Chapter 16: One Last Surprise
Over the next three days, I had little to do other than to spend his time in hospital until my leg was fully healed. I had the bandage removed from my head half way through his second day, so that was something to be thankful. At first, I would have been afraid of boredom. Despite the extensive collection of books, most of them I’d either read before or had no interest in. Luckily, the girls and the guys…my friends, always made sure that I was never bored.
Rainbow and Shield were the most frequent of his visitors. Rainbow sympathized with me the most, being stuck in hospital for three days without being able to do anything active. I didn’t mind, but it was her idea of a nightmare. She said that if she ever wound up in hospital for that long, she’d go stir-crazy from boredom. Once, I told her that she reminded me of Shield and I was about to tell her the story of when he got stuck in the hospital after a fail in one of his stunts when Shield stopped me and then changed the subject to something else. Though, whenever Rainbow would leave the room, Shield and I would talk about the Daring Do books I was reading. For those who don’t know, I’ll explain later. The two always told me about new moves they was working on and Rainbow, in low voices, said she was thinking about being able to work my own talent into her routine. I actually found himself considering the ideas she brought to me.
Her feelings toward the hospital seemed to be equally shared by Rarity, though my cousin’s focus was more on the aesthetic than the idea. Deciding that my room looked too morbid and sterile, she resolved to “brighten it up” a bit. Nothing too big, just the odd colored bow here and there, which I didn’t mind one bit. Making sure to get back in her good books, I let her do the decorating, treated her respectfully and let her discuss what she wanted to. Eventually, she seemed to notice my efforts and assured me that I was doing just fine with her.
“You really are making quite the effort to reconcile, Dusk.” she had said admiringly.
“I guess.” I’d said, modestly. “I just want you to know that I’m sorry I offended you. So much for being a gentlecolt.”
“Dusk, darling, you’ve already explained your reasons and I understand now why. You really need to try and look at yourself in a better light.” she had advised wisely. “I suppose I was too quick to judge you as simply being rude the first time. You need not worry. I have already forgiven you…but it's still nice that you’d think of me first.”
Even after that though, I continued to act in what she termed as a “gentlecoltly fashion”. She allowed me to tell her about how my own life in Canterlot had been in Canterlot before I can to Ponyville since her last visit, what it had been like for him and I was only too happy to indulge her. I was just glad that she’d forgiven me. I didn’t like being thought of badly by others.
On the subject of happiness, I’d gotten quite a surprise from Pinkie's visit when she'd literally burst in through his window, blowing a party horn and streaming confetti. The staff had refused to let her throw a small party in my ward (Her party cannon being seen as a major health hazard), but that didn’t stop her doing her absolute best to brighten my day. She definitely lived up to her family heritage. I couldn’t remember the last time I had laughed so much as she told me jokes, funny stories, or just her sudden randomness. Seeing as how she basically balances the whole team, it makes sense that I got along with her without even knowing her.
Contrasting with Pinkie’s bombastic activities, Leon and the quietest member of the girls made their own visits equally so. Fluttershy even asked to make sure they wouldn’t be bothering me with their visiting, her nervously entering my room behind Leon with a basket of flowers. After a while, she relaxed a little, placing the flowers in some water and engaging shy, but pleasant conversation. She seemed to take a liking to me, possibly because of their similar personalities, but she made the point in saying that I was probably a lot more confident that she was.
“Are you joking?” I had said blusteringly. I found myself pausing a lot less with her, Twilight being the only other one I spoke fluently with. “Rainbow told me how you once stood up to a full-grown dragon! Now, that takes some real courage.”
“I um…suppose, yes.” She had flushed red at the mention of that. “But…you were brave too, coming to the forest to find us, rescuing Twilight and all.”
“I was just going in without a plan, you knew exactly what you were doing.”
“Even so, it was still very brave of you.”
“All right, how about we agree that we were both equally brave, even though we may not want to. Fair?”
“Okay then.” she smiled shyly.
