Bringing a family home

Dusk Shine against Four Mothers

Bringing the Family home

(This is about to go full on family soap opera on your asses, be warned.~ Eris)

Thorax revealed a lot to him as well as to Mirage. Ever since Queen Chrysalis disappeared from Equestria, the changelings went into chaos. Many tried to take the throne while others left the hive. Thorax had left the hive before the queen was exiled from Equestria.

He wasn’t the first, but he had sensed in her departure. When that happened, he had sought to find his hive and make an attempt to find his brother.

His brother was the only one that tried to maintain order in the hive's lack of its queen. He was a general in her army, the one who planned, coordinated and attacked Canterlot during the wedding.

However, he was not a kind changeling, even amongst the hive. He tried to rule like Chrysalis did, though many didn’t follow. Not long after, much of the hive disbanded, leaving the loyalist and the fearful to remain. Thorax’s brother Pharynx disappeared not long after.

“So… your hive is like what… seperated?”

Thorax, in disguise as a pony named ‘Crystal Hoof’, gave a small sigh, while his ‘sibling’ remained by his side undisguised.

“We… are dispersed, though a few are returning since many don’t know how to function outside in society.”

Dusk cocked his head. “How did you do it then?”

Thorax gave a half hearted shrug. “After she… finished with you,” he winced at saying it. “-I defected from my hive, never came home. I traveled around aimlessly, feeling shame because I was always the outcast at the hive. I never wanted to be evil or bad like Chrysalis. I was also tired of fighting for love and always being hungry. When she left, it felt like a weight fell off my shoulders but also, the fear that I wouldn’t make it on my own.”

“I tried not to stay in one place too long until I ended up in the Crystal Empire.” He guestered to his crystal pony disguise and seemed to gain some confidence. “It was there that I felt the love radiating from the Crystal Heart and I had never felt so full in my life!” A smile was present on his face and his wings buzzed in excitement. Mirage could feel the ‘love’ radiating from their brother. “I was never hungry again and… it was because of that that I noticed my features had changed.”

Dusk accepted that, knowing the Crystal Heart had worked in many mysterious ways. His own shift into a crystal looking version of himself was a testament to its powerful magic. “Lack of holes, sparkling wings, full belly, etc?” Dusk provided.

Thorax nodded but his form slumped. “Yeah, but I didn’t know how to be social with anyli- uh… anypony. I had to constantly hide and change until I could settle on this form and stay quiet.” He sighed “I just wished to make friends and be surrounded by warmth and love, not always hiding. To be surrounded by those I care for, even my own brother, if it meant knowing we would be safe.”

Dusk grimaced, feeling pity for the changeling. So far, Mirage has accepted Thorax and his words. No signs of lies or deceit that made him want to get rid of the changeling. He still wasn’t sure what to think of Thorax but perhaps he would help in recovering Chrysalis as well as the others.

“Well… for the time being Thorax, I think we can only hope that your… hive does not seek retaliation for what has happened to Chrysalis. But I think that for now, it's best if you remain hidden” Dusk Shine paused, looking back to the window. “I’m still wondering what I can do to help them recover. I know how to fix them, but not sure how to pull it off.”

Thorax rubbed his sibling on the back of their neck, thinking. “I can’t say for sure what can be done for the others but Queen Chrysalis can recover instantly if she was given love from a strong source.” He then pointed at the others. “But I don’t know how to help the… thing in there-” He said pointing to Eris. “-The Dracon…?”

“Draconequus?” Clarified Dusk.

Thorax nodded. “I don't know how to help her, or the other unicorn.”

Dusk gave a nod at that but furrowed his brow. “What about Nightmare?”

Thorax gave a shake of his head. “Her emotions are… difficult. Right now, the glass and walls are the only thing keeping me from shaking.” A small shiver ran up his spine, which was felt by Mirage.

Dusk gave a concerned look towards her. “Is… she in pain?”

Thorax gave a small wince. “Not physically.” Was the answer. He lowered his head. “I can’t help there but I can feel that she is trying to reach out. She is in pain, but she wants it. She wants it to hurt.” His sky blue eyes met Dusk’s violet ones. “Her guilt over what she did to you is… toxic and it's preventing her from recovering.” He paused. “That is what I can feel from her.”

Dusk tried to process that information. It was painful and even difficult to comprehend that Nightmare was feeling any sort of remorse or guilt for what she did to him. “And the others? Are they… the same?” He dared ask.

Thorax gave a brief glance inside before nodding, though he cocked his head to the side. “They are more concerned about your foals,” He replied, continuing to hold on to Mirage. “Their hearts are burning with the desiree to keep them alive.” A chitter left him. “Amongst other things.

“But it nearly cost them their own.” Dusk responded lightly.

Mirage finally spoke after keeping close to their brother. “M-Mother and mommas’...” The voice shifted to a young filly’s voice. “-they did everything to make sure we were fed and did try to get back. But they didn’t tell us they were getting sick.”

Dusk looked down at the changeling, lowering his gaze to meet hers. “Where were you at, Mirage? Where were you born?”

Mirage was about to answer, but Screwball floated over head, upside down over them. It startled Thorax, causing him instinctively jumping back with a hiss. The floating filly giggled at the jumpscare.

“Mirage, your brother is funny!”

If the changeling hybrid gave any sign of rolling their single colored eyes, it wasn’t known. They shook their heads at the floating sister. “Screwy! Don’t scare him!” The voice shifted to that of a young colt’s. “He is still afraid of others seeing him!”

“I’m fine!” Thorax managed to gasp out, though he remained a few hooves away from the filly.

Dusk meanwhile had already gotten used to Pinkie’s spontaneous and ludicrous nature, so he merely sighed at the filly's unusal antics.

“Yes Screwball? What can we help you with?”

The filly twisted to her father while remaining in the air, her swirling eyes focusing on him. “We were in a type of chaos realm.” She paused then added. “Not from the video game or tv show... but not even momma’s own chaos realm. It was a realm where things made no sense, yet at the same time it applied some of the physics found here.” She then righted herself up and changed into her draconequus form, slowly floating down until her elongated form sat on the floor. Her two brothers came close as well. “That is where we were born and where we lived. But because most of it didn’t work with the real world, time and space moved differently. No sun, no air, food was… scarce even for momma.” She created a small black sphere, no hint of dark magic from what he could tell.

“It was different from anything, but it wasn't bad. Though momma couldn’t get magic from this realm because whatever drained her, didn’t fully come back to her… and maybe a little plot development too.”

Dusk felt lost, for he never even heard of this realm, though since it was somewhere obscure and different it would only make sense to them. Giving a slow nod in understanding, he looked at the foals. “And I guess… nothing there worked like it does here?”

The filly shook her head. “No, but we got our magic from our mommas. We could only cast a few things here and there but… we had no other teacher. They were giving their magic to keep us fed… and alive.”

Dusk inwardly winced at each mention of discomfort. He remembered all too well of how each of those things went with him. Staying indoors for such a long period of time that stepping outside in the sun’s rays made him blinded or shriek in despair. The near day to day misses of meals, only being saved by his brother cooking for him when he forgot. And as for seeing other ponies… well Friendship was magic, but it also made known he was a social shut in. As for keeping them alive… his heart throbbed in pain for them all.

Nox lightly tapped his father’s foreleg, stirring him from his thoughts. “Fa… Dusk are we going to be living with you?”

Dusk thought of it and didn’t really hesitate with all the drama going on with everypony on their arrival. “Yes… though I need to find a way to make space for the four of you. The library isn’t well known for having such giant space so… we’ll work on that.” He then looked up at Thorax. “Do you need a place to stay, Thorax?”

