//------------------------------// // Chapter 23: Story of the Two Brothers // Story: Rise of the Element Gang, Book 2: Friendship Adventures // by Power of Six //------------------------------// Chapter 23: Story of the Two Brothers It was a stormy night in Ponyville and the guys and I had just got stuck in my home until the storm blew over. We couldn’t go out there because it was no ordinary storm, it was the Neuron Storm, a storm that was created by accident. That storm was created when a Dargon (the ancient and villainous lineage of fire elementals of which the Fire Dragons have been fighting for centuries) tried to make a machine to control the weather. It malfunctioned and trans-mutated a cloud, turning it into a nuclear, super-charged lightning storm that had a will of its own. We managed to get the homes of everypony Neuron-proof, even our own. But the others didn’t have much time to get to their homes when we finished mine, so they got stuck with me. “Okay, looks like we’re stuck here until the storm passes.” I said to them. “At least we managed to get everypony else house ready before it hit.” Shield said, trying to brighten things up. “Well, we got some time to kill.” Dog said as we all gathered around. “What’d y’all want to do?” “Maybe we could have a party?” Pinkie suggested. “Not really in the mood for a party, Pinkie.” Leon told her. “How about some good, old-fashioned wrestling?” Shield put in. “Oh, I think not.” Rarity said to him, not really favoring the idea. “Well, there’s got to be something.” Leon said as we heard the clash of thunder. “Not like this storm is gonna let us sleep.” “Yeah.” I chuckled from remembering an old memory. “Kind of reminds me of the time Husk and I tried to camp out.” “Husk? Who’s Husk?” Pinkie asked as I realized we never told her about him. “He’s my brother.” I told her. “You have a brother?” She asked me with surprise. “But I thought Spike was your brother!” “He is, but he’s a different kind of brother. Spike’s my brother in arms.” I explained. “Husk is my biological brother.” “Ohhh!” Pinkie said, finally getting it. “Anyway,” I then continued with the story, “a few years back, Husk and I decided to go camping in the yard. “In the yard? That’s not camping.” Leon told me. “It was to us.” I said. “That night, the pegasi brought in a storm and the wind took our tent away. Just in an instant, the two of us were back in the house, soaked in rainwater.” We all had a good laugh out of it. “Speaking of Husk, I do hope you find him.” Rarity said, shocking me and guys. “Being gone for so many moons, your mother must be worried sick.” Shield chuckled before he said “Find him? What are you talking about, Rare?” “Well, he ran away, didn’t he?” she told him. “I know that the thought of continuing life without a father is dreadful to somepony, but it’s even more excruciating that he would leave his family, especially at such a young age.” With that, the guys then turned and looked at me with shock. “You didn’t tell her?” Leon asked. “Well… I…” I tried to find a way of defending myself, but couldn’t think of anything to say. “Dusk, how could you not tell her?” Shield said in disbelief. “She’s a member of our team, for crying out loud!” “Yeah, shame on you, Dusky!” Pinkie said before she got all confused. “Wait, what are we talking about?” “You didn’t tell Pinkie either, did you?” Leon said with a glare. “No…” I said, looking down in shame. “Dusk, what the heck?” Shield said to me. “You told us about what happened, but you can’t tell what happened with your bro and pops to our last two members?” “Well, how can I?” I told him, pointing the obvious. “How can I tell the girls what really happen all those years ago, considering we’ve been lying to one of them about my own brother? I was going to tell them in time.” “Dusk, ya know that keep this from ‘em won’t make it right, especially for our team.” Dog said, making a point. “Y'all gonna have to tell ‘em.” “Tell us what?” Pinkie asked. “Rarity…” I said, going ahead to tell the truth. “What you were told about what happened to my father and brother? That was a lie.” “What?” Rarity said in confusion. “Darling, what are you talking about?” “My dad didn’t die normally, he was murdered. And Husk… he didn’t run away… he was kidnapped.” “Murdered? Kidnapped?” Rarity said, shocked by this. “Why?” “I’ll tell you why.” I said. “Rare, it’s about time you learned the truth.” I sighed and began to tell the story. “It began a few years