Bedtime Story

Night had spread throughout Equestria. All felt its pull as Luna's sphere blessed the land with its light. Many of the non nocturnal beasts settled into bed. The same could be said for the denizens of Ponyville. The tiny village showed no sign of activity on its streets. Children were rushed inside their houses, while adults hurried home after a long day's work. Some returned to singular lives, maybe a pet here and there, while others had families awaiting their return. Inside the houses several lights shone out, revealing much activity inside the humble abodes. Meals, talks, or just quality time. A little fun and freedom before they enter within Luna's dreamscape domain. Soon the lights died out one by one, the same applied to the homes of Ponyville's most important mares.

Within the Carousel Boutique, Rarity slept. Her night mask preventing minor irritations from revealing a dark room before her. Inside her mind, she slept with a sense of accomplishment, for the gift perfectly wrapped upon a table. A work of art she had spent some time sewing together.

At Sugar Cube Corner, Pinkie Pie snored. Her own day was busily filled with planning for a special event, a party that would end all parties. Least that was the intention. She made a party like this every year, all for a special someone within their lives.

Rainbow Dash was no stranger to sleep in her home. She spent most of her time resting on a cloud after all. Currently she dreamt her usual dreams, of victories and boasting of her awesomeness. Within her home was a gift, quite similar to the one found in Rarity's home. It was something bought instead of made. She spared no expense in picking it out. Frankly for this certain pony, it was all worth it.

Applejack and Fluttershy slept in similar conditions. Their own days duties done and their own gifts picked out and ready. Nothing more to be said, for time focused upon the castle on the outskirts of town. Friendship Rainbow Castle, Castle Twilight. It had several names, but all knew it as the home of Princess Twilight Sparkle. The princess and her number one assistant Spike. Least it was just their home before. It had long since become the home of a third. A third who was busy making quite a fuss.

“But I don't wanna take a bath!” Came the refusal of Prince Dusk Trail. The prince was a young colt, (a unicorn to be precise) his coat and flank a deep dark purple. His mane was straight and jet black. Despite his less than bright color coding, his eyes were a clear and innocent green. Even if that innocence was marred by childish rebellion. One final missing part was his blank flank. He had yet to earn his cutie mark, mainly because he was too young to find his special talent. Though seeing with his bloodline, many assumed it would be related to magic.

“Dusk.....” Came the stern voice. A stern voice he had heard before. An adult mare walked up to the young colt, her own coat a normal shade of violet w straight mane of the same color barring the magenta stripes. Her cutie mark that of an ornate looking star. A single horn spiraled upward. At first glance many would assume she was a unicorn, but the wings upon her back indicated her as an alicorn. And as an alicorn, she held the duty as Twilight Sparkle, the Princess of Friendship. But she wasn't just a princess oh no. She held another title too.

“But Mommy! I'm just going to get dirty again!” Dusk protested.

Twilight softened her expression and nudged the boy's flank. “Every good colt needs to take a bath. And you've been outside all day.”

“Yeah but....”

“No buts! Now march young colt!”

That was not a request, it was a demand, and Dusk found himself obeying. The sounds of the tub followed. Splashing water and Dusk's laughter.

“Got to get get under there.” Twilight said scrubbing her son's hooves.

Dusk merely giggled in response. Feeling in good spirits, Dusk gave his mother a splash and she in turn responded with the same.

The water fight went on quite fast as the bath came to a close. As the water drained, Dusk was dried off, and now was the next step of bedtime preparation.

“Make sure to get the wisdom teeth.” Twilight instructed.

“Yeah Mom.” Dusk managed to spit out.

Then came the rinsing and the spit, and then the bathroom duties were done. Now it was time for the next step: bedtime.

The two ponies walked through the child's room. A room strewn about with toys and books. Twilight had told him to pick them up recently, but it went unheeded. She supposed she could let it slide this time. After all, it was his big day tomorrow.

“Comfy?” Twilight asked as Dusk settled into bed. She herself tucking him in.

Dusk smiled up at his mother, “Yep!”

Twilight smiled back at him, “Now what kind of bedtime story do you want?” She said turning her attention towards the small bookcase. Most of the contents were children's stories, an assortment that were geared to delight young minds. “How about this one?” Twilight reached for one book in particular, a bookmark in place to keep track of where they were at.

“Mommy?” Dusk intersected, causing Twilight to stop. Her attention turned towards her son.

“What is it sweetie?” She asked, half concerned half curious.

Dusk rose up upon his pillow, hooves fidgeting with uncertainty. “I was wondering if you could tell me a different story?”

