“You know, it’s a funny thing. Our parents generally seem to have our whole lives planned out for us in their heads at times, and when we don’t go the way they intend it somehow manages to stun them. Of course, we never really know what we’re going to be when we’re kids, we have a set goal in mind as well. Neither parent or child rarely ever achieves that goal.”

“I mean, when I grew up I honest to Celestia thought I was going to be just your run of the mill Prince, governing over whatever scrap of land was tossed my way and probably not giving a shit about the locals except whenever they whinged or complained and got under my skins.

“What a little shit I was back then.”

“Times have changed since then. That is not me, nor will it ever will be. Actions have consequences, and though some may never realize it… in time we all have to pay up for our misdeeds. I intend to do more than just balance myself. I want to die with a satisfied smile on my face, showing the world I did something great. I did something that mattered.”

“Rider Time: Guardian! Armor Time! Advent! Ryuki!”

“See, the problem with my world was… well, quite simple. My mother went insane. Completely mental, you must understand. Took me a while to figure out why she did, or what exactly happened but I eventually figured it out. It’s a bit complicated, and don’t really have the time to explain right now. Right now… well, I think there’s a bit of a problem that needs solving. If you excuse me, I have to protect my subjects.”

“Henshin!”

Blades rang out in the early morning fog as two armored warriors went to battle. Flames were sent one warrior’s way and the first simply rolled his eyes under his helmet before turning sideways. The shoulder pads of his armor opened up and ejected a blast of flame to meet the oncoming wave.

The flames cut through the early morning fog, exposing the warriors. One resembled a dragon, and to be honest, looked more mutated than any form of armored humanoid complete with a head on the right hand. The other was more obviously covered in armor, largely white with purple accenting. It was only the ‘Ryuki’ parts that changed this, red and gold being predominant.

“...Well, thank Celestia I wasn’t having any plans on what to do today…” the warrior muttered clenching his fist making it crackle with a teal-blue magic. The other hand grasped a sword tightly, resembling a dragon’s tail in some manners. “...Seriously boys, now of all days? I had a nice morning with my wife planned… Ugh, what can you do eh?” the warrior muttered in annoyance.

Another Ryuki let out a roar and charged at him before the masked warrior sighed, and reached out before grabbing the monster by the shoulder. With a grunt, he threw him into a wall sending bricks flying.

“...You don’t understand, do you?” the warrior said with a sigh his scarf whipping around in the early morning breeze. “Once you take a life, you can never go back! The reason I picked up this?” he said pointing to his watch-like belt. “It wasn’t to play god, to judge who lived and who died. No, it was simply to clean up a mess and solve a mystery. I killed yes, but only so others who followed me wouldn’t have to.”

Tossing his sword aside, the warrior let out a battle cry as Another Ryuki recovered and threw a fireball in his direction. Blocking the blast with his wrist, the warrior flicked it and sent the fireball behind him. He then drew back his fist to meet Another Ryuki’s.

“Rider Punch!” the warrior shouted, and an earthshaking wave was created as both powerful beings let their fists meet.

“I’m doing this for you, don’t you understand? You don’t have to be a killer to avenge your best friend’s death, you can let justice take its course!” the Rider pleaded. “I’m saving you from yourself!”

“Justice is a lie…” Another Ryuki said kicking the Rider in the stomach. “You know this very well, the system was broken. They claim it’s fixed, but we all know better. If it worked, his killers would have been arrested! Instead, they walk!”

“Better than it was before,” the Rider argued as he stumbled back. “You know exactly what it was like before. Lines were crossed, so many times!”

The battle progressed over a bridge, Another Ryuki grabbing a nearby light post in his hand and ripping it up from the ground. Using it as a kind of massive bo staff or club, he swung it at his opponent hoping to possibly break some legs or something. In any case, he didn’t succeed as the Rider flipped over it and dealt a series of lightning-fast punches to Another Ryuki’s chest.

Visible on his wrists were more Ridewatches. Kuuga, Shinobi, OOO, and Blade to name a few. The Rider grabbed a watch off his wrist and it changed into a small pistol. A few quick presses of the trigger and red laser shots hit Another Ryuki before the pistol was holstered and another watch was grabbed and activated. It transformed into a small hawk and darted around Ryuki zapping him with bolts of lightning.

The Rider sighed to himself. In a way, he could understand Another Ryuki’s plight. Seeing your best friend murdered in cold blood in front of your eyes by a couple of gangbangers who only walked because they were in witsec the day the trial was supposed to come? Yeah, that was cruel and unfair to say the least. But murdering them was hardly justice. No, it was simply revenge. And he feared for this pony’s sanity if he ever crossed that line.

The Rider, he acknowledged his faults. Before all of… well, this, he could hardly give a damn about another pony’s problems. He despised himself looking back. Now, he wanted to be a man worthy of not just the title of Kamen Rider, but the title of Prince. He emphasized, reached out as much as he could. Even to his foes. He understood their problems or at least tried to. He knew they wanted or needed help in some way, and they had just been offered the power to change their lives. Just not in the right way. He knew this pony, Brick Silt. He knew his friend wouldn’t want him turning into the same type of pony that started this whole chain of events.

Now he aimed to reach out his hand to this pony. He aimed to reach Brick Silt. He wanted Brick to become like a phoenix, burn brighter than ever before as someone very dear to him liked to say. Ponies made mistakes, each and every day. That was part of life. But they moved past them. At least that’s what he liked to think. Some may have liked to have called him an optimistic fool, but being who he was the Rider rejected that line of thought. No, he could only shake his head at the cynical. And he would reach out to Brick Silt.

“I never want to see that sort of Hell ever again! We’re not Gods, we do not decide who lives and who dies,” the Rider continued grabbing Another Ryuki by the shoulder and tossing him down into the nearby creek. “Then I’ll be your proof! At the very least, I transform to defend people! I’ll be your proof the system works.”

Water splashed and the Rider was soon to join his Another counterpart, the two continuing to kick and punch each other. Another Ryuki was tossed over the shoulder landing behind the Rider with a loud splash, before quickly recovering and firing a stream of fire towards his opposition.

Reacting fast, the Kamen Rider leaped skywards before sighing. “...No, you won’t understand. Not in this state. Time to finish this.”

In midair, he spun his driver 360 degrees as it proclaimed: “Finish Time! Final Time Break!” and a blue dragon of flame wrapped itself around the Rider as he launched himself towards Another Ryuki. The boot, with the Neighponiese characters for kick, was the last thing Another Ryuki saw before he slipped into unconsciousness. A black stopwatch flung itself away from the now pony form of Ryuki before shattering and letting the stream carry it away. Sighing, the Rider canceled out his transformation revealing a dark purple unicorn stallion with a mulberry mane.

“And so another one bites the dust. Been a year now, and yet these Ridewatches still find themselves in the wrong hands… That’s time travel for you I guess…”

“You probably already guessed who I am, and if you guessed correct let me congratulate you. Yep, that's me! Kamen Rider Guardian, as they call me. You might wonder how I ended up in this situation… Well, that’s a bit of a tale…”

One Year Ago…

“Morning Prince Neutron,” was the usual greeting as the Prince walked into the town that morning, Celestia’s sun shining brightly over the crystalline palace that he called home.

Well, home was one word for it really. Insane asylum might have been another option. Yes, Neutron felt loved really but it was still… nuts. He had to deal with so many personalities at home half the time he just looked for an excuse to step outside even if it was a lame one like ‘shopping’. There was Trixie Lulamoon okay? Egotistical to a fault, and loved to show off. Sunset Shimmer. Strong-willed mare, but hot-headed. And then there was his mother. Neurotic to a fault and practically had a meltdown if a book was out of place. He loved them, but by Writer's Quill, they gave him such a headache at times.

...Come to think of it, that was the reason he sorta stepped out of the house, to begin with. His mum was shouting up such a storm at Trixie for misplacing a few novels on magical theory, while Trixie was quite nonchalant about the whole affair. She said they’d turn up eventually. Which was true enough Neutron supposed but it really did not do his hearing any favors. He swore him avoiding deafness as a child was a miracle. ...For so many reasons, most of which he didn’t like to think about lest he lost his lunch.

