Chapters I stepped into the library to be greeted by a particular mare. “Duskie! How was the trip?” I plopped down onto the floor. “Not very helpful…” Twilight stood silent. She obviously hadn’t seen Blitz’s flying control. “Blitz cut his wing so now we can’t get an overhead view.” The lavender mare giggled softly. “Can’t Dash help?” I rolled my eyes. Ever since the mares had come back Blitz was extremely sensitive of his pride. Having a mare do a stallion’s job wouldn’t help. Twilight nuzzled me gently against the neck. She pulled back and smiled. “I’m sure he wouldn’t mind if Dash helped just a little.” I let out a small sigh. She was right, Dash was technically him. “Okay, go ahead and ask her if she’s willing to help.” She gave a small nod and went upstairs. I had no idea what she was doing until she came down with a checklist. A LONG checklist.
“What is that?” I asked not sure what to make of it. Her smile faded a bit. “It’s a list…” Well DUH! “…of complaints.” My face filled with confusion. She realized this and lashed out unexpectedly. “Ponies are onto us, Dusk! They’ve been complaining about how much we look alike! Some say it’s weird, others say it’s coincidental. But other ponies complain about our cutie marks and point them out! Dusk, we have to do something!” I tapped my chin, sometimes this helped in tough decisions, but not this time. Twilight did the same, scrunching up her nose and staring for what felt like eternity. Did I do that? We both popped at the same time. “Rarity’s/Elusive’s cutie mark spell!” I wasn’t at all surprised that we both spoke at the same time, that had been going on for far too long to even notice it, what DID surprise me was that Spines had crashed down the stairs. “Spines!? Are you alright?” I ran over to her in a flash and found a sapphire in her claws. I blinked helplessly at the jewel gleaming in front of me.
Spike ran down after her to trip as well and land on my back. Twilight reacted the same way I did. “Spike! Are you alright?” He hopped off of my back and helped Spines up. “Yeah, luckily I landed on Dusk’s back. Sorry Dusk.” I blew some fur back into place before turning back to the group. “Huh? Oh, yeah, no problem!” Spines dusted herself off before checking the sapphire for scratches. ‘she sure cares about that gem’ I opened my mouth when Twilight stole the words right out of it!
“Where’d you get that gem, Spines?” The small dragon seemed to blush through her purple scales. “Uh… GOTTA GO, BYE!” She ran towards the door but didn’t get there before I grabbed her tail with my magic. “Hey! Let me go!” Spike seemed to run for the door as well but Twilight thought the same and grabbed him. “What’s going on, Spines? You’re being…distant.” My brain refused to spit it out but I managed. She seemed to blush more before she fell limp. “Fine. Me and spike have been hanging out and I got the sapphire from him. HAPPY!?” I looked at Twilight who turned to me as well. We both burst out laughing, releasing them from our magical grip. They both scrambled to their feet. “It’s not funny Twilight/Dusk!” “Sorry Spines.” Twilight nodded. “Sorry Spike.” Unsurprisingly they both stomped upstairs, slamming the door behind them. I think Spike even opened it again to slam it himself. Twilight walked over to the library door and turned to me. “Well?” She asked. “Are we going or not?”
We were walking toward Carousel Boutique when I bumped into a big pink blob. “Pinkie!” ‘Wait, that wasn’t my voice’ Sure enough Twilight had crashed into Berry’s double. It was obviously Berry I had bumped into. “Sorry Twilight! Me and Berry were on our way to the park!” Berry jumped up with a huge grin on his face. “We saw Rainbow Blitz doing some awesome moves!” Pinkie burst out in giggles. “That was Rainbow DASH, silly!” “So THAT’S where Dash is!” I looked to my left to see that Twilight had disappeared. “Twilight wait!” We left Pinkie and Berry in a rush. I could hear Berry behind me yelling “What the hay was THAT for?”. I finally caught up with Twilight when she stopped at the park. Sure enough Dash was there, but there wasn’t anypony else except… “BLITZ!?” He quickly spun around and panicked. “Uh… I was just here because…uh…To make fun of her! Yeah! To make fun of her!” Dash didn’t react nicely to this. “WHAT!? I THOUGHT YOU WERE CHEERING ME ON! YOU KNOW! TO WATCH MY AWESOME MOVES?” Twilight giggled, getting an angry blush from Blitz. Dash landed. “Hey Dusk. What are you guys doing here?” “YEAH! Why ARE you here Dusk!? I thought you wanted to spend some ‘quality time’ with Twi!” Blitz put A LOT of emphasis on the ‘quality time’. I saw a deep blush form on Twilight’s face. Mine too now that I think about it. “BLITZ!!” It was my first instinct, I tackled him and put a hoof over his mouth. I turned back to Twilight. Crap, I think I broke her. WAIT! I DIDN’T DO THIS! BLITZ DID! She shook her head like she was trying to get bad images out…wait a minute… My face got even redder when I realized what was happening. Bad images…Deep blush…Frozen in place…IT WAS A DREAM COME TRUE!
