//------------------------------// // (M-S)Long Ride back to the Heart Pt. 2(Dusk) // Story: Canterlot, Equestria, and Anything // by Dusk Strider //------------------------------// Sunday As the sun’s radiance was starting to cast itself over the horizon, Dusk Strider and Fancypants, who was now dressed in his formal attire, made their way from the Trottingham Port to their temporary living arrangement, The Draycolt Hotel. The hotel was known to be the greatest establishment in Trottingham. It was located near the middle of the vast city. It was well known for its renaissance-era theme design, and the authenticity of how the staff interacted with their guests and each other. When they arrived at the hotel, their first stop had been the front desk. Behind the front desk was a unicorn stallion dressed in character for his role as a servant. Dusk was still distressed from how she still didn’t know what to get her significant other for their significant day, so she wasn’t in the mood to talk. Instead, Fancypants had been speaking for the both of them for most of the day. Continuing this favor, Fancypants went to talk to the receptionist as Dusk waited beside their bags. “Hail to thee, welcome to The Draycolt Hotel. Will you be checking-in?” asked the overly enthusiastic receptionist. With a chuckle at how much he was enjoying the experience, Fancypants replied, “Indeed, friend. I will need two separate rooms for my associate and me. Will you be able to assist us?” “I believe I might,” said the receptionist, looking over the list of rooms that were occupied or vacant lying on his desk. After a few turn of pages, he looked back up to Fancypants with a suspicious frown, “I am sorry for this, sir, but it seems that the only rooms that are available are suites. Luckily, the suites have separate bedrooms and bathrooms.” “Well, that is inconvenient.” Fancypants paused for what seemed like dramatic effect before continuing, “I suppose we will have to purchase the suite. How much will that be?” The receptionist’s lips quivered as if to hide a smile of questionable joy, “It will be 450 bits for the first night and 300 bits for the additional nights.” “That is all then? We’ll take it,” said Fancypants, beckoning Dusk over with his hoof. Seeing her signal, Dusk trotted over to the front desk with a brown bag in tow. When she had reached the desk, she dropped the bag beside Fancypants before returning to the rest of their luggage. Fancypants opened the bag and used his magic to will the bits within to make their way upon the desk. When he finished, and there had been a large pile of bits on the desk, he looked back to the receptionist, “I believe this should cover for two nights, good sir.” The receptionist had been too in awe to speak as he gazed upon the mountain of shining bits in front of him. Instead, he simply willed two keys to Fancypants before forgetting why there were vast riches in front of him to begin with. Taking the keys with his magic, Fancypants motioned to Dusk to follow before making their way deeper into the hotel. After walking through a few corridors and climbing many steps, Dusk spoke about what was on her mind, “Did you know he was lying to you? Because all the rooms we’ve passed by so far have been empty.” With a light chuckle, Fancypants responded, “I know, I’m just interested on how they would try coaxing me into getting a suite this time.” “This time?” Dusk responded in confusion. “Quite. Whenever I do come here, I see if there is any new staff. The new ones are always told to at least try and convince the better-dressed ponies to purchase a night in a suite. I just see how unique each effort is made. Even if they didn’t offer me a suite, I would still purchase one; especially if I had guests.” “That does sound like a bit of fun,” said Dusk, allowing a slight smile to take place upon her lips. “I’m glad you think so. Here, this should be our room,” said Fancypants, standing in front of a grand double door. After inserting the key and giving a quick twist, they had walked into the sitting room. The room was furnished with two couches and a small round table with a vase with flowers on top, in between. On each side of the couches had been end tables with electric switch lamps on top. On the wall opposite of the entrance were two tall windows with elegant drapes left open to allow the sunshine in. On the sidewalls were the doors to their even more extravagant bedrooms. Dusk had been struck in awe at the site of the room while Fancypants looked to her with a pleased smile. Before they made their way further into the room, Fancypants shared the plan for the day, “Make yourself at home, my dear. I will take the room on the left as you take the room on the right. We will leave in the afternoon to visit my