Hard to enjoy this when Celestia becomes no better than everything the show stands against. All for no real reason other than "Fuck it. Because I can."

There's a reason Tyrantlestia stories are a nich in this fandom.

9859454
Not sure if you haven't read the story in its entirety, perhaps you only skimmed over it, but there's actually plenty of reasoning and motives given as to why Celestia gave in and became Daybreaker.

And shining??? she murdered his wife

9859523
Ah, similar to the Elements of Harmony being absent from this story arc, Shining Armour is...

a story for another time

9859484
I read the whole thing. Just to see if I could agree with them. I didn't. Plus it didn't help you turned Twilight into Daybreaker's bitch with no mind of her own and is just too blind to see the truth.

This is everything that Twilight stands against.

9859547
I'm perfectly fine with you not agreeing to her motives, that's fine. Some people will tend to agree to them, some will disagree and others may wager themselves somewhere in the middle ground. However, you keep saying things that make me thing you skipped important passages of this story.

Twilight was corrupted by Daybreaker's magic and thus became Sunrise Sparkle, or as you elegantly put it, 'Daybreaker's bitch'. There's even a reason given as to why Daybreaker does this in the first place instead of just blowing Twilight up or something.

But again, Twilight is far from being a mindless slave under Daybreaker. She regularly reconsiders her options and questions her actions and morals, though the corruption that has taken hold of her always defeats her concience. The only time that Twilight begins to actively defeat Sunrise is when Cadence actively attempts to free her from the evil spell.

9859565
I read those parts. I still don't have to buy into them.

9859572
Then that's fine. Sorry for seeming a bit overzealous there, wasn't intended

9859588
Oh no. I get an author defending what they wrote. And at least you're being mature about it. Can't say the same who downvote a comment just because I don't share what some think.

Or that's what I feel anyway.

9859620
Eh, I'd honestly rather see people downvote a comment to share their opinion than bust in and cause a giant fuss. Oh well.

C'est la vie.

Now they have to deal with the undead armies that are coming. which will be an even harder fight.

Looking forward to seeing more from this series. I've been toying around with an idea similar to this ever since I started playing EAW (about six months ago). Not sure if I should do it now though. I doubt it would match this in terms of quality.

9860432
Heh, thanks for the high praise, but don't be discouraged! Writing is all materialising your thoughts and ideas, so don't let me stop you from that. I wasn't the first one to write about Daybreaker either, that didn't stop me from writing something great and unique

Best of luck to you and your endeavours!

Meh

9859484
I may have missed it [because I'm just that perceptive ] what is the final fate of the other members of the six?

And did Daybreaker corrupt Spike too? is that why he's not trying to restore Twilight to normal?

10017612
I have some ideas for a fourth installment of this Series in which most of that would be explored and explained. A bit on the backburner for now, though.

What's going to happen to Luna?

10111282

I know I am a bit late for this but I finally managed to read all 3 stories and I just want to say they are all really amazing. I especially like how you managed to write Daybreaker in such a way that I couldn't really tell if she was a tyrant or a hero or a combination between the 2. Even tho Cadence's role was smaller I still think you wrote her perfectly, kind and caring but also very loyal to her beliefs. Finally I really enjoyed your depiction of Twilight/Sunrise Sparkle, they way she is split between her loyalty to Daybreaker and her loyalty to Cadence was really great to read.

10111600
F

This series got me thinking: how far should freedom be oppressed in the name of 'for the survival of the country'? How much should one's rights be limited under the emergency of war? What is the line that defines what is acceptable for a government fighting in a war?

Celestia changed into Daybreaker for the survival of her nation. She lost herself to the madness and tragedy of the Great Changeling War, trading pacifism and friendship for militaristic strength and tyrannical leadership. She ruthlessly oppressed those who opposed her way of ruling while leading Equestria to victory. She sent millions of ponies to war, making them fight against the changelings as both Equestrians and changelings died in millions. She caused thousands of Equestrians and Crystal Ponies to die and slaughtered the Princess of Love, the leader of the Crystal Empire. All in the name of survival, harmony, and order, twisted to fit the purpose of Daybreaker.

