Dusk was in a rush to return to his observatory after being distracted by the guards’ display. He had more to think about than when the day started, however the conversation he had with his brother had reignited his blood once more. Now a stallion on a mission once again, he hardly even noticed as three mares approached him on the main walk. His mind so occupied with his quest that it wasn't until one of them spoke up that he took the time to register who it was that had wandered in his way. But fillies had always been like that with him; always looking for any excuse to speak with Dusk when he was obsessed with his studies. And while the girls had found he was rarely interested in what they brought up, the fact he was so well-known as a good student, as well as Princess Celestia's chosen pupil... well, it appeared this only made him even more tantalizing to some fillies. At twenty-one, and recently having passed the final exams five years earlier than was normal, his stock with the unicorn mares had only shot higher. Now groups were forming, plots were being hatched and the first of a very new attempt to overwhelm Dusk's normally passive reaction to the mares’ flirtations began today.

Twinkleshine was the first to step forward, always the leader of her social circle. Now they were a group of interested mares, all working together towards a common goal. Presenting a winning smile, she held what they clearly considered a full house, stacking the odds in her favor. With Lemon Hearts and Colgate flanking her and dressed for the party ahead, they moved to crowd him into their company. These mares were a sight most stallions couldn't resist or ignore. Yet, as always, it appeared Dusk was so busy with whatever his current extra project was for the princess, it was clear she had to be the first to lay her cards upon the table. Voice silky and welcoming, she spoke out with ease, acting as if they had been best friends for years.

“Dusk Shine! You have such perfect timing. You remember your tutor Moon Dancer, right? It's her birthday and she would simply die if you didn't come to celebrate with us!” The mare, her long and silky pink hair waving in the breeze, was flirting openly with one of the rare stallions in Starswirl University; this was a clear-as-day sign to any who spent time on campus, and others quickly shifted aside, letting the trio play their cards, yet still watching the game unfold. Tall and thin Lemon Hearts stood at her left, the soft-eyed unicorn matching Dusk's height and offering him the full effect of her sweet gaze. Colgate framed and blocked any escape to Twinkleshine's right, a few inches shorter, but her deep and lovely blue eyes matched the two-toned locks of her wilder tomboy style. Dusk stopped abruptly from the sudden conversation, Barb easily enough ignored the trio and continuing to the observatory alone as the conversation was clearly going to keep Dusk busy.

The break in his stride left his mind suddenly blank, save for the eyeful of attractive mares who stood in his path, all flirty smiles and bright eyes. Swallowing hard, the stallion hunted for words, almost babbling like a fool even as in the back of his mind his libido started stabbing his brain with a pitchfork. “Moon Dancer? We... have not really talked in years. I do not think she likes me much anymore. After all, I passed the tier three classes the same day as she did, and she was always so proud of being ahead of me.” The stallion ignored the screaming in the back of his head, shrugging it off as a passing thing. He needed to get back to his work, back to his study.

Lemon wasn't about to have any of this, and with a hand on Twinkleshine's shoulder as she leaned toward him, a sultry pout formed on her plush lips. “But Dusk! That was all years ago. You're both working on your doctorates now, aren’t you? Why, we all know she isn't the type to hold some silly test you passed before you were even a full grown stallion against you.”

Twinkleshine grinned as Lemon pushed the aspiring harem’s second and third card forward. “Who cares about some silly test, when all the tests are over. Two brilliant, young minds still forging ahead with personal studies don't need to bother feeling ashamed of silly, youthful things!” These three mares before him were the talk of the school. Some of the smartest of mares who had yet to find a 'mentor'. That was how it was politely put when a stallion formed a herd while still in school.

Confronted by the three-prong attack, Dusk was stuck backpedaling a step or two to stay away from the mares and their words. In his mind, the need to figure out the mystery still stood tall, while his libido had taken up the battle with new weapons to try to crack the iron walls of duty. “But... I have so much studying to do! And I have never been good at parties!”

Dusk once again attempted try to slip past them on his left, but Colgate was fast to grab his arm and draw herself close, the soft minty smell of her shampoo drifting to his senses even as she pressed her body into his side. “But Dusk, we really do just want to get to know you better. You're a fine stallion, and we know you've yet to 'mentor' any mares. With work on your doctorate started now that you've passed the last classes, surely you must see that the three of us could be of great use to you! Lemon can cook, I love to clean and Teacher's Pet is almost as advanced as you are in magical theory.” A nod was offered in Twinkleshine’s direction. “We're the perfect trio to aid your work.” The tomboy was far from bashful and was quick to lean in to stroke her hand across his jaw.

And that was the last straw - his libido finally broke the iron wall his sense of duty had built. Lips faltering, eyes wide, the slender stallion was shocked by the touch of Colgate's flesh. A breath stifled in his lips and for just a moment, they started to shift, to form a sentence. It was the first time the mares had teamed up on him, and it seemed that they were going to win. All thoughts of his search were lost as a smile slipped onto his lips and he began to nod his head. The mares grinned. They had won, and their stallion was as good as captured with Colgate's application of the last two trump cards to make a full house... and then Shining Armor arrived with a royal flush.

“Dusk! You foolish colt, there you are!” The towering stallion was an example of unicorn masculinity that put his little brother to shame. Head of the Royal Guard and at the moment, Equestria's most powerful and eligible stallion... at least in the fields of magic, athleticism and title, he was easily a head taller than his younger brother.

A hand was swift to grab Dusk on the same side as Colgate, pulling him away from the now-pouting tomboy, and shoved a saddle bag into his arms. Shocked by the sudden weight, the younger male had to gasp for breath while Armor had hardly appeared to notice he was holding the heavy book-bag. “I'm sorry ladies, the guard was just out on the field practicing, when I noticed Dusk had left his bags behind after visiting me. I hope I haven’t interrupted anything important?” The stallion left no time for questions from the girls as his hand slipped to the back of his brothers neck and a few quick shoves got the still shell-shocked younger brother moving forward again.

“Well, to tell the truth...” Began Twinkleshine, not as stunned nor charmed from her mission as her friends by the elder male's staggering presence, but she was quickly cut off by Armor.

“Yes, yes, I'm sorry. The nagging older brother always forcing his younger into study when there are parties to attend. But don't worry. Tomorrow’s the night before the Summer Sun Celebration. And not even Dusk is foolish enough to dare miss that party. Princess Celestia is his teacher after all, and he wouldn't insult her by studying on that important of a day!” Those last few words were teamed up with a harsher than normal grip upon Dusk's neck as he was shooed off by his brother. His brain was only now beginning to work again, and for just a moment, he thought of thanking his elder for saving him from the mares’ plot.

All he managed, however, was a nod and the quick whisper of a half-stuttered “What? Oh, yes, yes!” before he took off running again. “And thanks for my books. I'd have missed them so much.” The mares were aggravated by this sudden twist in their plans, the royal flush of duty Shining represented pushing away all other thoughts from Dusk's head, but not from the mares'. Soon, they realized whose presence they were in, and were quick to turn their attempted seduction upon the elder brother. And yet, they instead found pictures of Shining's last visit with Princess Cadence shoved in their face before they could start shuffling the deck to play a new hand. It was clear that Armor knew his game, and theirs as well. Soon, they were bedazzled into complementing his royal girlfriend and all attempts to gain ground back were lost.

Dusk was still trying to work out just how or why his brother had saved him from the mares when he arrived at the observatory, quickly walking to the door and using his magic to unlock and open it so he wouldn't have to break his stride. His mind was once more locked solid upon the matter of the Elements of Harmony and the legend of Nightmare Moon.

