Eternal flame of Daybreaker

Chapter 12, Catharsis

***

Excerpt from "Daybie's Diary"

This day changed everything. It changed Equestria, the ponies living in it, and even me. Today, I truly understood what the phrase, "With great power comes great responsibility," means. How difficult it is sometimes to inspire confidence in tomorrow...

End of excerpt

***

“No time to stand around calling for Celly!” I snapped back to reality.

I quickly assessed the situation. First, Celestia had imprisoned Luna with Nightmare on the moon. Second, it seemed Celly had lost her mind from what happened and locked herself away, handing over full control of the body to me. Third, I was still standing in a tattered throne room, bleeding profusely. That’s all for now... Okay, I urgently need to cauterize the wound… I fear I’ll lose too much blood if I don’t.

I approached large shards of glass scattered across the floor. I must have looked terrible: my eyebrows raised and tense, my upper eyelids lifted, lower ones strained, and my mouth slightly open with lips drawn back. Fear was written plainly on my face—a fear of the unknown future. My breathing had become irregular due to the bleeding; I gulped for air, but my efforts didn’t quench my thirst for oxygen. My gaze shifted downward, and that’s when I saw it. The wound arched red from my neck to my left shoulder. The cut was deep enough for blood to flow freely, but not so deep that it had hit an artery. I raised a trembling hoof and began casting a spell. I tried to focus, but it wasn’t going well, to say the least. I managed to create a small flame about half the size of my hoof. Carefully, I brought it to the open wound.

HISS

A loud hissing sound echoed through the throne room. In an instant, the stench of burning flesh filled the air. It hurt… It hurt like hell. I had never felt pain like this before. It was as if someone had plunged a red-hot glaive into the wound and wasn’t in a hurry to pull it out. Tears began to stream down my face as a reflex, but there was no time to give up!

“Get it together, Daybreaker! The fate of Equestria depends on you!” I encouraged myself.

I needed to push my emotions aside. Everything literally depended on me now. I sat down on the cold floor to reduce the tension and trembling in my limbs. With one hoof, I continued cauterizing the wound, while with the other, I wiped away my streaming tears. My vision was blurring, and the urge to cry like a foal was strong, but I pushed the thought away. I managed to stop the tears and glanced at the wound, now a charred piece of flesh instead of a deep gash. The burn was severe…

“At least the bleeding has stopped,” I thought optimistically.

Carefully, I stood up and began to pace around the throne room, assessing my condition. Every movement of my leg or neck sent a throbbing pain through the wound. It was a deeply unpleasant sensation, but better than bleeding out and dying along with Celly. It would do for now, and I thought the military infirmary would patch me up later.

HOOVES CLATTERING

I perked up my ears, catching every rustle within a thirty-meter radius. Even an untrained recruit would have realized that the enemy was close. They were moving towards me, not for a chat. They were coming with only one goal in mind: to take down their adversary. I wouldn’t let them!

“Not on my watch!” I proudly steeled myself.

But what to do? I couldn’t fight in this condition; any sudden movement could make me faint from shock. And losing consciousness now was out of the question! This was the moment, the very instant, for which I had trained my entire life. I had trained and worked so hard, poured my heart into being able to stand when all others had fallen!

A strategic retreat to my forces and taking command seemed the best course. There were no alicorns left in Equestria, just me. So, it was up to me to rule! I wouldn’t falter!

“I shall rule as the first and only Empress of Equestria!” I shouted to the entire throne room.

“And my reign will be as eternal as the everlasting flame of the Sun!” I raised my hoof in a majestic pose, declaring my coronation.

The sound of hooves grew louder and louder. I moved into the sunlit part of the room and rushed towards a nearby balcony. The pain was excruciating! Yet, with each step, my resolve grew stronger and stronger. The pain seemed to give me strength to keep moving. With this wound, I realized that I was alive. Alive, here and now! Blood coursed through my veins like molten oil, igniting every muscle in my body. My heart, like a searing coal, generated the heat necessary to keep me conscious. Even my mane began to radiate a magical glow, resembling a roaring forge’s flames!

“FIND QUEEN CELESTIA, NOW!” came the shouts of enemy officers.

Yet I didn’t even flinch. I was already standing on the balcony, breathing in the fresh evening air. It seemed to cool my fiery heart, only for it to ignite anew when I saw the military tents bearing the sun's emblem on their roofs. I leaped over the balcony railing and flew towards my subjects—my little ponies…

***

“I’m flying too fast!” was my first thought.

