The fight for Equestria

Time. There would always be time, whether it seemed long, or short, quick, or slow it did not really matter. For the moment, he was lost in that, uncertainty leading him first one way, then another. The world around did not wait for him, it waited for no being, for in life of the universe, all will continue to move forward, never back, whether a creature on some small unknown world wanted it to or not. So, without fail, the universe continued its own machinations following its own path, smaller parts of it that made up the universe continued in their own way as well, in their own path.

Colt sat beside Cheerilees desk, lost in his own mind. He was searching, trying to find where that ‘memory’ had come from, and whether it really was his or not. He could not find anything else like it, even as it began to fade, it still felt like a dark spot of oil on a clear surface of water. His mind could only go back as far as the hospital, he tried again and again to turn back to before. When he did, he felt a strange sensation as if he were held in nothingness, his entire being filled with a strange emptiness. When he worked to come back from that, he felt old, used and worn out. He did not understand the feeling, nor why it left a cold shiver down his spine and left the impression he was alone.

Colt jumped as he felt a soft wing touch his back.

“Colt?” Twilight asked hesitantly, drawing her wing back ever so slightly, as she looked at him. The fear in his eyes more were evident to her, she could see him shaking as he looked at her. More specifically, as they stood there facing one another, it felt as if Colt were trying to look deeper into her, as if he were seeking something.

“Colt, it’s okay. Its me, Twilight, your mother.”

“No... You’re not.” Colt said after a moment of silence.

“Twilight, it may be as I said in the letter.” Twilight looked at Ms. Cheerilee, she had rushed over the moment she got the letter from Filthy Rich, and his youngest, Quick Task. It was now, Just Ms. Cheerilee, Colt, and Twilight in the school house.

She then turned her attention back to Colt who was now lowering his eyes to the floor. In a split second, she could have sworn she caught sight of what she had seen when he had first woke in the hospital. The thought of him getting back his memories was a bit difficult for Twilight to deal with, immediately. She was happy he was remembering his past, as she wanted to know what had happened, and if he had any indication as to how he had come to be there. She wanted to find out if her suspicions of him being from that other world, where the counter parts of her friends went to that High School, were true. Yet, her heart felt heavy, if he remembered everything, then he would know who his real parents were, and where he belonged, which would not be with Twilight anymore. Worse, was the reaction he had in the school, if Ms. Cheerilee was correct, that meant that his home life with his real parents may have not been all that well.

“Colt,” Twilight stopped herself, she was not sure how to handle the situation, but she needed to try. “We should get going. Can you get your stuff?” She asked softly.

Colt nodded and walked to where he had left his stuff, his movements were slow, as if he were not really focusing on them. As he reached for his coat, he heard a voice calling to him.

“Colt, please wait.”

Colt stood there, hoof held out as he lowered his eyes, and listened, his body stiff.

“It’s been too long since we were last able to speak. I want you to understand, things can be different. You do not have to grasp the past so tightly.”

Twilight was taking a moment to watch Colt as he moved to grab his stuff when she turned back to Cheerilee. Twilight thanked her for her help, but before they could speak further, a blast of freezing cold wind and snow blew into the room.

Colt had felt hot, like the air around him was stifling, and so made his way to the door and opened it. The cold winter weather felt refreshing, as his mind fell in on itself. He knew this voice, he did not know how, yet somehow he did. It sounded older, and spoke so gently to him, leaving him the feeling of a father who cared for his child.

“Father, is that you?” Colt looked up to the gray sky, tears welling in his eyes, as he waited for a response. The voice did not speak again immediately, but it came differently to him, as he had fully entered his mind, unaware of everything around him, he could feel him all around.

“Colt, listen; This memory is painful, but you must not let it control you. You have a chance to change things and without realizing it, you have already begun.”

“But, how? I don’t understand?” Colt questioned, the uncertainty evident from within him.

“Where the world before was different, you remember, don’t you?” Colt nodded, “What did you learn before?”

Colt was silent as he thought, there was pain as he tried to move his mind back once again, casting into what seemed a vast empty ocean. His efforts reflected in the barrier set around his mind, as more larger, deeper cracks appeared. Chunks began to loosen, bits of memories here and there began to seep out, but still not quite enough to bring any forth. Colt halted, holding his head, as he groaned in pain.

“Try again, Colt. You know I would not ask this of you for you to experience pain, after all you have been through,” The voice advised. Colt tried again, this time instead of trying to force himself, he first relaxed both his mind and body.

