The author of "Faith and Doubt" and “The Many Secret Origins of Scootaloo” recounts one of the most dramatic stories in Equestrian History- the night that changed the world forever and heralded the dawn of a new era.
On the cusp of the Summer Sun Celebration student Twilight Sparkle discovers an ancient myth in one of her family's precious tomes and a secret kept by her ancestors for centuries. Her brother, Shining Armor, worries about his sister while also preparing for what he believes to be a quiet holiday in Canterlot, all the while trying to keep the biggest news of his life hidden. Princess Cadence tries to find her place in the world, unsure she has what it takes to lead and if she will ever have the strength to protect her subjects. And Princess Celestia awaits the day a thousand years in the making, hoping for a reconciliation and fearing a war. But it is one mare that will cast the die: the Mare in the Moon. For the hour of Nightmare has come.
In the span of three days an unlikely friendship will be forged among six mares from wildly different backgrounds. A royal guard will find himself in a position he never expected, the eyes of a nation turning to him. An alicorn of love will have to guide a frightened country during its darkest hour. Equestria’s princess will face her greatest mistakes and failures. And Nightmare Moon will demand justice for the lies of a millennium ago.
Featuring some of Equestria's greatest citizens, 'The Dawn Will Come' pulls back the curtain and reveals the full story behind the return of Nightmare Moon, the redemption of Princess Luna, and the rise of the Elements of Harmony. Culled from lost records, rare interviews, and historical research, the tale of the Long Night becomes a historical thriller that will shock even those well versed in the events. See how even the smallest choice to the greatest of tragedies went to shape the heroes of Equestria and begin the country on its path to its Golden Age.
Featured 12/6/15
Is this story a history book written centuries in the future? Even if it isn't, I trust you to make a cool story.
Edit: Hmm. I take back the cool and replace it with Cool and Radical. (I think I understand the difference. Cool is just cool. Radical is the stuff that chalanges and forces contemplation. I think. Does that mean that I could be Rainbow's pet? No dirtiness intended.)
Took me a minute to fully understand the unabridged prophecy, and how it actually came true. Can't wait to read some more!
The style takes a bit to get used to, but I'm liking this. I liked the small mention of Tydal and how the prophecy is just a bit different than it was in canon.
Bare your blade and raise it high
Someday soon...
The Dawn Will Come.
6682209
That is very much the style and design. As you will see in later chapters, the author is able to cull from interviews and events well after the first episode to fill in the gaps about what is happening that we didn't know about or didn't see in the pilot.
I'm quite surprised that potions are soft, I would have thought they were fairly constrained in that one mixture would have a certain effect.
6684060
Most of them will be created... like Twilight giving a lecture or a biography written about Cadence.
6684415
Ah, but potions can be altered, little things added or changed to increase effects or decrease downsides.
Present tense...
Hmm...
Not my favourite tense...
Interesting chapter though...
Count me intrigued.
This is something similar to what I wanted to do myself in my early fandom days. However, I never managed to get a coherent story out of the source material.
I'll be waiting for the next chapter.
6692380
The present tense is common in historical thriller novels like what I am doing here.
It makes it feel like you aren't reading a rehash... doing it in present tense really changes the feel.
6693169 That it does. I will have to get used to it though.
Very interesting. I look forward to more.
6699227
Next chapter should be up within a day or two.
6682371
6703088
Actually, the title was inspired by this line:
That speech, right where I started it, is what I kept in my head after my mother passed away and what I repeat to myself when I feel depressed and the pain seems too great.
And thus we begin part of the new subplot, what Shining was doing during the Long Night. This chapter also solved some problems when it comes to Celestia's letter (which at face value is quite rude and mean).
Also note... I am using only the show as canon. Not the comics.
6704385
I more was thinking of how Cadence and Shining met. The whole High School Arc is VERY stupid in my opinion and several other things they do in the comics I disagree with (for example, Sombra. My Headcanon is Sombra is an Earth pony who used dark magic to give himself a unicorn horn in an attempt to force himself to become an alicorn)
Okay, this is interesting.
I'll be following it.
So In this story's canon Twilight meeting the Mane 5 in Ponyville is not some elaborated scheme prepared by Celestia, but the result of Shining Armour's interference? This makes me wonder what Celestia's idea to handle things was.
(Or there is an even more elaborate ruse working in the background)
I also really love the idea that Diamond Tiara becomes a therapist and writes a book on parenting. I can totally dig it. Headcanon accepted.
Sergeant or Captain?
I like the hoof that Shining had in changing how things went, I think this idea is a good one and fitting with Shining Armour.
Also that little idea about what Diamond Tiara eventually did is a nice idea too.
Well, that was a fast promotion.
