So this what the after life truly is. Dusk thought as his lifeless body fell into darkness. Celestia forgive me, I couldn't summon the Elements of Harmony. I couldn't defeat Nightmare Moon. heading into further darkness Dusk began to see visions,almost like when he was in Night Moons care. Except these events were fairly recent,and involved Dusk when he went alone in the Ever Free Forest and fighting the Nightmare goddess. The visions showed him when Pinkie,Apple Jack,Rarity Rainbow and Fluttershy went searching for him after finding and reading the Letter he left for Spike in the library. After some talk with her mother Apple Jack and the rest of the girls went to the ever free forest. While there Dusk saw himself casting a sleeping spell so the girls wouldn't bother him, only to find later a mysterious woman in a cloak and hood came and woke them for their slumber. Prompted Dusk to think about what Lyria told him the day before. After waking from the odor of the contents of a container,the mysterious woman had carried and opened. The girls continued on their way,encountering monstrous trees possessed Nightmare Moon's magic,and a large animal creature called a manticore. After helping the large beast and dealing with the trees the girls pressed forward. With Rainbow leading away wanting to be the first to reach the castle. Seeing this Dusk didn't know what to think. Did the girls really see as a friend as Fluttershy told the manticore. Dusk didn't have much time to process this as he watched Rainbow racing ahead of the others. However she abruptly stopped after she saw someone in her way. The mysterious figure turned out anther human female,but….. She had wings,but…they were not the normal feathered wings hers were more leathery and bat like. After a thought or two Dusk knew who she was. Back at the Academy and learning about mysterious creatures. Dusk came upon one called a Night flyer leathery winged humans who used roam all around Equestria mainly at night, however they stopped appearing once Nightmare Moon was defeated by and Celestia and Elements of Harmony. After not being seen for so long they were considered extinct. After a beefing exchange the mysterious batwing girl asked Rainbow if she was interested in a race. Being the cocky arrogant type as she was Dash immediately accepted. When finally catching up Apple Jack and the others saw Rainbow and the mysterious batwing woman beginning to race. Too late to stop it Fluttershy flew up and told them where they were headed,and began running towards the direction.

"After wining the race Dusk saw two more Night Flyers anther female and one male. Where did they come from? Dusk asked himself. After congratulating her the Night Flyer known as Night Shade told Rainbow that her and her colleagues were called the Shadow Bolts. They tried coaxing her into joining them by making her leader of their team,and to abandon rescue of Dusk,with this Rainbow seemingly agreed, but soon showed them where her true loyalty lied. Dusk eyes widen with as he saw Rainbow slam her to the ground. With Apple Jack and the others already caught up,Rarity use her magic against the two oppressors that retaliated. Down on the ground Dusk was shocked and surprised that the 3 Night Flyers bodies unexpectedly dissipated. Turning into a dark heading for the castle. As they reached the other side of the condemned bridge Dusk heard Rarity and Apple Jack talking about why he would recklessly choose to fight Nightmare Moon on his own. During this Fluttershy accidental spoke of what Spike told her. Which gathered the attention of the girls. With this and worried for Dusk safety Fluttershy admitted a little more of what the imp assistant told her. After that A.J and the others were even more determined to find where Dusk was as they entered the ancient castle. Watching this the Celestia's top pupil couldn't believe he was seeing. We're these girls really coming save me? He wondered. Can't questioned. Then again why are they making such big efforts just to get to me? After he awoke in the castle. The girls told him of the obstacles they had to go though just to get to him. Dusk began to question his actions as he watch the girls lead by Pinkie to where he was. Stopping briefly only to get weapons from an old armory after that the girls continued onward. Inside of one of the old castle windows Pinkie pointed to a tower, not too far away and told her female associates that that's where Dusk was at. Though her assumptions had doubts by the other girls especially Rarity but, Apple Jack assured them that was where he was at. After a few minutes of hurrying, because told the girls Dusk didn't have much time, turned out she was right. Dusk was there and he wasn't alone the Night Goddess Nightmare Moon was also there,and quickly spotted them and summoned a spell to deposed of them. Unfortunately for her Dusk counteracted her spell with a barrier he formed a barrier with the last of his magic,protecting the girls. Remembering this Dusk didn't exactly do it for them,he did for Celestia knowing she would've done the same for him.

"After the explosion of Nightmare Moons spell the girls now had to deal with her Zombie shadow horde. Dusk watch as the girls fought them though Fluttershy hid away but she did kick one across the room after most of them were defeated after this Pinkie Pie lead them to a hall to where Dusk initially was. How in the world does that Pinkie sense work? Dusk wondered as the walked towards the door. Unfortunately for them Nightmare's magical essence still had one trick up its sleeve as the 5 girls heard metal foot steps behind them and noticed two rows of empty knight armors began moving. As well as the two heavy armor knights near the door to the room. But much like the shadow zombies they stand much of a chance though, Rainbow was almost chocked to death, by one of the possessed armors due to her arrogance, thankfully she saved by non than Fluttershy who didn't want to see her die. By stabbing the side of the amor with a sword. Which surprised everyone due to her gentle nature. I guess she'll fight if it's necessary thought Dusk. After dealing knight armors, the girls gathered at the door which Apple Jack kicked open,only to see Nightmare Moon ready to get intimate with an unconscious Dusk. Acting quickly and on instinct Rarity got out her wand and blasted the Princess Nightmares. Sending her out of the room and into the night. With Nightmare gone for the moment Apple Jack and the rest of the girls checked on Dusk who was lying on the bed with Fluttershy Calling out his name in her gentle voice. Dusk?Dusk?

After witnessing the events the girls went through Dusk for the first time regretted his actions. Especially towards the girls who made so much effort to help and save him. The visions he saw came to an end,as thoughts of Pinkie,Apple Jack,Rainbow, Rarity, and Fluttershy swirled around his mind. Girls. He said in his me. I'm sorry for being stubborn and for putting you all in that dangerous situation in the Ever Free Forest. You've done so much. He continued. Just to help me. But with my negative view of humanity. Ive become my own worst enemy. Being blinded by pride left me vulnerable to this evil that will rule Equestria. And without the elements this evil can not be stopped. As he thought of the girls in imprisonment rotting in the cells of Nightmare Moons rule, his sister and parents mourning the lost of their son and sibling. Dusk also thought of Spike his adopted little brother and assistant. If he hadn't made it back to Canterlot then Dusk imagined him at Sweet Apple Apple Acres with the rest of the Apple family with their crop of apple tress being destroyed with no sunlight. With this Dusk truly wished there something he could do,to make this right not only for him, but every in Equestia. Suddenly he started feeling some sorted heat on his face. He recognized the feeling when he was young or when wasn't in doors,or his tower home. It was the heat of the sun but…. He thought. How's that possible? As he opened his eyes.