“...Please, spare me the formalities,” Neutron said to his best friend, a light blue griffonness by the name of Skywind. “...Really, you of all creatures shouldn’t have to refer me by my title.”

“Sorry… uh, just force of habit really… Still a few months old our friendship is. Least I’m not kissing your hooves anymore… right?” Skywind asked nervously and Neutron had to fight back a blush. She didn’t just mean metaphorically really. She literally had kissed his hooves the first few times they met.

Got old enough real fast and at one point Neutron was so tempted to just use the Royal Canterlot Voice™ just to tell her to stop. He refrained, knowing ponies absolutely hated that and he’d receive a mess of complaints. Or more accurately, his mum would and then he’d really be in for it. Odd thing though, nobody complained whenever she used it…

“...Yeah Sky, let’s… uh, not even bring those incidents up m’kay?” Neutron requested seeing the odd looks tossed his way. “...Please, for the love of my mother don’t even…”

He regretted that particular choice of words as soon as it came out of his mouth.

“Oh, so you enjoy spending time with your mother and not me…?” Skywind teased. “...Well, you always were a momma’s boy…”

“...Oh for Celestia’s sake…” Neutron muttered to himself rubbing his temples after a few solid moments of sputtering incoherently. He knew Sky knew he hated that joke of hers, and he also knew that was the exact reason she kept on using it. She meant well and was a joy to be around most of the time she really did know how to drive him up the wall at times.

“Glad to see you haven’t changed,” Sky smiled as she motioned for him to sit down at a nearby cafe table. “Princess Twilight driving you out the house with her… well,” Sky looked nervous for a brief second and rather hesitant to speak. Something really, Neutron had noticed she always was with matters regarding Twilight. He personally found it quite odd really. Yes, his mother was a royal and had a short temper at times but there was no reason to be afraid of her… right?

“...tendencies?” Sky finally managed to speak. “I mean, I know you love her but… Oh, I’ve said too much already! I’m sorry, I’m so sorry. No disrespect intended to your mother!”

“Sky… we’ve talked about this. It’s perfectly fine to speak your mind around me. Seriously, it is,” Neutron reassured. “...What, don’t tell me you’re scared mom’s going to swoop down like some giant bat and zap you with a magical lightning bolt?” he laughed before seeing the look on Sky’s face.

“...Please don’t joke about things like that…” Sky whispered looking around the area for a moment as if she was afraid of exactly that happening. Neutron didn’t seem to notice this.

“Sorry, sorry,” Neutron apologized. “But you know it’s alright to speak your mind about my mother, really! It is!” he said.

Truth be told at times, he was concerned although he didn’t know exactly why really. He’d seen his mother be given fearful looks, and him at times even moreso. Why exactly he had yet to figure out. Was it because he was a product of a harem relationship? Look, he knew his mother’s relationship with her wives was a bit out of the ordinary but hardly something to be scared of. Jealous maybe, but scared of? Nonsense! Complete and utter nonsense.

“...If you say so…” Sky whispered taking a sip of her tea to calm her nerves her wings fluttering nervously.

Up above them, sat a collection of three figures atop the cafe rooftop.

“So, that’s him huh?” one of the figures asked, a mare dressed in light blue. “Doesn’t really seem like much to be worried about…” she noted.

“How’s he supposed to be a king?” a young colt dressed in dark blue scoffed. “We’re gonna get rid of him, right Schwarz?”

“We bide our time and observe, Heure,” Schwarz noted taking a sip of his tea. “He’s not going anywhere, and he doesn’t have his powers. All he is right now is just a brat with lots of money to his name. And rather clueless it seems,” he remarked with a small chuckle noticing Neutron’s interactions with Sky.

“...Personally, I think you should invest in a secretary,” Skywind remarked. “I mean, Celestia has one and your mom has one so why don’t you?”

“...I never saw why they had one, to begin with,” Neutron said. “I mean, they have the ultimate power to decide who and who not to see, so the whole idea of a secretary seems redundant, to begin with. Plus, why force some poor plebeian to deal with some more plebeians, usually of the imbecilic kind?” he questioned and Sky looked quite annoyed by this.

“...You know, you can be a real jerk at times, you know that right? I’m a plebeian by definition. A commoner!”

While Neutron tried frantically to apologize, the mare in light blue just shook her head at Schwarz.

“...Well, he’s already got the arrogance and haughtiness of a king down…”

Schwarz chuckled, a smirk on his face. “If that’s what you think of a king, then I shudder at the candidates you’ll select. No, that brat is severely lacking what it means to be a king right now. However, the flow of time has plans for him.”

“...I still don’t like it,” Heure sighed playing with a paddle ball. “Just observe from the shadows and hope he doesn’t do anything that leads him down on the path to becoming who he’s prophesied to be?”

“Patience is a virtue, Heure,” Schwarz admonished, giving the colt a sharp look. “If it makes you complain less, you can be the first to select a candidate if he goes off the beaten path of his current life.”

“Really?” Heure asked looking absolutely giddy at the whole idea. The mare, on the other hand, didn’t look so pleased.

“You’d choose Heure to make our first Another Rider?” Ora whispered into her boss’ ear. “He’s likely to come up with someone so pathetic that they don’t have the will to become King.”

“Which just means you’ll get to select the next candidate,” Schwarz assured, looking like the cat that just ate the canary. Ora huffed and crossed her arms, looking like the child she thought Heure to be.

“So Heure,” Ora said kneeling down to the colt’s level. “Who would you choose to become our actual King?”

Heure smiled and put down his paddle ball. “Well, I do have a few ideas in that regard…” before his horn lit up and with a flash of green magic, the threesome were transported to an arcade on the other side of Ponyville.

“...An arcade, fitting of you really…” Ora scoffed before Schwarz gave her a look as time seemed to stop around them. Video game noises silenced, the sounds of chatter quieted down.

“Remember, Ex-Aid was a gamer, and yet he became an extremely powerful Rider in his own right.” Schwarz reminded.

“So, you’re suggesting Another Ex-Aid?” Ora mused before turning to Heure. “Is that what you had in mind?”

“Well, not necessarily. I was thinking to get a bit more… creative actually,” he replied turning to a stallion about Neutron’s age. “Been eying this one for a while now. Has a nasty grudge against Princess Twilight. Would be perfect to send him against her son really…”

“Ooh, I like that idea,” Ora replied. “But are you sure his anger won’t get the better of him?”

“I’ve studied this one for a bit, I’m not stupid you know. He’s calm-tempered. Perfect choice for a King,” Heure said as he walked over to the stallion, playing a shooter. “Plus, very good shot as you can see.”

“Real life and games are different,” Ora chided, a skeptic look on her face as she watched the stallion. “Will those skills transfer over to a real weapon?”

“Well…” Heure noted the controller which was basically a giant rifle. “Real guns and controllers are very different beasts but do you have any better suggestions?”

Ora thought about it for a moment before sighing: “Fair point. Go ahead.”

Heure skipped a bit in glee, before snapping his fingers and time around the stallion unfroze.

“Okay, so… Great Game, you hate Princess Twilight for locking up your brother unjustly correct? How would you like the power to take revenge? It’s only an offer, but…” Heure trailed off holding out a black stopwatch which was grabbed out of his hands without a second thought.

“...Well, this one’s… enthusiastic. Got to love that in a candidate…” Ora muttered before Heure pressed down on the watch.

“Rogue.” the watch growled out before it was shoved into Great Game’s chest. Back with Neutron and Skywind, the two were just finishing up their afternoon coffee.

“...Ugh,” Neutron sighed looking at his fob watch. A gift from his Auntie Cadence for his sixteenth birthday. “Mum’s going to kill me for being gone so long. Said I was just going to the market to pick up some fish for Sunset.”

“...Oh, that’s the excuse you used…?” Sky smiled cheekily.

“...Well, seemed like a reasonable one…” Neutron muttered before he heard the bushes ruffle. “...Oh for Celestia’s sakes! I know you’re in there Fizzle, Sunset!”

“...Were we really that obvious?” Sunset sighed as she stepped out of the bushes along with Fizzlepop rubbing her head in embarrassment.

