Chapter Five: Tether of Second Chances

Night Light felt her body and mind stretch; but not in the literal sense of a word. She felt heavy, as though closing her eyes and keeping them closed was a titanic effort; but opening them was just as difficult. The world seemed to refocus, as much as darkness could, and the mare could feel her breathing slow to nothing.

If this is what death feels like, then…I’m ok with that. No pain, just tired.

Maybe it was just her imagination, but a familiar cackle reached her awareness before all conscious thought zeroed out in the strange never-never-land of unconsciousness.

The first sign she was alive, was that whatever Light was laying on, was soft beyond anything she had ever felt before.
The second was that she felt good. Each breath wasn’t pained by the leftover shrapnel from various battles, and the bones that had been broken and not healed quite right were straight as an arrow…

Was this the afterlife? It sure felt like it.

She slowly opened her eyes, lifting her head off a snow-white pillow, and sat on the edge of the bed as light began to slowly bathe the room in a comforting glow.
“Good morning Ms. Night Light. The time is five past seven-hundred.” A voice, smooth only as a computer could be, swam across the room.

And, somehow, that wasn’t the strangest thing to hear or see.

The room itself was a small square affair; the bed across from a simple table, chair, and what looked like a washroom to the left. To the right were some metal cabinets with…uniforms? They seemed to have a sleeker version of a pipbuck built into them as well…

Light blinked, still at a loss of what was going on. Was she back in some hyper-realistic simulation in the Wasteland? Perhaps the spell had backfired and kept her in Equestria? In a coma perhaps? She had been in a few simulation pods before; but this one felt slightly different. Getting out of bed, she slipped on one of the uniforms; best be dressed for whatever this was…

Well, if this voice was an AI, best test it out.

“…erm…what is the date?” Light asked to nothing, hardly expecting a response-
“The date is….”
“…please repeat?”
She blinked. Not believing what she heard as the AI spoke again.
That would put it a few years prior to when the spell was cast.

“Confirm?”

The same date was repeated, and Discord’s face flashed through Night Light’s mind, wearing a sly grin just as darkness had claimed her before.
“Discord, did you…where...when….?” She whispered, an emotion Light thought long since deadened welling up in her chest.
Hope…
Go and see.

Discord’s final words to her echoed through her mind, causing the mare’s hooves to move one at a time. If she was a few years before the spell was cast, then…

“…Computer, where am I?”
“You are on the Equestrian flagship Canterlot Spire ”
“A ship? Where are we?”

“Correct. The global fleet is moving to explore the farther reaches of the Equis system.”
Global fleet!? A spaceship?

Her breath caught in her throat. If the time spell anchor had worked, or, if more likely, Discord had manipulated it…

Thematic Music: Auto-loops, recommend listening for the rest of the chapter.

Words stuck in Light’s throat as the flame of hope in her chest threatened to cause her hooves to shake. Would he be alive? Would they even be….
“Is there a stallion by the name of Woodchip Steel anywhere? Past or present?”

As she neared the door, the small computer screen next to the entrance keypad displayed a picture of her husband, with a countdown timer.

“As has been said to similar requests, your fiancé is on board. You are due to be married in t-minus one month, and two weeks. Do you wish to re-enable daily countdown?”
Tears ran down Night Light’s cheeks as she stared at the handsome stallion on the screen.
He was alive. And just before they…

That was why she looked younger in the mirror; the anchor had set her back a few years prior to the teleportation date.
“W-what about Autania?”
“Your sister is with your fiancé on the bridge.”
“….Her marefriend?”
“…I am not permitted to disclose personal relationships outside immediate family.”
“…direct me to the bridge. To Woodchip.”

The door opened at Light’s touch, and her hooves began to move faster and faster, sending her rocketing down the bright metal hallway. Ponies, griffins, a yak or two, they all looked at the odd mare in surprise, but let her pass. At one point Light skidded onto a corner, launching off the wall with a powerful kick.

Stopping for a moment, Night could only stare out at the vast expanse. The entire wall being a window, the mare gaped at seeing dozens of small vessels move into position. Large oblong shaped ships glided alongside them, and the sun outlined them all in a glorious sheen of brilliant white. All held different symbols and letters from all races, yet all flew in the same direction. The stars, while not twinkling, still seemed to beckon onwards as the ships continued to fly into in space. The computer piped back up as some rather large vessels passed by, each having a large logo emblazoned on their bow.

“The nutrition manufacturing vessel; commonly referred to as the Sweet Apple Acres.
The Training and School vessel; commonly known as Twilight’s magic school.
The textile and manufacturing facility, known as the Rarity Boutique….”
Light couldn’t help but blink, venturing a quick question.

“Where are the elements of harmony? The ponies?” She asked, staring at the titanic ships in view.

“The original Elements of Harmony are buried on Equestria, or otherwise enshrined in their respecting ship’s reactor core. Many descendants are intermingled among the crews.” The AI replied instantly.
She tore herself away, galloping down the hallway until her breath came in short gasps.

