Dusk was greeted by the rising sun nearly blinding him, he sat up and found Fluttershy sleeping on the floor next to him. What is she doing down here? She should be in her own bed, he pondered.
As if she read his thoughts, Fluttershy raised her head and looked up at him, "you're awake? Good, now I can get us some breakfast."
"You were waiting for me to wake up? For how long?" He didn't like that she was depriving herself of sleep for him.
She gave a loud yawn, "not very long, now what would you like to eat for breakfast?" So, too long I see, I really hope this doesn't become a habit with her.
"Hmm, that's a good question, what does the chef recommend?" Dusk grinned.
Fluttershy thought for a moment with slightly red cheeks, "how about a nice salad? We don't want anything upsetting your stomach after your incident yesterday, or that nightmare from last night."
"Did I wake you up because of that?" So that's why she was down here, he concluded.
"Well, no Luna told me last night," she placed her fore hoof on his shoulder, "well she sort of showed me the dream you had, that must have been terrifying, seeing yourself in such a state."
"You two must be close for her to just show you the dreams of others," he showed a little bit of irritation in his voice, since dreams are kind of a private collection of one's thoughts, hopes and in this case, fears.
"Well, she had never actually showed me dreams that weren't my own, given the situation, I think she acted in the way she thought best. But, as for when I became friends with her, that's a little bit of a long story. You see when she was first reverted from being Nightmare Moon back to her normal state she didn't really fit in with the present time. Last Nightmare Night I helped her reintroduce herself, she liked to shout and it terrified most everybody. Albeit unwillingly," she admitted, "I helped her learn to speak in a normal, calm tone and ever since, we've set a weekly get-together to just sit and talk."
"Except this week," Dusk sighed. "With my little incident forcing you two to cancel and sending her back to Canterlot, I feel really bad about that."
"Dusk no, just... no," she refused to hear it. "Things happen and besides, that wasn't the first time we had to cancel and I can tell you it will most certainly not be the last, do not worry about it."
"Okay, so what did you think about that nightmare?" He asked.
"Well, a fear of dying is natural and life is certainly uncertain to say the least, but I didn't really like the part where I started blaming Twilight. But, I have to admit in such a state of hysteria I probably find her responsible and vocalize my thoughts about it. For now though, let's not think about such things, I'm going to go make us some breakfast."
"Sounds wonderful, thank you," he tried to sit up but, like last night, a sharp pain in his chest forced him to lay back down.
"Please don't try to get up, you still need to rest, Celestia knows just how much damage your body took," Fluttershy pleaded.
"Okay, I just can't stand sitting around like this for too long," Dusk admitted. Fluttershy just kissed him on the forehead before heading into the kitchen. As with last night, a knocking came from the door and Dusk used his magic to pull it open, it was Rainbow Dash. "Good morning Rainbow Dash," Dusk greeted, loudly enough for Fluttershy to hear.
"Hey there, looks like you're doing a lot better than when I put you down on that couch last night," she walked over and patted him on the head. "Now I need to talk to you and Fluttershy, I really don't like having to explain things, so doing it more than once sounds like a big headache."
"Good morning Dash! It's a good thing we don't have to go to the hospital this morning, isn't it?" Fluttershy called from the kitchen.
"Yeah it is, but can you come out here real quick? I need to talk to you," Dash's voice seemed to falter a little with her last words. Fluttershy entered the room and sat down on a stool next to the couch. "Okay so... I kind of talked to Twilight yesterday," she explained.
"You what?" Fluttershy exclaimed, Dusk placed a hoof on her shoulder and helped her calm down before things got out of hand.
"I went to the library, I wanted to hear what Twilight had to say about her little 'experiment' and why she kept us all in the dark. Now, I won't go into all of what she said because she used a lot of egghead speak so I will just cut to the chase, she gave me a little package and a note for Dusk." She revealed a small, cardboard box and peace of parchment from beneath her wings, "now before you go off on the messenger, read the letter she wrote."
