Eternal flame of Daybreaker

From the Luna Perspective

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“What is this?” The first thought arose in my mind.

It was as if something had pushed me. I had been sleeping for so long, drifting through a river of darkness and despair. But suddenly, I was cast ashore. Something warm and sunny. I couldn’t understand what it was.

“Could it be Celly?”

No, that can’t be. How could she invade my subconscious? Unless another soul, like a comet, burst into my mind. I wanted to reach for this sun. I could distinctly feel its warmth, but I couldn’t grasp where it was coming from. I reached out, but it seemed to slip away from me. Still, I guess this is better than floating aimlessly along the current.

***

Just as I began to get used to the warmth, a blinding light filled my subconscious. It was a burst of pure magical energy! Only the Elements of Harmony could have such power.

“Could the Elements have struck Nighty?” I suddenly thought.

No, please, don’t hurt my little one. She’s suffered so much… I’m so guilty, she’s been through so much because of me. If only I had a chance to right the wrongs of the past…

“Please, let Nighty be alive,” I desperately prayed to all supernatural forces.

Suddenly, the bright light faded. My senses began to return. The first thing I felt was pain. A dull pain…

“Maybe it’s right that I feel pain, it’s how it should be!” I scolded myself for my life’s mistakes.

It hurt not just physically, but emotionally. Physical pain will pass one way or another. But the pain of the soul is so much harder to heal…

Slowly, I began to open my eyes, and the first thing I saw were six ponies, each adorned with the Elements of Harmony in the form of necklaces and a crown.

“These must be the very bearers of the Elements destined to unlock their potential, as foretold,” I thought logically.

They all stared at me with astonished eyes, hesitant to approach. I decided to look further and there she was. White fur, a mane like the northern lights, and large, evening-sky-colored violet eyes. My sister Celestia stood behind the six ponies, looking as though she might burst into tears at any moment, just like me.

“Is this a hallucination?” I almost instantly asked myself.

“There’s only one way to find out!” I leapt up, full of motivation.

I ran as fast as I could toward my sister. The first steps after so long were incredibly difficult. It was as if chains were binding my legs, but I kept moving toward her. I jumped into Celestia’s embrace — and that’s how I knew it was real.

“Could it be… If this is real, does it mean it’s all over?”

The realization made me open my eyes wide. I clung even tighter to my sister’s chest, and tears began streaming down almost immediately.

“Tia… is it really you?” I asked my sister, panic in my voice.

“Yes, Lu, it… really is me…” Celestia whispered through her own tears.

Celestia held me tightly at first with her hooves, then wrapped me entirely in her wings. Her face was exhausted, her mane disheveled, and tears fell from her eyes like droplets of rain. She, too, couldn’t believe what was happening. But we were here, and we were together — was it even possible? Surely it was, but we’d been through so much… And what my Nightyi went through, I didn’t even want to imagine. To live for centuries, entirely alone…

“Why was she so cruel to herself?”

Was it all because I’d filled Naiti’s head with so many heroic tales?

“How foolish I am…”

“If only I’d known where it would lead…”

It truly was the most heroic sacrifice I’ve ever known.

“And for what? For someone like me?”

Someone who has done nothing but make mistakes her entire life. The weight of that thought made me cry even harder. My sister stroked my mane as I wept, letting me pour out all the sorrow I’d held inside. It reminded me of our childhood, how we’d embrace and reconcile after a fight. But this reconciliation was like no other.

***

We spoke to one another and apologized. We were both wrong, each in our own way. It was unfortunate we realized it only after a thousand years. But still, as they say: “Better late than never.” And so, we made peace.

We cried together for a long time. I didn’t even notice the six ponies standing in a semicircle, watching our reunion with warmth. Well, let them watch; it didn’t matter. The only thing that concerned me now…

“Is my poor Nighty still alive?” I thought in fear.

“What if she’s d-dead?” I sobbed inwardly.

What would I do then? Anxiety began creeping in…

“Stop panicking! I need to find out what happened!” I decided with renewed determination.

Can the Elements of Harmony kill? No, I doubt they’re capable of such a thing. Celestia and I used them many times, and nothing like that ever happened. But one thing troubled me. The results were always different. It’s as if the Elements of Harmony have a soul of their own, making each outcome random.

“What happened to my daughter?”

I glanced around the throne room and immediately recognized the place. This was the Castle of the Two Sisters! Though it seemed the castle was now abandoned. It’s hard to call it that; it looked more like ruins. Yet once, it had been a symbol of the glory and majesty of Equestria. A yellow pony approached Celestia, having found signs of life under a pile of rubble. My heart stopped.

