Daughter of the Godsby Nova StarshineChaptersChapter 1Chapter 2Chapter 3Chapter 4Interlude IChapter 1Chapter 1 Concequences She ran, not knowing where, only that she had to get away, had to escape. Her feet pounded on the cobbles as she fled. Her long flame-shaded hair streamed in the wind, her teal eyes narrowed against the lashing rain. “Sunset! Sunset come back! I’m sorry! We’re sorry!” A voice called over the howling wind, devoid of it’s usual cheerfulness. ‘They aren’t sorry. If they were sorry, they would have APOLOGISED! They’re not sorry at all.’ Sunset thought angrily. ‘And that’s normal. They don’t care. They never did. Not even when I was crying my eyes out on the hallway floor.’ “Sunset! Hey!” A brash voice called, trying to sound happy. “What do you want Rainbow Dash!?” The former unicorn asked, glaring at the blue girl. “Huh?” Rainbow asked, tilting her head. “What do you want? You want something, right? Do you want me back?” Sunset asked, her tone turning to steel. “What do you mean? Of course we want you back Sunset! We CARE! Just, please. PLEASE SUNSET!” Rainbow cried to the stubborn girl, her harsh voice softening as she choked back tears. “Why?” The amber skinned girl asked, a single word that startled Rainbow. “What do you mean why?” She asked, taken aback. “Why do you care about me NOW? Why NOW, not when I was crying my EYES OUT, SURROUNDED BY PEOPLE WHO HATED ME! Why NOW? Why now? You didn’t care before. None of you did.” Came the sharp retort, the last words barely heard over the wind and rain. “We do care!” Rainbow cried, shocked. “No. You don’t. Not really. Not AT ALL! If you cared, you wouldn’t have blamed me for what YOUR FAMILY did! You said I was family. Some Loyalty you are.” And with that, Sunset walked out into the storm, leaving behind a devastated Rainbow Dash being comforted by Rarity. For all her brave words, Sunset had no idea where to go next. She had slipped in a puddle, and now had a large gash on her leg, bleeding sluggishly. She faintly recognised her surroundings as near CHS. Pausing to think about her situation, Sunset decided to head into the school, if only for warmth. "Watch where you're going. I've practice in an hour!" Sunset heard footsteps, and stumbled as the girl pushed her. Lightning Dust stuck out a hand to push Sunset away, calling a hasty "SORRY!" as she ran by. "Who am I kidding." Sunset murmured to herself, pulling herself to the statue and sitting on the steps in front. Once there she examined herself. A long gash ran the length of her left thigh, and she now had a few new scrapes on her right side. Sunset sighed, leaning back... "WHAAAAAA" She cried, tumbling through the portal. 'I thought it wasn't open! Twilight said she wouldn't open it when she was away, and she said she was going to Canterlot for a bit. Why was it open?' Sunset thought as she fell. She landed in snow, hooves outstretched. Three things went through her mind at that. 1) There was snow, not Twilight's crystal floors. 2) There was a human standing nearby. 3) She was not in Equestria. 4) She had hooves. 5) She was a pony in a human world. "Oh Celestia damnit!" Sunset swore. The boy turned around, scanning the area around him. "Who's there!" He cried, raising a glowing bronze sword. 'Oh ponyfeathers.' Sunset thought. "Uhh. I'm here." "Where?" He asked, glancing around. "Here. Down. Yep. I know. I'm a horse. I can talk. Don't freak out. My name is Sunset Shimmer. I know I have a horn. I'm a unicorn. Feel free to freak out now." Sunset said, raising a hoof. "Uhhh. Hi. I'm Percy." He replied in that deceptively calm voice that said 'I'm just about to scream, so please don't try my patience.' "Hi Percy. Where are we?" Sunset asked, looking up at Percy. "Are you some kind of monster?" A girl asked, walking up to stand beside Percy. Sunset looked at her hooves. She looked at her horn. She looked at the ground. Sunset thought for a bit. "Uhh, maybe?" She hazarded. "I mean, if you asked the others they'll say I am. I'm trying to be better though. I'm trying to be a better pony. I mean, I get it if you don't think so. They didn't." She said with a sad voice. "Wait, who are they, what are you talking about, and are you a monster or not?" The girl asked, looking at Sunset with a peculiar expression in her stormy grey eyes. Sunset sighed, tears in her eyes. "Annabeth, she might not want to talk." Percy told the girl. "No, no. It's all right." Sunset took a deep breath, glancing between Percy and Annabeth. "My name is Sunset Shimmer, and I'm a unicorn pony from a land named Equestria. But, up until recently, I was a human. Anyway, I was a human teenager, going to school. For a while, I was, well...a tyrant. The tyrant of the school. It all came to a head during the Fall Formal, when a girl named Twilight came to CHS, my school, to get back her tyrant. Long story short, I was playing with dark magic, and I turned into a demon, got blasted in the face with a magical rainbow, and was left with a demon Sunset in my head, trauma issues and a bunch of new friends. "All the people at school other than my new friends hated me, even when I tried to make it up to them. Then came these three SIRENS. They spread chaos, and Twilight had to come back. She and the girls tried to fix everything with another magical friendship laser, but it failed. It eventually turned into a battle between the Sirens and the Rainbooms, that was Twilight and the girls. They sort of failed, but I joined in, and we made a giant magical rainbow pony that blasted the Sirens to bits. "Then ... Well, Anon-A-Miss turned up. They were an online bully, framing it to look like me. And, you know what! They went along with it. They turned around and left me! I was trying! I was trying to be a better pony! And they knew that! And they just, they just abandoned me. Eventually they found out it was their sisters but they never really apologised. You know that? They never really apologised for putting me through a week of torture, as I begged them to see that it wasn't me. "And then I came through the portal, and it spit me out here." "So, you're not a monster?" The grey-eyed girl asked. "No." Sunset replied. "OK. Cool. Annabeth..." Percy trailed off at a rustle in the snow. "Uh, Percy, what was that?" The orange mare asked, inching closer to the boy. "I dunno." Percy raised his sword defensively, as Annabeth pulled out a short bronze dagger. Author's Note Sooo. Trying something other than "x in Equestria". This time it's Pony Sunset in Percy Jackson's world. Also, I'm not sure which cabin she'd be in. Here are some options. Hecate - Goddess of Magic Apollo - Sun Hephasteus - Fire Poseidon - Horses Personally I think Poseidon would be like a capital 'G' God for Equestrians. Tell me what you think. Feedback is welcome. Chapter 2Chapter 2 Chat The trio stood together, Percy and Annabeth both holding glowing bronze weapons, as Sunset stared into the darkness. A bush rustled, and Sunset jumped. 'Get a hold on yourself Sunset!' She thought angrily to herself. 'Wait...maybe magic exist here!' Filled with hope, Sunset tapped into her magic, projecting it into her horn, running it through several spell matrixes that she held in her mind. She was rewarded with a aquamarine glow on her horn, lighting up the clearing. The bushes rustled, and a figure burst from it. As it was revealed to be a harpy, with snowy grey feathers, it was hit by a blue-green bolt that stunned it long enough for Annabeth to run up and stab it. It dissolved into golden sand. "What was that?" Percy asked, turning around. "A harpy." Annabeth replied absently. "No, not the monster, the thing that hit it." Percy told her, looking around. "Oh, you mean the stun bolt? That was me." Sunset said as the aura around her horn faded. "How did you do that?" Annabeth asked, walking over to sit near the pony. "I've never seen anything like that before." "Well, I wasn't sure if it would work, because it's a different world. Anyway, every creature with a connection to magic has some magic in their hearts, called their Core. As they grow up, they learn how to use it, by either projecting it out through their bodies, or using it to strengthen themselves, including healing. Unicorns learn to hold spell matrixes in their mind, do levitation, and project their magic outwardly. Pegasi learn how to use their magic to stand on clouds, control the weather and fly. Earth ponies learn how to use it to help grow plants and use it in a number of other ways. "All types of magic come with a physical tell. Earth ponies are usually taller than pegasi or unicorns. Pegasi have wings, and unicorns have horns. My mentor