Chapter 05: A Rare Mare Part 1
The late afternoon sun cast golden rays over Sweet Apple Acres as Dusk and Ditzy prepared to leave. The Apple family stood on the porch, waving them off with warm smiles. Applejack's sharp eyes caught the faint droop in Dusk's posture and the distant look in his eyes, but she didn't comment on it.
"Y'all come back anytime, ya hear?" Applejack called.
"Thanks for the hospitality!" Ditzy waved back enthusiastically. "And the fritters!"
"Take care, y'all!" Granny Smith sat in her rocking chair as she waved a hoof.
Apple Bloom simply bounced in place, grinning ear to ear.
As they hitched up the cart and began trotting down the dirt path, Ditzy glanced at Dusk. His usual curious energy seemed dampened, and he stared ahead with a faint frown. She thought about saying something but decided against it. Whatever weighed on him, he'd share it when he was ready.
The rest of the day passed smoothly. Ditzy led them through Ponyville as they continued delivering the remaining packages. There were still crowded streets and cheerful townsfolk, but Dusk remained quiet, keeping to nods and short responses. Despite this, he helped Ditzy complete her rounds in half the time it usually took—and without the usual chaos that often accompanied her solo efforts.
By the time they finished, the sun was dipping below the horizon. Ditzy gave Dusk an appreciative smile as she finished tallying up their day. "Well, I think that's everything! Thanks to you, this has been one of the smoothest delivery days ever. I didn't crash into a single thing!"
Dusk managed a small smile at her praise. "I'm glad I could help."
Ditzy reached into her saddlebag and pulled a small pouch of bits, placing it in his hoof. "Here's your pay, Dusk. You earned it."
He stared at the pouch for a moment. "Thanks, Ditzy. I appreciate it."
"No problem! Get some rest tonight, okay? You've earned it."
After exchanging goodbyes, Dusk made his way through the streets. He eventually found a modest inn near the town square. The innkeeper greeted him inside, and he rented a simple but comfortable room for the night.
As he settled into the small space, the day's events replayed in his mind. He lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling as the moonlight filtered through the curtains.
'You're unusually quiet,' came Nightmare Moon's voice.
Dusk exhaled slowly. 'I'm thinking.'
'About what?' Nightmare Moon's voice suggested she already knew.
'About the story Granny Smith told and what it means. Everyone thinks we're dead.'
Nightmare Moon paused in his mindscape. 'Yes. It seems my sister chose to rewrite history. To bury us in tragedy rather than face the truth.'
Dusk's expression tightened. 'She knew the truth. She saw what happened. She knew I fought you. I helped her seal you into the moon, and she fulfilled my request to be sealed alongside you so you wouldn't be alone. Why lie about that? Why not tell them?'
Nightmare's voice softened. 'Perhaps she believed it was easier this way. Simpler for her subjects to mourn what was lost than to understand the complexities of what truly happened. My change into Nightmare was not… something ponies would easily accept from the prior rule. Nor was your decision to join me.'
Dusk turned on his side. 'But she knew...'
'And that is precisely why she lied,' Nightmare Moon murmured. 'To protect the crown from the questions. If ponies knew you were alive, they would wonder why you were not here. Why you vanished when my place was vacant.'
Dusk clenched his jaw. 'Maybe… She didn't want people to think I ran away from my duties.'
Nightmare Moon's silence spoke volumes. 'Perhaps my sister has decided to carry the weight of the kingdom on her shoulders. The events of that night no doubt wounded her deeply.'
'She wouldn't know when we would return. Millions of years could have passed instead...'
Nightmare Moon's voice grew softer. 'I do not believe she thought we would return in that case. The seal was meant to last forever. She likely believed the choice—however flawed—was final.'
The thought stung more than Dusk wanted to admit. He had sacrificed so much, only to return to a world that had buried him. 'So what do we do now?'
Nightmare Moon hesitated. 'We uncover the truth. Together. We shall confront her, no?'
Dusk nodded slightly. 'I just want to know why.'
