time before bat

I sense I must go alone," said Solar Night Dust, his voice heavy with determination.

"Why?" asked Petrie, concern flickering in his eyes.

"The time has shifted here," Solar Night Dust explained. "We were at Day Two, and now… we are at Day Six."

He pointed toward the path they were following. "And that," he added, gesturing to a shimmering distortion ahead.

Zecora stepped forward. "Place your hoof toward the path," Solar Night Dust instructed.

Zecora obeyed, reaching out. Her hoof passed cleanly through the portal’s surface, as if through water.

The gathered dinosaurs gasped in unison.

"You all must stay here," Solar Night Dust declared. "Zecora, make a hut for them to shelter in."

Zecora nodded, already gathering nearby materials.

"I must go in," Solar Night Dust said with a resolute nod.

The dinosaurs encircled him, pulling him into a warm, heartfelt group hug.

"Stay here until I return," Solar Night Dust instructed, his voice both commanding and tender.

With that, he stepped through the portal, vanishing into its shimmering glow.

Solar Night Dust emerged on the other side and looked around. To his surprise, the landscape was eerily familiar—it looked just like the world he had left.

He found a bush of berries nearby and ate a few to refresh himself, then drank cool water from a stream that wound lazily through the area.

"Hello, son," a familiar voice echoed behind him.

Solar Night Dust turned, his eyes widening. "Cave Dust? How are you here?"

His father smiled. "Is this… dead bat pony heaven?" Cave Dust asked, almost jokingly.

"You don’t know either," Solar Night Dust said, shaking his head.

"Hey, Solar!" another voice called out.

"Lilly Pad?" Solar Night Dust’s heart skipped.

"This must be some dream," Lilly Pad said, grinning.

"It’s okay," Swift Dig reassured him, stepping closer. "We’re able to come here in our dreams. Somehow, this place connects us."

"My grandfillies!" Cave Dust exclaimed with delight, spotting Princess Dust Sparkle Sentry. He scooped her up and spun her around joyfully.

"I can’t wait to tell Mommy Rarity about this dream!" Golden Dust said, laughing as she ran to her father.

"Golden Crown tricked Rarity into eating the mating leaves," Cave Dust added, shaking her head, though his tone was lighthearted.

"I love her just the same," Solar Night Dust said, laughing as he joined in, spinning Golden Dust in his arms.

But amidst the joy, a question lingered in Solar Night Dust’s mind. "Why can I only see my family here and not those from the past?"

Swift Dig placed a comforting hoof on Solar Night Dust’s shoulder. "The portal can only handle so much at a time. If it were overwhelmed, it would break."

"Where is the flower?" Solar Night Dust asked suddenly, his tone growing serious.

"Follow me," Cave Dust said.

The group began walking, the atmosphere growing heavy.

"You know Golden Crown is your sister," Cave Dust said casually.

"Whaaaat?" Solar Night Dust exclaimed, his eyes wide with shock.

"There it is," Cave Dust said, pointing ahead.

Solar Night Dust halted, frowning. "No, no, no. You must answer my questions!"

"I’ll tell you after," Cave Dust replied calmly.

"After what?" Solar Night Dust demanded.

"The fight," Cave Dust said.

"The fight with who?" Solar Night Dust asked, spinning around in frustration.

As he turned, he froze. Standing before him was Star Swirl the Bearded.

"You must kill me to get the flower," Star Swirl declared, his voice deep and solemn.

Star Swirl nodded solemnly, his horn glowing faintly with a golden aura. "The flower you seek lies beyond me, but its power is not something that can be claimed easily. To prove your worth, you must overcome me in battle, Solar Night Dust."

Solar Night Dust’s eyes narrowed, his determination hardening into a sharp edge. “With pleasure,” he said coldly, his voice echoing with defiance. His horn began to glow, not with its usual light blue hue, but with a deep, ominous shadowy aura. Dark magic coursed through him, fueling his every movement.

