Date: June 17, 989 D.C.R
Location: Active Mining Site, the Fillyppines
Over the dense jungles of the Fillyppines, a pegasi-drawn carriage carrying two unicorns was seen. One unicorn was a stallion roughly in his mid-forties with a peach-colored coat, short dark brown mane and an average sized tail of the same color. He also had slanted dark brown eyes revealing that he was Neighponese and had a five-o-clock shadow. He wore brown glasses and a white collar around his neck. On his rump, was a cutie mark of the fossil skull of a T-Rex, representing his studies to paleontology. This was Dr. Ishiro Serizawa, the head of the scientific team known as Monarch.
The unicorn mare next to him was shorter in stature to him. Her coat was light chocolate brown with a short brown mane and brown eyes. She wore a silver heart necklace around her neck and on her rump was a grey coelacanth which represented her studies of cryptozoology. This was Dr. Crypto Graphic, Dr. Serizawa’s assistant and second-in-command of Monarch.
Flying in from an undisclosed location, the two doctors began their journey to a mining facility in the Fillyppines where something amazing had been unearthed. They were being flown out to investigate and document the discovery, and as they looked out to the side of the carriage they saw the beautiful scenery unfold.
The islands were full of greenery which was a welcome change from the usual atmosphere from the big city they had come from. However, the green landscape gave way to a dry and barren wasteland that was the mining operation. They’d cleared away hundreds of acres of forest to mine, and there were thousands of workers ranging from earth ponies to a couple of Diamond Dogs all scrambling about like ants in a colony. Each one carrying bags, tools or water to another location as the carriage flew overhead to its destination.
As they descended, the two doctors grabbed their belongings. Serizawa grabbed a straw hat and sunglasses to protect him from the sun. Dr. Graphic chose to forego the hat and enjoyed the Fillyppine sunshine. But out in this environment, the dreary surroundings made it seem less enjoyable as she stepped out of the carriage with Dr. Serizawa and began to trot over to meet their host.
The pony in question was a male earth pony with a cherry red coat and a brown mane and tail. His eyes were brown and on his rump was a cutie mark showing cherries in front of a large slab of stone which had white dots littered around it. The stallion then walked up to the doctors offering up a hoof to each of them.
“Dr. Serizawa?” the stallion said before shaking the doctor’s hoof. “Cherry Salt. I’m warning you, it’s a mess. It’s just a total mess. Monarch sent me in this morning. Took a look around, but I told them we needed you.”
The group then walked through the dig site. Various large machines were in use and ponies of different kinds were hard at work. Both he and Dr. Graphic knew the mining company had important work, but with the recent events that took place everypony were now trying to catch up on lost time. Then the group of ponies arrived to their destination.
“They picked up a magic pocket out here last month.” Cherry Salt started informing them. “They got excited, thinking they either had a magic deposit or uncovering a new magical item. They started stacking up the heavy machinery and then… Well, the valley floor collapsed into a cavern below.”
The valley itself came into view before the group. It was a large chasm, machinery was seen inside it on the edges damaged. The sight of it brought out one word for this event. Tragic. This was utterly tragic to what happened here.
“Just dropped away,” Cherry Salt continued. “Just gone. Best guess right now is about 40 of our miners went down with it.”
A few minutes later, Cherry Salt led the two doctors down to near the edge of the chasm towards the lifts that would take them down below. They then put on protective biohazard suits to protect them in case of high toxic levels of wild magic. The readings may have picked up mild amounts which wasn’t fatal, but better safe than sorry. After suiting up, they then took the lifts to the bottom of the shaft.
Together the group continued their exploration down into the darkness, the unicorns of the group used their horns to shine light as they ventured beyond a certain depth. They continued on for almost an hour before coming to what appeared to be the large cavern.
“This way,” Cherry Salt said as he led them to their destination. The cavern itself was huge. Formations were everywhere in the cave ranging from stalactites to stalagmites. One stalagmite was huge and shaped differently than the others. “When they first discovered this pocket, the magic levels were only half as strong. It’s almost as if contact with the outside air started catalyzing something.”
