Echoed Time

by Chezmonkey

Rating: teen
Tags: Main 6, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Sad, Original Character
Length: 6060

Echoed Beat is a simple watchmaker from Canterlot. When his unexpected death throws the Mane Six into a time loop, they would do anything just to stop it. For the sake of their own sanity, if nothing else.

Echoed Beat is a simple watchmaker from Canterlot. On a business trip to Ponyville to sell his wares, he would never expect to meet any of the heroic mares known as the Elements of Harmony. In fact, he'd never met any of them in his life, and never had any real plans to.

When he arrives in Ponyville, however, he discovers that the Mane Six appear to already know everything about him. His past, his craft, what he carried in his cart and what he carries on his soul.

Echoed Beat never expected to be friends with the Elements of Harmony.
He certainly didn't expect them to be crying at his funeral.

The Elements of Harmony have a problem.
In the past they'd saved thousands of lives without breaking a sweat.
Why, then, can't they save a single stallion?

And worse, why does the same day keep repeating itself?
Why must they watch him die?

Published 2017-11-19 20:40:06 UTC
Last updated 2017-11-20 23:52:40 UTC

Twilight's Watch

Tuesday, May 22nd

They gathered at the break of dawn, as they always would. Six mares and a purple-scaled dragon, looking over the town as the sun slowly began to rise into the air. Fluttershy brought breakfast, Rarity the blanket, and Applejack the cider.

Rainbow Dash cleared away the faintest hint of morning weather, and Pinkie pulled out her emergency stash of cutlery and plates.

Twilight and Spike moved to the top of the hill they had gathered upon, and took a seat in a spot that overlooked the road into town. Twilight even pulled a pair of binoculars out of her saddlebags, passing them to Spike as she stared towards the edge of the road as it curved over the horizon.

Behind them, the mares began to eat and make soft, idle chatter. Today was Twilight’s turn to stand vigil, and Spike had decided to keep her company, as always. As the sun crept higher and higher into the morning sky, Spike gently tapped Twilight’s side and pointed.

A stallion was making his way along the winding road to Ponyville, pulling a cart full of goods behind as he crossed by the border sign pointing to the town proper. Silently, Twilight and Spike stood. They made their way back to the group together, even as they finished eating and began to pack away their supplies.

Twilight trotted up next to Rarity as she folded the blanket in her magic, and sighed. “He’s on his way into the marketplace now. If everything goes according to schedule, he’ll have his stall set up in five minutes or so.”

Rarity nodded, stuffing the blanket into her saddlebags somewhat roughly. “Good luck today, darling. Just let one of us know if we’re needed; you know where to find us.” The mare turned, trotting back towards her boutique down the hill. She still had to prepare to open for business today.

The rest of the group finished cleaning up and passed by Twilight, patting her on the back or giving a nod of pity and understanding as they made their way back to their respective homes. Applejack was last, stopping next to Twilight as the mare stared at the ground in deep thought.

“It’ll be mah turn tomorrow, hun. Who knows, maybe today’ll be the day?” The false cheer in her voice was sharp and brittle, like the edges of a smashed pane of glass. The two stood there for a moment, awkward silence settling in with a comforting familiarity.

Finally, Twilight spoke. “Y-yeah, maybe it will be today.” She raised her head, looking in the direction of Ponyville’s market and struggling to put a determined look on her face. “I’ve still got a few ideas to try out, a-and I’m sure Spike can…”

She trailed off, fighting to keep the sorrow from her voice and the tears from falling. Faintly, she whispered “It’s so hard, Applejack. It’s always so hard.” Rubbing her snout, Twilight cleared away the faint wisps of her tears and began to trot away, Spike settling in a pace behind her.

Applejack watched them go, rubbing her fetlock as her face remained stony. Once they had disappeared from sight, she too began the hike back to her home as she whispered beneath her breath.

“Ah know Twilight. We all do…”

Spike and Twilight entered the market, seeing the various merchants opening their stalls and unloading their wares into nearby stands and bins. Twilight waved to Roseluck and the flower mares as their stall passed by, stepping slightly to the right to avoid another impatient early-morning shopper.

Spike ducked as a frisbee flew over his head, a couple of foals chasing it and laughing with the joy of youth. As they passed a baker’s stall he quickly dashed to the side, setting two bits on the counter and pointing wordlessly to a pair of warm fritters.