But was all of this necessary? The slaughtering of ponies just because there were rumors? The civil war against the Crystal Empire, sending troops to fight in the snow and mud? The killing of Princess Cadence, effectively cutting off the head of the Empire? These actions were done in the name of protecting the order Daybreaker had created, preserving the ever-so-fragile harmony of hers... and yet they seem to have been overkill. Daybreaker could have gone to the Crystal Empire in the first place, make one last attempt at negotiating the Princess of Love. Cadence and Twilight Sparkle were rebonding, and Daybreaker could have used that to make peace terms with the Crystal Empire, although this last bit may be a bit of a stretch.

Celestia wanted to ensure ponykind's survival, and in the process became a villain that no one can defend for, a monster that can't be stopped. An oppressive tyrant that mercilessly purged those opposing her, a ruthless empress that showed no mercy towards her enemies. And yet... for some reason, I, in the very least, can't blame her for her actions. Nor is there anyone else responsible for her fall. As she said herself, she chose to survive even if she became a monster. And she took Twilight with her.

Twilight, or rather, Sunrise Sparkle... I see bits of the old Twilight even when she says that she is Sunrise Sparkle. She has her memories, talks like the old Twilight, greatly fears failing her tutor, and even loves Cadence and Shining Armor just like she used to. The only difference is now that she's become a fanatic for Daybreaker, serving her without question. She goes as far as to kill ponies without questioning, just to make sure she doesn't fail Daybreaker. And that is what makes Twilight the villain here; she commits war crimes without hesitating just because Daybreaker told her to. Yet, it is the fact that I see the old Twilight in her makes me unable to give up on her. I genuinely hoped for a moment that Cadence would be able to snap Twilight out of it with her "Sunshine and Ladybugs" chant, just before getting slapped in the face with Cadence's death.

All in all, Daybreaker and Sunrise Sparkle are clearly the evil ones here, the ones who are responsible for so many deaths, both pony and changeling. Under normal circumstances, these two would be punished heavily; most likely a hanging if it were our world. But, even after the war, things are quite unlikely to be normal ever again. After all, the Sun hasn't set in years, Twilight's been doing her 'Grand Inquisitor' stuff ever since Daybreaker came into being, and Daybreaker most likely still has her twisted image of what harmony is.

And, just like Luna asked, what now? The war's over, the changelings have fled or have surrendered, and the world has seen the Solar Empire's might. There's no one to challenge the Solar Empire now, as it stands as the sole superpower. Not even the Crystal Empire can challenge it; the Crystal Empire was over the moment Daybreaker slashed Cadence's throat. And, therefore, I demand the author the following: MOAR!

This was an excellent series to read, Penpusher. It's stories that make me think like these three that I definitely love. Fimfiction needs more of stories like these and less mindless clop. Though, I really wish to know what happens after this. What will happen to Luna? To the rest of the Mane 6? To Shining Armor and Flurry Heart(if she exists in this universe)? To the countless nameless soldiers who managed to return from the battlefield, the weight of the war heavy on their shoulders for the rest of their lives?

Thanks for reading this long unintended review, and thanks for bringing us this series!

10239408

MOAR

An Epilogue is in the works, actually. Will take a while though, since I want to get it right and have already scrapped my progress and general setting/POV twice now

Thanks for the kind, encouraging words though! I love it when people take the time to think about the deeper meaning of these kinds of stories, and it was certainly an intent of mine to make both Twilight and Daybreaker morally grey characters. They're terrible Ponies doing terrible things, killing thousands and millions... but you can't blame them for most of it. After all, can a Pacifist Society really outwit and outlast a militaristic and violent one like the Changelings in the face of Total War? Surely occupation by the Changelings would lead to a death toll far greater than the one caused by Daybreaker, and the destruction of Equestria itself would be unacceptable to begin with, as all its history, character and values would go down the anals of history with it.