Dusk levitated the box and paper in front of himself and Fluttershy, reading the letter Twilight wrote him:
Dear Dusk,
I feel that I should start by apologizing for what happened yesterday, I was tampering with a power I didn't understand. In the process, you were seriously injured and for that I cannot be sorry enough. I am also very sorry about violating your privacy, I had no right to do so. I should also apologize to Fluttershy who is no doubt reading this with you. I should have informed every one of our friends about my plan before I went ahead and did it. If I did, maybe you wouldn't be in the condition you are in and Fluttershy wouldn't think of me as a former friend. But, I cannot change the past, believe me I have most definitely tried recently and it didn't go well, so here is a sort of reparation for the damage I have caused. In this box is a special battery, you wear it around your neck and it will naturally absorb any energy you pick up and store it. You can also draw energy from it in case of emergency, but, here is the catch, whenever you draw from it it puts strain on your body. It is very similar to what happened yesterday, the difference is you control how much you pull out so you can make sure your body doesn't overload. I hope it proves effective, now I don't expect forgiveness, from either you or Fluttershy, but I really don't want to lose either of you as my friends.
Sincerely, Twilight Sparkle
The two looked at each other, Dusk then took the battery from it's box, it was an onyx color with a large square shape. A small wire strung from one corner to the opposite to make it a necklace, an unattractive necklace but it did help keep him alive, so he wasn't going to complain.
Unfortunately, some pony couldn't hold their tongue, "it, it will look good on you..." she couldn't hold it in any longer, she just started laughing. "That thing looks totally ridiculous, and you have to wear it all the time? That's too funny!"
Dusk couldn't help but chuckle a little, "Yeah, yeah just get it all out now Dash, but I have some advice, don't try to play poker."
Her laughter died down a little, "why's that?"
"Because, you can't hold a bluff worth anything," he started joining her laughter, Fluttershy followed suit, and for about five minutes they all just enjoyed themselves.
"Okay, okay well I have stuff that needs to get done today, see you guys later," Dash announced.
"Wait, before you go, can you deliver a message to Twilight?" Dusk asked.
"Sure, but after this I'm gonna have to start charging you guys," she joked, "what do you want me to tell her?"
"Tell her that this is the last time I will forgive her. This is strike two. One more and I won't be able to trust her again," he felt good just saying it, if only he could tell her himself.
"Wow, just like that, you just forgive her?" Rainbow was shocked to say the least, wanting to make sure she heard him right.
"Yes, I really hate holding grudges. But I will make an exception if she tries anything else of this magnitude. My heart is heavy enough as it is."
Fluttershy and Dash just looked at each other in complete and utter shock, many speechless moments passed before Dusk felt a hoof on his shoulder.
"Are... are you sure?" Fluttershy's voice seemed a bit nervous.
"Yes I'm sure," he turned to Dash, "when will you talk to her next?"
"As soon as I take off here, I need a small distraction before I get my work done anyway, see you two lovebirds later," she waved off before flying out the door.
"So, just like that? Water under the bridge?" Fluttershy still couldn't believe what Dusk just did. "Do you expect me to let this go just as easily?"
"What? No, I expect you to do what you think is right, for you," he tried to stroke her mane, but his current condition wouldn't let him get up. "I won't think of you any different, no matter what you decide, I will still love you."
"You mean that... you really do mean that," she pulled him up and hugged him tightly. "I will keep my promise, no matter what."
Dusk accepted her embrace, for what seemed like hours she held him in her arms, until a loud rumbling came from their stomachs. "Oh my, I guess I should finish making our breakfast," Fluttershy lowered Dusk back down and returned to the kitchen.
Dusk levitated the battery around his neck, he immediately felt a tingling sensation in his chest where the battery laid. After about five minutes, he felt the full affect that the battery had as it drained the excess energy out of his body, he decided to try to sit up again. This time, he actually did it, with no pain from his chest or any other part of his body, And he was ecstatic about being able to move again.
Just standing up sounded like such a good idea, except the second he did his caretaker would force him to lay back down, so for now sitting up will have to do.
After a few moments of silence, Fluttershy walked out with two plates full of salad. "Oh you can sit up now? That's wonderful!"
"Yeah, now you don't have to feed me like you did last night," he explained.
"Are you sure? I can still feed you, I wouldn't mind."
"Fluttershy, I'm fully capable of feeding my self now."
"I know you are it's just..." she started to turn red.
