The Future Is Not Set, But Only If You're From Another Universe

It was a stereotypical, mild, day in Canterlot. The midday sun was shining bright, and the city folk where going on about their business. With the clatter of hooves and wagon wheels, along with the high pitched, erratic chirping of birds, Ember found herself quite annoyed. Her castle was so much quieter: she could actually hear herself think there. Okay, maybe she was being a bit dramatic, but she found it very noisy compared to back home.

The townspeople could tell something was amiss though.... What was it? Ah yes! There was a moderately sized, white, pink maned alicorn walking on the streets with a cutie mark of brilliant, nebulous, flames.

As Ember, the alicorn, walked down the Canterlot lanes, the residents gawked at the foreigner and whispered under their breathes.

"I thought we only had four princesses?" She heard one say.

"We do," their friend replied.

"Is she a new princess?" another inquired.
Why is everyone acting so weird? Have they not seen a princess before? Rude, Ember thought disdainfully. Ah, well, it doesn't matter much anyway. I'm almost to the castle.

She didn't feel like flying mostly because she didn't like attracting attention to herself, but even on the ground she was getting much more of it than she wanted. The starring was starting to overwhelm Ember and she was beginning to get nervous. What if I get arrested? What if someone calls the guard?! Oh no! She thought worriedly. But wait... why would they arrest me? That's just silly! It didn't do much to calm her nerves.

After what seemed like an eternity from the stares, a young filly with a blue coat and pink mane finally approached. Ember was almost relieved. The filly spoke, "Who are you?"

Ember made a quite scoff, "I'm Princess Ember, thank you! Princess of the flames, fire, and the hearth!"

The young pony angled her head in confusion, "What's a 'hearth'?"

"It's like a fireplace," Ember replied.

"Huh," the filly looked even more confused, "A princess of fireplaces? Are you like Santa Hooves?"

"I most certainly am not!" Ember gave a very offended look, but the foal either ignored it or was completely oblivious.

"Oh, too bad, Santa Hooves would have been a lot cooler anyway. But I guess it's not winter right now so it makes sense you wouldn't be him," the young pony started walking away disinterested.

Ember scoffed again, "Rude! Do you have any idea who you're talking to?!"

The pony replied as she was walking away, "Not Santa Hooves."

"You," Ember said angrily and starred at the pony. She was about the burst, Okay, okay, calm down. She's just a foal, she didn't know any better. I'm certain of it.

Eventually Ember eased enough to stop glaring and grinding her teeth to get back to walking towards the castle. After a few more minutes of trotting, she started thinking about the filly again, Are all ponies from this universe such... jerks? she scoffed again, Whatever, I can't let it get to me. I have a mission to fulfill, and I won't disappoint Mother!

Finally, after what seemed much longer than it actually was by Ember's estimate, she reached the gates of the castle. Before the gates stood two, puzzled, but still somewhat stoic, guardponies. "Halt. Who... are you, and what is your business here?" asked the left guard.

"I wish to speak to Princess... erm... what was her name? Ah, yes! Princess Celestia! Is that an issue?" inquired Ember with a tad bit of annoyance in her voice, Why do they question me? Cannot they see that I am an alicorn like the other princesses?

"Yes..." he hesitated, "Princess.... Neither Princess Celestia nor Princess Luna are holding open court right now, but we will inform Princess Celestia anyway. What is your name?"

"Ember Celestia, Princess of the flames, fire and the hearth!" Ember turned her head into the distance and made a smug smile.

The guard told the stallion to his right what to do and the stallion walked into the castle. "Someone will be back shortly. Until then, wait here please," the guardspony asked.

"Your majesty, there is an alicorn with a name neither of the guards out front recognized," stated the informant.

Celestia began thinking, Cadence? What is she doing here? And why did she call herself Mi Amore Cadenza? She knows even Twilight was confused by that, then she spoke, "Bring her to my personal chambers. I have a few questions to ask Cadenza."

"Oh, no, the alicorn said her name was Princess Ember Celestia," the informant informed. She often had outings with the Redundant Scribe of Redundantness.

