Darkness Awaits

Chapter 1:

The Equuleus Trinity

Blue Moon gasped as she shot upright, tearing through the duvet clinging to her tiny frame. She was trembling as sweat dribbled down the back of her neck. Usually the dream wouldn't have bothered her, yet a disturbing air rung around the memory and it wouldn't release its' clasp. She took a moment to calm herself, before stripping away her sheets and unfurling her wings, revelling in the cool night air soothing her wing tips. She released a troubled sigh, before trotting to the windowsill, where she placed her head on her hooves and gazed out onto the Everfree Forest.

"Blue! The pancakes are ready!"

The filly laid her ears back against her skull in annoyance, turning from her windowsill and quickly regarding herself in the mirror, smiling weakly to herself as she noticed the bags beneath her eyes - a common sight in the last few years. Her doppelgänger continued to gaze at her from the screen of glass, giving herself a puzzled frown. She had always wondered why The Voice hadn't appeared in her dreams - it was probably too preoccupied with its own.

[No, I wouldn't have that privilege, now, would I?] her conscience seethed.

Lucky you.

She had spent the early hours of the morning peering from her window, watching the sun envelop the canopy in peachy radiance, but all good things had to end sometime, and for Blue that was her mother's merry call.

   Her stomach echoed her previous attitude, growling like a leashed hellhound. Suddenly, the prospect of missing the sunrise for pancakes didn't seem that bad.

"Blue?"

"Coming!" She called as she made her way down the stairs, wincing as the glare of the tiles singed her weary eyes.

"Hi honey!" Blue watched as the unicorn turned from her sizzling pan.

"Hi mum." She deadpanned, as her mother's zest dampened.

"The nightmares aren't real Blue. I had the same problems when I was... Younger... Younger than you." She admitted, immediately recoiling as Blue shot her a look.

Exactly.

"But still!" Her mother faltered "we all have nightmares when we're younger, but with time they will disperse. It was only a few weeks after I overcame mine that I got my mark!" She turned to fondly regard her flank, which was decorated with a small test-tube half-filled with simmering purple liquid and three little bubbles floating above. Morning Dew herself was a cream mare with a hazel mane and tail that fell in unruly waves, and tired eyes lit emerald by the unwavering bulb draped above their heads.

   Blue Moon quietly sighed, for a moment considering telling her mother about her dreams, but immediately decided against it. It wasn't the dreams that frightened her. They disturbed her, and it was that sense that was her real fear.

She glanced across at Morning, who was tossing a pancake with severe concentration.

"So... Where's Dad?"

Her mother glanced over he shoulder as the pancake soared above the pan.

"Where do you think? He's off taking pictures of the sunrise, he should be back any minute." She regarded her pancake with chagrin as it flopped back onto the pan in a crumpled heap, as Blue trotted to the living room, her ears swivelling in annoyance as blasts of sound pumping from the TV grew more and more audible with every step.

"Quips!" She yelled, her unpractised throat cracking mid-yell from her awkward sleeping-position.

"Turn that down!" The din immediately receded as a tiny colt toddled sheepishly from the room, the TV remote hanging in the air by a weak red aura. Blue sidled past him into the lounge as the screen blasted an array of chromatic hues, heaving herself up into the sofa to snuggle into her favourite spot, only to shift uncomfortably as she pulled a DVD case from beneath her elbow. She held it up to Quips, one eyebrow raised in an accusing manner as he cowered under her glare, guiltily noting the '12+' rating at the bottom corner of the case.

He was the spitting image of his mother, having inherited her creamy coat, unicorn features and large, emerald eyes. His mane was fashioned like his father's and had adopted his grandmother's blonde mane and tail.

