Auroram Usque Opacare

by Reeve

Rating: teen
Tags: Slice of Life, Dark
Length: 22943

Four years have passed, and things have only gotten worse

This is a sequel to Fractum Speculum
Four years have gone by since the horrors that unfolded in Ponyville, and now Equestria is merely a shadow of its former self… where once it was a land of harmony, now only hate and bitterness grow as the pony races turn against one another… with the land at the brink of self destruction, two ordinary individuals who have never met before find themselves thrown into the middle of the chaos, perhaps for a purpose they don't yet understand.

Chapter 21 has been excluded intentionally, and will remain absent until I can… finish it, however I assure you it's absence does not damage the flow of the story

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2013-04-10 21:30:02 UTC

Chapters 1-5

One

The crowds roared in unison, chanting their slogans of ‘Earth Ponies shall inherit the earth!’ and ‘Equestria for the working class!’ the red pony watched this from a distance, preferring not to get involved directly. It looked like no number of peace negotiations could pacify this lot, and what were they so riled up over? Because one unicorn walked into earth pony territory because he needed to buy food for his family.

The pony sighed and continued on his way. There was a light breeze which lifted his short cropped mane; he shook his head to remove the fiery orange hairs from obscuring his vision. As he entered a side street the noise of the protestors was reduced considerably. He continued down the familiar route, stopping briefly to give a nod to passing ponies, whom he vaguely knew from sight. As he reached the red brick structure standing at the street corner, he knocked one hoof twice on the heavy door.

Waiting for a minute, he began to tap one hoof on the ground impatiently, when at last the door was dragged open by a heavy set work horse covered in soot. Seeing the blue workers jacket the pony was wearing he nodded and let him pass through. He walked into the room, receiving general signals of acknowledgment from passing workers. As he passed through the main room he glanced over at a small crowd gathered beneath a speaker. All held newspapers in their mouths and listened intently to the propaganda echoing out.

“It is your duty, as proud members of the United Workers Force, to represent our noble cause at the parade this coming Sunday.”

The pony walked on shaking his head slightly. Officially he was a member of the UWF, but he hadn’t attended a single meeting, he only registered so he wouldn’t be made redundant. Not that he enjoyed his job here at the factory, but his parents depended on him to support them, and jobs had long since become a rarity in Manehatten. He approached the min desk and announced himself to the secretary busying herself with worker reports.

“Dusk, signing in for eight o’clock shift.”

The secretary nodded briefly, quickly ticking him off and getting back to her own work. Dusk moved off heading for the elevator. Currently the area was packed with packed with ponies who’d just finished their shift and were now stifling their yawns as they went to collect their bits for the day. Dusk could see that with this crowd he wasn’t going to get into the elevator any time soon, so instead he went around the crowd and began descending the stairs. The stairwell was considerably less packed, and with no speakers here Dusk was able to escape the politics for a brief moment while he trotted down two floors to where he worked in maintenance.

As he approached the door to his station he could hear the rumble and the high pitch whine of active machinery, and the steady hiss of leaking steam. He pushed through entering the low ceiling room lit only by a solitary bulb, flickering occasionally. Dusk approached the desk where another colt, slightly older than himself, sat with his legs propped up, leaning back with the newspaper open.

“Any news Derek?” Dusk enquired taking a seat opposite him.

“I’m barely reading it,” he replied, not making a secret of his boredom, “the riots have died down in Vanhoover, but Los Pegasus has tightened the security at its checkpoints.”

They sat in silence for a few minutes, when Derek glanced at the console to his right.

“I’m going to check out that leak we had yesterday, see how the patch is holding up.” He threw the newspaper down on the table and slowly wandered out of sight. Dusk remained still for a short while before reaching out for Derek’s discarded newspaper, the Manehatten Express. He read the headline on the front cover and wasn’t surprised, ‘Neigh Sayers reject UWF reforms.’ This was going to cause a stir; Dusk wouldn’t be surprised if they got pulled out of work right now to attend a mandatory strike.

Derek returned and saw him scanning the main article.

“This will just provide more reason for them to assume the Unicorns are trying to oppress them.” Dusk didn’t reply, a part of him recognised the economic struggle the earth ponies had faced since the Neigh Sayers were elected, but it didn’t justify all this violence.

“I’m going to have a walk around, see if anything needs done.” Dusk said passing the newspaper back and walked off, taking note of readings different consoles were showing on the way. “Pressure seems normal” he hollered back, Derek just grunted in response.

While he carried on he occasionally tapped a hoof against the pipe work, listening closely to check for anything that would hint at wear in the metal. It was all routine stuff, Dusk generally didn’t bother, but the increase in demand for electricity and water made it more important that these machines were kept up to check. He heard a soft dripping, and as he crouched down he could see there was a small leak in the base of one of the tanks. He removed a flash light from his jacket pocket and crawled under, clenching it between his teeth.

The leak didn’t look like anything too bad, but if it was ignored it could easily get worse and then they’d have another situation like yesterday on their hooves. He took a small spanner from his pocket and began tightening the bolts along the seam. He then covered the section with some duct tape. Easy enough, putting his tools away he shone the torch over it again making sure he didn’t miss anything. There was a thin coat of oil gathered around where the leak had been, better clean it so the metal doesn’t stain. He looked about and saw a sheet of an old newspaper. As he lifted it up to the metal ready to wipe away the dribble of oil, the light from his torch revealed the headline.

‘Princess Celestia abdicates.’ Dusk stared at the article, he read the date the newspaper had been published and he remembered that day… three years ago. Then the siren began, the noise slicing through the air. Dusk was dragged back to reality, only to wonder what had happened now.

Two

The Friendship Express sped down the line, Manehatten peering over the horizon, with the ocean stretching out behind it. The pony sat back in her seat, tearing her eyes from the view she looked back at the Pegasus opposite her. She’d never met her before today, but after a slight confusion with their luggage they found they got along quite well. So they’d sat together trading stories all the way from Baltimare.

“I’m just a little worried the guards may not let me through,” the Pegasus said nervously. The pony smiled kindly, hoping it would reassure her.

“It’ll be fine. Manehatten has no problem with pegasi, you’ll see Violet.” Violet still didn’t look sure.

“But you’ve never been to Manehatten since the troubles began.” Violet said frowning.

“No I haven’t, but my aunt writes to me and she says it’s not as bad as the media portrays it.”

“I hope you’re right Dawn.”

They remained silent for the final minutes of the journey. When the train entered the outskirts of Manehatten, Dawn looked out the window again and watched the stout brick houses roll by. They felt the train slowing and she saw the station approaching. Turning to face Violet in time to see her gulp down her anxiety. The platform came into view and Dawn stared out across the sea of ponies gathered at the station. The train came to a complete stop and Dawn stood up reaching for her case in the overhead compartment.

Together they shuffled from the compartment and stepped onto the overcrowded platform. Staying close to each other they began weaving between commuters making for the exit to the street. Once there they’d get a cab to Dawn’s aunt’s house. Due to a complication in the booking of Violet’s hotel room, Dawn had offered to put her up for a couple nights until she could get it sorted. While in the hustle and bustle of the station they went by unnoticed, but now at the exit, Dawn noticed they were getting some stares. At first she thought it was her bright yellow coat and red mane, next to the grey and brown locals of Manehatten she clearly stood out.

But when they got out onto the street it became apparent Dawn wasn’t the focus of their attention. The entire street which had been deafeningly noisy a few seconds ago was now eerily silent. Passerbys stopped dead in their tracks, staring in horror at Violet. Dawn’s stomach sank as she took in her surroundings; every pony in the street… was an earth pony. Then the siren started.

The crowd began converging in on them forcing them down the street. Where were they going? Violet was panicking now; Dawn could see her wings fluttering and knew what she was planning.

“Don’t fly, it’ll make things worse.” Violent conceded but she remained terrified. Eventually they reached a makeshift barricade made from stacks of sheet metal and wooden palates. Across the barricade the words ‘pegasi territory’ was daubed in red paint.

They were made to stop next to the barricade, and the mob became silent, waiting for something or somepony. After a minute the crowd began to make space for a small procession to walk down between them. All the ponies wore identical blue badges with the letters UWF inscribed on them, and leading the herd was a pony known all across Equestria. His name was Troy Claxon, the president of the United Workers Force. Dawn had seen him all over the news everyday for the last year, usually because he was stirring agitation regarding the ‘sufferings’ of the earth ponies.

“Look here comrades, once again the ‘noble’ pegasi spit on our customs and stray where they’re not welcome,” he announced to the crowd receiving cries of outrage. “Well we proud, hard working earth ponies will not stand for it. We’ll send them where they belong, the self righteous pegasi and any who would aid them.

Dawn knew he was referring to her, guilty by association. There was an almighty cheer from the crowd as a dozen or so began converging in on them.

Dawn felt helpless as their cases were snatched from them, then she watched as the rough ponies rummaged through them stealing anything that looked valuable and spreading the rest across the crowd.

“Alright Pegasus, get over that wall, and take your friend with you,” one of the ponies ordered. Violet hesitated and the ponies began advancing menacingly, but they were stopped by Claxon shouting out once more.

“Hold on, don’t send them off just yet.” Dawn saw that another pony had stepped forward and was now debating animatedly with Claxon, who seemed annoyed at the interruption but then changed his expression as whatever the pony had said sank in.

Claxon approached Dawn; the crowd had gone silent watching with great apprehension.

“What is your name?” he demanded. Dawn was caught so off guard it took her a second to remember.

“Dawn... sir,” she stammered.

“And tell me Dawn, what is your profession?” he could barely conceal the icy tone in his voice.

“I was a teacher in Baltimare. I was offered to fill a position here...” she trailed but he nodded approvingly. Then turning his back on her he addressed the crowd again.

“To associate with an outsider is a great crime, however in these desperate times we cannot afford to turn on one another. We must join hooves with all earth ponies if we are to be strong enough to obtain what we’ve been fighting for.”

The crowd was hesitant in its applause at first, but soon became more enthusiastic. The mob got the message and spread out so Dawn could leave. She turned briefly to see Violent nodding her on, she looked back apologetically, but not saying anything. She stepped out of the clearing and joined the crowd, she didn’t dare ask for her things back. Satisfied Claxon also returned to the group of UWF members, the pony who’d spoken to him before he had his change of heart was trying to make himself scarce but Claxon approached him specifically. It was only now Dawn took in the appearance of the pony who’d saved her, because she was sure if not for what he said, Claxon would not have let her stay. He had a red coat, short cropped orange mane and a blue workers jacket.

Dawn watched them walk off together, Claxon talking intimately to him while he looked awkward and uncomfortable. With Claxon away the crowd’s attention returned to Violet who was now being encroached upon. Reluctantly she spread her wings and began to flap up over the barricade, while the ponies all around Dawn shouted abuse at her. Just before Violet passed over the ridge an egg flew out of nowhere striking her on the head, she was thrown off course slightly and the crowd guffawed at her expense. Disgusted and ashamed, Dawn turned and fled the scene. She had to get to her aunts apartment, she didn’t want to be out on the streets a minute longer.

Three

Dusk was never one for speaking out; political agitation was particularly unappealing to him. He preferred to just look the other way; after all it had nothing to do with him. So then why had he approached Claxon and appealed to him to let a mare he’d never met and probably would never see again stay?

As soon as he heard the siren Dusk knew somepony had strayed where they shouldn’t have. Although he didn’t want to go, it would be risky not to, lest he was discovered. It wouldn’t go down well not to be seen supporting the UWF, let alone if you were a member as Dusk was. So reluctantly he left the factory with the other workers and flocked down the street to the east barricade. He never wore his UWF badge so he just mingled with the other ponies rather than walk in Claxon’s procession.

What followed was nothing new to him; these events had become increasingly more common in the last several months. Nor was it uncommon for an earth pony to be punished for ‘siding with the enemy’, but Dusk just couldn’t stand idle this time, and with every instinct in his body screaming otherwise he stepped out of line and approached Claxon.

Convincing him wasn’t as hard as he’d thought, he just made the simple argument that Claxon would look better among his own people if he were to be forgiving. Of course he lapped up any possibility of improving his image and so he permitted her to stay. After that Dusk just wanted to get away, but Claxon wasn’t having any of it, nobody challenged his authority and just walked away. Claxon briefly asked him to identify himself; he stated his name and UWF number: 3689. Claxon then asked him to accompany him back to his office.

The journey had been deathly quiet; Claxon clearly had no interest in talking until they reached their destination. Arriving at the old town hall, now used as the head quarters of the UWF, they navigated the corridors searching for Claxon’s office. Upon entering Claxon invited him to take a seat opposite his desk, he then poured two glasses of cider offering one to Dusk.

“You should know Dusk,” he began at last, “ponies don’t often argue with me once I’ve made a decision.”