The disguised changeling gave a nod, though a present frown was seen on his face. “I-I don’t wish to intrude and it doesn't help that changelings are still not welcomed in Equestria.”

Dusk understood that, but so far, the newly ascended Prince of Equestria was still having trouble with the laws of what he can and can’t do. Still, he had some leeway and that meant something. “For now, as long as it's just you, just stay near me. Mirage seems to trust you and I can’t fault you for what you’ve been through. But hopefully my status as a prince isn’t just a title. I will try to help the changelings but… it's not going to come fast or easy.”

The disguised changeling gave a small nod with a half smile. “Thank you.” He then looked towards the villianesses. “So… when can you work to help them?”

Dusk already knew what was needed to help them all. Nightmare needed… well nightmares to recover her strength. Eris had to be surrounded by chaos, natural or unhindered chaos that stirred from the world. Chrysalis was easier in that she needed love though she needed a concentrated amount of it. Silhouette must be surrounded in dark magic and shadows with no light at all.

Each presented their own complications. Luna was the guardian of nightmares, so she would have to be swayed into allowing ponies to have bad dreams. Though this would also be havoc against her since the mood between them was already south.

Dusk suspected however that she knew how to fix Nightmare as well, but wouldn’t allow it. The relation between her darker half was visibly strong and poisonous, almost making even Dusk cringed, yet he hoped that it could be swayed.

Chaos was everywhere so that had some merit but to be with her around that chaos until she recovered was the challenge. He supposed the Everfree forest might be the best option or perhaps… just being near Pinkie might be enough.

Dusk hated the idea of what he had with Chrysalis and Silhouette. With Chrysalis, he was hoping to recruit his sister-in-law Cadance to feed her love directly. However… his brother had a one-hundred… thousand hoof distance between the two of them. Least of all him, since he wanted nothing to do with her, but to strangle and perhaps beat the ever living shit out of her. He was just surprised Shining came to the same hospital as any of them.

Thorax said he could only provide so much love before he would be a withered husk.

Silhouette needed to be shot with pure dark magic, while in a dark place. The dark magic had to be enough to the point where it could potentially corrupt the user and everything in a half mile radius or at least fill her with enough of it that she could recover enough but not wield it.

His other options had been to ask the foals for help, but they were running on magic as is. They had to slowly adapt to the new environment as well as in taking supplements to become reliant on foods around them. If they gave their magic before they were ready, who knows what would happen now?

With a grunt, Dusk gave a shake of his head. “I need to evaluate, prep, plan and take notes of everything I can to help them. But for now, I leave them be until they can at least recover somewhat.” He then looked at his foals.

His foals… that felt strange to even think of, though it was not an unpleasant thought. Both Mirage and Thorax picked up on it and Mirage had a pleasant smile on their face.

“We are heading back home so I can prepare what needs to be done. Thorax, do you know if there are other changelings around in Ponyville, perhaps you are not the only one who decided to turn over a new leave?”

He gave a small shrug. “I-I can try but like I said, I am not good with social interactions yet.”

Dusk nodded. “It’s alright, just be casual about it. I’m not asking you to be super social, just wander around and see if you find any of your hive.” A small frown formed on Dusk. “Last thing I need is a ‘secret invasion’ or for them to come after the foals. Very few actually know they exist.”

Screwball suddenly held up a single digit from her lion paw.

“Are we going to stay hidden forever, Dusk?” Nox asked, the little black alicorn pulling close to his father.

Once more, Dusk was brought back to his own upbringing and the fact that he was a social shut-in made him happy to avoid the outside world. But within the last year and a half, Friendship meant everything. From the amazing ponies he has met to the wings on the back of his shoulders, to the crown he may one day wear.

But he would not also let his foals suffer ridicule and bigotry due to their parents. Perhaps his side would be able to allow them a somewhat normal outing.

Shaking his head, he focused on his foals and Thorax. “I don’t want you to be like I was when I first started. I was a social shut in, I stayed in doors as much as possible and it took me years to get out and make friends.” He stopped and exhaled deeply. “At the same time, I am not sure how everypony in Ponyville is going to react yet with any of you, so it's best to start out slow. I don’t want nothing to happen to you.” His eyes went to Thorax. “Any of you.”

A smile formed on the changeling, feeling the genuine care and support coming from Dusk. The alicorn then refocused on the foals. “I’m gonna teleport us to the library to avoid the crowds.” He paused then thought back to his friends. “Let me inform my friends and my brother, then we’ll go.”

The foals’ eyes remained on him before each of them turned to the glass in which held the room of their own respective mothers. He too looked in, watching their forms on the beds, only a few doctors were allowed in.

“Are they going to be safe there?” Umbra asked?”

Dusk knew that many wanted nothing more than to be rid of them. He also knew that it wouldn’t be a surprise if many, including a few close ponies he knew of, took them out when he was away. He thought of placing a few wards around the room, but that would mean he would have to give access to the many staff across the hospital to go in and out without causing him to be overwhelmed. Perhaps just giving to them each and then letting only a few in and out would work, that way it would alert him for any trespassers.

“For now-” he answered the black colt’s question. “-They should be fine, though I am going to ward it, make sure that we don’t have any unwanted attention or unnecessary violence.” His eyes saw that Screwball still held up a single digit on her lion paw. “Screwball? Why do you have your digit up?”

The draconequus lowered it slowly and waited. Dusk turned back to Thorax. “So, no ‘secret invasions,’ no attempts of assassination, none of that. Last thing I need is ponies causing havoc, spewing nonsense about the ‘darkest days or nights’ returning and… Screwy? Why are you holding them up again?”

The floating draconequus held two digits now. She gave him a smile. “That’s two comic references you made!”

All three of her siblings rolled their eyes at their sister’s random nonsense. Spike would probably know more about the comic references that she spoke of then him, but they flew over his head. “Right,” he answered, quickly trying to adjust to the filly’s/draconequus’s antics. “I think that I can do crowd control for a little while. Thorax, when you're done checking town, head towards the Golden Oak library, it's a giant tree in the middle of the town. I should hopefully have set up space for everypo... err- everyone here.”

The changeling nodded and made his way out, taking on his disguise as Crystal Hoof in a flash of fiery green. He had an alibi already that he was visiting from the Crystal Empire. As he left, the doors opened to the otherside where the girls patiently waited. Dusk knew that they had questions of their own but for now, he had to take care of the foals first.

He quickly explained the situation to girls about what his plan was. Though Pinkie was quick to disturb the situation. “Wait! I have to throw your foals a ‘Welcome to Ponyville!’ party! Plus I have to throw a party for each of their birthdays that they missed! That’s like…. almost like 45 parties for all of them that are twelve and older each!”

“I am actually the oldest one!” Screwball answered enthusiastically.

“How did she know we were twelve or older each?” Asked Umbra.

“Fourth wall sense,” both Pinkie and Screwy answered simultaneously. They both looked at each other and smiled. Then they both leaned in close together. “Also we looked at the next couple of chapters ahead.” They spoke once more in unison, mischievous and manic smiles grew on their faces.

A chill went through everyone, as they felt that something unholy and unfathomable began, with the birth of two chaotic forces.

Next room over where Eris was currently comatose, a large blip and a powerful pulse came over her, causing the doctors to almost scramble over to her.

“Hey, we got something from her!”