family’s home. After we get there, I will tell you the rest of the plan. For now, rest up or find yourself a meal; the servants come by every so often down the hallways. Do not hesitate to come to my door if you have any questions.” “Thank you very much,” said Dusk, curtseying. “Think nothing of it, it is my pleasure,” said Fancypants, now making his way to his room after closing the double doors behind him with his magic. When Fancypants closed the door to his room, Dusk walked about the large room to see if there was anything else of interest. After opening a few drawers and picking through some of the literature in the room, she concluded that there wasn’t anything at all noteworthy; she then decided to retire to her room. When she opened the door, she didn’t take in all the details the same way she had in the room before. Instead, she eyed the one piece of furniture that caught her attention, the bed. After dropping her bags next to the door that she closed with her rear hoof, she took a leap into the bed before succumbing to its extraordinary comfort. ------------------------.-------------------------- A few knocks had resonated from the door followed by a voice, “—awake?” As much as she tried to do so, Dusk wasn’t able to move her body. The most she could do was slowly open her eyes and examine the room. Another barrage of knocks came from the door before being followed by the same voice, “Ms. Strider, it is half past noon. Are you alright?” Now in more control of her body and face, Dusk was able to answer, albeit in a groggily tone, “I’m alright, sorry. Just a minute, please.” She slowly crawled off her comfortable torture device and fell to the floor with a loud thud. “I say, are you sure you’re alright?” Not even sure herself anymore, Dusk replied with a tone of embarrassment, “Uh, yes. Just one more moment, please.” Dusk made her way to the door before her wobbly legs caused her to fall again. When she had opened the door, she had seen Fancypants in his usual suit, but along with a top hat and cane. Stopping herself from gawking any longer, “I’m sorry for having you wait; I’m ready.” Fancypants examined Dusk up and down before speaking, “Dear, I believe it’s my turn to be sorry, but there has been a change of plans.” “What do you mean?” “While you were asleep, a messenger had come from my family’s home. They were wondering if I would have company with me. I told him the truth and he left soon after. He had come back to tell me that they would like you as well to attend the afternoon lunch we would be having together.” Fancypants gave an unconvincing smile. Dusk responded with a dismayed look before speaking, “So I guess visiting the shops will be out of the question for today?” Matching the same look as Dusk, Fancypants continued, “Yes, I believe so. Nevertheless, do not worry; we will still have tomorrow to look for Ms. Treader’s present.” “Well, ok. I’m ready to leave when you are.” “Not quite yet, there is the matter of your attire,” said Fancypants, willing a purple formal dress in front of Dusk. Dusk took the dress with her mouth before laying it upon her back. She gave a curious look towards Fancypants before speaking, “This dress is tailored.” Fancypants gave a look of embarrassment with a mixture of pride, “I spent a dinner with Hoity Toity one night, and he had taught me how he sized ponies up by just looking at them. I hope you don’t mind.” “Nope, not at all; just a minute please,” was all Dusk could say before closing the door to change. After a few minutes, Dusk stepped out from her room in her new dress. Fancypants, who had been spending time looking out the window, looked towards Dusk in amazement. “So…?” Dusk asked, feeling silly wearing a dress. “I dare say, you look simply radiant,” said Fancypants with a gleam to his smile. Trying to hide her blush, “Cloud would do anything to see me look like this,” she looked over herself in her dress. “Ha, maybe then that should be your present to her, hmm?” said Fancypants with a joking tone. “Maybe I’ll save that idea for another emergency,” said Dusk, joining in on Fancypants’ fun. After the laughter died down, Fancypants spoke, “We should get going, our carriage is waiting for us down stairs.” They made their way out of the room making sure to close and lock the doors behind them. After descending the many steps and finally leaving the hotel itself, they found the carriage meant to take them to Fancypants’ families’ home; they boarded and were off. ---------------------.