Excerpt from the book "Daybie’s Diary"

Despite my triumph, reality is a cruel and despicable thing. Today I learned what it feels like to take another’s life. The taste of foreign blood in my mouth… I’ll never forget it. The smell of burning flesh, the stench of death—they’ll haunt me forever…

End of excerpt

After my inauguration, which was a resounding success, I ordered the tactical planning of Operation "Empire Dawn." I wanted to name it something poetic.

I paced through the drill yard, giving orders to the officers to quickly prepare the troops for battle. Fortunately, morale was at an all-time high after my speech. I’m sure that if I ordered them to, they’d march straight to the castle without hesitation. All the strategy books I’d read finally made sense—I knew exactly what to do. I don’t want to shed the blood of my soldiers or the thestrals. If there are any victims here, it’s the thestrals. Even now, they have no idea what awaits them or what happened to Nightmare Moon. I know they were just used as pawns. I have to put an end to what Celestia and Luna began. And I will.

“Without a doubt, it must be me!” I thought proudly, trotting back to my temporary quarters for a bit of rest.

Right now, my quarters are nothing but a hastily constructed, medium-sized tent. Inside, there’s everything an officer might need—a bed stuffed with straw, a small, low-quality table, and lamps with candles in the corners.

“Not much…” I thought with a touch of disappointment.

Who am I kidding? My first real quarters! It’s amazing! I wanted to jump with joy, but thought better of it—I didn’t want my wound acting up. Before, I hadn’t even had this luxury; Celly and I shared not only a room but a body. And now…

“Hey, Celly, can you hear me?” I asked inside my head, but there was no response.

I don’t really know what happened to Celestia. No one has studied an alicorn’s mind before. But one thing’s certain: I can’t count on her help anytime soon. I have to take care of all this myself! I’m all alone… Am I better off? Not at all. It’s harder, more complicated. But at least they’ve accepted me as Equestria’s rightful ruler. I can live with that!

Why take on the title of Empress? The answer is simple: I’m the last of the alicorns. If I don’t take control, my homeland of Equestria will fall apart into smaller states with their own laws and rulers, and it’ll be my fault. If I hadn’t asserted my right to the throne, I probably couldn’t keep going. I remember how passionately Celestia and Luna protected Equestria and all ponies. I must take on this heavy burden. It’s a huge responsibility, but as the ancient proverb goes, “Only the strongest make the hardest choices.” And here I am…

I sat down on the bed, inspecting my bandaged wound. The bandages looked worse for wear, stained with blood and remnants of green salve. I pressed lightly on the wound…

“OW!” I yelped as a fierce pain shot through my nerves, hitting every corner of my body, making me shudder.
“Better not mess with this wound…”
I thought, gently lying back on the firm bed, stretching my wings wide.

Exhaustion overtook me like a tidal wave hitting a serene harbor. I suddenly felt utterly unable to move. I lay back, spreading my legs slightly and closing my eyes. My mind drifted away… to a place far beyond understanding, to the land of dreams…

***

A vision from my childhood appeared. Celly, Luna, and I were dining in the royal hall. Outside, birds chirped, trees rustled, and gentle sunlight poured into the dining hall, filling it with warmth and happiness. We laughed and chatted about amusing stories. Celly even let me take control of our body to show off my etiquette skills to her and Luna. I levitated a teacup gracefully, savoring the delightful taste of berries with a refreshing mint aftertaste.

“How do I know etiquette so well?” I wondered, but Luna interrupted my thoughts.

“Daybie, could you pass the dessert?” she asked, pointing her hoof at the cake at the far end of the room.

“Of course! Coming right up!” I smiled at Luna, getting up to fetch it.

A beautiful, medium-sized black cake sat on a large platter, decorated with creamy flames in shades of yellow, orange, and white along the edges. The top was generously spread with strawberry jam, and in the center stood a small, glazed orange pony.

“She looks just like me!” I thought, grinning.

“Who thought of such a pretty cake?” I wondered aloud, but was met with silence.

“L-Luna?” I turned, looking for my close friend.

