//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 (Edited) // Story: The Return of Daybreaker // by Twilight Star //------------------------------// ”Once upon a time, in the enchanted kingdom of Equestria, two sister princesses ruled together and guaranteed harmony to all lands.” “To do this, the older sister used her unicorn powers to raise the sun to the skies, and the younger sister brought the moon to start the night.” “Thus, the two sisters maintained the balance of the kingdom and its subjects who varied various types of ponies.” “But, over time, the older sister became arrogant. Ponies enjoyed and played during their day, but during the night they were tired and slept only during their little sister’s beautiful night. ” “Until one day the older sister refused to move the sun and allow it to get dark. The younger sister tried to convince her, but her young heart turned her into a frightening unicorn of flames: Daybreker! She swore it would bring heat and the day would be eternal.” “The younger sister, reluctantly, resorted to the most powerful magic known in the pony kingdom: The Elements of Harmony! Using the magic of the Elements of Harmony, she defeated her older sister and imprisoned her permanently in the sun. The younger sister took responsibility for both: Sun and moon. And harmony has been maintained in Equestria for generations ever since.”  Starlight closed the book she had just finished reading. She sat on the bed in her castle room. The night was starry and the moon was full in the sky. Luna, her mentor, asked her to read this book, which talked about the Daybreaker story. And she did what was asked. She blew out a sigh of relief. The book was too long. The ears of Starlight Glimmer perked up at the sound of a door opening. She looked at the door to see who was entering her room.  The door opened, revealing Princess Luna, who was smiling at Starlight Glimmer. “Did you finish reading the book I ordered, Starlight?”  “Yes, Princess Luna,” replied Starlight Glimmer as she smiled.  Luna approached Starlight Glimmer. “Starlight, I would like you to read that other book,” she took the book that was in bed with her magic and handed over a book that had on the cover written, “Myths and legends of Equestria.”  Starlight took the book with her magic, placed it on the bed, opened it and started reading. Luna watched Starlight read before leaving the room with the book that Starlight had just finished reading.  “Starlight! Will you help me get up in bed?”  Starlight Glimmer looked down and saw Spike. She smiled. “Sure, Spike,” she took the dragon with her magic and placed it on the bed.  Spike realized that Starlight Glimmer was reading. He approached as he was curious. “What are you reading about, Starlight?”  Starlight Glimmer looked at Spike. “Myths and legends. Princess Luna asked me to read it. I just finished reading about the Daybreaker story.”  “Starlight, could you tell me the Daybreaker story, since I wasn’t here in bed with you to read along?” asked Spike.  Starlight Glimmer’s ears drooped and she looked at Spike sadly. “Spike, I would love to tell you. But I have to read this book that Princess Luna asked of me.”  Spike was saddened by the response he received. “...But I can tell you after I’m done,” said Starlight Glimmer, now with a smile.  Spike managed to smile a little at the words of Starlight Glimmer. “Okay, Starlight.”  “Would you like to read that book with me?” asked Starlight Glimmer.  “Sure,” replied Spike.  Starlight and Spike then started to read. To their surprise, the legends and myths were written in alphabetical order. It was like a dictionary, practically. They were having a great time reading together. But there came a time when the joy of Starlight Glimmer was changed to concern when she read about that the Mare in the sun would be released from the sun on the longest night of the thousandth year and she would bring heat and eternal day. Spike noticed the concern in Starlight Glimmer and raised an eyebrow.  “Starlight? It’s all right?” he asked.  Starlight Glimmer looked at Spike, still concerned. “Spike, did you read what I just read?”  “About the Mare in the sun being an old pony fable?” Spike tried to guess why Starlight was concerned.  “No, Spike. About Daybreaker returning on the longest night of the thousandth year,” replied Starlight Glimmer. “You read?”  “No. Why?” asked Spike, still confused.  “Spike, today is the longest night of the thousandth year! Daybreaker will return tonight to bring heat and an eternal day!” shouted Starlight Glimmer, in despair. “We have to warn Princess Luna!”  “Now?” asked Spike.  Starlight Glimmer’s concern changed to confusion. “Sure. Why?”  “I think it’s better not to do that. She must be busy preparing for the winter moon celebration,” replied Spike.  “But Spike, if we don’t do this, Luna won’t be aware of Daybreaker’s return,” said Starlight Glimmer as she got up from the bed. “I’ll be right back, Spike.”  Spike didn’t understand why Starlight Glimmer was so desperate. It was just a pony tale, nothing more. “OK. I wait for you here.”  “Thanks, Spike,” said Starlight Glimmer before running out.  Starlight looked everywhere, looking for Luna. But she was nowhere to be found. Where would Luna be? But luckily for her, it didn’t take long for her to find Luna. Luna was looking at a glass window.  “Princess Luna!” called Starlight Glimmer as she ran towards Luna.  Luna heard somepony calling her and looked at where the sound came from. “Starlight? Did you finish reading the book I ordered?”  Starlight Glimmer stopped running and responded. “No, princess.”  Luna was confused. “Then why did you come to me? Something happened?”  “Princess Luna, I read that in the legend of the mare of the sun, she would return in the longest night of the thousandth year to bring heat and eternal day! That is, tonight!” replied Starlight Glimmer. “You believe me, don’t you?”  Luna was surprised, but soon recovered and smiled. “Of course I believe you, Starlight.”  Starlight Glimmer was grateful that Luna believed in her. “Princess, what will we do to prevent the prophecy from being fulfilled?”  “Unfortunately, there is no way to prevent the prophecy from being fulfilled,” replied Luna, sadly.  Starlight Glimmer gaped at the answer. “But what about when she arrives in Equestria, princess? Don’t you have a solution that could prevent her from winning?”  Luna smiled. “Yes. There’s a way, my student.”  Starlight Glimmer was relieved and smiled. “And what is this solution?”  “The Elements of Harmony. They are located in Everfree Forest,” replied Luna. “You need to go to the Castle of the Two Sisters and activate them with your magic.”  Starlight Glimmer looked unsure. “Me? But couldn’t it be you?”  “Starlight, I am no longer connected to the Elements of Harmony since my sister was banished to the sun,” explained Luna. “You should go to Ponyville to check the preparations for the Winter Moon Celebration, make some friends and activate the Elements of Harmony.”  “Do you think I’ll make it, princess?” asked Starlight Glimmer. “I mean, I’m just a unicorn who’s your student. Not a hero or a princess of Equestria. ”  “Of course you will, Starlight.” Luna put a hoof on Starlight as she smiled. “I know you will.”  Starlight Glimmer managed to gain confidence with those words. “Well, if you think I can do it, then I’m going to go up to my room to take Spike with me.”  “Great. In the meantime, I’m going to get your carriage ready,” said Luna as she turned and started walking.  Upon arriving in her room, Starlight went to Spike. “Spike. Let’s get going.”  Spike was confused as he raised his paw in a confused way. “Where are we going?”  “We are going to Ponyville,” replied Starlight Glimmer. “Princess Luna is already prepared for the carriage.”  Spike smiled as he lowered his paw. “Ah. We’re going to watch the celebration in Ponyville?”  “Not only that, Spike,” replied Starlight Glimmer as she shook her head. “We also have to check the preparations for the celebration, make friends and go to the Everfree Forest to arrive at the Castle of the Two Sisters to activate the Elements of Harmony.”  Spike got out of bed as he said, “and do you think you can do it all in one night?”  Starlight Glimmer looked to the side, still unsure. “I’m not sure,” she looked at Spike, now with a smile as she lifted a front hoof. “But if Princess Luna thinks I can do it, then I’ll do it...”    The Starlight carriage was ready. The carriage was dark purple in color, and two Lunar guards were going to drive the carriage. Starlight, Spike approached the carriage. Luna was beside Starlight. Spike entered first. Starlight Glimmer gave a farewell hug. “See you at the celebration, princess.”  Luna returned the hug while smiling. “See you at the celebration, too, Starlight.”  Upon leaving the embrace, Starlight was about to enter the carriage, but Luna stopped her. “Starlight! Wait!”  