was an alicorn, a rare type of pony with all three types and tells of magic. "Anyway, I wasn't sure if it would work in this work because some worlds have low levels of innate magic. Ponies rely on this natural magic to help fuel and spread our own magic. Basically, trying to cast a spell or use any other type of magic without natural magic is like trying to grow a plant without sun, or to surf without waves. It's impossible. "The world I just came from had very little natural magic, so I couldn't have done that spell there. I had no way of sensing the levels of natural magic, so I was afraid it wouldn't work and I'd be left with a large hornache." Sunset finished, looking from one to the other. Percy had a vacant look in his eyes, it was clear he had no idea what she was talking about, while Annabeth looked like she was taking mental notes. "So, you can use magic in any world with enough natural magic, right?" Annabeth asked curiously. "Yes. But even in worlds with little natural magic, if there are any hotspots. Oh. Hotspots are like reservoirs of natural magic often found in places with a little magic." Sunset replied, rubbing her horn. "Are you OK?" Percy asked her, noticing this. "Oh, I'm fine, just need to get used to it. Actually, is everyone on this world human? Because I'd like to fit in." Sunset tilted her head. "Oh. Well, yeah. Mostly. You get monsters and gods and ... other things, but most people are human, and having a human appearance might help." Percy replied. Annabeth nudged him. "Ahem. Percy, are you going to tell her, or am I?" Annabeth gave him a look, the kind of look that meant 'You are going to tell her, because I'm not going to. Percy seemed to get the hint and turned to the amber mare. "Yeah. Well, Annabeth and I aren't human." He told her. Sunset tilted her head in confusion. "What are you then?" "Uhh, well remember we told you about gods?" "Yeah." "Well, sometimes they fall in love with humans. And when that happens, we get a demigod. Annabeth and I are demigods. I'm the son of Poseidon, God of the Sea, and Annabeth is the daughter of Athena, Goddess of Wisdom." Percy said, nervously anticipating how she would react... "Oh. OK." Sunset replied, then went back to concentrating, forcing large amounts of magic through the matrix in her mind and out through her horn. "Wait, you're just OK with that?" He asked, slightly stunned. "Uhh. Yeah. Uh-huh. Just give me a minute, and ... GOT IT!" Suddenly, there was a loud bang and a teal flash, and where Sunset used to be, there was an amber skinned girl with red and gold streaked hair. "Right! That feels much better!" Sunset said, stretching, wiggling her fingers. "Oh, wait. Maybe I can use magic in this form too!" She cried excited. Her hands glowed and she blasted a nearby boulder to bits, resulting in a pretty fireball in shades of orange red and yellow. Annabeth whistled in appreciation. "Nice, but you've just alerted every monster around to our presence. We'd better get to camp. Come on Sunset!" And with that, Annabeth walked off, Percy walking with her. After a moment, Sunset ran to catch up. "So, Sunset." Those words spelled instant death by questioning as a light grew in Annabeths eyes, a light of insatiable curiosity matched with an unexpected fierceness. "Yeah?" "Are you a demigod?" The simple question caught Sunset by suprise, as she stumbled in shock. "Why do you ask?" Sunset shot back, a little defensively. "Because the borders of Camp only let in demigods and half-bloods." Annabeth replied, just as quick. Sunset rubbed her arm, suddenly nervous. "Uhh, well, I ,URGH! I'm pretty sure I'll count as a demigod. I just ... don't really want to talk about my family right now. I'll tell you when we get to camp. I Pinkie Pie Promise." She said, looking at the ground. "Pinkie Pie Promise?" Percy asked, tilting his head. "What's that?" "It's an unbreakable promise. If you break it, you get Pinkie on your case FOREVER! And, trust me. You do not want that. She can be scary sometimes. It goes like this. Cross my hear, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my e-OW!" She said, performing the movements, then yelping as she stuck her hand in her eye. "Sure then. When we get to camp." Percy said with a grin. "If you can even get into camp. Or see it for that matter." Annabeth said, raising an eyebrow. Sunset smiled shyly. "I will, I promise. I'll explain there, truly I will. It's just ... it still hurts." Annabeth and Percy looked at each other, and something happened, but in the battle of hidden strength, it seemed Annabeth won. She nodded. "It's OK. We get it." Annabeth smiled at Sunset, kindness in her gaze. Author's Note My goodness! I feel quite overwhelmed! Having posted the first chapter only three days ago, I am honestly astounded by how much of a reaction it has made! Comments, adding to Favourites, up-votes! I'm surprised (in a good way!) So I wanted to say THANKYOU!!! Thank you for commenting, and I have made my decision. Sunset's Cabin is Hecate. Her biological parents are Celestia and Hecate (Don't forget, Hecate is goddess of MAGIC, she can do anything) Poseidon is sort of the capital G GOD of Equestria Thanks to everyone who commented, and helped me reach a decision. Personally I was going for Hecate or Apollo. ;) Also, I'm looking for an editor. Comments, feedback and criticism is welcomed. Chapter 3Chapter 3 Camp The three of them walked to the top of the hill, pausing when they reached the top. "Whoa. This place is ... amazing!" Sunset said softly, gazing out at the valley before them. The skies were free of snow and the hills were grassy. There were buildings laid out in a horseshoe arc, with a dining pavilion and a blue and white manor. There was a lake, stables, climbing walls, archery butts and many other activities that looked to be fun. "Is this camp?" She asked Annabeth, curiosity and amazement shining in her eyes. "Yes. Now, come on in." The grey-eyed girl replied, walking down the hill. "Who are your parents?" Percy asked Sunset, who glared at him. "What! You said you'd tell when we got to camp! This is camp! Now tell me!" He said, mischief shining in his face. "Fine. It might get confusing though." She warned him. He just grinned. "My girlfriend was born from a thought. I don't think you will be as confusing." "OK. I have two mothers, and both are goddesses. Uhhh. Yeah. I don't know how I can explain that, but I'll try. So, you know that when I appeared, I was a pony? That's how I normally am, how I was born. My pony goddess mother is called Celestia, and is the pony who raises the sun where I come from. Sun-Mum" Percy snorted with laughter. "Shh, I know. Anyway, Sun-Mum told me that my other parent is a goddess too. Yeah, I don't know how that works out either. So I have two mothers, but since they are both goddesses, that shouldn't be a problem. Did you get that?" "Uhh. I think so. Yeah ... I totally did understand. Don't look at me that way, I actually did! It was just a bit confusing." Percy said, holding his hands up in mock surrender as he walked with Sunset down the hill. Annabeth had stopped and listened to Sunset's explanation of her parentage. "Wait. Are you saying, you have the power of TWO goddesses!?" The grey-eyed girl asked in astonishment. "Well, sort of, but not really. I guess, I'm only about twice as powerful as Twilight Sparkle, but that was in Equestria, and the magic levels are a bit lower, so, I think that her I have about the same amount of power as you do, Percy. Wait, why is it that Percy has more power than you Annabeth?" Sunset asked, curious. "He's a child of the Big Three gods, the three that rule over the world. Zeus is God of the Sky, Poseidon God of the Sea and Hades is God of the Underworld." Annabeth explained. "Huh. OK. I think that my level of power is equal to Percy's." Sunset concluded. "Wait, how could you sense our levels of power? And how did you know that I have more power than Annabeth?" Percy asked inquisitively. "Well, I cast a diagnosis spell on you. Diagnosis spells are usually used by doctors, to determine injuries or problems. I used a slightly different version, used by doctors who specialise in magic. The spell is capable of seeing magical pathways on ponies, determining the strength of a beings Core, and testing the amount of natural magic in the world." Sunset told him. "When did you cast the spell?" Annabeth questioned Sunset. "Once I became aware that the magic level in this world would let me, which was just after that bird thing, harpy you called it." Sunset replied. "Well, you're in the camp boundaries, so I guess you are a demigod. I'll take you