Without hesitation, Solar Night Dust teleported in a flash of dark energy, reappearing behind Star Swirl in an instant. He unleashed a massive blast of dark magic aimed directly at Star Swirl's back. But the seasoned unicorn was faster. With a graceful spin, Star Swirl raised a shimmering golden barrier, deflecting the attack. The dark energy dissipated into the air, sizzling and crackling.

"Foolish," Star Swirl said, his voice calm but edged with disappointment. "Do you think brute force alone will win this battle?"

Solar growled, his wings spreading as he lunged at Star Swirl. The clash was immediate and fierce. Star Swirl’s horn glowed brighter, and he conjured several sharp, glowing golden shards, sending them flying toward Solar like deadly arrows. Solar dodged most of them, twisting mid-air with expert precision, but one grazed his shoulder, leaving a burning scar.

“You’re quick,” Star Swirl admitted, his tone grudgingly impressed. “But you lack discipline.”

Solar snarled, teleporting again to close the distance. He appeared directly in front of Star Swirl, his horn crackling with raw magic as he attempted to strike Star Swirl head-on. Star Swirl countered by lowering his horn like a blade, its sharpened edge glinting in the eerie light of the realm.

The two collided with a thunderous crash, their magic sending shockwaves across the battlefield. Star Swirl’s horn sliced through the air with deadly precision, and Solar barely managed to dodge. But then, with a swift and calculated strike, Star Swirl pivoted, swinging his horn like a sword.

Before Solar could react, Star Swirl’s horn cut cleanly through his leg.

Solar cried out in agony, collapsing onto the ground as blood poured from the wound. The severed leg fell to the dirt, and Solar struggled to rise, his vision blurring from the searing pain.

“You fight with strength but without care,” Star Swirl said, his voice stern yet sorrowful. “That recklessness will be your downfall.”

Solar Night Dust gritted his teeth, his body trembling as he stood shakily on his three remaining legs. The dark magic around him pulsed erratically, fueled by his pain and anger. “You think this will stop me?” he spat, his voice a mix of defiance and desperation. “I’ll show you what true determination looks like.”

With a guttural roar, Solar unleashed a massive wave of dark energy, the ground cracking beneath him as the magic surged forward like a tidal wave. Star Swirl stood his ground, summoning a massive golden shield to absorb the attack. The clash created a blinding explosion of light and shadow, the shockwave flattening everything in the vicinity.

When the dust cleared, both combatants were still standing. Star Swirl remained calm, while Solar’s breathing was labored. Blood still dripped from his severed leg, and his dark magic flickered like a dying flame.

“It’s over, Solar Night Dust,” Star Swirl said firmly. “Yield, and I will end this quickly.”

But Solar’s eyes burned with fury and determination. “Never,” he growled through clenched teeth. Summoning every last ounce of strength, he reached deep within himself, his magic flaring brighter and darker than ever before. His horn glowed with an almost blinding intensity as he channeled all his power into a single, desperate attack.

Star Swirl readied himself, his golden aura intensifying, but Solar was faster. With a burst of energy, Solar teleported again, this time directly above Star Swirl. Using gravity and all his remaining strength, Solar plunged downward, his horn aimed directly at Star Swirl’s head.

The legendary unicorn raised his horn to block, but Solar’s dark magic overwhelmed him. Solar’s horn pierced through Star Swirl’s defenses and struck true, plunging into his head. The dark magic seeped into Star Swirl like a poison, his golden aura shattering into fragments of light.

Star Swirl’s eyes widened in shock as he staggered back, his body crumbling into shimmering particles of energy. His final words echoed softly, filled with both respect and sadness. “You… have proven yourself… worthy…”

His vision blurred, and darkness began to creep in around the edges. he lost consciousness.

Solar Night Dust's eyes fluttered open, but what he saw made his heart stop. His own body lay still on the ground before him, bloodied and lifeless. He felt weightless, as if he were caught in a dream.

“No…” he whispered, reaching out, only for his hoof to pass through his physical form.

