Daybreaker's Fiery Vengeance

Sunset finally reached the Golden Oaks Library. The whole time she was outside, she panted. The extreme heat could've made anypony thirsty. But this heat wave was unusual. It was as if the sun itself released Daybreaker from prison. Speaking of Daybreaker, she read the book one more time. Since this was the longest day of the year, it was time for Daybreaker to escape. And it wasn't a good thing. Had something happened to Luna? She couldn't consider the possibility. Luna seemed able to put up a fight. Daybreaker might return to the sun, right?

Sunset closed the book. A group of familiar faces jumped from behind the couch. Pinkie approached her. She didn't want to deal with a party right now. There were more important things to do! "Have you noticed, Pinkie? The sun won't move-"

"It's the longest day of the year! Duh!" Pinkie interrupted as she smiled. "I know you're busy and all, but sometimes you need a break."

"I don't need a break! I need to defend Equestria!"

"Did I throw the party at a wrong time? I'll cancel it."

Sunset sighed. "It wasn't that I don't appreciate the gesture, but you don't need to overdo this each time you want to make new friends."

Pinkie giggled. "You're silly. That's what friends are for! They surprise each other because it's boring to be serious all the time."

"I didn't ask for a surprise party. I expect all of you to leave. There are more important things for me to do-"

"There's nothing wrong with having a friend. I've been friends with everypony in Ponyville ever since I started working at Sugarcube Corner."

Sunset pretended to be unaware of Pinkie's presence. The music started playing as she walked upstairs. Just as her mentor said, the new room was fashioned for her. Her blanket was orange, one of her favorite colors. There were pink clouds on the edges of the blanket. It reminded her of the sunset. She locked the door. How did Luna deal with the annual Gala back in Canterlot anyways? Luna did greet the guests in the throne room whenever the Gala started.

Sunset wasn't too social. If she had to greet ponies and deal with parties, she wouldn't enjoy life in Ponyville. Also, the citizens were too cheerful and friendly for her liking. Luna was more honest than many of them. Somepony banged on the door, which interrupted her train of thought.

"Don't you want to see Luna lower the sun tonight? She'll make the moon rise. Can you come with us?" Pinkie asked on the other side of the door.

"Of course. I'll be out in a minute," Sunset said as she pushed the door open.

"It'll be fun to watch."

Sunset followed Pinkie and the four other mares outside. If you say so, she thought. Were those five the ones Luna wanted her to befriend? How had Luna known? Was it because her mentor was the guardian of dreams? Such a possibility made sense. For real, nopony could lie to the princess and expect to keep the truth a secret for long. She fanned herself. Sweat formed on her forehead. Could this day get any worse? Somepony could get a heatstroke. Such a condition could cause the plants to wither and the wooded areas to burn.

Pretty soon, everypony would be forced underground to avoid the fatal heat. Wouldn't this anger Daybreaker as a result? Sunset shuddered despite the temperature. The way her friends complained about the heat took the words out of her mouth. As usual, Rarity was the most dramatic of the five.

"I could die in this dreadful weather," Rarity said. "My hair won't tolerate the heat wave. And my eyeliner will run."

Applejack wiped the sweat from her forehead. "I don't want the crops to die. If they die, how will the ponies get their food?"

Rainbow Dash seemed grumpy. "If this keeps up, I'll summon a cooling rainstorm. This has got to be the worst day of the year."

"We still have nighttime to cool us off," Fluttershy said. "Else, the poor animals will suffer. They need water."

"I'm gonna turn into a pink puddle," Pinkie said. "This isn't good. Is the sun being defiant?"

Sunset turned her gaze to the sky. "It appears so. I think this means-"

The five mares gave Sunset strange looks. Rarity was the first to speak. "I don't think Luna will forget to lower the sun. Some fiery mare cannot touch Equestria. She's strong enough to protect us from such a horrible threat," she said.

"Daybreaker escaped the banishment," Sunset said.

Pinkie gave Sunset a quizzical look. "Daybreaker?"

"Yes. I'm not lying, nor am I joking."

Applejack seemed skeptical. "But it was an old mares' tale."

Sunset shrugged, then led the five mares down the street. "Let's find the stage. Maybe we'll figure it out over there." She trotted toward the stage. It was strange that the sun didn't move another inch. She was sure Daybreaker had something to do with this.

The crowd assembled. Confused murmurs rippled through the air. Sunset braced herself for the worst. One by one, the ponies hurried toward the nearby shades. Others entered nearby buildings to cool off. Where was Luna? And would Daybreaker appear? Before she began to investigate, a fiery mare landed onto the stage. The ponies gawked at the intimidating alicorn. A few guards flew toward Daybreaker, only to be pushed back by the wicked alicorn's magic.

Sunset's jaw dropped open. "What have you done to Princess Luna?"

Daybreaker chuckled. "Let's say that I made a few adjustments to the throne that's supposed to be mine. I have not seen you in a thousand years. I believe you haven't forgotten me. Behold this, the glory of the eternal sun."

