Royal Rebirth: The Life and Times of Prince Dusk Star

by Grey Ghost


The First Day

As I begin to awaken from my sleep, I feel a warmth blanketed over me. The sensation is so comforting that I don’t want it to stop. Opening my eyes, I see something feathery draped over me acting like a shield from the world beyond. I yawn, stretching my new tiny limbs, that being about the only thing I could manage, it seems. The mass I lay against started moving and the bright light from the lamps blinds me as the feathers lift away from me. After a moment my eyes adjust again and I see my mother smiling at me. I then notice what the feathers had been, my mom had wings! So not only was she a pony but had wings like those on... oh what was it called again? Oh, right, a pegasus. My thoughts are interrupted when my new mother speaks.

“Hello Duskie, did my foal sleep well, yes he did,” she singsongs. I blush a little at the baby talk and for the first time I notice the horn sticking out of her head. So my mom was a unicorn... and a winged horse? That’s pretty cool, actually.

Wait, Dusk? That’s not my name, although it only made sense. I’m not the person I was before so of course I’d get a new name. As more of my new reality sets in, my mother speaks once more in that caring tone.

“I bet you're hungry, huh?” she asks. Before I even have a chance to try and respond, her horn glows a bright purple. I let out a gasp as I’m lifted up again. It feels weird but not as scary as it was the first time. I blink as she levitates me toward two swollen lumps between her hind legs... oh... OH.


“Go on Dusk, drink up,” she encourages, nudging me against one of her teats. I so want to protest, freak out over being nursed like the infant I currently am but instincts take hold and I soon find myself suckling away. I have to admit, the milk isn’t too bad. I find it hard to focus on anything other than my meal as I barely hear my dad walk into the room.

“Alright Twilight, the doctor said it’s okay for us to go home. Are you ready?” he asks.

“Just as soon as Dusk is done with his meal,” Mom says, stroking my back and coaxing me to feed. I don't object and start to suckle a bit faster. After five minutes I let go of her teat and smack my lips happily. I feel a lot better with a full stomach but a moment later I let out a whine as pressure builds up in my belly.

Mom gently takes hold of me, putting me over her shoulder. Feeling her hoof softly patting my back, I wonder what she is doing, until I let out a burp. Relief washes over me as I sigh, the pressure subsiding afterwards.

“That’s a good boy,” Mom coos, nuzzling me gently. I’m soon set into the pony version of a baby carrier on Dad’s side, my legs dangling as i’m set in place. As he and Mom exit the room, I get a better look at my new mother.

I take in the sight of her eyes, again noting how large they were in scale to the rest of her head. It gave a rather cute charm to her really, although I guess every creature in this world has those.

Her coat is a light lavender, along with two varying shades of purple in her mane. I take a second to look at the wings and horn I had noticed earlier, tilting my head a little. Is she something special, different from the other ponies? I could see others - some had horns, others had wings, and some had neither. None, however, had both like my mom. I recall her being called a princess, maybe that had something to do with it?

From the vantage point I have in my carrier, I can see my dad has an orange coat that reminds me of an orange... oddly enough i’m now craving citrus fruit juice. I see he too has wings, however that seems to be his only feature he had other then his blue mane.

One common trait I notice is that the ponies all have strange markings on their hindquarters. Mom has a weird star pattern, a teal unicorn has a harp, another pony has a heart with a band aid on it, each mark seems different and unique from the last. What could they possibly mean? Do they do branding here? No, that’d be odd, family crests perhaps?

As my parents stop at what I assume is a reception desk, I see my new form for the first time in the mirror across the hall. My eyes are pure aquamarine, with tiny white dots as pupils. My coat is a dark purple, and by peering up I can see a tiny bit of hair, my mane. It’s blue with purple streaks running through it, at least that’s what it looks like. I weakly reach up and touch the stubby little horn sitting atop my head, filled with curiosity about my new form. So many new things to discover, needless to say i’m hyped.

