Rise of the Element Gang, Book 2: Friendship Adventures

by Power of Six

Chapter 28: A Kiss Goodnight

Chapter 28: A Kiss Goodnight

I could hardly remember a time I felt so happy after I walked out of the ballroom together with Twilight Sparkle, the two of us standing rather close together and walking side by side. Against all of the odds, all of my doubts and fears, I had actually shared a dance with the mare who had captured my heart…and she had actually enjoyed it! Well, I assumed that she did, but she was still smiling and leaning close to me, so it was all good signs.

I was actually surprised when I discovered that it was already close to midnight by the time our dance had stopped. The two of us were, of course, on a schedule as the spell for Twilight’s apple carriage would wear off at midnight and it would just become a normal apple again. Time had become a meaningless concept to us both, only taking note of the rhythm of our movements and the moment we were sharing in. I didn’t want it to end and, when it finally did and we had to leave…

Well, it couldn’t last forever. But I knew I would never forget this night and, hopefully, if it meant as much to her as it did to me, she wouldn't either.

Additionally, I was pleasantly surprised at how Twilight was reacting to all of this. Before, she’d always kept a respectable distance from me and blushed as much as I did when our sides so much as brushed against each other. Recently, she’d been a little more relaxed, but still embarrassed about closeness. Now though, she seemed perfectly content as I was, gazing frequently at me as we walked. I didn't know if it was just her being friendly or she meant something more, but I did like it at any rate.

I could still smell the fragrance of the lilac in her ear and it made me feel so peaceful just to breathe in that scent.

None of the girls said anything by the time we reached the carriage, except for Rainbow who demanded why we had taken so long with whatever it was we were doing. I had merely sighed and apologized to her, though the others all seemed to exchange knowing looks while the Pegasus fumed over me. I barely took notice of her mood whilst I hooked myself up to the carriage with Shield, Dog, and the other stallion and set off back for Ponyville.

Just before we set off, I glanced back at the castle and caught sight of a tall figure on one of the balconies, waving in my direction, and (even from this distance) I could tell Princess Luna was smiling. That was the other thing that came out of this evening. Just from my own actions, without any plan, I’d managed to make this a memorable evening for her too. Considering what she had been through, she deserved that much at least. Now…she actually thought of me as a friend. I’d been allowed to call her by her name!

Knowing how significant that was in terms of the traditions of the old days I’d read about in my books, my own smile grew and I waved my hat to her in farewell. She lingered for a moment, waved once more before she returned inside and I began to pull the carriage again, suddenly appraising the night sky as much as I did a clear blue sky.

I could hear Spike on the driver's seat, whistling a merry tune, recalling events that had happened over the rest of the evening or else yawning heavily. A few times, I had to yell to keep him awake and prevent him from drifting off to sleep and falling out of the seat. Nice to know we’d all had a good time in the end. We’d thanked the other stallion who'd waited for us, who said it was no problem while casting hopeful glances at Rarity.

Now and again, Twilight would poke her head out of the window and beam at me in a way that made my heart glow. Again, I couldn’t help but notice how beautiful she’d looked tonight, how beautiful she still looked. There was something different in her smile now, something that I couldn’t quite put my claw on. Whatever it was, it made my heart flutter and I smiled back at her whenever she did.

The moon was high in the sky and the stars were shining brightly, glinting on the shiny red surface of the carriage by the time we arrived back in Ponyville. As soon as the last of the girls stepped down from it, it was consumed by a flash of light and it had become just a plain old apple again, which was promptly snapped up by Pinkie. The magic of the night was over, but it would stay with us in our memories forever.

Everypony started to bid each other good night and Rarity pulled me aside once she gave her neighbor an appraising look and a kiss on his cheek, leaving him giddy and happy as a school foal.

“Well done, Dusk! You did it!” She beamed proudly at me. “I knew you could do it, I just knew it!”

“At least one of us did.” I remarked lightly. “But I couldn’t have done it without your help, Rarity.”

“Oh, you may, you may have had my help, but it was ultimately you who pulled it off.” she pointed out. “She already liked you, Dusk. I just helped to…refine you a bit.”

“But I’m still very grateful for it.” I gave Rarity a sympathetic look. “I’m sorry it didn’t work out for you and Blueblood, Rare.”

“Ah, yes…” She frowned angrily. “Some prince he turned out to be. Selfish, arrogant swine.”

“I know, but that’s the way he is. You were so looking forward to it too.” I added. “I truly am sorry, cuz.”

