//------------------------------//
// The Dawn 
// Story: The Dawn, The Dusk, The Heart, and The Soul 
// by Jesterday 
//------------------------------//

Princess Celestia, ruler of Equestria, unofficial Goddess of the Sun, protector of pony-kind. She wasn't always known as a princess, or a goddess, or even a protector. At one point, she was somepony's younger sister, a daughter, and a student.

Born in a town long lost to time, little Celestial Dawn would spend her mornings studying up on how she would be one of the Solar Unicorns - tasked with raising and lowering the sun for many years - and spend her evenings racing around the town with her friends and siblings. Her wild nature often made her fidgety in her morning classes, but wouldn't dampen her intelligence in the slightest; Dawn was often ranked among the top students in her grade.

She also grew up with a lot of eyes on her, having been born not only at the peak of the Summer Solstice, but with a vibrant ray of sunshine beaming down on her through one of the open windows of her house. This caused a turmoil in the town, as a Solstice Unicorn hadn't been born for nearly 18 years. Dawn's birth would be regarded as a turning point in the history of Equestria, and no pony in that town, least of all Dawn, knew this until many years later.

***

"PAPA-A-A!"

The cry of a young colt rang loud over the clear, warm morning; birds rushed from trees surrounding a small cottage, and a startled unicorn dropped the broom he had been using moments before. He sighed, and gently propped up the broom before heading inside.

He followed the sounds of arguing, occasionally marked by a dull thump. As he opened the door to one of the few bedrooms in the cottage, he found his two youngest foals bickering. Books were scattered on one side of the room, and stacked neatly on the other. When the colt noticed his father, he cried out "Papa! Dawn was using magic in the house!"

At this revelation, the stallion's gaze swiveled to the filly in the room, who's violet magic stopped abruptly, punctuated by the same thump he'd heard earlier as a book hit the floor.

"N-No I wasn't!" the filly declared. Moments passed, and the longer the trio stood in silence, the deeper the filly blushed. Then, she broke. "Okay, yes I was! But it was because Catcher stole one of my school books!"

The stallion's quiet gaze then fell onto his son, who blushed deeply and averted his once triumphant gaze. He sighed gently and settled down gently in the middle of the room beckoning both of his children over. "Kids, let me tell you something really quick, alright? And please don't interrupt." Both foals nodded quietly, leaning into their father's embrace. "Dream Catcher, I'm glad you told me that Dawn was using her magic in the house." Dawn huffed as Catcher looked smugly between their father's legs. "And Dawn, I'm glad you told me Catcher took one of your books without asking." Catcher's smile melted away as quick as it had appeared.

"it's important to always tell the truth, even if we've done something bad, and to ask permission before borrowing someone else's things. It's also important to remember that tattling for the sake of getting someone in trouble isn't very nice. Do you both understand what I mean?" They nodded quietly, staring up at their father with wonder and a bit of worry. "Neither of you are in trouble right now, but I want you both to repeat what I told you. Catcher?"

Catcher mumbled inaudibly, and with a nudge began to quietly say, "I shouldn't tattle just to get Dawn and other ponies in trouble, and should ask before taking something that isn't mine..."

The stallion ruffled his son's hair gently, and said, "Good, I'm glad you understood. And Celestial Dawn?"

Dawn flinched slightly at her full name - her mother had only ever used it when she was in trouble - and said softly, "I shouldn't use magic in the house..."

"... And?" her father prompted.

"... And I shouldn't throw things at ponies, especially at Catcher."

Their father smiled, and hugged them both close. "Good. I'm really glad you both learned a bit today. It can be hard to learn sometimes, even when you're really good at it." A once gentle scent that filled the house before was now noticeably stronger, and all three ponies' stomachs grumbled in response. "C'mon, let's go get some breakfast."

The two foals scurried out of the room and into the nearby kitchen, Catcher hurrying to help set the table. The stallion approached the unicorn in front of the stove - his eldest foal - and gave her a hug. "Morning, Radiance. Thanks for helping with breakfast."