"Just what?"
"Well... I kind of liked feeding you last night, I know it was because you didn't have the strength to but it was nice," she explained.
Dusk looked at her for a few seconds, then shrugged his shoulders and laid back down. "Alright, but just this once."
Fluttershy smiled gleefully, she spent the next twenty minutes singing a peaceful melody as she fed him.The act was making him feel foolish, acting like a young foal incapable of feeding on their own. But he didn't care, she was happy and no one was watching. Once his plate was emptied, she ate her own plateful, the silence was nice, but not as nice as her singing.
"Okay, I have to make my usual rounds at the market, will you be alright here by yourself?" She asked.
"I will be fine don't worry," Dusk assured her.
"Alright, just don't try to walk, promise me you won't try walk," he nodded, "Pinkie promise?"
"Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye," he followed the ritual that Pinkie Pie started.
"Good, I will be back later," she gave him a kiss on the cheek, "love you."
"I love you too, have fun and tell AppleJack I said hi," he waved goodbye as she went out the door and closed it behind her.
With nothing better to do, Dusk simply gave an audible yawn and got ready to take a nice nap, until a knocking came from the door. He took a deep breathe, and in one swift motion pulled himself upright on the couch, his dark blue aura took hold of the handle and pulled the door open. He saw three foals standing in the doorway, a unicorn, a pegasus and an earth pony and each one had a little reporter's hat and a small notepad.
"Hello, can I help you?" He asked hesitantly.
"Y-yes, are you Dusk?" The unicorn inquired, their voice revealed them to be a young filly, her white coat and pink and lavender mane made her look oddly familiar.
"Yes may I ask, who you are?" He never actually talked to foals since his own maturity, so the experience was a bit odd.
"My name is Sweetie Belle, I'm Rarity's little sister," she answered.
"I'm Apple Bloom, AppleJack's my big sis'," the earth pony replied, she had a yellow coat, red mane and tail and a very large pink bow on her head.
"I'm Scootaloo... and I don't have a sister, but I know Rainbow Dash," the pegasus hesitantly explained. She had an orange coat with a purple mane and tail.
"Well, I can certainly see the resemblance in you two," he gestured toward Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom. "But it's a pleasure to meet the three of you, but now that introductions are out of the way, how can I be of assistance?"
"Well, we heard our sisters talking about you and how you've been living here for a little while, but not many ponies actually have seen or talk to you." Sweetie Belle explained, "We're on the Foal Free Press, our school newspaper and we wanted to get an interview with you, it would make quite an interesting story."
"Hmm... alright I don't see what harm it could do, just can you do me a favor?" Dusk asked.
"O' course, what's the favor?" Apple Bloom chimed.
"If you ask me a question that I don't want to answer, please don't push the topic any further," he requested. "There are somethings I just don't feel right talking to others about."
"We promise!" The three fillies said in unison as they walked up and sat around him in front of the couch.
"Okay," he smiled, "What do you want to know?"
"Sweetie Belle you should do this, your better with words than either of us," Scootaloo suggested.
"Okay, so Mr. Dusk, how long have you been living here in Ponyville?"
"Just Dusk is fine," he answered, "I've been here a little over a week."
"Alright," she wrote down his answer. "Where did you live before coming here?"
"Uhh, the Everfree Forest."
"Wow really that's so cool!" Scootaloo exclaimed, "Why were you living out there?"
"That's uh... complicated," Dusk explained.
"Oh, okay then, well I've been meaning to ask," Sweetie Belle started, pointing at his battery, "what is that necklace your wearing? I know my sister didn't make that for you."
Dusk chuckled a little, "no Rarity didn't make this, it's more for function than fashion."
"What's it do?" Apple Bloom asked.
"I thought you guys wanted me to do this interview?" Sweetie Belle exclaimed.
"Girls, please there's no need to fight about this," Dusk restored order. "Now I can't really go into the details but this necklace helps keep me alive."
The three girls just stopped and stared with wide eyes, "REALLY?" they shouted simultaneously.
Once Dusk regained his hearing he answered, "Yes really, it helps keep my heart beating."
"Who made it?" Sweetie Belle asked.
"My friend Twilight did."
