Raise You Like a Phoenix

by Gapeagle


Chapter 13: Dayshine

"We still haven't found the gem."

"Wow, I'm so surprised! It's like I hid it or something!"

She did not learn that sarcasm from me, right? Celestia rubbed her temples in frustration. Usually in a bubbly mood, Celestia had still not recovered from the five days prior. Sunset had not complained once after being placed in the dungeon. Instead, she would keep repeating the words "time is running out," and "I made a promise" both in her sleep and when she was fully awake. Otherwise, she was hardly any different.

Sunset held a mocking smile in the darkness of her cell. Celestia had yet to raise the sun and in the early morning shadows, Sunset's deviousness shined through much like a star. The princess could only stand in front of the cell with a stern, disappointed stare. The thief, as it was clear she was no longer the student, did not falter under such a look.

"Well, until we find the gem, you are to stay in here," Celestia coldly said through the equally cold bars.

"I could've guessed that," the thief rolled her eyes.

"Well then, if you know everything already, I'll just leave you down here. I have a country to run."

"See ya!" Sunset waved at her while she walked away.

It was Celestia's turn to roll her eyes. With a sigh, she walked steadily down the row of dungeon cells towards the exit. Each step was heavy and with a firm, distasteful stomp. Way to go, you big ugly loser! try to accomplish something for once in your life, will you? With a very horse-like snort, she passed the few saluting guards who held their positions firmly despite their leader's obvious disgruntlement

Once she passed them, her head hung low and her wavy hair flowed across the cold floor like water. She made sure she was far away from her stallions to act freely as her emotions demanded. Her hoof smacked the floor, making a ringing sound of her golden shoes and cursed just softly enough for her words to not echo throughout the hall.

"You fool!" she growled at herself. "You horrid, wretched buffoon! You've been ruling for generations, and you still forget all that you've learned. The easiest pony to deceive is yourself, Celestia. Why? Why! Why is this so hard for me, the ruler of a nation, the harbinger of the sun! How many times will I commit the same Sun-forshaken mistakes before I learn? How many!"

She turned into another hallway that was rarely traversed by ponies of the palace. Here, she fully collapsed, letting her unrestrained tears fall upon the now smooth marble floor. Being out of the dungeons, she was alone.

"I could not save my sister, I could not save Sunset," she leaned against the wall. "Perhaps I shall not be the one to help Sunset. Perhaps that is the job of another pony. How can I try so hard and still fail? It's Luna all over again. Perhaps that is the problem. It is the same problem as Luna. I did not show my dear sister my love. I did not caress her when she cried, but instead remained stern with her. Sunset is troubled, I know this," her crying slowed. "Maybe I just need to try harder and be kinder. A pony's life is worth every second."

"Princess Celestia!"

"Huh?"

"Princess Celestia!"

The princess composed herself and magically wiped away the tears. A set of speeding legs was quickly galloping down the hall towards her. The high shrill voice indicated that the caller was a young mare. Celestia readied the arrival by taking a deep breath, magically fixing her make-up and putting on a warm smile.

"Princess Celestia!"

"I am here, young one," Celestia replied to the caller with a motherly voice.

A gray mare in a maid's uniform scurried into sight and continued to run towards the princess. Her breathing was loud and it was clear she was not used to cardio. When she finally reached the princess, she tiredly bowed and flopped right on the marble floor in exhaustion.

"I...I need...I have a message..." she panted.

"Yes?" Celestia said expectantly.

"A visi...A visitor at the entrance..."

"Yes?"

"She...Well, Private Speed told me that..."

"Come on, you can say it."

"There's a youn' mare at the front sayin' she's Sunset's sister!" the maid finished before rolling over in complete exhaustion.

Celestia was frozen for a moment but finally blinked. "...What? Sunset Shimmer has a....sister?"

The maid was too tired to respond and simply gestured at the direction she came from. Could this be my chance? Could this be the moment I've been waiting for? As the message began to sink into Celestia, a fantastic grin spread across her face. She lifted the tired mare up into the air with her magic and brought her in for an enthusiastic hug. The hug made the mare gasp for air.

"Thank you! Thank you for this message, my dear servant! You may have just saved the day! You'll be rewarded with incalculable amounts of cake and pastries! Thank you! Thank you!"

"Yes, Your Highness..." the maid moaned.

Without a moment to lose, Celestia put the maid back on the ground and ran away in utmost haste. The maid was dizzied by the princess's accidental roughness in handling her little pony form. Her eyes rolled around uncontrollably and stars flew about her head.

"Ohh...Why do I even work here?" she grumbled. "Should've quit when she stopped paying with bits and instead with blasted cookies..."



"Where is she? Where is Sunset's sister?" Celestia panted when she arrived at the palace entrance.

"Right here, Your Highness," Private Speed said as he escorted a filly to the princess.

