It's been three hours.
Dawn is in another four, at least as far as I can guess. I can't be sure without the moon's azimuth for reference.
I wonder if Celestia was in charge of the night today? Either way, the moon being new two nights in a row is unprecedented. Any other time, I'd be sitting in the Library, gazing up at the sky through my telescope, documenting the anomaly and recording my findings.
Spike would come outside and grumble at me for pulling another all-nighter... I'd give him some sort of half-formed lecture to justify my actions, like I always did... he'd stomp back inside, and then pop back out long enough to hand me a blanket and a thermos full of hot chocolate, before turning in for the night...
I hold back a sniffle, and the resulting noise is hardly that. Which is a good thing.
The campfire is completely extinguished, not even producing any heat or smoke anymore. I notice Fluttershy stir on her mat, and I whip up a quick warmth spell to enchant her blanket. She quickly returns to a comfortable sleep.
Next to her, Applejack is resting peacefully. Unlike Fluttershy, she hasn't moved a bit, not even noticing the sudden change in temperature. She's as tough as her farmer upbringing has let her become, but even at rest, her hooves clutch onto her hat like a security blanket - though she'd probably deny it if I brought it up.
Pinkie Pie, to her credit, is out like a light. Repeated observation has convinced me that Neighton's first law doesn't apply to her, and no force in Equestria has the ability to stop her whether she's at rest or in motion. I don't bother to question it anymore. My inner scientist went down that road once, and it only lead to pain.
As for me? Well... it's been three hours and fifteen minutes.
Is this a changeling thing or an alicorn thing? Do the Princesses sleep? Does the Queen?
Apparently not, given the current ringing in my head.
After checking on the others one more time, I step away from the campsite. The cool night air used to calm me down and clear my head, and I'm counting on it to work again. I feel the earth beneath my hooves and get to thinking.
Back in school in Canterlot, owing mostly to my nocturnal reading habits, I'd have many a sleepless night. Conventional wisdom suggested a trot around the block or, if possible... a quick flight through the night air. I had the physical stamina of a bookworm and lacked the means and equipment for flight, so I often found myself simply sitting out on the balcony, staring out past the city walls and into the city.
On many occasions, I would see a restless pegasus travel out into the night, their silhouette blocking the moonlight, looping about lazily before returning to their window and disappearing from view. Far less often, a unicorn or earth pony would take a walk out their front door. What was it about flight that compelled those pegasi to leave the warmth of their beds?
After a moment to ponder the thought, I take off, intending to find out.
Wow... just... wow. A mare could get addicted to this. I mean, dear Celestia, the feel of the cool breeze, flowing over and under my primaries, the dizzying change in perspective, the adrenaline rush of moving through the air on your own power, without anything to catch you... Being a unicorn all of my life, I never thought I would ever have the chance to experience any of it. I mean, who'd have thought that little old Twilight Sparkle would sprout a pair of wings and
Damn it all.
Damn it all the way to Tartarus.
The bracing cold instantly loses all of its freshness. It's an empty coldness that grips me now. This plan was a bust from the start.
I look down to the ground, ready to sight my landing, but a cerulean glow catches my eye - it's none other than Princess Luna, standing on a hill, her horn glowing as she casts a spell. I'm too far away to hazard a guess as to what kind, but the point becomes moot when she finishes her spell and looks up at me.
I circle her for a moment, descending slowly. Just as I alight on the ground next to her, she speaks. "The vitality of the three races beats strong in your veins." She looks past me, into the valley to the south. "Fatigue will become less of a problem for you as time passes. Once you claim your dominion, the need for sleep might vanish entirely."
Not the most orthodox of greetings, but it'll have to do. I bow gently. "May I join you, Princess?"
She hesitates for only a moment before beckoning with an outstretched wing. I join her, looking out over the valley. A light tingle brings a hard reminder that somewhere out there, Chrysalis is beckoning me.
"Dusk."
I look to Luna; her expression is inscrutable. "Hm?" I mutter, noncommittally.
"That is your name, am I correct?"
"...It's as close as I'll ever get to one, Your Highness," I reply, the barest note of despair coloring my voice.
"You may call me Luna," she replies. "In the stillness of night, names and titles mean very little. There are no wars to fight or sides to take. No, in the stillness of night there is only rest." Her eyes take on a faraway look, and for a moment she looks every bit as old and weary as an immortal being ought to.
I venture to speak. "But Luna... there are some ponies that don't get that luxury..." My nostrils flare as I take in a breath of the night air. "...present company included."
Luna looks to me again, her brow furrowing. "...I suppose not." Our eyes meet, lingering for quite some time, before she heaves a sigh. "I would like to apologize to you, Dusk. Pinkie Pie's judgment of me was appropriate. I am in no place to criticize your intentions."
"She was a little harsh, though, I'll admit," I say, and Luna acknowledges me with a nod. "There's nothing to forgive, Luna. Not after you saved both Pinkie and Fluttershy."
"...They are my friends," Luna replies after a moment. "If I have the power to save them, then I will, whether we happen to agree or not."
"That's... generous of you," I reply. A familiar, burning question comes to mind. Before we came along, the Royal Sisters were the bearers of Harmony. Which ones did...
Luna catches onto my train of thought, continuing it with a wry smirk. "Generosity, Loyalty, and Honesty were three traits I held dear to my heart." Her grin widens. "Celestia, for her part, was always such a kind soul, albeit with a mischievous streak. There was a time that-"
Part of me - the Twilight Sparkle in me - wanted to hear every word of this. But right now... "Please, Luna, stop."