As if following a regiment of exercise, Colt began to feel himself drift, but no longer alone in an endless endeavor, but he felt himself floating as if in water. That very sensation had always brought him momentary peace as he imagined himself floating, his body partially dipped below the surface of water, while his upper body remained, bobbing above, the light of a sun overhead, skies clear and blue. With this, the barrier could no longer hold back the flood of memory as something greater than it began to strike against it, like the very natural waves of the world rolling in against stone, eroding it away over time. The barrier crumbled and slowly fell, the repressed memories seeping out, held in check by the mental control of water.

As if bottles floating through the oceans seeking a place to land, the memories went about, drifting, as a few came forward as Colt sought them out. He recalled then, the few times, he could actually remember speaking to this voice when something bothered him. It would explain things which he, at the time, truly could not understand, while at other times, as he spoke, trying to figure things out for himself, he would find help in only that this other entity would help him make the proper connections.

“Yes, that’s right. Now cast your mind to what you have experienced so far, and compare it to the earliest memories you can find, for yourself.”

At his behest, Colt thought back to his first full week of being here in Equestria. What he found was smiling faces of these ponies, willing to help him. They celebrated him, accepted him among them, welcomed him with open arms, and open hearts. When he compared this to the other memories he could remember from just before his sixth birthday and on, he found himself often withdrawn, before trying to branch out. He could remember laughter, but here in this form of understanding, he could also hear the cries of himself.

“Be my friend? I don’t want to be alone. Why do the people int he stories I read always find such good friends to stand by them. I-I’m alone, here in the library reading my books, all alone, while everyone else is outside, playing, becoming friends.” Further still did he move through his memories, of the pain, others put him through, but he would smile and accept it, because in the little bit of innocence he still had, he did not know they truly did not like him. Very few, though over the years, came to him when he needed a friend.

“There is still more, but to refrain from overburdening you, the world before was a harder place to live and grow, not by your choosing, nor by theirs, it just was. Here, you have been only a week and already you have a family, you already have friends. Take that, over any of the darkness of your past and try to take a step forward.”

There before him, as the feeling of water all around him faded and he felt himself standing, a bright light appeared before him with a hand held out to him. Colt grasped it with his, and was helped forward a single step. The shadows of that one memory, and many more were still at his back, yet, for the first time, Colt could feel lighter. It was true, he had been struggling before for so long, seeking help to move forward, yet, to his mind, he could not.

“They are there for you, others of like mind, who hold friendship dear to them, can help you. Just ask,” the voice continued as it began to fade, there before him were the new memories, he could see them all, he could see the smile on his face, so genuine, the light of his eyes were bright.

“Mom, and, my friends.” Colt whispered.

“Colt? Colt, please, answer me.” Twilight cried, as Cheerilee worked to shove the snow away that had already accumulated in the doorway, and around Colt’s front hooves. She finally was able to clear enough to force the door close with a small crunch. As she turned, Colt seemed to blink and turn his attention to the two mares.

Colt looked up, his face full of sorrow, “I’m sorry for what I said, mom.” He began to tear up and leaned against Twilight.

Twilight embraced Colt, once more wrapping a hoof and wings around him, a small smile on her face.

Cheerilee gave a small sigh, glad that Colt was seeming to come out of whatever was wrong. She still had concerns, as no doubt, Twilight, did as well. In time, things would work out, they always did before. They just had to.

“How about we continue this at home. I’m sure Ms. Cheerilee would like to go as well.” Twilight said, as her horn lit up, lifting Colts coat and other articles of winter clothing. She briefly glanced up at Cheerilee who smiled and gave a slight nod.

Celestia turned as she sensed the heat shield over the open balcony falter as the last pony came through. She let out a small breath, grateful that, Rainbow Dash, had made it back.

The mare in question shook what was left of the snow from her mane, and wings, revealing her striking rainbow colored mane. She certainly looked the part of an official Wonderbolt, now. The blue and gold one piece suit, with the jagged lightning going from neck to chest, and to stomach, as well as a circle around each leg.

Rainbow strode forward, removing the goggles that usually helped to keep the wind from affecting eyesight. The usual cocky manner and confidence was gone, and upon closer inspection, lines of worry and stress had begun to form under her eyes.

“I’m sorry, Princess Celestia, still nothing to be found. With the strength of this winter, most of the Everfree itself seems to have given way to it. I had to stop and catch my breath in the swamps, before I came back. The natural gases still keep that part warm enough that the snow doesn’t stick to the ground.” Rainbow bowed as she gave her report.

“I am just glad you made it back in one piece, Rainbow.” Celestia offered a smile, to which Rainbow Dash only returned a less than halfhearted smirk.

