Fight the Futureby BubblePuffChaptersChapter 1Chapter 2Chapter 3Chapter 4Chapter 1It was a time of celebration in the Crystal Empire. Princess Flurry Heart was turning one year old. The entire crystal palace had been decorated for the special occasion. Numerous well wishers had dropped off a mountain of presents. Shining and Cadence were focused on other things. Namely, trying to get Flurry Heart to put on her party dress. “Flurry, get down here now!” Shining called out as he and Cadence chased Flurry around her room. Flurry giggled and flew in circles, knocking stuff over in order to create obstacles for her parents. Cadence was able to leap over a pile of toys, but Shining slipped and fell on some foal bottles. “Flurry, you’re going to be late for your own party!” Cadence lept into the air and finally grabbed ahold of Flurry Heart. Shining got back to his hooves and marched over to his wife and daughter. He wanted to yell, but looking at Flurry made him smile instead. “Now, let’s get you ready. Your Aunt Rarity made the cutest birthday gown just for you.” Cadence took Flurry over to the changing table which had a box on it. She opened it up and took out a small pink dress that had poofy frills around the shoulders, sparkles sown into the vertical stitches of the skirt, and a big pink bow on the back. Cadence slipped the dress over Flurry’s head. Flurry made a fuss, wiggling her hooves, flapping her wings, and even screaming as Cadance tried to put on the dress. After what seemed like hours, Flurry was finally in the dress. “Cadence, do you think that we go to easy on Flurry Heart?” Shining asked. “She always throws temper tantrums and makes things very difficult whenever we try to do something with her.” “But she’s so cute and soft!” Cadence nuzzled Flurry and booped her on the nose. “I’m just saying that maybe a little discipline here and there would help. We really need to set some boundaries.” Cadence just waved Shining off. “Flurry is just going through a phase. She’ll grow out of it.” Shining knew that there was no getting through to Cadence. Ever since Flurry Heart had been born, she had let their daughter practically get away with murder. Flurry didn’t even get a timeout for destroying the crystal heart. Shining knew that Cadence always wanted to be a mother, and that the birth of Flurry Heart was the greatest thing to happen to her. Still, he was worried that they were being too lenient towards her. A guard then entered the room. “Prince Shining, your sister and her friends have arrived for the party.” “Thank you. Come on Flurry, it’s time for your big party!” Cadence placed Flurry Heart on her back and made her way to the main ballroom with Shining following close behind. The ballroom was filled with ponies and their foals who had all gathered for Flurry Heart’s birthday. Balloons and streamers covered the walls, pony clowns were putting on a magic show and making balloon animals, there were dozens of tables with snacks and a massive birthday cake, and hanging from the ceiling was a massive banner that read “HAPPY BIRTHDAY FLURRY!” Shining spotted Twilight and her friends. He immediately ran up and hugged her. “Twily! I’m so glad you could make it!” “I wouldn’t miss the first birthday of my niece.” Twilight reached over and tickled Flurry Heart. “Happy birthday, Flurry!” Flurry squealed with delight. Rarity, Applejack, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Starlight all arrived with presents. They each wished Flurry a happy birthday and placed the presents on a table next to the cake. Flurry looked over at the presents and reached out for them. “Now, now Flurry” Cadence said. “The time for presents will come later. Now it’s time to enjoy your party.” Flurry then a gigantic temper tantrum. She screamed at the top of her lungs and violently kicked her hooves. The noise was so loud that it made all of the other foals cry. Everypony ran about to try and calm down all of the foals. Cadence and Shining did their best to calm down Flurry Heart. “Shh, calm down. There’s no reason to be upset.” Cadence said in a soothing tone as she rubbed Flurry’s back, but Flurry continued to wail. “How can we get her to stop?!” Shining shouted as he held his hooves over his ears. That is when Pinkie Pie bounced over. “Leave it to me!” Pinkie then began making silly faces. Flurry Heart looked at Pinkie and instantly stopped her crying. Flurry laughed, then clung herself to Pinkie’s face. “Morks ebery dime!” Pinkie said with a muffled voice. “Still having a problem with Flurry’s temper tantrums, I see.” Twilight said to her brother. Shining waited a few moments for the ringing in his ears to die down before he answered. “Huh? Oh, yeah. She is a real hoof -full.Heh heh.” Shining responded with a chuckle, but Twilight could see that there was something bothering her BBBFF. “Hasn’t Sunburst been teaching Flurry to control her outbursts?” “Well, Sunburst is really more focused on controlling her magical outbursts, not her emotional ones.” “I know that it is really not my place to butt in Shining, but aren’t you afraid that without some discipline Flurry Heart may become a spoiled brat?” “Well, I do think that Cadence and I need to set some boundaries. But we also don’t want to be too strict.” Twilight gave her brother a reassuring look. “Shining, you and Cadence are great parents. I’m sure that you will both find the right balance between tough and fair.” Shining smiled at his sister. “Thanks, Twily. You always did know how to cheer me up.” Twilight and Shining hugged. “Anytime, Shining.” After all of the foals had been calmed down, and Flurry Heart had been pried off of Pinkie’s face by luring her with Whammy her stuffed snail and a pacifier, the time came to blow out the candles on the cake. Everypony started singing h‘Happy Birthday’, but during the song a bright light appeared in the middle of the ballroom. After the light light faded, a big scorch mark remained with a unicorn standing in the middle of it. His coat was jade green, and his mane and tail were crimson red. He had purple eyes, and a his cutie mark was a Tesla coil. The unicorn looked up, and upon seeing Flurry Heart he narrowed his eyes in anger. “Sic semper tyrannis!” The unicorn shouted. He then fired a magical blast directly at Flurry Heart. Shining dove and shoved both Cadence and Flurry away from the blast. The magical blast hit the birthday cake, making it explode and covering nearly the entire ballroom in frosting. Several guards rushed in and tackled the unicorn to the floor before he fired another blast. “Let me go!” The unicorn shouted as he tried to free himself. He was able to teleport away, appearing right in front of Cadence and Flurry Heart. “I shall send you back to Tartarus from which you came!” The unicorn lit his horn up for another blast, but Twilight was able to cast a force field spell around the two. The blast deflected off of the force field and blew a massive hole in the ceiling. Shining tackled the unicorn and wrestled with him. “Why are you trying to harm my daughter?!” Shining yelled. The unicorn looked Shining dead in the eye. “I’m trying to save the future!” The unicorn was able to kick Shining off of him, but Twilight used a spell to hold him down while Sunburst placed a magic suppression ring around his horn. “No! You’ve got to let me go!” The unicorn shouted. “She’s going to kill you all! Don’t you understand? She must be stopped before it’s too late!” The royal guards hauled the unicorn away. Twilight approached Cadence who was calming down Flurry Heart. “Are you two okay?” Cadence looked at Twilight while she cuddled Flurry. “Flurry is a bit shaken up, but not harmed. Who was that stallion? And why did he attack my baby?” Twilight scratched her chin as she thought. “I don’t know, but something he said keeps bugging me.” “What’s