//------------------------------// // Chapter 0:Dawn of Daybreaker // Story: Past Sins AU:Primordial Crimes(Project Helia) // by Brony Mithos //------------------------------// Primordial Crimes: Project Helia (Based on Past Sins by Penstroke & Helia created by SaturnStar14) Chapter 0: Dawn of Daybreaker "In the beginning, there were monsters one was but a soulless creator, a true figure of the neutrality, only a shapeless chaotic soul it had existed alone in the entire universe. it does not know of the existence that created it. Nor the existence of the soul. Nor even of individual Idea. The world it created was merely a shadow of the true world..." “Bridging the line between dreams and reality, between ambition and actuality, this creature sought form. It then gravitated towards those it perceived to understand.” “Alicorns; The Good, Transcendent and ineffable. Those who manipulate gravitation, Nature, and Matter.“ It saw one such being, one such Alicorn. She was powerful and had great ambition. A desire to bring everlasting peaceful days within the light to those who revered her as a goddess, she knew she was more powerful then her nocturnal little sister, she desired to forever stand as a testament of power and everlasting hope. However the younger sister began to connect with those underneath her, the children of the night, those who lacked families, and all those who were haunted by nightmares. This brave mare learned of the power to enter dreams and stood against the dark and gave them her love, her wisdom, her protection and asked for nothing in return, even though they slept through her beautiful nights. Soon the elder sister could see that while she held the adoration of the adults, those devoted to politics, those devoted to selfish pursuits, even those devoted to serving others. The children only loved her sister. She saw that despite having so much more power it was not enough, for her younger sister was able to communicate with what would be the future on a much more personal level then she. Outraged by this she sought a way to ensure she would stand the test of time. Hearing the whispers of the spirits, she knew a way to ensure everlasting peace for her ponies. Observing the many cultures and her own she learned of many rituals, many spells, many artifacts and prophecies. Soon she crafted the culmination of this: The Poninomicon, bound in Gargoyle hide and inked in the blood of an evil dragon sorcerer. The text contained countless spells, incantations, prophecies, summoning and resurrection passages. One spell contained within instantly brought ideas to life. This book and its spells called further to the mare as she lost herself in her quest for power. Little did she know that she had created a perfect vessel, a vessel for the soulless being. Her ambitions set ablaze she welcomed it, she desired to bring her ideal world to existence. It transformed her, contorted this once kind mare, this once great ruler who only desired ultimate power to ensure ultimate safety into the wicked one who wanted to watch the world burn, DAYBREAKER! The forest scorched, as the castle burned while the two sisters fought. Seeing little choice the younger sister rallied her friends to her and together then struck her with all the magic of the Elements of Harmony. Daybreaker Sun sealed within her namesake, the evil book prophesying her return in a thousand years time that would lead to a world of utter unending hellfire. The evil book was sealed away within the destroyed castle, hidden behind a wall of traps and hopefully to lay forgotten for eternity. For if it were to be destroyed the evil within would be set free. The younger sister grieving over the loss looked to her friends and promised she would save her sister from her wicked ambition and destroy Daybreaker no matter what. Many centuries passed and the princess lost her friends, yet met many more. Each generation she learned more and more, all for the sake of leading her ponies. However 3 noble ponies stood beside her in eternity to aide in her rule these were: Mars Ariestable the Red Wizard and former bearer of generosity, Fire Shadow the Black Alchemist and former bearer of loyalty, Snowdrop the White Dreamer and former bearer of kindness. For centuries they all served together with the trio acting as princess's emissaries, The Emissaries of the Night, to handle the day to day tribulations while she handled the movements of the celestial bodies of the Sun & Moon, and guiding the dreams of all of Equestria's ponies at night. ~~~~~~~~ Many years later Luna met the daughter of an elite Arch-Magi under the direct command of Mars, a strong willed and powerful filly named Sunset Shimmer. Within her eyes burned an ambition that pulled at the heartstrings of the monarch of the moon, for within the filly's small body the princess saw her elder sister's visage, a potential to perhaps be the one she sought. The princess of the night took the filly as her apprentice, her beloved personal student forsaking one on one mentoring with all others of the age group. For she had finally found the one she knew would come. The new sun, the one who could resurrect the elements. Sunset began her training and bit by bit became reclusive. Pushing away