Building Blocks of Trifecta-verse
The Beginning.
All ponies have thoughts and ideas about how their world, Equis, came to be. Some speculate that it all started with an infinite being known only as: "The One". Some say that it was simply science and that the Princesses are here to help maintain the balance of that science. And if you ask a certain pony in the back alley behind Joe's Doughnut Shop in Canterlot, he would tell you that the universe is simply a fart, that was expelled from the back-end of a spacial frog known only as Glorfbag the Almighty.
Nevertheless, The Beginning has been the focus for many religions and foal stories since ponies first came into being. There are some other views, like some who say that Celestia and Luna and an unknown male alicorn are their original predecessors and deserve a parental respect. Still others say that the Princesses aren't special in the first place, merely genetic anomalies that shouldn't be holding office. Regardless of the story, it seems like everypony has one. But only one story is the truth. The true Beginning that is mostly unheard of.
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It began with The Three. Creation: The Mother with her milky white fur, long proud horn, gossamer wings, and her mane and tail that shone like the purest of lights. As well as the two Fathers: Essence and Void. Essence with his dark green fur, heavy mottled mane and tail that swirled with every color that there could be and equally as majestic wings and horn. Void: who was pitch black in every way, save for his eyes which shown with a dark red hue.
These three beings had existed since the dawn of time, together in the vast expanse of nothing. At the Beginning, Void had the most influence as his domain was the absence of matter, but he shared power with his fellows as a show of trust. For who knows how long they simply "existed", adrift in the void, until Creation was struck by inspiration. In an instant, the universe as we know it spread throughout all known space. It was pure, it was new, and it was good. The beings marveled at Creation's work, and they spent what seemed like an eternity exploring it. After The Three had looked around to their heart's content, Essence wanted to see what he could do to make it better. He grasped a star with his magic and molded it, and from his efforts the first solar system was born.
The Three were content with their work, but felt it was lacking something. Mixing their magics, they created the first alicorn. His name was Peace, and he was their eldest son... as well as the First Prince.
"Who am I, Mother?" asked the newly created stallion, his voice soft and yet firm. Creation's smiling face answered him, and he could feel her love radiating off of her.
"You are Peace, my son. And you shall always have my love, for you are the predecessor to all others," came her gentle and soothing voice. Turning to the others, Creation addressed them.
"We must give this young one a sibling. They can lead together, over whatever we create next."
Void nodded, and with his magic, took energy from Essence's new sun and formed it. Essence then refined it's shape and breathed a soul inside. Creation finished the being by giving it love, and life. And so was born the sister to Peace, a mare alicorn who shined with the brilliance of the sun she was created from.
"Hello, Mother. Fathers," came her first words, her voice infused with her Mother's caring and the intensity of the sun she was born from.
"Hello, my little Solaris. Welcome to our universe."
"Solaris? I think Celestia is prettier," was the reply. The Three were shocked, as she had openly denied the name they had given her and instead chosen one herself. Laughing, Creation merely hugged her daughter.
"Very well, little one. You are Celestia, and you shall rule the sun, and lead with your brother. May you keep my love with you, always."
Nodding, Celestia ran to her elder brother, hugging him with her wings. Returning the gesture, Peace faced his parents once more.
"What is it we rule over, Mother? This ball we are on is lifeless, and barren. There is not much here."
Agreeing with their eldest child's observation, The Three set about crafting the first pony. With Peace and Celestia's ideas they created Unicorns, gifted with the limited use of the magics that the Three controlled. With these Unicorns all over the world, the siblings ruled for a time.
After about a thousand years, however, Void spoke up.
"I am bored," was his drawled exclamation with his deep and heavy inflection. Turning to their friend, Creation and Essence were concerned.
"And what is it that could ease your boredom, brother?" Essence asked, a kind and proud voice coming out. Thinking for only a moment, Void grinned.
"Conflict. These ponies we created are always getting along. There has not even been so much as a small disagreement. No fights, no opposed opinions. They live forever with no excitement. They multiply and even the new generations don't argue," was his reasoning.
Taking his words into effect, Creation and Essence agreed to add something to the droll lives of the ponies they had made. Mixing their magics once again, they created a second brother. This one was strong and proud, a mighty stallion in all sense of the word.
"I have arrived, Mother and Fathers," he stated, the power and strength evident in his voice.
"So you have, my son. You are War, and you shall fight. But you must always protect. Do you understand?" Creation asked.
"I do," War replied, nodding. Rushing to his siblings, he gave them a quick embrace, then immediately went to the ponies. And he noticed something wrong.
"These ponies are too weak, and are not versatile. Might we make more? Others that can stand the test of strength or perhaps flight? Aerial bombardments are most effective."