Princess Celestia was stunned, A princess... with my namesake? Is this an elaborate joke by Cadance? No, this is too strange for something she would do... She spoke again, but quieter, "I still want to see her in my personal chambers. This is quite... intriguing, to say the least."

Meanwhile, the social tension was building between the haughty princess and the annoyed guard after a disagreement as to whether embers title was superfluous having "the fire". Everything I say is making him angrier. Do I say nothing then? No! I must mend this situation while there is still time! Ember thought warily. She then began to pick up conversation again, "So, uhm... sorry about calling you an ignorant fool. That was a bit much... Ha ha...."

The guard rolled his eyes and looked away.

Oh no! He's not taking it! She began to internally panic. She never knew when to stop. Oh, Mother, why me?! she screamed in her head. She began to slightly tremble, Please relinquish me of this awful situation! Oh please!

Just as she finished her thought, the other guard came out of the entrance, "The princess wishes to see you in her personal chambers. Please, follow me," the guard motioned for her to follow him, "Right this way."

Oh, thank Mother! Ember thought relieved.

"I will take you to the main hall. The informant will take you from there," the guard stated.

It was only a short while before they met up with the informant, who introduced herself to be Silver Quill. She had, unsurprisingly, a silver mane and a gray coat with a cutie mark of, again unsurprisingly, an ink and quill. Ember followed her down the hallways. At each constricting archway there were two more guards positioned. Hm. At my castle we don't even have any guards. How weak is this princess if she can't even manage to fend off petty robbers by herself? Ember thought distastefully.

Finally, they arrived at the door to Celestia's personal chambers where two more guards stood. Silver Quill spoke, "Here, Princess Celestia is waiting in here."

Ember put a hoof on the door and gave a questioning glance to Silver Quill, to which Silver Quill responded with a nod. Ember pushed open the door. There sat Princess Celestia on a pillow in the middle of the room. Then Celestia said calmly, "Hello, Princess Celestia."

Ember blinked, "Oh, no, please, it's Princess Ember. Celestia is simply a formality."

Celestia nodded then raised a brow, "May I ask where you hail from and who gave you such a name?"

"I come from Equestria. Mother gave me my name, of course."

"And who is 'Mother'?"

"Twilight."

"Twilight Sparkle?" Celestia asked with bemusement.

"Yes, she was called that at one time, but I know her as just Twilight."

"Okay.... So, let me get this straight.... You're telling me that Twilight, light purple coat, dark purple mane, had a foal?"

"...Correct...?" Ember paused for a moment, "Ah, yes, this should clear things up! I'm from the future."

"Aha! Ah ha ha ha!" Celestia began to become hysterical, "Oh, that's rich! Cadence, is that you? That's pretty funny, I must admit. Though I must ask where did you come up with such ludicrous banter?" Celestia continued chortling.

Ember blushed and frowned, "No, I-I am serious! Listen to me! C-Call you're sister Princess Luna in! Sh-she will listen!" Celestia ignored Ember and continued laughing to Embers enragement, "F-Fine then!" Ember said, embarrassed, "I'm leaving!"

Celestia heard the sound of magic being used and looked around for Ember, to which she found nothing, "Ah well, I guess the jokes over. Silver Quill, please get my sister, I have a feeling that she is going to enjoy this."

Ember looked down from the mountaintop with wet eyes. Stupid Princess Celestia. Who needs her, anyway? I'm sure Princess Luna will be far more concerned! Yes! I never spoke to her! I need to go back and see her instead! Yes! Oh... I think I need to cool down a bit first though... Ember thought as she looked at the vast tracks of land bellow.

"...And then she told me that she was from the future," Celestia retold the story she had only lived but a few minutes ago, giggling.

"Classic!" Luna chuckled. Just as she finished, Ember appeared in the room once more with a teleport spell.

"Oh, uhm, ah! Princess Luna! You're here, Mother told me a lot about you. I need to speak with you about some very pressing matters regarding Twilight Sparkle. In 7 years time she and her friends will kill all of the nobles at..." Ember was cut off because of the very loud laughter coming from the two other alicorns in the room.