Finding ourselves comfortable with each other and our faults, talking passed easily enough, though she did always ask to make sure she wasn’t boring me when talking about the animals she looked after. She would have bought some, she had said, but the hospital wouldn’t let her for hygiene reasons. Whenever she was beginning to doubt herself in those talks, Leon managed to help her get her confidence back. All the while, I couldn’t help but see Fluttershy look away as she hid her face behind her mane, leaving only her shy smile visible. I still wonder what exactly was going on there.
When Applejack and Dog came to visit, they brought along, not only themselves, but members of Applejack’s family as well. She had explained the Apple family was huge, but these were the ones she lived with in Ponyville. Though with I met them before in my visits before this, I didn’t really much get to know them. I’d already met AppleBloom, who was happy to see me again, but I finally got to meet Big Macintosh, a burly stallion who probably said more with actions than words, and Granny Smith, their elderly guardian, who was a little deaf, but still as kind.
I was fascinated to learn about the family’s history and role in Ponyville, especially at how Granny Smith was one of the first settlers in the town, of which she was only too happy to tell him the story about, me being an avid studier of history. AppleBloom regaled me with tales of her attempts to find a cutie mark with her friends, though it seemed her talent was rather obvious, and Applejack always made sure that I was comfortable and happy, which was certainly true. Dog even told some stories about his time with the Apples. They even baked an apple pie for me, which was delicious.
But by far, I was always more than happy to see the unicorn whose friendship I’d always desired. Twilight, along with Spike, now feeling better from our renewed friendship always seemed to light up the room when she came. When she’d visited with Spike, the dragon had me telling the story of what happened in the forest, which held him riveted, though I didn’t think of myself as a storyteller. Spike was also relieved to see that his letter to the Princess had managed to reach her in time, when I failed to return with the others. I made sure to thank him for it.
When Twilight visited me by herself, we could just start talking about anything. Sometimes she’d bring along a book for me to occupy myself later, others she’d tell me about her latest report to Celestia on friendship, though the most recent one was still from the end of the Running of the Leaves. But she was planning to send one about me soon enough.
Currently, we were playing a game of chess. She was a good player and it was a closely run game. We were on the subject of my reaction after I’d eavesdropped on their conversation in the library.
“I never thought of our friendship as some kind of school project, Dusk.” she was saying, as he took one of her pawns. “I really did want to be your friend…well, I still do. Good move, by the way.”
“Thanks and I've told you, it’s fine.” I let her think about her next move before speaking again. “I just jumped to the wrong conclusion, that's all. My own fault really.”
“I was going to correct Rarity when she said ‘instructed’,” she told me, moving a rook to block my knight. “I suppose that, if you’d stayed long enough to hear it, you wouldn’t have come to that conclusion in the first place.”
“At the same time, if I just didn’t eavesdrop, I wouldn’t have made it either. Next time, I’ll bear it in mind not to. It’s rude to eavesdrop in any case.” I paused for a bit, considering my next move, then made it.
“Though, when I did first come here, the Princess actually did tell me to make some friends.”
“Really?”
“Oh, yes. You know how I used to be, I hated the idea. It just seemed so silly, especially when I had my studies to focus on to stop Nightmare Moon. In the end though, it was me making friends that saved Equestria.” She looked up, smiling fondly at me. “You sort of reminded me of myself, Dusk, arriving here with no friends at all. Well, from Ponyville anyway. I wanted to give you the chance to experience the magic of friendship too.”
“Well, you did and I am eternally grateful.” I said sincerely.
“Like I said in my letter, I’m just sorry we were never friends from when I left Canterlot.”
“You really did mean that, didn’t you?” I still felt warm inside when I thought about it as she nodded. “You know…I, er…at the school…you were the only pony I ever even hoped would be my…friend.”
“I…I was?” She looked pleasantly surprised by this news.
“Yes…you were.” I let her make her next move before continuing. “Whenever you came to the library, I always hung around there, but I never even plucked up the courage to come over and say hello.”
“Aw, Dusk.” Twilight gave me a sad sort of look. “I…I never knew. I am sorry that I never came over myself but…that was an old me, one that wasn’t interested in wasting time making friends.”
