A Catalyst in Time

*Note: this chapter contains language*

Chapter 5

Rarity was trying her hardest to get Pinkamena to give up her bizarre stalking of Twilight Sparkle. Rarity had never heard of a pony stalking another pony they had just met because they had a "feeling" they were supposed to. It was downright creepy. Rarity had to admit though that in some instances, Pinkamena had a preternatural sense about future events. She'd explained to Rarity the other day that she got "twitches" that told her certain things, and that sometimes she got more than one twitch, that also foretold an event. She called those "combinations". Rarity didn't quite understand, but living with the Dogs had taught her to use any tools available. Pinkamena's "Pinkamena Sense" was a tool that could be useful. Especially while they were following Twilight's party, as that Ditsy Doo seemed incredibly accident prone.
Pinkamena had set up camp outside of the Canterlot hotel the purple unicorn and her friends were staying for the night. Rarity was complaining.
"Why can't we stay IN the hotel? It's OCTOBER. It's COLD," Rarity protested, pulling the spoiled queen act she used frequently with the dogs. She had discovered early on that incessant chatter, whining and crying, drove the Dogs nuts. Rarity rarely whined or cried, but complaining and talking she could do.
Pinkamena however, had sisters, and was completely unfazed.
"We're out here because we can't monitor them in there," Pinkamena explained. "It's easier this way, and it's less likely that we'll lose them. There's only one exit."
Rarity stomped her hooves. She wasn't sure why, but she didn't want to leave Pinkamena. So she settled for angrily ranting.
Finally, Pinkamena lost her nerve a little.
"Shut up, Rarity, I'm not one of your Diamond Dog slaves that you can order around. I'm my own pony. If you don't like it, fine, leave and get your own hotel room. I'm sure you have money from all the gems you've stolen and found. "
Rarity shut up after that. It kind of hurt to think that Pinkamena didn't want her around, but it was understandable.

Suddenly, a vaguely familiar voice came around the corner.
"So I told him that he couldn't tell a dropped bass from a canary. He didn't really like that, stupid son of a bitch," the voice said.
"DJ, you'll say anything, won't you?" said an unfamiliar voice.
"Pretty much, so long as I actually believe it," the familiar voice said.
Rarity concentrated on that voice, trying hard to remember it. Then it clicked. Her sister, the one who she was forbidden to refer to as her sister because of a falling out that sister had had with her parents. Her famous sister, who went by the DJ name DJ Pon-3, alias for her real name, Vinyl Scratch.

"Pinkamena, we have to go somewhere else!" Rarity said.
"Rarity, I told you..."
"No, I know one of the people coming around the corner, she's not going to be happy to see me..." Rarity said.
Too late. Vinyl had come around the corner. The white unicorn with blue streaked hair cut in a straightened, choppy style stopped short.
"Rarity?" she said, taking off her sunglasses, which she was wearing even though it was nighttime. Her red eyes bored into Rarity's blue one. "Is that really you?"
Rarity could only nod.
"You're fucking alive and you never contacted me? Never thought your sister might be worried? Heck, I heard you might have been taken in by the Diamond Dogs, but I left before I knew for sure," Vinyl said, anger and relief both creeping into her voice.
"Yes, I'm sorry, Vinyl, I couldn't risk contacting you, especially after I found out what happened between you and mom," Rarity tried to explain.
"I don't give a flying fuck. You should have tried. You left me all alone with that heinous bitch and didn't even try to get back to me, you only care about yourself. All those times you told me that YOU cared when mom would yell and call me names and tell me how worthless I was and that YOU had my back were nothing but a bunch of lies!" Vinyl said, the anger overpowering the relief.
"It's...not like that!" Rarity said, though she knew it certainly seemed that way.
"You're selfish. You wanted the Diamond Dog's gems and you wanted power," Vinyl said. "Come on, Rave Bracelet," Vinyl turned to the other pony with her, who was standing their flabbergasted "We're leaving!"
"Wait!" Rarity called, but it was too late. Vinyl had already taken off down the alley, out of hearing range. Or if she could hear she pretended not to.
Rarity felt terrible. Vinyl was right. She was selfish. No matter what she told herself when she shared gems she found with the dogs, she wasn't really generous. She was only generous when it benefited her. And somehow, that stung. She felt as if she had gotten away from what really mattered most in her life.