that?” Cadence asked. “He said ‘Sic Semper Tyrannis’. It sounds like Pony Latin. I need to look it up to find out what it means.” Shining announced that the party was canceled, and all of the guest were sent home. Rarity, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Starlight all stayed behind to help clean up. Cadence took Flurry back up to her room. Meanwhile, Twilight went to the palace library and found a book on Pony Latin. She looked through it, trying to find out the meaning of the phrase that the mysterious unicorn had said. “Here we go, Sic semper tyrannis: Thus always to tyrants?” Twilight became even more perplexed. “I need to speak to this would -be assassin.” Twilight made her way down to the dungeon where the the unicorn was being held. “I need to speak to the prisoner.” She told the guard. “Right this way, princess.” The guard led Twilight down a corridor. Soon they arrived at the unicorn’s cell. “Thank you. You may leave us be.” Twilight said. The guard saluted and left. Twilight eyed the unicorn, who sat in the center of the cell with an unemotional look on his face. “So, do you have a name?” Twilight asked. The unicorn looked at Twilight silently for a moment before answering. “My name is Higgs. Higgs-Boson.” “Why did you attack my niece?” Higgs closed his eyes and let out a sigh. “You won’t believe me.” “Try me.” “I came here from the future. I am following direct orders to destroy Flurry Heart.” “ Direct orders from whom?” “From you, Princess Twilight.” Chapter 2Twilight couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “M-Me? Why would I want to kill my own niece?” “You have no idea what the future is like, or rather what’s left of it...” Higgs shook his head at the mere thought of the disaster zone he’d left behind. “Ponies dead and dying everywhere. An entire nation destroyed. And your ‘precious’ niece…” At this point, Higgs started banging on the bars again, almost rabid in his desperation. “You have to let me out now to destroy her. Otherwise I fear, Equestria as you know it will never be the same again, a mere few decades from now…” “You’re not going anywhere until I get to the bottom of this...” Twilight frowned at the sheer gall of the stallion in front of her. “...And I don’t know how you do things in the future, but we most certainly do not go around assassinating innocent foals in our present! So, you can get that notion out of your head right now!” “Oh, but it’s for the greater good, I promise…” Higgs assured her, with a calmer face. “You see, she might look cute now, but your precious little Flurry Heart is actually going to grow up to be…” “Yes?” Twilight leaned in a bit closer, unable to hold back her curiosity. “A TYRANT! A MONSTER! SHE’LL DESTROY US ALL!!” Higgs screamed, grabbing the alicorn all of a sudden and almost dashing her head against the bars, if she hadn’t teleported away in the nick of time. “Whoa, okay. Another unspoken rule we have in modern Equestria is a little something called ‘personal boundaries’...” Twilight informed her prisoner from further away. “And may I just say, your story sounds more than a little far-fetched to me. I’ll investigate it, but I really don’t think…” “If you’re not willing to do what’s necessary, I will!” Higgs growled, while narrowing his eyes. “Time is of the essence here, as I only have a few more days before…” “If your sentence there was about to end with ‘up before a judge’, than congratulations, you’re absolutely correct.” Twilight rolled her eyes, and turned to leave the room. “I’ll conduct a few inquiries into your wild claims, but as for now you might want to look into getting some rest. You look as though you need it.” “Hang on princess, there’s still so much more I need to tell you. I know what happens to you in the future as well, and to all of your friends…” Higgs desperately tried to persuade her to come back. “You have to listen me, the Twilight I know some years from now would. Because you see, she…” That was the last Twilight heard from the raving Higgs as the door was firmly closed behind her. Wow. he certainly spins a good yarn, shame I don’t believe a word of it, the alicorn pondered, as she made her way away from the cell. But, even so… “Watch that prisoner closely!” Twilight ordered the two guards playing cards nearby, before stomping off with a distinct anger. The soldiers waited until she was gone, before the taller one asked his friend: “Geez, I wonder crawled up her…” ………………………………………………………….. “...And then, he claimed that Flurry was some kind of future power-crazed dictator who’d destroy everything when she grows up!” Twilight told the nearby Cadance, who was playing with her daughter. “What, you mean this little munchkin? Impossible!” Cadance shook her head in disbelief, before giving the giggling Flurry Heart one of her patented belly blasts. “I know, that’s what I said!” Twilight shrugged her shoulders. “But I thought, just to set my mind at ease, I’d better…” “Hang on a minute, Twily…” the alicorn’s big brother Shining Armour stopped staring down adorably at his daughter to frown in his sister’s direction. “Please don’t tell me you’re attaching any credence…” “Yes, dear?” “Sorry, darling… I said ‘credence’, not ‘Cadence’. Anyway, there’s nothing to these spurious allegations I’m sure. That stallion you have in there is most likely highly mentally unstable, or sent from a hostile country, possibly from one of the undiscovered areas. If I were you I’d leave that lunatic to rot in jail until his trial.” “B-But…” Twilight tried to get him to change his mind. “Sorry Twilight, I just can’t accept my darling daughter might grow up to be the harbinger of destruction for all of Equestria. Now, if you’ll excuse us, it’s almost time for her bath…” Shining Armour turned away from his sister, indicating the conversation was over. She was about to take his advice and make her way back home (her friends had long since departed), but a strange nagging feeling at the back of her head told her otherwise. I’d better talk to Sunburst before I leave. Maybe he’ll understand. ……………………………………………………… “If it wasn’t you asking me to do this Twilight, I’d turn you down in an instant. That would-be assassin almost murdered the second most important pony in my life. I have no idea why you’re even entertaining his fanciful…” “Sunburst, please. Just this once.” “O-Okay Twilight, but I’m positive we’re not going to find anything out of the ordinary.” “That’s what I’m here to find out.” “Alright, here’s goes nothing. Brace yourself...” An incredibly reluctant Sunburst had agreed to use a Future Vision spell he kept tucked away in his private archives to see if Higgs’s story carried any weight. He didn’t want his royal employees finding out about this unpermitted activity though, hence why this ritual would be kept strictly off the records. As for Twilight, she usually wouldn’t be so secretive around her friends and family, but for a situation as potentially catastrophic as this, she was willing to make a personal exception just this once. After finishing his chant, Sunburst’s eyes suddenly glowed deadly white, forcing Twilight to shield her eyes from the intense light. Immediately, the magic-using stallion began describing the future in intensely deep tones, a million miles from the soft candour he was known for. “Ten years from now… lush fields, ponies frolicking in the grass, Celestia and Luna rule with great benevolence.” “Twenty years from now… A similar scenario, only those ‘lush fields’ could do with a bit of a trim.” “Thirty years from now… Look, do I have to continue? It’s pretty much the same thing.” “Yes please…” Twilight felt a lot better by this stage, but she wanted to make absolutely sure. “Okay, you’re the boss. Forty years from now… Wait, what’s this?! No… NO!!” Sunburst suddenly started writhing in agony, which broke the