It was nighttime in Equestria and the moon stood high above the clouds, wandering about the night sky.
Everything was peaceful and quiet, save for the raindrops playing their lullaby against the roofs and windows of Ponyville homes. Most of the ponies there were fast asleep by now, resting in their beds. Yet, in the local castle, one restless filly was searching among the papery cases of knowledge within the library.
Moving in the dark with only a little light from her horn she paced from a bookcase to another, occasionally peeking over the books' names.
"Ugh! Where is it?" the filly wondered aloud while wondering where it may be.
She went on like that for another few minutes, skimming the bookcases until a thunderclap caught her by surprise. It wasn't supposed to rain 'til later tonight. It can't be that late. Another thunder roared outside behind the windows. "Or could it?"
Suddenly the chandelier high above her burst to life and the room was flooded with light.
Groaning, the filly lazily lifted one of her wings above her head and blocked the harsh light.
"Is somepony here?" A very familiar voice echoed throughout the library followed soon after by hoofsteps.
Oh nononono! Not again! Where are my bags? I hope I didn't—
"Nyx? Are you reading late again? You know what we agreed on." The voice came again, this time closer than before. The sound of hooves clapping against the crystal flooring was getting closer, however, this filly wasn't about to go down easily.
The black alicorn spread her wings, carefully flapped them to rise high above the floor and lay down at the top of a shelf.
"Nyx, I know you’re in here. You should be in bed by now.” It sounded like the mare behind the voice murmured something else, concerning a letter from a certain teacher, but Nyx didn’t quite catch that.
Then from behind a bookcase, she emerged. The mare wore a tired look as if trying to fall asleep for hours to no avail. But then beside her floated those saddlebags that had betrayed the hidden filly.
"Twilight?" Nyx called from her hideout, concern audible in her voice. "Are you okay? You don't look very good."
"What?" Twilight paused and briefly thought, then she lit up her horn and cast the intended spell.
Before her appeared a magical frame, reflecting her picture like a mirror. Twilight took a brief look, only to see Nyx wasn't far from the truth, she did look horrible. Her mane and tail had a disheveled look after rolling around in her bed for a long while, and the bags under her eyes with the bloodshot whites just finishing the picture.
"I am alright, Nyx, maybe a little tired, but other than that I'm okay. You don't have to worry about me. However, I know of a certain filly that should be in bed by now," Twilight said with a questioning look.
Nyx froze for a moment and then while trying to make herself look as small as possible, she used her wings to hide away from the world.
"Nyx?"
"Fine," she said with a sigh and hovered down from the shelf-top. "I was looking for a book for a school assignment. Cheerilee wanted us to write an essay about a literary character of our choice. Ugh, I think Scootaloo's going to write another poem about Rainbow Dash."
"Oh?" Twilight gave her a look of confusion. "I didn't know that Rainbow was a literary character. She sure likes Daring Do, maybe Scootaloo could write something about her? But, what about you? What character did you choose? Do you want me to help you pick up somepony? You could write about Tibasumu, nonono Sunny Breeze, or maybe Jigsaw and Tiptoe?"
"Mom!" Nyx raised her voice to get the mare's attention again.
At the sudden cry, Twilight couldn't help but feel like she did something wrong. "Y-yes?" she responded, ears flattening backwards on instinct.
"I already have a character picked. I just need to find her book."
At that Twilight perked up again. "Who is it? Do you want me to fetch you the book?"
"She's the one you told me about and named me after, Nyx of the Night, so I thought I'd read her story." Before Nyx could blink her eyes, Twilight teleported a book from somewhere in the library and levitated it towards the filly.
It had a dark cover depicting two unicorns, a mare and a stallion with a crown laid upon his head.
"This should be it!" Twilight announced and teleported them both into Nyx's room. "Now don't stay up any longer, okay?" she said while readying the bed sheets for the filly to slip in.
Nyx did as she was told and slipped under the sheets. While Nyx was making herself comfortable, Twilight turned around to the doors as if to leave, though no steps were taken. "Now I'll just go back and find something to readmyself. On my own."
At these words, Nyx got an idea, a light bulb popping to life before disappearing once more.
