My first encounter with the Nightmare left me unconscious and near death, where I had another dream, much like those that came before it, and like those dreams, I had learned much. I still had much to learn however.

The sun glared brightly overhead. Long may it shine this glorious morning, or what one would assume was a good morning. It was the day of the Summer Sun Celebration and the event was in full swing. Nothing got the blood pumping faster than an intense show of skill between two fencers dressed in a traditional white garb, head and faces obscured by wire mesh helms. The two battled in the center of town, drawing a large crowd.

They stood at an almost even height, one male and one female. Their stances seemed normal, that much the confused Dusk could tell at first glance, but as he inspected closer, both at them and the crowd, something seemed off. He wasn’t sure if it was the nervous shifting of the crowd or the small shower of sparks the Fencer’s sabers made when they clashed.

For a time, he simply stood there and watched them. Hoping to find meaning in this dream, as it certainly wasn’t like his usual dreams of study and reflection. No, this was another vision, he was sure of it! But… Where was Twilight in all of this? She was in almost every one that he has had ever since they started about a year ago, so where could she be now? He didn’t have to wait for much longer as he noted the subtle glow of raspberry and rose shone through the mesh of the Fencer’s helms.

Dusk raised a brow in curiosity, Twilight was competing? The thought that she’d partake in such activities when she was royalty was a little baffling. That is, unless it was a demonstration, a way of building morale. It would be rational for a show to be put on when spirits are down. It was a guess, but it was all he could really think of. Though… Who would be crazy enough to step into the ring with an Ali-

-Clang-

And that was it. His new thoughts made him miss the end of the match. Twilight has apparently knocked away his opponent’s sword and held hers to his throat for a brief moment before lowering it. The surprises didn’t end however, as a few cheers rang out from the crowd, Twilight’s opponent removed his helmet, revealing a familiar face. It was that of his brother, Shining Armor, the blue hair and the dopey grin on his face only confirmed Dusk’s suspicions. He extended a hand towards Twilight, stating, “Thanks for the good fight Twily. A little exhibition was a great idea to kick of the festivities.”

And the surprises kept coming when Twilight remained silent, waving a hand dismissively before walking away, possibly heading for a changing tent.

‘What happened to her?’ He pondered.

Curious, he followed her to the tent, but didn’t step inside. He wasn’t THAT curious… Or maybe he was, as he soon found himself peeking inside the tent as she sat in an unoccupied chair, resting her saber beside her. Sighing, she removed her helmet, revealing her long blue hair, the pink and violet strands getting lost as it hung low over her features. She looked, forlorn, pale even. The sight gave Dusk enough worry to rush to her side and as once again, ‘What happened?’

His words fell on deaf ears however, as she didn’t even notice him. He facepalmed, of course she wouldn’t… How silly of him to even consider the idea she would. He was about to comment further, when a solemn voice called out, “Twilight?”

He recognized the voice, kneeling towards the door to the tent instinctively as a tall woman stepped inside. Her gold trimmed linen clothes shimmered brightly, even in the lower lighting, her prismatic hair flowing gently behind her, albeit a bit lazier then he remembered. That was when he looked up to see the tired face of his ruler Princess Celestia. Just what had she been up to? She looked just as bad, if not worse than Twilight.

She walked up to Twilight and placed a hand on her shoulder, he smile slowly fading as she spoke, “Twilight. I heard the news.. I am dreadfully sorry about what happened. I only heard about it just after I finished raising the sun for the day.”

Twilight barely seemed to acknowledge her, so she continued, “I’ve set aside some time to help out so you can visit them if you’d like.”

Twilight shook her head, continuing to look down at the floor, not even willing to look at her former mentor, “ The Nightmare, he got away?”

There was that name again. The Nightmare. When did this story take place? Dusk had to know.

Celestia sighed softly, opting to sit on the floor beside Twilight, prompting the young Alicorn to gasp, “Princess! You’ll ruin your dress.”

The Solar Princess grinned, finally getting a proper response out of her, “Compared to the wellbeing of my former pupil and of Ponyville, a few stains is nothing. I understand that you wish to seek him out and avenge your comrades, but I can do nothing to help you if you don’t tell me what happened.”

Twilight sighed, looking back at the ground, “I had a moment of weakness… The Elements… They were all charged up and ready to use, and I hesitated. Just one look at him and… I couldn’t do it, I didn’t know what they’d do to him, and now everyone I care about is hurt because I couldn’t fight him.”