spell and forced Twilight to catch him as he fell unconscious to the floor. Initially shocked at his disturbed reaction, an even more horrible thought suddenly entered the head of Twilight. After gently laying him on a nearby couch, she scrambled back to Higgs’s cell in record time to demand of the perplexed guards there: “I need to see the prisoner… NOW!!” Seeing them momentarily hesitate at her brusque demeanor, she levitated the keys herself before galloping past them to unlock the door in earnest… … Only to find nopony was there. Only a letter, with her name on it. Chapter 3Twilight called for the guard as soon as she saw that the cell was empty. “Inform the rest of the royal guard that the prisoner has escaped. I’ll investigate his cell further to discover how he got out.” The guard saluted politely and opened the cell door before heading off. Twilight entered the room and scratched her head in confusion. I don’t get it. Higgs was wearing a magic-suppression ring. How could he have escaped Twilight thought to herself. Twilight picked up the note and began to read it. ‘Twilight, if you are reading this then you have discovered that I’m gone’ The note said ‘I know that you do not believe me right now, but all I have told you is true. If you are the Twilight that I will come to know, then you will hear me out. Meet me in the caves outside of the Crystal Empire. Tell no one.’ Before Twilight put away the piece of paper, she noticed something else scribbled at the bottom. ‘P.S, Watch for the signs.’ Watch for the signs? What on Equestria does that mean? Twilight thought to herself. She didn’t have time to dwell on that longer though, as she needed to check in on Shining and Cadance, who by now had received the terrible news that Higgs-Boson had gone from his cell. Shining and Cadance were playing with Flurry Heart when a guard rushed in and informed them that the potential assassin had escaped. “What?!” Shining quickly stood up and shot a stern look at the shaking guard. “How in the name of Celestia could he have gotten out?!” “We don’t know Prince Shining, but we are scouring the city as well as the snowbanks to find him as soon as possible.” The guard responded resolutely. Shining let out an aggravated sigh. “Very well, then. You are dismissed.” The guard nodded and left. Shining proceeded to pace back and forth, muttering under his breath. Cadance got up and walked over to Shining. “Shiny, calm down.” She said in her most soothing voice. “How am I supposed to calm down?! A lunatic who wants to slaughter our daughter is on the loose! I’m supposed to be the captain of the royal guard and the Prince of the Crystal Empire, but I can’t even keep my own family safe. I should resign right now...” Cadance nuzzled Shining. “Shiny, you’re doing everything you can. You’ve already saved Flurry and stopped the assassin once before. I know you can do it again.” Shining held his wife close. “I hope you’re right, darling.” A moment later, Twilight walked into the room. “I take it that you two have already heard what’s just happened?” Shining and Cadance both turned to face Twilight simultaneously. “How could he have gotten out? Wasn’t he wearing a magic-suppression ring?” Cadance asked with concern. “I’m still trying to figure that part out....” Twilight responded, while scratching her head. “This assassin obviously has advanced training in powerful enchantments in order to overcome such a powerful suppression ring.” “Well, I for one will not be able to rest knowing that he is still out there somewhere.” Said Shining, his eyes narrowed. “Twily, were able to find any clues inside of his cell?” Twilight was about to answer, but then she paused for a moment. She was getting this nagging feeling in the back of her mind that she shouldn’t inform Shining and Cadance about the letter Higgs-Boson had left. It was as if she somehow believed what he was telling her. “N-Nope. Sorry, not a thing.” Twilight replied, dishonestly. There was then a sudden loud, banging noise. Twilight, Shining, and Cadance all turned to see Flurry Heart smashing her toys to pieces (with the exception of Whammy) while happily giggling. “Uh, does Flurry Heart always break her things like that?” Twilight asked with a puzzled look. Shining let out a sigh. “Yeah. And She’s been doing it a lot more recently. It’s costing me a fortune to replace them.” “It’s a good thing she got so many new playthings for her birthday, then. Flurry has been breaking at least a dozen toys every month...” Cadance acted like it wasn’t that big of a deal, and patted Flurry Heart on the head. Twilight had a troubled look on her face. “I-I should probably head out and help with the search.” Twilight left, knowing full well that she had to reach the caves and meet up with Higgs. One way or another, she was going to get some straight answers out of him. After Twilight and the royal guards reached the frozen outskirts of the Crystal Empire, she divided them up into separate teams. “Team one, search north. Team two, search south. Team three, search west. Team four, get me some snacks. I’ll search the caves to the east.” One of the guards stepped forward to protest. “Princess Twilight, it is far too dangerous for a member of the royal family to go alone.” Twilight just smiled in return. “I’ve battled Nightmare Moon, Discord, Chrysalis, King Sombra, and Tirek. I can look after myself, trust me.” Having made an excellent point Twilight left, leaving the four teams headed off in their ordered directions. She then headed straight for the caves and made her way inside the gloominess without hesitation. Twilight lit up her horn and moved deeper into the cave. She looked around, not finding anypony at first. A voice then called out from somewhere from the darkness. “I knew you would come.” Twilight jumped high into the air and nearly screamed upon recognizing who it was. She spun around and saw that it was Higgs-Boson. Twilight aimed her horn at Higgs. “Stay back, or I’ll shoot!” Higgs raised one of his hooves in compliance. “I’m not going to harm you.” Twilight had a thousand questions that she wanted to ask Higgs. “How did you get that magic-suppression off?” “You taught me how to remove it. Or at least, you will. You’re a pretty demanding teacher, you know that?” Twilight was now more confused than ever. “Explain everything, now! And don’t leave out a single detail.” Higgs let out a gentle sigh. “Very well. I am a student of yours from around 50 years in the future. Princess Celestia puts you in charge of her school, and you relocate it to Ponyville opening it up for not just unicorns. Earth ponies, pegasi, even dragons and griffons are allowed in. I quickly become your star pupil.” “And what about Flurry Heart?” Twilight asked, questioningly. Higgs became silent for a moment before he continued on. “It doesn’t take long for you and the other princesses to discover that Flurry Heart is the most powerful Alicorn in the history of all of Equestria. She becomes abusive with her magic, taking pleasure in destroying things because it’s fun. In other words, a sadist.” Twilight shook her head, unable to comprehend what she’d just heard. “No, that’s not like Flurry Heart!” “Has she started smashing her toys yet?” Higgs asked, looking unsure. Twilight froze. She instantly remembered seeing Flurry Heart busting up her things earlier before she left, with Cadance saying that Flurry was doing it almost all the time. Higgs continued to speak, noting the alicorn’s silent reaction. “You took Flurry Heart into your school, hoping that you could teach her to be responsible with her powers. But it was all for nothing. Flurry Heart became obsessed with her magic. She began thinking that she was the one true ruler of not just Equestria, but the entire world. Anypony that dared to stand in her way was annihilated.” “D-Didn’t Shining