His daughter chuckled, gesturing to the mark on her flank. "Nothing to it, Papa. Gotta put my skills to good use somewhere!" She pulled a pan off the fire, it's sizzling pops slowing. Several items of food floated to the table, enveloped in a sparkly, baby blue glow. "The boys have already eaten and headed to work for the day, so dig in!"

They shared a hearty breakfast, chattering about the plans for the day and what cool things the foals had seen or read about recently. Before long, a bell rang across the town, and Dawn strolled to her room to retrieve the book her brother had taken. On her way out, her father hefted the weighty saddlebags onto Dawns back and walked her to the road.

"So, are we gonna study hard today?" he asked. Dawn nodded ferociously. "Are we gonna do our best to focus on our work, even if that means it wasn't as good as yesterday?" Again, she nodded. "And are we gonna be very helpful to everypony in the class, including the teacher?" 

Dawn nodded once more, and hugged her father when he leaned down to meet her. "I love you Papa! I'll see you after school!" With that, she rushed off to the small group of foals gathering in the square. With a wave to the neighbors, Dawn's father retrieved the broom where he'd left it, and returned to his own morning chores.



Dawn approached the growing group of unicorns with only a single pony in mind - her best friend, Early Bird. They had hit it off quickly that first morning they started school, and were inseparable during school hours. 

Well, unless they were in separate classes. Or had different lunch times. Or on different teams for their outdoor class.

When she finally found him, they bumped hooves and launched straight into conversation. "Oh my stars, Bird, I thought I was going to be in so much trouble this morning! Catcher stole one of my books and I used magic in the house to try and get it back, and Catcher yelled for Papa!"

Bird laughed, saying, "That was Catcher this morning? He should try out for Town Crier when he's old enough!" They laughed together, Dawn nearly brought to tears at the thought. The group headed off to the school shortly after, and the conversation shifted to the homework they'd been tasked with. 

As the group passed the town sign - "Welcome to Little Edenwood" was scored deep on both sides - Dawn and Bird completed their personal morning ritual; both foals would walk under the sign and try to tap it with their horn. Bird strained to reach the bottom of the sign and wasn't quite there, but for the first time ever, Dawn felt the tip of her horn catch on the wood without stretching.

"BIRD! I GOT TALLER!" Dawn cried, suddenly even more energetic. The two foals shared a few moments of pure unfiltered excitement, jumping for joy, until-

"Come on, you two!" the group leader called back. "We aren't going to wait for anyone!"

Dawn blushed and rushed to catch up with the group. She looked up at the group leader, a lanky gray unicorn stallion with white hair. She couldn't recall his name, but his mark looked distinctly Lunar. Dawn turned to Bird, asking in a hushed voice, "Hey, who's our group leader today? He doesn't look like a Solar."

Bird took a moment to scrutinize the stallion, his eyes widening when he looked at the mark. "Dawn!" he said, ducking his head low, "that's Star Swirl!"

Dawn's skin prickled with excitement, recalling what her father had said about Star Swirl. "The Winter Solstice unicorn?!"

"Yeah!"

Dawn's gaze returned to the unicorn, admiration coursing through her. Another Solstice unicorn! Her father had mentioned that Solstice unicorns were very rare, and that she herself was one; a Summer Solstice unicorn was rare enough, but born during the day like Dawn had been was even rarer. She wondered if Star Swirl had been a night-time Winter Solstice unicorn.

She trotted to the front of the group, Bird whisper-yelling after her asking where she was going. When she reached Star Swirl, she looked up and plainly asked, "Mr. Star Swirl, were you born at night?"

He flinched at the sudden conversation, having not noticed Dawn approach. Recognition bloomed behind his gaze, and he said, "Ms. Dawn, gracious. The teachers did happen to mention they should give you a bell."

"What does that mean?"

"Oh, uh... it just means you're quiet when you walk, and sometimes you scare ponies."

"Oh, okay. I think my Papa wants to give me a bell sometimes."

Star Swirl averted his gaze at this, trying not to laugh at Dawn's expense. He liked her father, wanted to stay on his good side; Moonstone Scepter was a kind stallion, and his daughter Radiance had long since caught Star Swirl's attention.

"But you didn't answer my question! Were you born at night?" Dawn repeated. Star Swirl glanced down at her, those strange violet and pink eyes filled with pure curiosity. 