“Anything honey. Just name it.” Twilight agreed. So long as it made her son happy.

Dusk bit his lip then licked it. This was something hard for him. He wanted to ask a question, just couldn't get it out. It made him nervous frankly.

“Just tell me honey.” Twilight's reassuring voice soothed. Her hoof placed atop his. Soon all the worry and hesitation just washed away as his mother's eyes blessed him.

“Well......I wondering if you could.....could tell me about my Daddy?” Dusk admitted.

And Twilight's smile fell, immediately making Dusk regret ever asking that.

“W-W-Why would you want to know about that?” She asked with a slight stammer upon her voice.

Dusk fidgeted. Was it mentioned he was really regretting asking this now? “Well, when Spike and I were playing outside, I saw a kid playing with his dad. So it made me wonder.” Dusk regained some courage, “I asked Spike but he didn't answer.” Although Dusk didn't say, Spike had the same look when he was asked the father question.

Hesitation began to grip at Twilight's mind. She had expected this question, just not now. She had hoped it would come later, far later. Like when Dusk was a teenager, heck even a young adult. Yet that was wishful thinking on her part.

“Don't you want to read something else?” Twilight asked hopefully, “Come on I'll read you Daring Doo okay?” She reached for the book hoping this would quell the issue.

“Mom please! I really want to know!” Dusk pleaded.

Looks like the issue wouldn't be quelled. Twilight turned around to see her son staring at her with big wanting eyes. A sigh escaped her.

“What was he like?” Dusk asked.

A simple question, but so many descriptions came to mind.

“Well first off, he was brave.” Twilight began.

Dusk's eyes widened. “Really?”

Yes, brave. Brave as in facing his enemies. Who were his enemies? Twilight had a good idea as memories of the Crystal Empire played back. A fierce force of monstrous fury, corrupting everything he touched.

“Yes. No matter what, he never showed fear”

“Was he important?”

Twilight closed her eyes for a brief moment. Importance was such a relevant subject. Oh he was important, an important part of the Crystal Empire's history.

“To those who knew him, yes.”

Important in regards to monsters. And he was the most king of monsters within the empire's memory.

“What did he look like? Did he look cool?”

Twilight had to think a moment, images of his visage danced back to her, staring at her, entrancing her. “His coat was gray and his mane was a flowing black.”

“Just like mine!” Dusk piped up.

Then with force, Twilight pushed that image aside, right before it could engulf her.

“Yes, just like you sweetie, why you even have his eyes.” She put on a smile for her child's sake. The green iris's that looked up at her, eager and curious. The resemblance didn't just stop at the eye and mane, she could see faint traces in the face. Most of them wouldn't show up until he was older (she presumed). Thankfully that was a long way off. For now she could enjoy the sweet semblance of childhood.

Suddenly, Dusk let out a yawn. The faint evidence“Mom....one last question? Please?”

Twilight nodded, showing her approval.

“Would....Dad have liked me?”

Now that was a tough one. How could she answer it? A simple “I don't know”, wouldn't have sufficed. No, she was best give a good answer. Part of it was wrong, but what choice did she have? She merely smiled, pet her child's head, and said, “Any good father would love to have you as a son.” Yes, that would do, her son's grin answered her that. Another yawn followed, and Twilight knew it was time, “Okay honey, that's enough of story time, you need to rest up for the big day tomorrow. Your Auntie Pinkie Pie is throwing you a big party.”

“Okay Mommy.....I love you.”

A soft kiss upon the forehead was his answer. “Love you more my sweet.”

And that's all it took. Dusk Trail settled into his bed, yawning once again and closing his eyes. Twilight stealthily crept out the door closing it without so much noise. Her hooves pressed against the hallway floor as she traveled the exodus to her bedroom. She felt a yawn of her own coming on, and then it came, quite suddenly and deep. Her lips smacked and she blinked her eyes. They were partially numbed, the onset of sleep. Though despite that, her mind was full of thoughts. She hated not being completely honest with him, but Dusk was her baby, and she would protect him. The one jewel of her life from that moment of darkness. The moment where she nearly gave into that dark heart. She was at her bedroom door, and she opened it up. Spike snoozed away in his basket, already in dreamland. Though the years may have passed, Spike was still a baby in dragon terms. The blankets covered her body, partially she wrapped them around her taking in their warmth.

One day Dusk would know the truth. As much as she denied and hoped against it, she knew it would happen. But for now, all she had to worry about was whether her son had the best birthday in his young life.

And so the last resident of Ponyville joined her family in slumber.