Mom speaks again, snapping me out of my self examination.“Okay Duskie, let's get you home,” she said, nuzzling me and smiling all the while. I can’t help but smile back at her and try to return her nuzzle, a soft gurgle escaping from my mouth. I’m bobbed slightly in the carrier as Dad trots alongside mom, exiting the hospital into the sunny day beyond.

I gasp at the vibrant colours that fill every nook and cranny of this new world. Everything just seems so cheery, so uplifting, much better than the city I lived in. It sort of reminds me of small towns I’d visited with my relatives during vacations. After a few minutes, I find myself enjoying the swaying motion more. A bit later I feel my body starting to tire, my eyes drifting closed as the combination of swaying and warm sunlight are enough to send me off to slumberland.


I suddenly wake as I feel something touching my backside. I open my eyes with a start, seeing I was in a new location, and the hefty smell of baby powder enters my nose. I inhale some of it, coughing a little.

“Oh, sorry buddy,” Dad said, giving me an apologetic smile as he finishes changing my diaper. At least I wasn’t awake for that. As he gently picks me up with his wings, I can’t help but giggle at the tickling sensation of his feathers brushing against my sides. I blush as he pats the diaper a few times before nuzzling our noses together.

It only takes a few moments to put two and two together, and I realize i’m in a nursery. I mean, where else would I be? I am an infant again, after all. I blink a few times while a concerning thought sinks in – why aren’t I more panicked about all this? I’ve been ripped from my own world, turned into an infant, and now I’m living some other life, and yet I seem okay with it. Other thoughts start looming overhead... could I get back to my family, to my friends? Did I want to go back? What am I thinking, of course I want to go back. But the question still remains, could I even do that?

I decide to put those thoughts aside for the time being, knowing it take some time to really think it over. Moments later, I realize I had been staring into space for some time. I go cross-eyed, realizing my hoof is in my mouth. Taken aback by the action, I pop my hoof out and bleck at the drool sticking to it. Apparently, during my inner conflict, my dad had sat me down on the change table for just a few moments, looking for something in the drawers. I soon find out what he had been searching for as a sky blue pacifier is ever so gently popped into my mouth. I meep at first before suckling on it automatically. Another one of those infant instincts, most likely.

“There you go Dusk, your new binky,” Dad says as he tickles my belly. I start giggling, muffled by the pacifier. He keeps it up, causing me to flail my little limbs around blindly. Upon catching my breath, I notice a new creature had entered the room. It’s purple and green and standing on two legs. The scaly looking being stops when it notices me staring at him, and he lifts one of his claws to wave at me. My eyes go wide again as I take in the sight of the thing, trying to wave back.

“Hey little guy,” he greets, a big smile on his face.

Holy cow a talking lizard!’ I think as I stare in awe at the creature. I guess it shouldn't be that surprising next to talking horses, but I just wasn't expecting that.

“Oh Spike, I don’t think you’ve met Dusk yet, have you?” Dad asks as he takes me in his forehooves and lowers me closer to the lizard.

He seems friendly enough, beaming ear to ear. “Nope, this is the first time I’ve seen him. He’s really cute! He even has your mane, Flash.”

Flash, so that’s the name of my father. Ponies sure have some weird names. Well, at least I know my new parents’ names now.

Dad speaks up again, holding me by my armpits, or whatever you call the pony equivalent. “Heh, I noticed. So where’s Twilight? The doctor said she had to take it easy... She’d better not be in her lab.”

“Oh, she’s just in the bathroom,” Spike replies. He stares at me with those weird, slitted eyes, a childlike wonder sparkling within. “I guess this makes me a big brother now, huh?” he asks a moment later.

“Well, Twilight did hatch you, so I guess that would basically make you her son... so, yes you're a big brother now.”

Ponies hatch eggs!? What next, i’m going to learn the sun and moon orbit the planet instead of the other way around?

I continue to suckle on the pacifier, and I’m soon set into Spike’s arms. A steady warmth radiates from his belly, drawing me to snuggle up against him. I let out a sigh, glancing up at him.