I never thought a mare would actually LIKE me like me! “Um, Dushk?” I was still holding down Blitz. I quickly got up, most embarrassing thing EVER. He dusted himself off and held a ‘disgusted’ face. Twilight was still frozen. CRAAP! Wait…If I like Twilight…and Elusive likes Rarity…and Butters likes Fluttershy…and AJ likes Apple Jack…Does that mean that Blitz likes Dash!? I didn’t even WANT to think about Berry liking Pinkie, They’re too hyper…they just don’t fit into the category. BUT BLITZ!? I MEAN GEEZ LUEEZE! Blitz could see me thinking. He’s always been able to read minds. (Not literally of course!) He looked angry, embarrassed, and uncomfortable at the same time! Dash the same? OH YEAH! Well, this is OFFICIALLY THE MOST EMBARRASSING THING in my entire life. Twilight’s probably feeling the same. “TWILIGHT!?”
Oh no. OH SOLARIS NO! I blasted for the library, where else would she be? Obviously somewhere. She wasn’t at Carousel Boutique either. Sugarcube Corner? No. Butterscotch’s cottage? No. Only one other spot I could think of, AJ’s farm! I blasted for the apple orchard and stopped. Twilight. Is it? “Twilight?” She was sitting against an apple tree being consoled by Apple Jack. She looked up with teary eyes. Apple Jack saw me as well. “How are you treating my friend? She says she’s crying 'cause of YOU!” Twilight pulled Apple Jack’s hoof down. “It’s not like that AJ…” Oh Solaris, what have I done!? Wait…WHAT DID BLITZ DO! THAT’S WHAT I SHOULD BE ASKING! “I-I’m sorry Twilight…Blitz didn’t know what he was saying. I never said anything like that!” She actually looked more sad than relieved. “Yo-you didn’t?” Uh oh. WHAT DO I SAY!? “Um…okay maybe I did…bu-” What. The. BUCK! Holy. Bucking. SOLARIS! She pulled away with a dark red blush lining her snout. “I’m so sorry! I shouldn’t hav-” Showtime. This was one-embarrassing because we were in front of Apple Jack. Two-sweet and blissful because it was Twilight. And three-AWESOME! YOU DON’T EVEN NEED TO ASK WHY! I could hear Apple Jack giggling in the back ground…I don’t care! This is a moment that’s gonna last! Wait…Uh oh. “DUSK!? HA HA HA! I KNEW IT! I BUCKING KNEW IT!” AJ!! NO NO NO NO NOOO!! WAIT! NO! TWILIE! Great. She stopped. “AJ!!” I was angry. REALLY angry. I just needed to breathe.
Ugh…Huh!? Uh oh. OH NO! NO! SOLARIS NO! Twilight was laying next to me…asleep…in my bed. WHAT THE BUCK! OH SOLARIS WHY!? “Mmm…” Uh…Hey she smells good. sniff Like fresh pages of a book… “Mmm…Duskie…” Uh…Okay, that’s not coincidence. “Uh…Twilight? Hello?” She turned over…Her mane is an absolute mess! Hey she’s kinda cute when her mane’s messed up. “Mmm…Duskie…" She’s…hugging me…Fresh books, I’m telling you! "Twilight? You okay?" She slowly opened her eyes to be greeted with mine. “I’m…fine. Now that you’re REALLY here.” Awww. I’m telling you I LOVE this mare! “Are you sure?” She’s hugging me tighter…Is that good or bad? “It was just a dream.” She said quietly into my chest. I started stroking her mane…I honestly don’t know why…But we both liked it. I didn’t even THINK about Spike and Spines. Somehow…I KNEW they wouldn’t come. Just my luck…The door flung open.