Starlight Glimmer looked back and saw Luna approach with a rolled scroll. “You will need this list to know what you have to check and who is responsible for each preparation.”  Smiling, Starlight Glimmer took the scroll with her magic. “Thank you, Princess Luna.”  “You’re welcome, Starlight.” thanked Luna with a smile.  Starlight Glimmer touched something. “Princess, where am I going to stay in Ponyville?”  “At Golden Oka’s Tree Library,” replied Luna. “I already told Mayor Mare that you would be staying at the library there.”  Starlight Glimmer smiled in relief. “Thank you, Princess Luna.”  Luna smiled at the phrase. “You’re welcome, Starlight. Now, you better go. You have a lot of work to do.”  Starlight Glimmer, still smiling, turned, went to the carriage and sat down. The Lunar guard closed the carriage door with a hoof. The lunar guards began to walk, until they flew. Starlight and Spike said goodbye to Luna with smiles. Luna did the same.  Starlight Glimmer looked ahead and opened the parchment to see what she had to check. “Hm. Let me see. Food, climate, fireworks and music.”  “Who are responsible for each task?” asked Spike as he was curious.  “Maud Pie is responsible for the food. Ember, the weather. Trixie, of the fireworks that will take place at the end of the celebration and Thorax is in charge of the music.” read Starlight Glimmer before getting confused. “Weird. Discord doesn’t have a celebration preparation to do.”  “And will you befriend as Princess Luna asked?”  Starlight Glimmer stopped looking at the parchment and looked at Spike. “Of course I will, Spike. I will befriend these five.”  The carriage was now in Ponyville. “I just hope Princess Luna will show up at the celebration,” said Starlight Glimmer.  “Me too.” Spike agreed.  The carriage landed on the floor. Starlight came out first, then it was Spike.  “Where should we go first, Starlight?” asked Spike.  Starlight Glimmer looked at the parchment. “On a stone farm.”  Suddenly, Starlight collided with a draconequus. She fell backwards. Lucky that the scroll was still being held by her magic.  “I’m sorry. I didn’t see you,” said Starlight Glimmer as Spike helped her to get up off the floor.  “No. I should be sorry. I should have swerved.” The draconequus apologized.  “If you insist ...” Starlight Glimmer and Spike started walking. But they were stopped by the draconequus who spoke.  “Hey. I’ve never seen you around here before,” the Draconequus approached Starlight Glimmer. Starlight and Spike looked at draconequus. “What’s your name?”  Starlight Glimmer, with a smile, turned to greet him. “Starlight Glimmer. And yours?”  “Discord.” Discord appeared as he greeted with a paw. “Are you going to the Winter Moon Celebration?”  “Of course I will, Discord,” replied Starlight Glimmer. “But first, I need to check the preparations and make friends with the others who are responsible for the preparations.”  “I can be your friend, if you want.” Discord offered his friendship to Starlight Glimmer.  “Of course I would like to be your friend, Discord,” said Starlight Glimmer. "So ..." he snapped his fingers which resulted in a cloud of cotton candy and two cones with pink and white stripes, took some of the cloud of cotton candy and handed it to Starlight.   "See you at the celebration, Starlight," said Discord as he left with a smile while eating the contton candy.   "See you at the celebration." Starlight Glimmer started walking again while she ate the cotton candy. Her mouth got dirty. Spike followed.     Starlight and Spike noticed that the stone farm had many stones around it. They approached the small house. Starlight had already finished eating the cotton candy Discord offered. She knocked on the door with a hoof. The door opened, revealing a mare with yellow glasses, gray hair and dark green mane. The mare did not have a happy face.  Although Starlight seemed a little uncomfortable with the mare’s expression, she started to speak. “Hi, my name is Starlight Glimmer,” greeted Starlight Glimmer. “And I would like to know if Maud Pie is with you at home.” “Maud is here, yes,” replied the mare, now no longer with a serious expression, but confused. “Why?”  “It’s just that I’m in charge of checking the preparations for the Winter Moon Celebration,” explained Starlight Glimmer. “And she is in charge of the food. Can I come in to see how she’s doing, lady?”  The mare smiled as she led the way for Starlight Glimmer and Spike to enter. “Of course you can. And my name is Cloudy Quartz. ”  Starlight Glimmer stopped walking and looked at Cloudy Quartz. “Where’s the kitchen for you and your family, Cloudy Quartz?”  