ago…” I reminisce those moments in my past as I told the story. In my mind, I remembered it at my old house, in the backyard with my younger self practicing with a silk dummy, while my twin brother, Husk, trained with our father in combat. “I started my training at the age of 5, along with my brother, Husk, and our father was our teacher.” Then Husk tackled me and we both laughed. “Along with it, my brother and I were the best of friends. We had a brotherhood like no other. We even had pendants that showed it.” Then Husk grabbed the pendant around his neck and I did the same. Then we put them together and show it as a coin with our initials on it. “They showed, no matter what, we would always be brothers.” Then I tried to chop a log in half. “In our training, he might have been rough on me and Husk as our teacher…” Then I backed away, crying in pain. Then my father came to me, bandaged my claw, and comfort me, calming me down. “But he was still our loving father. He taught me everything I know.” Sometime later, I was fighting with my father, but was defeat when my father tripped me by the use of a hoof-swipe. Then my father helped me up and they continued the fight. “Through those years, I got stronger and stronger.” I, now age 8, chopped the log in half with one chop. The two halves landed on the ground. “I felt I was ready for anything. Husk was actually more pumped than I was, but still. In fact, I even asked my father one question, one that was supposed to happen years ahead.” “Can we meet the team I’ll lead now?” I asked. “What did he say?” Pinkie asked. “He said…” “No. You still have a lot to learn. So does your brother. When you’re of age, you will.” My father said. “What does that mean?” Pinkie asked. “He meant coming of age like all of us do.” I told her. “Much as anything, he also expected great things from us. On one particular day, I managed to live up to the expectations.” My parent’s hugged my young self with looks of joy. “I had received my cutie mark and my parents had decided to make sure they got me a place at Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns.” I said. “But they would get it after we answered the summon.” “Summon?” Rarity asked as she and Pinkie were confused by this. “Dusk, what are you talking about?” “Oh, right.” I then realized that I left out the most important part. “You see, while I was going to be the leader of our present Element Gang, Dragonis had his own plans for Husk. On our 9th birthday, he asked of us to meet with him.” Then young me, young Husk, and the rest of our family entered Dragonis Maximus' sacred sanctum. We stopped at the stairs, where Dragonis waited across the floor which had a symbol of a spiraled dragon. It was known as the Fire Dragon mark. “Husk Noir, please step forward.” Dragonis said with a gentle smile, my brother doing as he said and walking up the stairs to meet him. “My, how much you’ve grown.” “Dragonis, why’d you call?” Husk asked. “Husk, show some respect!” I told him, knowing that he should be more considerate on who he was talking to. “It is quite alright, Dusk.” Dragonis told me before speaking to Husk. “And to answer your question, I have called you here for something of the utmost importance. As you know, as wielder of the Golden Staff, I have the sworn duty of protecting all of Equestria.” From there, he then lost his smile. “But, alas, I’m afraid that I am not meant to live in this world for long.” We all surprised by this as Dragonis had been around for a millennium. “It’s shocking, I know. But it is true. A long time ago, I was told of lied ahead for me and that my time in this world will soon come to an end. Before that day comes, I need to give my staff to someone who continue the sacred duty in my absence. Especially during one day that I dread to come to pass.” He passed for a moment before he continue. “This is why I had called you here, young Husk. I hear that Dusk has come to earn his cutie mark while you haven’t. As Dusk’s destiny lies as being the leader of the Element Gang and his pursuit of knowledge, I believe that your path is one just as great.” “Really?” Husk was actually surprised by this. “Yes. As such, I have decided.” Dragonis said, regaining his smile. “Husk Noir, son of Charcoal Noir, it is with great pleasure that I, Dragonis Maximus, take you as my apprentice and train you in becoming the new guardian of Equestria.” “Me? The new… guardian?” “Well, Husk? Will you be my apprentice?” Husk then