Mirror Imagesby zerofireking13ChaptersChapter 1Chapter 2Chapter 3Chapter 1It started out as any other day in our life. Six guys and one girl is about as gets around here without getting into trouble is normal. I stepped out to get the newspaper as normal with a cup of coffee in hand I picked it up. Turning around and jogging up the steps careful not to spill my coffee, I looked at the door to see a paper taped to it. I mumbled, “Must have come around when we were out last night.” Stuffing the paper under my arm, I opened the letter. “Dear Residents… blah, blah, blah.” I paused at the last sentence mostly because it had a giant-ass EVICTED on it. Going back inside I set the paper on the coffee table I shouted. “Blitz, Barry, Jack, Elusive, Scotch, Spines get your asses down here NOW!” I heard my sister Spines stir from her bed and yell back. “Dusk, have you had your coffee yet?” I had a very bad history of blowing things out of proportion especially if I don’t have my coffee in the morning. “Yes I did now get up and get moving!” Now they were worried I started shouting everyone started to haul to the kitchen. Blitz was always first down the stairs. Jack turned on the lights and Spines started another pot of coffee. Elusive was the first one to speak up. “Dusk, what is the problem?” I took out the piece of paper and threw it on the counter for everyone to see. “We’re being evicted.” It was so silent you could hear a fly fart. Jack, with his country boy accent spoke up. “What‘re we going to do now?” In all of friend’s I had he was always brutally honest. It’s part of the reason he lost his farm. I sighed “What we always do when we need to move. Whose turn is it?” Spines came back with six and answered my question. “Yours bro, so you better be a good ass throw this time.” I grabbed my KA-Bar military knife. Looking at a map of Equuis I cocked my arm back and threw the knife like a tomahawk and it hit. Blitz looked up and asked. “What’s the verdict?” I thought about it for a while before talking. “I got good news and a question. First I actually good ass throw to make it on the map. Second, what the hell is a ponyville?” I looked back at everyone and they shrugged even Spines. I finished my coffee in one big gulp and looked at them once more. “Then let’s get packing.” Two hours passed and a pair of box trucks and Jack’s range rover were pulling up. Blitz got out of the first one and slammed the door. “I win again Jack, like I always do.” Jack was angry at this point. “How many times to ah to tell ya Rainbow. Not everythin’s a damn race.” I was standing on the porch just watching them argue. Blitz was smaller and thinner due to his running track and field in high school. Jack was the larger more well built due to he and his family owning a farm. Jack was just insulting Blitz’s name and his hair color which was a tussle of more than one color. “Are you guys going to make out or help pack because I’m fine either way.” I shouted both of them looked at me and turned back to each other, then walked back to the porch to start picking up boxes. Blitz mumbled “Hick.” Jack retorted under his breath. “Gay pride flag.” Leaning on the doorframe, I shook my head and looked at the empty house. I stepped inside on more time looked around and it was deserted. “One chapter ended, Time for a new one.” Spines, Scotch, and Elusive were staring at me I spoke again. “I’m going to drop off these keys to the landlord and we head out to our new destination.” Barry was halfway outside the window waving at our old hometown. “Bye trees, Goodbye Bridge, bye clouds. Bye.” I grabbed him by his belt and pulled him back in. “Barry just stay in the car so I can concentrate.” Without even faltering, he just nodded and started to play his PS Vita. I look at the passenger side as I noticed the sign that said we were leaving the state. “Okay now.” Barry put down his game and wave out the window. “BYE STATE.” I glanced at him and asked. “You good?” Barry sat back down with the biggest grin on his face. “Yeah I’m good.” Three days later, we stopped at a gas station. Jack and Blitz huddled around me looking at the map and the route I drew out. Elusive couldn’t care less as he was sketching in his notebook. Scotch was cuddled up with his stuffed bunny sleeping. Barry and Spines were in the store, they were in charge of snacks I opened the Range Rover and shook Scotch’s knee to wake him up. He looked up and slurred. “Wats goin on?” I told him. “Last bathroom break before we hit the road again to better go do it.” He replied by getting up and going in the store. Elusive already took notice of this, put his stuff in the truck, and followed Scotch. Then Blitz, Jack, and I already went and gassed up the three trucks Jack asked. “Ah’m gonna regret asking this but how much longer do we have before we get to where we’re goin?” Folding the map, I answered his question. “Five hours left and it’s 4:00 already. By the time we get there it’ll be past daybreak.” Blitz started to chuckle and then said. “Baltimare to Ponyville in three days it’s gotta be some type of record.” This time everyone was back at the trucks and Spines was handing out coffee and donuts. “Don’t thank me boys I just like the silence.” I sighed and gave her a side hug. “I love you sis.” I piled in the Rover and turned over the engine all of the others guys piled in their trucks and the rover and buckled up. Then I spoke to the backseat at Barry. “Hey maybe when we get to our new house you can throw us a house warming party.” I looked at the rearview mirror and I thought he was going to explode. Passing the sign it said ‘Welcome to Ponyville’ New chapter of our lives here we come. I didn’t know I could be blown away by such a small town in the middle of nowhere. I looked for the address and found it almost immediately. The place was huge more than big enough to house seven people everyone was getting out and we stood in a group in the front yard. Blitz patted my shoulder and said. “Good throw Dusk.” Now here I am in the middle of a town knowing nobody not knowing anything about this place in front of a practical mansion. Spines broke my train of thought and asked me. “Dusk how much did this cost?” I shook my head and looked at her “You wouldn’t believe me even if I told you.” She sighed. “Then enlighten me please brother.” “Solaris.” Everyone looked at me then all of them had an angry look. I had to clarify at this point or I’m in neck-deep shit. “Before we had our falling out I had finally gotten my doctorate in astronomy. He was so proud he gave me his old summer home. He gotten a new one and gave me this one. I knew I heard of Ponyville before but it didn’t strike me until now.” They didn’t have that angry look in their eyes anymore. I checked my watch and I knew that the stores were opening by now. I ran past all the guys and up the stairs, and thus we started our tradition of claiming our bedrooms. I ran past all the doors in the upstairs hallway to the master bedroom, jumping and falling on the bed. Claiming my spot in the house now it was time for the next part, unpacking. I passed Jack in the hallway he was carrying a box of his stuff he put it down and tapped on my shoulder. I turned and said. “What is it Jack?” Leaning on the wall catching his breath then spoke up. “Scotch is going to be bunking with me ah jus’ wanted to let ya know.” Scotch did have a reputation for being scared shitless of his own shadow. I’m just glad Jack understood the reason why and offered to let him bunk with him. I looked over the railing to see Barry ransacking the kitchen like he always did whenever we moved into a new house. “Hey Barry what are you doing down there?” He stopped and looked at me then shouted. “Hey Dusk, this is the best kitchen I’ve ever seen. I’m making a big batch of cupcakes for the party tonight and I’m going to invite everyone in town!” That point everyone stopped in their tracks as soon as they heard that Barry was throwing a party. Spines spoke up first. “You’re going to let Barry throw a party.” I looked at her walked down the stairs, grabbed her into a side hug, and told her. “We just traveled across the country in less than a week and didn’t kill each other in the process. I’m more than sure that all of us have stress from the move and we need to let it out which is why I’m letting Barry throw a party.” I grabbed the keys to the rover and headed out. Spines shouted “Where are you going!” I shouted back. “To the local library I need to read!” I pulled out of the driveway and turned onto the road. It didn’t take me long to reach it the locals said look for the building that looks like a giant ass tree. Pulling up I stared at the building and mumbled to myself. “Well they weren’t wrong.” The sign in front said ‘Golden Oaks Public Library’ I opened the door and heard the ringing of the bell and saw a teenage boy about Spines age. He was filing away books then took notice of me. Then he shouted over his shoulder. “Twilight customer!” I heard a woman’s voice reply. “Alright Spike I’m coming down I was just writing a report.” She stopped when she looked at me and my train of thought just slammed on the brakes when I saw her. She was a spitting image of me except for the parts that she was a girl. Then she started to laugh. “Okay Dash very funny now come on out getting someone to look like me is a very good prank you got me.” I started to look around as she was searching behind the bookshelves. I was worried about her mental stability I spoke up. “Who the hell are you talking about?” She paused in her search composed herself and looked at me. “Wait, you weren’t sent here by a slim athletic girl with rainbow colored hair.” I had a big look of confusion on my face now. “No I wasn’t sent here by anyone I just moved here from Baltimare and needed to relieve some stress.” She blinked once then twice. “You came to a library to relive stress?” she asked. I nodded yes then I asked. “Do you have a section on astrology and a position open for a job because I really need one.” She looked up and down at me then pointed at shelves of books and asked. “Do you have a resume?” Walking over to the shelves she followed me I started to file through the books picking my favorite titles. I paused turned to her and asked. “What was your name again?” She replied. “It’s Twilight.” I grimaced when she said that. She looked at my face and asked. “What is it?” I turned back to the shelves and said. “It’s nothing.” It was something and she knew so she said. “I know it’s not just nothing now tell me.” I stood up turned back to her and said. “It’s your name.” She looked at me like I had just insulted her. “What is wrong with my name.” Yeah she was angry so I explained. “It’s the same thing as my name and my name is Dusk.” Her expression went from angry to shocked at the drop of a dime. Then she was blindsided by a very fast pink blur for a second I thought it was Barry since I was so used to his antics I just sidestepped her when she was launched forward. The blur turned out to be a girl. With pink puffed hair and had party balloons grouped in three on her skirt. She was shaking the Librarian and talking a mile a minute. “Twilightwakeupmypinkiesensewentoff.” Twilight shook her head and asked. “Okay Pinkie what happened, slower this time.” The Pink haired girl took a deep breath and talked slower. “Well, I was baking a batch of cupcakes and suddenly got a big combo of itchy hair, a right winking eye, wiggly nose and an tingling left ankle. That could only mean two things first it’s going to rain bowling balls or second new people moved to ponyville!” Who knows when it could be the first one. I started to chuckle the pink haired girl looked at me the looked back at Twilight. Then she asked the librarian. “Did you try to make a male clone of yourself again Twilight?” It wasn’t the fact that we looked so similar it was the part of when she said again. Now not only am I dealing with a female version of myself but she’s also a pervert, great. “I’m going to leave before I start to get probed.” I rushed out the door dropping the books taking out my keys getting in the rover and driving as fast as possible without breaking the speed limit. I pulled up opened the door and rushed to the house as fast as I ran when I left the Library. As soon as I opened the door, it was dark then the lights were thrown on and I was almost given a heart attack as everyone yelled “SURPRISE!!!!!!!” I stopped everyone was looking at me is silence and then I said. “That’s it I’m dead.” I dropped to the floor and Barry ran up with a bucket full of water. He said this. “In case of fainting emergencies.” Then he dumped it on me I woke with a start as cold water was dumped on my face. “What happened?” Jack spoke up “You fainted.” I stood up and then said to the guys. “You wouldn’t believe what happened to me at the library. It was so damn freaky I saw a girl version of myself.” I looked at them and was handed a towel. Elusive spoke up. “Okay Dusk you may be in a state of shock but now is not the time to make up stories it’s unfitting of a gentlemen.” Drying myself off covering my navy blue hair, flossing it with the towel then setting it on my shoulders and said. “Elusive I swear to you, the guys, and the fucked up guy in the sky I’m not making this up.” Blitz was instantly at my side crushing me in a side hug. “I believe you D, I’ve heard of crazier things happening to people It’s just like military school.” I’m glad one of my friends believe me or I would’ve gone crazier, I think. Blitz let me go and I said “Sorry guys I just need to go to bed before anything blows up.” I fell asleep as soon as I hit the bed. I must’ve been more tired than I thought. I woke up the next morning as usual it took some time, but I finally figured out how to work the coffee maker. I was sitting on a white recliner searching the web when I heard a tiny tap on the door I looked around. “Must’ve been the wind.” I heard it again but a tiny bit louder this time. It was almost like Scotch had locked himself out and was trying to knock on the door. I got up to investigate when I got to the door, there was a banging on it like someone was being hunted down. I opened the door to find a 5’2 pink-haired girl that was wearing a green skirt and a yellow turtleneck. Beside her was a blonde girl wearing a Stetson a button up white short sleeve shirt, jean skirt, and cowboy boots. The blonde was a whole foot taller than the girl in the turtleneck. I heard the shorter girl speak up she was holding something in her arms. “Yes… um, would you like to volunteer at Ponyville’s local animal shelter?” She was trying to hide herself in her sweater. This point the cowgirl was angry. “How many times to ah hav’ to tell ya Shy you got…” I took the paper that ‘Shy’ was offering and said. “Sure, I have a friend that loves animals I’ll be sure to give it to him.” The cowgirl looked confused, while ‘Shy’ was beaming with a smile. The girl in the Stetson asked, “Wait ya mean to tell meh you actually understan’ her?” I looked at her and said. “The same friend that loves animals is also soft spoken I had to adjust fast to it so yeah.” I turned to go back inside when I realized something so I looked at the girls again and said. “I’m sorry I didn’t get your names.” The cowgirl tipped her hat up with her thumb and said. “My name’s Applejack. This one is Fluttershy.” Fluttershy waved. “Alright back to job hunting.” I said then I heard an explosion out front. That stopped me altogether I got back up and looked outside to see an old blue rusty tuck smoking from the hood. I opened the door and shouted to the two girls. “Do you need any help?” My shouting scared Fluttershy and Applejack waved back and yelled. “Naw! I’ll get the ol’ girl rollin’ again!” I went back inside and got back on my computer 15 minutes later I heard stomping up the porch and banging on my door, I opened it to find a certain farmer covered on mud. “Well Mr.