"... No, I was born during the day," he relented after a few moments. "Much like you, I suppose."

Dawn simply said, "Oh." Silence settled on the pair, and just when Dawn looked like she was about to ask another question, Star Swirl interrupted to announce they had reached the Solar schoolhouse.

Celestial Dawn felt a shiver crawl up her back. Today felt like it was going to be a really good day.



The day was flying by, both morning classes over and all lunches eaten in what felt like an hour. To Dawn, it just felt like something important was going to happen soon.

The chatter in the classroom quieted as Ms. Keen took her place at a small podium; rapping on it with her hoof, she began, "Class, today we've got quite a special guest for you! One of the Solar unicorns has come to talk to you all about something very important! May I introduce... Star Swirl!"

Ms. Keen stepped back from her podium as a small chorus of applause rippled through the classroom - alongside a flurry of chatter and questions.

Star Swirl entered the room, and as he took his place behind the podium, Dawn watched in wonder. This stallion had picked her up from her house! And now he was here to talk about... something. She could hardly wait to see what this "very important something" was, and had begun to tap her desk in anticipation.

"Good afternoon, young Solars. I hope you all have been studying hard today and will continue to do so, so that many of you may join the other Solars at the mountain top when you graduate." Star Swirl spoke clearly and eloquently, and it seemed that most students were clinging on to every word; Dawn hadn't even noticed she was sat stock still. "I'm here to discuss something that you've certainly spoken about with your friends and family - your special Marks."

With that, a few hooves shot up into the air, students clamoring to show off their Marks that they'd already received. Early Bird was among them, though much quieter than the others.

With a gesture, Star Swirl continued, "Settle now, I know many of you already have your marks. Your teacher, Ms. Keen, shared that with me during lunch. I'm glad many of you already know what you're here to do in your life." He scanned the crowd, lingering for a moment on Dawn before moving on. "Those of you who have your marks, how many of you have sun-related marks?"

Only 3 hooves went up then - Ruby Light, Lucky Star, and Phantasia - and Star Swirl motioned for them to come up. They approached slowly, and sat when directed. Star Swirl took up Ms. Keen's chalk and began to sketch the Marks up on the chalk board.

When he finished, he turned back to the three foals and said, "You can return to your desks now, thank you very much." After a moment, he continued, "These are all three very good examples of Solar marks, where you will be tasked with raising and lowering the sun. They all include a sun," -he circled Ruby's mark- "or a star," -and circled Lucky's mark.

A hoof shot up with a cry, "Mr. Star Swirl! I have a question!"

He turned with the chalk and pointed at the foal, "Ask away!"

"Well, most ponies with stars in their marks are Lunars, right? Why are there Solars with stars in their marks?"

"Very good question! Ms. Keen, have they reached that part of their science class?" Star Swirl said.

Ms. Keen thought for a moment, and said, "Actually, maybe not! I thought they had by now, but that's alright."

"Understood. Well, young colt, I'd like to let you know a little secret... The sun is actually a star!" An air of confusion rolled it's way across the classroom; Dawn wasn't shocked though, because she'd read about it in one of her school books. "Yes, we don't know much about the stars and the sun, but we do know that the sun is indeed a star. That's why Solars with stars in their marks can help with the Sun."

With a swift turn, Star Swirl faced the board again, and quickly sketched up a new mark. "This one-" he pointed to it, "includes a moon, which is what the Lunars help with. If you have a moon in your mark, you'll be a Lunar unicorn. Now, since all of you were born during the day, you SHOULD be Solars if you get a mark for the job. However, there is always a chance you could be destined to help with the Moon instead.

"Now, many of you don't have your marks yet, and that's perfectly normal. Some ponies don't get their marks until they're an adult, and some get them when they're very young. But no matter how long it takes somepony to get their mark, what is important is that they get it, and use it to it's full advantage."

Star Swirl let the thought linger, some of the foals whispering to one another. Slowly, Dawn raised her hoof as a question formed in her mind.

"Ah, Ms. Dawn, you have a question?" Star Swirl pointed at her with the chalk.