The fact there were matching vessels for each Element of Harmony, and they had their own full lives only further ignited the hope in Light’s chest, the ships and their inhabitants having soared to the heavens beyond her view.
“I have signaled your fiancé to meet you outside the bridge.” The voice chirped from the communicator on her wrist.

Night barely even registered the voice, tears flowing freely at seeing her once-dead love standing outside a large security door.
“Lighty? What are you do-“

The burly brown stallion was cut off as Night Light wrapped him up in a crushing embrace, not able to help but sob into his chest. The wave of emotion finally came crashing down as a simple truth registered.
It had worked.
The tether should have frayed, the timeline fractured from her interference,
And yet….

Having his firm hoof on her shoulder did nothing to ease Light’s tears. She couldn’t help soak up every little detail she thought lost forever. His rough coat against hers, his gentle whispering that everything would be alright…
And the kiss he gave her made the world and her heart spin like never before.

It took some time before Light could do anything other than hug her stallion and breath, but finally she was able to just look at him with a loving smile.

“I-I can explain..l-later. Is my sister there?” She asked, hiccupping halfway through the sentence.
Woodchip to his ever deserving credit, calmly walked her inside the bridge and pointed.
First and foremost, standing in the center of the room, dressed in a smart admiral’s coat and cap, was a familiar Chaotic being.

Discord looked over to Light, and his eyes widened for but a moment. He then smiled, in the special cocky way unique to his nature, and tipped his hat slightly before looking back to the vast window. In his clawed hand, he tossed a small, green-glowing rock up and down briefly, along with a ball of red yarn before causing both to vanish.

The half-dome of glass covered the foremost part of the room, dozens of stations of varying types and electronic instrumentation neatly organized throughout the command station. Sleek metal and touch screens adorned the stations; the only thing Light being able to compare it to would be recordings from before the war…

Nearest to them, and on the left, Autania looked over and waved from her station, Light only being able to grin back.

I didn’t break my promise sister. I did it. We did it.

And of course the tears then started up again, Woodchip leading his fiancé down the halls once again.
“Lets go to the main park and the gardens, and you can tell me what’s up, yeah?” He suggested, guiding Light through the maze of foreign corridors. It was an odd thought, to possibly have navigated them, but at the same time, Light had no memory of it.

The park was enormous, and one of many things that Light couldn’t help but gawk at. The immense clear dome above allowed a view of the fleet and the stars, while fresh green grass and trees spanned for what must be an entire city block or two. A few other races were present, but mostly it was ponies who frolicked or played a version of hoofball in the grass. A few smacked a small ball back and forth over a net, while others had picnics and watched foals wrestle in the grass.

As Woodchip led her to the left of the park, Light looked over-

And promptly felt her rear legs give out.
Standing tall and proud in front of her, was a stone, beautifully-engraved statue. About four times her actual size, the noble mare, clad in armor and a strange looking side-slung weapon, gestured towards the stars. A pipbuck was attacked to her right hoof, and her eyes seemed to both plead and challenge at the viewer. At the same time, viewing from a slightly different angle gave the statue a more stalwart view, gaze beckoning the viewers onward to a better day.

“Heh. You always like this statue. Your claim to fame since her name was the same as yours.” Woodchip chuckled, causing Light to stare at him.

“W-what?”

“This mare. Night Light. You’ve memorized the entire history like ten times. Trust me, I know. You’ve read like, every book on her.”
Even though she didn’t have a memory of such an activity, the teasing and playful tone caused Light to blush.

“…r-refresh my memory? Maybe?”
A familiar alabaster figure, surrounded by eager foals walked over to their right, sparing Woodchip of what apparently would be the eleventh time of explaining.

“This, as you all have learned, is Night Light.” A gentle and peaceful voice explained, causing Light’s heart to jump.

Celestia, she was alive?
“We know Princess Celestia. We’ve heard the story like twenty tiiiiiimes.” A young colt piped up, earning a playful glare from the ruler.

“Well, then you should know it well enough to explain it.” The Alicorn added, causing the youngster to blush. Seeing Woodchip and Light out of the corner of her eye, Celestia then waved a regalia-absent hoof to the foals.

“No? Well…perhaps you can explain it later. For now, off you go! Snack time!”
As the young ones dispersed, Celestia walked over to Light and her fiancé, smiling at the pair.

“Well, you two are up early? Pre-wedding jitters? What is it, about one and a half months until then?”

Woodchip chuckled, nudging Light with his shoulder.
Apparently making up for most of a life without tears, they now started again in earnest, Light looking up to Celestia and then pointing to the statue, barely able to speak.

“I think I need a new history lesson about her, and everything since.” She managed to say.
Celestia’s brow furrowed, a strange look in her eyes as Light then gestured to the statue again.

“Her pipbuck, the device on her hoof. I wore it on my left one.” She whispered, now turning to look at the ruler with an overwhelmed gaze of appreciation, only able to smile.
“Oh my…so…you are back? This is the moment?” Celestia asked, now stock still.
“A few years prior, but yes. Discord. He…I think he…helped…I….” More tears, and Light’s shoulder shook with barely pent up sobs.