Cloud Quartz hoofed the door and started walking. “Follow me. I will show you the way.”  While Starlight and Spike followed the mare. They wondered what Maud Pie did for the celebration. What would Maud Pie’s family cookery look like? Upon entering the kitchen, they saw that there was a table with a gray towel and on top of it had cupcakes, apples, water, muffins and cake. Near the stove was a gray mare, a purple mane, and a gray blue rag. Cloudy left the place she was.  Starlight Glimmer and Spike approach of the mare. “Hi. My name is Starlight Glimmer.”  The mare looked at Starlight. Her expression was neutral. “Hi. My name is Maud Pie.”  “I came here to check the food,” said Starlight Glimmer. “Were all these foods on that table made by you?”  “Yes. I did it myself,” replied Maud Pie. “Would you like to try some of the food I made?”  “Yes. But it will be just one.” Starlight Glimmer took a strawberry cupcake with her magic and took a bite. Her pupils increased.  Spike was concerned. “Starlight? What happened? Didn’t you like it?”  Starlight Glimmer swallowed the cupcake and looked at Spike with a smile. “No. I loved it. Would you like to taste it?” she offered Spike the cupcake.  “No thank you. I prefer those cupcakes that have jewels,” replied Spike.  Starlight Glimmer looked at Maud Pie. “Well, it seems that for food everything is under control. See you at the celebration?”  “Yes. See you at the celebration. I can’t wait for the celebration to start,” Maud Pie took a small stone out of her pocket. “Boulder can’t wait either.”  Starlight, smiling, left the kitchen, along with Spike.   “Let me see ... now is the weather,” said Starlight as she looked at the parchment. “Ember is responsible for this.”  She looked at the sky to see if there were any clouds in the sky. And to her surprise and joy, there was no cloud in the sky.  Starlight Glimmer looked at Spike. “Ember did a great job with the sky. Don’t you think, Spike?”  “Yes. Sure.” Spike agreed with a smile.  Starlight looked up at the sky, looking for Ember, but didn’t find it. “I wonder where Ember would be.”  “Did I hear somepony call my name?”  Starlight and Spike looked to the side and saw a light blue female dragon. The blue-colored female dragon smiled at them both.  “Are you Ember?” asked Starlight Glimmer as she and Spike approached the blue female dragon.  “Yes. My name is Ember,” replied Ember. “And yours? And your dragon friend? What is his name?”  “My name is Starlight Glimmer, Ember,” introduced Starlight Glimmer. “And my dragon friend is called Spike.”  “It’s a pleasure to meet you both,” said Ember with a smile. “Where you are from?”  “I’m from Canterlot, Ember,” replied Starlight Glimmer. “And you?”  “I’m from the Land of Dragons,” replied Ember. “But I spend most of my days here in Ponyville.”  “How did you manage to clear the sky?” asked Starlight Glimmer as she was curious.  “Simple. With my wings,” Ember flapped her wings, but she didn’t leave the ground. She looked at Starlight Glimmer. “Did you come to Ponyville to celebrate the longest night of the year too?”  “Yes, Ember. I can’t wait to see Princess Luna at the celebration,” replied Starlight Glimmer with a smile.  “I'm going. You’re kind of cool, Starlight. I hope we can see each other more often.” Ember went flying.  Spike looked at Starlight Glimmer. “She is awesome!” he said, admired.  “Yes. Now let’s see where we should go,” Starlight took her scroll to read. “Ah! We need to go to the city hall. Trixie will be out of the city hall, setting off the fireworks,” she closed her scroll and started walking towards the city hall. Spike followed.  Starlight had to confess. She was excited to see this and befriend Trixie. She has always liked magic tricks since she was a filly. Maybe she might be Trixie’s magic assistant?  Suddenly, they heard the sound of fireworks. The two looked at each other before approaching where they saw the sound. They realized that there was a light blue unicorn with a blue and silver mane with a cape and a purple hat with stars on top of a stage causing fireworks to appear and explode. Starlight and Spike decided to approach the mare with smiles on their faces.  “Hi!” The mare stopped what she was doing, looked at where the voice came from and saw Starlight and Spike looking at her.  “I just wanted to say that you are very good at your magic,” said Starlight Glimmer with a smile. “Can you do other tricks besides fireworks?”  