//------------------------------// // Breaker of Dawn // Story: The Basement // by PearlescenT //------------------------------// Breaker of Dawn --- “You can’t be serious.” The old, frail mare rusheds to the door of her private study, covering it with hooves outstretched and wings unfurled. Her labored breathing summons wisps of cold, and her hooves tremble and quake, but she does not budge. “You can’t go out there!” “No, Princess. I can. And I will.” Twilight buckles her saddlebags and tightens her parka, then steps right and left to try and slip through. The mare follows her movements. “Can you please stop blocking the doorway?” The mare shakes her head. “This is not how I want you to die.” “Your Majesty… if you would just step away,” a soft voice speaks from behind. “Please.” The pink haired pegasus moves over towards the door, and grabs the terrified elder’s hooves in an attempt to move her away. “We need to go. I’m sure you understand.” From across the room, the fire of the furnace flickers. Another young pegasus pumps air into it to keep the flame going, her light blue hooves and rainbow hair soiled with the black of coal. “Can we please get a move on? I really can’t wait for much longer!” “These… friends of yours. They’re insane. You’re insane for listening to them! No one has ever braved the cold and survived!” The old mare, frail as she is, stands straighter in a final show of desperation. “I won’t let my faithful student go on a suicide mission like this.” “Our friends are waiting by the sled station, ma’am.” The yellow one starts to pull on the mare’s hooves harder. “I need you to MOVE. Now!” “Aah!” With a yelp, the two of them come tumbling onto the floor. The younger mare falls onto her saddlebag, and manages to catch the Princess with her body. “Ow. That hurt, young lady.” With a cough, the pink-haired mare stands up and steps aside, turning to nod to her friend. “Well, I’m sorry, but I warned you.” The door opens, and a colder breeze seeps into the room. She offers a hoof to the princess on the floor, who solemnly takes it, then turns to the doorway. “Let’s go, Dash. Fluttershy.” Twilight takes the lead and steps into the hallway, leaving her teacher behind to stare at them as they go. The hallway guards outside turn their heads to the opening doors, and nod at the Princess’ faithful protege and her entourage. Rainbow Dash opens the saddlebag and reaches for the map within, while Fluttershy adjusts her snow goggles and wing guards. Their collective hoofsteps echo through the grand wooden hall. “Wait.” The Princess’s tired voice calls out. “Please, wait.” She begins to shamble ahead, and the guards rush to support her. “One last thing. Before you go.” Rainbow groans in response. “Twi, do we really have to listen to her?” Twilight stops, then takes a breath. She looks back to face her mentor. “One last thing, Princess.” “Yes,” she responds. Her guards help her stand up straight, and she thanks them with a gentle nod. “One last thing.”   She looks straight at her student for a few seconds as her eyes begin to water. They plead a final request. “Promise me you’ll return.” “I… I can’t do that, Princess.”  Twilight stares back for a moment, then looks away.  Her right hoof fidgets on the floor. “I can’t promise you I’ll come back.” The Princess sighs, and her tears begin to fall on the floor. “I knew you would say that.” She looks up and smiles at Twilight. “Come here, my child.” Her student slowly trots over, and with both hooves outstretched, they share a final embrace. The Princess’ tears drip on her student’s jacket. “So many students of my own have gone on to end this winter, you know. Over the years. Amore. Sunset Shimmer. Cadaence. And now… you.” She wipes her tears away with one hoof. “I thought that I could keep my final student away from the cold, harsh world out there. But perhaps it is fate that all I take under my wing end up leaving.” Twilight says nothing as she lets go. Tears crest her muzzle, too. She gives her teacher one more soft smile. The Princess watches as her student turns back and leaves for the last time. “You three are going to break a curse older than even myself,” she calls out. “The Solar Magic, and the light of the stars, have been lost for thousands of years. Are you sure you are ready to wield such power?” The pink haired mare answers. “We are, Your Majesty.” “You will make many enemies throughout your mission. The coal magnates will not be happy, nor will the Seafarers be kind to ponykind crossing their land.” The rainbow-haired one chuckles. “Well, the griffons and the seaponies can kiss my flank!” She looks back at the Princess, a brash grin plastered on her face. “Don’t worry, Your Majesty. You keep home safe, we’ll bring back that ancient power.” The three ponies beckon to the guards to open the gate. “Your friends are loyal and true.” The Princess smiles. “I bid you farewell, Twilight Sparkle. Break open the clouds of winter, return the warmth of the sun, and make way for the stars of the night to shine once more. I, Princess Luna, hereby give you my blessings. Stay safe, my children.” “I will, Princess.” The guards at the end of the hallway open the doors to the outside world, and a bitter cold wind blasts in. The three ponies hug their coats closer as they step out into the cold. The howling of the wind drowns the room as Luna watches her student’s silhouette fade into the dark, snowy midnight blizzard. The door closes, and all returns to silence. Luna sighs. “You are my last hope,” she murmurs to herself. “Find the Princess I never had the chance to know. Find my sister.” She hugs herself with her hooves.  “Good luck, Twilight.” ---- “Did that really have to be so dramatic?” Fluttershy groans. “Dash, be polite! The Princess cares for Twilight.” Rainbow laughs. “Hah! Says the mare who wrestled her off the door,” she shouts. Fluttershy glares at her in response. “Hey, what? I’m not lying.” “Shut up, girls.” Twilight takes the map from Rainbow dash and unfurls it. “Shining Armor and the rest will be waiting by the sleds. Let’s go.” She rolls up the map and places it back in her saddlebagck. Together, they step into the blizzard, and head off into the cold, desolate unknown.