It was shining brightly, which was somewhat unusual for this early in the morning. I stretched and let out a yawn, I guess I must of crashed hard last night.

“Jeez I’m still a little sore.” I muttered to myself tiredly, “I guess Twilight gave Mac a good workout...” I couldn’t help, but let out a giggle. “Why do I have such a weird feeling something big is going to happen today?”

I thought back to what the doctor had said to me, and to be honest I really didn’t see the point of undoing these changes to my body, even if it was only a temporary solution. I might not admit it to anypony outside my closest of friends, but I love having this body...minus the obvious that clearly marked me as a stallion.

“It’s weird...” I sighed, “You’d think I wouldn’t need a mare’s body to be noticed...” I let out a bitter chuckle, I guess I should be grateful for that accident. Honestly I was worried that ponies would forget about me, and only pay attention to Twilight. It shouldn’t feel like a competition over my own body...

“Accept who you are as a whole, not just one part of you...” I recalled Luna’s words from the other day, “Twilight and I are one and the same...and yet we’re two different ponies. So I wonder how much of me is Twilight, and how much of her is me?” By the stars this was the kind of thinking that would give anypony a headache.

I turned my thoughts to Celestia, I swear I never even knew she saw me like that. All the times she kept Luna and I separate was because of jealously, and possessiveness. I always saw her as a voice of reason, but seeing that side of her...I could only guess what else she was holding back.

I don’t doubt my parents will eventually find out about all this, it honestly wouldn’t surprise me if somepony in Canterlot recognised me...

Was it so wrong of me I wanted to dress like a mare? Or that I wanted to be happy? I had loving coltfriend, friends who understood me, and mentors who were willing to help me...so why was I so worried about my parents?

Was I Dusk or Twilight? I guess that was the question that was bothering me the past few weeks. I could try and be a little more like Twilight, it was times like these I cursed my awkwardness.

I decided I would go out for breakfast, I would usually make it myself but I just wanted to get out this morning. I chuckled, maybe Spike was right I stay cooped up in my basement lab far too much.

I got dressed, I eventually decided on some blue hip hugger jeans, a white tube top, a collar that had a silver star hanging from it, and a little bit of make up.

It was bright and warm outside, typical for summer weather. I figured Rainbow had actually got her backside into gear and cleared the clouds with the weather team instead of lazing around like she usually does.

As I walked through Ponyville, I noticed I was catching the attention of some of the ponies I passed by. I glanced at my reflection, I wasn’t wearing something too revealing was I?

“Tch, he should be setting a better example, what would the princess think?” I frowned, there wasn’t anything wrong with the way I dressed. By the stars as like my mother Celestia is, she doesn’t decide on how I should dress.

There was plenty of other ponies muttering, as I continued onwards. Honestly it felt like I was being judged for every step I took, I was always under the impression they were a tad more open minded or did the incident with Zecora not teach them anything.

“Erm Dusk...” A voice called out, I turned to the source only to find the local school teacher Cheerilee. She seemed to be in a bit of a panic.

“What’s wrong Cheerilee?” I asked, worried. Cheerilee was usually one of the more calm and composed ponies i knew, but I wondered what had gotten her in such a panic.

“It’s Snails...I don’t suppose you’ve seen him by any chance.” Cheerilee panted, “I looked all over, but I can’t find him anywhere.”

“He hasn’t turned up at school?” I asked, “Snails was always getting into some sort of trouble but he’s never been one to skip school.”

“No he hasn’t Ms Cake told me she saw him sneaking around the market.” Cheerilee explained, “I’ve only just got here, so I’m going to ask around.”

“Erm...I don’t understand why Snails would skip school.” I honestly didn’t know what else to say, “If I see him I’ll let you know.”

“Thank you Dusk, that would be a great help.” Cheerilee looked a little relieved, and shot off to ask around the market. I’m quite surprised she didn’t say anything about the way I was dressed, I guess she was in too much a panic to really notice.

“It’s been so long since we’ve been to Ponyville.” Twilight Velvet stretched as she got off the train, “It’s hard to believe that such a peaceful little town is often the centre of all the chaos.”