The Princess pulled Twilight into a hug, surprising the smaller Alicorn, “It’s okay Twilight, they are being helped and should make a full recovery soon. As for your hesitation, it is perfectly understandable.”

“...”

Celestia continued, “After all, using the Elements do bring unforeseen consequences. One must have an unwavering resolve when using them, lest tragedy str-”

Dusk blinked as Celestia’s voice seemed to grow more distant, he had to will himself closer just to hear her Twilight’s response, “That was what happened with- _ - wasn’t it?”

Celestia nodded, “Indeed… And you using them on Nightmare Moon was an entirely different sit- _ - You didn’t know her like I did, so you had no reason to hold an- _ -”

Getting further. It was getting too difficult to make out words now, the world around him began to fade to white...

Dusk Shine’s eyes creaked open, the familiar bright lighting of his new Home flooded his eyes. His head hurt, terribly, his vision blurred. What happened to him? As he turned his head, a pale blue blob filled his vision, but for a brief moment, it appeared to have a patch of cream color here and there.. As he blinked to try to filter his perception, a magenta flash blinded him momentarily. One he regained his sight, he reached out towards the figure, his hand brushed against something purple and vibrant that seems to have replaced the figure, but as fast as the figure had appeared, it vanished leaving Dusk alone with his thoughts.

“Hey, guys! He’s awake!”

A voice… It was Spike’s, that much he could be sure. The pitter-patter of scaled feet filled his ears as he tried his best to sit up, “Sp-spike? We need… A book…”

“A book? You wake up after having your life nearly stolen from you and you want a book!?”

His alarm and disbelief was understandable, but the serious expression on his face clued Spike in that he was more than serious, “I had another vision, at least, I think it was another one… Twilight. She mentioned something known as the Elements of Harmony.”

Spike rubbed his chin with a scaly claw a moment, trying to remember where he heard the name before, “Elements… Didn’t you mention that in one of your readings the other day?”

Dusk nodded slowly, his senses finally returning to him, “I did… I think. She said they were used to defeat Nightmare Mo-”

His sentence was cut off when he felt a sudden pressure on his gut. It was the fuming pegasus, Rainbow Dash, nearly threatening to plow him into the ground with the force of her crashing into him. Her scowl told Spike she meant business, so she backed away slowly, “I’m just going to… Leave you two alone!”

He took off running as two’s eyes met. Paleing, Dusk asked, “Can you get off me, please?”

Rainbow Dash huffed, crossing her arms over her nearly flat chest, “Nope…”

Pointing a finger at him sharply, she shouted, “Alright egghead! I have a few questions, and you better have the answers I’m looking for… What are the Elements of Harmony, and what do they have to do with Nightmare Moon? How do you know so much about her anyway.”

Huffing, she stated bluntly, “It can’t be a coincidence that you show up the same day she does. What are you, some kind of Spy?”

Dusk couldn’t help but gulp. This was going to be a long night, wasn’t it?

To his relief, Applejack cut in, gently moving the pegasus off of him, “Simmer down sally. Ah reckon he’ll explain soon enough.”

Dusk Shine sighed with relief as he stood up, watching the others filing in behind her. Fluttershy spoke up timidly, as if finding it hard to spit out what she had to say, “He did save you Dash…”

It appeared that Rainbow Dash heard her, crossing her arms as she turned away, huffing, “I don’t remember that happening at all!”

Dusk was caught off guard once again as the Unicorn rushed up to him, smothering him in her warm, suffocating embrace, “Well, he did, so don’t you dare lay a hand on him!”

He flailed wildly, trying to shake her off as she continued, “He was a victim just as much as you were. His purity was disturbed by that horrid monster. I dare not think what would have happened had Fluttershy not stepped in...”

She was certainly glad that an ill fate hadn’t befallen her beloved, but her heart burned with a fury that Dusk had been bewitched by Nightmare Moon in the first place, forcing Fluttershy to perform CPR on a dying and visibly flustered Dusk Shine. The fact that she was the only one qualified to save him was the only thing staving off her anger towards her friend, instead aiming it at the dark Alicorn.

Dusk Shine managed to slip away, stepping over to Applejack, who merely adjusted her hat to acknowledge his presence, “Is… She always like this?”

She shrugged, “Ah hardly know her…”

He cleared her throat as he felt all eyes on him, “Anyway… I read all about Nightmare Moon, or at least, all that I could get my hands on in the Canterlot Libraries. It started with a simple prediction, and then grew into a worry that was being confirmed more with each passing day.”