“Daww, he's cuddly,” Spike says with a laugh, cradling me closer to him.

A bit of drool trickles down my muzzle as I continue to gaze up at him, giving him a little smile. A bright flash goes off and I whimper, seeing spots.

“Should have turned the flash off...” I hear Dad mumble. I can only guess he had taken a picture of us. I keep seeing stars for a bit until my eyes adjust again. He leans down to eye level with me. “Sorry Dusky, did daddy scare you? I’m sorry.” His big forehooves once again take me into his embrace. The proximity to my dad calms my nerves. I watch Spike leave the room as I’m cradled in dad’s hooves, shifting to get comfy.

“He’s just so cute,” he says while keeping up the soothing rocking motion. I smile up at him, squirming around a little. Noting my uneasiness, he spoke up. “Why don’t we give you a tour, hmm?” Sitting me down, he pulls out that baby carrier from before. Soon I’m suspended in the air again and bob as he enters into the hall. We pass by a few doors that all look the same, and soon I see my mother come out from the bathroom, her mane all tidy and proper. Dad gives her a light kiss as I stare at her, part of me feeling rather happy that I was near her.

“Did you miss me?” she coos softly, nuzzling my head. I gurgle in happiness.

“I was just giving Dusky a tour of the castle,” Dad says, nuzzling Mom as he spoke. Mom, with an ever present smile on her face, decides to join the tour.

Light shines from every corner of the house, the ceiling towering above in grandeur. The whole interior looks like crystal; there are gemstones of every colour imaginable embedded throughout the walls. If not for the fine use of curtains and carpets the place would feel cold and empty. I’m soon shown to a balcony where the sunlight shines down, sparkling on the house’s glass-like walls. I take advantage of the height to observe my new surroundings, peering down at the town below.

I see a rural landscape straight out of Beauty and the Beast, with thatched roofs spread out in every direction. I squint my eyes, just barely making out the sight of a farm on the horizon, with huge orchards of carefully lined trees. I’m brought out of my stupor as I watch a few other pegasi moving very fluffy objects about in the sky. My jaw dropped as the realization hit me like a hammer to the head. They are moving clouds around as if they were cotton.

Mom notices my gaze of wonderment and smiles at me. “You see Duskie, there’s a whole world that awaits you, I bet you’ll be something special.” She takes me from the carrier and I’m up against her warm chest once more. My little hooves grasp onto her, leaning my head against her fur as I keep watching the world below. I can’t stop watching, entranced by all the new wonders I could find and explore. Despite all the wonder around me, my eyelids begin to grow heavy again as I hear her heartbeat. I so wanted to stay awake, but I just couldn’t fight the soothing feelings inside me.


The world slowly starts to come back to me. I hear voices nearby and squirm weakly, blinking the sleep from my eyes. When my senses fully return, I see a familiar fuzzy pink face staring down at me. Rubbing my left eye, I look back up at the large sky blue irises. She grins ear to ear as she picks me up. Surprised by the action, I start to fidget and gurgle.

“Hey Duskie! It’s me, your Auntie Pinkie Pie,” she coos, patting my diaper, which was in need of a change. I flail more in her forehooves. “Aww, somepony needs a dipey changed!” Her voice sounds hyperactive at all times, which oddly made me smile at her silliness. She carries me over to the changing table, laying me on its clear blue surface. I look towards the door to see my father watching the whole process as I’m changed.

“Wow, you’re really good with foals, Pinkie,” Dad says with a smile, trotting over. “You’re a natural for this mom stuff, huh?”

Pinkie nods as she idly wipes my bottom, and I keep still for her despite the cold wipes. “Oh didn’t Twilight tell you? I babysit the Cake twins all the time, I mean, I live under the same roof, after all.” She soon tapes up the cute teddy bear print diaper on me nice and snug, then scoops me up into her forehooves.

Huh is it me or does she smell like candy? Odd.

