Location: Equestria, ten minutes from Ponyville

In an empty passenger car sat a lone unicorn stallion. Said stallion is currently looking out the train window with his head propped on his right hand resting against the window still. Seemingly watching the landscape speeding by his window.

When one takes a look at this stallion, he seems like any other. Six feet tall, average build, not too muscular not too lean, just average. He has orange coloured eyes, a grey coat with a black mane and tail. He is currently wearing jeans, a white t-shirt and a brown leather jacket.

Other than his choice of attire and the colour of his coat and mane, he has no other unique physical traits other than his concealed cutie mark. A telescope looking at a single star.

However, in reality his name is Dusk Shine, eldest son of both Twilight Velvet and Night Light, and older brother to two out of the five most important figures in Equestria.

Prince Shining Armor of the Crystal Empire and Twilight Sparkle, the princess of friendship and one of the bearers of the Elements of Harmony.

With two iconic figures that are known and famous throughout all of Equis as your younger siblings, one might feel more than insecure and pressured about being an older brother to these two.

And that theory is right.

Dusk Shine started reminiscing about his past. He remembered a time where both Shining and Twilight use to look up to him as an older brother figure, someone they can learn from and respect.

Dusk wasn’t a horrible brother to them. not at all. In fact, he has always encouraged both Shining and Twilight when they were young to become something greater, like any older sibling should. He remembered calling Twilight his LSBFF (Little Sister Best Friends Forever) and Shining his LBBFF (Little Brother Best Friend Forever). And in turn, they called him their BBBFF.

They would do everything together. Read books, him taking them out to eat ice cream and sweets, making forts out of pillows and blankets while demanding cookies from their parents.

Dusk smiled, those were the good times.

However, things changed when Twilight went for her initiation exam for Celestia’s school for gifted unicorns. Not only did she past the test with flying colours, but she also became Princess Celestia’s own personal protégé.

Like everyone else, Dusk was proud of her. Sometime after, Shining joined the Royal Guard, planning to become the Captain of the Royal Guard one day. Like any supportive brother, Dusk wished him good luck and patted him on the back.

With Twilight living at the student dorms near Canertlot Castle and Shining training to become a Royal Guard, Dusk indeed felt a bit lonely but it was not something to worry over.

Unlike both of his siblings at the time, Dusk himself wanted a quiet life. His job at the time was working at a small astronomy shop located near the suburbs of Canterlot. Even though the pay wasn’t great, it was still enough for him to live comfortably. Plus, the manager at the time was kind enough to let him borrow an old telescope from the shop in order to gaze at the stars at night. Hence his cutie mark.

A quiet and peaceful life is all he wanted. However, it wasn’t until years after Twilight’s initiation did he realize just how much of his sibling’s fame was going to effect his life.

Ever since news spread of Twilight becoming the Princess’s own personal protégé. His friends and colleagues at work started saying how his siblings are going to one day outshine their older brother. Dusk just laughed at these remarks, knowing they were just jokes.
But then things escalated as years went by.

Dusk rarely get to see both Twilight and Shining due to their new responsibilities. They even stopped writing letters to him at one point.
The only time that Dusk has ever seen them since Shining’s enlistment, was when Shining was promoted as Captain of the Royal Guard.
Of course, Dusk was happy for him. However, with Shining’s new responsibilities and Twilight learning underneath the Princess, his siblings seemed to drift even further away.

A year later, before the 1000th Summer Sun Celebration, Twilight and Spike were sent to Ponyville by the Princess herself in order to oversee preparations for the celebration. However, at the start of the event, Nightmare Moon returned from her 1000-year banishment and sought to plunge all of Equestria in an endless night. But fortunately, Twilight and her new friends from Ponyville managed to use the Elements of Harmony and turned Nightmare Moon back into Princess Luna before her banishment.

From then on, Twilight and her friend’s fame only grew with each notable event that has happened so far.

The return of Discord.

The Changeling invasion.

The return of the Crystal Empire.

Reforming Discord.

Twilight’s ascension to royalty.

And just recently, the defeat of Tirek.

With each and every event, Twilight her friends became famous throughout Equestria and the other kingdoms. And if that wasn’t enough, she is now the Princess of Friendship, with her own castle and everything in Ponyville.

Shining Armor on the other hand is not only the ex-captain of the Royal Guard, but he is now married to the Princess of Love, Mi Amore Cadenza or Princess Cadence for short.

In the past, both Shining and Cadence went to the same academy, during such time that Shining developed a crush on the Princess and was extremely shy to confess to her. The Princess on the other hand met Shining through babysitting Twilight as a side job, during such time she also developed a crush on Shining.

Both Twilight and Cadence are very close, almost like sisters. They even made a cute little dance just between the two of them.

It wasn’t until Shining’s and Cadence’s school graduation did they both confessed their love for one another. They have been a couple ever since, even when Shining joined the Royal Guard.

It wasn’t years later did they decide to finally get married and invite all their families and friends to the Royal Wedding.

Then the Changeling invasion happened.

Fortunately, the invasion was repelled by the combined power of both Shining and Cadence’s love for one another. Afterwards they were properly wed by Princess Celestia herself.

Then just months after, the events of the Crystal Empire happened. Long story short, both Shining and Princess Cadence became the official rulers of the Empire of the crystal ponies, twilight and her friends defeated King Sombra, and Spike is now considered a hero among the crystal ponies.

With their new fame and royal status, Both Twilight’s and Shining’s lives have turned for the better. For them and all of their friends and family.

All except Dusk.

At some point in the past, due to their new responsibilities, both Twilight and Shining stopped all forms of contact with him. They even stopped calling him their BBBFF. Something that Dusk noticed in the rare times when he met his siblings.