---------------------- The ride had passed many sights and attractions during its travels. There was the Buck Keep Museum, the Manefield Theatre, and many parks. When Fancypants said they were near his old home, Dusk looked out her window to try and find it. After she had scanned the many buildings that lay around, her eyes were fixed upon the pristine structure in the distance. It was a grand white mansion with at least two floors. Well-trimmed trees and foliage flanked its sides as the backyard was filled with freshly cut grass. The estate and the land it shared were surrounded by an extensive gate. When the carriage had made it to the front of the mansion, they had stopped before the large gate with two ponies standing guard near it. The guard and the coachpony exchanged a few words before the carriage began its trip again. When it had stopped once more, it had been before the mansion steps itself. On the steps had been the current owners of the home. Fancypants and Dusk made their way down from the carriage, and towards the awaiting hosts. With the carriage now gone to park, Fancypants was the first to speak as Dusk stood by his side, “Hello, mother and father.” With a heavy Trottingham accent, the mother was the first to reply, “Allo, dearie! It’s so good to see you again! It’s been ages since your last visit!” With the same heavy accent, the father was next to speak, “How are you doing, son? This doesn’t look like the same filly you brought us last year.” Fancypants was quick to explain, “Oh, no, indeed she is not. Fleur De Lis is staying in Canterlot to continue her modeling. This is Dusk Strider; she was placed as my personal guard by Princess Celestia herself.” He lifted his hoof towards Dusk, as if she was somepony worth showing off. With all eyes now uncomfortably set on her, Dusk quickly spoke in a nervous tone, “Hello,” she then curtseyed. Unable to think of any other words, she simply shifted her eyes between the two old ponies with an awkward smile. Unable to understand why the purple mare was smiling at them so awkwardly, the parents shifted their eyes back to Fancypants. They decided that the lunch would be taken in the backyard. For the remainder of the time Dusk and Fancypants had been at the estate, it was spent talking about what the recent events in Canterlot were and what their family friends were doing. Dusk let the family do all of the talking though, mostly because they hadn’t really noticed her. She didn’t mind though, it allowed her to think of a more important topic. When the sun was beginning to set, Fancypants and Dusk had decided it was time to go. Fancypants’ parents called for the coachpony to ready the carriage as the family talked amongst each other one last time. Dusk waited outside in front for the carriage, feeling unneeded within the home. With the carriage ready, the family joined her outside to say their farewells. Dusk allowed herself to say her second and last word to them before curtsying and making her way into the carriage. Fancypants joined soon after and they made their way to the hotel. After a short distance, Fancypants wanted to share a few words, “Sorry about my parents, they had it in their mind to think you were my future wife.” Dusk was still looking out the window as she responded, “It’s alright, I’m used to not speaking to high-class ponies. Whenever there’s a party or celebration at Canterlot Castle, I usually just stay out of the picture. If I ever do get forced to talk, I just excuse myself after saying ‘hello’.” “Unless you’re assigned to be their guard?” added Fancypants inquisitively. Catching the rudeness of her tone of speech, Dusk quickly tried to reiterate what she said, “I mean, when I…,” Dusk sighed before continuing, “You’re different; you actually listen to other ponies when they talk, even if they’re not of the same class. I didn’t mean to be rude, sorry.” Dusk didn’t take her gaze off the window. “It’s alright, I understand,” said Fancypants in a solemn and considerate tone, looking out from the opposite window. For the remainder of the trip, the two kept to themselves and stayed quiet. They stared out of their windows, not so much to look for anything particular but to focus more on what they had been thinking. If it weren’t for the sound of the bumpy road and the trotting of the coachpony, it would be as if they were floating to the hotel. When they reached the hotel, they remained quiet for the whole walk to the suite. After opening the door to the suite, Dusk quickened her pace to her bedroom. Before she opened the door, she turned to face Fancypants, as he was just about to open his own bedroom door, “Thank you for the lunch.” She turned and went into her room, not even waiting for a response. Fancypants could only respond with a short look of worry before retiring into his own room for the night. After Dusk took off her dress and put it into the armoire, she stood beside the bed that she stared at with disdain. She wasn’t particularly in a happy mood, nor was she in a sleepy mood. She made her way to the balcony, where she stared off into the starry sky and city lights for most of her night. --------------------------------------.