//------------------------------// // Return of Harmony // Story: Unity at Dusk // by AlphatheGriffin17 //------------------------------// Darkness consumed had consumed Dusk, an ironic end when he thought about the great shining light he had seen before his fatigue got the better of him and he strayed out of conscious thought and into the gentle embrace of unconsciousness. It was just like going to sleep after a long tiring day, a rest he felt that he truly deserved after working so hard. Those last few minutes had been the strangest and most wonderful sensations he had ever felt. As soon as he had begun his spell, as soon as he reached out through the chaos and disharmony to find the lights of friendship that shone within the girls, it had been like he had stopped being part of the earth he walked upon and became something else entirely. Something more than a unicorn, something more than even a pony, something more than little Dusk Noir. The emotions that flowed through his body like a river had become his very being, his very thought and essence and drive beyond his control and completely subject to their will. So much had happened, only flashes, barely comprehensible… cries and yells, hisses and screeches, the sweet voice of Twilight Sparkle… he had heard her above everything else, even his emotions that were dulling everything. Something else had happened too, something that had made his heart spike and his emotions rage like a river… a spark… That was ultimately the end result of his efforts. Gradually, with the others drawing close and his emotions growing stronger, so had his magic become stronger too, rising and growing to a point where he felt as if he could reshape the world. When it had reached its peak and he had to do something to let it out or else he might explode, only one thought had echoed through his mind, one desire above all others. Protect his friends. And that was what he had done. With a force like he had never experienced, as beautiful as a shooting star and as powerful as a bolt of lightning, he had struck out against the Paraserpents that had surrounded them. It didn't matter how many of them there were, how powerful they might be or how weak he might have been. Suddenly, that didn't matter. What did matter was the protection and safety of his friends, something that he wanted more than anything else. They'd all worked so hard to protect him, it was only right he should do something in return. He already knew that, against all odds and doubts he had in himself, it had worked and they were safe for now. They would still need to get to the library and retrieve the Elements, but he had done what he could and helped as best as he could manage. That was why he was like this now: just lying here, at peace with himself in a way… or as much as one possessed by the influence of chaos could hope to be. He could choose to leave this place anytime he wanted, or that was what he felt he could do. The illusion of free choice, he mused silently for nopony else could hear. Dusk wasn't actually sure where he was. At first, it looked like some empty white void with only him in it. It felt as a warm as the sun in summer and as tranquil as a sparkling lake. It was silent yes, but not the kind of oppressive, heavy silence but something more peaceful and whole. Gradually, he started to recognise the surroundings and realised he was in his living room in his home, though he knew from the memories he had gained that Blackhole had destroyed it. He saw his fireplace, his couch, blue carpet, wooden floor, shelf of books. It was his modest little home with just enough decoration to know it was his own. He didn't need all the trappings and personal touches to know it was his home, to identify his place. He didn't need it. Modest yet still personal, that was how Rarity had described it once. That was one way of looking at it. Twilight had just said it was a lovely home, that time when she came for Hearth's Warming. Somehow, he preferred that as he sat down on his couch and curled up. This was his place so it could be whatever he wanted to be. Right now, it was his safety and his refuge and he just wanted to rest here. Didn't he deserve that much? "Just a few moments," he murmured to himself. "I don't need to go back yet, I need to rest…" In truth however, the more he thought about it, the more he realised one thing that was the reason for his state: he was scared. Why wouldn't he be? Despite the power of his spell, he hadn't actually killed the Paraserpents, rather knocked them out and put them out of the way for the time being. They would be back up on their feet, metaphorically speaking, soon enough and they'd be a danger once more. Add to that Discord still being in power, ready and waiting to create