When I turned toward our table, it was empty. A cold wind swept through the room, making me shiver. Dusk fell rapidly, warm light fading into cold, dark night. I moved closer to our dining table and noticed something unsettling. Instead of Luna, stones and gray sand lay scattered on the chair. The tableware looked gray and cracked, leaving me in stunned disbelief.

A creeping dread rose within me. My heart pounded as never before. I cautiously peeked out the window, seeing a scene of bright fires burning everywhere. The smell of burning flesh was in the air, and pony screams echoed around me. I couldn’t make out who was screaming, but the dread in my chest only grew. I looked down at the cake I was still holding with my magic and gasped in horror. The once-beautiful dessert was melting before my eyes. The frosting dripped away, and the strawberry jam began to bubble. The familiar cake quickly turned into a crimson slush that smelled of rot.

“Ugh!” I squeaked, flinging the cake onto the floor, where it splattered and began spreading in a dark, sticky mess.

“SHE'S HERE!!!” came the shouts from beyond the door.

BAM!

Was someone battering down our dining hall door? I couldn’t believe it, but the sound was unmistakably like a battering ram. Who could have broken into our castle? My eyes went wide with shock, and I began to tremble, paralyzed by a rising dread. Why was this happening?

BAM!

“What should I do? What should I do?” Thoughts spun through my mind like a whirlwind, leaving me no peace.

BAM!!!

The crashing against the door grew louder. I couldn’t stand it and covered my ears with my hooves, curling up on the floor. Suddenly, I felt like there wasn’t enough air. I gasped, inhaling and exhaling frantically, but my throat felt constricted. Breathing was almost impossible.

“What do I do?” I realized there was no other exit except the one they were trying to break down. Panic clung to me tighter and tighter as I understood there was no escape. My mind buzzed with one recurring thought:

“Why? Why is this happening to me…”

…

“Your Majesty…” A faint voice reached me from somewhere far away.

“Y-yes… What is it?” I mumbled groggily, barely opening my eyes. Sunlight filled my vision, and I squinted instinctively, trying to adjust.

“Phew… Just a dream…” I recalled the nightmare with lingering horror.

I saw a silhouette flitting around in front of me. As I grew more aware, I finally recognized him. It was Loyal Heart, shifting nervously from hoof to hoof, as red as a tomato.

“Why is he so flustered?” I wondered to myself.

“Could he be embarrassed just by seeing an alicorn sleep?” I pondered further.

“I apologize for waking you, Your Majesty, but you instructed me to report once all preparations were complete,” he squeaked, staring at his hooves to avoid meeting my gaze.

“Yes, I did! So what’s the status?” I pressed my bumbling assistant.

“I-I’m here to report that everything is ready!” He bowed to the ground before me.

“How long was I asleep?” I asked, rubbing my eyes with my hooves.

“Four hours, Your Majesty!” he replied in military fashion, standing at attention.

“Goodness, that’s a long time to sleep!” I chided myself. A lot could change in four hours. In that time, the thestrals might have broken through to us, and then bloodshed would have been unavoidable. Given the circumstances, sleeping that much was an unacceptable luxury. I needed to rest less, but for now, I should head to the planned meeting at our command center.

“Then I see no reason to waste any more precious time!” I jumped up from my bed and marched toward the door. “Lead the way!” I ordered him, pointing ahead with my hoof.

As I rose, the pain from my wound mocked me, reminding me of its presence, but I ignored it. It didn’t hurt as much now, as though sleep had partially healed me. Brr, I don’t even want to think about what happened in that nightmare! Still, the slight relief was reassuring. In times like these, even the smallest comforts add strength.

“Y-yes, let’s go, Your Majesty,” he caught up to me. Together, we made our way to the officers’ tent.

***

We halted at the entrance to a medium-sized tent—our command post. Guards stood at their stations. The moment they saw me, they bowed, showing their respect and dedication. Loyal Heart stepped aside in a deep bow, allowing me to enter. As the commanding officer, I entered first, with my assistant trailing close behind.