Dusk remained silent; if he was going to be punished Claxon wouldn’t have bothered with the little courtesies, so what was coming?

“And frankly, it’s a relief to find somepony who has a mind of his own.” Dusk was taken aback by this but still he said nothing. “I’m trying to run a national organisation, I’m trying to improve the quality of life for us earth ponies, is it too much to ask for a pony with ideas instead of more yes-colts?”

Dusk realised after a second of silence he was actually asking, “not at all sir.”

“Look at that and tell me what you think,” he tossed a newspaper across the desk to Duck, leaning over he read the same headline he’d seen that morning, ‘Neigh Sayers reject UWF reforms.’

“It sounds like they’re feeling threatened,” Dusk said at last. While he didn’t for a second believe that, he felt it’s what Claxon wanted to hear.

“Exactly, we spent a good week drafting that bill, everything we asked for was completely reasonable.” Claxon stood up walking over to the window, “were going to try again, but this time we’re really going to put the screws to them.”

“Politically?” Dusk enquired afraid of the answer.

“That would be preferable, but we’re not ruling anything out.” Turning back he continued, “We have major support routed in the cities, but it’s the ponies on the farms we need. They represent deep seated tradition and family values that we need to push this campaign forward, and I need somepony on the ground I can rely on to get their support.”

Oh no. This is what you get for opening your mouth.

“I appreciate the offer,” Dusk said which couldn’t be further from the truth.

“Good, I knew you were the kind of pony I could depend on.” Seating himself behind his desk again he continued, “Now, I’ll need you on a train tomorrow. Ponyville, Appleloosa and Dodge City. That’s three stops and not a lot of time. Do whatever it takes to convince them to support our cause.”

Dusk sighed and responded, “you can count on me sir.”

Four

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Dawn demanded, her aunt just stared back sadly at her.

“I didn’t want to put you off coming, and I didn’t think you’d be affected.” Dawn had arrived at her aunt’s apartment only ten minutes ago and she didn’t hesitate in venting her emotions regarding the day’s events.

“I came here hoping to get away from all this.” She fell into the sofa pressing her face into the cushions.

“It’ll be over soon, you’ll see,” her aunt said soothingly.

Dawn lifted her head up and turned to face her aunt. She was getting on in her years but her eyes still bore youth.

“What happened April?” Dawn asked all aggression evaporating from her voice, “Equestria was founded on harmony.”

April nodded sadly, “and for a long time it was, even in time of Discord, harmony shone through the chaos. The same will happen this time; you just need to give it time.”

Dawn went straight to her room, she hadn’t eaten since the train journey but she’d lost any appetite she might have had. She lay on her bed staring at the ceiling. Then with her hoof she traced a six pointed star in the air above her while repeating the words in her head.

“Honesty, kindness, generosity, laughter, loyalty, and magic.” Give it time, and harmony would return. How much time did they have to give?

Five

Dusk sat in his house, or rather, his parent’s house. It didn’t matter that it was a mild day, the house was always freezing. He looked over at his father curled up in bed wrapped with blankets, staring into space. He’d been like that for a long time, ever since...

For the second time that day, Dusk thought back to the day, three years ago. At that time he was working as an apprentice engineer in his father’s shop. They had considerably more money back then, not so much that they could retire, but enough to live reasonably comfortable lives. Dusk’s parents had been devoted loyalists; they respected and adored the princess.

But then the protests that had been raging for months came to a head with the assassination of the royal steward. Princess Celestia finally gave into demand, making her first public appearance in almost a year to announce the abdication of her and her family. Dusk had seen something leave his father that day, and ever since then he was never the same.

His mother, though shocked, tried to adjust to the regime that followed, and while she lost her job, unluckily at the same time the shop ran out of business, she never let it get her down the same way his father had. When he came home and told them what happened she glanced over at his father who hadn’t reacted to the news, she then looked back saying simply, “be careful what you’re getting into.”

He had what little possessions he owned in a brown saddle bag, he would wear his workers jacket as it was one of the few items of clothing he had. He knew it was too early to be packing; the train wasn’t until midday tomorrow. But he had nothing else to do. Then suddenly his father turned his head to face Dusk.

“This is the end you know.” Dusk knew his father to come out with random statements, but that was a little dark even for him.

“End of what dad?”

“The end of all harmony, of Equestria itself.”

Dusk looked down at his hooves not wanting to meet his father’s gaze any more. People often said his father was crazy, and often he’d agree with them, but right now he could help silently saying, “I think you’re right there.”

He picked himself up and went into the next room lying on his bed. It had been a stressful day, and now he couldn’t even get to sleep there were so many thoughts in his head. The day three years ago. The protests. The riots. That mare. And strangest of all, what a waste of an egg that had been.

Chapters 6-10

Six

Dawn awoke suddenly in the night. She glanced at the clock and saw it was one in the morning. Sitting up she parted her curtains slightly and scanned the street. All seemed quiet, but then she saw one figure, a young colt spray painting on the wall. She watched this curious to see what he was doing. When he was done he quickly scarpered and Dawn could see the red painting. It showed a unicorn hanging from a tree with the words ‘erth poni zone’ inscribed beneath.

Leaving the room she crept down the hall, trying not to wake April. In the kitchen she took a swig of milk then sat down in one of the arm chairs. She surveyed the bookcase looking for some good reading material, when her eyes fell on what looked like a photo album. Removing it from the shelf she saw it was actually a scrap book of newspaper cuttings. April was very meticulous in some ways; the book was laid out in chronological order. She leafed through it not looking for anything in particular but then something caught her attention.

It was a series of articles she remembered very well. The first was headlined ‘massacre in Ponyville’. Nopony in Equestria could have not heard of the events that took place almost four years ago, they were the events that led to end of the monarchy and beginning of a republic for Equestria. And eventually the crisis they were in now. Reading the articles she recalled how the princess had withdrawn into herself following the death of her student; trust the tabloid to dig up sensitive details like that. With the failure of her sister Princess Luna to run the kingdom, even with the aid of their niece Cadence, there began the first of many protests demanding Celestia step down.

As Dawn watched the protest unfold back in her family home in Baltimare she was silently screaming for the princess to come out and defend herself, but she never did, and that just made the dissenters all the more angry. Then there was a tragedy, the royal steward was murdered in the royal gardens. The criminals responsible tried to justify their actions by pointing out he was a dragon after all. But Dawn couldn’t accept that excuse; he was only a baby dragon.

Seven

Dusk stepped onto the platform rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. He’d arrived early as he knew if he’d stayed in the house he’d just have to listen to his mother fret over what he was going to do. While he waited he began watching ponies milling about on their way to work, they were all earth ponies and they all looked fed up with life. While he stood their came a whine from one of the overhead speakers that was used to announce when trains were approaching, but instead he heard a voice reporting the events of yesterday.

Having been there he didn’t pay any attention, but then tuned in as he heard something else mentioned.

“Needless to say Mr Claxon is the head of the UWF, formed a year ago in response to the outrage sparked by the Horn Act introduced by the Neigh Sayers.” The voice echoed out. Dusk remembered that act, and the out cry that came with it.

Ever since the republic was declared, somepony spoke up that they were being treated unfairly. Measures would be introduced and a different pony would complain they were the ones being discriminated against as the changes weren’t beneficial for them. And so the ball would be knocked back and forth between Earth ponies, pegasi and unicorns. The Neigh Sayers, which consisted mainly of unicorns, introduced the Horn Act to end discontent among unicorns by enhancing their civil liberties while at the same time reducing the earth ponies.

Unicorns made more bits, unicorns received priority when applying for work, and unicorns could take higher offices than any other pony. And so the ball of discontent was spiked into the earth ponies’ court, and had been stuck there for a whole year. The pegasi preferred to stay neutral in what followed, however their lack of assertive decision making alienated them from the unicorns while Claxon declared mythical ponies were just as bad as magical ponies.

Dusk was brought back to the present by a train slowing down in front of him; it wasn’t even announced on the speaker, since they weren’t allowed to interrupt the ‘news report’. Dusk stepped on to the train, surprised to see how empty the carriage was. First stop Dodge City.

Eight

Dawn readied herself for work, she hadn’t strayed out of the apartment in two days since she arrived, but now school was starting and she couldn’t digress any longer. April had made a cooked breakfast for her, she guessed it must have cost her a lot and swore she’d work to pay her back for the kindness she’d been shown.

As she walked towards the door ready to leave, April approached her.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about the situation here.” Dawn saw she meant it and smiled appreciatively.

“Its alright, what’s done is done,” she replied.

“Be careful out there,” April called after her as she left the building.

Walking down the street she noticed the graffiti that she’d seen sprayed that night. Nopony had tried to wash it off. She briefly took in the caption ‘erth poni zone’. She then wondered how long the teaching position had been vacant for before they asked her to fill it. She continued on her way, her eyes sweeping over the squat brick houses spouting plumes of smoke from their roofs. As she reached the street corner she approached what she assumed was a factory with a heavy door.

As she got closer the door smashed open and a group of struggling ponies came tumbling out. They were all colts built for heavy labour. She stopped in her tracks not wanting to get too close. It looked like four ganging up on one, who tried to get up and run away but was tackled down. Horrified she watched as the four began kicking him while he lay in the ground. After about a couple minutes they seemed to lose interest and walked back inside leaving the injured colt lying on the road bloody and bruised.

Ponies passing by just glanced the other way and walked around him, nopony offering to help. She began making her way forward determined to do something, but as she got close a leg came out in front of her stopping her from getting close. She turned to see a heavy workhorse covered from mane to hoof in soot and grime.

“Don’t draw any more attention to yourself,” he warned. She thought he was threatening her but then realised he was talking in a hushed tone.

“Why did they do that?” she asked appalled.

“After the scene you made the other day, they found out he didn’t leave his post as he was supposed to and come down to join the mob.”

Dawn remembered the siren and how ponies seemed to charge out of nowhere forming together.

“This can’t be legal,” she said angrily. He just looked down at her sadly.

“Who’s going to stop them?” he turned to go back into the factory. As he went she heard him say, “Sorry Derek.”

He closed the door behind him leaving Derek on the pavement. Dawn considered helping him anyway, but she knew from the way passing ponies looked at her, she was still high profile. If she did this she might get chucked out, or end up like Derek.

Reluctantly she continued on her way trying not to think about the pony she’d left behind. She’d get to school; she’d start work and forget all about this. She couldn’t be far now, but as she got closer she could hear some commotion taking place. It sounded similar to the crowd she’d encountered when she arrived; she prayed it wasn’t somepony else getting harassed, but as she turned the final corner to the school she saw, it was much worse.

The crowd wasn’t massive like the last one had been, but big enough. They were all dressed similarly so their faces were covered. They swore and shouted at the building flinging bricks and bottles at it from over the fence. The school itself was wrecked, the windows were smashed, the walls chipped, the doors buckled off their frames. Dawn saw fillies being herded by their teachers to a safe distance, some were crying, other more boisterous ones were cheering the rioters on.

From where she stood she could tell all the ponies in the crowd were relatively young, they looked like they should be in their final years of school themselves. Then she saw one colt charge out of the front doors, his face covered in a scarf. The crowd tensed and Dawn feared what was going to happen next. There was an almighty explosion from the entrance hall, burning fragments of wood and various pieces of debris flying out. The crowd cheered and laughed as the fire spread quickly, clearly they threw some kind of fuel around.

The crowd dispersed quickly after that, and Dawn wondered where the fire department was. She approached the huddled group of school ponies and teachers.

“Excuse me,” she announced to the mare who was trying to calm them all down, “I’m the new teacher, what’s going on here?”

She turned around and looked sadly at Dawn, the same look she’d received from the pony back at the factory, a resigned look. “I’m afraid you won’t be teaching here,” she said pointing out the obvious, “somepony heard we were teaching unicorn history and, well you see the result.”

Dawn stood stunned at this. The segregation, the hanging unicorn drawing, the attack at the factory and now this. This wasn’t a fight for equal rights… this was fascism. Dawn stayed to help make sure the fillies got home safely, before returning home. She took the long way back to avoid passing the factory again, but instead she passed by the old town hall. Looking up she saw a banner stretched across the whole face of the building. It bore the two main aims of the UWF, but below it was a third statement which had been added recently, it read ‘the only good unicorn is a dead unicorn’.

Nine

Dusk yawned as he stepped off the train. The past few days had been exhausting. He never thought he’d be working in PR, strutting around Appleloosa and Dodge City trying to coerce ponies who just wanted to be left in peace to get on with their work. If asked how successful the trip had been, he’d say it was mixed. Yes they’d agreed to support the bill, but he guessed they just said that so he’d leave them alone.

And now here he was in Ponyville. It was strange to be walking around a town that several years ago barely made it onto the map, but was now famous for all the history its name carried. Of course most of that was down to the massacre that knocked all of Equestria off its hooves. The notion of murder was almost non existent until those days, and wasn’t just one isolated incident, residents, animal and an entire battalion of guards were slaughtered.

