Dusk to Dawn

So, after a properly baffled moment of perfect confusion, I decided to bring in the intruder, and handle things myself. I was well aware of who I wasn't now, and I am not the element of magic. My mark was always wrong, and it was far too dark for me to be the right pony. The moment that realization hit me, the thing went pitch black along with my mane, save for the pink and lavender stripes on it. My lack of mastery of spells was another dead giveaway, my misunderstandings and growing rift with Celestia should have made me see the entire picture.

Honestly, I wouldn't put it past destiny to be playing a joke on my existence at this point. I might have pushed the entire world out of whack with my interventions, and that caused someone to need to correct the timeline and everything else. And since I am not the one supposed to save this land, I might need to fade into obscurity or start making a life of my own. Without the grand schemes and preparations, I had come up with the threats of the future.

However, seeing as I had one major threat slouched over my couch, I decided to rid the world of that one before things went haywire. Or, that's what I would have done originally. You see, I rigged the entire house with defenses with the sole intent of capturing the Queen and having her at my mercy just so I could turn her in and be rid of the mess that was bound to come for her. But, if I do that, others won't come to trust Twilight's judgment on things. I may not be the hero, but I cannot deny their growth, not if I am to live in this world.

There is too much hinging on their development and their relations. In truth, if they are too far apart because of her original personality, her presence in Ponyville would only make matters worse.

If Twilight cannot rise to the challenges of the future, we are doomed. If the rest of the group loses their bonds or ignores each other, we are doomed too. So, my thoughts at that moment were focused solely on how the fuck could I get her out of the town without raising an alarm. Mainly because I didn't want her to try and have her way with me as well. But also for the sake of not fucking up the timeline any more than I already had.

So, I wound up sitting on a chair while watching a changeling queen sleep with a series of lavender chains on her.

"Good morning, what is that?!" Barb greeted me as I used a spell to keep her mouth shut for a moment.

"This is the reason I was setting up barriers around the house yesterday. Now, I don't need a scandal. I need to figure out what to do. And I am in a bit of a pickle right now. And that's not covering all the things I need to figure out. I need a job, a new place to live, and to build a new life," I said while letting go of the grip on Barb's mouth.

"What do you mean?" Barb asked with her voice cracking.

Damn it, she must have taken it as me trying to leave her behind.

"Celestia cut us off yesterday. When she gave me that gift. I don't have a scholarship anymore. Mom and Dad have enough to worry about back home and add problems with their projects and Canterlot taxes. So, we can't just move back in. Because of my reputation, I can't get a job here without the risk of being harassed if not assaulted. Meaning, we have to leave Canterlot and get ourselves a new house."

"I might be able to help with that," We heard from the distorted voice coming from the couch.

"Good, you're awake. I don't have to drag your butt out of this town without getting caught. I'll let you out of those restraints. And you'll leave. Try to make any moves on us and you're getting another bug zap. Got it?"

"Wait! Don't throw me out, please," Chrysalis pleaded immediately.

"Wow. That sounded almost like genuine fear. That's amazing," I mumbled while trying to figure out where to move out to.

"No, no. You don't understand. I need this. I don't have anyone to turn to right now," Chrysalis continued while trying her best not to cry.

Spectacular performance if I do say so myself.

"You have an entire hive at your command."

"How can you?"

"You would be surprised about the stuff I know. I know you were planning on invading. I know you have a huge army that can change shape and impersonate everyone around us without issue. And I know you feed on love."

Chrysalis stood there with her mouth agape. Her shoulders dropped and her head hung low. I could hear something resembling a growl happening as her body trembled.

"I-I, I don't have anything anymore. Not even my plans." She cried quietly as I watched the tears fall off her face and onto her legs.

"I'll have you hold up right there, because, that sounds like genuine regret and sorrow. So, keep that mouth moving if you don't want another nap." I replied while holding my head. Chrysalis looked at me with the same predatory look from when we went to the rock farms before nodding. I released her before she purred a bit.

"There was a coup."

"A coup?"

"Yes, I lost everything. Not one drone remained at my command."

I stared at her for several seconds before giving my answer to her statement. "Not buying it."

"It's the truth!"

"And I am destined to save the land of all evil. See? I can lie too."

"If you want to hand me over to the guards, feel free to do so."