Blue Moon herself sported a storm grey pelt, with her mane swept behind her ear as a result of an old habit, though some managed to hang loose in front, framing her jaw. It was lucent turquoise in the centre, and rimmed with bright blue. The same applied to her tail, which jutted out at the top, then tucked inwards for the length and curled sharply at the tip. She was rather tall for her age, her long, spindly limbs supporting a slight, charcoal frame. Her wings were her most striking feature - her covert feathers remained patent grey, but her primary and secondaries shone a lustrous ebony, with a single bar of turquoise streaking down each feather, matching her irises that plunged into her deep blue pupils, glowering intensely from the tiny smudge of cream reflected on their glazed surface.

"I'll let you off this once." She muttered, before hopping off the couch and heading towards the aroma of flour and eggs.

Half an hour later, Blue emerged from the front door, her woven saddlebag sagging from its' depleted load. It was a welcome change to her hefty schoolbooks. She sang softly as she made her way through Ponyville, Concience relaying a silent backing track resounding in her head.

"No easy task to clear the ground,

Plant our tiny seeds.

With proper care and sunshine,

Everyone it feeds.

Apples, carrots, celery stalks

Colorful flowers too,

We must work so very hard,

It's just so much to do!"

She continued chanting the melody, neglecting the current season as her thoughts wandered to the original songster - Applejack. Despite her denial, she had the potential of a country singer if she put her mind to it, a genre that was often looked down upon for its' truthful lyrics that often defied the falsely cheerful guise of Equestria. However, chances of getting the humble apple-farmer to perform were thin, and foals were far too content with the likes of Saphire Shores for the ramblings of a salt-of-the-earth country singer.

"Winter Wrap-Up

Winter Wra..."

The winter tune sank in her throat, rasping in the morning chill as her tiny hoofbeats ground to a halt.

The huge trunk of Golden Oak Library stood defiant to the suns' glare, it's weathered bark and aged sign mutinous in the midst of civilisation. Blue reached up to the door, and knocked three times, listening intently as there was a scuffle, the din of something thudding to the ground and hurried hoofsteps beyond the timber hatch. The door creaked open to reveal a disheveled Twilight Sparkle, her palatial wings trailing on the floor behind her.

"Welcome! What can I help you with?"

Blue released a silent breath of relief that the alicorn hadn't lost her mind... Again... She smiled weakly.

"Just a bit of research, thanks."

Twilight smiled warmly, cracking the door slightly wider.

"Come in, now, what did you say you were looking for?"

Blue frowned as she inspected the library; hoards of books were littered across the floor, and her desk was sheathed in paper with maps strewn along every available surface.

"I didn't."

Twilight's stride faltered as the stairs creaked on cue to the arrival of an earth dragon, his purple scales and emerald spines clashing irksomely.

"She's been up all night going overboard on a project for Rarity - trying to find the best Ruby Fields of something."

"It's a fascinating project; now I've just got to plan the quickest route to Sapphire Glade!"

Blue tipped her head quizzically, her brow furrowed.

"Wait - didn't you say you wanted ru-"

She was cut off abruptly as Spike scooped up a pony-high pile, before sprinting to the oaken door.

"I'mjustgonnagogivethistoRarityseeyalaterbye!" He yelled, as Twilight leapt to her hooves, frantically waving a map of the gemstone grounds.

"Spike, wait-"

The door slammed with a resounding crack as it shuddered on its' hinges, as Twilight slumped and allowed the map to sag in her aura.

"I give up!"

"Want me to go get him?" Blue offered, as the lavender alicorn shook her head with a smile.

"It's all right - I'll pass this to Rarity later," she placed the sheet back on the table.

"Now - what were you going to say you were looking for?"

"Umm I..." Blue countered, caught off guard by the Princess' enthusiastic response. "I was wondering if you had anything on Lupus... Majors? Or any wolfy-star-thingies." She grinned sheepishly, her cheeks glowing as she mentally winced at her choice of words. To any of this Twilight was oblivious, running her hoof along the 'L' section.

"Lupus Majors? Are you sure your not getting confused with an Ursa Major?"

Blue firmly shook her head, as Twilight scanned further down the shelves.