The other members of the UWF seemed excited to be here and were already talking about sight seeing. Dusk didn’t have it in him to tell them they were here to do work, so he decided to let them go about their own business while he took this opportunity to get a brake from politics and find something physical to do.

It was quiet as he walked along the street, nopony seemed happy there. He decided he’d leave the town itself and find a farm; they were bound to have work there needing done. However he was surprised to discover that for a rural town like this, there weren’t farms scattered all around as he’d expected. Dusk asked a passing pony who was delivering the mail, she explained all the farm land had belonged to one farm and it had closed down years ago. Disappointed but not deterred, he made his way for it, if only to see what kind of a place it was.

It didn’t take him long to find, he reached the perimeter fence, easily identifiable as it was surrounding what used to be an apple orchard. Following the fence he arrived at the main gates. A sign read ‘Sweet Apple Acres’, but beneath it somepony had written ‘closed for good’. He wasn’t sure why but something about that sign made him feel a twinge of sadness.

Looking up the lane he saw an abandoned farm house and a barn, to his surprise there was activity in the barn, the gate was still locked though. He decided to check it out. Taking a step back he ran at the gate and jumped, clearing it easily. Landing on the other side he began walking towards the barn. Closer now he could hear banging of metal on metal and as he reached the open door he peered in and saw the barn was packed with farm equipment. Tractors and horse drawn ploughs were only the beginning, and in the centre of the barn he saw a unicorn hammer out some sheet metal to make what appeared to be an aviary.

He looked up as Dusk entered the barn.

“Hey there, how can I help you?” he said seemeing friendly enough.

“Sorry I was just looking around; I was told this place was closed down,” Dusk enquired.

“Aye it is, but the local council gave me permission to this barn,” he said. While he was talking he continued working using his magic.

“You build bird houses?” Dusk asked pointing at the aviary.

“Build and fix just about anything, and yourself?”

Dusk smiled at this, in all the destinations he’d been to that week he had yet to find anyone he could relate to. He glanced at his flank which his cutie mark, a spanner. He received it when he first started working with his dad in the shop; he became pretty popular at school for getting his so early. He ended up dropping out, seeing no reason to continue his education when he’d already found what he was good at and he didn’t need books to help him with it.

“Funny enough I’m the same,” he informed him, “I work as maintenance in a factory in Manehatten, but before that I worked at my dad’s repair shop.”

“Well what do you know; nice to find someone you have something in common with. The names Arty.” He said extending a hoof.

“Dusk.” He replied meeting his hoof, he warmed to Arty instantly.

“Well it’s a pleasure. Tell me Dusk, what brings you to Ponyville?” Dusk froze, could he tell Arty his real reason for being here, he was a unicorn after all, he didn’t want to antagonise him.

“Just a break you know, Manehatten’s good and all but occasionally you need a change of scenery to stop yourself going mad,” Dusk said and Arty laughed in response, he felt slightly guilty for lying but he figured it was a better alternative to being associated with extremists.

“Oh boy, tell me about it. I’m from Filly Delphia myself, moved here a year or two back. Only supposed to be a here a month for my health but when the time came to leave id already felt more at home here than I ever did where I came from.”

“A year or two, so you weren’t here during that… incident?” he could help inquiring, but Arty didn’t seem to mind.

“Nope, when I got here everypony was trying to move away from being associated with it. I learned its better not to bring it up with most folk here.” Dusk nodded, he’d remember that. “Hey, you wouldn’t mind lending me a hoof with this here would yah?” Arty asked.

“You don’t have to ask me twice,” Dusk responded. They made quick work of the bird house and moved onto some other bigger machines, it was nearly night fall before Dusk remembered what he was supposed to be doing. He explained he had to leave and they said their farewells, Arty invited him to come back the next day.

Walking back into Ponyville he asked a passing pony where Sugarcube Corner was, as that was where they had been invited to stay during their time in Ponyville. The stranger was helpful enough, pointing him in the right direction. When he arrived he met the other members of the UWF gathered in the main shop conversing with the owners. The two didn’t seem pleased to have them staying there, but didn’t say anything.

“Dusk, where have you been all day?” one of the members asked.

“Just getting a feel for the place, and I lost track of time.” He lied; he knew it wouldn’t go down well if they knew he’d spent the day with a unicorn. “We’ll get to work tomorrow; let’s just get some rest now.” He announced. They thanked their hosts and made for the vacant apartment above the shop. Strange, Dusk noticed foals’ toys but saw no sign of the foals themselves anywhere.

There was only one bed in the room, and a series of camp beds the owners had set up for them. Dusk offered the bed to anyone who wanted it, but they all seemed insistent he sleep in it. Deciding not to question this he accepted. He found sleep came easily, and when he awoke it was pitched black, and the other members were nowhere to be seen.

Ten

Dawn couldn’t sleep that night; in fact she was having trouble sleeping any night since the incident at the school. When she arrived back April picked up on her shaking and predicted what must have happened. She wanted to lock herself in her room and have nothing more to do with the city, but April insisted she leave the house with her from time to time.

April didn’t work, a number of years ago she received a large inheritance from a late husband and was able to retire on it. However the money was quickly disappearing in recent months with inflation so high. It was the main reason Dawn had chosen to live with her, having a job meant she could support April, who’d always been kind to her.

A couple times they left the house and travelled the short distance to the corner shop, but even in that short space Dawn saw enough of the street to last her a life time. That morning they had been in the shop, April was paying for their groceries and Dawn was checking for jobs on the notice board. She wasn’t surprised to find none, but was taken aback when she saw a flyer for a fundraiser.

She didn’t recognise the name of the host but it claimed to be raising money for Harmony. She’d heard of Harmony before, a peace organisation campaigning for an end to the divisions that had been created among ponies. They weren’t very high profile, never being successful at stirring mass support for their cause. Still she was surprised anypony would dare put up the notice so deep in ‘Earth Pony territory’.

Making a mental note of the time and date, she left the store with April. That evening they had a fairly modest meal, agreeing that it would be best to ration their food while things remained uncertain. She went to bed early but couldn’t sleep, she wanted some fresh air, but her window was nailed shut for safety reasons. Taking a breath she mentally prepared herself for what she was about to do, and she left the house and stepped out onto the street.

She breathed in the night air, it may have been full of pollution from the factories, but it was the closest thing she had to being back home. She walked down the street, remaining vigilant. During the nights she could usually hear some commotion down one street or another, but tonight it sounded much closer, and different from a horde of drunken thugs. Turning the corner she came out onto the street that she knew was blocked off. She expected to see the high barricade with the words ‘unicorn territory’ painted on, but she didn’t.

The barricade lay in ruins. Large ponies with their faces covered charging in. Through the gaps in the wall she saw houses on fire, unicorns being dragged out into the street and beaten up. Occasionally an earth pony would come back through the wall carrying stolen goods. Dawn rushed forward, not sure what she was doing. She darted through a hole in the barricade, and it was like she stepped into another world. All around there were fire and screams.

She saw a family of unicorns huddled behind a mail box, trying not to be seen by the rioters. She rushed forward, seeing her they began to panic but she motioned for them to stay quiet.

“Are you alright?” she whispered loudly. They nodded still not sure whether to trust her. She scanned the street. “Their occupied, if you move now you can get far enough down the street that you’ll be safe.”

“Alright,” the father said clutching their foal in his arms. Following her lead they began to move low and quickly along the street, weaving in and out of objects that would obscure them from anypony looking their way. When they arrived at the end of the street Dawn looked around to make sure they weren’t followed before turning back to the family.

“I don’t think they saw us, keep going and don’t stop until you know you’re a safe distance away,” Dawn said. The mare embraced Dawn quickly and they both thanked her profusely before continuing on. Reluctantly Dawn turned back to the street she came from, and ran back into the inferno. Unicorns were now charging in, attempting to fight off the invaders, others cast water spells trying desperately to put out the fires.

As dawn ran past a building she was forced to swerve out as the front window burst into flames. She halted as she heard a scream from within the house. She hesitated for a second before charging back rearing at the door. The door was weak from rot and smashed in easily. Dashing in she squinted her eyes through the smoke trying not to breathe any in. she began looking through the rooms for whoever screamed, then when she came to the kitchen in the back of the house she saw a unicorn filly crouching in the corner.

“You have to come with me” she shouted over the roar of the flames, but she didn’t move. She looked more afraid of Dawn than the fires. Dawn approached her slowly leaning down so they were eye level. “Its alright, I wont hurt you,” she assured her, “I want to help you, but you have to trust me.”

Reaching out a hoof she looked pleadingly at the filly who timidly reached forward and grasped her hoof.

Dawn swept her up, placing her on her back.

“Hold on.” Dawn shouted, barely able to make herself out now. She raced out of the house, the filly’s front legs wrapped tightly around her neck. She charged back out the door, onto the street where the battle raged on. Looking up the way she escorted the family she was dismayed to see it was totally barred by brawling unicorns and earth ponies.

“Do you trust me?” she asked turning her head to look at the filly who nodded, “I’m going to take you back to my house until this calms down, I promise I won’t let anything happen to you.”

She didn’t argue so they set back off towards the barricade trying not to be seen by lingering looters. Arriving at the hole she came in, they squeezed back to her side of the wall, and without waiting to be caught ran back towards April’s house.

Chapters 11-15

Eleven

Dusk stood up, he was completely alone in the room. Looking out the window he saw it must have been the earliest hours of the morning. Leaving the room he walked down the stairs towards the front door of the shop. It was unlocked, somepony left recently because he remembered Mr Cake locking after he arrived in a few hours earlier. He stepped out onto the street, a chill creeping up his spine. He had no idea where they went, but he knew where he wanted to be sure they weren’t.

He sped through the town, trying to retrace his steps from earlier, but it was hard in the dark. He’d lived in the city his whole life, with street lamps lit twenty four seven, he wasn’t used to the dark. But eventually he found himself on the right track and ran towards what he knew to be Sweet Apple Acres.

Arriving at the front gate he found the lock broken, the gate swung wide open. Dread filled him as he saw the lights of the barn were lit. Tentatively he made his way up the lane listening carefully for any hints that his fears were true, but he heard nothing, and as he reached the door of the barn he took a breath preparing himself for what he was about to find inside. He peered in through the open door, and his heart stopped.

The UWF members were all gathered in the centre of the barn, laughing and bantering. And there was Arty… hanging from the rafters. Dusk could still see his hooves twitching and his body occasionally releasing spasms or convulsions. He took this in and once again saw the other members standing around… laughing. Laughing at the fact they’d just murdered a pony. Dusk backed away slowly feeling sick. He turned and rushed off, wanting to put as much distance between himself and what he’d seen as possible.

He reached the shop again, entering only to find Mr and Mrs Cake waiting there. At first they looked suspiciously at him, but then changed to shock when they noticed the sweat and look of horror on his face.

“You have foals?” he stammered, they glanced frightened looks at each other confirming his suspicions, “and they’re not earth ponies are they?”

Nopony said anything; Dusk could see Mr Cake readying himself to fight if he needed to. “Don’t let the others find them,” Dusk begged and they became slack where they stood.

After a short exchange of words he returned to his bed, his hosts leaving to check their young. He didn’t sleep at all that night, unable to rid himself of the image of what he’d seen inside the barn. He heard them return in the early hours of the morning, he pretended to be asleep while they climbed into their camp beds trying not to wake him.

A few hours later they began getting up, and Dusk acted as if he’d just woken up from a long, undisturbed sleep.

“Sleep well?” one of them enquired.

“Like a log.” Dusk lied not meeting their eyes. “We’ll work today, and then we get the train home.”

They seemed pleased about this prospect and went about their morning routines quite cheery. How can you ponies smile, and laugh after what you did.

He recalled what his mother had said before he left, “be careful what you’re getting into.”

At the time he thought she was over reacting. Sure there was violence, Pegasi disrupted the weather to ruin farmers crops, earth ponies rioted in the street, and unicorns set oppressive laws. But this… there was no right side in this war, just monsters and innocent ponies who got in their way. He didn’t know what to do; he just knew he couldn’t be a part of this anymore.

Twelve

April was horrified. She’d been pacing the living room wringing her hooves after she’d discovered Dawn had left. Then she returned… with a unicorn! Dawn quickly told her everything that happened, while she didn’t seem relaxed, she understood.

“And what do you plan to do with her?” she asked glancing nervously out of the window.

“I’ll wait for a day, and then take her to one of the other barricades,” she said, then turning to the filly, “are you sure you can find your family on your own once I get you over the wall?”

She nodded, “I think so, and they’re probably looking for me now.”