"This is Twilight's doing, isn't it? This joke is way too risque for Cadence," Celestia asked, mostly to herself.

"Wait sister! This ponies words might have some merit! Twilight is far too awkward to pull something off like this!" both sisters burst out laughing again.

"Noone makes fun of Mother like that!" Ember screamed. As she did, her perfect pink mane began to burn brightly. The two others in the room seemed oblivious which made Embers flame shade into dark blue. "You," she hissed, "I refuse to help you when you constantly laugh and make fun of everything I say! I'm leaving! For good! Good luck you imbeciles!"

Then she was gone, leaving a scorch mark where she had stood. Both sisters quieted down.

"Oh..." Luna spoke, "Well, I guess if she was really serious than this won't be the last time we see her...."

"Don't be ridiculous. Time travel spells can't actually change the flow of time. All they do is create a simple paradox. If she was from the future she would have known that," Celestia retorted.

"Yes, I suppose you're right," Luna replied, "unless of course, she was from another universe? One exactly like ours, just in the future."

"You're correct, but I'm sure if she really was she wouldn't have left that out. It would have made her story actually believable, after all," Celestia said.

"Yes, I suppose we can just write it off as one of Cadence's... strange... pranks," Luna finished.

"What are you doing back so early, Ember?" Queen Twilight asked her daughter, confused. Twilight was using the flowing-mane-look. It was harder the pull off with the twilight than the night sky, but she managed.

"Well, you see... I... uh... had a fight? Heh heh..." Ember shied.

"And?"

"And... uh... well... you see..."

"Get on with it!"

"I kinda..." Ember got very quiet, almost to the point of mumbling, "told them I wouldn't help them? Heh heh...."

"Ember," Ember could feel the very essence of face-hoofing radiating through out the universe, coming from her mother. "How? How did you do it? You realize that we tested over all the knowledge you could possibly need?! And not only that, but we tested three times?! You had one job! One! How?! Just how, Ember?! What could you possibly have told them that would make them get angry at you?!" her mother scolded.

"Ah! Well, you see, they aren't actually angry at me! They were only laughing! Yes, I'm sure they just heard something they found quite funny and--" she was cut off.

"Wait. What did you tell them?" Twilight asked seriously.

"I told them my name, and, I told them your name, and, that I was from Equestria, and, that I was from the future, an--" she was interupted again.

"You only said you were from the future?"

"Correct...? Isn't that wha--" she was cut short, yet again.

"No that is most certainly not what I wanted!" Twilight screamed, "I told you to tell them that you were from another universe then tell them that you're from the future! We tested over this! I made you take a test! You passed! Three times!" She realized that Ember was now cowering in fear and removed the scowl from her face, "Oh, Ember, what am I going to do with you?" she made a small smile and wrapped her forelegs around her daughter, "I'm sorry, just please, next time, don't make me go through all that trouble for nothing. I knew I should have listened to Oracle. Monotone had me convinced that you could do it..." she sighed and released her grip.

"I... I'm sorry Mother, I just.... I thought that I could prove Oracle wrong, but again, she was right," Ember's ears drooped as she frowned.

"No, no, it's not your fault. After all, she only told us as you were leaving. It's noponies fault, really," Twilight consulted her daughter. "Ah well, what's done is done. We need to go back anyway, so why not make it a family excursion?!" Twilight said overly-gleefully.

"Do I have to go back?" Ember frowned again.

"Yes, of course you do. You need to apologize to the princesses for whatever I'm sure you said to them."

"But... does Cadence have to come?"

"Yes, of course! She's your sister. I said 'family' and I meant it."

"But, but--"

"No. She is coming. That's final." Twilight said conclusively. Ember moaned.

After they were finished, an orange unicorn with a golden blonde mane appeared under the archway. Ember's castle didn't have any doors. "Oh, hey guys, I heard Twilight yelling so I came," the orange pony said.

"Ah, yes, Envy, what great timing! Could you bring my other daughters here?" Twilight asked.

"Sure, I don't really have anything else to do," Envy said as she left to go look for Frost and Cadence.

