Daybreaker's Fiery Vengeance

Luna rose the sun into the eastern horizon. This was the longest day of the thousandth year. The day when Daybreaker would escape. The mare of flames would threaten to trap Equestria in eternal sunlight. She knew that if the day lasted forever, with no nighttime and no rain, then Equestria would become an inhabitable desert without any sign of life. But the other extreme, eternal night, would be just as terrible.

Luna would never forget the time when she had to banish Daybreaker. Being the sole ruler for a thousand years, she wasn't sure how Equestria would react to Celestia's arrival. In a sense, Celestia was the forgotten princess.

The elder sister wasn't too obscure a thousand years ago. Instead, she was known everywhere for her deeds, the way she handled politics, and her benevolence. She was like a celebrity, but she'd rather be treated like a normal pony. After Daybreaker was imprisoned in the sun, everypony forgot Celestia within five centuries, save for certain families who were closest to the sun princess.

In recent times, more and more ponies either thought Celestia was a fictional heroine or a real historical figure who died fighting a powerful threat. The only sun alicorn they seemed to remember like the back of their hooves was the wicked mare named Daybreaker.

What would Celestia say if she discovered that most ponies had forgotten her? Would she immediately be forgiven? Of course she would be forgiven. As soon as she was released from Daybreaker's influence, everypony would forgive her. Despite all of this, it might be new to Equestria if she began ruling by Luna's side as an equal. There might be a chance that somepony could wrongly accuse Celestia of a secret plot.

Luna walked into the throne room and glanced at the window. She turned her attention to a pair of guards. "Tell the other guards to watch every entrance to the castle for malicious intruders. Especially the throne room."

The guards nodded as they hurried out of the throne room. Once Luna was alone, she considered the first assignment that Sunset would receive. It wouldn't be about the study of magic; it would focus on her becoming the potential bearer of the Element of Magic. And if Sunset succeeded, then Celestia could become reformed. But what if Sunset failed? What if Celestia remained corrupted? Would she have to banish Daybreaker again as a result?

Sunset walked into the throne room and stood before Luna. Standing by her side was her dragon assistant, Spike. Several years ago when the egg was first hatched, several ponies considered returning the baby dragon to where he came from. However, Sunset had asked to keep him. Luna had given her permission to keep Spike.

"Princess Luna, you've hinted at a special assignment last night during dinner. What am I supposed to do?" Sunset asked.

"Go to Ponyville. I have a book that you might want to read," Luna said as she summoned a familiar book. "It's about Daybreaker."

"Oh, okay. Why should I go to Ponyville? Many ponies over there are friends with one another. If I get another friend-"

"Don't worry. Not every friend is going to betray you. And the reason you should go to Ponyville is because you may want to meet some ponies." Luna chose not to specify which ponies Sunset should befriend. She gave her student an enigmatic smile. "You never know who you'll meet."

Sunset opened her mouth as if to say something, but she remained quiet. Then, she spoke. "Alright, I'll go to Ponyville. How long do I have to stay there?"

"There is a room prepared for you at the Golden Oaks Library."

"Why should I move out?"

"The ponies you will meet live in Ponyville, and they don't come to Canterlot often."

Sunset nodded. "Makes sense. I'll still send letters." She hugged Luna before she left the throne room.

Luna watched as the grand doors closed. It was like watching one's own daughter move out. Her student was old enough to leave. Last week, Sunset had turned sixteen. Because she distanced herself from her friends, the only ponies that came were members of Twilight Sparkle's family. What if Sunset didn't want to make friends in Ponyville? Would she have to find another pony who was more willing to make friends?

Luna didn't want to replace Sunset. She'd rather see if her student would pass this test. She yawned. It was her time to turn in. As much as she wanted to sleep, it didn't seem to be the right choice. Something could happen before noon, and she could sense the imminence of Daybreaker's release. Although she had banished Daybreaker a thousand years ago, she had no plans of banishing her a second time. She wanted Celestia back. But would Celestia ever be freed from Daybreaker?

The summer breeze warmed Sunset's body as she stepped off the chariot. She had assumed that the ponies here would own farms, but not all of them did. She never came here before. Ponies from all walks of life hurried back and forth to run errands. The unicorns here didn't seem as snooty as the ones from Canterlot. She let Spike onto her back as she trotted past the houses. The architecture was more humble than Canterlot's upper-class buildings. What a contrast, she thought. She summoned her checklist. Perhaps she should read the book first.

Sunset scanned the area for the nearest shade. A typical noon in the summer would become hot. She chose a tree that had a bench sitting under its leaves. Once she settled onto the bench, she yanked the book from her saddlebag and skimmed the pages. The first picture grabbed her attention. The alicorn figures reminded her of the murals she saw in the castle. Although the wording was old, she still understood the story.

