From Dusk to Night

by KuroiTsubasaTenshi


33 - Costs

Despite the lack of pursuit from the Cartel, the flight back to Ponyville was painful. There was so much I wanted to say and discuss that our little bath break hadn’t allowed for. But the sky was as public a place as any given road; talking there could be a fatal mistake. So I was left to my thoughts, even as I wanted to thank all of my friends, to cry out apologies; my blunder had caused them pain as surely as though I’d done it with my own hooves. I could only imagine what Mahogany had gone through to end up in that alley. The worst part was that there was no guarantee it wouldn’t happen again. Even with White Riot out of the picture, it was impossible to distinguish just how much of the Cartel’s zeal had been his doing. I doubted Summer Leaf had forgotten what I’d done.

I insisted on doing my fair share of flying—I wasn’t about to make my friends do all the work. When Night objected on the grounds that I’d been fighting, I pointed out that so had everyone else. We all needed to do our part, myself included. So on the next shift change, I hitched myself up beside Mint Creme.

A side benefit was that navigation took my mind off of my worries. Not that it was especially hard or confusing, but I hadn’t been to Filly in so long that I had to think to recall the routes. It also helped that Mint Creme and I were of the same mind when it came to direction.

While we were technically in wild weather territory, the skies were completely calm; the overly neat arrangement of clouds were a sure sign that a weather patrol had just been through. There was also a distinct lack of people—both in the air and on the ground—but that wasn’t too surprising. Normal travelers would have set out hours ago.

This meant we had to keep moving, as it would be easy for the Cartel to spot us. On the upside, this also meant it would be pretty obvious if someone was even giving us funny looks. Regardless, shift after shift passed without incident. The first few times, it put me even more on edge, but by the time we were halfway to Ponyville, I had to admit that we were probably safe. And so my thoughts returned.

By the time we touched down in the alley outside the Seapony, I was a big bottle of emotion. Now that we didn’t need to dedicate all of our energy to the escape, I became a whirlwind of hugs, apologies and thank yous. I still felt that it wasn’t safe to mention any specifics, but the hugs saved me from needing to make any kind of explanation. However, as I approached Mahogany, he pulled back, only half-heartedly returning the hug. I frowned a little, but couldn’t really blame him—I’d been the one to bring calamity upon him. There was definitely more I needed to say.

“Thank you again.” I looked everyone over, their features hidden beneath the falling twilight. “I owe you all so much.”

“Hey, we all know you’d have done the same for us.” Blaze grinned a grin that somehow looked both exhausted and forceful. “And don’t you deny it. I know firsthoof.”

A chaotic consensus of nods and verbal acknowledgements followed, which included Night stepping forward to give me another hug. As we parted, he looked right at me. “Um, so what now?”

I gave everyone the widest smile I could muster. “It’s been a long… however long we were out. Everyone should get some rest. You deserve it.”

“Wait, what about my awesome tale of awesomeness~?” Merriweather met my smile with a grin.

I shook my head. “I’m sure we’ll all be happy to hear it when we’re a bit fresher.”

“Oh, okay. Well, everyone hurry up and sleep! Drinks on me tomorrow night~!” She reared up, motioning broadly with both forehooves.

Star shook her head, but said nothing.

A giggle escaped my lips as I turned to Mahogany. “Before you go, could I ask you a question about the thing? I’ll buy you a drink.”

“Oh, yeah. Uh, sure thing.” Apprehension crossed his face again as he looked away. It was at that moment that I started to suspect that it wasn’t me who he was blaming. We needed this talk more than ever.

Barkeep had a room set aside the moment I approached the counter. All things considered, it probably wasn’t very hard for someone to guess what I wanted. Still, it injected more wariness into my thoughts—I needed to make sure I never became too predictable to a casual observer.

A couple minutes later, Mahogany and I were seated in one of the back rooms, a couple Buzzards and a cider between us. Mahogany was already halfway through one of the Buzzards, his eyes buried in the remaining drink.

“I’m sorry, Mahogany.”

He set his drink down and let out a somber chuckle. “You’re sorry? Why are you sorry?”

“If it wasn’t for me, they wouldn’t have gone after you.”

“Yeah, and if I wasn’t the weak link, they wouldn’t have kidnapped you.”

“No, Mahogany, they brought too many bodies. No one could have won a fight like that. Chances are they went after the first pony they saw.”

He laughed again. “I didn’t fight.”

“Against those numbers? No one can blame you.”