After a short while, which to Ember felt like an hour--she had, and has, issues-- Frost, who had a light-blue mane and a violet blue coat and Cadence, who had a chantilly coat and striped mane with astra, cerise, and royal purple, joined the party. Frost spoke, "So, what is this about, Mother?"

Twilight replied, "We are all going to another universe. As a family!"

"I knew it.... Mother does love me!" Cadence whispered gleefully behind Twilight's back. Ember and Frost rolled their eyes.

"Don't move," Twilight ordered.

Princess Celestia was still mellowing in her room when she saw an extremely bright light. Oh, well I guess she's back, she thought to herself, Luna was right, then. Hm, what's this? She started to see four figures condensing, instead of just one. The light began to dimmer and the objects became more vivid. Then she saw it, "Cadence?! And... Ember?! Wh-Who--wha-wha..." she stuttered.

"It has been quite some time, Princess Celestia," Queen Twilight smiled warmly and bowed.

"Uh-I-I... P-Please, ex-excuse m-me," Celestia stammered, somewhat out of fear, mostly our of shock. Queen Twilight was significantly taller than Celestia herself, which was something Celestia experienced seldomly.

"It's quite alright," Twilight ensured.

"Wh-Who are you?" Celestia questioned.

"I am Queen Twilight. These are my daughters: Princess Ember, which you have already met, Princess Frost, and Princess Cadence," Twilight introduced. Cadence seemed to get excited at the mentioning of her name.

"I see... Silver Quill! P-Please retrieve my sister at once!" Celestia asked of her informant.

It was only a moment before Princess Luna teleported back into the room before speaking, "Yes, sist--" then she saw what she had been called in for, "Ah, you must be Twilight, the one Princess Ember referred to as 'Mother'?"

"Correct," replied Twilight.

"Before my sister and I insulted Princess Ember by rudely laughing at her claims, she said something about Princess Twilight Sparkle 'killing nobles'," she concluded, but adding one more comment, "Though I must say, you cannot blame me for laughing."

"Yes. I will explain this all to you soon enough," Twilight explained, "But for the moment, let's all get comfy, shall we? These are my daughters," she looked over at the three, "Please introduce yourselves to Princess Luna."

Ember spoke first, "Well you know me, so...."

"While we are on the topic, don't you have something you would like to say to the nice princesses?" Queen Twilight persuaded.

"Yes.... I'm sorry about calling you names earlier..." she almost muttered in embarrassment.

Celestia responded next, finally grasping the situation, "It's quite all right, I was obviously wrong to laugh. I am very sorry."

Luna chimed in, "As am I."

"Great, you all made up. Now where were we? Ah, yes, Frost, you next," Twilight continued the conversation.

"Yes, I am princess Frost Luna. It's a pleasure to meet you both," Frost said. Both Princesses nodded.

Cadence was dying for her turn, slightly prancing in place. Princess Luna and Princess Celestia raised an eye at this, while Ember and Frost just rolled their eyes, "Hello! I am Princess Cadence! It's so, so nice to meet you! I hope we can all be friends!" she exclaimed. Please say yes, please say yes! Please! she prayed in her thoughts.

Princess Celestia replied, slightly shocked, while Cadence's sisters simply rolled their eyes again, "Uhm, yes, pleased to meet you too. I'm... sure we will get along."

Yes! They do like me! Thank you Mother! Cadence thought to herself with a zenful expression on her face.

"So, Twilight," Celestia paused for a moment, "Please, explain to us why you are here."

"Yes..." Twilight contemplated, "Please, before I give you the details I'm sure you will either need to know or want to know, I must ask"--she looked at her three daughters--"that you all leave the room. This is something that I will tell you someday, just not today."

Frost spoke for the group, "Yes, we understand. Come, sisters." They all left the room.

When they left and the door shut, Twilight spoke up again. "I think it would be beneficial if Princess Mi Amore Cadenza were to hear this too. Just a future note."

"Yes. Silver Quill! Please call for Princess Cadence," Celestia ordered.

"Now, where do I begin?" Twilight asked.

"From the beginning?" offered Celestia.

Queen Twilight Continued, "Ah, yes. Twilight Sparkle...."