The crystal door creaked open. Peeking inside, Starlight saw no one else in the room. She sighed in relief. Inwardly, she staggered to the table. The council room in Twilight’s castle always felt too spacious. Eyes darted side to side; beads of sweat trickled. Silently, she went to Twilight’s chair and nestled her flank comfortably. Angling her hooves on the table’s edge, the nook to a hidden compartment revealed itself; she opened it. Mint-cyan aura wafted in. Out drifted a book onto the table. The drawer closed with no sound, courtesy of a hushing enchantment. The book’s hard-lined cover, though, gently plunked.
Here goes another trip.
Musty pages slapped open. Ink-scratched pages flipped. Starlight rapidly read each page. Blasted how she could never remember the section she needed. She almost passed over it, stopping in time. She licked her hoof, pressing it on the paper helped keep it steady. A longing mind scanned over the complex matrix once more. Starlight steeled herself, and her heart pumped. Seeing her again would be oh-so-lovely. Especially after not being able to do so for a few weeks. She’d have to find a journal similar to Shimmer’s at some point.
Errantly, she chanted the partition of the spell, to complete it in whole. Spirals of magic whipped out from her horn. A cocoon of mint-cyan energy arcs entombed Starlight. With a flash of white, she disappeared.
I’ll never get used to this!
Starlight closed her eyes before the blinding light came. Faded temptations surrounded, whilst falling through the in-between. Echos of possible timelines, wanting her for themselves, desiring to become true realities, licked. She shut them out. Concentrating on where she wanted to go. Thinking of those harsh, blazing sensations. Ash-smelling mane. Brilliant golden armor. And those flank curves. These thoughts brought relish and a light giggle. Starlight kept them in focus. Zaps crackled around her. As quickly as it happened, the spell was completed.
Opening her eyes, she met the familiar. Massive wooden doors, laced with metallic decorative patterns, stood burgeoning above her. Clanking of armor circling into formation ripped her focus. The sparkling white marble of the refurbished Canterlot Castle, rebuilt from scratch, welcomed. Twirling about, a contingent of Solar Guards had surrounded her, spears pointed. Starlight chuckled. Such was their duty. The permanent steel circle she stood upon, and always spawned on, clinked as she bounced with patience.
“Let her pass.”
A booming voice commanded. Instantly, the dozen guards repented to their positions alongside the sides of the stone bridge. Whipping winds decided to blow over. Starlight fleetingly looked over the bridge’s side. The bubbling river of rich-red lava flowed jaggedly. It fit with the dark, withered soil and rock nearby. Soaking in the sights helped relax and rest for return. Traveling timelines took a toll. For all the fixing of her time travel mistakes, this unscathed realm remained, hidden, making everything feel more special.
The great doors burst open. Starlight recognized the golden aura twisting the handles.
Her heart fluttered. She had to breathe calmly.
My dear Daybreaker!
Starlight enthusiastically teleported the mere three dozen feet to greet her marefriend. She stared in her wonderful, gorgeous pupils of enriched amber. Despite the flickering ethereal mane of flames, only love’s heat did Starlight feel. Flickering her tail, Daybreaker nodded to usher Starlight inside. The doors slammed behind them. As usual, Starlight considered herself minute to her tallness. Demandingly, she jabbed the alicorn’s chest. Rolling her eyes, Daybreaker leaned. They shared a tasteful kiss; crisp white wings wrapped.
The act lasted no less than a full two minutes. Starlight felt ready and flushed. Trekking to their next destination needed no speaking. The traditional route was taken. Two flights up, with three turns left, two rights, and long, long hallways, passing the endless memorabilia dedicated to the thousand-year reign of the Solar Queen. Walking behind the massive, overtowering alicorn had its benefits. Sensing this, Daybreaker briefly smirked in acknowledgment. Starlight blushed.
Minutes later, the duo burst into the threshold of a large balcony overlooking the enormity of Equestria. The ancient city of Canterlot, the gilded heart of the Empire, presented itself. Beyond, lie a great wealth of other cities, plains of yonder, and mountain ranges. But not all stood pretty; it did hurt to gaze upon the hidden ghettos slipped amongst the city's crumbling high ends. The monarch tensed at Starlight’s usual seeing of it. Present on the balcony stood an inviting platinum table with two cups of steaming tea. Daybreaker took the right. Starlight scooched to the left.
