Project New Genesis

Jacob woke up in the second day of his stay on Terra-2. Engineer already felt better, knowing that yesterday have finally ended. He looked at his pangolin friend. Cone was still sleeping, so Jacob decided to don't wake him up. Quickly, yet quiet, Jacob walked to the bathroom to shave and take a shower. If they have one. Luckily, ponies invented them already.

Jacob took off his clothes walked to the cabin and... someone knocked. "Dicks..." Jacob said then put his boxers on and walked to open the door. When he opened the door, he saw a pegasi mare in maid outfit. "Good morning."

"Um... Princess Celestia and Princess Luna are requesting your presence on breakfast." Maid said, staring at Jacob with fascination and fear.

"Tell them, that I'll be in 20 minutes."

Maid nodded and walked away. Jacob closed the door and took a shower, before anypony else will knock.

Jacob had big number of shampoos and soaps to use. "What is it, pharmacy?" Jacob decided to use honey
hair shampoo and apple soap. After quick shower, he corrected his haircut and beard. He also took some injections into his bionic arm. It was special cure, what helped with control on bionics. Implants and organisms aren't compatible in 100%, so injections are requested. When Jacob finished his hygiene matters, he put on new clothes.

Cone was already awake, when Jacob finished. "Hey there pal." Jacob said. "Hungry?"

Princesses Celestia and Luna were waiting in the dining room for their human guest. Luna was playing with fork and Celestia was reading letter from Twilight.

"Twilight wrote me, that Jacob has to go to Ponyville." Celestia said. "His brother needs a password, what only Jacob knows."

"Well, speak of the devil..." Luna said, seeing Jacob walking inside the room... with armor on and Cone on the shoulder. "Good morning, Jacob."

"Morning." Jacob replied.

"Why are you wearing this armor?" Celestia asked.

"Well, I just wanted to get used to it." Jacob said, sitting to the table. "Besides, I have bad feelings today..."

"Should I bring ants for your... friend?" One of servants asked, giving a cup of coffee, plate of pancakes and maple syrup to Jacob and princesses.

"If you can. Also, I would like some cream and sugar for my coffee."

"As you wish, sir." Servant said and walked away.

"Wow, I'm getting used to live here."

Celestia choked with her coffee. "What do you mean?"

"As you know, I'm Luna's student. I don't want to drive around only for lessons. That's why I'm staying in Canterlot."

"Well, I received a letter from Twilight. She wrote, that your brother needs a password for a..."

"Done." Jacob said, closing communicator on his gauntlet. "I sent everything, so I can stay." Celestia's right eye started to have tics, while Jacob was pouring maple syrup on his pancakes.

"Wasn't with Twilight the same situation?" Luna asked.

"Similar, but he's not Twilight and not my student."

"Details..." Jacob snorted.

Servant returned with plate with jar of ants, jug of coffee cream and sugar-basin. "Here you are, sir." Servant said, putting it on table.

"Thank you." Jacob said, when Cone was walking of his shoulder. Jacob opened the jar. "Bon appetit, pal." Cone started to catch ants with his tongue. Jacob sugared his coffee and poured cream into it.

"Fine, you can stay..." Celestia sighed. "But, there are some rules, what you have to follow."

"No killing, find a job and socialize?"

"Y-yes. How did you..."

"Standard procedure in case of meeting an alien civilization." Jacob said, munching a bite of pancakes. "Shit, those pancakes are great."

"I... made them by myself." Celestia said. "I don't know, what fruit you eat on your planet, so I gave you just maple syrup."

"Still, they are great." Jacob said, taking another bite. "Oh, I like all fruit, except raspberries. They're too... seedy."

"I'll remember about this."

Jacob tried to not tell an 'Old' joke. "Can I ask about something?"

"Ask away, Jacob." Luna said.

"How does it feel to live so long? You have like... 1000 years?"

"Even more..." Luna said. "It's... interesting. You see, how your subjects are living, developing and... dying. It's beautiful, yet sad."

"Is immortality boring?"

"No, it isn't..." Celestia said nervously.

"It is, right?" Jacob said with raised eyebrow.

"You have no idea!" Celestia moaned, then hit the table with her face. "Everyday the same thing." Celestia looked back at Jacob. "Meetings, smiling, raising and lowering the Sun... You can go crazy."

"Well, not for me." Luna said with smile. "I can watch dreams of my subjects and protect them from the nightmares and themselves, by giving them advices. Every dream is different, every night. Only sometimes they are the same..." Luna said, reminding about Twilight's dream of books. Celestia had face, like 'I need vodka and pills', hearing Luna.