The Unicorn stepped forward, scanning a few books on the book shelf behind the group as he mused, “I read about these mysterious objects known as the Elements of Harmony, powerful artifacts rumored to have stopped Nightmare Moon last time. I do not know what they are, where to find them, or what they even do, but-”

“The Elements of Harmony, A Reference Guide.”

Dusk Shine nearly face-faulted, dropping a book to the floor, “Wh-what! Where did you find that?”

Never before had he spun on his heels this quickly, rushing over to the sound of the excitable young woman known as Pinkie Pie. She merely grinned up at him, holding up the book for him to see, “It was under ‘E’.”

Accepting the book, he started flipping through a few pages, “This is… This is it!”

He grinned widely as he stopped, planting a finger firmly on a piece of text, “According to this, there are six Elements of Harmony in total, however, only five of them seem to have a reference by name…”

The others listened intently as he started naming them off, “Kindness, Generosity, Honesty, Laughter, and Loyalty…”

He continued to flipped through the book a moment before stating, “The last one… It’s a mystery!”

Sighing, he finished, “The last known location of the Elements of Harmony was the Castle of the Royal Sisters. And that Castle is located in what is now known as…”

Everyone paled at his words, shocked, “The Everfree Forest!”

He chuckled softly, closing the book, “Looks like this won’t be easy. Nothing ever is, isn’t it?”

Dusk was nearly taken to the floor as Pinkie jumped on him, shaking the shorter human as she shouted, “Are you loco in the coco?!”

Dusk shine was bewildered by her statement, “Huh?”

His fellow Unicorn grinned nervously as she walked up to him, “I have to agree with Pinkie here, the Everfree Forest is a place filled with strange monsters and dark creatures. It is simply too dangerous.”

Having gathered their courage, Applejack and Rainbow Dash grinned, “Ah believe we have quite the challenge ahead of us.”

“And I’ll never back down from a fight. Count me in!”

The others began to voice their approvals as well.

The sapphire haired human frowned, about to respond when the some strange black creature swirled around him, snatching the book from his hands and out a window. It was heading for the Everfree. There was stunned silence in the room for a few moments, broken only as Applejack muttered in confusion, “Where the hey did that thing come from?”

Dusk growled softly as he headed for the door, “More importantly, what was that?”

Looking back to them he asked, “Can one of you alert the guard, something tells me that thing wasn’t alone.”

Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie nodded in affirmation as he pulled a decorative rapier off the wall before rushing out the door, chasing after the fleeing figure in the night, determined to find out what it was despite not having any weapons to defend himself, or a plan. Even the smartest of eggheads can forget about something as necessary as a plan.

At the edge of the Everfree, the inky black monster paused, turning to face him. It’s erratic movements gave Dusk shine pause. It twisted and contorted in unnatural positions before lunging at him. The Unicorn raised his blade, likewise lunging forward, thrusting his blade through the beast in defense. It didn’t stop! Instead, it engulfed his sword and arm. His eyes clenching shut as the creature continued forward, mentally preparing himself for an attack that never came. Instead, he felt a comforting feeling as a whisper tickled his ear, “You are tired… Sleep...”

His eyes shot open, looking down at his form, only to be surprised as the strange black mass began to envelop him. The creature had stuck itself to his arms and refused to let go, despite his protests, “H-hey, get off me!”

It continued to creep up him, it was on his neck now. He squirmed and struggled, falling onto his back, wondering just how smart it was to run ahead alone. He tried to concentrate on a spell that would save him but nothing came to mind, nothing he could use that he could use without his hands anyway. His mind was slipping, his eyes sagging as he suddenly became tired.

It was crawling on his face now, threatening to engulf his vision as the soft glimmer from his horn began to fade away, disappearing into the darkness. He was about to give up, cease his struggling and let sleep overcome him, but a voice in the darkness called out to him, urging him to rise.

“Don’t give up!”

He didn’t recognize the voice, at least not at first. Soon more voices cried out.

“Yo Egghead, you really going to lay there and let that thing win?”

“Dusk!”

“Get off of him ya freak show, he’s not a chew toy.”

That was when he saw a light. It wasn’t a bright one, but it was something nonetheless. He reached out for it, struggling once again with a renewed vigor, and to his surprise, he was free! The strange shadow creature screeching as it retreated from his downed form. The Unicorn was relieved as his senses began to return to him, his new friends helping him to his feet, “Thanks…”

Looking back, he saw Rarity, Applejack and Rainbow Dash there behind him, looking like they were ready for a fight. He certainly wasn’t going to stop them. Looking back at the creature, he had noticed something different about it, it appeared more solid and punchable. Even more apparent was the sword sticking out of the creature's chest.

