It would seem that Dusk Shine should have taken Elusive’s offer to be escorted to where the pony in charge of music is. Dusk Shine took a few wrong turns and avoided anypony who seemed curious about what he is doing. Dusk Shine did not want to ask for directions nor did he want to be side tracked by conversation. Eventually he heard the song birds which have been orchestrated for the event.

Dusk Shine saw birds of a few varieties on a perch. There are blue ones, yellow ones, red ones, and a particularly big white one in the front. The conductor is a soft spoken yellow pegasus with a pink mane. Dusk Shine observes from a distance and learns that the orientation of the birds is meant for the best harmony. The white bird seems to be struggling with his solo and his chirp sounds more like a screech.

“Now now, don’t try too hard. The note is an F sharp not an E flat.” Says the yellow pegasus.

Dusk Shine walks over to him slowly and with a polite tone introduces himself, “Excuse me, my name is Dusk Shine –“

The yellow pegasus gasped and jumped backward. “H-h-hello, wh-what do you want?”

Confused Dusk Shine continued, “I’m here representing the King. I’m sorry for startling you. The birds sound wonderful.”

The pegasus squeaked “I-I’m Butter Scotch.”

Dusk Shine did not want to belabor the point, “Well, you seem like you are doing well here. I guess I’ll leave you to it.”

As Dusk Shine turned to walk away Butter Scotch cooed when he saw Scale riding on Dusk Shine’s back. “Who is this cute little creature?”

Scale enjoying the attention replies, “I’m Scale. I assist Dusk Shine in everything.”

“A talking baby dragon, that’s so adorable. What do dragons talk about? What do you eat? Tell me absolutely everything, don’t spare a single detail.”

Scale is smiling broadly and enthusiastically answers every one of Butter Scotch’s questions.
Dusk Shine sighed deeply and could not believe that Butter Scotch had not been as friendly to him. Butter Scotch followed them all the way to the library that would be Dusk Shine and Scale’s home.

Dusk Shine opened the door, “Thank you for following us all the way home Butter Scotch, but Scale needs to nap.”

“But, I’m not sleepy.” Replies Scale.

“Yes, you are.” Dusk Shine furiously whispers to Scale.

Butter Scotch snatches up Scale in his hooves, “In that case I would be happy to put her to bed for you.”

Almost disgusted at the idea, “That would not be necessary.” Replies Dusk Shine.

“Oh, it’s not a bother at all.” Cooed Butter Scotch. Scale jumped from Butter Scotch’s hooves and walks proudly inside.

“I appreciate that you want to help, but I have important stuff to do. I do not want to be rude, but you would only get in the way.”

Butter Scotch held his head low and walked away. Dusk Shine closed the door behind him and breathed a sigh of relief.

However, that relief did not last long as the lights snapped on it seemed almost everypony in Pony Central appeared out of nowhere to surprise Dusk Shine. Bubble Berry is in the center of the crowd and bounced toward Dusk Shine with a big smile. “Hi there Dusk. I told you I think of everything and so I have. Remember earlier? Well I had the idea that I should start the party here and then in a big parade like fashion walk to city hall and finish the party there.”

Dusk Shine just stood there in shock his mouth agape. Apple Jack walked from among the crowd to Bubble Berry. “He’s not gonna stay like that, is he?”

Elusive came up next to Apple Jack, “Should I get him a sweater or a soothing scarf?”

Rainbow Blitz hovered overhead, “I don’t think a nice set of clothes will solve this problem…yet. Allow me.” He gracefully landed in front of Dusk Shine and took a deep breath. “I’m going to tear up all your books!!!”

Everypony had to cover their ears while Rainbow Blitz shouted. Dusk Shine snapped out of his shock, but then started to hyper-ventilate. “Why…is …everypony… in here?”

Bubble Berry bounced high to answer the question, but the others quickly grabbed him before another incident could happen. “It was Berry’s idea Mr. Dusk Shine. He just wanted you to feel welcome is all. Elusive here even made a few new decorations. He was very careful putting them up, honest. I even catered, since you seemed to love all the food before.”

Dusk Shine kept gasping and Elusive patted his back to help him get air. “Thank you Elusive. It’s not that I’m not grateful. It's just that I have to do research on Dark Horse. If you four could join me in my room I have something to tell you.”

The door slowly creeks open, “Can I go with you too?” In the doorway Butter Scotch is standing there patting at the ground.

Smiling warmly at the yellow colt, Dusk Shine says, “Of course you can. Everypony else please don’t let this party go to waste.”

The rest of the town's ponies got back to partying, drinking punch and dancing to the music playing on a record. The mane six and Scale walked up to Dusk Shine’s room. He lit a candle and began to tell his new friends all about what he knows of Dark Horse. The boys listened patiently to the tale bewildered that they had not known they were in the presence of a Prince.

When Dusk Shine concluded Apple Jack spoke first, “Now why do you think Dark Horse will return after so much time?”

Dusk Shine thought on this, “I don’t know. However, I do know that my father would not have sent me here for nothing.”

Rainbow Blitz spoke up, “If this Dark Horse does plan on coming back I’ll take care of him. How bad can he be?”

“Let me give you an idea. While He was Prince Tenebrae and little after he bacame Dark Horse He was powerful enough to control the moon and he is mostly responsible for why this world is not a wasteland.” Replied Dusk Shine.

“Now I believe we all have ponies we want to protect. So, it is everypony’s best interest to assist Mr. Dusk Shine in any way we can.” Says Apple Jack. The group nods in agreement.

“The most important thing right now is to keep this party going. Maybe Dark Horse really likes parties and will be very happy to join us.” Bubble Berry blurted as the idea struck him.

“I agree.” Said Dusk Shine to everyponies surprise. "Right now, we are not even sure if Dark Horse will even return. What's best right now is to act like nothing bad is going to happen."

Author's Note

Don't be fooled by the chapter title. There will be more. This only says that the preparation for the celebration is over.