to meet Chiron. Coming Percy?" Annabeth asked, changing directions and breaking into a run, closely followed by Percy and Sunset. The three ran towards the blue and white building at one end of the horse-shoe. "OK, so this is the Big House. It has our meeting room and lots of other stuff. The Oracle used to be in the attic, but we got a new one, Rachel." Percy told her as the got to the verandah steps. "I called my jacket Rachel. This one I'm wearing. I used to have another one, Heather, but she kinda broke." Sunset informed him as they climbed the steps. The door opened and a centaur walked out. He had curly brown hair and his lower half was a white stallion. Sunset looked like she'd been punched. "Chiron! Why are you here?" She exclaimed, clearly shocked. "Sunset! But, that's impossible! Why are you here? Celestia promised ... " The poor stallion never finished as Sunset cut him off. "You know what? I don't really care. That's just another secret Mum's been keeping from me. But, why couldn't you have told me before? And, by the way, it's Mum's fault I'm here. Hers and that stupid mirror." Sunset trailed off, looking at the ground, before lifting her head once more, gazing at him with rage filled eyes. "Why couldn't you have just told me? I thought you cared!" She exclaimed, the rage draining from her eyes, replaced with glossy tears. "Why didn't you just tell me?" Chiron trotted closer, hugging the amber teen. "I couldn't. You mothers made me promise. They wanted to tell you in their own time. I'm sorry Sunset, but they wouldn't let me. I tried, but every time it came up, I couldn't say it. I truly am sorry Sunset." Chiron said, holding her close as she sobbed into his shirt. "What. Chiron, how do you know Sunset?" Percy asked, dumbfounded, Annabeth with a similar expression. "Do you mind me telling Sunset?" The centaur asked the girl in his grasp. Sunset shook her head. "It's fine." "OK then. I used to visit her in Equestria, because technically I'm her great great great uncle. You see, my father, Kronos is also the father of Poseidon, and Poseidon *hem* got 'cuddly' with Demeter in the form of a horse. The fruits of that union were Arion, the fastest horse in the world, and Faust, the founder of Equestria and mother of Celestia, one of Sunset's mothers. So, I'm sort of her great great great uncle, but she calls me Uncle." "It's easier." Came a small voice from the bright fiery mop of hair. "Yes, it is. Anyway, I'd come and visit her and her mother in the Equestrian court, posing as an ambassador." He finished. "Are you feeling better Sunset?" He asked her quietly. "Yes." "Are you ready to come out now?" "I think so." Sunset detached herself from her uncle, blushing hotly when she looked at Percy and Annabeth. The pair exchanged grins before looking away. "We won't tell anyone else." Annabeth assured her, resulting in a bigger blush from Sunset, a laugh from Chiron and a pout from Percy. "What? I wasn't going to tell EVERYONE, just a few people, like Grover!" He exclaimed, laughing. "Let's show you around Camp then Sunset! I promise I won't tell." "Are you sure?" Sunset asked, raising an eyebrow. "YES! Sheesh!" He cried, holding his hands up. And so, laughing the trio went to show Sunset around. Author's Note Yeah, about Chiron being her great great great uncle, it makes sense. Poseidon got cuddly with Demeter, (READ PJ'S GREEK GODS!) created Arion and Faust. From Faust came Celestia, so therefore, just using what I know, BAM! Instant family, heart-warming relationship and confidante WITHOUT resorting to OCs! Just, you know, twisting the mythos slightly. YAY! New chapter! This one was a bit easier, and definitely quicker! Also, if you think that the story is a bit slow, and the chapters are too short, I'm just going to explain. Although I have lots of ideas in my mind and your comments added a few more, I find it really hard to get them all out in a way I like, hence short chapters that I can get done in a reasonable amount of time. Comments, feedback and criticism is invited. Chapter 4Chapter 4 Campfire and Claiming Percy and Annabeth took Sunset to one end of the cabins, specifically the ones at the very end, and began to tell her about them. "This one is Zeus's cabin. There is only one child of Zeus, but she's not here at the moment. Anyway, she is now a Hunter of Artemis, so she's immortal, and she doesn't come to camp anymore. That one next to it is Hera's cabin. There are no demigod children of Hera." Annabeth told her, as they walked past. They came to a bright red cabin with barbed wire on the roof. "Ares. I've never met a nice child of the war god." Percy grumbled. The next one was a cabin made of pure gold. "Apollo. God of music, light, the sun, archery, healing, all that jazz. Kids are nice, but showoffs with projectile weapons, arrows, javelins, basketballs." Annabeth told her. A cabin made of pure silver elicited a frown from Percy. "Artemis. No children, but the Hunters of Artemis stay there when they come to camp." Percy said unhappily. "You're only unhappy because they kicked your ass at capture-the-flag." Annabeth smiled. "Am not!" He objected. Sunset smiled. "Hunters of Artemis, like the daughter of Zeus?" She asked Annabeth. "Yes. Thalia." Annabeth replied. They made their way along the cabins, pausing when they got to one of pure black stone, with a two torches out the front. When Sunset took a closer look, the torches flared with green fire. "Whose is this cabin?" She queried. "Hecate. Goddess of magic and the Mist." Percy told her. "Mist?" Sunset tilted her head to the side, curious. "The veil between the human world and that of gods and monsters." Annabeth said. "Oh." Sunset said. She felt ... odd. The cabin felt like Equestrian magic, like the mirror and the Elements. She'd have to figure that out later. "You need a weapon." Annabeth said abruptly, interrupting their walk. Sunset had been shown the archery butts (a thing Percy continuously made fun of), the dining hall, the Big House, the beach and the climbing wall, which for some reason had lava flowing down the sides. "A weapon?" Sunset asked, unsure. "Yes. A weapon." Percy said, voice dry. "Why?" Sunset said. "Why not?" Annabeth replied, astounded. "You're a demigod. At least, I think so. Anyway, demigods need weapons. How are you going to fight monsters or protect yourself otherwise?" "I guess that makes sense, but. " "But what?" Percy asked. "I just. Never mind. It's nothing." Sunset said, uneasy. "It's not nothing if it's bothering you." Percy said, voice surprisingly gentle. "It's just. I dunno. The last time I held a weapon was just after someone tried to hurt me with it, when all my friends deserted me. When all the work I'd put into making friends was undone with a single post, when." She sighed, speaking quietly. "When I was alone, and no-one cared, and everyone hated me. I'm just ... a little apprehensive. Considering the last time I held a weapon ... I'm nervous." Sunset told them, looking at her feet sadly. Percy placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "It's OK. We'll get you a weapon, and it'll all be fine." He said, comfortingly. Annabeth came up beside them. "Come on Sunset. I think I know what will work for you." She told her, taking Sunset's hand. They soon came to a building that looked a bit like a gardeners shed, but when Annabeth opened the door, it was full of weapons. "Athena's all about strategy, matching the right weapon to the right person. Let's see. Try this." She ducked inside, and when she came out she held a short knife. "No. Ummmmm. Hah! Try this one!" This time, she had a gun. Sunset looked at it and raised an eyebrow. "No. Not your style. Uh ... hmm ... ahh" Annabeth rummaged around in the shed, making noises as she discarded them. "Here! This should work!" Finally, she returned, holding a long thin sword of glowing bronze. "Yes, that's good." Annabeth nodded in approval. "OK. Thanks Annabeth." Sunset smiled at the other girl as she thanked her. They eventually made their way to the campfire, hand in hand. Sunset was slightly nervous, even though Annabeth assured her that it would be fine, and she would probably be claimed. They came to the campfire area, which was a hollow in the hill with a fire pit in the centre. Annabeth and Percy took Sunset to stand beside Chiron. Sunset was a little scared, understandably so, she was just about to be introduced to roughly a hundred armed kids, none of which she had any prior experience with. The campers had started to talk, the noise level rising to almost unbearable levels, before Chiron pounded the ground with a hoof. "QUIET!" He