//------------------------------// // Chapter 8 // Story: The Dusk of the Dawn // by Dusk775 //------------------------------// I stared down at the large sandwich that sat in front of me. It looked delicious, and I took a large bite of it, my mouth being overcome with great pleasure as I chewed. This was delicious! Now, let's discuss how we will get the information out of this Twilight mare, Dusk stated. I kept eating. Me staring off into the clouds would cause suspicion. So, what did you have in mind, I asked back. Um, you might not like it, Dusk warned. There's no use in keeping it from me, spit it out. A few moments of silence passed before Dusk spilled the beans. Well, you could get close to her, Dusk finally said. I blushed deeply at the thought. W-what, like becoming her coltfriend?! Something like that, she replied. I thought about it longer, weighing the pros and cons. On one hoof, I would get the information that I needed from her, and at that point, I had an indirect connection with Princess Celestia. On the other hoof, I would be lying to her, and I would probably need to break her heart later on, lest staying with her and watching her age, and eventually die. Dusk silently watched as I weighed the chances, then thought of something that might work out better You know, she started, you really don't have to be in an intimate relationship to start, if at all. You could just befriend her! This seemed like a better option, since the contact between us wouldn't be as close, and a break-away would be much easier. But a part of my mind cried for the other option. I had never had any real marefriends, and part of me longed for someone to be close with. Somepony that I could see everyday and see her smile. Somepony close. Somepony I could love. Listen, Dawn. I know you're lonely, but remember our goal. You don't want to see her crumble into ashes before you. I can't have you in that hole again. My mind realized this, but instead of depression, brought hope. If I could finally rid myself of this curse, I could be with somepony special. I could spend my life with them, not worrying about what I would do after they were gone. So, I guess we have a basic thought of how we will go with this? Dusk asked. Yes, I responded, finishing the last bit of my sandwich, and went to the inn so I could get some sleep. I didn't want to fall asleep in the middle of the night-long party, did I? Although we weren't necessarily on time, Dusk wanting to arrive a bit later than the invitation said, so we wouldn't be the first ones to arrive. That would be awkward. Dusk walked alongside me, taking her physical form at the inn as the sun set. If anypony asked, her name was Eve, and she, as she's always been, was my sister. Although we arrived a half-hour after the invitation stated, we were surprised to find the party already in full swing. Looks like the ponies of this town were pretty good with arriving on time. The party inside the surprisingly-big tree was big enough to let us in without being noticed. Dusk split off, looking for the pink, energetic mare that she had hastily cast her spell on. I then set off to find the purple mare, the student, Twilight Sparkle. After looking around for a while, I was surprised not to find her around in the party. Could she have not attended? Not much of a chance, mainly because the party was for her, and if she had declined, the pink mare would've bombarded her with words until she did. Plus, this was where she was staying. Suddenly, a loud boom echoed through the room. Everypony looked to the door, which had been nearly knocked off of it's hinges. A pink pony, the same one that Dusk had cast her spell on, burst through the door, yelling "HEY EVERYPONY! HEAD TO TOWN HALL! THE SUN IS ABOUT TO RISE!" at the height of her lungs. Everypony followed the instruction, and the tree began to empty. I better follow them, I don't want to be the last one out and gather attention. Dusk met up with me as I went with the group to the town hall. As we got closer, we broke off from the group, being careful not to call attention to ourselves. As we receded from the group, we finally slid into an alleyway, hiding until the group had passed. Looking back, I noticed a pony with a light purple coat and dark purple mane. That was her. But now wasn't the time. We had to keep going towards the town hall. We sat in a bush, mere meters from the open window that gave us a clear view of the stage. Twilight was probably inside, along with all the other ponies. I wondered if she knew anything about the events possibly about to occur. I assumed. The stained-glass windows were on the way to the library, after all. My thoughts were interrupted as a cheer came from the window. Crap, I had let my mind wander, and the ceremony had already started! "And now, it is my great honor to introduce to you the ruler of our land, the very pony who-" I didn't pay attention to much of the praises that the pony gave of the Princess. After all, if anyone knew her best, it was me. "Princess Celestia!" I finally heard. I looked through the window, onto the upper stage, where the curtains revealed- An empty stage? The crowd gasped, and I joined them. Celestia wasn't one to miss a gathering, especially in her honor. The ponies started to panic, and the pony on the stage tried to keep them calm. "Remain calm, everypony. There must be a reasonable explanation-" She started, but a familiar voice cut her off. "Ooh! Ooh! I love guessing games! Is she hiding?" This was not the time. Dusk must have sensed something, because she grabbed me and ran. In the background, I saw a familiar figure. The one that had haunted my dreams since the night I was cursed. The figure of Princess Luna. I blacked out. The last thing I heard was her voice. "No, p-please, d-don't do this l-Luna!" I tried to say in a pleading voice. "It's no use, Dawn. Your fate was sealed the minute you came into my study," the voice said softly but darkly. "L-Luna, n-" I tried to say, but my plea was interrupted by an excruciating pain from every nerve in my body. The only thing I heard beyond that was my own screaming. "Dawn!" I heard, but my mind couldn't process it. It was on overload. "Dawn!" I heard again, the desperate voice increasing in volume, but it was still not enough. "DAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWNNNN!" This broke through my pain, burning throughout my brain. The table shook violently. The feeling of being against rough wood was replaced by cool grass, and the pain replaced with grogginess. I sat myself upright, and I then realized what had happened. "Dusk!" I exclaimed. "I'm right here, brother." I heard next to me, turning to my right to see Dusk's soft-smiling face. She was relieved. "W-what happened?" I asked her, panic an obvious tone in my voice. "You blacked out while I was getting you away from the town hall. We're now in the park." My mind calmed down. I then realized what had made me black out. "Luna." "I knew you would react someway like that. I was also afraid that Luna would detect our presence." "Then it's a good thing you got us out of there," I responded. "Yea...I just don't know where Luna's going to strike next," Dusk said with a frustrated look on her face. "Well, why don't you just ask the mare herself?" A familiar voice questioned. We both froze. She was behind us.