more and Dusk had every reason to simply remain like this until it was all over. So why return? Why return to the waking world and put himself in danger again when he'd already done as much as he could? He wasn't an Element of Harmony, so he wouldn't play any other part in bringing down Discord. He certainly wouldn't be able to muster up the strength to perform the spell again, he wasn't even really sure how he had done it the first time. He didn't even know he was capable of performing such a feat. So why go back now, when he would only get in the way and he might even lose his own life in the process? That wasn't him… But then he remembered something else, a promise he'd made to somepony he would do anything to help. "I'm with you Miss Sparkle, to the end. For them. For us. For Equestria!" Dusk allowed himself a moment of guilt along with his fear, and then wallowed in it entirely like a pig would wallow in filth, for that was how he viewed himself for thinking such a thing. How could he truly call himself her second assistant and her friend if he would be so cowardly as to back out now when she might still need him? As scared as he might be, he had made a promise and his work wasn't done yet as long as the spirit of chaos was still on his throne and his minions were still snaking their way around the streets of the town he now called home. She needed him and they needed him and he was thinking of leaving them now? He looked up at his fireplace and things were there that weren't there before. Photos he didn't recall having taken yet they were there, moments from his life ever since he had met the girls. Sitting at a table taking tea, at a trip to the spa, the night at the Gala, happy wonderful times. Some were more recent and less happy, like the learning of the terrible news, succumbing to Discord, fighting back against him, standing against him by his friends. The more recent one was of himself, lying unconscious on a hill, worried faces and tense looks from those around him. "The here and now," he whispered, brushing against it gently. No, he decided. He may not be a warrior or a fighter, but he certainly wasn't going to break a promise to his friends. Not when they still needed him. So, he rose up and left the peace and tranquillity of his home, heading towards the door to leave this place and return to the pain and fear of the world. He knew it wouldn't be easy, but he also knew that it was better than just staying here and doing nothing while his friends were all out there fighting for him and their home. Before he left however, other unclear images and photos appeared on the wall and mantelpiece. These photos were more blurry and a little harder to make out the others and kept shifting and changing like watercolours on a canvas. That got Dusk thinking, one of the few things he was actually good at If some of those photos were of his past, then these might be of the future. Surely a little look wouldn't hurt, they weren't even that clear… He scanned over them, making them out as best he could. He saw a duke blue outline standing with over a dozen others, facing down a serpentine shape… Discord perhaps? The one after was of the same outline, this time leaning close to a purple one… no, lilac like a certain avid studier he knew. Another showed again the same blue pony and he was being shown something by a taller figure with almost the same fur colour… could that perhaps be Luna? He received rather warm feelings from looking at these, ones of happiness and fulfilment. Clearly, these were events that he would enjoy and look forward too. The same couldn't really be said for any of the others. There was a black shape, magic whirling from his horn and four-legged forms around him… if that was who he thought it was… more black shapes, whole swarms of them that looked to be attacking what seemed to be Canterlot, palaces of crystal surrounded by shadow and darkness, a pair of purple and blue shapes clashing with black and ice blue ones… what kind of futures were these? There were two that particularly disturbed him towards the very end until he was scared to look any further beyond that one. The image of the first was of tall pony, another unicorn, his fur a dark grey and his hair a blood red that seemed to be trapped in some kind of cavern, the outlines of three eyes watching him from the darkness and chains around his legs and neck. These chains however were worn and old and looked like they were about to break. Again was the same figure, with six violently coloured lights surrounding him and shining into him as his horn glowed. The orange flickering of flames silhouetted them, Dusk could almost feel the heat… Dusk decided he had seen enough. He wrenched his eyes away from these snapshots of the future