Barb’s scream as the door smashed into her face caught him off guard and he paused for a moment to help her up onto her feet, inspecting the crushed present she now held with a light sigh whispering from her lips. “That was for Moon Dancer.” Barb quietly muttered to herself. Dusk remembered something about that. A few years ago, Barb had crushed hard on the attractive mare, and Dusk had worried what was going to happen when he, still only in his second year at Starswirl University and the youngest to pass the third year exams in history, had upstaged Moon Dancer, the student aid Celestia herself had picked for him. Thankfully, Barb was still young back then, and a youthful heart is fickle.

Dusk had already moved on and was up the stairs, calling out to Barb as he turned to begin hunting the shelves. “Any sign of 'The Elements of Harmony' yet? I've got to have a copy here somewhere!” For his sake the dragoness was swift to call back as she clambered up a ladder to one of the higher shelves.

“I saw it up here a few weeks ago when I was dusting. It's right over her-” Suddenly, the ladder she was on slipped, and as she had set it up too quickly before climbing, Barb knocked it off balance as she pulled the book free. Yet, even as she fell, Dusk came to her aid with the spell she had only this afternoon first witnessed in use. The brilliant hue of his light raspberry coloured magic formed a bubble around little Barb's body, and instead of a painful impact with the ground, the shield bounced once before shattering, a panicked Dusk running swiftly to his assistant’s side.

“Did it work? Are you alright? Ohhh, I knew I should have practised that on the way home while Shining was still around to help.” Probing hands drew the book from Barb's grip and then he checked her for bumps or bruises, only letting up when she laughed at his over-protectiveness.

“Stop! Stop it! That tickles! I'm all right Dad! No fall that short is gonna break my noggin. Now get your book! I'm sure we can finally settle this whole Mare in the Moon nonsense once and for all, and life will finally get back to normal!” The name was mostly a tease. Dusk had been so young when he hatched Barb’s egg that they were really more of an odd combination of brother and sister more than father and daughter, but all the same it was a name she was happy to pull out when Dusk got too paternal with her.

Blushing darkly, Dusk quickly nodded and took up the book once more, swiftly running to a reading stand and setting it up before skimming through the pages. His voice was shaky even as he realized within the first few pages his hopes were true. “Barb! It's a first edition! A new printing, but done under Celestia's personal supervision only forty years ago! Why is it that the Princess took such interest in making sure this book was kept so close to the first printing almost a thousand years later?” Of course, he didn't wait for Barb’s shrug. The little dragoness was busy cleaning, and it was all she could offer on the situation.

Reading aloud, Dusk recounted the story of the Nightmare Moon's rise a thousand years ago, and Celestia's use of the Elements of Harmony to strike her down. All of it was fascinating and quickly led to the evil mare’s banishment, turning Nightmare into the Mare in the Moon. Startled, Dusk quickly realized his brother's words were right, and the combination of two figures from his childhood were swiftly added up. But the childhood story had never had the next paragraph when he had heard it from his foalsitter, Cadance.

“Barb! Listen to this. 'Legend has it that on the longest day of the thousandth year, the stars will aid in her escape, and she will bring about nighttime eternal!'” A gasp escaped Dusk's lips as he stepped back from the book, one hand wiping perspiration from his brow as intense thought put one idea together with another. Quickly enough, he came to a realization, rushing to Barb with ink and quill as well as paper carried by his magic.

Pulling the dusting rag from her grip, he started to speak with sudden excitement. “Barb do you know what this means?” A little caught off balance, the dragoness was only able to lightly shake her head and pick up the quill and paper from Dusk's magical grasp, swift to realize his intent.

“N... No. What?”

“Barb, take a letter!” Dusk called out, suddenly proud and firm, standing to his full height and delighted to have a full grasp on the situation at hand. One hand moved to straighten his long bangs, smoothing that pink and purple stripe and clearing his throat as the little dragoness set quill to page. “My Dearest Teacher. My continuing studies of pony magic have led me to discover that we are on the precipice of disaster.”

Shocked, Barb attempted to quickly speak out, in hopes of halting Dusk's swift narration. “Hold on! Preci... Precia... Precis...”

Suddenly frantic at the delay to his well-organized train of thought, Dusk turned, eyes worried and voice soft, though tinged with a hint of panic, even as he gave an easier suggestion for his assistant's writing. “Um... Brink?” A blank stare was all Barb offered back to him. The insistent need to get the letter finished caused him diarrhea of the mouth. “That something really bad is about to happen!” Barb nodded swiftly and quickly returned to her writing while Dusk once more began to pace, continuing his well-thought and organized letter now that the interruption had passed. “For you see, the mythical Mare in the Moon is really Nightmare Moon and she is about to return to Equestria! And bring with her eternal night. Something must be done to make sure this terrible prophecy does not come true! I await your quick response. Your Faithful Student, Dusk Shine!”

Barb slowly muttered along as she finished the last few words of the letter, her quill racing across the sheet. “Dusk... Shine! There, done!” She lowered her hands and relaxed, letting out a happy sigh now that the writing was done.

“Great! Send it!” Dusk called, the stallion watching out the observatory’s towering bay window, the glass giving him a view of most of Canterlot that was rivalled only by Celestia's soaring balcony high overhead and across the university at the palace grounds.

Drawing a breath in, Barb hesitated a moment and offered a meek shrug of her shoulders. “Now?” She called out, her voice clearly unsure about the matter.

“Of course!” Dusk called over his shoulder, suddenly confronted by his assistant's reserved nature.

“Uhh... I don't know Dusk. Princess Celestia's a little busy getting ready for the Summer Sun Celebration, since it’s the day after tomorrow!”

Dusk turned and stepped quickly to Barb’s side, unable to hide the worry in his voice as he waved to the landscape before them. “That's just it, Barb. The day after tomorrow is the thousandth year of the Summer Sun Celebration! It's imperative that the Princess is told right away!”

Barb once more started to mumble over the word as she tried to add it to her letter to Celestia, a final nervous habit to avoid pestering Dusk's teacher on so busy a day. “Impar... Impara...”

Exasperated Dusk called out sharply. “Important!”

Barb was blushing fiercely but wrapped up the letter and applied Dusk's seal to it, muttering all the while. “Okay, okay!” A deep breath was drawn to summon the dragon's fire Celestia had taught her years ago. It was able to send any letter burned directly to her presence in seconds and from any measurable distance. The green flame from tiny Barb's lungs burnt the paper to ashes and a trail of magic smoke whispered from the room. A sigh escaped her lips, and she turned to Dusk, voice slightly condescending. “There! It's on its way. But I wouldn't hold your breath...”

Dusk was confident now as he gazed about his library, considering what books on Nightmare Moon he might look into to be of some aid to his teacher, should she request his input on some solution to the new threat. Already, a list was forming in his mind of just what to do next. “Oh, I’m not worried, Barb. The Princess trusts me completely. In all the years she's been my mentor, she's never once doubted me.”

A sudden, sharp burp form Barb followed almost the second Dusk finished speaking. Proud, he stood tall a grin upon his face. “I knew she would want to take immediate action!” The flames that followed were just as magic as Barb's first sending spell, and from it, formed a reply from the Princess, the parchment sealed with the a stamp of the Royal Crown.

Barb took up the paper, and cleared her throat, preparing to practice her professional speaking of a proclamation from Princess Celestia as Dusk had taught her. It was a pleasure to at least have a chance to use some of the skills Dusk had taught her. “Dearest, most faithful student Dusk. You know I value your diligence and I trust you completely, But you simply must stop reading those dusty old books!” Dusk had to gasp, shocked at the Princess’ dismissal of his warning so off hand. Why!

Aboard a golden chariot and being flown by two of Princess Celestia's Honour Guard, Dusk was still stunned by the second half of the letter, asking Barb to read it once more to him. The dragoness had gotten used to this, and could almost recite it word-for-word without the parchment Dusk had insisted they hold onto in case he might find some hidden code in its message at a later date. Voice calm and confident, the young dragoness spoke up.

