Chapter One: The Beginning
I hate having to go anywhere but into the dark forest that I am all too familiar with. When I walk into town it seems like all the inhabitants seem to stare me down. I know why of course, but none the less it makes me uneasy. But what bothers me the most is that those foolish ponies should know by now where I live is not a problem, not to me and especially not to them. But still, they look at me like I am an outsider. Well, I am but still, I come and go as often as I need to. They should be used to my rare visits by now.
As I walked away from the small town with the wood that floats in front of me, I had taken notice of a stallion that was running about. What was most odd about him though, to make me take notice of him, is that I have never seen him in town before. He frantically runs about, asking the locals something. I, of course, only take notice of this for a short moment as I walk into the Everfree Forest.
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I also hate how long it takes me to walk into town and back. A few hours perhaps. But as I walk, I always seem more relaxed than when I walk down the dark path on my to the village. As I close my eyes to take in the night's fresh air, I hear a small branch behind me break. I keep walking so that the intruder, probably a bandit, does not notice that I have heard. A few moments later I hear muffled yells, from somepony way behind me. I finally turn to see the purple unicorn that I saw at the village run up to me, sweat streaming down from his forehead and a bright smile on his face. I turned away and continued to walk.
“Hello! Are you...Magic Harp?!” he yelled as I stopped to turn yet again. I was tired and not in the mood to talk to any pony, let alone this newcomer.
“I am,” I said in a monotone voice. He finally reached me. Panting he looked down and closed his eyes. After a few moments, when his breathing was steady, he looked back up. He cleared his throat and put his hoof out. When he realized that I was not going to take his offer, he put his hoof back down.
“H-Hello, my name is Sir Dusk Shine from Canterlot.” He smiled brightly. I turned around and starting walking. He quickly caught up with me. “ That was rude…” I was already done with this stallion. All I wanted to do was go home and go to bed, I had many things to do in the morning, and I was not about to skip another night staying awake, let alone have to stay up with another pony around.
“And I see no reason that I had to stand there for nothing. Unless you have something important to ask of me, in which I doubt very seriously.” The stallion looked at me, then back to the road ahead.
“Yes, but it’s more of an order than anything else sir…” I sighed and closed my eyes.
“And what might that be?”
“Oh, w-well Lord Solaris asked for you. He said it was important” I opened my eyes and looked at Dusk with a surprised face. I have been called upon by many, but this in the first time the Lord himself had asked for my presence. The thought left my head as soon as it came. I wanted to know whether or not he was lying or not.
“Do you know what his Lordship wants from me?” He shook his head.
“Solaris never tells me the important stuff. But he did say that you have something he needs, something powerful. But other than that, he didn’t say.” I believed the words he spoke.
I was curious why our dying king would want me. I know magic, much more than the average unicorn, but half the magic I know, I made myself. Nothing that Solaris would know.
“In Canterlot I presume?” Dusk Shine blushed of embarrassment.
“Actually no, he wanted you in Ponyville.” I noticed his blushing right away and took it as an opportunity to mess with him. Although I had no right to do so, I was in a mood to have a little fun, and seeing how he blushes at these small things amused me. I smiled and looked at him.
“What are you so embarrassed about? I am nothing but a tired stallion who cares not of what you say, but important information. Or do I peak your interest? What shall it be, I wonder... ” Dusk looked at me, face growing more and more red by the second. He turned away quickly, to hide his embarrassment.
“It’s me forgetting the information that I was asked to tell you. Important information. Ha, maybe asking so many ponies where you were all day made me forget.” I found myself smiling at his laugh. It was relaxing and...new in some ways or another. I looked ahead smiling. It felt like forever since I have smiled like that and it felt good. I closed my eyes and took in the ever growing cold air. After a few moments of silence, Dusk looked at me.
“How do you know where you’re going with your eyes closed?” I laughed at his accidental humor.
“I know this road forwards and backward. I have traveled on this same road to the same place since I was but a small colt. Although this is a dangerous forest to most, this is home to me.”
“So you’ve never left the forest? How strange. Wait...you live here! Where?” I laughed yet again.
“I do, and where I live? You call me strange when you are the stallion asking where I live. And the one who has followed me to this point. Ha! Now I find that very strange.” Dusk turned his head away, laughing softly.