--------------------------------------- Monday “…mmmpffff…,” was all that Dusk could murmur as she slowly opened her eyes to the open entrance to the balcony. As much as she tried to shun the sun’s light by closing her eyes tightly, it was to no avail. Understanding that she wouldn’t be able to return to her comfortable rest, she slowly removed herself from the bed. After closing the balcony door, she walked over to vanity mirror in the corner to examine herself. She noticed the work of the restless shuffling she had done in bed when she saw how disheveled her mane had been. Usually she wouldn’t mind having a bad mane day, but since she would be walking with a pony of high-class, she made an exception and took to combing her head. When she finished tending to her hair, she exited her room to find Fancypants dressed and sitting on the couch sipping tea. When he put down the cup of tea, Fancypants lifted his head to see his guest, “Good afternoon, Ms. Strider. I take it you rested well?” Taken aback by the sudden realization of what time it had been, Dusk took a few moments to collect her thoughts before responding, “Um, good afternoon to you as well. I slept well enough.” She made her way to the couch opposite of Fancypants and sat down. She had seen that the table was covered with a bountiful amount of food meant for lunch. It was nothing she would order in Canterlot or Ponyville, but it looked delicious nonetheless. Before Dusk was able to get her first bite, Fancypants spoke, “We have a big day in front of us, hope you enjoy the meal. After, we will visit my old businesses in search of the one brilliant present fit for your partner.” He took another sip from his cup of tea. Dusk’s expression turned into joy as she gave a smile and nod towards Fancypants. She devoured the meal with haste and courtesy, leaving no food untouched. When she had finished, she politely wiped her mouth with a napkin and looked towards Fancypants. Apparently, she had eaten so quickly that he didn’t even put down his cup of tea yet. “I suppose we should get started then?” Fancypants said with a smirk on his face. Embarrassed from how she acted in front of present company, the only response that Dusk could come up with was a half-sincere smile. Seeing her smile in a reflection off the teapot, she noticed the crumbs and other survivors of the food she had eaten nestling upon her teeth. She remedied the new predicament by covering her mouth with her hoof and nodded towards Fancypants. Fancypants laughed at Dusk’s signs of embarrassment before speaking, “Well alright then; do what you must before we leave, I will wait for you below.” He stood himself up, tipped his hat towards Dusk, and left the room. Dusk quickly made her way to the bathroom to brush her teeth and clean up. When she finished, she locked the doors to the suite and made her way downstairs. When she had left the hotel, she found Fancypants beside a carriage awaiting her. They both made their way into the carriage, and they were off to the shopping center of Trottingham. ---------------------------.--------------------- After a few hours and store visits later, Dusk and Fancypants were on the last lap of their shopping expedition. The shop they had stopped at was an old jewelry store of no real remark. Fancypants had said that it had been one of his first businesses when he was just a colt. The pair left the carriage and went to enter the store. Inside, the store looked as old as it had outside. It wasn’t as large as the other jewelry stores they had visited, nor were there as many employees. The only other pony that had been there was the aged storeowner. Contrary to how the rest of the store looked however, the jewelry within the display cases had looked new. Dusk eyed each piece with a discerning eye, making sure to find a gift worthy of her most cherished partner. She had looked for a gift that’s beauty would match the message it would carry with it. As she kept walking down the walkway with every piece of shiny chain and sparkly rock that she passed by, she felt that her efforts were all for not. Fancypants was speaking with the owner as Dusk was examining the jewelry. After the pleasantries, he had been asking if there had been any special jewelry in the back. With a moment of thought, the owner moved into the back storage room to look. Dusk made her way back to Fancypants with a look of disappointment. Before he could speak, the owner had returned with a box. The owner lay the box on the counter in front of them before speaking, “I believe this…is what you’re looking for.” Fancypants looked to Dusk as she looked to him in wonderment. He tilted his head towards