called, startling quite a few campers, and silencing the group, all of whom turned and stared at Sunset in curiosity. "This is Sunset, a new camper." He told them "Yes?" A few hands went up, with questions. "Has she been claimed yet?" Asked a girl in the Aphrodite cabin. "Not yet Drew." Annabeth replied, starting off a new round of chatter as they wondered which cabin Sunset might end up in. White mist began to flow down to the campfire. As the campers noticed it, they went quiet, some looking nervous. "Sunset?" A voice from the Mist queried. "Sunset Shimmer?" Sunset found her voice and spoke. "Yes?" "You shouldn't be here. You were supposed to come through next year. Did something happen with the mirror? What happened?" The voice asked, three blurry figures appearing in the Mist. "What do you mean? I went through four years ago, but I didn't end up here. I only came her this morning." Sunset told the figures nervously. The three figures resolved into a single person, a young, deathly pale woman with golden hair drawn up into a ponytail. Her eyes were dark as night and wide open, and her dark dress was so silky it looked like ink spilling from her shoulders. Two murky, animalistic shadows were at her feet. Sunset tried to speak, but found her breath stolen away. The campers watched silently, their eyes drawn irresistibly to the woman beside the fire. "Hecate." Chiron said, a frown on his face. "What do you want?" "What do I want? It is no matter of yours. Now, Sunset, why did you come here now of all times?" the goddess asked Sunset, curiously. "The mirror. Mum, no. Celestia showed it to me when I was nineteen. It showed me as an Alicorn. I ... I became ... obsessed. I turned to dark magic, and Celestia found out. She banished me, but ... I went through the mirror instead. Then I came through it again today, and I ended up here." Sunset told her, voice shaking. "Why?" "I told Celestia to teach you all types of Equestrian magic. Pah. She always thought she knew everything. She doesn't." Hecate murmured, her face softening as she thought, remembering happier times. "Are you ... are you my?" Sunset couldn't bring herself to finish the question, leaving it hanging open-ended. "Yes Sunset. I am your mother." Hecate replied, her words booming in the still air. Author's Note Finally! New chapter! YAY!! Mm-kay, so I've got a few ideas lined up, so this should be interesting! I hope you liked it, and as always, comments, criticism and feedback is invited. Interlude IInterlude I Hecate is royally pissed off. Hecate stormed to the portal location, finding it nowhere in sight. She fumed silently for a moment, before taking hold of something, the Mist that covered the borders between worlds. She pulled hard, and a tear appeared, which she anchored to a tree. Something was wrong. Seriously wrong, the sort of wrong that had Hecuba all anxious and Gale the polecat particularly pungent. The sort of wrong that jangled harshly like broken windchimes knocked to the floor when she turned her attention to the mirror she'd made so many years ago, the mirror that connected this world with one of the branching worlds that lined up just so. The mirror that connected her to Celestia, to Sunset. The mirror that was - there wasn't a name for it, not really, not in any mortal language, not in anything but qualia, the sense-memories of things that are so subjective she could plant the sensation into someone else's head and they would feel it differently. Sunset had vanished from the edges of her awareness four years ago, in a vague burst of harsh-sun-flaring-magic-rebellious-anger, vanished in a way that made the mirror she'd made chime. She hadn't been so concerned then, too enveloped in the complicated mix of grudges, stewing resentment and well-hidden affection that governed the politics of lesser gods - not that Hecate was lesser in any way ... but she wasn't exactly an Olympian, nor one of the elder gods. And she was in trouble, too, for Alabaster's choice of siding with Kronos. It had been his choice, though, his turn to stand at the crossroads of fate, with the Moirai's eyes on his back, her Mist sliding around him, and there was nothing she could do. Sunset had vanished, and she hadn't thought on it, hadn't really had the time to, not with the war ramping up, and Celestia had loved their daughter, so she'd ... let it be, let Sunset slide to the back of her mind, allowed herself to forget until a better time arose. But this was that better time, the war was over, she was mostly above suspicion now, and the Olympians were even reluctantly grateful for her manipulation of her Mist that let her divert attention from the Battle of Manhatten, Typhon's rise and defeat and the destruction of several major bridges. But something was wrong and she'd only just figured out what: Sunset had not been there, and now she was. It was like holding something that you didn't realise was heavy until you put it down and your arms ached, but more ... not realising you couldn't find your daughter until suddenly you could. Hecate gathered herself, drawing all the wisps of Mist back to herself, shrouding herself and letting herself fall into three, twisting her portal around her and stepping into the amphitheatre in Camp Half-Blood, swamping the area with magic-infused mist. She ignored Chiron, the campers who gawked at her, and focused her eyes (all six, from three different angles, each catching on a new bruise, the bags under her tear-lined eyes, her reddened nose) on her daughter, something akin to panic, alien and unfamiliar, bursting through her veins. "Sunset?" she asked, wanting so badly to believe that this young woman was not her daughter, that her child was not looking so lost, just barely holding on to her composure, "Sunset Shimmer?" "Yes?" her daughter replied, and Hecate stepped forwards, let herself start to coalesce back into a single form, Hecuba and Gale still around her feet. "You shouldn't be here. You were supposed to come through next year. Did something happen with the mirror? What happened?" she asked, and maybe she already knew, in that bone-deep way that sometimes things were just known, but it was good to ask, polite, one of her lovers had said, to not show that she could read futures like a book, and a children's one at that, the sort with large font, bright pictures, and few words. It was kind, to not show people that she could rip the thoughts from their minds, and as a "lesser" goddess, it was better to be kind. For now. "What do you mean?" her daughter asked, "I went through four years ago, but I didn't end up here. I only came here this morning." Well now. That was something. She let herself draw together fully, solidified into one form, one face, one pair of eyes, drew the Mist in slightly so it didn't swamp the poor children - not that she really cared, that was, but there would be problems if one of them keeled over from seeing things that weren't there. Madness may have been Dionysus' forte, but Hecate was the Lady of the Crossroads, of Choices and Magic, and seeing one's future often drove people mad, just ask the Oracle. "Hecate, what do you want?" Chiron asked, off somewhere to her left. She didn't look at him, eyes focused on the red-yellow streaks of Sunset's hair, gentle waves tangled, her golden skin sallow with exhaustion. Someone was going to die. "What do I want? It is no matter of yours," she dismissed him, dark(darkdark, emptiness-of-the-universe) eyes narrowing. "Now, Sunset, why did you come here now of all times?" the goddess asked Sunset, curiosity masking the rage that flared up, green sparks contained beneath her skin (because Greek Fire was hers after all, and it seemed someone was going to burn). Author's Note guys, I have no good explanation, I am so so sorry. I'm not abandoning this work, i must reiterate. Shit. So a lot has happened in the ... ... five years ... ... since I last updated. (I feel so so guilty guys, I have no excuse) I graduated high school, I'm now legally an adult, I've started university, I fell out of this fandom and into a deep deep rabbithole on Ao3, I forgot entirely about this fic and I returned because I finally logged back on to read time loop fic. Yeah. This ought to tide you over until I get the next chapter up and running, which may be a while as I have to remember where I was going with this story. It was honestly not my intention to abandon this fic, and now I have to keep going or the guilt will eat me alive so. It's not much (and looking back at the earlier chapters, my writing has improved drastically) but it should do for now. Again, I must reiterate my sincerest apologies. Comments, criticism etc heavily encouraged.