I was descending so quickly I could crash into the ground like a spear. I began frantically flapping my wings to slow down. It wasn’t going well. Exhaustion and the wound had left me with little strength. I saw my ponies at the base; they were all rushing around, grabbing spears and shields, hastily donning steel armor, and some had even managed to line up on the parade ground. Panic gripped the entire camp; no one knew what to do. I had to bring them to their senses!

“I’m going to crash!” I shielded my head with my hooves as I fell.

BOOM

I landed in my camp with a thunderous crash. A column of dust rose like a tornado. Spears rattled towards me. Only when the dust settled did I see the full scene around me. An entire guard of glaives was aimed in my direction. The ponies holding them had their eyes wide with shock, as if they were gazing at a war goddess.

“LOWER YOUR GLAIVES!” commanded a voice. I turned towards it and immediately recognized who it was: Loyal Heart, the Golden Sword of Equestria.

With a synchronized sound, the ponies lowered their weapons. The crowd parted, and Loyal Heart stepped forward. He bowed apologetically and spoke.

“Forgive me, esteemed Daybreaker, the situation is critical, and no one knows what to do...” he said, looking at me with a spark of hope in his eyes.

“There’s nothing wrong with taking precautions,” I replied, stepping towards him. “Stand up!”

He stood, but with his ears lowered. When his eyes fell on my wound, he quickly lowered his gaze, staring at my hooves as if fearing what he might see in my eyes.

“What are you imagining?” I frowned.

“Honorable Daybreaker, please, tell me where Her Majesty Queen Celestia is,” he gathered his courage to ask.

“I’ll address that on the parade ground. Gather all the troops there—commanders, officers, soldiers, and recruits,” I stomped a hoof. “NOW!” I commanded.

Loyal Heart seemed to snap out of his daze at my verbal slap. He turned, but I stopped him with a hoof and continued.

“And prepare a platform for a speech!” I added. “I’ll be in the infirmary. That’s all, you’re dismissed, Commander!” I finished giving orders.

Loyal Heart left to carry out my commands with his squad. Meanwhile, I turned in the opposite direction and trudged towards the infirmary.

…

In the infirmary, they provided first aid; the doctor nearly fainted at the sight of my wound, but I quickly snapped him out of it with some sharp words. They’ve gotten too relaxed! Apparently, they haven’t been in combat for a while. Under my wing, they’ll shape up quickly!

“I won’t go easy on them!” I smirked evilly.

They applied green ointment to the burn and hastily bandaged the wound. The pain and burning subsided, which was a huge relief. In a rush, Loyal Heart arrived.

“Everything’s ready, Daybreaker!” he reported proudly, standing at attention.

Such efficiency was to be expected from Equestria’s Golden Sword. I smiled softly and approached him.

“Then let’s go!” I marched towards the parade ground. Loyal Heart followed behind.

***

I stepped up to the podium, scanning the crowd. Almost everyone stationed here had gathered. Officers, commanders, soldiers, even the medical staff and kitchen workers came to the parade ground. There were about two thousand ponies present. Only the sentries were missing, but even they longed to join, though their commanders kept them at their posts. Word had spread quickly that Daybreaker was gathering the troops, and everyone rushed to see. They all knew I was going to say something crucial, something that would change the fate of our nation forever. Everyone, from the youngest to the oldest, understood that a storm was coming! And they all wondered—would I master the storm, or would I let it shatter Equestria?

“Will they believe me if I tell them that the great and powerful Queen Celestia has lost her mind and left it all to me?” The thought circled in my mind.

They probably wouldn’t. They might think I’m either speaking on Celestia’s behalf or that I am Celestia. I won’t allow that! I will prove with blood and sweat that I am not Celestia! Where Celestia shows softness, I will be strong as a mountain! I will proclaim to the world, let everyone know, that there is only one pony capable of protecting them. And that pony is me, Empress Daybreaker, the Crimson Flame Raging on the Hills of Enemies! I will make the foes respect me! I will lead my subjects to a bright and peaceful future, but to get there, we must go through fire and water! And I will lead them, like a guiding star. But first, I must bury Queen Celestia…

As painful as it was for me to say, I had to, or my entire plan would fall apart. And the goal of my plan was simple. I wanted every pony to understand what peace was, where there was no concept of killing or war.

“Forgive me for this, Celly… and goodbye…” A single tear rolled down my cheek.

It was time! I gathered my thoughts and addressed my troops, standing behind the podium with a firm and confident gaze that left no room for doubt.

“WARRIORS AND CITIZENS OF EQUESTRIA!” I used the Royal Canterlot voice, which only alicorns could command.