The salespony smiled, wrapping the fritters in a cloth napkin and handing it over to the young dragon. “Well good morning Spike! You and Twilight sure are out early today!”

Spike grumbled, grabbing the bundle and turning away. The salespony frowned, then shrugged. Perhaps the studious pair had been up late doing research in the castle’s library, or performing some strange magical experiment in the so-called ‘Friendship Dungeon’.

As Spike returned to Twilight’s side, he held up a fritter and waited until she distractedly grabbed it in her magic field. She was staring across the marketplace, looking at a newcomer to the town as he began to set up his temporary stand, fabric and wooden poles quickly erecting a workable awning against the side of his cart.

They began to near the stallion, and Twilight devoured the warm fritter in a few bites. It was blueberry, of course, and she paused to enjoy the taste. Spike did his best to grab something different each time they made this voyage, but the marketplace only had so many options at this time of day.

She had memorized them all, after so long.

The stallion finally noticed them as they journeyed closer, perking up and giving them an inviting wave over to his wares. “Well, hello there, Princess! This must be Sir Spike, huh?” The stallion gestured at Spike, grinning wide and giving a quick bow.

“I am Echoed Beat, a humble watchmaker from dear Canterlot. But please, call me Echo. Have you come to peruse my wares?” He stepped back, allowing Twilight and Spike full view of the many assorted timepieces and pocket watches on display beneath the awning. There were silver watches, gold hoofbands, even decorative watches set into delicate fans or brass gadgetry.

Twilight looked down, eyes trailing blankly over the different assorted pieces. Her hoof snapped out at random, winding up pointing to an elegant silver pocket watch on a fine gold chain. “I will take that one, please.”

Echo smiled, deftly snapping up the indicated item and setting it within a velvet-lined case. “An excellent choice, Princess Twilight. For a mare of your standing, I would be delighted to part with this particular piece for onl-“

A resounding crash sounded behind the group as they jumped in surprise. A hint of excitement flared in Twilight’s eyes as she turned to see that the baker’s stall had collapsed, spilling pastries all over the market square. She turned and gave Spike an inquisitive look, and he whistled innocently in response.

Echo turned back to the pair, slightly shaken. “Ah, my apologies. Where was I? Oh yes, price. I could part with this piece for no less than… twenty bits.” He smiled expectantly at Twilight, knowing the price he’d named was almost three times what a similar watch might cost.

To his surprise, the dull-faced mare appeared to have had new life breathed into her being. She scoffed at the starting price he’d named, a slight shadow of a grin appearing beneath her snout. “Twenty bits? You think to take advantage of a poor, gullible princess with more bits than sense, is that it? I am no fool, Echo. Perhaps for three bits I would consider purchasing this knick-knack.”

Echoed Beat felt a grin begin to stretch across his own face, an unexpected challenger appearing this early was a treat indeed. It appeared they both knew the game, which always made it more fun. He reared back in shock, clasping his chest.

“Three? Three measly bits for this delightful work of art? Are you truly to be a tyrant, to demand such treatment from your loyal subjects? Well madam, I will not stand for it. Call me a rebel, but I could not let you simply take my livelihood for such a price. Perhaps for eighteen bits, certainly, but three? Not a chance.” He grinned, slamming the metaphorical ball back into Twilight’s court.

Spike sat quietly to one side as the two haggled and bargained, idly tossing the bit purse up and down in his claws as he thought about the day ahead. He wasn’t sure if what he’d done would have any real effect on this afternoon, but seeing Twilight smile today had certainly been worth weakening the baker’s stall in the dark of the morning.

The sun crawled overhead as the watchmaker and the princess bickered, slowly working its way towards the peak of the sky.

Twilight looked down into the coffin with tears streaming down her face, anger and sorrow clearly evident. Reaching into her saddlebag, she brought out a familiar velvet case and opened it, taking out a silver pocket watch on a golden chain.

In her anger she just about slammed it down onto the deceased stallion’s chest, letting the coil of golden chain slip from her hoof as she screamed her frustration into the sky above. Behind her, townsponies watched in shock and fright at the way their Princess was behaving. The gently falling rain only seemed to make her yells louder, and more disturbing.

This was a funeral. A some-what hastily done funeral for some unknown visitor to Ponyville it was true, but still. Princess Twilight had only met the gentlecolt this morning when she noticed his temporary spot in the marketplace, as far as anypony knew. She simply shouldn't be showing this much disrespect to the poor fellow.