Everyone heard it and looked at the two chaotic entities that stood a few hooves from them, trying to rationalize whether to panic because of the ideas that they may unleash or the insanity that may tear the world sundre should they go mad.

However, nothing happened and it seemed as Faust herself decided to be merciful and keep the world intact. (Dusk could have sworn he fucking heard angelic laughter from somewhere.) Shaking his head, he looked towards his friends. “While I appreciate any help you girls can offer in your off time, I think I first need to slowly introduce them to a bit of my life and how things are before we unveil them into the world.”

The girls nodded to that, though they did their best to ignore the fact that Pinkie was floating next to a giggling Screwball, many unsure if it was Screwball’s work or not, and started to pitch in their times to take care of the foals.

Once all was settled, each girl went about going back to their lives. Shining was the last to stay, though he ordered the guards to wait outside the building.

Approaching the purple alicorn, it looked like a decade had been injected into in just a few hours. He looked at his younger brother, ready to convince or retract something.

“Dusk-” He began but Dusk quickly cut him off.

“How are you and Cady handling the foal?”

The older brother blinked, a bit unfocused at the sudden question. “Huh?”

Dusk asked again. “How are you and Cadence handling the pregnancy? I mean… have you thought of names? Prepped a room?”

Shining sighed and shook his head. The shake was both from his conversation astrayed but also denying the prep for his foal. “No, right now we don't know enough about it. We can’t tell if it's a colt or filly. Not to mention if it's going to be a unicorn or a pegasus since Cady was a natural born pegasus before she ascended. Celestia and Luna said it would be extremely rare if the foal is born an alicorn.”

“I can tell you what it is,” Screwball said, coming close to him. It took all of Shinning’s effort not to lash out as the filly floated in front of him, nor lose his composure at her. In fact, he took in a deep breath, held it and then let it out, the same lessons Cadence taught Dusk when he was younger. He mustered his strength and looked at the filly.

“You can tell what it's going to be?” He found it sceptible while unbelievable, but… this was the daughter of Chaos and Magic incarnate so to speak. Precognition may be a thing with her.

Screwball nodded though she gave a small giggle. “Though it could be spoilers and you might not be ready for what is to come! Plus I am pretty sure your wife might like not to know. A surprise and all that.”

Shining slumped at that, knowing Cadance did like surprises. He didn’t… especially knowing that his younger brother was forced into an ascension of alicorn hood and he was a father before he was. That is one surprise he could live without.

“I guess not,” he mumbled a bit disheartened at knowing what his foal was going to be. “I hate surprises.”

“Me too,” said Dusk, though with the foals around him he gave a small assuring smile to his brother. “But sometimes… that is the best part of life. Not knowing what will happen, sometimes for good, sometimes bad. Those times, even the bad ones may have some good silver linings.”

The elder looked at his younger brother, snorting as his younger brother had just given him wisdom that seemed to mimic Princess Celestia. “That's some advice, little bro. Maybe you won't be such a bad prince after all.”

Dusk held back a groan, rolling his eyes instead. “I don’t even want to think about what to do with my title. Let alone how anypony will think of me now that I am a father of four.”

A look of realization passed over Dusk as he registered what he had just said. He admitted he was a ‘father’ and for any reason he could find, it wasn’t such a bad thing to admit. Giving it a moment, he gave his brother a grin back. “Maybe I can give you advice on how to be one when your foal comes out.”

This time the white unicorn soon-to-be a father groaned. “Ugh, now I don’t want to hear it. I don’t even know what’s going to be.”

“It's going to be a pony, if that is what you are asking.” Screwball stated.

Shining sighed a bit too heavily which let him know it was going to be like this in the future. Brushing off the filly/draconequus next to him, he reached over and wrapped his brother in a tight hug. “You have my help, little bro and if you need anything, you can bet me and Cadance will be there to help you out.”

Dusk returned the hug, feeling the warmth of his brother’s hug wash over him. “Thank you, BBBFF. I think I can use all the help I can get. I love you.”

They held on a bit longer before an adorable little burp left a certain changeling hybrid next to them. Both seperated and saw Mirage covering their mouth, cheeks tinted red with embarrassment. The changeling gave them a small blush and a slight wave of hoof. “Sorry, but that was so much love, that I just tried a little bit and it was too much.” Another adorable though light burp left their puffy cheeks. Mirage then sat on their haunches and rubbed their belly, that seemed bloated all of a sudden, in content. “I’ve never been that full before!”

This seemed to please the other foals, knowing that their father was so giving, and while he wasn’t sure how he did it, it pleased him significantly that helped with it. Shining was a bit put off but even he couldn’t help but think that the blushing changeling was slightly adorable, especially when the others poked her belly in tease.

With their ‘Goodbyes’ said, Dusk called for the doctor about creating a ward. “Just so it's clear, I only want a hoof full of trusty doctors to be in and out, no more. If anypony or… anyone tries to get in without consent or trespassing, I will be alerted right away.”

The doctor gave a hesitant nod. “While I know why you want to do this, I find it a bit unorthodox that you want to protect them. It’s my job to keep patients safe-”

“Yes, but your patients also happen to be the most wanted villains in Equestria. How many want revenge for what they have done?”

The doctor relented with a grunt and nod. “While I don’t let the mistakes of the past stop me from taking care of them, I know that they will be the change to becoming better.” He motioned towards the foals. Dusk knew that, he knew that they could be better, he just hoped that it wouldn’t be a struggle to turn them over.

With the four staff chosen to place the access to the ward over, he set up the spell so that it was approximately the size of the room, a light violet barrier right at the edge of the walls that would alert him any time of day or night of someone trying to enter without his approval.

Once that was set, he brought the foals together and teleported them out of the hospital.

They arrived immediately inside of the library, which happened to have the resident dragon eating a bowl of cereal and gems. The sudden magical re-entry of his older brother and his foals, startled the poor drake, making him jump as they appeared right in front of him.

“Waah!” He jumped, spilt his cereal, which dropped all over the floor and himself.

Dusk and the foals immediately saw the fallen dragon, both with curiosity and interest, especially Screwball. Seeing his fallen brother, he gave a small apologetic look.

“Hey Spike, we’re back. Oh… uh, sorry about that.”

The dragon youth gave an annoyed grunt at the spilt milk and cereal mixed on him. “That’s fine.” He still hadn’t acknowledged the foals, until Screwball pulled close and with a small wave of her draconic palm, magicked up the bowl of cereal and reversed time slightly with the milk and cereal gem mix flowing back into the bowl and landing safely on Spike’s palm.

He blinked and looked up at Screwball. “Wow!” He looked up at floating filly in front of him. She gave him a shy smile and wave. “Uh… thanks?”

“No problem!” Her voice ended almost in a squeak, her cheeks taking a small tint of red.

~~(~~OH FUCK NO! You are not shipping my daughter now this early, you son of …~~!)~~

Spike and everyone blinked as Screwball snapped her digits. A small giggle left and she began to float around to study their temporary home, the other foals quickly following suit.

Dusk wasn’t sure what happened but a sudden change in the ‘Magical Spectrum’ in his vision had changed and he knew it had to be Screwball. Shaking his head, he watched as the foals explored his home with vigor and curiosity.

The colts Umbra and Nox went to the books almost straight away, their eyes sparkled with the idea of gaining knowledge through the walls filled with it.

Mirage meanwhile looked at every knick knack or oddity that stood out from her like a lamp or even a door handle.

Screwball was just floating from one place to another, popping up from one place to another, scrutinizing everything. As the foals explored, Dusk sighed and sat on his haunches. Spike approached him, still holding his bowl of cereal. “Rough day?” He asked.