Also, with both Twilight’s and Shining’s status’s as royals and their new found fame, many ponies seemingly forget that both of them had another member to their family, an older brother. This wouldn’t bother Dusk, however, every time he has to explain to somepony that he was the older brother of both Twilight Sparkle and Shining Armor, said pony would either laugh in his face or call him a liar saying that the Princess only has one older brother.

However, for those who knew of his relations to both Twilight and Shining, the attention he received was far from friendly.

In Canterlot, there were many nobles that didn’t like either of his siblings being royalty, saying how Twilight wasn’t deserving of her new status or how Princess Cadence was a fool to marry a “commoner”. Of course these same nobles openly voiced their complaints about the two, however, both Twilight and Shining had the support of all three princesses, plus almost the entire population of Equestria loved Twilight for what she and her friends did for them in the past and Shining got the support of practically the entire Royal Guard behind him.

In short, the people of Equestria loved both Twilight and Shining. They were untouchable.

But not Dusk.

Many nobles in Canterlot or those with ulterior motives, tried numerous times to befriend him, however, Dusk knew better. Those ponies only see him for his younger siblings, doing him favours in order to get on the good side of his siblings.

He had lost count of how many times he had to decline invitations to create a herd with some noblemen’s daughter or the noble themselves. He wasn’t looking for a relationship, not yet anyways.

The possible reason why his and his sibling’s parents were never targeted was probably the fact that they were well known throughout the kingdom as the parents of both the Princess of Friendship and the Prince of the Crystal Empire. If something were to happen to them, then practically every royal Princess would get involved.

Dusk on the other hand, was not as well known, in fact only a few ponies outside of his family knew his relations to both of his siblings. He wasn’t somepony important, somepony that somepony else will raise a hand to help. He was the perfect target for the nobles of Canterlot.
When the nobles realized they couldn’t sway him to their clutches, they soon changed tactics and targeted Dusk instead.

It began when the Astronomy shop that Dusk worked at was bought off and demolished in order to become a spa resort under the name of the noble, Coin Purse.

Soon after, rumors started to spread throughout Canterlot about the useless older brother of both Princess Twilight Sparkle and Shining Armor, an older brother that lives off of their fame and glory. Since then, every time Dusk introduced himself to somepony new he was met with sneers, frowns, looks of disgust, and even open criticism.

Ponies would then constantly insult him by comparing him to his siblings.

“Twilight is the Princess and you’re just probably using her fame and fortune.”

“Shining is the perfect example of a great stallion. What does that make you?”

“You will never be half the stallion that Shining is.”

“You’re just a useless stallion. We’re lucky that the Princess didn’t turn out anything like you.”

At some point the rumors gotten so bad that all of Dusk’s friends soon left him, either believing the rumors or fearing that they would get caught in the crossfire. The rumors also made it almost impossible for Dusk to find another job or go to any sort of shops, for as soon as he gives his name he was then “politely” asked to leave.

Even both of his parents had to confirm with him that he wasn’t actually using both of his siblings’ fame to get what he wants.

It’s not like he didn’t try to convince other ponies; it’s just they refuse to believe him or even listen to him. So he tried his best just to ignore them, but it was slowly grating on his nerves.

To them, he was nopony important.

Now with no friend’s, no income, and a reputation second only to Prince Blue Blood’s. Dusk was forced to move back with his parents for the time being, however, even then his parents were criticized or even sympathized for keeping a useless son in their house.

This has been going on for almost a year after Tirek’s defeat, and the rumors are still a prominent topic for any gossip.

For almost a year, Dusk refused to go to his siblings for help, no matter how much his parents tried to persuade him. He didn’t want to get his siblings involved in his own problems, he knew for a fact that if he went to his siblings for their help then the nobles will win as he will only be confirming their rumors.

One side of him reasoned that it was only to protect his younger siblings, for them not to get worried over their older brother. The other side was that his pride as the older sibling refused to seek their help. He wanted to prove to everypony that he does NOT in fact depend on his younger siblings for protection.

The one thing he hates most is to rely on others to solve his own problems. He’s 27 years old, he can take care of himself.

However, during all this, a small and dark part of him started to become resentful towards his younger siblings. Why does he have to be treated this way? What did he do to deserve this? Why are his siblings living such great lives while he is the most hated pony in all of Equestria?

This small part of him grew with each and every time he was criticized, insulted, or compared to either of his siblings. He use to tell himself that it’s not their fault, that they are not to blame.

However, it’s becoming increasingly harder every day to convince that small part of him.

Eventually, after a particularly bad day, he couldn’t take it anymore. He needed to leave Canterlot before he did something he’d regret.
At first he planned on going to Manehatten and stay there for a week, but Dusk’s parents suggested for him to go to Ponyville and stay with Twilight until the rumors settled down.

At first Dusk refused this idea, the last thing he wanted to do was go to either of his siblings.

However, he then looked at it more logically. Ponyville is a small town away from the influence of any of the Canterlot nobles. Plus, no one there other than his sister knew who he was.

So now he finds himself on a train to Ponyville, his parents sent a letter through the mail a day before notifying Twilight of his coming. And by Dusk’s wishes, neither of his parents has written the true reason for his coming, just that he wanted to spend some time away from Canterlot for vacation.

Dusk didn’t carry much, just the clothes on his back and his backpack with his money, change of clothes and other necessities.

Soon Dusk could see Ponyville rapidly approaching in the distance as the train started to reduce its speed. As soon as the train screeched to a halt at the station, Dusk grabbed his back pack and slung it around his right shoulder as he stood from his seat and started making his way towards the exit.