…?” “Dusk.” “Yeah, well ah’ve got the engine fixed up but now we’re stuck. Could you please help us out?” I thought about it then answered her. “Hold on a sec’ I need to get my friend up he’s the best when it comes to heavy lifting.” She nodded and sat down on the steps. I ran up the stairs right up to Jack and Scotch’s room. Opened the door and flipped his mattress he stumbled out of it, shot up and yelled “What in the blue hell was that for!” Scotch stirred the rolled over and mumbled something about puppies. My hand was right over the mouth of the yelling farmer then I whispered. “Two girls are stuck in the mud in our driveway and need some heavy lifting done and one of them looks like you, so shut the fuck up and come with me.” I left the room to let him get dressed. He came out in blue jeans, wearing a flannel shirt and had his long hair in a high-rise ponytail tucked inside his favorite, you guessed it Stetson. Following me down I opened the door and introduced the girl on the porch to my friend. “Applejack meet Jack. Jack meet Applejack.” The instant He looked at her his stopped in his boots. Like I said earlier Jack was a big guy but to this girl he only stood three inches taller than her. The girl spoke up first “Well ah’ll be.” Then Jack said. “Took the words right out of mah mouth, Ah’m here ‘cause mah friend ‘ere said ya needed help?” They walked down the stairs and talked while I followed sipping my coffee. When we got to the truck, Applejack started to speak. “Well, ah’ve got the engine working again but ah’ve seemed to ‘ave dug some holes like mah dog.” Jack looked at the tires of the truck scratched his chin for a moment and then hopped back up. “Put the truck in neutral an’ ah’ll push it out.” Applejack looked dumbfounded the she spoke. “Now ah know that people are strong and ah don’t doubt that ya ain’t, but it seems kind of impossible.” Jack looked at her and asked. “Do ya own a farm?” She put her hands on her hips and said. “Yeah, but what’s that got to do with anythin’?” Jack pointed his thumb at the truck and said. “If ah can get the truck out of the mud by pushin’ it you’ve got to give meh a job.” The farmer spit in her hand and said. “Deal.” Jack returned the favor and said. “Get in and when ah say drive you drive got it?” The truck door opened and slammed and the truck started and was put in neutral after a thumbs up from the driver window Jack started to push. First, nothing happened. Applejack poked her head out the window to say something, but cut off when the truck started to move. Jack red in the face and with one final push he shouted. “NOW!” The truck lurched forward and then moved down the driveway. The farmer got out of the truck and then said. “Ah guess ah owe you a job Jack. Ah’m sorry ah doubted ya. When you’re ready come in to Sweet Apple Acres next Monday and ah’ll get ya filled in.” I looked at the hole that Jack was standing in then asked. “What are we going to do about that?” Jack looked at me and said. “Get Rainbow to do it I just lifted a damn truck.” Applejack stopped in her tracks as Fluttershy got out of the truck the girls started to walk up to Jack and Fluttershy asked. “Did you… just say Rainbow?” Jack was tackled to the ground by Applejack and said. “Fluttershy go get Rainbow ah’ll hold the big on down.” Fluttershy meeped and ran inside the house. Me in all of the confusion just went back inside following the scared girl. She was barely speaking above a normal voice. “Rainbow? Where are you?” I put my coffee down then shouted. “RAINBOW GET YOUR ASS UP!” The girl in front of me meeped again and uncovered her ears she was about say something when Blitz was rubbing his eyes he sleepily asked. “What izz it?” Picking up my coffee again I said. “Apparently these girls want to kidnap you from us.” By this time, Applejack was in the house and Jack came in stomping after her. “Fluttershy where’s Rainbow?” She answered her question by pointing at Blitz. The second time today the farmer seemed dumbfounded she said. “Ah think ah need to make a few phone calls.” Chapter 2Chapter 2 Within next two hours Jack, Blitz, and I got the other guys up, got them in the showers, and got them breakfast. I was greeted by six girls and a teenage boy. The guys and my sister filed down the steps and met their female clones of themselves. We had sat down in the dining room since the table was more than long enough. The guys sat on one side and the girls on the other I spoke up. “Well this is more than just freaky.” Everyone looked at me. “What I’m trying to break the ice or would you like to just stare at a person that looks exactly you.” Twilight then said. “Why don’t we start with introductions. I’m Twilight, that’s Pinkie, Fluttershy, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Spike.” I sat up. “Okay I’m Dusk, This is Barry, Scotch, Jack, Blitz, Elusive, and my sister Spines.” Fluttershy asked. “Excuse me… what kind of name is Scotch… if you don’t mind?” Scotch spoke in a normal voice but calmly. “I was bullied because my real name is Butterscotch. When I met Blitz he gave the nickname and it just stuck.” Fluttershy sat up gaining more confidence. “Getting back to the subject at hand, we need to address the fact that we are sitting across from the gender-swapped versions of ourselves.” Twilight agreed with me and said. “Yes, Dusk is right I need to call the princesses.” That caught my attention. “Wait, did you just say the princesses? In the rulers of Equuis princesses?” She nodded and said. “Yes, in fact I’m the personal student of Princess Celestia.” Then Rainbow Dash yelled. “What have you been doing all of your life living under a rock?” Practically for most of my life, it was either study or read when I just wanted to make friends. My teacher, Lord Solaris was a jackass and his brother Neptune wasn’t much better but he tolerated me and he knew the importance of making friends. “Let’s just say that growing up as the personal student of a major seat on the council. He didn’t care for anyone but himself.” Twilight got off of her phone and said. “They said that they’re going be here tomorrow.” That gave me an idea. “Hey why don’t we have a sleepover?” They stopped as they were leaving. Applejack said. “No offence sugarcube but we don’t even know you and we don’ have any sleepwear.” I thought about it for a second then talked. “Well, if you think about it you already know so well we are more than a lot alike and Elusive and Rarity can make some clothes.” I pointed at Rarity. “I think you would love what designs Elusive has in his sketchbooks.” Her eyes went wide at that point with excitement. The girls mulled it over then Fluttershy said. “Yes…if you don’t mind that is.” That took me off guard. Then Pinkie and Barry shouted, “SLEEPOVER PARTY!!!” Barry took Pinkie’s hands and said, “You’ve got to see the kitchen you can make so many cupcakes at once.” Pinkie then screamed in excitement. I tapped on Twilight’s shoulder and asked. “Hey you mind coming with me? I got something to show you.” She agreed and followed me. We got to a room I hadn’t seen in a long time. I opened the door to my old observatory I used whenever I came to this house. Twilight was taken aback, “Wow! This place is incredible. How did you get it?” I groaned slightly when she asked that. She looked at me. “What’s wrong?” I sat down and she sat next to me I started to talk. “We have had very, very, very, similar pasts except for one thing. You still talk to your teacher.” She was confused. “What do you mean?” I had to answer at this point I was in too deep already. “This whole house was a gift to me. It’s because I my doctorate in astronomy. My teacher wasn’t the most caring person but I didn’t have a family so I had no place to go. He kept pushing me to study more but one day I saw these kids playing outside and I wanted to join them. I snuck out and he caught me and put locks on my windows and doors so I couldn’t get out.” I paused to breathe in and out I didn’t want to lose it at this point. “I ran away when I was a legal adult and moved in with these guys they accepted me like family because I was one of them.” Twilight didn’t say anything she just hugged me and said, “How about we get out of this place and enjoy the party.” I wiped my watery eyes stood up and twirled her around like a dancer then said, “I would like nothing better.” When we got downstairs, Pinkie and Barry already made a fort out of our furniture and everyone was having a pillow massacre. I ducked as a pillow flew over to our direction and hit Twilight in the face and one pillow slid to my feet. We picked up our respective pillows and I turned to her and said. “Remember don’t swing until you see the whites of their eyes. CHARGE!!!!!” Screaming we dived over the pillow fort wall crashing into Jack and Spike who were currently hitting each other, tucked then rolled. Twilight and I stood back to back I asked her, “Military training?” Blocking a flying pillow, she answered me. “I have a brother in the royal guard, He taught me a few things.” I pointed up at Dash and Blitz who were throwing pillows over the balcony upstairs. Pinkie and Barry were huddled in the kitchen with pots over their heads to stave off the upstairs onslaught. The pillow fight ended with Elusive and Rarity winning with a full head and shoulders above the rest their attention to the tiniest details had exposed the other teams. We were sitting around the fireplace telling stories and Dash just finished with the headless horseman. Then Blitz spoke up. “I don’t mean to rain on you Dash but the best scary story teller here is Dusk.” She spoke up. “I’ll believe it when I hear it.” Jack elbowed me and everyone started to chant my name. I gave in, “Alright I’ll tell one story. But it’s the scariest one I know so Scotch and Flutters you better hang on to your pillows because this is the story of the weeping woman.” I lit a candle and turned off the fireplace. “It was a dark and stormy night and a man was riding home through the mountains. When suddenly his motorcycle battery died, a crash of lightning in the background and wind was blowing water in his face.” I blew out the candle and my eyesight adjusted quickly. I continued with my story. “In the distance the man heard what sounded like a woman crying and he went to see what was wrong. It was a woman in a white wedding dress and there were tears up and down the gown.” Both Elusive and Rarity gasped at this. It was too easy to get these two. I grabbed the remote that turned on the ceiling lights. “He tapped on her shoulder while she was kneeling crying into her hands she slowly turned when he-“ I cut myself off and snuck around the group staring at the candle that was blown out when I grabbed Dash’s sides and she screamed. “EEEEEEAAAAHHHHH!!!!” Turning on the lights I continued, “That was the last thing he ever heard.” Everyone was laughing at that point. “Now it’s time to go to bed, just make sure everyone puts everything back where it’s supposed to be. I’m going outside.” The next day Pinkie and Barry were both sprawled out in positions that a contortionist would be jealous of. I saw Twilight on her computer that she brought I tapped on her knee and she looked up I asked her, “You want some coffee?” She nodded her head yes, not speaking so she wouldn’t wake the guys up. Jack and Blitz smelled the coffee brewing and sat up instantly. Jack picked up a Stetson and put it on his head but it wouldn’t fit. “Wrong one.” He switched out the smaller one and put his own on his head. Their female clones snoring even louder after they got up. Leaning on the counter I asked Twilight, “When are the Princesses coming over?” She closed her laptop and took the mug of coffee I was offering her and said, “They said they would be here around one. I sent her a picture of you guys when you were asleep and she asked if it was faked.” I looked at her over my mug of coffee and said, “Well that’s not creepy at all. If you can’t tell its sarcasm dripping with venom, I hate getting my picture taken against my own free will.” Twilight went wide-eyed and sipped her coffee in silence. It’s what I do to people freak them out if it weren’t for those experiments. Everyone was up and AJ was looking for her hat. Jack tapped on my shoulder and I looked behind him to see him holding it. He put one finger to his lips and measured her up like a stake in horseshoes he tossed it and it landed perfectly on her head. She stood up while Jack and I were laughing our ass off. AJ looked at us and asked. “Human horseshoe?” I only nodded because I couldn’t breathe. Barry and Pinkie were an unstoppable force in the kitchen when you put them together. Pinkie already worked as a baker at a place called Sugar Cube Corner. Barry already had two masters degrees and was a renounced chef. Both of them were cranking out omelets and pancakes like a well-oiled machine. The aftermath of their efforts were not wasted. While the most of the girls ate conservatively, the guys and I were packing it down like it was our last meal. Meeting the rulers of Equuis it might be, I’m just glad there was the invention of pancakes before I died. Jack let out a small “erp,” as he burped. Blitz had counter point of, “EAARP.” I felt one coming on and before it happened, “Come on guys we’re in front of ladies. If you’re going to belch do it right, like this. EAAAAAARRRRRP.” It was Barry’s turn to do it this time. “ EAAAAAARRRRRPP.” We all knew that Elusive wasn’t the one for these games now Scotch on the other hand was guzzling down water like no tomorrow. Then he held up his index finger and then, “ EAAAAAARRRRAAAAEERRRPPPP.” Then everyone was laughing chuckling I said, “I think that shook the foundation of the house.” Then everyone was howling at that. Then Rarity let out a little, “Earp.” I looked at her with her cheeks glowing