The mare smiled. “Of course yes. The great and powerful Trixie knows several magic tricks,” the mare touched something. “Trixie never saw you around here. What’s your name?”  “My name is Starlight Glimmer,” presented Starlight Glimmer. “And yours?”  “My name is Trixie Lulamoon! The great magic of Ponyville!” Trixie let out fireworks.  Starlight Glimmer couldn’t help but notice that Trixie was a unicorn who was very good at magic. “You're very good with your magic, Trixie.”  Trixie stopped fireworks and smiled in praise. “Thanks. Thanks. Trixie is grateful that she is the best unicorn in all Equestria! No pony praised Trixie’s magic tricks. Would you like to see Trixie launch more fireworks?”  “I would love to. But one last item is missing for me to check for the celebration,” replied Starlight Glimmer.  “Trixie understands. But will you be at the celebration?” asked Trixie.  “Of course I will. I can’t wait to see Princess Luna.”  Trixie smiled in return. “Trixie is also looking forward to seeing Princess Luna. Trixie has been practicing setting off the fireworks since this afternoon.”  “Well, I’m going, Trixie. See you at the celebration?” asked Starlight Glimmer.  “See you at the celebration,” said Trixie.  Starlight Glimmer turned and started walking. Spike followed. When they did, Trixie returned to setting off fireworks.  “What’s left, Starlight?” asked Spike.  Starlight Glimmer took the scroll to check. “Music. It’s the last one on the list.”  Suddenly, they heard a song. They looked at each other in surprise and decided to follow the sound. They found that the sound came from a changeling who was sitting near the oak tree house playing a guitar with its hooves. They couldn’t deny that for a changeling, he played quite well. They decided to approach the changeling.  The changeling heard footsteps and saw Starlight and Spike approaching him. “Hi. My name is Starlight Glimmer,” Starlight introduced with a smile.  The changeling smiled and greeted himself with a hoof. “Hi, Starlight. My name is Thorax.”  “You know, Thorax. I never imagined seeing a changeling play the guitar,” said Starlight Glimmer. “I also never imagined seeing a changeling in Ponyville.”  “It’s because since I was declared a threat to the hive, Queen Chrysalis kicked me out of the hive just because I was a good changeling. Now, I live in Ponyville. When I have free time, I play the guitar or spend time with my friends.” explained Thorax.  Starlight Glimmer felt sorry for Thorax. “Are you the only changeling around here?”  Thorax looked away as he was sad. “Sadly, yes.”  “And how did the ponies here welcome you?” asked Starlight Glimmer.  “In the beginning, they didn’t accept me. So, I had to disguise myself as a pony. But unfortunately, I was discovered when I started feeling hungry,” replied Thorax, sadly. “But when I explained my story, I gradually gained the trust of the ponies.”  “And now? How are things for you?” asked Starlight Glimmer.  “Now, as it has been years since I came here and I hadn't sucked any love from them, everypony knows that I am different from the other changeling, and I have even won friends,” replied Thorax with a smile. “Would you like to hear me play music?”  “Well, Spike and I have finished checking the preparations for the celebration, so I think we can hear you play music, yes.” Starlight Glimmer and Spike sat on the floor.  “Great!” Thorax started playing the guitar.    When Thorax finished, he noticed that the ponies were going to the city hall. He stood up and put away his guitar. “Come on, Starlight. The celebration will begin.”  Starlight and Spike got up from the floor and followed Thorax to the town hall. Upon entering, they noticed that there were quite a few ponies inside. Starlight and Spike decided to stay very close to the stage to see Luna’s arrival. Thorax was flying to the left side of the balcony that Luna would appear. Starlight saw that Trixie was on the balcony that Luna would appear on. Starlight really expected Luna to show up and not Daybreaker. She just hoped that there was time for Luna to arrive and that everything would work out.    Luna was in the throne room. Sitting on the throne, waiting for the Daybreaker arrival. She knew that Daybreaker would appear at any moment. There was no one in the place, but her. She had asked the lunar guards to leave her alone in the throne room, the lunar guards, despite not understanding why, they did what was told by their princess.  