It was a broadsword, about 101. 6 centimeters long. It appeared to be made of a silver, which would be quite odd for a normal blade, but something about the way it shimmered softly as the beast tried desperately to pull it out told him it was far from normal. Within a few brief moments, before the others could even get close, the creature faded away, dispersing into nothing as the sword clattered to the ground.

As the Unicorn reached down to pick up the blade, Rarity noted the gleaming red gem embedded in the blade’s fuller, “That gem...It doesn’t look like any ruby I’ve ever seen before.”

It burned Dusk slightly as he held the blade in his grip, examining it. He would have dropped it, if the pain hadn’t dampened, in fact, it soon became pleasant, familiar even. This blade, he felt like he saw it somewhere… That was right, he saw it one of his dreams. It belonged to Celestia.

Before he could ponder the blade’s sudden appearance, out of the darkness that was the Everfree Forest appeared more of those strange creatures. Applejack shouted, bringing him back to reality, “Heads up Dusk, looks like that thing had some friends.”

He nodded in agreement, taking up the blade in a defensive stance. If they were looking for a fight, they’d get one. Rarity supplied her best defensive magic to keep Applejack safe as she used her great strength to beat back the dark creatures. Meanwhile, Dusk Shine was on the offensive with Rainbow Dash, the pegasus taking to the air and swiftly damaging their foes as they appeared, softening them up for Dusk to land lethal blows with his blade up close, and at long range with his magic.

It would seem that no matter how many creatures they slay, the darkness continued to harass them, bringing forth scores of them at a time. Soon they would be overwhelmed, and Dusk Shine knew it. A fire burned in his chest as he turned towards the advancing creatures and the forest that they called home. He called out to his companions, “Cover me, I have just the spell for this!”

Nodding in understanding, Rainbow dash, Rarity, and Applejack rushed to his side and kept the monsters away as the Unicorn began chanting an incantation. Powerful magics radiated from his gem as he drew a spell circle, one much larger than the one he had used to defend Rainbow dash earlier. It took a minute of concentration and many shadow creatures downed before he was ready to cast his spell, “Ancient light, arise, Velvet Wall!”

And now he showed exactly how he became known as Celestia’s prized pupil, a wall of bright light erected itself, blocking off the entrance to the Everfree and cutting it off from Ponyville, for now. Shortly thereafter, it faded away, casting a subtle velvet colored light on the nearby buildings. As the first guards appeared on the scene, they were shocked as their protection seemed to disappear, but they too soon noticed that the creatures were left banging up against the invisible barrier keeping them in.

With the fighting over, Dusk used his magic to warp the sword away, storing it for future use. Grinning tiredly, he fell to his rump, chuckling as he stated, “My family crafts the best shield spells in Equestria. Get through that one, and you’ll have to deal with my mother…”

Rarity gasped softly, pulling him back to his feet and dusting him off, “Dusk! I know such a spell must have tired you out, but please try to sit on a bench or something. You’ll ruin your new clothes.”

He snorted, “Thanks for your concern…”

Taking a moment to catch his breath, he asked a stunned guard, “Think you can keep the wall up until aid arrives from Canterlot?”

The guard nodded, still speechless as he watched the shadowy creatures attack the invisible wall. These were supposed to be the guards in Ponyville? Well, at least they did show up. It would appear that Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy managed to get their aid, and for that Dusk shine was grateful.

He looked back at the ground where the first creature had fallen. In all the commotion, he had forgotten that it was even holding his book. Had it been there this whole time and he just now noticed it? He picked it up, smiling softly as he noticed that there wasn’t a single scratch on it. Good.

They all jumped in surprise as the shield rattled as some of the creatures bounced off it, all except Pinkie, who seemed as cheerful as ever. She walked up to Dusk, tailed by Fluttershy, “Now that that half baked moment of action is over, what are we going to do now?”

They stared at her in silence for a moment as the Unicorn pondered. Just what were they going to do? What was he going to do? He knew it was dangerous to go alone, but it was also more dangerous for the inexperienced to go fight what would be considered by some to be a god. His hands were tied in all cases. He had to make a choice.

Clearing his throat, Dusk Shine said aloud, “I guess it can’t be helped… You.”