Rainbow stood and began to make her way through the throne room, her body sagging from exhaustion.

“Rainbow, can I speak with you a moment?”

Rainbow paused, and turned her head back, “S-sure. What’s up?”

Trying her best to bring about a bit of humor, Celestia turned her head to look up, “It would appear the ceiling.”

Rainbow paused, eyes wide, a look of disbelief on her face as if her brain suddenly stopped working.

“Are, are you serious?” Was all she was able to sputter out after a second.

Celestia, for her part could no longer keep a straight face, and chuckled.

“Please, Rainbow Dash, that joke is far older than you will ever know,” Celestia winked.

Rainbow checked herself before offering a wise crack, and just smiled. Celestia was happy to see it was natural, if only to show she was willing to humor the princess.

“I want to say, I am glad for your help in this. However, because of the storm getting worse, there is no more need for you or the Wonderbolts to continue. I am afraid I did not take into account the power of this storm this year. So for that, I apologize,” Celestia explained as she dipped her head.

“Whoa, whoa, Princess Celestia, you don’t have to do that,” Rainbow said as she waved her front hooves in front of her. She was feeling suddenly very uncomfortable with the princess of her home apologizing and bowing her head to her, “Look, it’s okay. This was something that, in your eyes, had to be done. Storm or no storm. I can understand that much at least, and I am more than happy to help.”

Celestia chuckled at Rainbow Dash blushing. When she had first arrived a week before, she had been excited to learn that Celestia herself had wanted her help along with the Wonderbolts. She had described the stallion they were looking for, and how dangerous he was. Rainbow Dash had been so excited, Celestia had feared she might destroy part of the throne room with a Sonic Rainboom out of sheer joy.

Fortunately, the pegasus had kept her head well enough even after putting in the wardrobe.

From there, they had all gone out in groups to the various parts of the Everfree searching up to the former castle. For days, as winter began its cold fury, they had worked hard, coming back unable to feel the tips of their wings and hooves. They had all been grateful for Celestias heat shield for it helped to put a rush of warmth through their body as they entered the castle.

Celestia had felt her hopes dwindling in the face of fear. She did not let anypony else know of her concerns, not even Luna, even working to keep from sleeping except short naps to keep her sister from seeing into her mind with her concerns.

As for Luna, she had been busy trying to find Colt, in the realm of dreams, to see if he was being bothered with anymore nightmares by Twilight’s request. Yet, for so long she searched only to find that Colt either did not dream, or did not sleep. Until she could find him, she did not know for sure without asking Twilight first. Luna held her own fear of failing her friend after she had come to her for help.

She had confided into Celestia her concerns, which the two could not think of anything, except that perhaps everything going on had been affecting his sleep, and therefore at this time his dreams were not showing. Luna, with some determination, vowed she would not give up, until she could ensure Twilight her son was well.

Cheerilee greeted the class in the morning, “Good morning class, I have some good news for you all. We have been working to try and allow a field trip for you all. Celestia accepted our proposal of visiting the Canterlot Castle library. I, as well as Princess Twilight Sparkle, will be your chaperones, as well, Twilight will also be your guide.”

Colt was only half listening, so he did not hear the rest of what she had to say, he began to worry about Task, and Tone, he noticed they kept glancing his way, then trying to turn away before he noticed. During break, he asked them if anything was wrong.

“Well, we were just wondering if you were okay after yesterday.” Task expressed, trying not to meet Colt’s gaze.

“Yea, I am now, for the most part. I just, uh,” He thought back to the couple of friends who had tried to help him, before turning him away when he needed their help the most after telling him they would be willing to help him if he ever needed it. It was not right to thrust everything on his mind onto his new friends. Twilight was already dealing with enough as it was, there was no need to spread his form of evil- No, he had to stop that, he was doing it again, “I’m sorry, just some bad memories from before I came here to Ponyville.”

Task and Tone looked to each other, then seemed to visibly relax. Colt hated lying, but this was as close to the truth as he was willing to get with them, he was starting to remember even more, a little bit at a time, and he knew for sure he was older than this body appeared. These two though, were still literal children, there was no need or reason to bring such darkness to their lives. Colt took a deep breath and let it out slowly, before offering them a smile.

He was at least glad his two friends were not holding it against him, with what had happened the day before.

“Oh,” Colt said, almost in a yell as he remembered something, “Hey, no, I am soo sorry. We were planning on hanging out yesterday when everything else happened. Oh, no, that’s all my fault.”

Colt was starting to feel really down, until he was surprised by the two laughing, “What? What did I say?” He asked looking between the two in confusion.