April sighed, “Alright, but please be careful, if anypony finds out…”

“They wont, I’m not going to let anything happen to Eve,” Dawn reassured her. She then led Eve to her bedroom. “You need to get some rest,” she said inviting Eve to get into her bed. She accepted gladly and Dawn tucked her in.

“Thank you,” she said, “I didn’t know earth ponies were kind like unicorns.”

Dawn sat down on the bed next her, “the truth is, we’re all the same, some ponies just refuse to see that.”

“I hope my parents are all right, they were visiting a friend when the fire started.”

“I’m sure they’re fine, and worried about you,” Dawn said. Eve glanced at her strangely, “something wrong?”

“When did you get your cutie mark?” she enquired. Dawn looked down at the cherry blossom on her flank.

“Well when I was just a filly, same age as you now, I would get picked on for being… well, a teacher’s pet,” she said smirking. “But when it came to the end of the year and it was time to sit our exams, suddenly they needed my help. I didn’t hold what they’d done against them; I just taught them everything I knew. When they all passed I felt such pride knowing I’d helped them learn, it was like watching flowers blossom. After that I knew my life’s calling was to teach.”

“That’s a nice story,” Eve said smiling brightly, do you teach here then?”

“Umm, no,” she hesitated, “I was supposed to, but something came up.”

Eve didn’t question that, she just yawned and closed her eyes. Dawn stood up and quietly left the room gently shutting the door behind her. April was still fretting in the living room when she came out.

“What was I supposed to do? Leave her to die?” she asked outraged at April’s seeming lack of appreciation for what she’d done.

“Ponies die every day, we don’t like it, we just can’t do anything or we’ll be next,” said April. She sighed and returned to her own bedroom. Dawn couldn’t rest now; she was less tired now than she had been before she left. And besides, someone had to keep watch; it wouldn’t do to have anypony discovering Eve was here.

Dawn waited patiently that day. Eve barely left the room, except for meals and to use the bathroom. She planned their next moves with military precision, using April’s knowledge of the city to help her. She couldn’t take Eve to the barricade she brought her through; it would most likely be heavily guarded while it was repaired. They figured their best bet was to go around a few blocks and find the next nearest barricade. With any luck they’d be able to cross it without too much trouble.

When the sun was dipped low in the sky they began preparing. She made up a small food bundle for Eve just in case she couldn’t find her parents, and provided her with a casual hat so her horn wouldn’t be visible. They waited at the door way, not wanting to leave until it was sufficiently dark. Dawn believed it was time, but April insisted she wait another while to be completely safe.

When at last they did leave, they moved with haste in the direction April had set out for her. It required going well out of their way, but it achieved the desired effect that they didn’t run into any ponies on the way. Poking her head out of an alleyway Dawn could see the barricade, the familiar words scrawled over the face of it. There didn’t seem to be anypony around, so far so good.

They crept towards the wall, and once at the edge, Dawn began trying to figure out how they were going to do this. She might be able to use the recesses in gaps in the wall to climb up. Once high enough she could rise Eve over, who would then be able to jump down to the other side. She leaned down to relay this to Eve when they heard the clattering of hooves. She could see torch light spilling out of a side street and knew they had seconds to hide. Picking up Eve she turned and walked straight into a colt standing directly behind her.

Thirteen

Dusk sat alone on the train back to Manehattan, the other members didn’t seem to mind. It had been a wasted day, Ponyville wanted nothing to do with the UWF and he knew trying to convince them otherwise was a waste of time. But he figured if he didn’t look like he was trying, the others would report him to Claxon. The sun was low in the sky as the train approached Manehattan, it had only been a week but he fully expected things to have escalated in the city even more than they already had.

When the train pulled into the station the first thing he noticed was the distinct lack of ponies waiting on the platform. Then he saw the armed guards. Probably to avoid another situation like the one that got him involved with Claxon in the first place. Stepping off the train he excused himself from the group, they were supposed to report back to Claxon as soon as they arrived but he said he’d do it in the morning.

As he walked through the streets he took in the fresh wallpaper of propaganda. He had no intention of going home, not yet anyway. It was dark as he walked along the streets, no real destination in mind. Occasionally he’d see a huddled group of colts standing around shop windows acting like they weren’t up to anything so long as he was in eyesight. Checking a road sign to get his bearings, he read ‘Kent Estate’. That meant he was close to one of the barricades, he wasn’t sure why but he had the sudden desire to take a walk in that direction.

He continued down the street and was surprised to see two ponies standing next to the barricade. Curious he approached them; walking up to just a few paces behind them he also heard the approaching hooves and saw the light. They panicked and turned running right into him. It only took him a second to recognise the mare who’d almost been sent to Pegasi territory and in her arms was a filly. A filly whose hat had fallen off when they walked into him, and whose horn was clearly visible.

Time seemed to stand still as they looked at each other; she seemed resigned that they were caught. The decision was instantaneous; he barely had to think about it. Picking up the hat he placed it on the filly’s head, and then ran around them towards the approaching ponies. As he entered the street he ran into four colts, all discretely armed. They stopped him asking what he was doing.

“Quickly, before he gets away,” Dusk said, “did you not see the Pegasus run through here?” they immediately went on full alert.

“He must have flown right over us,” one said furiously.

“He must be heading back to the barricade,” said another. They turned and began running the way they came, Dusk following but slowing down gradually and stopping when he was satisfied they’d forgotten about him.

Dusk went back the way he came in time to see the mare climbing down from the wall, the filly now safely on the other side.

“That was close,” he said announcing himself. She turned around happy to see him.

“Thank you, I didn’t think any pony here would help me… let alone twice,” she said giving him a smile.

“So it was you,” he said, he hadn’t been completely sure she was the one from before until she said that. What was her name again?

Reading his mind she introduced herself, “I’m Dawn.”

“Dusk,” he replied shaking her extended hoof, “it’s not wise to be on the streets for much longer, they might realise I was lying and come after me.”

“I don’t live too far from here, you can stay there if you need to,” she offered turning to walk the way she’d come.

“it’s ok ill find my own way home,” he hesitated briefly, “but ill walk you back, make sure you get home safely.”

They didn’t speak as they navigated the streets, to set on getting to safety for idle chit chat. Dusk wanted to say something, but nothing appropriate came to mind. Why had he risked his own neck for a second time, and all for this mare he didn’t know? He didn’t regret it, just found it odd that for a pony who never spoke out for anything or anypony, that he should do this not once but twice.

“Its right around the corner, thanks so much for your…” but she stopped talking as they walked around the corner. Dusk knew by the way the colour drained from her face, that it was her house… that was on fire. From a distance Dusk could make out the words ‘unicorn lover’ sprayed on the pavement. Dawn stood frozen on the spot, once again Dusk made a snap decision, pulling her away and leading her in the direction of his own house.

“No, my aunts in there, we have to help her,” she begged, but dusk knew there was no hope.

“You can’t head back there, they might still be around,” he said, She looked like she was going to argue, but then reluctantly she put one hoof in front of the other and began following him, blinking back tears.

Fourteen

Dawn was in a trance, half walking, half being pulled by Dusk. He didn’t say where they were going but after everything he’d done she knew he could be trusted. It didn’t take long, or maybe it did and she was just losing track of time. Dusk knocked repeatedly on the door and she could hear it unlocking from the other side. It opened and a mare stood there looking dishevelled.

Upon seeing them she embraced Dusk and hurried them in. Dusk left her on a sofa while he talked to the mare in the next room. She stared into space, the room spinning in front of her, the noises of a clock ticking and Dusk talking merging into one causing her head to swim. She didn’t even realise she’d passed out until she woke back up.

The mare was leaning over her. As she blinked herself awake the mare shouted something into the next room, she was still too disorientated to make her out. She left and dusk came and sat in her place offering her a cup of tea. She drank it with difficulty, though he offered a hoof to steady her. He didn’t say anything, just waited for her to finish. When she did she looked up feeling noticeably better.

“I’m glad you’re alright,” he said sounding relieved.

“Thanks for looking after me,” Dawn replied.

“Actually it was my mum who did that,” he said nodding towards the next room. So they were at his house. Looking over her shoulder she saw his mother was elderly, she must rely on her son to survive.

“Does your dad also live here?” she asked without thinking, regretting it immediately when she saw the pained look on his face.

“He passed away a few days ago, I… wasn’t here.”

“I’m sorry,” she said in a hushed tone.

He shook his head, “you have nothing to be sorry for, I was sent away and the factory I worked for couldn’t afford to pay my salary. They had nothing to live on.”

There was a moment of silence before he looked up again, “you did an exceptional ting helping that filly, and how did you come to be in that situation anyway?”

Dawn didn’t mind telling him, they may have only met but he seemed to be the only pony who was on her side. She told him how she came to be in Manehattan, though he already knew most of the details. She then explained the thing she’d seen, like the factory worker getting attacked and the riot at the school; though she was sure he’d seen his fair share of this in his time here.

Finally she told him about the events beyond the wall, and she could see the shock in his face, as well as what looked like admiration. She finished her story by explaining what happened after he distracted the ponies.

“I climbed up the wall with Eve on my back, when I was as high as I could get I reached her on to the top of the wall where she climbed down. She called out she made it safely and she would make her own way.” Of course there had also been a rather teary goodbye on the wall, but she didn’t think Dusk needed to hear that part.

“What about you?” she asked after nopony spoke for a moment.

“Well,” he hesitated, “don’t jump to conclusions, but officially, I’m a member of the UWF.”

Dawn was taken aback by this, but at the same time it made sense, he had after all convinced Claxon to let her stay.

“After I helped you Claxon sent me to get support from the rural ponies for the next bill he plans to present to the Neigh Sayers.”

Dawn thought about this, it was difficult to sympathise with Claxon’s cause after everything she’d seen earth ponies do, but maybe if they were successful at getting what they wanted, things might get better.

“We had mixed successes, but I can’t support them any more,” he said. She could tell from the look on his face he’d seen things too. “Tomorrow I’ll have to report back to Claxon, I should have done it as soon as I got back but…” he trailed off.

Dawn sat quietly for a moment, taking everything in.

“So now what?” she enquired.

“You can stay here if you wish, we’ve already discussed it.” He nodded over to his mother, “I’ll be leaving early to go to town hall. It might be better if you stay here, before you get drawn into more trouble.” Dawn shrugged, she wanted to go with him, but she didn’t want to argue after he’d been so kind to her.

Dusk’s mother fetched her a blanket and fluffed a cushion on the sofa, it was only now Dawn realised how tired she was. She rested her head down and it wasn’t long before she drifted into a peaceful sleep.

Fifteen

It was roughly eight in the morning when Dusk left the house, putting on his blue work jacket as always. He took the familiar route to the town hall, trying not to draw attention to himself. While he was sure the colts he ran into the night before wouldn’t be able to identify him, assuming they realised he had tricked them, he still didn’t want to take any chances.

As he neared the old town hall, his mind inevitably came back to the question he’d been asking himself ever since the incident at the barn, what was he here to do? He didn’t believe for a second Claxon would discipline the culprits, if anything he’d probably punish Dusk for arguing with their methods. No, what was done, was done, complaining wouldn’t change anything.

All he could really do was get as far away from the corrupt movement as he could, so he supposed he was here to resign. He wandered how that would go down. No doubt Claxon would weave some story that he’d gone soft on the enemy, he wondered if he’d even leave the building afterwards. As he arrived at the once grand building he shuddered at the banner stretched over the face of it.

He stepped through the main doors, noticing the queue for the front desk he decided not to bother going through the receptionist. He sauntered past everypony trying to make himself look as confident as possible, hopefully they’d assume he was doing what he was supposed to. He wasn’t stopped as he reached the other end of the room, so he guessed any pony looking had assumed he was in his rights.

He tried to retrace the steps he’d taken on his first visit; this building was like a maze with its identical corridors. Eventually he found himself on the right track and made for the door which he knew led to Claxon’s office. As he approached he noticed it was ajar, and peering in he could see Claxon standing with a handful of ponies he knew from sight to be high ranking individuals within the UWF. He was about to knock and make himself known, but stopped when he heard something that caught his attention.

“They got their hooves dirty in Ponyville; it didn’t do us any favours,” Claxon said disgruntled.

“We’ve received confirmation from the branches in Appleloosa and Dodge City that the ponies there will attend the summit,” another pony pitched in.

“Some good news a last,” Claxon said not sounding pleased at all.

“Do you really think it will make any difference having all our supporters present at Canterlot when we present the bill to the Neigh Sayers?” another enquired.

“If you’re asking if the Neigh Sayers will grant it, then the answer is no.” the other ponies glanced at each other slightly confused, “if you’re asking if having al our supporters present that day will help us achieve our goal, then the answer is yes.”

There was a moment of silence, Dusk didn’t dare breath. Then Claxon spoke up again.

