Dusk

Spoiler Alert!!!This article contains **major spoilers** from *Journey to the Dragon Mountain*. Read at your own risk!

## Appearances

### Appears in

*Creatures of the Flood*, *River of Secrets*, *Journey to the Dragon Mountain*

### Debut

*Creatures of the Flood*

**Dusk** was a male giant panda, and the twin brother of Sunset Deepwood.

## Description

Dusk is Sunset’s identical twin and bore a strong resemblance to his brother, even more so than Rain resembled Leaf. Dusk’s strong resemblance to Sunset is what enabled him to fool others into believing that he was Sunset Deepwood. However, Dusk bore a long scar on his side that the real Sunset gave him when they fought. Dusk sports larger black eye patches than most other pandas.
## Personality

Dusk was manipulative, power-hungry and determined to destroy his brother’s successors to secure his position as the false Dragon-Speaker.
Dusk had a poor/nonexistent relationship with his twin. Dusk was extremely jealous of Sunset’s role as Dragon Speaker. Dusk arranged Sunset to meet up with him at the Clearpool under the pretext that this was a normal meeting. In reality, the meeting was a trap that Dusk set up to kill his brother so he could supplant Sunset as Dragon Speaker.
Despite his cunning nature, Dusk is shown to lack his brother’s common sense as he himself had fallen prey to Brawnshanks' manipulation and blackmail. He also continued to believe that Pepper was one of the triplets, even though Pepper's lies weren’t that convincing and contradicted Plum’s account on her nieces' identities as the next Dragon Speakers. He also brought himself to believe that he could fool Rain into believing that she saw a vision of them standing together for her to join him when it was really just their reflection. Dusk lacked his brother’s level head, as he was shown to be ill-tempered on numerous occasions. When Sunset revealed that he knew Dusk’s true intentions for summoning him to the Clearpool, Dusk was outraged that he didn’t have the element of surprise on his side. Dusk also lashed out at Pepper when the latter called him out for his deception. Dusk also lost his temper when he discovered that the monkeys had made him their own pawn.
Dusk was also shown to be hypocritical on numerous occasions. When Rain’s return threatened his exposure, Dusk discredited Rain by convincing the majority of the Prosperhill, that Rain faked her own death as some cruel joke. These accusations are not only untrue but ignore the fact, that Dusk faked his own death by claiming that he perished during the Great Flood. Another example of Dusk’s hypocrisy is shown when he confronted Ghost and his biological sisters in the White Spine. There, Dusk accused Ghost of being a monster and a coward, when Dusk himself was the real monster for taking the lives of countless creatures, as well as the true coward for faking his own death, assuming the identity of his brother and covering up his murders with countless other lies.
## History

### Early Life

Dusk and Sunset were born to an unknown panda couple. When Sunset was revealed to be a Dragon Speaker, Dusk grew jealous of his brother’s promotion and lusted for the power and position of the Dragon Speaker.
One year before the events of the series, Dusk lured Sunset to the Clearpool, located in the Northern Forest, in order to kill the latter. However, Sunset had been forewarned of his brother’s treachery. Dusk succeeded in killing his brother, but received a scar in the process from Sunset. Dusk’s nefarious actions resulted in the flood, which resulted in the loss of numerous lives.
### *Creatures of the Flood*

Dusk arrives at the Prosperhill, posing as his brother and is warmly welcomed back. At the clearing, Dusk tells the Prosperhill pandas a fabricated version of his meeting with the real Sunset Deepwood, claiming that he died during the flood and that Sunset outlived him. Later Dusk organizes search parties under the pretext that other pandas need help. In reality, Dusk was trying to find the triplets in order to eliminate them.
### *River of Secrets*