He pointed at the guards in their midst, “Stand watch until aid comes. I will need to inspect the shield and make sure nothing else gets through.”

Turning towards the girls, he stated, “I suppose you will need to prepare if you plan on helping me find the Elements. Go home, check on your families and make sure they are safe, then meet back here in an hour.”

Their responses were a mix of excitement and apprehension as they each rushed home to check up on their respective families. Smiling softly, he thought to himself, ‘That should get them out my hair for a while… Now to find those-’

“Umm… Dusk Shine?”

He frowned again, looking over at the timid Fluttershy who had yet to leave. She looked fairly scared, even more than normal, “Yes?”

She pressed her pointer fingers together, shyly, averting her gaze, “I- Um… My Cottage is on the edge of the forest. Do you think it’ll be safe?”

He gently placed a hand on her shoulder in an attempt to comfort her, “Of course! I made sure to take the time to cast the wall especially wide.”

She shied away from his touch a little frightened, though the small smile on her face was a sign that she was a little happy about the news at the very least, “That’s good… I wouldn’t want any of my animal friends to get hurt.”

Animals? Right, she was helping those birds learn some song for the celebration, for some odd reason. He wasn’t entirely sure what that was all about, but it was more than obvious she cared about them. Sighing softly, he asked, “Would you mind if I escort you home?”

She nodded slowly, walking in the direction of her home. As they went, Dusk Shine made sure not to get too close as to make her uncomfortable, but close enough that she felt safe from the monsters that stalked them on the other side of the barrier. About half way there, he stated, “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For saving my life back there, when Nightmare Moon…... Hexed me.”

She grinned nervously, remember that event, “Oh, it’s no big deal. I enjoy helping others… I’m just a little… Shy.”

He chuckled, nodding, “I can tell. Are you a nurse or something? From what it sounded like, you were the first responder when it came to the injured. That is pretty amazing.”

She tried looking away, rubbing the back of her neck in embarrassment, a soft blush appearing on her face. The gnashing of teeth as they bounced off of the barrier forced her gaze back to him, “S-sort of… I’m actually a Veterinarian. I tried regular medical school, but I dropped out… Too nervous around other people.”

“Nervous? That’s a little surprising…”

She shrugged softly, letting her pink hair roll over her shoulder as she nodded, “I got my cutiemark in taking care of animals, so that’s fine enough for me.”

He sighed, butterflies… That made sense. As they walked up to the front door, he asked, “Can I ask you something Fluttershy?”

She paused at her door, turning around to face him, “Ok…”

He gave her the most serious expression he felt she could probably handle and continued, “Are you sure you want to come with us? You don’t seem like the type for this sort of mission. We may not come back from this.”

She frowned, giving him a stern look that he didn’t expect to ever cross her face, “And what is the alternative? Stay here and let my new friends go off on a suicide mission? I could never forgive myself if one of you got hurt out there. No. I want to be there for you- for them!”

He was a bit surprised by her response. So fervent, so resolute. He didn’t expect this from her at all. Chuckling softly, he drew a spell circle in the air. With a wave of his hand, a shield materialized on his arm. In a swift motion, he removed it and held it out to the soft spoken pegasi, “Minor conjuration… If you want to come with us, I want you to use this. It belonged to my brother. It is sure to protect you when you need it.”

It pained him to part with his brother’s first shield, but he knew she'd find better use of it then he would. As she took it, she examined the shield mark emblazoned on the front, curious she looked up to ask him what it meant, but he was gone, leaving her alone with her thoughts.

“Dusk?”

And now a new pain assaulted him. He just left Fluttershy alone. He left her so he could enter the Everfree alone… He wouldn’t endanger these people he had just met today, as friendly as they were or not. This was his problem. He saw the signs, he was there when Nightmare Moon appeared, and she singled HIM out. This wasn’t their problem. Besides, should something happened to him, Ponyville will need all the hands they can get to survive.

With one flick of his wrist, he banished the shadowy creatures in his path as he went into the Forest. He wasn’t going to let them get in his way. He wasn’t going to let anyone get in his way.

He soon came upon a cliff overlooking a large part of the forest, it gave him a good view of the forest below and the moon still glaring down on the world from above, “I should be here now… The Everfree Forest, here I come.”

He looked over the edge of the cliff, pondering just how he should get down when a sudden whisper sent chills down his spine. It was subtle, barely audible over the sudden cracks heard underfoot, “Fall…”

He tried jumping back as the ground was falling out beneath him, but it was too late, he started sliding down to his doom! He clawed at the earth, trying in vain to regain his footing. As he neared the edge, he hung on, barely clinging to life. His lower body was dangling over, threatening his vary existence, ‘Dang, how could I get this careless… Think Dusk, think lest this place be your grave!’