Rainbow Dash rushed forward. "Did you usurp our princess? You won't get away with this."

"Oh, I already have. Your poor little princess is suffering in prison."

Pinkie Pie's eyes widened. "So, what's your name? Evil Fire? Sunburn? Oh, oh, wait! What about Red Fury?"

Daybreaker sneered. "That's not my name, you hyperactive commoner."

Sunset stared at Daybreaker for a long minute. The mare's fiery mane reminded her of wildfires. She wouldn't allow this tyrant to rule Equestria. And she couldn't let Daybreaker get away with eternal daylight. "I know who you are. The Mare of Flames as seen in a storybook."

Daybreaker whirled around and inched closer. She unfurled her wings to their full size. "Let me guess. They now view me as a storybook villain. Has my little sister ever told you my name? It doesn't start with a C. It starts with the next letter."

"You're Daybreaker."

Daybreaker flashed a sadistic grin as she scrutinized the crowd. Her stride exuded arrogance. She snickered. Her voice was filled with malice. "Correct. At least somepony knows my name. It will be the last sunrise, mares and gentlecolts. My light keeps everypony safe and warm. It brings life, yet you loathe my reign. You won't see your dear Princess Luna's gloomy and scary night ever again. She lost. The day is victorious, and it shall last... forever!" The flames whirled around her. Anything in the vicinity caught on fire. When the flames died down, she disappeared.

The crowd dwindled. The most frightened ponies ran back and forth, while the others tried to extinguish the flames. Their effort didn't make the flames leave. Sunset had never been so horrified in her life. She knew the prophecy would come true. Where were the Elements of Harmony? Where had Luna hidden them?

Sunset took out her book and pored over the pages for clues. "Elements... Elements..." She whispered to herself.

Rainbow Dash flew ahead of the group. "Come on, girls. Let's save the princess and defeat Daybreaker once and for all."

Sunset summoned her magic and yanked Rainbow's tail. "Don't go by yourself. There's safety in numbers. Daybreaker is a dangerous mare, and she can easily bring down one pony."

Rainbow crossed her forelegs and pouted. "Whatever. The princess needs us!"

Sunset ignored Rainbow's words and led the group toward the Everfree Forest. Flames roared around them. The acrid smoke blurred her vision. This was Daybreaker's doing. If they couldn't find the Elements, and if they were scorched to ashes, Equestria would become a vast desert with no life. Fluttershy stood outside the forest, cowering. Why was the pegasus so frightened?

"Fluttershy, we'll protect you. Come with us," Rainbow assured Fluttershy. The yellow pegasus remained terrified. "We got no time for this!"

"There's fires everywhere," Fluttershy murmured.

"It doesn't matter. Daybreaker wants to destroy Equestria. If she doesn't lose, we're all toast."

Sunset had to agree. A circle of flames surrounded the group, which made Fluttershy scream like a little filly. Cruel laughter echoed throughout the sky. As the thick smoke blotted out the sun, a hot breeze shoved the ashes toward Ponyville. It was a horrifying sight.

Rarity placed her hoof onto her head. "Oh, no. What do we do? Dangerous adventures aren't my cup of tea. I'd rather be designing the trendiest fashions. Not this!" She pointed to the sky.

"Rarity, this isn't the time to be distressed," Sunset said as her horn glowed. She teleported her friends out of the circle. She joined them on the trail. It seemed too easy. What if Daybreaker lured them into an inescapable trap? Fire pillars emerged from the ground. Fluttershy screamed for the second time. Rarity seemed apprehensive.

Pinkie Pie approached the fire pillars. "Why fear this? Let's laugh our fear away. We're not afraid of a mere flame!" She began laughing.

Sunset tilted her head. The other mares joined in. Soon enough, she herself chuckled. The flame pillars disappeared. "Alright, let's go on. We can't make light of a dire situation. Especially not when we have to defeat Daybreaker. Evil alicorns use their power for destructive purposes."

Rainbow nodded. "Obviously. Look at Daybreaker's nefarious crimes. She should be punished for this."

Applejack paced forward. "Hurry, before the crops die. Rainbow is right."

Pinkie's fit of laughter ceased. "If the crops die, how can I make the best desserts in Ponyville?"

Daybreaker watched the six ponies from the balcony of the crumbling castle. They couldn't win. She scowled. A plan came to her mind. She conjured her fiery magic and set the entrance ablaze. She could trick them into finding the Elements in the dungeon. After all, this castle was filled with an abundance of traps. That would work, she thought. A familiar voice whispered to her ear, but nopony was around. She knew the voice belonged to Celestia, but she couldn't care less. No need to release her.

Daybreaker cackled. Nopony could defeat her. Not even the six cowardly ponies. Not even the bothersome moon princess. Nopony would see the nighttime ever again. It was obvious the crowd in Ponyville feared her presence. It felt good. If they hadn't feared her, then they would rebel as the six ponies did. She had to rid herself of the rebels.

"Those renegades won't get what they want," Daybreaker whispered. "I'll be furious if more ponies become defiant."