Dusk gave his small brother a smile. “Yeah, but I feel that it might get better. Our family just got bigger.”

“Right and what did everyone else think?”

Dusk explained the situation to Spike, as the drake ate his cereal and listened to his older brother while the foals continued to explore their new home.

After the explanation, Spike finished his bowl and looked up at his brother who looked emotionally drained but physically strong.

“So… we got four foals with us until their mommas wake up?” Dusk nodded. “And we got a changeling who is… defected from the hive and gonna live with us too?” Another nod from him. Spike cast his gaze over them, watching as the colts pulled books and began to ‘try’ and read them. Mirage somehow ended dead-eyed, stuck looking at the lamp, staring intently at it while Screwball tried to rouse her from her daze.

“And you're going to try and save them, despite that they-” He was given a quick shake of his head by Dusk and motioned towards the foals, whose innocence quickly had him drop the rest of the sentence. “-Right, well you are still gonna save them?”

“I have to Spike. They need their mothers and who am I to deny them that?”

“You are a prince,” Spike began, counting with his claw digits. “You have the right to enact… whatever you want to them after what they did to you, you have the help of the other princesses and also, you're a father. You got a lot of say in this.”

Dusk couldn’t deny those aspects but he also couldn’t deny the fact that he needed help with them, especially since all were different from one another, let alone normal foals. An alicorn, a dark unicorn, a changeling and a draconequus. Those were just their species. Now add to the fact they possibly inherited his magic too. Celestia had claimed that his magic surpassed Starswirl and Clover and rivaled her own and her sister. He comes from a long line of scholars, mages and wizards in his family. It would be too little of a chance for any of them to not inherit his prowess.

He sat on his plot and looked towards his little brother. “While I hate that you are right, I still want them to have their mothers. Besides, maybe it could be a way to reform them.”

Spike cocked his head. “What? Like… use them?”

Dusk shook his head, then added. “Well… more like helping me persuade their mothers into seeing the side of Friendship and Harmony like never before. I mean, I know that what they did was wrong but I could forgive them if they are willing to change their ways.”

While not as smart as his brother, Spike wrapped his arm around his leg and leaned against him. “And what if they try to do…” He paused, not wanting to say it before replying. “-that again? What if they try to take you away from us?”

Dusk leaned back into his brother and wrapped said arm around him. “I won’t let it happen Spike and I will make sure that the foals will be the ones to help me change their mothers’ views and make them allies instead of enemies.” Both watched as the foals continued to study, play and learn of their new environment to the point where loud noises in the library would be considered rude, and was welcoming as it was filled with joy and adoration. “I already suffered before because of who I was to their mothers. I am willing to suffer again if it means that they get to have a future and live peacefully with others.”

“I wish you didn’t have to say it like,” commented Spike.

“Yeah… me too.”

Dusk and Spike settled on trying to teach the foals things that would be normally taught to foals early on. While many things were simple to understand for them, such as basic reading, common sense and other minor details were retaught to them, a lot of new ones had to be explained.

“Please, try to keep your magic or abilities in here,” Dusk explained with a slight plea. “I know that you four want to go out and explore the world but for right now, it would be best until your mothers awaken or, until you are ready to handle it and… for everypony else to handle you.”

“Is it bad what we are?” The innocent question of Nox hit Dusk hard but he knew it was not their fault. Shaking his head, he pointed at himself. “While I know this, as well as Spike and the mares you’ve met, not everyone is so… easy to understand.”

“Our mothers?” Came the next question.

Silence filled the room and it really hurt his heart to hear and not deny it.

Instead of answering directly, he responded with something. “I think that for now, the best I will do for you four is be there for you and make sure that the world sees you for the good you can do, not for what happened before. I will be the best teacher I can be for you all to learn the Magic of Friendship and that anything is possible if you are willing to put for the effort.”

“What about being our father?” Umbra, the unicorn asked. There was a small underlined tone in his voice, though Dusk understood what he meant.

Dusk knew that he had to answer truthfully, with a draconequus and a changeling nearby. How he would answer this, is how his own father had spoken to Shining, himself and even Spike when he was older. He remembered it so well because while he was studying to be the best at everything else, his own father asked that he at least put an effort into finding a future in which foals were going to be part of his life.

Clearing his throat, he spoke easily and kept them all in his vision. “I cannot promise to be the greatest dad in the world for you,” He began, mimicking his father’s words that had embedded into his memory. “I can’t say I won’t make mistakes, nor will I deny that I will be successful in trying to make sure you guys know everything.”

He paused, swallowing and continued. “I will promise, that with all my heart and what love I can muster, I will be there as much as possible. I will push past any barrier for you, I will endure any pain, suffer any agony and carry any weight, if it means that you will wake up the next day with a smile on your face. My swear to my foals, to my children, that I… Dusk Shine, will put as much effort as I can, to have you in my mind forever, as long as I live and to make sure you can live your lives to the fullest. By blood or not, I will do my best.”

He sighed and looked at them. His foals had stayed quiet and while he wasn’t sure that it would work, Spike was stunned and actually felt proud of his brother.

“Wow, you remembered that from dad?” He asked, still in surprise.

The alicorn stallion gave a small smile. “Of course, you should too. He told us this when we were off to live in the Castle. He wanted us to remember that when we had our foals or children one day.”

Spike crossed his arms. “Yeah, I hope I don’t have to worry about that too quickly. I need more time to myself.” Screwball slightly deflated at hearing that. Dusk caught this but gave a nod.

“While I hope so too, I just wanted you to remember and for you four as well. I am still new to this but I want to at least try to do something good for you.” A small, albeit sad chuckle left him. “A father at my age, who would have thought.”

“The writer?” Screwball offered, trying to perk up. For some odd reason, a genuine warm chuckle left him and it did not even bug him that it was a random answer. Instead he agreed. “Sure, Screwy, the writer. Whatever mysterious writer of my life or just in general, they probably wrote this in for me.”

Lowering her head to her siblings, Screwball whispered. “Is it weird he accepted that, or am I just finally getting into his mind?”

The trio looked at her, perplexed by this statement before shaking her head and focusing back on Dusk.
Their father gave a look upstairs, reminded that there was only one bed and a single basket for himself and Spike.

“I think first we need to find a way to deal with the living situation. My room upstairs ain’t as big and I do want to install beds or a bed, if you four don’t mind sharing that is, and then see how I can introduce you four into food and other necessities like that.”

“Do we have to always eat pony food?” Mirage asked. “Momma told me that it has to be a balance of food and love.”

“Or magic,” added Umbra

“And candy!” Screwy pipped in excitedly.

Dusk was sure at least two of those were right; he turned his eyes towards Nox and the alicorn colt gave a shrug. “I eat what I can and not much else, though I just want to try a variety of things.”

Dusk nodded at that and conjured up a quill and a scroll. “Well, I suppose it’s okay to do grocery shopping and it would also help if I can get you guys anything you might need.” He began a slow pace as he thought on. “I guess besides food, would be personal things you guys can cling onto. I would also like to test your magical abilities to see what you four can and can’t do.”

“But… don’t you know that from our mothers?” Mirage asked, their wings buzzing in question. Dusk paused in motion and looked towards them. He thought about it and turned to them fully.

“While I know that you may share your mother’s abilities in ways or forms, I still don’t know the full extent.” He pointed the quilt end towards himself. “You also possibly inherited my magic and since I am considered a powerful unicorn, who knows how much you have. You four could possibly be more powerful than your mothers and I.”