The glistening castle, niched into its high pocket, dominated. Slurries of lava nuzzled their flow through the castle’s moats. Dark, imposing clouds swirled above. Orange-yellow sky stained. However, much friendlier, clearer, mango-peach skies unfolded less than half a mile out. The merging border provided a clashing sight. Genuine rays of sunshine pounced on construction scaffolding throughout Canterlot. New buildings, and others in progress, dotted amongst the work-surviving populace.
This is excellent progress.
Starlight switched her gaze from them to Daybreaker's anxious waiting. And nodded with affection. Daybreaker lightly blushed. It meant, on her own, the ruler had begun efforts to revitalize life for the unfortunate. Life in the capital would prove the commitment. It’d been half-barren six months ago. Now it showed small signs of bustling. To see her marefriend stick true to her commitments sliced Starlight’s open with claws of pride.
Thinking of her, a throat clearing snatched her attention. Starlight shifted from blankly examining the landscape to gazing into those beautiful, burning irises. Evening sunlight washed over.
“Welcome, once more, my love, to the Solar Empire.” Daybreaker bellowed with a shivered delight, wings shifting in tandem to broaden the message’s impact.
“Thank you.”
“Do you fare well, dear?”
“Mmhm.” Starlight answered simply.
Analyzing the tempered waves of ignition that composed Daybreaker’s mane and tail, Starlight could not help but notice a small shudder she hid. She possessed all the power in this world to smite Starlight down. Strike her existence. Nothing to stop, resistance long snuffed. In one spell, snapped. This timeline to stay hidden forever, underneath an eternal rule of smolder and ruin. Yet Daybreaker blinked nervously, hoofs tapping on the table. Despite the scorching dirty flames present in her sclera, Starlight saw sparks of pure light and harmony. Shining brighter, little by little.
The alicorn scratched her chest. Hesitant, but ready, to make the first move.
“I, er, have a treat to share with you.”
Starlight’s interest piqued. “I do love surprises,” she lightly squeaked. Maintaining balance between polite posture and melted lovestruckness took practice.
A thin smile broke on Daybreaker’s worrisome face. Starlight returned the favor. It seemed to lighten the mood. Daybreaker cleared her throat and gestured to the teas.
This will make for a good test.
“I acquired samples of the commonfolk’s firedandelion tea, for us.”
“I do like new things!” Starlight thanked with a high pitch of enthusiasm.
“I’ve been, uh, working on being less, as you’ve said, ‘tyrannical’.” Her eyes shone with small, soft pleas. The smile became a slight frown.
Starlight returned a gaze of affection. Daybreaker exhaled slowly; the positiveness returned. Cool embers sprinkled the balcony, tossed from her mane with a wing flap.
“I realized it’s been….” Daybreaker pondered in thought for a moment. “... well let’s just say a long time since I’ve truly connected to my subjects.”
“How exactly did you acquire these cups?” Starlight inquired.
“I implemented a free tea house system across the land.” She fidgeted awkwardly. “Staffed by locals, I might add. Just a quick teleportation to one.”
“A wonderful idea to treat your people well.”
Daybreaker’s pupils widened at the praise. “Th-thank you. Shall we?”
A purple head nodded. The drinks were pushed to the center, clinked, and then drifted away. Ready to soothe with their rich blends.
Mint-cyan magic balanced the porcelain cup. Starlight silently sipped. Judging its quality. Daybreaker drank simultaneously, so as to not insult her official guest. Using moments such as these further served to drive in kindness and politeness. Striving for kindlings of goodness. The tea’s warmness told Starlight it was fresh. Brewed right before she arrived. Well-grounded ingredients, obviously sourced from far away. No chemical signatures of pain from those who mixed it. Tickling taste of cherry. And a rich aroma.
The usual memories spun their threads as the tea journeyed her throat. Finding the rare spell book. Curiosity if anything remained of her time travel catastrophe. Surprise that this realm stood unfazed, untouched, unique and alone. Thrown to the dungeons, magic suppressed. Seeing this twisted, corrupted Celestia. A treacherous duel to secure her freedom. In the process, they captured glimpses of each other. Upsetting Daybreaker by winning. Despite being free, visiting back to check on her healing. Coming back after that for feelings. And once more, and….well, here they were.
Back to the subject.
Setting the cup down with a plink, Starlight took in Daybreaker’s sheepish appearance. For the grand ruler of everything known to ponykind, vulnerability showed. If guards were present, she’d be imposing her will. Driving fear. Demanding tears. Whipping obedience. Flaring fire and heat. But with Starlight, those magical surges of heat and fierce attitude cooled to a tolerable level. Though, right now, thinking about it, Starlight did feel a little hot right now. Well, that was, beyond her flustered face.
