Back to Equestria

        Marty McFly plucked at the strings of his guitar, frowning. “No, that’s not right.”

        He placed his fingers in another configuration on the fretboard, giving the curved instrument a light strum.

        “That’s better.”

        Marty was lying in the grass, by the entrance to the large gardens of Canterlot. Spike had departed into the rows of hedges not but ten minutes ago, and the human had taken to practicing on his new instrument. He noted with a frown that it was a bit banged up.

Probably due to me falling on it so much, he thought. Friggin Princess.

        As Marty recalled his meeting with the princess, he remembered his new curious ability.

        He concentrated on a rock, located in front of him. Reaching out his hand, he remembered the… peculiar way of moving things with magic.

        The stone lit up with a sparkling dark-blue glow. Slowly, it rose into the air.

        Marty grimaced. He flicked his hand to the left.

        The stone shot out of the glowing aura, flying leftwards, over a row of hedges. Marty watched it fly with a bemused expression. I’m never going to get used to that.

        “I’m sorry I ran off, Daddy.”

        Voices, coming from the interior of the garden. They seemed to be getting closer, so Marty ducked into a nearby bush.

        Two unicorns strolled towards the exit, an older stallion and a little filly. The filly Marty recognized as a young Twilight Sparkle. “I was just thinking, I didn’t realize I was gone so late.” Her voice was young, but the human could still recognize it.

        “I understand, Twilight, but you’re still grounded for two weeks.” Mr. Sparkle said sternly. The little filly grumbled, but said nothing.

        After they passed, Marty warily stuck his head out from the bushes. He watched the pair depart, before turning to face the garden again. Spike slowly trotted down the path, dazed. “Spike, dude, you do it?”

        Spike cantered forward, stopping at Marty’s feet. He blinked. “Wha…?”

        “Did you get Twilight to go to the school?”

        “Oh! Uh, yeah. Wasn’t that hard, actually.”

        Surprised, Marty stepped out of the bush. “That’s good. How’d you manage it?”

        Spike blushed. Profusely. Marty stifled back a laugh at the sheer level of redness dominating the pegasus’ face. “It wasn’t that hard, I just, uh, talked to her.”

        “Uh-huh. Talked to her.”

        “Yes! I just talked to her.” Spike said defensively. “She promised me she’d go to the test.”

        Marty snorted. “Is that all she promised you?”

        Fuming, Spike walked angrily towards the garden exit. Marty followed, guffawing as he plucked a tune on his guitar.

        In Ponyville, three earth ponies stood in the middle of the street.

        Applejack looked at Pinkie Pie inquisitively. “Super-whatnow?”

        Pinkie giggled. “super-duper Pinkie-Pie’s very-special Wake-Up Juice! It’s a super-special concoction that I use as a pick-me-up for party patrons who are not feeling so good.” She inexplicably whipped out a large bottle, filled with a dark amber liquid.

        Lil Mac stared. “Where’d ya get that?”

        “I keep alcohol stashed all over time and space, in case of an alcohol emergency!”

        Applejack shook her head. “Pinkie, you are crazy. So what’s it supposed t’do?”

        “Weeellll, it’s supposed to keep me up to Pinkie-standards when I’m hammered-“

        Applejack raised an eyebrow. Macintosh glared intently at his hooves.

        “-buuut it’ll help little Mackie here to get his ‘energy’ up!” She waved the bottle at Macintosh’s face, grinning.

        Lil Mac looked worried. “H-how much would Ah need? What’s it taste like?”

        “Just a shot, silly filly!”

        “What’s a shot?”

        Pinkie’s eyes widened. “Weeellllll…”

        “Pinkie!” Applejack glared at her pink friend. “He’s a colt, remember.”

        Pinkie deflated a bit. “Aww, fine. He’ll just have a few.”

        “Pinkie!”

        “Oh come on, Applejack! Don’t you wanna help your little-wittle brother defeat that big mean nasty-pants Filthy?”