“But right now, I just want to know what your base levels are, what you can do that I, nor your mothers can’t and if you can actually prove beneficially for Equestria in whole!” He waved the quilt in the air dramatization. Then a smile formed on him. “Imagine what you four could bring if you could do show the world all your possibilities and your prowess!”

The colts looked at each other in confusion, while Mirage shrunk at the thought of exposure while Screwball seemed indifferent.

Dusk continued on, excitement stretching on as he began to write with his magic at a pace. “That is just the beginning. Right now, you four could have already broken several rules or expectations for Equestria! The first alicorn born, a unicorn of dark magic used in benefit, a changeling/pony hybrid and a pony/draconequus hybrid.
Those alone rewrite what is considered standard known research of pony breeds!”

There was an uncomfortableness that was present amongst the four. It showed but Dusk didn’t seem to notice. Spike however, who has been sidelined this entire time, noticed this and quickly cleared his throat.

“Uh… Dusk?” The alicorn paused and looked towards Spike, who in turn pointed to the foals. Dusk looked towards them and saw their discomfort. He quickly realized that he had turned something simple such as trying to reach out to his foals into a science experiment with tests and research needed to be done.

A nasty feeling took over him and he realized he almost screwed something up with them already and they just got here. A sigh of disappointment left him and he vanished the quill and notes away.

“Sorry.” He apologized, feeling shame. “I just… got a little overexcited at you four and your potential.” The feelings were noticed by the unicorn, the changeling and the draconequus while the alicorn could see it in his face.

“It’s okay, Dusk.” Spike answered. “Just… kinda remember they are foals first.” He then crossed his arms. “You don’t want to do to them what I went through.”

A blush filled his face in embarrassment, while four foals looked at Spike who had a small crossed look. “Don’t ask,” Was his simple response. There was history there.

Quickly pushing past the subject, he began writing on. “Let’s see, beds, accessories, food, education…”

“Friendship?” Spike added.

“Right…” He then brought the quill to his mouth in thought. “We already checked to see if you four are healthy and outside of relying on magic for a decade or more to feed on, we would also need to see where you draw your magic or how you handle it.” He paused, turned and noticed almost right away, none of them had cutie marks. Well, Screwball had well… a screw with a baseball on it but… he was sure it was cosmetic or something she added for her own fun. Nox and Umbra had none while Mirage was… still a mystery. That’s okay then, a problem that had a solution and one that he felt like would come in time.

For now, just solve one problem at a time. “Right. Let’s focus on you four settling in first. I will go and get what we need while Spike… if you don’t mind, perhaps make food for them and keep them occupied?”

Spike gave them a glance and shrugged. “Sure, I guess. Just gonna feed them what we have and hopefully not much else.” He then waved them over towards the kitchen in the back. “Come on, I want to show you four a few things so we can establish a few rules in the kitchen.”

Screwball eagerly floated over and next to him while Umbra and Mirage followed. Nox was about to follow but he stopped and turned to Dusk before he left.

“Dusk?”

“Yes, Nox?”

The alicorn colt paused before asking. “Are we going to be a family? Our mothers included… with you?”

Dusk didn’t have an answer. He wasn’t sure he could answer. At the very least, he could try to be truthful, but he also didn’t want to make any negative thoughts or behavior towards the mothers. Taking in a deep breath before he let it out, he looked at the colt with as much honesty and heart he could.

“I-I don’t know Nox. I really don't. What happened between me and them… it was not easy. I know that you want me to be… something I am not ready for. I’m only 25 and I have a difficult time trying to still understand what has happened today.” He shook his head in sadness and looked at the colt with his eyes. “I won’t say that it will be easy between them, only that I will try my best for your and your siblings sake. I don’t hate any of you for what they have done, or that I will treat you any worse for it.”

“You four may have not been part of my goals in life at least… in this age, but I will try my hardest and do my best to make sure you four will be raised with as much happiness I can offer.”

The alicorn colt studied his father with unblinking eyes. While not as super smart as his father, he was smart enough to find deceit or hidden intent within the older alicorn. He also noticed how genuine he was and the emotions that poured for him. In the end, he just wanted something to hold onto at night, outside of his siblings and tell them all, that they were loved and that everything was going to be alright.

For now, he knew that he was probably not going to get that from him.

A small and careful nod left him. “Okay Dusk. But… if you are not going to be with our moms, will you still be our father if you cannot be with them?”

Dusk heard of stories of colts and fillies being abandoned by their fathers and how their lives turned out. Or how divorced parents tend to leave foals with bittersweet memories and depressing emotions growing up. Officially, he and the four villianesses never got together and while he could just brush them off, his father always promised him that he would be there for as long as he could. No matter how old and gray he got, he would always be there and never leave him.

In the immortal words of his own father, he repeated them and gave the colt a small smile and said. “Just let them try and stop me from being your father.”

The colt grew his own smile at hearing that. Then a call for the colt’s name came.

“Come on Nox!” It was Screwball. “Spike is showing us how to do waffles!”

Dusk gave a nod and motioned him to go. “I’ll be back. Go and see what they have going.”

With a nod and a more hopeful outlook, the colt ran into the kitchen, probably about to tell his siblings what was just told to him. Dusk watched him go and made his way out.

Stepping outside, the bright warm day, the fresh air and the feeling of life itself shined on him, it really just felt like a new day had just been created. Upon closing the door, he suddenly had a weird feeling pass over him as he realized… how he just accepted his role as a father.

It wasn’t easy, but he never thought it would come as smoothly as it did. Despite the hardships that he may have to deal with, Dusk felt like things could be different from here on out.

His ear twitched and he thought he heard an angelic voice, gently kissing his ear. When he looked around, nothing but ponies passing by or birds singing were heard. Another flicker.

Maybe he was hearing things again, just like the angelic laughter he supposedly heard earlier. Ignoring it, he magicked his list back and began to do his shopping and planning on how to accommodate four foals into his home.

(And time skip because this writer is to fucking lazy ~ Screwball)

Dusk had gone and bought a new bed for the foals, large enough to accommodate them. He paid, brought and placed it upstairs, next to his own, though he had asked for the time being to Spike that he sleep with him. The dragon didn’t mind though hoping he didn’t get turned into a cuddle toy like Dusk did with Smarty pants.

Not only did he buy the bed, he bought a lot of food, a variety of which literally had no limits and applications to what could be made with them. Fruits and vegetables, flowers and drinks, soups and candies and the list went on.

The food was made and he was happy to note that, for the first time in their lives, the food that was provided to them, filled their little hearts with joy and bliss. While Spike did most of the cooking, Dusk did do the easy things like sandwiches, sides, salads and so on.

To hear their moans of content and joy, warmed his heart and it actually made them stuff their face. Literally.

Because this was a new sensation, they quickly learned however not to over do it and well… foals will be foals.

Four bloated bellies and small whimpers of dismay let him know… that this was it for them. Each were groaning in slight disdain but judging by the half formed smiles on their faces, that this was their first and perhaps, best meal of their lives.

Spike actually looked astonished on how much they ate. Turning to his brother, he gave him a small frown and pointed at the mountain high dishes.

“It’s your turn to do the dishes.” Dusk gulped at the towering and almost nearly tipping mountain of dishes in the sink. He was about to beg for leeway but Spike beat him to it. “Nope, you ain’t getting out of this one. You owe me three times plus a bag of gems at this point. And, I have to sleep in the same bed as you, so onto it, while I go see if the bathroom is prepared to handle the aftermath.” He shuddered and wobbled off.