'Then we will find out,' Nightmare Moon assured him. 'And when we do, we will decide what to do with that knowledge. Now, you need rest. This ceaseless brooding will do you no good.'
Dusk let out a long sigh. 'They think I'm some kind of… phantom.'
'Celestia betrayed us. She lied to her subjects and painted us as tragic martyrs to cover her failures. It is unforgivable.'
Dusk closed his eyes, shaking his head. 'I don't want to fight her, Aunty..'
'You will fight her. You will see the truth in time. Celestia has hidden behind her lies for too long. She does not deserve your loyalty.'
'And you think I should give it to you instead?'
'I do not ask for your loyalty, Dusk. Only your understanding.'
Dusk frowned, turning to his side. 'I don't believe that. Not entirely.'
'Perhaps not yet. But you will. I can wait.'
He knew Nightmare still harbored her plans for revenge, just as he knew he couldn't let her carry them out. Yet, beneath it all, he still cared for her during their long exile, no matter how much the shadows of the past tried to smother it.
'Let me help you sleep.'Before he could question her, he felt her presence shift in his mindscape.
'Close your eyes. Let the world drift away.'
Despite his reservations, Dusk found himself following her words. The tension in his body eased, his breaths slowing as her influence calmed the storm within him. Her voice hummed softly in his thoughts, a lullaby without words, easing him into the edges of sleep.
Luna's thoughts brushed against his own, a whisper of affection as his consciousness began to slip. You are mine. You will stand with me. I will ensure it.
With that, Dusk drifted into sleep.
#
The morning light filtered through Dusk's room, waking him. He blinked groggily, taking a moment to remember where he was. Today was one day closer to seeing his mother again.
After a quick stretch, Dusk stepped outside to find Ditzy.
"Morning, Dusk! Ready for work?" She then held out a muffin. "I even got you a snack.
"Oh, Thanks." He nodded. "Morning, Ditzy. How'd you know I was here?"
She tilted her head. "This is the only inn in town."
He blinked. "Oh. Right…" It took a few bites to finish his snack. "Let's get started."
It took a couple of hours, but they dropped off all the letters and small packages for several houses and businesses.
Ditzy's ears perked up as she glanced at a message slip tucked in her saddlebag. "Oh! Looks like we've got a special request from the post office." She showed Dusk the note. "We need to pick up a large package for delivery."
"Large? How large are we talking?"
"You'll see!" Ditzy led the way back to the post office.
When they arrived, Dusk's eyes widened at the sight of the package. It was a tall, elegantly wrapped crate nearly as large as the cart. "Looks like this one's important."
Ditzy squinted at the address label, then gasped with excitement. "Ooooh, this is going to the Carousel Boutique! Rarity must've ordered something fancy for the celebration."
Dusk tilted his head. "Carousel Boutique? I don't think I've been there yet."
"Oh, you're in for a treat," Ditzy said with a giggle. "It's one of the prettiest places in Ponyville. And Rarity's one of the best dressmakers in all of Equestria! She's probably working on some amazing outfits for the Summer Sun Celebration."
Dusk looked at the package again. "Let's get it loaded."
With some effort, the two managed to secure the package onto their cart.
"Ready?" Ditzy asked.
"As ready as I'll ever be." Dusk adjusted the harness.
After a few minutes of walking, Dusk and Ditzy approached the Carousel Boutique.
Its design caught Dusk's attention immediately. It was two stories with circular architecture and striped pillars. "Huh. Reminds me of some of the paintings from home."
Ditzy unhitched herself from the cart. "Yep! That's the Carousel Boutique for you. Just wait until you meet Rarity."
Dusk helped Ditzy unload the large, carefully wrapped package from their cart. Together, they managed to lift it and set it gently by the door.
"Careful now. Rarity's probably been waiting for this all day." Ditzy trotted up to the door and gave it a polite knock.
Moments later, the door opened to reveal Rarity. "Good afternoon!" Her gaze fell on the package, then shifted to the ponies at her doorstep. "And right on time! Thank you ever so much."
As Dusk stepped inside the Carousel Boutique, he couldn't help but be momentarily struck by the mare in front of him.