On further inspection, it turns out that it wasn’t a stalagmite but a colossal-sized fossil rib bone. Dr. Serizawa shined his horn further down seeing more to what appeared to be ribs. He then looked in between and down a bit and saw what appeared to be a line of vertebrae going down further into the cave.
“Some kind of fossils, right?” Cherry Salt asked the doctor as he examined the rock-turned bones. “I’ve been digging holes for 30 years, I’ve never seen anything like it.”
With the glow of a few unicorn horns, magic powered lights activated around the cave. As each one came on, both doctors’ eyes widened to what they saw. There before them, wasn’t just a group ribs or vertebrae but an entire fossilized skeleton. Dr. Graphic looked to the side and to her astonishment saw a colossal skull of what appeared to be an ancient carnivore of an unknown genus. One thought came to mind when she saw this. It could be the very thing they were looking for since the first appearance.
“Sweet Celestia,” she said while in awe before turning to her superior. “Is it possible? Is it him?” The answer she got from the older stallion was a shake of his head.
“No,” he said. “This is much older.”
“Hey, guys,” a voice called out. The doctors turned to see Cherry Salt wave at them and pointed into a direction further in the cave. “You gotta see this.”
The doctors followed after the earth pony for a few minutes before coming up to their destination. There before them was a sight like no other. Attached to the skeleton were two organic-looking pods, one intact and the other busted open. Both were colored near greyish black and appeared to be made of a form of hard chitin. This was something nopony has ever seen before in their entire lives.
Dr. Graphic’s horn glowed grey as she performed a Magic Level Detection spell. This spell told her the exact level of magic these pods created through a series of clicks. Her horn was near the unopened pod and the sound of increased clicks was heard. Whatever was in the pod at the moment had a high level amount of magic stored within. She then turned to Dr. Serizawa, ending the spell.
“What is it?” she asked as she turned back to the pod. “Some kind of egg? A dormant spore? The bones are fossilized but this formation seems to be perfectly preserved.”
“This one looks broken,” Cherry Salt pointed out to the other pod. “It’s like something came out of it.”
Suddenly the sound of cawing was heard in the cave. The group followed the sound till they came to see sunlight fall on them. There above them was a large gaping hole in the earth leading all the way to the surface. Judging on the marks in the rocks, something burrowed its way out of the cave to the surface.
Outside where the hole made an opening, seagulls flew around the area of destruction. Around the hole, earth was kicked up and trees were toppled. From it a path of destruction followed. A single line leading towards to the ocean itself, its general direction is unknown.
Date: June 23, 989 D.C.R
Location: Temple of the Rising Sun, Hoofishima, Neighpon
Neighpon, a land that was once isolated to the outside world. Now economic and touristic business happens here every day. In the past it is known to have many names, the Land of the Rising Sun, Homeland of Kirins and Country of Lush Ears. Even in name Neighpon was a grand land.
In the city of Hoofishima, culture and ancient wisdom is taught here. The main place to learn such wisdom is from the Temple of the Rising Sun. The temple was located outside of the city where it was built into the hillsides. Its architecture was similar to high mountain monasteries but a bit smaller. In the front garden of the temple, a large statue of what appeared to be a cross between a unicorn and a dragon could be seen. This was a Kirin, known in Neighpon as the royalty that governs this sacred land.
Around the temple, several ponies ranging from earth ponies to unicorns wearing monk or miko garbs were tending to the temple. Some were caring for the plants, others keeping the temple clean. A group of unicorn monks and apprentices were seen using their magic for archery training, honing their skills to be great bow masters.
As the other ponies were attending to their chores, a small unicorn filly was walking through the halls of the temple. Her coat was white and a long black mane tied in a long ponytail. She wore a light orange kimono with black leaf designs on it. It was tied with a red obi to keep it from falling off. She also had an iron tsuba covering her right eye as an eye patch.