Luna's eyes widen for all of a second. "Ah... forgive my boldness." She stands apart from me, abruptly.
The silence lingers for longer than it needs to. "Why, Luna?" I finally ask. "Why did you let us go?"
At this, Luna sighs. "Well, to put it in barest terms..." She leans in, conspiratorially. "I had to break up a fight."
The pieces click together instantly. "Applejack?"
"Indeed." Luna smirks. "You're causing quite a stir among the Element Bearers."
The topic was there; our cards were on the table. So I decided to go for broke. "There doesn't have to be an argument," I say. "You could come with us."
An outsider looking in would see two regal alicorns - well, one regal and one not-so-much - transfixed in each other's gaze, neither one willing to move, locked in an unspoken, silent combat. I, personally, would like to think that I'm winning.
"I..." Luna finally responds, "I cannot. We cannot. We are trying to rescue Twilight Sparkle. We are bearing north, to the Hollow Shades, where-"
"You're going the wrong way," I interrupt. "The hive isn't in the Hollow Shades."
Luna gaze is suspicious. "But I have seen it for myself," she replies. "In fact, I was there on the day of the wedding. I had intended to confront the Queen myself with regards to her invasion, but she had been in Canterlot all along..."
"Maybe that's where it was before, but I know where the hive is now," I say. I continue quickly before Luna can ask how. "We're headed there ourselves. We have the same goal. We should work together."
Luna's lips purse. "I have doubts about the willingness of the remaining two Bearers to form an alliance with you..."
I feel my ears droop just a little, but I harden my expression in hopes of hiding the tell. "Well... do you plan to stop us?" When Luna says nothing, I extend my wings and turn back towards camp. "Please... just think about it."
"Good night," Luna calls after my retreating form, "and we shall."
"Until next time," I offer. With a single, dramatic flap of my wings, I take off, ascending higher and higher until Luna is no more than a dot on the ground.
I love this story so far. It's a very different take on the whole "Twilight is a changeling" thing. Can you even say she's changeling?
2546134
I think it's more accurate to say that a changeling is Twilight.
2547056 Don't you mean "a changeling is Dusk"
The topic was there; our cards were on the table. So I decided to go for broke. "There doesn't have to be an argument," I say. "You could come with us."
I see why Luna would refuse that offer, if she think that Dusk tell true, then it will be great chance to rescue Twilight, if she think that changeling lie, then she should go with them to make sure that element bearers are not in danger of being captured or lead to trap or ambush ( there is Celestia, Cadance, Shinning Armor who can lead rescue mission, there is no reason to not let Luna guard other element bearers just to make sure they will not be replaced too ).
Please, I do not want another story where there will be another pathetic excuse to keep princesses out of the story just because as ALICORNS they would break balance of the story, well excuse me, but even with Luna, going again Chrysalis and her entire army will make it very hard adventure, and getting Luna out of the picture will make this incredibly unfair or it would make mane 5 so OP just so they can beat Chrysalis and her army or it would make Chrysalis to stupid just to mane 6 win, I expect a fair battle and in this fair battle there is place for Luna, to be honest, her 2 guards with bat wings would be welcome in it as well.
2547088
What you did there. I see it.
Well glad to know ya aren't dead
2547147
I agree that having (a photocopy of) Best Alicorn and Second Best Alicorn together would be cool, but if the author wants to keep the party small, it is his prerogative.
...also, I had to read between the lines rather heavily, but it would seem that Dusk finally got around to telling Luna and co about the copy spell. Good to know.
2548727
Keep in mind that Twilight in changelnig form seems to not only not get any buffs from being Alicorn, but she is also weaker then when she was Unicorn, and I know that it is autor to decide do Luna will tag along or not, but I read so many stories where princesses were kept useless or out of the story that I got sick of it, so many fans would love for Luna to do something in the show and Celestia to not be so useless, and yet those who write fanfics copy it over and over.
2548759
Two things. First, this isn't Twilight. Second, unless she's reverting somehow, she isn't technically a Changeling, either. As Luna said, Dusk is simply a newly minted Alicorn who still hasn't built up her magical reserves yet.
Liked this, when next update?
Good to see you're not dead, and that this story is back. Upon the other hand... Poor Twilight. (sighs)
2644837
FTFY
love the story I wrote a story called dusk also! come check it out. It is my first fan fic I have ever written
Update coming any time soon? its been a while.
2697218 Sorry! I'm working on it. This particular scene has been a thorn in my side for ages.
2698292 Hey I understand, writing can be hard.
Sigh... My favorite part of any story is when the main character finally tells what exactly happened and their emotions and feelings for it... Yet so far nothing *cry*
3363093 This is the most cliche and annoying thing in literature. cheap drama in the form of miscommunication for absolutely no reason. I've read so many stories that do this, and it always works exactly like its supposed to. I keep reading, constantly hoping, pleading to the forces that be that the main character will stop being stupid and say something. In my experience they never do, the bad guy always does it for them in a monologue of some sort and then the other members of their party are all angry at the hero, and they pout for a while, and then they go beat the crap out of the villain by some unexpected twist and throw away everything they did for the previous parts of the book.
Dusk is doing that right now. She's leading the others to the hive, and not bothering to tell them that it's exactly what Chrysalis wants. They'll get to the hive, Chrysalis will be waiting, Dusk's friends will feel utterly betrayed, then Dusk will have a revelation and redeem herself by fixing everything. This is what I've seen so many times before, please be different this time!