The atmosphere in the tent was tense. Perhaps the dim lighting, emphasizing the secrecy of our meeting, played a role, or maybe it was the grim faces around me. All the officers present jumped to their hooves and saluted the moment they saw me. Judging by their helmets, I recognized a few majors and a general, though I still had many to learn. Another unsettling detail caught my eye: civilians were present! I tensed immediately, wondering:

“What are they doing here?” I frowned. This was supposed to be a classified operation, meaning these weren’t just ordinary ponies. If they were let in, it meant they held some official role in Equestria’s administration. I doubted my officers would be so reckless with my orders.

“At ease!” I commanded, and the ponies relaxed a little. “Who’s in charge here? Introduce yourself!” I demanded, directing my gaze at the general.

“General of the First Army, Solar Starlight, reporting for duty!” the sturdy stallion, older in years, responded. He looked dignified, with a neatly slicked-back black mane, well-groomed white-rose fur, and armor polished to a shine. A hint of stubble accented his strong jaw.

“A model general!” was my first thought. Even on the battlefield, he managed to keep his appearance sharp. They don’t make them like him anymore. He’d been in service since the days when outward appearance and skill were prioritized. That was the old Equestrian way. This was the old guard! I felt somewhat reassured by the seasoned officers gathered here.

“At ease!” I nodded with satisfaction.

“The tactical planning task force for Operation ‘Empire Dawn’ is assembled, Your Majesty!” he reported, delivering his line with precision.

“We’ll get nowhere if this is just ‘Permission to report!’” I thought, slightly irritated. I just couldn’t get used to all the military formalities! It would be better to plan without such rigidities. I wanted all perspectives without ceremony.

“At ease, Commander. From now on, all present may dispense with formalities when addressing me during the meeting!” I announced, catching the general off guard. Clearly, I had shattered his expectations of a demanding commander. It was apparent he hadn’t expected such leniency from me. “Now then, who’s here?” I asked, breaking him out of his stupor.

“All officers with ranks above captain are here, as well as two civilians,” he replied, bowing his head. “Apologies, we tried not to let one of them in, but Golden Claw was insistent, saying the pony was under his protection and pressed the issue,” he added, noticing my rising tension as he gestured toward the civilian.

“Golden Claw?” I was taken aback by the unfamiliar name. Who could he be? Judging by the general’s acquaintance with him, he wasn’t a minor figure in the realm, and if the general allowed him in, he’d probably overseen military operations before. So he must be a retired officer… but why didn’t I know him?

“Your names and roles?” I demanded, casting a stern look at the civilians.

One of them, the older pony, stepped forward. His fur was gray, and his golden mane had streaks of silver at the roots. A monocle adorned his face, and around his neck, he wore a pendant with a dangling golden claw, likely a griffon’s. He was dressed in a formal black tuxedo, which, though modest, suited him well.

“An aristocrat…” My suspicion grew. I knew how these scheming coats had ensnared my dear Celestia, barely giving her any respite. They only thought of their wealth and comfort, not the prosperity of our kingdom. And now, one of them was attempting to ingratiate himself with me, hoping to be the first noble to establish ties with me! Just the thought was enough to infuriate me. I barely held back from sending him away. But something held me in check—my general had allowed him in. I decided to reserve my judgment and hear what he had to say.

“Golden Claw, Your Majesty,” he bowed courteously. “I see anger and distrust in your eyes, no doubt due to my aristocratic lineage. But I can assure you, I can’t stand the modern aristocracy myself!” he stated confidently, with no hint of hesitation.

“Oh, really? Interesting…” I eyed the cunning noble closely. “Could this be some sort of manipulation tactic?” I wondered, intrigued. Was he trying to gain my trust by claiming to share my views, while likely caring little for them?

“What’s with the odd pendant?” I pointed my hoof at the golden claw dangling from his neck.

“Well then, let’s see what story he spins now,” I thought, baring my fangs with a sly grin, waiting for his reaction. But he didn’t even flinch at my predatory smile. In fact, he stood firm, showing no sign of backing down. His courage was impressive. Who exactly was he? I knew well that aristocrats love all things lavish, preferably gilded. This accessory was certainly intriguing. I was curious to hear his explanation.

“Please don’t misunderstand, Your Majesty; this was a gift from the late Queen Celestia in recognition of my skills during the years of the griffon raids,” he said proudly, displaying his award with a dignified stance.

