Chapter Two: Nexus Point

“What may we call you then?” A griffin tentatively asked; causing a few to nod in agreement.

“Not that it matters, but my name is…..” She hesitated.

“Just call me Light for now.”

“….Light? An interesting name. Celestia mused before nodding slowly.

“Well Miss…Light, what have you come to tell us? You say our actions determine the fate and death of millions. I assume that is why you have arrived at this point and time?”

Light simply cast Celestia an almost disinterested glance, shifting on her hooves slightly.

“Well, on that you are correct. This is the best point to try and stop it all. Whatever that cost may be.”

“Is that a threat?” A zebra called out, causing the mare to glare at him. The simple glance caused him to shrink back against the wall. For but a moment, it wasn’t a pony standing before him, but a coiled predator, only self control keeping her from attacking. And then the moment passed, as she let out a slight disinterested huff.

“I have killed dozens of arrogant fools just like you, zebra, so spare me the bravado. I am stating a fact. If I have to die here in order to stop what is to come, then so be it.” Her shoulders then sagged, the venom leaving her voice at least marginally.

“But I’d prefer to live. Perhaps I can then fade into nothingness and be at peace, or, maybe the future-tether will hold. My message is this.” She tapped a few buttons on the odd device on her forelimb; and an image was projected to the center of the room with a soft hum.

It showed a land devoid of any green vegetation, metal wreckage jutting from the tan sands like broken bones. Mutated creatures fought in the distance, and a terrible sandstorm was seen approaching the viewer. A few fires burned, figures huddled around trying to desperately warm themselves, or perhaps cook whatever could be found.

“That is the land you all will create. But, let me settle a few things first, so we are all on the same playing field.”

Light glared at the Zebra, tapping an image to show a strange oblong device, a triangular cone perched on its end.

“This is a missile. With which is called a Megaspell for us ponies, and for you zebras, a balefire bomb. I believe at this time you only have rough plans for such a horror, under the project code ‘Total Eclipse,’ if our records were correct. Obviously they are crude explosives for now…but serve to carry a much more deadly payload within a few years. There are also efforts to create a toxin that eats away all organic material, among other things. Am I correct?”

Judging from the bright red of the delegate’s face, she was indeed.

“Celestia. You are as guilty as the Zebra factions. Your Megaspells were…acquired by them, and paired with other weapons such as the Balefire bombs. They were then turned against you.

Honestly I don’t know which is worse. Your secret weapon is centered around the sun though. If the historical records are correct, it takes a group of unicorns to focus the energy and vaporize an entire stretch of land.”

Judging from the slight shift in Celestia’s features, she had once again hit home.

“Griffins…eh, nothing on you guys that I could see. You’re alright. These two though…” She gestured to the leaders of both pony and zebra alike.

“You two cause the death of this world. The death of my world.”

“Careful you all, she’s a bit of a volcano, this one.”

A telltale drawl of a Draconequusechoed off the walls, causing Celestia to grit her teeth.

“Discord, not the time.”

The chaotic being popped into view, much to the dismay of the Alicorn, and horror of a few of the dignitaries.

“Oh, but it is the time. It’s all about time you see. This one here is oozing with the stuff. Time here, time there….it’s everywhere!” His usual jovial features then hardened as he floated above the group.

“Best listen to what Miss Light here has to say. The bonus of being…well, me, is that I can talk to other me’s if you understand. In this case, I am quite disturbed by what my other half said in the world this one came from.” He rolled his eyes at the collective individuals gaping.

“…..well don’t let a mouse crawl in there. Except you griffins, you’d enjoy that I think.”He waved an eagle claw and shut all their open maws, waving to Light.

“Do continue. Don’t leave out the part where I’m sucked dry of magic and bottled for sale as it were.”
Light seemed rather nonplussed by his appearance, nodding slowly.

“Eh. That’s about what it is. Heard of this guy a few times, but yea, not exactly a great fate. From what I understand, he was imprisoned, tortured, and used as basically a source of chaotic magical extract. Not exactly a great way to spend hundreds of years.”