        Macintosh’s eyes widened. Applejack? Brother?!?! Thankfully, neither mare noticed his stunned reaction.

        “Y’can’t just go n give little colts alcohol!”

        “One little sip of it isn’t gonna kill him! It’ll really really help, I swear.”

        Applejack begrudgingly conceded. “Fine. But only once!”

        Pinkie Pie squealed with delight then shoved the bottle into Lil Mac’s mouth. He gulped down a single portion of the liquid before she removed it again.

        “Pinkie!” Applejack growled. “What did Ah just say?”

        "You said one shot!"

        "Exactly! Why in tarnation are ya given him one now?!"

        Pinkie began smiling again. "Oh, that. We have to give him one now, or else he won't be awake for the showdown!"

        Macintosh promptly keeled over onto the dirt, and began snoring loudly. Applejack started, but Pinkie just started giggling.

        “Pinkie!” AJ snapped. “This ain’t funny!”

        “Hee-hee! Snkt!” Pinkie Pie struggled to speak over her own laughter. “Yes it is! He’s so bucking cuuuuuute!” She rolled on her back, laughing louder.

        Applejack looked at her small brother worriedly. “How long’s he gonna be out?”

        “Just long enough! He’ll be fine, Applejack. Trust me.” Pinkie broke into her biggest smile.

        “A-alright, Pinkie Pie. Ah trust you. An if you say this is gonna help his chances, well Ah don’t doubt ya.”

        “Thanks Applejack!” Pinkie wrapped her friend in a massive hug.

        Composing herself, Applejack said “Now Pinkie, we gotta find Rainbow, too. D’ya know where she might’ve gotten to?”

        Pinkie Pie rubbed her chin. “Wellll, last I saw, she hopped out of Marty’s time machine and made a beeline for Cloudsdale. I dunno if that helps?”

        Applejack groaned. “No, that’s great Pinkie. We just gotta find Rainbow Dash an split as fast as we can.”

        “Why?”

        The orange mare shrugged. “Ah dunno. Ah just know it’s really really really really really bad.”

        “Really bad, or...” Pinkie threw her hooves into the air. “...Paradoximagical!”

        AJ shook her head. “Bad, Pinkie. Come on, let’s get Mac outta the road.” Pinkie helped Applejack fit the sleeping colt onto her back, and they began walking down the street.

        “Granny’s gonna kill me if she find out Ah got Macintosh drunk.”

        “Silly Applejack. He’s not drunk.”

        “But-“

        “Trust me he’s not drunk.”

“Eight days a week...”

“Shove it, Marty.”

        “I looooooove you.”

“Come on, man.”

“Eight days a week...”

“Seriously, dude, that’s not funny!”

“Is not enough to show I care!”

“People are staring at you stop playing your damn guitar!”

        Marty and Spike were walking the streets of Canterlot, headed back towards the palace. As they entered the palace grounds, Spike the Pegasus finally snapped his head around to the human. “This isn’t funny!”

        “Come on, Spike, you gotta admit it’s a little funny!”

        “I never should have told you. Please stop.”

        Marty put his hands in the air, conceding. “Alright, I’ll stop. I more just wanted to finish the song than bug you.”

        “People were staring at you.” Spike huffed. “Why did I have to lose my fingers, and the alien didn’t?”

        Shrugging, Marty said “I don’t know. I guess dragons are taboo here or something? Anyway I feel like I dodged a bullet on that one.”

        “Totally. Walking on four legs is fine, but I can’t hold anything and walk at the same time! It sucks.”

        The pair finally reached the wing of the palace where they had crashed. The glass had been cleared away, and the DeLorean was positioned in front of the open window, ready for takeoff.

        “Man, your princess sure does know how to do a job.” Marty complemented.

        Spike shrugged. “Yeah, I guess. She was always very thorough with everyth-“ He was interrupted by a loud belch.