***

Fluttershy felt as though she'd known the Apple Family all her life. Big Macintosh was fast becoming a friend, and Fluttershy really enjoyed spending time with Granny Smith and Apple Bloom too. In the three days she'd spent with them, they'd made her happier than she could remember being, not once saying anything cruel about her wings or her bizarre cutie mark. Even Apple Bloom had laid off talking about cutie marks around Fluttershy, knowing that even the most innocent comment could hurt the sensitive pegasus' feelings. Fluttershy had also found that the farm animals adored her, though they weren't overly fond of her pet bunny, Angel. Of course, Angel wasn't very nice, so it was completely understandable. Angel especially didn't like Big Macintosh, apparently thinking the big work pony was out to steal Fluttershy away from him.
But despite her bunny's antics, Fluttershy was happy. The only time she was scared was when a strange pony came to the farm. She could handle the Apple Family, but she still wasn't comfortable with others.
Fluttershy was feeding the pigs when she heard foot steps behind her. Panicking, she turned around to see Big Macintosh behind her, and relaxed.
"Sorry if I scared ya," he said.
"Oh no. I'm fine. I was just scared that you were somepony not in the family," Fluttershy said.
For some reason Big Macintosh looked troubled.
"Are you ok?" Fluttershy asked.
"Eeyup," he replied, though he didn't really seem to be listening.
"Ok....if you say so," Fluttershy said, wondering why he seemed upset.
After a moment of silence, Big Macintosh spoke up.
"You know, y'all'er so good with animals, I bet y'all 'ed be good with kids too."
"Kids? Oh no, they'd all be scared of me," Fluttershy said.
"Apple Bloom ain't scared of ya," Big Macintosh said.
"She's...different!" Fluttershy protested.
"Cheerilee, one of the town's teachers, is looking for a playground monitor, I bet you'd be good at it," Big Macintosh said.
"I can't! I'd have to be around ponies other than you and Apple Bloom and Granny Smith!" Fluttershy protested.
"Y'all need to get out and about, I just thought that children might be a good place to start. You're a nurturing soul, sugarcube, it'd do you good to be able to see that not all ponies think you're a freak."
"But...I can't I just can't!" Fluttershy said, beginning to tear up a little.
"I'm sorry, sugarcube, please don't cry. I don't want ta push anythin' on ya," Big Macintosh put his foreleg around Fluttershy and pulled her into a hug.
Fluttershy suddenly felt something she hadn't considered before. She snuggled closer to the big stallion. He was so warm...
What was she doing? She couldn't let a pony get that close to her! She'd be hurt again! She'd trusted and been burned and would never trust again! But Big Macintosh was the pony who had made her life better. He would never betray her.
As if he had heard her thoughts, Big Macintosh kissed her forehead and said, "I never would hurt you in anyway, Fluttershy."

***

Trixie paced the halls of Celestia's palace. Celestia had approved her for graduation, and she had perfect grades, studied hard, was the star magic pupil of the palace. But she wasn't happy. Her mother wrote her every month to ask if she was famous yet. To ask if she was going to use her magic to further the career her mom had picked for her. Trixie didn't want to be a performer, though she wouldn't mind being famous. She wanted to be a great scientist, and discover magical advances. But her mom had placed tremendous pressure on her and Trixie was afraid of defying her pushy, angry mother. Today's letter was opened with trepidation.
Dear Trixie,

I heard you had your dragon removed from your care(straight to the criticism as usual).I for one am very displeased that you allowed this to happen. Are you no longer Princess Celestia's favorite? I heard the dragon was given to that incompetent you told me about, Twilight Sparkle. You are a disgrace, Patricia Valeria Lulamoon! I am ashamed to call you my daughter. You better do what I want or I'll be more than disappointed.
-Mom
Tears welled in the blue unicorn's purple eyes. No "Love" just Mom. Trixie wished her dad was still alive. He may have been the only member of her family that actually cared about her. Her older sister was the "perfect" sister, accomplished in performance and magic. Her mom had once been a beauty queen and dancer who had used her minimal magic to accent her performances. She was determined that Trixie was going to go into show business even though Trixie really at heart didn't want to. Well, she did like being the center of attention, but she wanted to be more.
This is all Twilight Sparkle's fault she inwardly grumbled, though she knew the purple unicorn wasn't directly responsible for her downturn. Trixie wanted a scapegoat and she'd be banished if she didn't think Twilight was the best one. Resolved, Trixie stomped off to her room, determined to pack and follow Twilight Sparkle.

