Chapter 10: Rainbow’s Road to Success

Dusk returns to Sweet Apple Acres, just as Big Mac was getting ready to start plowing. He grabs the seeds from nearby and waits for Big Mac to continue plowing. The red stallion is curious about something.

“Dusk, why did you need to leave the farm before?”

“I needed to talk to a friend of mine. I need his help, if I want to get a job as a weather pony.” Answers Dusk. “It is why I came to Ponyville.”

“So if you don’t get the job, will you move out of Ponyville?” questions Big Mac.

“I don’t think so. I’ve already made a few friends here, I will still have a job here, at the Sweet Apple Acres and I’m happy here.”

“Eeyup, that’s good to hear Dusk.”

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Work finishes for Dusk, and he is inside the farmhouse awaiting his pay for the day. Big Mac gives Dusk a small pile of bits.

“Because the work today was easy, but important. I have decided to give you 35 bits for your work today.”

“Seems fair. Throwing seeds in dirt is definitely a lot easier than applebucking.”

“Eeyup, good luck with your weather job Dusk.”

“Thanks, I hope I get it.”

“Eeyup.”

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Later that day, Dusk walks to the Ponyville Library, wanting to borrow some books, to pass the time. He knocks on the door.

*knock knock*

“Door’s open.” he hears the young dragon say.

Dusk opens the door to the library and sees something which seems a bit strange, the dragon has a moustache. He recognizes Dusk from last night.

“What are you doing here again?”

“I want to borrow a few books, to pass the time.”

“Wait, could you repeat that?” Asks the dragon.

“I want to borrow a few books.” Repeats Dusk.

The dragon was shocked, his jaw drops and he starts running up the stairs of the library, calling Twilight.

“Twilight, Twilight, I need you to come down here!” yells the dragon.

“Spike! Why did you have to interrupt my studies? What could be so important?”

‘So the dragon’s name is Spike. That’ll save a bit of trouble. Also, why does he have a 'stache?’

“Somepony wants to borrow a book.” Answers Spike.

Dusk hears a door suddenly opening, and hitting the wall with a big slam. Twilight walks down the stairs, excited about something. “Dusk, do you actually want to borrow a book?” asks the surprised unicorn.

“Pretty much, why is that such a big deal?”

“The last time someone borrowed a book, was 7 months ago.”

‘I already knew that the library wouldn’t be used that much, but come on, 7 months?!’

“Are you serious Twilight?” asks Dusk in a skeptical tone.

“Completely,” She levitates a book his library records over to Dusk. “You’ll see that the last book that was borrowed is called ‘Cutie Marks for Dummies’. The Cutie Mark Crusaders borrowed it.”

“Err, Twilight, it says that Rarity borrowed it.” States Dusk.

“Yeah I know, but those 3 fillies asked her to borrow it.”

“Wait, who are the Cutie Mark Crusaders?”

“Applebloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, they are all hunting for their cutie marks, and usually do reckless things in order to get them.”

“Sounds like they cause a lot of damage.”

“You don’t know the half of it.” Answers an annoyed Twilight, remembering the failed talent show, “So aren’t you supposed to be borrowing a book?”

“Yeah, let me take a look around.”

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After 10 minutes, Dusk iss still deciding what books to borrow. When it comes to selecting things, Dusk is usually very picky. This can range from all sorts of things, like food, music, or in this case, books.

“Hey Twi,” Dusk begins to smirk, “Do you have any of the ‘Twilight’ books?”

“Nope, destroyed them with fire.”

“Good mare, I can’t stand the fillies who like those books.”

“They give literature a bad name.” Says Twilight.

“Agreed.”

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About 30 minutes later, Dusk leaves the library with one book. It is a thick book called “Past Sins”. It is supposed to be about Nightmare Moon being resurrected, but as a foal. There is a quote under the title which just says “What else can you be when the world can only see a monster”. It seems like a sad story, but Dusk likes to read the occasional sad book once in a while.

Dusk starts to walk back to Fluttershy’s, as per usual, but was interrupted by Rainbow. She had flown in front of Dusk, wanting to tell him something.

“Hey Dusk, I’ve been looking for you for ages.” She says.

“Why were-“

“I just need to tell you, that Zeph has persuaded me, to let you join the weather team.”

Dusk’s face lit up, “*gasp* THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! You have NO idea how happy I am.” Yells Dusk. His eyes are widening, his smile is growing and has his head up high.

“I hope that you are as good as Zeph said you are.”

“I won’t let you down Rainbow.” Proudly says Dusk.

She flies away, and Dusk  is celebrating on the ground. He is ecstatic.

‘Things have really gone up for me, in Ponyville.’

~~~~~

Author’s Note: An obvious homage to “Past Sins” by Pen Stroke. A great fanfic, but long. If any of you want to read it, make sure you have a free day, and marathon it. It's 179,000 words long. Next Chapter: Chapter 11: The Reading of the Book Estimated time remaining: 7 Hours, 32 Minutes