“We’ve been playing nice up until now, but no more,” he said. His voice was now brimming with confidence, “the Neigh Sayers will reject the bill, and that will be when we bring an end to the talking.”

“Do you mean… revolution? Civil war?” one pony asked shocked.

“But of course, constitutional means have gained us nothing, its time to take matters into our hooves,” Claxon said thrusting his own into the air. The ponies in the room expressed a mixture of unease, but also consideration.

“But are you sure they’ll rise up?” one asked.

Claxon smiled, “if it was down purely to the bill’s rejection, probably not, but there will be a catalyst, one that will ensure every earth pony joins the cause.”

The other ponies in the room seemed swayed by the confidence in Claxon’s voice, smiling and nodding at each other. Dusk stood frozen at the doorway.

“Thank you for your time gentlecolts, now if you’ll excuse me I have a meeting I must prepare for.” They began shuffling for the door which brought Dusk out of his daze. He moved with haste down the corridor and out of sight. Stopping to catch his breath he tried to formulate his thoughts. He needed to leave the building for a start, he’d get his mother and they’d get as far away from this conflict as was possible, and Dawn… What of her?

He walked swiftly back through the main hall drawing a few eyes, but nopony tried to stop him. Exiting the building he darted down the steps and started walking back towards his house. Then he heard his name being called. He turned, dread rising, but then he calmed down again when he saw it was only Dawn.

“What are you doing here?” he was about to ask but she cut him off.

“Dusk there’s something you have to know.”

Chapters 16-20

Sixteen

Dawn woke up that morning hearing the front door slam shut. She was then greeted by Dusk’s mother who offered her a sandwich apologising it wasn’t very much.

“Its lovely, thank you so much,” she said sincerely.

Once she’d eaten she helped Dusk’s mother tidy up around the house, Dusk’s mother objected at first but soon found the assistance to be relieving.

“Has dusk gone to town hall then?” Dawn asked casually.

“Yes,” she replied simply. Dawn nodded slowly to herself.

“I think I’m going to go see him,” she announced making for the door.

“Oh no dear, it’s too dangerous on the streets,” she said reminding Dawn of her aunt April which made her feel sad. She assured her that she would be fine and left before she could argue.

She had a vague idea where the town hall was so she started moving in that direction. After a few minutes, she realised she was heading in the wrong direction and set herself back on course, but something caught her attention. She was sure she had imagined it, after all nopony had seen them since the royal wedding. Deciding to act on her hunch she edged towards the alley she thought she saw it disappear into.

Peeking around the corner she saw nothing. About to leave and put it down to having an over active imagination, she then heard hushed voices coming from the end of the alley. Tip toeing down, she could hear them growing louder, more distinct.

“What is this?” she heard a voice demand. It was a voice like nopony she’d ever met, it was almost a hiss. She gulped as she neared the corner, poking her head around her suspicions were confirmed.

She’d never seen a changeling before, but she’d read enough on them to recognise one. The jagged horn, the sharp fangs, the buzzing insect wings and the cold blue eyes. It was this changling that spoke, and he was answered by an earth pony holding a brown satchel, with a UWF badge pinned to his blazer.

“This is our deal,” he replied matter-of-factly.

“We agreed two hundred gems,” the changeling hissed back.

“Yes, two hundred, when you fulfil your end of the bargain. This first fifty is just a sign of good faith; you shall receive the rest when we achieve our goal.” The changling shook with anger, but didn’t argue, it just snatched the satchel from the ponies grip examining its contents.

“Satisfied?” he asked, not sounding like he cared either way.

“If the rest are of equally high standard then yes.” Closing the bag he threw it over his back, his wings began to beat rapidly and his legs lifted off the ground. “You can tell your boss, that he can consider his target dead.”

With that he sped into the air and out of sight, the other pony simply turned and walked swiftly from the scene.

Dawn stood there not sure what to make of what she just witnessed. A UWF member paying a changling to perform… what sounded like an assassination, but of whom? Rousing herself she hurried back the way she came, one thing that was for certain, Dusk needed to hear about this. Scratching her head she tried to remember which way she was heading. Flipping a mental coin she ran right down the street, and as luck would have it she found herself on the same road as the town hall.

She briefly wondered where she’d find him, only to see him trotting down the steps and walking swiftly down the footpath. She ran in order to catch up with him calling his name as she went. He turned and she took in the panic in his face, but he relaxed when he saw who it was.

“What are you doing here?” he was about to ask but she cut him off.

“Dusk there’s something you have to know.” Without pausing for breath she told him exactly what she saw after she left the house.

“A changeling?” Dusk said tilting his head unsure what to make of this, “I’ve never heard of changelings in Equestria since their attempted rebellion in Canterlot.”

Something about what he said caused him to stutter the last words and glance nervously at the town hall.

“What’s the matter?” she asked. Dusk began walking back in the direction of the house and she walked along side him.

As they travelled he explained what he what he heard in Claxon’s office, Dawn’s eyes widened in disbelief as he told her about the plans for civil war.

“Is he insane?” she exclaimed, instantly losing any respect she had for Claxon.

“Certainly sounds like it.” Dawn thought this all through.

“Do you think what I saw, and what you heard, are related?” Dawn asked, he stopped and considered this.

“Perhaps, Claxon did say something about a catalyst,” Dusk said, but then he shook his head slightly, “but working with changelings just doesn’t seem like his methods.”

Dawn agreed with that notion, but it was the only explanation she could fathom. Then they turned the corner to Dusk’s house, and the worst possible thing happened.

Seventeen

Dusk’s mouth dropped open. He took in the armed thugs gathered around his house, the front door smashed in. it was April’s house all over again, except this time he stood frozen while she dragged him away. He didn’t resist because he knew in the back of his mind there was nothing left to save. He only became aware when Dawn had dragged him as far as the train station, was she planning to leave?

“Dusk...” she began but he just turned his head away from her.

“Doesn’t matter,” he replied. Was he really so resigned to the way things had become he couldn’t express any emotion for losing his own mother. Dawn began to walk away, not towards the train station but away from it. He began to walk after her but she held out a hoof to stop him.

“I’m sorry Dusk but it’s better for you if I just leave.” He just stood there not sure what to say. True none of this would have happened if not for her, but at the same time he faced with the idea of her leaving he felt the same unfamiliar feeling that prompted him to run to her rescue twice.

“Dawn it’s not your fault, and trying to go it on your own won’t change anything,” he said. She contemplated this, but then shook her head.

“Its better this way, I’ll only end up getting you hurt too.” And before he could say anything she ran into the sea of ponies jostling the street. He made to run after her but he lost her within seconds. Strange, he’d barely known her but he felt a pang of loneliness after she left.

Eighteen

The next week was hard for Dawn, a part of her regretted leaving Dusk but she knew in her heart he’d be better off without her. She drifted through the city all day, completely at a loss for what to do with herself. It was only now that it dawned on her how hopeless her chances of survival had become, let alone doing anything of significance regarding everything that had happened since he arrived at Manehattan.

Her first problem was where to live. For a wild moment she considered climbing the wall and trying to make it with the unicorns or pegasi. But then she remembered just because she didn’t see them as the enemy, didn’t mean she wasn’t an enemy to them. Dusk’s house wasn’t an option, assuming the thugs had left, it was his house to go back to. Staying someplace public was an option, though it would draw a lot of attention to herself, and where would she even find that would take her in, there were no hostels or hotels, not any more.

She finally settled, though if she’d known that coming to Manehattan would see her squatting in the burnt ruin of her late aunt’s house, she would have stayed in Baltimare. And that’s where she stayed, good in that nopony would find her there, bad in every other way. She got very little sleep, due to both the cold and the occasional gust of ash flooding her nazzel passage. The second problem she encountered was money, and by extension food.

There was nothing in the house she could recover, either bits or something undamaged she could sell. She was afraid she’d end up begging or stealing to survive. She’d come from a modest background, but her family had never been so bad they had to resort to either. However in the end she didn’t have to fall to those depths, as three days after parting ways with Dusk she was lucky enough to stumble upon somepony’s purse which had been dropped and lay in a gutter.

She hadn’t expected it to contain anything, but to her delight she discovered a small fortune inside, at least she would have described it that way purely because she was so hungry. In fact it was nothing spectacular, but it would be enough to get her by for the next few weeks if she was careful. That night she’d managed to sleep properly, having a full stomach helped. The next day she was able to set about business in considerably brighter spirits.

Since she’d left Dusk she was determined to uncover what was going on with the changeling and the UWF; however this was rather futile as she hadn’t a clue where to start. Asking around wasn’t an option as anypony might have her arrested under some pretence, or worse. After another two days she was feeling thoroughly dismissed, she budgeted well but she was always tempted just to splurge it all on one good meal.

Then one day, six days after she left Dusk, she came across a charged piece of paper blowing across the pavement. Picking it p she recognised the flyer she’d seen when shopping with April, the Harmony fundraiser. Even if she had nothing to donate, it was still something for her to do, and she’d be among allies, perhaps who could help her with her ‘investigation’, for lack of a better word.

It said it was tomorrow night, which would give her time to find some way of getting a wash. It was becoming obvious she hadn’t had a bath since she was last living with April over a week ago. She didn’t consider what came next to be breaking the law, after all if it was her she’d gladly let somepony use her house for a bath. True it was technically breaking and entering but she justified it by leaving two bits on the window sill on as she was climbing back out half an hour later.

Nineteen

Dusk could tell his house wasn’t as empty as they wanted it to seem. While there was no visible presences he somehow knew whoever they were, thugs, rioters, UWF, they were waiting for him to come home. But he wasn’t going to give them the satisfaction, he had his workers jacket and a few tools, it was all he needed. Like he’d discovered at the town hall, if you look like you belong somewhere, no pony will question it.

And to his great relief he made it into his old factory with ease. Who would argue with a colt, dressed like a worker, entering a factory where other workers had seen him before? Of course they didn’t know he no longer worked there, they had themselves to worry about without paying attention to somepony they hardly knew.

Taking the stairs he reached his old post. It was obvious nopony had been working here for some time; he didn’t want to think about what might have happened to Derek. Now that he stopped to think about it, the whole factory seemed emptier, the streets seemed emptier. Claxon had said all their supporters would be present at Canterlot; it looked like he was serious.

Dusk stayed there the whole week, leaving only to steal food from the canteen. He knew nopony would find him there, or even check here. While there he couldn’t help but go about his old business, fixing and maintaining the machines in the cramped little rooms. It kept his mind at ease, allowed him to escape the reality of the world outside.

After six days hiding he was leaving the canteen, a sandwich and bottle of water hidden under his jacket. It helped there were so few ponies around. As he reached the stairwell, something caught his eye. Stopping he saw it was a notice board, but amidst the propaganda there was one flyer which stood out as different. Upon examination he discovered it was for a fundraiser tomorrow night, held by Harmony.

Dusk was pretty surprised by this, both at the fact such an event could take place in such a militant area of Manehattan, and that somepony had the guts to advertise here. He didn’t know a lot about Harmony; just that they were an agitation group like the UWF had started out as. From the little he knew their cause was more respectable than that of UWF, Neigh Sayers or any other group. He mulled this over in his mind briefly, and then shrugged. It would be nice to get out of this building, and if there was a cause he could get behind without feeling guilty, Harmony would be it.

He went back to his post where he ate his salvaged sandwich. Once he was done he gathered his tools and made to leave the factory. Again, just like when he arrived nopony questioned him, as he looked like every other worker finishing their shifts and going home, except he didn’t know if he was going home yet. It had been almost a week; surely they’d have given up. When he arrived back at his house he saw nothing to suggest it was occupied.

Staying vigilant he approached the front door, listening carefully before opening it. He searched around but soon realised that whoever had been waiting for him there, must have given up earlier in the week. He locked the door and made makeshift barricades in front of the windows by stacking furniture in front of them. When at last he felt sufficiently safe, he lay down in his old bed and tried to get to sleep. It didn’t take long as it was a much better alternative to the cold, hard ground of his workplace.

When he woke the next day he waited in the house until it was time to go. The clock read nine p.m. and it would take roughly an hour to get to the hotel it was being held at. After getting a quick wash at the kitchen sink he left, removing his work jacket as he did. Not particularly formal, he’d have to do without it for a night.

Twenty

Dawn reached the hotel in good time, the clock on the wall of the reception room showed ten to ten. She was surprised to see there was a large enough number of ponies gathered there. She recognised one or two of the teachers the school she was supposed to work at. Now that she thought about it, everypony in the room seemed to be of middle to upper class and, she guessed, from an educated background.

She approached a trio of mare’s talking animatedly, as she got close she could make out they were discussing the flaws in UWF’s policies.

“And what do they believe alienating the pegasi will achieve? Come winter wrap up, in the rural parts of Equestria productivity will be vastly reduced as a result of farmers being unable to plant their crops until the snow melts of its own accord,” said the speaker and all the ponies nodded in response to this suggestion, and then they noticed Dawn watching them from just a few feet away.