her chances at friendship, only showing affection to her assistant a young dragoness hatchling named Ember. Together the two persisted in testing Sunset's power until the ruler began to fear her apprentice would fall into the power hungry ambition as her sister once did. The princess, or as her apprentice knew her: Luna, began to worry and knew she must send her away, she knew the time had come, but a mere 3 days before the sun would now never set. It seemed she had waited far to long for how could Sunset unleash the magic of friendship if she did not know of it? Sunset herself had come upon a prophecy in an ancient book, a book bearing the symbol of the Alicorn and thought by many to just be a foals story book. She denounced that and trusted her instinct, she then asked of her princess, her mentor, her older sister of sorts what this all meant only to be sent to a place called Ponyville. There Sunset met five odd young mares: Trixie Lulamoon a former schoolmate and magic school dropout, Coco Pommel a shy and reserved fashionista apprenticing under a local powerhouse named Suri, Nurse Redheart a mare kind beyond words who was very adamant about health, Spitfire Flare an intense Pegasus who had an ambition of becoming a Shadowbolt, and lastly Strawberry Sunrise, a very vocal young Strawberry Patch farmer coming from a long line of juice makers. Each of these mares were charged with one thing or another of the Festival of the Winter Moon, in order to make it the greatest ending day to usher in the solstice of winter. However She had come, the Daybreaker and sealed Luna within the moon, her Emissaries of the Night laying defeated. Only the power of the Elements of Harmony could defeat her. Knowing of their location from ancient scrolls Sunset ventured into the Everfree forest alone, or so she thought as her new associates came as well. Each not wanting their newest and most driven neighbor to meet her final fate. Upon arriving at the burned and scarred castle, after overcoming terrible trials, they all stood with her against Daybreaker. Together they used the power of the elements to shred the evil from the mare of the solar flares, for in each of them was one of the elements: Honesty, Loyalty, Kindness, Laughter, Generosity, and lastly Friendship. Daybreaker was defeated and from her ash's lay the impressively svelte, and tall mare with rosy pink mane, her name was Celestia and she begged for the forgiveness of the six and of her returned sister. Luna embraced her elder sister, the two reunited and the past forgiven. Or was it? Yes Sunset and Equestria at large mostly overlooked it all and welcomed back Celestia, the mare retaking her duties of the sun and assisting in the day court mastefully to let her sister finally rest. Yet a secret group, a sect, an order. They had been awaiting this day and would not forget. Gathering the Ash's of white, the fragments of gold, the sunstone shards. Yes they would be ready for this was only the beginning of the era of the blazing sun. It has now been a year since the battle with Daybreaker........ ~~~ It was a standard noon day for Sunset Shimmer, she had planned to go and see a friend who lived near the edge of the Everfree forest. She waved goodbye to Ember who was staying behind to watch their home, beaming at the word that her friend had gotten some rare herbal tea leaves from their home country. “I can't wait to try them, such exotic spice, I just love faraway adventures even if its just for my taste buds.” She thought to herself, yet suddenly as she approached the abode, her guard down she could not see a set of shadows behind her *Thwack* from behind came a mighty blow the mare falling to the ground limp. “It is nearly time, the end of the day it shall mark the end of this era. Tyranny of the moon shall finally come to an end.” A white cloaked stallion adorned with a miter said sweetly to himself as he looked down from a cliff, which overlooked a lake. A sinister grin adorning his face as fire lit within his eyes, a fire of orange and black. Two mares in white cloaks bowed to him as he came to a dais within open ruins, the use and name of this sight forgotten to time. Yet here is but one of the locations where the their world meshed with others, where one could pierce the veil and make their desires a reality. “We have her here sire, she was no trouble really. Just a quick blow to the head, infact I think she just regained consciousness not to long ago.” One chuckled lightly, her sly smirk visible from her cloak, along with her white furred chin. Now pulled on a chain, pulling their prisoner to the ground at the feet of them all. Another looking to the other opposite her that had just spoke, her voice more raspy and gruff. “Yeah she is rather weak, and clearly a coward she just awoke and yet no struggle? Honestly how could somepony like her have stood up to our queen?” Now looking at Sunset in chains, her forehooves shackled tightly in restricting chains which cut her circulation. The stallion they spoke to, their sire, their leader he sighed aggravated at the duo. “You are both clearly not understanding of her, or her skills, or her beautiful mind.” He ripped off the hood adorning Sunset's head, he could see it clear as day: The complete