Back in the Bamboo Kingdom, Dusk teaches Ghost and Shiver more about panda life. Soon after they learn from other animals that the river has become shallow at the Egg Rocks. Dusk suggests that Ghost uses the rocks to get across in order to reunite with his fellow pandas within the Prosperhill.
Later, Dusk tells Ghost about Panda triplets from an unknown prophecy. Dusk explains that he's seeking the triplets under the pretext that they threaten The Bamboo Kingdom. Ghost agrees to assist Dusk in his search. Later, a cub named Pepper arrives at the Prosperhill, claiming to be one of the triplets. Dusk assigns Ghost to look after Pepper and gather information about the latter's background. When Pepper refuses to be more specific about his past, Dusk confronts the former and demands Pepper to reveal the identities of his littermates. Once again Pepper's answers are unsatisfying. Once Pepper and Dusk leave, Shiver arrives to confront Ghost for not standing up to Pepper. Ghost tells Shiver that although it seemed like he and "Sunset" attacked Pepper unprovoked, they weren't. Shiver understands that Ghost really believes what he's saying, however she disagrees with Ghost perception. Shiver has become suspicious of Dusk's intentions and reveals that the latter is spreading malicious rumors about Ghost behind his back. Shiver states that she'd recently overheard Dusk telling two other pandas that Ghost was "bloodthirsty, but too stupid to pose a threat". Ghost is skeptical of Shiver's claims and thinks she's either lying or misunderstood what she overheard. Later, Dusk takes Ghost on an expedition into the Northern Forest to find the triplets. Instead, they find Plum, who recognizes Ghost as her attacker. She concludes that Dusk had sent Ghost after her and attacks Dusk. Believing that Plum is in the wrong, Ghost intervenes and demands her to back off.
As Plum backs down, Ghost tells Dusk about his previous encounter with her in the mountains. Ghost explains that he didn't arrive at the cave Plum was in looking for a fight but attacked the latter in self-defense. Ghost tells Dusk that he didn't know who and what Plum was at the time. Dusk then discredits Plum's accusations by claiming that her mind was addled. When Plum is found dead, Dusk and Ghost arrive to investigate. Dusk blames Plum's death on Shadowhunter. Ghost however is unconvinced as the wounds on Plum's corpse don't resemble any injuries caused by a tiger. Ghost begins to suspect Dusk's motives but isn't sure if he was lying or if fear clouded his judgment.
When Dusk attacks Pepper and orders Ghost to finish the latter off, the white panda realizes that Dusk killed Plum and lied about it. Ghost pretends to remain Dusk's ally in order to betray the latter. After Ghost banishes Pepper, he returns to Dusk and lies that he killed Pepper. Believing Ghost's lie, Dusk praises Ghost. When Rain and Peony confronted Dusk for his manipulation, they unsuccessfully try to sway the other Prosperhills to their side. But Dusk convinces the other pandas that he is in the right. Dusk then sends Brawnshanks and his troop after Peony and Rain. The two bears try to fight off the monkeys but they are overwhelmed and taken to a pit which serves as the panda's prison. Ghost is assigned to watch over Peony and Rain. Unbeknownst to everyone, Ghost is no longer loyal to Dusk.
### *Journey to the Dragon Mountain*