Some ponies trembled and collapsed under the force of my voice. Even the seasoned veterans lost their focus. I overdid it a bit, apparently…

“Our castle has been taken by the thestrals!” I continued with a slightly softer tone.

“W-what… taken?!” A whisper echoed through the entire crowd.

“It’s hard for me to say this… but you must know!” I lowered my gaze, gathering my resolve.

“Enough hesitation!” I stomped my hoof on the wooden floor. I had made my decision, and there was no turning back!

“Queen Celestia has fallen in battle with Nightmare Moon!” I declared, my expression unwavering. Not a single muscle twitched. Not a doubt in my mind that what I was doing was wrong. Everything suddenly became crystal clear and simple.

The ponies reacted differently. The soldiers and their commanders removed their helmets in mourning. The recruits sat on the ground, unable to bear the terrible news. Someone in the back even began to cry. But I wasn’t stopping there.

“She died a hero, defending the kingdom until the very end! Celestia managed to imprison Nightmare Moon on the moon to save us all from a horrible fate!” I pointed my hoof towards the moon. Everyone followed my gesture, looking at it. On the moon, the silhouette of a unicorn stood out, like a brand burned into its surface by craters.

Everyone sighed with relief. But they quickly remembered that the castle of the capital had been seized. Ponies turned their eyes back to me, awaiting further news.

“Before she died, Celestia entrusted me with only one task: to protect the ponies she had so carefully guarded!” I stood tall and proud.

“C-Celestia even on her deathbed thought of us…” someone tearfully whispered from the crowd.

“You all know me. You know who I am! Word of a skillful warrior with an iron will has spread throughout Equestria!” I puffed out my chest.

The officers and soldiers in the crowd nodded in agreement. I felt a warm sensation spread in my chest. It was genuinely pleasant to feel their respect.

“I am the only alicorn left in Equestria!” I proclaimed, spreading my wings to their full span. “And thus, I am placing myself on the royal throne as the one and rightful Empress Daybreaker!” I concluded my inauguration.

The reaction was mixed. The ordinary recruits almost immediately knelt and bowed their heads. However, the officers and commanders stood still, seemingly stunned by what I had said. Then, the Golden Sword of Equestria, Loyal Heart, approached the podium. Everyone watched with bated breath to hear what the most loyal pony to the crown would say.

“In this difficult hour, when even Lady Fortune has turned away from us, she appeared,” he began. “Like a star, Daybreaker fell upon us from the sky, leaving us in even greater awe. That’s when I realized that she was sent to us by the very Sun to protect and lead us in this dark time!” Loyal Heart removed his helmet, drew his sword, and laid it before me, kneeling.

“I recognize the right to the throne of Her Majesty, Empress Daybreaker, and I swear to serve her until the eternal flame claims my soul!” He bowed his head as a true knight should.

I smiled gently and used my telekinesis to place his sword against his broad shoulders, accepting his vow of loyalty.

“I accept your vow and appoint you as the general of the army!” I proudly declared, causing Loyal Heart’s already wide eyes to grow even larger.

I turned to the assembled crowd. They almost immediately bowed their heads, recognizing me as the rightful ruler of Equestria. Even the army commanders had no doubts after this. Every pony present swore loyalty to me.

“I SWEAR TO SERVE UNTIL THE ETERNAL FLAME CLAIMS MY SOUL!” my army roared like thunder on a clear day.

My heart raced wildly; I had never felt anything like this before. Not even in battles… nothing even came close. But along with it came an overwhelming sense of responsibility for these ponies.

“They’ve accepted me… as Empress Daybreaker,” the thought whirled in my head like a meteor.

I must protect them at all costs! I’ll show them a world where everyone is happy and proud to live in Equestria. That is my dream! And I’ll do anything to achieve it…

I soared a few meters into the air and began preparing a spell to prove my unwavering resolve. My little ponies watched me without blinking. My mane flared even more brightly as I prepared this move.

The night was deep, but suddenly, the first rays of the sun appeared. Soon the sun itself rose, illuminating everyone with a brilliant dawn. I decided to conclude my ascension with a beautiful phrase that immediately came to mind.

“My little ponies, remember that after every darkest night, a bright dawn always follows!” I said in the softest tone I could muster.

My subjects stared, mouths agape. Their eyes said it all. They were witnessing a miracle only an alicorn could perform.

“L-Long live Empress Daybreaker!” someone cried out from the crowd, tears of joy in their eyes.

“LONG LIVE EMPRESS DAYBREAKER!” The crowd quickly took up the chant, shouting my praises.

Meanwhile, I basked in the sound of my triumph. This event would go down in history as a turning point. What ponies call a beautiful word—catharsis—this was my rebirth…