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// AN UNEXPECTED GUEST 
// Story: Rise Against Equestria 
// by Emerald Burst 
//------------------------------//

AN UNEXPECTED GUEST
The candle light flickered as two Pegasus ponies sat there talking, a mare and a stallion. The stallion was VERY large with a white coat and a long blonde mane and tail. He had a black gilded collar with an emerald set in the center and a chain going up to an earring on his left ear. He seemed to have quite oversized wings and a cutie mark that was a solid black circle with an eight pointed (green) star surrounding. 
“I love you…” it was the mare who spoke. Slowly, she leaned against the other Pegasus, a warm smile on her face. “I love you too.” Their lips came ever so close… and closer… *KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK* The massive stallion took a second to take a deep breath… he faced towards the door. “WHAT!?!?!?” 
… The knocking resumes, lighter this time. The stallion sighed and went to the door, instantly shouting as he opens it. “WHO THE FU-” His voice trailed off as he looked down at the nervous figure before him… 
It was a unicorn stallion, muddy with an old blood stained cloak and an old bandage over his right eye. “I was hoping to take shelter here for the night…” The weary stranger said before coughing over his shoulder. His pelt clung to his skin and showed his ribs to indicate his hunger, and the bags under his left eye, which was a deep blue, told that sleep was just as needed. “But perhaps I should look elsewhere.” 
Guilt swept over the pegasus; nopony could just turn him away in such a sorry state! “W-Wait!” Before the unicorn could turn away he was pulled inside. He was set on the couch and his new hosts gave him a towel.
“My name is Emerald Burst,” The larger stallion said with a smile. He then nodded to the mare that had a smaller, shakier smile. “And this is Fluttershy.”  Fluttershy tried to say something to the new guest, but whatever it was, she was too quiet for him to catch it.
“Dusk is my name. I am in your debt for your kindness… If there is anything you need I’ll gladly assist you to the best of my abilities.” The unicorn, Dusk, bowed his head to them while uttering his thanks.
“It’s not a problem; we were just about to… Uh… Have some dinner. Yeah… Dinner… Would you like some after you bathe?” Emerald asked, almost sweating bullets. Dusk nodded gratefully, pretending not to notice the stallion’s discomfort. "And where can I find the bath?" - "Upstairs on your first right." He thanked them, stood up, and turned towards the stairs. 
His cloak moved up a bit and something glinted from underneath, it was a very large sword that was well hidden. Emerald noticed instantly and took it, nearly ripping off the strap that kept it on the unicorn, and threw it at the wall. It hilted THROUGH the wall and stopped with the handle still inside, most of the blade outside. 
The owner of the sword stared at the pegasus in bewilderment. "That is an amazing display of strength..." He said quietly. His gaze then rested on the sword, sorrow filling his eye... "No weapons." Emerald Burst replied simply. He tugged on the handle, not even a slight budge; he nodded in satisfaction and left to the kitchen with Fluttershy right behind him.

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Once their guest had bathed, with new bandages over his right eye as well, he started downstairs. His long black mane draped down to his shoulder and his grey coat was much more pleasant. He found his hosts in the dining room, already beginning to eat. "Where is my cloak?" He has failed to find it after he got out of the bath and started to worry. "We sent it to our friend Rarity to fix up and clean while you're here." Answered Emerald. He noticed Dusk's cutiemark, which was hidden with the help of his cloak. A dark gem with a crescent moon and a stair encased in it. 
Dusk didn't take notice, he merely nodded uneasily. The grey unicorn didn't exactly enjoy the fact that they took his cloak with permission, but nothing was said about it and he sat down. A delicious meal was set out before him... Cabbage soup, daffodil sandwiches, and hay fries made the starved stallion's mouth water...
"It looks amazing..." His eye shone brightly and his stomach roared at him to devour it all, but manners always come first. He thanked them once more and began eating respectfully. "Tastes amazing as well!" He added with a smile. "I-I'm glad you like it. So... Uh. What brought you all the way out here? If you don't mind me asking..." Fluttershy asked politely, speaking with just enough volume for the unicorn to hear.
Dusk, after downing a few hay fries, started to speak in a low and nervous tone. He expected the question but wasn't ready to answer just yet. "Isolation... He admitted, "I visited Manehattan for a while and wanted to find some place a little more... Peaceful." Fluttershy stared at him for a little while. It was more likely that he walked from the other side of Equestria to their doorstep by his first appearance! "Well thank Celestia you got here safely."
*Twitch.* "Yeah..." The guest fell silent and continued to eat... Emerald took notice to the twitch and his sudden silence. It happened right after his beloved said "Celestia". Probably just a coincidence...
Dishes were placed in the sink, and a blanket and pillow was set on the couch, and the generous hosts retired to their room after wishing the respectful unicorn peaceful sleep. Dusk, in return, bid them the same before settling in on the couch. Before slumber could take him away. He looked at his sword, sorrow returning in his gaze as the moonlight shone on the handle. "Rest in peace, old friend..."