“My dear Dusk, there is more to a young pony's life than studying. So I am sending you to supervise the preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration in this year’s location, Ponyville!” Barb paused for a moment, looking to Dusk, who hung over the wing of the flying chariot, moping at the the ground as it passed them swiftly. The guard pegasus could really fly with fantastic speed. “And I have an even more essential task for you to complete, make some friends!” This line always drew a groan from Dusk as she spoke it. It made no sense! He was sure that the Princess had specifically brought up that single odd question as a bonus during the test, just for his sake. Why else talk about some moldy, old, long-forgotten foal tale that was so related to her history and rule?

Thinking about it was giving him a migraine and yet he couldn't ignore the incessant way his mind kept picking at the puzzle before him like an addictive new mind game. Hearing his groan, Barb moved a single step closer, excitement dancing on the dragoness’ muzzle at the prospect of such a change of pace from their normal, dreary life in the depths of one book or another all summer long. She spoke up with an attempt to sooth Dusk's worries, her joyful tone giving away her delight at other parts of this adventure. “Look on the bright side, Dusk! The Princess arranged for you to stay in a library. Doesn't that make you happy?”

Realization sunk in swiftly and Dusk shifted around, adjusting his weight to sit a little taller in his seat as the chariot lowered closer to the ground, a grin and twinkle of excitement dancing in his eyes. “Yes, yes it does Barb!” He leaned towards his assistant, a sudden superior grin on his face, and a faintly manic look in his eyes. “You know why? ‘Cause I'm right! I'll check on the preparations as fast as I can, then get to the library to find some proof of Nightmare Moon’s return.”

Barb’s voice dropped, a more sad and worried tone entering it at Dusk's insistence at avoiding any real fun while in the small town. She gave a small, dejected, “Oh.” in reply. Their ride was already lowering into the streets of Ponyville, it’s quiet earth pony thatched roof architecture surrounding them on both sides. It was a drastic change from Canterlot's noble and towering glass and stone buildings. There was hardly even a road, but rather, smoothed, short grass paths lead from house to house. “Then... when will you make friends like the Princess said?”

Still confident, Dusk's answer to his assistant was in cool, righteous tones, displaying just how sure of his plan he was. No longer was he worried over the puzzle that he was determined to unravel. No matter what, he was going to figure this all out soon enough! “She said to check on preparations. I am her student and I will do my royal duty. But the fate of Equestria does not rest on me making friends!”

The sudden impact with the ground at a smooth and even pace let the now-excited Dusk jump free of his ride, magic elevating the saddlebag he had brought with him. Two days’ worth of clothes, a half-dozen notebooks with lists of what to search for about Nightmare moon, and his copy of 'The Elements of Harmony' all stuffed his bag to almost-overflowing. It was only through diligent packing, done with great care that it hadn’t burst apart at the seams yet.

He had found a signature on the inside as he packed. Celestia had given him this copy on his first days at school, and he had somehow managed to forget all about it in the last seven years. A nod was offered to the stallions who had rushed to deliver him so quickly to the small and peaceful-looking town in two short hours, when even the train might have taken him most of a day to arrive. “Thank you, sirs.” He called to the guards out of respect, since after all, the guards were Shining's men, and he had drilled respect into Dusk from a young age, long before the elder brother had ever decided to join their ranks. Besides, they reported directly to Celestia. With luck, they might yet still manage to take his warnings back to the Princess and add extra weight to the argument that Nightmare Moon was soon to return and she needed to act quickly!

Thankfully, an emissary from the Mayor was waiting for Dusk as he gazed around town, the pony had been introduced in Mayor Mare's letter as Statice, a unicorn who had spent a few years at Starswirl U before finding work in Ponyville. Soft features made it clear he was no warhorse, and yet, his cutie mark was a purple flower with lightning shaped petals growing from the yellow centre. Nodding and pointing out a few directions, he spent a few moment’s effort to straighten those few loose locks of his brilliant mane, the odd combination of reds, blue-purple, yellow, and white; a bold sight that stood out. After directions were dealt with, he turned, and quickly took up Dusk's single bag before heading off to the town library to drop the items off. It was clear this was going to save him so much extra time in getting the preparations over, and Dusk was already grateful to have one more thing cleared off his checklist for the day.

From the south, up the main street, a filly calmly approached Dusk and Barb as they oriented themselves with a map of town, carefully inspecting the directions given by Statice to help speed up the process. Dusk considered each of their four stops in turn. Furthest out was the orchard owned by the Apple family. A good walk, but not so far as to eat up more than an hour of Dusk's time, give or take five minutes, to make sure the food was in good shape. It was no big deal. Barb was the first to speak up at last, as they finished the calculations and smiled towards the cheery, approaching cotton candy-pink haired earth pony. “Maybe the ponies in Ponyville have interesting things to talk about.” Her voice almost became desperate as she turned to Dusk, nearly begging him just to have a normal conversation. “Come on Dusk... Just try?”

Dusk's gaze turned to the woman and focused to see just who had captured Barb’s attention. The girl... no, she was clearly a woman about Dusk's age, approached them and flashed the pair a warm and winning smile, crafted to just eat into your heart with far too much sugar drizzled on top. Standing only a few inches shorter than Dusk, the cheerful mare was dressed in bright colours and wore her hair wild, with cotton candy locks, the soft pink hue just as playful. A loose, rose-colored V-neck T-shirt with a plunging neckline was worn open over a soft pink tank top. The result framed her breasts, yet managed to keep her from being called anything inappropriate. The mare's obvious lack of a bra was clearly noticeable from even a short distance, not the normal more modest style he had dealt with from day to day. Jean shorts, custom cut too short hugged her plump hips and revealed a lot of leg. Wagging her tail as she realized the newcomers were talking about her, the girl's grin bloomed into a rich smile full of wonder, her vivid, baby-blue eyes full of wonder.

Suddenly nervous for what felt like the first time in ages, Dusk stepped forward, his voice soft, but warm, if a little unsure. “Um... Hello!” His voice called out, a warm and friendly smile flashed in hopes of getting Barb off his back for the day. The response was far from what either had expected. A gasp escaped those plush lips covered in what Dusk later swore was cherry chapstick, its faint scent and the light gloss to her lips filed away automatically for later consideration. Then the woman took off running to the north at full tilt, a blur so swift, Dusk wasn't sure for a moment what way she went. With an annoyed glance at his assistant, Dusk started to mutter darkly. “Well that was interesting, alright.” Barb’s sad sigh, the only response he needed before then started on the long walk to the Apple's orchard.

The walk to the orchard had raised Barb's spirits, the little dragoness enjoying the view offered. She pulled the checklist Dusk had put together from the Princess’ orders from her day-bag to inspect it one more time. They reviewed the details while passing the time with idle chatter, even as they passed under a sign that announced they were entering 'Sweet Apple Acres'. Towering apple trees lined the road on both sides, and ripe apples hung from almost every tree, a showpiece of the farmers’ dedication, and how healthy the orchard really was. Barb, taking her turn to speak up again, read from the checklist once more. “Summer Sun Celebration Oficial Overseer's Checklist. Number one: banquet preparations - Sweet Apple Acres.”

From ahead, the sound of a cowgirl at work echoed out as Dusk's eyes lifted from his conversation with Barb, the sight before him reviving the fallen warrior that was his libido. And what a sight she was. The cowgirl towered over Dusk, easily a head taller than him. Dressed in homemade denim shorts cut just above her knees and a white tank-top that was too short, left hints of a six-pack visible in the gap between shirt and hip hugging shorts. Dusk's mind couldn’t help but fantasize over this cowgirl, whose breasts were larger than the pink oddity from before. That thought was quickly pushed to the back of his mind, his libido still fragile and not yet able to step up against his sense of duty so soon after such a tragic loss the day before.