Chapter 1Chapter 1 Concequences She ran, not knowing where, only that she had to get away, had to escape. Her feet pounded on the cobbles as she fled. Her long flame-shaded hair streamed in the wind, her teal eyes narrowed against the lashing rain. “Sunset! Sunset come back! I’m sorry! We’re sorry!” A voice called over the howling wind, devoid of it’s usual cheerfulness. ‘They aren’t sorry. If they were sorry, they would have APOLOGISED! They’re not sorry at all.’ Sunset thought angrily. ‘And that’s normal. They don’t care. They never did. Not even when I was crying my eyes out on the hallway floor.’ “Sunset! Hey!” A brash voice called, trying to sound happy. “What do you want Rainbow Dash!?” The former unicorn asked, glaring at the blue girl. “Huh?” Rainbow asked, tilting her head. “What do you want? You want something, right? Do you want me back?” Sunset asked, her tone turning to steel. “What do you mean? Of course we want you back Sunset! We CARE! Just, please. PLEASE SUNSET!” Rainbow cried to the stubborn girl, her harsh voice softening as she choked back tears. “Why?” The amber skinned girl asked, a single word that startled Rainbow. “What do you mean why?” She asked, taken aback. “Why do you care about me NOW? Why NOW, not when I was crying my EYES OUT, SURROUNDED BY PEOPLE WHO HATED ME! Why NOW? Why now? You didn’t care before. None of you did.” Came the sharp retort, the last words barely heard over the wind and rain. “We do care!” Rainbow cried, shocked. “No. You don’t. Not really. Not AT ALL! If you cared, you wouldn’t have blamed me for what YOUR FAMILY did! You said I was family. Some Loyalty you are.” And with that, Sunset walked out into the storm, leaving behind a devastated Rainbow Dash being comforted by Rarity. For all her brave words, Sunset had no idea where to go next. She had slipped in a puddle, and now had a large gash on her leg, bleeding sluggishly. She faintly recognised her surroundings as near CHS. Pausing to think about her situation, Sunset decided to head into the school, if only for warmth. "Watch where you're going. I've practice in an hour!" Sunset heard footsteps, and stumbled as the girl pushed her. Lightning Dust stuck out a hand to push Sunset away, calling a hasty "SORRY!" as she ran by. "Who am I kidding." Sunset murmured to herself, pulling herself to the statue and sitting on the steps in front. Once there she examined herself. A long gash ran the length of her left thigh, and she now had a few new scrapes on her right side. Sunset sighed, leaning back... "WHAAAAAA" She cried, tumbling through the portal. 'I thought it wasn't open! Twilight said she wouldn't open it when she was away, and she said she was going to Canterlot for a bit. Why was it open?' Sunset thought as she fell. She landed in snow, hooves outstretched. Three things went through her mind at that. 1) There was snow, not Twilight's crystal floors. 2) There was a human standing nearby. 3) She was not in Equestria. 4) She had hooves. 5) She was a pony in a human world. "Oh Celestia damnit!" Sunset swore. The boy turned around, scanning the area around him. "Who's there!" He cried, raising a glowing bronze sword. 'Oh ponyfeathers.' Sunset thought. "Uhh. I'm here." "Where?" He asked, glancing around. "Here. Down. Yep. I know. I'm a horse. I can talk. Don't freak out. My name is Sunset Shimmer. I know I have a horn. I'm a unicorn. Feel free to freak out now." Sunset said, raising a hoof. "Uhhh. Hi. I'm Percy." He replied in that deceptively calm voice that said 'I'm just about to scream, so please don't try my patience.' "Hi Percy. Where are we?" Sunset asked, looking up at Percy. "Are you some kind of monster?" A girl asked, walking up to stand beside Percy. Sunset looked at her hooves. She looked at her horn. She looked at the ground. Sunset thought for a bit. "Uhh, maybe?" She hazarded. "I mean, if you asked the others they'll say I am. I'm trying to be better though. I'm trying to be a better pony. I mean, I get it if you don't think so. They didn't." She said with a sad voice. "Wait, who are they, what are you talking about, and are you a monster or not?" The girl asked, looking at Sunset with a peculiar expression in her stormy grey eyes. Sunset sighed, tears in her eyes. "Annabeth, she might not want to talk." Percy told the girl. "No, no. It's all right." Sunset took a deep breath, glancing between Percy and Annabeth. "My name is Sunset Shimmer, and I'm a unicorn pony from a land named Equestria. But, up until recently, I was a human. Anyway, I was a human teenager, going to school. For a while, I was, well...a tyrant. The tyrant of the school. It all came to a head during the Fall Formal, when a girl named Twilight came to CHS, my school, to get back her tyrant. Long story short, I was playing with dark magic, and I turned into a demon, got blasted in the face with a magical rainbow, and was left with a demon Sunset in my head, trauma issues and a bunch of new friends. "All the people at school other than my new friends hated me, even when I tried to make it up to them. Then came these three SIRENS. They spread chaos, and Twilight had to come back. She and the girls tried to fix everything with another magical friendship laser, but it failed. It eventually turned into a battle between the Sirens and the Rainbooms, that was Twilight and the girls. They sort of failed, but I joined in, and we made a giant magical rainbow pony that blasted the Sirens to bits. "Then ... Well, Anon-A-Miss turned up. They were an online bully, framing it to look like me. And, you know what! They went along with it. They turned around and left me! I was trying! I was trying to be a better pony! And they knew that! And they just, they just abandoned me. Eventually they found out it was their sisters but they never really apologised. You know that? They never really apologised for putting me through a week of torture, as I begged them to see that it wasn't me. "And then I came through the portal, and it spit me out here." "So, you're not a monster?" The grey-eyed girl asked. "No." Sunset replied. "OK. Cool. Annabeth..." Percy trailed off at a rustle in the snow. "Uh, Percy, what was that?" The orange mare asked, inching closer to the boy. "I dunno." Percy raised his sword defensively, as Annabeth pulled out a short bronze dagger. Author's Note Sooo. Trying something other than "x in Equestria". This time it's Pony Sunset in Percy Jackson's world. Also, I'm not sure which cabin she'd be in. Here are some options. Hecate - Goddess of Magic Apollo - Sun Hephasteus - Fire Poseidon - Horses Personally I think Poseidon would be like a capital 'G' God for Equestrians. Tell me what you think. Feedback is welcome.
Chapter 2Chapter 2 Chat The trio stood together, Percy and Annabeth both holding glowing bronze weapons, as Sunset stared into the darkness. A bush rustled, and Sunset jumped. 'Get a hold on yourself Sunset!' She thought angrily to herself. 'Wait...maybe magic exist here!' Filled with hope, Sunset tapped into her magic, projecting it into her horn, running it through several spell matrixes that she held in her mind. She was rewarded with a aquamarine glow on her horn, lighting up the clearing. The bushes rustled, and a figure burst from it. As it was revealed to be a harpy, with snowy grey feathers, it was hit by a blue-green bolt that stunned it long enough for Annabeth to run up and stab it. It dissolved into golden sand. "What was that?" Percy asked, turning around. "A harpy." Annabeth replied absently. "No, not the monster, the thing that hit it." Percy told her, looking around. "Oh, you mean the stun bolt? That was me." Sunset said as the aura around her horn faded. "How did you do that?" Annabeth asked, walking over to sit near the pony. "I've never seen anything like that before." "Well, I wasn't sure if it would work, because it's a different world. Anyway, every creature with a connection to magic has some magic in their hearts, called their Core. As they grow up, they learn how to use it, by either projecting it out through their bodies, or using it to strengthen themselves, including healing. Unicorns learn to hold spell matrixes in their mind, do levitation, and project their magic outwardly. Pegasi learn how to use their magic to stand on clouds, control the weather and fly. Earth ponies learn how to use it to help grow plants and use it in a number of other ways. "All types of magic come with a physical tell. Earth ponies are usually taller than pegasi or unicorns. Pegasi have wings, and unicorns have horns. My mentor was an alicorn, a rare type of pony with all