” Ah not really used ta looking fer one ye know Princess?” Luna held a hoof up” Please call me Luna.” AJ nodded and then continued” Like Ah was saying Princes… Luna, Ah not much time. A few have come by... and Ah... well... Ah not really… a stallion kind of mare if ye get mah drift.” AJ blushed furiously and was saved as there was a knock on the door. “Room Service for the Royal Princess and her guest.” A pony with a sliver tray entered the room with a long train of trays, full of the best offerings. AJ let out a sigh as Luna started to stare and gush over all the food. Afterward being back for a few years one would think the Princess had only recently come back from the moon, but thinking back on what all she has missed, new food would be a treat. “AJ have you tried this thing called a creep?! It’s wonderful! Along with ketchup and this yellow tangy stuff!” Luna gushed. She was eating crepes with ketchup and mustard. AJ facehoofed over this, it all rather comical once one realized this was the Princess of the Night, Co-Ruler to Celestia, who was not best alicorn or best princess. AJ was admittedly biased to the Princess, being as she was one of the few ponies who not only knew the true form and kindness of Luna, but also knew she was genuine in her actions and deeds. Which to a pony like AJ was everything, even the kitchen sink everypony always went on about. AJ still had yet to figure that one out, since no one seemed to cart about a kitchen sink with them. She tried one day, and it was awfully tiring. She blinked and gave the hoof in front of her face the oddest look” How did this here hoof get here?” She asked before Luna burst out laughing. “I put it there my faithful friend. You seemed lost in your thoughts... and a kitchen sink? We... I do not know what this entails for our lessons but is one needed today?” Luna asked quizzically, before booming out” WE REQUIRE A SINK FROM THOU KITCHEN!” AJ looked shocked and tried to hide as suddenly and almost as if someone thought the Princess needed one, it appeared on a cart with a very scared pony pushing it” You…yo.. your kitchen sink Princess….. please oh Celes... Luna please don’t kill me! I have foals!” From the dismay on Luna’s face and AJ trying to calm the dear mare down, it was obvious not everyone was used to hearing the Lunar inclined being.” Please mare who brought this, Luna is not mad with you... she... I am quiet thankful. If you wish on the Winter Moon Celebration I can give you a front row seat if you wish… and can even visit on Nightmare Night. Though I will not be gobbling anyone up.” Luna laughed at this, Nightmare Night having become the alicorns favorite holiday after Hearth’s Warming Eve. What pony didn’t enjoy the tail of how Equestia came to be? The next day, after a few more bottles of that cider Luna so dearly loved, AJ awoke to a snoring princess cuddling her like a doll. Maybe even a blanket. However the hoof placement was rather… in intimate place alongside AJ backside. One may even dare call it... a lover’s embrace. But surely nothing had happened had it? AJ searched her foggy memory, preferring to keep her eyes closed to the damned sunlight seeping in. (From this point until I say is a flashback from AJ. It is a flash back. So it will be first person!) Ah don’t rightly know Luna. One does wonder why Celestia is such a flank. She banished the most wonderful pony to the moon she did.” I coughed as some of that fancy stuff Luna really liked kept coming in. I wondered what it was, as “it had no apple flavoring, and while I’m not biased to apples, they just happen to taste the best. The greatest.” “We would say thou has every right to be biased young apple. Thoust apples are the most wonderful apples We have tasted.” Luna was using that fancy Canterlot voice. Though I was a bit confused I must admit. How did she read my thoughts? Weren’t they in my head? Or did princess have some weird ability to read minds? I must have had a Derpy expression on my face, bless that poor mail mare, as Luna then explained.” Thou mentioned not being biased to apples. Yet We find thou should be. We do not remember much of fruits before We came back, but thoust have the best ones. And those... Zapp apples are the best jam. The Royal Treasury complains quite often about the purchase of them.” So that is where they kept going. Ah was wondering... what did ya do* hic* do to make *hic* Celestia send ya* hic* to me?” I asked with a curious wondering, as no pony had told me.” All Twilight said was ta come ere.” Hiccup. Man, that umm… cider? Where did cider come from? It was SAA for sure… but now… I don’t really remember … selling this to Luna… OR any pony... in fact ... this... this was my cider!” Luna! Ya have been in mah bags haven’t! This is mah special cider!” And with that I began to cry. While the Apple family was in no way poor, my special cider was one of the few things I took pride in for being mine alone. Only family ever got it, since to make it meant a special time process and it only made a few barrels each month. “Ah don’t know…” I said with some apprehension. The water looked awful high from up here on Luna’s back. IT was a deep enough pool granted, being a proper lake. But I still normally didn’t like heights. I didn’t trust them. It just aint natural for an Earth pony like me to be this high. However I didn’t have long to think about this as in a few seconds the water rushed