> The Lost Cult > by Ribe_FireRain > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Intro > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Lost Cult A story by: FireRain Long ago, in a time before the founding of Equestria... The Bad Lands. A desolate and uninhabited land far beyond the outskirts of any town or village, surrounded by dangerous hazards and towering mountains. It was a land nothing short of barbaric. It was a land once inhabited by the dragons of the earth, the most feared and dreadful creatures to have ever existed. Opposing and matching their fear and strength, the faction known as the Griffons were a particular group that were often left out of the business of most or every pony. Like dragons, griffons take and steal whatever they like, when they like. Both factions would kill if it meant wealth, and that's exactly what they do. Whomever may come into possession of power and wealth and fortune, they would be the next target for them to hunt down and take what they want. Unfortunately, for some, this is what happened. The Dragon King, by the name of Xavier, the leader of the dragons, found themselves in a fight to the death, a heroic last stand for dominance over the lesser faction. When the Griffons discovered their wealth and possessions, they knew they must have it. As a result, the war that raged between them for power and wealth is what became the downfall of their kingdom. The Dragon King, carrying a small artifact, an amulet constructed of gold cut into a shape similar to a cat-eye with a saber-tooth-shaped, blue and mysterious gem embedded into its middle, hanging from around his neck, came head-to-head with the Griffon Leader, by the name of Blood Talon. During their fight, the Dragon King, Xanvire, was blinded by the Griffon Leader, losing his amulet from around his neck in his struggle. Dropping to the earth below and into the dirt, the amulet awaited and seeked a new leader to claim ownership. For what seemed to be an eternity, the amulet waited and waited, soon becoming discovered by none other than a feeble pony. A mare with a purple mane and quartz-white coat, the pony took possession of the treasure, unaware of its power. This is the mare that soon became the founder of a cult that soon came into being. Back at the village she came from, the mare made every attempt to keep the treasured amulet a secret from the public eye. She stayed in her room with it, trying to find out its roots and story. One stormy and dark night, as the rain hammered against the roof of her home and the wind blew with long, heavy gusts, the amulet made its first voice towards the mare, taking her by surprise. ''Harmonia autem est cordis.'' It said, a ghostly whisper, the gem glowing blue to white, eventually to red, almost demonic as it cast shadows in each and every corner of the mare's room, causing her heart to turn to ice. With her back pressed back against her wall, the pony flopped her ears back in fright, violet eyes small. ''Who---What are you?'' She asked. From within the darkest depths of the shadows, a figure caught the mare's attention. Whilst not entirely visible, a faint outline of what appeared to be the tip of an ear could be made out, irradiating a mixture of vivid emotions and feelings as the atmosphere in the room suddenly turned cold and icy, small and spiked icicles forming on the walls and windows as a bright red, dragon eye peered out from the darkness and met eyes with the mare. Her heart skipped a beat and her blood froze as she stared back at the mysterious creature. Iced breath escaped her muzzle. ''Xanvire.'' The voice said in the same, ghostly whisper. ''Dusk Light.'' Thump. ''Ho-How do you know my name?!'' Dusk Light gasped, her heart feeling as if it was crystallizing in the coldness. ''Adductio lucem et concordiam. Ego dux vester.'' The voice said. ''Et electi sunt. Et expandent lumen concordem super terram.'' ''I-I don't understand!'' Dusk said. The voice gave a heavy, cold breath. ''The power of Xanvire is with you. Protect it, and it will protect you.'' And, like that, the room was filled with a bright and brilliant white, instinctively causing Dusk Light to shield her eyes with a hoof to save herself from blindness. In mere seconds, it was all over. Every trace of darkness and cold air had vanished into nothingness, returning the room to its former state and leaving the now shocked and shaky Dusk Light alone. In front of her, the amulet laid on the wooden floor, the mysterious gem in the middle pulsing between red and blue. The Following Day It wasn't too soon that Dusk Light gathered some friends she trusted and considered members of her family. Without her mother and father around, they were all she had in the way of family. There was Lionheart, a stallion pegasus with a heart of loyal fire and determination, Lightrain, a mare pegasus with a shy yet warm heart, Rumjack, a strong and honest-hearted mare with nothing but the truth to speak, Blue Jade, a mare that was generous at heart and finally, Black Lace, a stallion that much like Rumjack, was honest and strong, yet was always there for any and every pony that they held dear to their heart. Alongside Dusk Light, the power of the amulet acted as a guide and chose them to serve with her. Within the mystery of the gem embedded into the amulet lays a power, a power that was seemingly dark in origin, yet it was possible to be used to create harmony. Within its very core, the blood of Xanvire infused with it, combining his strength and willpower with the magical energy it carried. Much as his courage and strength held his leadership together with his dragon clan, Dusk Light and her friends continued on from that lingering energy, one that would never die. In this world, such a power was craved deeply and heavily on by seekers of wealth and power, and with such a powerful and magical item in their possession, it would only be a matter of time until those who seek its power attempt to steal it. With this is mind, the six friends decided that if they were to keep it safe, it would have to be essential that it is kept under a strong, sturdy and safe guard at all times and someplace where no pony would expect it to be hidden away. Fortunately, there was indeed an area of uninhabited land far from the town in which they all lived and that it was an ideal location for keeping the artifact. The area in question was the Bad Lands.