The earth filly was beige with dark green eyes and a light brown mane with faded tan highlights. She was skinny and her legs seemed no more than four toothpicks. There was not an ounce of confidence in her as she looked at everything but another pony. With an audible gulp, she stood in front of the princess.

"Yes, little one?" Celestia asked warmly. "What brings you here?"

"I...I was wondering if you had heard of somepony named Sunset Shimmer?" she asked quietly and shyly. "She's my big sister."

"Why have you come to me for that? Is she missing?" Celestia asked and leaned closer to hear the filly's response.

"Well, yes. Um, she's uh...been gone for over half a year now," the filly said.

"And you think she's here?"

"...Yes."

"Why?"

The filly started to breath faster and continued to stare at nothing but the stone floor. Her fur became glossy in the torchlight (as it was an hour before sunrise) due to the sweat that was now flowing down the sides of her weak body. Her longish mane covered her right eye from the princess. Her breathing was loud and she swallowed again before saying anything.

"Because she was here to do something..."

"Interesting. May I ask you what that 'something' was?"

"She came to steal an artifact from you."

This is becoming interesting indeed. "How does your sister look? What's her cutie mark?"

"She is a darker coat color than me, has red and yellow mane, and uhh...a split sun as a cutie mark."

"And she has not returned from her mission?"

"No. I'm scared she was caught by you. You don't have her in the dungeons, do you? My...My sister is a reckless one. She gets in trouble and breaks the law. I want you to know that I don't help her steal things. I don't really help her. At all," the last two words revealed a stronger presence from the filly.

The filly was trembling now. Her teeth hit each other as her lip quivered mightily. She was obviously chilled by the morning's coolness. The princess could only feel pity for the small and young creature before her. How do I deal with this? She cleared her throat and laid a hoof on the girl's thin shoulder.

"What is your name, young one?" she asked motherly.

"Dayshine."

"Well, Dayshine, I...I do have your sister imprisoned, but she is well-fed and is safe here. I'm sorry if this upsets you, but she has broken the law and needs to pay for her crime. I hope you understand."

The filly sniffled and a tear fell down her crooked cheek. "I know," the words were angry rather than sad. "I kinda knew this would happen one day. She gets in so much trouble. Um, Princess Celestia, has she ever mentioned me?"

"She has not, young one. This is my first learning that she even has a sister."

"Should have known," the words came out with a bitter taste. "That's just like her. Conniving sister of mine."

"Dayshine, my dear, do you need anything? I can't let you speak to prisoners, but I could grant you some food and my guards could escort you home. Do your parents know about what their daughter has been up to?"

"She's told you nothing, has she?" Dayshine looked up in disgust. "I mean, I'm hungry, but I don't need an escort back home."

"Well then, my guards will fetch you some fruit and bread," Celestia gestured, making the guards around her leave. "Now, Dayshine, what has driven your sister to do this?"

"If I knew that I would tell you. She says she does it for fun, but I know that isn't true. My only guess is that she has pretty strong motive that doesn't involve me. Just be careful..."

"Do not worry, I shall take great care of her. Be safe, young one."

"Naw, you be safe, Your Highness," was the odd, chilling reply. "You probably think my sister is trash already, but you don't even know."

Celestia was taken aback by the sudden change of tone from the filly. Dayshine then coughed into her leg a horrid and nasty cough. Her coughing made her ribs be visible through her fur. She then mouthed the word "demon" before looking at the Princess with her droopy and completely downtrodden eyes. It was the sort of stare that would only bring dread to the one under it, and Celestia was no exception.

"What was that?" Celestia barely uttered.

"Cagh! Agh!" the filly coughed horribly. "Oh! don't look at me like that," she snarled disrespectfully at her. "Whatever comes from Sunset's mouth, don't listen to it. Don't listen! I know my sister and I know she's not on my side. If you want, I'll come back when you need me. Otherwise, I need to get back home. Thanks, uh...thanks for capturing my sister."

"You're welcome?" Celestia said with severe uncertainty.

Luckily, the guards returned with a sack of food and gave it to the filly, who greedily took it as it was something to save her very life. She then bowed at the princess before turning around and walked down the steps that led up to the palace gates. The filly arrived with such a shy demeanor and yet left with a completely careless attitude.

What have I gotten myself into? Celestia breathed through her nostrils. No, waiting for Sunset to come out will not be an option. I must pry her past from her, even if it takes up every ounce of my energy. I can't wait any longer. Wing Beat? The Alicorn Amulet? Dayshine? This is all becoming too strange, even for me. I must reach the bottom of this!

Private Speed saluted the princess before clearing his throat. "Your Highness, do you think she was speaking the truth?"

"Dayshine?"

He nodded. "Yes."

"I can't say for sure, but with how much knowledge she already has, I would assume she is speaking the truth. Go and keep track of her."

"On it!" Private Speed instantly went off in the general direction of the filly.

Celestia looked at the dull moon. "Well, Sister, let's see where this goes."