"I can't believe you! Looking at a girl's personal memory like that!!!"

<<You start yelling like that again, Cadence is gonna worry again.>>

"No, don't you change the subject! You looked into my personal memories without my permission!!"

Twilight felt the exasperation from the knight in her head and could picture how he was looking in her minds eye.

"Oh no! Don't you look at me like that! I'm serious!"

<<Are you done?>>

"I guess?"

<<Good, because I'd hate to call you a hypocrite.>>

"A hypo- wait... You mean when you were borrowing my magic? History is different from fantasies. Fantasies are personal things."

Twilight could picture him opening his mouth to counterpoint but slowly thinking it through instead. Twilight heard all his thoughts and work arounds colapsing in on themsleves and began to smirk.

Obviously Star Dusk could feel her triumphant emotions, <<Fine, you're right. Still, I asked for permission before opening the link.>>

"I was choking at the time. So my choices were choke and die or let my mind be an open book. What would you chose?"

<<Point taken...>>

The young man fell into an awkward silence though his feelings of shame piercing through.

"Listen, I-" She was uninterrupted by Cadence walking in the bathroom.

"Twilight, are you feeling any better?"

"Uh, yeah! Yeah. I'm fine...."

"You don't look it." she said moving in closer as she took a towel to dry her still damp face.

"Ca- Cadence, I can... take care of myself!" Twilight complained as Cadence wiped her face much like one would do for a child.

"I know you're worried about Star Dusk, but that's no reason to reason to yell and scream out in a bathroom. You're gonna end up disturbing everyone else."

"Enough Cadence! I'm not a foal anymore!!" Twilight said as she pulled away from her sister-in-law. Cadence blinked a couple of times.

"Your not a what now?"

<<Sorry! Sorry! I'm trying to stay out of your mind but some of my memory leaked in!>> Star Dusk said with emphasis and embarrassment.

A foal, really? What kind of memory is that?

<<I'll explain. I just need your full attention.>>

"Look Cadence. I'll be fine. I can take care of myself just fine. I'll just walk around for now. I need to think these things through. Straighten out my thoughts, you know?" Twilight said honestly.

Cadence sighed and smiled gently. "Just make sure you get all the kinks knocked out by the time Shiny and Princess Celestia get here, okay?"

"Alright."

Twilight left the hospital and went directly to the place she would be able to concentrate most, the Canterlot Archives. Entering the Starswirl the bearded wing, she shut the gate behind her and began looking through the scrolls and books in the wing.

After two hours of pouring through many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore, she stopped and leaned up against the hourglass in the middle of the wing.

"Jeez, you would think if anybody had a way to fix this it would have been Starswirl."

Silence permiated through the archive. Twilight then suddenly remembered something,

"Oh that's right, you wanted to explain what's been going on so far. Right Star Dusk?"

Nothing....

"Star Dusk, you awake?" she said worriedly. "Star Dusk?"

Oh wait! He said he couldn't move too far from his body! Shoot! I have to-

<<Sorry again! I just was trying to keep my thoughts and memories from permeating over too much. I guess I was too concentrated on that to notice that you were talking to me.>>

Twilight sat down to the floor sighing. "Don't do that to me.... I was gonna get worried..."

Once again the knight's guilt flashed through Twilight's mind. But before she could belay his fears, he spoke.

<<Twilight, I want you to see something. See if you can find a spell that allows meditative trance. Something to look inside yourself.>>

"What for?"

<<Just.... Just do this for me? Before I get apprehensive about this again and change my mind...>>

Twilight sat for a bit trying to sort out her feelings from his. He was feeling a bit apprehensive, almost reluctant. But he was determined to do this, at least for the moment.

"I think I saw something like that when I was looking around before. Just give me a minute."

After sorting through the mess she created she found the spell she was looking for, Introspection.

"Okay, according to this, I should be able to see everything in my mind as if it were the real world. Will this do?"

<<Yeah, that'll work...>> he sounded even more worried.

"If you don't want to do this-"

<<If I don't do this, then I'll feel like I'm lying to you. You've done so much for me so far and I really care about you, whether you believe it or not, so I NEED to do this...>>

"Alright, if you say so..."