"Wow! You're truly selling it here."

"Fuck you!"

"Dusk," I heard from the side as Barb pulled my leg. "What happened to you? You're making her cry. That's not you."

"..."

I looked at Barb and saw my reflection. I was the same color as the broken Twilight Sparkle from the events of Discord's return. I wasn't disheartened though. I think I was never truly lavender, just this color. And I never noticed it because of the assumptions I made. I was never the lavender pony meant to guide them to a brighter tomorrow. But that meant I had to rely on someone else to keep Barb and my family safe. That was when it hit me.

I can still save everyone. Not as Twilight Sparkle. But as Dusk Shine. I may lack the power of the element of Magic. But I know things. And I trained this entire life for it. Yes, I can do this. But I need space and a cover for it. And I may have just landed the gold mine here. Might as well make full use of it.

"Alright. In light of the desires of my beloved daughter, I won't be sending you to your doom," I said as I made a dramatic pause to allow Chrysalis to shake off her confusion. "However, this gift won't come for free. You said you had a way for me to get a place to live. Explain."

"I, I have safe houses all over Equestria. Most might be raided by now, but Ponyville should be safe. It's too close to Canterlot for Wysteria to send her drones in."

"A house in Ponyville, I can work with that," I replied while tapping my chin. "There is a small school there. I can use my title as a teacher to land a job as an assistant teacher. But that would mean being exposed to the fillies and colt's mothers. I need a shield. And that's where you come in, Chrysalis."

"What?"

"You will assume a disguise of my choosing. You will remain in that form while out in the public, while we are at the safe house, you will drop the disguise so long as we don't have visitors. You will play the role of the head mare. However, you will answer me, understand?" I asked as Chrysalis rapidly nodded. "Do not act without my consent unless we are in danger of being exposed. And if you try anything, Barb here will maul you before we hand you to the authorities. And trust me, dragon strength is no joke."

"Dusk, are you sure about this?" Barb asked while turning to me. "You're not acting like yourself."

"It's ok, Barb. I'm just making sure we will all be safe. Or do you want me to get harassed by those country mares?" I said dramatically before winking at Barb.

"That won't happen," Barb replied while showing me her teeth.

"And she is going to make sure it stays like that," I said while pointing at Chrysalis. "I'll supply you the energy you need. But you'll remain under our command. Try anything and you'll wish you wound up in the dungeons."

"I get it already. You grew into those fangs, didn't you? And your personality is matching your colors at last."

Huh, so I never was bright lavender.

"Dusk, what are we doing?" Barb intervened as I got up from the chair and used my magic to prepare our things.

"For the first time, I'm thinking for myself. For the first time, I'm thinking like, Dusk Shine," I replied while walking towards the window as the clothes floated around the place and into the bags. "Get excited, Barb. We are heading toward the next step of our lives."

(Celestia's POV)

"Over a thousand years of experience, teachings, and hands-on experience in leadership. And I can't get around handling a colt properly! What is wrong with me?!"

"You two should have just talked instead of you walking away on him like that. You put yourself in this pinch, Celestia."

"And what did you expect me to say, Cadance? Oh, sorry little Dusk, you're too perfect of a student. Could you maybe dial it back so that I can offer some help? My apologies, you are too good of a colt and stole my heart when you were twelve because performed by risking your health just so you could win a stupid bet that I made on impulse. Yes, quite the lovely advice, Cadance."

"Loving someone is messy, you of all ponies should know that. It's not simple. I can barely wrap my head around the idea of getting two ponies close. But the one thing I noticed is this, whenever two ponies that like each other talk it out, they can find a way to start understanding each other."

"Even Still! It won't matter if we try to talk! Dusk pushed past everything I was expecting from him. When I saw that gray little colt bursting with magic, I had expectations, and he just went past them! No, he charged through like a damned bull! How am I supposed to help? How am I supposed to get close when he seems to have some goal that is far more important than his safety? More important than his feelings? He keeps charging on ahead, I am right by his side but he can't afford to look around. Damned Tartarus, I fear he might end up hurt while chasing this goal."

"Well, we either try to be a part of his path or we will be left behind. And I am sure we can't get any closer if we just keep watching him charge ahead. If he can't afford to look to the side to see us, let us be there pushing him rather than waiting for him to turn and ask."