if that's what they truly were and turned back towards the door. Whatever the future might have in store for him, he would do what others did and find out for himself, not giving himself any possible previews, especially if it looked to be such a dark and dangerous future. Spoilers always ruined the end of the story and made the rest of it unenjoyable. Why ruin it for the few bad moments when there might be so many good ones. "Have faith," he said to himself. "Future doesn't make the pony, a pony makes his future." Dusk strode towards the door to his home that would lead him back into the waking world. As he opened it, he paused at the door and turned to look back at the photos at all of his memories and previews of his life laid out before him. He didn't have any doubts and knew this was the right thing to do. Though this might be further proof that he was perhaps more like his uncanny ancestor that he first thought, he had no wish to see the future. Let the future reveal itself. "I hope I never remember what I saw here," he whispered to himself, shutting the door and blinded by the light that met him. Fortunately, he didn't have any memory of that place. The whiteness of the light was all he could see when he reawakened, somehow feeling as well rested as if he had been asleep for days and yet also as exhausted as if he had run a marathon. His ears were like they had been stuffed with cotton, for he could hear little beyond incomprehensible muffles. His extremities were numb and tingling and his head felt like it was in a vice. Gradually things became a little clearer and he could at least hear better, though his vision was little more than a blur and his head was still aching. He had never felt anything like this before, that spell must have taken more out of him than he first thought. He could just make out three blobs near him, bending over him, one white, one orange and one yellow. Other blurs also hurried by, shouting and yelling to each other. He noticed too that there was a strong smell of some kind of incense in his nostrils, enough to make them burn a little bit from the stench and a deep voice chanting something in a different language. Zecora, he thought to himself, performing some kind of process to wake him up. It seemed that it was a good thing she came along in the end. Soon, he was able to make out the voices more clearly, like he was fine tuning a radio. "… you see that?" came the excited voice of Pinkie Pie. "I mean, it was just growing bigger and bigger until it went BOOM!" The part she yelled was accompanied by the sound of a kazoo. "Then they all just went wheeeee way up into the sky! It was just like fireworks! Except not like fireworks cause they weren't rockets, but sort of like fireworks because-" "Yes, Pinkie we all saw it," said Twilight exasperatedly. "We can talk about it later, now get back to watching the Paraserpents. We don't know when they might start moving again." "Okey-dokey-lokey!" "W-w-w-what do you mean c-c-c-come back?" asked a nervous Fluttershy. "I thought he'd beaten them all…" "He did, but look, they're still breathing," Twilight pointed out. "This is only a temporary victory, so I want us all on alert in case they wake up." "Oh… right…" The Pegasus certainly didn't seem happy at the prospect of that. "What in the hay was that anyway?" asked Rainbow Dash. "I've never seen his magic do anything so… well, awesome before." "While I wouldn't exactly call that 'awesome,'" Rarity remarked, "I do agree with Rainbow there. It seems that his magic can be used for more than just light shows." "And how," added Applejack. "So, question is what exactly caused him ta do that an' how come it ain't never happened before all this? Reckon he knew?" "I don't think so, at least he never mentioned anything to me," Twilight said, more to herself than anypony else. "But we don't exactly know the full extent of his powers and I don't think he does either. He could only just be discovering them now." "Like a born calf still learning how to walk," mused Strongheart. "Acts of magic truly are a strange business and I am sometimes thankful my people have no such abilities." "Well, you might have a point there," agreed Twilight. "Even we unicorns don't fully understand our magical abilities sometimes. But there's no doubt of the good it can do or the acts it can accomplish." "Indeed. Or the bad it can do," she said quietly. "Only in some cases-" "Hey, ah think he's movin'!" came the excited voice of Apple Bloom. "No he's not, your just seeing things," dismissed Scootaloo. "No, he is look!" pointed Sweetie Belle. "Look, his eyes are opening." "What?" Scootaloo was silent for a moment. "Hey, yeah you're right! Heh, my bad." "Don't worry 'bout it," assured Apple Bloom. "Hey Zecora, ya can