Light called up another image from the device on her forelimb; this one of a crude settlement. The fact it was being set upon by raiders, butchering the inhabitants caused many gasps, even a few lesser-stout individuals fainting at the sight.

Celestia, and the other main rulers stood watching with silent, unreadable gazes however, not alien to the carnage that life could bring.

“This is what happened to most settlements. We build, we start to thrive, and then we get slaughtered. The world isn’t Equestria, or any other province. It’s just the Wasteland. It takes anything good and grinds it into powder. All because you fools set it aflame.”
There was a brief pause, clearly many, if not most, unsure what to make of any of the new information.

“You blame us for a history that hasn’t happened yet, so how can you be sure you haven’t already changed it?” The zebra prince countered, seeming more annoyed now by Light than fearful.

“Because I know how ponies are, how zebras are, and griffins too. Just one fantastic experience won’t change things. Even if I were to vanish now, nobody would know of this meeting, am I correct? The castle has some sort of barrier around it. Everything would go on as normal.” The mare now appeared a tad saddened, but no less determined.

“I don’t care what I have to do. Unfortunately I don’t think the usual methods would work here, for solving problems that is.” Seeing a few blank stares, the mare sat down finally, her strange mechanical saddle letting out a few clicks.

“Killing you I mean. It’s easy to solve problems in the Wasteland that way. But if you all were to die here…then that’d just set off a war too I imagine. Maybe just the same horrid war all over again.”

“She’s a smart one.” Discord quipped from above, filing his nails on what appeared to be a small green glowing rock. Said rock caused a few angry buzzing noises from the device on Light’s wrist as the mare looked at him.
“That’s why those other versions failed I imagine.” He continued.

“They all tried to kill everyone here. But, it all ended up the same. You can’t change the river if you’re riding in the middle of it. Miss Light though…she’s standing on dry ground. She can divert it. A new goal other than death.”

Light blinked in surprise, not expecting such an eloquent response from Discord, and apparently neither did anyone else, because the Draconequus groaned as he spun in a circle.

“Oh stop looking at me like that. I can tone down the fun for a bit. As I was saying…Miss Light, you are correct in your assumptions. Do continue. May I recommend starting from the beginning? As much as you have learned?” He added with a sigh, munching on some popcorn that appeared in his claws as he looked down at her.

Light actually smiled slightly; the last ally she had expected was Discord. Then again, she never expected to see him anyhow.

“…I don’t suppose you can fill in the gaps?” She called up to him, but was met with a wave of a clawed hand.

“No, of course not. I’m in the river too remember? Whatever I try to do…it will only push things a bit, whereas your words have greater effect. You have the most power here.” He then grumbled slightly. “At least in affecting time…”
Light shrugged; this was as best a course of action as any, and it didn’t involve her dying or killing anyone.

With no other course; she did just as Discord suggested. The beginning. Stables, the war, how it was at least thought to have been caused, the devastation, the Megaspells, Balefire bombs, the pink cloud, the Pegasus nation closing the skies, the accomplishments of Security and Littlepip, and finally her own life; at least the part where she came back to this time. Through it all, everyone remained silent; watching the same few minutes of footage and carnage on the projected image to the sound of Light’s voice.

“So everyone I know and care about is dead, all because I promised, at the very least, to try to stop it all, to give the future a chance. To give a future a chance.” She concluded, casually taking a canteen out and slugging down the contents.

The entire assembly had been silent through her entire tale, and finally it was a griffin leader who spoke.

“How do you suggest we avoid this….nightmare?” He asked calmly, claws ticking against the stone.
“That’s up to you. Obviously I couldn’t just blow the entire castle up, which leaves me diplomacy, but that isn’t exactly a strong point of mine.” Light admitted with a soft chuckle.

“Cooperate. Don’t war over resources when you could work together and build greater things…..or sing a song. That’s what you all used to do right?”