Celestia quickly strode over and wrapped the smaller pony up in a hug, Woodchip looking on curiously and utterly confused.
“You did it Night Light, you did it.” Celestia whispered, as the smaller mare hugged the caring monarch back; not a shred of hate or anger left in her towards the benevolent ruler.

“The promise. And I kept it. You all did the rest.” Light whispered, now let down from the embrace, tears still staining her cheeks.
“And we did indeed build a new future. One I hope is indeed brighter than anything you could have hoped.” Celestia quoted, then turning to look at Woodchip.

“…You two have a lot to talk about. And I will help with that. No reason for it to be a secret, at least between you two. Discord could help with that as well.”
“Of course I could.” The God of Chaos quipped, lounging next to the three with a grin.
“Welcome back Light. It’s been a while.”

“F-for you….” Light replied with a smile, wiping away her tears, even as a few more took their place.
“H-how is this possible? The time…me, here, with Woodchip, not….” She stammered, finally shutting her mouth as Discord chuckled, tossing Light that same red ball of yard that burst into butterflies.

“You moved a river, I made sure your ship was safe. You’ve earned it. So, thank you, Night Light.” Discord remarked in a moment of sincerity, bowing his head in thanks.
With an about-face of mannerisms, he issued a brief “Ta-tah” before vanishing with a soft ‘pop.’

“Wait. That…you….now….waaaaaitaminute…” Woodchip pointed to the statue, and then to Light.
“…as Celestia said, lots to talk about.” Light remarked, walking over and hugging her fiancé tightly, butterflies resting near her hooves.

“Your schedule can be cleared for the day Woodchip. I think us three need to explain. With Discord’s input of course. I’ll let your sister know as well, Night Light.” Celestia remarked, beckoning them onwards towards a secluded area of the park.

As they sat a table that was levitated over, Light didn’t sit down at first. Instead, she just gazed upwards to the beautiful space above. Grey and white vessels moved this way and that, larger ships rumbling past. A few griffins clad in protective gear moved to polish a part of the roof on the exterior, while inside the occupants played and relaxed unawares.

“I couldn’t have ever imagined something like this.” She whispered, reaching over to hold Woodchip’s hoof.
He sat down next to her, waiting as Celestia did the same. She whispered a short, few sentence explanation to Woodchip to start off, causing him to shift slightly.

“So you are….Night Light, but not?” The unnerved stallion asked cautiously, clearly unsure what to think of her. “I’ve seen the broadcast before; most everyone has, in history lessons….”
“I am. But, I knew you in a very different setting. A harsh and savage one.” Light replied, ears flickering back.

“But….I know you are Woodchip Steel, the core parts. I know you can be stubborn to a fault, but also caring beyond anyone I ever could have wanted. You enjoy target practice with anything that throws a projectile, but excel at metalwork and carpentry. But you prefer whittling above all else. Your secret hobby is to cook. Baking specifically. You hate it when I want to add in random ingredients, and usually you put too much sweetener into things. ” Light whispered to him, meeting his gaze with her own.

“I don’t know the specific details of what has happened in this time. Events, history… But I know you. Unless I’m wrong, you’re the same stallion I loved with all my heart. Only this time, we get to have an entire life together.” She continued, almost worried at what he’d say.

“Is…that…..?” Light asked, now not able to look over to him. Panic surged in her heart; not having thought of this possibility. Just the fact of mentioning names in the past should have erased this option, and yet somehow they ended up together still?

Woodchip squeezed her hoof comfortingly, clearly musing over his words carefully.
“You aren’t wrong on any of that. So, I’m the same here then? That’s rather reassuring actually. That being said, I think the wedding might have to be rescheduled…..because we have some dates to catch up on. Quite a few.” He replied, prompting Light to wrap him up in a hug.

“So…are you the mare who loves cuddling under the moonlight, sampling my baking, watching stupid movies that I don’t fully understand, and listening to me go on about my hobbies even though you don’t fully grasp them? Oh, and your secret pleasure is mint. Any kind, you love mint, and writing poetry. You also spoil your sister too much. Is…that about right?”

Light could only hope the kiss she gave him showed her full appreciation for his understanding words, and the affirmation of them. They were both different; her more so, but he was still the stallion she knew and loved.

He pulled away from her, putting a hoof on her shoulder with a knowing nod.
“Hmm. I think….this will do. Night Light, will you go out on a date with me this evening for dinner? And the morning after that? And then lunch? And so on and so forth?” Woodchip asked with a gentle smile, prompting Light to nod as rapidly as she could.

“Y-yes!” She could only squeak, as he wrapped her up in a hug.
“We’ll start again so to speak, but I think I know where we’ll end up.” He whispered in her ear, hooves holding her close.
Woodchip was still himself, and her sister was alive and well…

She felt ready for anything.
As Autania walked over, Light couldn’t help but look over and smile.

“I kept my promise.” She whispered, both to Woodchip and Autania

They wouldn’t understand, not yet.

But that promise meant everything.

The End.

Author's Note

I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did writing it; has been in my head for some time.

And, here's the song that inspired it all; a hopeful ending to Applejack's legacy per say.
Apples to The Core (PonyFireStone Remix)