Sunset began reading the words out loud. "Once upon a time, there are two sisters that rule Equestria. They keep the land in perfect balance and harmony. To do this, the elder sister rose the sun at dawn. The younger sister would rise the moon to start the night. Ponies frolicked in the daylight, but they also enjoyed the night for the starlight and the peace it brings. As time passed on, the elder sister began struggling with nightmares. One day, she was forced to become the fearsome Mare of Flames; Daybreaker. Using the Elements of Harmony, the younger sister banished Daybreaker to the sun. She ruled alone for generations since."

Hadn't Luna mentioned this in the past? If it truly happened, why would some ponies brush it off as an old mares' tale? Sunset was prepared to close the book. The last few words made her freeze. This sentence seemed ominous. "On the longest day of the thousandth year, the sun's flare will aid in Daybreaker's escape."

Didn't Sunset read about the Elements before? She closed the book and stashed it into her saddlebag. She glanced at the sun for a swift second. It had moved a little since she arrived in Ponyville. She scrutinized the checklist. First, she had to meet a party pony.

Sunset furrowed her brow. "A party pony? Luna said that this pony likes to make friends. I'm not the type to make friends. Ever since my first friend left, I've studied by myself. I've also distanced myself from those who attended the School for Gifted Unicorns." Other than some old friends and her former foalsitter, she hadn't known many extroverted ponies.

"Luna said to make new friends," Spike said.

"I know that. But first, I have to send her a letter. If the prophecy is correct, the Mare of Flames could return to bring about eternal daylight," Sunset said as she took out a piece of paper and a quill. She scribbled the words that came to her mind.

Spike shrugged as he grabbed the letter. "Isn't she busy preparing for the Summer Sun Celebration?"

"Sometimes when she receives them, she reads them after she's done with her duties. Just send it."

"But-"

"Just do it!"

"Okay, okay. I will." Spike blew a small green flame onto the letter, causing it to disappear.

Sunset led Spike toward the party pony's place. This building was called Sugarcube Corner. She wasn't the most social pony in the world like Luna. How would Luna greet a stranger? Was the introduction supposed to be formal or not? She stepped inside Sugarcube corner. A pink mare hopped forward, giggling like a filly about to meet a new friend.

The pink mare displayed a tray of cupcakes. "Hey there! I'm Pinkie Pie. What brings you to Sugarcube Corner?"

"I'm Sunset Shimmer, and I come from Canterlot. The Summer Sun Celebration starts-"

"Tonight! I can't wait to watch the sunset."

"Any plans for tonight?"

"I'll make treats for everypony!"

Sunset nodded. "That's all I'm going to talk about. I'll leave-"

Pinkie frowned. "Don't you want to try a cupcake?"

"I don't have time for this. Princess Luna has me busy supervising the Summer Sun Celebration."

"I see. I'll throw a surprise party later. Bye!"

Sunset left Sugarcube Corner and trotted down the street. Not a cloud remained in the clear blue sky. Soon enough, a single cloud hovered above her. It couldn't be this close, unless a pegasus planned to prank her. Raindrops poured from the cloud.

Spike yanked the checklist from Sunset's saddlebag. "There's a pegasus named Rainbow Dash."

Sunset looked up. A mare with a rainbow mane and a blue coat emerged from the cloud. "I guess she's trying to prank unsuspecting ponies." She cleared her throat. "You're Rainbow Dash, right? This cloud poured on me. Is it meant to be a prank?"

The pegasus glanced at Sunset. "What? I didn't realize the cloud rained on you. I'm practicing. How did you know my name?"

"The princess included your name on my checklist. Weather preparations for tonight?"

"Yeah. Sky's supposed to be clear when the sun sets. The patented Rain-blow dry will fix your mane in a jiffy!" Rainbow flew around Sunset, then rushed to the skies.

Sunset let out an annoyed huff. She didn't expect Rainbow to greet her like this. Did the pegasus do this to every stranger? She walked toward a boutique. The sign on the door said "Carousel Boutique." As she entered the boutique, she spied a mare with a white coat and purple mane.

The mare talked to herself for a long minute. When she noticed Sunset, she gasped. "Oh, no! What happened to your coiffure?"

"A pegasus decided to pour rain on my mane. You're Rarity, right? I'm Sunset Shimmer, and I come from Canterlot-"

Rarity gasped again. She was dramatic compared to Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash. "Canterlot? Oh, my stars! I've always wanted to visit Canterlot. The elegance, the fashions, and such class! Here, I'll make your mane look better in no time."

Spike seemed focused on Rarity. "Beautiful..."

Sunset glanced at him, then at Rarity. Why would a dragon have a thing for a pony? Spike still had the mind of a child, while Rarity could be around seventeen or eighteen years old. It was like a colt having a crush on a mare. She followed Rarity to a styling chair. The fashionista went to work, styling her hair countless times and deciding on mane colors. Most of the styles looked tacky and overdone.