three types and tells of magic. "Anyway, I wasn't sure if it would work in this work because some worlds have low levels of innate magic. Ponies rely on this natural magic to help fuel and spread our own magic. Basically, trying to cast a spell or use any other type of magic without natural magic is like trying to grow a plant without sun, or to surf without waves. It's impossible. "The world I just came from had very little natural magic, so I couldn't have done that spell there. I had no way of sensing the levels of natural magic, so I was afraid it wouldn't work and I'd be left with a large hornache." Sunset finished, looking from one to the other. Percy had a vacant look in his eyes, it was clear he had no idea what she was talking about, while Annabeth looked like she was taking mental notes. "So, you can use magic in any world with enough natural magic, right?" Annabeth asked curiously. "Yes. But even in worlds with little natural magic, if there are any hotspots. Oh. Hotspots are like reservoirs of natural magic often found in places with a little magic." Sunset replied, rubbing her horn. "Are you OK?" Percy asked her, noticing this. "Oh, I'm fine, just need to get used to it. Actually, is everyone on this world human? Because I'd like to fit in." Sunset tilted her head. "Oh. Well, yeah. Mostly. You get monsters and gods and ... other things, but most people are human, and having a human appearance might help." Percy replied. Annabeth nudged him. "Ahem. Percy, are you going to tell her, or am I?" Annabeth gave him a look, the kind of look that meant 'You are going to tell her, because I'm not going to. Percy seemed to get the hint and turned to the amber mare. "Yeah. Well, Annabeth and I aren't human." He told her. Sunset tilted her head in confusion. "What are you then?" "Uhh, well remember we told you about gods?" "Yeah." "Well, sometimes they fall in love with humans. And when that happens, we get a demigod. Annabeth and I are demigods. I'm the son of Poseidon, God of the Sea, and Annabeth is the daughter of Athena, Goddess of Wisdom." Percy said, nervously anticipating how she would react... "Oh. OK." Sunset replied, then went back to concentrating, forcing large amounts of magic through the matrix in her mind and out through her horn. "Wait, you're just OK with that?" He asked, slightly stunned. "Uhh. Yeah. Uh-huh. Just give me a minute, and ... GOT IT!" Suddenly, there was a loud bang and a teal flash, and where Sunset used to be, there was an amber skinned girl with red and gold streaked hair. "Right! That feels much better!" Sunset said, stretching, wiggling her fingers. "Oh, wait. Maybe I can use magic in this form too!" She cried excited. Her hands glowed and she blasted a nearby boulder to bits, resulting in a pretty fireball in shades of orange red and yellow. Annabeth whistled in appreciation. "Nice, but you've just alerted every monster around to our presence. We'd better get to camp. Come on Sunset!" And with that, Annabeth walked off, Percy walking with her. After a moment, Sunset ran to catch up. "So, Sunset." Those words spelled instant death by questioning as a light grew in Annabeths eyes, a light of insatiable curiosity matched with an unexpected fierceness. "Yeah?" "Are you a demigod?" The simple question caught Sunset by suprise, as she stumbled in shock. "Why do you ask?" Sunset shot back, a little defensively. "Because the borders of Camp only let in demigods and half-bloods." Annabeth replied, just as quick. Sunset rubbed her arm, suddenly nervous. "Uhh, well, I ,URGH! I'm pretty sure I'll count as a demigod. I just ... don't really want to talk about my family right now. I'll tell you when we get to camp. I Pinkie Pie Promise." She said, looking at the ground. "Pinkie Pie Promise?" Percy asked, tilting his head. "What's that?" "It's an unbreakable promise. If you break it, you get Pinkie on your case FOREVER! And, trust me. You do not want that. She can be scary sometimes. It goes like this. Cross my hear, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my e-OW!" She said, performing the movements, then yelping as she stuck her hand in her eye. "Sure then. When we get to camp." Percy said with a grin. "If you can even get into camp. Or see it for that matter." Annabeth said, raising an eyebrow. Sunset smiled shyly. "I will, I promise. I'll explain there, truly I will. It's just ... it still hurts." Annabeth and Percy looked at each other, and something happened, but in the battle of hidden strength, it seemed Annabeth won. She nodded. "It's OK. We get it." Annabeth smiled at Sunset, kindness in her gaze. Author's Note My goodness! I feel quite overwhelmed! Having posted the first chapter only three days ago, I am honestly astounded by how much of a reaction it has made! Comments, adding to Favourites, up-votes! I'm surprised (in a good way!) So I wanted to say THANKYOU!!! Thank you for commenting, and I have made my decision. Sunset's Cabin is Hecate. Her biological parents are Celestia and Hecate (Don't forget, Hecate is goddess of MAGIC, she can do anything) Poseidon is sort of the capital G GOD of Equestria Thanks to everyone who commented, and helped me reach a decision. Personally I was going for Hecate or Apollo. ;) Also, I'm looking for an editor. Comments, feedback and criticism is welcomed.
Chapter 3Chapter 3 Camp The three of them walked to the top of the hill, pausing when they reached the top. "Whoa. This place is ... amazing!" Sunset said softly, gazing out at the valley before them. The skies were free of snow and the hills were grassy. There were buildings laid out in a horseshoe arc, with a dining pavilion and a blue and white manor. There was a lake, stables, climbing walls, archery butts and many other activities that looked to be fun. "Is this camp?" She asked Annabeth, curiosity and amazement shining in her eyes. "Yes. Now, come on in." The grey-eyed girl replied, walking down the hill. "Who are your parents?" Percy asked Sunset, who glared at him. "What! You said you'd tell when we got to camp! This is camp! Now tell me!" He said, mischief shining in his face. "Fine. It might get confusing though." She warned him. He just grinned. "My girlfriend was born from a thought. I don't think you will be as confusing." "OK. I have two mothers, and both are goddesses. Uhhh. Yeah. I don't know how I can explain that, but I'll try. So, you know that when I appeared, I was a pony? That's how I normally am, how I was born. My pony goddess mother is called Celestia, and is the pony who raises the sun where I come from. Sun-Mum" Percy snorted with laughter. "Shh, I know. Anyway, Sun-Mum told me that my other parent is a goddess too. Yeah, I don't know how that works out either. So I have two mothers, but since they are both goddesses, that shouldn't be a problem. Did you get that?" "Uhh. I think so. Yeah ... I totally did understand. Don't look at me that way, I actually did! It was just a bit confusing." Percy said, holding his hands up in mock surrender as he walked with Sunset down the hill. Annabeth had stopped and listened to Sunset's explanation of her parentage. "Wait. Are you saying, you have the power of TWO goddesses!?" The grey-eyed girl asked in astonishment. "Well, sort of, but not really. I guess, I'm only about twice as powerful as Twilight Sparkle, but that was in Equestria, and the magic levels are a bit lower, so, I think that her I have about the same amount of power as you do, Percy. Wait, why is it that Percy has more power than you Annabeth?" Sunset asked, curious. "He's a child of the Big Three gods, the three that rule over the world. Zeus is God of the Sky, Poseidon God of the Sea and Hades is God of the Underworld." Annabeth explained. "Huh. OK. I think that my level of power is equal to Percy's." Sunset concluded. "Wait, how could you sense our levels of power? And how did you know that I have more power than Annabeth?" Percy asked inquisitively. "Well, I cast a diagnosis spell on you. Diagnosis spells are usually used by doctors, to determine injuries or problems. I used a slightly different version, used by doctors who specialise in magic. The spell is capable of seeing magical pathways on ponies, determining the strength of a beings Core, and testing the amount of natural magic in the world." Sunset told him. "When did you cast the spell?" Annabeth questioned Sunset. "Once I became aware that the magic level in this world would let me, which was just after that bird thing, harpy you called it." Sunset replied. "Well, you're in the camp boundaries, so I guess you are a demigod. I'll take you to meet Chiron. Coming Percy?" Annabeth