“Ninjas you are not,” Neutron deadpanned. “Fizzle, I could hear your armor clinking together and Sunset, your horn poked out of the bushes at least twice.”

“...Sorry,” Fizzlepop blushed. A rarity for her indeed. “...We just got more than a bit curious, that’s all. You were gone for a long time…”

“...Basically, mum sent you to make sure I wasn’t up to anything ‘unbefitting of a prince’ am I correct?” Neutron asked. Sky was trying to make herself as invisible as possible. Of course, given she was slightly taller then Neutron and was currently hiding behind him that made it sorta impossible. Points for trying though, one supposed. “How about a deal, I forget I caught you and you don’t tell mom I was lying?”

“You’re good, kid…” Tempest barked out laughing.

“Seriously though, we weren’t even going to say a word,” Sunset replied. “Personally, I think you and your henfriend are… well, frankly rather cute together.

Skywind let out a small squawk of disbelief while Neutron sputtered out incoherently for a few moments.

“She’s not… not my henfriend! I’m not even interested in looking to start up a relationship, much less start up a harem like mum! Seriously, her and Trixie’s arguments are the reason why I got out of the castle today, to begin with!” Neutron stammered out. “Seriously, I was starting to get a bloody headache… It was just two or three books that’ll turn up in the long run anyways…”

Honestly, he was beginning to see why Spike left the house when he did, his love for Ember not-withstanding. His parents could be such a pain at times…

“Should we tell him what they started doing right after that argument?” Fizzle whispered, leaning down towards Sunset.

“You know I can hear you right Fizzle?” Neutron asked. “And for Celestia’s sakes, I so do not need to hear what mom and Trixie get up to!”

Sunset let out a tittering laugh, holding a hand to her mouth. “Sorry, Neutron, but you’re just so easy to rile up. If you’re not ready for a relationship, that’s no one’s business but yours.”

“...Speaking of relationships, you mind answering a question of mine?”

“...Look, if you’re gay or bi, it’s okay. Nobody’s going to bother you…” Sunset said in a comforting tone as her horn sparked with magic. “I’ll make sure of it,” she stated giving a nasty glare to the crowd.

Neutron sighed to himself. He knew Sunset’s history. As soon as she outed herself as a lesbian back in the human world, nobody in her circle of friends had taken kindly to it. So she came back here and right into mom’s arms. At least, that was the story he was told. Personally, Neutron was of the mind that something else had gone on and Sunset just ran off before she got the full story. Applejack might be a bit insensitive, but Rainbow he found hard to believe. Of course, there was the possibility she was in denial and just lashing out…

“That’s not the issue. I appreciate the defense, even if it’s a little… extreme,” Neutron replied. “...It’s… it’s about well you and Fizzle and mum and… well, I’ll be honest. I’ve noticed ponies give us looks every day for the past eighteen years. Pretended not to notice, really. But it’s kinda hard. They seem… well, almost afraid of us. Any idea why?” he swallowed. He could sorta understand Fizzlepop, given he’d heard the stories about her being a former conqueror and the fact that she could really kick your ass if she wanted to but someone like Sunset? Someone like his mom? He didn’t understand it one bit. And what had he ever done to deserve that sort of fear?

Fizzle and Sunset shared a look, both of them looking uncomfortable. “Well, each of us besides Twilight has a… complicated past,” Sunset spoke up, rubbing her arm. “I stole your mother’s old crown at one point and nearly used it to raise an army of humans to take over Equestria. And Trixie used the Alicorn Amulet to take over Ponyville and exile your mom from town.”

“It’s been twenty-odd years. You’d think by now after all this time ponies would just forget. I mean, if mum likes you that should be enough right?” Neutron asked.

“...If it were only so easy…” Skywind muttered. “It’s not their actions 20 years ago I take issue with…”

She seemed to go unheard except by Neutron who made a mental note to look into that later.

“Neutron, I can’t say that your opinion is invalid,” Fizzlepop started, putting a hand on his shoulder. “Make a harem or don’t, that’s your call. Fill it with stallions, mares, both, again that’s your call. But it should never be what you think others will think that stops you from doing something with your love life. When you have creatures that love you by your side, all the slings and arrows become meaningless.”

“Firstly, why the flying feather does everyone think I’m going to form a harem?” Neutron grumbled. “And secondly, you’re dodging the point. You still haven’t answered any of my-”

Before he could say a word further, an explosion cut him off. “And down!” Fizzlepop shouted as she shoved Skywind to the dirt before a fireball flew over their heads.

“...What the?” Neutron asked lightning up his horn with Sunset soon to follow. Their eyes widened at the sight in front of them. This purple figure with cracked skin oozing out some strange gas was marching forwards with both of his hands(?) having been replaced by cragadile jaws. “...Okay, now that’s just going to give me nightmares.” Neutron muttered and sighed to himself. And he had to be born without wings, didn’t he?

Grabbing a nearby manhole cover with his magic, he used it as a shield to block the fireballs before tossing it like a massive frisbee towards the monster. Said monster only grabbed it with his jaws and tossed it back at him.

“...Okay, stupid plan I admit,” Neutron muttered lighting up his horn and a blast of magic split the manhole cover down the middle. “Still, points for trying I suppose…”

Sunset turned to the crowd. “All of you, get out of here! Now!” she barked out. The crowd didn’t need to be told twice and ran like Tirek himself was after them. Sunset then turned to the monster.

“Mind explaining what’s going on here?” she asked eyes narrowed. A blast of fire was sent both her and Neutron’s way and only at the last second did Fizzlepop react shooting a blast of lightning towards Another Rogue.

“...Yeah, I don’t think he wants to talk,” Fizzlepop deadpanned before her eyes widened as Another Rogue practically teleported to her, picked her up by the neck and tossed her into a nearby shop window glass shards flying everywhere and both Sunset and Neutron let out cries of pain as glass cut into their fur drawing blood.

Another Rogue then slammed Sunset into the ground before sending Neutron flying backwards with a fireball.

“You….” he growled out pointing at Neutron. “You and your mother need to burn!”

Dodging some powerful punches, Neutron raised his hands in a defensive manner. “Look, mate, I’m sure whatever mom did to you, we can talk this out like gentlecolts. Are you a gentlecolt?”

He yelped and just barely dodged to the left as Another Rogue fired off a blast at him. “...Way to put your hoof in it Neutron…” the unicorn muttered. “Alright then, if you want me… come and get me!”

Running across a bridge, Another Rogue followed after the unicorn.

“...Seriously, what did my mom do to you?” Neutron asked before time seemed to grind to a halt all around him and Another Rogue.

“Look at what my king can do!” Heure beamed, skipping along towards the site of the battle. “He’s got the demon king on the ropes! Isn’t Another Rogue great?”

“Demon King?” Neutron muttered with a small blink of confusion as he spotted the young colt. “...Kid, you need to get out of here, now!”

“Who are you calling kid?!” Heure snapped.

“You, kid. Or would you prefer I call you brat? Learn to respect your prince!” Neutron snapped. “Now, in case you haven’t noticed… Monster. You. Run. Now. Am I clear?” he asked.

“No wonder you become a demon king, no love for those who are supposed to be your subjects,” Heure mocked, shaking his head. “Great Game, teach him a lesson he can take with him to the next life.”

Another Rogue nodded before time unfroze and he gathered up a huge ball of purple energy and tossed it. Neutron’s eyes widened before he teleported behind Another Rogue before kicking him forwards and slamming a hard right cross across his jaw as the Another Rider turned to face him.

Neutron’s eyes widened in recognition about then. “...Great Game?” he whispered. “As in Nightingale's little brother?”

He was then punched in the stomach in his shock and nearly doubled over. Smirking, Another Rogue raised a fist drawing it back for the final blow before several blasts hit him making him stagger.

Royal Guards, holding magical discharge rifles had arrived and were laying down covering fire on Another Rogue/Great Game giving Neutron time to escape.

“Get out of here my Prince!” the commander of this regiment shouted. “We’ll buy you time to escape and deal with this monster.”