stop now! Ah think yer potion worked!" "Let me see." He could hear the sound of approaching hooves and saw a grey blur pass into his field of vision. "Back from the land of dreams, Dusk Noir awakes it seems." To speak felt like a great effort, but he tried regardless. "That's debatable really…" "Then it would be great to end that debate," countered Zecora calmly. "Can you stand?" "I'm… I'm not sure…" he responded weakly. He tried to push himself up, but he was suddenly aware of how heavy his body felt and how weak his legs had suddenly become. Every bit of him ached and burned like it was on fire, which was only made worse when he tried to put pressure on his legs. He would have fallen back to the floor, had Zecora not been there to offer support. "I feel… awful," he said simply. "How long this will last, I do not know. For now, just take it slow," she advised wisely. "Duly noted." He did his best to focus on her. "Thank you…" "It is no trouble at all to help you up from your fall." If only she knew how much significance those words actually held, Dusk thought to himself. "Hey everypony! Dusk's awake!" called Apple Bloom. "And I thought I was lazy," remarked a deep voice that sounded rather like Spike from his tones. Before he could ask however, he was interrupted. "Dusk! Oh thank goodness you're okay!" His vision was suddenly filled with purple and her sweet smell filling his nostrils, throwing her legs around him. He did his best to weakly return it, but the force of her colliding with him caused him to wobble slightly. "Um… Twilight?" "Huh? Oh right, sorry." Though his vision was blurred, he could still make out the blush in her cheeks. "I'm just… relieved that you're not hurt." "Yeah, Twah'light was more'n a lil' concerned about ya ta say the least," put in Applejack slyly. "You feelin' okay?" "Not really," he admitted. "My legs ache… my head… hurts and I can barely see a thing." "Oh you poor dear." He soon felt the gentle hoof of Fluttershy stroking his mane. "Don't worry, you're gonna be just fine." Just that made Dusk feel a little better, though he swore he could hear a low growl from Twilight. "Thank you, little sister, but I don't know…" "Eh, you're tougher than you give yourself credit for Dusk," bolstered Rainbow, punching his legs lightly and making him stagger. "Oops, sorry. But, I'm sure you'll be fine." "Thanks for the vote of confidence, but I certainly don't feel fine…" he said bleakly. "If I might, Rainbow is quite right," said Zecora. "From examination I have learned that these effects are not long term. With my potion and a little time, you should soon return to your prime." "Until then, let us hope the ground truly does stay strong beneath your hooves," chuckled Strongheart. "Indeed." Dusk did his best to face her. "Good to see you again Strongheart… in a sense at least." "Likewise, my friend," she returned. They raised their necks to each other and butted heads in traditional greeting. "I've missed you." "And I you. A little bit out of your way from Appleloosa though." "That's an understatement. I heard your friends might be able to stop the chaos and came to try and find you. Seeing you again was a nice bonus." "Never heard that said about me, thank you." He did his best to smile in her direction and returned to the matter at hoof. "Right… what's the plan?" "Well, those serpentine ruffians were blocking the way to the library, but I believe that problem has been rectified, thanks to your erstwhile good self," Rarity nodded. Dusk felt his face burn, but they weren't quite finished yet. "Yes, that magic was incredible!" added Twilight. "I've never seen you pull off anything like that before." "Your psychic powers were at full peak and you must have done some kinda mind blast!" Nopony responded to Pinkie's comment. "I think it's safe to say that was your sonic rainboom: powerful, spectacular and awesome." Rainbow gave him an approving nod. "How'd you manage to do it?" "I'm… I'm not really sure myself," he said, embarrassed from the praise. "I just… did it, I guess…" Twilight had her thoughtful expression, looked down to his neck and her eyes widened. "I think that might be something to do with it." Dusk looked and he mirrored Twilight's expression when he saw that the last stone around his neck, the one that matched his fur colour, was now glowing along with the others. This last one shone the brightest out of all of them and he almost had to look away for fear that it would make his reduced eyesight even worse. "That solves it then," decided Twilight. "Those stones are definitely conduits of some strong magical energy and have obviously allowed you to tap into the power so that you can perform superior magical feats." Dusk couldn't help but smile. "You know… I always kind of liked