After returning to Las Pegasus and giving Star Buck back his aircraft, Dusk caught the next train back to Ponyville. During the overnight trip, all he could think about was how great it would be to see his home, family and friends again.

As the morning gave way to the afternoon, Dusk saw the welcome sight of Ponyville's train station. His family and friends were waiting for him; Dusk had sent a letter to let them know he'd be coming home, just before he left the Crystal Empire.

The second Dusk stepped off the train, he was tackled by Dazzle and Starlight. Dazzle kissed him deeply, while Starlight ruffled his mane.

"I missed you, big bro!" Starlight chuckled.

"I missed you more." Dazzle purred.

"I missed you all." Dusk smiled as he got to his hooves. "Mom, dad, Dazzle, Starlight... all of you."

"Welcome back, pardner." Crab Apple pulled Dusk into a one-legged stallionhug.

"It's so good to see you again, Dusky!" Purple Punch giggled.

"Got that right." Thunder Storm agreed.

"Good to have ya back, D!" Rainbow Flash smiled.

"I'd say it's pretty much unanimous." Honeysuckle chuckled. "So, how was your journey?"

"Incredible." Dusk replied. "I've seen such amazing things, met some great ponies, and learned a lot of useful stuff."

"Did you bring us anything?" Starlight asked.

"I sure did." Dusk smiled, taking several items out of his backpack. For Dazzle and Starlight, he had a crystal necklace and tiara, each containing seven jewels in the colors of the rainbow. For Crab, he had a bottle of Appleloosa cider. For Thunder and Rainbow, he had some top-of-the line wing weights. For Purple, he had a case full of gag props, direct from Baltimare. And for Honeysuckle, he had a rare lily from just outside Vanhoover. He also had an extra-large emerald for Spike.

"I have no words..." Spike drooled over the jumbo gem.

As Dusk's friends marvelled over their presents, Twilight and Flash trotted over to their son.

"We heard about what happened in the Crystal Empire." Flash declared. "Way to go, son!"

"Our son, the hero!" Twilight beamed. "We're so proud!"

"Ah, mom..." Dusk blushed.

"You simply must tell us all about it." Dazzle nuzzled him.

"Yeah, Dusk, tell us!" Starlight added.

Dusk told the story as they made their way to the Golden Oak Library. As he did, he took in the familiar sights, sounds, and smells of Ponyville. Several ponies waved or bowed as he passed, happy to see the young prince again.

The part in Dusk's story where he blasted Chrysalis got the biggest reaction.

"Wow!" Starlight gasped.

"The power of love, huh?" Thunder snorted. "Mushy, but effective."

"Wish I coulda been there." Rainbow smiled. "It must have looked so awesome!"

"I'll bet you looked absolutely dashing and heroic." Dazzle cooed.

"Well, I don't know about." Dusk chuckled modestly. "I did okay..."

"More then okay, pardner." Crab noted. "Ya saved the whole Crystal Empire!"

"Crab's right Dusk." Honeysuckle agreed. "You should be proud."

"Proud as punch!" Purple joked.

As the group of ponies reached the front door, Starlight held out a hoof.

"Heroes first." She told Dusk.

Shaking his head, Dusk opened the door. The second he entered the Library, he was showered with confetti and streamers. Blinking, Dusk saw all his friends' parents, Big McIntosh, Cheerilee, Apple Polisher, the Cake Family, and Zecora.

"Welcome home, Dusk!" They all cheered.

"Surprise!" Starlight leapt onto her brother's back.

"It's a "Welcome back to Ponyville and congrats on saving the Crystal Empire" party!" Pinkie Pie declared, zipping over and placing a party hat on Dusk's head.

"A little homecoming present." Twilight smiled.

"This is..." Dusk gaped, speechless, as Starlight hopped off his back. "Thank you, everypony."

"What are we all standin' around for?" Thunder asked. "Let's party!"

"I second that motion." Dazzle smiled. "I know a certain somepony whom I've been positively aching to dance with..."

"Who could that possibly be?" Dusk joked.

"Let me show you." Dazzle purred as she pulled Dusk onto the dance floor.

And with that, the party got underway. Being back amongst his friends and family was an amazing feeling for Dusk. Crab's down-to-earth attitude, Thunder and Rainbow's rambunctiousness, Purple's jokes, Honeysuckle's level-headedness; Dusk had missed them, but it was only at that moment that he realised how much.

"Time to cut the cake!" Pinkie wheeled in a large cake with purple frosting, with the words "Welcome home, Dusk" written in blue frosting. Dusk was given the honor of cutting the first slice.

"Speech, speech, speech!" Purple chanted, driving the others to do the same.

"What can I say?" Dusk shrugged. "Travelling Equestria was fun. I saw and learned so much, met all kinds of creatures, but through it all, I never forgot about my roots, or about all of you. Ponyville and everypony in it helped make me the pony I am today. It's good to be home again."

The guests cheered loudly.

"Nice speech, pardner." Crab smiled.

"Not too sappy, I hope?" Dusk smiled.

"Just barely below the line of sapitude." Rainbow shrugged.

"I thought it was beautiful." Dazzle beamed.

"Thanks, Dazz." Dusk nodded. "You up for another dance?"

"Just try and stop me." Dazzle chuckled, leading Dusk back to the dance floor.

"Are we going to let them have all the fun?" Honeysuckle asked Crab.

"Eenope." Crab chuckled, nuzzling against his marefriend.

Everypony got back on the dance floor, some in pairs (Like Twilight and Flash), and some content to strut their stuff solo (Like Purple, who was performing some kind of reverse chicken dance).

The party wore on to the early evening. After it had ended, Dusk trotted up to his room, which had been left exactly the way it was. Sighing deeply at the familiar sight, Dusk jumped into bed, falling asleep almost instantly.

The next morning, as Dusk went down for breakfast, Spike approached him.

"You've got a letter from Celestia." He smiled.

"Thanks, uncle Spike." Dusk nodded.

Opening the letter, Dusk found a note of congratulations from Celestia regarding his actions in the Crystal Empire, and an artist's rendition of the window that would soon commerate the event. The image depicted Dusk, holding the Crystal Heart against his chest, blasting away the malevolent Chrysalis.

"Whoa." Dusk said simply.

"Cool." Starlight, who had been peeking from over Dusk's shoulder, added. "You really are the best, bro."

"If you say so." Dusk chuckled.

"She knows so." Twilight beamed.

"We all do, kiddo." Flash declared, as the family hugged. "To us, you'll always be the best."

"Looks like it's majority rules." Dusk chuckled.

After breakfast, Dusk stepped outside, wanting to show his friends the picture. As he stood on the front step, he breathed in deeply, getting a good lungful of Ponyville air. His time spent travelling had given him many amazing sights to see, made him many new friends, and taught him things that would help him become a better prince, but for Dusk, there really was no place like home.

The End.