A stetson's broad brim protected her eyes from the sun, while rich blond locks were kept tied back behind her with a leather thong stretching down past her shoulders. Clearly, Dusk thought, this cowgirl had worked day and night to get in such fine shape, only to be proven right as she shifted her weight around and delivered a roundhouse kick to the tree trunk. The powerful blow and accompanying vibrations were enough to cause all the apples upon the tree's branches to fall free and fill six buckets that had been placed about the base of the trunk. “Yee-haw!” The cowgirl’s self-encouraging shout echoed out about the farm. Clearly, this girl was far from the shy flower in pink he had seen earlier.

Pausing a moment to remove her hat and wipe her brow, the green-eyed earth pony was quite the sight to behold. Dusk's mind pushed those thoughts aside again however, and he made to step forward with an introduction to get his checklist over with as quickly as possible. Raising his voice, Dusk stepped towards the cowgirl, speaking with his normal calm and respectful tone he used when he was on business for the Princess, though not without muttering quickly to Barb first, a sigh escaping his lips. “Let's get this over with...” A pause as he neared the mare and an artificially cheery smile spread as he stood as tall as he could before his official tone activated. “Good afternoon. My name is Dusk Shine...”

And before he could finish his sentence a bright smile spread over the mare's lips and she stepped boldly forward to take up his hand in hers and swiftly pulled him into a strong handshake, her voice happy, her hardworking personality overwhelming Dusk's train of thought. “Well, howdy-doo, Mister Dusk, a pleasure makin' your acquaintance. I'm Applejack. We here at Sweet Apple Acres sure do like making new friends!”

Staggering back under her aggressive personality, the stallion could only spit and sputter as he attempted to take back the conversation, starting with the most recent point she had brought up. “Friends?” He gently muttered, not really sure how they had got onto that topic so swiftly. The offer wasn't a bad thing, as he hadn't had any real female friends in school, but that was because most of them had been a distraction from his studies. “Actually I...” He attempted to direct the talk back towards the matters at hand, but once more he was cut off.

“So, what are you here for?” The mare interrupting him once more, yet at least she had returned the conversation to Dusk's working train of thought. Barb however, could not help but find this an amusing situation, snickering a little behind his back. Dusk stiffly cleared his throat, glad to be back to in control.

“Well, I am in fact here to supervise preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration. And you're in charge of the food?” Confident once more, the stallion presented the girl as official a look as he could summon, after how many times she had thrown him off his game.

The mare's grin was warm in response to the question Dusk presented to her, the warm and welcoming girl’s nature landing on him like an avalanche once more. “We sure as sugar are! Would you care to sample some?” And while her question was friendly enough, the mare had already started to drag Dusk towards a nearby dinner table.

Overwhelmed by the kind and winning nature of the aggressive mare and his libido, which continued to insist on being around attractive mare, he started to consider her offer more seriously. Obviously, Applejack was unaware how strong she really was. Unsure just why this was all going on, Dusk relented, his voice hesitant but the promise of food and some more company with the attractive farmer suddenly felt like a worthwhile distraction. “As long as it doesn't take too long... ”

AJ pushed the still slightly reluctant Dusk into a free chair before the great table, thrusting him into his seat before turning to a nearby triangle, her attractive ass presented to the stallion in her tight, hip hugging shorts. But before he could even get a real eyeful of the situation at hand, her violent ringing of the dinner triangle and deep bellow from the depths of her lungs called out, a harsh contrast to how calm the farm had been moments before. “SOUP'S ON, EVERYPONY!”

Like magic, an army of mares and a half-dozen stallions poured in from every direction across the orchard, many of them stopping at the house to pick up serving trays for the food whose scent already called out with the richness of apples. “Now, why don't I introduce y'all to the Apple family?” AJ began to wave around to the gathered horde of family she was clearly speaking about, even already waving for the first to come forward and join them at the table.

Now intimidated by the sudden aggressive crowd about him, Dusk swallowed sharply and sat up taller, a hand reaching to grip the table, hoping to stand up and run away if he was able. “Thanks, but I really need to hurry-”

The mare started to turn and began calling out like a professional announcer at a rodeo, drowning out Dusk's attempt to leave. Her open hand resting on his shoulder kept him from pulling away as she called out the endless list of her family members, each in turn presenting a food that far too often Dusk realized was also their name. “This here's Apple Fritter, Apple Bumpkin, Red Gala, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Caramel Apple, Apple Strudel, Apple Tart, Baked Apples, Apple Brioche, Apple Cinnamon Crisp...?” A pause as she at last drew a deep breath and again, she continued her rapid introductions, now pointing to three final members who stood gathered about the rocking chair where their elder member slept. “And of course, my brother Big MacIntosh, lil' sister Apple Bloom, and Granny Smith. Up'n'attem, Granny Smith, we got guests.”

Looking at the stallion Big Mac quickly made Dusk realize that everyone who thought his brother was a titan had never heard of this earth pony. A bare chested, dirty blond wearing loose red britches. he offered a slight nod in return to Dusk's questioning gaze and a quiet, “Yep.” before turning to the far younger filly who was helping her grandma stand up. A cute thing, probably only twelve years old, the little redhead had a giant, pink bow in her hair, though it was still tiny compared to her older sister and giant of a brother. Dusk stood up and offered a quiet nod as he tried to slip free of the crowded gathering and the massive pile of food now on display before him.

The elder mare Granny Smith, on the other hand, took an achingly slow wobble forward, a plump old lady with a cane to support her weight as she approached the table, voice quiet and warbling. “Wha..? Wuh, soup's on? I'm up, here I come, ahm comin'.”

Still shocked by all that was going on around the farm, it was Applejack's next words that really captured his attention and jarred the stallion's fragile understanding just what so huge a crowd had wanted with him. “Look how well you fit in! Why, I'd say you're already part of the family!” Now, how was Dusk to know that was just AJ's way of being friendly? Memories of a trio of fillies attempting to seduce him into something but a day before flared up in his mind and he looked around himself again, realizing just how crazy this day was going.

With a nervous laugh escaping his lips, the unicorn attempted once again to stand and shift away from the pressure of the crowd. “Okay, well, I can see the food situation is handled, so we should be on our way.”

It was the innocent young filly, Apple Bloom, who captured Dusk's hand and gave him the full effect of her deep orange eyes and a heavy pout. The wounded innocence in those eyes stabbed at Dusk's heart. “Aren't you gonna stay for brunch?” A lip quivering, she gripped Dusk's hand as strongly as she could pulling him back towards his seat.

Dusk Shine could feel his heart breaking with sweet a young lady just begging for his attention, and the stallion could hardly pull himself back together to refuse such a request. But, he needed to get to the library. The weak words forming on his lips were sad and half-hearted, and he spoke out in nervous fear. “Sorry, but we have an awful lot to do...”

The collected Apple Family as one being gave a sad sigh and Dusk's willpower broke, he quickly realized that any hope he had of escaping their attention was lost while he nodded with care. “... fine.” He sighed returning to his seat. It was clear the family gathered about him were not after him like the Mares back in Starswirl U. Maybe they really did just want to wish him well. And the food did smell good. A collective cheer was released from the gathered family and he was ushered to the seat of honour at the table, surrounded by a happy and talkative family that simply spent their time making him feel welcome.

Walking back into town together with Barb, Dusk still couldn't believe how much of the Apple's fine home cooking he had managed to eat. They had been good company and took care to feed him well past the point he really wanted to stop and call himself comfortably full. In the end, they had continued to pressure him with offers of seconds or another cup of cider. It was Barb who at last was able to stop them, saving him due to the fact the small dragoness was able to handle eating like a bottomless pit and had distracted the kind family from Dusk's overwhelmed plate. Now as they entered the town once more, Barb spoke up with delight even as she checked off that item from Dusk's list of duties, still happily cleaning her teeth of leftover apple pie. “Food's all taken care of, next is weather.”

