Full Title: My Little Pony: Rise to the Dawn
Shortened: Riseverse
Story Type/Timeline: Alternate Reality/Dark/Next Generation
Quick Synopsis:
Despite for all of Princess Celestia's best efforts, when Nightmare Moon escaped, the first thing she took out was her precious student and last hope, Twilight Sparkle. With Twilight deceased, Nightmare Moon banished her own sister to the moon for 'fair is fair' but this time 'it's forever' with the elements of Harmony as an ironic twist of power. Then promptly destroyed them as she brought forth the endless night and her reign began as Queen Nightmare Moon.

Now in the future, the world of Equestria struggles to thrive under the pale light of the moon as rebels still attempt to revive their beloved Sun Princess in vain attempts. And while the elements of Harmony may be gone, the Tree of Harmony still lives on, now lost deep in the now fully wild Everfree forest where only a single soul lives as its protector. When they hear the tree call for help, who will they turn to?

Name: Buckmoth "Mothy"
Family: Fluttershy (Mother), Big Mac (Father), Applejack (Aunt), Rainbow Dash (Aunt), Apple Moonbow (cousin), Apple Bloom (Cousin)
Age: 26 years old
Likes: Solitude, flying insects (includes Breezies), silence, reading, running
Dislikes: Competition, picking sides, bullies, showing weakness

Buckmoth is a great deal like his mother. He appears soft and weak despite having his father's build and so often is not considered as a good candidate for much. Which is kind of what he wants. He doesn't like to instigate things, he doesn't like to fight being a pacifist but he will protect those and that of which he loves.

Name: Twinkling Twilight "Twinkle"
Family: Cadenza De Amore, Shining Armor
Age: 22 years old
Likes: Romance (movies, stories, books, etc; it can be platonic or more), watching the world around her, learning magic and spells
Dislikes: Hitting walls (being unable to do something for example or failing something), having her heart broken, knowing she has a lot of pressure on her shoulders to protect Equestria.

Named for her belated aunt, she is an incredibly gifted magical unicorn born to be a Princess but with nowhere yet to stand. Her mother lays in hiding with her husband and she was an 'happy' accident (wanted but also worrisome, her mother feared for her daughter's life should Nightmare Moon learn of her existence). After all, her mother's head was still wanted on a platter, now was hers. But despite this, Twinkle's has a kindness and love within her that reaches almost the most darkest of shadows. And she knows that this is going to come into good use someday soon. Until then, she's learning every spell she can to protect her friends and family, all the while sneaking in a romance novel to relax once in a while.

Name: Apple Moonbow "Moonbow"
Family: Rainbow Dash (Mother), Applejack (Mother), Big Mac (uncle), Fluttershy (aunt), Buckmoth (cousin), Applebloom (Aunt)
Age: 23 years old
Likes: Precision, being clean and clear-cut, quick to the point, facts
Dislikes: Beating around the bush, noisy others, loud places

Apple Moonbow is nothing like her parents, or the rest of her family to be honest. She suffers from a degree of Asperger's syndrome. She can't read others well, no matter how much she attempts to which is quite frustrating. There's not much help out there for her since well, the world isn't exactly run for the best with Nightmare Moon as their Queen and the world slowly dying because there's no sunlight. All she can do is focus on her unique use of archery where she uses her tipped wings to guide the arrow rather than her limbs.

Name: Crazy Lace Agate Pie "Lacey"
Family: Pinkie Pie (Mother), Hayseed Turnip Truck (Father, deceased), Limestone Pie (Aunt), Marble Pie (Aunt), Maude Pie (Aunt)
Age: 25 years old
Likes: Sleeping, dreams, pillows, candy, laughter
Dislikes: Nightmares, boredom, not being comfortable

Lacey is a very interesting character. She can be considered a lot like her mother, Pinkie Pie. If only she just didn't, well, sleep all the time. Her need to sleep borders on almost obsession but she's got a heavy secret that no one should find out about, it would cost her her life. But until then, she's going to live it how she wants to so kindly butt out. Despite her name, she's not all that crazy or active, quite docile since she sleeps the majority of her life away but when you need her, she's going to be there for you. She's got a few tricks up her sleeve as well, things taught to her by her parents that she holds close to her heart.

Name: Fond Illusion "Lulu"
Family: Lady Consort Rarity (Mother), Queen Nightmare Moon (Mother), Exiled-Princess Celestia (aunt)
Age: 27 years old
Likes: Rarity's lullabies/comforts/blankets, gemstones, being generous
Dislikes: Nightmoon's false love, being feared, his eyes and his magic

Lulu isn't what you think he is. At least, he hope he isn't. Despite Rarity's insistence that he carries her generous and loving spirit, he fears that he carries the worst within him and keeps a distance from the world. Which the world seems to want. He's no friends or allies, just servants who fear him despite that he's never lifted a hoof in rage ever in his life. In fact, he's never shown any rage in his living life at all. He just dreams about seeing the sunlight once again, despite knowing that he's never actually seen it before so why does it seem so familiar?