it when you talk technical." Now it was Twilight's turn to blush. "Oh um… thank you." She cleared her throat and returned to the subject matter. "Anyway, that might be the case but I still don't know what exactly they are." "Neither do I." He looked down at them again. "Furthermore, why are they in pieces like this anyway?" "That's another good point." She rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "It could be that this is their natural state, but then why be scattered?" "Possibly it isn't and they're part of something when brought together." "That's an idea, but they don't seem to be reacting in anyway apart from glowing obviously." "Maybe something else needs to happen before they do come together, if they are pieces of something." "You mean like some kind of catalyst?" "Exactly, but then what would they be pieces of? What kind of object could it be?" "I don't know for sure, but perhaps-" "Uh, not meanin' ta seem rude here, but can we save the discussin' till after Equestria's not doomed to eternal chaos?" Applejack asked. The both of them blushed now, Dusk especially so from the knowing look that he received from Rarity. He and Twilight had just become caught up in one of their hypothetical discussions, like the kind they used to have before all of this. The kind they could still have once Discord was frozen in stone again. And if she could ever forgive him… "Um, yes, good idea," mumbled Twilight. "Anyway, like she said we should get back to the library while the going is good." "Then we can get the Elements of Harmony back," added Rarity. "This time we'll be able to use them properly and…" "… turn Discord into stone so hard that his grandfilles will be statues!" finished Rainbow. "Come on, let's go!" "Right." Dusk tried to walk, but his legs still felt painfully numb and he stopped with a yell. "Oh dear!" Fluttershy hovered next to his legs. "You can't walk, you poor thing. Don't you worry, we'll get some help for you big brother." "I can carry him! I'm strong enough." A large purple blur appeared next to him. "Hey bro, check this out! Pretty good, huh?" "I thought… that was you Spike…" He nodded approvingly. "Very impressive…" "I know right? I feel so strong now, it's unbelievable! Those Paraserpent jerks didn't stand a chance against me!" "Um, Spike?" "I mean, they'd come at me and be all 'sssssssss' and I'd be all 'oh no you didn't!' Then I'd show 'em who's boss and pow!" "Little brother?" "I know this is only temporary, but I hope this lasts for a little longer. Maybe I should try this on Discord himself, that draconequus won't know what hit him until I say that it was-" "Spike!" Dusk didn't have a loud shouting voice, but he still got the baby dragon's attention this time. "Not meaning to rain on your parade, but you might want to reconsider your current position." "What? What do you…? Oh, man!" Spike looked down and let out a loud groan when he saw that he had returned to his normal, chubby state. The effects of whatever had turned him into a muscular warrior had begun to wear off while he was talking, gradually returning him to regular size while he basked in his own glory without him noticing. While he was glad to have the baby dragon he called his brother back, Dusk felt disappointed for him too. He had been more capable of great feats in that state previously than he had ever been as a normal baby dragon, had his chance at last to be the hero. While Dusk never had aspirations to be any kind of hero, he could at least understand his mood now that he was back, especially since they hadn't even beaten Discord. "No, no not now!" Spike glanced around in a panic. "I can't be like this now!" He looked to Zecora. "I don't suppose you got any more of that stuff?" The zebra shook her head. "No and it must be said you're quite close to having an overdose." "What?! But you can't… I mean why can't… I just want to…" He trailed off, sighed and sunk dejectedly. "But now how am I going to be a hero?" Dusk felt an overwhelming pity for his fellow assistant and was about to offer some comfort, but Rarity beat him to it. She stepped close to Spike and wrapped a leg around him. "Spike, you don't need some silly potion to be a hero. You're quite gallant just as you are." "But before I was strong and big and it was so cool!" He moaned again. "I need to have strength like that if I'm gonna help beat these things." "Spike," she began gently, "when you and I were collecting gems and those foul diamond dogs attacked us, who was it that did his best to bravely fight them off? Who was it that put his all into an attempted rescue? Who was it that was the first to gallantly ride in?" Spike stared up at her and when he spoke, his voice was breaking and disbelieving. "…Me…" "Exactly and you certainly didn't