red with embarrassment AJ said, “Ah would’ve thought that proper ladies wouldn’t burp.” Then Spike farted it was a tiny squeak but it was heard nonetheless. “Ugh, gross dude not cool.” I said while waving my hand in front of my face. I looked at the clock for it to say 11:30. It gave us enough time to sort through our shit, and take down the furniture fort. The princesses arrived in a regular red car a 60’s VW Beetle to be exact. They looked like they were going on a vacation with summer wear and suitcases, instead of their usual regalia. Twilight asked us to stay inside while she talked to them. They bowed, hugged and that good stuff. I overheard them talking. I’ve been to more than one council meeting when I studied under Solaris and I knew the older sister’s voice immediately. “Twilight this is a perfect place for a summer get-away now show us the spell you were working on. I think it’s the one to make you into male?” Now I was confused, what the hell did Twilight e-mail her? The princess of Equuis thinks I’m nothing more than a botched spell and that my house is a summer refuge. “That’s it no more waiting.” I walked up to the door turned the handle and opened it to find a pair of more thank shocked princesses. I looked at both of them with a hint of anger in my eyes and voice and said, “Excuse the informalities but the reason I exist isn’t because of a spell that got botched in the process. My friends and I exist on this planet because we are naturally born citizens. The fact that I have been addressed as so and that you are standing on my property is an insult.” In the first time in thousands of years, the Immortal sisters swallowed hard. They were nervous because anyone who insults the owner of the property that they are on can be brought up in court if the situation escalates. Since these two sisters made the court system, they know that this kind of information can be filed under provocation, if and when it did come to any type of altercation which could swing the ruling into the favor of the owner of the property. Bowing their heads the younger sister spoke up, “We the royal sisters humbly apologize to you. Please forgive our intrusion on your existence, we were not aware.” I spoke up, “Now that introductions are out of the way I know who you two are my name is Dusk.” Shaking hands with the sisters I continued. “My house is not a summer get-away. I don’t know what you’re student has been telling you but this is my house, now come in before I start to regret it.” Entering the house, the princesses shouldn’t have been in shock but when they looked around, they couldn’t help but be amazed. Luna spoke, “I live in a castle my entire life, yet there is something about this place that still takes your breath away.” The sisters followed me into the living room to find the furniture arranged in a circle with the girls on the left and guys on the right. Then Luna fainted Barry and Pinkie came back with a water bucket dumped it on the princess of the night and nonchalantly threw it behind him landing who knows where. Luna woke up startled Jack picked her up and laid her down on the couch and Celestia sat down next to her. Shaking her head Luna looked up and down at the guys and I then said, “The resemblance is completely uncanny. I don’t believe it, they’re identical in everyway except for gender of course.” Luna was doing most of the observing I looked around at the older sister. I walked to her place on the sofa sat next to her and asked, “Still in shock?” She didn’t say anything but just nodded. She wasn’t talking, so I went on with the questions. “Do you want to go outside and talk in private?” No. “Unbelievable, isn’t it two opposite people never even met or heard of each other but yet still here we are. Studies have shown that everyone has a person that looks like them but statics show that they’ll never meet, personally I now think that’s bullshit. In my life I’ve always relied on one saying ‘even impossible is possible it says it I’m possible.’” Chuckling I pushed up off the couch as Luna turned around with her fingers in the shape of a gun and said, “Spread ‘em.” I was leaning on the wall while Luna was frisking me. I looked over my shoulder and asked, “Is this mandatory?” Without missing a beat she said, “No but your legs feel nice.” The princess of the night is kinky I wonder if her sister is the same. Wait stop thinking that they probably read your mind. My fears were confirmed when the playful frisking stopped. Then she patted the side of my face and smiled then whispered in my ear, “If you want to think those thoughts again then you’ll have to date either of us before finding out.” I left to the bathroom as fast as my legs could carry me. I came out 15 minutes later after taking a leak. Elusive was showing off his magic it was similar to the aura of Rarity’s it was only a shade or two darker. Blitz and Dash were racing outside, AJ and Jack were arm wrestling. Twilight was levitating several books just to show her teacher on her improvement on her control. Stacking the books in a pile on the table, pulled my hand and said, “Dusk why don’t you show us your magic?” I was hoping to avoid this conversation but I had to answer her question. I sighed and spoke up, “I may be of mage-blood but I cant do magic.” Everything stopped even the guys, Twilight was completely oblivious to what I just said spoke up. “Okay you may just not want to preform in front of the princesses but everyone can do magic.” I grabbed her arms and sat her down next to Celestia as everyone took their places at the table. “I cant do magic because I was experimented on and since I refused to study under my teacher he put a curse on me. Specifically the curse of Scorpio.” I took off my shirt and turned around to show my mark, it was an arcane nine-pointed star surrounded by a scorpion stinging it I continued talking. “He was so concentrated on my studies and I just wanted to make friends. I looked it up after he put it on and he’s the only one that can remove it.” Celestia stood up and spoke, “I know only of one man that can instill this curse on people. Lord Solaris was your teacher am I right?” Putting on my shirt again I said, “Yes he said he would remove it when I came to my senses. I guess I just gave him a big ‘fuck you’ when I ran off.” The solar diarch held up a finger and said, “I wasn’t finished, you are right he is a very cruel man but the curse he instilled on you is illegal he can me tried and taken to court you just need a lawyer.” I smiled when she said that then told her, “Princess I am a lawyer.” I turned towards the stairs and walked up going to my bedroom into my closet I opened my briefcase to show my law degree and handed it to the princess. She looked at it shocked and then spoke, “Hayvard University Valedictorian Dusk Shine.” I took it back and said, “I was forced to do these courses in all Ivy League schools even magic and graduated top of my class in all of them. I was a child genius I started at Hayvard at eight and finished all of the freshmen classes in six months. My IQ is around 368 for a rough estimate. When I say that whatever I put my mind to I can finish within the parameters of a given time. I think I’m the third or fourth smartest person in this room. In order Cele stia, Luna, Twilight and I are tied is what I can come to the conclusion of.” Twilight sat down next to the princesses on my bed and said, “So you mean to tell us that if you take your former teacher to court you can beat him?” I nodded yes, mostly because he got me when I was young. The possibilities are endless and for me Solaris brought his own damn hell. Celestia stood up and started to speak, “I didn’t want to go to work during my summer vacation and this is a beautiful house Dusk. I must ask you if you are willing to put up two humble princesses for three months?” She was making puppy dog eyes at me and I love puppies it got even worse when Luna started to do it too. I sighed and asked, “Am I going to jail if I say no?” The sisters shook their heads no in unison. I spoke again, “Then Welcome to the Family.” I looked at my friends standing outside the doorframe and shouted, “ELUSIVE, JACK, SCOTCH, GO FIND A SPARE BEDROOMS FOR THE PRINCESSES ON THE DOUBLE!” I heard them rushing down the hall opening and closing doors. Turning back to the women sitting on my bed I told them, “Sorry ladies there is going a lot of shouting during your vacation.” They both giggled and smiled I shook my head and then asked Celestia, “Could you please give me a certain timeframe of when the trial between my former teacher and I?” She stopped smiling and told me, “It’s going to the top of my list of court cases, He’s going to enjoy his freedom for the short while he can. Right now I’m on vacation I’m just going to ask, do you have a pool? My sister and I were on our way to the beach but we found this place much better.” It was true that we did have a pool but I wanted to get something out of this and I’m not going to be a simple pool boy. Then the idea came to me so I answered both of the princesses, “Yeah, we have a pool it’s 20 feet deep and 40 feet wide. If you two are going to swim in it you have to use sunscreen and I’m going to be the one to put it on.” Then they got wide eyes for the second time. Luna asked, “You and your friends right?” To her disappointment I shook my head no and told both of the princesses, “If this were your castle you could deny me all you want, both of you are standing on my property. That’s my one rule, I’ll even clean the pool by myself at midnight if you wanted to go skinny-dipping.” Reluctantly they agreed. Chapter 3Chapter 3 The girls left but the princesses stayed after waving good-bye. I closed the door turned and looked at the rulers Celestia held up her index finger and said, “Dusk we respect your one rule and we will not disclose the information of which it is, my sister and I talked and if you have one then we want one as well.” I made a gesture with my arm for her to continue and she did, “We don’t want any formalities during our stay here. It’s our vacation so we will pay you for anything we use and will compensate you for any damages, use of utilities, and food.” I held my right hand out and she shook it I said, “Deal, now go get washed up Barry’s starting dinner and I have to tell him to make for two more.” Celestia and Luna were polite with table manners but the guys and I were shoveling down spaghetti even Elusive. I think that’s the only food Elusive just goes all out on he loves the breadsticks that Barry makes. The girls looked at us in confusion and Jack spoke up, “It’s no holds barred spaghetti night manners don’t count here.” Spines wasn’t even using a fork just her hands and then told the sisters, “These guys can be rude and snobby but you girls don’t have to worry about them I keep them in line, and as long they don’t try to blow anything up you’ll be just fine so Dusk what’s next on the list?” I stopped licking my plate and thought about it for a second then said, “We change into our nightwear and play darts.” I heard six plates clink in the sink and I wiped my mouth with my napkin and told the last two people at the table, “We love darts.” The girls had found one guest room next to mine I put on sweat pants and a shirt that said ‘I will not keep calm and you can fuck off.’ I was drinking a beer when Celestia came down she laughed and said, “Nice shirt, Can I get a beer?” I took one out of the fridge, tossed to her, and said, “If you told me a year ago that the beautiful Princess Celestia is going to be laughing at my fuck off shirt and drinking a beer in my kitchen I would’ve called bullshit.” I started to sip my beer and she took a gulp and said, “Beautiful am I?” I finished sipping and answered her, “Well you’re not average I can assure you that, I think you’re beautiful. You’re showing me a side of you that you don’t show anyone else especially the public and not your student either. That makes me think a bit and you don’t want me to do that.” She walked up to me and asked, “Why not?” I sipped again and answered. “In Hayvard I took an Psychoanalyst class for two terms. I learned a lot from that class like how since I’ve mentioned a different side of you that you don’t show you stopped drinking your beer. When I called you beautiful, you started to rub the label off the bottle which shows nervousness then I mentioned that you show a side of you that you don’t even show your student which brings me to the conclusion of either one or two things.” I paused to finish my beer and dropped it down the disposal tube then continued, “Either you are in love with you’re student which I find nearly impossible since you raised her like the daughter you never had or two you’re in love with me.” She finished her beer and walked up dropped it down the tube and said, “What if you’re wrong.” I leaned in close to her face and said, “I’m almost never wrong, if I think I am then I was on the right track and you’re a hard person to read, I love the challenge.” She brought up her hand to brush her fingers against my jaw line and said, “I’m much more complicated than you think.” I smirked and said, “Challenge accepted.” She rewarded my eagerness with a small peck on the cheek and to say I was shocked was the understatement of the entire universe. I stood there for a good five minutes before Barry and Blitz snapped me out of it. They had gotten the dartboard out, hung it on the wall, and opened it. Blitz asked, “Regular or extreme?” Luna sat down with a beer in her hand and asked, “What’s the difference?” Everyone was sitting down and Scotch sat next to her and explained, “Regular is a normal game with the points adding up to 180, Extreme is added up to 360 but played with one less dart for each team.” I counted all the people up in my head it was nine. My sister Spines and I take turns when we have to sit out to keep score, and it was her turn this time. I tapped on her shoulder and said, “Still uneven your turn to sit out.” We split up into two teams Luna, Blitz, Scotch, and Elusive were one the blue team while Celestia, Jack, Barry, and myself were on the red team. Celestia and Luna loved it though we trailed behind by 24 points and we were taking a break to use the restroom, grab more snacks and beer. Blitz was sitting next to me he bumped my shoulder I looked and him and he said, “Show them your knife.” I rolled my eyes at that remark and retorted, “It’s not a knife it’s a military standard issue combat KA-Bar, knives are much smaller and duller.” He grunted and said, “Whatever it is just show the girls.” That time the sisters came back and the eldest asked, “Show us what?” Barry spoke up, “His Knife.” Luna looked confused and asked, “Sister is his ‘knife’ another sexual term I don’t know about yet?” Jack then laughed and said, “If we were talking about that Barry would‘ve said party