“It’s okay. We know each other pretty well by now, so I’m happy. I just…wanted you to know that.”
“Thanks for letting me know.” She smiled as she took my knight, then looked curiously at me. “There’s still one thing I’m not sure about.”
“What’s that?”
“I’ve been looking through my books to find that spell you used in the Forest, but I still can’t find anything like it’s described. Can you remember which book you found it in? It certainly came in useful.”
I had wondered when it would come to this, my long hidden talent of magic, the one that only a few ponies knew about. I knew Twilight would want to find the spell that I had used and that she wouldn’t find it. Would I tell her the truth or just divert her for now? In the end…I decided not to, not yet.
“I can’t really, no. I just came across it. Keep looking, I’m sure you’ll find it.”
“Alright then.” She moved once more, this time proclaiming: “Checkmate!”
“What? No, let me see.” I checked my king’s position. Cut off by her rook, pawn, remaining knight…there was nowhere he could move it. “Well, I’ll be.”
“You were good though.” Her eyes twinkled. “Rematch?”
“If you have the time.”
“For my new best friend, of course I do.”
Glowing inside that she’d called me her “new best friend”, I let her reset the board and picked the black pieces this time. If somepony a few weeks ago had told me that I would actually be spending time with Twilight Sparkle, that I would have ponies that cared for me, I would have shaken my head and walked away.
Now it was happening, I still couldn’t quite believe it. Oh, well, better get used to it.
The following day, it was time for me to be let out of the hospital. The doctors removed my cast and I was able to step down from my bed and check out of the hospital, my fees already being played by royal finance. I thanked them for their kindness, got my gloves on, and stepped outside into the bracing cold, claws and hooves crunching in the snow and feeling odd with my scarf absent.
I found Spike waiting for me close-by just as I had said on my last visit. The dragon gave a broad smile when he saw me.
“Good to see you walking again. How’s the leg?”
“Still twinges a bit, but it’ll be fine now.” I told him. “Now, you said Twilight wanted to see me at the library?”
“Yep. Come on, better not keep her waiting.”
We set off towards the town. All around me, I saw ponies enjoying their winter holiday. Fillies and colts running around in the snow, throwing snowballs and building snowponies, ponies enjoying warm drinks and pleasant company, dressed in scarves, boots and hats. How could I have not noticed how happy everypony was here, how wonderful it all was? I was proud to call this place my home.
As we walked along, I noticed that Spike seemed to be rather eager about something. There was quickness to his step and was trying very hard not to smile, throwing glances at me.
“Spike…are you okay?”
“Oh, I am. Come on, hurry up.” he told me, not elaborating further.
Still following, but now my interest piqued by his behavior, I began to ponder. It almost seemed like he was hiding something, something that he really wanted to say about but couldn’t. Hoping that, if that was the case it would be a good thing, I continued after my fellow assistant.
We arrived at the library a few minutes later with Spike letting me walk in first, shutting the door behind them. Immediately, I was in darkness, trying to find my way around. What was going on?
“Hold on, let me get the lights.” I heard Spike trot past him, the flicking of a switch and…
“SURPRISE!” I must have jumped at least a foot in the air when I heard that cry. Looking around the lit up library, I saw that the decorations were still around as the streamers and ribbons hanging from the ceiling and the confetti coming to rest on the floor no doubt the confetti poppers that were set up. Though there were also other decorations too like balloons of many colors decorating the lamps and tables, a punch bowl, appetizers, confetti coming to rest on the floor. Everything you’d need for a party was here...
…and so were my friends. Applejack, Dog Fries, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Shield Steedor, Fluttershy, Leon Aquilous, Pinkie Pie, and Twilight Sparkle, all with welcoming, warm smiles on their faces and party hats on their heads, emerging from hiding places around the room.
I was completely and utterly dumbstruck. I just didn’t know what to say. Any doubt that I might have had that these girls weren’t truly my friends had vanished in that instant.
“What?” I said as I smiled in amazement. “What’s all this?”