***

Big Macintosh watched Fluttershy play with Apple Bloom and wish he could convince the pegasus to at least interact with Cheerilee and the town children. She was so good with animals and with his little sister that he couldn't believe she wouldn't be good with other kids. Of course, children could be nasty, but he couldn't bear to see Fluttershy shrinking from everypony but him and his family. She was the kindest pony he'd ever met, but she couldn't use that kindness with her fear of other ponies hanging over her head. I want to help her, and I've only know her for a few days. That fact alone spoke to Fluttershy's kindness and fragility. Every time he looked at her he felt an overwhelming urge to protect her, a feeling he usually reserved for his sisters. Big Macintosh knew what it was like to be shy and quiet, though he had a feeling Fluttershy's shyness went beyond simply being introverted to being anthrophobic**.

"Um...Big Macintosh?" Fluttershy's voice said behind him.
"Yeah, sugarcube?" he answered.
"I...I think I want to reconsider socializing with children, I want to apply to be Cheerilee's assistant."

***

Ditsy Doo knew Pinkamena and Rarity were following their party, but she chose not to tell Twilight. They were supposed to eventually meet up so it was necessary to let the pair follow them, and Ditsy knew that Twilight would flip if she knew the pink earth pony and the white unicorn were stalking them. Pinkamena's extra sense let her know that for some reason she was meant to follow Twilight, and she was savvy enough to do it silently and expertly. Being from a rock farm, Pinkamena had stalking experience, having to stalk the Diamond Dogs to get them off her land. Likewise, Rarity was a master at getting around obstacles, though her constant complaining was likely to give the pair away. Fortunately, Pinkamena had gotten Rarity to shut up.
Suddenly, Ditsy's vision shifted.
EMERALD! What was I thinking? Let me get you some RUBIES!, Rarity said.
Quick! Before she decides to dye my coat a new color, a pankied Twilight Sparkle grabbed Spike and ran out the door.
Ditsy sighed. This event had already happened, but she could see through time as well. When she saw visions like this, it was usually a warning of things to come in her own universe. This vision meant to her that Rarity and Twilight were destined to meet soon, and if they didn't, it could be disastrous. Yes, to the average pony this seemed like guess work, but Ditsy Doo had long ago learned to refine her vision and interpretation. The unfortunate side effect is that she often began to wander aimlessly when she was seeing her visions, thus flying or walking into other ponies, given most ponies the impression that she was, well, Ditsy. An unfortunate side effect of this was that few ponies actually listened to what she had to say. The only exceptions were Princess Celestia, her daughter Dinky, and her brother, who was actually the Wonderbolt co-captain, Soarin. Twilight trusted her only because Princess Celestia had told her to, and Spike didn't trust her at all.
So for now, Ditsy was keeping her visions to herself. She would work as a guide and behind the scenes to bring the Six together. Until they trusted her, she would keep her visions to herself.

***

The moon was the coldest place she'd ever been. Not just physically, but emotionally. A pony once known as Luna had been imprisoned there for 1000 years. But her escape was drawing nigh and soon the world would know her vengeance. For a thousand years she had plotted, stewed and raged inwardly, being unable to do anything more. Being imprisoned IN the moon was certainly different from being imprisoned ON the moon. She was nothing but a shadow, but she was conscious. This made her sister's betrayal and punishment all the more torturous. She would blot out Celestia and her sun, and the land of Equestria would bow to her will. Nighttime Eternal. Just a few more weeks and she would be free. She could feel the humming of the stars as they called to her. They were coming for her. The many deities and semi-deities that guided these burning suns were shifting their bodies into position. Soon, her day would come, and all ponies would tremble in fear of the name Nightmare Moon.

*note: please excuse Vinyl Scratch's language in this chapter. I know many of us would like to think that all of the ponies never curse, but I make an exception with Vinyl. Her lifestyle is one that leads to such language. Also, the idea that she is Rarity's sister was slightly debunked in Sisterhooves Social, but my sister and I have developed a story in which Rarity's parents (mostly her mother) disown Vinyl and completely forbid their other two children from having contact with her or referring to her as their sister*