"Can we leave this topic?" Celestia asked, having enough of this. "Maybe you will tell us more about your home, Mr... Jacob."

Jacob cleaned his throat. "Mars is... weird for me. Maybe we have all planet, but we live only on 27% of it, in City Copulas. The rest is an endless, red desert, where sun can turn you into dust. I lived in Ares City. It's big city, full of life. I've always been wondering, how fast they build it. But... we don't have, inside those copulas, weather or real sun and moon..." Jacob's tone turned from casual into sad. "I've always wanted to get out of this red prison. Project New Genesis gave me hope for better life. I wanted mom to go with us, but they needed scientists, engineers and soldiers, not philosophers. I had plan, that me and my family would stay on the planet and have a simple life. But, mom's on Mars, Ray is loyal to the Ares Senate and on the planet is pony devil." Jacob took a sip of coffee to calm himself down. "In short, my planet sucks, so I moved here but not everything went well."

"So... you don't miss your home planet, am I right?" Celestia asked.

"I would return there only for my mom. I don't even know, if she's still alive. I was voyaging here for over 2 years. Everything could happen. Another war, copula's damage, revolution... Humans are more like wild animals. They're unpredictable, greedy and stupid."

"Why do you call your own species 'stupid'?"

"Would you call a race, what destroyed their own home planet, smart?" Jacob said with anger. "Mars is only a colony. 30 years ago, humans lived on planet Earth. Now it's a wasteland, caused by mankind's stupidity and greed. And they want more and more. That's why they sent us here. To get more... And, knowing our logic, only the richest and stupidest humans would come here, to turn this planet into another money maker. If I had to kill my own kind for money, by someones will, I would do this for free." Jacob took a deep breath. "I'm sorry... I let my emotions go for a bit... I didn't mean that... It's just... overtired engineer's talking."

"It's okay..." Luna said. "Everyone needs to vent sometimes..."

Jacob smiled and took a sip of coffee. "Thank you for understanding."

"Luna, can I ask you for a minute?" Celestia asked.

"As you wish, sister."

"What do you mean, I can't teach him?" Luna asked with indignation.

"His emotions are to hard to control and you're only adding fuel to fire." Celestia said, cautioning Luna. "With Sombra's magic, he could kill us all."

"I told you, that I have everything under control."

"We could use the Elements of Harmony to heal him. Your method is to risky."

"It's the only way to get rid of King Sombra for good." Luna reminded. "We need an Inquisitor, now!"

"We need no more Dark Sorcerers. Besides, the Elements could help Sombra as well. Or... the pony what is imprisoned in his mind."

"What do you mean?"

"Jacob told me, that Sombra possessed old ruler of Crystal Empire, Prince Star Diamond."

"But, you will only suppress him inside, like Elements did it to my dark side." Luna placed her hoof on her chest. "I still can feel Nightmare Moon inside me..."

"Then why you don't take care of King Sombra?"

"I could have, when he returned for the first time, but you had to send Twilight and check, if she's ready."

Celestia sighed. "You're right. I should have sent you... For now, let's return to Mr. Dracons..."

When Celestia and Luna went inside the dining room, they saw, like Jacob was facing King Sombra.

"No matter, what do you say, the answer is still 'no'." Jacob said to Sombra.

"Looks like, the princesses decided to join us..."

Jacob looked behind. "Good timing. I could use some help with him."

"This time you won't escape, Sombra." Luna said.

"I came here to make a...-" Sombra summoned five necklaces and one tiara. "-...deal. Elements for Jacob. What is more important for you? Life of simple soldier or some ancient stones?"

Princesses stuck. They didn't want another evil Dark Sorcerer, but they also needed the Elements. Celestia preferred to keep the Elements, but Luna wanted to keep Jacob in Canterlot. But, before they chose anything, Jacob said:... "I have a better idea." ...then, took his gun and shoot Sombra's horn, causing him to drop the Elements. Jacob grabbed them with telekinesis and gave them to the princesses. "Go, now! I'll buy you some time!" He screamed. Celestia nodded and ran with her sister.

"I see, that your smarter, than you look, kid." Sombra said, regenerating his cracked horn. "But, you're still making stupid mistake, trusting them."

"At least they gave me compassion and hospitality. What did you give me? Zombificated friends and empty promises."

"Celestia is afraid of you. Can't you see it?" Sombra asked with smile.

"I see it enough. I would be scared too, if someone in my surroundings was a black mage. That is why I want her to stop being afraid of me... I'm not a demon like you. I'm a human. I'm Jacob Dracons, Princess Luna's student...-" In Jacob's eyes appeared green glow and purple/orange mist. "-...and I'm going to defeat you."