“Heya, Dusk!” Pinkie leaped in front of me, blowing a kazoo, a big grin on her features. “Welcome to your ‘Welcome To Ponyville, You’re Welcome, and Thanks For Saving Us From An Evil Monster’ surprise party! Were you surprised? I bet you were! Unless you used your psychic powers to see that we were throwing this party in the first place, in which case surprising you was pointless, but fun!”
“I’m pretty surprised.” I said before motioning to the decorations around the place. “Are those the decorations me and the guys put up?”
“The very same.” Applejack said to me. “Dog told us you and the fellas were gonna use them to say thanks to us and let us to use them to give you a big welcome and thank ya for savin’ us.”
“But what about the ‘you’re welcome’ part?” I asked as I wondered what kind of ‘you’re welcome’ they meant.
“Why, we’re saying you’re welcome and that it was no trouble at all to save Equestria, darling.” Rarity answered. “It was the least we could do to protect our home.”
“Did Pinkie had a hand in the new additions here?” I asked, talking about the balloons and the extra confetti.
“Yep!” Pinkie said brightly. “I always throw a new pony a Welcome to Ponyville party, but I haven’t done one for you ʹcause I’ve been so busy, I just forgot. How could I forget? Then I remembered that I hadn’t done you one, that you saved us from an evil monster, and that you’re also our new friend. So then, I had the idea of just combining it all into one big party! Oh, no, I missed out the ‘Happy To Have A New Best Friend’ part. I should start again. Everpony, hide again!”
“It’s fine, Pinkie. I think he gets the idea.” Twilight giggled, stepping forward. “We thought this would be a nice surprise for you for when you got out of hospital.”
“So we all got together to spring this party on you.” Rainbow said. “Consider it your official welcome into our group, Dusky.”
“I hope you weren't too surprised, Dusk.” voiced Fluttershy timidly. “You aren’t, are you? We’re so sorry if you are.”
I finally got my feelings organized as what was happening dawned in on me. They, these wonderful ponies, had organized all of this, for me. Not because somepony told them to, but because they wanted to. Because they truly were…my friends.
A smile formed on my own face, tears beginning to pool in my eyes, gazing at all of their kind faces.
“I don’t know what to say. Thank you, all of you. Thank you so much.” I saw Spike as I placed a dark-blue hat on my own head, decorated with my cutie mark.
“We were happy to do it.” Twilight said. “Welcome again, Dusk, to friendship.”
I wiped away my tears and then remembered the food on the table was not the same as the one me and the guys brought.
“Hey, what happened to the food we brought?” I asked, speaking to the guys. “Guess you all ate so it wouldn’t spoil, huh?”
“Actually, Spike beat us too it.” Dog said as he explained. “When we got here, we found him sleepin’ with all the food and soda gone.”
“Uh…heh, heh.” Spike nervously chuckled as we all looked at him. “Sorry.”
“It’s fine, Spike.” I said as I gave him a reassuring smile. “We did make you wait here while we were out saving the girls. So it’s not your fault.”
“Hey, let’s not just stand around.” Pinkie declared. “Let’s PARTY!” She blew her kazoo, as if to make it official.
After that yell, I wasn’t really sure what to do. I’d never really been to many parties and felt unsure, a little out-of-place. But the girls and the guys had plenty of activities lined up. We played Pin the Tail on the Pony, which Rarity ultimately won (I pinned it on the nose on my turn, which Pinkie found hilarious), I tried my hoof at Apple-Bobbing with Applejack and Dog (No easy feat, but I tried), they even managed to get me dancing, after some pressuring and pleas. They didn’t mind that I was a bit of a dead-hoofer, it was all in good fun.
It truly was one of the best times of my life, I couldn’t remember a time that I had so much fun. Then again, I never had any ponies I could call my friends to enjoy it with. And this just wasn’t with my own team, but ponies that weren’t born as Element Gang, plus they knew and wouldn’t give away our secret. They didn’t care what I used to think about myself, if I was truly dull and uninteresting, what I had done to offend them. They just wanted me to feel like I was having the best of times…and I was.