A sudden pull, like the tug of an invisible thread, yanked him back toward his body. In a flash of light, he gasped and felt the pain flood back into him. His heart pounded, and he coughed violently as he returned to life, gripping the glowing flower tightly in his trembling hooves.

He staggered to his feet, his remaining three legs barely supporting him. “I must go,” Solar Night Dust said hoarsely, his voice filled with exhaustion but resolve. “I have the flower.”

Cave Dust watched him solemnly, his gaze both proud and sorrowful. “Okay,” Cave Dust said, his voice soft. “But remember… you’ll see your mother in your dreams. She’ll always be with you.”

Cave Dust bent down and kissed his son gently on the forehead. “Thank you, Solar Night Dust,” he said, his words filled with love and gratitude.

He limped toward the portal.

The dinosaurs all looked on, concerned.

"What's coming out of your leg?" Ducky asked, her voice filled with confusion.

"I'm fine," Solar Night Dust snapped, not wanting to discuss it.

"I have the flower," he added, his tone more confident. "I can get there fast."

"Because your leg is gone," Zecora remarked, eyeing him carefully.

Ignoring the comment, Solar Night Dust focused, his body shifting into a blur as he zoomed toward Ponyville.

"This is her shop," he muttered to himself, landing outside the door.

He walked inside.

"How may I help you?" Golden Crown asked, looking up from behind the counter.

"You!" Solar Night Dust hissed, his anger flaring.

"Is everything all right, my love?" Rarity asked from upstairs, her voice filled with concern.

"Yes, everything is fine," Golden Crown replied, smirking.

Rarity went back upstairs, unaware of the tension building below.

Solar Night Dust’s anger boiled over. He cast a spell, silencing Golden Crown’s mouth so she could no longer scream. With another spell, he stripped her of her wings.

However, he didn’t realize that Golden Crown’s daughter, hidden inside a cabinet, was watching in terror, afraid of what was happening to her mother.

A knife suddenly teleported on to the floors. He used his magic to make the first cut, then stabbed her repeatedly, his rage consuming him.

Solar Night Dust’s horn flickered with dark energy as he focused, his eyes burning with fury. The knife, suspended in midair by his magic, hovered above Golden Crown’s trembling body. She lay before him, unable to scream, her blood already pooling beneath her as she struggled to stay conscious. Her once-glorious wings had been stripped away, leaving her vulnerable and exposed.

With a swift, cold gesture, Solar Night Dust’s magic thrust the knife downward, its blade sinking into her flesh with a sickening crunch. Golden Crown’s body arched from the impact, her breath catching in her throat, but the silencing spell kept her from vocalizing her pain. Blood poured from the wound, staining her coat and the floor beneath her, but Solar Night Dust paid no mind. His magic was relentless.

He twisted the blade, deepening the wound, before pulling it free. Another slash followed, aimed for her side, as the dark energy surged through him. The blade was an extension of his fury—each cut was a manifestation of the betrayal he felt, the agony he could not contain. With every stroke, her body jerked violently, but the spell held her voice captive.

Solar Night Dust’s breathing became ragged, each thrust of the knife powered by raw anger. The magic flowed through his horn like wildfire, the blade dancing in the air with frightening precision. Another strike hit her lower abdomen, and her form trembled in the wake of the blow, her blood splattering the walls, the floor, the air.

He was consumed by the act now, the madness too deep to recognize the horror of what he was doing. The magic twisted around the knife, forcing it to cut in ways that were impossible for a mere mortal, carving through her like she was nothing more than clay.

Her body went limp with the sixth strike, her chest rising and falling erratically as her life force drained away. Solar Night Dust, still not satisfied, raised the knife again with a flick of his horn. The blade hovered inches from her throat, and for a moment, time seemed to freeze.

Golden Crown’s eyes—bloodshot and wide with terror—flickered with a silent plea, but Solar Night Dust didn’t see it. His magic surged again, and the blade pierced her neck in a final, decisive movement. The blood spurted from the wound, spraying across the floor in a crimson arc. Her body shuddered once more before collapsing into stillness, her eyes dulling as the light left them.