need some potion in order to do it. Like I said, you are quite brave and strong just the way you are." Spike was silent for a few moments considering this, then he nodded. "Yeah, I guess you're right. Thanks Rarity…" "My pleasure, little Spikey Wikey. Besides, I quite prefer the way you are." "Yeah!" He puffed out his chest. "Yeah, those Paraserpents better think before they try and deal with Spike the Fierce!" "Spike, get a grip," Twilight said bluntly. "Right, sorry," he replied sheepishly. "So um… what about Dusk? He still needs help getting to the library." Before anypony could suggest anything else, Dusk felt himself being lifted up off the ground into the air, hovering just a few feet above and looked to see his body being supported by the forelegs by Rainbow and Fluttershy. "You're fine carrying me?" he asked. "We were last time, weren't we?" responded Rainbow. "Right, let's go everypony!" "Don't worry, we won't lift you too high," added Fluttershy, taking into account his fear of heights. Smiling gratefully at her in response, Dusk allowed himself to be carried to the library with everypony else galloping below, hoping that the Paraserpents wouldn't be waking up anytime soon. He had no desires to be fighting them again. Fighting… partly because he thought himself something of a coward and because he didn't like to participate in violence anyway, it seemed like so long ago that he would have never even imagined himself in any kind of fight. He also had preferred to stay safely on the side-lines, not put himself into any kind of risks that might make him look foolish or stupid if he failed. He'd just stay out of the way and unnoticed. Now though… He had done all of these things and more since he had discovered friendship. Like they had been listed off to him many times before, they were things he would never have imagined doing normally but now had just become one of the things he'd do. Sometimes, he wondered if stepping outside of his comfort zone and embracing things he'd steered clear of was one of the bad things that came with having friends, that it might be better if he'd just stayed as he was and not taken these risks. Sometimes he thought that, but in the end he always came to the same conclusion. He wouldn't have changed it for the world and he certainly didn't have any regrets. Though his vision was blurred and unclear, even he could make out the shape of the library when he saw it and let the relief and security he always had in that place flood through him. They went through one of the holes that had been made as a result of Twilight using Rarity's diamond. Once they were inside and Dusk was back on solid ground, it was suggested that they take a little time to rest and get their strength back. Nopony argued with this idea. A few minutes later, Dusk felt a little better than before. He had at least regained enough energy to walk again and had taken to resting near to a desk by the window. His eyesight however was still unfocused and everything looked to be a blur. He supposed that, for now at least, he would have to put up with it, for there were more pressing issues. Everypony seemed to get the impression that he wanted to be alone with his thoughts, which was certainly true. Right now, he was thinking about the princess who had had saved him from his darker self and again from the Paraserpents and flew off in an act of self-sacrifice, not just for him but for all she held dear and cared for. "Luna," he murmured, picturing her warm smile and compassionate eyes. "I hope you're okay…" Though he perfectly knew what she was capable of as Princess of the Night, he also knew enough about Discord to know that, even with their forces combined, the two of them didn't stand a chance against the spirit of chaos. While he did believe in the impossible, there were limits to this and this was certainly pushing it. The Elements of Harmony were the only things powerful enough to defeat Discord. How could they even hope to stand a chance against him without them? He wished she was here, he still had so many questions and she was just as much his friend as any of the girls. What would Discord do to her if and when he beat them? Was there anything that they could have done? "Rough time, huh?" He looked to see that Spike had joined him at the desk. "How are you feeling?" "Better, but I still can't see very well," Dusk reported. "It's all just a blur really." "Oh yeah? How many claws am I holding up?" he asked. "Spike, please, I really can't see a thing…" "Come on, don't quit out on me bro." "Spike, I-" "Come on! I know you can see okay, just try!" Dusk sighed at his insistence, but still felt a smile tugging at his lips. "Alright… four?" "Got it!" Dusk saw him distinctly put down one claw as he waved