lack of fear, just rage. “So you are unafraid? Yes everything I heard of you is indeed true, a real firebrand regardless of the situation.” He seemed to be taunting her, it was as if he was gauging her perception of the situation. “I know you did not expect us, yet you seem unfazed? Ever the brave one it seems, are you so sure you will be saved perhaps? After all the ring they put on your horn prevents all your magics.” Sunset leered at his words, she scoffed spitting in his face. “Like that matters, ring or no ring, rescuers or no rescuers. I don't fear cowards who do sneak attacks like you, you had better just kill me because even if you torture me I won't tell you anything, what are you guys changling spies? No, your to brutish they use more finesse, so that can be the only reason you'd take me after all ransom wise I'm worthless. Luna would mount a rescue before she would pay, and my family well they likely would send a wave of bounty hunters to track me as well. So either kill me or let me go because I am not going to give you the satisfaction of hearing me scream!” The cult leader's eyes somewhat visible he blinked in utter surprise, honestly how could you have a comeback for such utter ignorance of the situation as well as unwavering fearlessness. He then cleared his throat as more cult members all gathered in a circle. “Well this anti-detection barrier we have placed would slow down any sort of tracking spells, and preparations are made. Soon Daybreaker Sun shall rise from the ash's for her revenge.” At his feet was what resembled a cauldron, inside was what seemed like a Collier, Sunset of course noting it must be a parabolic mirror. Sunset gasped losing her confidence and composure. “SERIOUSLY? Daybreaker, you want to bring back Daybreaker? That is impossible me and my friends blew that ash off Celestia, she is just dust in the wind!” She barked at the leader in utter defiance. “The torches are lit now, all but one.” His horn and that of the other unicorns in attendance each lit a porcelain standing torch. He placed within the cauldron ash's from an urn, and a broken crown of gold and sunstone's. “Now for the final tribute.” As he said this the two mares raising up Sunset's head, the leader pulling out an ornate flamberg-esqe knife, curved like a fire. Sunset's eyes big as she hyperventilating showing anxiety and fear now. The cult leaders obvious and wide sinister grin showing, the blade swinging at sunset *Ching* a light gash across the top of her neck where it met her head, blood oozing from it onto the pile of ash and gold, coating them crimson. He sighed With a mighty final light of the sun as it set becoming twilight *Pa-Chu* The mighty flame ignited from the cauldron glittering gold. At his feet runes tattooed onto the land began to glow gold as well, the entire dais had been reconstructed into a very intricate circle that encompassed aspects of alchemy and summoning magics. “COME BACK TO US NOW MY QUEEN, WE NOW CAN PIERCE THE VEIL, FROM DEATH AND DIMENSIONS BEYOND WE USHER YOU BACK TO THIS WORLD!” He shouted out, each member kneeling and repeating these words as well. Sunset looking on weakly in horror as she bled still, praying that they had not cut to deeply. Despite every word she uttered, despite her pride and bluster yes she was afraid, especially now for if they succeed she knew not what to do! The flames swirling from the cauldron as it danced, a form slowly taking shape within, a giant pair of black and orange eyes appearing and seeming to pierce Sunset's very soul as she struggled to remain awake. Just then darkness enshrouded it all, lightning striking the cauldron as it shattered. All of them looking in utter awe unaware that the darkness had not been their doing, nor had the lightning. A mighty force landing with great power as all the cultists were scattered, long white hooves taking Sunset and holding her tight as a midnight blue form stood before her regally. “We have arrived, no need to fear thine student for thou salvation is here, for we are THE ROYAL SISTER OF EQUESTRIA!” It was Luna she had come, and with her Celestia who was already working on healing Sunset's neck wound. Many forms appearing now, it seemed as if it was the EUP and leading their charge was Sunset's half-brother Solar Flare Shimmer, her dear older brother figure and Fluer Dis Lee her adopted older sister and BSBFF. The cultists all seeming to vanish in magical fire aware that they were no match for this force. A few being taken in by the soldiers, each trying in vain to put up a fight. The cauldron falling from the cliff with white odd golden smoke gushing from it, yet nopony cared for the soldiers were to interested in their quarry and the cultists to concerned with escaping. If only somepony had cared for then they would know that despite Luna's actions this was all far from over. ~~~~~~ But a few hours later, a tiny life had crawled from the cauldron. Its first sight a valley of thorns as it tangled and screamed wordless screams, eyes of utter rage and sorrow as it tried in vain to free itself. Bit by bit it moved forward being slashed repeatedly over it body, the creature awaiting salvation. A salvation that was soon to come, yet it had no idea of this. To be Continued.