>You woke an hour or, so ago closing up camp taking your things with you.
>You continue your travel in the castle looking at the stained white ruins and, whatever remains of the befouled finery.
>That is until you come across what looks to be a large bedroom fit for a monarch.
>From what you can tell of the room it has a mostly faded blue ceiling with a sun painted on it and, most the furniture has rotten away or rusted too brittle to move or use.
>A few golden trinkets lay around covered in dust but still hold its splendor.
>But what catches your eye is a glint of gold on the mostly wasted away bed.
>Its a skeleton large, much larger then the other equine you found wearing some gold covers on its hooves.
>It has gold by its corpse a crown and other objects you're sure where worn to show status.
>The skeleton unlike the other you found also had a large horn along with wings on its back, perhaps this is the equine you saw on the preserved stained glass window? Seems to match the description but could just be you wanting it to.
>You're unsure why but this skeleton is much better preserved then the previous one mostly still intact.
>You look around the room which has many windows all shattered sadly but has a perfect view of the rising sun.
>When looking at the ground at the shattered glass you notice a strange gem on the ground not too far from the bed.
>You approach it picking it up and, closing observing it.
>There is a strange....feeling you get from it you can't quite describe it, nothing you've ever felt before.
>Suddenly you hear a voice as the grey and blue gem gently lights up "....hello?"
>You're completely shocked the sound was...odd, you didn't hear it it with your ears it sounded like it was coming from inside your own mind.
>The voice was gentle and feminine yet somber "you are....not what I expected stranger but it doesn't matter really."
>You finally collect your thoughts and ask "who or....what are you?"
>"I am an echo of a time and, pony long gone I am whats left of Celestia a dying message."
>"Are you the equine in the bed? the...skeleton?"
>"Yes and no, I am simply a fragment left behind for somepony or one to find, I....Celestia am gone."
>"I see I am sorry then I'd be willing to hear your message but how do I understand you?"
>"You hear me in your mind not your ears as you've likely noticed. Your mind simply uses the language you know so it does the speaking for me."
>Hesitantly you answer "Alright continue ma'am."
>"Thank you stranger....my message is to tell whoever finds this what happened....and my dying wish."
>You have a few questions but are unsure how long she can maintain this so first you let her speak.
>"The world you see is only a shadow of its former self, a great land I happily ruled and took care of for many years its name or was its name is Equestria. The world was brought to its knees by a plague one which the likes I have never seen one that affected me, my sister, even Discord of all people. This plague certainly has its origins in magic as there is no other way it could have been this effective it had a 98% rate of fatality on all it effected. So their are survivors out there I'm sure of it even though....I'm unsure how many after so much time has passed."
>Plague makes sense from what you've seen, there doesn't seem to be any land damage, nor any signs of battle or warfare, just like one day everyone disappeared.
>"It makes sense from what I've seen"
>"Yes and my wish.....my wish is for you to please try to help, to care for my little ponies, their lost, hurting and scared. I'm not asking you to rebuild the world just....for any you come across try to show them kindness, try to protect them. In the end though its up to you just do what you can."
>You think for a little bit but agree to it "I'll....try my best ma'am."
>"Thats all I can ask of you, thank you for hearing me out stranger I must depart now, whatever awaits after death calls for me if you have any questions ask now as their won't be another chance."
>"You mentioned earlier about magic, magic isn't real is it?"
>"Oh it very much so does exist but....I can sense no magic in you it seems your people must be devoid of it, perhaps even resistant to it but I'm not sure on that."
>You're not entirely sure you should take the word of a talking gem but, then again you are currently talking to a gem to add the universe is a vast and mysterious place maybe magic does exist after all here?
>"I'll....take your word for it. I must ask though would you like me to bury you?"
"No there no longer is need for it and I won't want to put you though that trouble, I am at peace now that my final message has been heard."
"Okay Celestia....I can't really think of anything else to ask you now so I guess go in peace I will try my best to help your ponies in what meager way I can."
>Though you can't see her something inside tells you she's giving you a small peaceful smile "thank you stranger, you give an old mare peace....good bye and good luck...."
>With that the gem stops glowing and the weird energy it gave off fades away leaving nothing but a plain gem.
>Though you only knew this Celestia for a short time something fills you with a very deep sadness to know she's gone, as if the world was lesser now without her.
>You wipe away a few tears that escape your eyes and, take the gem with you she's right that you can't give the body a proper burial but, you will give one to this gem she deserves something even if its mostly symbolic.
>No longer wanting to be in this castle as now it just makes you sad to see whats been lost to the natives here, you now make you way out retracing your footsteps.
 