“What is he talking about?” I asked, eyes wide with surprise. As far as I knew, not every pony received an honorary award from Celestia. To achieve that, you had to do something extraordinary for Equestria, especially for Celestia herself. He said it was for his bravery during the griffon raids, so he must have played a part in the defense. I didn’t remember anything about the griffon raids; they happened before I arrived. It seemed justified that he was let in, but I still needed to be sure!

"And what exactly did you do to earn such an honorary order?" I asked with a touch of skepticism, raising one eyebrow.

"Well, back then, Queen Celestia was quite young and inexperienced in leading and planning operations. No one expected such a cunning attack, and there weren’t enough ponies for delicate missions, so the role fell to me!" he gestured to himself, lifting his head. "I became Her Majesty Queen Celestia's right hoof and defeated the griffons, for which I was later awarded this golden griffon’s paw," he said, showing off his necklace. "Since then, I’ve worn this honor and believe that the aristocracy should serve only the crown and no one else!" he added earnestly, which deeply impressed me.

His eyes spoke for him. If there was one way to tell whether someone was lying or not, it was by looking into their eyes. Eyes never lie! This reassured me. I realized that even among enemies, allies could be found.

“Well, very well!” I smiled at him gently. “Your answer satisfies me. But who is that behind you?” I turned my gaze to the frightened figure hiding behind Golden Claw.

“That’s my apprentice!” He nudged his student forward with a hoof. “Present yourself properly, you’re in the presence of Her Majesty the Empress!” he shot a glare at the trembling pony.

“Greetings, Your M-majesty the Empress D-Daybreaker,” he stammered. “M-my name is Sun Light, and I’m a scientist who w-worked in the Ministry of Magic under Queen Celestia.”

He certainly didn’t look like his mentor. His bright green mane was messy, large round glasses with cracked lenses perched on his nose. His unkempt lemon-colored coat and stained white lab coat screamed that he’d rushed to meet me. But why? I needed to question him properly!

"Why is a scientist attending an operations planning meeting?" I asked Golden Claw.

“Please, allow me to stay; I want to serve you with all my heart and soul!” he pleaded, eyes sparkling as he looked at me.

I tilted my head, a bit puzzled and somewhat surprised.

“Excuse his dreadful appearance! You see, he’s a very promising scientist, skilled in chemicals and agriculture. I think his presence could be beneficial for both of us!” Golden Claw said, defending his apprentice confidently. “If you permit, I believe an additional perspective could be helpful.”

On one hand, it seemed unlikely that a chemist would interfere with military planning. On the other, I didn’t see much use in having him here. But something about his determination moved me. He was clearly shy, but he’d gathered the courage to ask to serve me. I respect brave ponies, but those with a fierce desire to serve me, I value even more. It might be wise to bring him into the fold! A scientist in my team certainly couldn’t hurt!

“Very well, I’ll allow him to stay!” I nodded in agreement. I quickly approached the trembling braveheart, casting a large shadow over him. “From this day on, you will serve me! Do you understand?” I leaned down, making Sun Light lower himself even further.

“Of course, Your Majesty!” he nodded quickly. “I’ll gladly serve you!” He lifted his head, looking at me with adoring eyes.

“What is with this pony?” I wondered. Usually, when I put this kind of pressure on someone, they begin to yield, giving me total control over the conversation. But this pony seemed to crave my dominance instead!

“What am I thinking? I need to plan the operation!” I shook my head, brushing off the intrusive thoughts.

I turned and cast a stern gaze over the room. “Now, let's get to planning the operation!” I announced loudly. “Loyal Heart!” I called to my assistant.

“Y-yes, Your Majesty!” he stood at attention.

“Where is our enemy now?” I moved to the center of the room to examine the map of the castle and its surroundings. Loyal Heart rushed to my right side, taking a pointer in his hoof.

“The main bat-pony forces are concentrated directly within the castle, while our forces have encircled them,” he gestured to the territory of the Two Sisters' Castle with the pointer.

A question immediately came to mind, and I needed to voice it.

“If their main forces have occupied the castle, then how are they supplied?” I sat down, propping my chin on my hoof in a thoughtful pose.