“I didn’t mean it like that… And the only reason I’m following you is because you haven't told me your answer to whether you’re going to see Lord Solaris or not anyways. ”
“Well in another half hour or so you will know where my home is. And to answer your long awaited question, yes, but if you head back now surely you will not see another day. For as I said but a moment ago, this forest is dangerous to others. At least the ones who coward at fear. Or blush at nothings told by a stranger.” Dusk nervously laughed as we continued down the dark path.
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I opened my eyes to see Dusk's eyes sparkle as he saw the castle. As we walked to the entrance, Dusk looked around in awe at everything he passed. I walked over to the large pile of wood and tossed the new load into the fire and lit it. The whole castle lit up in a dim light.
“HOW. DID. YOU. DO THIS! The castle of the two brothers was destroyed! There is now way in Equestria that you did this all this work, all this reconstruction. This...this must have taken forever to rebuild and…” I laughed at him yet again.
“I made a spell to do all this. I did not rebuild this with my bare hoofs. I have enchanted it so that it can no longer be broken but built to its former glory. I do love your charm and kind words, though. It’s quite flattering.” Dusk trotted happily over to me. When I entered the room my eyelids grew heavy. But alas, I just so happened to have, what appeared to be, a wide awake stallion.
“Dusk? Would you like something to drink? Wine perhaps?” Dusk blushed a bit.
“Oh um, I’ll take a glass of wine please.” Dusked looked at me with worried eyes as he noticed my sudden mood change. “Are you sure you want to get it, you look really tired.” I shook my head.
“You are the guest. I serve you.” I walked into the kitchen and grabbed two small wine glasses from the dishwasher. The wine was sitting on a table but I decided to impress Dusk with something that had a kick to it. I poured the wine in the glasses about half way, then filled the rest with Vodka. I also wanted to add something to it to make it look more like a drink that would be served to a king, so I added a cherry on the side of the glass. Happy with the drinks that I prepared I walked back into the main room, the glasses hovering in front of me.
When I walked back into the room Dusk was laying on a blanket in front of a lit fireplace.
“Do you have no decency? You are the guest I shall serve you as a guest should be served.” Dusk looked down.
“Ha. You look and seem tired, it’s the least that I can do or you’ll let me do anyhow.” I smiled and gave Dusk his drink. He raised the glass to his lips and took a sip. He looked at the glass and then at me.
“Are you really planning on staying up with me, or are you trying to go to sleep quicker? I can’t tell.” I smiled, taking a drink. I sighed as I set the glass down and I began to lay beside Dusk.
“I guess you will never know. I am only tired because of the work that I do.” Dusk tilted his head to the side and hummed. “ I work hard on new and or improved spells. It is a tough job to have, but it pays fairly well.” Dusk took another sip and set his glass down by the fireplace.
Silence filled the large room. Dusk took another sip, then hovered the glass in front of him with his magic, tilting the cup from side to side.
“So there is something I’ve wanted to ask now for awhile now...” Dusk looked at me with a friendly look, probably to assure me that it was nothing too personal.
“Well then, go on.”
“Why do you speak like that? I mean you seem super smart in all but, you talk formally all the time. Why is that?” The question was an odd one. One that I don’t think I have ever been asked before. I thought about it for a moment and realized that I had no reasonable answer. I knew that I talk with formality, but I couldn't seem to remember why.
“I...do not really know. I didn’t realize speaking this way was...not normal.” Maybe that was one of the many reasons the ponies of the village disliked me but it no longer mattered.
“I don’t think it’s weird, it’s just… not used very often.” I downed the last of my drink and set the glass down on a nearby table. I wanted to fall asleep then and there, but I knew there was preparing to do for the guest.
I got up and offered a hoof to Dusk. He got up, but his weight and how tired I was, almost made me fall back down.
“I’ll show you to your room…” I trailed off remembering something of great importance. Dusk looked at me with a puzzled look. “...I hope you don’t mind sleeping with me tonight.” I regretted what I had said. Dusk blushed.
“Um...w-why is that exactly…?” Dusk stuttered. I put a hoof over my face as I walked to my chamber, Dusk Shine following beside me.
“The guest rooms are filled up with clutter that I need to organize tomorrow… I do apologize.”
“No, it’s ok. I have no problem with that. If there is no other bed to sleep in…” I could hear in his voice that he did mind, but there was nothing that I could do. I was too tired to try and clear out the rooms. At this point, I could barely walk, let alone do magic.
