Atonement

I took a quick survey of my surroundings, and found myself in the orchard of Sweet Apple Acres. “Shit!” I swore under my breath as I looked for a place to hide. I had obviously gone back in time, but how far?

“Hold on Applejack.” I heard Big Macintosh’s voice call out, no too far away. I needed to be fast. “Ah think ah heard something’ over here.” I spotted a nearby tree, and climbed up into its upper branches, hoping the foliage would hide me.

I hoped wrong. I saw him come around the corner of the barn and walk my way, his eyes fixed on mine. I knew he saw me, but something told me to stay.

“What tha hay is that!?” he yelled when he got closer, and I took that to be my queue to get the hell out of dodge. I leapt out of the tree, and hit the ground running. I was faster than most, even in my human form, but even I got tired eventually. I sprinted as fast as I could, occasionally vaulting over a cart or a fence.

But, one thing brought my flight to an end.

“Aren’t ya gonna stay fer brunch?”

Applebloom. As soon as I heard her say that, I made the mistake of looking behind me. I then tripped on a rock, falling onto the side of my face and getting a mouthful of dirt. I spit it out as I began to stand again.

“Hold on right there.” I heard the voice of the all too familiar farmer mare say, closer than I would have expected. I froze.

Well, mostly.

“Alright, I’m waiting.” I said with a chuckle. Messing with ponies was fun to an extent.

“Ya’ll can talk!?” she yelled, making me wince slightly. I went to rub my head only for my hand to be met with my mask. At least I still had that.

“Yes, yes I can.” I said, standing to my full height and looking at her. God, she looked just the way I remembered… Minus the blood, and the never fading look of betrayal.

“Ya’ll got a name? Or am ah jus’ gonna be referin’ to ya as ‘it’?” she asked with a giggle. She had a sense of humor still. Maybe I went back further than I thought.

Maybe he wasn’t here yet. Either way, they couldn’t know who I was, I refused to take that chance. I thought for a moment before thinking of a somewhat appropriate name for myself.

“Call me Lone Wolf. That’s all you’re getting.” I said, my tone more serious. She seemed to take the hint, because she nodded.

“So, ‘Lone Wolf’, jus’ what are ya anyhow? Besides half yer head, ya don’t look like any wolf I’ve ever seen.” I sighed. It always came down to this question, with everyone.

“I was human once. That’s all you need to know.” I said before starting to walk away. She cut me off, making me slightly angry.

“Hold on just one pony pickin’ minute, what do ya’ll mean ya was human?” she asked. I sighed and shook my head.

“I don’t have time for this, I need to find Twilight. I have business with her.” I said, pushing past the farmer. To my irritation, she followed beside me.

“How do ya’ll know Twi’?”

“Let’s say I know a lot about a lot of things, and leave it at that, okay?” I said, my irritation evident in my voice. She took the hint and dropped the topic.

“What’s today’s date?” I asked out of the blue after a moment. She looked at me like I was retarded, which I guess the wolf mask didn’t help with at all.

“It’s tha eighth. Ma friend Rarity’s birthday is today. Ah’m sure Pinkie’ll invite ya soon as she meets ya.” She said with a giggle. My heart froze again as my mind went back…

Well, I brought you here as a surprise present for my friend Rarity’s birthday tomorrow.

“Shit!” I yelled. “I’m too late to stop her!”

“Stop who from doin’ what?” Applejack asked. I sighed as I picked up my pace.

“Alright, I’ll tell you all I can. Last night Twilight made the worst mistake she’s ever going to make, and tonight everypony will know just what it is.” I said, my tone serious. I was walking quickly so she could keep up. I noticed the sun beginning to dip beyond the horizon. I was running out of time.

“What is this mistake Twi made? Ah’m sure she can fix it.” Applejack said confidently. I shook my head.

“She brought someo….. Something, into this world. I’m here to subdue it. Kill it if I have to.” I said, ending the conversation there. I could see Ponyville ahead, and broke out into a full blown sprint. I was soon in the main town, getting odd looks from anypony who saw me. I didn’t pay them any heed. I was on a mission, and nothing would distract me from it.