The room was silent, save for Solar Night Dust’s heavy breathing and the faint drip of blood hitting the cold stone floor. His magic lowered the knife, now covered in the blood of the mare who had once been his lover. He stood over her, his chest heaving, his eyes hollow.

Solar Night Dust’s body shimmered with dark magic as he transformed, his form shifting until he stood before Rarity—now in the guise of Golden Crown. His voice, too, took on the soft, soothing tone of his love.

"Darling, the weird pony dropped a flower," Solar Night Dust, disguised as Golden Crown, said with a fake smile. "Would you like to eat it up there?"

Rarity, unsuspecting, smiled warmly. "Of course."

Solar Night Dust picked up the flower in his mouth, holding it carefully, a perfect imitation of his disguise.

He walked toward her and gently placed the flower in her hooves. "Here."

Rarity took the flower with her magic, examining it for a moment before popping the whole thing into her mouth, swallowing it with ease. She seemed oblivious to the trickery unfolding.

"Why are you here?" Rarity asked, her voice suddenly cautious, as her horn began to glow, a faint aura of defensive magic. She was starting to sense something was wrong.

Solar Night Dust, still in disguise, let out a breath, his eyes cold, then removed his magic. His true form was revealed, and he stood before Rarity in all his fury, the veil of Golden Crown's form dissolving into the air.

Rarity’s eyes widened in shock. "Your leg..." she began, her gaze darting to his injured limb, the result of a long-hidden wound.

"I forgot you, Rarity," Solar Night Dust said, his voice almost gentle, though cold. "I had to get you something... to remember me by."

Suddenly, a small, frightened voice pierced the tension.

"Mommy!" Golden Dust cried, her voice trembling as she peeked from behind Rarity’s legs.

Rarity gasped, her eyes softening at the sight of the young filly. "Golden Dust... I—" She tried to hide her confusion. "I eloped with Golden Crown," she finally managed, her voice faltering. "I was just about to tell Twilight."

"We bonded over making Golden Dust’s wings," Rarity added, as if trying to justify her actions. "And facing her bullies together."

But as she looked back at Solar Night Dust, her expression grew more uneasy. "Are those blood stains?" she asked, her voice shaking with disbelief.

Solar Night Dust stood motionless for a moment, his heart hardened. "I killed her," he confessed, his voice flat and with some remorse.

“I’m going to bite you to see what happened.” Her voice faltered, unsure of what she expected to find, but needing some clarity.

Golden Dust, still standing behind her, looked up at Rarity with confusion and innocence in her eyes. “But Mommy… I thought married ponies were supposed to do that,” she said softly, her voice uncertain as she tried to piece together what was happening.

Rarity looked down at her daughter, the small voice shattering her fragile composure. "We are married, darling," Rarity said, her voice strained as she tried to explain a reality that felt so far removed from the one they had known.

Without waiting for a response, Rarity leaned forward and bit down on Solar Night Dust's shoulder, her teeth sinking into his flesh. The moment the contact was made, something strange happened. The bond between them, still faintly flickering, surged in a twisted mix of emotions. A flood of memories, emotions, and dark thoughts filled her mind. Rarity recoiled, gasping for breath, as flashes of Solar Night Dust’s past rushed through her.

I had to kill Star Swirl… They all missed me… Rarity saw the thoughts swirling in his mind, the bitterness, the feeling of being misunderstood, the belief that violence was the only answer. It was too much to process all at once, the darkness that had enveloped him, and the truth that he had buried deep inside.

Rarity pulled away, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she tried to shake off the vision. Her heart pounded in her ears as she stood, trembling, in front of Solar Night Dust.

"You're not using dark magic anymore, are you?" Rarity asked, her voice shaking with a mixture of fear and disbelief. She couldn’t be sure, not after what she had seen, but there had to be something left of him—something she could hold on to.