“Hello there, are you new to Harmony?” one asked politely.

Dawn felt at ease by the welcoming tone she spoke in, and she came closer before answering.

“Yes I am, I learnt about it through flyers in my local shop,” she answered, this felt like the kind of crowd she could get in with.

“Well it’s a pleasure to have you supporting us,” another said inviting her into the circle. “Claxon can’t ban these nights without coming out as a complete dictator. His minions will tear down our posters and look threateningly at anypony coming in the door, but they can’t physically stop us.

Dawn remembered the group of colts gathered opposite the hotel as she arrived, staring her down.

“So what happens at these fundraisers?” Dawn  enquired.

“Well the aim is to raise money to finance Harmony’s efforts, but we understand in these times not everypony can afford to spare money for the cause,” she replied casually, “so mostly we just get together to share our views, have a drink, dance a little, and just try to enjoy ourselves.”

“Did you say dance?” Dawn said hesitantly.

“Yes, didn’t you know?” she nodded at the clock, “at ten we go into the main room. The founder of Harmony always sings at these.”

Dawn wasn’t uncomfortable with dancing, just a taken aback. Only a couple minutes to go, she excused herself from the group and went to find the little filly’s room.

When she came out the crowd was moving through the now wide open doors. She joined the back of the group moving slowly in. The room was very large, although most of this was taken up by the dance floor, around which there were circular tables. The room was fairly dark, the only lights being candles on the tables and dim ceiling lights she figured would turn off when the dancing started. She couldn’t find the mare’s she’d been talking to and wasn’t sure whether to approach any others, so she walked to the food table in the corner where two colts were already helping themselves.

Awkwardly she lifted bits and pieces off the table and put them on a paper plate. Satisfied she had enough to make up for her lack of food all week but not so much she’d look greedy she turned to walk away from the table and almost walked right into a pony who had been walking behind her.

“Sorry…” they both said, both trailing off when their eyes met. She instantly recognised the red coat and orange mane, but she had never seen Dusk without his blue workers jacket.

Even though the room was full of talking ponies, it was as if they’d stepped into a bubble, blocking out all sound, where they stood staring at each other in silence. Finally Dusk broke it.

“Dawn I’m so glad to see you’re alright,” he did indeed sound relieved and Dawn was touched by that.

“Thanks, I'm sorry I ran off,” Dawn said. She meant it, but he just shook his head.

“I understand why you did it,” he replied, “and besides you were probably handling yourself better than I was.”

“Don’t be so sure,” she said smiling and they both laughed.

They walked together back through the room stopping on the edge of the dance floor. Dawn occasionally nibbled on her snacks while they exchanged stories of what had happened in the past week.

“Maybe you were right, we would have been better off sticking with each other,” she said. He sighed and shrugged.

“Maybe, but what’s important is we're both here now.” They smiled at each other, once again entering their bubble of silence, blocking out the rest of the world. “I was so worried after you left; you have no idea how happy I am to see you again.”

Dawn blinked surprised, and Dusk blushed and looked at his hooves. Clearly embarrassed by what he said.

“I missed you to,” she said not looking away. He looked back up at her, it seemed all time had stopped, but then the lights went out, and the music started.

Chapters 22-Epilogue

Twenty-two

Dusk was deafened by the explosion. He and dawn let each other go, joining all the other ponies in the room in looking all around in bewilderment. The music cut off and the silence cut through the room like a knife. Dusk tapped Dawn on the shoulder to get her attention.

“We should go, what ever that was about we should get to cover.” She opened her mouth about to respond when the ceiling exploded over their heads, debris showering down.

Dusk threw his hooves over Dawn covering her head from falling material.

“We have to get out of here,” he shouted over the screams and ringing left after the second explosion. Dawn didn’t argue, so they quickly rushed for the doors where ponies were already clotting to get out. As they squeezed through the door another explosion close by caused the windows in the room to shatter, letting the chaos outside flood in.

Charging through the reception they reached the main doors, smoke was pouring into the building and Dusk knew there was a fire somewhere near by. As they stepped onto the street it was as if they’d entered another world. All around the street was lined with bodies, either unconscious or dead, buildings crumbled and burst into flames. Looking up dusk saw the sky; it was heavy with clouds, dyed crimson in the light of the fires all over Manehattan.

Lightning streaked down splitting the sky into fragments and meteors showered down; these were the cause of the explosions. As Dusk watched he saw specks darting around the sky, shifting the clouds so the lightening targeted specific areas. What were pegasi doing launching an attack like this. As they ran, staying close to each other they saw the streets filled with ponies fighting, not just Earth ponies, but unicorns too.

They continued to run, not sure where they were running to, but as they did they passed the barricades the unicorn and pegasi territories, which both looked just as ravaged and destroyed as this one. Stopping briefly under some cover they tried to focus.

“How far is your house from here?” Dawn asked breathless.

“A few blocks, but would it be safe?” he said scanning the street, everypony seemed occupied with either surviving or fighting the ‘invaders’.

“From the look of things, it’s just as safe as every other building in Manehattan,” Dawn replied.

They continued forward staying low to the ground so they wouldn’t be noticed by passing groups of thugs, whether they were earth ponies or unicorns. As they turned the last corner they found their path blocked. An entire block of flats had collapsed over the street. They would have to go the long way, past his old factory. Setting off once again they saw yet more carnage, ponies rushing out of burning buildings screaming as flames enveloped them, other trapped under rubble.

Every so often they’d see a pony struck by lightening or hit by a ball of magic fired from a passing unicorn. Suddenly Dawn stopped, Dusk pulled by trying to drag her along but her eyes were fixed on something. Following her gaze he saw the body of a filly lying in the gutter, its neck broken. He grabbed Dawn’s head and turned her to face him.

“There’s nothing we can do for them, we have to keep going,” Dusk said. She conceded and continued running, Dusk keeping one eye on her in case she should stop again.

As they reached the factory the doors were blasted off their hinges and two unicorns came charging out fighting off three work colts including the soot covered horse who opened the door. While they struggled with each other a Pegasus swooped down landing a kick into the side of one of the unicorn’s heads, causing him to fall to the ground and blood to pool from a wound behind his ear. Luckily they were so focused with each other that Dawn and Dusk were able to sneak around them and carry on to the house.

When at last they arrived on the street, Dusk let out a sigh of relief. The line of houses he lived in was so far undamaged. Not hesitating they sped down the last several paces bursting through the front door. Dawn ran and crouched under kitchen table while Dusk re barricaded the door. Once he was done he pulled on his workers jacket and ran to the kitchen were he began kicking one of the corner tiles.

“What are you doing?” Dawn asked in a hushed tone, Dusk wasn’t sure why she was whispering, who was going to hear them over the noise outside.

Removing the tile he revealed a manhole which he began unscrewing.

“This house was built over a sewer entrance, if something goes wrong, we’ll need a way out,” he said, she accepted this and let him carry on. When he had the last screw removed he shifted the metal cover and looked down the hole. It would be wide enough for Dawn to climb down; he could probably squeeze in if he tried. He couldn’t see how far it went down so he dropped one of the tile fragments and listened carefully.

He was pleased to hear a splash fairly quickly, that meant it wasn’t too deep, just dark.

“Hopefully we won’t have to resort to that.” He said joining Dawn under the table.

“What’s going on?” she asked, not hiding her fear.

“I don’t know, Claxon’s planned civil war wasn’t until they presented the bill in Canterlot later this week,” he responded. Maybe the tension was so high; the war came about without Claxon’s push.

They remained still and silent for thirty minutes before the noise began to die down. There was still the rare bang in the distance, but whatever fighting that was still taking place had moved away from where they were. Dusk sighed with relief, then they crawled out from under the table, and Dusk peered out of a tiny gap in the window barricades. The street looked deserted, but it was unrecognisable.

“You should try and get some rest,” he said facing Dawn, “I’ll stay up and keep watch.”

She nodded, the adrenaline must be running out, and as a result she was looking extremely tired. She lay down on the same sofa she slept on the first night she came here, and after about ten minutes her steady, rhythmic breathing indicated she was asleep. Dusk stood up from where he sat and draped a blanket over her, tucking it in as best as he could.

Sitting back down he tried to remain focused on the door, expecting at any minute it would burst open and they’d be set upon, but it never did. Every few minutes he’d glance over at Dawn, watching her shoulders rise and fall with her breathing. Each time he’d reluctantly tear his eyes away. Never before had he met a pony who cared the way she did, who risked her very life for a filly she was supposed to be enemies with.

He’d never let anything happen to her, he’d do whatever it took to make sure she could live the life she deserved. His thoughts drifted back to the moment in the hotel, before the first bomb hit. The moment where their lips moved closer, holding onto each other as the music flooded through their bodies. But the moment was shattered, they pulled back as they heard the explosion, and he wondered if they’d ever have another opportunity, or was that their only chance…extinguished?

Twenty-three

Dawn’s eyes opened, and for a moment she had to think about where she was. Then turning she saw Dusk half asleep on an arm chair, and the events of the previous night came flooding back. She groggily pulled herself off the sofa; Dusk was roused by her sudden activity.

“What’s the time?” she asked rubbing her eyes with her hoof.

“Just after nine,” he replied hazily.

She walked over to the window and glanced out the same space Dusk had looked through before she went to sleep. It didn’t look any better in the light of day. She could make out all the graphic details, the sprawled bodies looked almost peaceful, barely a scratch on some of them. They probably received head injuries from falling debris.

“Is it over?” she said facing Dusk again.

“Nothing happened all night after you fell asleep, I reckon its finished for the mean time.” She nodded in response to this.

Dusk began clearing the blockage from the door, Dawn offered to help but he said he could manage it. She was just relieved they didn’t have to go through the sewers. When at last the door was cleared they stood briefly looking at each other, mentally preparing themselves for what they were about to see.

As they stepped out onto the street the full impact of what had taken place the night before hit them. There was hardly anything left. Whatever buildings weren’t lying in ruins or stood as burnt out husks had been ransacked. Their windows either smashed in or boarded up in an attempt to protect its residents. They walked down the route they followed on their way to the house. The shear number of bodies was horrific, most were earth ponies but here and there they could see unicorns with their horns sawn off and pegasi with their wings stripped.

“Somepony must have come through here after it was all over, and disgraced their bodies intentionally,” Dusk said his voice quivering. Dawn held back her tears. When they reached the factory they were forced to climb over it, as it lay in heaps across the road. Dawn struggled a little but whenever she slid or stumbled, Dusk was always there to catch her. Even with all the destruction she couldn’t help smiling knowing they were together.

As they continued on they could hear a commotion around the bend. They were approaching the town hall and it sounded like every living pony was gathered outside it. When they arrived in view they discovered this was more or less true. Well every living earth pony seemed to be there. As they approached the crowd they could make out Claxon standing a top the steps waiting to address the crowd.

Raising his hooves for silence, the crowd reduced their shouts to an annoyed murmur.

“Listen everypony, I understand your anger,” he called, his voice carrying over the heads all the way to the back row where Dawn and Dusk stood. “This was a despicable attack upon defenceless earth pony citizens, and we will not tolerate this monstrosity.”

Dawn looked over at Dusk hoping to catch his eye, but he was focused on what Claxon was saying.

“In just four days we will present our demands at Canterlot to the Neigh Sayers, and we want every pony there to show the arrogant unicorns and pegasi that we will not take their oppression lying down.” The crowd cheered in response to this.

“Maybe this was the catalyst, set up an attack on your own territory to get everypony riled up.” Dawn said looking to dusk again.

“Maybe…” but he didn’t sound sure, she wondered what he was thinking.

Claxon continued to shout the usually discriminatory comments associated with the UWF until they decided everything of value had been said, and broke away from the crowd.

“Don’t you think so?” she asked once they were somewhere they could hear each other.

“Im not sure, it would make sense, but it just doesn’t sit right with me,” he said looking deep in thought. This still didn’t explain how the changeling tied in, could it be the two are completely unrelated.

“One things for sure,” he said at last, “Canterlot is where we need to be. That’s where everything will go down.”

“Yeah, but how will we get there? After everything we’ve done I don’t think we can just hop on a train from here to Canterlot,” she said looking around to make sure nopony was approaching them.

“You’re right there, but luckily we have four days, and I know more than one way off this island.” He said confidence rising in his voice.

They returned to the house while Dusk filled her in. It was good for her that Dusk had lived in Manehattan his whole life. Once they got back through the front door they didn’t bother re-baring it as they wouldn’t be staying long. Dusk set about collecting food that wasn’t growing mould, while Dawn stayed on look out. Once he’d gathered anything worth taking he came and stood beside her at the door.

He looked back one last time at his house.