>You have slowly made your way out of the ruined mountain city before taking a short swim back across the moat you look back at the castle for a few seconds before sighing sadly and continuing your way.
>While making your way down the mountain you look around for any spots you should check out that might possibly have any ponies at but, you see nothing but distant ruins and endless land.
>You get on your knees and pull out your multi tool setting to it to shovel setting and do a little digging making a good sized hole before placing the dead gem in it.
>You have no clue of their religion or even knew much about Celestia so didn't have much to say, so you cover it back up with dirt and give a quiet mournful "rest in peace Celestia...."
>Standing back up you return to traveling now, to see what this world has in store for you.
 
----Day 63---
 
>It's been a little over 3 months now if you're estimates and your helmet are right The leaves on the trees are changing color as the temperature starts to drop so you'd guess Autumn is here.
>Sadly so far you've not found any living ponies but you do come across skeletons when expecting ruins, though most ruins you've been to seem to have been towns and villages at one time.
>You also have not strayed too far from the mountain because small game here is decent and you know water sources.
>Though with fortune you did make a friend, a dog that you have come to calling Wilson. About a month ago he came to your camp one night hungry and thirsty so you gave him a bit of jerky and water he was thankful enough choosing to stick around.
>He doesn't seem to be of any particular breed a mutt really but he has a nice golden brown coat and, seems to be in good shape.
>You've trained him over the last month now and have him trained for the most part. He responds to his name and most commands you make.
>You're glad you took that course when you where young about training dogs, never thought it'd come in handy like this, just did it for extra credit in school.
>Wilson and you are traveling through some tall grass checking traps you set up hoping to have caught some dinner though you have some jerky just in case saved up.
>Mostly get fox, rabbit, possum, and squirrels but once got a turkey and, admittedly you've caught a few cats which you've eaten.
>Though with all the Asian food you've eaten in your life you wouldn't be surprised if you had cat before.
>Checking your traps you don't seem to get anything, game has been getting scarce lately with the change of weather likely.
>Might be time for you to migrate yourself then and find somewhere better.
>You look over at Wilson "hey think we should migrate else where? time I follow my ancestors and go full nomad?"
>He gives you a small bark as if giving a yes.
>"Well I suppose its decided then, lets head back to camp gather everything we can bring with us as well store up on extra water, tomorrow morning we'll head out."
>He just looks up at you with a light wag of his tail which you like to take means he understands you.
>You head off to collect extra water in your canteen and animal skins so you can get ready to pack up camp.
 