A few times, I was tempted to give another demonstration of my hidden talent, but restrained myself just in time. But, gradually, my willingness to keep it hidden was fading, like a snowflake in the spring sun. It wasn’t so much hiding it for the rest of my life anymore, but more when would be the best time to show them. That time came when they all helped themselves to cake and Twilight caught me in conversation.
“Dusk, I’m sorry to ask you about this again, but I’m still having trouble finding the spell you used. Do you have any idea where it might be?”
“Ya know, I’m a lil’ curious about it maself.” Applejack decided. “I mean, it did save us in the Forest. Might be good if both you and Twilight could do it.”
“Hey, lay off, you guys!” Rainbow placed herself between them. “If he doesn’t know where it is, big deal. Twilight knows plenty of magic already.”
“Yeah, I mean she’s already got enough magic that’s just as good as his.” Shield said, joining the pegasus before looking at Dog and Leon. “Right, guys?”
They both nodded in agreement, trying to help divert the others attention from my magic.
I felt a warm glow inside from their loyalty. They were trying to keep them from asking about my closely guarded secret, Rainbow still keeping her promise. But I felt the time for hiding was over.
“It’s fine, Rainbow. Thanks anyway though, you did a great job.” I said to her before speaking to the guys. “And guys, don’t need to help her anymore. It’s time I shined a little light on this magic.”
“Well…if you’re sure.” she said as she and Shield backing off.
“Sure about what?” Rarity asked as I stepped forward.
“Alright then, girls, you want to see that spell…well, here it is. Guys, a little assist?” I asked.
“You got it, bud.” Shield said as he and the others went to me.
“Rarity, Pinkie, mind joining?”
“Why, not at all, darling.” Rarity said as she and Pinkie joined the guys.
“Pinkie, could you put that record on please? You know which one.” I requested.
“Sure thing!” She dashed over, took off the current one and let it play, as I warmed up my magic.
As the music began to play, I at first made a multi-colored formless shape. Hoping I would sound decent, I struck up the song.
My Little Pony,
My Little Pony,
What is friendship all about?
My Little Pony,
My Little Pony,
Friendship is magic!
(My Little Pony)
I used to wonder what friendship could be.
(My Little Pony)
Until you all shared its magic with me.
Then Shield and the others took their turns in this song, starting with Shield.
Big adventure!
Then Pinkie.
Tons of fun!
Then Rarity.
A beautiful heart.
Then Dog.
Faithful and strong.
And finally Leon.
Sharing kindness.
Then I finished off this verse with my part.
It’s an easy feat!
And magic makes it all complete.
As the music picked up in speed, I began my performance, depicting myself to match the lyrics with my puppet as I heard the girls gasp, but all of them providing backing vocals with the guys for me.
I used to wonder what friendship could be.
(My Little Pony)
Until you all shared its magic with me.
I was young,
I didn’t think I deserved any friends,
Such a privilege did not seem worth,
The effort they’d expend.
Now I made puppets of the guys who show up and become friends with my puppet.
But, my little ponies, you opened up my eyes,
And now the truth is crystal clear,
As splendid summer skies.
And it's such a wonderful surprise!
(My Little Pony)
Then I made my puppet with each of the girls in turn, complete with their efforts to make me feel welcome in their group. As an added feature, I made the girl’s individual forms dance and float around them.
I used to wonder what friendship could be.
(My Little Pony)
Until you all shared its magic with me.
When danger makes me want to hide,
You’ll Rainbow Dash to my side.
Kindness is never in short supply,
Once smitten twice Fluttershy.
For honesty no pony can deny,
You are the Applejack of my eye.
A heart that shines so beautiful,
A Rarity to come by.
You all make fun and laughter,
As easy as Pinkie Pie.
And the most magical highlight,
Never forget occurs at Twilight!
(My Little Pony)
I used to wonder what friendship could be.
(My Little Pony)
Until you all shared its magic with me.
your friendship's magic,
Now I’m a part of it too.