"Y-yes. Uhm... If we don't have... our marks, uh... How will we know if... we are meant to be Sun Unicorns?" She rubbed her hooves together gently, surprisingly nervous to ask a question of somepony the town thought so highly of.

Star Swirl thought for a moment, and said, "Wonderful question, Ms. Dawn. Let me think..." Tapping the chalk on his chin, he stood quiet for several moments. Then, with a spin of the stick of chalk, he started, "Well, I believe that many of you won't know. It's nigh impossible to know what a pony's mark may be, what they will be best at. There are a few cases though where one could wager a guess and be nearly correct.

"You, for instance, Ms. Dawn. You were born not only on the Summer Solstice, but at the highest point of the day. I'd like to say we know what your talent will be, but even with those circumstances I could be wrong."

Heat crept up into her cheeks while a shiver trailed down her spine. She was both in awe of Star Swirl, and intimidated by him. His level of knowledge was... something else.

A bell began to gong above the classroom. "Any more questions before I go?" Star Swirl asked the class - one final hoof shot up. "Ms. Dawn, another one? Go right ahead."

"Is it hard to move the sun and the moon?"

Star Swirl chuckled. "It can be," he said, gathering his belongings, "but for some ponies it's easier. I have a feeling you won't struggle too much should you truly become a Solar. I wish you all the best of luck with your class work, work hard, and I hope to see many of you in the Solar classes in the future."

With a flourish, the most admired unicorn in town was gone for the day, off to begin preparations for lowering the sun.



Upon completing her coursework for the day, Dawn found herself staring out her window at the distant cliffside. A short way from the edge, tiny figures wander around preparing for the sunset. Something was making her antsy... Something made her want to move, to go to the cliff. Hopping down from her bed, she began to quietly make her way out of the house.

"Dawnie," her father called from the kitchen, "let me know where you're headed before you leave the house, okay?"

Dawn froze in her tracks, mind racing for a quick lie. "Oh, sorry! I was going to grab my cape first since it's chilly! I'm going to visit Bird before I forget! He had a, uh, question about our homework!"

Her father paused, and said, "Alright, well, be safe and stay warm. You've got a bit before dinner is ready but don't take too long."

Dawn sighed and grabbed her cape. Then, without a second thought, was racing through town towards that cliff. No ponies stopped her, luckily, and all of her family was at home. She was in the clear to reach the path.

When she got close, she saw a few of the late-arrival Solars making their way up; there was no way Dawn would be taking that path without being spotted. Luckily, the base of the mountainside was rife with foliage. Looking around, she noticed the little entrance she and Bird had made way back when to a secret hideout. Creeping inside, she watched the ponies traveling up the path from a distance to make sure she didn't get lost.

The incline proved steeper than Dawn had ever imagined, though she'd always thought she would one day relish her first climb as a Solar. This felt like torture to the skinny filly, especially when she started to lose sight of the Solars. As they got further and further away, she wandered closer to the path.

She began to make her way onto the path when she heard pounding hoofbeats behind her. Panic shot into her heart - any foal seen climbing to the Solar or Lunar cliffs are sent to the high council for punishment. In a split second decision, Dawn dove into the brush and held her breath; without realizing, she had lit her horn and activated a spell she'd only read about recently - invisibility.

The pounding hoofbeats came and went, and all went quiet. Counting out ten heartbeats, Dawn released her breath and gasped violently. She popped her head above the brush, looking around. The pony was gone, and Dawn realized how close she was to the top.

She completed the climb on the path, luckily not running into any more late arrivals. Even so, she decided being off the path to watch this process would be a better idea than standing directly on the path. She crouched low beneath a bush and watched with bated breath.

She didn't notice the silent flow of magic trailing up her horn.

The Solars gathered together, discussing the day and waiting for everyone to be prepared. One unicorn huffed a little ways away from the group, another with her hoof on his side. It appears that was the unicorn that had just raced up the mountain at top speed. His gray coat looked familiar.

The magic was growing brighter.

Star Swirl swiped the sweat from his face and kicked dirt over the sick near the bushes. He'd been so caught up in his plans that he'd nearly missed his first sundown. All Solars did their first move of the sun at sundown; putting something down is always easier than picking it up.