We finally arrived at my chambers. The double doors had my name carved neatly into them. I opened them and walk slowly to my bed. It was a fairly large bed, but just enough room to fit two or maybe three ponies. I kept my cloak on as I fell on the bed, pulling the already messy covers over my head.Dusk laughed a bit. I took off the cloak as soon as I was under all the bed sheets and blankets. Dusk laughed as he walks on the other side of the bed.
I closed my eyes for a second before reopening them, remembering about Dusk. Dusk laid down, facing me.
“I’m sorry,” I say. I felt bad for making the guest feel uncomfortable. Before Dusk Shine has time to answer me, I fall into a deep sleep.
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I woke up holding a sleeping Dusk Shine in my hoofs. I wanted to bite his ear to wake him up, and kiss his neck, all while pulling him closer to my body. As I thought of these things I found myself doing what I had thought. It was hard to stop. He shifted in his sleep and I froze. I snapped out of my trance and got up. I felt my face burn. What was I doing…? I hope he didn’t take notice. For damn sake! I thought. I pulled the blanket up and make my side of the bed. I quickly put my cloak back on. As I walked away I turned to see the purple unicorn smiling, a tint of pink covering his cheeks. I smiled as I walked out, closing the door lightly.
I yawn as I walked into the kitchen. I cast a spell on the room as various item like pots and pans, eggs milk and other items flew around. I walked away from the door and walked back down the hallway.
I wanted to make the guest rooms my first priority of the day. I walked to one of the doors expecting to see all of the mess and junk I had to go through, but alas when I opened the door everything was neat and organized. Quickly I had run to the other rooms to see that they were all the same way. When I had opened the last door to a guest room, a not was on one of the desks. I walked over and picked the note up.
Dear Magic Harp,
This might seem strange that all the rooms are neat and tidied up. But I took the liberty of cleaning them up for you. I know that you might be mad, seeing how you acted when I set up that small, basicly nothing, fire and blanket up last night, but I saw how tired you were. You look like you haven't slept in days and I didn’t want you to wake up in the morning and having to do more work than needed.
Just so you know, because I don’t think you are aware, but you held onto me like I was something of comfort. And wow was it a hassle getting you to let go without you waking up. Eventually I had to teleport to get away to do the clean up. But anyways, you don’t have to thank me, even though I know you might. When your done with this small letter, can you come and wake me? I hope you know this took ALL night. I didn’t realize that you had some much stuff.
Love,
Dusk Shine
I looked at the page and held it close. I looked it over again and decided that I wanted to keep the note. I teleported it to my study as I ran back to my chamber. When I opened the door, Dusk was as I left him, peacefully sleeping. I blushed and walked over to him, tears starting to form in my eyes. I found peculiar that I was crying. I guess it was because I had not received that kind kindness and generosity like that in a very long time.
I hugged him wrapping my hooves around him. He fluttered his eyes open and looked down at me.
“I’m so pathetic...I am crying over nothing, it seems like nothing but, it feels…” Dusk sat up as I looked up at him. He smiled while using his magic to pull me up on the bed. He hugged me and I wept. This was new. I realized that only after a night and this very short time now, I have opened up to the newcomer. At first I saw him as a nuisance, but now I feel and new feeling. Something that I don’t think I have felt before.
Dusk pulled away. “What a way to wake up in the morning.” I laughed as I pushed him back down and falling with him, putting my head on his chest. My face burned as I did this. I felt Dusks heart begin to race. He put his hoofs on my head.
“What kind of magic have you cast upon me? To make me feel the way I do. You are but a stranger, but you seem to be more that that title implies.”
“I...never cast a spell on you. But I…” I sat up and moved my face so that it was directly over his. He blushed. W-what are you…” I kissed him. I pulled back right away.
“I...I apologize. My behavior is...unacceptable.” Dusk looked at me with a blank expression, but then used his magic to pull me in for another kiss. I blushed deeply at the sudden pull, but closed my eyes. I was in bliss. I have not had a simple pleasure like that in years and now, it felt like a new feeling.
I pulled away, tears now flowing down my face again. I had forgotten why I stayed away. If THEY we to find out I had a companion... Oh God. No! I launched off the bed.
“Magic, did I do something wrong?”
“I do not want you to perish under there whooves. I would not be able to bear another soul die!” Dusk look at me in confused horror.
“Magic what are you talking about! I’m not going to die!” I lifted my head, my eyes turning white. I launched a magic orb towards Dusk. He was gone.