“FIRST STOP! PONYVILLE!” shouted the train conductor as Dusk got off the train along with many other ponies. He then stopped to look around for his sister, who is suppose to meet him at the train station.

He didn’t see her anywhere.

He assumed she was just running a bit late, so he waited.

And waited…

And waited…

And waited some more…

It wasn’t until everypony had left the station did he realized that Twilight wasn’t going to show.

‘Well that’s just great. Twilight forgot didn’t she… well might as well go to her myself.’ With his mind set, he then took his first steps into Ponyville.

Dusk finds himself in front of a large crystal castle, standing in front of it’s double doors.

It wasn’t particularly hard to find where his little sister lives. Her castle stuck out like a sore thumb in this town.

And due to the fact that the few ponies he asked for directions pointed towards this general location.

The castle itself showed just how much Twilight’s life had changed. She went from the little filly who literally lived in the library to one of the four most important figures of Equestria.

Dusk sighed. ‘Where did all that time go...’

Dusk stood stock still in front of the large doors into the castle, his mind clouded with doubt and hesitation.

‘Well it’s now or never.’ Dusk thought as he brought up his left hand and knocked on the door.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

After three distinct knocks, he took a step back from the doors and waited.

Fortunately, he didn’t have to wait too long as the left door opened to reveal Spike.

Spike grew the last time he saw the purple and green scaled dragon. His height was around 5’7” making him look more like a teenager then anything else.

Dusk gave a small smile as he raised a hand in greeting. “Hey Spike. Long time no see.”

Spike just gave him a confused look. “Uhh… hi… do I know you?” Spike asked in a confused tone.

Dusk’s smile dropped for a second. He knew that they never really met one another after he was hatched by Twilight, but Dusk had hoped that Twilight would at least tell Spike of him.

It appears he was wrong. “I’m Twilight’s older brother. Dusk Shine. Didn’t Twilight tell you about me?” Dusk asked.

Spike raised a suspicious eyebrow. “I thought Twilight only had one older brother?” Spike said in a suspicious tone.

This time Dusk’s smile fully dropped. “No, she actually has two older brothers and I’m the eldest. Is Twilight home right now?”

Spike slowly nods. “Yes, she’s here.”

“May I come in to see her?” Dusk asked in a polite tone.

There was a brief pause before Spike replied.

“One moment.”

Boom!

Spike shut the door as Dusk could hear the sound of the dragon’s feet quickly fading into the castle, no doubt to get Twilight.

Dusk frowned. ‘Twilight didn’t tell Spike about me. After all this time… I know we rarely meet one another, but come on Twilight. Seriously?’ Dusk thought to himself, his anger slowly rising before he forcefully calmed himself. A few minutes later, he heard more footsteps approaching the door from within the castle.

Soon the doors opened once again to reveal somepony very familiar to Dusk.

Said pony was a 5’7” tall Alicorn with a lavender coat, purple coloured eyes, and a three tone coloured mane and tail of dark blue with magenta and purple through the middle. She is currently wearing a dark purple sweater vest over top a white dress shirt with a black tie and wearing a black skirt that goes down to her knees.

It was none other than his little sister, Twilight.

Dusk gave a small smile as Twilight’s eyes widened in both surprise and recognition. “Hey LSBFF. How’s life been treating you?”

“Why are you here Dusk!?” Twilight exclaimed in a surprised tone. Once again Dusk noticed how she didn’t call him her BBBFF, or even older brother for the matter of fact.

Dusk raised an eyebrow as his smile dropped, his moment of happiness gone. “Didn’t mom send you a letter yesterday about my stay here in Ponyville?”

Before Twilight could answer, something smashed into Dusk’s back as he painfully face-planted onto the crystal floor of the castle. Dusk groaned in pain as he felt something heavy move on his back.

“Letter for Twilight Sparkle!” Said the unnamed mare on his back.

“Uhh… thanks Derpy. Now can you get off of my brother?” Twilight asked in a worried tone.

Dusk immediately felt the weight on his back vanish as he soon heard the flapping of wings.

“I’m so sorry Twilight’s brother! Here’s a muffin.”

Still on the ground, Dusk saw from his periphery vision a grey hand places a brown muffin on the ground beside his head. Soon he heard the mare say goodbye and the flapping of wings faded into the distance.

“Are you ok Dusk? Are you hurt?” Twilight asked in a concerned tone.

Dusk groaned as he got to his hands and knees. “I’m fine. What hit me back there anyway?” Dusk asked as he dusted himself off, finally standing.

Twilight gave a nervous chuckle. “That was Dizty Doo, but ponies around here call her Derpy for… obvious reasons. She’s the local mailmare.” Twilight explained, showing the envelope in her hands for emphasis. Dusk recognized the envelope, it was the same one that Twilight was suppose to get yesterday telling her of his visit.

Dusk frowned. “Well that explains why you didn’t get mom’s letter.” Dusk said in an annoyed tone.

Twilight chuckled. “Yeah, but she is always tries her best. But enough about what just happened, since you’re here I might as well show you to the guest rooms and then introduce you to my friends.” Twilight said as she turned to lead Dusk into the castle.

“Your friends are here?” Dusk asked as he quickly picked up the muffin off the ground and started to follow Twilight. He only saw Twilight’s friends once during the wedding ceremony, he never got the chance to really meet them. But from what he has heard from his parents, Twilight and her friends are inseparable, facing any challenge given to them while giving a helping hand to anypony that are in need.

In short, they’re famous and are considered heroes all across Equestria.

Twilight turned her head towards him and gave him a happy nod. “Yes, they are here. We were just finishing lunch before you arrived. Come let’s get you settled in.” Twilight said as she opened a door to a random guest room.