This was Kaede, younger sister and miko apprentice to the shrine’s head miko Kikyō. The reason for her eye patch happened a few years ago. The temple was under attack by a group of Bakeneko. Kaede saw one sneaking up on her older sister and attempted to take it down with her bow. Unfortunately her aim was off and the Bakeneko slashed out her right eye. Her sister took it out but Kaede paid the price that day. She didn’t let that event get her down. She was taught that every little thing can be a lesson to be learned and overcome. An eye pain but a lesson none the less.
She was walking down the corridor for a few minutes till she reached her destination. There were two large doors in front of her that was an entrance to an important chamber. A carving of Neighsianic Dragons surrounding a beautiful Kirin mare surrounded by a magical glow was seen. She then opened the door and entered the chamber. It was large enough to fit a full grown dragon in it and was decorated as if for the chambers of royals. At the end of the chamber was a large statue of the same Kirin mare that was on the door. This was the statue of the late empress, Amateratsu. She was known as the Royal Sun Goddess of Neighpon. She used her magic to raise the sun over Neighpon. She was like Celestia of Equestria but wasn’t immortal.
Located at the statues feet, was a floating necklace made of jade magatama beads. This was the Magatama Necklace of the Sun, the shrine’s most important artifact. It was once owned by Amateratsu herself. Before she passed away, she focused the last of her magical essence into the necklace. In a way, whoever uses the necklace could gain the power of the empress herself.
In front of the magical beads in a meditative state was a unicorn mare with an alabaster-white coat and a long, rich black mane tied in a loose ponytail with a ribbon. She also had dark brown eyes similar to that of a doll. She wore a traditional miko white jacket and red dress. If her cutie mark was shown it would show an Ib’xianese Bellflower with a glowing purple arrow going through it. This was Kikyō, the head of the Temple of the Rising Sun and Kaede’s older sister. At the moment, she was in her meditation session while her horn glowed purple to enhance her meditative state.
Kaede then proceeded to her sister’s location. She paused a bit hoping not to disturb her sister of her meditation, but then proceeded to tap her shoulder with her hoof to gain her sister’s attention.
“Onē-chan,” she said. Kikyō’s eyes opened and the magic aura around her horn dissipated.
“Yes, Kaede-chan?” she asked.
“I was wondering if you still had time to train me today? My miko magic is getting better but I want your opinion on it.”
Kikyō smiled at her younger sister. Ever since she was a little filly Kaede wanted to be like her sister. The thought of it made smile every day they trained together. Ever since the incident years ago, she wanted to help her sister surpass her in every way.
“Alright,” she said to her little sister. “Just let me finish my meditation session and we’ll head off to the training garden, okay?”
“Okay, onē-chan!” she exclaimed before turning back to the chamber’s entrance. Kikyō smiled before closing back her eyes and the pink aura of her magic enveloped her horn again and entered her meditative state again.
Suddenly Kikyō’s spiritual mind was dragged away from her state of meditation into a realm of pure darkness. She looked around frantically until an image of the temple came into view. Her eyes widened in horror as she witnessed the temple on fire. Every monk and miko had weapons at the ready. The sound of combat was heard before a large object overshadowed Kikyō. She turned and in her horror saw a creature around the size of dragon. It appeared insect-like in appearance but with a hints of a bird. Its eyes were crimson like blood as they glowed in the shadow. It then let out a horrible clicked bellow before Kikyō awoke from the vision.
She was drenched in sweat from the ordeal. The destruction of the temple, the evil aura that creature gave out. It was terrifying. Her thoughts were interrupted as the temple started to shake. It appeared to be an earthquake, but it was somehow strange. There were no scheduled earthquake today. Suddenly a loud boom was heard and temple shook more. She became alert, grabbing her bow and arrows and ran out of the chamber.
She exited out and her eyes widened as her worst fears became a reality. The temple was under siege. She then galloped out into the courtyard in search for her younger sibling. She then saw Kaede looking around frantically in fear. Kikyō ran to her sister and enveloped her in a warm hug.
“Onē-chan,” she said. “What’s happening?”