Mahogany reached for his drink, but stopped, his hoof resting against it. “I wanted to. I would’ve if I’d known.”

He stared past me for what felt like forever. I watched him carefully as I spoke, making sure my voice was gentle, but firm. “Mahogany?”

“I remember this old guy and a package. It was wrapped all wrong. I had to open it to fix it. There was this dust and then I felt dizzy. Next thing I knew, you were standing over me.” He slammed back the last of the first Buzzard.

My heart sank and my legs carried me of their own accord, rounding the table and wrapping Mahogany in a tight hug. He stiffened and I felt even worse. “I’m so sorry, Mahogany. No one should have to go through such an awful experience. Please don’t blame yourself. A trap like that would have gotten anyone.”

Mahogany snorted. “They wouldn’t have got you.”

“What?”

“You’re Super Dusky.” He traced a circle in the air with his hoof. “All prepared and shit. Like that Batmare pony everyone’s talkin’ about.”

It was my turn to laugh; the taste was bitter. “This again? I’m flattered, but if I was really that good, they wouldn’t have found us. No one would have to suffer if it wasn’t for me.”

He sighed. “At least you tried.”

“So did you. Regardless of the trap, things would have eventually caught up to me. And when things get that bad, most people would just turn and run—but you didn’t. You were there for me. You’re a good friend, Mahogany. Never forget that.”

“If you say so.”

“I do.” I hugged him again.

“I should go,” he said, standing and guzzling the second Buzzard.

“Get some rest.”

“I will.” Mahogany trotted toward the door, but stopped to glance over his shoulder. He stood there a good few moments. I wasn’t sure if he was going to even say anything else, but, finally, he opened his mouth. “And… thanks, Dusky.”

“Likewise, Mahogany.”

As the door closed behind him, I let out a sigh. Could have gone worse, I guess.

I needed to do something more for him, something with a bit more substance than a couple hugs. There was still the spa idea, but I still had a feeling he might be too embarrassed to go. An easy one would be more Buzzards, but I didn’t want to just default to that. I decided I should ask Night, see if he could come up with anything I missed.

I finished my own cider, maybe a bit faster than usual, and headed out. Night, Star and Merriweather were sitting at our usual table, with only a single drink in front of Merriweather. Night didn’t even have any tea.

As soon as I cleared the hallway, Merriweather turned, her foreleg a red blur as she called out, ”Dusky!”

For Star and Merriweather, this could have been any other night. I shouldn’t have been surprised, really. They were combat veterans who had likely undergone many dangerous missions. While it would be foolish to think they didn’t feel anything, I’d wager they had plenty of practice coping.

Night, on the other hoof, still looked troubled. As I sat down beside him, I noticed his bracer sitting near the middle of the table, as though he’d pushed it away.

“How are you holding up?” I asked.

He smiled broadly, whatever had been bothering him forgotten for the moment. “Me? I... good. Good.”

“Alright, good.” Something about the bracer drew my eyes again. I wasn’t sure what, but it left me vaguely unsettled.  “Did I miss anything while I was back there?”

“I do believe Night Flurry was just going to talk about a problem he is having,” Star answered. “Dusky, is the back room still open?”

“Yeah, should be.”

“Then I think we had best move this there.” Star stood, beckoning to us.

Night glanced at me. “Do... you mind?”

My gut told me that he was about to answer all the questions that had been building up over our escape. For that, I could push myself a bit harder. I leaned in and nuzzled at his chin. “Of course not.”

In one smooth motion, Merriweather finished her drink and turned to follow her sister. Night and I were right behind her. As we settled in around one of the back room’s tables, I was struck by how strange it was that for once, I wasn’t the one calling the meeting.

Night looked down as he turned to us. “I, uh... there's an issue.”

Star nodded, her eyes more on the bracer than Night as he placed it on the table. “This is related to the psychometric response you experienced once before? Have you encountered another vision?”

Gritting his teeth in such a way that I wasn’t sure if it was more embarrassment or pain, Night answered. “No, not exactly. It's more like, you said this bracer once belonged to Bellerophon, right? Well, he, um... still owns it.”

“Elaborate.” Star was suddenly very focused.

“Well, he, um, is kind of... in there. I didn't realize it at first, it was like overhearing a whisper, but then, when Dusky was taken…”

In there. I froze, those words echoing in my head a third and fourth time. I couldn’t believe it. I didn’t want to believe it. All I could do was hope I was jumping to conclusions. “Night?”

“I had a dream... he offered to help me. He would show me. He would help me fight, he would help me to... t-to save you.” His entire body sagged. “I couldn't bear it. I agreed.”