“Dusk!?” NOT BUTTERSCOTCH! OF ALL MY FRIENDS TO COME PARADING IN HERE, WHY BUTTERSCOTCH!? We both stared in silence. This was VERY embarrassing. JUST WAIT! IT GETS WORSE! SUDDENLY FLUTTERSHY WALKS IN! “TWILIGHT!?” Twilight looked even more embarrassed than me! “Uh…Hi…Fluttershy.” WHY SOLARIS, WHY!? WHAT DID I EVER DO? …besides sleep with my female double… “Why are you in my bedroom, Butterscotch?” GREAT! HERE COMES THE SHYNESS!! “Um…well…I, um…us and the others wanted to know why you were asleep all afternoon…but I see now so I’ll just go.” ALL AFTERNOON!? I was surprised to find myself downstairs…I DIDN’T EVEN REMEMBER GOING DOWN THE STAIRS! Sure enough, all of the others were there…STARING AT ME.
“What?” Elusive chuckled. “Duskshine…YOU HAVE A TISSUE IN YOUR MANE!” He burst out laughing along with the other colts…plus Dash, Pinkie and Apple Jack. “WHAT!?” I shook my head violently to get it out but it was stuck. YIKES. Twilight walked up from behind me and pulled it out with her magic. I could FEEL the blush on my face. Blitz held a smug face. I could tell what he was thinking…and he was right. sigh “Hi guys.” Elusive stopped laughing IMMEDIATELY after I spoke. “Duskshine? You’re sounding a bit…down.” ARE YOU KIDDING!? I JUST SLEPT WITH…nevermind. “I’m fine.” Blitz laughed. DON’T YOU DARE!
“Are you kidding!? He must be WAY better than fine! He jus-” First instinct. Slam a hoof over his mouth. I honestly wanted to kick him…He’s lucky Twilight’s here. The other colts were putting two and two and two together. Please don’t get it. PLEASE DON’T GET IT! They all burst out laughing. Same with the mares. I honestly HATED them right now. I could tell Twilight thought the same. But she was more embarrassed than angry. The only ones that DIDN’T laugh were Fluttershy and Butterscotch. They were my BEST friends now. I HATE Blitz! “That’s it! If you guys won’t SUPPORT me, but instead LAUGH at me, I’ll just go back to Canterlot!”
I couldn’t believe myself. I had never threatened to go back to Canterlot! I felt ashamed…that is until Twilight said- “ME TOO!” That was…SCARY. The mares gasped. The colts just looked at each other worried that they had gone too far. Rarity stepped forward. “Twilight Darling, if you want to go back to Canterlot then that’s FINE…But, if you want to stay here AND be with Duskshine then that’s fine too.” She really IS like Elusive. No wonder he likes her! He likes HIMSELF too much! I looked to Twilight…who was gone. She was hugging Rarity…OF course! She came back to my side…She smells like roses now.
Twilight gave me a quick peck on the cheek. My life had changed ever since that ‘fateful’ night. Now I was expected to shoo away an Ursa Major from the Everfree Forest. It was probably one of my most dangerous tasks, but it was worth it. I had everything ready to go when there was a knock on the door. Twilight opened it to find a panicking Elusive. “Oh, hello Twilight…Dusk is here right?” He seemed…scared. Twilight nodded and let him in. He ran over to me with a TERRIFIED expression. “Duskshine…I need to talk privately.” “Um…okay.” We walked upstairs where I shooed away Spines. He seemed like he was relieved for the first time in weeks. “It’s about Rarity…” This can’t end well. “She’s………pregnant.” It struck me like a brick. Elusive panicked again. “I-I didn’t mean to! It just……happened.” I felt really bad for him. I mean, he’s obsessed with being a proper gentlecolt…and this wasn’t very gentlecoltly. “I don’t know what to do! I’ve never taken care of a foal besides Sweepy Bell! It’s…scary.” I was FREAKED! I mean you can’t just go and have a foal with your female self! Then again…you can’t sleep with them either. I didn’t know what to do! “Do you, want a book?” That was THE ONLY THING I could think of. He shook his head. “If I’m going to do this, I’m going to do it myself!” There’s still one other thing. “How about adoption?” He looked appalled. I didn’t blame him. “Fine.” WAIT, WHAT!? “If I have to…” Oh geez. That’s it! “No, Don’t.” “What?” SERIOUSLY!? “Don’t. You really shouldn’t if you don’t want to.” He smiled, and hugged me.