"Silent Power!? This is impossible, your emotions are to strong!" Sombra screamed.

"Maybe they are..." From the floor, around Jacob, grown up dark orange crystal spikes. "But I know, how to use them."

Jacob raised his arms to his shoulders level and raised the crystals up. They started pinning around him and, when they had enough momentum, Jacob threw them in Sombra's direction. Sombra managed to dodge most of them, but one pinned him to the wall.

"We'll meet again soon..." Sombra said and disappeared in the smoke cloud.

Jacob closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he opened them, they were normal again. "Wha- what happened?" Jacob said, grabbing his head. He noticed Cone. He was still eating ants, not caring about anything. "Celestia, Luna, are you here?"

Princesses didn't go far. They were observing all the battle.

"Silent Power, fascinating..." Luna said.

"Wh-what's Silent Power?" Jacob felt, like he was always last to know.

"It's a spell, used by Dark Sorcerers, what stabilize their power. But, they have to tame their negative emotions, what are the Dark Magic's fuel. Last time I've seen it 2000 years ago, during Black Plague."

"Black what?"

"Black Plague was a very destructive war." Celestia said. "Dark Sorcerers wanted to rule the whole planet. We tried to defeat them, but they were always returning. On both sides were fighting all species of our planet: ponies, dragons, griffins and even changelings. When we were at the edge of the failure, my sister found a solution."

"I created a special union, called Inquisition. They were Dark Sorcerers, but on our side. They were masters of the Silent Power. With them, war ended in one year."

"I guess, that something go wrong..."

"Celestia ordered me to kill all Inquisitors, to not risk another Black Plague. She had a point. I've killed all Inquisitors. Except one... Sombra."

"Let me guess. You loved him and you weren't strong enough to kill him." Jacob thought.

"How did you know?"

"I saw it in some movies. It's something, like... the Stockholm syndrome, but without kidnapping."

"He wasn't evil, when I met him. He had very good heart. I was even thinking about turning him into an alicorn, after what he did for us, but... I couldn't do this or kill him. I had to exile him. It was the biggest mistake. He returned and started to manipulate ponies, causing them finally to separate from each other. All three kinds were divided. 'Cause of him... Soon after that, he died as an old pony, ponies found Equestria and lived in peace."

"Wait, so... Equestria isn't a name of this planet?" Jacob asked feeling cheated. "So, what is it's name?"

"We just call it our planet." Celestia said. "What is your name for it?"

"Terra-2. But, it doesn't matter. I guess, that I'm the newest Inquisitor."

"If Sombra could reach the Elements of Harmony, we don't have much choice." Celestia said. "After what I saw, I see that we can trust you. Maybe you can even be able to resist your dark needs."

"My only need is to find home. And I guess, I found it already." Jacob smiled warmly. "So, are you still afraid of me?"

"Not as much as earlier... Can we have a walk in the gardens?"

"Some fresh air would be nice..." Jacob said and took Cone with him. In the meantime, Luna took care about the Elements.

It was very beautiful morning in Equestria. Birds were singing, sun was shining, flowers were blooming... like in little paradise.

Jacob enjoyed the fresh air, during the walk with Princess Celestia.

"This place is so beautiful..." Jacob sighed. "Isn't it, Princess?"

"Yes, it is." She responded, looking at the sky. "But, King Sombra can ruin this place, if we won't stop him."

"Aaaand, the climate's fucked up..." Jacob commented Celestia's words. "I've read a lot of books, played a lot of games and watched a lot of movies, where bad guy always loses and good guy becomes a national hero and gets a girlfriend."

"But, life is not a book or... game."

"Life is a giant game, where every choice changes it. Small decision can save or destroy the whole nations. Like pressing a single button. This is how Earth ended. The guy presses button, bomb detonates and humanity has to leave their own planet. Sorry, I'm being dramatic. Again..."

"I should apologize..." Celestia said with guiltiness.

"For what? You didn't do anything."

"Well, I... judged you wrong. You stood in our protection, without knowing us very well. It means a lot..."

"I'm just a soldier. It's my duty to protect others."

"Nice, talented and modest... It's very rare combination."

"Am I that easy to read?"

"Mostly... I still can't believe, that you're still refusing to Sombra's temptations."

"I'm not an idiot to believe a villain." Jacob said, then sighed. "I've seen this scenario so many times, that it makes me sick. Villain offers you help to get what you want, then he kills you, when he doesn't need you anymore. And I want to live at least 40 years more. To have a job, what you leave to return to your home, where your wife and children are waiting for you."