Since she's already been caught going out so late Nyx thought, surely there's no harm in asking the librarian for what her heart desired despite how late it was. "Mom? Could you read it to me?" Nyx said while holding out the book in her hooves, hopeful sparks shining in her eyes.
"Nyx, you should really go to sleep," she said and looked back over to her daughter.
This was the chance Nyx was waiting for. Claiming it, she went ahead, and did her best. "Pleeease?" she pleaded, managing the cute puppy eyes only young fillies could do.
"Nyx—"
"Pleeeeease???" Nyx stepped up her pleas. If that doesn't work… I can always try and fake a tear or two.
Twilight resisted her daughter's greatest weapon for a while, but there's only so long one can survive this look.
"Alright, alright!" the mare cried out in defeat. "You win, just stop the eye thing!" she said, waving hooves in defense. "I'll read you a few pages, then you must go to sleep, deal?"
"Deal!" Nyx affirmed happily.
~~ Chapter 1 ~~
~~ Shadows of The North ~~
Our story begins in times of old. The Equestrians had recently chose their wise princesses for them to lead. It was a time of prosperity with a brightly looking future ahead.
However, it didn't stay like that for too long, as if things hadn't meant to be that way. Soon, shadows from far in the north began to form around the ever-shining Crystal Empire, enclosing the ponies within an aura of unending darkness.
~~~
Far in the south, quite a ways from the capital city of Canterlot, was a newly built village, the Hamlet of the Blazing Suns, named after the many gems found there.
There, a young unicorn mare lived with her father in a humble house, just on the edge of the village and Misty Woods.
The mare, Nyx, would often practice her magical feats either to impress the ponies in town or just to help her father, Black Phoenix, at home or at work. However, she'd always spend most of her time studying magic and its theoretical possibilities. Though, despite her great knowledge of magical elements, she was never able to pull off some of the more advanced spells.
It was another calm and sound day in the village of Blazing Suns when it happened. In the local mines two new kinds of gemstones were discovered. One of them was pinkish red, and the other was colored dark grey. Both of them later named red and black tourmaline.
The gems brought great attention of unicorns as if they were naturally attracted to them and sellers profited off these stones bountifully. Though, it was like that just for a few days before the accident happened and the mines were closed.
That day Black Phoenix came home early. "Nyx?" his call went through the dwelling, getting the attention of the black coated mare hidden in her room.
There was a moment of silence which was interrupted as the room was briefly flooded with light accompanied by harsh crackling. Black Phoenix was a strong earth pony with a slightly bigger body. His coat was a dark shade of grey, and each of his sides bore a silver necklace with a shiny yellow gem. Usually, he would fear nothing, although this sudden noise startled him and had him going on full alert.
"Hi, dad! You're back early," said a voice of pure innocence, a significant grin marking the owner's face.
Disturbed by the sudden appearance of his daughter, he cleared his throat before speaking. "Yes. Yes, I am," he said, his voice having its usual deep sound. "Did you just—"
"Teleport?! Ya bet yer apples I did! I finally mastered that spell and it's amazing! At first, it was super exhausting, like I got that nasty headache and couldn't use my magic for an hour until I got a little energy back to do the simplest levitation. But now? I can manage to do two sequential teleports without draining myself low!"
"Whoa! That's great, sweetie!" he said, proudly looking down at the mare.
"Soo." Nyx gazed back and searched over the stallion for anything that would tell her something. "What are the odds that you're here so early?"
"Something strange happened today. My friend, Juliet, disappeared in the mines, and the rockheads on the board decided to close them and forbade the sales, saying that my friend had gone crazy because of all them gems." He let out an uneasy chuckle.
"She couldn't have done it. She wouldn't leave her husband like this. She doesn't even know magic like you do, Nyx," Phoenix said and put down his saddlebags. Unzipping them, he pulled out a few photos. "I believe something must have gone terribly wrong in there, but they won't hear any of it, as it wouldn't do much good for the business. Could you please take a look at these here photos?"
Nyx took the pictures in her hooves, looking them over. On them was depicted ashy ground lit up by slowly dying flames, flickering with only remnants of energy. But then through the ash marks stood out that seemed to be melted into the rocky ground, still glowing bright red.