looked back to me and the family as we all silently ushered him to accept. Turning back with a big grin, Husk excitedly said “Yes!” “Good. Then by the time you are of age, your training will begin.” Dragonis said to him proudly. “Awesome!” “One other thing…” “There’s more?” “While under my tutelage, you will also be attending the School for Gifted Unicorns. Is that okay with you?” “Well, yes! That’s fine with me!” Husk said as he smiled at me and I returned it, being just as happy we could attend the same school. “At lastly,” Dragonis continued, getting my brother to turn back to him, “for when your training is complete, in the event you’re ready before the time comes to take on the task, you will be given a title.” “A title?” “Yes, one that is equal to that of my own.” Dragonis told him. “You shall be the defender of justice and a great symbol of justice, just as the namesake of El Dragon has become. In case you complete your training early, you will be known as Husk Noir, Champion of Equestria!” “Champion of Equestria…” Husk said to himself before gaining a determined smile. “I promise I won’t let you down, Dragonis. I will prove myself a worthy successor and protect the innocent as the Champion! As such, I will fight for both the weak and the strong! I will be a Champion for everyone!” “Well said, Husk.” Dragonis said to him with a proud smile. “You have spirit and a great sense of honor, both of which I have no doubt you will continue to have as you fulfill your duty.” He then looked beyond him to look at Husk’s flank. “And I believe that proves to me that you will.” Husk was confused by what he meant. Turning his head to his flank, Husk soon gained a smile as he saw what was there. “My cutie mark!” Husk said, looking proudly upon the image of a gold dragon and a silver wolf circling around a single crimson star, resembling a yin-yang with both lower halves of the creatures be streams of color. The dragon had blue eyes along with plumes and edges to it, resembling that of a burning flame; the wolf had yellow eyes and appeared like it was made of silver light. Me and the family then came around me and congratulate Husk on his achievement. “We were all proud of Husk for what he gained.” I said. “It was practically the greatest day of our lives, but this moment didn’t last long.” “What do you mean?” Rarity asked. “From somewhere in the shadows, I was nearly shot with a Vengestone arrow. It was a Dargon who was tried to end me before my journey began. Failing to do so, it just ran off to escape. My father went out to look for it, but couldn’t find it. He thought it would be best if we just stayed inside, in case it came back. I was hoping it would never come back. I was truly terrified as those minutes turned into hours. It got to the point where Celestia had to lower the sun and raise the moon for the night. This particular Dargon later turned out to be the one that I was destined to face, who went by the name of Dread Blight. Nopony could find him, but he didn’t leave Canterlot. To this day, I still don’t know where he’d gone that night to elude capture like that.” “But I do.” Said a voice. We were scared, but quickly calmed when we saw Dragonis on the other side of the room. “Dragonis? What are you doing here?” I asked. “I thought I drop in and pay you a visit. I think it’s time you know what happened with Dread that night.” Dragonis answered. As he started his story of that day, I could be able to picture exactly what he was experiencing. “I was resting in my chamber when I heard grunting and slamming outside.” The Dragonis in memory woke up, went to the tower balcony, and used the telescope to see young Dread punching the city wall with metal fist. “After your father gave up, I saw this little unicorn colt punching at the wall, using what appeared to be silver fists.” “Dread.” I said, knowing he was talking about. “Apparently, after your father gave up, he came out of hiding to try and beat out his frustrations.” He confirmed. “I even heard what he said.” Dread kept on beating the wall, grunted with each punch, and talked out his frustrations. “I nearly had him!” *SLAM!* “I was so close to making them pay!” *SLAM!* “Dusk Noir… The name of a pest!” *SLAM!* “The offspring of a desecrator!” *SLAM!* “I swear that I will make his blood stain the ground so his father will know my pain!” *SLAM!* “He will never create his unity!” *SLAM!* “He will have no duty!” *SLAM!* “For death is all that waits for him!” *SLAM!