“Well, its okay, we already talked to our parents and we can hang out again next week after class, and, as Ms. Cheerilee suggested, somepony will be here after school.”

“Seriously? Oh,yes!” Colt raised a hoof into the air in celebration.

It was then a thought struck him; In his other life, he really did not get a chance to have a childhood. He had to make sure he enjoyed this while it lasted.

The rest of the day went about as well as could be expected, all the students returned to their studies, taking notes, and doing the work as Cheerilee presented it on the board.

Everypony left the school right away as they needed to be up early the next morning to get to the train station for their field trip.

The train ride had been long, and if not for Quick Task, and Crystal Tone, Colt would have either died of sheer boredom, or lost himself in another book.

As the train pulled into the station, Cheerilee and Twilight watched over the foals as they exited the train. There, on the platform before them, they were met by Celestia herself.

“Hello there, my little ponies. Twilight, its good to see you. Ms. Cheerilee, how are you, oh I remember the last time I saw you at a summer sun celebration. Oh you were so adorable with those daisy hair clips.”

“Oh, Princess Celestia, I did not expect you to still remember that day.” Cheerilee blushed, as the foals all turned their attention to her.

“Well of course. So, children, are you ready for a trip to the library?” Celestia chuckled as she was met with a mix of emotions, none any louder than the three in the back of the crowd.

“Oh, I can see you’re all so excited.” Celestia teased with a bit of sarcasm.

Celestia turned and led the class up to the castle and on through the hallways until they reached the library.

“Here, little ones, you will find a grand collection of knowledge, those who have an inquisitive mind will find it simple to quench their minds thirst.” Celestia smile wide at her own words, to only be met with unenthusiastic children. Celestia huffed and rolled her eyes, “Starswirl and Clover the clever would have been excited, children today just don’t seem to want the knowledge laid before them.”

“Uh, Princess Celestia, we can still hear you.” Twilight ventured.

Blushing, Celestia smiled and turned to leave, quietly grumbling.

“Do you think she’s having a bad day?” Crystal Tone asked. The two colts could do nothing more than shrug in answer.

At this, Twilight decided to head the class and begin the tour of the library. The children filed in after her, with Cheerilee among them.

As Colt began to step forward, having to wait for the pressing bodies in front of him to move ahead, something caught his attention. He held back and glanced to the right, waiting to see if he spotted anything once again. After a few seconds, he mentally shrugged it off.

Just as he turned, he stopped as he saw the flash of green again, though this time it was further down the hall. He didn’t like the feeling he got from seeing it, so against his better judgement he walked away from the library and followed the round of the hallway.

After a few seconds of walking, he came to a staircase going to a floor above. Walking up, Colt spotted somepony walking through a set of doors. He looked around, but did not see any other flashes of light. It did not take him long to decide to go to the doors where he spotted the pony entering. As he approached he looked up and saw the writing above the double wide doorway, ‘StarSwirl the Bearded Wing’.

As he looked into the Library, his eyes went wide. There before him was a guard pony in golden armor, but a green fire like light was engulfing it and tearing away the flesh and armor, to reveal a black body, wings and a small curved horn. The creature before him moved about the shelves, seeming to look for something in particular. Occasionally it would stop, its horn would glow green, and a book, or scroll would levitate out before it as it inspected the item, and then toss it to the side.

A part of Colt suddenly remembered what this thing was, an insect like creature that could replicate the look of any other pony it desired. It stopped at another shelf and removed a thick looking book, and seemed satisfied as it opened this one and began to flip the pages.

“A changeling,” Colt whispered, louder than he intended.

The changeling stopped in its tracks and turned, spotting the loan pony. It hissed, and began to flap its wings hovering in the air. Colt began to take a step back,when the changeling spat a glob of green mucus, which stuck fast to his front hoof. Colt fell back as he attempted to dislodge himself from the green mass.

The changeling, finding its prey prone to its attack, charged in; Knocking Colt back, and pinning his legs to the ground. Despite his struggle, he could not muster the strength to fight back.

“Get off!” He screamed as he continued struggling.

The changeling lowered its head, and with a deep growl, began to charge its horn, covering Colts face in a green glow, reflected in his eyes as they stared in horror.

Colt squeezed his eyes shut, and began to scream, fueled by fear and rage. He felt something within his chest tighten, before a sensation of heat began to flow through his body. He thought it was whatever the changeling above him was doing.

Thoughts of death filled his mind, being found there by Twilight, by his friends, and more, the tears in their eyes. That look of sorrow and pain, something that he would be responsible for causing. Hot tears began to leak from his eyes, he turned his mind, trying to deny the image, but it was persistent.