“Is Nighty under there?” I thought in horror.

“She needs help!” I screamed internally.

I started toward the debris, but Celestia stepped forward and blocked me with her wing, protecting me from the danger. I understood the gesture immediately and halted, not wanting to take any chances.

“I just reunited with my sister, and she’s already shielding me,” I thought, touched.

A purple pony, crowned with a tiara, approached the pile of stones. I knew instantly that she embodied the Element of Magic as she set to work. She swiftly cleared the rubble, stone by stone, until a heartbreaking sight was revealed. An alicorn with white fur and red hair stared at us with frightened eyes. Her pupils were slitted, and her irises burned with the orange glow of fire. I knew immediately who she was. It was Daybie. Her condition horrified me — she was severely injured.

“And her wings… they’re broken?!”

Suddenly, I sensed danger from my sister. I stood beside her and saw the look on her face. It radiated anger and fury. Her eyes narrowed, and her mouth twisted in a furious snarl. She began preparing a powerful spell.

…

Oh, how she yelled at her… It was terrifying. Celestia even used the Royal Canterlot Voice, something she rarely does. But why? What had Daybie done to make Celestia so angry? It was as if…

“As if she was ready to kill her at any moment!” It dawned on me.

While I pondered the situation, Daybie turned and fled from Celestia.

“I have to save her!” I resolved firmly.

***

My reception in Equestria was surprisingly warm and friendly. The residents of Ponyville greeted me with flowers and waved their hooves. One young foal even placed a wreath on my head. Looking at him, I couldn’t help but think of Nighty. Oh, my Nighty, I will find you no matter what! I refuse to believe you’re gone.

Luckily, I managed to save Daybie, although the yellow pony, who embodies kindness, got there first. Afterward, Celestia took Daybie to Canterlot for treatment, while I was instructed to attend a welcome party to unwind and get a sense of things. The party was lovely and cozy, held in a place called “Sugarcube Corner.” There, I met all the representatives of the Elements of Harmony. Pinkie Pie offered me all sorts of sweet treats she had made. There were cupcakes, cakes, pastries, and even ice cream! I couldn’t resist and started devouring one dessert after another. A ravenous appetite awakened in me, perhaps the result of being on the moon for so long. Before I knew it, I had eaten all the desserts from the table. The ponies were astonished. I didn’t even notice when Celestia approached, watching me with a fond and amused smile. Her expression was kind but mischievous. I blushed slightly in embarrassment. But soon enough, Pinkie Pie brought out more treats to ensure there was enough for everyone. Celestia ate her fair share too! I’ve known since childhood how much she loves sweets. Even as an adult, she remains true to her tastes! In fact, her appetite for desserts seems to have grown.

“Hehe, that’ll be something to tease her about,” I thought happily.

At the end of the party, they even took a photograph of me. Celestia spent a long time explaining what a photograph was and how it could capture a special moment. It turns out that many new inventions had appeared in Equestria. I’ll need to explore and catch up on everything I missed during my long absence. When we flew back to Canterlot in the grand chariot, I couldn’t resist asking about something that had been on my mind throughout the party.

“Tia, how’s Daybie?” I asked my sister.

Her face, which had been smiling in exhaustion, immediately darkened

My sister’s face bore a weary smile, but after my question, it vanished entirely. Her expression darkened, and it was clear she wasn’t pleased with the direction of our conversation.

“She’s in a critical condition, but she’ll live,” Celestia said curtly.

She turned her gaze toward the departing clouds, but I wasn’t ready to drop the subject.

“Tia, tell me what Daybreak did!” I pleaded, my eyes full of hope.

Yet Tia didn’t even glance in my direction.

“Not now, it’s a long and painful story,” Celestia cut me off, turning to face me.

What happened while I was gone? I have to find out, but pressing Tia any further wouldn’t be right, especially since it’s clear she doesn’t want to discuss it now.

***

We arrived in Canterlot, and Tia pointed her hoof toward our castle. I can’t even begin to describe what I saw—it was magnificent! A true palace, no other word could capture it. Despite being perched on a steep cliff, the castle stood tall as if it was made for that spot. The harmony of purple, white, and gold was truly stunning. The castle was brimming with towers, stretching upward as if reaching for the stars. The design was extraordinary, blending day and night into one. I loved our new home. How did Tia manage to build it next to a waterfall? I had to ask!