"I've heard of Lupus, but never a Lupus Major... Ah!"

Blue leaped to her hooves as the alicorn let out a cry rivalling the Royal Canterlot Voice.

"This is the one!" She reached back further into the shelves, withdrawing a large, battered tome. The skin was boysenberry leather, and infested with coffee marks and stains. Across the front scrolled silver was engraved in the leather;

Ink Dip's

GUIDE TO CREATURES OF THE EVERFREE

& Equestria's woodland.

Twilight fired up her magic, lifting the book to her mouth and blowing across the cover, sending flurries of dust spiralling into orbit, suspended in the shafts of sunlight.

"This must be one of the oldest books in the Library - Ink Dip was a close friend to Starswirl the Bearded!" She gave a slight eep of delight, before turning to Blue, creases etched across her forehead. "Why would you need a book like this? You're not thinking of going into the Everfree, are you?"

Blue shook her head vigorously, taking a step back as Twilight's glare seared her scalp.

"No - why would I? It-it's for a school project!"

Come on, Twi, all librarians love school...

Blue's hopes fell flat as Twilight's frown deepened.

"That's strange - when Sweetie Belle came through earlier she said you were working on the foundations of Equestria."

The filly's mind raced, straining for a retort before she roused the alicorn's suspicions.

"Cheerilee mentioned it - she said I could do a project on it!"

Twilight's scrutinising glare relaxed, though an apprehensive light flickered in her gaze.

"Very well then! You'll find the cushions in the corner," she motioned to a jumble of pillows stacked against the wall.

Blue nodded and smiled meekly, as Twilight levitated the tome into Blue's hooves.

"Okay Blue, take good care of it! It's a very precious book and-"

"Don't worry, I'll take good care of it."

"I'm sure you will," a Twilight smiled warmly, before back to her paperwork.

"I guess I could plan an alternate route... Or..." She mused to herself, as Blue chuckled to herself. Princess or no, Twilight would be Twilight.

She scanned the shelves for any other books that could be of use, including 'Common monsters of the Everfree' and an atlas of Equestria. Blue tottered over to the pillow pile, the two books balancing tediously on her forehead and the tome resting on her hoof. She hunkered down on a felt green cushion, and prised open 'Common monsters of the Everfree,' it's compressed pages squeaking softly as she flicked through the with her wingtip. Each heading was met with a deepening scowl of disappointment .

Cockatrice, Manticore, Chimera, Timberwolf...

She paused and turned back a page, her eyes burning into the portrait of a huge beast completely fashioned from wood, it's mocking grin sending icy shivers ricocheting down her spine as she eyed the text below.

Timberwolves are known to be one of most relentless predators in Equestria and... extremely dangerous... nocturnal... nopony truly knows how they came to be, as it is believed the official documents remain sealed in Princess Luna's private vault.

Blue frowned.

What in the name of Celestia could Luna have to do with Timberwolves?

She shook her head to banish the thought as her subconscious kicked in.

[No way - what would be the point in creating a creature with no benefits, no hidden plots revealed over the last millennium, and only a body-count to show?]

She skimmed through the remaining pages with no luck, releasing a disappointed sigh as she turned to the rustic tome. She handled the pages delicately, browsing through the contents. Many of the creatures she already knew of, but several were completely foreign to her. Blue's eyes widened in bafflement as she spotted 'Merpony' and 'Equuleus Major/Minor' among the list. She continued descending down the ladder of species, anxiety staring to gnaw at her hooves. If she couldn't find a Lupus in the Princess' library she probably had no luck finding it anywhere else.

Blue skipped through the the remaining titles, passing Chimera, Kelpie... Pegasi? She slid her feather between the pages at approximately page 126, nipping through the remaining sheets until she reached a black and white photo of what seemed to be a  ordinary Pegasus, trotting alongside an Earth pony. The filly narrowed her eyes and scrutinised the Pegasi mare. Her mane was slightly lighter than her pelt, though Blue couldn't be sure if the shades represented separate colours. She peered deeper into the photo, noting with surprise the eight-pointed star on her forehead. She glanced over to Twilight, her gaze immediately drawn to the lavender unicorn's mark - an eight pointed star.