Pinkie carries me along, following my dad down the hall. Soon we entered another reading room of sorts. Oak shelves had been set up, giving it a more homey feel compared to the blinding contrast of crystal everywhere. I see the other ponies from before all turning to daww at me as we come in. I’m soon sat next to my mom, who pulls me close to her warm body with her wing.

“Twilight, I can't say enough on how adorable your little colt is,” the pristine white mare said from across the table. I take note of her curly mane and tail, finding it rather cute.

My mother smiles. “Well, thanks Rarity, I’m sure you can make him all sorts of things to wear.”

Rarity’s eyes seem to sparkle at the suggestion. “Oh that’s a wonderful idea Twilight, I know I can make just the cutest little onesie for him, yes I can,” she coos at me.

I chuckle a little at the babying, if only they knew that I had the mind of a sixteen year old, boy would they be surprised. Then the thought crossed my mind, should I tell them? Once I’m able to speak, at least. Would it matter, really? I get lost for a moment in my own mind until I feel a slight nudge against my side.

I blink a few times before noticing the butter yellow muzzle near me, a set of aqua-colored eyes looking at me with curiosity of a child.

“Hello little one,” she says softly, her voice gentle and soothing, “My name is Fluttershy, I’m your auntie!” She nuzzles my cheek in the most delicate way. I can’t help but smile at the gesture, feeling happy when I’m given attention. “Oh you're just so cute!” she says, grabbing me up and pulling me into a soft, warm hug.

Mom looks over at Fluttershy. “Just be careful Fluttershy, remember he’s a newborn.”

Fluttershy nods, being very careful with me like a fragile package, which is pretty close to what I am as a newborn. “I know, Twilight,” she giggles lightly. “Don’t worry.”

My dad puts his hoof over my mom’s shoulder, letting out a mocking chuckle. “She’s just being overprotective, gets it from her own mom.”

Mom looks at him sharply for a second. “Hey I’m not overprotective!” She blushed lightly.

I giggle as well as I close my eyes to relax in Fluttershy’s hold. I sniff her coat a bit, only to find the flowery scent wonderful.

“Can I foalsit sometime? It’ll give me some practice,” she asks, gazing at her own stomach lovingly. I try to look down past her hooves, and I notice a slight bulge. I’m no doctor, but I’m pretty sure she’s pregnant, as if her words weren’t a big enough hint.

“Oh of course you can, Fluttershy,” Mom nods, sipping some tea. “I’m sure you’ll be a great mother too.” Fluttershy smiles, nuzzling my head and muttering baby talk to me. After about two hours of cooing, and other babying-like discussion the other mares head home leaving me with just my new family once again.

“Twilight, I think it’s time for Dusk’s nap time, don’t you think?” Dad asks while holding me in his forehooves. I did feel tired, a nap would be wonderful, maybe I’d dream. My mother agrees with my father, taking me in her magic and carrying me back to my room. I wiggle about, the tiny stubs of wings on my back randomly buzzing from time to time.

Instead of being set in the crib right away, my mother gets me changed then lays on the mat nearby and cuddles me under her wing once more, with my head poking out. I smile as the warmth flows over my whole body and I give her another toothless grin. She floats a book over and, for the first time, I notice something. I can’t read. Not that I forgot how to read or write English, mind you, I mean they were clearly speaking English. But the characters I am looking at are clearly not the alphabet I know.

She opens the book, clearing her throat. “How about we read a story before nap time hmm?” she asks, looking down at me with a smile. I gurgle a little, snuggling up closer. She nuzzles my head, then turns back to the book. She starts to read, trying to do her best to give each of the characters different voices. She is clearly under the impression that I don't understand a word she’s saying, but rather going with the tone of her voice. I start feeling sleep overtake me as I listen to the tale about a rabbit and a squirrel. By the time she was halfway through the book, I had nodded off, feeling a calming bliss overtake me. I feel safe, cared for, nothing could go wrong. What is to come of my new life here? Well, I guess I’ll just have to live it to find out.