E.q.Gee Rule Sixty-three

“But what if it really is true?” Dusk worried

“No it is not.” Barbra assured.

“But…But…what if Sundown-”

“Dusk – Just because Sundown was able to steal a crown from you and has a name that sounds almost like yours does not make him a long-lost brother. Period. Now let’s get back to getting that crown.”

“How am I going to do that? I’ll need to be prom king and I don’t even know where to even start being a prince.” Dusk panicked.  It was good thing that it was now after-school and that most of the student population had now left, so he and Barbra could cruise the halls in ease.

“Then let’s find some resources we can use!” Barbra assured.

“Where?” Dusk wondered.

“While I was looking for you, I found somewhere in the school that I thought might make you feel at home...”

Faye didn't have a home in this town.  She often told everyone that she lived far out of town – which was indeed true, but vague.  “I’m tired of hiding….and I’m tired of letting him act like he owns me….” Faye cried as the sun began to set in the park.

Faye wished she had somewhere to go, just like before.  Because both of them were ‘out of town’, she and Sundown had to rent a small apartment.  They needed a new carpet and only had enough food to help them walk to school and stay awake.  But they were together and away from the chilling Winter air.

“You keep saying that you still have love to me….but maybe you’re lying to yourself Sundown, as you had lied to Prince Solaris, to others, and to me.  You were always trouble….but  I loved you until there was nothing left…Then I left you…”

Flare wished that he would leave her. But he never did – he sometimes appeared in her dreams and her trains of thought.  He haunted her, because he just wanted to tell her that he loved her.

But Faye already knew that it wasn't true.  He loved power now – his heart was closer to the Carnelian Key than it was to her. Faye continued to ponder how things could have been different. Just then, the street light turned on, bringing up the issue of not having immediate shelter for the night.

Then she remembered about Dusk.  She dashed down the street while the sky turned from orange to blue.  “Please be still in the school, Dusk.” She prayed.

“A library!” Dusk exclaimed upon entering the library

“Yup…now I feel just at home.” Barbra scoffed. "Good thing I don't have to clean it."

Dusk received a sharp ‘shhhhh’ coming from the other side of the room. It was from some tall teacher with a pink mustache, a slightly dark complication, and grass-green eyes.  His flower-spotted nametag read “Hello I’m VERY CHERRY TODAY”

“Cherish?” Dusk wondered As a librarian? With a mustache? Back home, Cherish was an elementary school teacher and a friend Dusk would have tea with every week.

“Did you call my name, chap?” The Cherish-human asked, in a Canterlot-style accent. “It’s Mr. Charles actually.”

“The accent is also new.” Barbra added from within the backpack.

“Uh…Mr. Charles…” Dusk added. “Do you know how kings…um…become popular?”

Charles looked confused “They…are just born popular? I don’t know for sure. That’s something you’ll have to look into. I recommend the history section of the library.” and he pointed to a wall of books on one end of library.

Sugar and Spice were also in the library yet they were interested in fantasy-picture-books, under the wing, *For nostalgic readers*.

“I can’t even find a darn thing that’s scary other than dragons.” Sugar added, tossing a copy of The Hobbit over his shoulder. “How come Sundown puts us here?  Does he think we’re nothing but a bunch of little girls?”

“Nah.  He said he would be hanging out with two new pals – Tristan the Trickster and Teneberia the Queen.” Spice stated, scrolling through 90’s sci-fi comics. “Sundown said he wanted inspiration for his ‘final plans’ at Fall Formal so he ordered us to look for something scary in the library…”

“That’s the thing - what is scary?” Sugar asked “People love dragons and aliens. Heck they even love slenderman, killer bugs, and zombies.”

“Hmmm....They love to get scared by those… but what is one thing that they never looked forward to getting scared by? Other than test scores that is...” Spice asked.

Sugar though for a moment and then said “Death.”

“Death?”

“Death.”

“Death, really?” Spice asked. “What’s so scary about it?”

“You don’t want to meet it, yet it will always come for you. And it’s real.” Spice stated creepily.

“Okay – death it is. But what are we going to give inspiration Sundown as? The grim reaper?” Sugar asked.

Spice stated “No it’s out of his character, too subtle and too dark…we need something….that does not hide behind a cloak yet is a sign of death.  We need something that open, original, fearful, strong and dominating. We need…”

“…a balrog from Lord of The Rings!!” Spice suggested.

“…or a vampire!”

“…or a Sith lord!”

“Shut your traps up, you devils!” Mr. Charles shouted from across the hall. “Oh and the library closes in half an hour!”

The two girls looked at each other.

“You thinking what I’m thinking?” Spice asked.

“Taking trickster out to Fall Formal?” Sugar replied, blinking her round eyes.

“…no…I was thinking….about doing a demon for Sundown’s inspiration.” Spice grinned.

Dusk was starting to fall asleep as he read, his drool landing on the pages and spoiling the ink. Barbra had also gotten tired of looking through the books of Kings and Queens, having no information what a king must do to become such, only what Kings were.

Most of the kings had sickened Dusk – they were ruthless, selfish, and tyrannical most of the time.  Some of them reminded Dusk of Sundown, making Dusk wonder if he even was cut out to be prince.