“Tia, how did you come up with the idea to build a castle on a cliff, right next to a waterfall?” I asked curiously.

“Unfortunately, Luna, I didn’t build it,” Celestia said sadly.

“Then who was the genius pony who did?” I pressed her further.

She sighed, clearly realizing she couldn’t brush off my curiosity.

“Daybreaker built it,” she said, her gaze growing stern.

“Wow, Daybreaker did an amazing job! How on earth did she manage it?” I continued, eager to hear more.

“I wish I knew,” she murmured, lowering her head, either in regret or confusion—I couldn’t tell.

I moved closer to her. Had I finally found something we could bond over? We could discuss our daughters, share so much with each other.

“You must be so proud of her, right?” I nudged Tia playfully.

…

Silence. Tia turned away and stared at the setting sun, adjusting it slightly with her horn. After a pause, she turned back to me, her expression complicated. Had I misread the situation?

“No, I’m not proud…” she muttered before stepping out of the carriage.

“What happened?” I wondered briefly as I followed my sister.

***

Some time passed since we arrived at the castle. For now, I was staying in a guest room, but Tia had invited renowned builders, and they would soon begin constructing my part of the castle. I found out where they had placed Daybreak—it was one of the towers. When I asked Tia why, she said it was hard to explain Daybreak’s presence to the subjects right now. I didn’t argue. Another thing that surprised and pleased me was that Celestia had abolished the title of Queen. Now, Tia was a princess just like me. She hadn’t given me any royal tasks yet, claiming I needed time to adjust to the new Equestria and life in the castle. Soon, I met a very intriguing pony.

***

Tia was showing me different parts of the castle, and I tried to remember how to get to each one. As we approached the throne room, a pony came toward us. She was about my height, with a large horn, longer than that of a typical unicorn. Her coat had a soft pink hue, and her mane was a striking mix of pink, yellow, and purple. Her eyes were a shade of lavender.

“Just like Tia’s!” I suddenly thought.

I broke my gaze away from her fascinating eyes and saw her wings—they were the same shape as ours but darker than the rest of her body. An alicorn! In this day and age?

“Could she be Tia’s second daughter?” The thought crossed my mind as I approached her with unquenchable curiosity.

“Let me introduce Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, Princess of Love,” Celestia proudly announced, gesturing toward her.

The Princess of Love gracefully bowed, displaying a remarkable level of etiquette. I already liked her. What a wonderful pony!

“Just call me Cadance,” she said, rising from her bow.

“And this is my sister, Princess Luna of the Night,” Tia said gently, introducing me.

I was caught off guard but quickly recovered, bowing in return.

“P-pleased to meet you, Cadance,” I said shyly, blushing slightly.

“The pleasure is mine!” Cadance nodded. “Aunt Celestia has told me so much about you…” she added with admiration, which made me blush even more. Wait…

“AUNT Celestia?!” I turned to Tia, eyes wide in surprise.

Noticing my confusion, Tia quickly stepped in to clear things up.

“Oh, it’s a very sweet story! I’ll tell you all about it!” Tia embraced me with her wing, causing me to blush even deeper.

“Tia, not in front of another princess!” I thought, squirming out of my sister’s hug. What if Cadance didn’t like it? But she came closer, her eyes fixed on the scene.

“Princess Luna, if it’s alright with you, may I also call you Aunt Luna?” Cadance asked, unable to hide her excitement.

I looked at her, my surprise uncontainable.

“Me? An aunt?”

“Am I that old already?” I thought sadly.

I’m Nightmare Moon’s mother, and now an aunt to Cadance too… how lovely. I must accept.

“Of course you can, why not,” I nodded, agreeing.

I gently hugged Cadance, and the three of us walked together to the dining hall. I proudly marched ahead, leading the way, while Tia chuckled, reminiscing about our childhood.

That’s how I met the charming Cadance.

***

Life is gradually getting better. Cadance and I often go on walks around the castle, and she’s shown me all of Canterlot. I was amazed by the beauty and grandeur of the city. Even the architecture had changed, becoming more pompous. The facades of buildings are adorned with statues of ponies, and flags flutter on the rooftops. Cadance took me to a café. I enjoyed drinking tea with her and having heartfelt conversations. We often visit the café now during our strolls. But something has started to trouble me. Whenever I’m alone, an uneasy feeling lingers, like something is wrong.

At night, I began staring at the sky, searching the stars I once created as if they held answers. Then, as I looked at the Moon, it hit me—I’d forgotten about my beloved Nightmare Moon. My eyes widened, and I held my head in my hooves.

