The Little Package

Dusk ran as fast as he could in the night. His wings burned with pain due to him flying furiously as soon as he was outside. He could feel his legs start to burn as well, his brain was telling him to stop, but he didn't want to. He just wanted to see the one pony that he knew he could trust fully. The one pony that wasn't lying or hiding things from him. He could see the lights from Sweet Apple Acres slowly coming into view as he started to slow down to a walk, to the relief of his tired and sore muscles. As he walked on the dark dirt road  towards the farm, he found out just how much he had been running when his own legs gave out and the alicorn colt face planted in the dirt. Tears filled his vision again, not because he was angry anymore... he was sad, cold and scared. He wanted his mother. Not Twilight Sparkle either. He wanted his real mother, the one in the picture... he wanted Princess Luna.

As he picked himself up from the dirt after sobbing for a few minutes. A glow coming from the full moon above, starting first as a twinkle, and growing till it was so bright that Dusk had to cover his eyes. After the flash, Dusk blinked his eyes to see the site of a dark blue alicorn mare standing in front of him. Her magnificent wings were fully extended as she made her way closer to him. Her azure eyes were glazed over in a brilliant white light that slowly faded back to normal. She gave him a gentle smile as Dusk, unknowingly, started to move towards the Princess of The Night. He stopped just shy of her and cowered down as he felt a hoof rubbing through his mane, and bringing him in for a hug. Dusk made a note of tears swelling in Princess Luna's eyes, and, hesitantly, returned her hug.

They didn't say anything; they didn't have to say anything, they just stood there and held each other. Dusk basked in the warmth of his mother. She was different than how it felt when Twilight held him. Dusk broke off the hug after a few moments and stared into his mother's azure eyes. Sure she was his mother, but she had some questions to answer before he could accept it completely.

“Why?” That's all he asked, it was all he needed to ask. He felt tears swelling up in his eyes again as he stared up at the princess. “Why did you leave me?”

Princess Luna lay down next to the orange colt and brought him in close to her, using her wing to offer a type of blanket against the chilly night air. “My dearest son. I’m sorry for doing this to you. But you must understand when I say this to you. I brought you here, and had Twilight Sparkle take my place as your mother because of how much I loved you. For you see... there is a certain pony out there who is out for both you, me, and my sister.

“His name is Heatwave, he is mine and Clestia's uncle.” Dusk felt his mother shake at his name, “Long ago, after our victory over Discord, Heatwave sought control over the rule of Equestria. Claiming that he was the rightful heir to the throne, he raised a rebellion and led an assault on the Royal City. Needless to say, the rebellion as a complete disaster. Having lost both his wings in the attack, both me and my sister tried to show him mercy and compassion.” Princess Luna shook her head in frustration, “He wouldn't hear of it, instead he chose banishment. This stripped him of his royal status, and everything he had. He was sent to the Badlands, where we had hoped he would've met his end.

Shortly after you were born, we received word that he was seen prowling the streets of Canterlot. We knew his first plan of action would be to get rid of you if he got the chance. So, in the secrecy of a stormy night I brought you here. To remain safe until we dealt with him.” Luna nuzzled her son affectionately on the cheek, “You see my dearest son, I never wanted to abandon you. It tore me up to leave you with somepony else.” Dusk nuzzled into his mother's neck, then another question popped into his head.

“Twilight mentioned something about a Sunny Day. Was he my father?” Princess Luna's pupils shrank when the name reached her ears. A small quiver reached her bottom lip as she fought back tears in front of Dusk.

“He was, and he loved you dearly. I had never been so in love with a stallion as I was with your father. And he loved me just the same. We met shortly after my return, he would always find ways to try to brighten my day.” The princess laughed. Dusk noticed the tears flowing from her eyes, and got closer to her. “Anyway, after a few months of seeing each other, we had you. And then... we lost him.” Princess Luna couldn't hid her sobs from Dusk anymore as she held onto her son tightly, Dusk closed his eyes and just nuzzled deeper into his mother's chest. He already knew, and he didn't want to see her anymore hurt. His mother took hold of his shoulders and held him in front of her, “You remind me some much of him. You have so much of him inside of you.” With a large grin she gave Dusk another large hug. Dusk wished it could have continued forever, but a call in the night broke their embrace.

“Applebloom! Where are you?!” An orange mare was frantically walking down the dirt road. She didn't have her stetson on, and her blonde mane and tail was a mess. She noticed where Princess Luna and Dusk were laying down at and galloped to them. Princess Luna stood up at the approaching mare.

“Applejack, is something wrong?”

Applejack was breathing hard, her eyes were full of fear and terror, she shook her head at the princess and spoke, “It's Applebloom, Princess, she's nowhere to be found. She's gone.”

Dusk felt his legs go limp with the news that Applejack had just given. He couldn't believe what Applejack was saying, yet he had to believe it. She wasn't the Element of Honesty for nothing and he knew it. He felt the princess wrap a wing around him as she continued talking to the frightened mare.

“Applejack, are you sure she's not just staying at a friends house or anything of that matter?”

Applejack shook her head, wiping away any tears she had in her eyes. “No, she'd normally tell me or Big Mac if she was gonna do somethin'. Least Ah seen her was when Dusk brought her home a few days ago, after that Ah was off with Rainbow Dash till today.” Dusk made his way out of his mother's wing and went to hug Applejack, who graciously accepted his gesture. Dusk looked up at Applejack and gave her a confident smile, his magenta eyes seemed to burn with passion as he spoke to the farmer.

“Don't you worry, Applejack, we'll find her. Even if it takes us all week.” Dusk suddenly felt insecure and threatened as he slowly started to turn around. Applejack and Princess Luna followed his gaze as a figure stepped out of the shadows and into the full moons light. He was dark red, scars went up his sides where his wings used to be. His black mane was slicked back against his head. His fiery red eyes burned through Dusk as he looked at him. Judging by how his mother was shaking, this was Heatwave.

“I believe zat a search party von't be necessary.” His voice sounded like somepony placed marbles inside a metal drum and started to swish it around. “You see, I found zis beautiful young filly on her vay from school, and I decided zat she vas perfect for my plan.”

Dusk felt his anger start to swell inside of him, “Where is she!?” he lowered his stance and shot blades at Heatwave through his eyes. The dark red stallion let out a menacing chuckle.

“Ah, young Dusk Shine, I have heard of you. You see, I have kept a very close eye one you vile you ver in Ponyville. Of course, I’m sure zat you don't vant to challenge me,” His eyes became red slits as he stared down the alicorn colt, “zat is unless you vish to see your filly friend hurt?” an orange aura shone from his horn as he started to drag something from behind him. Slowly the form of Applebloom appeared, around her neck was a collar and a leash that was being held by Heatwave's magic.

Heatwave turned towards the shocked group with an evil grin stretching across his face. “Now, my dear Luna, give me your son.”