Dusk followed close behind, but still rested a hand upon his belly as he groaned out with pain at the swollen feeling in his gut. “Ugh... I ate too much pie...” Still distracted by this, he had not even realized they were back in town and could start working on the next item of his list, until Barb spoke up, looking down at the next item on hand.

“Hmm, there's supposed to be a pegasus pony named Rainbow Dash clearing the clouds.” Her head lifted to gaze skyward, and looking around for a moment in consideration of the sky above them. The day was bright enough, but everywhere scattered dark storm clouds were beginning to wander in, hardly a grade A job for even so small a town's dedicated weather team, when dignitaries were supposed to be arriving in the morning.

Dusk shifted to join Barb in watching the sky and shook his head, an annoyed sigh escaping his lips as he turned slowly south to look for what he assumed was going to be some overwhelmed team of fliers fighting with the clouds somewhere, yet none were to be seen. “Well, she's not doing a very good job, is she?”

Suddenly, from the north, a rush of force smashed into Dusk, sending him sprawling head over heels and into a large muddy patch he had not seen as they walked back into town. Sitting up and soaked in the sticky brown mud, Dusk give an exasperated sigh at how in an instant an okay day had suddenly gone so wrong. The weight on his lap, however, immediately stole his attention and his eyes shot open, even as a low groan escaped his lips, still stunned from the impact. “Nng.”

The weight in his lap shifted slowly from side to side and offered a sheepish laugh, the shame in her face clear as day when a rather young and athletic filly came to the same realization Dusk had a minute before. She pulled herself from his lap, and with a light flap of her wings drew a few feet up and away without ever landing in the mud herself. The rainbow locks of the athletic pegasus did nothing to hide the fact that she was so much smaller than the earth mare he had ran into but an hour ago on the farm. That tomboyish hair was cut wild and short, with only the bangs left long and hanging half over her eyes.

Dressed more for a race than a day fighting the clouds, she wore boxer shorts that hugged her cute rump, and a matching sports bra that clutched her chest over a slim chest. Truthfully, she didn't have a lot to show off, meaning that while the embarrassed girl looked over Dusk, trying to recognize who she had just crashed into, he could see just how in shape the mare's fine abs and racer's figure really were. “Uh, 'scuse me?” Attempting to smooth over the situation, in hopes of calming down the uncomfortable situation, she smiled at the stallion on the ground.

Dusk just looked up at the woman, and the shy way she started to wag her tail, the rainbow strands dancing from side to side nervous energy. In spite of remembering the pleasant feel of her weight in his lap, Dusk was still disgruntled by the way his day had returned to falling apart, Dusk gave an angry groan “Nnnn.”

Flying higher as she realized just how badly she had started this encounter, and still remembering the way his body had felt against her own, the darkly blushing pegasus continued to laugh a little as she spoke up in hopes of smoothing the situation over. “Lemme help you.” She called before shooting off at rapid speed into the air, grabbing one of the scattered storm clouds and pulling it over Dusk's head. A few quick kicks later, and a torrential rainstorm from the one small cloud soaked him from head to toe, in spite of doing its job and washing away all the mud that had stuck to his clothing.

Standing up again and shivering under the drenching cloud’s output, Dusk turned a dark glare at Barb, who was rolling on the ground in laughter at the awkward way the two ponies were managing their first encounter. Dusk angrily turned back to the rainbow-haired mare and started to form his rage in his throat before he was cut off again.

Hanging in the air over him as she gave the cloud another sharp kick to dispel it, the pegasus saw just what a soaking she had given the poor unicorn. Sheepish laughter caught in her throat as she tried not to make the situation worse for him. She attempted to rush and fix the situation once more, speaking while a deep blush darkened her cheeks further. “Oops, I guess I overdid it.” As soaked as he was, it quickly became clear through the thin fabric of his light shirt just how cut Dusk was himself. No Big Mac, but still an impressive hunk of mea... the girl let her mouth run away with itself. “Um, uh, how about this? My very own patented Rain-Blow Dry! No no. Don't thank me. You're quite welcome.”

The mare took to the air and started to spin around, whirling about to form a mini tornado, wrapping up the air around her and swirling it into a torrent focused down upon the stallion to swiftly blow him from head to toe with a burst of air that thankfully helped to quickly dry him off from all the rain with which she had drenched him. It also inadvertently whipped and swirled his hair around into a chaotic mess of tangled royal blue, with those bold pink and purple streaks thick and fluffy due to the violent pressures of the makeshift blow-dryer.

Barb, of course, only burst out harder in laughter as the sight of Dusk getting manhandled by the shorter mare and her antics with the weather. The mare herself was only too happy to join the small dragoness in that rich laughter. Dusk released a little sigh, but attempted to return to business and get things back on track. “Let me guess. You're Rainbow Dash.”

Instantly the pegasus’ clowning stopped, and she proudly moved to stand tall thumping herself in the chest with a hand and grinning warmly, any blush or shame from before instantly thrown aside. “The one and only. Why, you heard of me?”

Dusk wasn't having any of these games though, and instead gave a roll of his eyes, speaking with less than subtle disappointment at the prideful mare. “I heard you were supposed to be keeping the sky clear.” He waved to the wild clouds that floated about, sighing a little. “I'm Dusk Shine, and the Princess sent me to check on the weather.”

Dash easily waved the accusation of laziness off, her excited and superior smirk never once leaving her face. “Yeah, yeah, that'll be a snap. I'll do it in a jiffy. Just as soon as I'm done practicing.”

Incredulous, Dusk started to shake his head and wave his arms at the mare, an annoyed sigh thrown in her direction. “Practicing for what?” He really wondered just how anyone could take the hyper mare seriously as the head of weather control in town.

Pride shone in her eyes as Dash jumped up into the air, her vivid blue wings flapping with ease and keeping her floating high while she spoke with more than a hint of hero worship on her voice. “The Wonderbolts! They're gonna perform at the celebration tomorrow, and I'm gonna show 'em my stuff!”

Now it was Dusk's turn to look confused. Of course he knew of the Wonderbolts, but how could this wild mare with no sense of duty or rules ever want to have something to do with Equestria's most exclusive wing of pegasus military? In awe at how silly it all sounded he had to ask again to be sure. “The Wonderbolts?”

Spiralling around in place, her eyes dreamy and distant, Dash only grinned foolishly down at Dusk, a happy call out to the unicorn with glee dancing in her voice. “Yep!”

Dusk still wanted to be sure. He was forming a plan now, a way to get her to at least do her job and get this dealt with as little fuss as possible. “The most talented flyers in all of Equestria?” He asked, an eyebrow lifting and his tone showing how clearly he questioned the prideful mare’s skill. If he played his cards right she was going to run right square into her ego.

And Dash didn't even appear to see the trap closing in about her, instead simply floating closer and grinning with wild abandon as she nodded to Dusk's question. “That's them!”

The trap was ready, so he pulled the trigger, letting the steel jaws slam down on her from both sides. Pride could be used to make her feel a sense of duty, and Dusk planned to use that to force her into doing her job at least until after the Princess had left town tomorrow night. “Pfft! Please. They'd never accept a pegasus who can't even keep the sky clear for one measly day.”

Suddenly slapped in the face with the violent impact of her pride being hurt, Dash stepped to push up and glared him in the eye, face-to-face. Dusk could tell she was annoyed that her skill had been questioned so openly. “Hey, I could clear this sky in ten seconds flat.” With a dismissive wave, her grin was gone as she turned her back on Dusk, clearly intending to wander off.

Giving her no time to sulk at her pride being wounded, Dusk leaned in poking her lightly in the ribs, his voice full of wicked condemnation to her claims of skill and speed. “Prove it.”