“I’m sorry you have to leave your home because of me,” she said, he turned and looked at her.

“This was never my home,” he responded, “and you have nothing to be sorry for, if I’d known speaking up for you meant leaving my old life behind, I wouldn’t have changed a thing.”

They smiled at each other, she wondered if they had time t spare, but deciding not to waste any more they left the house, and began moving for the harbour.

Twenty-four

Ironically enough it was dusk by the time they arrived at the edge of the city. They looked out at the stretch of ocean lapping in front of them. Dusk scanned the harbour, he knew the UWF would be focusing on the trains, but he still expected to see a few posted here, and he wasn’t disappointed. He counted three but there could easily be more. He ran back to where Dawn waited for him and relayed his information.

“Alright, the boat is due to leave in just under an hour, but they’re loading it now.” He’d already stated this a number of times but they couldn’t risk getting this wrong.

“Dusk I can handle the distraction if you want,” she said, but Dusk just shook his head.

“No I’ll deal with that, you get to the destination when the distraction begins and ill meet you there,” he replied. She sighed, clearly not happy but willing to give in.

Dawn carried on in her own direction; the one Dusk had laid out for her. While she did that he doubled back and moved into the city again. Running he searched for the right streets and estates that he knew would lead him to the other end of the dock. Once he was sure he was on the right path he sprinted the last yards. Hiding under a stack of crates he scanned his surroundings. The colts were still in sight.

Then he saw the bell tower, he was lucky it was still standing after the attack. He ran forward, staying low hoping they wouldn’t look his way. Reaching the bell tower he began climbing the ladder. As he did he thought back to when he was just a foal and was carried here on his father’s back, he remembered what his father had said that day.

“Do you see that bell son? They ring that to indicate when its time for ships to leave the port. Of course experienced sailors don’t need it to keep them right, and frankly I wouldn’t rely on that bell. I did work on it a while back and I can tell you, apply to much pressure on that thing and it’ll fall right out of the tower.”

Dusk had been here a number of times since, each time his father’s words returned to him. He wasn’t sure why a bell seemed important to him then, but as he ascended the tower he wondered if a part of him had known what he would need to do one day. Reaching the top he examined the bell, it was held in place with a familiar mechanism he’d worked on many times before. It allowed it to be activated remotely so somepony only had to come up here when the bell needed fixing.

He quickly identified the problem with it his father had spoke about. Bringing out his dad’s multi tool, one of the things he took from the house before they left, he began fiddling with it, loosening bolts and plates. Satisfied he stood back preparing himself. He charged forward rearing up and driving his front hooves into the bell with all the force he could muster.

It gave way instantly, falling to the floor he stood on before rolling off and falling the whole way to ground level. The resulting noise was deafening, and it stayed ringing in Dusk’s ears even as he quickly climbed back down the ladder and rushed to a safe distance. As predicted the UWF members came over to see what the commotion was about. They gathered around the bell, perplexed at what caused it to fall. That was when Dusk made his move.

Darting behind them he made his way to where the crates were being loaded onto the waiting boat. He weaved in and around the stacks catching sight of Dawn quickly.

“No problems?” she asked smiling at his return.

“Not yet,” he responded. She had already opened the crate she was standing next to, and had some of the contents cleared out so there was enough room for them both to fit inside. He didn’t ask where she disposed of the original content.

They clambered into the open crate, Dusk pulling the box closed behind him, quickly making a makeshift bracket to hold the crate closed, it was a credit to his father’s teaching that he could do this in the dark. They waited patiently, and after a few minutes they heard the sound of the crane swinging over and hooking the crate and tugging it into the air. Neither of them said anything while they waited for the crate to touch solid ground again.

When it did and they heard the crane detach itself they let out a sigh of relief. Dusk created a few more air holes and they sat there talking quietly until they felt the boat moving off.

“Alright I think it’s safe to leave now,” he said dismantling his bracket and they tumbled out onto the deck of the boat. A sailor was walking by at the time, but looking down at them he just shrugged and walked on muttering something about Manehattan folk.

They walked to the edge of the boat and watched as Manehattan shrank into the distance, eventually disappearing over the horizon.

“Next stop, Horseshoe Bay, Baltimare,” Dusk said smiling at Dawn, both happy to be leaving the city behind.

Twenty-five

They arrived in Canterlot in good time, stepping off the train from Baltimare they joined the throngs of ponies gathered for the presentation of the UWF’s bill later that day. The boat journey had been easy enough; the sailors didn’t mind having stowaways so long as they kept out of their way. Once they arrived in Baltimare Dawn used the last of the bits she’d found to buy them a room in a hotel and train tickets to Canterlot the next morning.

As soon as they arrived they could feel the tension in the capital. Everywhere groups of unicorns, pegasi and earth ponies passed each other swearing under their breath and glaring, but none risking starting a fight with so many potential allies swarming through the city. Dawn and Dusk made their way through the crowds, and as they walked she noticed four spires towering over them. She recognised them from books on magic she read before coming to live in Manehattan.

They would be activated by unicorn magic when the presentation began, and the events that took place that day would be projected all over Equestria so every pony far and wide would witness what unfolded that day. That would play into Claxon’s hoof, while most earth ponies responded to his summons there was still those who couldn’t make it. When the fighting started here, they would be called to arms in their respective towns.

They were stopped in their tracks as the crowd before them ceased moving. Though it turned out they were still moving but so slowly it looked like they’d come to a stand still. The royal palace stood before them, once home to Princess Celestia it now housed the party in power of the time, and for a long time that party was the Neigh Sayers.

“Here we are,” she said.

“This is where it all happens,” Dusk replied. It was only now Dawn questioned what exactly they’d come here to do, how could they pacify every pony in Equestria?

“So now what?” she asked.

“Now… we say goodbye,” he said turning to face her.

“What? Why?” she asked startled. He sighed and looked down before answering.

“Somepony has to take a stand, otherwise this will just keep going until there’s nothing left,” he announced, “but I don’t know what’s going to happen, and if something happens to me, I want you to get as far away from all this as you can. Save yourself, and live your life.”

“We can do it together,” she pleaded.

“No, I won’t let you put yourself in danger anymore,” he replied.

“But why? Why does it have to be you?” she begged tears rising to her eyes. He looked her directly in the eye.

“My whole life I never stood up for anything, I never defended anypony. But that day I met you I found something worth speaking up for, a pony I’d give my life for.” They remained silent staring at each other. “I love you Dawn, but I can’t let you die in there.”

He began to turn away making for the palace when she called out.

“Dusk wait!” she ran up to him as he turned to face her again. And before he could argue she leaned up and locked lips with him.

The moment held still in all time and space as Canterlot, the hordes of ponies and the hatred crumbled away, so all that was left was Dawn and Dusk wrapped in each others loving embrace. When at last they parted, which could have been after a few minutes or an eternity, she stared into his eyes again.

“Be careful,” she said, “I don’t want to lose you.”

Twenty-six

Dusk’s heart was racing as he pushed through the crowd; it was like it was trying to get in a lifetime of beats before he reached the palace gates, which could very well be the place he died. After what happened it hurt him even more to leave Dawn behind, but he meant everything he said, if this did fall apart, he didn’t want her there caught in the middle.

He didn’t acknowledge the shouts of annoyance from the ponies he pushed past, didn’t acknowledge the chants from the legions of supporters, didn’t acknowledge anything, except his destination. When at last he reached the gate he could see a podium erected in the centre of the courtyard. And atop stood Claxon clutching a scroll in his hoof; his lackey’s lined up behind him, and facing him from the other side of the stage, was the president himself.

Marelin stood tall over his entourage of unicorns. He was appropriately named as such for his flamboyant behaviour verging on the feminine. He wore ornate robes, his silver mane swept out behind him, flowing in the wind, and on his forehead his horn shone with a brilliant white light. Dusk knew he was activating the spires, everypony in Equestria was now seeing what he was seeing, the ceremony had begun.

“Mares and Gentlecolts, I the president of Equestria and the chaircolt of the Neigh Sayers stand before you all, to meet with Troy Claxon, president of the United Worker’s Force.” Silence had fallen all over Canterlot, perhaps even over all of Equestria. Dusk didn’t have much time; he began pressing forward trying to reach the stage.

Claxon cleared his throat, next to Marelin he looked pathetic, but he spoke confidently none the less.

“Mares and Gentlecolts, I stand before you today to present our president with this bill, demanding he answer for his oppression and tyranny, and that he immediately implement reforms so that we are no longer second class ponies.” There was an immense cheer from all the Earth ponies, while the unicorns and pegasi looked disgruntled at the speech.

Dusk was almost at the stage, but the crowd was thicker now and he was moving slower.

“If he chooses to reject our requests yet again, then it will be clear to everypony here that he is nothing more than a tyrant who wishes to subject us to harsh living conditions while he and his chosen ponies live in luxury,” Claxon exclaimed.  Another cheer erupted, but Marelin’s face remained impassive, but his eyes glinted with amusement.

Claxon began walking slowly and dramatically forward, Marelin stayed where he was, letting Claxon come to him. The crowd watched and held their breath; everything had led up to this moment, and that was when Dusk pushed past the last line and clambered onto the stage between Claxon and Marelin.

“Stop!” Dusk shouted.

All of Equestria froze; the idea of somepony interrupting an event such as this one was pure fantasy. Claxon looked furious, but Marelin merely looked surprised. Dusk’s heart was racing again, he felt every eye in Equestria burning into him, he took a deep breath and began.

“I beg you all to hear me out, this will solve nothing.” There was an outcry of anger from all the ponies gathered, but Marelin raised his hoof to silence them. When they muted Dusk continued, “each and every one of us is standing on a land our ancestors found, one they built on harmony.

“For years we’ve been so caught up in looking out for ourselves, that we’ve come to regard any in a better situation with hostility. The ponies we once embraced as friends we turned against. We fought each other; we hurt and murdered our own neighbours, but not once did we stop to remember we’re all the same, whether we are earth ponies, or pegasi or unicorns, we’re all ponies and we all own this land.

“But instead of talking and sharing, basic principles handed down by our ancestors, we took what we wanted and we let hatred take over. But until we stop all the fighting we’ll never banish that darkness from us. I’ve seen the best and worst of all our numbers, I've seen earth ponies kill a unicorn they didn’t even know, but I’ve also seen an earth pony risk her life to save a defenceless unicorn filly.

“So please, can’t’ we stop this senseless fighting and offer each other peace. Stop looking out for our own interests and do what’s best for everypony. Stop with the hatred ruling our lives, and welcome in a little harmony.” He finished his speech taking gulps of air. Nopony spoke and he was afraid what he said had made no impact, but as he watched something began to change in their expressions.

It was like the something left them, washed away by what he said. Dusk looked at Claxon who was shaking with silent fury, and then to Marelin who stood as still as a statue. Then he opened his mouth, about to say something. And that’s when the assassin leapt onto the stage.

Twenty-seven

Dawn watched Dusk walk into the crowd wiping her tears away. She had nothing but respect for him, the sheer magnitude of facing every pony in Equestria took an immense amount of courage, but still something bothered her, ever since Dusk had said he didn’t believe the attack was the catalyst for Claxon’s civil war, she’d found herself thinking more and more about what it could be, and her mind always strayed back to the changeling.

One thing was for certain, she wasn’t going to stand here to find out if Dusk lived or died, and she wasn’t running and hiding either. She began making her way around the outskirts or Canterlot, avoiding the crowds as much as possible, which was difficult as the number of them meant they were spilling into every nook and cranny. She wasn’t sure what she was looking for but her instincts told her getting inside the palace was her best bet.

However she never made it that far, as she turned down a narrow street something called her name. She looked behind her to see who it was, but there was nopony there. The voice called again, it was like the wind itself was calling out to her. She turned to face back down the street again and gasped. At the end of the street she’d walked into, stood a tall white marble door, which hadn’t been there a few seconds ago.

She cautiously approached it, occasionally glancing behind her to make sure she wasn’t being followed. When she reached the door she glanced around the edge of it, it was just the other side of the street, the door led nowhere. She pressed her ear against it, and she was convinced she heard that airy voice again, calling her. Taking a deep breath she reached her hoof out and pushed the door open.

Something very strange happened next, the door opened to reveal what she thought was just the street, but it was in fact the part of the street she’d walked down to get there. Turning she found she was no longer outside, but within a long metallic grey chamber, there were floor to ceiling windows lining the walls showing not Canterlot outside, but a strange metropolis of identical glass sky scrapers. Taking all this in, she was vaguely aware of the door slamming shut behind her.

“Welcome Dawn, you’re just in time.” The voice came from the end of the room; it had a very clipped tone. She turned and saw a mare sitting cross legged in an official looking chair. Dawn walked steadily forward taking in the rest of her appearance. She had a tan coat and grey mane streaked with white. She wore gold rimmed spectacles perched on the end of her nose, and she wore a white collar with a blue cravat. Finally her cutie mark was of a bound scroll.