"Hmm," Nyx hummed while watching the photos. "These look a lot like the teleportation spell I practiced today. But to leave marks like that melted into stone? One would need the power of alicorns to do that! Normally, quite an amount of energy is consumed by the repositioning part of the spell. She must have used an immense amount of power and be a really, really powerful magician, to leave marks like this," she explained and Phoenix was sure he saw a star glimmer in her eyes.
"Well," he said, visibly upset. "She was no powerful mage, and since today nopony has seen her... And if you say the mark-things are for teleportation, then I don't dare to guess where she's gone." His frown deepened.
The sight was troubling to say the least and seeing him like this was, for Nyx, torture. "Maybe she teleported someplace safe in the other town," she said, hoping to raise her father’s spirits, but her efforts seemed to be no avail. "Is there anything else I can help you with?"
At those words he lifted his gaze from the ground, watching his daughter for a moment before he was reminded of a thing. "Actually, there is. Everypony here in Photostones know that you are one of the best here when it comes to magic 'n' stuff," the stallion announced and then he went and left the room, leaving the household's door open. Though, before Nyx could follow him out, Black Phoenix returned through the doorway, now with a stuffed sack on his back.
"So, I was asked to come to you for help in the case of the accident. We were hoping you might take a look and see if the gems in the mines had anything to do with it, but we think they might be dangerous, so." He had an uneasy look all over him, not liking what he was asking for one bit. "So it is perfectly alright if you refuse to do it," he added.
"Dad, I don't mind. If I can help you out with this, I'll at least try."
A proud smile braced his lips. "Alright, thanks, kid, but be careful."
"Don't worry, I will," she said and was about to haul the sack of gems with her magic, however she didn't get to finish her spell as Phoenix interrupted her.
"Hold on a second, Nyx, do not use magic on the gems or anything relatively close. We think that magic was what caused the reaction in the first place," he lectured. "I'll put them into the workshed for ya." He launched the sack into the air and down onto his back and headed outside.
However before he could step out of the house, his eyes met the significant golden armor of a royal guard. Before him stood a pegasus guard, right on his doorstep. "Good day sir, Miss," he said, giving them both a slight bow. "We, the royal guards, have an important announcement from princess Celestia and princess Selene to make and due to that, everyone's presence is requested in front of the city hall."
~~~
"Citizens of the Blazing Suns. You have been called here to hear the bad news from the Crystal Empire." After that murmurs began to echo among the ponies as what could have brought a royal guard so far from the capital and to one of the southeastern-most places.
"The Empire has been overtaken with force by a dark magician calling himself Emperor Sombra." This gained the captain a collective gasp from the ponies around.
"This Sombra then declared war on Equestria and invaded our northern land." By now a few mares began to faint all the while some went calling out "Horror! Horror!"s. "But we are here to ensure our home stays the way it is! And for that, the crown is recruiting anyone who's of age and willing to partake in defending our way of life."
The reaction the captain got from the crowd wasn't what he had expected. Quite many stallions and colts rose to their hooves, wishing to protect their homelands.
Coughing, as to calm the crowd, the captain went on. "I am happy for all your enthusiasm, but this Sombra, he isn't a pony to be underestimated. He’s brainwashed the crystal ponies and now holds them as captives in his own wicked army.”
“And even though Sombra and his soldiers do not aim to kill, they don't have any trouble hurting ponies who dare to intervene. He gets stronger with every other pony we lose." He took a second look at the crowd and upon seeing the folks' determination, he couldn't help but give away a small smile. If the situation in other towns is like here, there might be a chance even without the alicorns.
"Anypony who wishes to join us, the training begins in a few days in Canterlot. That's where we are heading tomorrow! Thank you all for your attention," he said and walked down the steps of the stage, and along with his companions, he left the crowd of ponies to attend themselves.
~~~
By the sunset on the same day, most of the locals met up with their friends and close ones in the town's only pub. It was a mirthful celebration before they would have to bid their farewells.
When Black Phoenix arrived to offer his goodbye, the party was already in full swing. Some were chatting by the tables, some were enjoying their drinks alongside friends by the bar and lastly, there were a few pairs of dancers, dancing to slow-paced music.
"Hey! Black Phy, come on here, join us," an earth stallion called from the bar, waving him closer. He had a dark shade of red as coat color and an iron ingot with a hammer for his cutie mark.