----Day 64----
 
>You and Wilson rise at sun rise and start your journey.
>You give a double check to make sure you're forgetting nothing and, set out Wilson dutifully by your side.
>You wander the land for a few hours through thick tall grass sometimes hacking your way though with your hatchet.
>That is until you come across an odd forest, its trees are dark giving off a vibe you didn't care for.
>You could walk around it but who knows how long that would take? or, go right through which would be much shorter.
>Thinking it over you decide to go through, sure this forest is foreboding but, if you're careful and, move quick enough can though it and done.
>Wilson seems to be worried as well about the forest his tail tucked between his legs as he reluctantly follows you into it.
>"It'll be alright boy just stick with me and, be quick we should be fine."
>Venturing in the forest you listen carefully keeping your hatchet out just in case.
>The place has many strange sounds that echo through it some you recognize of animals but others....you're not so sure and that worries you.
>You walk at a brisk pace keeping an eye open as you occasionally see something lurk in the shadows.
>Wilson gives a worried whine as he sticks close, sometimes almost tripping you as he gets so close to your feet.
>This place is....off, wrong, you can't put your finger on it but something isn't right about this place more so then you thought previously.
>You're half tempted to try and just head back, go around but you've been walking now for a few hours.
>You thought on it until interrupted by a deep growl that was very close by.
>"fuck"
>Wilson growls back but is obviously scared still.
>Out from behind some trees walks out one of those lion things, you've seen one before having wings on its back.
>It seems to be gauging you and Wilson looking for a meal as it prowls around you both walking low.
>You're unsure how you are to face such a beast but if you die here you are not going down without a fight.
>You get into a defensive stance hatchet out now wishing you had something longer, maybe if you survive this you should endeavor in making a spear.
>The large beast lunges at you finally making its move pouncing onto you claws drawn and, starts to strip away the armor of your survival suit.
>You give out a war cry smashing the hatchet into its face which seems to only piss it off further but, you keep on aiming for the eyes or maybe neck anything soft.
>Wilson leaps and bites onto one of its wings with a angry growl inciting a yelp from the monster turning its attention to Wilson.
>You take this chance to leap back up and sink your hatchet into its neck pulling back and swinging again, this time only catching its ear in the thrashing its doing loping it off.
>It howls in pain and snarls turning back to you.
>"Come on you want some you big ugly fuck!?"
>It roars swiping its paw at you while you strike another blow finally catching one of its eyes, this seems to make it leap back knowing you aren't easy prey now.
>Wilson lunges now and bites onto one of this back legs with the meanest growl the boy can muster.
>"Yeah Wilson! kick its ass!" you shout as the beast turns back raking its claws against Wilson's side as he gives a paint yelp.
>You angrily charge the animal "leave my dog alone!" swinging your hatchet up right into its throat.
>The winged lion turns and bites for your face so you instinctively put out your forearm as it crunches down on it.
>Thankfully your survival suits armor for now holds, though it makes a loud cracking sound so you doubt for long.
>You quickly swing your hatchet repeatedly into the beasts neck screaming like a mad man hacking at hard as you know how.
>Eventfully it seems you hit something vital as blood starts to really spurt out of its neck as its jaws grip loosens stumbling back and tries to flee, but it only collapses onto the ground gushing blood from its neck.
>While you know without Wilson or your armor you'd likely be dead right now you give out a cheer just happy to be alive. That us before its interrupted by a pained whimper.
>"Shit Wilson"
>You get on one knee as he walks up to you.
>You check his injury which while looking ugly it thankfully seems to only be surface damage but, should try to do something about the open wound.
>Reluctantly you dig into your emergency stash and get a few bandages to cover it up, you're really trying to use this sparingly but, Wilson needs it and you don't know the local plant life so no way of making something to help him.
>After bandaging him up carefully you give him a soft pet on the head "you'll be okay boy, it'll leave a scar but lady dogs like scars so its fine."
>He wags his tail softly with a small whine.
>You turn your attention on the dead flying lion thing it has a ton of fur and meat on it, no way you can let that go to waste.
>Though at the same time you really want to spend as little time as possible here.
>You sigh and take the risk of skinning the monster to harvest all the meat you can from it.
>"Wilson watch by back will you?"
 
>After skinning the beast and collecting all the meat you can carry, you bundle up the meat in some fur you cut off and drape the rest of it over yourself.
>The sun is nearly set and its growing very dark here so you quickly head off to try and find some shelter for the night, hoping the risk you took is worth it.
>Just before the last of the sunlight was gone over the horizon you spot a small cave and hope nothing currently occupies "that would make a great camp Wilson lets check it out."
>Wilson and you carefully inspect the cave seeing no signs of life in it, nothing seems to be using this place as a home so you set up some of your old sensors.
>Luckily they still work so you set out your sleeping bag not wanting to risk making a fire as it'd draw attention from whatever else lurks here.
>"Well Wilson today could have gone better but, we're alive so that counts for something."
>He walks over to you cozing up closely.
>"Yes you're right its time we get some rest and hope to get out of this cursed place tomorrow, good night Wilson."
>With that you get comfortable in your sleeping bag and try to catch some sleep.