asked, changing directions and breaking into a run, closely followed by Percy and Sunset. The three ran towards the blue and white building at one end of the horse-shoe. "OK, so this is the Big House. It has our meeting room and lots of other stuff. The Oracle used to be in the attic, but we got a new one, Rachel." Percy told her as the got to the verandah steps. "I called my jacket Rachel. This one I'm wearing. I used to have another one, Heather, but she kinda broke." Sunset informed him as they climbed the steps. The door opened and a centaur walked out. He had curly brown hair and his lower half was a white stallion. Sunset looked like she'd been punched. "Chiron! Why are you here?" She exclaimed, clearly shocked. "Sunset! But, that's impossible! Why are you here? Celestia promised ... " The poor stallion never finished as Sunset cut him off. "You know what? I don't really care. That's just another secret Mum's been keeping from me. But, why couldn't you have told me before? And, by the way, it's Mum's fault I'm here. Hers and that stupid mirror." Sunset trailed off, looking at the ground, before lifting her head once more, gazing at him with rage filled eyes. "Why couldn't you have just told me? I thought you cared!" She exclaimed, the rage draining from her eyes, replaced with glossy tears. "Why didn't you just tell me?" Chiron trotted closer, hugging the amber teen. "I couldn't. You mothers made me promise. They wanted to tell you in their own time. I'm sorry Sunset, but they wouldn't let me. I tried, but every time it came up, I couldn't say it. I truly am sorry Sunset." Chiron said, holding her close as she sobbed into his shirt. "What. Chiron, how do you know Sunset?" Percy asked, dumbfounded, Annabeth with a similar expression. "Do you mind me telling Sunset?" The centaur asked the girl in his grasp. Sunset shook her head. "It's fine." "OK then. I used to visit her in Equestria, because technically I'm her great great great uncle. You see, my father, Kronos is also the father of Poseidon, and Poseidon *hem* got 'cuddly' with Demeter in the form of a horse. The fruits of that union were Arion, the fastest horse in the world, and Faust, the founder of Equestria and mother of Celestia, one of Sunset's mothers. So, I'm sort of her great great great uncle, but she calls me Uncle." "It's easier." Came a small voice from the bright fiery mop of hair. "Yes, it is. Anyway, I'd come and visit her and her mother in the Equestrian court, posing as an ambassador." He finished. "Are you feeling better Sunset?" He asked her quietly. "Yes." "Are you ready to come out now?" "I think so." Sunset detached herself from her uncle, blushing hotly when she looked at Percy and Annabeth. The pair exchanged grins before looking away. "We won't tell anyone else." Annabeth assured her, resulting in a bigger blush from Sunset, a laugh from Chiron and a pout from Percy. "What? I wasn't going to tell EVERYONE, just a few people, like Grover!" He exclaimed, laughing. "Let's show you around Camp then Sunset! I promise I won't tell." "Are you sure?" Sunset asked, raising an eyebrow. "YES! Sheesh!" He cried, holding his hands up. And so, laughing the trio went to show Sunset around. Author's Note Yeah, about Chiron being her great great great uncle, it makes sense. Poseidon got cuddly with Demeter, (READ PJ'S GREEK GODS!) created Arion and Faust. From Faust came Celestia, so therefore, just using what I know, BAM! Instant family, heart-warming relationship and confidante WITHOUT resorting to OCs! Just, you know, twisting the mythos slightly. YAY! New chapter! This one was a bit easier, and definitely quicker! Also, if you think that the story is a bit slow, and the chapters are too short, I'm just going to explain. Although I have lots of ideas in my mind and your comments added a few more, I find it really hard to get them all out in a way I like, hence short chapters that I can get done in a reasonable amount of time. Comments, feedback and criticism is invited.
Chapter 4Chapter 4 Campfire and Claiming Percy and Annabeth took Sunset to one end of the cabins, specifically the ones at the very end, and began to tell her about them. "This one is Zeus's cabin. There is only one child of Zeus, but she's not here at the moment. Anyway, she is now a Hunter of Artemis, so she's immortal, and she doesn't come to camp anymore. That one next to it is Hera's cabin. There are no demigod children of Hera." Annabeth told her, as they walked past. They came to a bright red cabin with barbed wire on the roof. "Ares. I've never met a nice child of the war god." Percy grumbled. The next one was a cabin made of pure gold. "Apollo. God of music, light, the sun, archery, healing, all that jazz. Kids are nice, but showoffs with projectile weapons, arrows, javelins, basketballs." Annabeth told her. A cabin made of pure silver elicited a frown from Percy. "Artemis. No children, but the Hunters of Artemis stay there when they come to camp." Percy said unhappily. "You're only unhappy because they kicked your ass at capture-the-flag." Annabeth smiled. "Am not!" He objected. Sunset smiled. "Hunters of Artemis, like the daughter of Zeus?" She asked Annabeth. "Yes. Thalia." Annabeth replied. They made their way along the cabins, pausing when they got to one of pure black stone, with a two torches out the front. When Sunset took a closer look, the torches flared with green fire. "Whose is this cabin?" She queried. "Hecate. Goddess of magic and the Mist." Percy told her. "Mist?" Sunset tilted her head to the side, curious. "The veil between the human world and that of gods and monsters." Annabeth said. "Oh." Sunset said. She felt ... odd. The cabin felt like Equestrian magic, like the mirror and the Elements. She'd have to figure that out later. "You need a weapon." Annabeth said abruptly, interrupting their walk. Sunset had been shown the archery butts (a thing Percy continuously made fun of), the dining hall, the Big House, the beach and the climbing wall, which for some reason had lava flowing down the sides. "A weapon?" Sunset asked, unsure. "Yes. A weapon." Percy said, voice dry. "Why?" Sunset said. "Why not?" Annabeth replied, astounded. "You're a demigod. At least, I think so. Anyway, demigods need weapons. How are you going to fight monsters or protect yourself otherwise?" "I guess that makes sense, but. " "But what?" Percy asked. "I just. Never mind. It's nothing." Sunset said, uneasy. "It's not nothing if it's bothering you." Percy said, voice surprisingly gentle. "It's just. I dunno. The last time I held a weapon was just after someone tried to hurt me with it, when all my friends deserted me. When all the work I'd put into making friends was undone with a single post, when." She sighed, speaking quietly. "When I was alone, and no-one cared, and everyone hated me. I'm just ... a little apprehensive. Considering the last time I held a weapon ... I'm nervous." Sunset told them, looking at her feet sadly. Percy placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "It's OK. We'll get you a weapon, and it'll all be fine." He said, comfortingly. Annabeth came up beside them. "Come on Sunset. I think I know what will work for you." She told her, taking Sunset's hand. They soon came to a building that looked a bit like a gardeners shed, but when Annabeth opened the door, it was full of weapons. "Athena's all about strategy, matching the right weapon to the right person. Let's see. Try this." She ducked inside, and when she came out she held a short knife. "No. Ummmmm. Hah! Try this one!" This time, she had a gun. Sunset looked at it and raised an eyebrow. "No. Not your style. Uh ... hmm ... ahh" Annabeth rummaged around in the shed, making noises as she discarded them. "Here! This should work!" Finally, she returned, holding a long thin sword of glowing bronze. "Yes, that's good." Annabeth nodded in approval. "OK. Thanks Annabeth." Sunset smiled at the other girl as she thanked her. They eventually made their way to the campfire, hand in hand. Sunset was slightly nervous, even though Annabeth assured her that it would be fine, and she would probably be claimed. They came to the campfire area, which was a hollow in the hill with a fire pit in the centre. Annabeth and Percy took Sunset to stand beside Chiron. Sunset was a little scared, understandably so, she was just about to be introduced to roughly a hundred armed kids, none of which she had any prior experience with. The campers had started to talk, the noise level rising to almost unbearable levels, before Chiron pounded the ground with a hoof. "QUIET!" He called, startling quite a few campers, and silencing