"Wow, Twilight made that for you?" Scootaloo chimed in.
"Yes, she's really helped me a lot since I came here," he explained.
"Okay, next question: what made you decide to come here?" Sweetie Belle continued.
"My mentor, she said I needed to get reacquainted with the world after being gone in the forest for a few years."
"Who is your mentor?" Apple Bloom asked.
"Princess Celestia, she's been helping me for the past few years, right before I moved into the Everfree."
"Wow, this will make a great story, thanks Dusk!" Scootaloo said excitedly.
"Yes, thank you very much," Sweetie Belle followed Scootaloo's lead.
"Thank ya kindly," Apple Bloom finished.
"Not a problem girls," he smiled. "Just don't forget about us little ponies when you're up in Manehatten or Phillydelphia writing for the top papers."
"We won't!" They answered simultaneously.
The door swung open revealing Fluttershy with bags full of groceries, "Dusk I'm back and- what are you girls doing here?"
"We are interviewing Dusk here for our paper!" Sweetie Belle answered.
"Oh, well that's nice, is he giving you a good story?"
"Yeah! This will make our best story yet!" The three exclaimed.
"I'm sure it will, well girls I think Dusk could use some rest don't you?" The three nodded in agreement, "It was nice to see you three again."
"You too Fluttershy, bye Dusk!" The three shouted as they ran out the door.
"So, how was your interview?" She gave him a peck on the cheek.
"It was certainly interesting, but they didn't try to pry so I'd say it went well," he smiled. "But having to answer questions from all three of them was a small challenge."
"Oh I bet, I watched those girls overnight once," she admitted.
"How well did that turn out?"
"Well, they wandered into the Everfree, ran into a cockatrice and nearly got turned into stone if I didn't run after them."
Dusk's eyes grew wide, "I remember that night! First time in over a few months I heard any pony come near my shack, I couldn't make out what was said, only a lot of shouting. When it fell silent, I hoped that whatever happened didn't leave anyone hurt. The next morning, I didn't find any sign of blood or much of a struggle so I figured that no one did get hurt. I had no idea that was you and those girls..."
"It happened that close to your home, wow, that's really a good thing."
"How so?"
"Earlier that day Twilight went into the forest to visit our friend Zecora, she's a zebra that lives in the forest, but on the way back she ran into the same cockatrice we did. The only difference being, she was turned to stone, after I found out I couldn't stop thinking about what would've happened if those girls didn't run into that forest."
"Well, I think I can fill in the 'what if' for you, I would've found her the next day, made her an elixir, and sent her on her way," he smiled at her.
"Oh Dusk, you have no idea how glad I am to hear that," she wrapped her hooves around him tightly.
"Well, I'm always glad to help," he grinned.
"Well then can you do me a favor?"
"And what might that be?"
"The girls and I planned a spa trip tomorrow even AppleJack's going to be there, would you like to come?"
"A spa trip, what would I do there?"
"Well, they have a nice sauna, and they give excellent massages, Spike goes there a lot and he's a guy," she explained. "Besides, I'm sure everyone of them will be glad to see that you've bounced back from the incident from last night," Dusk pondered for a moment until she unleashed the puppy eyes on him. "Please?"
No, that sounds like a bad idea.
But those eyes, I can't say no to them!
You must be strong, tell her no!
I... can't, I just can't!
The battle in his mind was over, "Yes, okay I will go, just stop with that adorable look I think it's melting my heart!"
Fluttershy did as he asked and kissed him on the cheek. "Thanks Dusk you're so sweet!"
"Yeah, so who taught you that trick?"
"It's something that I picked up as a young filly," her face turned a little red as she answered.
"So Rarity?" Dusk saw right through her tale.
"Y-yeah," she admitted.
"Before or after I met you?"
"A-after."
"So, this little tactic was specifically for me?" She nodded, "Can you please not do that? It's a little unfair for me."
"Okay, but I really appreciate that you're going to come with me to the spa."
"I'm glad, but if I'm heading out tomorrow I should get as much rest as possible, so I'm going to turn in early."
"You are? Okay, I will make sure it's quiet, sweet dreams."
Dusk gave a loud yawn and stretched before slipping into a deep sleep, unsure of what the next day might hold.