Her glare intensified at the sudden contact before a grin split her lips again, and she suddenly shot into the air in an impressive burst of speed. A brilliant trail of rainbow hues followed behind her figure as she rushed to the nearest grouping of wild black rainclouds, calling out to herself as she worked, flying around one mass and firing blows of fist and foot to others. “Loop the loop around, and wham!” The burst of bold and coloured hues shot back down before Dusk a happy grin offered to him even while she posed for him and flashed a deep grin. “What'd I say? Ten. Seconds. Flat. I'd never leave Ponyville hanging.”

Dusk was floored by the show of speed. He had never spent much time, even with Shinning Armor, watching what the fliers could do, but a few displays of the Wonderbolts in action had been held that the Princess had requested he be present for in her name. Even they had never managed so swift a flight that he had just witnessed. Jaw slack, he looked at the boasting mare, his eyebrows lifting higher. “You should see the look on your face. Ha! You're a laugh, Dusk Shine. I can't wait to hang out some more.”

Shooting off again into the air, Barb walked easily enough over to Dusk's side and idly poked at the tangled mess that was his tail, still watching as Dash continued her antics in the air over them. “Wow, she's amazing!” The dragoness had to laugh a little, though, as she realized the thick mass of hair really was quite a mess.

Dusk gritted his teeth and grunted in annoyance at Barb's teasing of his tangled tail. Another annoyed sigh escaped his lips as he started heading for the next location on their list of preparations to check. Turning to Barb he called out. “Weather. Check.” Hands balling into fists he gave another annoyed exclamation. “Rrgh.”

Rushing to follow after him, Barb tried to smooth things over, even while she checked off the notes on their duties for the day. “Next is… Town Hall, Decorations.” She turned and realized he had already started to walk away, forcing her to rush after him, calling out in a cheerful tone. “Wait! It's kinda pretty once you get used to it!”

Pushing open doors to City Hall, Dusk and Barb entered, and were instantly surprised to see that one part of their day was clearly going to go easily enough. The decorations were nearly done, and tasteful banners hung from several walls, while in other places streamers hung from the roof, connecting one section to another. From across the room the call of a mare “Hmm”ing to herself as she used her magic to string up other ornaments to colour the room. Barb spoke out first, her voice lost in wonder. “Decorations. Beautiful...”

Having had more than enough of mares today, Dusk had taken far more interest in the fine work on the banners and other eye-catching decorations that filled the grand hall before him. At Barb’s words he also turned to join the dragoness in complementing the fine work that had clearly been done by those in charge of this part of the preparations. Seriously awed, he answered her quiet words was filled with awe of the wonders before him. “Yes, the decor is coming along nicely. This ought to be quick. I'll be at the library in no time. Beautiful, indeed.”

Barb however, was no longer watching the room at all, but instead, had focused on the mare across the room. Wandering ahead of Dusk, she muttered with quiet excitement. “Not them... her!”

This at last drew Dusk's attention, and he looked to where Barb pointed, shock washing over him as he took in the lady before him. Older than any mare he had dealt with this afternoon, she stood with her back to him, the plush weight of her tail groomed into a spiral of rich purple that twitched and swayed behind her back, as streamer after streamer was tossed into the air, carried by the bold blue hue of her magic aura. Purple heels on her feet gave a small lift, yet the grace of her stride was not affected in any way, as if she had been born to wear such shoes. The hem of her dress hung just a few inches short of the floor, revealing her ankles and a bit of her legs before being covered by the fine white silk of the noble woman's outfit.

Cut close and backless, the woman’s trim and shapely back was on full show, up to the shoulders where two crisscrossing straps wrapped about her throat. Not that much flesh really was on show though, as her hair hung down past the small of her back and was just as dolled up and curly as her tail. As she turned, the low cut of the dress and her ample cleavage gave her already stunning appearance only more weight, while a diamond necklace clung close to her throat. A step to shift further around revealed a slit in the leg of her dress that ran nearly to the right hip, sexy leg on full display to the two newcomers who were captivated by her every motion. Makeup light but sexy, the mare threw a hand into the air to guide another bundle of purple streamers to wrap around the roof’s support beams to hang low, and add to the room’s ambiance.

Now getting picky, she started to sort through what decorations she had left, tossing one after another to the side while hunting for just the right flare to finish off the room. “No, no, no, oh, goodness no.” Crying out in disappointment, she tossed one sliver of cloth after another away and shaking her head with disappointment.

Barb was suddenly very self-aware, and began to lean in close to Dusk, whispering quickly as she straightened her scales and the deep green spines upon her head. “How are my spines? Are they straight?” The fact was that as a dragon, she was but a child, but she was a teen by pony standards, and Dusk had to arch a brow. He had never seen her fascinated by someone like this since... Moon Dancer.

But, he had to forge ahead. Stepping in front of his assistant and calling out gently to the fashionable woman, glad to have someone with some sense for the importance of the work that needed be done. “Good afternoon--”

Instantly, he was interrupted as the mare held out a hand and silenced him with a finger pointed to his lips, her eyelashes draped low while fluttering seductively to him, yet she was already moving on as she returned to her work as if never once had she halted or been distracted by his words. “Just a moment, please! I'm 'in the zone', as it were.” Another reach into the bin she had with her and at last the perfect flare to fix to top off the room her elated voice calling out in joy. “Oh, yes! Sparkle always does the trick, does it not? Why, Rarity, you are a talent.”

Her work done, she now shifted, looking for those who had interrupted her work a moment before. A rich smile offered genial conversation, even while she lowered her lashes to offer a sultry, “Now, um, how can I help yo--” A yelp escaped her lips and as she turned and properly saw Dusk, her voice shattered by the sight before her, a horrified, yet bemused gaze took in the poor condition of his hair and clothing. “Oh my stars, darling! Whatever happened to your coiffure?!”

As educated as Dusk was, it took a moment before he realized just what she had meant. His voice was at first hesitant to speak up, even while this realization dawned, releasing a small gasp out in joy. “Oh, you mean my mane? Well, it's a long story. I'm just here to check on the decorations, and then I'll be out of your hair!”

Something in her eyes told Dusk that the mare wasn't just going to let him go, and as she spoke out it, was clear to him she was already obsessing over him now that her work had been finished. “Out of my hair? What about your hair!” Stepping forward, she swiftly grabbed him by the wrist and dragged him forward and swiftly out of the city hall.

In his shock at her grip and demanding nature, Dusk could only call out, “Wait! Where are we going? Help!” Barb however, was far from aiding him, simply wandering along behind them eyes large and gooey with young love.

Dusk quickly found himself pushed into a changing room in the boutique across the street. It was clear to him already that something strange was really going on. The mare had overwhelmed him with fast hands, and clear commanding words. Now, he stood alone behind a drape, his clothing stolen away and only wet boxers to protect his modesty. From outside, he could hear the voice of Rarity speaking as she worked on finding him something clean and dry to wear. “No, no, uh-uh. Too green. Too yellow. Too poofy. Not poofy enough. Too frilly. Too... shiny. Now go on, my dear. You were telling me where you're from.”

Wincing as he was suddenly not alone, the mare had stepped into the changing booth, and without a moment’s warning, sat upon the bench, brush in one and hand his tail in the other, and without even asking for permission, she began to smooth and groom out the tangles and snags in his tail. Blushing darkly and trying not to look into her eyes, his voice was strained as she worked at his thick and knotted tail. “I've... been sent... from Canterlot... to--”

The woman gave a gasp and turned to gaze up at him, the angle giving him an endless chance to gaze down into her heavy breasts and the exposing cleavage her dress showed off. “Oh, my!” She cried out, standing suddenly and pressing up against him, pinning him to the wall. Her breasts pressed into his naked chest as she panted in sudden excitement and sudden interest while deep, blue eyes gazed over him in wonder. Her voice continued, even as one hand stroked across his pecs and down over his ribs towards the line of his boxers, her voice hot and low now. “Canterlot! Oh, I am so envious! The glamor, the sophistication! I have always dreamed of living there! I can't wait to hear all about it!”