Proud of his son's knowledge and initiative, Essence grasped the energies and formed the first Pegasus and Earth Pony. Glad for the new recruits, War set about planting seeds of disagreement. Ponies around the world began to have differing views and beliefs, and soon those ponies were pushing each other, yelling, and in general not happy with each other. Peace kept it in control, most small arguments finishing before they escalated too far. But several years later, factions had been made and a group of Earth Ponies were readying to fight against the Unicorns, who had been degrading them in their lack of magical expertise.
The Pegasi were split between the factions, some understanding the plight of magiclessness with the Earth Ponies, some saying that their gift of flight made them better. And in the Year of 1007, the First War began. War himself led the Earth Ponies, proud of their strength and endurance, and with him leading them they won many battles. No casualties were made or had, but their enemies were left broken and unconscious.
Three years later, the First War ended. Zero casualties, with countless injured. War had had his fun, and he switched places with Peace, who set about taking care of the ponies, healing them and returning their homes to their rightful place. Celestia amongst all this merely stood watch, learning and holding the sun up in it's eternal place in the sky.
It was around this time that the Three started having issues with each other. Void was noticing, more and more, that Essence and Creation were spending more and more time with each other. Taking long journeys to the end of the universe time and time again, always returning happier than when they had left. And Void was getting more and more enraged each time it happened. He had always fancied Creation, and these ponies they had made had opened them up to each other, and with their new personalities she had blossomed. Her love for all living things was apparent, but she almost never expressed her love for him.
It drove him mad sometimes, knowing she was alone with that pansy. Countless weeks he would be toiling away, making sure the ponies they had all made were flawless. No extra limbs, no defects, just normal working ponies. He did all that work, while they were off gallivanting across the universe in each other's company. Finally, Void decided that he'd had enough. While they left once more for another of their little "trips", Void made the 'others'.
From the jagged clouds and rich mineral deposits he crafted the Dragons. From the storms and harsh winds he formed the Gryphons. From the cold and the dark he shaped the Windigos. And from the deep earth he cut the Diamond Dogs. And he gave them one simple purpose: Survive by any means necessary. They spread out from his embrace, intent on doing just that. They pushed ponies from their homes, and try as War and Peace might to prevent it, they took over most of the known world using whatever means necessary.
Pushed to the breaking point, the three races of ponies journeyed out and eventually founded Equestria, as we all know it to this day. Void was happy with his creations, it gave the ponies something to fear at night, and to be honest... he liked that. Void found that frightening ponies gave him a certain kick that caring for them never did. So he did what felt good, and thus began the Dark Times. Using his powers of null-space and darkness, Void created the most hellish creatures known to pony kind. All kinds of demons and hellish spawn spewed from his arms and descended upon the hapless ponies, attacking them left and right. Multitudes of ponies were attacked mercilessly and left broken and injured in city streets, alleyways, and forest trails. And this continued unhindered for almost a hundred years.
Until the siblings had had enough, and using their combined magics, Celestia, Peace, and War drove the creatures back, and forced them down into the earth, trapping them inside the core. They did not have the power to permanently lock them in, however, as Void's magic far over-powered theirs, but they created a door and locked it, forcing one of the very creatures to safeguard it. They named him Cerberus, and he knew what they would do if he failed in his duty. Soon after they captured the beasts, Essence and Creation returned, only to hear of the atrocious act committed by Void. He was instantly cornered by Creation.
"How could you?"
"I was bored."
"Have you no shame?"
"None, apparently."
"What if somepony got hurt?"
"A lot got hurt, just ask War. He felt it all!"
"Do you feel nothing for what you've done!?"
"NO!" was Void's deep, guttural shout, causing Creation to flinch. "I feel nothing! I have no heart, no soul, no caring! Nopony wants to even accept my existence! And it feels like YOU don't either! You're always off with Essence, leaving me to do all the work!"
"You looked like you enjoyed it...!" Creation was attempting to sound brave, but she was faltering.
"I was imagining what it was like to ring his pathetic NECK!" The space around them seemed to shake at his words. Creation's eyes widened at his exclamation.
"How could you!? He's like a brother to you!"
"He acts like the elder of us!"
"We're all the same! We're all equal! You should know that!"
"Then why do you spend all of your time with HIM?!" Void screamed vehemently. Creation's mouth shut closed and her eyes widened, shock registering on her face.
"Huh?!? If we're so equal, then why does HE get all of your love!? You smile at him, embrace him, tell him you care about him and I get NONE OF THAT! You leave with him to explore the vastness of your universe and I'm left with all these PATHETIC. BUCKING. PONIES!!! You give more love to THEM then you EVER do me! It makes me SICK!"