“Could, you um, lower?” Starlight requested.
Realization exploded in Daybreaker’s eyes, Golden aura drained portions of the flames into the horn. Flapping her wings brought influxes of chill breezes. Relief rushed to her nerves. It’d be easy to concoct a spell or two to ward the hotness off. Starlight, contrarily, chose to conduct properly and not do so. She made Daybreaker aware of her surroundings. Of how her actions affected others, such as Starlight, even if only a little bit. Right now she required another such nudge.
“Did you enjoy the taste, Starly?” Daybreaker invoked nicknames.
“I did, my Daysy.” She showered a grin in reward.
“I sincerely hope it is to your liking.”
“It is, thank you.”
Starlight leaned forward to nuzzle muzzles. Gushes welled in her chest. Another reason she dared not tell anyone of this arrangement. Fear of having this torn away. The content feeling subsided as they returned to their seats. Ample glances exchanged between the two. A few more sips later, and the tea stood empty. Late evening breezes whispered the dwindling time. Dark red lit upon the horizon. Starlight straightened herself
“I sense a teaching, my love, about my initiative.” Daybreaker’s mane flared. As if a sign of gathering, preparing, her nerves.
The unicorn nodded. “You do well to repair faith by beginning with your capital. What of other districts, though?”
“I’ve directed resources to revamp each major district of Equestria and our colonies. The tea program has grown to our borders so far.”
Straight waved her tail a bit. “The quality of these samples is tremendously indicative of the churning change.”
“Yes, yes.” Daybreaker’s spirits rose from the praise, “Ponyville, where firedandelions grow best. I’ve made rare visits to warm myself up.”
“Pun intended or no?” Starlight interrupted with jab.
Her marefriend wheezed for a few seconds. “Ah haha, you have me there.”
Starlight continued with a light tone. “Ponyville may prepare tea well, but what of other locations?”
“I am sure all is fine.” A cloud of confusion birthed in Daybreaker’s gaze. “Why do you ask?”
Breathing in and out deeply, Starlight took hold of Daybreaker’s hoof. “Have you watched the actions of those in charge?.”
“I do not follow. You’ve taught me to try and see good in others.”
“Yes, though I had to leave before finishing,” Starlight explained. “I know at least those who brewed this tea do better.”
“I…” Daybreaker subconsciously jabbed her chest. “Ponyville is seeing better treatment, Starlight, as you told me it should.”
“You went in the right direction, establishing the start of welfare. But how rigidly enforced is it?” Starlight inquired. “Are those in power trustworthy? Have you asked yourself these questions yet?”
Curiosity within Daybreaker. Starlight saw she’d made a split decision. She tried to summon her tongue, but it fell flat as the alicorn enforced her decision.
“I must check right away, then.”
“Hold on-
Boldness accompanied her tone.
Daybreaker stood up with furor. A wave of panic rippled through Starlight. The table tipped over, cups bouncing with clatter. Her wings flexed wide, twitching. The ethereal mane blew up in size. Starlight sensed the servants and guards in the castle writhing. A mental agony swamped the air. She curled her mane tight around one of Daybreaker’s front hoof, and held the other in her own hoof. Mentally searching for the right spell took a precious second.
Knowledge exploded as a sharp gold sheen enveloped Daybreaker’s eyes; they rolled back and forth furiously. Starlight had meant for this to be a slower, step by step process. Daybreaker’s snout flared; she peered deeper into a multitude of minds. Starlight all but knew the corruptness in the system. The true cruelties of what went on despite the ideals she ruled for. Treating this trauma would undoubtedly take time. She vowed to be there for it.
Quickly, Starlight cast a net of her magic over the alicorn’s horn, channeling desires to calm. Surging it took demanding amounts of energy. Luckily, for as swiftly her marefriend angered, Starlight was ready. She channeled pangs of hope. The thoughts of what good did occur within the empire. Flourishing standards of improved living thanks to fewer restrictions. Starlight personally pushed the core tenets of redemption. It’d be grueling and long, but worth it to help yourself those you’ve wronged
Good thing I started with anger management.
Starlight spoke their chosen mantra.
“Tune to your heart, your song shalln’t fall you apart.”