up to me and I sank lik a brick before I remember what to do. > Final Prank > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- I was still unsure of Luna’s newest plot. That stallion looked mighty tough. Looked like he could give a mare a good tumble to... those big strong legs… mhmhmhm Now, don’t get me wrong, The Princess had one nice flank, and would... well... she didn’t like mares, or so I would think for a time. How would one even tell their immortal ruler that you were interested in them? Would I just walk up to her and asked her? Yet I remember she is affectation to being with. I would have to do something drastic... like die my mane to match her or something! Maybe even look into that thingy she has… the Lunar guard or something… That’s a great idea! I can join the Lunar guard! “Hello? Thy friend?” Luna waved a perfectly tended hoof in my face, and I got startled.” Are We not going twoest have... fun with yonder stallion? Or doesth thou fancy… a mare instead?!” She had no idea how much I would love to answer that, and it must have shown with my beat red face.” Thoust a fillychaser! Thoust is a fillychaser!” Luna went about this as in a chant, and it was very embarrassing. I had no idea any pony would be so rude, yet at the same time I found myself blushing like a filly at the mention of her first coltfriend. Little did the Night Princess know how true it was though the object of my love was no filly. Then, the image of Luna AS a filly popped into my head, I started laughing harder and we missed our chance. It took some getting up to the room, after having fooled around with the bell hop. Poor colt was still shaking like a leaf as we got on onto the floor to our room, and even then I had trouble walking, and Luna kept hitting things and putting holes in the fancy smancy walls. After a while we ended up on the bed, and her hooves and mine where all tangled up. It was almost like a lover’s embrace, yet one would not mistake it for such, if they knew just how drunk we were. (End to drunken flashback.) “Ah don’t rightly know Twi! She was here! Ah was just... sleeping... we had some cider fer bed, and well… we went to sleep” IT wasn’t a lie, something AJ could physical not do. She could not tell a lie. However, a truth and omission is the next best thing, when you think about how one of the memories left included a kiss. “I am willing to overlook this AJ EXPECT YOU LOST PRINCESS LUNA!!!!!!!” Twilight Sparkle shouted like a schoolfilly. Her mane was all out of sorts as the purple unicorn started to fret” Princess Celestia will find out and we will both be banished to the DUNGOENS THEN THE MOON!!!!” She started to wail, and all I could do is rub her back. I still had no idea what to do or how to help. Ah am sure she’ll turn up. How does a mare as beautiful… as well-known as her go missin now? Ah may not be no scientist like ye are, but Ah reckon she didn’t just up an vanish….” I said with a heavy heart. “Beautiful? Luna is not Beautiful AJ.” I cursed and Twilight gave me the weirdest look.” You have a crush on Luna don’t you? That is why you were so eager to take on this job isn’t it? It puts you closer to the mare you lurvs!!!!” She was starting to tease me, and I knew my check where going as red as my cutie mark. Shut up Twi! Ah’ll find Celestia and tell her all about your crush on her! Ye wont like that now would ye?! AH would say not! “AJ tries to imitate the Sun Princess.” Oh Twilight Sparkle, Ah am so very ever disappointed in you. How could you love me as more than a teacher?! Banishment to the moon!” Twi had gone very pale and when that voice sounded out” That is very much a real possibility Apple Jack.” That regal voice could belong to only one mare, and only one Alicorn would make Twilight nearly pee the floor in fear like that.” You have missed placed something… or should I say somepony?” “Princess Celestia! Ah... Ah swear... Twilight said! Oh... Ah… Ah lost Luna!” I began to cry like a school filly, something I haven’t done since I lost my parents. It was a good bit embarrassing, as well... both the Princess and Twilight was now looking like I had four heads or something worse. I never cried. Really, I might cry at night thinking about my parents, but well... no one outside the family knew. Not even my friends knew the truth. “Dear Apple Jack, from what we know on our dearest baby sister it seems some pony didn’t lose her, as much could not keep up with her. Luna is quiet a drinker for having been gone so long. She is partial to your farms cider at that” Celestia chuckled at this. I still was about to wet myself! How could one laugh while one of the most powerful ponies was running around without any pony watch her?! “She could still be drunk or sumthing. Somepony could have stolen her or… or...” I continued to cry. I finally understood Twilights break down over missing the deadline that one time. Granted I had learn to take her more serious from then but never did I know just how... stressful it was to not do something right. “Princess, why don’t I and AJ look around the city for Luna? Surely she is not far… how far can one drunken pony go?” Twilight had that look on her face, the one that meant she had a plan. This was wonderful. Now I won’t be banished to the moon or worse… lose the farm. THAT.IS.THE.WORST.POSSIBLE.THING.EVER > LOST!!! > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Luna woke up in a strange