There was a pause in the conversation, as her body peeled free of his own, much to his sudden regret, and turned to the clothes she had hung from the wall. Her voice was low and soft as she cooed into his ear, holding a white dress shirt to his chest, all the while, gazing deeply up into his eyes. “We are going be the best of friends, you and I... Emeralds?!” She paused, realizing that the buttons of the white shirt were all made of matching fine green gemstones. She shook her head in annoyance to herself, even as she ran from the changing booth. “What was I thinking? Let me get you some rubies!”

Startled, and more than a little confused by the arousing mare’s assault, the stallion took a moment to gasp for breath and quickly slipped out as well, finding Barb in a chair just a few feet away, with a distant look of worship in her eyes and his clothing resting in her lap. “Quick! Before she decides to dye my hair a new color!”

A short time later found the pair halfway across town. Barb and Dusk stopped and took a moment to get their wits together again. With only enough time spent to pull on his pants and drag Barb out by the hand Dusk was panting and still bare-chested. With his shirt still held over his shoulder, he heard Barb mumbling to herself, “Wasn't she wonderful?”

Wondering if Barb even realized just how close he had come to being molested by the mare, Dusk rolled his eyes and shook his head at his assistant. The tone of his voice was as sarcastic as his rolling eyes. Even as he pulled the shirt on over his undershirt, the simple white cotton felt good to his skin, reassuring himself that he was again safe from whatever all the mares were suddenly up to of late. “Focus, Casanova. What's next on the list?”

At last brought back to reality, Barb pulled out the list again, taking a moment to tick off decorations and looking at the final item on the list. Now focused again, she spoke with excitement, after all, once this was done Dusk might at last calm down. “Oh, uh, music! It's the last one!”

As they walked, the soft and sweet song of birds whispered through the air in the distance. It was shocking, but it almost sounded like someone had trained more than two dozen birds, all from different species, to sing together. As they rounded the corner, Dusk realized that it was no exaggeration. Collected together upon one small tree, every species of bird native to the area he could care to name off had flocked together and were now singing as a single group, lead by a slender pegasus mare who hovered before them lightly swaying a conductor’s baton before the collected birds.

For the first time that day, Dusk slowed and leaned against a fence beside the road, keeping his distance and watching as the mare hovered back and forth gently directing her choir. This mare had silky pink hair, well groomed and long, hanging down her back. Dressed in a heavy, pink sweater despite the sweltering summer heat, and a pair of blue jeans with a loose cut on the leg, which showed off her very modest sense of style. She was a refreshing change of pace after all the crazy events of his day.

Yet, as she shifted forward to speak with one blue jay who had left the chorus behind, and was off in the world of his own. Timidly, she called out, trying to reach the wayward bird. “Oh my. Um, stop please, everyone, umm. Excuse me, sir? I mean, no offense, but your rhythm is just a teeny-tiny bit off. Now, follow me, please. A-one, a-two, a-one two three-” Dusk swallowed sharply, the sweater might be loose but there was no mistaking the massive chest this mare was trying to hide. For all the showy nature of Rarity, or the simple cowgirl style of AJ, this shy mare could put both to shame if she had wanted to.

Swallowing hard, the stallion put that aside and stepped forward to get this out of his mind and move things forward to finish his day, his voice warm and happy, glad to at last have some sight of his freedom arriving with his duties finished. “Hello!” He called out, stepping forward and waving to the pink haired pegasus.

Shocked at the sudden interruption of her otherwise quiet day, the shy mare quickly threw her hands up to her mouth, wild pink bangs hanging over most of her face and covering one of her eyes. The interruption from Dusk sent all her birds away in a sudden flurry of feathers, the choir shocked just as badly as their conductor. Realizing only too late he had ruined the show and disturbed the mare, he blushed and moved to step forward, his voice soft. “Oh my, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to frighten your birds. I'm just here to check up on the music, and it's sounding beautiful.” He paused, offering her his friendliest smile, even while his eyes lifted to gaze around and look hopefully into her own, somehow now annoyed with himself that she was so startled. “I'm Dusk Shine.” He said,attempting, to smooth things over and calm the startled lass. “What's your name?”

Dusk wasn't even sure if he heard her say anything, but he saw her move her lips as she answered him. The confused stallion stepped closer, even as the mare shivered and tried to shy away, but ran into the tree at her back. “Um... I'm Fluttershy.”

Stepping closer and offering her a smile, even as he realized she really wasn't taking this well at all. His voice was as calming as possible as he cooed to her, in hopes of drawing the mare from her shell. “I'm sorry, what was that?”

And the result? Only softer, quieter tones as she shivered and dipped her head to turn away from him as he tried to face her eye to eye, the mare's shivering growing stronger as he tried to flash her his winning grin. “Um... My name is Fluttershy.”

Sweat dripped from his brow as he strained to hear, and a last ditch effort was made to get some kind of reaction from the mare. For the first time today he was the one pestering someone who just wanted to get on with their day and already he felt a little guilty. “Didn't quite catch that.”

The squeaking tones she gave off when she answered again, made it clear as day that he was only wasting his time as this point. On the tree behind her, the flock of birds had once again returned and were gathering about Fluttershy, even as he offered a shrug and just pushed on with the conversation, knowing this was clearly now a lost cause. “Well, um, it looks like your birds are back, so I guess everything's in order. Keep up the good work!” A happy sigh as the tension of getting things done today to save time for more important research returned to drive Dusk forward, he turned and grinned at Barb.

From behind him, he could hear the mare squeaking some soft mumbled words but content now with his plans for the day. “Oookay. Well thank you Fluttershy.” His gaze returned to Barb and he offered a confident nod. “Well, that was easy.”

Suddenly behind him a voice of sweet tones spoke out with excited delight at the discovery of something truly unique. “A baby dragon!” The sudden explosion of energy from Fluttershy caught Dusk off guard, throwing him to the side and leaving Barb suddenly cuddled to her chest and cheek against cheek. Those bright eyes shone with joy at her discovery. “Oh, I've never seen a baby dragon before. She's sooo cute!”

Barb, now the center of attention for the first time all day, had a grin spread over her lips and the short dragon inflated her chest with pride at all the attention suddenly washing over her. “Well, well, well...!”

Gushing with joy Fluttershy did a small spin in the air, holding Barb high over her head and releasing another gasp of surprise. At this point Dusk facepalmed, groaning sharply. Not that it had any impact on the situation at hand, as the mare continued to heap attention upon the tiny dragoness. “Oh my, she talks. I didn't know dragons could talk. That's just so incredibly wonderful I- I just don't even know what to say!”

Realizing this was likely to never stop if he didn't step in and 'save' Barb from Fluttershy's affections, the stallion slipped in between them and scooped his assistant from her hands swiftly, attempting to make an excuse and escape the suddenly oppressively affectionate mare. “Well, in that case we'd better be going.”

She wasn't about to let them go alone though, following after as Dusk. As he placed Barb on his shoulders, she called out, catching up swiftly and still questioning the little dragoness. “Wait, wait! What's her name?”

Delighted with the fact that Dusk too was now paying her special attention, Barb shifted to sit tall on his shoulders and spoke with confident pride, her ego inflated by all the attention she was getting. “I'm Barb!”

The mare was delighted to float right behind Dusk as he walked, still fawning attention upon the dragoness. At this point, she was totally enraptured with the situation and utterly unaware of Dusk's brisk pace and annoyance with the situation. “Hi Barb, I'm Fluttershy. Wow, a talking dragon! And what do dragons talk about?”

Turning around in Dusk's grip to face the hovering mare, her confident voice lifted as she asked what was the only real reply that fit the question. “Well, what do you wanna know?”

Fluttershy was swift to trill with delight at Barb’s welcoming response and pulled her arms together to hug them against herself in joy, even going so far as to do a back-flip in place, then rushing to catch up again. “Absolutely everything.”