6705331
If it is a promotion and not (a) a typo (sounds unlikely so close together in the text, but could have slipped through anyway) or (b) simply part of the quip on Celestia's part -- I mean, it's spelled out for us that she's not being exactly dead serious right then.
Another enjoyable chapter. Good job.
6704639
Celestia DOES have a plan that will be revealed... and the reason it does not come into play works perfectly with the events of the Pilot.
6705049
It is Sergeant. Changing now, that must have slipped by. At one point the idea was that Shining was a Captain, 4th Rank (the lowest rank) and we see how he advanced to Captain of the Royal Guard 1st Rank. But I decided that would be a bit confusing to be Captain to Captain and changed it to Sergeant.
6705504
Part of me wishes this was a comedy fic as I would then make Celestia Darth Vader, killing off previous captains and allowing Shining to rise up the ranks
6706616
Now, NNM will have to kill all these ponies. Or to dismiss.
This is honestly my favorite thing this chapter. I can actually see her going this route.
6708707
That's one of the things I love about the style of this story... I can reveal the futures of the characters and have these cool little bits of trivia. A later chapter will reveal what the CMC do and it also feels completely natural.
As for Diamond, the idea of her becoming a therapist is inspired by the fanfic Dudley's Memories. The premise is that Harry, as an adult, learns that Dudley's daughter is magical. He fears the worst, that Dudley will be like Vernon. But when he goes with Ginny and McGonagal to Privet Drive he finds a slim, happy, kind Dudley... who is married to a wonderful man.
Yeah... turns out Dudley is gay. And it goes into detail about how Dudley's self-loathing, unable to admit the truth to his parents, made him turn on Harry and abuse him. When Harry finally escaped Dudley realized what an ass he was and broke free of his parents. He become a councilor for abused kids and wrote a book about how he worked to undo the damage his parents did and, it is revealed, to try and get Harry's attention so they could become the family they should have been. Harry and him become very good friends and I loved the idea that a childhood bully would become a good man trying to make up for his sins. Thus, the reveal here the Diamond will become a therapist and work to ensure no child ends up like the CMCS... or like her.
6710457 That sounds pretty cool. Though, now I'm curious as to what happened to Vernon.
6712198
Dead of a heart attack, Petunia of cancer a few years later... they died bitter people and Dudley doesn't miss them, having made a new, happy life for himself
6713858 Happy endings for everyone!
Wow...
Very good premise.
I feel like I am viewing a documentary!
6729990
Which is EXACTLY how it should feel.
I get into some great stuff later on... the histories of the other Mane 6, making fun connections, so on.
A short chapter, I admit... but that is because the next one is REALLY long, getting into Applejack's backstory.
It may be short, but I'm liking the buildup as we head towards the event itself. It's great hearing more of Luna's thoughts during her time trapped on the Mon.
Another enjoyable chapter. Good job.
6751963
One of the important things for me is to build up all the characters. Nightmare Moon is pretty one-note in the episode and we get so little time with all the characters. This story will expand on the events. We'll find out why Pinkie throws parties for new comers (beyond 'she likes parties'), what Rainbow Dash was doing on the cloud, what Cadence was up to, why Bon Bon was there, so on.
This is different from you usual stories. I am interested in seeing what the next chapter brings!
TediOus. Thought I caught that.
That actually makes a lot of sense, I mean, it's obvious that Twilight's parents are pretty well off if they could send her to Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns, she's got a whole library tower to herself, and she's never seemed to be in any financial trouble.
I've actually seen that concept before, in a Star Trek novel, more specifically, a Deep Space Nine novel, and well, Dr Bashir's genetically enhanced intelligence is slowly being reverted and his "mind palace" is slowly being boarded up.
UseD to. Common mistake.
Celestia's psychic to a degree then, makes sense.
She IS psychic. Or Cadence told her. I prefer her being psychic to a degree.
DT became a therapist in the future. Headcanon accepted.
6751859
I can live with that.
6760909
The show Sherlock really does it well when it comes to a Mind Palace. I know some claim I have a Mind Palace when it comes to stories as I can recall details and write out entire books in my head. I don't think I do, I just think I am wired weird.
And we get the Applejack Chapter. It was real fun to try and figure out what happened before Twilight showed up and explain some of the oddities in the show... like Applejack bucking a tree in the middle of a big family gathering.
The Cutie Mark Crusader Youth Centers are built to give young fillies and colts a place to hang out and for clubs to hold special events.
Should be dawn?
Ideas of the Apple family and what happened to the parents are always interesting to read even if most are tragic. I do like how it worked into your explanation of why Applejack was alone and away from the rest of the family when Twilight first came to the farm. Also Big Mac had ambition to be an actor? Now I kind of want to see a world where that did happen.
did you mean 'no'
The five should be a six
6789515
My theory is that his ability to sing and his "Cousin Orchard Blossom" routine are hints that he is a natural performer.