As they both walked in, Dusk did a quick inspection of the room. It was definitely bigger than his own room back in Canterlot. It has a queen sized bed, a study desk, and a window. Dusk then placed his pack on the bed, deciding to save unpacking for later.

“Alright! Are you ready to meet my friends?” Twilight asked, her tone a bit nervous.

Dusk turned to the mare and nodded as he gestured towards the door. “Lead the way sis.”

Twilight then started leading Dusk down the vast empty hallways of the castle. If Dusk was by himself, he would no doubt be lost in the vast castle. After a few minutes, they are now standing in front of a set of doors. He could hear chatter emanating inside the room.

But before they could enter, Twilight turned towards him. “Dusk… before we go in there. I love all my friends, but some of them are a bit… enthusiastic, one pony in particular. So don’t judge them too much, ok?” Twilight explained in a nervous tone.

Dusk gave a small chuckle as he ruffled Twilight’s mane, much to her annoyance. “It’s ok Twilight. I’m sure your friends are fine.” Dusk reassured.

Twilight sighed as she shook her head. “You have no idea…” Twilight said as she pushed the doors open and made her way inside.
“Everypony I’m back! And I brought a guest!”

As Dusk followed Twilight through the doors, his eyes soon widened in awe as he gazed around the room. It was a large room with what looks like roots of a tree installed into the ceiling, hanging on each root was strings of different coloured diamonds, illuminating the entire room. In the middle of the room was a large white round table with seven crystal thrones, each with a different symbol except the seventh one which was blank. However, what caught his attention the ones sitting in said thrones.

Other than Spike sitting in the blank throne, he recognized each of the mares sitting in their respective seats.

The first was Apple Jack, the Element of Honesty. This mare has an orange coat with a blonde mane tied with a hairband near the end. She is currently wearing a brown leather bolero Jacket, a white t-shirt, a yellow scarf tied around her neck, a pair of tight fitting jeans, and her signature Stetson hat. She gave off an aura of a farm mare and a hard worker, something that he has heard from his parents.

Sitting to her left is Rarity, the Element of Generosity. She has a white coat and purple mane stylishly curled. Her current attire is a white blouse with black dress pants. She gave off an aura that Dusk was all to familiar with, an aura of a lady with class.

Sitting to Rarity’s left is a smiling Pinkie Pie, the Element of Laughter. She has a pink coat and curly/poofy magenta coloured mane. She is currently wearing a magenta coloured t-shirt with the word “HI” on the shirt and jeans. Her aura screamed excitement, happiness, and fun.

Next to her was somepony who was the opposite, Fluttershy, the Element of Kindness. She has a butter-yellow coat with a silky straight pink mane hanging over her right eye. She is currently wearing a green turtle-neck sweater and brown pants. She gave off an aura of both warm kindness and timid shyness.

To Fluttershy’s left is Rainbow Dash, the Element of Loyalty. This mare has a cyan blue coat and a messy rainbow mane of red, yellow, orange, green, blue, and purple. She is currently wearing a blue and white sport jacket and black sport shorts. She gave off a laid back aura, as if all she wanted to do was find a nice place and rest.

Isn’t wasn’t until he finished his quick inspections of Rainbow Dash did he realized all eyes in the room were on him. Besides Spike and Twilight, each mare in front of him gave him various degrees of curiosity, except Pinkie Pie who was giving him an uncomfortably large smile.

After a brief moment Twilight broke the silence.

“Everypony. This is-”

Before Twilight could finish, Pinkie Pie gasped and sped out of the room at a speed that would make any cheetah jealous.

“-my older brother, Dusk Shine.” Twilight continued as if everything was normal. Dusk looked between Twilight and the still flapping door.

“Twilight. What was that?” Dusk asked, still shocked at what just happened.

Twilight gave him a deadpanned look. “Pinkie Pie.”

“Pinkie Pie?”

“Pinkie Pie. Don’t think about it too hard. Trust me, I tried.”

Dusk just decided to worry about the pink mare later, right now he had to meet Twilight’s friends.

The first to greet him was Apple Jack. “Howdy there partner. Names Applejack.” Dusk raised his hand for a hand shake, however, the cowpony beat him to it as she grabbed Dusk’s hand in a vice grip and gave it a firm shake.

Dusk had to force himself not to wince in pain. “Nice to finally meet you.” Dusk replied in a slightly strained tone.

Once AJ let go of his hand, the rainbow maned mare flew over to Twilight.

“Hey Twilight! I thought you said you only had one older brother?” Rainbow Dash said as she eyed Dusk suspiciously. After meeting Spike, Dusk already expected that Twilight didn’t tell anyone of her friends about him, which was fine.

Twilight shook her head. “No Rainbow, I told you girls that Shining Armor was my BBBFF. I never said he was my only brother.” Twilight explained in as matter of fact tone.

Dusk eye twitched. ‘She continues to call Shining by that nickname… can’t really blame her though.’ Dusk thought sadly to himself.
His heart churned with sadness as he adopted a fake smile.

“Well it’s nice to meet you Rainbow Dash.” Dusk greeted as he raised his hand to the flying mare.

Rainbow Dash gave Dusk a frown as she slowly shook his hand, no doubt still suspicious. “Soooooo… why are you here?” The rainbow maned mare asked in a suspicious tone.

“I’m on vacation actually. I live all the way in Canterlot and decided to come here to Ponyville for my vacation.” Dusk answered in a calm tone, reciting the lie he prepared before hand.

Rainbow Dash deepened her frown. “Alright then. But older brother or not, if you do anything to Twilight I will-” But before Rainbow could finish her threat, in a flash of purple she was teleported back into her seat.

“Thank you Rainbow Dash, but that won’t not be necessary.” Twilight sternly said as her horn dimmed.