“How could I… forget my own daughter?” I thought bitterly.

Indeed, while exploring the new Equestria, I’d been unconsciously searching for her. How could I forget the one who gave up everything for me, even her life? And here I was, enjoying the luxuries of the modern world…

“I feel sick…” Never had I felt so disgusted with myself.

“What a terrible mother I am…” As this realization sank in, tears began streaming uncontrollably from my eyes.

I cried so hard that my whole body trembled. I suddenly realized how much I missed my daughter. Curling up, I wept, feeling utterly helpless.

knock knock

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. I didn’t want to answer—no one should see the Princess of Equestria cry. It would tarnish both my and Tia’s reputation. But the door opened on its own. Standing in the doorway was Celestia. As soon as she saw me, she rushed over, unsure of what to do.

“Luna, what happened?” she circled around me. “Are you alright? Did someone hurt you?” she asked, concerned.

Seeing her face only made me cry harder. Unable to stop the flow of tears, I desperately wiped my eyes with my hooves.

“T-Tia, I’m such a horrible pony…” I covered my face with my hooves to hide from Celestia.

“Lulu… my Lulu… that’s not true,” Tia said softly, wrapping me in her embrace. “Tell me what’s bothering you. Share with your sister,” she gently stroked my head.

I cried into my sister’s embrace for a while, as Tia comforted me, just like she used to when we were younger. Eventually, I calmed down, and we lay there together for a few more minutes. I wanted to share my pain. Maybe Tia would understand. Or maybe she wouldn’t. But I had to try.

“You know, Tia, I’ve been so relaxed lately that I completely forgot about a certain pony…” I said through quiet sobs.

“Who, dear sister?” Celestia asked gently, combing my mane.

I hesitated for a moment, wondering if I should tell her everything. No, I had to. She needed to know!

“My daughter…” I whispered, making sure only Tia could hear.

Celestia’s eyes widened in shock. She stopped combing my mane, jumped up, and stared into my eyes.

“D-daughter?! When… how? With whom?!” she stammered, unable to process the information.

“My Nightmare Moon…” I said sadly, wiping my tears.

Celestia let out a relieved sigh, as if the trouble had passed, and began brushing my mane again.

"What were you thinking about?" I asked, though it was more rhetorical.

I started telling her the story of my time on the Moon and how difficult it was for Nightmare and me at first. Celestia listened carefully, her expression darkening as if I had stirred up old wounds. But I brought the story to the point where Nightmare and I became a family, despite everything. I became her wise mother, and she my loving daughter. I shared how I raised her, the lessons she learned, and how I taught her the arts. I told Celestia everything about my Nightmare, without holding anything back. She listened without taking her eyes off me. It seemed this story was very important to her—understanding how her sister had lived all that time on the Moon…

I began to darken the otherwise bright story with its tragic end, the one that befell Nightmare and me. I told her about the insomnia that plagued me from endless worries, how Nightmare had to put me to sleep just so I could rest, and how we trained so hard just to keep our sanity. I ended the story with how Nightmare sacrificed her life to save me from a thousand-year exile, a sacrifice known only to me. By the time I finished, Tia’s face was clouded with sorrow. When I stopped speaking, Tia started to sob. She was horrified by what I had been through. Through her tears, she tried to speak.

“Luna, I-I’m so sorry… Y-you both suffered so much because of me…” she stammered, crying even harder.

“I was such a fool back then… I didn’t see how much pain you were in, how you cried at night… I never wanted Nightmare to do what she did…”

I looked into her eyes, but she kept avoiding mine, too afraid to see my expression. Yet, I wasn’t even thinking of getting angry. All this time, I had been waiting for these words. I had made my mistakes too, allowing Nightmare to stage a coup. I stood up and spread my wings with a characteristic sound. Tia hung her head, staring at the floor in guilt, expecting me to lash out in fury. I looked at her silently.

BAM!

I jumped on her, wrapping her in a full-body hug. Tia froze in shock from the sudden affection. Before she could react, we tumbled to the floor, me still wrapped around her neck. We looked at each other—Tia’s face was soaked with tears, and I stared at her with a calm expression. Then we couldn’t hold it any longer and burst into laughter, filling the room with joy and laughter.

“Tia, thank you so much. I’ve been waiting for those words,” I said softly, hugging my sister even tighter.

But I was at fault too. It would be foolish to blame everything on Tia. Back then, it wasn’t just hard for me—it was hard for her as well.