and Cadance try to stop her?” “At first, they refused to believe that their precious little filly could be so corrupted so easily. But when Flurry Heart decided to otherthrow her parents, they just couldn’t bring themselves to harm her. After taking over the entire Crystal Empire, every city, town, and kingdom fell like dominos. Yakyakistan, Las Pegasus, Cloudsdale, Canterlot, and eventually Ponyville followed. Even the combined might of Celestia and Luna was not enough. I watched in horror as Baltimare burned. My parents lived there. I tried to save them, but nopony else got out alive...” Higgs then broke down and began to cry, falling roughly to the ground. Twilight walked over and gently placed her hoof on his back to rub it. “Higgs, I’m very sorry. But I need to know all that will happen. How did you get to the past?” Higgs wiped the tears away and looked up at Twilight. “Eventually, you became the only other Alicorn left. You and what other ponies remained teamed up the dragon and griffon kingdoms to form a resistance. But Flurry Heart’s power continues to grow. We have been pushed to our absolute limit. That’s when you had the idea. Using Starswirl The Bearded’s time travel spell, you proposed that somepony be sent back while Flurry Heart was very young and destroy her before she could ever have a chance to come to power.” “Why didn’t I just send myself? Why did you come instead?” “Two reasons. One, you were afraid that meeting your past self would cause a temporal paradox. Two, the resistance still needs a leader. I volunteered to be returned to the past because of all that Flurry has taken from me.” Twilight have Higgs a skeptical look. “Your story is fantastic, but how do I know you’re not just lying to me?” Higgs stood up. “Read my mind. See all of my memories. Then, you will realise that I’m telling the truth.” Higgs then proceeded to light up his horn and touched it to Twilight’s. Twilight’s eyes started glowing white as she saw into Higgs’s mind. Author's Note A big thanks to deadpansparkler for his editing. Chapter 4Twilight could not believe what she saw. From the point of view of a young Higgs-Boson, Twilight witnessed the destruction of Baltimare. The city was a sea of fire as an adult Flurry Heart hovered above it. Flurry Heart laughed menacingly as she rained down magical blasts from her horn. Buildings exploded as the magic touched them, sending ponies fleeing for their lives. Twilight’s view was then shifted to Higgs-Boson’s parents. She watched as they held a young Higgs-Boson by the hoof and ran from the burning city towards the harbor where rescue ships were waiting. Ponies scrambled up the ramps and onto the ships which were becoming overcrowded. Many ponies were shoved over the side of the ramps in the ensuing panic and into the dark waters below. By the time Higgs-Boson and his parents made their way up the ramp towards one of the ships, they were stopped by a royal guard. “I’m sorry, but there is only enough room for one more.” The guard said. Higgs-Boson’s parents looked at each other. They knew the sacrifice that they had to make. Higgs-Boson’s mother held him up before the royal guard. “Please, take my colt!.” Twilight watched through Higgs-Boson’s eyes as he was given over to the royal guard. She could hear Higgs-Boson as he cried out for his parents. The last image that Twilight saw was the ship moving away from the dock, Higgs-Boson’s parents embracing each other as Flurry Heart fired a beam of magic at the dock which caused it to burst into flames. Twilight’s eyes returned to normal as the memory ended. She stepped away from Higgs-Boson as he lowered his head, tears flowing down his cheeks. “That was the last time I ever saw my parents.” Higgs-Boson said. “I wanted to save them so badly, but I was just a young colt. Now do you understand? Flurry Heart must be stopped before it is too late.” “I am sorry for your loss Higgs, but Flurry Heart is just a foal. Perhaps there is still time to teach her to use her powers for good.” Twilight said. A look of anger grew on Higgs-Boson’s face. He stamped his hoof in frustration. “Ugh! I had no idea that you would be so difficult in the past! Can’t you see that Flurry Heart is a time bomb just waiting to go off? Haven’t you noticed the bad behavior she has exhibited?” Twilight stood and thought about the past year. She remembered how Flurry Heart had deliberately ruined the pudding that she was making for Hearth’s Warming which almost destroyed her castle. Twilight also remembered all the trouble Flurry Heart had caused across Ponyville when she was asked to foal sit her. “Listen, Flurry Heart has been a lot of trouble but she is just a foal. Maybe if you come with me and show Cadance and Shining Armor what you’ve shown me. Perhaps they’ll help to change Flurry Heart.” Higgs-Boson shook his head. “They won’t believe me. Not after I tried to destroy their daughter and escaped from prison. Besides, they’re already blinded by their daughter’s cuteness. They see her as a sweet little angel instead of the monster that she is slowly becoming.” Twilight didn’t know what to do. On the one hoof Flurry Heart was her niece, and she loved her with all of her heart. On the other hoof however Twilight had seen the future that Higgs-Boson hailed from, and the destruction that Flurry Heart was going to cause. “Listen to me Higgs. Perhaps there is still time to set Flurry Heart on the right path. Just give me time to work with Flurry Heart before she gets too old and grows out of control with her powers.” Twilight pleaded. Higgs-Boson had heard enough. “I’m sorry Twilight, but the future must be saved. In time you will forgive me.” Higgs-Boson then vanished in a flash of bright light. Twilight hurried out of the cave and met up with the other search parties. “Listen up! Princess Flurry Heart is in danger. We must return to the Crystal Empire now!” Twilight used her power to teleport herself and royal guards back to the Crystal Empire. As soon as Twilight and royal guards were back in the Crystal Empire she led them into the royal palace and straight towards Flurry Heart’s room. “I hope that I’m not too late.” Twilight thought to herself. Twilight burst open the door to Flurry Heart’s room. She was relieved to see Flurry Heart playing with Cadance and Shining Armor. “Twilight what’s wrong?” Cadance asked. “Were you able to find the assassin?” Twilight let out a deep sigh. “I did. It’s just that.” Twilight paused and bit her lower lip. “What is it Twily?” Asked Shining Armor. Twilight told Shining Armor and Cadance everything that she knew. From Higgs-Boson being sent back in time by her from the future to Flurry Heart growing up to destroy Equestria. Shining Armor shook his head in disbelief. “No. Flurry Heart would never do that.” Twilight placed a hoof on Shining Armor’s shoulder. “Shining, Higgs showed me his memories. I saw an adult Flurry Heart destroying Baltimare as ponies fled for their lives.” “Lies!” Shining Armor shouted as he smacked away Twilight’s hoof. “Those were fake memories that he showed you in order to turn you against us!” Twilight was becoming frustrated. “Well, false or not, Higgs-Boson is still out there and he is determined to get Flurry Heart.” Flurry Heart was playing with her toy snail whammy when suddenly she was trapped in a magic bubble. Flurry Heart pounded against the bubble as it floated her up into the air. Cadence tried to grab the bubble, but was knocked to the ground by an electric shock when she touched it. There was a flash of light and Higgs-Boson appeared in the room. “You fiend! Give me back my daughter!” Cadance shouted. “No! The future will be saved!” Higgs-Boson shouted. Shining Armor charged at Higgs-Boson, but before Shining could reach him Higgs-Boson teleported away, taking Flurry Heart with him. “Flurry Heart!” Cadance called out with tears in her eyes.
Chapter 1It was a time of celebration in the Crystal Empire. Princess Flurry Heart was turning one year old. The entire crystal palace had been decorated for the special occasion. Numerous well wishers had dropped off a mountain of presents. Shining and Cadence were focused on other things. Namely, trying to get Flurry Heart to put on her party dress. “Flurry, get down here now!” Shining called out as he and Cadence chased Flurry around her room. Flurry giggled and flew in circles, knocking stuff over in order to create obstacles for her parents. Cadence was able to leap over a pile of toys, but Shining slipped and fell on some foal bottles. “Flurry, you’re going to be late for your own party!” Cadence lept into the air and finally grabbed ahold of Flurry Heart. Shining got back to his hooves and marched over to his wife and daughter. He wanted to yell, but looking at Flurry made him smile instead. “Now, let’s get you ready. Your Aunt Rarity made the cutest birthday gown just for you.” Cadence took Flurry over to the changing table which had a box on it. She opened it up and took out a small pink dress that had poofy frills around the shoulders, sparkles sown into the vertical stitches of the skirt, and a big pink bow on the back. Cadence slipped the dress over Flurry’s head. Flurry made a fuss, wiggling her hooves, flapping her wings, and even screaming as Cadance tried to put on the dress. After what seemed like hours, Flurry was finally in the dress. “Cadence, do you think that we go to easy on Flurry Heart?” Shining asked. “She always throws temper tantrums and makes things very difficult whenever we try to do something with her.” “But she’s so cute and soft!” Cadence nuzzled Flurry and booped her on the nose. “I’m just saying that maybe a little discipline here and there would help. We really need to set some boundaries.” Cadence just waved Shining off. “Flurry is just going through a phase. She’ll grow out of it.” Shining knew that there was no getting through to Cadence. Ever since Flurry Heart had been born, she had let their daughter practically get away with murder. Flurry didn’t even get a timeout for destroying the crystal heart. Shining knew that Cadence always wanted to be a mother, and that the birth of Flurry Heart was the greatest thing to happen to her. Still, he was worried that they were being too lenient towards her. A guard then entered the room. “Prince Shining, your sister and her friends have arrived for the party.” “Thank you. Come on Flurry, it’s time for your big party!” Cadence placed Flurry Heart on her back and made her way to the main ballroom with Shining following close behind. The ballroom was filled with ponies and their foals who had all gathered for Flurry Heart’s birthday. Balloons and streamers covered the walls, pony clowns were putting on a magic show and making balloon animals, there were dozens of tables with snacks and a massive birthday cake, and hanging from the ceiling was a massive banner that read “HAPPY BIRTHDAY FLURRY!” Shining spotted Twilight and her friends. He immediately ran up and hugged her. “Twily! I’m so glad you could make it!” “I wouldn’t miss the first birthday of my niece.” Twilight reached over and tickled Flurry Heart. “Happy birthday, Flurry!” Flurry squealed with delight. Rarity, Applejack, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Starlight all arrived with presents. They each wished Flurry a happy birthday and placed the presents on a table next to the cake. Flurry looked over at the presents and reached out for them. “Now, now Flurry” Cadence said. “The time for presents will come later. Now it’s time to enjoy your party.” Flurry then a gigantic temper tantrum. She screamed at the top of her lungs and violently kicked her hooves. The noise was so loud that it made all of the other foals cry. Everypony ran about to try and calm down all of the foals. Cadence and Shining did their best to calm down Flurry Heart. “Shh, calm down. There’s no reason to be upset.” Cadence said in a soothing tone as she rubbed Flurry’s back, but Flurry continued to wail. “How can we get her to stop?!” Shining shouted as he held his hooves over his ears. That is when Pinkie Pie bounced over. “Leave it to me!” Pinkie then began making silly faces. Flurry Heart looked at Pinkie and instantly stopped her crying. Flurry laughed, then clung herself to Pinkie’s face. “Morks ebery dime!” Pinkie said with a muffled voice. “Still having a problem with Flurry’s temper tantrums, I see.” Twilight said to her brother. Shining waited a few moments for the ringing in his ears to die down before he answered. “Huh? Oh, yeah. She is a real hoof -full.Heh heh.” Shining responded with a chuckle, but Twilight could see that there was something bothering her BBBFF. “Hasn’t Sunburst been teaching Flurry to control her outbursts?” “Well, Sunburst is really more focused on controlling her magical outbursts, not her emotional ones.” “I know that it is really not my place to butt in Shining, but aren’t you afraid that without some discipline Flurry Heart may become a spoiled brat?” “Well, I do think that Cadence and I need to set some boundaries. But we also don’t want to be too strict.” Twilight gave her brother a reassuring look. “Shining, you and Cadence are great parents. I’m sure that you will both find the right balance between tough and fair.” Shining smiled at his sister. “Thanks, Twily. You always did know how to cheer me up.” Twilight and Shining hugged. “Anytime, Shining.” After all of the foals had been calmed down, and Flurry Heart had been pried off of Pinkie’s face by luring her with Whammy her stuffed snail and a pacifier, the time came to blow out the candles on the cake. Everypony started singing h‘Happy Birthday’, but during the song a bright light appeared in the middle of the ballroom. After the light light faded, a big scorch mark remained with a unicorn standing in the middle of it. His coat was jade green, and his mane and tail were crimson red. He had purple eyes, and a his cutie mark was a Tesla coil. The unicorn looked up, and upon seeing Flurry Heart he narrowed his eyes in anger. “Sic semper tyrannis!” The unicorn shouted. He then fired a magical blast directly at Flurry Heart. Shining dove and shoved both Cadence and Flurry away from the blast. The magical blast hit the birthday cake, making it explode and covering nearly the entire ballroom in frosting. Several guards rushed in and tackled the unicorn to the floor before he fired another blast. “Let me go!” The unicorn shouted as he tried to free himself. He was able to teleport away, appearing right in front of Cadence and Flurry Heart. “I shall send you back to Tartarus from which you came!” The unicorn lit his horn up for another blast, but Twilight was able to cast a force field spell around the two. The blast deflected off of the force field and blew a massive hole in the ceiling. Shining tackled the unicorn and wrestled with him. “Why are you trying to harm my daughter?!” Shining yelled. The unicorn looked Shining dead in the eye. “I’m trying to save the future!” The unicorn was able to kick Shining off of him, but Twilight used a spell to hold him down while Sunburst placed a magic suppression ring around his horn. “No! You’ve got to let me go!” The unicorn shouted. “She’s going to kill you all! Don’t you understand? She must be stopped before it’s too late!” The royal guards hauled the unicorn away. Twilight approached Cadence who was calming down Flurry Heart. “Are you two okay?” Cadence looked at Twilight while she cuddled Flurry. “Flurry is a bit shaken up, but not harmed. Who was that stallion? And why did he attack my baby?” Twilight scratched her chin as she thought. “I don’t know, but something he said keeps bugging me.” “What’s that?” Cadence asked. “He said ‘Sic Semper Tyrannis’. It sounds like Pony Latin. I need to look it up to find out what it means.” Shining announced that the party was canceled, and all of the guest were sent home. Rarity, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Starlight all stayed behind to help clean up. Cadence took Flurry back up to her room. Meanwhile, Twilight went to the palace library and found a book on Pony Latin. She looked through it, trying to find out the meaning of the phrase that the mysterious unicorn had said. “Here we go, Sic semper tyrannis: Thus always to tyrants?” Twilight became even more perplexed. “I need to speak to this would -be assassin.” Twilight made her way down to the dungeon where the the unicorn was being held. “I need to speak to the prisoner.” She told the guard. “Right this way, princess.” The guard led Twilight down a corridor. Soon they arrived at the unicorn’s cell. “Thank you. You may leave us be.” Twilight said. The guard saluted and left. Twilight eyed the unicorn, who sat in the center of the cell with an unemotional look on his face. “So, do you have a name?” Twilight asked. The unicorn looked at Twilight silently for a moment before answering. “My name is Higgs. Higgs-Boson.” “Why did you attack my niece?” Higgs closed his eyes and let out a sigh. “You won’t believe me.” “Try me.” “I came here from the future. I am following direct orders to destroy Flurry Heart.” “ Direct orders from whom?” “From you, Princess Twilight.”
Chapter 2Twilight couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “M-Me? Why would I want to kill my own niece?” “You have no idea what the future is like, or rather what’s left of it...” Higgs shook his head at the mere thought of the disaster zone he’d left behind. “Ponies dead and dying everywhere. An entire nation destroyed. And your ‘precious’ niece…” At this point, Higgs started banging on the bars again, almost rabid in his desperation. “You have to let me out now to destroy her. Otherwise I fear, Equestria as you know it will never be the same again, a mere few decades from now…” “You’re not going anywhere until I get to the bottom of this...” Twilight frowned at the sheer gall of the stallion in front of her. “...And I don’t know how you do things in the future, but we most certainly do not go around assassinating innocent foals in our present! So, you can get that notion out of your head right now!” “Oh, but it’s for the greater good, I promise…” Higgs assured her, with a calmer face. “You see, she might look cute now, but your precious little Flurry Heart is actually going to grow up to be…” “Yes?” Twilight leaned in a bit closer, unable to hold back her curiosity. “A TYRANT! A MONSTER! SHE’LL DESTROY US ALL!!” Higgs screamed, grabbing the alicorn all of a sudden and almost dashing her head against the bars, if she hadn’t teleported away in the nick of time. “Whoa, okay. Another unspoken rule we have in modern Equestria is a little something called ‘personal boundaries’...” Twilight informed her prisoner from further away. “And may I just say, your story sounds more than a little far-fetched to me. I’ll investigate it, but I really don’t think…” “If you’re not willing to do what’s necessary, I will!” Higgs growled, while narrowing his eyes. “Time is of the essence here, as I only have a few more days before…” “If your sentence there was about to end with ‘up before a judge’, than congratulations, you’re absolutely correct.” Twilight rolled her eyes, and turned to leave the room. “I’ll conduct a few inquiries into your wild claims, but as for now you might want to look into getting some rest. You look as though you need it.” “Hang on princess, there’s still so much more I need to tell you. I know what happens to you in the future as well, and to all of your friends…” Higgs desperately tried to persuade her to come back. “You have to listen me, the Twilight I know some years from now would. Because you see, she…” That was the last Twilight heard from the raving Higgs as the door was firmly closed behind her. Wow. he certainly spins a good yarn, shame I don’t believe a word of it, the alicorn pondered, as she made her way away from the cell. But, even so… “Watch that prisoner closely!” Twilight ordered the two guards playing cards nearby, before stomping off with a distinct anger. The soldiers waited until she was gone, before the taller one asked his friend: “Geez, I wonder crawled up her…” ………………………………………………………….. “...And then, he claimed that Flurry was some kind of future power-crazed dictator who’d destroy everything when she grows up!” Twilight told the nearby Cadance, who was playing with her daughter. “What, you mean this little munchkin? Impossible!” Cadance shook her head in disbelief, before giving the giggling Flurry Heart one of her patented belly blasts. “I know, that’s what I said!” Twilight shrugged her shoulders. “But I thought, just to set my mind at ease, I’d better…” “Hang on a minute, Twily…” the alicorn’s big brother Shining Armour stopped staring down adorably at his daughter to frown in his sister’s direction. “Please don’t tell me you’re attaching any credence…” “Yes, dear?” “Sorry, darling… I said ‘credence’, not ‘Cadence’. Anyway, there’s nothing to these spurious allegations I’m sure. That stallion you have in there is most likely highly mentally unstable, or sent from a hostile country, possibly from one of the undiscovered areas. If I were you I’d leave that lunatic to rot in jail until his trial.” “B-But…” Twilight tried to get him to change his mind. “Sorry Twilight, I just can’t accept my darling daughter might grow up to be the harbinger of destruction for all of Equestria. Now, if you’ll excuse us, it’s almost time for her bath…” Shining Armour turned away from his sister, indicating the conversation was over. She was about to take his advice and make her way back home (her friends had long since departed), but a strange nagging feeling at the back of her head told her otherwise. I’d better talk to Sunburst before I leave. Maybe he’ll understand. ……………………………………………………… “If it wasn’t you asking me to do this Twilight, I’d turn you down in an instant. That would-be assassin almost murdered the second most important pony in my life. I have no idea why you’re even entertaining his fanciful…” “Sunburst, please. Just this once.” “O-Okay Twilight, but I’m positive we’re not going to find anything out of the ordinary.” “That’s what I’m here to find out.” “Alright, here’s goes nothing. Brace yourself...” An incredibly reluctant Sunburst had agreed to use a Future Vision spell he kept tucked away in his private archives to see if Higgs’s story carried any weight. He didn’t want his royal employees finding out about this unpermitted activity though, hence why this ritual would be kept strictly off the records. As for Twilight, she usually wouldn’t be so secretive around her friends and family, but for a situation as potentially catastrophic as this, she was willing to make a personal exception just this once. After finishing his chant, Sunburst’s eyes suddenly glowed deadly white, forcing Twilight to shield her eyes from the intense light. Immediately, the magic-using stallion began describing the future in intensely deep tones, a million miles from the soft candour he was known for. “Ten years from now… lush fields, ponies frolicking in the grass, Celestia and Luna rule with great benevolence.” “Twenty years from now… A similar scenario, only those ‘lush fields’ could do with a bit of a trim.” “Thirty years from now… Look, do I have to continue? It’s pretty much the same thing.” “Yes please…” Twilight felt a lot better by this stage, but she wanted to make absolutely sure. “Okay, you’re the boss. Forty years from now… Wait, what’s this?! No… NO!!” Sunburst suddenly started writhing in agony, which broke the spell and forced Twilight to catch him as he fell unconscious to the floor. Initially shocked at his disturbed reaction, an even more horrible thought suddenly entered the head of Twilight. After gently laying him on a nearby couch, she scrambled back to Higgs’s cell in record time to demand of the perplexed guards there: “I need to see the prisoner… NOW!!” Seeing them momentarily hesitate at her brusque demeanor, she levitated the keys herself before galloping past them to unlock the door in earnest… … Only to find nopony was there. Only a letter, with her name on it.
Chapter 3Twilight called for the guard as soon as she saw that the cell was empty. “Inform the rest of the royal guard that the prisoner has escaped. I’ll investigate his cell further to discover how he got out.” The guard saluted politely and opened the cell door before heading off. Twilight entered the room and scratched her head in confusion. I don’t get it. Higgs was wearing a magic-suppression ring. How could he have escaped Twilight thought to herself. Twilight picked up the note and began to read it. ‘Twilight, if you are reading this then you have discovered that I’m gone’ The note said ‘I know that you do not believe me right now, but all I have told you is true. If you are the Twilight that I will come to know, then you will hear me out. Meet me in the caves outside of the Crystal Empire. Tell no one.’ Before Twilight put away the piece of paper, she noticed something else scribbled at the bottom. ‘P.S, Watch for the signs.’ Watch for the signs? What on Equestria does that mean? Twilight thought to herself. She didn’t have time to dwell on that longer though, as she needed to check in on Shining and Cadance, who by now had received the terrible news that Higgs-Boson had gone from his cell. Shining and Cadance were playing with Flurry Heart when a guard rushed in and informed them that the potential assassin had escaped. “What?!” Shining quickly stood up and shot a stern look at the shaking guard. “How in the name of Celestia could he have gotten out?!” “We don’t know Prince Shining, but we are scouring the city as well as the snowbanks to find him as soon as possible.” The guard responded resolutely. Shining let out an aggravated sigh. “Very well, then. You are dismissed.” The guard nodded and left. Shining proceeded to pace back and forth, muttering under his breath. Cadance got up and walked over to Shining. “Shiny, calm down.” She said in her most soothing voice. “How am I supposed to calm down?! A lunatic who wants to slaughter our daughter is on the loose! I’m supposed to be the captain of the royal guard and the Prince of the Crystal Empire, but I can’t even keep my own family safe. I should resign right now...” Cadance nuzzled Shining. “Shiny, you’re doing everything you can. You’ve already saved Flurry and stopped the assassin once before. I know you can do it again.” Shining held his wife close. “I hope you’re right, darling.” A moment later, Twilight walked into the room. “I take it that you two have already heard what’s just happened?” Shining and Cadance both turned to face Twilight simultaneously. “How could he have gotten out? Wasn’t he wearing a magic-suppression ring?” Cadance asked with concern. “I’m still trying to figure that part out....” Twilight responded, while scratching her head. “This assassin obviously has advanced training in powerful enchantments in order to overcome such a powerful suppression ring.” “Well, I for one will not be able to rest knowing that he is still out there somewhere.” Said Shining, his eyes narrowed. “Twily, were able to find any clues inside of his cell?” Twilight was about to answer, but then she paused for a moment. She was getting this nagging feeling in the back of her mind that she shouldn’t inform Shining and Cadance about the letter Higgs-Boson had left. It was as if she somehow believed what he was telling her. “N-Nope. Sorry, not a thing.” Twilight replied, dishonestly. There was then a sudden loud, banging noise. Twilight, Shining, and Cadance all turned to see Flurry Heart smashing her toys to pieces (with the exception of Whammy) while happily giggling. “Uh, does Flurry Heart always break her things like that?” Twilight asked with a puzzled look. Shining let out a sigh. “Yeah. And She’s been doing it a lot more recently. It’s costing me a fortune to replace them.” “It’s a good thing she got so many new playthings for her birthday, then. Flurry has been breaking at least a dozen toys every month...” Cadance acted like it wasn’t that big of a deal, and patted Flurry Heart on the head. Twilight had a troubled look on her face. “I-I should probably head out and help with the search.” Twilight left, knowing full well that she had to reach the caves and meet up with Higgs. One way or another, she was going to get some straight answers out of him. After Twilight and the royal guards reached the frozen outskirts of the Crystal Empire, she divided them up into separate teams. “Team one, search north. Team two, search south. Team three, search west. Team four, get me some snacks. I’ll search the caves to the east.” One of the guards stepped forward to protest. “Princess Twilight, it is far too dangerous for a member of the royal family to go alone.” Twilight just smiled in return. “I’ve battled Nightmare Moon, Discord, Chrysalis, King Sombra, and Tirek. I can look after myself, trust me.” Having made an excellent point Twilight left, leaving the four teams headed off in their ordered directions. She then headed straight for the caves and made her way inside the gloominess without hesitation. Twilight lit up her horn and moved deeper into the cave. She looked around, not finding anypony at first. A voice then called out from somewhere from the darkness. “I knew you would come.” Twilight jumped high into the air and nearly screamed upon recognizing who it was. She spun around and saw that it was Higgs-Boson. Twilight aimed her horn at Higgs. “Stay back, or I’ll shoot!” Higgs raised one of his hooves in compliance. “I’m not going to harm you.” Twilight had a thousand questions that she wanted to ask Higgs. “How did you get that magic-suppression off?” “You taught me how to remove it. Or at least, you will. You’re a pretty demanding teacher, you know that?” Twilight was now more confused than ever. “Explain everything, now! And don’t leave out a single detail.” Higgs let out a gentle sigh. “Very well. I am a student of yours from around 50 years in the future. Princess Celestia puts you in charge of her school, and you relocate it to Ponyville opening it up for not just unicorns. Earth ponies, pegasi, even dragons and griffons are allowed in. I quickly become your star pupil.” “And what about Flurry Heart?” Twilight asked, questioningly. Higgs became silent for a moment before he continued on. “It doesn’t take long for you and the other princesses to discover that Flurry Heart is the most powerful Alicorn in the history of all of Equestria. She becomes abusive with her magic, taking pleasure in destroying things because it’s fun. In other words, a sadist.” Twilight shook her head, unable to comprehend what she’d just heard. “No, that’s not like Flurry Heart!” “Has she started smashing her toys yet?” Higgs asked, looking unsure. Twilight froze. She instantly remembered seeing Flurry Heart busting up her things earlier before she left, with Cadance saying that Flurry was doing it almost all the time. Higgs continued to speak, noting the alicorn’s silent reaction. “You took Flurry Heart into your school, hoping that you could teach her to be responsible with her powers. But it was all for nothing. Flurry Heart became obsessed with her magic. She began thinking that she was the one true ruler of not just Equestria, but the entire world. Anypony that dared to stand in her way was annihilated.” “D-Didn’t Shining and Cadance try to stop her?” “At first, they refused to believe that their precious little filly could be so corrupted so easily. But when Flurry Heart decided to otherthrow her parents, they just couldn’t bring themselves to harm her. After taking over the entire Crystal Empire, every city, town, and kingdom fell like dominos. Yakyakistan, Las Pegasus, Cloudsdale, Canterlot, and eventually Ponyville followed. Even the combined might of Celestia and Luna was not enough. I watched in horror as Baltimare burned. My parents lived there. I tried to save them, but nopony else got out alive...” Higgs then broke down and began to cry, falling roughly to the ground. Twilight walked over and gently placed her hoof on his back to rub it. “Higgs, I’m very sorry. But I need to know all that will happen. How did you get to the past?” Higgs wiped the tears away and looked up at Twilight. “Eventually, you became the only other Alicorn left. You and what other ponies remained teamed up the dragon and griffon kingdoms to form a resistance. But Flurry Heart’s power continues to grow. We have been pushed to our absolute limit. That’s when you had the idea. Using Starswirl The Bearded’s time travel spell, you proposed that somepony be sent back while Flurry Heart was very young and destroy her before she could ever have a chance to come to power.” “Why didn’t I just send myself? Why did you come instead?” “Two reasons. One, you were afraid that meeting your past self would cause a temporal paradox. Two, the resistance still needs a leader. I volunteered to be returned to the past because of all that Flurry has taken from me.” Twilight have Higgs a skeptical look. “Your story is fantastic, but how do I know you’re not just lying to me?” Higgs stood up. “Read my mind. See all of my memories. Then, you will realise that I’m telling the truth.” Higgs then proceeded to light up his horn and touched it to Twilight’s. Twilight’s eyes started glowing white as she saw into Higgs’s mind. Author's Note A big thanks to deadpansparkler for his editing.
Chapter 4Twilight could not believe what she saw. From the point of view of a young Higgs-Boson, Twilight witnessed the destruction of Baltimare. The city was a sea of fire as an adult Flurry Heart hovered above it. Flurry Heart laughed menacingly as she rained down magical blasts from her horn. Buildings exploded as the magic touched them, sending ponies fleeing for their lives. Twilight’s view was then shifted to Higgs-Boson’s parents. She watched as they held a young Higgs-Boson by the hoof and ran from the burning city towards the harbor where rescue ships were waiting. Ponies scrambled up the ramps and onto the ships which were becoming overcrowded. Many ponies were shoved over the side of the ramps in the ensuing panic and into the dark waters below. By the time Higgs-Boson and his parents made their way up the ramp towards one of the ships, they were stopped by a royal guard. “I’m sorry, but there is only enough room for one more.” The guard said. Higgs-Boson’s parents looked at each other. They knew the sacrifice that they had to make. Higgs-Boson’s mother held him up before the royal guard. “Please, take my colt!.” Twilight watched through Higgs-Boson’s eyes as he was given over to the royal guard. She could hear Higgs-Boson as he cried out for his parents. The last image that Twilight saw was the ship moving away from the dock, Higgs-Boson’s parents embracing each other as Flurry Heart fired a beam of magic at the dock which caused it to burst into flames. Twilight’s eyes returned to normal as the memory ended. She stepped away from Higgs-Boson as he lowered his head, tears flowing down his cheeks. “That was the last time I ever saw my parents.” Higgs-Boson said. “I wanted to save them so badly, but I was just a young colt. Now do you understand? Flurry Heart must be stopped before it is too late.” “I am sorry for your loss Higgs, but Flurry Heart is just a foal. Perhaps there is still time to teach her to use her powers for good.” Twilight said. A look of anger grew on Higgs-Boson’s face. He stamped his hoof in frustration. “Ugh! I had no idea that you would be so difficult in the past! Can’t you see that Flurry Heart is a time bomb just waiting to go off? Haven’t you noticed the bad behavior she has exhibited?” Twilight stood and thought about the past year. She remembered how Flurry Heart had deliberately ruined the pudding that she was making for Hearth’s Warming which almost destroyed her castle. Twilight also remembered all the trouble Flurry Heart had caused across Ponyville when she was asked to foal sit her. “Listen, Flurry Heart has been a lot of trouble but she is just a foal. Maybe if you come with me and show Cadance and Shining Armor what you’ve shown me. Perhaps they’ll help to change Flurry Heart.” Higgs-Boson shook his head. “They won’t believe me. Not after I tried to destroy their daughter and escaped from prison. Besides, they’re already blinded by their daughter’s cuteness. They see her as a sweet little angel instead of the monster that she is slowly becoming.” Twilight didn’t know what to do. On the one hoof Flurry Heart was her niece, and she loved her with all of her heart. On the other hoof however Twilight had seen the future that Higgs-Boson hailed from, and the destruction that Flurry Heart was going to cause. “Listen to me Higgs. Perhaps there is still time to set Flurry Heart on the right path. Just give me time to work with Flurry Heart before she gets too old and grows out of control with her powers.” Twilight pleaded. Higgs-Boson had heard enough. “I’m sorry Twilight, but the future must be saved. In time you will forgive me.” Higgs-Boson then vanished in a flash of bright light. Twilight hurried out of the cave and met up with the other search parties. “Listen up! Princess Flurry Heart is in danger. We must return to the Crystal Empire now!” Twilight used her power to teleport herself and royal guards back to the Crystal Empire. As soon as Twilight and royal guards were back in the Crystal Empire she led them into the royal palace and straight towards Flurry Heart’s room. “I hope that I’m not too late.” Twilight thought to herself. Twilight burst open the door to Flurry Heart’s room. She was relieved to see Flurry Heart playing with Cadance and Shining Armor. “Twilight what’s wrong?” Cadance asked. “Were you able to find the assassin?” Twilight let out a deep sigh. “I did. It’s just that.” Twilight paused and bit her lower lip. “What is it Twily?” Asked Shining Armor. Twilight told Shining Armor and Cadance everything that she knew. From Higgs-Boson being sent back in time by her from the future to Flurry Heart growing up to destroy Equestria. Shining Armor shook his head in disbelief. “No. Flurry Heart would never do that.” Twilight placed a hoof on Shining Armor’s shoulder. “Shining, Higgs showed me his memories. I saw an adult Flurry Heart destroying Baltimare as ponies fled for their lives.” “Lies!” Shining Armor shouted as he smacked away Twilight’s hoof. “Those were fake memories that he showed you in order to turn you against us!” Twilight was becoming frustrated. “Well, false or not, Higgs-Boson is still out there and he is determined to get Flurry Heart.” Flurry Heart was playing with her toy snail whammy when suddenly she was trapped in a magic bubble. Flurry Heart pounded against the bubble as it floated her up into the air. Cadence tried to grab the bubble, but was knocked to the ground by an electric shock when she touched it. There was a flash of light and Higgs-Boson appeared in the room. “You fiend! Give me back my daughter!” Cadance shouted. “No! The future will be saved!” Higgs-Boson shouted. Shining Armor charged at Higgs-Boson, but before Shining could reach him Higgs-Boson teleported away, taking Flurry Heart with him. “Flurry Heart!” Cadance called out with tears in her eyes.