Discord could be heard chuckling at that remark; but finally Celestia spoke.

“Let us take a break and try to….digest this information. We can return within an hour. Obviously nobody can leave the castle for security reasons, is that acceptable?”

Seeing mainly numb nods, and then the rest accepting the terms, the Alicorn bowed her head.
“We will reconvene in sixty minutes, but please stay within the large hall for the time being.”
Light flopped her rump down onto the ruined table, blowing a few bangs off her forehead as the various rulers left to far corners of the room to whisper; a pair of guards from every delegation staying to guard the new intruder.

Light assumed there were other security measures in place that Celestia was placing around the room, but that wasn’t her concern at this point.
“Well. This has gone better than I thought. Haven’t had to kill anyone, haven’t been killed, and the spell hasn’t fractured yet.”

“Mmmm. Quite fantastic to be honest. That time spell is almost as chaotic as me. A bit of griffin mage influence, some runes, zebra shamanism, and then good old fashioned unicorn power, quite a ball of yarn.” Discord tossed said ball of red yarn up and down, playing with the string.

“You have made an impression, that much is certain. Just keep doing whatever feel right.” He then grimaced as though having licked the world’s sourest candy.

“..ugh. Pony-ism’s must be rubbing off on me. But the words ring true. Do what you can…because in this timeline, my hands are tied. At least for now” His claws were then entombed amidst the red yarn.
“So, no pressure.”

The mare rolled her eyes, looking at the device on her wrist for a moment.
“An hour. And then I get to find out what these politicians will do.” She glanced at the weapon slung on her side.
“I really don’t want to hurt anyone. I’ve done enough killing….”

She glanced down at her hooves, noticing the assortment of snacks and drink with a curious gaze. Bending down, she took a few bites and swigs from the water cups, letting out a contented sigh.

“Wow. Purified, non-irradiated water, with some pastries. That tastes amazing; at least I get that plus in this trip.” She then looked over to the guards lining the walls, who stared at her with a mixture of curiosity, shock, and utter bewilderment.

“….you all really don’t know what war is like, do you?” She asked- or rather, stated, looking to each pair, zebra, griffin, and pony.
“I truly hope you never do. Total war, with no regard for anything…I wouldn’t wish that on anyone. So here I sit, monologing apparently.”

Light glared up at Discord as he chortled, enjoying the show apparently.
“Feel free to chime in. Or does it have to do with that whole time is a river stuff?”

The Draconoques nodded, playing with a familiar ball of red yarn in his talons.
“Eeeeeexactly. Everything you say is a bowling ball in terms of weight. My actions and words…..grains of sand.”

“…..you make my head hurt.” Light grumbled, snacking on the assorted foodstuffs and water, then looking over to the modified pipbuck on her hoof and scrolling through some images. She stopped on one, her breathing becoming slower and almost relaxed, but the tension in her shoulders was obvious.”

She almost let out a growl as Discord made the image disappear- but it then popped into existence on the nearest flat wall; the group of ponies, griffins, and zebras all looking at the camera. Each was clad in armor, painted with dirt and grime, but smiling as though having won the greatest prize in the world.

“…and who are these individuals?” Discord asked in a strangely genuine tone, examining each one with curiosity.

“Those…are my friends and family. Just after we finished building the main wall to our settlement.” Light replied, eyes getting a bit misty as Discord’s claw hung over her image and a stallion.

“My husband. And then my sister and her marefriend….the only family I had left.” The mare whispered, shaking her head.

“Enough. Put it back.”

The image vanished back to her pipbuck, Discord nodding slowly.
“….you should show that to the stuffy politicians. Might help.” He added with a shrug.

“Assuming they don’t just kill me or something. Lock me up and throw away the key.” Light growled, sitting down to wait. Nothing she could do in the meantime.
“No, I don’t think they will…you’ve caused quite a stir.”
That was Discord’s final bemused remark before he vanished in a flash of light.

Author's Note

Second chapter; things get interesting! And help from an unlikely ally.