It wasn't proper.

At the rear of the funeral five mares stood with a purple-scaled dragon and watched Twilight vent her anger at the fact that Echoed Beats had died, cradled in her hooves. She had once again failed to save the stranger from out of town, had once again failed to prevent this loss of life. For the umpteenth time, Echoed Beats ceased to live, passing away on his business trip to Ponyville.

Applejack sighed. “Ah was half-hopin she could do it this time.”

Rainbow Dash nodded, shaking the light drizzle she had arranged for the stallion out of her eyes and mane. “I getcha AJ. I think we all would wish one of us could get it done, y’know? But it’s been practically forever, and we’re still no closer to figurin this bucking crap out.”

AJ nodded, and turned away from the back row of mourners. Twilight was being carried off the stage by a couple of the local police who had dropped by to keep the peace. Spike hurriedly ran towards them, concern evident on his face. The crowd slowly began to disperse as Big Mac and Bulk Biceps began to carry the coffin towards the local cemetery.

The rest of the mane six watched it go, tears mixing with the gentle shower of rain as the watchmaker’s corpse was slowly shuffled down the street. Rainbow Dash rubbed her eyes and tried her best not to sniffle, angrily snarling “It’s just not fair. It’s not fair.”

Nopony responded to her outburst. There was nothing to say.

Tuesday, May 22nd

They gathered at the break of dawn, as they always would. Six mares and a purple-scaled dragon, looking over the town as the sun slowly began to rise into the air. Fluttershy brought breakfast, Rarity the blanket, and Twilight a full box of wine. Rainbow Dash cleared away the faintest hint of morning weather and Pinkie pulled out her emergency stash of cutlery and plates.

Spike and Applejack moved to the top of the hill they had gathered upon, and took a seat in a spot that overlooked the road into town. Spike firmly held a pair of binoculars in his claws as he stared towards the edge of the road, where it curved over the horizon.

As the sun crept higher and higher into the morning sky, Spike wordlessly tapped Applejack’s side and pointed. Echoed Beat was making his way along the winding road to Ponyville, pulling a cart full of various watches as he crossed by the border sign pointing to the town proper. With tears already streaming down her stony face, Applejack stood and pulled Spike to his feet.

Slowly, they walked down the hill to where their friends were waiting.

Echoed Beat continued into the Ponyville Marketplace, unaware of his silent watchers. Perhaps he would finally manage to sell his fine goods here in Ponyville, when nopony would look twice at them in Canterlot. If he was lucky, maybe he would even meet one of the fabled Elements of Harmony, get an autograph or something.

Echoed Beat snorted. Heroes like them would never even look twice at a simple watchmaker.

Why would they care about a stranger like him?

Author's Note

Erk.
I'm... not sure if I want to continue this.
Sad fiction is difficult to write properly, and while I've read the temporal loop concept executed well before it is definitely harder to do yourself.

Well, we'll see what the muse demands. I have another story I'd like to be working on, but then other little ideas keep jumping to the front instead. *sigh*

Oh yeah.
Uh, enjoy...?

Rarity's Watch

Tuesday, May 22nd

Rarity stepped into the Carousel Boutique, peering through the gloom as her hoof fumbled for the lightswitch. Illumination blazed throughout the store as she trotted inside, closing the door behind her.

With a small sigh of relief, she dropped her saddlebags next to the entrance and pulled out the dirty blanket, levitating it over to the basket of clothes-to-be-washed in the hallway behind the counter.

Normally, she would be getting ready for the business day ahead. There were still orders from previous days to be finished, and new designs and swatches of fabric to be carefully placed upon the shelves and displays of the store. She would swap out yesterday's mannequins for those with today's highlighted dresses and when all of that had been done, she would flip the sign on her store to Open.

With practice, of course, she could do all of that within the first 15 minutes past her return from the hill outside Ponyville. The orders waiting to be finished never changed, the new designs had been memorized ages ago and the mannequins would switch with a simple flare of magic.

Rarity glanced at the clock above the counter and sighed, levitating Sweetie Bell's schoolbags free of their hook.

Right on cue, Sweetie dashed out of the kitchen and raced for the door. She was late, of course, and barely noticed Rarity settling her bags over her back as she slammed out into the busy street. Rarity couldn't help but chuckle, all things considered.

Rarity could make the conscious effort to ensure Sweetie wasn't late for school, or arrange it so she wouldn't forget her books if she so chose.

Rarity even knew the correct sequence of events to use to get school cancelled for the day, for a whole garden's variety of reasons. If the others played along, of course. Still, the amount of effort that went into arranging things just so was... tiresome.

They had all agreed it was best to let things play out in the natural fashion, so long as it wasn't involved in trying to fix the problem.

Today, however, she wouldn't be opening the store. It was her turn with the watchmaker, and that meant she had to go and introduce herself to the poor lad. She had only thirteen minutes to freshen up and prepare her latest scheme, so she quickly made her way to her restroom to get ready.

In the hall, she passed by her room and paused. Stepping inside she tiptoed over to her bookshelf and ran a hoof across a few titles, near the very bottom.

A thin layer of dust came off the spines of the books, staining the bottom of her hoof grey. Despite their current condition, they were the only books she had near-memorized by now. A set of 4 assorted fiction novels, with the only similarity being that there were stories related to temporal spells and curses.

Time loops, as it were. Rarity sighed wistfully, before wiping her hoof and turning back towards the restroom.

It was all well and good to write about a person getting stuck repeating the same day over, and over, and over again. It was something else entirely to live it. Besides, only two of the books had endings where the main character escaped their living hell. Of the others, one went slowly insane and retreated within themselves and the other died a somewhat gruesome death.

The stories of escape weren't much help either, as the key to their escape had been in the rules of the loops. As best as Twilight, and therefore the rest of them, could tell their loop was a Stabilized Temporal Circulation Loop, Class Three Retrodynamic Adjustment.

In plain Equish that meant a few specific things, she supposed. Their loop was stable, so everything reset to it's precise condition at the start. The town, the ponies, their own bodies and physical state. Even death wouldn't release them from the loop.

They'd tried.

As she washed her mane, Rarity idly supposed it was lucky they were in a "Class Three Retrodynamic Adjustment" loop. According to Twilight, while that meant they couldn't escape through death or changing their bodies, it also meant that they wouldn't fall prey to several of the many pitfalls of continuous loops.

They would remember everything that had occurred in prior days, including their past attempts to fix the situation. Apparently, their memories were being preserved outside of their own physical minds so they wouldn't run into what Twilight liked to call the "Nero-plasticity Problem".

Supposedly, it meant none of them would go insane or experience a radical shift in their personality. It was like having an aethersphere at your hooftips, so that while you could search for things and be given information you wouldn't directly be forced to remember whatever it was you wanted to know.

Rarity didn't know how an eternal millennia of repeating the same day over and over would affect her personality, but she was certainly glad she didn't have to find out.

She'd freely admit, with her limited understanding of the matter, that it could also mean that once they finally broke the hellish loop they were caught in none of them would remember anything that had occurred. That poor stallion could die, would die, and while they might mourn the passing of a visiting salespony it wouldn't affect them personally.

It wouldn't be right, it wouldn't be fair or kind or respectful to the poor deceased stallion.

On the one hoof, it would be a great relief to them all to finally be free of the endless torture they faced every waking day of their lives. It wouldn't even be a source of shame for the ponies who knew, because they'd never remember it.

On the other hoof, an innocent pony would die with nobody who knew them, nobody to mourn his passing. They'd each lose a pony they'd come to count as a friend, if for no other reason than that they'd interacted on a daily basis for a long, long time, and never even remember the joy they'd shared and the memories they'd made.

Rarity couldn't, wouldn't decide what she would rather have occur. It was just too painful to decide.

She entered the marketplace with a brisk pace, hat firmly held in place atop her head as she moved towards the far end of the market. Rarity had been so distracted by her musings she'd run a little late, and was paying for it now by needing to hurry to catch the silly stallion.

She ignored ponies calling greetings and offering special discounts as she passed, laser-focused on her target.

Ah, there he was. Already, he was moving to take down his awning and pack away his goods. He'd sold nothing all morning, not a single watch or timepiece and just had to be feeling rather dejected at his loss. Slightly out of breath, she nearly bowled Echoed Beat over as she skidded to a stop.

"Wait, h-hold on!" She was gasping for breath, taking deep inhalations of precious air.

Startled, Echo backed away from the crazy mare as she gulped in air, briefly scanning the marketplace to see if there was a member of the police anywhere nearby. Looking back to Rarity, he coughed and asked "Uh, yes? Might I help you?"