“Listen to me, Kaede,” she informed her. “I need you and the other apprentices to take the underground tunnels and get as far away from the temple as possible. If you find any samurai on the way, tell them to send a message to the emperor immediately. Do you understand?”
“I-I understand,” Kaede stammered. “B-But onē-chan what about you?” Kikyō then look near the entrance of the temple with determined eyes.
“I’m going to put an end to this.”
She then galloped to where the destruction was happening. She saw several monks and miko standing firm in front of what smashed through the wall. Like in her vision, the creature was around the size of a full-grown dragon. The color of its body was black and red. It had a triangular-shaped head and jaws and had multiple limbs. It had six forelimbs, two of them were its main limbs, two were a smaller pair on its chest, and two of them were similar to wings not yet fully-grown. It had two hind legs unlike most creatures she seen. Its eyes were red and narrowed. The ponies at its feet were shocked at the sight of such a beast.
It then looked down upon the ponies before it. It gave out a series a clicks and growls as the ponies held up bows, spears or staffs at the unknown monster. In the creature’s point-of-view, each pony wasn’t distinguished by looks but instead different colored auras. The auras represent the magic within everypony. To the creature’s eyes the auras meant one thing; food.
The monster roared at the ponies before stomping towards the group. The unicorns with bows let their arrows fly at the creature. To their surprise, the arrows bounced off the creatures hide like as if it was some form of natural armor. The earth ponies with spears threw their weapons only to get the same result. The unicorns with staffs tried to focus their magic from their horns to their weapons but they were interrupted when the monster took a snap at them. One wasn’t as fortunate as the creature snapped on their tail and hauled them up, tossing them into the air and devouring the unicorn in one gulp.
Kikyō then took matters in her own hooves and used her magic to aim at the evil beast. She then used her miko magic to enhance the power of her arrows. She let the arrow fly and it hit the creature right in its face in a minor explosion. The creature shrieked a bit before turning its attention to the white unicorn. Kikyō then kept vaulting it with arrows but it didn’t slow down the monster. It made a snap for her but she dodged the bite and galloped for the temple. The creature roared before chasing after the miko.
Kikyō galloped as fast as her hooves could give. Behind her, the monster kept snapping at her. She then concentrated her magic trying to cast a teleportation spell. She thought of the magatama chamber and her magic started to flare. Before the monster snapped down, she disappeared in a pinkish flash. She opened her eyes to see that the spell was a success. She then saw that the chamber was a bit crowded. A few of monks and miko were stationed at the door casting a fortify spell while others were praying to their gods and goddesses. Kikyō then walked up to one of the monks.
“Kikyō-sama,” the monk exclaimed trotting up to her. “Are you alright?”
“I’m fine,” she assured before turning to the ponies trying to finish the spell. “What’s the situation at the moment?”
“The creature smashed through the east temple walls and our forces are trying to subdue it. Unfortunately, our arrows seem to have no effect on the creature.”
“What about magic?” she then asked.
“Several of our unicorns tried, but whenever they did the creature seemed interested in them immediately.” Kikyō hummed a bit before giving a distant look.
“That would explain why it reacted to my miko magic.” Then the sound of a boom echoed in the chamber. A few of the ponies had looks of fear in their eyes.
“Kikyō-sama, it’s smashing its way through the temple.” One of the monks said with a bit of fear in its voice. “What does it want?”
Kikyō then went deep into thought. She had to figure out why the monster was here. It first attacks a temple full of ponies. Devours a few to probably satisfy its appetite but that didn’t seem to be enough. It reacts more to those who used magic on it. It went after anypony that used magic. Then the answer shone in her head like a glowing unicorn horn.
“Magic,” she muttered.
“What?” One of the monks said in question.
“Magic,” she said again. “It always shifted its attention to magic. Whenever anypony performed a spell on it, the creature immediately went after them. So what does that tell you?”
“Um…” the monk only paused a bit before Kikyō sighed.
“The answer,” she continued. “Is that it feeds on magic. So here’s another question you can answer. What do we have here that could satisfy its hunger?” The monk thought a bit before his eyes widened in realization.