So Dusk slept, ignoring the wall speakers announcing  *The library will close in ten minutes.*

Faye was rushing back into the school, throwing open the front door and dashing from class to class, finding no sign of Dusk until she sprinted into library and saw Dusk on the second level sitting at a desk.

Thankful, Faye trudged upstairs and found Dusk snoring and his head in a book.

“Dusk! Dusk wake up!” Faye urged, but Dusk wouldn't respond.

Then Faye heard a click and sound of a door being locked. She glanced down at the first level to see Sugar and Spice exit the library and Mr. Charles lock it without noticing her or Dusk above.

“Darnit!” Flare uttered and kicked a pile of nearby books.

This startled Barbra who yelped “It’s you!” at the sight of Faye.

Dusk darted into an upright position as Barbra’s yelp, spinning around and gasping “Faye?!”

“Yes it’s me Dusk! What are you two doing here?” Faye wondered, stepping around Dusk and glancing at the book he was reading “You are reading about royalty?”

“For the Fall Formal prom king election.” Dusk Explained as Faye shuffled through his books.

“Dusk, when will you realize that there isn’t a perfect *how to be prom king for eggheads*?” Faye wondered “This isn’t about ruling or having responsibility – it’s a stupid popularity contest.”

Dusk frowned “Why are you so worried about me? Ever since I stepped into this school, you have been taking care of me as if you already know me!”

“I know that you need to win to stop Sundown! He’s up to no good with that key around his neck-” Faye continued but was interrupted by Dusk.

“How do you know about Sundown and the key? Do you even know its power?” Dusk warily asked.

“I just know!” Faye replied, gripping Dusk’s pinkish wrist. “Now let’s find a way out of here!”

“Not until you tell me everything.” Dusk urged. But Faye glared at Dusk with angry eyes, causing Dusk to say “Fine…tell me at least how you know about Sundown and the Key.”

Choosing her word carefully Faye said, “Very well – I met Sundown a…long time ago.  When I realized he was bully I, uh…left him.  However, I noticed earlier today he wasn't himself and…I think…it was due to that key. Its…it’s like a magical key yoy know. And…word has been going around the school about how you saved Ben from Sundown and you signing up for Fall Formal.  If there is anyone who can show Sundown isn't the boss anymore, it’s you. You just need to get that crown.”

Dusk blushed “Yeah but am I supposed to do? I can’t steal it….” Dusk knew that as a Prince of Equestria his actions would represent the society and royal family of his home.

“I’m not asking you to. But you need to find people who would be willing to support you.” Faye replied “Like Ben, Bobby, Austin….”

“And what about you?” Dusk wondered, his eyes sparkling briefly.

Faye gazed back into Dusk eyes “Me? I…”

“You don’t want Sundown to win as much as I do. And I’ll need everyone to back me up against him, his power, and his minions. I’ll need even you.”

“Its…nice to hear that somepony needs me again.” Faye signed.

Dusk cocked an eyebrow “Did you say-”

Barbra then barked to Dusk and Faye, asking them to follow her.  In between two shelves Faye could see a pile of books covered by a tarp

“A bed? Thanks Barbra.” Dusk patting Barbra’s head.

“I guess it will do, since we’re locked in here for the night.” Faye stated as the sun began to set and the moon rose, as seen in the ceiling window.

“Don’t you have your own place?” Dusk wondered “I’m sure…Barbra could get a hold of your folks. She is a really smart…assistant after all.” Dusk couldn't bring himself to call Barbra a dog – a dog or a dragoon; she was a huge asset to him.

“Nope; I live out of town, and I’ve moved out of my folks place long ago.” Faye replied sitting on the book-bed.

As Dusk sat beside her, he said to Faye, “I have a feeling there is more between you and Sundown that what you have told me.”

Faye sign looking away from Dusk “I cannot tell you anything else right now, other than he always lies about loving me…and other things….”

Dusk wondered if he should tell Faye about where he came from or who he really was. But that would probably confuse her and push her away from him.  Besides, Faye looked as if she was through something personal recently and Dusk had thought this was the longest day of his life; it seemed as if a good night’s rest was needed for the both of them, not an interrogation.

Dusk then blushed at another thought – he was sleeping with a girl. …a girl from an alien world – the guys back home will never stop teasing me about this. But as long as I don’t touch her in my sleep or push her off the bed…we should be alright…

The two humans then threw the tarp over their bodies and closed their eyes.  But Dusk soon heard a giggle coming from Barbra, who huddled in a nearby bookself between *The Complete Works of Shakespeare* and *To Kill a Mockingbird*.

“What’s so funny?” Dusk asked.

Barbra quietly sang “Faye and Dusk, sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-”

“Okay that’s just immature Barbra.” Dusk brought up.

“What’s immature?” Faye giggled, as if she heard Barbra’s song.

“Uh, nothing! It was just Barbra…doing something. I mean I thought she was going to do something-” Dusk stammered.

Faye laughed “Hey it’s alight.  Barbra is free to say what’s on her mind...”

Dusk eyed Faye warily, wondering if she knew Faye could talk and wasn't a normal dog.

“...But yeah, I don’t expect to hear much from Barbra, anyway. She’s a dog.” Faye stated, reaching out and scratching behind her ears.  Barbra purred happily in response.

Dusk slammed his head against a copy of *the hatchet* while Faye’s head landed against *Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone*