Back In Time: Finite Loop

PreRead By Red Tear

Cirrus watched, hidden in a bush a Ampere fought with the royal guard. She hadn’t seen it happen the first time, but it wasn’t much of a fight. He’d obviously had no real training.

Following Ampere into the market, Cirrus snarled quietly; it was far too happy- full of vendors counting money and satisfied customers. It was also the polar opposite of her mood.

Cirrus saw the past (current, other?) version of herself talk to Ampere.This time i'll save them.You're not going to die this time Ampere, *I promise*** hought the white pegasus.  But first she had to convince the six ponies that could actually wield the Elements (the ones from this time period anyway), because as much as Cirrus needed to admit it, she needed those six, annoying, way-too-in-love-with-Celestia ponies to help her.

She hated to admit it- or be philosophical about anything but, the Elements had to be wielded by those who actually had their qualities. Or maybe there could only be one set in any given time. But the more powerful set had obviously been determined.

The best way to do this is to present info that they CAN’T deny, thought Cirrus ducking behind a tree to avoid being seen by Rarity. Wait, later today- or maybe now Rarity is going to hear Diamond’s VERY unconvincing speech.

Cirrus grinned. ‘’I have an idea, ‘’ she said to herself, ‘’there should be a cutie mark creation bureau somewhere in this town.’’ So where?

--

Cirrus mentally went over the list of places it could be as she walked down main street for what felt like the 20th time in the past ten minutes. Or there was always getting into the town hall and finding something that told her where it was. Which would be an option if she and the rest of her team weren't currently held their. And Cirrus knew enough about time travel to know that you never let your past self see you. Ever. For any reason.

Maybe there isn’t one in the town . . . she hadn’t seen anybody with the symbol of a CMCB Worker yet. Until now.

Damn, that was lucky. Cirrus walked up to the pony. She was a pink, blonde earth pony.  ‘’I need to talk to you, privately,’’ Cirrus said keeping her voice low.  The pony looked up from her bag of bits.

‘’I’m guessing you're a client?’’

Cirrus motioned for the earth pony to follow her into an alley. ‘’ Not exactly. But I am purchasing. ‘’

She snorted. ‘’What? Info? Because if you are, you're not very smart. I’m a low level worker, okay!’’

‘’Trust me,I can tell by your asstat’. Look, I want an . . . ah,’’ I licked my lips, ‘’How do I put this, an initiation tour for a few . . . friends of mine and I mean the facts, pony!’’ My voice rose by the end of the sentence. ‘’Got it?’’ I snarled, giving her my best death glare.

‘’I’ll do my job, ‘’ she seemed to find my lack of a cutie mark interesting, ‘’What are you anyway, and more importantly what’s in it for me?’’

‘’That’s none of your business. And you’ll cooperate if you value your life for one thing. ‘’

She laughed. ‘’You don’t scare me shortie.’’

I reacted in a whirlwind of emotion and want. I leaped, striking a nerve cluster in her neck before she could react. The pink pony fell to the ground.

‘’How ‘bout now?’’ I said, my voice razor sharp. She twitched.

‘’I’ll do it. But don’t think I’ll forget you.’’

I smiled, showing teeth, ‘’I wouldn’t have any other way. I’ll see you at five. Wait here.’’

Her gaze followed me as I walked out. ‘’You’re doing something big aren’t you? Trying to overthrow Celestia. I don’t mind.’’

I raised an eyebrow. ‘’How’d ya know?’’

‘’You don’t have the look of a drug smuggler.’’

‘’You know, I may just like you pony.’’

--

Carousel Boutique. Blah. How exactly is this building supposed to be practical in ANY way? Cirrus had chosen Rarity as the first one to tell because she, through a fashionista had no real love of Celestia. Yeah, she was a suck up. Her asskissing to Celery had almost been physically painful.

But she’d seen asskissing turn to hatred in a nanosecond when the foundations of the love were obliterated. And it was time to suck it up and deal with the melodrama. I pushed open the door, accompanied by a jingling bell and walked in.

‘’Hellooo, welcome to Carousel Boutique where everything is chic, unique and maginif- where is your cutie mark?! ‘’

The albino pegasus rolled her eyes. ‘’It’s always about the cutie mark isn’t it? Why does it bother you ponies so damn much that I don’t have a brand on my ass for a career assignment?’’

Cirrus’s POV

The other pony stared at me. Riiiiiiiight, I’m starting to respect Diamond’s attempt a (tiny) bit more now . . . ‘’Rarity,’’ I began, ‘’I need you to trust me. I going to take you to a facility. You will be safe I promise.’’ If that earth pony double-crossed me, she’s gonna have HELL to pay.

Rarity blinked. ‘’I’m not into mares.I sorry I really am, but you have no feathers on your wings. Do you have any idea how off-putting-’’

‘’This. Isn’t. A. Date. Now, what I will show you, it will shake the foundations of what you know. Permanently.Oh and PLEASE try to keep the screaming to a minimum, PLEASE!’’ I looked at her. ‘’Are you coming or not?’’

Her mouth opened, probably trying to say no. I didn’t let her.

‘’You HAVE to believe me PUH-LEEZ!’’ I must have looked like a madmare. But she believed me. I don’t know if it was something in my voice or the look on my face but she believed me. It was all I could do to keep the crazy grin off my face.

The building itself was about ten stories tall, large for Rarity, but I was used to skyscrapers. It had the same pastel, flowery exterior as all the buildings in this town. Yuck.  The earth pony i’d ‘seen’ earlier walked over to me.

‘’This better be worth losing my job.’’ Her voice was frigid and had a degree of hatred in it I didn’t think was possible for a pony brainwashed by Celestia. This didn’t match her earlier attitude but I didn’t pay much attention to it. I should’ve.

She looked up, and plastered a big, fake smile on her face. ‘’I’m Lily and I’ll be your guide today.’’