place, and her head rang. Somewhere there was a train whistle, and it was one of the loudest things she had ever heard. Luna rubbed her head and winced as her sister damn sun was high in the sky now. Looking around Luna noticed she was in a cave. A nice dark, cool cave that protected her from the midday heat that seemed to roll around this expanse wasteland of dirt. And then the princess of the night, the immortal ruler of the moon, cried like a little filly. She was in a strange place, alone, and she was far from where she suspected her friend and for now teacher was. As Luna walked deeper into the cave that would be her home until she knew more about her new place of being, her tears fell. She felt like a little filly again, something she hadn’t in a few years now. At the same time back in Canterlot, the moon had already risen and yet it was clouded and distance. Celestia frowned in her ivory tower. ‘This only happened when baby sister is upset…. Not something that has happened since she came back…’ Celestia pondered. Where could her little sister be that she didn’t know her way home? She was strong enough no one could capture her; even the other races knew messing with one of the Royal Sister could mean death for them. No pony remembers save Luna and herself that at the being of Equestria that the others had tried such a thing. That battle much to Celestia’s chagrin was still told among the other races. Times had changes for better yet it was still heartbreaking to know your old deeds where used to scared little dragons and griffons in their beds as they slept. Luna soon was sleeping, fitfully, very tired when she came to that whistle again. It was the second time she had been awoken by it and it seems to be at the same time each day. She wasn’t sure if it was a trick on her still sleeping mind or what, but it confused her greatly sometimes. One never did exactly feel at the top of their game this early in the day, or rather noon as she felt where the moon and sun where. However that did not grant the Ruler of the night and of all glorious hair the ability to discern her location. “Ah’m sure we came this way! Ah cant remember much after that Ah swear! Twi please! Ya got ta use that magic of yers! Ye can… find her hoofprints or something!” I was frantic with worry at this point, it being the second day and still no Luna. Twilight was starting to get on edge more so now, as word in the palace was not good. How does one lose royalty? “I think we can cross this out AJ. We will have better luck if we stay in one place right? Sides... we can’t just go around asking have you seen the Princess. Celestia only knows what would happen if the normal pony folk knew that their beloved Ruler was missing. If it was Celestia it would be different.” Twilight tried her best to now sound worried, but it was hard when one of the most powerful ponies ever was just… gone. We started to walk around; looking for signs of where Luna may have went. I was thinking we should try in the places near the hotel yet Twilight pointed out if Luna was there she would have already made it back by now. I still didn’t want to give up, it being only a few hours since I last saw her, yet I could not help but worry. I had lost the fricking princess! What if Luna found out I lost her and she banished me?! I would go to the sun. Maybe in a nice darkness-lined mask as well, so I could not see. Some of this must have shown on my face as Twilight spoke as we entered into what was now the club district. “You know… Celestia sometimes goes on vacations….”Twilight offered, trying to be helpful, yet failing at it with a grimace when she saw my face. “Ah aint ever heard a pony just up an leaving like that Sugercube. Ah lost her, let’s face it. Ah lost her quicker than water in a barrel in Appaloosa.” I started to walk and bumped into this big sign. Twilight looked at me funny and if I was a betting mare I would say she was wondering about water in a barrel. “Maybe if we go to the train station?” Twilight suggested, though why should we check there was beyond me. How could one of the Princess’s get on a train and none of us know it? It’s not like she was… well... now I think on it most ponies treated me like royalty. As I wondering in my thoughts Twilight bless her little pony hear keep talking.”… And maybe she is in Appaloosa? Or maybe in Stalliongrad … Or Manehatten … Or… she could possibly be in Foalida. (Florida if it’s not obvious.) “Sugar… Ah know ya worried... but really? Why would a princess be so… not where she should be? Ah lost her… fer all we know, she could be under those yonder sewers ya say have such big things fer pony to hide in.” I pointed out to her. She frowned at me and shook her head. “If Princess Luna was underground we would know. Celestia has guards who patrol and watch over the cleaning crews in case something bad comes back in. They say its how the Changeling Queen came into Canterlot you know. It would be in very bad for to not guard it.” As Twilight came to the train station, I wrinkled my nose. While I did enjoy the smell of those smoke stacks, as they used apple wood, it was the other smells. While I milled round looking at all the places to those cities Twilight had mentioned, I was too busy to ignore a very special pony dashing to me. “Apple Jack! Ohmygoshohmygosh you will not know who I just met!” Rainbow Dash barreled into me and pushed me to the ground.