the box as if to give her the permission she was looking for. Dusk looked back to the package, eyeing every detail. It was a small black box with a design of a robin on its front. When she laid her hooves on it, she felt that it was made of a soft material. She slowly lifted the top of the box to reveal what had been inside. It was a golden locket in the shape of a heart. It had a small pink sapphire in the shape of the sun embedded into the middle. The chain was small and thin, but not at all less beautiful than the locket it carried. Dusk slowly closed the box and looked to Fancypants, “This is it…this is the one.” Seeing the small glimmer in her eye, Fancypants responded with a smile and a nod before looking towards the owner, “We’ll take it, Mr. Karat. How much did you say it was?” “Hmm… for a locket of such beauty being bought as a present by a pony with such a heart for the pony it’s meant for? I don’t believe I can put a price on an item of such importance,” said Mr. Karat, turning from Fancypants to Dusk with a smile that looked like it held much wisdom. “Please take it as a…kind gesture, from me to you. The happiness it will bring to both you and your spouse will be enough payment for an old pony like me.” He slid the box close to Dusk. “Do you really mean it?” asked Dusk, mouth agape in surprise. Mr. Karat responded with only a simple nod. “Thank you…,” a tear nearly crept on Dusk’s face before she wiped it away. She hovered off the ground and gave Mr. Karat a great hug before landing. “I’d rather have you take it for free than somepony who would buy it and only see it as a piece of jewelry. Now go on, I must close the shop for the day,” Mr. Karat said as he saw the lamps turn on outside of the shop. “Thank you, Mr. Karat. Let’s go Ms. Strider; we have a flight to get ready for.” Fancypants made his way out the door and into the carriage parked out. “Thank you again,” said Dusk after taking the box in her mouth and making her way to the carriage. With Dusk now in the carriage, Fancypants spoke, “It’s our last night here, is there any other place you would like to go to before we go and pack our items?” Realizing that her present was missing a few items, Dusk answered, “If it’s not too much trouble, can we go to somewhere they would take pictures and do engravings?” Fancypants gave a confirming smile as a response before knocking on the carriage wall behind him, “To the arts studio, please.” Their carriage began to drive off through the quiet streets with the night sky above. -------------------------.------------------------- Wednesday It had been night when Dusk and Fancypants arrived back into Canterlot. When they got down from their airship, they were greeted by a group of guards. Dusk didn’t recognize them and guessed that they were part of the new recruits from a few days ago. One pony had stepped forward from the group; it was a pegasus stallion in dark armor. “Princess Celestia has asked us to provide an escort for Fancypants back to his home. She has also asked us to tell you to return home immediately,” said the stallion. Fancypants looked to Dusk with a satisfied grin, “I believe it is time for us to part ways now. It was a pleasure to have company on the trip. I usually go alone when I travel to see my parents and to check on my shops. Thank you.” “It was my pleasure,” said Dusk with a cheery smile. “Thank you for helping me find a present for Cloud Treader.” She finished with a curtsy. Fancypants responded with a bow before walking with the guards to the pegasus drawn chariot and taking to the air. When Fancypants was no longer in sight, Dusk followed her new orders with joy and made her way back to her home in Ponyville. --------------------.----------------------- After a brief flight, Dusk had finally arrived in front of her home. When she looked it over, something had been amiss. It wasn’t too late into the night and all lights within the house had already been off. It gave the home a slight chilling feeling to it, as if it had been haunted or abandoned for quite some time. She slowly moved her hoof over the door handle and twisted; to her surprise, it hadn’t been locked. When she made her way in, she closed the door behind her and flipped the light switch on. Before her eyes had adjusted to the light, a loud scream bounced throughout the whole room, “Surprise!” Unable to see and disoriented by the loud shout, Dusk crashed through many items in her way until she had finally slammed her head into the wall. -------------------------.