Dusk could only give another groan of annoyance as he facepalmed again, already sure this was going to be another big headache. Barb however, was simply happy to have an attentive audience and joyfully said, “Well... I started out as a cute little purple and green egg...”

“...and that's the story of my whole entire life! Well, up until today. Do you wanna hear about today?” Barb had talked the whole way home and Dusk had been forced to listen, hoping that the mare might grow tired of her long stories. Unfortunately, there was no sign of this stopping. Attempting to rush things forward, he turned about only to hear Fluttershy reply. “Oh, yes, please!” There was a gleeful look in those sweet eyes.

Even Dusk wasn't so heartless as to attempt to drive off the mare in a rude way, so hoping he could talk her down with kind words, he spun about and pulled Barb into his arms and gently began rocking her a little from one side to the other as he used her as a way to drive the mare to leave them be. “I am so sorry, how did we get here so fast? This is where I'm staying while in Ponyville and my poor baby dragon needs her sleep.”

Of course, Barb wasn't one bit happy with this sudden babying when she was already enjoying the attention from a friendly person who had spent a lot of time stroking her ego. “No I don't-- whoa!”

Dusk had let Barb try to climb from his arms, but as she moved to take her first step, he subtly tripped her, then scooped her up once more, drawing her back up into his arms again. The now-dizzy little dragoness went quiet as she tried to regain her balance. “Aww, wook at dat, she's so sweepy she can't even keep her widdle bawance!”

Of course, that immediately got an instant response from the animal lover. Her eyes went wide as she rushed swiftly forward, opening the door to the city library for Dusk and pushing the two inside. “Poor thing, you simply must get into bed...”

Glad to have finally found a way out of this situation, Dusk moved in a quick stride, thanking her and trying to drive her off. “Yes, yes, we'll get right on that. Well, g'night!” The swift use of his magic to slammed the door behind him, leaving the busty yet shy mare behind.

Inside Barb gave a low grunt, finally realizing just what trick Dusk had pulled. A glare offered up to him in the dark of the lightless treehouse had no effect, yet she she kept it up as she looked at him. “Huh. Rude much?”

Dusk had to blush at that, as he knew she was right. Casting around with his magic to find a lamp to light in the unfamiliar treehouse, he attempted to make things up to Barb, resting a hand on her shoulder. “Sorry, Barb, but I have to convince the Princess that Nightmare Moon is coming, and we're running out of time! I just need to be alone so I can study without a bunch of crazy ponies trying to make friends all the time. Now, where's the light?” As soon as he finished the sentence, a hand landed upon his shoulder and lips pressed deeply to his own.

It took a stunned second for Dusk to realize that the lights had been turned on, and the busty figure now holding him by the hips and pulling him close was the mare from the city hall. “What was her name... Rarity?” As his eyes adjusted to the bright light in the room around him, he quickly peeled back to take a step away from the full figure that had pressed so close to him. As she pouted her sultry lips when he pulled away, he quickly realized that everyone from town he had run into today was here, plus dozens of others whom he had yet to even speak to.

Shocked, Dusk turned around slowly trying to figure out just what was going on around him. His eyes went wide in surprise at what he saw. And then, the figure of an earth pony he swore he knew stepped close, blowing a kazoo in his face and grinning warmly. “Surprise!” She exclaimed with a playful grin. Her low-cut V- neck and tiny booty shorts told him he had to know who she was, and his eyes were still wide as he tried to recall where he had ran into this other strange mare. Thankfully she at least answered this part for him. “Hi, I'm Pinkie Pie, and I threw this party just for you! Were you surprised? Were ya? Were ya? Huh, huh, huh?”

Groaning a little, the stallion placed a hand on his head as the first pangs of a headache were already starting to set in. Trying to let her know just how exhausted he was of the whole idea already his voice lifted with a condescending tone of disappointment. “Very surprised. Libraries are supposed to be quiet.”

If she got his point, she sure didn't appear to notice. Pinkie stepped forward and put her hand upon his cheek rubbing thumb over his jaw even as her deep blue eyes and warm grin were thrown in his face, and much to his annoyance her voiced delighted as she refused his point. “Well, that's silly! What kind of welcome party would this be if it were quiet? I mean, duh, bo-ring! Y'see, I saw you when you first got here, remember? You were all, 'hello' and I was all, ‘...’” She paused, giving a sudden gasp and bolting off running across the room for a moment, giving Dusk hope she might just leave him be. Before that hope could take hold, however, she suddenly rushed back again and wrapped her arms around his own, hugging herself tight to his side and grinning warmly. “Remember? Y'see, I've never seen you before and if I've never seen you before, that means you're new, 'cause I know everypony, and I mean everypony in Ponyville!”

As she rambled on, Dusk's strong grip upon his face continued, fingers shifting to squeeze at the bridge of his nose trying to distract from a headache that was swelling quickly even as she carried on with great excitement. “And if you're new, that meant you hadn't met anyone yet, and if you hadn't met anyone yet, you must not have any friends, and if you don't have any friends then you must be lonely, and that made me so sad, and then I had an idea, and that's why I went-” Suddenly pausing for yet another deep gasp, she rushed on just as quickly afterwards. “I must throw a great, big, ginormous, super-duper, spectacular welcome party and invite everyone in Ponyville! See? And now you have lots and lots of friends!”

Dusk at last gave up and wandered to a nearby refreshment table. It had been hours since his meal with the Apples, and the summer heat had made his throat dry. Grabbing a random bottle, the stallion easily popped the cap and quickly moved to chug whatever the cool bottle held. It wasn't until Pinkie finished talking and waved to the crowded room about him that his tongue started to burn, and eyes popping, he looked at the label on the glass bottle in his hand. A single giant chili pepper mascot with a bright yellow background stared unblinkingly back at him with a bright grin upon its lips.

Author's Notes:

Wow. This took much longer then I had thought but also ended up being almost twice as long as I figured as well! Hopefully this is a little bit of a better insight into my version of the world and just how many little things are different from the show.

A few notes to head people off before comments start!

A: Yes, Rarity did just try to molest Dusk twice. Why? Don't you want to know!

B: Chapter 2 will not be the next morning. Instead I plan a shorter chapter about the party after Dusk storms off to a bathroom to throw up for a while. This will be a much shorter chapter, and will help to establish the relationship the girls of the Mane 6 have before Dusk becomes their friend.

C: I won't schedule Chapter 2 or 3 for this week as my work week has just started today and will take up a lot of my extra time. As well I am taking some criticism into effect from peoples comments to try and improve the prologue a little before I continue.

D: Yes Rarity is the oldest. Yes Fluttershy has the largest chest. Yes Barb is still in love with Rarity just like Spike. Yes Rainbow Dash did just hotdog Dusk the first time they ran into one another, why do you think she was so shocked?

E: Hotdog. It's when a guys junk grinds between the cheeks of someones ass. Its the internet people, look it up

F: I will take and use OC's on occasion as a background pony but don't ever expect any of them to be anything more then that. And no I've no OC of my own though if someone wants to make one based off my Avatar I'd find it a laugh. *shrug*

G: I love you all and thanks for reading!

First revision posted @ 1:30 pm CST only July 30th. This update is mostly spelling and grammar errors, names without proper punctuation and a few mistakes of name/gender. Thanks for all the help already guys!

Second Revision posted @12:37pm CST on November 6th. HUGE thanks to Wrabbit with helping me work over this chapter until I'm sure his eyes bleed. We are heading into interlude 1 and I've got the weekend off so I hope to make some serous progress into chapter five.

Version 2.5 posted August 14th, Thanks to Shawkthorian for all your help reediting these chapters!

Version 3.0 posted April 29th, 2016. Focused on removing improper use of 'own' and 'would', as well aligning the major formatting changes that have happened across the series.