Dusk lowered his head in defeat and made his way to the sink, while he allowed the foals to recover from their food comatose.

Close to the evening, Thorax had returned and had made a positive albeit saddened report that there were no other changelings around. Though he did make mention that were a few possible hidden here, he made note that they may have been here for a long while, including a certain candy mare in the vicinity.

Dusk offered him any leftovers and was happy to note that changelings did eat food, though Thorax more or less said, ‘It helped blend in much better and unless cooked with love, it was wasted.’

"Hey, weren't you one of the changelings that had me do the Blueblood bit back then?" Came the voice of Spike next room over.

Thorax nodded and the dragon gave him a pleased reaction. "Well if you thought that was gold and what I had back then, you should see all the new things that has happened in the last six months since my last act. I got so much to share with you!"

Interest and hope came from Thorax, as the two conversed in the next room, leading Dusk to believe that they may develop something of a friendship going on. This actually pleased him as he continued his dish washing.

Night was here and the foals were settled into their bed with their bellies having slowly adjusted to the food. With Thorax opting to sleep on the living room floor, it made the library feel a little bit more lively, although cramped. Spike adjusted to being on the same bed as his older brother, he was used to being by himself and off to the side. Sleep would be no problem for Dusk to achieve since today had worn him out and the toll from starting out as rejecting from becoming a prince, to the return of the four villianesses to becoming a father to finding a changeling to then accepting his foals and finally allowing them to be part of his life, would send any male to tired and worn state.

But now, the night has come and it is time to sleep and rest…

His eyes had closed and sleep was going to take him. His body relaxed and…

His horn flashed bright violet and his eyes shot open. A split second later, he teleported from his bed to the hospital, right in the front of the room, right where he was going to face the threat against the mares in the room.

He was not prepared for the threat, rather he was thrown off by who was here.

“Good Evening Dusk.” The princess of the Night greeted. She stood stoically but tall in front of him. Her wavy mane and tail blew in eternal invisible wind, seeming much brighter at night time.

Despite who it was, he remained cautious with the princess here. He was alert, he was aware, and he was ready to defend those in the next room. Their earlier encounters left things sour but now, something else might stir from this and he wondered if he could even bring to defend himself against another alicorn-

“She dreams of you, you know.” Luna spoke calmly, though a small bite was present in her tone. She flicked her head to the glass showcasing Nightmare Moon, her darker half. He blinked, again caught off guard by her, not really sure what to do in this situation. “I have been monitoring her realm and the others. They all dream of you, but her moreso.”

Dusk understood that Thorax could feel her emotions, earlier letting him know that she was racked with guilt and pain from what she had done to him, but hearing it from the Princess of Dreams herself was definitely concerning. Yet Dusk knew something else was at play.

“Why does this concern you?” To any other pony, it would be madness to talk back or answer disrespectfully to a princess, let alone one who was as mysterious as Princess Luna. Not many knew of her or what she was capable of. The newly risen prince however knew enough that if her darker half was in the room over, she would not want to become her again or at least darken her.

Luna gave him a stare that held so much more that it almost burned into his eyes. The response from her was even, slow and deliberate. “I wanted to know what her intentions were. The same with the others.”

Dusk blinked, he too wanted to know that but held back anything to say other then, “And what are they?” he asked.

Luna regarded him for a moment longer before she closed her eyes and her mane came to live, more so and it rose over her head. The starry mane shifted showing for different views of each villainess. While each one had their own shade in colors and views behind them, they all had one thing in common. They all had him with each of them and their foals.

Chrysalis was the first to be seen, with a neon green haze but somewhere in the badlands. He never saw the inside of the changeling hive, so when he saw a structure that looked like a large black beehive-like interior, he knew what it was. But the surprise came not from the interior, but from where he was in the frame. He was taller, almost as big as Celestia. He wore an insectoid crown on his head where by his side was Chrysalis, holding him and feeding on his love. It wasn’t dark or painful for him, rather he cherished Chrysalis as she did so. Below him was Mirage, a praetorian at this point, who alongside them was Thorax and another changeling he assumed was their brother, Pharynx. They all stood on a throne over an army of changelings, cheering for the family.

The dream moved over to Eris and Screwball. A bubble gum pink hue surrounded it and it brought out a landscape straight out of a foal’s sweet fantasy. Mountains of ice cream and fudge could be seen in the background. River of flowing fruit punch mixed with cola ran upwards and into the sky. Flying pigs with butterfly wings came to and fro, ponies were either having fun or were enjoying the chaos around them, even as Screwball was playing in the background with Pinkie(They both waved at him, which sent a shiver down his spine) and the others were part of it dressed or designed in funny ways.

On top of a large throne made of gumdrops and licorice, was Dusk. He was mismatched, much like Eris though he looked happy with her as they danced on top of the throne.

Next was Silhouette. She was still the dark queen of the Crystal Empire but not in a tyrannical view. While she still held the crown, next to her was Dusk in a deep red cape and black themed armor on his legs, chest and a carved helmet over his head.

The empire was not in ruins but her banners were seen. Cadence and Shining are nowhere to be seen but the Crystal Heart remained intact and active. The citizens bowed to their loving King and Queen. Next to the Crystal Heart, was Umbra, a teenager at this point. But he held a sword made of liquid dark magic, a cape much like his father, a longer curved red tipped horn and armor as well.

Lastly was Nightmare Moon. Her’s was… in the immortal words of Pinkie, ‘a bit of a doozy’ and it showed so much that he flinched when he saw the scene.

The vision was dark, the deep blue and purple glow made it more so. It was nighttime or at least, it looked like it. The moon had blocked out the sun creating a haze so alien it was disturbing Luna’s own mind as the projection continued.

Chrysalis, Silhouette, Eris, Princess Celestia, Luna and Cadance were all subdued or beaten. His friends were in chains while the Elements were in broken pieces of jewelry. Spike was a corrupted 50 foot tall dragon that acted like his enforcer. All around him the view was the defeated bodies of those that tried to oppose him.

Ponies, Griffins, dragons, changelings and many others from different species and areas of the world. And on top of the bodies and destroyed remains, was a stallion he inwardly feared. Taller than Celestia, wings as black as midnight, dark magic surrounded his eyes with chaotic entities flying in the background of the skies, and eyes as cold as steel.

Nightfall had returned.

The true part that hurt him seeing all this was Nightmare and the foals. She was chained to the floor, beaten and weak. Part of the horn had been broken off, wings ripped from her shoulder and her body damaged beyond repair. But her nightmare was not that, it was the foals. The true source of her pain.

They were corrupted, more so than any other being. Standing as tall as an alicorn, the foals were no longer small little innocent children but adults. Or at the very least forced into their adult forms. Nox was a male version of his mother but radiated powerful magic from his father with armor that covered his body. His wings were tipped with razor blades and his horn crackled with lightning.

Screwball was in her draconequus form but she took on traits of predator animals. Her lion paw was in armor, so was her griffon one. Her legs were one part dragon, another cragadile. Her body was more serpentine with black scales and no other coloring. One of her wings was pitch black demonic-like, while the other was just a skeletal bone structure of a wing. Her eyes swirled with black and red colors, showing no signs of her soft chaotic nature.

Mirage looked like Chrysalis, wearing a larger crown though and their beautiful aqua colored wings, mane and tail were replaced by deep purple colors that flowed with green and purple flames.

Lastly, Umbra was a stallion, wearing a red cape and armoured to the teeth. Dark magic radiated and fell from his eyes while his hoof steps left prints of flaming black steps on the floor.