Dusk sighed as he noticed the last two mares he has yet to meet remained silent at their seats.

Fluttershy stared timidly at him while Rarity looked at him with a frown. Dusk recognized the kind of frown that Rarity has, it was the exact same kind whenever he introduced himself to anypony in Canterlot.

It appears she has heard the rumors, something that might hinder Dusk’s stay in Ponyville.

Choosing the lesser of the two evils, Dusk made his way over to Fluttershy.

“Hello, it’s nice to meet you.” Dusk greeted as he raised a hand towards Fluttershy. However, the timid Pegasus was trying her very best to hide behind her mane.

“H-H-Hello. M-My name is Fluttershy.” Answered the shy Pegasus in a quiet tone. After a brief moment of awkward silence, Dusk soon realised the shy Pegasus wasn’t going to say anything else and thus brought his hand back. He then made his way over to the last, but also the one he loathed to meet.

Dusk gave Rarity a small smile. “Hello. It’s nice to meet you Miss...” Rarity continued to give him a frown as she slowly shook his hand.

“Rarity. I’ve heard much about you.” Rarity said in a flat tone.

This just confirmed Dusk’s fears. ‘She has definitely heard the rumors. Let’s just hope no one else knows in this town knows.’

Dusk held his smile. “Well, I’m sure what you heard of me might seem a bit… far fetched, don’t you think?” Dusk asked with in a hopeful tone. However, Rarity didn’t seem impressed as she raised an unamused eyebrow.

Taking the hint, Dusk’s smile dropped as he looked towards Twilight, who is currently looking between Rarity and him in confusion, no doubt wondering if Rarity had already met Dusk in the past.

“Well since introductions are over. Does anyone know where I can get something to eat?” Dusk asked, feeling the hunger pains in his stomach.

“I DOOOOOO!”

“WAH!”

Dusk jumped back and fell on the table in both surprise and shock. The reason was Pinkie Pie appearing out of nowhere beside him.

“Hi! My name is Pinkie Pie! I know all the perfect places to eat! There’s Sugar Cube Corner, Hayburger, Sugar Cube Corner, Ponyville Café, Sugar Cube Corner, Apple Family Market Stand, Sugar Cube Corner, Salad Dressing’s Restaurant, aaaaaaaaaaaand the hospital. But I heard they get poor reviews on their food, so I prefer if you go to Sugar Cube Corner.” Pinkie rapidly said.

Dusk just simply nodded his head as he hopped of the table and walked towards Twilight. As Dusk walked past Twilight and went to open the door, he paused and turned towards his sister.

“I know you already ate, but do want to come with me Twilight? We can catch up. Your friends can come along if they want.” Dusk asked, however, Twilight sadly shook her head.

“I’m sorry Dusk, but I need to talk with my friends about something important. Official Royal duties as the Princess of Friendship. Maybe next time.” Twilight said with a regretful tone.

Dusk nodded in understanding. “Alright, I understand. We can catch up later.” He then turned to the rest of Twilight’s friends. “Bye for now. And thank you all for looking after Twilight.” Dusk said hiding his disappointment as he exited the room.

Once the door closed, he let out a long sigh. ‘This is going to take some getting use to. What ever happened to the little filly that would always bug me to play with her or read a book to her. Now she is a Royal Princess and can’t even make the time for her own older brother. Can’t really blame her. She probably doesn’t see me as the responsible older brother anymore. Or even a brother at all…’

Dusk immediately shook the dark thoughts from his head as he started making his way down the hall to the castle exit. His shoulders slump as he put his hands into his coat pockets, the stress and misfortune of the past year weighing down on him with each and every step he took.
His stomach growled. ‘Enough of these stressful thoughts. Time to feed the tank. Now what place did Pinkie said to go again? Hayburger was it? Hayburger it is.’

With his mind made up, he traverses the halls and exited the castle. Soon making his way into Ponyville.

Five hours later.

Dusk was once again heading back towards Twilight’s castle. After finishing his meal at the Hayburger he decided to kill some time and tour around Ponyville, to take in the sight’s of his temporary stay.

He visited many of Ponyville’s shops and café’s all the while meeting many new ponies that, thankfully, were unaware of the rumors about him. There were a bunch of nice folk he had the pleasure of meeting such as Mr. and Mrs. Cake, Lyra and Bonbon, Applejack’s older brother Big Mac, and even the mayor of Ponyville, Mayor Mare.

He also ran into the same mare that crashed into him when he first arrived at Twilight’s Castle of Friendship (Mayor Mare told him of the castle’s official name). Ditzy once again apologized for her earlier incident but Dusk simply waved her apology off, saying it was unneeded. After a short talk, Ditzy generously gave him another muffin and flew off to Celestia knows where. Once the sun was setting in the horizon, Dusk decided to go back to the castle with a happy smile.

For once in a long while, he felt happy and content knowing that nopony in this town is judging him based off of some stupid rumors.
All except one particular mare.

‘I need to talk with Rarity. I need to tell her that the rumors are false and to ask her not to tell Twilight. The last thing I need is my little sister fussing over my problems. Or worse, actually believe the rumors.’ Dusk thought as he pushed through the castle doors, knowing full well that they are open.

He then started making his way back towards his room. However, when he walked past the room where Twilight and all her friends are, he heard something that made his blood run cold.

“Twilight I’m telling you. Your brother is a no good stallion! Just like Blue Blood. Whatever you knew of him before, he isn’t the same now.”

“Rarity! Those are just rumors! There is no way my brother is like that! Where did you even hear these rumors from anyway!”

Dusk slowly made his way to the door and nervously opened it a slight crack for him to hear the conversation better.