“However, I’m just as guilty as you. We were both wrong!” I said firmly, leaving no room for argument.

“Thank you for those kind words,” Tia replied sweetly, melting into a smile.

“The important thing is that we’ve both admitted our mistakes, we’ve grown, and now we can live together, no matter what!”

“Luna, as always, you’re right,” Tia nodded in agreement.

We snuggled together for a while. But there was an unspoken feeling lingering, as if our conversation wasn’t quite finished. Ah, right!

“By the way, sis, I poured my heart out to you, told you my story as it is, so why are you holding back, huh?” I asked Tia seriously. “Come on, spill it! What happened with Daybreaker?” I demanded.

Celestia fell into deep thought, her smile vanishing. She carefully chose her words as if trying to piece together her own story.

“I barely remember anything, it was like I was in a dream… But I know for sure that Daybreaker is a true monster!” Tia spat with anger.

I gave her a disapproving look. You can’t say that about your own child!

“It’s wrong to speak that way about your daughter!” I snapped at Celestia.

“I don’t consider her my daughter!” Tia fired back at me angrily.

“Ah!” I gasped at Celestia’s harsh words. She realized what she had just said and quickly apologized.

“I’m sorry for snapping, Luna… You have to understand, I remember so little from that time, just fragments of memories,” Tia began explaining. “But those few memories I do have—they’re terrifying. Every time I think of them, I break out in a cold sweat…”

“Come on, don’t keep me in suspense!” I couldn’t bear the intrigue any longer.

“She killed, Luna… sentient beings, griffons, even thestrals…” Tia said with horror, and I widened my eyes.

“Well, that was inevitable; Daybreaker was bound to face death…” I thought to myself. But my thestrals?

“Probably a consequence of my coup…” I bitterly realized the responsibility for my actions.

“That’s normal!” I replied firmly. “She had to face that. She didn’t train so hard for pretty duels!” I defended my stance.

“No, it’s not normal!” Tia denied. “Especially in modern Equestria. No one here even knows what it’s like to kill another sentient being,” Celestia stated firmly.

“Oh, and how she killed them…” Tia covered her mouth with a hoof, trying to suppress a wave of nausea.

After a moment, Celestia regained her composure and gave me a serious look.

“She’s a real monster!” Tia declared, locking her eyes on me. “You’d better stay away from her,” Celestia warned.

“I must visit Daybreaker!” I was filled with resolve.

***

I found out where Daybreaker was recovering and hurried to her room. They’d placed her in the farthest tower, like some unwanted guest! When I entered her room, I was truly furious. Not only had they confined a sick alicorn to a remote tower, but they also put her in such a miserable room! Dust was everywhere, and the furniture was in poor condition. I almost stormed off to give Tia a piece of my mind, but then I remembered why I was there.

“I need to check on Daybreaker!”

I saw her—a poor, bandaged pony, covered in bruises, scrapes, and fractures. She lay on an old bed, barely covered by a blanket. I rushed to her side, assessing her condition. She had been asleep for three weeks. When would she wake up? “At least she’s being treated well,” I calmed myself, looking at Daybreaker.

Though she was still in bad shape, Daybreaker was slowly recovering, which brought me immense relief. I looked at her sleeping face and froze. What I saw left me in shock.

“She’s crying…” I noticed the tears streaming down Daybreaker’s cheeks.

How could a monster cry? Why did Celestia say such a thing? Daybreaker was just a pony who needed her mother’s love… Suddenly, I felt a strange energy radiating from Daybreaker’s body. It was a familiar feeling, warm, comforting… familial?

“No way! I don’t believe it!” I gasped, blinking as if witnessing the impossible.

“Nightmare… could it really be you?” I wondered, astonished by my own thoughts.

“But how?” I asked myself, unable to find an answer.

“There’s only one way to find out!” An idea came to me.

I gently pulled back the blanket and adjusted the sheet. Carefully, trying not to disturb Daybreaker, I lay down beside her. I reached out with a hoof and very slowly, gently hugged her, barely touching her.

“Amazing…” I was stunned by the sudden turn of events.

Daybreaker stopped crying. Instead, a soft, warm smile, like the sun, appeared on her face. I had only ever seen such a smile once in my life, and only on one pony.

“That’s the smile my little Nightmare used to have!” Realizing this, tears began to stream down my face.

At last, I had found her—the one who saved me from that endless torment. The one who always listened to me and never refused to help. The one who loved me deeply, and I loved her in return. I had found the one I had lost long ago, the one I had desperately been searching for. I had found my daughter…