"You want to create family?"

"Like everyone else..." Jacob petted Cone on his head. "For now, my only family is my brother, Ray. And Cone. But, until Sombra is alive, it's impossible... That's why I want to defeat him. To fulfill my dream... What about you?"

"Huh?"

"Do you want to create a family?"

"I was thinking about it, but... It's hard to find love, when you are a princess. Besides, am I not to old, to be a mother or wife?"

"Come on, you're looking like you were only about 20 years old."

"Ah-I..." Celestia responded with blush. "Don't play games with me."

"I'm not playing any games. I'm just honest..."

"Uh, can you shut up already?" Familiar dark voice said. It was Sombra, who appeared in front of them.

"God fucking dammit, who are you, a pop-up add?" Jacob said annoyed.

"I see, that my attempts to make you my student failed. So, I have no more use for you." From Sombra's horn fired dark magic beam, what hit Jacob, turning his armor into pieces. Jacob somersaulted about 20 meters and landed on his chest in torn clothes. In front of him, again, Sombra appeared and grubbed Jacob throat, lifting him to his eye's level. "I can't leave anything for Luna."

Celestia stunned Sombra with magic beam, causing him to drop Jacob. Between a dark unicorn and alicorn the battle flared up. Jacob tried to stand up, but pain was too strong. Before battle started for good, he lost his conscious...

The first thing, what Jacob heard, was beeping. Beeping of EKG monitor. It sounded stable. Stable enough, that he could open his eyes. He saw Princess Celestia, Princess Luna and Raymond.

"Am I dead?" Jacob asked, still in mood for jokes.

"It's good, that you're awake." Ray said.

"His armor saved him." Luna said. "Without it, he could turn into a cloud of dust."

"I always believe my guts first. Thank you for saving me, princess. Also, how are you?" Jacob said to Celestia.

"You're welcome. And I'm fine."

"How long was I sleeping?"

"Two weeks." Nurse said, walking inside. "You had 3 broken ribs, broken arm, metal bits all around your body and low level of iron. If princesses didn't bring you here, you could have died."

"How did you put me back together?"

"Your anatomy is very similar to pony's. You had 26 operations. Here's the bill." Jacob took it. His eyes whitened.

"100,000 bits? I don't even have a one bit!" Jacob cried out. "Well, Rainbow Dash owes me 100 bits, but still..."

"We will settle this debt." Luna said with smile. "He saved the Elements of Harmony, after all."

"Quicker than shadow, harder than stone." Jacob snickered. "I'll check something..." Jacob looked under his hospital clothes and saw a lot on scars. "Holy fuck..." He lowered it. "At least I'm alive. What about Cone?" Then, he felt sticky tongue of his pangolin friend.

"He jumped off your shoulder in the last second. Cone was lucky, that he survived." Celestia said. "Fluttershy took good care of him."

"I guess, that I have to thank her for this." Jacob replied, scratching his pet's chin. "Anything else happened, when I was sleeping?"

"Sombra was quiet. For now..." Luna said with skepticism.

"Can I talk alone with my brother?" Ray asked.

"Of course." Celestia said and left with her sister and nurse.

Ray wanted to say something to his brother. Something, what he wanted to say for a long time. "Jacob, listen. Back there, on Mars... I was a complete jerk. I treated you like a little baby. But, you showed, that you're a real man. Now, I'm proud, you're my younger brother. Will you forgive me?"

Jacob smiled. "Of course, I will. Brothers forgive each other." Jacob stood up. "Awkward sibling hug?" He asked, spreading his arms.

Ray sighed. "You serious?" Jacob made puppy eyes. Ray sighed again and made a little smile. "Awkward sibling hug." Brothers hugged for a while and broke it.

"Also, where's Oz?" Jacob asked. Then, Ray's eyes whitened.

"Well, he... disappeared." Ray admitted.

"What?"

"When I wanted to get him inside Twilight's castle, another day after landing, he was gone."

"LET ME GO!!!" Oscar Stone screamed, hitting cell's door. Oz was a prisoner. King Sombra's prisoner. Since then, he was a subject of his experiments with Dark Magic. "Can I, at least, have a glass of water?" No one answered. "Anybody? Captain? Jacob? Please, someone say something. I'm nuts here!" Still no answer. Only dark crystal cell and darkness. Then something grabbed his leg. "No, not again... NOOOOOOO!!!" He screamed, while being dragged into darkness.

"Soon, darkness will banish light...

End of prologue...