“I heard them from Fancy Pants. And you know for a fact that Fancy Pants will never slander another pony without good reason.” argued Rarity.

“I knew that guy was suspicious! He’s just using you for your fame and fortune Twilight! Some brother he is!” yelled the audible voice of Rainbow Dash.

Dusk gritted his teeth in rising fury. ‘How would she know!’ However, his thoughts were cut off when Fluttershy spoke up.

“Um, I don’t know Rainbow Dash… he seemed like a nice stallion…”

“Yeah! And we only just met the pony! There is no way he could be a meanie pants!” Said Pinkie Pie, at least Dusk knew that they all don’t outright hate him.

“That’s what he wants you to believe Fluttershy! He’s probably here just to get on our good side in order to mooch off of us! And if there is one thing I hate the most, is ponies that uses other ponies in order to get what they want!” Rainbow Dash said with conviction.

Dusk gripped the door handle as his mind was swarmed with large amount of stress and anger. He only met them once and they believe some ridiculous rumors!

“For once I agree with Rainbow Dash. Your brother is a no good scoundrel.”

“Rarity, Rainbow Dash, I can’t believe you two. My brother will never use me for his own gain! He’s only here for vacation, this letter says it all, he came to Ponyville to relax and possibly make some new friends.” Twilight explained, much to Dusk’s delight.

However, his small moment of happiness was soon crushed.

“Twilight. Ah know ya love your brother an all, but when was the last time ya met your brother?” Applejack questioned. There was a brief moment of silence.

“The last time I saw him was at Shining’s and Cadence’s wedding.” Twilight answered.

“That was almost two years ago Twi. Ponies tend ta change in a shorter amount of time. I don’t want ta assume nothin, but, what if your brother isn’t who ya think he is?” Applejack explained in a careful tone.

Dusk heard Twilight scoff. “Not you too Applejack! Just because we haven’t seen each other in a while, doesn’t mean he changed drastically! Besides, what proof do you have that he did change?” Twilight challenged.

However, Applejack’s next words made Dusk’s blood freeze. “He lied to ya Twi. He lied about being here on vacation.”

Dusk eyes widened in realization. ‘How can I be so stupid! Applejack is the Element of Honesty. Of course she can see through my lie.’ Dusk thought as he then soon heard the sound of frantic flapping of wings.

“I KNEW IT! HE’S A NO GOOD DIRTY LIAR! I SAY WE FIND HIM AND POUND HIS FACE IN!” Exclaimed Rainbow Dash in a furious tone.

“W-What… please tell me you’re joking…” Twilight asked in a desperate tone.

“A’m sorry sugarcube. But your brother is here for a different reason. Question is, what?”

“W-Why would he lie to me? H-His own sister?” Twilight said in disbelief, her tone lanced with sadness. Dusk’s insides churned with both regret and sadness at the sound of betrayal in Twilight’s tone.

‘You wouldn’t understand if I told you sis.’ Dusk thought, frustrated at the situation that is now occurring.

“I’m sorry that you have to learn the hard way darling. But sometimes the truth does hurt.” Rarity said, her tone empathetic.

“I-I want to know the real reason why he’s here. We still don’t know for sure if the rumors are true or not.” Twilight said. Dusk meanwhile was slowly losing hope, if they find him they will force the truth out of him. The true reason why he didn’t inform Twilight about these rumors.

He had to leave.

“Then let’s find the guy and make him spill the beans! He’s still in Ponyville right?” Rainbow asked, ready for action.

“No! He’s behind the door the whole time!” Pinkie said in her usually happy tone.

Dusk’s eyes widened in shock, but before he could run the doors burst opened, hitting him in the face and launching him on his back onto the crystal floor.

“YOU!” shouted the furious rainbow maned mare.

Before Dusk could regain his bearings, he was suddenly lifted up off the ground by his shirt and thrown into the room, slamming harshly against the edge of the round table. But before he could lift his head, something grabbed the back of his head and slammed it against the table.

“ALRIGHT YOU BUCKER! SPILL THE BEANS! WHY ARE YOU HERE!” Yelled a furious Rainbow Dash as she forcefully held his head against the table.

But before he could retaliate, he felt the mare suddenly let go of his head.

“THAT’S ENOUGH RAINBOW DASH! There is no need to hurt him!” Yelled Twilight in a furious tone. Dusk groaned as pain emanated from both his head and his stomach where he hit the edge of the table.

Once he got his bearings, Twilight and all of her friends surrounded him with various degrees of different emotions ranging from concerned to outright anger.

Twilight was the somewhere in the middle. “Dusk. I want to know. Why did you lie to me?” Twilight asked in a serious tone, as if she was speaking down to a child that was caught lying.

“And don’t even think of ly’n.” Applejack warned in a serious tone.

Dusk gave all the mares in front of him a stern frown. “Alright then. To answer your question, Isn’t it obvious. To hide you from the truth Twilight.” Dusk sarcastically said as he stood.

Twilight frowned. “Then why did you come here Dusk? Is it true what the rumors say? That you’re using Shining’s and my status as royalty to get what you want?” Twilight demanded in a almost angry tone.

Dusk took a deep breath, he’s being interrogated by the Princess of Friendship and her loyal friends.

How can this day get any worse?

“I don’t want to tell you Twilight. And no, I’m not using your or Shining’s fame to get what I want. I have an entirely different issue.” Dusk replied, trying desperately to calm his growing anger.

“SEE TWILIGHT! He refuses to tell us! He’s totally hiding something!” Rainbow Dash yelled, her voice adding to Dusk’s growing anger.