Great Game, Neutron mused. He knew the name so well. Just a few months back, his older brother Nightingale Blaze -and one of the few people Neutron would call a friend- had spoken out against Twilight in public. Called her relationships with Trixie and the rest a crime against nature.

That was fair enough Neutron had supposed. One was allowed a right to their opinions and a right to protest. Sure, it annoyed him that Twilight’s harem was called a crime against nature but he wouldn’t hold it against Nightingale. He was just one of a few protestors that day, and he was allowed a right to his opinion. Neutron didn’t have to agree with it, but he was allowed the right.

What really threw Neutron for a loop that day was when Twilight had swooped down like some sort of hawk and arrested Nightingale on the spot for illegal drug trafficking. That needless to say had really stunned Neutron. They took classes together, Neutron not wanting to be seen as some sort of ponce, and not once had Nightingale had ever even shown a love for drugs of any sort. The whole incident had faded from Neutron’s memory for the most part really, he kept it in the back of his mind he supposed but didn’t really think on it much.

Seems grudges like curses and chickens always came home to roost.

“Gr-Great,” Neutron stated ignoring the commander’s orders to run. “Now listen, I know you’re mad about what happened to your brother but taking it out on me? It won’t solve a damned thing. Fact is, it’ll just get you arrested like your brother or killed even!”

“So, you don’t deny execution is a thing?” Another Rogue/Great Game growled out.

“Execution?” Neutron stammered out. “That’s… that’s been outlawed in Equestria since before Nightmare Moon!”

“Yeah?” Great asked. “You studied with me, you knew I always had an interest in law like my brother. Go look up some of the law books in Town Hall or Canterlot some time! See what your mummy dearest has been up to!”

“I… I don’t understand!” Neutron shouted. “...I… I don’t understand!”

“You will…” Great Game growled out as he marched forwards the blasts barely slowing him down by this point. “You will…”

Time seemed to slow down once more, though this time it was hardly any fault of Heure’s. “Listen to yourself, yes you’re trying to talk him down but words aren’t exactly working on him, are they? And all your life… Well, you’ve been looking for an excuse to be something more than Twilight’s son. Here’s your chance. Make something of yourself! Your subjects need help! Save them!” a voice in Neutron’s head stated. “You were given a life for a reason. So, live it! Now, change your life!”

Letting out a roar of rage, Neutron charged at Great Game horn alight with magic firing off bolts to restrain the Another Rider before grabbing him even as the gases spewing out of him wrapped and bound themselves them both.

“Now listen… I know you’re lost, and confused. Hell, so am I for that matter. And yes, there’s confusing days ahead of us all, but we’ll never be able to knock on tomorrow’s door like this! By my honor as the Prince of Friendship, I swear to help you!” Neutron pleaded. “But you have to help me. You have to calm down! Destroying everything and everyone in your way, it won’t help your brother. He’ll be ashamed and disgusted with you!”

Staggering back in shock, Great Game’s monstrous appearance faded away before a black stopwatch rolled away.

Out of curiosity, Neutron picked it up and pressed down on the button atop it. “Rogue.”it stated before changing from black to purple and blue reading 2017.

“Curious…” Neutron muttered before turning back to Great Game and extending his hand. “You alright?” he asked the pony as he pocketed the watch.

“Yeah… Yeah, I think I will be… Thank you,” Great Game stated. “...I’m not even sure, honestly, how I was turned into that… thing. One minute I was at the arcade, next I was… here.”

“Curious…” Neutron muttered tossing the new watch-like device up in the air before catching it. “...And who was that colt?”

Great Game looked at him curiously. “...What do you mean?”

“Eh, it’s nothing. Least nothing for you to worry about. More of a mystery for me really…” Neutron muttered before he heard the flapping of wings and the sound of discharge rifles whirring to life.

“Step away from him,” Twilight stated, the guards standing aside to let his mother pass. Out of the corner of his eye, Neutron saw Fizzle helping a limping Sunset walk up. To his shock, he heard cuffs being thrown around Great Game’s wrist. “Step away, Neutron.”

“But… But he hasn’t…?”

“Done anything wrong?” Twilight asked with a sharp glare. For a brief moment, Neutron thought he saw something else in her eyes, something… evil. Or maybe it was just the flames of anger. He couldn’t really tell. “You saw what he did to Sunset, you saw what he’s done to the town. You saw what he tried to do to you and Skywind!”

“Yeah, but he wasn’t himself! You of all ponies should understand that mum!” Neutron shouted. “Remember what happened to Sunset, to Princess Luna?”

“I’m quite well aware,” Twilight stated and Neutron shuddered. He’d never seen his mother like that, not since… Not since Nightingale. That chill in her voice, it was so unlike her it honestly scared him. “But do you have any proof?”

For a moment, Neutron wanted to go for the strange watch he’d picked up. But he decided against it. That was hardly proof now, was it? Even now, he could detect no traces of dark magic in it. If he presented it to his mum she’d dismiss it outright as the thing that turned Great Game into Another Rogue as that strange colt had called him.

“I… I don’t.”

“If you can find some proof, maybe I’ll reconsider Great Game’s fate. But right now, a threat to Equestria is a threat. And threats must be handled accordingly. To the dungeons with him!” she barked towards the guards even as Great Game shot Neutron a look of betrayal and disgust.

“You said you’d help me!” Great shouted as he was led away. “You said you’re nothing like your bitch of a mother! Instead, look at you! You didn’t help me! You’re just like her!” he shouted and screamed every word feeling like a strike against Neutron’s heart.

“...What… what are you going to do with him?” Neutron asked although he had a sickening feeling from Great Game’s prior words he already knew.

“As I said, handle him as a threat accordingly,” his mother replied neutrally. “Now, don’t you have a date to finish off with? It would be rude to leave your future wife like that would it not?” she asked quirking an eyebrow.

Somehow, Neutron had lost any sort of mood for that arrangement.

Back at Twilight’s castle, Neutron sighed to himself even as he walked down to the underground pool to try and clear his mind of recent events. He still couldn’t get the whole scene out of his head, Great Game being cuffed before shouting and screaming up a storm at Neutron.

“And then there’s you…” the Prince muttered holding up this mysterious watch. “What are you, exactly?”

For a brief moment, he swore he saw traces of magic connecting it with his fob watch hanging around his neck, but then dismissed it as his imagination getting the better of him.

“Gah!” Neutron muttered. “A nice long swim, that’s what I need…”

When he reached the room, to his surprise he found out he wasn’t exactly alone. Two of his mothers or Twilight’s Harem Girls as the town had called them were down there as well. And much to Neutron’s disgust, they were currently all over each other. Hands roamed as Starlight and her ‘partner’ kissed and nipped at each other moaning softly.

“...You know there are so many things in life I’d rather not see, and that right there is one of them, thank you very much,” Neutron commented averting his eyes.”Just sayin’.”

“Oh, right sorry!” Starlight blushed furiously as she pulled away from her partner, who was… well, less than ashamed of herself.

“Aww, are we whittling away at the ickle boy’s innocence…?” the other mare, for lack of a better term cackled. Quite honestly, mare was being generous really with her. Yes, she was a female but not exactly a pony per se. “Aww, if I knew you wanted us to do that to you, I would have been a bit louder! And trust me, I could have gotten Glimmer-Pants here to do that as well…” she trailed off with a lecherous smile.

“Chrysalis… just stop,” Starlight sighed seeing Neutron flush even brighter.

“You know me dearie,” Chrysalis said in reply. “I can just never help myself at times. And trust me, seeing you in that swimsuit… well… I couldn’t help myself could I?” she trailed off licking her lips pretending not to hear Neutron retching in the background. She quickly shut up upon Starlight’s glare and the raising of the so-called ‘friendship spray’.

“...I apologize for her, really…” Starlight sighed. “Something the matter? You look like you’ve got something on your mind really…”

“Yeah, quite a bit really…” Neutron muttered sitting next to Starlight. Truth be told, Chrysalis sorta unnerved him. Yes, he was well aware this made him a hypocrite but he didn’t trust her in the slightest. Unlike the other changelings, she chose to stay in her original state. And couple that with her history of conquering and the like, well it made it very hard for Neutron to trust the bug in the slightest.