        A twisting green flame flew from the purple pegasus’ mouth, and collapsed into a scroll, which hovered in front of Marty expectantly. He hesitantly reached out to touch it, and it fell into his hand. He unrolled it and read aloud.

Marty McFly-

I have repaired and positioned the time machine in front of the window in what I assume is the correct position based off of my observations. I have also filled the gas tank with gasoline based off of my observations and added organic matter to Mr. Fusion based off of my observations. Please reach the required speed (which I assume you need based off of my observations) outside of the Canterlot city limits where nopony can see you. I have included the optimal discreet flight plans and included them in this letter.

-Princess Celestia of Equestria

Marty frowned. “Those are... some pretty accurate observations.”

        “The Princess is something like ten thousand years old,” Spike offered. “If she’s anything like Twilight, she could probably make some good guesses just by looking it over.” Spike beamed. “but more importantly, I can still breathe fire!” He let out a loose jet of orange flame, cackling.

        Marty shrugged. “Yeah, I guess-“

        “Halt!”

        Spike and Marty whipped their heads around towards the entrance. Standing there was a teenage unicorn, with a white coat and a blue mane. “I’m placing you under charges of foalnapping and breaking and entering!”

        “You again!” Marty slapped a hand to his forehead. “You’re that guard from the future! What is it you have against me?”

        “Stop your jibberish, monster!” Shining Armor growled. “Hand over the colt and step away from the device!”

        “Spike, get in the car.” Marty made to move towards the DeLorean, with Spike following.

        “Oh no you don’t!” Shining magically grabbed Spike, a purple glow covering his horn. Spike rose into the air.

        “Woah, hey! Put me down!” He looked at Marty. “Help!”

        Grimacing, Marty stepped forward and reached out his hand. The purple glow around Spike was suddenly invaded by a dark blue one, and he began to drift back towards the human.

        Shining Armor’s eyes widened, but he merely ground his hoof into the floor and concentrated. The two colors around the small pegasus pushed each other back and forth, and he was pushed back and forth across the room.

        Sweat began to form on both of the magic user’s faces. “Oh, fuck this!” Marty let go of Spike, and he flew across the room towards the unicorn.

        “Haha!” Shining gloated, “It seems the stronger will triumphs, monster!”

        The young unicorn was interrupted by a swift gryphon instrument to the head. He fell over, groaning.

        Marty once again slung the guitar onto his back and grabbed Spike’s hoof, dashing towards the car. Before Shining Armor could recompose himself, They jumped into the DeLorean and, after a moment, rose into the air.

        They swiftly flew out of the window and into the open air above the mountain city. Spike sat in the passenger seat, and let out a long sigh. “Whew, that was close.”

        “Tell me about it. Who the hell was that guy?”

        “That was Shining Armor, future Captain of the Guard.”

        “You know him?”

        “Yeah I do! He’s a cool guy.”

        Marty gave Spike a bewildered look. Spike rolled his eyes. “He’s Twilight’s brother.”

        “What, really?”

        “Yeah. His wedding was just a few weeks ago. There was a hostile invasion, it was kind of a big deal.”

        Marty merely shook his head. “Well, whatever. Let’s go find the others. Do you know where they could have gone?”

        Spike scratched his head with his hoof, but quickly stopped when he realized how stupid that looked. “Hmm, I dunno, but we were walking all over Canterlot all day. They’re definitely not there.”

        “So, where else?”

        Spike shrugged. “Ponyville?”

        "I guess it's a start. Here, you read this while I'm driving." Marty passed Celestia's letter to the purple pegasus. He looked it over again.

        "Snkrt!" Spike chuckled. "Nice name, Marty McFly. Jeez, that's hilarious."

        "Why is my name funny?" Marty asked defensively. "That's a proud Irish name!"

        "Yeah, but just imagine if you could fly instead of do magic," Spike laughed. "Oh man, that is a perfect pegasus name."

        "Meh, I think-" Marty stopped, a curious look overcoming his face. “Hang on. Spike, did you not know my last name before now?”

        Spike shook his head. “Nah, not really. I’ve heard it in passing, I think.”

        “Yeah...” Marty agreed, “You heard Celestia say it.”

        “That’s right.” Spike blinked. “Wait, what? Did you tell her your name?”

        “Nope.”

        The two time travelers didn’t speak for a while, exchanging odd looks.

        “...So, Ponyville?”

        “Ponyville! Let’s do that.”

        “Right-O.”

        The Sandlot.

        A tiny plot of flat dirt and sand, squished between some of the taller buildings in Ponyville. It may have been reserved for a building, but the fence had long been boarded up, and the Sandlot had been forgotten by the people of the town, it’s ownership deep in the town archives.

        However, it was not entirely forgotten. For what big ponies forget, the young ponies create.

        Applejack watched with amazement at the massive stampede of colts and fillies that piled into the Sandlot. They stood, calm and collected, on the fringes of the open lot, leaving a wide berth in the center.

This... This is freaky, Applejack thought. Ah don’t recall little ponies being this... tribal.

She remembered the Sandlot, of course. It was an integral part of her childhood as much as it was for the rest of the town. As she had grown, however, it had been lost to the back of her mind, and along with it, the intense world of children’s peer pressure.

        Pinkie Pie was handing out cupcakes. Way to ruin the deep philosophical moment, Pinkie.

        Macintosh was still out cold upon Applejack’s back. The sun was rapidly approaching the horizon, and Fiff was due any moment.

Come on, Macintosh. Applejack worried. Ah should never have messed with the past! It kin only lead to trouble.

Inexplicably, a hush fell over the large crowd of colts and fillies. The throng parted to reveal Fiff, slowly walking into the Sandlot.

        “Heh heh,” Fiff laughed. “It looks like McTosh can’t miss his bedtime, hey Apple?”

        “You shut it, boy.” Applejack growled. “He’ll wake up, and you kin all finish this barbaric business.”

        “Ho-ho! The cousin thinks to know how we work.” Fiff smirked, slowly trotting around the circle.

        “Ah-Ah was a kid, once. Ain’t nothing’s changed.” You kin say that again.

        “Then deposit him on the ground. If he doesn’t wake in time, he forfeits.”

        Applejack grimaced, but said nothing. She gently placed the young Macintosh upon the dirt, and Fiff took his place across from him.

        The sun was rapidly approaching the horizon. AJ glanced nervously at Lil Mac, then at Pinkie Pie.

        Pinkie Pie was still grinning, absolutely sure that everything would be fine. Ever the optimist, Applejack thought.

        The sun dipped below the horizon. The sky took on an incredible shade of orange, illuminating the sky.

        For a moment, nothing happened.

        Then, Macintosh’s eyes snapped open.

        “AAAAAOOOOOUGHGH!!!”

He darted to his hooves and leapt towards a nearby water trough. Throwing his head in it, he swished back and forth, drinking the water.

        Applejack snickered at the confused look on Fiff’s face. Macintosh pulled his head out of the trough, his face dripping wet, and turned to face the older stallion.

        The young colt did something very unnerving. He broke into a massive, wicked grin.

        “Eeyup.”

Ah can’t right say what I’m thinking, Macintosh thought, but Ah sure do say that Ah like it.

Ah feel... different. Maybe not better, but definitely... different.

        Mac sauntered towards Fiff, his expression unwavering. Different enough to do something Ah shouldn’t.

Heh... different enough to do something Ah should’ve.

        Fiff took a step back. Mac’s grin grew wider, and he started galloping towards his opponent, his head tilted down.

        Fiff glanced around at his fellows, nervously, then shakily pawed the ground, and began galloping as well. The two colts barreled towards each other, and collided in the center of the Sandlot.

        Fiff keeled, falling backwards onto the ground. Macintosh, barely fazed, pranced around the clearing, his uncharacteristically wicked expression still gracing his face.

        The older colt stumbled to his hooves, more afraid now of the challenge before him. He shook his head, as if to clear it, and barreled towards Lil Mac, raising a hoof.

        “Aaaaaaa-!”

        Still grinning, Macintosh cocked an eyebrow. He easily sidestepped Fiff’s blow, and responded with a hook of his own. He immediately made contact with Fiff’s jaw, and he once again went sprawling into the dirt.

        Applejack watched, stunned. She turned to Pinkie Pie. “What’d you say this stuff does again?”

        Pinkie waved a hoof, as if it were nothing. “Oh, it just gives anypony a little shift in perspective. A Pinkie perspective! I hear it’s quite the ride.”

        “So, yer telling me, that that-“ she gestured a hoof towards her insane older/younger brother, “-is just Big Mac, if he happened to be as crazy as you?”

        “Yep!”

        Applejack turned towards the fight again. “Well, That’s just horrifyin.”

        Macintosh and Fiff were circling each other, preparing to fight again. Fiff looked awful, a bloody lip and frazzled mane obscuring his features. Lil Mac, on the other hoof, had a single bruise on his face. He was still sporting an evil smile.

        Applejack shook her head. “Horrifyin.”

        Without warning, Mac stood up straight. Fiff took a single step back, on instinct.

        Macintosh performed a sweeping bow, closing his eyes and keeping his head low.

        After a moment’s hesitation, Fiff’s face grew cocky, as he boldly stepped forward. “Oh, what is this? the great McTosh is conceding? Perish the thought!”

        Fiff did not notice, as all else did, that in his bowed face, Macintosh had opened his eyes, and his horrifying smile had never left.

        The older colt stepped closer. “Looks like you’ll never be able to leave your precious. Little. Farm. Aga-“

        Mac abruptly stood up again, bringing a single hoof to the underside of Filthy’s face. Fiff was knocked onto his back, and lay there, moaning horribly.

        Macintosh stood before his downed opponent, watching him struggle to his hooves. “Ya know, Fiff,” he said, his voice hauntingly criminal, “Ah wasn’t the one who thought this here brawl was a good idea.”

        Mac pressed a hoof to Fiff’s chest, and the older colt let out a small moan. “But you know what, Filthy?” the younger colt laced his words with venom, pride, and a terrifying calm. “I think I’m enjoying this.”

        Fiff whimpered.

        Then a rock hurled out of the crowd and hit Macintosh on the head.

        Applejack’s jaw dropped as the rock struck Macintosh’s head. “Hay!” she shouted. “Who’s throwin rocks?!”

        Her shouts were accompanied by a round of ‘boo’s from the crowd of young ponies. Though the light had already dimmed after the sunset, Applejack could make out the offending colt, who was pushed out of the crowd and into the opening.

        It was another young stallion, an earth pony whom Applejack recognized from Fiff’s group of friends, was rushed out of the exit. All heads returned to the battle, where a previously-unbalanced scale was now tipped in a new direction.

        Filthy Rich slowly got to his hooves. Across from him, Lil Mac lay on the ground, his head with his hooves. The red colt looked a lot smaller than he had a moment ago.

        There was blood on his head.

        Fiff cantered over him, a mixture of relief and sneer upon his face. “Not so mighty now, are ya, twerp?”

        The older colt gave a swift kick between Mac’s legs. Mac groaned, and the entire audience cringed, but nopony made a move.

        Fiff trotted around Macintosh. “Oh, I thought this was going to be an easy fight, McTosh. I really did.” Another kick, this time right in the rib cage. Macintosh let out another painful grunt.

        Applejack leaned over to Pinkie. “Why isn’t anypony doin nothin?” she whispered.

        “I dunno, AJ! But I think it would be a really really really bad idea to interfere.”

Fiff continued with his rant. “But then, you little piece of slime, then you showed up with some confidence! Some pazazz! You nearly handed my flank to me, I will admit.” This time, the kick was placed directly at the base of Mac’s spine, accompanied by a sickening crunch.

        “But look who’s victorious!” Fiff boasted. “You think you can hope to match me, you’re wrong. I’m the big pony around here-”

        -another kick landed with a solid thunk-

        “-You-“

        -THUNK-

“-Are sorely-“

-THUNK-

“Mistaken!”

        Fiff raised his hooves high into the air, preparing to bring them down on Macintosh’s head.

        Applejack reached out a hoof. “No!”

Suddenly, every pony in the crowd was blinded by a bright white light, and pushed back by a massive gust of air.

        Applejack squeezed her eyes shut. What in tarnation-?

She managed to squeeze her eyes open and look up. There, highlighted against the dark night sky, was the DeLorean, headlights blazing, blasting air into the pavilion.

        Applejack glanced down. Lil Mac was okay, still lying on the ground. Fiff had fallen away from him, covering his eyes and whimpering.

        “Applejack!”

Marty had opened the driver’s side door, sticking his head out of the flying vehicle. His hair was whipping in all directions, and he was yelling over the commotion. “Come on, get in!”

“Ah have to get Macintosh!”

Marty grimaced. “Fine! Just hurry up!”

Applejack darted to her brother and carefully slung him over her shoulders. The crowd of ponies was herding out of the Sandlot, paying little mind to her or Macintosh.

        She slugged back to the hovering time machine, which had lowered to a few scant feet off of the ground. Applejack heaved Macintosh up to Marty, who grabbed his yoke and pulled him in to the alien vehicle.

        Pinkie hopped in from the opposite side. Applejack reached out and was pulled inside by an unfamiliar pair of hooves. Finally out of the commotion outside, she saw it was a young purple pegasus.

        Marty reached out and pulled the gull-wing door shut. “Okay, Let’s cut down this commotion.” He deposited himself behind the wheel and flicked a switch behind it, pulling on the stick in the center with his other hand.

        The blaring wind outside ceased, and the lights dimmed considerably. Much more silent, Marty guided the car upwards, and flew off into the night.

        Applejack deposited Macintosh in the passenger chair, and then slumped backwards in the back seat. “Th-thanks for the save, Marty.”

        Macintosh passed out completely on the fabric chair, his head colliding with the fabric. As he did so, a small metal object fell out of his yoke, and landed on the car floor with a soft thud. No one noticed.

        The human chuckled. “Don’t mention it. You guys looked like you needed some help. Especially the kid.” He tilted his head towards the sleeping stallion. “Who’s he?”

        “Well, he’s mah older brother. Er, younger brother.” Marty glared at her. She gave him a sheepish smile. “He don’t know nothin! He thinks Ah’m his distant relative, Braeburn.”

        Applejack glanced at the purple pegasus colt, sitting beside her. “Ah could ask you the same question. Who is he?”

        The pegasus rolled his eyes. “I’m hurt, Applejack. You don’t recognize me?”

        Applejack frowned. “Hmm... Yer voice rings a bell, but Ah can’t seem t’place ya. Sorry, kiddo.”

        The colt chuckled, then blew a small ball of fire at her face.

        Applejack jumped back, but the bright flame died almost as quickly as it had come. She stared in amazement as the colt laughed, clutching his sides. “O-o-oh man, AJ, you shoulda seen the look on your face. Priceless!”

        “S-Spike?”

        Spike grinned. “The one and only.”

        “B-but-“

        Spike interrupted her, waving a hoof. “Princess Celestia. She’s in on the whole time travel deal, apparently.”

        Applejack nodded slowly, then smiled. “Awww, yer a cute little colt, ain’t ya Spike?” She reached out and pinched his cheeks.