Solar Night Dust looked away for a moment, his eyes distant as he thought over her question. “No,” he said quietly, “I only used it to fight Star Swirl. It’s not the real Star Swirl. I’m sure of that.”

Golden Dust stood by Rarity, her small form trembling with a mix of confusion and fear. "You stay away from my mommy," she said firmly, her voice full of protectiveness as she looked up at Solar Night Dust.

Solar Night Dust crouched down to meet her gaze, his expression distant but soft. "Why would I hurt you? You are my child," he replied in a tone that was almost gentle, though his words carried an no coldness.

Golden Dust didn’t answer immediately, but her body language made it clear she didn’t trust him . Her eyes darted to Rarity for reassurance.

Rarity, not wanting to waste another moment, shifted the focus. "What are we going to do about the body?" she asked, her voice steady but tinged with unease.

“I’ll teleport it to the Everfree,” Solar Night Dust said simply, as if disposing of a body was an ordinary task. His voice was flat and unfeeling.

Golden Dust, still standing close to Rarity, flipped the shop sign to “Closed.” She followed Rarity’s instructions quietly, her movements mechanical, trying to maintain some sense of control over the chaos around them.

Once the task was done, Rarity turned to Solar Night Dust. "The body is gone," he said, confirming the unpleasant fact. His voice had remorse.

Rarity, her hands shaking from the weight of everything, exhaled. "We’re going to need to clean," she said softly, but it wasn’t just the room that needed cleaning—it was everything in their lives, everything that had fallen apart.

Just then, the door opened and Dark Wing stepped in. “Your Majesty, you’re back,” he said, his voice filled with a mix of relief and respect.

Solar Night Dust gave him a sharp look. “Why didn’t you stop the elopement?” he asked, his voice sharp.

Dark Wing hesitated, then answered carefully, “I did try, but… I had a restraining order on me,” he said, glancing at Rarity for confirmation.

Rarity stepped forward, her expression weary but firm. “Yes, I did put Dark Wing on a restraining order,” she confirmed, her voice steady despite the exhaustion that weighed heavily on her.

Rarity stepped forward, her expression weary but firm. “Yes, I did put Dark Wing on a restraining order,” she confirmed, her voice steady despite the exhaustion that weighed heavily on her. “He was stalking us everywhere we went.”

The words hung in the air, heavy and unsettling. Solar Night Dust’s gaze sharpened, and for a moment, his anger shifted, as if the information had cracked through his carefully constructed facade.

“Stalking?” he repeated, his voice low and tense. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

Rarity sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly as the burden of everything they’d been through seemed to press down harder. “I couldn’t,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. “He wouldn’t leave us alone. He showed up at the shop, followed us when we went out. It was like we couldn’t breathe without him watching us. I had no choice.”

Im sorry I told him to protect him said Solar Night Dust.

Golden Dust trotted back upstairs, her little hooves echoing softly on the stairs. “Wiinngy!” she exclaimed as she burst into the room, her voice filled with the excitement of seeing her friend. Her face lit up as she approached Dark Wing, wrapping her small hooves around his leg in an unexpected but heartfelt hug.

“Wiinngy was real?” Rarity asked, her voice a mix of surprise and confusion. She hadn’t been sure what to think of the mysterious “Wiinngy” that Golden Dust had mentioned in passing.

Dark Wing smiled softly, crouching down to return the hug. “Yes, I’m real, little one,” he said, his voice warm and reassuring. "And you’re doing just fine.”

Golden Dust beamed up at him, her fear momentarily forgotten as she hugged him tightly. “I knew you were real, Winngy!” she declared, her little voice filled with joy.

Solar Night Dust looked at the scene, his heart conflicted. “Never mind,” he muttered to himself, the hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “You did a great job, Dark Wing.” There was an odd mixture of approval and resignation in his voice, as if acknowledging that, despite the chaos, some things were still being held together.

I bitt him and saw you mommy thats how I knew you were my mommy said golden dust.