Quill's Journal (a.k.a. The quest to save time)

'...Merry Trotter couldn't help but cringe at the sight of her aunt and uncle when she emerged from the painting passage, with cousin Doodad hiding behind Uncle Pencil Scribe in fear.

"Well, come on! We don't have all day!"

Aunt Violet Dream screeched, grabbing Merry's suitcase to take to a waiting taxi outside.

Merry turned to Pawn Easy and Harmony Major and sighed.

"Well, guess this is goodbye until next semester."

she said.

"Try to visit this summer! Okay?"

Pawn asked, giving Merry a ginormous hug as he spoke. Harmony joined the hug a moment later.

"Try to have fun this summer Merry."

she whispered.

"Don't worry!"

Merry grinned, as she followed her aunt out into the open skies of Canterlot.

"I will."'

Quill sighed in relief as the last words were written, putting down her pencil in triumph.

"Finally done. Now I can finally send it to A.K Yearling for editing."

she said proudly, as she gathered the last pages and put them face down. in a growing pile in a cardboard box. She then took the pile and flipped it over so the first of the 312 pages she's written could be seen.

With a satisfied nod, she sealed the box and wrote the address on the top, complete with a stamp.

"Good, now I'll just have to find Derpy and get this sent."

she thought out loud, picking the box up in her hooves while flapping her wings.

She began to gently flutter out of the room and into the hallway, where she nearly bumped into her roommate and friend Firecracker, who looked pretty under the weather.

"Oh, sorry Firecracker! I didn't see you there!"

Quill said, setting the box next to her. Firecracker grimaced and turned away, putting a concerned look on Quill's face.

"Are you okay?"

she asked.

Firecracker shook her head.

"No, I barely got any sleep last night and it's drivin me crazy!"

she complained, her voice still having it's Manehattan accent. Quill nodded her head in understanding.

"Was it a bad dream?"

she asked. Firecracker shook her head again.

"That's just it! I don't know what kind 'o dream it is. It wasn't bad and it wasn't good either."

she said, rubbing her eyes with her hoof. Quill raised her eyebrows sympathetically.

"Do you wanna talk about it?"

she asked. Firecracker sighed and shook her head.

"It's a'right Quill. It ain't nuttin to worry 'bout. I probably just ate one to many chocolate bars before bed last night."

she answered, her voice not supporting her statement.

Quill thought a moment. She could tell that this dream was bothering her friend, but she didn't want to bother her about it. Firecracker's been living with her for over 5 months, so Quill knew not to bug Firecracker about any problem she could be having until the unicorn was ready to talk. Quill suddenly smiled as an idea crossed her mind.

"You know, I was just going out to mail this to A.K Yearling, do you wanna come along? We can visit Time Turner and Ash Brush too."

Quill suggested, picking up the box once more. Firecracker shrugged her shoulders.

"I guess. It might help take my mind off things. 'Kay, let's go."

With a grin, Quill began to fly down the steps, with Firecracker following close behind.

As soon as they stepped out of the house, Quill could tell that the fresh air they felt calmed her city born friend somewhat. As they walked, she relished in the memory of when Firecracker first came to Ponyville. 'She was so curious. So confused. Now she knows it like the back of her hoof.' Quill thought to herself, as Firecracker opened the door to the post office for her.

After dropping off the package, Quill linked arms with Firecracker and began to flap her wings in excitement as they traveled to Gear's Galore, Time Turner's clock shop and home with Ash Brush. The first thing that caught they're eye was the colorful sign on the door, most likely Ash's work. Everypony was overjoyed when Ash finally got his cutie mark, a paint brush with black paint on the tip. As soon as they walked in, a small grey blur rushed to them and hugged them both tightly.

"Firecracker! Quill! It's great to see you!"

Ash said with glee. Quill smiled and gave a tight hug back. Firecracker ran he hoof through his mane and pushed his glasses back up his nose.

"It's great ta see ya too Ash. I see that ya've been working on that talent o' yours."

Firecracker said with a slight grin. Ash blushed slightly, unused to the praise he was getting.

His response was interupted  when Time Turner walked into the room, his smile no longer foreign to the ponies. Quill gave a grin in return as she hugged her friend, his hooves embracing her for the first time in over a week.

"It's great to see you."

he whispered.

"You too."

Quill answered. Ash gagged while Firecracker rolled her eyes in amusement. Quill broke the embrace and blushed a bit, embarassed by er friend's thoughts. Turner simply shrugged and lead the group by the fireplace in the shop, where lemonade and chocolate chip cookies lay waiting.

"So, you finally finished that book of your's?"

Turner asked Quill, as he bit into his cookie. Quill nodded as she took a sip of lemonade, satisfied that Turner remembered the sugar this time.

"Yeah, I just mailed it to A.K Yearling for editing."

Quill confirmed, her face twisting into a grin. Turner smiled back and even gave a small clap in congradulations. Ash then looked up at Firecracker, who was levitating a glass of lemonade with her magic.

"How are you doing Firecracker?"

he asked. Firecracker shrugged her shoulders.

"Is Rarity giving you fair pay?"

Turner asked, earning a nod from the unicorn. Quill quickly whispered the story of the neutral dream to the two colts, much to Firecracker's dismay.

"I told ya dis mornin, I'm fine! It was jus' a dream."

Firecracker protested. Quill suddenly went serious for the first time in a long time.

"Remember how dreams lead us to the Badlands to stop Chrysalis? Remember how dreams helped us go to the correct future? Remember how dreams helped us learn who your MOTHER was? If this dream wasn't good or bad, then it must mean that the new danger is coming!"

Quill explained.

Firecracker sighed. "Fine. I'll tell ya."