The magic was extending beyond the length of Dawn's horn.

Star Swirl approached the ring of Solars, addressing them all with a nod before starting his magic and bowing his head low. The tip of his horn passed gently through a long-gouged crevice in the dirt. Generations upon generations of ponies had stood in this exact spot, and done this exact ritual hundreds of thousands of times. When Star Swirl opened his eyes though, he was the only Solar still bowed. The others stared towards the path, mouths gaping.

Celestial Dawn, horn sparking with pure power and eyes alight, approached the ring of Solars. "DAWN?!" Star Swirl cried out, stunned that not only would she be up here, but display such an act of disobedience - interrupting a Rising or Setting ritual was a crime punishable by banishment!

Dawn didn't respond. The tall, scrawny filly barely moved when a different solar pushed her.

Star Swirl had always known something interesting would come from Dawn. Whether that have been a book written on all she knew about the world, or finding herself on the High Council, or even just becoming a builder constructing homes for new families in the town. But never something like this.

As though she had done it a thousand times herself, Dawn bowed deep in the center of the Solar's circle. Her horn didn't even touch the ground, yet a deep cut was carved by her magic. Lightning sparked suddenly around her, cracking the hard-packed dirt in a perfect circle - the Solars all jumped back in alarm, but Star Swirl didn't move. He stared, awestruck.

With a flourish, Dawn raised her head and stretched toward the sky. Her mane of thick pink locs floated off her shoulders, waving with an invisible wind. Star Swirl began to notice it changing - the color was changing!

But no - more than that. More and more was changing about her. The glow of magic soon began to travel down her back, planting itself firmly into her shoulders. It glowed even brighter, and was soon pulling in small flecks of magic from the air. Something was building from her back from scratch, bone by bone. Feather by feather.

Wings.

The sun glowed brighter, and was soon making its way toward the horizon. Several Solars gasped when they noticed the sun dipping in time with the moon rising. Not a single other Solar was using their magic.

Before long, Star Swirl noticed a slight tremble in Dawn's, well... entire body. Sweat dripped down her face, and her breaths came in shallow gasps. He quietly approached the edge of the circle, poised, watching the sun hide more and more behind the horizon.

As soon as the sun was completely gone, a beam of magic shot into the sky from Dawn's horn with a loud snap. Star Swirl shot his hooves out first, then his magic to catch the falling filly. Her whole body trembling, she retched on the ground. The other Solars were frozen from shock. His gaze searched frantically for the face of a pony prepared to deal with this situation.

"HEY!" Star Swirl shouted, "SHE NEEDS A DOCTOR, HELP ME HERE!" Several ponies snapped back and rushed in to help Star Swirl load the exhausted filly onto his back. Others began racing down the mountain path - whether to spread the news or alert the town doctor, no one could be sure at this moment.

All that mattered to Star Swirl was getting this filly to the doctor.



Leaves crunched underhoof as Dawn walked down a path.  She wasn't sure where this path was, but the tree at the very end looked  very familiar.

A breeze shook the trees, but no leaves fell and no chill nipped at the filly. Just the rustle of drying, dying leaves.

Dawn  reached the cherry tree at the end of the path, and saw the small stone  tucked away beneath it. Etched into the stone was three horseshoe  icons; the filly recalled her mother's scratchy singing voice she always  jokingly paired with her wonderful tap-dancing. Jitterbug had been a  fun-loving mare who only wanted to dance till her horseshoes fell off.

The crunch of leaves approached behind Dawn, and she whirled around, heart full to bursting-

A  tiny filly approached, short and stout with a puffy white mane and  strange wings, and piercing golden eyes. When she opened her mouth to  speak, Dawn saw sharp canines that made her jump.

"Where am I? Who  are you?" the filly's soft voice asked. She was quiet, but there was -  not anger, but ferocity - behind her words.

"Uh..." Dawn faltered,  shuffling her- wait. What? Turning her head, Dawn noticed the new wings  on her back. "OH MY STARS!" She leapt forward, nearly smashing the new  pony in fear. "WHAT ARE THESE DOING ON MY BACK WHY ARE THEY MOVING WHEN I  THINK ABOUT IT WHAT IS HAPPENING!"