Few days after Rain and Peony were taken hostage, Ghost attempts to explain his true intentions to Rain and Peony before Dusk arrives and interrupts the commotion. Dusk attempts to blackmail Rain into delivering a prophecy by threatening cut her and Peony’s rations. Rain explains that she can’t conjure visions at will. Dusk doesn’t believe Rain so the latter gives Dusk a fake prophecy, for telling the death of one of the monkeys. Feigning illness, Jitterpaws convinces Dusk that Rain’s prophecy is genuine.
Back at the clearing, Ghost laments falling for Dusk's lies. Ghost is well aware departing the Prosperhill is a quick and easy way to free himself from the aftermath of Dusk's actions, Ghost can’t bring himself to be complacent in the former’s schemes despite the risks involved thwarting “Sunset’s” plans. Dusk summons Ghost to deal with a pangolin that had complaining with the former. Although Dusk doesn’t admit it Ghost is well aware that Dusk expects him to use lethal methods to deal with the pangolin.
Instead of taking the pangolins life, Ghost asks her what her problem is. The pangolin explains that she and her kin were driven out of their home by the monkeys who claim that a “Sunset” had helped them invade. Ghost informs the pangolin that Dusk did in fact conspire with the monkeys and warns that he is not to be trusted. Following the pangolins departure, Ghost informs Dusk that he took care of the pangolin but omits granting the latter mercy. Dusk soon realizes that the bamboo the Southern Forest troop had gifted him is making him sick instead of granting him powers. Dusk and Ghost travel to the monkeys territory to confront Brawnshanks for his deception.
One evening Brawnshanks informs Dusk that Pepper is alive and well. Realizing that he’d been duped, Dusk sends Ghost into the Broken Forest to be ambushed and killed by they monkeys. Dusk’s nearly succeeds in his scheme before Shadowhunter arrives and saves Ghost, killing himself in the process.
Back at the Darkpool, Rain dives in and discovers the real Sunset Deepwood’s skeletal remains. Rain receives another vision where it is revealed that Sunset fought and fell before Dusk. Rain finally realizes that Sunset had been murdered and that Dusk was her true enemy. Before Rain can report her findings, Dusk leads a group of Prosperhill pandas to confront Leaf and Rain. Rain uses her newfound knowledge to expose Dusk, revealing to Leaf and the crowd that Dusk killed Sunset and lied about it. Dusk attempts to discredit Rain but to know avail. Realizing that he’s been cornered, Dusk no longer sees any reason to continue feigning his identity. Dusk confesses to killing his brother but believes he was right to do so as Sunset never took the opportunity to form a cult of personality like he did. Leaf refutes Dusk's claims by explaining that pandas aren’t meant to rule the forest but guide it and that most pandas have no time or interest to subjugate the kingdom. Rain informs Dusk that nobody wants a Dragon Speaker like him and that even the monkeys are anticipating his downfall before Dusk silences her. However Rain’s warnings about the monkeys' upcoming betrayal are soon proven to be right when the Southern Forest Troop arrives. With Dusk’s true identity exposed, as well as the Broken Forest being in the monkeys' hands, Brawnshanks is no longer interested in remaining Dusk’s ally. The monkeys taunt Dusk and break the stone the latter had previously looted from his brother before leaving Dusk at the mercy of the other pandas. With defeat being inevitable, Dusk surrenders and is followed by Ginseng and Blossom as he flees.
Later Pepper, spots Dusk, Ginseng and Blossom trekking through the White Spine. In an attempt to help Leaf and Rain, Pepper tells Dusk and his guards that he’ll lead them to the pair. Instead, he hides Leaf and Rain in a nearby cave, before leading Dusk and the others away from the sisters. While Dusk’s group is distracted, Leaf and Rain continue on their journey where they find and retrieve Ghost. The sisters inform their newfound brother that Dusk is their true enemy. Although this revelation is news to Ghost, he isn’t surprised to hear that the lies and murders committed in Sunset’s name were actually his brothers doing, nor was he surprised to learn that Dusk had the gall to commit fratricide, as Ghost already knew that Sunset/Dusk was a liar as well as a murderer.
When the triplets arrive at the Dragon Mountain, they find Dusk, Ginseng and Blossom waiting for them. Dusk takes Ghost hostage and uses the latter as leverage against Leaf and Rain. The sisters pursue Dusk and his most loyal pandas into the cave. There, Ghost breaks free of Dusk’s grasp and he and his sisters receive unexpected help from Ginseng and Blossom, who were revealed to have been on the triplets' side all along. Ginseng and Blossom only pretended to remain loyal to Dusk in order to catch the latter off guard, much to Dusk's shock and outrage. During the confrontation Dusk taunts Ghost by calling him a “freak”, which is refuted by Ghost. In response Dusk admits that Ghost isn’t a freak but accuses the latter of cowardice. Although Ghost is understandably furious at Dusk’s accusations, he does not give in, instead he stands up for himself by not only denying validity to Dusk’s claim but recognizes and points out that Dusk’s latest insults are examples of hypocrisy. Ghosts cites Dusks actions and behavior to prove his point as Dusk’s deception and murders were not only insidious in their own right but were motivated in large part but Dusk’s own fears, arguably making the former the true coward instead of Ghost. Although the triplets, Blossom, and Ginseng put up a good fight, against Dusk, the latter continues to have the upper-paw, before Shadowhunter arrives and turns the tide in the triplets' favor. Shadowhunter shoves Dusk off the mountain where he dies from the fall. However, Shadowhunter is killed in the process. The triplets thank Shadowhunter for his sacrifice before returning to the Dragon Cave.

### The Dark Sun

Dusk is mentioned when Brawnshanks acknowledges how the triplets defeated the former.

## Trivia

* There were several hints that Dusk wasn't Sunset throughout the first three books:
	+ Dusk didn't always mimic his brother's personality.
	+ It was confirmed in *Creatures of the Flood* that "Sunset" didn't have the powers a Dragon Speaker possessed.
	+ Dusk didn't realize that the bamboo the Southern Forest Troop gifted him didn't give him any powers until after he fell ill. The real Sunset Deepwood probably wouldn't have fallen for this scam or at least caught on that he was being duped the moment he discovered that the bamboo didn't grant any powers.
	+ In *River of Secrets,* Rain had a vision which foreshadowed Dusk's true identity.
	+ Shadowhunter's last meeting with Sunset took place shortly before the flood. Sunset had the opportunity to save himself the trouble of seeking out the triplets the following year by ordering Shadowhunter to lead him to Orchid and her cubs.
	+ In *Journey to the Dragon Mountain,* Dusk was shown to falsely believe that Dragon Speakers could conjure visions and prophecies at will, when the real Sunset would’ve known that Dragon Speakers can’t control which type of visions they receive or when.
		- Furthermore, Rain foresaw the real Sunset’s death in that same book.
	+ Dusk's namesake is identical to the real Sunset Deepwood’s. Whether or not this is meant to serve as another hint for Dusk’s true identity is currently unknown, as it is common for panda siblings to have similar names (e.g. Pebble and Stone).