An Unfashionable Future

~~quick note ~~

if you didn't just read the first chapter you should probably read it again because I changed it quite a bit after I first published this story. Enough of my rambling.

"YES!"

Quills and paper flew everywhere, launched by the enthusiastic scientist. It was mid afternoon now, a good seven hours or so since she had been visited by herself.

"Yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes!"

Yet more books and writing supplies were kicked aside (gently, she's a librarian) as the happy purple pony pranced around in a circle to celebrate her discovery. Hearing the commotion, spike came to the door to see if Twilight had finally found success. "I guess you found the- whoa!" spike began before he was taken in Twilight's magical grip.

"I did it, I found it at last! The crystal empire Spike! It was the crystal empire all along! Well I'm 99 percent sure... Oooh I can't wait to test it!" she exclaimed, still spinning, now with a small purple dragon along for the ride.

"That's great Twilight but-" spike retched a little, "Could you please put me down?"

"Oh right, sorry spike," Twilight apologized though unable to wipe the ear to ear grin of her face. She dropped him onto a pile of books with a thump and then turned to look out the window "But I finally did it!"

Then she laughed to herself. "I'm starting to sound like future me already." Dusting himself off, Spike managed "What?" but Twilight was already off down the hall with a few choice scrolls. He sighed, and ran to catch up and see what she was doing now.

She was packing a saddlebag, preparing for a trip. As she was rummaging through clutter spike heard her mumble, "I'll need that, no, no, not that, no, I guess so, oh this will be crucial..." As she muttered she was throwing stuff all over the room, less than half of it aiming for the bag.

"Twilight what are you doing? You can't go out like this, you need some rest!" Spike pleaded. "And a shower," he added quietly before twilight gasped and stared at spike with blood shot eyes. "Are you kidding me? How could I sleep now!?"

"You-" Spike was hit with a barrage of scrunched up parchment. Twilight had gone back to packing.

"Besides future me said she hadn't slept in four days so neither will I." Stupid future Twilight, thinks she's better than me. I'll show her! Then she paused realizing that would be her in a few hours (hopefully, If she was right and the crystal worked) so she shouldn't be mad at herself.

"Anyway!" Twilight exclaimed, abruptly standing up straight and levitating Spike on to her back along with her bags. "We've got a train to catch!" she shouted, and ran out the door, the dragon clinging for dear life.

***

The train station was anything but crowded. It was really nothing but a small ticket shed and platform next to the tracks and no one was there except for the ticket salesman who was leaning back, a book in his hooves. Twilight waltzed right past the booth by instinct. One of the more practical changes that came with her wings and alicorn-ness was free public transport. Princess perks! She had considered flying all the way to the empire but in her fatigued state she would barely make it a quarter of the way before passing out from exhaustion or something.

It's still tempting but Spike said if I follow his advice on anything today please let this be it and I do have to agree but Spike's other advice included sleeping and really who could sleep at a time like this?! I just invented Time Travel for Celestia's sake!

She was standing and tapping her hoof while waiting for the train, an impatient look on her face. The Crystal express was due at 3:00 pm and it's already 2:55! If our trains aren't running five minutes ahead of schedule equestria has gone to hay. Wait, no that's probably the sleep deprivation talking, I just cannot wait for this train.

Spike was looking bored, sitting slouched against the ticket shack with Twilight's stuff as she began to pace. But just then the one thing that could always cheer him up strode up onto the platform. Or should I say the one pony.

At the sight of Rarity, he immediately stood up and leaned against one of the saddlebags in a suave mannner. But his demeanor fell as the radiant white unicorn ignored him and headed for Twilight.

"Hello Twili- Uh! I mean... um, are you feeling ok?" Rarity asked, taken aback when she noticed twilights dishevelled state.

Twilight replied, "Oh! Hi Rarity! I'm great, I just invented time travel!" She saw Rarity's worried frown and continued "Why do you ask?"

"Well I hope you don't mind me saying darling, but your mane is a disaster, and last time you looked like you do now, you turned the whole town into an angry mob fighting over a stuffed toy. "Twilight coughed. "Ahem. Well, this is different. Remember the Squarcleangle? I finally figured out what to make it out of!"

"Oh, good for you Twilight, I knew you could do it" Rarity said giving her a friendly shoulder bump. "What is it?"

"It's a crystal that can only be found in the Crystal empire, that's why I'm at the train station."

"Oh, what a coincidence I happen to be traveling to the empire today as well, to meet with a huge client! He is so wealthy he payed for me to stay the night in a hotel tonight so we can talk over brunch tomorrow."

"Wow, sounds like you have a big opportunity Rarity."

"Uh, tell me about it, I swear I won't get a wink of sleep tonight, I'm so nervous. I have no idea what I'm going to do when I get there either. I mean, there's sight seeing but I've seen plenty of the crystal empire just as you have." Twilight thought for a second.

"You could stick with me and Spike if you want. I could use your expertise with gems and it might help take your mind off the important meeting."

"Oh could I? That sounds lovely Twilight,"

"We'd be happy to have the company." Twilight returned with a smile. "Right Spike?" Twilight said, turning her head in his direction.

"Absolutely," Spike said in a lovesick voice behind them, making both mares laugh carelessly.

When the train arrived, the trio boarded together, happy to have found a friend (or friends in rarity's case) to spend the train ride and evening with.

"You really should have a shower though Twilight" Rarity commented as they sat. "Your mane and tale are simply terrible!"

"I know Rarity, I heard you the first time. I doubt there are any showers on this train but if there are I promise I'll wash up."

"And you do smell a little as well,"

Spike said "A little?" and Twilight sighed.