Dawn stumbled over and over in  her words, running in circles around the cherry tree as if to try and  escape the wings. Of course, they followed her everywhere.

"HEY!!"  the tiny filly shouted, her words ringing clear and loud across the  small courtyard-like area. Dawn froze, startled by the volume she could  reach. "Do you know where we are?" she asked again. Dawn shook her head  slowly. "Can I know your name then?"

Dawn nodded, trying to find  her words. "Ce-Celestial Dawn. Uh... All I know about this place," Dawn  walked around to the front of the cherry tree, "is that this is the same  cherry tree where my momma was buried, because she's right there. It's  supposed to be outside my house."

The filly approached the stone,  then gently brushed her hoof against the etching. "I'm... so sorry." The  way she said it sounded too old for her apparent age. Too mature.  However, something was changing. The filly was beginning to waver and  fade like a cloud of smoke.

"Wait! Where are you going? What's  your name?!" Dawn cried, reaching desperately for the strange filly. But  she was already gone, replaced with a tall, dusty rose-colored pony.  Her legs were slim and... familiar, donning beautiful silver shoes that  would clack hard against a variety of floor types for a variety of  strong sounds. Dawn's eyes trailed up to her face. That beautiful,  upsettingly familiar face.

Jitterbug beckoned for Dawn, and with a sob, she leapt into her arms.



Radiance  looked down on her little sister resting so peacefully on the cot. She  gently ran a hoof through the multi-colored locs now trailing behind  Dawn's head. They'd been such a pretty pink too, similar to Momma's coat. She looked at her eyes, twitching gently as though she were simply having a good dream.

The doctor made his way back into the room,  small booklet held aloft. "Everything seems to be okay," he said,  scanning the booklet to verify. "Her heartbeat is strong, her breathing is clear, and she isn't running a fever. The... wings... appear to be  functional and showed no pain response when moved."

"Then why  won't she wake up?" Moonstone, the always expressive, was stone-faced in  this moment. Radiance simply continued her silent vigil over her sister.

"Our best guess," the doctor said gently, "is that her  body is simply exhausted and needs rest. It takes a lot of magic even  for the most skilled Solar and Lunar unicorns to move the sun and moon.  But Dawn is just a filly - and to top it all off, from what I heard from  the Solars' present at the setting ceremony, her... wings... were crafted  from magic as well. We intend to continue monitoring her for the time  being and will perform a full check-up when she wakes. Everything will  be alright, Moonstone."

Her father glanced at the ground, his mask slipping slightly. "T-Thank you, Doctor."

The doctor dipped his head and stepped out to help other patients. Within seconds, Moonstone's mask had crumbled and he was shaking with silent sobs. Radiance quietly reached across the bed for her father, and waited until he noticed. 

"I can't lose her too, Ray, I can't..."

Tears prickled her eyes, and she whispered, "You won't. I forbid it, and because I forbid it, it won't happen. She'll be here for years to come."

There was a quiet cough at the door, and Radiance turned to find Star Swirl in the doorway with her brothers in tow. Twister took one look at his father and quickly took a seat at his side, comforting him silently. Specter approached the bed quietly, while Dream Catcher sullenly climbed into the gap between Radiance's legs. 

"I figured I would bring them here once they cleared Dawn for more visitors. I'm glad she seems to be doing okay. I'll, uh-" Star Swirl made to leave, but he stopped at a soft, "Wait!"

A tear-stained Moonstone quickly approached the young stallion, and wrapped him in a tight hug. "You have done so much for my family already, my boy... thank you for bringing Dawn here... I don't know what would've happened if- if you-" he took a deep breath, "if you hadn't been there..."

Star Swirl respectfully returned the hug, his heart pounding. He glanced at Radiance, who looked on with such appreciation that he felt he would catch fire. "I would do it all again, sir. Without a doubt."

Hours and hours passed with no response from Dawn - until, of course, the dawn itself. Radiance awoke to find her sister performing the sunrise ritual once more, as though she'd done it a thousand times. She showed little effort, her violet magic warming the room like a beautiful ray of sunlight. 

And she knew, in that moment - Celestial Dawn really was something else.