* “THAT…” *SLAM!* “WILL…” *SLAM!* “BE…” *SLAM!* “HIS…” *SLAM!* “DESTINY!” *SLAM!* With that last slam, he used both his fist and managed to leave a mark on it. Then he dropped his fist, turned them back to normal, and stood there with rage in his eyes. “I saw it happen with my own eyes: a colt with hatred fueled by rage. He truly despised the Fire Dragons, but more than another Dargon. I had no idea why he had it, but it was evident that ignited spark for revenge was what drove him to such actions.” Then Dread turned away from the wall and his horn began glowing, but it was starting to change as the line of his horn began to light up with black color. “The rage that he felt that day corrupted his magic, the very aura turned black while filled hatred he had for you now, for your father, for the world.” Then the aura of Dread’s dark magic became more erratically distorted and pulsed wildly. With it gaining spirals of dark purple and green, Dread closed his eyes and began to scream in pain. It lasted for a moment until, with one last roar and his pain at its peak, he rose his head and shot a beam of dark magic at the sky, where it created storm clouds pouring out purple lightning. Then, after it was done, the beam dissipated and Dread breathed heavenly with his horn glowing in a triple spiral of green, purple, and black. “Never had I ever seen such a force of dark magic being produced by a single unicorn, let alone one that was a Dargon. This much worried me and what this would mean for Equestria.” Then he stopped breathing, canceled his magic, and rose his head, where he opened his eyes to reveal his brown pupils had turned into blood-red dragon eyes. Then he smiled sinisterly with both his upper teeth and lower teeth showing. Then dark purple flames ignite beneath his claws and hooves and began moving up his legs and arms, changing his form. His Dargon tail with that triangular silver spike at the end revealed itself and became engulfed in the flames. His legs and tail then merged to where there was only the tail. He then closed his eyes and mouth as the flames engulfed his head, completing his transformation. He turned into a dark purple dragon with silver spikes on his head and tail. He then roared out and flew off. “I knew where he was going and why.” I then said “He was going for me.” “But if you knew where Dread was, why didn’t you stop him?” Shield asked him. “I would’ve. I knew of the events that would happen.” He answered. “But I was forbidden by the Great One as this was how it should be.” “Great One?” Shield was confused by this. “He means the original Dragonis, the one that has seen everything that has happened in our universe.” I told him. “Even I agree that it was unfair that I had to suffer, but I guess there was no changing fate.” “I believe you can tell them the rest.” Dragonis told me. “Yeah.” I then went on with telling the events that proceeded after Dread’s little fit. “Dread came to our house and I found him in the backyard, my brother and I not even knowing his reason for being there.” Myself and Husk were up from bed and saw Dread in the backyard. We got out of bed and went to meet him, but we stopped when silver claws got shot in our direction. “That’s far enough.” Dread said before turned and looked to me. “You want to be the hero? Well, you’re going to have to pay the price.” That’s when he attacked my brother and I with silver claws and dark purple fire blasts. Trying to escape him by running inside, the house beginning to burn with purple flames made from his attack. “Dread didn’t defeat me, but I watched as my world crumbled around me.” My sisters and my mother made it out, thanks to my father as he got them to safety. From there, Husk I were then launched out of the house through the wall and I hit my back on a tree. Then Dread came out of those flames with claws put out on his right hand. “Stay away from my brother!” Husk said as he charged and pounced Dread. Though he fought hard, my brother was defeat by Dread’s magic. “Husk!” I cried out as my brother laid there unconscious before looking to dread walking over with killing intent. “No, please, don’t!” “Oh, it’s too late for begging.” he said as his voice became distorted while standing over me, his claw risen for a strike. “Now it is time for you… to die!” He then thrust his claw down, but it didn’t hit its attended target. “When it struck, our father took the blow.” I said. My father stood there with Dread’s claws