//------------------------------//
// Chapter 12: The Journey Back to Canterlot 
// Story: A Sparkle's Little Dusk 
// by Mister E-Nonymous 
//------------------------------//


Chapter 12: The Journey Back to Canterlot


(The votes have been tallied... The Winner is Braeburn in Appleloosa)






Dusk was waking up somewhere. He was laying down in a bed. As soon as he opened his eyes, he looked around to see that he was in a place that looks like from an old western movie. He then got out of bed and headed out of the room. When he opened the door, there stood an Earth Pony Stallion.



"Well, howdy there, lil' feller," said the yellow stallion. "Mah name's Braeburn. Ah see that you're up."

"Where am I?" Dusk asked.

"You're in Appleloosa," said Braeburn. "Ah'm surprised that ya haven't heard of..." Braeburn then took a good look at Dusk. "Huh. Now that Ah got a good look at ya, ya kinda look a lot like a friend o' mah cousin."

"Your cousin?" asked Dusk. "You cousin wouldn't happen to be... Applejack. Would it?"

"Ya know mah cousin, Applejack?" asked Braeburn.

"Let's just say that Twilight came across a magical flower that made her pregnant in seconds," said Dusk. "And guess where that led to?"

"You're Twilight's son?" Braeburn asked. "But, how is that even possible? Shouldn't..."

"The flower that sprayed her brings in a recently deceased young soul and ages the body to exactly how old the soul was when it was alive," said Dusk. "Right now, I need to get back to Canterlot."

"What's the rush, kid?" asked Braeburn. "It's not like you have to go anywhere. You need your rest."

"My friends and family are in trouble," said Dusk. "Last night, I saw that the pony princess my uncle is going to marry is actually... some kind of shapeshifter."

"A shapeshifter?" Braeburn asked. He then got a fearful thought. "What... exactly... did this shapeshifter look like?"

"It looked like a pony, but it looked like it was part bug and had some dragon eyes," said Dusk. "Something called a change... a changeleach? No, that's not it. A changelick? No..."

"A changeling?!" Braeburn asked.

"Yes! That was is!" said Dusk, pointing a hoof at Braeburn.

"Oh, no. That is not good," said Braeburn. "Ah heard that changelings can shapeshift into a pony's loved one, and steal their magic and power just by gettin' near one. Okay, Ah'll help ya. At least get ya back to Canterlot so ya'll can warn the princesses. But, ya'll won't know who's a pony and who's a changeling once ya'll get back there."

"But how will I know if my friends are changelings or not?" asked Dusk.

"That's a good question," said Braeburn. "Perhaps ya should ask them something that only ya and one of yer friends know."

"That's actually a good idea," said Dusk. "We should get to Canterlot."

"I'll get ya ta Canterlot by train," said Braeburn. "Ya'll be on your own until you can stop them changelings. Let's get goin'."





Dusk and Braeburn could only get a train from Appleloosa to Ponyville. All other trains to Canterlot are temporarily delayed until the major threat is dealt with. So, Dusk and Braeburn had to walk from Ponyville to Canterlot. As soon as they had a view of Canterlot, Braeburn stopped.

"Alright, lil' feller," Braeburn said, pointing at the city. "From now on, yer on yer own. And be careful. Ya won't know who ta trust once ya get in."

"I'll be careful," said Dusk. "Thank you, Braeburn." He then started running towards Canterlot.

"And tell mah cuz that Ah said 'Hi'!" Braeburn called out.





Inside the city of Canterlot, Twilight was worried about Dusk. She had no idea where he was. She was pacing around in her room hoping that Dusk would come to her.

The door opened and in came Shining Armor. He said to her, "Hey, Twylie. It's time for the wedding preparation. Let's get down to the wedding hall."

"Okay, Shining," Twilight said, sadly.

"What's wrong, Twylie?" asked Shining.

"It's Dusk," said Twilight. "He hasn't come back here last night."

"Don't worry, sis," said Shining Armor. "I'm sure that he'll turn up. You shouldn't worry about it. We also have guards surrounding the city. I'm sure that they'll find him."

"Okay," Twilight said, sadly. She then followed Shining Armor out of the guest room she was staying at. Twilight was still sad that her son was lost somewhere.

Twilight and her friends went towards the wedding hall for the wedding rehearsal. Twilight wasn't paying attention to the ceremony because she was worried about Dusk. Wherever he was. She missed her cue as she was thinking.

"Twylie," said Shining Armor. "You missed your cue."

"Oh, sorry, Shining," Twilight said. "I just hope that Dusk is okay."

Shining Armor thought about it and said, "Well, we did agree for him to be the ring bearer. I'm sure that he'll be here before the wedding ceremony begins."

"I hope you're right, Shining," said Twilight.

"Shining," said the fake Cadance, "you mind if I talk with Twilight? I have something to say to her."

"Okay, my love," said Shining Armor. Then he, the rest of the Mane 6, the Crusaders and Princess Celestia, along with the guards left the place.

"Listen, Twilight, I know that you're worried about Dusk," said the fake Cadance. "But, I'm sure that Dusk is perfectly fine."

"I know, Cadance," said Twilight. "But, I just have a feeling that he was taken away."

"Don't worry, Twilight," said the fake Cadance. She then used her hoof to turn Twilight's head towards her. But she was looking at Twilight with glowing, hypnotic green eyes. "Let's forget about him until the wedding ceremony is over."

"Forget about Dusk... until the ceremony... is over..." Twilight said in a trance.

"You will only listen to me," said the fake Cadance, still hypnotizing Twilight.

"I will... only listen... to you..."





Meanwhile, outside the barrier that's surrounding Canterlot, Dusk was looking for a way in. He could tell that all of the guards were deeper within the barrier. He had no idea where to go. Until he saw a small hole that lead somewhere. Dusk walked over towards it and inspected the hole.

"This must've been how that shapeshifter got into the city," Dusk said, quietly. "I hope I can find my way through so I can get to Mom and the princess to warn them." He then climbed into the hole. But his entry into the small hole did not go unnoticed.



"That foal has determination," said the changeling. "He... has me intrigued."

"Yo, Thorax!" came a voice of a different one of his species. "We gotta get ready to charge the barrier, tomorrow. Get back to camp!"

"Alright, Pharynx," said the changeling known as Thorax. "I'm coming." He then looked towards the hole where Dusk went into and said, "Best of luck, young colt. You're gonna need it." He then started flying up, and headed towards the camp where they were staying.