His grip was failing him as his fingers slowly gave out. If only he had enough strength to hold himself still he could cast a spell and save himself. The edge! It had overtook him in the end, he shouted as he started to fall once more, “Nooo!”

“Gotcha!”

To his surprise, he had stopped falling. He felt a tight pressure on his wrist, no doubt caused by what saved him.

“Well, well… Looks like the cavalry arrived just in time…”

He paled, he recognized that accent, and she didn’t sound too happy, “Applejack?”

She gave him a sly smile as she held him by the hand, similarly holding herself up on the cliff, however, she appeared to have a far easier time of doing so, “Ya’ll are lucky ah’m good at tracking lost farm animals.”

He scowled, “So i’m a pig now?”

She chuckled softly as she strained to pull him up, “Ah’m thinkin somethin’ smaller... Maybe a chicken.”

Dusk would be lying if he said that didn’t make him angry, but he had no room to complain, “C-can you just help me up, please?”

She frowned, struggling again once more, “That’s easier said than done.”

With a grunt, she said, “I doubt this ledge will hold much longer… And if I keep trying to help like this, we’re both gonna end up at the bottom of this here cliff.”

For some reason he didn’t like where this was going. She continued that line of thought, “Staying here isn’t good either…”

He frowned, gritting his teeth, “So? There has to be something we can do.”

She sighed, “Ah’m afraid I only see one way out of this, for both of us. I have to let you go.”

He paled, he knew she had to be going that way. It was the only logical solution after all. He was just holding her down now, “Dang it… How could I have let it come to this… So soon.”

He was about to look down, down to the place that would soon had a large red splatter on it, but a sharp cry from Applejack kept his eyes glued to hers, “Hey, listen to me Dusk…”

“You’re going to be just fine. We’re both gonna be just fine. But… It all comes down to one question.”

He gulped, “What is that?”

Her gaze was resolute, “Do you trust me?”

He blinked in disbelief, what sort of question was that, “What!”

She was unflappable, “All day you’ve been avoiding us, distrustful of us. You left Fluttershy all alone to take on this problem all by yourself, and look what that has gotten you. I want you to stop. I want you to put your faith in someone else's hands for once.”

He frowned as her grip on his wrist began to falter, the ground beneath her starting to creak, “Is that it? You want me to trust you when you are suggesting letting me fall to my death?”

“Did you forget I caught you? My life is at risk here too. It was the moment ah agreed to follow you out here.”

He paused. She was right, as strange as that was.

“Listen, what I’m going to tell you is the absolute truth. We wanted to help you because you were the only one that seemed to know what was going on. We wanted to help you, we trusted you, and now it is time for you to trust us to be there when you need us.”

He panicked as he heard the ground start to give way beneath her, sliding the both of them further to over the brink, “But I left Fluttershy alone, I left all of you behind and went ahead alone.”

“And that is fine. No friendship is without their troubles, and ours is no different, as new as ours is… We’re out of time, Dusk, what will you do?”

He closed his eyes, clenching them tightly as they slid forward yet another inch, “I… I trust you!”

She chuckled softly, “Good to hear Sugarcube… Now don’t struggle.”

“Huh?”

That was when he felt the grip on his wrist loosened, letting him slip through. There was a moment of clarity as he fell, a certain peace that washed over him. He fell and fell, and fell some more. He fell so much he wondered just how high up he really was. That was when he opened his eyes. To his surprise, he was in the arms of an angel, flitting gently to the ground below. Actually, it was just Fluttershy, who had quite the blush on her face, “Umm… Hi… You okay?”

He smiled, sighing in relief, “I am now… Thank you! But what about-”

Dusk looked back at the cliff just in time to see it crumble, finally giving way and dropping the earth human off the edge, “Whoa doggy!”

He gasped, shouting dramatically as he closed his eyes, not able to look at the frightening scene before them, “Applejack!”

Author's Note

Sorry this took so long. School is really kicking my butt right now. Game design, go figure.

At my friend suggestion, to save myself time and to save you guys the really long wait time, I cut this chapter into multiple more manageble parts. Hopefully now I can get the next part out to you guys, I really enjoy writing this, but it's been getting harder and harder. Especially now that I actually have a job.

Long story short, game design. Wish me luck!