through his chest. Then Dread took his blood-drenched claws out of my father and stared at them with an annoyed look. “Please tell me you’re not hurt.” our father said to me. “Are you okay?” “I’m fine.” I told him. “I’m so glad.” My father said as his head hanged down and he closed his eyes. Seeing my father passing, I began to cry and then yelled “Father!” In my moment of grieving, I looked to see Dread (now in his Dargon form) open his tail spike and grab my unconscious brother. “What are you doing?” “I lost my chance in making him suffer, but I will still have my revenge.” He said to me in that Dargon voice. “Losing a father is great, but you deserve more than this. As such, I will now make you suffer taking your twin to where you’ll never see him again!” “You’re not taking my brother!” Not willing to lose my brother, I then lunged at Dread at began attacking him, but was instantly knocked away and he made his escape. I then watched helplessly as the Dargon flew off into the night, which was the moment Husk woke up and tried to break free. “DUSK!” he cried out, unable to escape Dread’s grasp. “HUSK!” I cried out in despair that I could not be able to help him. Then I began to cry and my tears hitting the floor. “That day, I lost both my brother and my father.” “What’s worse, later I found out of what Dread had done to Husk. Dread created a symbiote, a living liquid that needs a host to survive, and placed it on Husk. This symbiote was known as the Anti-Dragon, a being that Dread designed to kill me. Dread designed it to where the symbiote has full control over Husk, forcing him to do his bidding. Though I have best it a few times, I still hate the fact that I have to fight my own brother.” “So this Dread killed your dad, kidnapped your brother, and is making him fight you?” Pinkie said as Rarity looked at me with despair. “What a meanie!” “That’s how Dargons are.” I told her. “Dusk, I’m so sorry that you had to go through all that.” Rarity said, pitying me. “I have lost many things that brought joy to my life: my home, my father, and my brother.” I then smiled as I then turned to them. “But from that loss, I also gain some things: like Shield, Leon, and Dog, who helped me overcome my fears and get me to become the leader of this team. I also gained you two, along with Twilight, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy. You girls showed me more to friendship than I ever knew. What I’m saying here is that, from losing one part of my family, I gained a new one.” “Awww!” Pinkie cooed as she and the others smiled. “Group hug!” From there, one-by-one, my team came over and pulled me into a hug, a warm embrace that I both accepted and returned. From that moment, I realized how lucky I was to have friends like them. Feeling light coming from the window, we broke the hug to looked outside and saw the storm had past. I was going to talk to Dragonis, but we looked to see that he was gone. “He’s gone!” Pinkie was surprised by this. “Yeah, Dragonis does know how to make an exit.” Leon said, speaking for me, Shield, and Dog as much himself, from experience. “Okay. Promise me you never tell it to anyone, especially to Twilight and the others.” I said to the girls. “What? Why?” Pinkie asked. “Because there will come a time when I will tell them about my past. If they are going to learn the truth of it, I want it to come from me and when I know they’re ready to hear it.” I explained. “Yeah, plus we don’t want to drop a news bomb like that on them.” Shield told them. “Twilight was told the same lie like everypony in Canterlot. Very few ponies know the truth about it. So it would be better to wait a while before telling them anything like that.” “We understand, darling.” Rarity said to me. “We promise that we shall not speak a word of it until you are ready to tell everypony.” “Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.” Pinkie promised. “Thanks, girls.” I said to them. After that, everypony left to go back to their homes to get some sleep. After they did, I then went over and grabbed the picture of my family, the last photo of my whole family (me, my brother, my mother, my father, and my sisters) all together. Much like how I had done before, I mentally promised myself that I would save Husk and free him from the Anti-Dragon. And I knew I would have to tell the other girls about what happened to him, especially Twilight. I just hoped, when that day comes, they’ll be able to handle the truth.