"Are you all right there Blue?"

Blue snapped out of her rumination, and flashed an embarrassed smile to the concerned Princess.

"Fine, thanks!"

Oh dang it, she thinks I was looking at her flank.

[I didn't know you were into mares!]

Blue resisted the urge to facehoof, as she turned back to the tome, delving even deeper into the photograph. She squinted as she thought she saw - was that a star? Unlike the first that had been printed across her fur, the small chink of light was embedded in the Pegasi's neck. Blue turned to the rest of the picture, noticing pinpricks of light scattered across her pelt, and...

She grabbed a lamp from a nearby desk, softly placing it next to the tome. She could see the neighbouring pony's flank through the Pegasi. Was this some kind of Windigo? Or... She began reading the text below, eagerly sapping up the information.

The ancient Pegasi was a species of constellasia, a race created by magic within stars. These include creatures such as Ursa Minors/Majors, and Lupus, alongside the other Equine constellasia, Equuleus, which take the form of Earth ponies, and Equuleus Major - a taller variation which harnesses the power of both the Pegasi and the Earth ponies (See Page 200 - The Equuleus Trinity).

Breeding between ordinary Earth ponies and ancient Pegasi created the flesh-and-blood Pegasus we know today.

The filly stared at the pages in shock, her wings standing rigid from her shoulder blades. This was the complete history of Equestria! She doubted even Twilight had espied the very foundations of the three tribes!

[There's probably a reason for that]

I know... Celestia probably wanted it hushed up or something.

Blue sighed in annoyance - it would have made up for a lifetime of homework had she showed Cheerilee. She skipped to Page 200, an eager smile lightening her features as she began reading.

The Equuleus Trinity the three variations of Equine constellasia. These consist of the Pegasi (see Page 126), the Equuleus (see Page 127) and the Equuleus Major (See Page 147). They are a nocturnal species, preferring to carry out their lives beneath the moonlight, and it was their nation united with the Earth ponies that created Equestria as we know it.

The Unicorn

The Unicorn came to be around 3000 years ago, when the Equuleus Trinity and the Earth Ponies came together to form the Night and Day colony. This way, they were protected under the sun and moon by the nocturnal and sun-loving species. However, over the centuries more and more ponies and constellasia chose each other as partners. The combination of the Trinity's magic and the Earth pony's mortality resulted in foals of neither species, brimming with magic. Some of these foals developed horns to channel this magic, whilst others who did not have these growths were gifted with extraordinary strength and resistance, whereas those with Pegasi blood inherited their parent's wings and ability to manipulate the magic around them to remain airborne, despite their wing size.

These three variations of pony grew to become strong nations, each with the blood of the Day and Night colonies, uniting them in harmony.

Modern-day unicorns with a high content of constellasia blood are said to have stronger magical abilities, and often include a star or a spark in their cutie marks - a visual trace of the varying stars found on the foreheads of the Equuleus Trinity.

Blue Moon slumped back onto her cushion, attempting to digest what she had just read. She peaked down at her flank, and sighed with disappointment as she was met with an abrupt grey patch. She had always wandered if she would get her mark for reading, it was her favourite pastime after all, but any pony could read a book. It wasn't what you'd call a 'special talent'. She balanced the tome on her head, discarding her earlier reads as she trotted over to her host.

"Um... Twilight? Can I borrow this for a while?"

The lavender mare peered over her shoulder at Blue, the book she had been reading still suspended by a stream of pulsing purple telekinesis.

"Feel free, just take good -"

"- care of it? "

Twilight nodded and smiled sincerely, before turning back to her book, and Blue placed the tome in her saddlebag, groaning as she did so.

It was the same weight of all her school books combined.