snake.” Sighing I walked past the girls and grabbed a box with the E.N.M.C. Special Forces symbol on it. I came back into the living room slammed the box down on the table it so loud it startled everyone I said, “Here is when I was in the E.N.M.C. Special Forces first squadron response team. You guys want to constantly see my past look inside the box.” Celestia gasped when I said that because it was a branch of the royal guard that responded to terrorist activities she spoke up, “I know what happened almost everyone in that squad died except for one no one knew his name but everyone called him ‘D-day’ he was never heard from again, that was you?” Sitting down I started to talk, “Life has a way of screwing you over again and again. The guys that died had families to see it was our last mission together as a squad. Information got leaked we were led into an ambush, after the smoke cleared I was still alive and went A.W.O.L. killed the entire branch of the group then blew up their home base. They had missiles so I jury-rigged them to fire at the home base I wasn’t satisfied so I left soon after and the rest is a blur.” I pointed at the scratches in the top of the box and told them, “These aren’t just random scratches they are the ranks of all the soldiers that died in the ambush. When I returned I retired and left for the border I was thinking about leaving to Gryphonia then I met a kid searching for scraps at the train station she led me to the shelter she was staying in where I found Blitz and Scotch they came with me and the little girl got adopted by some relatives of mine. Then we got an apartment, we couldn’t pay all the rent so we got roommates it started with Barry. Then Elusive came along and all of his designs and clothing sales got a hell of a lot money then we met Jack and he needed a place to stay.” I relaxed then continued, “Spines was my sister that I didn’t know about until I reestablished contact with my parents. When I did, she was the rebellious type, I had a history with those people. I took her with me just as long as she kept her grades up I wouldn’t come down so hard on her. Moving around all the time didn’t help so I related to her and didn’t punish her.” I looked at everyone then looked around the house and said, “This is the very last place that I’ll ever be moving. Now all I can hope is that I can find love.” I looked at Celestia when I said that last sentence and she blushed. I finished my beer put my KA-bar in the box picked it up looked at the clock and said, “Blue team wins time for bed.” The guys put up the dartboard and I picked up Spines unconscious body like a bride and walked up the stairs opened the door to her room turned on the light and sat her on the bed. I took off her shoes and she looked up and grunted, “How… long waz I out?” I finished with her last shoe and put it under her bed and answered, “Long enough to slur but not pregnant.” She put her head back and mumbled something I couldn’t understand the she grabbed my hand and said, “Iz heard wat you said about findin’ love, Iz jus wan’ you ta kno’ that no madder wat I still lovez you.” I patted her cheek and said, “You’re drunk.” I was heading to my room when the bathroom door opened. I turned my head to see Celestia coming out she stopped me on the way and asked, “Dusk, why did you look at me when you said that you were hoping to find love?” I looked at her and said, “Is it a crime to show feelings for ya?” She shook her head no. Then I continued, “Then is it a crime to show the true you out to the public?” I left her there confused in the hallway while I didn’t lose a wink of sleep that night. I woke up earlier that the rest of the guys to go into my study I pull out a few books on astronomy and observe the stars for the short time I could and take notes on the alignment for certain constellations. Then the door opened to reveal Luna and Celestia with quizzical looks on their faces. I spoke up first and asked, “Yes do you need anything?” Luna spoke up and said, “This is where Tia and I lower the moon and raise the sun.” I took the hint and started to move. “Sorry this is where I work so I can submit my papers to the Astronomy department I work for I’ll get out of the way.” They raised their hands to defend themselves Celestia told me, “You don’t have to leave we just wanted to explain why we were here.” I nodded my head to ease them after they did their regular duties they both sat down and I submitted my papers to the P.C.S.U. Astronomy department. Luna said to her sister, “Tia I thought that my old club wouldn’t prosper.” This time I was confused, I grabbed my Rubik’s cube, started to mess around with it, then asked, “What are you girls talking about?” Luna answered, “Before my time on the moon I had a small club to observe the positions of the stars, to ask questions and take notes about the ever expanding universe. My sister always thought it would never be anything more than a silly hobby.” Celestia spoke up, “I was proven wrong over the years, and eventually it became a science.” I then spoke up while fiddling with the puzzle in my hands, “It’s amazing how we can be connected through thousands of years and never think anything of it. I originally I took up astronomy as a hobby to keep me relaxed. My former teacher found out and actually quizzed me a bit and realized I really liked it.” I paused and looked down at the cube to find two sides already solved I continued, “It’s a lot like this puzzle in my hand, I went through life confused, worrying, and now I look back and think what did I have to worry about anyways.” I put on my desk it was solved. I looked at both of the sisters standing in front of me and said, “You girls have had to go through a lot to get to the place where you are right now and so did I, looking back I saw what I was missing.” I grabbed both of their hands and said, “Helping hands.” In the second time of two days, I left the sisters speechless. I opened the door again and said, “Barry is bound to be awake by now. Let’s see if we can get some breakfast.” Walking down the stairs. The sisters were following close behind me and the younger one asked me, “How do you know so much about our pasts when we haven’t even told you anything to insinuate about our lives?” I turned and looked up at both of them and said this, “Both of you put up these masks to protect yourselves from people hurting your feelings and vice versa but the one thing these masks you put up can’t cover one thing your eyes. I see all the pain and years of separation that you cant make up. I know these things because I’ve been through things like what you are putting yourselves through.” I continued down the stairs to find a mug of coffee sitting on the counter with creamer and sugar for it next to it. I saw everyone else up and Blitz was in his running gear he said, “Dash said that she would bring me along running with her as long as I can keep up.” I smirked at that they’re going to race each other instead of just jog before he left I told him, “Hey it’s the second week we have to start looking.” He gave me the finger and ran off, I turned to Jack and said, “I need you to drop me off at the library I need to read some books since I didn’t get the chance to last week.” Celestia then said, “Can I come with you Dusk? I didn’t get the chance to speak with Twilight and since my sister and I are going to be staying here for the next two and a half months it would be a great time to catch up.” I thought about it for a few seconds then asked Luna, “Are you going to be alright staying here by yourself?” She looked up at me and said, “You’re concerned for my safety?” I shook my head, jabbed a thumb at my roommates direction, then said, “I’m concerned for them.” She nodded and drank the coffee that Barry had just made for her. I turned to the older sister and ordered, “Get in the shower get breakfast and get ready to go before eight. I’m a stickler for schedules.” She just then smiled and spoke up, “Don’t worry so am I.” I have a feeling that we’re going to get along quite well. I turned to Scotch and handed him the flier I got from Fluttershy and said, “Here they need volunteers at the animal shelter see if you can get a position there.” He smiled knowing that he would have been too intimidated by the building to go inside and apply for a job. Sev then tapped on my shoulder and asked, “Do you know where I can get some more fabrics for my designs? I’ve been thinking about experimenting with some of my sketches.” I smiled up at him and said, “No idea buddy but you’re welcome to use my computer if you like, just don’t put anything on my credit card last time there were so many scarves that I thought Santa Claus had blown up in a shipping crate.” I rushed upstairs to my bedroom to take a shower when I noticed that the door to the master bathroom was locked I knocked on it to hear a certain princess’ voice answer, “Hello?” I banged my head on the wall next to the door and said, “When I said take a shower I didn’t mean that you should use my bathroom, soaps, shampoo, conditioner or towels.” There was a pause before an answer came, “About that last part there seems to be no towels in here.” In all of the things in the entire universe I forgot to stock towels in my bathroom, as the saying goes hindsight’s 20/20. I went to get one from the linen closet and came back as fast as my legs could carry me. I had to speed walk because running like a madman wouldn’t make me look good. I knocked on the door since I was in a rush I was also off-balance a bit it was nothing it’s just I was a bit exhausted which meant I needed to exercise more because when I was in special forces I could run five kilometers and not even breath heavy. The door opened and the Celestia yanked on the towel which sent me flying forward and tumbling on top of her with only one layer of clothing and a towel separating us. I rushed out of there as soon as I got my bearings, closing the door behind me. I grabbed some leisure clothes for me and headed to the guest bathroom after that incident I didn’t want to speak to her for the rest of the day let alone see her. Having a crush on someone is a healthy thing, but when it’s the person that could have you banished and then sent to a dungeon in the place you were banished to you can chalk that up to downright insanity, and on top of all of that she is an introvert the only hope I have left is Twilight. I got out of the shower and saw Jack waiting with his keys in hand he looked at my face which couldn’t hide the fact that I was completely red. I pulled the cowboy’s arm pulling him outside and said this, “Sit down, shut up, and listen. I just got into an awkward situation with the older sister and I’ve developed a crush on her.” He readjusted his hat and then stopped messing with it and asked, “How awkward was it?” I frowned and said, “I don’t want to explain. Can you help me out here?” He then stood up and said, “The princess has been around for a long time am ah right?” I nodded and said, “Yeah thousands. What’s the point?” He smirked then added, “Well the point is that she can do the horizontal hoe-down purty damn well don’ ya think?” I then took my knee drove it straight into his apple seeds, and said. “For the love of all things under the sun if you ever think about something about that again I will ask Luna if she can reserve a spot on the moon for the rest of the summer. Got it?” He nodded his confirmation, Jack may be the toughest one out of all of us, but guys always have the same weakness. Celestia came out and looked at Jack and asked, “Is he alright?” I patted his back and said, “Jack will be fine it takes a lot to put him down. Shall we get going?” Jack dropped us off at the library and said, “I’ll be back ta’ pick ya up at 12:30” I saluted him and said, “Godspeed you damn cowboy.” He drove off and left me and the princess and she asked, “What did you say?” I looked at her and knew that this was going to boil into a bigger thing that it was so I just answered her with honesty, “I going to say this I don’t believe in any type of religion I’m atheist. So, in order for my bullshit luck and payback I insult the fuck out of all types of religions even yours.” I walked in with her again in shock. She caught up to me and asked, “Any type?” I nodded and opened the door while replying, “I don’t believe in anything that can’t be supported by actual facts like how I don’t believe in magic.” Twilight heard that and shouted, “WHAT!!!!” Well shit, I was damn out of my bullshit luck and it was a downward spiral from there so I had to get out of it. “It’s like I said I don’t believe in anything that isn’t backed up but absolute fact.” Twilight and her mentor followed me throughout the building. I started to look through the shelves to see if my author pen name was anywhere in here. I saw a few but then there was a very worn down one under my science pen name it was about my research on astronomy I picked up the book and show it to the pair of women following me and asked, “How many time do you read this book?” Twilight said, “Whenever I do my stargazing which is almost every night the author focuses on the facts and it causes a lot more to look up at the sky during the night.” I smiled and said, “I wrote this book.” Twilight gained a scowl on her face witch in turn had it’s own meaning and that was bullshit. I spoke up once more and said this, “You don’t believe me watch this.” I set the book on a desk with the title facing up ‘A Guide to the Stars’ by Stargazer I continued, “Page 316 paragraph 5 line 3.” I looked at Celestia while doing this I said, “Now you see that I’m not looking at the book right?” She nodded yes and I spoke, “I’m now going to quote this exact book without looking at it, ‘Therefore millions of stars shine within the night sky I look up not knowing whether there is an almighty being out there responsible for the complete creation of life. I do not see the facts and I personally don’t believe in anything but.’” I stood there back to both ladies and there was silence. I have shocked more people in this past weekend than in my entire life and right now, it’s not going to stop anytime soon. I just walked off and found my favorite fiction series Daring Do. I smiled and grabbed the newest book and flipped it open and started to read it until I heard both Blitz and Dash run in Dash asked Twilight, “Hey I heard you got the new Daring Do!” The librarian nodded and pointed at me and said, “He’s got the last copy maybe you can ask if he’ll let you check it out?” She ran over to and tackled me out of the chair I was sitting in grabbing at the book saying, “Give it to me I need my fix.” That was the point where I tapped on her shoulder and said this, “You do realize that you’re on top of me and there are grade school children over there.” She got red in the face and punched me in the chest grabbed the book and brushed herself off.