"How? It feels like he has some type of foresight. That colt is not normal. And that's one of the best parts of him." I said before letting out a defeated sigh.

Cadance had been by my side ever since I rushed out of the birthday party at Dusk's library. How I managed to hurt him that badly was beyond me. I failed not only as a teacher but as his friend. He didn't need recognition, he needed time. He needed someone else to spend time by his side. But I hid away because I was afraid of what that little pony was doing to me. I was scared of how fond I became of him. I thought he would become a great wizard, and he did. I wouldn't put it past him giving Starswirl a run for his money, but that might be my pride speaking.

I thought he would be just as crucial as that bright little mare, Twilight Sparkle. I tutored her from a distance, I taught her the nature of magic and the powers of harmony. And I have no doubt the bonds she made would be the key to reviving the elements. She is ready for it, but I didn't take into account that the more I distanced myself from Dusk to both teach her and protect me, the more he suffered for it.

"Even IF he can predict the future, there is no guarantee that he will be strong enough for it. So, if you want to, and I mean, WANT to protect, or just support him, I think we first need to clear this mess. Before he walks away from you and maybe even from me."

I stood by the window for a while, watching as the train left our town. The sun shone above us as all of our subjects continued with their lives. None of them were aware of the dangers that were mere days away from reaching us. I sighed heavily before turning back to Cadance.

"Niece, do you think you could come with me? I don't think I'm ready to talk to him alone."

Cadance smiled kindly at me before nodding. Without a word, I whispered us away to Dusk's library.

We stood before the door, I felt my body freeze before that frame as if I was about to speak to my sister after all this time. I knew how badly things could go when you hurt someone's heart. Nightmare Moon was proof of how far someone can fall when their heart is broken by those they trusted. Cadance laid her hand on my shoulder, making me turn o face her. With a reassuring smile, she gestured to the door.

Hesitantly, I reached for the door and knocked on it.

There was no response. I did it once more, but no answer came forth. I started to worry as Barb was sure to come by whenever someone knocked at the door. My worries only grew as I sensed a faint hint of magic by the door. Looking for its source, I found a small scorch mark by a couple of runes.

These are sleep and paralysis runes. Did Dusk set up a trap? Why? And why is it triggered? I wondered before hitting the door harder.

"DUSK! Dusk, are you ok?!" I yelled while hammering the door.

Seeing the lack of response, I bashed it open causing the door to break off its hinges. I rushed toward his room, only to find it empty. The bed was neatly set, the drawers were empty, and even the books had been reorganized. I ran back to the main hall of the library, everything was clean. I saw Cadance holding a closed envelope by the hourglass. I jumped over the railings and flew toward her.

"What did you find?" I asked while glancing at the envelope.

My name was written on it. Cadance handed me the envelope before I hastily tore it, nearly damaging the letter inside.

Dear Princess Celestia,

I am thankful for all the teachings you passed on to me. And I am grateful for all the opportunities you've given me. Not only have you taught me how to be the best magician I could be, but you showed me that I lacked the will and objective to live for.

Thanks to you, I now know what I must do. I will continue to pass on your teachings to the young minds of Equestria. Once you find this letter, I should be about to leave for the town where the stakes and rewards go hand in hand in their scales. I don't think I'll come back to Canterlot, maybe for a visit, but I don't think I can come to stay without falling back on relying on you.

For the end of being better, I ask you this, if you wish to say goodbye, find me at the station. But please, don't come after me. I need to walk this part of my life without your help. And worry not, for I have found someone to help me on this path.

Barb sends her goodbyes too.

Your faithful subject, Dusk Shine.

The letter fell off my hands as I charged another spell and teleported to the station. But despite my hasty decision, the train I had seen leaving was the one headed for Las Pegasus, the cities where stakes and rewards go hand-in-hand. If I left in chase, there would be widespread panic. Even more so since I just appeared at the station without an escort and started running around the place in a blind panic. Once I had recollected myself and teleported Cadance and me back to the castle, I managed to utter my first words after reading the letter.

"I might have lost Dusk," I said while sitting on the bed.

Cadance didn't say a word, I could hear her crying as she sat by my side. I felt her wing spreading over me to cover and calm me. I pushed too far and once more lost someone dear to me, all because I decided to distance myself.

Bad habits are the worst ones to be rid of.