them in his face. "See, it's not so bad." "I suppose so." He chuckled appreciatively with his fellow assistant. "Thanks for that Spike." "Hey, what are friends for? Somepony's gotta keep your spirits up when Pinkie's not around. Even if that somepony is a somedragon," he rectified. "True enough," Dusk agreed. "How are you about the loss of strength?" "Eh, I'm okay about it. I guess I'll just do my best to be gallant without it, which I apparently do just fine." He sighed and looked off at most likely Rarity for a few moments. "So, what did you end up finding in the Everfree Forest anyway?" "You wouldn't believe me if I told you," replied Dusk. "I didn't believe I could eat a whole tub of ice cream without getting brain freeze, still tried it though." He felt Spike nudge his leg. "Come on, try me." Dusk was going to deflect the question again, for he certainly knew that Spike would never believe him if he actually told him the truth, but he remembered that he had worried him by going into the Forest by himself. He deserved at least some kind of truth in that respect, perhaps not the whole recounting of events, but something at least. "Let's just say that I found the solution for the end at the beginning, by means of this," he said cryptically, pointing to the stones around his neck. "O…kay. Geez, going all mystic on me then," he muttered. "So, you really think those little rocks are gonna help beat Discord?" "Size is not a guarantee of power, you ought to know that better than most," Dusk pointed out. "Even the most insignificant of aspects can be important when all brought together, for that's what's gives them their power." "That makes sense I suppose." His head seemed to glance around Dusk and when he spoke again, there was a knowing tone in his voice. "You know, she hasn't stopped looking at you since we got back." Dusk glanced and saw a lilac blob turn her head away when he looked around and he felt the blush return to his cheeks. "She… hasn't?" "Nope." From that tone in his voice, it was like he knew something Dusk didn't. He felt the dragon nudge him again. "Go on, go talk to her." "You… really think I should?" "Yeah, go on. What have you got to lose?" He pushed him all the harder. "Go on, go! Mush Dusk!" "Okay, okay… I'll go." Dusk took in a deep breath to calm his nerves and did his best to navigate his way towards Twilight, who stood on her own by one of the bookshelves. He heard Spike whisper him luck before he was out of earshot and reached her much quickly than he had intended. Though he could no longer make out the details of her beautiful features, he could still hear her sweet voice and be close to her. It wasn't all he wanted, but it was enough. She was looking at him and he at her (To the best of his current ability), but the two of them just didn't know what to say first. Dusk felt like saying something clever, something witty or inspiring but his mind was a complete blank. When he thought of something to say, he opened his mouth but closed it again when he thought that it sounded too common or mediocre. Twilight seemed the same, unsure what exactly to say to him first. Finally, Dusk said something. "Hey Twi." He slapped himself mentally for such a stupid thing to do. "Hey Dusk." If she had any thoughts on what he said, she kept it to herself. "How are you feeling?" "Not brilliant, but I'm recovering." "That's good," she said, sounding genuinely relieved. "I still can't see very well though," he admitted. "It's a shame, because now I can't see your beautiful…" He stopped speaking when he suddenly realised what he almost said. "My beautiful… what?" "Your um… your beautiful um… victory!" he supplied quickly. "Yes, your victory over Discord, you know when you uh… beat him." "Oh… right." She made no attempt to cover up her disappointment and Dusk once again chastised himself for letting his heart almost run away with his mouth. "You really think we can beat him then?" "Of course you will," he said brightly. "You're all back together now, you have the Elements back and we fought back the Paraserpents. He doesn't stand a chance." "Still a firm believer in the impossible," she remarked. "This time though, I think you're right. We can stop now that he's no longer blinded us to friendship's power." "You took the words right out of my mouth. I'll be glad I'll be around to watch this time, even though I sort of was last time too." He was sure she frowned. "You've done it again." "Done what?" "You keep saying things like that, how you were there from the start or you saw it at the beginning. What do you actually mean?" she asked. "I um…" He thought his best on how exactly to say it, but he couldn't. "I'm sorry, I can't really tell you." "Why not?" she insisted. "Don't you trust me?" "It's not a