Okay yes, she showed some care for both her fellow girls and towards Neutron -in her own way- but Neutron was pretty damn sure Chrysalis should have been kept at arms’ length. Why his mom had married her was beyond him. Okay, maybe there was a reason but he preferred not to think about it really. He was half-certain Chrysalis was into crime… like every one of them. Like, every major violent crime.

She claimed to have come to Twilight simply because she was desperate for love, but if that was the case why hadn’t she… changed for lack of a better term. Pride maybe? Nostalgia factor? Either one of those could have been it, and Neutron may have been overly paranoid but he still couldn’t find it within himself to trust her in the slightest.

“So, what’s eating you squirt?” Chrysalis asked scooting up next to him and ruffling his mane. Neutron didn’t look amused.

“Agh… It’s just mum, I think. It’s her… personality as of late. How long has she… Well, how long has she taken this hardline stance towards troublemakers?”

“Ah, I know what this is about,” Starlight sighed. “This is about Great Game, isn’t it? She was just protecting you, you know.”

“...Somehow it didn’t feel like it,” Neutron muttered. “Somehow it felt like she was just arresting him to make a point.”

“Yeah, to make a point on not harming you kid,” Chrysalis commented. “She loves you. She’s your mommy dearest, it’s in her nature. Why, if you were a member of my hive and someone touched a hair on your chitlin I’d rip them apart. Great Game got off lucky really, the little punk.” she continued. Nobody bothered to correct her that technically in some ways Neutron was a part of her hive.

“...Nice to know, but I still don’t like it,” Neutron muttered.

“What’s not to like? He tried to kill you. He tried to kill your friend, he tried to kill Fizzlepop, he tried to kill Sunset. Lots of attempted murder going around, really!” Chrysalis commented.

“...Yeah, but that’s just it. I’ve heard the stories. Mum always gave ponies a second chance. You and Starlight both know this. Hell, if mum back then hadn’t given Starlight a second chance and reasoned with her… where would she be now?”

Starlight winced at being reminded of her past.

“Okay, sorry. Low blow, I know. But…”

“Yeah, point taken,” Starlight admitted. “Yeah, I’m rather interested in what marked this change of attitude as well. Like with Nightingale. We never found any drugs anywhere near him, and yet…”

“It was off to the chopping block with-”

Neutron’s eyes widened at this statement and he whirled around to face Chrysalis. “Off to where?” he growled staring the former Queen in the eye.

“...Yeah… Uh…” Starlight said trying to calm Neutron down. “Twilight had always hated drugs, so uh…”

“She killed him…” Neutron stated. “She killed him, just like that. And without any form of proof! Just assumptions!”

“...Well, him insulting us probably didn’t help…” Chrysalis muttered not caring if she was digging the hole deeper for Twilight.

“Neutron, I’m… I’m sorry you had to find out like this,” Starlight whispered stroking his mane. “I know he was your friend…”

“And just like that,” Neutron growled snapping his fingers. “Mu...No, Twilight killed him, and for what reason?” he snarled before beginning to walk off.

“Neutron, wait!” Starlight shouted after him noticing how the stallion wasn’t even calling Twilight mum anymore. “Please, don’t do anything rash!”

“Don’t… Don’t do anything rash?” Neutron shouted whipping around to face her horn crackling with energy. “Damn fucking right I’m about to do something rash…”

“Or you’re about to stoop to her level! Violence only leads to more violence, Neutron! Didn’t anypony teach you that in class?” Starlight thrust her hooves out as he approached the door frame. “If you go out there and kill Twilight, then you’re not going to accomplish anything!”

“Who says I’m going to kill her?” Neutron asked. His thoughts were running wild, and truth be told if he was being honest with himself he didn’t know what he would do. Nightingale was his classmate, possibly one of the few ponies he would ever call a friend and hearing this...

“Look. I get that what Twilight did was awful, but you have to understand that she had no other option. If she didn’t commit those actions, then they would have conspired to kill her instead. How would Equestria survive without someone to keep it safe from ponies like that?” Starlight asked, trotting over toward Neutron. “Sometimes, even the good ponies of this world have to do despicable acts for the right causes. If it’s the only way, then how can you blame them?”

“I can’t believe you…” Neutron looking at Starlight in disgust. “Here you were, just a few seconds before doubting that Nightingale was really guilty and now you’re spouting off how he probably was?”

“I’m not sprouting off anything. I’m telling you the TRUTH. The truth is shit. We have to accept that. The truth shouldn’t have any right to exist, yet it does. Believe me, I’d love to lie to everyone all the time, but I can’t. The truth is always going to be the truth,” Starlight locked her eyes with his. “Would you want to live in a world where there’s no such thing as the truth? Or live in a world where truth does nothing but cause pain?”

Neutron flinched. She had a point there, as much as he hated to admit it. “But… But…” he whispered after finally regaining the ability to speak. “But all we really know Nightingale did was protest certain relationships you have with Twilight and the girls. Sure, Twilight arrested him on drug trafficking, but you said it yourself, nothing was ever found on him to suggest such a thing!”

“The hardest stuff to believe is always the truth. Trust me. I speak from experience.” Starlight wrapped a hand around Neutron’s shoulder gripping it tightly. “Some days when it seems that everything is going your way, the truth; your life comes to collect, to remind you of just how pathetic we all are in the grand scheme of things. None of us are perfect, none of us are beings of a higher plane, none of us are so special that there needn’t be a point in everything else. Even you, for how much you fight for what you believe in have something that will always drag you back down to earth. We all sit on pedestals, Neutron. How high they are... Well, that depends on how we shape ourselves.”

“Shut up, just shut up,” Neutron stated. “The only pathetic thing I see around here is you. Buying into Twilight’s bullshit. You’re just sucking up to her, probably literally with some of the spells I know exist. Get out of my sight. She might be my mum, but right now she’s hardly my mother.” he growled before teleporting out of the room.

“Deny it all you want, Neutron. Sadly, that is the truth. The truth is the worst thing we’ve ever had. We’d all be better off without it.” Starlight hung her head and trudged off, mind wracked with feelings about Neutron and Twilight. She wasn’t much to fret over the tiniest details, but now she was beginning to picture a possibility that Neutron would indeed perform the gruesome act of matricidal regicide. She could picture him launching a spell into her heart, ending it all with a single flash of light.

“Honestly…” Chrysalis admitted. “He’s right. You really have fallen low, Starlight.” the former Queen stated before teleporting out of the room.

As for Neutron, the pony himself had teleported up to his room and looked at a picture of him as a child smiling at a fairground with his mother before screaming in rage and flinging it at the wall. Glass shattered, not that Neutron could really care.

“...Neutron Sparkle huh?” he muttered. “Now that’s a joke. ...Wonder how Neutron Velvet sounds… Yeah. Neutron Velvet…” he muttered letting the name roll off the tongue. “I like that…” he whispered before teleporting off the Ponyville Cemetery.

He’d stopped in front of a particular headstone. On it read these words: “Here lies Night Light. Father of one of Equestria’s most exalted rulers. May he forever rest in peace within the endless void of the cosmos.”

“Hey grandpa,” Neutron smiled sadly laying down a bouquet of flowers as he always did when he visited the grave. “How're things? Hope you’re having a better time of it than I am. ...You’ve been watching your daughter, haven’t you? Then tell me, dad, how could she have gone so wrong?”

Neutron scoffed. Of course, he couldn’t answer. How could he? ...Still, he suspected if Night Light could see Twilight now, he’d probably have more than a few bones to pick with his daughter about her behavior.

A flash of magic came from behind Neutron, and the pony whirled around to face the source. His eyes narrowed.

“Hello ‘mum’,” Neutron said coolly. “Come to drag me back home and spank me on my arse for not being a good little boy?”

“I know that tone of voice, Neutron. You know what I’ve done.” Twilight unfurled her wings, letting the rain soak her feathers. “I don’t expect you to feel sympathy for me. If anything, I’m prepared if you want to slit my throat right here and now.”

“Damn right I know what you’ve done…” Neutron thought before responding.

