Nickname(s): Dusk (common), Astral (mother), Dusky (only allowed by Terra Rosa), Ass-tral (probably Nova Spark),

Species: Earth Pony

Gender: Male

Family: Sunset Shimmer (mother), Valiant Heart (father), Eventide Twister (sister)

Occupation: Gem Researcher/Scientist

Info:

-Raised by a researcher mother and a gem-hunting father, both fields influenced Dusk at a young age. While he loved science kits and learning from Sunset, he would eagerly await his father’s returns from his expeditions to see the beautiful gems he had collected. Valiant would always bring one gem back for his son’s keeping.

-Dusk was especially fascinated by gems. In time he aspired to become a researcher like his mother, to better understand gem properties. It’s likely the idea of studying the magical properties of gems was partially prompted by Maud Pie, the one pony young Dusk could geek out and thoroughly discuss gems with.

-With his uncommon interests, young Dusk had a harder time connecting with his pony peers. Sunset noticed her son’s struggle to create close friendships and thus she and human Twilight had the idea to plan a playdate for their kids, both children having unique interests. This led Dusk into meeting his childhood best friend, Terra Rosa.

-After that, Sunset always brought Dusk along with her during her visits to the humanverse. Dusk adapted rather well, and though Terra had a much more energetic personality, the two happily bonded over science and their individual hobbies.

-Ironically enough, when pre-teen Dusk met Princess Twilight’s young son Nova Spark, the two could not get along and ended up with a sour relationship, one that simply worsened over time. Due to their mothers being best friends, the two begrudgingly put up with one another, though that did not stop them from bickering or exchanging snarky remarks in passing.

-Reminiscing on her Canterlot High days, Sunset had the idea (after having it approved by Princess Twilight) to have Dusk enroll at her old high school, where he’d get to attend with Terra Rosa and hopefully branch out and better learn the “magic of friendship” where it had reached her. These were Dusk’s fondest days; simple studies, seeing his best friend almost every day, and freely traveling back and forth between worlds.

-Fond of Dusk and admiring his passion, Princess Twilight happily gifted the newly graduated stallion a lab of his own within her castle. Due to having too many empty rooms in her castle – and seeing as Dusk had been following and helping with her and Sunset’s research and experiments over the years anyway – she believed it was the least she could do.

-Dusk has a bad habit of staying up late and outright pulling all-nighters in the name of science. No matter how many times Sunset scolds him, the habit is rather engraved, worsening in his adult years. Sunset has somewhat given up on nagging her son, providing caffeinated drinks during nights when he’s especially focused on a project.

-He would never admit it, but Dusk is envious of unicorns and their ability to freely use magic. As a researcher who studies the magical potential of gems, one can imagine the frustration of needing to seek the help of his mother whenever he has to perform magical tests. Sunset, though, is always happy to assist.

-Overall Dusk is laid-back, reserved, and aloof. He can be pretty moody (and loopy) during days of little sleep to the point of talking to himself as well as inanimate objects in his lab. While he enjoys long walks and fresh air during his down time, he seems to avoid most social interaction with anyone outside of his own family. Most conversations (especially idle chatter) he tries to cut short, and he refuses to participate in activities that require extra energy (physical or mental) to be exerted. Any pressure put on him to socially engage annoys him quite quickly and brings out his moodier side.

-Strangers sometimes mistake him for a model or assume he has a job in the fashion industry, due to his pretty boy looks. Some ponies can also mistake him for a mare at first glance, something he is very indifferent over.

-His scarf is his prized possession. Don’t touch it. Don’t even stare at it for too long.