However, Twilight kept on. “RAINBOW THAT’S ENOUGH! We don’t know for sure yet.” Twilight yelled, chastising the rainbow maned mare.
She then turned her gaze back to Dusk. “Then what’s the problem Dusk?” She asked in a serious/concerned tone.

Dusk let out a long sigh. “There is nothing you can do to help Twilight. I appreciate it, but it’s not something that you or your friends can just solve.” Dusk replied in a calm tone, forcefully calming his anger.

“What do you mean my friends and I can’t help you? If it’s about the rumors, then we can help you abolish them, tell everypony it was all a big misunderstanding.” Twilight explained with cofindence. However, Dusk was far from pleased.

“Twilight. Please. It’s ok-”

“I can even get Shining to help, I’m sure he’ll do it, he’s a very reliable stallion.” Twilight explained with conviction, not noticing Dusk’s shaking fist’s.

“Twilight. Just drop-”

“I’m sure everypony will understand once we explained everything. We can even get the princesses to help! Don’t worry Dusk, you have nothing to worry about! Your LSBFF will handle everything.” Twilight said with a smile like everything is going to be alright.

Dusk snapped. “My problem isn’t with the rumors. My problem is WITH YOU AND SHINING!” Dusk yelled as he slammed his fist onto the table, surprising all the mares sitting in front of him.

Rainbow Dash was the first to recover. “HEY! What’s the big de-”

“SHUT! UP! YOU BUCKING WHORSE!” Dusk screamed at the mare before directing his glare at Twilight.

“THIS ALL STARTED BECAUSE OF YOU AND SHINING! BECAUSE OF YOU TWO! I HAVE TO BE THE ONE WHO RECEIVES ALL THE PAIN AND SCORN FROM THOSE WHO WANT TO HURT YOU! AND EVEN BEFORE THEN! BOTH YOU AND SHINING DELIBERATELY FORGOT ABOUT ME! FORGOT THAT I EVEN EXISTED! FORGOT THAT YOU HAD ANOTHER MEMBER IN YOUR FAMILY! NOT BOTHERING TO TELL ANYPONY ABOUT ME UNTIL TODAY! YOU DIDN’T EVEN BUCKING TELL SPIKE ABOUT ME! AND TO TOP IT ALL OFF! YOU HAVE THE AUDACITY TO SMILE AND SAY THAT YOU CAN SIMPLY SOLVE MY PROBLEMS! TRY AND UNDERSTAND WHAT I’VE BEEN THROUGH! TELL ME TO FORGET ALL THE HATE AND SCORN I RECEIVED AFTER YOU BECAME PRINCESS! MY LIFE IS RUINED BECAUSE OF YOU TWO! AND PONIES WILL NEVER LOOK AT ME THE SAME WAY EVER AGAIN!”

Dusk finished as he was gasping for breath, he was mentally exhausted. However, he felt relieved in a way. A year of pent up anger, aggression and stress came pouring out of him like an unstoppable tide. However, he was still furious at the shocked mare in front of him. She and her friends were shocked silent.

Not waiting for a reply, Dusk immediately turned around and briskly made his way over to the door behind him.

However, before he could reach for the door handle, his entire body froze as his entire body was covered in a purple aura.

“Twilight let go of me.” Dusk demanded in a seething tone, desperately trying to move but to no avail.

He couldn’t turn his head, but he could hear Twilight crying. “N-No big brother! W-We need to talk about this!” Twilight explained in a sad tone.

However, Dusk was apathetic to his crying sister. “Twilight. I’m warning you right now. Let me go before I do something that you and I are both going to regret.” Dusk warned, however, it felt more like a threat than anything.

However, Twilight was undeterred. “No Dusk! We are talking about this now!”

Dusk closed his eyes. “I wasn’t asking.” Dusk said as he quickly gathered his magic at the tip of his horn, making a flash of blinding blue light.

“WAH!”
“ARGH!”
“EEP!”
“EEK!”
“WOAH!”
"MY LEG!"

Dusk immediately felt Twilight’s hold on him vanish as he quickly dropped the blinding light spell and rushed out the door while they were all stunned.

In the past, he got into a few fights with ponies who were more vocal about the rumors with their fists. In these situations where he was usually outnumbered or outmatched, he would use this spell to blind his opponent(s) and make his escape.

It was a very useful spell in sticky situations, plus when it comes to survival. Anything goes.

Dusk managed to rush out of the castle door and ran into Ponyville. Luckily it was night time as most ponies were already inside sleeping, which made it easier for him to run through town not gaining suspicion from the town residents.

However, this also means that he was much easier to find.

“HEY BUCKER! STOP RIGHT THERE!”

Dusk didn’t need to look behind him to know who was chasing him. However, before he could react he felt somepony tackle him from behind.
“GOTCHA!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed as both Dusk and her tumbled on the ground before stopping.

“Why don’t you just leave me alone!” Dusk yelled as he wrestled with the cyan Pegasus. Unfortunately for him, the mare knew how to grapple as she locked his arm behind his back.

Fortunately, Dusk has a few tricks up his sleeves as he concentrated his magic.

“Oh no you don’t!” the Pegasus exclaimed as she grabbed his horn, distinguishing whatever spell he was going to use.

However, this made her loosen her grip on his arm just enough for Dusk to wrest his arm out of her hold. He then immediately took this opportunity to elbow the mare in the face and kicked her in the stomach, forcing her off him.

While the Pegasus was stunned, Dusk scrambled onto his feet and ran towards the one place he knew that Rainbow Dash wouldn’t dare follow him into.

The Everfree Forest.

While talking with Mayor Mare, she warned Dusk of the Everfree Forest and how no pony would dare go into it because of the dangerous creatures and monsters that resides in it.