Unfortunately, my single mindedness distracted me from everything else, and I ended up running into someone, sending us both tumbling to the ground. “Hey watch where… you’re…..” she started saying as we both stood to our feet. I looked and saw the familiar mint green coat of Lyra.

‘Shhhiiiiiit’ I thought to myself, looking towards the horizon to see the sun about to give way to the moon. “Sorry Lyra, but I don’t have time to chat right now, just don‘t go to Sugar Cube Corner any time soon.” I said, running towards Sugar Cube Corner.

“How’d you know my name!?” she called after me, but I ignored her. I was in a hurry, and didn’t have time to waste.

‘Well, that’s one life saved.’ I thought to myself. As I approached the door.
*****************************
INSIDE SUGAR CUBE CORNER
*****************************

Pinkie began twitching uncontrollably, her eyelids and legs twitching at the same time. “Hmmm….. Somepony’s gonna try to crash my party!” she yelled, though nopony could hear her over the music playing.

*********
OUTSIDE
*********

I decided the best way to go about this was to be stealthy and subtle, making sure nobody knew I was there until I was already gone. I could hear the first song still playing inside, and knew I still had plenty of time. I snuck around the back of the building, finding the kitchen door. It was locked, but that never stopped me from doing anything before. I grabbed the small padlock and gave it a hard tug, breaking the locking mechanism inside it. I slipped it off the door and opened it slowly. I could hear one of the cakes whistling a tune nearby, and could smell fresh baked goods. “Fuck.” I swore under my breath. I hadn’t known the cakes had been home that night. I sighed before moving to a nearby shadow. I could see Mister Cake making something, but not what. He stopped for a moment, looking around the room.

“Is someone there?” He asked. I panicked for a moment. I was running out of time, so there was only one way to do this.

I used a bird call. I whistled in a way similar to a blue jay. His eyes locked onto my location, making me panic more.

“Is that you Pinkie?” he asked, stepping towards me. When he got close enough to see me, his eyes went wide and he opened his mouth to scream. I didn’t give him the chance. I clamped my hand over his mouth and brought his face close to mine, making him look me in the eye.

“Mister Cake, listen to me. I’m gonna let go in a moment. Before I do that, I’m gonna tell what happens if you scream. Okay?” he nodded, and I nodded back. “Good. You scream. Ponies know I’m here. I kill you for fucking this up. More ponies die, but not by my hand. I live for another long ass time, and have to do this all over again. Understand?” another nod. “Good.” I let go of his mouth, and he proceeded to faint. I sighed with disappointment before looking for the way to the stage. I could hear two familiar voices talking, and followed the sound of their voices.

“And you’re sure this will work?” I heard when I was closer, and fell into my memories for a moment.

“And you’re sure this will work?”

“Yes, for the one hundredth time, it will work. You won’t be stuck as part of the curtain. Do you always worry this much?”

“Who’s that over there?” I heard, and I cursed myself for being so foolish. I knew my cover was blown, so I stood and walked towards them. I had the strangest feeling of déjà vu as I saw the young man standing next to Twilight. When I saw her face, my heart broke slightly, and I fought back tears of guilt.

“My name is not important.” I said. “What is important, however, is you.” I said, pointing at the scared teenager. He looked around for a moment, checking to see if I was talking to him.

“Me?” he asked, pointing up at his face. I nodded. He shook his head. “Nononono, you’ve got the wrong guy bro, sorry.” I sighed heavily.

“Christian Fleury, age sixteen, height five foot nine, approximate weight one hundred thirty five pounds, favorite band Mumford and Sons, favorite song Brompton Cocktail by Avenged Seven Fold, song you were going to sing tonight was Because I Got High, by Afroman.” I said in an uninterested tone.

“How’d you know all that shit!?” he yelled, confused. I chuckled.

“I study my prey. I know everything you’ve ever done and ever will do.” I stopped and looked at a nearby clock. The moon was about to rise. i was out of time without completely changing the course of history for the worse. I heard the DJ announce the mystery guest.

Nobody moved.

“Did you say… Prey?” Twilight asked. I looked at her for a moment before coming up with a half truth.

“Me and him are alike in more ways then you know. Go Christian. Do your show.” I said, walking away. I heard him walk through the curtains to the applause of the crowd while I walked. “Walk with me Twilight, and be prepared to put a dog down.”