Rarity nodded, reaching into her saddlebags and pulling out a large brown sack. "Yes my good stallion, you may. I am here to purchase your wares, as I'm sure you have guessed." She sat the sack on the ground, pushing towards the merchant as he eyed the slightly sweat-soaked boutique owner.

"Right. I seeee." He looked at the sack, and then Rarity, and then the sack again. Finally, he sighed and turned to step behind the counter, sweeping a leg over all of the timepieces on display. "Well madam, what suits your fancy? Personally I might suggest these decorative fans, as you may in fact use them to-"

She held up a hoof, stopping him in the middle of his spiel. "Darling, you misunderstand. I'm not here to buy a single watch from you." As Echoed Beat frowned and began to speak, she interrupted him again with a wide grin on her face.

"No, no, I'm not here to buy a single watch from you. I'm here to buy the lot. All of them. Every ticking watch and clicking clock, as it were." She set the sack on the counter, bits jangling as it settled.

Echo reared back in shock, staring at the madpony before him. "A-a-a-all of them?!" He gaped, reaching a hoof forwards to open the sack and reveal the numerous bits and precious jewels contained within. Rarity smiled and nodded, indicating the cart he had set up his stall against.

"Indeed, good sir. All of your wares, including what's in your cart. I'm sure you'll find the contents of that sack to be satisfactory in covering your expenses. If not, well..." Rarity took off her hat, brushing her mane to one side of her face as she continued speaking. "I'm sure we could come to some satisfactory compromise. I assure you, I am quite 'good for it', as they say."

By this point in time Echo was shaking and pointing his hoof at the revealed identity of the mare before him. "Y-y-you're R-r-rarity Belle!" He gave a whimper of disbelief, staggering forwards a few steps as if to shake her hoof. He only made it a few feet, however, before reality caught up with his brain and it decided to check out for lunch.

Echo pitched forwards, face-first into the dirt, and lay still on the ground. Rarity sighed, reaching into her saddlebags for the spray bottle. Evidently this particular combination of tardiness and forwardness was a bit too much for poor mister Beat to handle. She'd have to remember that if she found herself running late again on another particular day.

The rattle of the wagon's wheels grated on Rarity's poor distressed nerves as she and echo trotted back to her boutique. Once she had revived the poor stallion, he had been insistent on delivering everything that very moment.

Of course, Rarity knew perfectly well that he would, as he had every time she bought his entire life's works. Her explanation was simply that she wished to pair his watches with her fashion, broaden her market so to speak.

The real reason was that she wanted to have yet another opportunity to chat with him. She could get him to reveal bits and pieces of his past while he was unloading his wares, more often than not. All it took was a gentle hoof and a firm direction and he would happily chat away.

She had heard the same bits over and over, of course, but that was what experimentation was for. When she managed to pry free a little tidbit or two that she hadn't heard before it was always the highlight of her month.

Yes, she was rather consistent with how she approached poor Echoed Beat. Her friends might try grand changes or sweeping gestures all they wished, for Rarity knew she would rather take a far subtler road. A single piece of the larger puzzle here and there, until she finally had a complete picture.

Once the stallion was understood, the root cause of this little problem would become crystal clear. She hoped.

Still, Rarity knew that understanding who this simple watchmaker from Canterlot truly was would be handy, in predicting his behavior if nothing else. As he set his cart against the side of the Carousel Boutique and began to bring carefully wrapped packages inside, she tiptoed behind the cart and deftly snatched a small box from inside.

Stage set, she trotted into her store and set the package behind a potted plant that was close by, out of sight.

"So, Echo was it? Might I ask what brings a fine watchmaker to our humble town? I must admit we hardly ever get a specialized craftspony such as yourself all the way out here, unless they're sent for." Rarity batted her eyelids slightly and watched as Echoed Beat stumbled for a single step, before catching himself and continuing on.

Nervously, Echo chuckled and said "Well miss Belle, I'm flattered you asked. I, uh, thought it would be a good chance to broaden my horizons. Canterlot is rather overflowing with craftsponies right now, so competition is, well, fierce." He set the latest load of goods into the back storeroom and trotted out, wiping a hoof over his brow. "I thought Ponyville might have enough distance that I could find some customers, and it wasn't so far that I'd break my back making the trip."

Rarity nodded, pretending to look over a scarf-in-progress with a disinterested stare. "Oh, I see. Well, I certainly hope my purchase hasn't put you out of sorts then. If you wanted, I could..." She trailed off, turning to look at the cart that was still half-full. Quickly, Echo waved his hooves in a negative fashion. Sweatdrops began to form along the side of his head as he sputtered.

"N-n-no, no, there's no need for that Miss Rarity. I'm glad you thought my watches were of sufficient quality to use in your store, honest! It's just..." He rubbed the back of his head, sheepishly looking down at the floor. "Well, I never expected to run into one of you guys."

Rarity cocked a head in feigned surprise, looking at Echo with a curious glance as she said "One of who, darling?"

Echo moaned and cradled his head, voiced tinged with embarrassment as he softly said "Well, one of the Elements of Harmony, I guess." Looking up, his voice firmed. "Any of you six are incredible mares, heroes of the nation! It's, well, unusual for great ponies such as yourselves to even look at a pony like me, let alone-"

Rarity cut him off with a well-timed tutting noise.

"My dear Mister Beat, we may be heroes but we certainly aren't some 'great ponies' that wouldn't even look down our nose at an incredible stallion such as yourself. Honestly, I promise you have the wrong impression. Heavens, Twilight herself leaves the doors of her castle open for just about any pony to waltz in and say hello."

The look of faint surprise on Echo's muzzle was welcoming, if common enough to induce. She continued, angling for the bite. "In fact, an excellent craftspony such as yourself would be welcomed for sure. Heavens above, your pieces are quite fetching, don't you know?" Rarity held up a hoofband watch, white gold with emerald insets, and looked at it with a discerning eye.

Giving a small sigh of satisfaction, she snapped it along her foremost left leg and adjusted it to fit. "In fact, I do believe I'll keep this particular watch for myself!" Beneath her calm exterior, Rarity watched Echo's reactions as if a predator sighting their prey. When the stallion slightly slumped, it took all of Rarity's self control not to shout with glee.

Dejectedly, Echo muttered "They're not so good, miss, but it's kind of you to say. Coming from Canterlot, even I can tell they're mediocre at best. After all, they-" He cut off with a snap of his jaw, looking away from Rarity as he nervously rubbed his side.

Rarity's eyes narrowed slightly, and internally she grinned. "Why Mister Beat, I'll not hear another word of such nonsense in my shop! These works are exquisite, despite whatever those nebulous they-ponies might say, or else my name isn't Rarity Belle!"

Her fierce exclamation surprised Echo into looking up, jaw hanging slightly open. Recovering quickly, he amazed himself by blurting out "You may be Rarity, miss, but surely even you wouldn't argue with the Master Clocksmiths of Canterlot now would you?" Slapping a hoof over his mouth, he mentally cursed his traitorous tongue for it's sudden outburst.

Before he could begin to stutter apologies, to say that he never meant to snap at her or share his personal woes with a lady of standing, he heard a loud stuttering snort echo through the room. Staring at Rarity, Echo watched as her serene facade cracked away to reveal a mare on the precipice of a full-on laughter attack.

His cheeks flushed red with embarrassment, and he began to shuffle towards the door.

Desperately trying to hold in her laughter, Rarity motioned for him to stop, to wait. "Echoed Beat, darling, wait! Hold on, let me explain" she chortled, moving to block his path. "I'm not laughing at you, sweet Echo. I'm laughing at those stupid, ignorant so-called 'Master Clocksmiths of Canterlot'."

Echo was forced to stop, mouth yet again swinging open in disbelief. Rarity finally stopped laughing and patted his shoulder, a faint wistful expression appearing on her face.

"Echo dear, the Master Clocksmith Association in Canterlot is one of what some ponies refer to as an 'Old Stallion's Club'. Those old fogies don't speak highly of anyone that's not sponsored by one of their own members, you see. It's been so long, why I doubt any of those fuss-buckets could tell quality craftsponyship from that piss they call 'beer'."

The shock of having his worst critics fiercely discredited by one of the very Heroes of Equestria was enough, barely, to keep Echo from reacting to the fact that said gallant hero had used very unladylike words in her rant. Regardless, his reddened cheeks began to burn even hotter as he slowly realized exactly what her statement meant for him, and his livelihood.

"Those rat bastards!" Echo swore, stamping his hoof in outrage. "They claim to be the 'premier judge of fine clockwork' to every apprentice and journeyman in the city, all while they put down those who haven't paid to join their, their cavalcade of con-stallions!" He was practically spitting fire as he paced in front of the counter, much to Rarity's delight.

She'd known he hadn't thought highly of himself, of course. One could pick that up from a casual conversation in passing, honestly. This, however, was a breakthrough. If Rarity had known, had figured out his poor rating from the 'MCA' sooner she could have progressed much further.

Why, this brought an entire additional section of the puzzle clear into view, if only she could-

The tinkle of the door above her shop brought her out of her internal musing as it clicked shut. Whipping around in disbelief, Rarity saw Echo racing up the road towards the town border. She could practically see the steam rising off of his head as he galloped towards the edge of Ponyville.

Horrified, Rarity glanced down at the hoofband on her leg and checked the time. 'Oh, no no no! It's too soon!' she thought in dismay. 'I was just about to- Oh, bother!'

Rarity slammed her door open as she raced out into the street, following behind Echo as best she could. Her horn blazed with a magical aura as she set off fireworks in the sky above. Rainbow Dash should be watching, and with any luck-

She skidded to a halt as a rainbow blur passed by overhead. Rarity knew Dash was fast, but Echo had an awfully large head-start. If Rainbow couldn't catch him before he left the town...

"Stupid, stupid stupid mare!" she muttered to herself, ignoring the looks she received from the ponies around her. Resigned, she turned and began to trot back into her shop. The door clicked shut behind her as she lit up her horn, clearing away discarded fabrics and pulling out a big roll of fabric from behind the counter.

Rarity settled her glasses on her snout, and began to sew.

She had black mourning gowns to prepare, after all.

Rarity looked down into the coffin and stared at the corpse of Echoed Beat within. He looked almost peaceful in death, hooves crossed upon his chest and eyes shut as if in blissful sleep. She had thought, after the first dozen repetitions or so, that she would eventually stop having tears to shed.

That her heart would grow numb, and her mind aloof and disinterested.

As tears dripped down her snout to mix with the downpour of the storm that thundered around them, she realized she was rather grateful that it hadn't. Yes, it hurt when he passed, each and every time. It felt as if every death gnawed a tiny hole at the edges of Rarity's heart, as if the loss splintered a bit of her soul.

But, it happened every time. The tears always continued to flow from the corners of her eyes. The loss was as fresh and painful as if it were the first, though knowing more about the stallion did make it feel as if it hurt just a little more.

Thunder crashed as a jagged bolt of lightning split the sky above. Rarity choked out a chuckle, breathless enough to be mistaken for a sob. Rainbow Dash's anger was evident, as it was every time she wasn't fast enough, wasn't able to stop Echo from-

It wasn't her fault, though. Rarity knew, intellectually, that it wasn't any of the mare's fault. They had tried, were trying every possible combination of events in a continuous effort to save this blasted stallion's life.

Twilight had been quite clear that her magical examinations indicated that was the turning point, the fulcrum.

Every day, Echoed Beat died.
Every day, they failed.

And time ground to a halt, picked up its dress, and skipped back to the beginning once more. Another Tuesday, another May 22nd. Another chance to save a life.

Rarity didn't know if it was a curse, or a spell-gone-wrong, or some horrific manipulation by an unknown foe. Just about the only thing they were certain of was that it wasn't Discord. He'd never do, this, to Fluttershy. If he knew what was going on, if he could have stopped whatever force was causing the loop, surely he would have by now.

They had been forced to agree that, beyond all belief, he simply wasn't aware that it was happening.

Rarity wiped away the wet trails she'd left on her snout, blowing her nose into the crook of her leg where she had stashed a tissue. Gently, she set the items in her hoof down upon the deceased pony, and turned away. The group was going to the bar after this excursion, for yet another night of heavy drinking and blackouts.

She mused upon that thought, enjoying one of the few benefits from the current situation: no hangovers the next morning.

As she trotted back down the aisle, Big Mac and Bulk Biceps lifted up the simple coffin and began to carry it away towards the cemetery. Another bolt of lightning flashed, illuminating the scene in harsh white light for a split second before fading away, leaving an afterimage burned in the mourner's eyes.

Though nopony could see it, a hoofband watch of white gold lay next to a brilliant red rose on Echoed Beat's chest, its emeralds gleaming in the sudden glare.

Author's Note

Another chapter, for your... enjoyment?

Well, writing Rarity is certainly interesting. She's not a character I focus on too often.

Ever tried eating a clock? It's very time consuming!

...Rarity knows. That is a repetition she'd rather forget, honestly.