A new adventure waits for us each day,
For me and you.
We’ll make it special, it’s so true!
We’ll make it special, it’s so truuuuue!
(My Little Pony)
Then all of them joined with the next verse.
What a wonderful wonder friendship brings!
(My Little Pony)
Do you know you’re all my very best,
(Friends!)
Friends, you’re my very best,
(Friends!)
Friends, you’re my very best,
(Friends!)
Friends, you’re my very best,
(Friends!)
Frieeeeeeeeends!
The music drew to a close, as all of them cheered and applauded my efforts. They all came up, hugging me, me smiling all the while. He had done it, a great weight being removed from inside. After all of this time, I had finally shown somepony my talent…and they all loved it.
“Good on ya, Dusk, nice work!” Applejack proclaimed
“Oh, my, I loved it, well done.” Fluttershy praised quietly.
“Ooh, ooh, did you see that? It was a tiny little me!” Pinkie squeed with delight.
“Dusk, that was marvelous, simply beautiful!” Rarity declared.
“See, Dusk, told you they’d like it.” Rainbow winked.
“Dusk, that really was beautiful.” Twilight’s compliment made me smile the most, feel so good inside. “I still don’t understand, where did you learn that? I’ve never seen magic like that before.”
“I didn’t learn it.” I said, simply and proudly. “I’ve always been able to do that, ever since I was a foal.”
“Really? Wow, that’s…incredible!” I felt myself blush again from her comment. “Why didn’t you show us it before?”
“Well, apart from my parents and the guys and Princess Celestia and Rainbow Dash coming across me, I’ve never shown it to anypony before.” They all stared in disbelief for a bit. “Because it was so…unusual, I was always scared about what other ponies would think. I did always have the hope that, maybe, I would show it, and that it would be as remarkable as…something I once saw, something special.”
“What’s that?” Rainbow asked, as I smiled fondly.
“Nothing, never mind. The point is I never thought I would show it…until that day in the Forest…until today.” I looked up at them. “And…you all liked it?”
“Dusk, we didn’t like it, we loved it.” Rarity corrected. “What exactly is it? Some kind of puppetry?”
“In a way, yes.” I felt so happy that I could at last explain it. “I don’t fully understand it, but I can make shapes out of color and control them with my mind. I can do just about anything, at any size. The only problem is the bigger they get, the brighter it gets. It also expends more energy when I do them bigger and brighter, so I need to be careful with what I do with them.”
“It’s an interesting bit of magic, to say the least.” Twilight expressed thoughtfully. “Maybe we could try and learn more about it.”
“One thing I don’t get.” Applejack voiced. “How’d ya use ‘em to find us in the Forest? Ya couldn’t have known where we were.”
“Honestly, I have no idea.” I confessed. “They’d never done anything like that before, so I don’t know what to tell you. I’m still trying to figure it out but…I don’t know yet.”
“It’s like that whole confusion with the yellow shields of his again.” Leon said and I nodded in agreement as we still haven’t figured it out what happened with either that or what happened with my puppets.
“We can always find out later, we’ve got the time.” Pinkie said. “Now, how about you show us what else you can do? Ooh, ooh, do me again! I look so tiny and cute!”
I joyfully obliged to their requests for my puppetry. I did Pinkie again, making her bounce around the room off of everything. I made a small family of sparkling rabbits dance around Fluttershy, to her utter delight. Rainbow had a shining eagle soar with her around the room, changing color from time to time. With Rarity, I used them to try and form sparkling clothes of her choice from an old book of fashion, trying on different styles.
It was quite amazing how something I’d kept secret and hidden for so long could bring such joy and laughter to my new-found friends. I just laughed and smiled so much, as I matched the movements of Pinkie with her equal sized doppelganger. Princess Celestia had truly given me the chance to try something special, making new friends and showing off my hidden skill. It had started with secret desires and ended with…all of this.
I didn’t know what would happen in the future, what was laying store for me or what adventures awaited, but one thing was for sure: just like my puppets, the future looked very bright indeed.