Celestia's subtle voice murmured. "Let me go. I don't want to kill my own sister. You've possessed me long enough."

"Never. We're one and the same. And the benefit of the transformation? You're more beautiful than any other mare."

"You have an ugly heart."

Daybreaker snorted as she walked to the abandoned throne room. It was where the fight against her so-called sister began - and where it should have ended if not for the banishment. She summoned more fire pillars to light up the dreary place. Although it wasn't as cheery as Luna's castle, she could stay here a little longer. Then, if the six ponies arrived, she would steal the Elements and return to Canterlot Castle. It would give them a wild goose chase. She cackled at the idea.

A manticore emerged from the bushes, crying out in pain as his mane caught on fire. He roared when he noticed the group. Fluttershy didn't seem bothered, even though the fire had scared her to death. Sunset placed a cooling spell on the manticore's mane. The creature was still unsure of the group's presence.

Fluttershy hugged the manticore. "It's okay. You're still alive."

The flames grew more vicious each minute. Sunset formed a protective barrier around the group. They followed the trail, which seemed to go on forever. The ashes wouldn't vanish. Daybreaker had obviously refused to give up. Leaves on each tree crumbled into ashes. The burning forest resembled a scene from apocalyptic literature. As the heat wave intensified, they spied a bridge.

Sunset stepped onto the bridge, careful not to fall off. The five mares accompanied her, which made the bridge creak. A fiery figure approached. She recognized it as Daybreaker. Before she uttered a word, both ends of the bridge caught on fire. She backed away, not noticing that she faced the wrong way. Her back hooves slipped off the bridge. Her heart hammered against her ribs. She couldn't give Daybreaker the satisfaction of intimidating her.

Applejack grabbed Sunset's hooves. "Trust me. Just let go."

"Why should I? I don't want to die. If we fail, Equestria is doomed!" Sunset replied.

The fires approached them. Sunset braced herself for the worst and let go. She shut her eyes and clenched her jaw. Strange enough, she didn't feel herself falling. Had she died? She forced her eyes open. Rainbow Dash held her hooves and carried her to safety. Then, the blue pegasus helped Fluttershy carry others to the opposite side of the bridge.

The bridge turned to ashes. Sunset gazed at the imposing ruins. Daybreaker landed in front of the group. "Lower the sun or we'll banish you," she said.

Daybreaker shook her head. "Why should I? The night is gloomy! So are the ruins. Try finding me in Canterlot Castle after you discover the Elements. Those are inside this castle. The battle won't be easy for you."

Rainbow Dash approached Daybreaker. "We ain't afraid of you, fire demon!"

"Quite the daring one, huh? Bring it on. But you'll lose, since you don't have the kind of magic to stop me."

Sunset pacified Rainbow Dash before the pegasus could start a fight. "Don't rush headfirst into battle. We need the Elements."

Daybreaker flashed a sadistic grin. "You fools will never stop me. Before I leave, I'll watch you search for the Elements."

Sunset smirked. "You realize you're asking to be defeated. My friends and I will find the Elements in no time."

"You may be wrong."

Sunset and the group trotted into the castle. Fire pillars lit up the ruins as she scrutinized the place for the Elements. They found themselves in a hallway. If she had spoken to Luna about Daybreaker before this, she would know where the legendary artifacts are. She spied a pedestal with six inscriptions. However, the Elements weren't here.

A creaking noise drew Sunset's attention to the left. A trapdoor had opened under Applejack, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie. She rushed to rescue them, only to fall with them. Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash attempted to pull them back to the first floor, but the trapdoor closed just in time. The trapdoor opened again, revealing Daybreaker's face.

"The Elements aren't here," Daybreaker said. "You're so naive!" She shut the trapdoor.

Sunset began to lose hope. She couldn't fail this assignment. And now Daybreaker had gotten away with eternal daylight. She covered her face with her hooves. How dare Daybreaker ruin everything for Equestria? How dare Daybreaker trick them?

Rainbow Dash sighed. "So much for trying to stop Daybreaker. We're done."

Sunset's horn glowed. Her magic lit up the small room. Was there a way to escape? She checked each stone. Most of them didn't budge. She frowned. "I never meant to lead you into this. I'm sure Princess Luna is disappointed in me. I've tried everything. What else do we do?"

The five mares listened. Fluttershy stepped forward and placed a hoof on Sunset's back. "This isn't your fault."

Rainbow Dash nodded. "We're trying to stop Daybreaker. We won't let her win."

Now it was Applejack's turn to speak. "Don't let Daybreaker's words discourage you."

Pinkie stepped forward. "Do you remember when we laughed at the fire pillars? Nothing will bring us down."

Rarity maintained eye contact. "They have a point. Princess Luna wouldn't want us to lose heart."

Sunset smiled as she glanced at her friends. "Thanks for your words. I need to hear them." A noise drew their attention.

Spike pointed toward one of the walls. "I found a hidden door!"

Sunset and the others followed Spike into a narrow hallway. A newfound courage replaced the doubts in her heart. They had to retrieve the Elements in time. The fate of Equestria rested on their hooves...