I saw Elusive and Rarity the next day… I was just glad they were happy. Elusive deserves the best. Twilight saw what I was looking at and tugged my ear. I turned to her. “What was that for?” She shrugged. “I don’t know…” Here we go again. “Well stop it okay? It’s annoying.” She tugged on it again, harder this time. “Ow! I said stop!” She lowered her head. “I just wanted to mess around a little.” Oh Solaris…SERIOUSLY!? “I just don’t like it…” She buried her head into my neck. “I’m fine with this though.” She looked at me confused. I smiled at her which made her giggle a little. “I do have a goofy smile don’t I?” She looked in pain. “Are you okay?” She nodded. “I’m fine.” Hmm. “In that case do you want to stop by Sugarcube Corner? Berry’s selling some new kinds of muffins.” She was smiling again. “Yeah, sure…I’d like that. Maybe something to take my mind off… Nevermind.” Something’s not right… We finally got to Sugarcube Corner when Macarena came walking out. “Hey Macarena! How’s the farm doing?” She just ignored me and kept walking. “Huh…Strange.”
We walked inside to find two party pink ponies running from table to table. One stopped. “Hi Twilight!” Twilight responded with a nod. Not like her… Berry stopped as well, but only for about two seconds. Pinkie turned to me with a big smile. “Hi Duskie!” “Pinkie, I told you not to call me that.” “Why not?” Don’t make me say this… “Because, I don’t like it when ponies call me that.” COME ON! “Twilight calls you that.” I felt like pounding myself in the head. Twilight giggled. “Pinkie, it’s a pet name.” PLEASE Twilight! Berry was laughing his tail off. “Like Dashie?” “No, Pinkie. Like Spikey-Wikey.” She couldn’t help but giggle at the thought. Pinkie stood silent. Then started laughing JUST like Berry. “Whatever…Just forget the muffins.” Berry sat up. “You mean the SPECIAL muffins?” BERRY!!!! Twilight cringed slightly. “Actually, Dusk…I think I want to go back home.” I knew what was happening at this point. I could tell when Twilight lifted her back leg to her stomach. Yeah…This wasn’t good. “We’ll come back some other time Berry.” We waved goodbye and hurried back to the library. I slammed the door behind us making Twilight jump. “Alright, WHAT IS GOING ON!?” She looked scared. “I’m sorry…” She’s…crying? “Twilight?” I walked towards her to be surprised with a hug. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you before!” I KNEW IT! “Twilight…Why didn’t you tell me?” “I-I was scared. I'm sorry.” No...THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING! “Twilight, you had nothing to be scared of. I...” “Agh!” NO, NO, NO! “Twilight! Are you okay?” “I-I don't know!” Uh oh. My horn glowed dark pink as I teleported us to the hospital. A caramel mare was obviously very startled. “Duskshine? Why are you here?” I panicked. “Twilight-Trouble-Foal-HELP!” She nodded and took Twilight through the hall. I sat in the waiting room for what felt like HOURS. The mare finally came back with a slip of paper. She saw me and smiled. “Yes, Twilight is expecting. I'm surprised you didn't find out sooner!” “Why?” She let out a small laugh. “She's been expecting for three months!” That was...oh. “The foal is acting up so I’m afraid we’ll have to keep her here.” “WHAT!?” “I’m sorry Duskshine, but it’s protocol.” Great. “I understand.” I walked out of the hospital to be greeted by Butterscotch. “Hello Duskshine.” “Hey Scotch. Wait, why are you here?” “Oh…I was just visiting Rainbow Blitz!” Blitz? “What happened to Blitz?” He looked nervous. “Okay fine! I came here to see AJ!” NOT what I expected. “He told me to keep it a secret! I TOLD him I’m not good with secrets!”