the group, all of whom turned and stared at Sunset in curiosity. "This is Sunset, a new camper." He told them "Yes?" A few hands went up, with questions. "Has she been claimed yet?" Asked a girl in the Aphrodite cabin. "Not yet Drew." Annabeth replied, starting off a new round of chatter as they wondered which cabin Sunset might end up in. White mist began to flow down to the campfire. As the campers noticed it, they went quiet, some looking nervous. "Sunset?" A voice from the Mist queried. "Sunset Shimmer?" Sunset found her voice and spoke. "Yes?" "You shouldn't be here. You were supposed to come through next year. Did something happen with the mirror? What happened?" The voice asked, three blurry figures appearing in the Mist. "What do you mean? I went through four years ago, but I didn't end up here. I only came her this morning." Sunset told the figures nervously. The three figures resolved into a single person, a young, deathly pale woman with golden hair drawn up into a ponytail. Her eyes were dark as night and wide open, and her dark dress was so silky it looked like ink spilling from her shoulders. Two murky, animalistic shadows were at her feet. Sunset tried to speak, but found her breath stolen away. The campers watched silently, their eyes drawn irresistibly to the woman beside the fire. "Hecate." Chiron said, a frown on his face. "What do you want?" "What do I want? It is no matter of yours. Now, Sunset, why did you come here now of all times?" the goddess asked Sunset, curiously. "The mirror. Mum, no. Celestia showed it to me when I was nineteen. It showed me as an Alicorn. I ... I became ... obsessed. I turned to dark magic, and Celestia found out. She banished me, but ... I went through the mirror instead. Then I came through it again today, and I ended up here." Sunset told her, voice shaking. "Why?" "I told Celestia to teach you all types of Equestrian magic. Pah. She always thought she knew everything. She doesn't." Hecate murmured, her face softening as she thought, remembering happier times. "Are you ... are you my?" Sunset couldn't bring herself to finish the question, leaving it hanging open-ended. "Yes Sunset. I am your mother." Hecate replied, her words booming in the still air. Author's Note Finally! New chapter! YAY!! Mm-kay, so I've got a few ideas lined up, so this should be interesting! I hope you liked it, and as always, comments, criticism and feedback is invited.
Interlude IInterlude I Hecate is royally pissed off. Hecate stormed to the portal location, finding it nowhere in sight. She fumed silently for a moment, before taking hold of something, the Mist that covered the borders between worlds. She pulled hard, and a tear appeared, which she anchored to a tree. Something was wrong. Seriously wrong, the sort of wrong that had Hecuba all anxious and Gale the polecat particularly pungent. The sort of wrong that jangled harshly like broken windchimes knocked to the floor when she turned her attention to the mirror she'd made so many years ago, the mirror that connected this world with one of the branching worlds that lined up just so. The mirror that connected her to Celestia, to Sunset. The mirror that was - there wasn't a name for it, not really, not in any mortal language, not in anything but qualia, the sense-memories of things that are so subjective she could plant the sensation into someone else's head and they would feel it differently. Sunset had vanished from the edges of her awareness four years ago, in a vague burst of harsh-sun-flaring-magic-rebellious-anger, vanished in a way that made the mirror she'd made chime. She hadn't been so concerned then, too enveloped in the complicated mix of grudges, stewing resentment and well-hidden affection that governed the politics of lesser gods - not that Hecate was lesser in any way ... but she wasn't exactly an Olympian, nor one of the elder gods. And she was in trouble, too, for Alabaster's choice of siding with Kronos. It had been his choice, though, his turn to stand at the crossroads of fate, with the Moirai's eyes on his back, her Mist sliding around him, and there was nothing she could do. Sunset had vanished, and she hadn't thought on it, hadn't really had the time to, not with the war ramping up, and Celestia had loved their daughter, so she'd ... let it be, let Sunset slide to the back of her mind, allowed herself to forget until a better time arose. But this was that better time, the war was over, she was mostly above suspicion now, and the Olympians were even reluctantly grateful for her manipulation of her Mist that let her divert attention from the Battle of Manhatten, Typhon's rise and defeat and the destruction of several major bridges. But something was wrong and she'd only just figured out what: Sunset had not been there, and now she was. It was like holding something that you didn't realise was heavy until you put it down and your arms ached, but more ... not realising you couldn't find your daughter until suddenly you could. Hecate gathered herself, drawing all the wisps of Mist back to herself, shrouding herself and letting herself fall into three, twisting her portal around her and stepping into the amphitheatre in Camp Half-Blood, swamping the area with magic-infused mist. She ignored Chiron, the campers who gawked at her, and focused her eyes (all six, from three different angles, each catching on a new bruise, the bags under her tear-lined eyes, her reddened nose) on her daughter, something akin to panic, alien and unfamiliar, bursting through her veins. "Sunset?" she asked, wanting so badly to believe that this young woman was not her daughter, that her child was not looking so lost, just barely holding on to her composure, "Sunset Shimmer?" "Yes?" her daughter replied, and Hecate stepped forwards, let herself start to coalesce back into a single form, Hecuba and Gale still around her feet. "You shouldn't be here. You were supposed to come through next year. Did something happen with the mirror? What happened?" she asked, and maybe she already knew, in that bone-deep way that sometimes things were just known, but it was good to ask, polite, one of her lovers had said, to not show that she could read futures like a book, and a children's one at that, the sort with large font, bright pictures, and few words. It was kind, to not show people that she could rip the thoughts from their minds, and as a "lesser" goddess, it was better to be kind. For now. "What do you mean?" her daughter asked, "I went through four years ago, but I didn't end up here. I only came here this morning." Well now. That was something. She let herself draw together fully, solidified into one form, one face, one pair of eyes, drew the Mist in slightly so it didn't swamp the poor children - not that she really cared, that was, but there would be problems if one of them keeled over from seeing things that weren't there. Madness may have been Dionysus' forte, but Hecate was the Lady of the Crossroads, of Choices and Magic, and seeing one's future often drove people mad, just ask the Oracle. "Hecate, what do you want?" Chiron asked, off somewhere to her left. She didn't look at him, eyes focused on the red-yellow streaks of Sunset's hair, gentle waves tangled, her golden skin sallow with exhaustion. Someone was going to die. "What do I want? It is no matter of yours," she dismissed him, dark(darkdark, emptiness-of-the-universe) eyes narrowing. "Now, Sunset, why did you come here now of all times?" the goddess asked Sunset, curiosity masking the rage that flared up, green sparks contained beneath her skin (because Greek Fire was hers after all, and it seemed someone was going to burn). Author's Note guys, I have no good explanation, I am so so sorry. I'm not abandoning this work, i must reiterate. Shit. So a lot has happened in the ... ... five years ... ... since I last updated. (I feel so so guilty guys, I have no excuse) I graduated high school, I'm now legally an adult, I've started university, I fell out of this fandom and into a deep deep rabbithole on Ao3, I forgot entirely about this fic and I returned because I finally logged back on to read time loop fic. Yeah. This ought to tide you over until I get the next chapter up and running, which may be a while as I have to remember where I was going with this story. It was honestly not my intention to abandon this fic, and now I have to keep going or the guilt will eat me alive so. It's not much (and looking back at the earlier chapters, my writing has improved drastically) but it should do for now. Again, I must reiterate my sincerest apologies. Comments, criticism etc heavily encouraged.