Chapter 1It started out as any other day in our life. Six guys and one girl is about as gets around here without getting into trouble is normal. I stepped out to get the newspaper as normal with a cup of coffee in hand I picked it up. Turning around and jogging up the steps careful not to spill my coffee, I looked at the door to see a paper taped to it. I mumbled, “Must have come around when we were out last night.” Stuffing the paper under my arm, I opened the letter. “Dear Residents… blah, blah, blah.” I paused at the last sentence mostly because it had a giant-ass EVICTED on it. Going back inside I set the paper on the coffee table I shouted. “Blitz, Barry, Jack, Elusive, Scotch, Spines get your asses down here NOW!” I heard my sister Spines stir from her bed and yell back. “Dusk, have you had your coffee yet?” I had a very bad history of blowing things out of proportion especially if I don’t have my coffee in the morning. “Yes I did now get up and get moving!” Now they were worried I started shouting everyone started to haul to the kitchen. Blitz was always first down the stairs. Jack turned on the lights and Spines started another pot of coffee. Elusive was the first one to speak up. “Dusk, what is the problem?” I took out the piece of paper and threw it on the counter for everyone to see. “We’re being evicted.” It was so silent you could hear a fly fart. Jack, with his country boy accent spoke up. “What‘re we going to do now?” In all of friend’s I had he was always brutally honest. It’s part of the reason he lost his farm. I sighed “What we always do when we need to move. Whose turn is it?” Spines came back with six and answered my question. “Yours bro, so you better be a good ass throw this time.” I grabbed my KA-Bar military knife. Looking at a map of Equuis I cocked my arm back and threw the knife like a tomahawk and it hit. Blitz looked up and asked. “What’s the verdict?” I thought about it for a while before talking. “I got good news and a question. First I actually good ass throw to make it on the map. Second, what the hell is a ponyville?” I looked back at everyone and they shrugged even Spines. I finished my coffee in one big gulp and looked at them once more. “Then let’s get packing.” Two hours passed and a pair of box trucks and Jack’s range rover were pulling up. Blitz got out of the first one and slammed the door. “I win again Jack, like I always do.” Jack was angry at this point. “How many times to ah to tell ya Rainbow. Not everythin’s a damn race.” I was standing on the porch just watching them argue. Blitz was smaller and thinner due to his running track and field in high school. Jack was the larger more well built due to he and his family owning a farm. Jack was just insulting Blitz’s name and his hair color which was a tussle of more than one color. “Are you guys going to make out or help pack because I’m fine either way.” I shouted both of them looked at me and turned back to each other, then walked back to the porch to start picking up boxes. Blitz mumbled “Hick.” Jack retorted under his breath. “Gay pride flag.” Leaning on the doorframe, I shook my head and looked at the empty house. I stepped inside on more time looked around and it was deserted. “One chapter ended, Time for a new one.” Spines, Scotch, and Elusive were staring at me I spoke again. “I’m going to drop off these keys to the landlord and we head out to our new destination.” Barry was halfway outside the window waving at our old hometown. “Bye trees, Goodbye Bridge, bye clouds. Bye.” I grabbed him by his belt and pulled him back in. “Barry just stay in the car so I can concentrate.” Without even faltering, he just nodded and started to play his PS Vita. I look at the passenger side as I noticed the sign that said we were leaving the state. “Okay now.” Barry put down his game and wave out the window. “BYE STATE.” I glanced at him and asked. “You good?” Barry sat back down with the biggest grin on his face. “Yeah I’m good.” Three days later, we stopped at a gas station. Jack and Blitz huddled around me looking at the map and the route I drew out. Elusive couldn’t care less as he was sketching in his notebook. Scotch was cuddled up with his stuffed bunny sleeping. Barry and Spines were in the store, they were in charge of snacks I opened the Range Rover and shook Scotch’s knee to wake him up. He looked up and slurred. “Wats goin on?” I told him. “Last bathroom break before we hit the road again to better go do it.” He replied by getting up and going in the store. Elusive already took notice of this, put his stuff in the truck, and followed Scotch. Then Blitz, Jack, and I already went and gassed up the three trucks Jack asked. “Ah’m gonna regret asking this but how much longer do we have before we get to where we’re goin?” Folding the map, I answered his question. “Five hours left and it’s 4:00 already. By the time we get there it’ll be past daybreak.” Blitz started to chuckle and then said. “Baltimare to Ponyville in three days it’s gotta be some type of record.” This time everyone was back at the trucks and Spines was handing out coffee and donuts. “Don’t thank me boys I just like the silence.” I sighed and gave her a side hug. “I love you sis.” I piled in the Rover and turned over the engine all of the others guys piled in their trucks and the rover and buckled up. Then I spoke to the backseat at Barry. “Hey maybe when we get to our new house you can throw us a house warming party.” I looked at the rearview mirror and I thought he was going to explode. Passing the sign it said ‘Welcome to Ponyville’ New chapter of our lives here we come. I didn’t know I could be blown away by such a small town in the middle of nowhere. I looked for the address and found it almost immediately. The place was huge more than big enough to house seven people everyone was getting out and we stood in a group in the front yard. Blitz patted my shoulder and said. “Good throw Dusk.” Now here I am in the middle of a town knowing nobody not knowing anything about this place in front of a practical mansion. Spines broke my train of thought and asked me. “Dusk how much did this cost?” I shook my head and looked at her “You wouldn’t believe me even if I told you.” She sighed. “Then enlighten me please brother.” “Solaris.” Everyone looked at me then all of them had an angry look. I had to clarify at this point or I’m in neck-deep shit. “Before we had our falling out I had finally gotten my doctorate in astronomy. He was so proud he gave me his old summer home. He gotten a new one and gave me this one. I knew I heard of Ponyville before but it didn’t strike me until now.” They didn’t have that angry look in their eyes anymore. I checked my watch and I knew that the stores were opening by now. I ran past all the guys and up the stairs, and thus we started our tradition of claiming our bedrooms. I ran past all the doors in the upstairs hallway to the master bedroom, jumping and falling on the bed. Claiming my spot in the house now it was time for the next part, unpacking. I passed Jack in the hallway he was carrying a box of his stuff he put it down and tapped on my shoulder. I turned and said. “What is it Jack?” Leaning on the wall catching his breath then spoke up. “Scotch is going to be bunking with me ah jus’ wanted to let ya know.” Scotch did have a reputation for being scared shitless of his own shadow. I’m just glad Jack understood the reason why and offered to let him bunk with him. I looked over the railing to see Barry ransacking the kitchen like he always did whenever we moved into a new house. “Hey Barry what are you doing down there?” He stopped and looked at me then shouted. “Hey Dusk, this is the best kitchen I’ve ever seen. I’m making a big batch of cupcakes for the party tonight and I’m going to invite everyone in town!” That point everyone stopped in their tracks as soon as they heard that Barry was throwing a party. Spines spoke up first. “You’re going to let Barry throw a party.” I looked at her walked down the stairs, grabbed her into a side hug, and told her. “We just traveled across the country in less than a week and didn’t kill each other in the process. I’m more than sure that all of us have stress from the move and we need to let it out which is why I’m letting Barry throw a party.” I grabbed the keys to the rover and headed out. Spines shouted “Where are you going!” I shouted back. “To the local library I need to read!” I pulled out of the driveway and turned onto the road. It didn’t take me long to reach it the locals said look for the building that looks like a giant ass tree. Pulling up I stared at the building and mumbled to myself. “Well they weren’t wrong.” The sign in front said ‘Golden Oaks Public Library’ I opened the door and heard the ringing of the bell and saw a teenage boy about Spines age. He was filing away books then took notice of me. Then he shouted over his shoulder. “Twilight customer!” I heard a woman’s voice reply. “Alright Spike I’m coming down I was just writing a report.” She stopped when she looked at me and my train of thought just slammed on the brakes when I saw her. She was a spitting image of me except for the parts that she was a girl. Then she started to laugh. “Okay Dash very funny now come on out getting someone to look like me is a very good prank you got me.” I started to look around as she was searching behind the bookshelves. I was worried about her mental stability I spoke up. “Who the hell are you talking about?” She paused in her search composed herself and looked at me. “Wait, you weren’t sent here by a slim athletic girl with rainbow colored hair.” I had a big look of confusion on my face now. “No I wasn’t sent here by anyone I just moved here from Baltimare and needed to relieve some stress.” She blinked once then twice. “You came to a library to relive stress?” she asked. I nodded yes then I asked. “Do you have a section on astrology and a position open for a job because I really need one.” She looked up and down at me then pointed at shelves of books and asked. “Do you have a resume?” Walking over to the shelves she followed me I started to file through the books picking my favorite titles. I paused turned to her and asked. “What was your name again?” She replied. “It’s Twilight.” I grimaced when she said that. She looked at my face and asked. “What is it?” I turned back to the shelves and said. “It’s nothing.” It was something and she knew so she said. “I know it’s not just nothing now tell me.” I stood up turned back to her and said. “It’s your name.” She looked at me like I had just insulted her. “What is wrong with my name.” Yeah she was angry so I explained. “It’s the same thing as my name and my name is Dusk.” Her expression went from angry to shocked at the drop of a dime. Then she was blindsided by a very fast pink blur for a second I thought it was Barry since I was so used to his antics I just sidestepped her when she was launched forward. The blur turned out to be a girl. With pink puffed hair and had party balloons grouped in three on her skirt. She was shaking the Librarian and talking a mile a minute. “Twilightwakeupmypinkiesensewentoff.” Twilight shook her head and asked. “Okay Pinkie what happened, slower this time.” The Pink haired girl took a deep breath and talked slower. “Well, I was baking a batch of cupcakes and suddenly got a big combo of itchy hair, a right winking eye, wiggly nose and an tingling left ankle. That could only mean two things first it’s going to rain bowling balls or second new people moved to ponyville!” Who knows when it could be the first one. I started to chuckle the pink haired girl looked at me the looked back at Twilight. Then she asked the librarian. “Did you try to make a male clone of yourself again Twilight?” It wasn’t the fact that we looked so similar it was the part of when she said again. Now not only am I dealing with a female version of myself but she’s also a pervert, great. “I’m going to leave before I start to get probed.” I rushed out the door dropping the books taking out my keys getting in the rover and driving as fast as possible without breaking the speed limit. I pulled up opened the door and rushed to the house as fast as I ran when I left the Library. As soon as I opened the door, it was dark then the lights were thrown on and I was almost given a heart attack as everyone yelled “SURPRISE!!!!!!!” I stopped everyone was looking at me is silence and then I said. “That’s it I’m dead.” I dropped to the floor and Barry ran up with a bucket full of water. He said this. “In case of fainting emergencies.” Then he dumped it on me I woke with a start as cold water was dumped on my face. “What happened?” Jack spoke up “You fainted.” I stood up and then said to the guys. “You wouldn’t believe what happened to me at the library. It was so damn freaky I saw a girl version of myself.” I looked at them and was handed a towel. Elusive spoke up. “Okay Dusk you may be in a state of shock but now is not the time to make up stories it’s unfitting of a gentlemen.” Drying myself off covering my navy blue hair, flossing it with the towel then setting it on my shoulders and said. “Elusive I swear to you, the guys, and the fucked up guy in the sky I’m not making this up.” Blitz was instantly at my side crushing me in a side hug. “I believe you D, I’ve heard of crazier things happening to people It’s just like military school.” I’m glad one of my friends believe me or I would’ve gone crazier, I think. Blitz let me go and I said “Sorry guys I just need to go to bed before anything blows up.” I fell asleep as soon as I hit the bed. I must’ve been more tired than I thought. I woke up the next morning as usual it took some time, but I finally figured out how to work the coffee maker. I was sitting on a white recliner searching the web when I heard a tiny tap on the door I looked around. “Must’ve been the wind.” I heard it again but a tiny bit louder this time. It was almost like Scotch had locked himself out and was trying to knock on the door. I got up to investigate when I got to the door, there was a banging on it like someone was being hunted down. I opened the door to find a 5’2 pink-haired girl that was wearing a green skirt and a yellow turtleneck. Beside her was a blonde girl wearing a Stetson a button up white short sleeve shirt, jean skirt, and cowboy boots. The blonde was a whole foot taller than the girl in the turtleneck. I heard the shorter girl speak up she was holding something in her arms. “Yes… um, would you like to volunteer at Ponyville’s local animal shelter?” She was trying to hide herself in her sweater. This point the cowgirl was angry. “How many times to ah hav’ to tell ya Shy you got…” I took the paper that ‘Shy’ was offering and said. “Sure, I have a friend that loves animals I’ll be sure to give it to him.” The cowgirl looked confused, while ‘Shy’ was beaming with a smile. The girl in the Stetson asked, “Wait ya mean to tell meh you actually understan’ her?” I looked at her and said. “The same friend that loves animals is also soft spoken I had to adjust fast to it so yeah.” I turned to go back inside when I realized something so I looked at the girls again and said. “I’m sorry I didn’t get your names.” The cowgirl tipped her hat up with her thumb and said. “My name’s Applejack. This one is Fluttershy.” Fluttershy waved. “Alright back to job hunting.” I said then I heard an explosion out front. That stopped me altogether I got back up and looked outside to see an old blue rusty tuck smoking from the hood. I opened the door and shouted to the two girls. “Do you need any help?” My shouting scared Fluttershy and Applejack waved back and yelled. “Naw! I’ll get the ol’ girl rollin’ again!” I went back inside and got back on my computer 15 minutes later I heard stomping up the porch and banging on my door, I opened it to find a certain farmer covered on mud. “Well Mr.