---------------------- When Dusk came to, a peach blob had been the first thing she had seen. The peach blob was then replaced by a purple blob. Finally, when the purple blob had dissipated, only a white blob had remained. The white blob began to speak, “Are…alright?” “Wha?” Dusk asked. “Are you alright?” repeated the white blob. “I think so,” Dusk said, able to listen now that her ears had been more responsive. Her eyes were the second to heal, now seeing who the white blob had been, “Princess Celestia?” “And Princess Luna,” said Luna as her face quickly took to the side of Celestia’s. “Oh, hello,” said Dusk, giving a smile. Her memories had begun to quickly return to her, which caused many questions to come to her mind, “Wait, why are you both in my house? Where’s Cloud? What happened?” Before they could answer, a light voice came from behind the Princess Sisters, “I’m right here.” The two sisters took a step back to allow Cloud Treader to see her spouse. She gave a quick kiss to Dusk Strider’s forehead before continuing, “They came over to help with the surprise party. We must have done a really good job since you knocked yourself out on the wall.” Cloud slowly combed her hoof through Dusk’s hair, “Happy Anniversary, Dusky.” Dusk brushed her hoof across Cloud’s cheek and looked into her eyes with an amorous smile, “Happy Anniversary, Cloie.” After letting a few seconds pass, Celestia joined back in, “I believe this celebration is best enjoyed not on the couch.” Dusk gave a look of embarrassment before trying to lift herself up. She struggled for a moment, but with the help of Cloud, she was finally able to stand on all four hooves. She gave the three ponies around her a smile before taking a few steps toward the kitchen and turning her attention to the rest of the area. The kitchen had been filled with many types of food, and there had been a large bowl of fruit punch on the table with a number of cups stacked near it. There was a banner hung just before the front door, and streamers had taken the ceiling. It seemed as if there were more ponies previously than there was now. Dusk turned back to Cloud with a look of interest, “We’re there more ponies here?” “After your little collision, we thought it best to have everypony go home,” said Cloud, giving a small look of remorse. Noticing the expression, Dusk quickly made her way to Cloud and spoke with a reassuring tone, “That’s okay; I think it would be a little weird to celebrate our anniversary with other ponies.” “Ahem,” said Luna playfully. “…Other ponies that aren’t Princess Celestia or Princess Luna…cough, cough,” said Dusk in a playful tone of her own as she left her eyes on Cloud’s. Cloud giggled before speaking, “You’ve been on a long trip, and you’re probably hungry.” She turned to face the other ponies in the room, “Let’s all eat, and then Dusk and I will give each other our presents.” “That sounds like a wonderful idea,” said Celestia, turning to Luna. Luna looked back to Celestia before looking back to Cloud and Dusk, “Well okay, but I must get to the castle soon. I still have court to hold,” said Luna dejectedly, making her way to the kitchen. “Aww,” said Cloud with a giggle, walking next to Luna to the kitchen. Celestia placed her hoof over Dusk’s shoulder as Dusk was about to make her way to the rest of the ponies in the kitchen. When Celestia noticed that Dusk was giving her full attention, she spoke, “I trust your trip was successful?” She gave a knowing smile. Sharing her joy with a smile herself, Dusk replied, “Yes.” When she looked to her side, she realized that her bags had been missing. She looked back to Celestia but before she could speak, Celestia had her hoof up pointing at the end of the couch. “We placed your bags there before we let you rest on the couch,” said Celestia, taking a step to the kitchen. “Come now, you must be famished,” she continued with her walk. Looking back to where Celestia had pointed, Dusk felt a sense of satisfaction. She turned back to the kitchen and joined the rest of the group in dining. ---------------.-------------- After the meal, Celestia and Luna had taken a seat on the couch as Cloud and Dusk cleaned up the decorations and put away the food. When they had finished, Cloud went upstairs to her room to retrieve the gift; Dusk went to see to their guests. When Dusk stepped before the princesses, Luna was the first to speak, “Is it time for you to give your gifts to one another?” Celestia held in her giggle at Luna’s sudden abruptness, “Sister...” “What, Tia? I’m just wondering,” said Luna with a sly smile. Dusk let a small giggle loose before speaking, “Yes, we will be giving our gifts to each other.” She made her way to the end of the couch and found her saddlebags. When she reached in, she pulled out the black box that she carried with her across the sea and land. She carried it on top of her head and made her way back in front of the sisters. “May we take a peak?” asked Luna humorously. Knowing it was meant as a joke, Dusk simply smiled in response. Cloud started