“Who are you?” she asked completely perplexed with the situation.

“I have had many names,” she said never breaking eye contact with Dawn, “until recently I was a resident in Ponyville, where I was known as Mayor Mare. In actual fact I am the Fateweaver, but you may call me Fate.”

Dawn was getting an eerie feeling from this mare, Fate.

“Why did you call me here?” she asked halting several feet from her.

“Because you’ve played your role my dear, it’s time for you to step down.”

Dawn’s thoughts were racing, what was going on? Played her role, what was that supposed to mean?

“What role? Why should I step down?” she demanded.

“Why, inspiring your darling Dusk to make his speech of course.” Dawn froze, “and as for your second question, well I can’t let you get in the way of what needs to happen.”

Dawn’s heart was racing, she was starting to feel worried, and briefly she glanced behind her at the closed door. It seemed impossible but it looked much further away than she’d walked from it.

“After all, civil war doesn’t just happen of its own accord, it needs a trigger, it needs...”

“A catalyst,” Dawn finished her sentence for her, she smiled.

“Precisely. Soon all of Equestria will see an earth pony offer peace, before being struck down by a unicorn assassin. The fallout will be total war.”

“No!” Dawn screamed.

“Yes, and it’s all because of you, you gave him the strength he needed to fulfil his role,” she said brushing her mane aside with her hoof.

“It’ll never work, no unicorn will murder Dusk in cold blood...” but then the truth sank in, “the changeling.”

“Exactly, trust Claxon to sacrifice his own supporters to further his cause,” she said laughing.

“But why? Why do you care for there to be civil war? What do you stand to gain?” she shouted, her temper rising.

“You think I care about some petty struggle between ponies? You think I care how many lives are lost? This is far greater than mere civil war; it’s just one more piece in the great plan.”

Dawn’s head was spinning with all this new information.

“What do you mean one more piece?”  Dawn asked, Fate just smiled, her eyes narrowing sinisterly.

“Do you believe in free will Dawn?” she asked. Dawn didn’t know what to say so she continued on, “a long time ago, longer than you can imagine, I believed in the foolish concept of free will. But then one day, I discovered my true potential. I learned that by changing one tiny thing, I could alter all of existence around it; it’s called the butterfly effect my dear.

“Everything plays its part, no matter how insignificant or unrelated it may seem. But I can see you’re struggling to understand,” Dawn was indeed wearing a dumbfounded expression, “here’s an example, a few years ago an item entered Ponyville, events began to take place as a result. If I’d left things to their own devices the item would have been destroyed by a unicorn named Twilight Sparkle. So I intercepted her, by sending her a false message of distress from Canterlot and a specially enchanted onyx stone to ensure she got out of Ponyville as quickly as possible, as a result events unfolded differently and instead of destroying the item, that unicorn fell to it.”

“Why? Was that another piece of your plan?” Dawn yelled, she knew exactly what she had just heard, the famous massacre in Ponyville, was caused by the mare sitting in front of her.

“But of course, I’ve always been pulling the strings, driving you and Dusk together by sending the UWF goons to your homes,” replied Fate.

Dawn shook with rage, “but why?” she demanded again, “what could you possibly gain from controlling the lives of others, is it just for your own sick pleasure.”

“Oh Dawn, you think so small. I couldn’t care less about the means; it’s all about the end game. Everything I’ve masterminded up to today has been one more step to my ultimate goal; the unification of Equestria, Discord’s rule of chaos, every great event in history, and soon the civil war will bring me one step closer,” Fate said standing up, and Dawn could tell the she was almost finished. “There’s just one thing I have to take care of, you can’t leave here.”

Dawn barely had time to react; her only warning was the distortion of colour drifting in front of her. She leapt to the side as a magical spike drove out of the ceiling right to where Dawn had been standing a second before.

“Please don’t waste either of our times, I know everything that will happen, I know this is where you die.” Fate said lazily. Dawn wasn’t going to let her have her way; she wasn’t going to let Dusk get murdered as part of some plot.

As quick as a flash she galloped towards Fate aiming a kick at her face, but she teleported away sending a shower of needles at her. While she avoided most, a few sliced into her back causing her to stumble. Again she heard the familiar sound and rolled to avoid yet more spikes slicing through the air. She ducked behind Fate’s chair in order to catch her breath.

“There’s no point hiding,” Fate mused, “let’s not digress from destiny; just accept it and it will all be over.”

Dawn felt hopelessness wash over her, what was she doing? She was fighting a pony who’d apparently lived for thousands of years manipulating the very course of history. Maybe she should accept defeat, after all what could she hope to accomplish? Standing up she stepped out to face Fate. She smiled as Dawn looked her in the eye.

“Im glad you came to your senses,” she said finally raising her hoof. A long spike rose up behind her swirling in midair. She then thrust her hoof forward the spike shooting straight towards Dawn’s chest.

There was an explosion of light, the spike shattered into a billion crystalline pieces and Fate’s eyes widened in shock.

“Impossible!” she screeched. Dawn opened her eyes feeling something embracing her body. Looking down she saw her lower legs and hooves were encase in golden gauntlets, each embroidered with a different crystal; her back left had a blue balloon, her back right had a pink butterfly, her front left had a purple diamond, and her front right had an orange apple. Looking further up her body she seemed to be wearing a cross between a golden necklace and a chest plate, upon it was a red lightning bolt. And although she couldn’t see it she could feel the crown helmet wrapped around her head, and knew it was adorned with a pink star. They were the Elements of Harmony.

Fate was shaking out of a mixture of anger and fear; she clearly hadn’t seen this coming. Dawn knew without needing to be told what she had to do, she felt the power of the elements flowing through her and she shut her eyes drawing it all together. When her eyes burst open again they shone with the light of suns, which she channelled into a single blast aimed directly at Fate. The entire room was devastated by the bean that shot from Dawn’s whole body, the glass walls shattered and the metal floor and ceiling shredded away. Fate was swallowed up by the blast, her screams fading away.

When all her power drained away Dawn was left standing in an empty world, facing the open door. She ran without hesitation, dashing through the arch way back into the real world. However she didn’t run back out to the street she came in from, instead she found herself in a high ceiling room lined with pillars and tall stained glass windows. She could tell she was somewhere in the palace just from her surroundings.

She didn’t stop to examine the room any further, she just ran for the open doors, desperately looking for a way outside. Running down random corridor after random corridor she felt she was getting nowhere, but somehow she knew the elements were leading her the right way. Then she saw it, daylight at the end of the hall, she galloped forward forgetting her lack of energy or the heavy armour she wore, she focused purely on the opening.

She emerged blinking into the sunlight, onto the balcony of a tower, overlooking the ceremony. The whole crowd was in silence, and there she saw Claxon, Marelin and Dusk standing on the stage, all eyes on them, and from her vantage point she saw the assassin dive through the air straight for Dusk. He looked like a unicorn, but she knew it was really a changeling. She leapt from the tower swooping down, the elements carrying her to her destination as fast as light.

Twenty-eight

Everything happened so fast Dusk barely knew what was going on. For a brief moment he saw the assassin hovering in the air ready to thrust its knife down, then out of nowhere Dawn came shooting into the assassin sending it flying. Rousing himself he dashed over to where Dawn lay in a crumpled heap, and was confused to see her dressed in what appeared to be golden armour, but as he pulled her onto all fours, she tossed around facing the assassin who had quickly regained his composure and was now running at them.

Once again out of nowhere Dawn fired a beam of light catching his attacker square in the chest. Then he and all of Equestria watched as the unicorn skin peeled away to reveal the black insect like changeling. The crowd erupted, guards responding instantly by charging in and tackling the changeling. Everypony was panicking and screaming until a voice tore through the air.

“Silence!” silence fell instantly, all eyes turning to Marelin who had been the one to shout. “Everypony listen to me, we have all heard what this virtuous pony has said, and after what we just saw it is clear to me as it should be to each and every one of us, we must stop fighting each other, we must relight the spirit of harmony that bound us so close together.” Dawn looked at Dusk smiling.

“You did it,” Dawn whispered.

Together they watched as throughout the crowd all the distrust, all the barriers crumbled away and earth ponies, pegasi and unicorns embraced each other like best of friends. Dusk had seen something leave the ponies after his speech, and now he saw something fill the empty space, Harmony had returned in Equestria.

He turned to Dawn, “we did it.” And they embraced tightly, breaking apart only to see Claxon stepping forward and shaking hooves with Marelin. They both sighed with relief, once again turning away from everything taking place around them and Dawn and Dusk joined lips for a second time.

That day had been one of great celebrations all over Equestria, but also one of great mourning where everypony paid their respects to all those who’d lost their lives in the past few years. Dawn filled Dusk in on what took place after he left. Her story made him feel light headed, but he accepted it none the less. After the events outside, Marelin asked them both to come inside to speak with him.

“Firstly I want to thank both of you; together you brought something Equestria was missing back.” Marelin began, “ Secondly we’ve been discussing it we have decided to dissolve the republic.” Dawn and Dusk were both taken aback by this, “and we plan to invite princess Celestia back to her throne. It’s clear now Equestria was better off under her rule.”

“I’m glad you see things that way,” Dusk said, hoping he wasn’t pushing it, “but why are you telling us?”

“Because you have the right to know, none of this would have been possible without you. Again, thank you.” Dusk found himself warming to Marelin, true perhaps if he’d seen what he was doing behind the scenes this whole time he might feel differently, but as it was he decided the ex-president wasn’t too bad.

Before they left Dawn said she had one thing she needed to do, and so together they walked back through the palace to a room lined with pillars and stained glass windows. Together they walked to the end where a purple door stood open, inside an open chest sat on a pedestal. Once inside Dawn removed the elements, placing them in the chest one at a time. When all six were inside she closed the lid and they heard it lock.

They left the room together, the purple doors shutting behind them, sealing shut with magic.

“She’s still out there.” Dawn said at last.

“I thought you finished her off?” Dusk responded, but she just shook her head.

“I definitely broke her power, but I know she’s out there, planning her next move.”

“And when that day comes, we’ll be ready for her... together.” They left the room hoof in hoof.

Epilogue

Princess Cadence was hesitant at first to return to Equestria after so long, and she was devastated to see what had become of it, but she swore she’d fill Celestia’s throne the best she could, as her aunt had passed away shortly after going into exile. Once coroneted she appointed Marelin as an advisor, who filled her in on the details of the last three years.

She was particularly interested when the subject of the Elements of Harmony came up, and she thought back to the day her and Spike destroyed them, knowing one day they would rebind to a new wielder when they were needed again. It was going to take a long time to bring Equestria back to its former glory, but the efforts of Dawn and Dusk had made the task considerably easier.

Dawn and Dusk... though she had never met them, she knew they were important, like the wielders of the elements before them, but she also knew their roles were probably not over. This unknown enemy, Fate. Something told her she was yet to reveal her true potential, and when that day came Dawn and Dusk might just have to rise to the occasion.

~

Dawn and Dusk decided not to return to Manehattan, even if the city wasn’t utterly destroyed, there were too may dark memories there for them. Instead Dusk took them both to a little plot of land in the heart of Equestria, once known as Sweet Apple Acres. While they didn’t have money, they appealed to the Ponyville council to let them move in so that Dusk might take over the repair work its previous owner Arty had done.

While they would not have agreed normally, the owners of the local bakery, Mr and Mrs Cake vouched for them. They were granted the deed and they moved in immediately. While there Dusk kept his word and become the go to pony for repairs in Ponyville. Dawn was quickly noticed by the teacher in the local school, Cheerlie, who had been planning to go on early retirement and offered Dawn the free position.

They worked together for a couple weeks so Dawn could get back into the swing of things, but Cheerlie saw she was a natural and was able to take her retirement knowing the school was in capable hooves. As time went on they were allowed to forget about everything that drove them together, and were able to focus on the future, a future together. The life Dusk knew Dawn deserved, and the life Dawn couldn’t imagine sharing with anypony else.

~

Fate seethed with anger. Everything she’d worked for, ruined. Years, centuries, eons of planning, and it had all fallen apart. Her ultimate goal slipped through her hooves and disappeared into the warp of non-existence. She had lost.

No! She may have lost this battle, but it wasn’t over. She had always had a failsafe just in case her destiny was somehow unravelled. Those fools think they’ve won, but she has one last trick up her sleeve. The greatest secret hidden away by Sullivan, one that would allow her to turn back wheels of time, and she knew exactly where Sullivan locked it away all those years ago.

She squinted her eyes staring through the swirling snow, and then she sliced the air with her hoof, forcing the sky to clear. The blizzard disappeared and her path was un-obscured. Before her a colossal structure rose up, a demonic rock face driven into the ice, the gates of Tartarus.