“O-Kay…What happened to AJ?” “No! I already told you too much!” He flew into the hospital rather quickly. I went back inside to see AJ talking with Butterscotch. He had his *ahem* wrapped up. “AJ!?” His head jerked up and I could tell he was sweating bullets. “Uh…HEY DUSK!” “WHAT HAPPENED?” He looked ashamed. “I’m sorry, Dusk. It wasn’t mah fault!” I heard the door creak open and Fluttershy walked in with Apple Jack. “APPLE JACK!!!” “Uh oh.” “THAT’S RIGHT, UH OH!!” AJ jumped in between us. “IT WASN’T HER FAULT EITHER!!” “UGH!!” “GO AHEAD AND YELL AT HER! BUT YOU’RE NOT TOUCHING HER!!” “THERE HAS BEEN ENOUGH…YOU KNOW!! WE ARE GOING TO STOP!” “FINE!” Apple Jack started to silently step towards the door. “YOU! Stop right there!” She hung her head in shame. “Tell me EXACTLY what happened!”
AJ P.O.V.
I walked toward the barn hoping to find some tree clippers. The door creaked open and I walked inside, digging around in boxes hoping to find something. I finally found some tree clippers and headed for the barn door. I had no idea that Apple Jack was right outside the door. I tripped over her tail on my way out and landed on top of her. “Aah!” She jumped up and bucked me RIGHT in the crotch. “OH SOLARIS, BUTTERMILK RAISINS!!” “AJ!?”
Duskshine P.O.V.
“So...Nothing else happened?” AJ frowned. “Duskshine, even if it did, would that be any of YOUR buisness?” I let out a relieved sigh. “I guess not.” AJ gave a smug smile. “Ah'm not saying it DIDN'T happen.” I gave him a growl. “Say...Why are you even here dusk?” I gulped nervously. He narrowed his eyes at me. sigh “Twilight'shavingafoal.” AJ rubbed his ear. “What was that?” “TWILIGHT'S HAVING A FOAL AND I CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT!!” They all stared blankly at me. Then AJ broke into a laughing fit. “HA, HA, HA! GOOD ONE DUSK! YOU ALMOST HAD ME SCARED!” I lowered my head. “It's not a joke.” His eyes shot open. “Wait, WHAT!?” “It's not a joke!” Apple Jack tried to keep in a laugh. AJ looked more concerned. “Seriously? Man, I thought it was bad when it happened to ELUSIVE!” Apple Jack quickly brought her attention to AJ. “Rarity didn't tell me anything 'bout a foal.” AJ chuckled. “The only reason I found out was because I was with Butterscotch at the moment.” AJ's smile faded. “About Twilight, how'd it happen?” I stretched my jaw out in a nervous smile. “Well...you remember that one afternoon I threatened to go back to canterlot?” They both nodded their heads. “Well I'm pretty sure that's when it happened.”
Twilight finished wrapping the bandage around my leg.
“Now careful when you’re handling things without magic,” She kissed my hoof, causing me to blush a bit. “You know you’re not good at it.” I focused my vision to the suddenly interesting ground. She held me closer, allowing me to feel her growing pudge.
“I’m sorry…” She gave me a quizzical look.
“What for?” I shuffled away from her.
“For making you…you know…that.” She followed my hoof to her stomach and looked to the floor with a frown.
“It’s not a big deal…” My eyes snapped open.
“What!? Of course it is! YOU’RE BUCKING PREGNANT!” She dug her head into my chest to calm me down.
“It’s not a big deal because…” She looked up at me with a smile. “…I forgive you.”
I nuzzled her nose with mine and gently kissed her. Blitz suddenly crashed through the door with a loud THUD!
“Dusk! Twilight! Hospital, HURRY!” He broke sonic levels as he made his way towards the hospital. Dusk simply teleported.
