Dusk Star stuck his head out of the main door, checking both sides. The entire city was completely wrecked. He stepped out the door, making as little noise as possible. So far, so good.

"Hello there, Dusk." His body froze. That voice never seemed so bad.

"Chrysalis. You know, earlier today I crashed into a room that felt different. Not in a bad way, but like a bed. At the time, I didn't realize what it was, but now I do. That was the room that my dad slept in stasis in for a thousand years. His presence was with me from the second I stepped into that space, and it's still here now." He looked up, staring her right in the eyes. "If you don't understand yet, my dad is here for you alongside me." He leapt up, landing directly in front of her.

"Good. Killing him and his son simultaneously will be the most fulfilling thing I've ever done." Her horn began to spark and she leaned in, aiming it directly at his head. He did the same thing until the tips of their horns were mere inches apart.

Gigantic blasts erupted from their horns, clashing between them. Dusk Star and Chrysalis slid back, still emanating energy. The power collapsed into a ball that continued to expand farther and farther, dissolving the top of the building. Dusk Star's body was shaking with effort, and over the raging storm of power he heard Chrysalis taunting him.

"Something wrong, Dusk Star? All that power failing you?" His knees stiffened, forcing himself forward. "HA! Haven't you realized yet that you're fighting something that can't be beat? I am perfect!" Her blast widened out, almost encompassing his entirely. He dropped to his knees, struggling to not be blown away.

The entire castle shook, causing giant chunks of debris to fall from everywhere. One rolled down the spire leading to Celestia's chamber and smashed into Dusk Star's backside. He cried out as a crack echoed from behind him. Both of his hind legs were broken. His beam flickered, threatening to go out entirely.

"I-I'm sorry, Mom...I just wasn't strong enough to beat her..." He closed his eyes, ready to yield. Just as he thought he'd taken his last breath, a voice echoed through his head. It was familiar, and it brought back the smell that he'd found in that catacomb.

"Honestly, you're giving up already? That's nothing like the Dusk Star I know." His eyes popped open.

"Dad? Is that you?"

"Heh. Yeah, son, I'm right here. You said I'd be here to fight with you, and here I am." Dusk Star scanned both sides of his field of vision, but he couldn't see anything.

"I can't see you! Where are you?"

"You're looking in the wrong place. Seventeen years ago, I stored a huge portion of my power inside that amulet you've got around your neck. Apparently a bit of my personality got stuck in here too, and it just needed a good reason to wake up. Either way, I'm here with you, and I know you can do this." Dusk Star shook his head.

"No, Dad...I've already gotten power from our whole family. She's just too strong. If only you could come back out here and fight, we'd be able to win this."

"Now don't even think about giving up. You've held your own this long, now all you've got to do is push harder. I know you can do it, so go!"

"Dad...I can't. I've already lost both of my back legs, and now my power's fading."

"Will you quit trying to put yourself in a corner? You're stronger than that! Come on, now. We'll do this together." Chrysalis laughed maniacally from the other side of the maelstrom.

"What are you mumbling about? So scared you've lost your mind?" Her eyes bulged as a new power erupted from behind her and Scootaloo shoved a hoof into her jaw. "GRRRAAH! YOU STUPID LITTLE FILLY!" She bucked up, smashing the orange mare off the edge of the castle. Dusk Star growled.

"You dare harm my friends...You try to insult my father's legacy...Chrysalis, I'm not going to let...YOU GET AWAY WITH THIS!" A gigantic set of wings sprouted from his back and his blast widened so far out that the entire east wing of the castle simply dissipated.

"Yes, Dusk! That's it! Give it everything you've got!" Chrysalis couldn't have been sure, but as her body collapsed under the crushing force of the new Alicorn, she could have sworn that a tall, tan pony stood behind him, sneering at her.

"NOOOOOO! I AM IMMORTAL!"

It had been almost a week since the defeat of Chrysalis, and nopony had found the amulet yet. Dusk Star was back on his feet, although he refused to speak to anypony. Luna wasn't completely clear on why, but she suspected.

He lay on his bed, fluffing his wings. He had become an Alicorn. He'd finally filled his father's shoes, and yet he wasn't happy. Was this really what it was like to be the most powerful pony in the world? The door creaked open behind him.

"You know, I spent almost ten years trying to find a way to bring him back."

"Really? The worst enemy you've ever had, and you wanted him back?" A chuckle.

"Yes, sir. He may have been my rival, but because of him I finally realized what I was missing. Fear, love, hope. He taught me what all those things meant, even if we did hate each other. When he gave himself up to defeat Tirek, I was almost afraid that losing him would mean losing who I had become."

"But you didn't. You're still exactly who you want to be."

"You couldn't be more right. Your father was renowned for his fighting ability, but he was better at saving ponies than destroying them. He left you with everything you need to live out the rest of your life, if you can just let him go." The footsteps moved back across the floor and the door creaked closed again. Dusk Star had understood what Discord was trying to tell him, but letting go just didn't seem possible. At least, not until the door creaked open again.

"Hey...you wanna go get some lunch?" His eyes popped open as he turned and saw none other than Steel Heart staring him right in the eyes.

"You know, I think I would." She grinned and led the way back out. Dusk Star started after her, but stopped at the threshold. That smell was back. He looked around for a second until he realized that it was coming from him. He stepped back a few paces and glanced out the window.

"Thanks, Dad."

Well, that wraps this all up. The story of Day's End and his family is finally complete. I'd like to thank all of you that read this far into the story. You guys are amazing. Please don't forget to leave a review, and thanks again.