“The Magatama Necklace of the Sun!” he exclaimed.
Suddenly a loud boom was heard and this time it was coming from the chamber’s entrance. The ponies stationed there held up their weapons as the fortify spell started cracking and the door was starting to splinter. Kikyō thought for a minute on the situation right now before coming up with a solution. She then turned to the monks and miko with determined eyes.
“Listen, everypony!” she called out. “Take the secret exit out of here. I’ll hold off the creature and try to seal it.”
“B-But what about you?” one of the miko ponies said.
“I’ll be fine,” she said while facing the door. “All of you get out of here, now!”
They all looked at each other before nodding and headed to the right side of the chamber. One of them pulled a torch down and a click was heard. A stone slab slid open to reveal the secret exit out of the temple. All of them entered until one miko pony was left. She looked at Kikyō with sadness in her eyes before giving a final word.
“Kikyō-sama,” she said. “…stay safe.” With that the miko entered the secret exit as it closed behind her.
Kikyō smiled before the look of seriousness was shown on her face as she faced the chamber doors. Little by little, the fortification and the door cracked and splintered from each blow. Finally both gave away as the monster busted through with a roar. It clicked as white drool dripped from its mandible jaws as it stared down at Kikyō. Its sight then focused onto the Magatama Necklace of the Sun, where in its point of view looked like a small glowing yellow circle on the pedestal.
“Hear me, monster!” Kikyō shouted to the creature. “You come into my home and harm the ones I cherish and all for what, to satisfy your hunger? Well not anymore! This shrine shall be your grave.”
Suddenly a glowing circle under the mare appeared and empowered her. The magatama necklace started shining as bright as the sun as Kikyō’s eyes shined from the sudden rise in magic. The color of her magic aura on her horn changed from pink to golden orange as she aimed her arrow at the beast.
“The late empress’s will aides me today,” she proclaimed with a furrowed brow. “For with this arrow, I shall aim at thy heart and seal you for all eternity!” With that she let her magic let the arrow fly. The combined power of her miko magic and the magic of the necklace enveloped the arrow and soared toward the multi-limbed beast.
The monster gave a clicked roar as one of its forelimbs started blinking with orange-colored bioluminescence. It then raised it up as the blinking started getting faster and faster. Before the arrow reached the creature, the monster slammed its forelimb down into the stone floor. From it a massive pulse shot out from the creature, stopping the arrow in place and instantly dispelling the magic around it and making it fall to the floor. The pulse didn’t stop there as it then hit Kikyō and the necklace head on, causing Kikyō to cry out in pain as her horn sparked uncontrollably before the magic faded completely. The necklace stopped its intense glow and fell down upon the pedestal.
Kikyō fell to the floor in a heap. Her eyes dropped as she was forced to extreme exhaustion. It was like her magic was instantly sealed away by an outside force. She looked up with a pained look as the monster stood over the unicorn, with its maw drooling.
“E-Everypony,” she weakly said. “F-Forgive me for I have failed.”
With that Kikyō closed her eyes in defeat. She then thought of her younger sister, Kaede. She hoped that she would continue her training after her passing. She only wished that she would be there to watch her grow into the miko she wanted to be. With that final thought, the monster loomed over her with hunger in its eyes. It then opened its maw before going in for the killing strike.
Miles away in the forest near Hoofishima, young colts and fillies were seen exiting a cave. Among them was Kaede, who had a look of worry on her face. She worried about her sister and the temple. She wondered what has happened and hopefully her sister was alright. Whatever attacked the temple, she knew her sister would defeat it.
Suddenly a loud distant boom was heard. Everypony looked and in the distance, the Temple of the Rising Sun was seen crumbling down. A cloud of dust and debris loomed over the horizon as chatter among the group of young ponies started. Kaede zoned out the chatter as she kept her sight on the crumbled temple. Many thoughts rushed through her head at the moment. One of them was very clear, her sister wasn’t going to come back. Tears started to fall down her face as she kept looking in the general direction of the once grand temple.
“Onē-chan…”