        “Hey, quit it!”

        “But yer just so cutsey-wootsey!”

        Pinkie Pie laughed and joined in on tormenting the poor dragon-pony. Spike covered his face with his hooves, sinking to the floor.

        Marty chuckled. “Alright. That was one helluva pickle we found you in, girls. What even was that? It looked like a fistfight.” He scratched his chin. “Er, hooffght.”

        “That’s exactly what it was!” Pinkie exclaimed. “Macintosh was fighting for his honor and liberty or something and such. And he was winning! Till some meanie threw a rock.”

        “I guess it’s a good thing we came in, then. It looked like that brown kid was about to commit murder.”

        Applejack growled. “That was Filthy Rich, the town bully. He’d been giving Mac here the run o’the mill for a coon’s age, an this here was the culmination.”

        “Yeah, stupid Fiff!” Pinkie waned. “He deserved every bit of that!”

        Marty blinked, turning towards the pink pony. “Wait, what did you say his name was?”

        “Fiff!”

        Shaking his head, Marty returned to the wheel. “Huh.” He shrugged. “Well, I’m pretty sure I saw him crap himself as we swooped in, so I bet he won’t want to remind people of this little encounter.”

        The entire car burst into a round of laughter, Spike especially. “Hah! I’ve never heard of this ‘Fiff’ guy.”

        “Silly Spikey Wikey,” Pinkie chimed in, “Fiff is Filthy Rich, diamond Tiara’s father!”

        Spike frowned. “But I’ve met him! He’s a nice dude!”

        Marty laughed. “Oh, trust me, a few years and a little discipline can make a saint out of satan.”

        “Don’t mean Ah’m not waitin t’hear him call Mac ‘Sir Macintosh’ when Ah get home!” Applejack laughed.

        Smiling, Marty gestured at the sleeping red colt. “Speaking of which, where am I supposed to drop this little guy? We better do it before he wakes up.”

        Applejack gave Macintosh a concerned smile. “Ah reckon we kin drop him at Sweet Apple Acres. We kin probably set oursleves up in the barn fer the night, too.”

        “Woah woah woah!” Marty exclaimed. “We gotta find Rainbow Dash and get this thing over with as fast as possible.”

        Applejack raised an eyebrow. “Sugarcube, Ah don’t know about you aliens, but Ah’m plum tired, an Ah don’t get tired real easy. Pinkie Pie... Well, Ah’ve known her long enough to tell when she’s slowin down a bit, even if it seems impossible.”

        She gestured a hoof at Spike. “An Spike! He shoulda been in bed hours ago, what with his changin species an all.”

        Applejack gave Marty a serious look. “Now, Ah want to find Rainbow as much as you do, but believe me when Ah say, it kin wait till mornin.”

        Marty hesitated a moment, then let out an exasperated sigh. “Fine. But only because none of you are in danger of fading from existence! We need to leave as soon as we can, do you understand?”

I may have put a bit too much emphasis on that one, Marty mused. Every conscious occupant of the car looked at him with wide eyes and nodded. But I can hardly say I shouldn’t have.

Marty nodded back. “Okay, we’ll stay in the barn for the night. You think you can find your farm from above?

        Applejack thought about it for a moment, then nodded.

        “Good. Maybe we’ll come out of this without any hitches, eh?”

        There was a simultaneous agreement. The ragtag group  of time travelers flew silently through the night, exhausted from their adventures.

        Rainbow Dash rested atop a house in Cloudsdale, preparing to get some much-needed sleep.

        She had been tracking her target for six hours, but had yet to find what she was looking for. She was nothing if not dedicated, however. How often did a pony get a chance to travel through time?

        No, she would find the evidence she needed to put her conscious at ease. She had to. She would stalk this child all week, if it meant getting the truth.

        Rainbow Dash quickly drifted into a dreamless sleep, blissfully unaware of a young set of eyes, watching her.