…?” “Dusk.” “Yeah, well ah’ve got the engine fixed up but now we’re stuck. Could you please help us out?” I thought about it then answered her. “Hold on a sec’ I need to get my friend up he’s the best when it comes to heavy lifting.” She nodded and sat down on the steps. I ran up the stairs right up to Jack and Scotch’s room. Opened the door and flipped his mattress he stumbled out of it, shot up and yelled “What in the blue hell was that for!” Scotch stirred the rolled over and mumbled something about puppies. My hand was right over the mouth of the yelling farmer then I whispered. “Two girls are stuck in the mud in our driveway and need some heavy lifting done and one of them looks like you, so shut the fuck up and come with me.” I left the room to let him get dressed. He came out in blue jeans, wearing a flannel shirt and had his long hair in a high-rise ponytail tucked inside his favorite, you guessed it Stetson. Following me down I opened the door and introduced the girl on the porch to my friend. “Applejack meet Jack. Jack meet Applejack.” The instant He looked at her his stopped in his boots. Like I said earlier Jack was a big guy but to this girl he only stood three inches taller than her. The girl spoke up first “Well ah’ll be.” Then Jack said. “Took the words right out of mah mouth, Ah’m here ‘cause mah friend ‘ere said ya needed help?” They walked down the stairs and talked while I followed sipping my coffee. When we got to the truck, Applejack started to speak. “Well, ah’ve got the engine working again but ah’ve seemed to ‘ave dug some holes like mah dog.” Jack looked at the tires of the truck scratched his chin for a moment and then hopped back up. “Put the truck in neutral an’ ah’ll push it out.” Applejack looked dumbfounded the she spoke. “Now ah know that people are strong and ah don’t doubt that ya ain’t, but it seems kind of impossible.” Jack looked at her and asked. “Do ya own a farm?” She put her hands on her hips and said. “Yeah, but what’s that got to do with anythin’?” Jack pointed his thumb at the truck and said. “If ah can get the truck out of the mud by pushin’ it you’ve got to give meh a job.” The farmer spit in her hand and said. “Deal.” Jack returned the favor and said. “Get in and when ah say drive you drive got it?” The truck door opened and slammed and the truck started and was put in neutral after a thumbs up from the driver window Jack started to push. First, nothing happened. Applejack poked her head out the window to say something, but cut off when the truck started to move. Jack red in the face and with one final push he shouted. “NOW!” The truck lurched forward and then moved down the driveway. The farmer got out of the truck and then said. “Ah guess ah owe you a job Jack. Ah’m sorry ah doubted ya. When you’re ready come in to Sweet Apple Acres next Monday and ah’ll get ya filled in.” I looked at the hole that Jack was standing in then asked. “What are we going to do about that?” Jack looked at me and said. “Get Rainbow to do it I just lifted a damn truck.” Applejack stopped in her tracks as Fluttershy got out of the truck the girls started to walk up to Jack and Fluttershy asked. “Did you… just say Rainbow?” Jack was tackled to the ground by Applejack and said. “Fluttershy go get Rainbow ah’ll hold the big on down.” Fluttershy meeped and ran inside the house. Me in all of the confusion just went back inside following the scared girl. She was barely speaking above a normal voice. “Rainbow? Where are you?” I put my coffee down then shouted. “RAINBOW GET YOUR ASS UP!” The girl in front of me meeped again and uncovered her ears she was about say something when Blitz was rubbing his eyes he sleepily asked. “What izz it?” Picking up my coffee again I said. “Apparently these girls want to kidnap you from us.” By this time, Applejack was in the house and Jack came in stomping after her. “Fluttershy where’s Rainbow?” She answered her question by pointing at Blitz. The second time today the farmer seemed dumbfounded she said. “Ah think ah need to make a few phone calls.”
Chapter 2Chapter 2 Within next two hours Jack, Blitz, and I got the other guys up, got them in the showers, and got them breakfast. I was greeted by six girls and a teenage boy. The guys and my sister filed down the steps and met their female clones of themselves. We had sat down in the dining room since the table was more than long enough. The guys sat on one side and the girls on the other I spoke up. “Well this is more than just freaky.” Everyone looked at me. “What I’m trying to break the ice or would you like to just stare at a person that looks exactly you.” Twilight then said. “Why don’t we start with introductions. I’m Twilight, that’s Pinkie, Fluttershy, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Spike.” I sat up. “Okay I’m Dusk, This is Barry, Scotch, Jack, Blitz, Elusive, and my sister Spines.” Fluttershy asked. “Excuse me… what kind of name is Scotch… if you don’t mind?” Scotch spoke in a normal voice but calmly. “I was bullied because my real name is Butterscotch. When I met Blitz he gave the nickname and it just stuck.” Fluttershy sat up gaining more confidence. “Getting back to the subject at hand, we need to address the fact that we are sitting across from the gender-swapped versions of ourselves.” Twilight agreed with me and said. “Yes, Dusk is right I need to call the princesses.” That caught my attention. “Wait, did you just say the princesses? In the rulers of Equuis princesses?” She nodded and said. “Yes, in fact I’m the personal student of Princess Celestia.” Then Rainbow Dash yelled. “What have you been doing all of your life living under a rock?” Practically for most of my life, it was either study or read when I just wanted to make friends. My teacher, Lord Solaris was a jackass and his brother Neptune wasn’t much better but he tolerated me and he knew the importance of making friends. “Let’s just say that growing up as the personal student of a major seat on the council. He didn’t care for anyone but himself.” Twilight got off of her phone and said. “They said that they’re going be here tomorrow.” That gave me an idea. “Hey why don’t we have a sleepover?” They stopped as they were leaving. Applejack said. “No offence sugarcube but we don’t even know you and we don’ have any sleepwear.” I thought about it for a second then talked. “Well, if you think about it you already know so well we are more than a lot alike and Elusive and Rarity can make some clothes.” I pointed at Rarity. “I think you would love what designs Elusive has in his sketchbooks.” Her eyes went wide at that point with excitement. The girls mulled it over then Fluttershy said. “Yes…if you don’t mind that is.” That took me off guard. Then Pinkie and Barry shouted, “SLEEPOVER PARTY!!!” Barry took Pinkie’s hands and said, “You’ve got to see the kitchen you can make so many cupcakes at once.” Pinkie then screamed in excitement. I tapped on Twilight’s shoulder and asked. “Hey you mind coming with me? I got something to show you.” She agreed and followed me. We got to a room I hadn’t seen in a long time. I opened the door to my old observatory I used whenever I came to this house. Twilight was taken aback, “Wow! This place is incredible. How did you get it?” I groaned slightly when she asked that. She looked at me. “What’s wrong?” I sat down and she sat next to me I started to talk. “We have had very, very, very, similar pasts except for one thing. You still talk to your teacher.” She was confused. “What do you mean?” I had to answer at this point I was in too deep already. “This whole house was a gift to me. It’s because I my doctorate in astronomy. My teacher wasn’t the most caring person but I didn’t have a family so I had no place to go. He kept pushing me to study more but one day I saw these kids playing outside and I wanted to join them. I snuck out and he caught me and put locks on my windows and doors so I couldn’t get out.” I paused to breathe in and out I didn’t want to lose it at this point. “I ran away when I was a legal adult and moved in with these guys they accepted me like family because I was one of them.” Twilight didn’t say anything she just hugged me and said, “How about we get out of this place and enjoy the party.” I wiped my watery eyes stood up and twirled her around like a dancer then said, “I would like nothing better.” When we got downstairs, Pinkie and Barry already made a fort out of our furniture and everyone was having a pillow massacre. I ducked as a pillow flew over to our direction and hit Twilight in the face and one pillow slid to my feet. We picked up our respective pillows and I turned to her and said. “Remember don’t swing until you see the whites of their eyes. CHARGE!!!!!” Screaming we dived over the pillow fort wall crashing into Jack and Spike who were currently hitting each other, tucked then rolled. Twilight and I stood back to back I asked her, “Military training?” Blocking a flying pillow, she answered me. “I have a brother in the royal guard, He taught me a few things.” I pointed up at Dash and Blitz who were throwing pillows over the balcony upstairs. Pinkie and Barry were huddled in the kitchen with pots over their heads to stave off the upstairs onslaught. The pillow fight ended with Elusive and Rarity winning with a full head and shoulders above the rest their attention to the tiniest details had exposed the other teams. We were sitting around the fireplace telling stories and Dash just finished with the headless horseman. Then Blitz spoke up. “I don’t mean to rain on you Dash but the best scary story teller here is Dusk.” She spoke up. “I’ll believe it when I hear it.” Jack elbowed me and everyone started to chant my name. I gave in, “Alright I’ll tell one story. But it’s the scariest one I know so Scotch and Flutters you better hang on to your pillows because this is the story of the weeping woman.” I lit a candle and turned off the fireplace. “It was a dark and stormy night and a man was riding home through the mountains. When suddenly his motorcycle battery died, a crash of lightning in the background and wind was blowing water in his face.” I blew out the candle and my eyesight adjusted quickly. I continued with my story. “In the distance the man heard what sounded like a woman crying and he went to see what was wrong. It was a woman in a white wedding dress and there were tears up and down the gown.” Both Elusive and Rarity gasped at this. It was too easy to get these two. I grabbed the remote that turned on the ceiling lights. “He tapped on her shoulder while she was kneeling crying into her hands she slowly turned when he-“ I cut myself off and snuck around the group staring at the candle that was blown out when I grabbed Dash’s sides and she screamed. “EEEEEEAAAAHHHHH!!!!” Turning on the lights I continued, “That was the last thing he ever heard.” Everyone was laughing at that point. “Now it’s time to go to bed, just make sure everyone puts everything back where it’s supposed to be. I’m going outside.” The next day Pinkie and Barry were both sprawled out in positions that a contortionist would be jealous of. I saw Twilight on her computer that she brought I tapped on her knee and she looked up I asked her, “You want some coffee?” She nodded her head yes, not speaking so she wouldn’t wake the guys up. Jack and Blitz smelled the coffee brewing and sat up instantly. Jack picked up a Stetson and put it on his head but it wouldn’t fit. “Wrong one.” He switched out the smaller one and put his own on his head. Their female clones snoring even louder after they got up. Leaning on the counter I asked Twilight, “When are the Princesses coming over?” She closed her laptop and took the mug of coffee I was offering her and said, “They said they would be here around one. I sent her a picture of you guys when you were asleep and she asked if it was faked.” I looked at her over my mug of coffee and said, “Well that’s not creepy at all. If you can’t tell its sarcasm dripping with venom, I hate getting my picture taken against my own free will.” Twilight went wide-eyed and sipped her coffee in silence. It’s what I do to people freak them out if it weren’t for those experiments. Everyone was up and AJ was looking for her hat. Jack tapped on my shoulder and I looked behind him to see him holding it. He put one finger to his lips and measured her up like a stake in horseshoes he tossed it and it landed perfectly on her head. She stood up while Jack and I were laughing our ass off. AJ looked at us and asked. “Human horseshoe?” I only nodded because I couldn’t breathe. Barry and Pinkie were an unstoppable force in the kitchen when you put them together. Pinkie already worked as a baker at a place called Sugar Cube Corner. Barry already had two masters degrees and was a renounced chef. Both of them were cranking out omelets and pancakes like a well-oiled machine. The aftermath of their efforts were not wasted. While the most of the girls ate conservatively, the guys and I were packing it down like it was our last meal. Meeting the rulers of Equuis it might be, I’m just glad there was the invention of pancakes before I died. Jack let out a small “erp,” as he burped. Blitz had counter point of, “EAARP.” I felt one coming on and before it happened, “Come on guys we’re in front of ladies. If you’re going to belch do it right, like this. EAAAAAARRRRRP.” It was Barry’s turn to do it this time. “ EAAAAAARRRRRPP.” We all knew that Elusive wasn’t the one for these games now Scotch on the other hand was guzzling down water like no tomorrow. Then he held up his index finger and then, “ EAAAAAARRRRAAAAEERRRPPPP.” Then everyone was laughing chuckling I said, “I think that shook the foundation of the house.” Then everyone was howling at that. Then Rarity let out a little, “Earp.” I looked at her with her cheeks glowing red with embarrassment AJ said, “Ah