coming down the stairs with a familiar box upon her head. She paused when she reached the bottom as all eyes were now on her. She slowly made her way towards Dusk’s side and faced the princesses. After an awkward pause, Celestia broke the silence, “So, who is first?” shifting her eyes between the two mares. “I guess I will,” said Dusk with a hesitant voice. She faced Cloud, who had turned to Dusk, and offered her present to her. Cloud took the box and looked at it with interested surprise. She slowly opened it and pulled out the card from within. There was a picture of a rose on the front; she opened it and read what was on the inside aloud, “It doesn’t matter where you go in life or what you do…it’s who you have beside you and I’m happy it’s you. Happy Anniversary, Cloie.” She looked up to Dusk and gave a warm smile. She looked back into the box and pulled out the locket that was hidden under the card. She held the locket in her hoof and let the chain dangle down. When she had opened the locket, a tear ran down the side of her face. “What is wrong, Cloud Treader?” asked Celestia with a concerned look. She looked up to Celestia with a smile as more tears ran down her face. With a trembling voice, she read what had been inscribed on the locket, “Cloud Treader, you are my partner, my sweetheart, my confidante and advisor, my comforter and friend… you are my quiet place away from the rest of the world. I will always be by your side. I love you then, now, and forever more, Cloie.” On the right side of the locket had been a picture of Dusk as she smiled with loving lips and amorous eyes. After giving a smile to Cloud, Celestia gave the same look to Dusk but with a raised eyebrow. Dusk responded by offering an awkward smile and sinking her head down low. Quick warmth overtook her as she felt Cloud suddenly grab her in a deep hug; she felt Cloud’s tears start to rub off on her chest. Dusk wrapped Cloud in her fore hooves and laid her head upon Cloud’s own. “Thank you,” was all Cloud could say as she held onto Dusk. Dusk just tightened her grip and nuzzled her friend. Cloud slowly let go of Dusk, remembering that she had a gift to give as well. When she reached to the top of her head, she felt nothing. She swayed her head left and right but to no avail. When she looked towards the princesses, their hooves had been pointing to the back of her. She stood and found the present had been behind her, under her tail. Lifting the present with both her hooves, she turned to Dusk and offered it to her. Dusk took the familiar looking box in her hooves and opened it as slowly as Cloud had. Inside had been a gold locket with a small amethyst gem in the shape of a crescent moon embedded in the middle. Dusk slowly took the locket out from its cradle and opened it. A smile crept on her face as she read the inscription beside Cloud’s picture. Dusk looked to Cloud with a tear in her eye, “Thank you, Cloie.” “What does it say?” asked Luna as she leaned her head in. “Uh, heh,” said Dusk before biting her lip and looking back down to the locket. With a shaky tone, Dusk read aloud, “Dusk Strider; from our fillyhood to now, from our home in Cloudsdale to our home in Ponyville, and from our first date to our marriage, I have always loved you. I will continue to until my final breath. I will always be by your side. I love you, Dusky.” Dusk leapt to Cloud and gave her a hug of her own, “Thank you.” “Oh, okay!” said Luna, enthusiastically. She looked to the clock in the room and her eyes had widened, “Oh dear, I am sorry but I must go. I am afraid I am late for my nightly duties. Thank you for having us here.” Luna stood herself up and made her way to the door. “I believe I should go as well. It is late and the servants may be trying to look for us. Thank you for letting us celebrate your anniversary with you. Have a wonderful evening.” Celestia joined Luna at the door. Dusk and Cloud rushed after to open the door for them. “Thank you for coming,” said Dusk as she opened the door. “We’re very grateful for having you,” said Cloud as she stood beside Dusk. The group bowed to one another before the princess sisters made their way out of the house and back to the castle; Dusk then closed the door. Her and Cloud picked up their gifts and placed them back in their boxes. Cloud turned off the lights to the kitchen and living room before walking back to Dusk, who had been waiting for her by the base of the stairs. They walked up the stairs with their presents together and went into their respective rooms, not before they shared a kiss. After a few moments, a silhouette of a pony had appeared in the moonlight shining through the window and quietly made its way into Dusk’s room. --------------.----------- The End of “Long Ride Back to the Heart: Dusk Strider”