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I launched up from my deep sleep. I breathed heavy as I looked around my room. Dusk was not there, but the smell of breakfast was. I wiped the tears and sweat from my face as I moved the covers off of me. I slowly got up and walked to the bathroom, washing my face and brushing my mane and tail. I put my cloak back on as I walked back into my room and and to the door, opening it with my magic.
As I walked down the hall I remembered the room that needed to be cleaned out, and so I walked to one of the doors. I opened it too see it clean, it brought me back to my dream as I closed the door and walked away.
When I entered the kitchen, the delightful smell of eggs, assorted fruits and wine fill my nostrils. Dusk was cooking what looked like the last of my eggs. I rolled my eyes and walked over to the table and sat down. Dusk turned around, bringing the pan with him.
“Good morning Magic. I'm hoping you had a great night's sleep?” I nodded. He put the eggs on a plate and put the pan in the sink. He sighed.
“There. Um...I’m sorry that I did this, but you were still sleeping when I got up and I didn’t want to wake you because I was hungry. So I cooked. I hope you don’t mind.”
“You are being more of a host than I, and I dislike it. But if you are happy in doing so then all is well.”
“Are you ok? I mean I know just woke up but…” He sat down and grabbed a plate of all he prepared.
“Nothing. I just have many things to do before we leave and I don't want to keep Lord Solaris waiting.” I ate quickly. I got up after and walked down the hall, leaving Dusk Shine there alone. I didn’t want to leave him, but the dream was still fresh in my mind. Dreams like that have happened only when I felt close to a mare or stallion. At first it was but a dream that I brushed off, never to remember it again, but I soon realized that they were visions. This had happened a few times before I finally gave up. I didn’t want to hurt anypony else.
I shook my head. Why is this stallion, of all that I have taken interest in, the one that I can not stop thinking about? Am I in love? Is this what it feels like? I felt myself blushing at the thought. Never mind him, you have way more important matters to think about than him.
I walked to my study. It was filled wall to wall with books and papers. My desk was filled with old letters that my father had given me when I was a colt on things like how to make my own spells and the step by step process behind it all. On a shelf sat my reading glasses and I quickly put them on. Walking to my desk I opened a draw and pulled out a small, leather covered journal. I placed it gently on my desk as I grabbed ink and a feather. I quickly started to write new spell ideas and add more information on my “visions”.
“Magic where are you!?” I heard Dusk call out from the hall. I rolled my eyes and opened the door.
“I’m in my study!” I called out as I went back to writing. He poked his head in the doorway, looking at the room before looking at me.
“Sure could clean the place.” I looked up and sighed.
“Is there something you want?”
“I’m just a little bored is all.” I closed my eyes, putting my hoof on my face.
“I have a few things to do before we leave that are essential if I want to see my home in one piece. In a moment, after I am done with updates and on spells, maybe you would like to help?” Dusk screeched as he ran towards me, giving me a hug.
“Yes I would! Magic is my element after all.” My eyes grew wide as I pushed him off.
“You just said your “element” is magic? You're not talking about the Elements of Harmony are you?”
“I am” I tossed my glasses on a nearby stack of books and put the journal and things away as quickly as I could.
“That's amazing! In all my time here, never have I meet a unicorn that had that much power to wield them.”
“Yeah I guess so, but if this isn't to much to ask, I would like if you treated me like any other stallion. I don't want ponies to think that I’m special. Because I’m not.” I blushed
“My apologizes. I got ahead of myself. I supposes you still want to help me with the spells?” Dusk nodded his head and we walked out of the room. I guided him another room. The room was large. It was simple with white walls, roof, and black and white tile. A metal table stood against the farthest wall. A chart hung from the wall beside the door.
“This is my testing room. I hope that you enjoy your time in here.”
“You sound like somepony who works at a inn.” I laughed as I closed the doors and sealed them. I walked to the chart and looked over it quickly. I turned to Dusk who was looking around the room.
“I have only one spell ready to test and lucky for me it’s complex and extremely hard to do.” I said sarcastically. I wanted to show him how powerful I was, but the reason why...I had no reason.
“What is it?” Dusk said excitedly
“This is a love spell. Nothing too hard to cast, the only issue is that it seems to not work on animals that I had tested on. I will be casting it on you. Rest assured that there is nothing to worry about. I have a spell to reverse the effect.” I saw the worry in his eyes as he nodded. I cast the spell, the pink blot softly hitting him.