Rarity paced toward the door. "I'll find some more options. You stay put."

"I like my mane the way it is. I'm not as fancy as you are," Sunset said as she hurried out of the boutique. A realization stopped her in her tracks. Why hadn't Luna responded to the letter yet? She glanced at the sun again. It seemed to threaten the land with eternal heat.

Sunset reached a cottage that sat a few minutes away from the Everfree Forest. She had been galloping the whole time, but she didn't care. She had a bad feeling about today, no matter how much she wanted to focus on her task. Why did this have to be so stressful? She wasn't usually nervous. A mare with a pink mane and yellow coat sang in a soft tone of voice.

Sunset took in a deep breath, then exhaled. "I hope I'm not intruding. I'm Sunset Shimmer, and I come from Canterlot. Princess Luna sent me to Ponyville to supervise the preparations. How are things going with the animals?"

The mare turned, then cowered like a frightened little filly. She whispered as soft as possible. Had she ever spoken to anypony in her life? What made her shy?

"Don't be afraid. I won't hurt you," Sunset said. "You're Fluttershy, right?"

Fluttershy nodded. A trio of snakes slithered past Sunset. "They're harmless creatures."

Sunset backed away. "Harmless? I've seen more tame animals." More animals emerged from hiding. "I don't see a lot of them in Canterlot, save for Princess Luna's possum."

"The Princess has a pet possum?"

"Yes. She calls him Tiberius, but nicknames him Tibbles. I must go to Sweet Apple Acres. I can't linger one more minute. Have a good day."

When Fluttershy noticed Spike, she squealed. "How adorable! A baby dragon?"

Before Fluttershy could do anything else, Sunset trotted away from the cottage and searched for the large farm. She checked the boxes on the list. The day continued to become hotter each minute. Time seemed to race against her. She took one final look at the sun, then rushed to greet the mare with a blonde mane and an orange coat.

The earth pony shook Sunset's hoof. "Howdy there! I'm Applejack. We here at Sweet Apple Acres enjoy making new friends!"

Sunset pulled her hoof away. "I'm Sunset Shimmer, and-"

"Won't you stay for brunch? All my relatives are about to have a big feast."

"Brunch isn't what I had in mind. Also, I need to find the Golden Oaks Library."

"You seem to be in a hurry to leave."

Sunset glanced at the road. "That's because I have work to do. Princess Luna sent me to supervise the preparations." How many more times did she have to say the same words? She wanted to return to Canterlot Castle and demand an explanation from her mentor. First, the princess hadn't responded to her letter. Second, Daybreaker could be a real villain waiting to destroy Equestria. And third, she didn't want to deal with this assignment anymore. What was a protege to do?

Luna could sense the heat radiating off the floor and the walls. The castle was heavily guarded, but Daybreaker could easily intrude. The sun slowed down to a complete halt. She could've prepared to fight, but she wanted to reason with Daybreaker instead. Maybe Daybreaker could listen, right? And if that were the case, Celestia would finally be free of Daybreaker's influence.

Outside the window, a fiery figure flew away from the sun and approached Canterlot. Suddenly, the fiery figure disappeared from sight. Where had she gone? Luna walked back to the throne. Tons of shouts echoed from multiple hallways. Cruel laughter rang off the walls. Daybreaker was here.

The air became more humid. The heat wasn't Luna's cup of tea. She galloped out of the throne room to check on the guards. She sensed that somepony watched her. She couldn't deny that the intruder was Daybreaker. This time, she wouldn't fight her. She couldn't even consider banishing her a second time.

"Too scared to look into my eyes? This castle is brighter than the other one. Looks like it's made for me," Daybreaker's voice said. "But the throne room needs another decoration."

"Celestia, I won't banish you. Please come back. We are meant to rule together," Luna said.

"Together? And don't say such a terrible name again! I am Daybreaker. I shouldn't have let you win. I should've destroyed you."

Luna turned to face Daybreaker. "Tia, listen-"

Daybreaker's horn glowed. "I don't care what you say, little sister! I want the ponies to love my sun again. Out of the way!" She summoned a fireball.

Luna ducked the fireball. "Only Celestia calls me her little sister. You're not her."

Daybreaker summoned another spell. Her magic enveloped Luna's body in a bright sphere. "I'll keep you a little longer so that I'll see you squirm. You belong in a dark dungeon, not on the throne."

When the glow faded, Luna found herself in the castle dungeon. The sphere hadn't faded, though. It was more transparent. If her words couldn't convince Daybreaker, then maybe the Elements would. And she had yet to respond to Sunset's letter. Maybe she could respond in person when Daybreaker was defeated.