She sat down, closed her eyes, and concentrated on finding her magical center. She found it right below her sternum, where it should be. The magic was then directed up through her heart and to her brain. She opened her eyes to see Star Dusk pacing around... naked.

"STAR DUSK!! Make yourself decent!! Seriously." she said shielding her eyes.

"Not that I have anything to hide from you but that's just the way it works. Look at yourself." he replied.

Twilight looked down at herself and found she was just as nude. She quickly ducked and wrapped her arms around her body to hide. She looked back over to the male and as she focused, she noticed there was something weird about his body.

"We are naked in here," he began explaining, "because the physical objects of the world don't matter inside. But as you've noticed I am missing certain.... assets. That's due to the fact you have no memory of me naked. That's also why my cutie mark is missing.>> He pointed to his hip. She looked at herself and saw Full Monty, including cutie mark.

"But that means you can see everything of mine..." She stated, embarrassed clutching her form.

"Did you not read a thing about the spell before casting it?" he asked, putting his fingers to his temples.

"Just how to cast it... I didn't think I needed-" She was interrupted as the hero seemed to channel some magic and their blank black speaking arena changed to a field of flowers in the middle of dawn. Star Dusk also was now sporting pants were loose around his legs and a t-shirt with long coat.

"Then excuse me as I hijack your mind for a bit." he said as he reached out a hand to her. She relaxed and took it as she realized she too was wearing clothes in a similar style though they fit in a way to accent her more feminine features.

"Where are we... and what the heck are we wearing?" she asked.

"Right now we are in a field a dawn. My point is anything you can imagine, happens. I just needed to show you that."

Twilight concentrated a moment and changed her clothes back to the usual ones she wore. "Convenient. So I was showing everything because I have seen myself naked."

"You got it. But I guess having two minds in one body doesn't make a difference. I saw me as full naked but not you since I don't have a memory of that."

"Okay, enough naked talk. Why are we doing this in the first place?"

Star Dusk inhaled and the scenery changed again, this time to a household. Twilight didn't recognize the house at all.

"Welcome to my home in Canterlot. This was, oh... near sixteen hundred years ago."

"Your home?"

"Mama!" called a young boy running in the door. He went straight into what would be the kitchen. "Mama did-"

He stopped short upon seeing a magnificent woman sitting opposite what Twilight presumed to be the boy's mother. The woman had golden eyes with long hair that reached her hips that started white at the roots then shifted to orange and then a light purple, almost like the color of the sun as it past through the sky.

Where have I seen her before? thought Twilight

"Where have you seen what now?" asked Star Dusk

"Wait... you heard that?"

"We're in your head. Your thoughts are like speech in here."

"I'll try and be more careful then."

"Star Dusk, manners in front of her majesty." scolded his mother, looking sternly at the young boy.

"Starshine, please. It is not necessary." said the regal figure gently while raising her hand.

The boy nonetheless took one knee right next to her, "Good afternoon Queen Aether. I thank thee for the lovely day."

The queen smiled gently and placed her hand on his lowered head, "It is good to see thee as well, Star Dusk. Is it correct to assume that thou hast finished with thy studies for the day?"

"Yes, your highness." he replied without raising his head.

"Oh yes, Thy day of birth happened to pass by recently did it not?" she said, clasping her hands together in excitement.

"Indeed it did your majesty." replied the young boy's mother. The regal woman rose from her chair before looking to her subject.

"Then rise young lad, let us be off to the castle to select a gift!"

"It is not necessary, highness. There is no need to trouble thyself with my birthday." he said plainly, bringing his head up to gaze at her. However, his body language clearly betrayed his words as his eyes shown with excitement.

"We will not hear another word of dissent on the subject. If necessary, consider this a command." she said with the same seriousness, though her face clearly showed her words to be in jest.

The scene went black.

"Wait, what happ-" before Twilight could finish, they were in the Canterlot archives.

"Just a scene change. It would bore you as well as take much too much time if we followed me from that point to the end of my story." Star Dusk explained.

"Now," began Queen Aether, "Thou may choose from any of the books in the archives for thy gift this year."

Star Dusk was clearly older, probably in his early teens. He looked about the archives in wonderment.

"It is a momentous year after all." she continued. "Thou still intends to enter the royal guard academy, correct?"

He excitement waned at this revelation and he looked to the floor.

"I... I don't believe I will..." he said softly.

"And why not?" came a voice from behind them. In the doorway stood a very young Princess Celestia and a male wearing regal armor, hair the color of the blackest night, and eyes that shown bright like stars. Celestia walked forward towards the younger man.

"I did not take thee to be a coward, Star Dusk." she cut at him.

"I- I am not a coward!! .... Your Highness..."

"My family routinely worked with the royal house. I can't recall for what purpose but I was basically raised along-side Princess Celestia and Princess Luna." explained Star Dusk.

"That's why Princess Celestia isn't using the royal we." posited Twilight.

"If thou intends to consider us as your superior, though we were raised as close as siblings, then thou may as well enter the academy." reasoned Celestia.

"Celestia, enough." gently chided the older male.

"Yes, father." Celestia relented and allowed him to become the focus.

"Come, Star Dusk, walk with me." he said, taking the young lad by the shoulder.

"Wait, he didn't use-"

"If you notice, that has me a bit worried."

Just as Star Dusk said, the younger Star Dusk was stiff with eyes shot open, fraught with worry. Once out of ear shot, the king turned to face him.

"What worries thee?" he asked simply. Star Dusk swallowed down a lump in his throat, trying to form the words.

"I... I do not believe I have the physical characteristics of a royal knight..." he admitted. Twilight then noticed that, for all the similarities, he was built much smaller.

"Does thou think that the academy stands merely as a place to equip the citizens that are already gifted with the talent of becoming a guard?" He pointed out.

"N-No! Of course not, Your Majesty! I just don't believe-"

"Right there. That is what is keeping you from enrolling." the king interrupted, pointing at the confused young man.

"I... I do not understand-"

"Thy belief. 'Thou believes' that thou art not ready or not capable. Knighthood is not thine to decide whether or not thou art capable, it is granted to thee if thy instructors and other knights deem thee able to take on the task. That is the point of the academy. Thou hast allowed thyself to fail before thou hast truly begun."

Star Dusk listened to the wise words of his ruler with care and seemed to mull them over.

"But enough of such talk for now." continued the king, motioning his wife and daughter to join them. "There is still the matter of selecting thy gift! What volume does thou hast thy eye on?"

Star Dusk thought and came to a decision as the ladies joined them.

"Does the archive still posses the copy of The Art of Battle by General Brimstone?" he asked.

"Why that is a very old tome," Queen Aether commented, "From the days before Equestria was founded. The archives contains the only known copy, if memory serves."

At this revelation, Celestia spoke up, "Father, you cannot seriously consider giving the only copy of such an ancient tome to him. It is a treasure to be kept by the royal family." The King closed his eyes in consideration.

"Is thou curious to the contents of the volume, or is this a tome to assist thou in thy studies at the academy?" asked the Queen.

Star Dusk thought for a moment, eyes flicking from each of the royal families facades.

"If one such as I, with all my shortcomings, intends to become a knight of the royal family, then I must improve myself in anyway necessary to become the guard that I envision." he said, clenching his fists in determination.

Queen Aether looked toward her husband and nodded. The King still looked toward his wife with doubt.

"Mother, thou cannot seriously entertain this foolishness?"

"Why is Princess Celestia so against you getting that book? And why is she so mean to you overall?" asked Twilight.

"She still did not have any royal responsibility beyond her studies. Most people would tend to be a little selfish, though Luna would soften that part of her as they grew up. That and even she wasn't allowed to take such a priceless book from the archives. So being given such an exception could not have helped it any." Reasoned Star Dusk.

"Then I will take responsibility for what happens. That way the 'foolishness' will be mine and not his." she said moving toward where the volume was located.

"MOTHER!"

Celestia's pleas went unheeded from that point as she retrieved the book and handed it to Star Dusk who carefully took it and clutched it to his chest.

"Thou need not spoil the lad so much." laughed the king.

"Well, one comes of age only once."

"It was the first book I ever owned. You know I'm not one for fiction, this was one of the major reasons. You stick to what you know.

The scenery changed again, following what was being said by the knight.

"I refused to let the Queen take the fall for my selfish request. I made sure to take as many notes on the volume while waiting for the letter back from the academy."

"And you were accepted of course." said Twilight confidently.

"Well, yes but...."

Star Dusk was flung into the sand of a sparring pit. The crowd that was suddenly next to them cheered causing Twilight to jump a bit.

"It wasn't like I was taking the academy by storm or anything." he finished.

"Superb toss, cadet!" exclaimed the trainer ignoring the trainee slowly collecting himself from the floor. "Everyone, dismissed." He turned to the now standing Star Dusk.

"Except you, Star Dusk. Report to my office in fifteen minutes. Is that understood?"

"Y-Yes sir."

"Can you explain how the sparring matches go?"

Star Dusk turned to face Twilight. "The goal fluctuates dependent on the class, usually to execute a certain technique or tactic. The trouble was that it had to be in live combat. With the others being so much more in shape or more adept than me, it made it very difficult to execute any of the required curriculum."

The scene shifted to the office.

"Thou wanted to see me sir?"

The trainer pushed some paperwork aside, "Do you know why I called thee in here, cadet?"

"I have an idea... sir." he admitted.

"An idea?" the trainer rose out of his seat quickly. "Cadet we do not expect thee to have clairvoyance, however we do expect our officers to be much more decisive with their answers!"

"Y-Yes, sir!"

"Now," he sat down again slowly. "Now, go and pack thy effects. Thou art returning home."

Star Dusk was dumbfounded.

"B-But sir, why?"

"Why? Has thou had a sack over thy head the whole time thou was here? Thou has not improved in the six months since thou has arrived."

"B-But I have been improving! I have lasted longer in the arena every time I entered it. And I am sure that thou art aware of my exam scores. They are the highest in the class!"

"We do not need soldiers that know all the machinations of combat but cannot execute them! I would have sent you home within the first month were it not for the Queen's intervention."

Star Dusk was taken aback and blinked momentarily, "Pardon?"

"She personally asked me to keep thee in longer than I would have liked. She wanted to give thee a chance to adapt, to become better than thou were. Obviously, it was a wasted chance." The trainer pulled the paperwork back to himself.

Star Dusk stood there, clenching his fists. Looking at the floor.

"What were you thinking at that point?" asked Twilight, looking to her guide.

"Why is it that the queen would put her reputation on the line for the likes of me, not once but twice? She needn't have put herself at such a needless risk embarrassment."

Star Dusk's head rose quickly, "One more opportunity! Please!"

"I have already given thee an inordinate amount of opportunities. What would one more do but confirm what I already know?" the trainer said without raising his gaze.

Star Dusk's fist shook with fury. "There is no guarantee that the Queen will allow my departure without my consent. Thou has said so thyself, she had asked thee to forgive my transgressions. If you force me out, she may merely appeal to her husband the King. Then we would be back where we started."

The trainer looked up and leaned back in his chair, "Continue."

"If thou will allow, I propose one final spar. Allow me one week to prepare, thou may choose my opponent and the challenge. If I should succeed, then I will continue my training here."

"And if thou should fail?"

"Then I will resign. The Queen will accept decision as mine and thus pose no further obstacle to my expulsion. Thou will become the victor in either case as thou will either be rid of me or have a cadet that you may boast about reforming into a better knight."

The trainer pondered the conditions for a long time before speaking, "Very well. Since, as thou has said, thou has no current issues academically, I will allow thee leave from class to prepare for the full week. I would hate to have thee complain after the fact that you were not given adequate time to prepare."

"Thank you, sir!" Star Dusk saluted the trainer and walked out the office.

"In retrospect, I should have stipulated more conditions..."

"Why do you say that?"

The scene shifted to the sparring pit at night. Star Dusk stood prepared for his opponent.

"By this point, everyone had heard about the fight. The odds were against me though."

"Yeah, it looks like your playing as the away team." commented Twilight.

"Not to say I didn't have friends in my corner though." he said pointing out a seraph, a magi, and a human leaning over the railing by him. "Thunder Blitz, Wind Ring, and Evergreen. These guys helped me train in their free time throughout the week. I owe them a lot."

The voice of the trainer interrupted their train of thought, entering the pit with an obviously older student.

"Star Dusk, art thou prepared for thy sparing match?"

"Hold sir!" spoke up Wind Ring. "I was not aware there would be two judges for this match."

"There is but one judge, cadet. That would be me. This young man you see," he said, motioning to the magi next to himself. "Will be Star Dusk's opponent."

"He can't be serious...."

"Thou are not seriously considering pitting a first year cadet against the top of the fourth year class."

"HE'S A SENIOR?!?"

"Look, as much as I adore your inquisitive nature, you and Wind Ring have a talent for stating the obvious. Please don't preempt him when he's bound to ask the same questions...."

"This was all decided in the terms. And Farrier Forger here was willing to take up the challenge." stated the instructor.

"Wind Ring, I thank thee for thy concern. However, regardless of the situation, I must perform to the best of my ability."

Both trainees stretched out preparing themselves.

"Remember Star Dusk, stick to everything we practiced and everything should turn out well. Regardless of the goal." coached Wind Ring.

"Thou hast stated as such over and over, Wind Ring. Allow Star Dusk to prepare, he is more than ready." chided Evergreen.

"Cadets to the center!" called the judge. Both walked to the center, looking each other in the eye.

"This shall be a free sparing match with no time limit." he continued clearly.

"H-Hold instructor!!" called out Thunder Blitz, "Thou cannot seriously think that a first year can win against a fourth year in a free spar. This is not a fair test of his ability."

"Free spar? What makes this different?" asked Twilight.

"Well, remember how I said all the sparring matches have a goal in mind?"

"Yes..." she responded hesitantly.

"Well, the goal of a free spar is either forcing your opponent to yield or to knock them out. Kudos on holding back until something that probably wouldn't be explained."

"Give me a bit more credit than that." she replied embarresedly.

"Thunder Blitz, please hold thy tongue" said the young Star Dusk, "As I said to Wind Ring, I thank thee. However, I set the terms. I must abide by the instructors decision."

"Nerve wracking, huh?" commented Twilight.

"You have no idea."

"Cadets ready? Begin!"

The two began the fight moving, feeling each other out with a couple jabs. A couple swings came from Farrier just barely missing their target.

"Is this a boxing match or a spar?" questioned Twilight.

"Well at the earliest levels, all we learn is how to do basic face to face fighting. Farrier Forger must have been keeping himself to the most simple techniques in order to be fair."

"More than I can say about the instructor...."

Star Dusk made a shift forward to dodge another hook punch and came in with a clean upper cut to Farrier's jaw. But Farrier just stepped back, completely unfazed.

"And it was such a good hit too...." sighed Twilight.

Farrier moved in, the same way Star Dusk had, and landed the same hit but with much more effect. Star Dusk stumbled backwards just barely keeping his guard up.

It was of no use however, as Farrier Forger landed quick, powerful blows in both his face and torso. He then followed up with a sweeping kick, taking Star Dusk to the floor and following up with a quick blow to the face before backing up.

Star Dusk got back up slowly, wincing along the way. Luckly, Star Dusk seemed to only suffer a broken lip from the beating.

"Good, not too bad."

"Not all injuries can be visible. I had.... one? No, two broken ribs here. Or was that later?"

Twilight now looked more concernedly back to the sparring match where Star Dusk was now doing worse thanks to the wear. After a couple more take downs, Farrier turned to the instructor while waiting for Star Dusk to pick himself back up.

"Instructor, how can this whelp be in the Queen's favor? He has no talent whatsoever."

"Well, he has no cutie mark! What didst thou expect?!" jeered someone from the crowd.

"He cannot even levitate a feather! What kind of magi cannot levitate a feather?" came another stab.

Twilight got up on the wooden fence enclosing the ring, "Leave him alone! He's got limitless-"

"Twilight, they can't hear you. This already happened remember?" reminded Star Dusk.

Twilight blushed and returned to the floor. "I... I don't know what came over me."

"Thanks though."

"For what?"

"For backing me up when you didn't need to."

Twilight's blush went from red to crimson and spread to her ears. "W-Well, it's only natural... You're my-"

A loud cheer from the crowd brought her attention back to the fight. Star Dusk was once again recovering himself from the floor as Farrier Forger was pacing, waiting for his opponent to get back up.

"When the instructor said that I would be sparring a favored subject of the queen, I thought the challenge would be much greater than this, even if thou art a first year. I cannot fathom what has happened to the queen's mind if thou is what passes as 'favored'."

"Uh-oh... He shouldn't have said that. Especially since you hold the Queen in such high regard." pointed out Twilight

"You're learning quick." Star Dusk said while smiling at her.

"Maybe he deceived her with purported skill."

"Of course! There would be no other way if the Queen favors him."

Farrier walked up to Star Dusk and picked him up by the collar. "What is it about thee that has her favor? Huh?"

"M-Maybe... thou art too blind to see!" Suddenly Star Dusk threw some sand he had clutched in his hand into his opponents eyes. Farrier instantly dropped him to clear out his own eyes. Star Dusk wasted no time when he hit the floor and pushed forward tackling his opponent raining down blows with wild abandon.

Farrier did not take long to recover however and magically pushed him off and back into the dirt.

"I refuse to lose to a whelp!" he cried out, grabbing a sword and shield magically from the arms rack near by.

"Farrier! No!" called the instructor, running toward them. He was too late. The blade swung down and made contact.

Everyone was shocked as Star Dusk seemed to manifest a shield, no bigger than the one that Farrier had, of pure magical energy to block the blow. Star Dusk's demeanor changed and he pushed up against the blade and deflected it away as he hit him with punch. This time it had great impact.

The upperclassman staggered back and stared at the younger soldier for a moment. Star Dusk had tears streaming down his face and magical energy leaking from the corners of his eyes.

"Oh no...." said Twilight quietly.

In the next moment, Farrier threw another punch but his arm was caught in his opponents left arm. Star Dusk wasted no time and swung his right to cause a mild hyperextension of the elbow causing Farrier to reel backwards.

Star Dusk advanced and struck Farrier in the throat next. Farrier quickly fell to the floor clutching his throat and putting out his bad arm in surrender. Star Dusk still approached with intent to fight.

"Star Dusk! Stop! He's given up!" Called Twilight, forgetting herself once more.

"Enough cadet!" Yelled the trainer and stood between the two fighters. Star Dusk halted and cocked his head confusedly at the instructor. Almost as if registering a new opponent.

"You damaged his voice box, he will not be able to voice surrender." He explained. Star Dusk seemed to adjust himself again and lunged and the instructor but was cut off by a flash of energy that pushed both parties back.

When the light died down, the King was revealed in between the opponents.

"We had hoped that thou would not traverse down this dangerous road, boy." he said painfully. He turned to the instructor quickly, "Knight, take the cadets inside. It will be getting dangerous out here."

"Of course, King Elysian. Cadets! Do as the king commands! In the buildings, NOW!"

Everyone ran towards the buildings and Twilight followed the three friends as Star Dusk picked himself off the ground. The king reached for his ethereal wings and pulled them off, reshaping them into swords.

"The King's famed ethereal blades!" exclaimed Wind Ring, "Legend has it that they can cut through any material!"

"Wind Ring, he intends to use them on our friend, correct?" asked Evergreen.

"I would think so... oh."

As Evergreen said, King Elysian charged at a clearly enraged Star Dusk and swung at him. Star Dusk rose up and caught the blades in his bare hands.

"So much for the 'cut through any material' blades." commented Thunder Blitz.

"That's impossible!" said the flabbergasted magi as the combatants continued their bout with Star Dusk only getting gashes in the palm of his hands.

"Gentlemen, I think it's time for us to assist our comrade." said Evergreen.

"Evergreen, didst thou hit your head when we came to this cover?" questioned the seraph, "Did thou not witness the power our friend is wielding? And the power we all know the king possesses?"

"Regardless, he is our friend!" countered the human, "And I refuse to let him hurt himself or anyone else.."

"Agreed." Wind Ring spoke up, pointing to the battle "And I believe I have a tactic that could assist. It seems like the king is not trying to kill him, merely incapacitate him. If we can help him by holding Star Dusk down..."