“Dusk look at me.” He looked up with pink and red hearts in his eyes.
“There was no need to cast this one me. I already like you~” I blushed deeply as I turned my head away.
“Well, at least now I have an idea on how the spell actually works.” He drunkenly walk over to me getting closer than I had felt comfortable with.
“Can I just kiss you~” He puckered his lips as he got closer to my face. I, of course, took a step back as I cast another spell on him. He leaned forward and fell on the hard tile.
“Owch! What was that for!”
“You are the one who wanted to assist me in the first place.” I picked him up with my magic and walked to the door.
“Yeah...Can you put me down?” I laughed. I walked to the front door and walked out casting a protection spell on the entire building. I put Dusk down as I continued to walk down path.
“So where is this “Ponyville” that you say Lord Solaris was to meet us?” Dusk laughed.
“You’ve got to be joking right?” I shook my head, looking at him with a confused looked. I have never in my travels been to a ponyville and even if I had it was for but a brief moment.
“That's what town I was in. The towns folk said you came there very often, or when you needed more food and supplies.”
“But that was the first time that I saw you?”
“Well I guess you were never around when I came by.” I laughed and closed my eyes. My dream came to mind as I laughed. I reopened them and stopped. Dusk looked at me with concerned eyes. I looked at him and in my head, recited the words that I had said to Dusk.
“Magic is there something wrong? Did I say something wrong or…”
“Um. Nothing sorry. I was just...thinking.” I lied. I didn't want him to know the truth.
“Are you sure? You look kinda…”
“I am just fine. But thank you for your concern…” Dusk looked away. I wanted to apologize, but the words stayed in my mouth. I decided it was best if I stayed quiet the rest of the way. I closed my eyes and walked down the path.
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“Magic? Hey are you okay?” I opened my eyes to see Dusk walking backwards in front of me.
“I'm fine why do you ask?” Dusk moved his body to walk beside me.
“Well u weren't talking for awhile so I thought something happened.” He looked away blushing. I smiled and shook my head. I opened my eyes and turned my head towards him. He looked back and gave a nervous smile.
“No, I was just deep in thought is all. I am just curious as to what his Lordship may want from me. I think it may be my skills in magic, but he would know nothing of it. It is a little more advanced than the average unicorn, but nothing of greatness like Starswirl.” Dusk turned his head back to the road ahead. It seemed like he was thinking of something. I wanted to ask as to what he might be thinking about, but I decided that I rather not.
A few moments later he turned back to me and stared. I looked at him with curious eyes and he turned back to look at the road again. “Is there something the matter?” I asked. He shook his head.
“I was just thinking about what you said. And I think I might know what he wants. In fact, I’m pretty confident that I know what he wants from you.” I hummed, turning my head to him. He looked hesitantly at the road, like he didn't want to offend, but turned to my back. I looked at my back and back at him, tilting my head to the side in question. He looked at me, then back at the road.
“Last night I saw that your horn was a bit larger than the average unicorn and I was wondering if that was what Solaris wanted from you. Your magic skills. So i didn’t question it until last night. When you went to bed I noticed right away that you didn’t take the cloak off until you were under the covers despite how tired you were. I was curios but was quite tired myself so I just went to sleep. I forgot about it until I woke up this morning. I saw something that you were hiding. You have wings…” I stopped dead in my tracks. He turned to me and looked at me with a smile. “That’s amazing. I didn’t think there were any more alicorns.” I shook my head and smiled nervously. When he trotted over to me moments later, I had realized that I had started to cry. I shook my head when he asked if i was ok.
“I’m fine. I…” He put of hoof to my mouth and looked me in the eyes.
“You don't have to lie to me, there’s no use. I'm sorry that I said anything. It’s just something that you don't run into all the time is all. If anything…” He blushed and looked away. “I think more highly of you.” He turned back to me and wiped the tears away from my face. I gave a slight smile, nudging my face into his hoof. I felt like a foal, but at that moment I didn't really care. I had found someone who didn't think any different of me because of my wings.
I found a friend, something that I’m not all that used to. I was an emotional mess at that moment, but I didn’t care. I knew that Dusk was going to help me with with the emotional time. I couldn’t tell whether I was happy or excited, but when Dusk pushed me his flank and gave me a bright smile like that, I forgot all of what I was thinking. I smiled back at him as we walked down the path to Ponyville.