The blast of green light, of a spell that should have incapacitated the foal, leaving its mind confused, began to emerge from the changelings horn. The next moment, the changeling felt a surge of power from the foal, a sickening mix of love and something more. When the sensation passed, the changeling felt as if it were drained of all it powers, as its head turned up towards the ceiling. An immense light surrounded it.

The ceiling itself, seemed to give way to the light, crumbling and tumbling outward, along with the changeling. It wanted to try and stop, its mind attempting to flap its wings to regain its balance in the air, only to find it could feel nothing more than an encroaching coldness. Its vision began to darken, even though, now, as it was outside the library it could see the sun shining.

The entire class, Twilight, and Cheerilee heard the scream of a foal before the whole room began to shudder along with a resounding explosion that left them almost deaf.

Despite the ringing in her ears, Twilight took off through the library, around the foals, and on. Dust falling from the ceiling, as well as cracks appearing right above her, told her whatever it was had been right above their heads. Her mind quickly took in the mental map she had created from years before and assessed what was directly above her.

As it dawned on her, it was the Starswirl the bearded wing, Cheerilee screamed out, calling for Colt.

Eyes wide, Twilight took off up the stairs and into a cloud of smoke as she reached the top. Coughing, Twilight lowered her body and called out, hoping to hear from Colt, or anypony for that matter.

“Here! Somepony, help!” Came the call of a deep voice. Twilight began to make her way to the voice, before she lit her horn and began working to try and summon enough wind through the hallway to blow the smoke away and out the windows. It worked only enough to clear some of the smoke before her, revealing a guard in golden armor dragging a familiar body of a white colt with a red mane and tail.

Despite being choked by smoke, as it began to layer out over her once more, and her concern for Colt, Twilight rushed forward.

“Princess, I found this one laying down on the floor just inside the wing. There is debris everywhere, and I also found one of his hooves stuck in green ichor. I think it was a changeling, that did this.”

Twilight used a spell to check and ensure the foal before her was still the genuine article. She wanted to breath a sigh of relief when it turned out to be him, but she still had to work to get the smoke cleared.

With help from the Guard, they were able to finally clear the smoke, to find the room littered with rubble, and a giant hole in the library. From outside, snow began to enter along with a ice cold breeze.

Twilight placed a temporary bubble shield over the hole to keep the winter weather out. She needed to fix the hole and then ensure Colt was taken to the hospital.

“Twilight? What is going on?” Came the voice of one pony Twilight did not want to hear just yet.

“P-princess Celestia, what are you doing here?”

“I was out on a catwalk leaving the library when there was an explosion overhead, and then this landed at my feet,” She explained before a golden aura surrounding the head of a changeling came into view.

Twilight turned to look at the unicorn guard, seeing him and his armor covered in small spots of white powder from the cloud that had previously filled the room, “Well, looks like you were right about it being a changeling.”

Celestia raised an eyebrow, before looking down at the unconscious form of Colt.

“Odd, this is the second explosion in the same room as your adopted son, Twilight. With a changeling this time.”

“What? No, you can’t possibly be thinking of accusing him of anything to do with this, are you?” Twilight was beginning to feel crushed under the chaos that seemed to be surrounding her.

“No, merely making an observation.”

Both Celestia and Twilight worked to repair the hole in the ceiling, before moving to look after Colt, who was just coming around as they began to move him to a private room in the Castle.

“I’m sorry.”

“You should be, you left the group, and went to a part of the library that very few ponies have permission to enter. What on Equestria were you doing there?” Twilight demanded.

Hearing how angry Twilight was, Colt turned his head and with a sniffle, explained his reason.

“I saw a green flash of light, when I went to look I saw the changeling. It heard me, then attacked, I don’t know what happened after that until I woke up with you over me.”

“If you saw something like that, you should have told somepony. Namely me, I was your chaperone, along with Ms. Cheerilee,” It was then that Twilight got right up to Colts face and squinted her eyes. “How often are you going to wind up in the hospital, or unconscious and have me worry for you?”

Colt would have thought she was furious with him, had she not made a funny face at the same time she was reprimanding him.

Mother and son looked as one to the door as it opened and a dark blue mare, with flowing mane and tail, sparkling like stars caught in the night entered.

“Good day, Twilight, are you staying warm?” Luna asked as she greeted Twilight.

“Good day to you, Luna. I have, where it counts.”

Luna offered a smile, before turning her attention to her sister on the other side of the bed, Colt was laying in.

“It is okay, sister, I shall endeavor to watch over him for the night.” Celestia nodded before excusing herself and leaving.