"Then his majesty can complete his own tactic to stop him!" finished Thunder Blitz

The magi nodded, "We will have to rely on your speed Blitz and your strength Evergreen."

"You will be helping with your magic right?" asked Evergreen rhetorically.

"So long as Star Dusk still cannot cancel binding spells, then yes."

They work so well together. They obviously are very good friends thought Twilight before turning back to the battle raging outside.

Both combatants were wounded as they grappled each other. King Elysian was only slightly less wounded however his ragged breaths showed a severely exhausted man whereas Star Dusk still seemed determined to destroy his opponent and was only looking for a bit of reprieve before pushing for the finishing strokes.

Before either man could make the next move, a blur of speed hit Star Dusk hard knocking him to the ground. Before he could recover, Evergreen leaped on top of the prone cadet and there was a chime of magic which followed and bound his hands and legs together. Evergreen pinned down Star Dusk legs while Thunder Blitz came around from his initial blow and pinned his arms.

King Elysian noticed the tactic midway through and quickly moved in and put his hand to the lad's chest. Another chime of magic rang through and he raise his hand bringing out a black substance from within Star Dusk as he screamed out in agony.

Behind them landed the Queen who quickly moved toward the group.

"Dearest!"

"Just in time." King Elysian said, turning with the darkness fully extracted in his hands. "You know where to take this."

The scene faded to black.

"Wait, what happened next? What was that thing? Where did she take it?"

"I have no idea. I was knocked out." Twilight jumped at the sudden voice and turned to see Star Dusk. His eyes were a little red, as if he had been concentrating heavily on the action without blinking.

"Don't DO that. You nearly scared the living daylights out of me..."

"Not exactly my fault if you get sucked into the story now is it?"

"Well... no but..." The last scene recreated itself around them and Twilight look at the dark matter for a bit before her eyes moved toward the three holding him down.

"I wonder whatever happened to them since your fight with Discord?" Twilight thought aloud.

Star Dusk face took a somber look that seemed to match the condition of his eyes. "I... looked them up when I was in Canterlot before coming to Ponyville. They... They.. uh... They did well with their lives. Nothing that was truly impactful on the history of Equestria. But... um..."

Tears began to well in his eyes as he put his hand to his forehead. Twilight quickly went over to him and put her arm around his shoulder.

"It's alright. They lived good lives I bet. And I bet they missed you too." she said in attempt to console him.

"I'm fine.... I'm just feeling really old right now. I feel like nothing has changed when I hang out with you and the others and I'm able to see the princesses with no issues. But so much HAS changed."

Twilight felt a sympathetic twinge in her heart. Or maybe she was directly feeling his emotions, she couldn't quite tell.

"It's fine though." he began, wiping the tears away "If all that happened to me didn't happen, then I wouldn't have met you. And you don't make me feel old or out dated. Even when I was clearly straight out of a fantasy novel." he finished, smiling at his own expense.

Twilight smiled sympathetically at the now emotionally reinforced knight.

Suddenly Star Dusk started to fade away in her arms.

"Star Dusk, what's happening? You're fading away!"

"That can't be good..."

"What is it?"

"I don't know." he said trying to focus his magic.

In the next instant, Twilight saw Princess Celestia slowly removing her hand from her forehead and Shining Armor next to her.

"Twilight, are you alright?" Celestia asked in her usual calming tone.

<<I'm fine.>>

"Twily? I know it must have been a jolt coming out of the trance to the real world but, we really need your help."

<<What do you need?>>

"Twilight?"

"Twilight, say something." Twilight said aloud.

Twilight blinked and slowly looked around.

<<Star Dusk, what's going on?>>

"I don't know... It looks like-" Twilight's hands shot to her mouth in shock.

"Twilight, take it slow. I forced your consciousness back to the forefront instead of swimming in your subconscious. It'll take a moment to adjust." Said the princess gently

<<Oh dear Celestia... She pulled your consciousness back instead of mine meaning->>

Meaning, I'm in control of your body while you are inside your own head.

Author's Note

In the words of Spike, "That won't end well..."

Okay, it's been a long time and I spent at least a month making sure my 'early modern Equestrian' was up to snuff. Hopefully the rest of it rolls on smoothly.

Thanks for the comments and support!!