The door to the throne room opened, revealing Daybreaker, who smiled wickedly when she saw Luna as she approached Luna. “Luna, Luna. How long since we haven’t seen each other, have we? Are you ready to be destroyed?”  Luna rose from the throne. “Sister. You don’t have to do that. I know you want your day to be enjoyed forever. But believe me, if you do that, the ponies will not be able to enjoy the day properly because the sun will be always in the sky and it will be very hot everyday.”  Daybreaker was angry at Luna’s response. “Lie! You’re saying this because you’re jealous of my day, and also because is more appreciated than your night!”  “Celestia, I’m not jealous of you,” said Luna. “Equestria needs the night too so that ponies can rest and see the stars after a busy day. Equestria needs to have balance so that ponies and creatures live in harmony.”  “Who needs balance when you can have power over everything?” Daybreaker started laughing wildly.  Luna’s ears went down, but she looked sad. “Please, Celestia. Stop this. Go back to rule with me. I miss you.”  “Why should I go back to my weak form and come back to rule with somepony who is weak like you? I am the best, the most beautiful version of Celestia!” said Daybreaker with a crazy smile. “I can do what I want. But you’re on my way. And you must be destroyed!” she cast a fire spell on Luna.  Luna quickly defended herself with a shield. She never imagined that even though Daybreaker had been banished to the sun for a thousand years, Daybreaker showed no regrets. When Daybreaker stopped casting the fire spell, Luna removed the magic shield.  Daybreaker prepared her magic. Luna, seeing that there was no other way, also prepared her magic, but what Daybreaker didn’t seem to notice, was that Luna was crying. The princesses’ two spells collided. Despite Luna’s magic being strong, Daybreaker’s magic gained control, until it reached Luna’s horn. Luna fell backwards while she had her eyes closed. Daybreaker approached her ex sister with a smile on her face.  Luna opened her eyes, and saw Daybreaker approaching her slowly. “For now, I will leave you stuck on the moon, when I declare myself the new princess of Equestria and destroy those damn Elements of Harmony, I see what I will do to you,” she used her magic on Luna.  When Daybreaker opened her eyes, she saw that on the moon, she had a silhouette of a mare. She smiled, before turning into a fire and flying away. “Now, time for the ponies to see their true princess.”    Thorax started playing his guitar, until he stopped. “Fillies and gentlecolts! It is with great pleasure that I announce the Winter Moon Celebration!” said Mayor Mare. Everypony celebrates. “And now, we will receive the arrival of the princess of Equestria. The one that brings night and day! Princess Luna!”  Trixie pulled a rope with her magic. But Luna didn’t appear. Trixie was confused.  Starlight Glimmer started to panic. No. This could not be happening! She could only be dreaming.  The ponies began to whisper among themselves. “Stay calm, everypony. I’m sure there must be a reason why the princess hasn’t arrived yet,” said Mayor Mare, trying to calm everypony down.  Trixie looked inside the balcony, but didn’t find Luna. “She's gone!” Everypony gasped in surprise.  “Starlight, look at that,” said Maud Pie as she pointed to the balcony. Starlight looked out over the balcony and saw a fire approach. She was worried. No. This couldn’t be happening.  The fire expanded and Daybreaker came out, smiling at the pony crowd. Spike passed out on seeing Daybreaker because he couldn’t believe that Daybreaker wasn’t a pony tale.  “Hello, my dear subjects. It’s been so long since I haven’t seen my sun lovers,” said Daybreaker with a smile. The ponies were all scared and shaking.  “Who are you?! And what did you do with Princess Luna?!” shouted Ember angrily and wanting to go to Daybreaker as she pointed at Daybreaker.  Daybreaker laughed at Ember’s two questions. “Don’t you know who I am? Please, I’m… Daybreaker! And your beloved princess of the night was banished on the moon.” Starlight Glimmer was concerned. Luna was banished to the moon? She looked at the moon to be sure, and saw the moon with the silhouette of a mare. She knew that Daybreaker would return, but she was hopeful that Luna would appear at the celebration. But it seens that she was wrong. “Starting today, I will be the new ruler of Equestria! And the day will last forever!” Daybreaker started laughing wildly. Everypony could only look in shock at the words Daybreaker said. Mostly Starlight.