“Yes and when trouble shows it’s face you can usually find Dusk and his friends in the centre of it one way or another.” Night Light let out an amused chuckle, Twilight Velvet just sighed and shook her head.

“I swear those colt of ours, always in some sort of trouble or another.” Velvet allowed herself a small tiny smile, “Besides Dusk has finally become an apprentice, so we can all celebrate over a nice meal.”

“I’m quite surprised Princess Celestia allowed Luna to teach Dusk, I do recall her saying Dusk’s magic is closer to Luna’s than hers.” Night Light commented.

“Hmm...I wonder if the Cake’s bakery is still around, I haven’t been there in years.” Night Light’s stomach let out a hungry growl, as if to say it was agreeing with Velvet’s idea.

I sipped my coffee as Pinkie was telling me about the surprise party she had threw AJ and Rainbow yesterday, I couldn’t help but laugh I guess it was only a matter of time before they got caught.

“I hope you helped clean up the mess Pinkie, I know how much of a mess you can make when you decide to throw a party.” I chuckled, Pinkie gave a loud gasp.

“Oh Duskie you meanie!” Pinkie gave me a mock expression of anger, “My parties don’t make that much of a mess!”

“Oh what about the last time you threw a party at the library?” I joked, “I’m still finding confetti and party streamers in the weirdest of places.” We both went quiet for a moment as Pinkie huffed and gave me an unamused look, before we both started laughing.

“Speaking of parties where was Mac?” Pinkie gave me a mischievous grin, “Did you and Mac have you’re own private party for two?” I blushed and said nothing, “Ooooh I knew it! Are you gonna tell me all the details, Duskie?”

“A princess doesn’t kiss and tell Pinkie.” I gave a confident smirk, as much as I adored Pinkie this was something I’d rather keep private.

“Oh you meanie! Huh?” I raised a brow, what could have got her attention?

“What’s wrong Pinkie?” I turned to see what she was looking at...”O-oh no...” A sense of dread washed over me as I saw my parents at the counter and the were looking straight at me with a similar expression to mine.

“D-Dusk?” My mother spoke up after an uncomfortable moment of silence, “W-why are you...dressed like that?”

Twilight Velvet and Night Light stared at their youngest son, and took in how he was dressed. They both couldn’t believe what they were seeing, and the rumours they had heard were true.

“M-mom...D-dad...I-I...p-please...s-stop staring at me l-like that!” I let out a frightened scream and covered myself as best I could with my arms and tail, before I vanished in a flash of lavender light.

“Dusk what’s wrong?” Spike spoke up, I didn’t answer straight away as i didn’t realise I had teleported back into the living room of the library.

“Oh no...Nononononono!” I panicked, Mom and dad had seen me dressed like this. Just what were they doing here in Ponyville? Oh by the stars they had seen me, they had seen me dressed like this and more importantly my body...I have to hide....I need to hide...

Spike only watched as his elder brother panicked and ran off upstairs, he raised a brow and wondered what had gotten into his brother. Before he could ask there was a knock on the front door. He opened the door only to be greeted by a rather unamused Twilight Velvet and Night Light.

“Mom? Dad?” Spike greeted confused, “What brings you here?”

“Well Spike we’d thought we would drop by to celebrate Dusk becoming an apprentice to Princess Luna, but it would seem we found something else out as well. Is Dusk here by any chance?” Velvet asked the young drake.

“Um...he’s just upstairs, he ran up there in a panic.” Spike pointed to the direction of my bedroom.

“Oh no, they saw me, what do I do?” I panicked pacing back and forth, “I need to hide...this would be the first place they would look.”

“DUSK SHINE!!” I spoke too soon, as the sound of my father shouting came from the other side of my bedroom door, “OPEN THE DOOR RIGHT NOW!”

I opened the door slowly, I couldn’t help but look like I was about to get in trouble. My ears drooped and my tail curled itself around my legs, I couldn’t help but be frightened.

“M-Mom...D-Dad...” I mumbled quietly, as I slowly opened the door.

Author's Note

Here's the next chapter for you all, enjoy.

Did you spot the reference by the way? it might be a bit obscure but it's a reference to a blog I'm quite a fan of.

• Silent out.