//------------------------------// // 61 - End of the Beginning - Dust // Story: Sunset Shimmer - Six Friends One Heart // by Babroniedad //------------------------------// Dust Lightning Dust was enclosed in a white cloud, drifting through the cosmos. Ahead of her, a rainbow band of color stretched out from horizon to horizon. As she drew closer, she could see golden fields waving in a gentle breeze, stretching for as far as the eye could see. In the distance, Dust saw a magnificent white horse cantering towards her. As she came closer, Dust saw her brilliant white wings spread wide. A majestic horn projected from her red main, glowing with ethereal aqua light. She drew up before Dust, smiling serenely. Dust noticed a mark on her flank, a purple inkwell with a golden quill. Her large auga eyes bore into Dust, with a gentle smile on her muzzle. “You’re magnificent!” Dust breathed, falling to her knees in awe. “Greetings, my little child. I am Faust, and I have come to welcome you to eternity,” smiled the alicorn. “Thank you!” breathed Dust. Her face fell, gazing in sadness at the ground before her. “I don’t belong here. I’m an evil person.” “No my child. You do not belong here. You belong in a place of eternal torment and anguish.” replied Faust gently. She paused for a moment, to allow Dust to collect herself. “Fret not child. Mercy has been shown to you.” Dust looked up to Faust, barely daring to hope. “How?” she croaked. “How can there be mercy for me after all I have done? How is it possible anyone could find it in their heart to show me mercy?” Tears fell from her cheeks as she cried out in her shame. “Harmony hears the cries of her children. She has heard your cries. And she heard the cries begging mercy for your soul from her precious child, whom you attempted to cut down in her prime,” answered Faust. “Sunset? Sunset prayed for me? She forgave me? She prayed for my soul?” whispered Dust, incredulous. She looked to Faust, hope lighting her face. “Sunset prayed for me?” “Just so, my child. She prayed for you, has forgiven you, and begged Harmony you be released from your torment, to know everlasting peace instead of everlasting suffering. She begs you be allowed to roam the sacred fields of Elysium, here to wait for the day when she can join you in joyful eternity.” Smiling in joy, Dust rose to her feet and hugged Faust gently. “Oh thank the Maker! Praise Harmony! Thank you dear Sunset. Thank you Faust! Thank you!” she cried. “Come my child. Join us in these fields of peace and harmony!” Faust stepped back, horn glowing in power, wings outstretched. Dust bowed to her knees, arms outstretched. “With all my heart, yes!” A gentle light enveloped her, and she floated before Faust. She was transformed in an instant, arms and legs to legs and hooves, head and hair to muzzle and main, and from her back sprang two wings, flapping genty. When the light faded, Dust floated before Faust as a beautifly pegasus pony. “Welcome to eternity, Lightning Dust. Come share our joy!” With a laugh, Faust sprang away, bounding joyfully through the fields. Dust flew behind her, laughing and calling out in joy. THE END…. or is it.