HELP! POPPER HELP!
CHRONA! I- CHRON-
POPPER?! POPPER!!
How long has it been?
Have i been here awhile?
I'm so tired, my eyes feel heavy...
I think... I think i'll just take a nap...
...
...
...
...What's that?
That echo. Those voices? Is somepony there? Hello?
Can you hear me?
Please, please help! I must get to them, i must, i must...
***
Twilight Sparkle and Starlight Glimmer were having tea in the library. A few weeks after the start of their new friendship and things had been surprisingly calm, especially for Ponyville. No Bugbears, no creatures from Tartarus, gods threatening to destroy all of Equestria...
However, Twilight's sense of danger told her otherwise. Something was coming. A time ago, this would have bothered her more, but in Ponyville, it was an ever present force. So for now, she'd focus on her new friend Starlight Glimmer.
"How are things going in the Village?" Twilight asked, sipping her lavender tea with a smile. "Is everypony getting along? I know there were... Reservations to you coming back originally."
"Better than i'd hoped actually, they're rather self sufficient and exceptionally accepting after..." Starlight awkwardly coughed. "What happened."
Twilight nodded as the two mares sunk in to a comfortable silence. Content to let the past lie and focus upon the future.
"...Twilight." Starlight said, breaking the aura around them. "I was wondering..."
"Yes? What is it Starlight?" Twilight asked, raising a brow.
"I... I've had a lurking feeling that we- I, set something astir in the time stream. I don't know how to place it beyond that my magic felt someone in it." Starlight said with a frown, brow knitting. "I don't like the thought of somepony left there."
Twilight took a small sip of tea, languishing on the flavor of lavender a moment. "...Now that you mention it, i did to. I was little focused on other things at the time, but i did feel somepony."
Help
Both mares jumped, tea cups and saucers clattering on the table.
A wordless conversation passed between the two as they jumped up and raced to the castle.
***
Chrona... What have you done... Chrona, she's dead!
I know Popper, i-i know...
Chrona, she-she's DEAD. CHRONA, SHE'S DEA-
I KNOW. I know Popper...
Why.
Why did i do that? I could have lived happy.
But no, i just had to have that power... So illustrious...
***
Far from Twilight Sparkle and Starlight Glimmer, Princess Celestia felt a shudder down her spine and stood. Her Royal Guards straightened with a shift of armor. She stepped out on to a balcony overlooking Canterlot and beyond and narrowed her eyes.
"Guard Captain Spark Wing." Celestia's voice beckoned a dark gray Pegasus forward.
The new Guard Captain had proven himself highly on the battlefield, becoming among the few Pegasi to achieve such a title usually only given to unicorns. Spark Wing was known for his bravado and leadership - as well as an incredibly witty and quick tongue.
"Yes ma'am."
"Prepare a platoon for Ponyville." Princess Celestia said. "Code 24."
Spark Wing stiffened and frowned. He spoke with a firmer resolve. "On it ma'am."
Princess Celestia remained on the balcony as she looked out. Her face returning to it's neutral, calm state of seeming noncare.
Do you regret what you did?
***
POPPER!
Chrona... Chrona run.
POPPE-RRRAAAHH!!
I could've stopped myself. I should've stopped myself.
But if i could... Well i can go back.
But i don't. And that says something.
Because i won't and wouldn't change a thing.
That's obvious since i'm still here.
A ripple echoed throughout the time stream. As a grin a lit a being who hadn't been seen in sometime's face.
And now, my patience shall be rewarded.
***
Far from town, in the Everfree Forest, a dull blue light came from an abandoned shack that swiftly began to glow brighter as a machine long thought to be destroyed started up and rebooted and ripped.
A tear in the very fabric of time and space itself opened and out stepped a single hoof wearing a bronze horseshoe. Wires came off it and up as the rest of the mare stepped out. A yoke with an odd blue light that was quickly fading connected to four horseshoes and a set of wings by wires. Each inset with a fading blue gem.
She slammed to the ground as the rift closed.
"Urgh..." Pushing herself to her hooves, her electric blue mane fringed with dark blue fell limply around her and onto the floor, taking a step she proceeded to trip and fall to the ground on them. She eyed the long hairs and snarled. "Blasted things... Popper said i looked like a boy for keeping my mane and taildo short, but NOW look! I can't even walk with the bloody things, bloody Tartarus, why the bloody..." She continued on like this a moment as she shoved herself up again.
"Now i'm covered in dirt. Happy Popper?" She muttered to herself, brushing assorted debris from her gold chest. Bright blue eyes scanned her surroundings.
An alchemy lab, long, long abandoned. It was hardly recognizable due to the amount of growth and damage that had occurred in it.
But the machines.
The machines were here.
The golden mare walked up to one, wings limply floating behind her, each step heavy, but not to be deterred. She grinned as she wiped grime off one, revealing the name.
'Chrona Clockwork's Time Machine. 1.3.'
Chrona grinned madly.