"So you have came to strengthen before the trip. Here, try this." He shoved a glass of cider over to Black Phoenix, mentally nudging him to join in the festivities.
"Actually, Ironside," he began. "I just came by to bid you guys good luck and goodbye."
"Oh? And here we thought you would be our shining star in the squad of us newbies."
What? How could I make a difference in the war! An earth stallion. "Wait? Why me? I don't know anything about fighting or how to use weapons. I don't even want this war!"
"That's it!" Ironside announced resolutely. "None of us wanted this. But we don't want to let anything bad happen to those we hold dear, so, we all decided that we want to push back the threat, and together we'll bring this Sombrero to justice! I thought you'd be one of those who would want to protect their closest ones. Since you have only young Nyx," he said and rose a hoof to his chin in a thinking manner.
"She sure knows her stuff an' magic. One day, she's gonna become a great magician, right guys?" he asked the others of the party, who were listening, and altogether they uttered their "yeah!"s and raised the mugs of cider high above their heads, though the idea of a group of stallions drinking to honor his daughter didn't appease Black Phoenix one bit.
"I just thought you would've wanted to defend and fight for her future, my friend," Ironside added. "But I guess it's okey if ya wish to stay. There's gonna be a lot to do after we're gone!"
Fight for her future. Phoenix's mind briefly echoed Ironside's words. I do want her to be safe... but how can I make a difference??? It's always pegasi and unicorns who perform the decisive feats! He thought about it for a little longer until Ironside next to him interrupted his train of thought.
"Don't worry too much about being useless," he said as if he’d heard his thoughts. "Many of us here are earth ponies. And while pegasi have their wings and unicorns do their magic tricks, we have our strength!" he proclaimed and gave Black Phoenix a friendly bump on his shoulder.
"Yeah, Ah guess," he said seemingly unconvinced.
"Well, they ain't going to get any of us if we stay together in this here numbers!" he said and went looking around the bar until his eyes set upon the fine-looking barmaid. "Dearest, I'll have another round of that delicious cider," he said and while he was chatting with her and awaiting his drink, Black Phoenix decided and set off to leave the place and go home.
~~~
The stallion was walking for a while, having gone through the town a few times by now, though he never really chose to head to his home.
I really want her to be safe! But what can I do! "Ugh! What do I do!" he groaned loudly, drawing to himself the attention of a pony walking down the street. "Are you alright, sir?" the mare called.
Thrown off of his dose of thoughts, he glanced up at the mare in question. "I am, please accept my apologies if I disturbed you somehow, miss."
"Ah, that's quite all right! But I can see something is troubling you, sir. If you wanted to talk about it, I, umm, I wouldn't mind hearing you out," she said with a sheepish smile.
"Well, if you say you don't mind... I am considering joining the forces against this mage enslaving Crystal Empire so I can make sure my daughter's safe, but I am worried... My daughter, Nyx, she's all I have and I ain't sure about leaving her alone for that long. I just... I just don't know what to do. She has no one else beside me. I know she's already of adult age, but still, can I really leave her? What would Sofia Starfall say... "
"I think I understand and though I can't speak for others. I'd say do what you think is right. Do what feels right! What do you think? You say she's old enough, perhaps she will manage on her own for a while?"
"What's right…" he recalled once. "I have to go!" he said and trotted off into the darkness, leaving a trail of dust behind him.
~~~
Twilight closed the book and levitated it over to the nightstand just beside Nyx's bed, this way they can catch up where they left tomorrow.
The filly was lying just an inch away, curled up under the bedsheets and with her eyes shut tight she was exploring the wonders of the dreamlands. Twilight decided to just leave for her own bedroom and try to get some sleep herself. She dimmed her light spell another few tones, leaving just enough light for her to navigate through the castle.
"Twiligh-yaaw?" A voice came from below the sheets.
A smile crept up Twilight's cheeks as she turned towards the filly hidden in the bed. "Yes?"
"Will you read to me some more tomorrow?"
Tomorrow? But the day's already pretty much packed. There's just no way... Ugh, what am I thinking, of course I can dig up a second to read... I always do. "I might squeeze it into my schedule. But as for now, a certain filly has to get her sleep."
The filly let out an audible "awww," but then wished her mother a goodnight and buried herself deeper under the covers, hoping the next day won't take long to come.