“Good question, Your Majesty!” Solar Starlight took the lead, standing to my left. “Our scouts reported enemy movement in this forest!” He pointed to the adjoining wild forest.

“So how are they managing logistics for supplies?” I continued questioning, drawing conclusions in my mind.

“The bat-ponies are pegasi, aren’t they?” Golden Claw intervened, standing across from me. “So, they’re likely delivering supplies by air!” he reasoned.

“That’s interesting!” I analyzed the enemy’s tactics with enthusiasm and admiration.

“If they’re delivering supplies by air, then their movements can be seen from afar, meaning they’re doing it at night!” I realized.

“Brilliant deduction, Your Majesty; I thought the same!” Golden Claw confirmed approvingly. “Everyone knows bat-ponies have vertical pupils, right?” He looked around at everyone, who nodded in agreement. “That means they navigate well in the dark, so our forces can’t detect their movements.”

“That’s true!” I nodded. Stripped down, it appeared that the bat-ponies were preparing for a prolonged defense, bringing supplies to the castle to reinforce their forces. We needed to cut off this supply chain before the enemy grew too strong!

“Based on these observations, I propose forming a strike group to take back this position in the forest!” Solar Starlight shared his plan.

“That’s a short-sighted decision!” Golden Claw interrupted like a bolt of lightning. “We might reclaim the forest, but reinforcements from the castle could arrive, and we’d face heavy losses!” he argued. “A siege wouldn’t even be an option then! Instead, I suggest a guerrilla tactic: forming small groups of five or six soldiers to intercept the enemy at intervals,” he snorted, awaiting his opponent’s reply.

“It would be faster and more efficient to reclaim the supply center if we organize the attack properly!” he stomped his hoof on the table, increasing the tension in the room.

“I need to calm both of them down!” I thought. I didn’t want the strategic planning to turn into a circus! I had my own plan based on the current information, and it seemed far superior to theirs. I needed to announce it! After all, the final decision was mine!

While I was thinking, they’d already started debating the flaws in each other’s plans. Each believed they were right, whereas I thought neither of them was.

“I have a better plan!” I stood up from the table, and everyone focused on me. “From the information gathered, it appears the bat-ponies move mainly at night without any light sources, correct?” I asked rhetorically, bringing a pointer to myself with telekinesis. “Then we need to set up bonfires around this forested area and around the castle perimeter, visible from afar, and without setting the forest on fire!” I indicated the line of contact with the enemy. Small figures were positioned on the map to represent our troops. I lifted these figures with telekinesis and arranged them along the front line, explaining my plan.

“Please allow me to manage the bonfire organization!” Sun Light’s voice reached me. “I can ensure all the necessary conditions are met to keep the fires going constantly! I also recommend forming squads of mages to cast signal spells every hour, making the bat-ponies as visible as if they were right underhoof!” he suggested with enthusiasm and a gleam in his eye.

“Excellent suggestion!” I nodded in approval. “I’m assigning you to handle this, and Golden Claw will be your supervisor to keep everything running smoothly!” I gave the aristocrat a teacherly tap of my hoof.

“It will be done in the best way possible!” He bowed. “However, Your Majesty, what about the supply center?” he asked in confusion.

“Now we’re getting to the interesting part!” I declared, pacing around the table. “I believe both of your strategies are wrong!” My words left the aristocrat and general stunned. “You see, I have no desire to shed blood. The thestrals are like brothers to us, after all,” I stated firmly. “It doesn’t take a genius to see they were manipulated by Nightmare Moon to fulfill her wicked goals; after all, they once defended our kingdom alongside us. I believe the key here is negotiation!” My words left everyone staring at me in silent question, the same question on everyone’s face: “How?”

“My plan is simple: we’ll conduct a covert mission to capture a few of their officers from the forest, using them as leverage. Then, we’ll split their supply center and fortress into two isolated fronts. First, we’ll make the enemy surrender in the forest, and then we can start negotiating with those in the fortress.”

A momentary silence followed as everyone carefully considered my plan, but no one raised an objection. They understood that my proposal was the least bloody of all the options.

