Dusk was happy to be back on Sweet Apple Acres, doing some good, old fashioned farm work. It had been a week or so after the Mare Heat season fiasco, all that time spent working on the farm and relaxing, respectively. He and Big Mac had started becoming good friends. The two would get into hoofwreastling matches, and Dusk was starting to beat Big Mac more often than he lost, but it was still a challenge. The two stallions were on round three of a miniature championship they had started when Applejack trotted on up, exhausted from a full day of apple bucking.

Dusk had just started to gain the upper hand-err, hoof when he cast a sidelong glance at Applejack and lost his concentration a little. Big Mac saw his chance and slammed Dusks hoof on the table. "Ha, two outta' three. Ah win." Big Mac said a grin on his face.

Dusk rubbed his hoof with a sly smile. "Ya were about ta lose until-" Dusk said, closing his mouth before he finished the sentence. He swore Big Macs grin got a little wider.

"Until what?" the red stallion asked, knowing the answer.

"Until somethin' caught my eye." Dusk said, avoiding what exactly caught his eye.

"Well, it don't matter what caught yer eye, it's time fer dinner." Applejack said heading inside. Dusk and Big Mac followed and sat down at the table, waiting for their food. Apple Bloom came down the stairs and plopped down next to her big brother.

"Hey there, Dusk! How ya been?" Apple Bloom asked.

"I've been just fine, sweetie. How 'bout yerself?" Dusk asked. As the little filly started on about her day spent trying to find out what her special ability is, Dusk smiled and listened to her story with interest, asking questions and making comments about her story here and there. In truth, she reminded him of his own little sister. He had grown close to the Apple family; they were what reminded him of home the most.

"And then Scootaloo crashed inta Sweetie Belle, and Ah was rollin' round laughin'! It was awesome!" Apple Bloom concluded as plates were set down in front of them.

"That sounds like a lotta fun; maybe I can come help ya sometime." Dusk said smiling. As the fillies eyes lit up, Applejack cut in.

"Now don't give her too many ideas, Dusk. She's a crazy little filly." Applejack said tussling her little sisters’ mane before sitting down next to Dusk. Apple Bloom was about to object when she remembered there was food in front of her. Dusk began eating himself; he was hungrier than he thought. Dinner was eaten mostly in silence because the four wanted to eat a little more than they thought. After dinner was concluded and dessert consumed, Dusk began to make his way for the door.

"Thanks again fer dinner Applejack. It was really good." Dusk said rubbing his belly for effect.

"Sure thing Dusk. You and Paladin are welcome here anytime." Applejack said smiling warmly. Dusk looked at the almost set sun and decided it was time to head out.

"I better start headin' on over ta Ponyville. Wouldn't wanna get lost again." Dusk said, remembering a few nights ago.

"How 'bout I walk ya home?" Applejack offered.

Not wanting to seem rude, or turn down alone time with Applejack, Dusk quickly said, "Sure. Let’s get goin'."

The two began to walk down the trail to the small forest that leads to Ponyville. Dusk would look over at Applejack, admiring her mane, her physical fitness, her increasingly distracting flank, and would look away when she looked over at him. He was sure she was doing the same, glancing away whenever he turned his head back her way. After feeling more confident, he decided to attempt small talk. "So, how was yer day apple buckin'?" he began. 'Subtle, but can lead to many things.' He thought, sounding eerily like Paladin.

"Ah had a good days harvest today." Applejack said. "No thanks ta you and Big Mac. Hoof wreastlin' all day." Applejack smiled, knocking Dusk on the shoulder playfully.

Dusk chuckled. "I almost had him beat." Dusk offered meekly. "I bet I could beat ya at a Mach or two." Dusk said with a slight smirk. Applejack chuckled now.

"Ah'm gunna hold ya to that." Applejack said. "Maybe ya can try ta prove yerself tomorrow. Ah could use a little help with the apples." Applejack said, looking at Dusk. Dusk looked over and was lost in her emerald eyes for a moment before remembering he needed to reply.

"Oh, uh, yeah, sure AJ." Dusk said, feeling red creep into his cheeks. Applejack giggled and blushed a little herself.

"Looks like we're here." She said.

Dusk looked around and saw the two were right outside the apartment. Slightly disappointed at how fast time went by, Dusk sighed in his mind. "I guess I'll see ya tomorrow?" Dusk asked. 'Smooth, Rob...' He thought to himself.

Applejack smiled. "Sure thing, Dusk." She said. She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and ran off back home. Dusk absent mindedly brought a hoof up to his face and touched where Applejack kissed him. He walked inside and was surprised, mostly from being brought out of the bliss he was in, by Twilight Sparkle bumping into him in the lobby.

"Pardon me mi- Twilight? What’re ya doin here?" Dusk asked. Twilight smiled awkwardly.

"Oh, hello Dusk. I had dropped by to give Paladin a book on the history of magic, and I guess I lost track of the time." Twilight said. "Anyway, I had best be going back to the library. Spike must have fallen asleep by now." Twilight said, slipping past him and out the door before he could add anything else. Confused at least a little, Dusk headed upstairs to their room.

"Hey there. Nice to see you again." David said upon his friend entering. "I hope your day was good?" He asked, still talking like he did when he was around Twilight.

"Yeah, had an awesome day on the orchard. Did ya have a good time with Twilight?" Rob asked a small smirk on his face. David glared at him.

"Now that you ask, yes." David said, remembering his awesome afternoon.

"Well, well, well, David, are ya fallen for a pony?" Rob asked, more than a touch of smugness in his voice.

"Don't you get started with me. I know you want a special kind of apple pie." David said chuckling at the cleverness of his joke, not expecting the uppercut that sent him sprawling across the room.

"Keep talkn' like that, and I'll break yer ribs." Rob said coldly. David lay on the floor moaning. Knowing it wasn't enough to knock him out; he trotted off to his bedroom. "Guess ya'll have ta tell me how yer day was tomorrow. Goodnight." Rob said as he walked past David. The latter grumbled angrily at Rob as he walked past.

In the Void

Discord awoke yawning, stretched, and scratched an itch on his back that was driving him wild. 'Another wonderful day in nothingness.' He thought looking about the endless stretch of white space that dominated everywhere. After milling about trying to find something, anything to use his Chaos on, he decided to check on the events in Equestria. 'Boring, boring, boring, bor- wait, what is this? It can't be...' Discord thought delighted at the sight of two ponies appearing in the middle of a clearing. His joy increased exponentially as he listened to the two humans evaluate what was happening. "Oh, this is too good!" he said to nopony in particular. Too weak to do anything as of yet, Discord began to form his plan. He believed it was the start of something beautiful.