“It’s fine, right? SHE’S FINE RIGHT!?” Elusive attempted to break past the nurse between him and the hall door.
“Yes Elusive, she’s fine.” The ponies could hear a very audible shriek from the room.
“Let me in, I tell you! LET ME IN!!” The ivory colt scrambled to get past the stationary nurse. Dusk trotted up to his close friend with extreme concern. Blitz crashed through the window, tumbling into Dash who scrambled to get him off of her. His look said ‘How the HECK did Dusk get here before me!?’
“Elusive, what’s going on?” His friend turned around with a frazzled mane and sags under his eyes.
“What’s going on? What’s going ON!?” Dusk stepped back a bit as Elusive drew closer. “I’ll tell you what’s going on Dusk, my lady is in there experiencing EXTREME pain…!” He paused as his eye twitched. “…AND I CAN’T BE THERE FOR HER!!” Dusk retreated to his rump in fear. The ponies heard another shriek before Elusive tackled the nurse, or at least tried to. “I’M COMING MILADY!” He again tried to tackle the nurse multiple times before giving up and crying into his hooves.
“Excuse me,” Dusk walked up to the nurse guarding the door with a confident smile. “I am Prince Dusk Shine,” The nurse cocked an eyebrow. “…I would so greatly appreciate it if…maybe…you could let my friend go see his marefriend?” The nurse grumbled before stepping aside to let the colt through. Elusive jerked upright with a wide grin.
“Oh, thank you Dusk Shine!” He hugged the lavender colt and trotted down the hall. The door was shut before another shriek erupted, except this one was more from horror. The doors burst open as Elusive toppled over the nurse and swiftly hid behind Butterscotch.
“What a monstrosity! Eeeewwwwww!!!!” Dusk giggled as the nurse cursed under his breath and closed the door.
“Ten hours…!” Blitz said, utterly bored. Elusive was intently watching the door, not even seeming to notice the cries of pain. Dash flipped around on her chair as the two apples each played tic-tac-toe with their pink friends. Dusk paced back and forth, but not because of the amount of time Rarity was taking. He was worried about Twilight. She was the only one NOT at the hospital. He would’ve been twiddling his thumbs if he had them again.
“Gah! I can’t take it anymore!” Everyone was surprised to see these words come out of Dusk Shine and not the rainbow maned pegasi, even Dusk himself. “I’m going to check on Twilight.” As if on cue, Twilight tapped him on the shoulder. He turned around and saw that she was holding a foal. She blushed and looked down.
“I…guess you didn’t realize huh?” Dusk was silent. “I…” Twilight smiled. “I was here the whole time.”
“…”
“Dusk?”
“…” Twilight waved a free hoof in front of the colt’s face.
“Hello?”
“…WHAT!?” Twilight backed away and the foal started crying as Duskshine started his outburst. “I never got see my OWN FOAL born!?” He stared Twilight to the floor. “And you not only tell me AFTER, but like…THIS?”
Dusk jolted awake. He rubbed his eyes. He had fallen asleep in one of the waiting chairs. He looked around and saw that all of the colts had gone home except for Elusive. He looked outside and understood why, it was pitch black out. He glanced over at Elusive who had fallen asleep.
“He sure is devoted…” Dusk said out loud to himself. Elusive shuffled and muttered a few coherent words every now and then.
“Mmm…Rarity…Foal…Consequeces.” Yeah. Dusk knew. He was right, soooo not gentlecoltly. Dusk shuffled his hooves as he realized it was freezing. He popped a blanket into existence and laid it carefully onto Elusive. He groaned in response.
“What do I say?” Dusk asked himself, trying to figure out how to explain his tardiness. He opened the door and was shocked to see Spike next to an unconscious Twilight.
“What the HAY!?” Spike leaped back in surprise.
“Dusk! Thank goodness you’re here!” Spike lifted up a needle. “What is this?” Dusk levitated the medical needle in front of his face.
“Spike! These are drugs!” Spike held his claw to his mouth.
“Oh my gosh! What do you think happened?” Dusk narrowed his eyes.
‘She couldn’t have done it herself…could she?’