“Very well, allow me to organize the covert team!” General Solar Starlight offered, bowing his head.

“No, I’ll go alone!” I turned down the offer. I grabbed a figurine of a large alicorn and loudly placed it onto the map over the forest. “I have the skills necessary to succeed in this mission, and there’s nothing they can do to stop me,” I smirked, glancing at my own form. “Meanwhile, Solar Starlight, I command you to prepare for a long siege with those two majors.” I gestured to the officers who were intently watching the planning.

Everyone gaped in shock. For them, the idea of a newly crowned ruler going into battle alone was unimaginable. Celestia would never do such a thing; she would sit safely at headquarters until the very end, letting others do the work for her.

“But how can we let you enter enemy territory alone?” Golden Claw implored, looking at me with desperate concern. “You’re the Empress, the last hope of Equestria,” he pleaded.

“I am an alicorn!” I spread my wings wide and lifted my head, displaying my unshakable power. “I can transform into fire, making me perfect for this mission!” I proudly demonstrated a flame igniting on my hoof.

“But…” Golden Claw started, but I silenced him with a fierce look. He understood that any arguments would be futile. I’d already made my decision. My word was law.

“Loyal Heart!” I called to my assistant. “How are things in Equestria? Are people aware of what’s happening here?”

“No, Your Majesty! Pegasus were dispatched across the kingdom with a message that there’s a new ruler, though the reason wasn’t stated. It also asked everyone to remain calm,” he crisply responded.

“That’s good!” I replied. “Golden Claw, I want you to gather all the aristocrats here and have them swear loyalty to me!” I commanded.

“It will be done! I’ll send out letters immediately!”

“With that, I suggest we conclude our meeting. I’ll start preparing for the upcoming mission and plan to head to the thestral camp by nightfall and return by morning,” I stated, answering any lingering questions.

No one dared to respond. Finally, I asked directly: “Any questions?” I glanced sharply at everyone present.

“NONE, MA’AM!” the officers shouted in unison, while the aristocrat and scholar chose to stay silent, looking down at their hooves.

“If there are, you know where to find me in the armory,” I threw back over my shoulder as I left the tent. “Loyal Heart, follow me!” I called my assistant, who stood frozen in place.

***

After some searching, I found an old set of armor in the armory that fit me perfectly. These were Celestia’s armor, mainly copper with some steel. It even came with wing protection, which delighted me. Such armor is rare nowadays, as it hampers a pegasus’s speed and agility in the air, but I believe that with skill, one could defend themselves well with this armor. Full armor that fits me was hard to find, so I had to settle for partial pieces that offered minimal coverage.

I also found the largest glaive, perfectly suited for an alicorn of my size. It would be odd to go on this mission unarmed. The glaive was quite ordinary, just with an extended pole. There was something about it that appealed to me, though I couldn’t quite say why.

“Can I actually do this?” The idea sparked within me.

I ignited my horn and visualized the transformation spell in my mind.

“It worked!” I grinned, stepping out of my fire form. I’d successfully crafted a spell that would allow both me and my weapon to shift into flame. This thrilled me. An obvious weapon would have given me away, but in this form, it was nearly invisible.

“All right!” I pulled out my checklist and began crossing off items. Armor—check! Weapon—check! Mission—check! Determination—check! I issued orders, temporarily handed control over to Loyal Heart, and instructed him to handle matters as they arose. Everything was set for the mission. Most importantly, I was ready—ready for anything!

…

At exactly the appointed time, I set the Sun beyond the horizon, making way for the Moon. Moving the Moon was still challenging, while handling the Sun felt much easier. Practice would be needed, but that was a problem for later. Now, I had a mission, and the fate of Equestria depended on it. In full armor and armed, I set off for the forest. The guards at the observation post saluted as I approached the woods. And so began my first mission.

I entered the forest swiftly, a living embodiment of fire. At that moment, I had no idea what terror awaited me…

Author's Note

Hello everyone I apologize for such a long absence. Here's a new chapter for all of you! I have an interesting suggestion for you, I recently became very interested in generating images for fan fiction using a neural network and want to make my own patreon, where new chapters with illustrations will be published before all public resources. Would you be interested in that?