would’ve thought that proper ladies wouldn’t burp.” Then Spike farted it was a tiny squeak but it was heard nonetheless. “Ugh, gross dude not cool.” I said while waving my hand in front of my face. I looked at the clock for it to say 11:30. It gave us enough time to sort through our shit, and take down the furniture fort. The princesses arrived in a regular red car a 60’s VW Beetle to be exact. They looked like they were going on a vacation with summer wear and suitcases, instead of their usual regalia. Twilight asked us to stay inside while she talked to them. They bowed, hugged and that good stuff. I overheard them talking. I’ve been to more than one council meeting when I studied under Solaris and I knew the older sister’s voice immediately. “Twilight this is a perfect place for a summer get-away now show us the spell you were working on. I think it’s the one to make you into male?” Now I was confused, what the hell did Twilight e-mail her? The princess of Equuis thinks I’m nothing more than a botched spell and that my house is a summer refuge. “That’s it no more waiting.” I walked up to the door turned the handle and opened it to find a pair of more thank shocked princesses. I looked at both of them with a hint of anger in my eyes and voice and said, “Excuse the informalities but the reason I exist isn’t because of a spell that got botched in the process. My friends and I exist on this planet because we are naturally born citizens. The fact that I have been addressed as so and that you are standing on my property is an insult.” In the first time in thousands of years, the Immortal sisters swallowed hard. They were nervous because anyone who insults the owner of the property that they are on can be brought up in court if the situation escalates. Since these two sisters made the court system, they know that this kind of information can be filed under provocation, if and when it did come to any type of altercation which could swing the ruling into the favor of the owner of the property. Bowing their heads the younger sister spoke up, “We the royal sisters humbly apologize to you. Please forgive our intrusion on your existence, we were not aware.” I spoke up, “Now that introductions are out of the way I know who you two are my name is Dusk.” Shaking hands with the sisters I continued. “My house is not a summer get-away. I don’t know what you’re student has been telling you but this is my house, now come in before I start to regret it.” Entering the house, the princesses shouldn’t have been in shock but when they looked around, they couldn’t help but be amazed. Luna spoke, “I live in a castle my entire life, yet there is something about this place that still takes your breath away.” The sisters followed me into the living room to find the furniture arranged in a circle with the girls on the left and guys on the right. Then Luna fainted Barry and Pinkie came back with a water bucket dumped it on the princess of the night and nonchalantly threw it behind him landing who knows where. Luna woke up startled Jack picked her up and laid her down on the couch and Celestia sat down next to her. Shaking her head Luna looked up and down at the guys and I then said, “The resemblance is completely uncanny. I don’t believe it, they’re identical in everyway except for gender of course.” Luna was doing most of the observing I looked around at the older sister. I walked to her place on the sofa sat next to her and asked, “Still in shock?” She didn’t say anything but just nodded. She wasn’t talking, so I went on with the questions. “Do you want to go outside and talk in private?” No. “Unbelievable, isn’t it two opposite people never even met or heard of each other but yet still here we are. Studies have shown that everyone has a person that looks like them but statics show that they’ll never meet, personally I now think that’s bullshit. In my life I’ve always relied on one saying ‘even impossible is possible it says it I’m possible.’” Chuckling I pushed up off the couch as Luna turned around with her fingers in the shape of a gun and said, “Spread ‘em.” I was leaning on the wall while Luna was frisking me. I looked over my shoulder and asked, “Is this mandatory?” Without missing a beat she said, “No but your legs feel nice.” The princess of the night is kinky I wonder if her sister is the same. Wait stop thinking that they probably read your mind. My fears were confirmed when the playful frisking stopped. Then she patted the side of my face and smiled then whispered in my ear, “If you want to think those thoughts again then you’ll have to date either of us before finding out.” I left to the bathroom as fast as my legs could carry me. I came out 15 minutes later after taking a leak. Elusive was showing off his magic it was similar to the aura of Rarity’s it was only a shade or two darker. Blitz and Dash were racing outside, AJ and Jack were arm wrestling. Twilight was levitating several books just to show her teacher on her improvement on her control. Stacking the books in a pile on the table, pulled my hand and said, “Dusk why don’t you show us your magic?” I was hoping to avoid this conversation but I had to answer her question. I sighed and spoke up, “I may be of mage-blood but I cant do magic.” Everything stopped even the guys, Twilight was completely oblivious to what I just said spoke up. “Okay you may just not want to preform in front of the princesses but everyone can do magic.” I grabbed her arms and sat her down next to Celestia as everyone took their places at the table. “I cant do magic because I was experimented on and since I refused to study under my teacher he put a curse on me. Specifically the curse of Scorpio.” I took off my shirt and turned around to show my mark, it was an arcane nine-pointed star surrounded by a scorpion stinging it I continued talking. “He was so concentrated on my studies and I just wanted to make friends. I looked it up after he put it on and he’s the only one that can remove it.” Celestia stood up and spoke, “I know only of one man that can instill this curse on people. Lord Solaris was your teacher am I right?” Putting on my shirt again I said, “Yes he said he would remove it when I came to my senses. I guess I just gave him a big ‘fuck you’ when I ran off.” The solar diarch held up a finger and said, “I wasn’t finished, you are right he is a very cruel man but the curse he instilled on you is illegal he can me tried and taken to court you just need a lawyer.” I smiled when she said that then told her, “Princess I am a lawyer.” I turned towards the stairs and walked up going to my bedroom into my closet I opened my briefcase to show my law degree and handed it to the princess. She looked at it shocked and then spoke, “Hayvard University Valedictorian Dusk Shine.” I took it back and said, “I was forced to do these courses in all Ivy League schools even magic and graduated top of my class in all of them. I was a child genius I started at Hayvard at eight and finished all of the freshmen classes in six months. My IQ is around 368 for a rough estimate. When I say that whatever I put my mind to I can finish within the parameters of a given time. I think I’m the third or fourth smartest person in this room. In order Cele stia, Luna, Twilight and I are tied is what I can come to the conclusion of.” Twilight sat down next to the princesses on my bed and said, “So you mean to tell us that if you take your former teacher to court you can beat him?” I nodded yes, mostly because he got me when I was young. The possibilities are endless and for me Solaris brought his own damn hell. Celestia stood up and started to speak, “I didn’t want to go to work during my summer vacation and this is a beautiful house Dusk. I must ask you if you are willing to put up two humble princesses for three months?” She was making puppy dog eyes at me and I love puppies it got even worse when Luna started to do it too. I sighed and asked, “Am I going to jail if I say no?” The sisters shook their heads no in unison. I spoke again, “Then Welcome to the Family.” I looked at my friends standing outside the doorframe and shouted, “ELUSIVE, JACK, SCOTCH, GO FIND A SPARE BEDROOMS FOR THE PRINCESSES ON THE DOUBLE!” I heard them rushing down the hall opening and closing doors. Turning back to the women sitting on my bed I told them, “Sorry ladies there is going a lot of shouting during your vacation.” They both giggled and smiled I shook my head and then asked Celestia, “Could you please give me a certain timeframe of when the trial between my former teacher and I?” She stopped smiling and told me, “It’s going to the top of my list of court cases, He’s going to enjoy his freedom for the short while he can. Right now I’m on vacation I’m just going to ask, do you have a pool? My sister and I were on our way to the beach but we found this place much better.” It was true that we did have a pool but I wanted to get something out of this and I’m not going to be a simple pool boy. Then the idea came to me so I answered both of the princesses, “Yeah, we have a pool it’s 20 feet deep and 40 feet wide. If you two are going to swim in it you have to use sunscreen and I’m going to be the one to put it on.” Then they got wide eyes for the second time. Luna asked, “You and your friends right?” To her disappointment I shook my head no and told both of the princesses, “If this were your castle you could deny me all you want, both of you are standing on my property. That’s my one rule, I’ll even clean the pool by myself at midnight if you wanted to go skinny-dipping.” Reluctantly they agreed.
Chapter 3Chapter 3 The girls left but the princesses stayed after waving good-bye. I closed the door turned and looked at the rulers Celestia held up her index finger and said, “Dusk we respect your one rule and we will not disclose the information of which it is, my sister and I talked and if you have one then we want one as well.” I made a gesture with my arm for her to continue and she did, “We don’t want any formalities during our stay here. It’s our vacation so we will pay you for anything we use and will compensate you for any damages, use of utilities, and food.” I held my right hand out and she shook it I said, “Deal, now go get washed up Barry’s starting dinner and I have to tell him to make for two more.” Celestia and Luna were polite with table manners but the guys and I were shoveling down spaghetti even Elusive. I think that’s the only food Elusive just goes all out on he loves the breadsticks that Barry makes. The girls looked at us in confusion and Jack spoke up, “It’s no holds barred spaghetti night manners don’t count here.” Spines wasn’t even using a fork just her hands and then told the sisters, “These guys can be rude and snobby but you girls don’t have to worry about them I keep them in line, and as long they don’t try to blow anything up you’ll be just fine so Dusk what’s next on the list?” I stopped licking my plate and thought about it for a second then said, “We change into our nightwear and play darts.” I heard six plates clink in the sink and I wiped my mouth with my napkin and told the last two people at the table, “We love darts.” The girls had found one guest room next to mine I put on sweat pants and a shirt that said ‘I will not keep calm and you can fuck off.’ I was drinking a beer when Celestia came down she laughed and said, “Nice shirt, Can I get a beer?” I took one out of the fridge, tossed to her, and said, “If you told me a year ago that the beautiful Princess Celestia is going to be laughing at my fuck off shirt and drinking a beer in my kitchen I would’ve called bullshit.” I started to sip my beer and she took a gulp and said, “Beautiful am I?” I finished sipping and answered her, “Well you’re not average I can assure you that, I think you’re beautiful. You’re showing me a side of you that you don’t show anyone else especially the public and not your student either. That makes me think a bit and you don’t want me to do that.” She walked up to me and asked, “Why not?” I sipped again and answered. “In Hayvard I took an Psychoanalyst class for two terms. I learned a lot from that class like how since I’ve mentioned a different side of you that you don’t show you stopped drinking your beer. When I called you beautiful, you started to rub the label off the bottle which shows nervousness then I mentioned that you show a side of you that you don’t even show your student which brings me to the conclusion of either one or two things.” I paused to finish my beer and dropped it down the disposal tube then continued, “Either you are in love with you’re student which I find nearly impossible since you raised her like the daughter you never had or two you’re in love with me.” She finished her beer and walked up dropped it down the tube and said, “What if you’re wrong.” I leaned in close to her face and said, “I’m almost never wrong, if I think I am then I was on the right track and you’re a hard person to read, I love the challenge.” She brought up her hand to brush her fingers against my jaw line and said, “I’m much more complicated than you think.” I smirked and said, “Challenge accepted.” She rewarded my eagerness with a small peck on the cheek and to say I was shocked was the understatement of the entire universe. I stood there for a good five minutes before Barry and Blitz snapped me out of it. They had gotten the dartboard out, hung it on the wall, and opened it. Blitz asked, “Regular or extreme?” Luna sat down with a beer in her hand and asked, “What’s the difference?” Everyone was sitting down and Scotch sat next to her and explained, “Regular is a normal game with the points adding up to 180, Extreme is added up to 360 but played with one less dart for each team.” I counted all the people up in my head it was nine. My sister Spines and I take turns when we have to sit out to keep score, and it was her turn this time. I tapped on her shoulder and said, “Still uneven your turn to sit out.” We split up into two teams Luna, Blitz, Scotch, and Elusive were one the blue team while Celestia, Jack, Barry, and myself were on the red team. Celestia and Luna loved it though we trailed behind by 24 points and we were taking a break to use the restroom, grab more snacks and beer. Blitz was sitting next to me he bumped my shoulder I looked and him and he said, “Show them your knife.” I rolled my eyes at that remark and retorted, “It’s not a knife it’s a military standard issue combat KA-Bar, knives are much smaller and duller.” He grunted and said, “Whatever it is just show the girls.” That time the sisters came back and the eldest asked, “Show us what?” Barry spoke up, “His Knife.” Luna looked confused and asked, “Sister is his ‘knife’ another sexual term I don’t know about yet?” Jack then laughed and said, “If we were talking about that Barry would‘ve said party snake.” Sighing I walked past the