The day started out as usual; Dusk Shine, Crown Prince of Equestria, bored with the monotony of empty courts and the slow paces of time. At least he has his lab. Leaving Spike in charge, he forges his way there, the bright light of his afternoon. What happens when he condenses the very essence of time? What will it mean for Equestria as he knows it?

This is my first commission piece, a long fic paid for by wildredlifer. This is, by request, the story of a life lived twice, and the decisions made by a stallion forced to give up everything they knew. There will be violence, there will be sex, neither in any fantastic detail.

Cover by wanderingpegasus over on DA.

Tags for chapters 7-13: State brutality, casual murder based on race, use of forced labor, torture.