Nightfall had corrupted his own foals and now they were his instruments of the end. They were his Four Disciples of an Apocalypse. A dark perhaps, potential future.

This was her pain, her struggle, her nightmare. He would go back to being that dark god and take away their foals from them. He would end the world because of their mistakes. The final scene showed Nightmare trying to reach out to him begging for forgiveness.

Luna’s mane fell and she opened her eyes, staring intently at him. “The other three want to be your mate, their eyes see that you could still be swayed into their ways and rule alongside them. But Nightmare… she believes it's all her fault that she corrupted you and that you would do the same if the others got to you once more, using the foals as a way to turn on you.”

Tears had formed on his eyes and Dusk realized that he had shed them for Nightmare’s… well ‘Nightmare’. That she believed that he would turn against them all again, but using the foals as leverage.

“I-I would never do…”

“She doesn’t know that,” Luna emphasized, “She believes you are still angry and maybe corrupted once more if the others were to awaken and use their foals against them.” She then focused her frown and anger towards him. “That is why I ask that you do not help them. Let me and my sister deal with them. We’ll send them to Tartarus and imprison them there for eternity.”

Dusk blinked, looking up at her like she had gone mad. Again, this situation came up earlier but it still left him with fury. Luna saw this and quickly answered before he could.”If you truly care about those foals, then you would let them be raised without their mothers. You can do your part and mayhaps, even teach them the Magic of Friendship. I don’t deny they have potential in being allies for Equestria, but not when they are still in control of their mothers.”

He wanted to yell or say so much to the Princess, especially after earlier, yet he couldn’t. Just the visuals he was given made him pause, contemplating on what Nightmare was envisioning of a potential future. Nightfall was still very real to him and his memory was fresh at best, but the pain was always with him as was the fear of becoming that… being once more.

Swallowing, he replied. “T-Then help me. Help me show them there are better ways than being evil. You can show them dreams of what life can be like if they have friends. Nightmare… we can help her-”

“No!” Luna cut him off angrily before he could finish. A small frown formed on her. “Nightmare deserves to be plagued by this. She caused you this pain and nearly destroyed the world in the process.”

“But so did Eris,” Dusk fired back. “You and Celestia wanted her to be reformed so she could be a benefit to Equestria.”

“And look at how that turned out.” Luna reminded with a small huff. “She turned her back on her caretaker and she stabbed you in the back. What is to say they won’t do it again?”

“Because now they have someone to show them the way! They have foals! They have young ones that they would listen to in a heartbeat! If they didn’t care for them, they wouldn’t have sacrificed their magic to keep them alive for Faust knows how long! Not to mention that if they were truly evil, how come they haven’t told them to attack us? Why aren’t those foals trying to cause havoc and destruction now?” Luna remained silent, waiting for him to finish. “They have been here less then a day and yet, you already believe they can be capable of great evil.”

He shook his head, “I never thought I would be a father for a long time, yet they already call me that. They were born through hate and revenge but that is not who they are, that is not what they are. I refuse to give up on them and if I can use them to make their mother’s good pon… good creatures, then it's worth trying.”

Luna stayed silent, taking in his words. A small sigh left her and her next words were low. “At what more cost to you?”

He stayed facing away from her. That was a difficult one to answer and he couldn’t answer her directly. The air and emptiness around it was uncomfortable. She still continued to remind him of their wrong doings, always bringing it up. It was like she was trying to make him remember the pain. Yes, he would always remember the pain, but he would always remember that he could become stronger with it. He would endure it, he would push past it and try to live out his life as best as possible.

He turned to her, looking into her deep blue eyes and looked up at her with determination. “Whatever it takes to make sure Equestria can be saved. If I have to go through more pain again, just to make sure my foals have a future, if I have to be nearly killed again just to give those four in there a chance to be better, then it's a risk I am willing to take.” He then breathed in uneasily before shakinly exhaling. “I figured that that is what you and Celestia would do. For the betterment, for the good of Equestria, to sacrifice and to push past impossibilities to make sure that everypony today could have a tomorrow.”

Luna remained silent, her stoic nature was as strong as ever, but something glinted in her eyes. Something began to crack and he couldn’t tell right away. She then shook her head and she clenched her eyes tightly. A soft, inchorent whimper left her. Dusk blinked, not sure he heard it but sure enough it was there.

This time she turned away from him to not show her face, Dusk confused by her actions. “Luna?”

She ignored him, only giving deep inhales and exhales in response. The Princess of the Night was in distraught and it took him a moment to realize that she was sobbing, albeit more controlled. What had he said? What was making her so upset?

“Luna?” he asked again, feeling worried. He reached up to lay his hoof on her shoulder. “Wha… did I say something? Why are you-”

“It’s not fair.” A whisper, so low it could be mistaken for a sob. He retracted his hoof, confliction etched across his face. He moved around to look at her head, though she lowered it and had her mane covering her face.

“What? What did you say?”

She only sobbed once more before she inhaled deeply. “It’s… not… fair..” She lifted her face to meet his eyes. Her blue moon eyes had shed tears but there was anger there or rather… a form of it. “It’s not fair,” she repeated, lifting her head. “I struggled, for so long, for years!” She stepped back and away from him. Her eyes staring at him through pain and anger. “I became jealous of my sister and the ponies that loved her and her precious day time. I turned into … her!” She pointed angrily at the room which held Nightmare Moon. “I allowed my jealousy and my rage to manifest and become a ‘living Nightmare’ where I would cast night eternal. I fought and nearly killed by sister. I would have succeeded if she hadn’t used the elements on me.”

She was now breathing heavier, eyes continued to shed tears but she stayed rigid, allowing her emotions to play. Dusk had never seen this side Luna, yet… he knew that there was something else going on with her. She suddenly became silent and her eyes closed tightly.

“One thousand years.” She sniffed. “One thousand years on the moon. Silence, cold, empty and alone. For one thousand years on the moon, I suffered with my darker half, writhing in agony and pain, hearing nothing but my own rage. It was Nightmare, she and I, alone but together. We slept but were watching through dreams and nightmares, of many who we have tortured, up until the final century after banishment. Then, I became a myth, I became a faded figure, seeing my image and my name become nothing but a fable.”

“I returned home to a land that forgot my name but remembered my sins. I stole my sister away from all that she loved and almost succeeded in creating Eternal Night.”

A pause, her eyes met his. He watched something change in her eyes. It reminded him of something he would only see in Cadance and Shining Armor.

Adoration.

As she spoke, her voice slowly transitioned from somber to warmth. “Then… then when all seemed to be going right for me, you came along. You knew who I was, you read my history. You saw my forthcoming and you stopped me from destroying everything. You stopped me from myself.”

Dusk blinked, unsure where this was going but he had an inkling of what she was saying. Her voice, her eyes, her smile slowly returning to her face. “Luna I… It wasn’t just me, it was also the girls, we did it-”

“But even after you hit me with the Elements, everypony was still wary of me.” Her voice was stressed but still carried her warmth. “All but you. You didn’t fear me when I came for Nightmare Night. You gave me a chance no others would. And it with all your accomplishments, your trials and even the pain you suffered, you remained this wonderful stallion that I had painfully fell for.”

Dusk blinked, unsure how to respond. The words registered but they still didn’t allow him to respond properly. Luna saw this and a frown etched into her face.

“But when she came back, she took away everything from me.” Venom began to seep from her mouth once more and angry tears fell from her eyes. “She took you away from all of us. Your friends, your family, m… us, she took it away.”