Void finished, body shaking and tears beginning to form in his eyes. His voice was heavy with emotion, his pain evident in his face. Creation herself became teary, and she ran and hugged her friend, trying her best to force all the pain away.
"I'm sorry. I had no idea. Please don't cry."
Void draped his forelegs around her shoulders, returning the embrace, tears rolling down his face. If his problems made her cry, maybe she cared for him the way he cared for her. And he took solace in that hope.
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Void decided to see if the universe had a physical end, soon after his emotional outburst. He hoped an endless expanse of nothingness would put his mind at ease, and help him concentrate his emotions into a more controlled state. He left, and all of Equis relaxed. The Deity of Nothingness had effectively gone on vacation, which meant no more creatures of the dark and deep were going to erupt from the ground. A good thousand years passed this way, and in the Year of 2100, he returned.
And what he saw destroyed whatever progress he had made, and sealed history's fate.
He returned to the birthing of Creation and Essence's daughter.
The two had been consummating while he had been away, they were more than mates, they were in love. And Void had been pushed aside. He came back into their presence as her foal came forth from her ethereal womb: a pure demi-deity, born from gods, her small mane and tail glistening with the starry glory of her mother's universe.
Something inside Void snapped, his new cheery disposition crushed with a new level of hatred that had never been felt before or since. His eyes, normally a deep red, burst into a blinding inferno, the flames reaching above his head and turning green at the base. His mane and tail flipped about as if being blown by harsh winds, and his teeth sharpened to fine points. He advanced on the couple, and the fear he saw in their eyes stayed in his mind, held there by his rage.
"Brother! I was going to-"
Essence was unable to finish his sentence, before Void blasted him with a magical shock wave that knocked him and the newborn filly he held down to the planet's surface. With his more potent enemy knocked safely away, Void advanced on the weakened Creation.
"Void! Wait! I can expla-"
"No."
The raw rage that emanated from his voice sent chills down Creation's spine. She realized he was too far gone, his eyes clouded by an anger that would never abate no matter what she said.
"You have played with my emotions, Creation. Maybe we were equal once, but that time is now gone. You choose him. Understood. Now you must face the after effects of your decision." He drew closer, and though his eyes were aflame, all Creation could feel was the cold wrath emanating off his very being. She shuddered, and he stopped. Looking over her shivering form, he only grinned. "Is foal birth so demanding? Even from a God?" His expression hardened. "Don't worry, I'll make it all go away."
His horn glowed and Creation closed her eyes.
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Essence cracked his eyes open, his body numb. Void had put more into the attack than he thought. But where was-
There.
Laying on his chest, was his new-born daughter: Luna. His body had served as a cushion, saving her from the impact he had made into the planet's crust. Blinking blearily, he looked around, mentally calling for his children. The attack and the crash had robbed him of his voice it seemed, so he could only attempt to communicate through limited telepathy. Peace, War, and Celestia soon crowded around him, confused and worried.
"Father? What's wrong? Who's this?" Peace questioned.
This is my daughter. Mine and Creation's.
"Like me?" Celestia questioned. Essence laughed softly, yet no sound escaped his lips.
Almost. She is our natural daughter, Luna. She was born from Creation's very womb only moments ago.
The siblings stared in awe at the little filly, a child of the very gods that had created them. She was so beautiful... and small... and fragile.
"Father, I will protect her. I promise you no harm shall befall her," War vowed. Essence nodded.
Thank you, my son. But for now I shall leave her in Celestia's care. I need my sons to help me. I fear Creation's very existence is in peril. We need to save her.
Celestia started forward, but was held back by the small form of Luna being pushed onto her back. Arcing her wings to hold the filly, Celestia beseeched her Father.
"I want to help! What's wrong?"
Essence shook his head. No. I need you to protect her. Please Celestia.
Hearing the urgency in her Father's mental voice, Celestia only nodded, backing up so her brothers could help him rise to his hooves.
Looking up to the heavens, Essence furrowed his brow.
Let us go. Now. And the stallions took off, streaking across the sky and creating rifts in the clouds.
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The three stallions arrived to a heartbreaking sight. Void, still in all his ephemeral rage, was laying across Creation's prone figure. Her lifeless body was being used by him like a pillow, and he merely smiled back at the Father and sons.
"Greetings! Sorry, but you're too late..."
Get off of her... Essence growled. Void smiled even wider.
"Or what? You're going to-" But he never finished the sentence. Essence charged his horn for a split second before smashing the full force of his magic against Void's body, knocking the black god far into the expanse of space. He began to chase after him, but was stopped by Peace's voice.
"Father! Something's happening to Mother!"