But you could argue Equestria is dead, as is. The Solar Empire killed it and replaced it, reforging its values and twisting them into authoritarian propaganda tools. Harmony in Order, Strength in Unity, Friendship in Comradery and Joy in Obedience. And for all it's worth... most Ponies, even those who question Daybreaker, did not oppose her during the War. Preserving Equestria and Ponykind was a greater goal. In the end, if you were to overthrow Daybreaker during the war... would there be an Equestria to come back to, as the Changelings use the opportunity to strike back?

The Great War was supposed to be the final war for supremacy. Complete Changeling Hegemony, or the final defeat of Chrysalis and her forces for good. But Daybreaker has, in a way, caused the final battle to shift. The Great War itself was no longer the final battle, as it were.

The real battle would have to occur after the War. When disgruntled Veterans return home, when torn apart Families grief the ones they lost in the war and when Ponies finally have time and opportunity to think again. Because Peace means lack of a common enemy. And with the lack of such, Ponies will begin to think and question things. Question Daybreaker and her rule.

The Final Battle would not be that against Chrysalis, but the Battle for Equestria following the War. The final showdown to decide between restoration of the old or continued supremacy of the new.

10241289

An Epilogue is in the works, actually. Will take a while though, since I want to get it right and have already scrapped my progress and general setting/POV twice now

Whoo~hoo~! Can't wait!

Also, now that it's clear that it would be a fight between the restoration of the old and the continuation of the new, there's no way Daybreaker would turn things back to normal on her own now, is there? She'd fight for her reign, her order.
...looks like a civil war, or at least a massive revolt, is inevitable at this point.

Also, the Equestria, or Solar Empire I guess, strongly reminds me of the Soviet Union during WW2. Having a superpower right next door(Changeling Empire/Nazi Germany), ignoring the danger signs(German preparation for a Soviet Invasion after the Battle of Britain/Changelings taking over the deer Kingdom), getting a surprise attack to the face and losing horribly(Operation Barbarossa/Initial Attack of the Changelings), pushing the enemy back after almost losing the capital(Battle of Moscow/Almost losing Canterlot to the Changeling army), running a secret police organization(NKVD/Twilight's Inquisition), and then obliterating the heart of their enemy(Battle of Berlin/Bombing of the Changeling capital). Were you inspired by the USSR's war history?

10241549
It's more so the fact that in Equestria at War (a mod for Hearts of Iron 4, which in of itself is a WW2 Strategy game), the war between Changelings and Equestria usually does turn out this way. Equestria is a mix of the USSR and USA, in that it's a waking giant and really pushes the Changelings back unless they can manage to Blitzkrieg them fast.

10243068
So it's the in-game Equestria you got the idea from, got it. I still liked how you drew out the inner workings of the nation, instead of portraying it as if we were just staring at a constantly changing map with notifications popping up every five seconds.

Okay.

So, if I chose this story to post a review, it's not for any reason.
And for me, it is because "A Shattered Crystal" is meant to be understood -even if this may seem disturbing- very seriously.
When I read it, I see interesting questions like "how far must we go to protect a country ?".
And as said like this, it really gives us hope and faith in the story.

But that's where I'm disappointed. (By that, I mean the way it's told)
A lot of clichés are constantly dragging down the plot, in a way that nothing can stand on it's own if you pay too much attention to it.
The charchters are interesting, but the fact they don't have the slightest doubt in their actions, and blindly follow their own viewpoint is really a downside, even if the context of war can justify that kind of mindset in most cases.
And even if it can be entertaining or even funny with a second look, it becomes (for me) a story with a dirty, disturbing, and wrongly utopic message.
A message that fly upside us, like an upsetting feeling, and personnally makes me want to put myself in a lateral security position.

Because even if that message is said with a lot of honesty, by a Celestia sincerely regretting her actions, but still persuaded that those actions were necessary, NO, NO THEY WERE NOT. Even with a lot of sincerity, princess, you're bulshitting me !
And at least, the text is well written, but the morality is so upsetting that it undermines all the rest. And even with a sincerity that I really enjoy from the author, and the love I have for these kinds of stories, this fic, didn't convince me.
As for you, my friend, I'll follow your work from now, and I'm sure that you have the potential to make great stories.
Hell is paved of good intentions, "A Shattered Crystal" is a good exemple of that.

Thank you for the ride,
See ya.