question of trust; it's a question of faith." As he expected, she couldn't find a response to that, other than, "Oh… right." An uncomfortable silence fell between them again. "Dusk?" "Yes, Miss Sparkle?" "When you were doing your spell to fight the Paraserpents…" She paused for a few seconds. "You were sort of in a… catatonic trance." "I suppose I was. I needed all my concentration to perform my magic." He was starting to suspect where this was going. "It's just that… well… when I tried talking to you… you responded…" she finished quietly. "Well… that was because I could hear you." He tried to make it sound as heartfelt as he could manage. "Above all the noise, the chaos and destruction, I could still hear the song of the darkling thrush." "Darkling thrush?" "From a poem I read once," he said in a quiet voice. "About how even at the end, at the darkest and most desolate of times, the beautiful sound and song of nature can still be heard and always carries on." Twilight was silent again, though Dusk could swear he could see her eyes shining. "Dusk… that's the most wonderful thing I've ever heard." "Well… I try…" His voice was barely above a mutter now, his cheeks burning red. There was a good few moments of silence before Twilight spoke again, this time sounding a little disappointed. "And?" "And what?" Dusk asked, confused. "Is that it? You don't remember anything else?" "Not a whole lot no, apart from the odd scream or screech, but that's hardly pleasant." He cocked his head at her. "Why?" "You really don't remember anything else? Nothing at all?" It sounded like she was on the verge of tears. "Not even when I… I…" "When you what?" Dusk felt awful now for not obviously knowing something so important. "Twilight what is it? What did you do?" "It's just… when I… I… I ki-" "All right!" They both jumped as Rainbow Dash cut them off. "I am psyched, rested and ready to kick some chaos flank!" "Whooee! Same here!" added Applejack. "Ah'd say that Discord has sat on his rump long enough." "Indeed, it's time to dethrone that vile deceiver once and for all!" declared Rarity. "Where are the Elements?" Dusk looked to Twilight and he managed to make out her nod, which he returned disappointedly, but with understanding. They would have time to talk about this later, but right now they needed to focus on something far more important and that lay in the book on the shelf just above their heads. "I'll get them, hold on." Dusk stood back as she levitated it down and opened it to reveal the precious contents. "Wow," came the simultaneous reaction from all three Crusaders with an added, "Cool," from Scootaloo. "The Elements…" He could hear Strongheart's awed whisper. "I've never seen them before. They're so… beautiful." "In this whole wide world we know, nothing can truly compare to friendship's glow." Nopony made any attempt to dismiss Zecora's statement. Twilight was about to levitate them out, but stopped and turned her head to Dusk. "Why don't you do the honours Dusk?" Even though he considered himself their friend, Dusk was still shocked by her offer. "M… me?" "I can't think of anypony else better." Dusk still had a hard time believing it. Him. Out of all the ponies in the entire world, even among her friends, she was choosing him. He looked around and they were all looking right back at him, saying and doing nothing to countermand this suggestion. Just a silent, loving acceptance from all of them. Dusk allowed himself a rare moment of pride to flow through him before bowing his head in compliance and lifting them out. "It's my honour… thank you." The first he took out was an orange zircon in the shape of an apple. "Honesty." "Thank ya kindly," Applejack said when he placed it around her neck. The next was a balloon shaped sapphire. "Laughter." "Oh boy, oh boy!" Pinkie tingled when he slipped it on. "You read my mind." He smiled at her, levitating a butterfly spinel. "Kindness." "Oh my, thank you so much big brother," whispered Fluttershy, like she didn't deserve the privilege. "My pleasure, little sister." Amethyst in diamond form was next. "Generosity, milady." "Much appreciated, good sir," Rarity said in approval of his manners. "Loyalty," he said to the lightning shaped ruby. "Best Element for the best flyer," boasted Rainbow. The final one, he did himself with much care and delicacy. "And last, but by no means least… Magic." "Dusk…" She placed her hoof on his as it lingered on her diadem. "Thank you." "My pleasure." He gently squeezed her's in return, trying to convey all he felt in that single action. "Right then ladies, I don't normally say things like this but…" He raised his head, looked around at them all and let a hard look set into his features, his voice becoming a low growl. "Let's go and take down Discord!"