Normally he would heed her advice and avoid the forest, however, he needed to get as far away from Twilight and her friends as possible.
Dusk soon exited the town as he ran towards the dark an dangerous forest, however, he soon heard the flapping of wings behind him.
“HEY WAIT! WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU’RE GOING!” Rainbow Dash shouted, her voice laced with obvious panic.

Dusk ignored her as he broke through the forest line and kept running through the forest, not stopping for anything.
He didn’t know how long he was running for. He didn’t care, his mind was raging with emotions.

Anger, sadness and hate are some of the most prominent in his mind. He was furious with Twilight, with her friends, with ponies judging him or trying to think they can help him.

However, he was mostly angry about himself.

He was weak, pathetic and a coward, always running from his problems instead of facing them. When he couldn’t handle the cruel words of the Canterlot ponies, he ran. When he was sick and tired of ponies judging him, he ran. When his sister was only trying to help him and his problems, he ran.

He was pathetic.

Soon he stopped as he felt his lungs burning for oxygen and his legs screaming for rest. He collapsed on the forest ground on all fours as he started to cry, frustrated with himself.

‘Why... I hate this! What did I do to deserve all of this!?’ Dusk thought as tears of anger and frustration dropped from his face and onto the forest floor.

“GROAR!”

Dusk immediately looked up and saw something that made his blood run cold.

It had the body and head of a lion, wings of a bat and a tail of a scorpion.

It was a Manticore, a very hungry looking one.

Dusk slowly got onto his feet and started to back away as the Manticore’s eyes followed him with feral hunger.

Dusk knew his chances of survival are low at best. fighting is out of the question because his last spell took a good chunk out of his magic reserves, plus he knows only the most basic of magic spells. Running is his best option, but he’s exhausted from escaping Rainbow Dash.
He has no other choice BUT to run.

However, just as he was about to turn to run, his left foot stepped on a twig.

Snap!
As if it was a signal, the Manticore roared and charged straight at Dusk.

Out of sheer panic, Dusk charged whatever magic he had left in his right hand and fired a blue beam of magic, aiming for the Manticore’s face.

However, due to Dusk frantic state, his shot went off it’s mark and hit the charging Manticore in the shoulder, doing little to no damage.

Before he could run the Manticore pounced and smashed Dusk onto the forest floor, Dusk’s head slammed against a tree root, dazing/stunning him.

The beast then reared its head up, fangs bared, as it bit deep into Dusk’s left shoulder.

“AAAAAAAAAHHHH!” Dusk screamed in agony, he can hear his bones breaking as the monster on top of him bit down even harder. Soon Dusk’s mind slowly went into unconsciousness as felt himself slowly slipping away.

All of a sudden a bright orange light filled his vision as the heavy weight on him seemly vanished soon after it’s arrival.

Dusk’s vision was blurry; he couldn’t hear or feel anything other than the numbing pain emanating from his shoulder.

He knew he was dying. All he could see was the bright orange light, as if Celestia’s sun was here to guide him to the afterlife.

But he felt cold, alone, and above all, afraid. He didn’t want to die.

‘Why me… why does it hurt so much... what did I do to deserve all this…’ A single tear fell from Dusk’s face as he closed his eyes. ‘I don’t want to die… I want to live.’ Dusk thought in a desperate plea.

“Then I’m your only hope for survival.”

A voice… who’s voice was that.

‘Who… who are you…’ Dusk asked.

“Who I am does not matter. But what does matter is that you are dying and I can save you.”

Dusk felt something he hadn’t felt in a long time. Hope.

‘Save… me…’

“Yes. I can save you by merging myself with you. However, if the process is successful, we’ll become one being, meaning you and I will become someone entirely different.” The voice explained.

‘Some… pony… different…’ Dusk asked as he felt his consciousness slowly slipping away.

He doesn’t have long.

“Yes. Someone different. Now what is your decision.” The voice asked. With what little time he had, Dusk thought back to his life, the times he was happy, the times he was sad, the time where he wished he could change for the better.

Dusk came to a decision.

‘I want to live…’

Just as Dusk said those words, he felt his body floating in mid-air as the lights surrounded him and started to spin into a storm. He then felt something entering his body, something incredibly powerful as the pain on his shoulder seemingly vanished.

He then started to see visions, memories of another life, of Ceres’s life, pasting right before his eyes as the storm was reaching its apex.

The Zerg Swarm.

The Ceres’s birth and life purpose.

The death of the Overmind.

The Queen of Blades.

The Ceres’s return to the Swarm.

Amon.

The Queen’s ascension.

Ceres’s death and arrival on Equis. He could see it all.

He can also feel Ceres looking through his own memories, memories full of pain and neglect as their very souls and essence were merging into one. As the merge was nearing to completion, he felt his very mind and self identity merging with Ceres’s own.

Soon, it will be all over.

‘My Queen. I am sorry for my failure. But fear not, for I have created a successor. A new Guardian of the Swarm.’ Dusk thought as his world went black.

Author's Note

Thank you all for reading this. Now to answer d=some possible questions that you reader might have.

1. What will happen to both Dusk and Ceres? Well just read the next chapter to find out.

2. Why did Dusk blow up on Twilight like that? He had a year of repressed anger and stress because of all the rumors spreading around about him by the Nobles of Canterlot. And wouldn't you be mad if someone told you that your problems (like Dusk's) aren't that serious?

3. How did Dusk know about the rumors were coming from the Nobles of Canterlot? Well they tried to befriend him and when that failed, they targeted him with vicious rumors. It doesn't really take a geniius to figure that out.

If you have any questions, comments, criticism or suggestions, leave it in the comments or PM me directly. I will answer them to the best of my abilities.

See you in the next chapter.