Night… no, what have you done? I recalled a purple horn, lightning arcing everywhere. Empty eyes, yet so focused on me—someone had been home, but not Twilight.

I shook my head. Now was not the time. I had to focus. My whole body felt numb, but somehow the words still came out. “And what was the cost?”

“No... no cost.” Night shuffled his hooves. “Except... he's... he's in my head. He's in my head, because I thought... I thought I needed him to make me stronger.”

I saw the lightning again.

“Sh-shut up, I told you, I'm not going to lie to my friends. I'm not…” Night said to the floor, his words snapping me out of my stupor. “I didn't want this, Star.”

Star frowned deeply. “Trust me, if we had even the slightest suspicion, we would not have given the artifact to you.”

“Dang, Night, I just... dang. I had no idea.” Merriweather’s eyes fell on the bracer, locking on with an uncharacteristically solemn stare. After a few moments, her eyes fixed on Night with a look that could only be described as desperation. “Wait, he's in there now? Can he hear us? Hello, Belly! What do we have to do to make ya stop bugging our friend?”

Star tilted her head. “Sister, I am not so sure that is a wise course of action.”

“He, uh, says no.” Night’s voice was apologetic.

“Aww, come on, Belly!” Merriweather placed both forehooves around his head and shook with worrisome force. “Oooooiiii! Wake up!”

“Merriweather! Stop!” I jumped to my hooves, but Night was already pushing her away.

“Do not touch me,” he said in a voice that was his, but with the tone so clearly off as to mark it alien. I shuddered.

Fright washed over Night as he pulled his hoof back. “I… Merri… I’m sorry.”

“Err, not your fault, Night.” Merriweather took a step back and cast a worried glance at Star. “Not your fault.”

I stepped in front of Night, taking care not to make any sudden movements. Looking him right in the eye, I called out, “Night?”

“Dusky… I’m here.” He was definitely back to speaking as normal. I let out a long sigh.

Star had one eye on the bracer and the other on Night. “That is worrisome. It is certainly going to require more research. I only worry that away from Ostfriesen we will not have access to the proper documents.”

“Sis’? If this is because of me, then maybe it should be me who goes back?” Merriweather asked. I hadn’t seen her this somber since Fetlock.

“Out of the question, Merriweather. You were banished.”

“Yeah, but—”

“You were banished! You know what will happen if you go back.” Star’s voice had an edge to it that I really couldn’t blame her for. I’d only thought they’d left on a journey, but this... this made everything much more complicated. As we were, this was unlikely to go anywhere good.

I cleared my throat until I had everyone’s attention. “Either way, we need to figure this out, and bickering isn’t going to solve anything. And frankly, none of us are going to do any good without a full night’s rest.”

Star sighed. “Dusky is right. Without all the information we can gather, it would be unwise to act. The consequences could be permanent.”

“Alright, fine.” Merriweather threw up her hooves. “We'll all get some rest, and figure out what to do about Belly later.”

“In the meantime, will you be alright, Night?” Star asked.

“I… yeah. I think so, Star. I… I can manage.” Night’s smile was clearly forced, but I had to respect him for trying.

I nuzzled at his cheek, giving him what reassurance I could spare. “No more experimenting with artifacts we don't know anything about, okay?”

A nervous laugh escaped his lips. “I can honestly say, that's not a promise I thought I'd ever have to make, but, um... yeah. No more of that.”

“It's not something I ever thought I'd say either.” I couldn’t help but match his laugh. At that moment, I decided I couldn’t hold back this melting pot of emotions any longer. “In any event… Night Light, there’s something I want to give you.”

“Give me…?” He gave me a confused look. “Dusky, you don’t have to give me anything.”

“Oh, I think I do.” I grinned as I closed the distance again, this time kissing him right on the lips. He was startled a moment, but very quickly, I could tell he was into it. My heart fluttered as we held it for a few seconds, then a few seconds more, pretending that we were just another two ponies, going about our lives, with nothing to threaten them. When we pulled away, he gave me the dopiest smile.

I met his smile—and his eyes. “We were a little short on time when I really wanted to give that to you. I hope you don't mind.”

“M-mind? I... n-no! Not at all, Dusky. ...N-not at all.” His voice was that of a mouse.

I wrapped him in a tight hug, which he returned just as quickly.

When next he spoke, his voice was a bit more normal. “I'm so glad you're safe. Dusky... I... I love you, so much.”

“I love you too, Night Light.”