Ditzy beamed. "Hi, Rarity! Yep, here's your delivery. This is Dusk, by the way. He's helping me out with all the festival preparations."
Rarity turned her attention to Dusk. "Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, Dusk. I'm Rarity, the proprietor of the Carousel Boutique. Welcome to Ponyville's hub of fashion."
He blinked, gathering his thoughts. "You look… beautiful." The words slipped out before he could stop himself. He could already feel Nightmare's glare on him.
Rarity's eyes widened slightly in surprise before a soft giggle escaped her lips. She brushed her mane back with an elegant hoof, her cheeks faintly rosy. "Oh, my! Aren't you just the sweetest? Thank you, darling. That's very kind of you to say."
Dusk cleared his throat to maintain his composure. "I can only speak the truth about such things, especially to a lady."
Rarity glanced at him more closely, a pleased smile on her face. "It's so refreshing to meet a stallion with such charm. You're a rarity indeed." She winked playfully, adding, "And might I add, you're quite handsome too."
Dusk's ears flicked back, his cheeks warming at her compliment.
Rarity turned her attention back to the package. "Now, let's get this lovely delivery sorted, shall we? And perhaps, while you're here, I can show you some of my latest designs."
"Sure," beamed Ditzy.
She turned toward Dusk. "Perhaps a stallion like yourself deserves a small gift, wouldn't you agree?"
Dusk chuckled. "I… suppose it wouldn't hurt to take a look."
Rarity beamed, clearly delighted, and led them into the boutique. She held the door open with a welcoming smile. "Do come in, darlings! I would be pleased to show you what I've been working on for the Summer Sun Celebration. I simply must have your opinions!"
Dusk and Ditzy followed her inside.
There were vibrant fabrics draped over mannequins, rolls of ribbon spilling over tables, and sparkling gemstones. The air carried a faint, pleasant scent of lavender.
"Wow," Dusk murmured, his eyes scanning the organized chaos. "This is incredible."
"Thank you, dear!" Rarity led them toward her workstation. "Creativity thrives on just the right amount of chaos, don't you think? Now, feast your eyes on this!"
She gestured dramatically to a display of banners and drapes spread across a table and hanging from nearby racks. The decorations shimmered with gold and silver accents, their vibrant blues and purples perfectly capturing the festival's theme of celebrating the harmony of day and night. Stars and sunbursts were embroidered delicately into the fabrics, each detail meticulously crafted.
"These are for the main stage." Rarity lightly brushed a hoof over one of the banners. "I wanted to show the majesty of Princess Celestia. What do you think?"
Ditzy nodded enthusiastically. "They're gorgeous, Rarity! Everyone will love them."
Nightmare was banging her head in Dusk's mind. 'Sister…'
It was quite nostalgic to the stallion. He missed his mother. Dusk marveled at the craftsmanship. "The details are incredible. This was far better than here I used to live." Not even the royal seamstresses at the castle were this skilled. 'Goes to show what a thousand years will do to society."
Rarity was pleased by their praise. "You're too kind, both of you. Like everything, I've poured my heart into these pieces, and to hear such wonderful feedback makes it all worth it."
Dusk smiled. "I have an appreciation for artistry."
"Well, I'm delighted to share my work with ponies who truly appreciate it. There's still much to be done, but I'm confident Ponyville will be absolutely radiant for the festival."
Ditzy gave a playful nudge to Dusk. "See? Told you Rarity's work is amazing."
Dusk nodded. "You weren't wrong."
Rarity brushed her mane back. "Oh, stop—you'll make me blush. Now, would you like some tea while I show you a few more designs? I have a rather ambitious project for the town square that I think you'll love."
#
AN: Special thanks to Seana, Jebest4781, Mecha Destroyer98, vividlearner744, OmegaDelta, Henry Stickman, fearmegu, Kitsune Robyn, Dragon lord, Shooter1344, Alexander, Ajax Roranson, trey, Asaf, DJC, $hane-08, nighnight, decimator, Roswell, SpeX, Giorgie Baramidze, Professor Xivass, jorge, Adam!
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