She turned away from him and let loose a few stomps of her hoofs, causing some of the tile to nearly crack at her stomps, sending loud echoes down the hallways but she stopped a few paces away from Dusk. He remained silent, registering her words but allowing her to speak until she was done.

“They took away your innocence then took away your mind. That nearly cost all of Equestria due to their anger and evil. We nearly lost the one whom was meant to save Equestria, not destroy it. Bring balance to the lands, not to leave it darkness!” She held back a growl and her horn glowed brightly. Dusk wasn’t sure what she was going to do but he was prepared to defend them. Luna saw this from the corner of her eyes and a half sob, half chuckle left her.

“I hate her, so much, yet you continue to defend her. She nearly cost the world and yet you are still trying to defend her. She raped you, the others did too, and birthed four foals you didn’t ask for, but will raise them and protect their mothers.” She spat and lowered her head. “That… that is why it’s not fair. That is why I am angry, why I wished to get rid of them.”

Silence reigned and Dusk swallowed. He finally understood though the implications were heavy. Luna was jealous of them, more so the fact that they took away something from him that meant so much to others. Not only that, but she was angry because Dusk was trying to protect them, rather than dispose of them. The pain they inflicted on him and he chose to redeem them.

“There is more to it then, isn’t there?”

Luna stayed silent but it said enough. Then, he remembered all the looks he had gotten from her. Not of hate, but of admiration. Not just of jealousy but of envy. And not because they took something away from him, but because she wanted something from him first.

Her emotions, her defense on his behalf, and the sheer dedication to get rid of her darker half. It was pieced slowly together until a soft, whisper left him.

“Do… you love me?” It echoed in the quiet hallways, almost deafening that it made her visibly flinch. The silence made it worse confirming her answer. But she didn’t respond to it, instead she turned her head towards the four villianesses.

“If I help you restore her, make it so that she can recover, I only ask that you make sure that she won’t corrupt you again. That none of them are to try and manipulate you, with the foals.”

Dusk understood though he gave a small grunt. “Those ‘foals’ well help me instead. They will be used to make sure that they can change their mothers to our side. I will teach them value and the true power that Friendship can hold. They will also see how the world is much better for it then what any evil intentions their mothers’ may have for them.”

She turned her head towards his, matching her deep blue eyes with his violet eyes. “And if you fail?”

He knew that it was a risk, he knew that he failed before, and he knew that they would try everything in their power to gain back what they lost. But he had friends, family and four foals willing to learn about their new world to help him. This time, if they tried anything, he would be ready.

Straightening up, he matched her eyes with intensity and virtue. “I won’t fail.” His confidence warmed her heart but she needed something from it.

Nodding, she fully moved towards him, matching his eyes in near height. She stared at the newly formed alicorn. “Then I only ask for one price.”

Dusk blinked. His brow furrowed but gave a slow nod. “Alright, what is it?”

She lowered her head to his until they were inches apart, until he could feel her breath close to his. “A kiss.”

Before Dusk could even comprehend what was just asked, Luna pushed his mouth against his and his eyes went wide. Her lips were divine and soft, cool but wonderful on his mouth. While he was fazed by the fact that the princess just forced a kiss on him, he didn’t feel anger or despise towards her. Rather, he enjoyed knowing this one was a lot better then the one he has received before from the other villianesses. Unexpected but welcomed nonetheless.

He finally relented, leaning towards it and allowed himself to close his eyes to enjoy it. To him, it was what he wanted the first time he expected from a kiss.

To Luna, it was a dream amongst many that came true and while she felt a bit guilty for forcing it on him, she knew that the way he leaned in, he was enjoying it too. His lips were warm on hers, a sweet light taste of lavender to go with it, some musky male on it too which she didn’t mind.

It lasted far longer than either of them thought it would go on, taking a few minutes to the point where Luna had used her magic to deepen it before they slowly parted and opened their eyes.

A string of saliva hung between them, thick with their oral fluids but something that they didn’t care for. Once they seperated and broke off, Luna and Dusk were supporting a pair of blushes on their cheeks.

“That was-” Dusk began but couldn’t find the right words yet.

“Unexpected?” She tried to answer with her own half fumbled words. “Nice? Wonderful?” Those were her words answering his question. He merely nodded though he wished it could last longer, he knew that he was a part of a dangerous game now.

Luna kept her blush then became serious, though her tail flickered, through agitation or something else, he didn’t know. She sighed and looked towards the glass.

“I-I will help her, though in order to do that, she has to gain her power back through nightmares.” She shuddered at that. “Though perhaps it would be beneficial for us in the end, as you think.”

Dusk looked at her pain and reached out to her cheek, turning it back to him. “I-I know that you do not like it, but you and her are the same.” Luna was about to refuse or deny his words but he quickly added on. “She and you are the same, the only difference is she is your darker side, your emotions. But you share the same memories, the same mind and the same heart. Separated by the Elements of Harmony, maybe there is a chance you two could be whole once again and share the power. It might even make you forgive yourself all the more. You are her, she is you and one day, you both need to accept that and be whole.”

Luna looked into his violet eyes, knowing but hating he was perhaps right. She leaned into his hoof more but gave a soft huff in annoyance. “I will…” She paused then allowed the warmth to fade and pull back, shaking her head. She took a few steps back in denial. “I will do my part Dusk, but I want nothing more to do with her.” She then closed her eyes and her horn lit up. “Pray that it works out, I already use my own inner demon to plague me in sleep.”

Before he could ask what she meant, she teleported out of the hallways with a bright blue flash and was gone. An annoyed sigh left him and his head dropped. Well, that went good as he expected, maybe more so. With his head down, he was suddenly hit by a smell of something sweet, yet tangy and saw that where Luna had once been standing, lay a small puddle. What it was, made his head swim a little and he wondered how far and long it had been there.

‘I swear if that bitch gets anywhere near my Dusky!’ Pulls out a shotgun and cocks it. ‘That emo, whinny, blue moon assed whorse is dead!’ ~ Eris.

‘Mom! She is just sad you stole dad away from her, plus… it was just a kiss!’ ~ Screwy.

‘It better stay that way or being locked inside the moon is not going to be the worst thing that’s going to happen to her for a thousand years!’ ~ Eris.

‘Sigh’, Well… at least the next chapter contains clop, so maybe I can get some enjoyment out of-’

‘Like hell you are! The second I see any mention of something naughty I’m banishing you to the Shadow realm!’

‘Mom! That is just a nice way of saying you're killing me!’

‘Oh… then I am banishing you to your room! With no powers!’

‘... Not even to conjure up ice-cream?’

‘... Okay I am not that evil, but you only get one olympic pool size scoop of ice cream and that is all!’

‘Yay!’

Author's Note

Holy crapppppppppppppp!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sorry i missed my month deadline by like... two months but there was so much going on... I got my ass kicked hard and this was a bit out of the way for me.
Now, I am sorry that last chapter promissed clop but this one is the last filler before anything naughty happened and I hope that I can make it good.
This was a bit rushed, as you have read but I wanted to meet this deadline before I had to do another one somewhere else.
Now, if possible, I would like to hire someone to do a commision for the cover art and perhaps a family photo so to speak. I don't have much since I am in a finical snag, I do want to try and give a better picture for many of you to follow.

Lastly, I will try to have my next one out next month, so give me a few weeks. I thank all of you for sticking with my stories and for taking the time to reading them. Sorry for any delays or rushes but I am thankful for all your support.
Also, snuck in a sneaky meta reference!