“Oh, don’t worry, Dusk. I suppose it’s my own fault in a way, I built up expectations of him that obviously weren’t met. I was so sure…” She trailed off and disappointment flickered across her face for a moment. “Oh, well, I’ll be fine.”

“I hope so, but take heart. It may take time, but I'm sure you'll find the stallion you deserve someday. Somepony who…” I thought for a moment and placed a claw on her shoulder. “Somepony who makes you feel as incredible as you look.”

Rarity stared at me in amazement in the wake of my words, or incredulousness, I couldn't quite tell. At first, I thought I’d said the wrong thing and was about to withdraw my claw until she placed her hoof gently on my claw and returned my smile.

“Don’t you ever change, Dusk. You might not think it, but you are more of a prince than Blueblood can ever hope to be.” She held my gaze firmly. “If nothing else, make sure you treat Twilight with the respect and love she deserves.”

“You’re talking like we’re actually going to be a… you know…” I muttered shyly.

“You will, Dusk. I know you two are meant to be together and when you are… just remember what I told you, agreed?” There was no smile, she was deadly serious.

I thought for a moment on her words, not sure whether to believe them or not. In the end though, I was a believer in the impossible so…maybe this wasn’t so far-fetched if I thought about it.

“You have my word.” I sincerely said to her. “Don't worry, I’ll take care of Twilight. And, cuz, good luck at finding your true love.”

“Thank you, Dusk.” Rarity finally got ready to head back to the Boutique and smiled knowingly. “Now, you still need to walk your date home.”

I nodded and bade her good night and, summing up my courage, walked back over to Twilight, who had just finished talking to Applejack. There was a linger of a blush in her cheeks when she turned around and I caught Applejack glance at me, look back to Twilight, and wink. I wondered briefly what they were talking about, returning her smile when I reached her.

“May I walk you home, Miss Sparkle?” I asked as graciously as I could.

Twilight blushed again as she levitated a snoozing Spike onto her back. “Dusk…you don’t have to, I’m fine.”

“I know, but…I want to.” I gestured in the direction of the library. “Shall we?”

Twilight seemed to consider before settling with a nod. “Yes, let’s.” She took her place close next to me and we set off through the quiet streets, broken by Twilight’s question. “It was Rarity who taught you how to dance, wasn’t it?”

“It was.” I admitted. “Dancing is an important part of the Gala, so she insisted on offering me lessons when it was mentioned.”

“I could see her doing that.” she said with a smile. “You were rather good at it…dancing, I mean.”

“I tried my best.” I admitted humbly. “I’ve…never really danced before tonight.”

“Neither have I. I just read a book on it before we came tonight.” she reminded me. “You were definitely better at it than me.”

“You…you really think so?” She nodded warmly. “Well…thanks. I, uh…learned it all for you, you know.”

“Really? You learned how to dance for the Gala tonight, just so you could ask me to dance with you?” She appeared a little confused. “Why?”

“Well…because um…” I found it a little difficult to explain. “Because…you’re just worth the effort.”

“Really?” she repeated, but not as cynically as before. “It’s that simple? Well…thank you for making the effort.”

“No problem.” I muttered, becoming interested in my claws.

“You really are showing how much potential you have. I said that about you in my report to the princess, on that day you were in the hospital.” She looked back at me with interest. “Did I ever tell you about that letter?”

I realized that now, I hadn’t heard that particular report and responded by shaking my head in a shy silence. I knew she’d written one, but I’d never asked about it, as I didn’t think it to be my business.

“Would you like to hear it?”

“Well…if you can remember it.” I said.

“I can remember it like it was yesterday.” She paused for a moment. “Dear Princess Celestia, I’m pleased to report that the latest member of our friendship circle is finally starting to fit in with us and he has taught me a valuable lesson about friendship.”

I chuckled a little at the memory. “Yes, I wasn’t exactly the most receptive of individuals, was I?”

“Not really, no.” she agreed with a giggle. “But you’ve really changed now.”

“Don’t I know it?” I nodded to her. “Please, continue. What…exactly did I teach you?”

“I’m getting to that.” she assured me. “Some of us are born with unique traits about ourselves that we sometimes keep hidden from others because we’re scared about how they might judge or view those things about us. Most times, we don’t even show them at all. But, with the help of our friends, we can choose to be more open about those special traits and unlock a true potential that might never have been revealed if we had kept it hidden. I think Dusk has learned that now and we’re going to see even more special things about him the longer we’re friends.”

“Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle.” I finished. “You really wrote that about me?”

“Of course, and I meant it too. You’ve shown that there’s so much more to you than you or I ever thought to begin with.” she said proudly. “And I think there’s even more to it as well.”

“How…how do you mean?” I asked through my blush.

“I just still think that there’s something more about you, something even greater we haven’t seen yet.” She gave me a thoughtful look. “I’m not quite sure what exactly, but I’m sure it’s there.”

“If you say so.” I said, unsurely by what she meant. I looked up and realized that, all too soon, we’d reached our destination. “Well…here we are.”

“What? Oh, so we are…” Twilight looked just as surprised and disappointed.

We stood in awkward silence, the only sound coming from Spike’s snoring on Twilight’s back. I felt as if I should say something else, something witty or perhaps some stab at something romantic. But nothing came to mind, my thoughts a complete blank. Twilight too seemed a little unsure as to what to do now, opening her mouth to say something but then shutting it again.

“Well, um…thanks for a… a great evening, Twi.” I finally said. “It’s been…memorable.”

“Yeah… thank you for walking me home, Dusk. Or us, rather.” she added with a forced giggle concerning Spike. “It was, um… well, very sweet of you.”

“I try my best.” I bowed my head and opened the door for her. “Goodnight, Miss Sparkle.”

“Night…” She was about to go inside, but lingered on the doorstep for a moment. Then, quick as a flash, she swooped over and kissed me on my cheek. “See you in the morning.”

Even when the door had closed and Twilight had hurried back inside, I was still standing on the doorstep, utterly dumbstruck by what she had done. My skin burned on the spot where she had kissed me, which I touched absently with my claw. It wasn’t burning in a hurtful way, but a warm, tingling sensation, like a fire on a cold day. She had kissed me there… she’d actually kissed me. Then, gradually, I grinned.

I had an extra spring in my step as I set off again, happening to glance back at the library before I left. I could make out her shape watching from the window for a few moments, silhouetted against the light inside the room. I started off at a quicker pace again when it turned off, jumping and whooping when I was around the corner. It was just on the cheek, but at least it was something. And she’d watched me go… that was a good sign too, right?

Yes, it had to be. I was actually making progress in romance of all things, with Twilight Sparkle of all ponies. How good was that?

I was still whistling when I returned to my home, unlocking the door and heading upstairs to my bed. Now the night’s events were over, despite the happy energy I now had running through me, I wanted nothing more than to sleep. Ophelia was upstairs at the window when I returned, a dead mouse in her beak. She cocked her head at me in an inquisitive sort of way.

“I’m just in a good mood.” I gestured to the mouse. “Make sure you eat that outside.”

She gave a muffled hoot in understanding and soared off out the window like a cloud on the wind. I made sure to leave it open a crack for when she wanted to come back in and removed my suit, placing it in a cupboard on a hook. I’d need to see Rarity about getting it fixed for it was a good suit and I had obtained good memories from it.

I placed my hat on the end of my bedpost, pausing to feel the necklace that Twilight had given me. Something she’d said tonight had started niggling in the back of my head, like a persistent itch. What exactly had she meant when she’d said that she felt like there was still more to me than I had revealed so far? Was it something that I didn't even know, like she’d said or was there something more to it? Why did those words feel so significant?

In the end, I just shrugged and removed the necklace, noting how the stones seemed to glow faintly in the darkness. I was probably just thinking about it too much and it was just some form of support from her. I took it at that, tingling from the warm feelings I got. Things were truly going great, I thought to myself happily and it was only going to get better from here on out.

So I settled down in my bed, pulled up the covers around me, and drifted off to an easy sleep. Though, as I enjoyed my blissful sleep, I was unaware of the dark clouds that were gathering on the horizon.

Author's Note:

Ah, the makings of young love. It seems as though Dusk has truly managed to sweep Twilight off her hooves, opening up the doors to a chance that they will be more than just friends. After going through many changes, Dusk has now grown and grown closer to his friends. A bond that is like no other. And whatever challenges lie ahead, our heroes are ready to take them head. More adventures for the Element Gang await as the journey continues!

Hey, guys! What did you think of the chapter? Looks like Dusk and Twilight are at the start of something really special, huh? But, they don’t know it yet, but Dusk and his friends are about to be in for one the biggest moments of their lives. Well, that’s all I got for Book 2! Don’t forget to comment and rate the story to tell me what you think! See you all next time in Book 3!