girls and grabbed a box with the E.N.M.C. Special Forces symbol on it. I came back into the living room slammed the box down on the table it so loud it startled everyone I said, “Here is when I was in the E.N.M.C. Special Forces first squadron response team. You guys want to constantly see my past look inside the box.” Celestia gasped when I said that because it was a branch of the royal guard that responded to terrorist activities she spoke up, “I know what happened almost everyone in that squad died except for one no one knew his name but everyone called him ‘D-day’ he was never heard from again, that was you?” Sitting down I started to talk, “Life has a way of screwing you over again and again. The guys that died had families to see it was our last mission together as a squad. Information got leaked we were led into an ambush, after the smoke cleared I was still alive and went A.W.O.L. killed the entire branch of the group then blew up their home base. They had missiles so I jury-rigged them to fire at the home base I wasn’t satisfied so I left soon after and the rest is a blur.” I pointed at the scratches in the top of the box and told them, “These aren’t just random scratches they are the ranks of all the soldiers that died in the ambush. When I returned I retired and left for the border I was thinking about leaving to Gryphonia then I met a kid searching for scraps at the train station she led me to the shelter she was staying in where I found Blitz and Scotch they came with me and the little girl got adopted by some relatives of mine. Then we got an apartment, we couldn’t pay all the rent so we got roommates it started with Barry. Then Elusive came along and all of his designs and clothing sales got a hell of a lot money then we met Jack and he needed a place to stay.” I relaxed then continued, “Spines was my sister that I didn’t know about until I reestablished contact with my parents. When I did, she was the rebellious type, I had a history with those people. I took her with me just as long as she kept her grades up I wouldn’t come down so hard on her. Moving around all the time didn’t help so I related to her and didn’t punish her.” I looked at everyone then looked around the house and said, “This is the very last place that I’ll ever be moving. Now all I can hope is that I can find love.” I looked at Celestia when I said that last sentence and she blushed. I finished my beer put my KA-bar in the box picked it up looked at the clock and said, “Blue team wins time for bed.” The guys put up the dartboard and I picked up Spines unconscious body like a bride and walked up the stairs opened the door to her room turned on the light and sat her on the bed. I took off her shoes and she looked up and grunted, “How… long waz I out?” I finished with her last shoe and put it under her bed and answered, “Long enough to slur but not pregnant.” She put her head back and mumbled something I couldn’t understand the she grabbed my hand and said, “Iz heard wat you said about findin’ love, Iz jus wan’ you ta kno’ that no madder wat I still lovez you.” I patted her cheek and said, “You’re drunk.” I was heading to my room when the bathroom door opened. I turned my head to see Celestia coming out she stopped me on the way and asked, “Dusk, why did you look at me when you said that you were hoping to find love?” I looked at her and said, “Is it a crime to show feelings for ya?” She shook her head no. Then I continued, “Then is it a crime to show the true you out to the public?” I left her there confused in the hallway while I didn’t lose a wink of sleep that night. I woke up earlier that the rest of the guys to go into my study I pull out a few books on astronomy and observe the stars for the short time I could and take notes on the alignment for certain constellations. Then the door opened to reveal Luna and Celestia with quizzical looks on their faces. I spoke up first and asked, “Yes do you need anything?” Luna spoke up and said, “This is where Tia and I lower the moon and raise the sun.” I took the hint and started to move. “Sorry this is where I work so I can submit my papers to the Astronomy department I work for I’ll get out of the way.” They raised their hands to defend themselves Celestia told me, “You don’t have to leave we just wanted to explain why we were here.” I nodded my head to ease them after they did their regular duties they both sat down and I submitted my papers to the P.C.S.U. Astronomy department. Luna said to her sister, “Tia I thought that my old club wouldn’t prosper.” This time I was confused, I grabbed my Rubik’s cube, started to mess around with it, then asked, “What are you girls talking about?” Luna answered, “Before my time on the moon I had a small club to observe the positions of the stars, to ask questions and take notes about the ever expanding universe. My sister always thought it would never be anything more than a silly hobby.” Celestia spoke up, “I was proven wrong over the years, and eventually it became a science.” I then spoke up while fiddling with the puzzle in my hands, “It’s amazing how we can be connected through thousands of years and never think anything of it. I originally I took up astronomy as a hobby to keep me relaxed. My former teacher found out and actually quizzed me a bit and realized I really liked it.” I paused and looked down at the cube to find two sides already solved I continued, “It’s a lot like this puzzle in my hand, I went through life confused, worrying, and now I look back and think what did I have to worry about anyways.” I put on my desk it was solved. I looked at both of the sisters standing in front of me and said, “You girls have had to go through a lot to get to the place where you are right now and so did I, looking back I saw what I was missing.” I grabbed both of their hands and said, “Helping hands.” In the second time of two days, I left the sisters speechless. I opened the door again and said, “Barry is bound to be awake by now. Let’s see if we can get some breakfast.” Walking down the stairs. The sisters were following close behind me and the younger one asked me, “How do you know so much about our pasts when we haven’t even told you anything to insinuate about our lives?” I turned and looked up at both of them and said this, “Both of you put up these masks to protect yourselves from people hurting your feelings and vice versa but the one thing these masks you put up can’t cover one thing your eyes. I see all the pain and years of separation that you cant make up. I know these things because I’ve been through things like what you are putting yourselves through.” I continued down the stairs to find a mug of coffee sitting on the counter with creamer and sugar for it next to it. I saw everyone else up and Blitz was in his running gear he said, “Dash said that she would bring me along running with her as long as I can keep up.” I smirked at that they’re going to race each other instead of just jog before he left I told him, “Hey it’s the second week we have to start looking.” He gave me the finger and ran off, I turned to Jack and said, “I need you to drop me off at the library I need to read some books since I didn’t get the chance to last week.” Celestia then said, “Can I come with you Dusk? I didn’t get the chance to speak with Twilight and since my sister and I are going to be staying here for the next two and a half months it would be a great time to catch up.” I thought about it for a few seconds then asked Luna, “Are you going to be alright staying here by yourself?” She looked up at me and said, “You’re concerned for my safety?” I shook my head, jabbed a thumb at my roommates direction, then said, “I’m concerned for them.” She nodded and drank the coffee that Barry had just made for her. I turned to the older sister and ordered, “Get in the shower get breakfast and get ready to go before eight. I’m a stickler for schedules.” She just then smiled and spoke up, “Don’t worry so am I.” I have a feeling that we’re going to get along quite well. I turned to Scotch and handed him the flier I got from Fluttershy and said, “Here they need volunteers at the animal shelter see if you can get a position there.” He smiled knowing that he would have been too intimidated by the building to go inside and apply for a job. Sev then tapped on my shoulder and asked, “Do you know where I can get some more fabrics for my designs? I’ve been thinking about experimenting with some of my sketches.” I smiled up at him and said, “No idea buddy but you’re welcome to use my computer if you like, just don’t put anything on my credit card last time there were so many scarves that I thought Santa Claus had blown up in a shipping crate.” I rushed upstairs to my bedroom to take a shower when I noticed that the door to the master bathroom was locked I knocked on it to hear a certain princess’ voice answer, “Hello?” I banged my head on the wall next to the door and said, “When I said take a shower I didn’t mean that you should use my bathroom, soaps, shampoo, conditioner or towels.” There was a pause before an answer came, “About that last part there seems to be no towels in here.” In all of the things in the entire universe I forgot to stock towels in my bathroom, as the saying goes hindsight’s 20/20. I went to get one from the linen closet and came back as fast as my legs could carry me. I had to speed walk because running like a madman wouldn’t make me look good. I knocked on the door since I was in a rush I was also off-balance a bit it was nothing it’s just I was a bit exhausted which meant I needed to exercise more because when I was in special forces I could run five kilometers and not even breath heavy. The door opened and the Celestia yanked on the towel which sent me flying forward and tumbling on top of her with only one layer of clothing and a towel separating us. I rushed out of there as soon as I got my bearings, closing the door behind me. I grabbed some leisure clothes for me and headed to the guest bathroom after that incident I didn’t want to speak to her for the rest of the day let alone see her. Having a crush on someone is a healthy thing, but when it’s the person that could have you banished and then sent to a dungeon in the place you were banished to you can chalk that up to downright insanity, and on top of all of that she is an introvert the only hope I have left is Twilight. I got out of the shower and saw Jack waiting with his keys in hand he looked at my face which couldn’t hide the fact that I was completely red. I pulled the cowboy’s arm pulling him outside and said this, “Sit down, shut up, and listen. I just got into an awkward situation with the older sister and I’ve developed a crush on her.” He readjusted his hat and then stopped messing with it and asked, “How awkward was it?” I frowned and said, “I don’t want to explain. Can you help me out here?” He then stood up and said, “The princess has been around for a long time am ah right?” I nodded and said, “Yeah thousands. What’s the point?” He smirked then added, “Well the point is that she can do the horizontal hoe-down purty damn well don’ ya think?” I then took my knee drove it straight into his apple seeds, and said. “For the love of all things under the sun if you ever think about something about that again I will ask Luna if she can reserve a spot on the moon for the rest of the summer. Got it?” He nodded his confirmation, Jack may be the toughest one out of all of us, but guys always have the same weakness. Celestia came out and looked at Jack and asked, “Is he alright?” I patted his back and said, “Jack will be fine it takes a lot to put him down. Shall we get going?” Jack dropped us off at the library and said, “I’ll be back ta’ pick ya up at 12:30” I saluted him and said, “Godspeed you damn cowboy.” He drove off and left me and the princess and she asked, “What did you say?” I looked at her and knew that this was going to boil into a bigger thing that it was so I just answered her with honesty, “I going to say this I don’t believe in any type of religion I’m atheist. So, in order for my bullshit luck and payback I insult the fuck out of all types of religions even yours.” I walked in with her again in shock. She caught up to me and asked, “Any type?” I nodded and opened the door while replying, “I don’t believe in anything that can’t be supported by actual facts like how I don’t believe in magic.” Twilight heard that and shouted, “WHAT!!!!” Well shit, I was damn out of my bullshit luck and it was a downward spiral from there so I had to get out of it. “It’s like I said I don’t believe in anything that isn’t backed up but absolute fact.” Twilight and her mentor followed me throughout the building. I started to look through the shelves to see if my author pen name was anywhere in here. I saw a few but then there was a very worn down one under my science pen name it was about my research on astronomy I picked up the book and show it to the pair of women following me and asked, “How many time do you read this book?” Twilight said, “Whenever I do my stargazing which is almost every night the author focuses on the facts and it causes a lot more to look up at the sky during the night.” I smiled and said, “I wrote this book.” Twilight gained a scowl on her face witch in turn had it’s own meaning and that was bullshit. I spoke up once more and said this, “You don’t believe me watch this.” I set the book on a desk with the title facing up ‘A Guide to the Stars’ by Stargazer I continued, “Page 316 paragraph 5 line 3.” I looked at Celestia while doing this I said, “Now you see that I’m not looking at the book right?” She nodded yes and I spoke, “I’m now going to quote this exact book without looking at it, ‘Therefore millions of stars shine within the night sky I look up not knowing whether there is an almighty being out there responsible for the complete creation of life. I do not see the facts and I personally don’t believe in anything but.’” I stood there back to both ladies and there was silence. I have shocked more people in this past weekend than in my entire life and right now, it’s not going to stop anytime soon. I just walked off and found my favorite fiction series Daring Do. I smiled and grabbed the newest book and flipped it open and started to read it until I heard both Blitz and Dash run in Dash asked Twilight, “Hey I heard you got the new Daring Do!” The librarian nodded and pointed at me and said, “He’s got the last copy maybe you can ask if he’ll let you check it out?” She ran over to and tackled me out of the chair I was sitting in grabbing at the book saying, “Give it to me I need my fix.” That was the point where I tapped on her shoulder and said this, “You do realize that you’re on top of me and there are grade school children over there.” She got red in the face and punched me in the chest grabbed the book and brushed herself off.