“...Well, you’re taking this… awfully well,” the unicorn remarked evenly. “So, why’d you do it? Why’d you execute my friend?”

“Do you know about the Sun Cult? Your friend was an agent in one of their cells. Had he been allowed to walk free, he would have co-ordinated his subordinates and launched a major attack on Canterlot.”

Oh yes, Neutron knew of the Sun Cult. Celestia extremists. They believed that Luna was still Nightmare Moon and was plotting to overthrow the government or some such rot. He’d heard all of them had been arrested a decade ago.

“Something that I’ve come to terms with is that playing the nice girl role isn’t always the best one. If I were a namby-pamby peace-loving princess, every single enemy faction in this world and beyond would take advantage of that. How would you like your world ruled by warmongers, monsters, and other abhorrent ponies who don’t care about anyone else but their own?” Twilight asked, a small flicker of dark fire in her eyes. Same as before, same as when she arrested Great Game “If I show weakness, this kingdom is finished. You are finished. If we are weak, then we get buried. Y-You get buried.”

“Monsters? Funny, I think I’m looking at one now,” Neutron stated. “And funny that, I thought being a peace-loving princess was what got you where you are now… Guess we were all wrong.”

“Fine then. If that’s the way you think. Go ahead. Kill me,” Twilight turned her back. “If you don’t see me as a ruler, then there’s no reason for my existence. If killing me will make you happy for the sake of the country, then do it. Kill me. Wipe me from the mortal coil if it will bring you closure.”

“No, that’s not my way. Killing you wouldn’t do a thing,” Neutron stated. Every sense in his body, every alarm bell was going off. Something was wrong with his mother and he knew it. He just couldn’t put his finger onto what. Chrysalis, was she involved in this? Had she just been merely biding her time, waiting for the right moment to strike? “It wouldn’t bring Nightingale back, and it would leave Equestria with a massive political power vacuum the nobles would just jump all over. Goddess knows I’m nowhere near ready to rule just yet.”

“I… I see…” Twilight stated.

“So why’d you do it then?” Neutron had to ask. “Why’d you kill Nightingale? Writer’s Quill, you’ve probably already killed his brother, haven’t you? What, is it to just try and avenge your dad -my grandpa- after the Sun Cult murdered him for being a simple astronomer working under Luna’s employ? Is that what this is all about? Because he would be afraid and disgusted with you if he ever saw you, mark my words! This isn’t about protecting me, no. You’re just using me as an excuse to justify your actions.”

“How dare you!?!” Twilight roared. Neutron tugged at his collar feeling the ozone in the air. “I’ve… I’ve never used your father as an excuse for anything. I just want the best for you, for Equestria. Make no mistake, yes, I wanted to catch your father’s killers. And I did. Now, I’m just looking out for you…”

“What, by being a knight’s templar about who I make friends with, never giving me the chance to become my own pony?” Neutron roared back. “You didn’t even believe me when I said Great Game wasn’t acting out of his own free will. You just arrested him on the spot, and probably-”

“Executed him? No, I haven’t done that… I would never do that without good reason, and no reason -not even you- works as a justification for that.” Twilight replied looking even sickened at the thought of such an act. Neutron blinked. A complete one-eighty from how she was before. Before, she was admitting to killing ponies, and now she was denying it. Something was severely wrong here, indeed. “And as I said, I gave you time to find proof of his innocence. I can only presume you haven’t done that yet?”

Neutron flinched. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the Rogue watch.

“...This. I found this on him after he changed back. It was black before, but when I touched it… I… I saw it change into this.”

“Very interesting, but hardly proof. It could have just been something he had on him. If there was dark magic that fueled his transformation, I think I would know it,” Twilight replied. “And believe me when I say this. There is no such thing on that watch.”

“I know, not now at least! But there was before. I felt it!” Neutron shouted back desperately hot tears streaming down his face as he tried for his mother to see reason and believe him. "You… you don't believe me do you?" He whispered.

“Of course not. And why should I? You're just offering rambling theories and speculation. Hardly anything believable.” Twilight replied dismissively.

“If… if there's even the faintest chance, then we should take it. Isn't that what you always said, mom? That we should believe and trust in our friends?” Neutron asked. It was almost pleadingly, like some last desperate attempt to try and reach his mother. “...I don't know what's wrong with you mum, but I promise to find out,” he swore to himself before noticing something. “Oh look, the Map's calling for me now. Funny how it hasn't done that for you lately…” he muttered as his Cutie Mark -located on his shoulder- flashed intermittently. With that, he teleported off leaving his mother in the rain.

“Be safe… son,” she whispered. “Be safe and trust in your convictions. That's all as a mother I can ask.”

Watching from the sidelines were Heure, Ora, and Schwarz...

“...Well, this adds an unexpected wrinkle to our plans doesn’t it?” Heure remarked. “Last I checked,” he said to Schwarz looking right up at the much older stallion. “Neutron wasn’t supposed to break away from his mother this early…”

“Time’s always changing,” Schwarz replied holding up an hourglass and then tipping it over. “It’s constantly in flux. You should know this very well by now Heure…”

“Yes, but he’s right,” Ora put in. “It does add an unexpected wrinkle to our plans. Neutron wasn’t supposed to leave his mother till five more years down the line when she discovers just how much power he has and becomes afraid of him…” she mused.

“However did Twilight become so… paranoid to begin with?” Heure had to wonder. “Last I checked, this type of behavior is rather unusual for her…”

“Who can say?” Schwarz said, hiding his face from the other two Time Jackers. “So many things can influence the thoughts of a ruler.” A dark smile crossed the older stallion’s face.

“...What did you do Schwarz?” Ora asked suddenly feeling very nervous. Heure seemed to share this. While they both knew their commander was capable of some very underhanded things, he had a tendency to surprise them both more often than not with just how devious his plans actually were and how deeply constructed and plotted he’d made them.

“I’ve done nothing that you need to worry about for the time being,” he dismissed, glancing at the two. “Just focus on looking for candidates to surpass Neutron as king.”

Heure and Ora shared a look. Schwarz had done something, and they knew it. The question exactly was what. And when would it come back to bite them?

“...Yes, quite. I understand this is very close to the time when Neutron is supposed to get his belt, am I correct?” Ora asked slightly annoyed about how a few small unpredictable things had upset their plans. For example, Neutron wasn’t supposed to get his first Ridewatch till after he got the belt. And yet now he was in possession of Rogue’s powers.

“Yes, and he will gain his first true follower at that time,” Schwarz confirmed. “If things continue as they are now, that much won’t change.”

“I hope you’re right…” Ora muttered. “In any case, I think I have someone perfect for the kingship. Heure’s choice was a fool, too weak. Neutron didn’t even need the belt and the powers of Guardian to defeat him.”

“...How was I supposed to predict how charismatic or caring Neutron would get with Great Game?” Heure almost whined.

“You should have, you know exactly the kind of pony we’re dealing with,” Ora stated. “And who he can become if we’re not careful.”

“Do not falter, Heure,” Schwarz said, putting a hand on the colt’s head. “We have far more watches where that one came from, one failure will not be the end to our plans.”

“In any case…” Ora stated snapping her fingers and transporting the group to the Barracks in Canterlot. Most of the Royal Guards had already headed inside for the night, but one was still hard at work swinging his sword against magical constructs.

“...Well, he’s… determined,” Heure noted watching the red stallion swing his sword into construct after construct watching his orange mane stand out against the night sky. “Points for that I suppose…?”

“Determination is not what I’m after,” Ora disagreed. “It’s skill. And this one has a long career ahead of him… Well, at least that’s what he thinks.” she chuckled darkly remembering the proper timeline and how this pony’s fate was supposed to progress. Snapping her fingers once again to stop time, she walked up to the unicorn stallion.

“Who…?” the pony asked as Ora looked at him with an expression of almost pity.

“I’m afraid I have some good news and some bad news for you…” Ora said. “Good news for you, you do achieve your captaincy. Sadly for you, the bad news is you push your work so hard you drive away your family and loved ones… So much for the great Captain Flashfire I guess…”

“...No… No. I won’t let that happen,” Flashfire stated. “I’ll balance my work ethic and my family.”