Turning back, he beheld a curious sight. Creation's body was shifting, changing, molding into something else. The fabric of space itself seemed to fold under whatever force was working on her. Then, just as suddenly, her body grew dark, until her body was as black as Void's. Then it shrank, bit by bit, until it matched the size of a foal. The darkness seemed to drip off, and in Creation's place, was a baby colt. It was black like Void, but it's mane and tail shimmered with a kind of glossy shine. It did not cry, and it did not whine, it merely slept. But within it Essence could feel Void. This was Void's child... born from the death of a God. The First Death.
Essence knew what had to be done.
Peace, War, hold Void off as long as you can. He's coming back, I can feel it. I need to deal with this.
The brothers merely nodded, leaving their Father with the small colt. Wrapping the newborn in his magic, Essence began to purify the evil from it's little body.
There's so much rage inside him. What an evil act, killing Creation. Void... you bastard. You've created something that will have adverse effects across the universe... and you don't even know it. In fact, as Essence worked on the foal and the brothers threw up barriers, all over the planet, ponies, griffons, dragons, and all other manners of creatures were dying. Death was now an acting force on the lives of mortals. Old age, disease, and mortal injuries now had a consequence. This time came to be known as The Passing, where all ponies that exceeded their supposed times died, quickly and quietly. Death, had come to the universe at last.
Finally, Essence drained what felt like the last of the negative influences from the foal's body. The exertion had left him drained and weak, but he had one last duty to fulfill. He turned to his sons, just in time to see Void smash against the barriers. Almost all of them broke, and the remaining few cracked majorly. Void was coming in the next charge.
My sons... I'm afraid I must ask something hard of you... Turning to their Father, the brothers wore faces of worry.
"What's wrong?" War asked.
I'm going to deal with Void... but I'm afraid that his defeat will allow him to poison this young colt's mind. We can't have that. This colt is innocent, it does not deserve such punishment. Would you do your Father a favor... and stay with him?
Peace spared no time nodding his head. "Of course. Nothing you ask is too much." War nodded his agreement. Essence smiled.
You are most generous, my sons. Then prepare yourselves, I'm going to lock you three into a cage of magic that should prevent any outside intrusion from occurring. Please... be safe. And with this, Essence charged his horn, and enveloped the brothers, Death included, in a sphere of magic, and shot them down to the planet's surface.
Void, in the meantime, smashed through the remaining barriers, and hovered above Essence, his cruel grin growing wider by the second.
"So you saved your sons? Don't worry, they'll be joining you later..."
No, brother. This ends now. I'll gladly sacrifice myself to end your rampage here if it means saving what Creation began. I'll stop you... for the sake of this universe.
Void's grin faded as the mental projection of Essence's words entered his mind. And though some small fear was present in his fore thoughts, they were quenched when he saw Essence struggling to draw breath. Whatever happened while Void had been returning had drained Essence, and Void smiled all the more for it.
"Tired, brother? Feeling drained? Loss does that to a pony."
Perhaps, but I still have enough in me to stop you. And with that, Essence unleashed his spell... at half the amount of magic required to cast it. The spell, meant to shove Void into a dimensional rift, warped in on itself, and collided with Void in a way that forced Void to curl in on himself almost supernaturally.
"WHAAAaaaAAAooooOOOoooDDDDdddOOOOooO??!?!?" was the only thing to escape Void's mouth, as the semi-portal closed in on him, shutting his face out of view as it did.
Void was sealed away. And Essence could only smile... as the magic he once controlled pulled him to The Beyond. Thinking about the newborn colt, Essence reached out and spoke to it, the mental link thin and weak.
Your life will be hard and difficult, Death, but you must endure. Just remember... your Mother loves you...
He had saved his children, saved the planet, saved the universe... and now he could join Creation in eternal bliss. He had done enough...
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Watching from the tallest tower of the castle, Celestia watched as a small white orb of energy careened into the atmosphere, and shot directly towards the planet's surface. She did not know what it was, but she could feel it was brimming with magic. As soon as it collided with the surface, vegetation sprouted instantaneously all around it, hiding it from view, and spreading further and further out, until the land (including the castle and beyond it) was covered in dense forest.
And the magic she felt before, was suddenly all around her. There was no distinction between the source or a tree, she felt. And perhaps it was for the best. Whatever that thing was...
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"...and that's the story of how I got my cutie mark!" finished Pinkie, to the small group of fillies around her hooves.
Scootaloo made a face at the mare. "But Pinkie, you told us about your cutie mark before... remember? We were asking about The Beginning."
"Oh, you sillies," Pinkie giggled at them. "That's not a story for little fillies to hear!" And she bounced away, humming to herself as she went.
The three fillies looked at each other, frowns on their faces, before shrugging and turning down the path to their clubhouse.
"Just Pinkie Pie, ah guess," was Applebloom's wise remark.