A different rhythm in their hearts reverberated after a second. Starlight unburdened her lungs in relief. Realization unfolded in Daybreaker’s burgeoning eyes. The pulsating field of gold died a few seconds later. Starlight took stock of her partner’s now unlit face. Starlight cradled her quaking hoof. Issuing a minor clean up spell, she picked the table up and placed it far away for being in their way. Starlight knew the feeling. It hurt to know you’d hurt others. Especially if by accident.
Disappointment shattered in Daybreaker’s mood. The gears in her mind clicked. This brought a somberness Starlight too. The unicorn fully sat up to trot over to Daybreaker. Next, she tugged a wing with her tail, and led the alicorn to the balcony railing. They rested upon their haunches. Gazing upon the forlorn atmosphere the lands below breathed. Starlight stroked Daybreaker’s shivering spine. Likewise, her wings held the unicorn close and tight for comfort. Quietness ensued for a fair few periods of time; the fire in the tail dwindled.
The course of the evening had shifted in mere seconds. If Daybreaker could be brought to these lows, with few questions, Starlight knew there she could be brought back, and, at the same time, ever higher. For the numerous flaws her marefriend possessed, Starlight’s heart told her she stood a chance to amend her wrongs. Nothing would be perfect. Daybreaker was genuinely attempting to change for the better. That’s what mattered. Starlight vowed to keep this timeline intact. She valued second chances.
I definitely made a mistake, the way I just went about it.
And so, they stood there. Thinking. Contemplating many things. Emotions exchanged silently between glances at each other. Beats of the wind’s music gradually sang, channeling its mysterious whistling to their ears. An odd calm overcame. Starlight cuddled closer to better comfort Daybreaker. No words. Just them settling from the incident. The tea’s taste fading away. Each processing the attempted teaching. Sunset soon slipped into session.
Daybreaker spoke up first. Her legs shuffled.
“I… am sorry for my outburst.”
Starlight caught her guilty glance and replicated it.
“No, no, I am. I did not guide you properly.”
“Being naive… hurts.”
The alicorn’s voice shook. Starlight brushed her inner wing fervently.
“It’s okay. You’re learning.”
Looking down, Daybreaker sighed. “Yet I still make blatant mistakes, trying to become a more benevolent ruler.”
“Look at me.”
Obeying, Daybreaker looked upon an affirming, positive mare.
“Mistakes happen,” Starlight reassured. “You’re trying, and that’s what matters.”
A twinkling expression on Daybreaker’s came to be. A warm, golden hued emanated from her eyes. Starlight soaked in the alluring sight
“Thank… you, Starlight,” the alicorn spoke.
Starlight nodded. “Be sure to apologize your ponies.”
“I shall do so.
“Anything for she who stole my heart,” Starlight replied in stead.
“Where would I be without you?”
Newfound warmth floundered Starlight’s heart.
Daybreaker lowered her head, and fully wrapped Starlight in her fine feathered limbs. They shared a passionate kiss. The day’s dying light provided illumination to the cathartic feeling. Euphoric graces for them both. White and purple furs rustled together. Rushes of emotion filled each. Unspoken apology and understanding through their unspoken, embracing care. Seeing the depths of each other through the windows to the soul. Such was their relationship.
I’d be lost without you…
Though the lips unlocked, gaze remained unfazed in the dwindling haze of rays.
“Let us end this day, together, Starlight.”
“So we shall, dear Daybreaker.”
Close to each other, they touched horns. Whilst staring at the blurring, blinking horizon of sweet indigo and dark pink, their connection consummated. The ebbs and flows of the cosmos throbbed through their blood and beings. Total concentration overtook the magic inside them. Memories of their togetherness intertwined their life bond. The sun and moon attempted to resist. But nothing could resist their combined might, their symphony of love.
For though the alicorn possessed the might to wield the celestial bodies as she pleased, it always pained to cycle them alone. With another, her beloved Starlight, a sufferless bliss ensued instead. Power to oneself led purely to darkness. To share, and to care, bestowed the path of light and peace. These feelings of serenity, too, passed onto Starlight. They further affirmed what she knew to be true. Night’s coolness sank over them.
Heaving their wills with compounding force, the fields of the sky exhausted their futility. The tracks set into motion. The sun gave in at last; the moon rose forth. Slowly, slowly, they traded their roles and positions. Starlight felt the silvery shining of the moon within and on her. The sun’s now dimmed hotness mobbed Daybreaker with a hot, ever present aura. Despite the contrariness, it helped her feel closer to her love. Mysteries and magic bonded and brought them happiness.
Starlight clenched onto Daybreaker, even tighter. Not wanting for this moment to end.
Together, they watched the evening’s last sliver’s end.