“...We’ll see. But I have to ask you a little favor. You’re a patriot to the Sun and Moon aren’t you?” Ora inquired.

“Always have been,” Flashfire said.

“Good, then when I tell you there is a threat to your way of life you must quell, what would you do about it?”

“I’d handle it.” Flashfire returned. “Longue vie à Equestria!”

“By any means necessary?” Ora questioned, getting out a black watch and fiddling with it.

“...Well, I don’t know if I’d go that far… What are you asking of me exactly?” Flashfire asked as his eyes narrowed.

“If a tyrant were to come along and doom Equestria, would you take up the power to defeat and kill them?” Ora asked, knowing very well in another timeline Flashfire was quite the hero. “What would you do if this came to pass?”

“Like I said…” Flashfire replied darkly. “Longue vie à Equestria…”

“Good because a threat like that exists. Soon, a demon king will take up the throne and treat citizens like disposable garbage.”

She snapped her fingers, and briefly, Flashfire bore witness to a wasteland, Canterlot Castle burning in the background as a massive figure clad in gold and black armor -watch hands on his back like a cape- strode forwards to a force of rebel fighters. He shook his head in what could almost be described as pity as he pressed down on a watch on his wrist.

“You cannot possibly defeat me. Do you know why? Because I was born to be king.” the figure stated before a massive red serpent flew in and burned the entire group to a crisp.

Ora snapped her fingers again, returning the twosome to the present. “Do you now see the threat that is posed?”

“Yes… Yes, I do…” Flashfire whispered taking a deep shuddering breath. “What do you want me to do?”

Ora could only smile.

“Blade!”

Friendship Castle: Map Room.

Teleporting back into the Castle, wiping some of his tears away Neutron took a deep shuddering breath.

“Don’t let it get to you, don’t let it show…” he remembered Fizzlepop telling him once as a child. “The less emotional you get, the better of a Prince you’ll become. Don’t cast away your emotions, I’ve learned from that. But don’t let them rule you…”

“I’m sorry Fizzlepop…” Neutron whispered. “Couldn’t hold myself to that one…”

“Are you alright?” Trixie’s voice came as she walked into the room. “...I heard from Twilight that-”

That turned out to be a very poor choice of words indeed.

“Fuck Twilight…” Neutron whispered slamming a fist into a nearby wall cracking it. “She’s a bloody hypocrite, that’s what she is…”

“...So you know then,” Trixie whispered looking at him with an expression of what could only be described as pity. “I’m… I’m sorry.”

“Oh yeah, I know…” Neutron muttered as Trixie hugged him tightly. “And turns out your friend slash bed buddy Starlight? Suck-up in more ways than one… She’s completely fallen in line with Mummy Dearest and her ideals. Or something. I don’t know what.”

“Oh yes, Trixie is very disappointed in her, let me tell you!” Trixie muttered. “But something is definitely wrong with Twilight, she can tell you that much! For the past few years, something's gone and went… wonky in Sparkle’s head. I don’t know how to describe it… It’s like she’s…”

“Nice one moment, and complete psycho bitch the next?” Skywind asked as she walked into the room some of her feathers glowing like a summoned Cutie Mark. “...If you pardon the phrase.” she blushed remembering who exactly was in the room.

“No, no. Go on, it pretty much damn describes my ‘mother’ right now,” Neutron remarked with a dismissive wave. “Hell, I’m not even sure I can call her mum right now. Certainly not acting like the mare who raised me half the time nowadays…”

“I doubt she just went nuts naturally…” Skywind mused. “I mean nobody does that naturally, well outside of comic books I suppose…”

“Might I remind you Cozy Glow and Tirek were a thing?” Neutron returned before shuddering. Oh yeah, they were a thing. In more ways than one he last heard.

“...I see your point,” Sky muttered. “Still, I just can’t see Twi… Wait a tick, you seem entirely unsurprised I’m here.”

“It’s not always ponies who get called to the map room, remember?” Neutron smirked before waltzing over and booping Sky on the beak. In a haughty tone, he reminded: “Remember Spike got called here once or twice.”

“Well, glad to see I’m here cheering you up…” Sky smirked. “But yes, I do remember. But what I’m more concerned about your mother. See, the thing is, her behavior reminds me of someone…”

“Well, out with it girl!” Trixie snapped impatiently. “Trixie does not have all day, and she does certainly not want to become a nervous wreck over Twilight Sparkle of all ponies!”

“Question posed: Does Twilight seem to like the night more than the day?” Skywind asked.

“...Well, a bit of a stupid one if you ask me. Never been a morning mare, my mum. Least as long as I’ve known her. She cannot function without her coffee, and when dad was alive she loved to go stargazing with him. So, the question has a very obvious answer.” Neutron smirked.

“...Were you his father?” Sky leaned over to Trixie. “He’s certainly got your haughtiness.”

“...Well, partially. I was just one of the gene donors. No, before you ask Twilight didn’t suddenly grow a dick upon alicornation. Stupid idea, only thought up in bad porn novels. No, she had a… gene donor. My my, fun guy. Twilight mentioned to me that she and I quote: “Was especially impressed by skill No. 69.”

“I… I see…” Sky murmured with a small flush creeping up over her face. “Anyways, so Twilight loves the night. Or at least enjoys it.”

“And you’re getting at what?” Trixie asked before Neutron’s eyes widened in fear as he suddenly realized what his friend was getting at.

“No… it couldn’t be. Her spirit was destroyed…” he whispered. “But then again, how do you fully destroy a spirit? And as long as negative emotions persist -and make no mistake they always will- she could always come back.”

Yes, he could see it now. Night Light’s funeral five years ago. That’s when things started to change he remembered in retrospect. That could have easily been when she took over his mother’s body.

“...So, she’s finally back…” Neutron whispered. “Nightmare Moon.”

“WHATTTTTTTTTT!?!” Trixie screeched. “Are you telling Trixie that… that Twilight’s been taken over by…”

“It’s the only obvious answer. Outside of Chrysalis influencing her somehow, and I think if that was the case it would have started long ago, and we would have noticed the effects a lot sooner. You all would,” Neutron pointed out. “...You know, for once I’m not pleased with being right.”

“...Speak for yourself, Trixie’s wife has now been taken over by that… that thing! What should we even call her? Midnight Sparkle, Friendmaker?” Trixie squeaked out going into complete freak out mode. Neutron out of sheer force of habit handed her a brown bag that Trixie quickly began huffing and puffing into.

“...That’s your biggest concern?” Sky asked. “Naming her? I’m more worried about how we stop her!”

“And I think that’s why the map called us,” Neutron pointed out with that same haughty smile. “It has a solution! Grandmother said this! Always trust your instincts!” he declared pointing skywards for no obvious reason.

“...And always trust mysterious magical objects as well, I presume?” Sky asked.

“...Well, no. But she probably would tell me to trust them at some point…” Neutron admitted with a small sweatdrop. “Well, only one thing for it then. Follow that map!” he shouted running out of the room.

“...Exit’s the left door. Not the right,” Trixie sighed. “And don’t run in the hallways!”

“OH COME ON MUM!!!”

“Such a little kid…” Trixie smiled fondly as Sky just shook her head.

“...Well, I’d best follow him, make sure he doesn’t get in way over his head,” Sky muttered. “As he always does…. Well, time to show him what this pleb is capable of I believe!”

“Have fun! And don’t get distracted by the fact the two of you will be alone!” Trixie called out, watching Sky run after the prince.

“...I swear, you’re worse than Cadence!” Sky groaned out. Flash forwards about a half-hour later and the two found themselves in front of the Tree of Harmony’s roots under the old Castle of the Two Sisters.

“...You know, somehow I’m not at all surprised by this.” the griffoness had to comment.

“For the record, neither am I…” Neutron muttered. “All throughout history, or at least modern history this place always has a part to play. So what is…” he muttered before some of the crystalline roots retracted revealing what looked to be a cross between a belt buckle and a watch. “...But I am surprised by that.” he freely admitted.

“Go on, take it. It’s yours…” a voice said before Neutron whipped around to see his mother. Or, maybe not given the odd glow she was giving off.

“You’re… you’re the Tree aren’t you?” Neutron asked remembering the stories Professor Ocellus had told him. “Sorta bleedin’ figures you’d take the form of my mother. Don’t have to like it, but I’m not surprised really…”

“For the record, I’m truly sorry. I couldn’t have anticipated your mother becoming-”

“Yeah, well save me your pity. Had enough of that,” Neutron said cutting off the tree. “How do I…?”

“I think you can figure it out for yourself dear,” the Tree teased.

“...Don’t call me dear. You’re not my mother,” Neutron muttered.

“But I took the form of her, so in a way I am!” the Tree chirped even as Neutron placed the belt buckle around his waist, and it wrapped itself around him. His fob watch then glowed golden before changing into a mechanical watch not unlike the one that he’d gotten ahold of earlier.

It read: “Guardian. 2040.”

“...Okay then. So is something supposed to happen or-” Neutron mused aloud before an explosion cut him off. Evidently, something did happen.

Rushing back out to the main cavern, Neutron and Sky’s eyes widened as they saw a bulky figure covered in armor with an equally massive sword accompanied by that same creepy kid from before.

“...Okay, so do I have to take out a restraining order on you or somethin' brat?” Neutron asked.

“Don’t worry, you won’t be seeing me much longer,” the colt assured. “Blade, that’s the demon king,” he said, pointing at Neutron. “You know what to do.”

Another Blade smirked before he sent a collection of saw blades towards Neutron who threw up a shield.

“Celestia, you could take someone’s head off with those!” he shouted.

“I think that’s the idea,” Heure commented laughing like a loon.

“Okay, you’re really asking for a spanking brat. And I think I’m the paddle!” he said, and almost if on instinct he turned the watch.

“Guardian!” it proclaimed before it was slotted into the driver.

“Oh no…” Heure whispered as he saw one hand get thrown skywards, while the other spun the driver around.

“HENSHIN!”

“RIDER TIME! KAMEN RIDER: GUARDIAN!” the belt proclaimed as white and purple shaded armor covered Neutron including Neighponise script for ‘eyes’ and a light purple scarf as an accessory.

“REJOICE! Behold the heir to the power of all Riders. The Lord of Riders, traveling beyond time and space to reign over… well, you idiots I suppose and return harmony to this land. Truly, this is the moment Kamen Rider Guardian is born!” Skywind proclaimed throwing her hands up in the air. Neutron just gave her an odd look.

“...Er, yeah… Don’t know why I did that…” Skywind muttered with a small flush. “Ignore me… Not sure what came over me just then...”

“If they think me a king, nothing wrong with a hype man… er, hype hen I suppose,” the newly coined Guardian muttered before taking out a massive axe and leaping down to face Another Blade, sparks flying as their weapons met. “Now, shall we dance?”

Another Blade smirked, using his free hand to fan out an array of cards from the hilt of his sword. Pulling out two, he ran them along the crossguard. “Magnet, Thunder.” A beeping sound filled the air before the voice chimed in again with, “Electric wave!”

“So what’s that supposed to…?” Neutron asked before he found out.

A pulse shot out, centering from Another Blade’s sword and arcs of electricity went right for Neutron’s axe. Neutron screamed in pain before he slammed the Rogue Ridewatch into the axe handle and struck Another Blade with a powerful purple slash of energy.

“Don’t count me out of the game yet,” Neutron asked. “Still got a few tricks up my sleeve! You think you’re the only one with fancy magic?” he continued as he slashed Another Blade, again and again, throwing a bit of lightning into his slashes as well. “Think again!” he shouted kicking the Another Rider in the stomach making him stagger back.

But Another Blade was swift to recover and spun around catching Neutron in the chest with a speed quite surprising for one his size.

“...Oh, so you’re a cocky little bastard, aren’t you?” Neutron muttered. “Okay, maybe not little but…”

His eyes widened when Another Blade then tossed a buzzsaw blade Sky’s way, and he reacted fast catching it with magic and remembering the tactics of Another Rogue tossed it back towards its owner. Another Blade grunted out in pain before Neutron drove the thing in further with a powerful kick.

Another Blade fell on his back, but not before giving Neutron a desperate slash on his leg. He screamed out in pain, and Another Blade took advantage of this before slashing again, but this time Neutron was ready and leaped over the slash and then behind Another Blade. But this was predicted as well and Another Blade spun again sending more buzzsaws his way.

With a quick movement, Neutron rebounded off a nearby cavern wall and then changed his axe into a bow.

“You will bow to me!” Neutron shouted firing off an arrow barrage taking out all the buzzsaws.

Heure could only laugh and shake his head in pity.

“What’s so funny brat?” Neutron asked as he fired off another arrow barrage that Another Blade deflected with a few quick movements of his sword.

“You don’t get it do you? This battle could theoretically continue into ad infintium. Without the corresponding power, you can’t defeat Another Blade, Demon King!”

Landing on the cave floor, Neutron sighed. “First, let me correct you on a few things. One, I shall never become this Demon King you speak of. Not while there’s blood still in my veins. Secondly, going beyond impossible odds to project my subjects? That’s a prince’s job don’t you think?” he asked, and as he said this another watch appeared in his hands with a faint glow.

It didn’t take a genius to figure out what it was used for. Slamming it into the driver, Neutron let out a cry of: “Cho-Henshin!” while the driver said something else.

“Armor Time! Turn Up! Blade!”

Cards were now jutting out of the Rider’s shoulders, and he now held a sword instead of an axe. A sword that looked suspiciously like it took these cards.

“Looks like the trump cards now belong to me…” Neutron smirked as Heure’s face fell knowing exactly what was about to happen. Neutron became a blur, slicing into Another Blade.

“Thunder Deer, Mach Jaguar!” the sword called out before a final finishing slice allowed Neutron to impale Another Blade.

“Now, the finale!” Neutron shouted as he jumped upwards into the air foot crackling with electricity and aimed squarely at the impaled Blay Rouzer.

His driver proclaimed thusly: “Lightning Time Break!”

An explosion lit up the room before all was quiet and a watch clattered to the floor. Heure meanwhile, had taken his leave knowing Ora and Schwarz were not going to be happy about this one.

Canceling out his transformation, Neutron smiled even as sweat poured down his face. “Okay, now nobody thank me all at once…” he said in a daze. “Go on, I just... jus'need'a…” he muttered before fainting dead away. It would only be later that next day he would awake in a hospital bed with his mother smiling at him.

“Mum…” he whispered as Twilight hugged him. And then he was in for another shock as he saw Great Game leaning in the doorway smiling at him before giving him a thumbs up. “How did…”

“Thank a certain watch and Trixie. She knew something was wrong. Mother’s instincts, I guess. She called me to the cave, and I found that watch. ...I… I owe you an apology. It seems you were right, and I was wrong. Guess even I have my moments right?”

“You’re not perfect, nobody is…” Neutron whispered before falling back to sleep.

“Yeah, you’re right,” Twilight whispered as she looked in the window stroking her son’s mane absentmindedly and just for a moment, a brief one she swore she saw a dark figure in her reflection. “Nobody is… Least of all me…”

Author's Note

Okay... So... Uh... Yeah. This is a thing. Honestly... not sure what to say here in the AN, which is rather unusual for me. Firstly, I suppose I should think Rezon for helping me come up with the basic outlines for everything, and Thunderclap for helping me write out the scenes with the Time Jackers. Shadowmane, as ever, contributed as well, for Starlight's rant. So massive thank yous all around.

Now, quite honestly, this started off as a fixfic for a certain piece I absolutely despise, but along the way... I think it changed into something more. Something with actual substance, and value to it. Now honestly, I do plan more chapters such as one really going into how Nightmare Moon returned but I wanted to make this chapter stand on it's own, work as a one-shot if needed. Just set up the universe, and give a good story.

Your mileage may vary on if it actually worked. Trust me, writing this in the heat of summer? Not fun, and I was a bit more pissed off than usual because of said heat. Might have translated over into the writing, not sure.

Anyways... as ever with my stories any thoughts you have to offer are quite welcome.

And now... cue the music. IWAI!

Ridewatches collected: Guardian, Rogue, Blade