Trinity of Time: Fate and Change

How is that even possible? How can he not remember who Silver and Ai were? Why? They were standing there just a second ago! And what was that they said about them being special? Ack... I feel a little lightheaded...

Upon closer inspection, I noticed a white feather at the our hooves. However, while theirs seem to be glowing, mine quickly flew away in the wind. It was all so strange. I think I can safely assume common sense has been thrown out the window at this point. Just what had I gotten myself into?

"When you say you can change the world with my power, what do you mean?" No answer. Something about them changed. Their figures subtly rocked back and forth, side to side. No longer did I feel their menacing glare. Eventually, the two in the back collapsed. Their leader tried to remain standing. Unfortunately, all four of his legs gave in as well.

"What's going on?" I wondered, lightheaded. My surroundings began to pixelate. Kaleidoscopic spots appeared here and there. These patches of various colors popped one by one, emitting a sound similar to bursting bubbles. I stepped forth with my right leg, trying to even out my center of gravity. Once again, voices echoed in my head. This time however, there were two instead of one. Little by little, my senses slipped away. It was only a matter of time before I too collapsed face first.

***

Huh? Where am I? Am I still dreaming or something? The voices in my head... Yes, I can hear their speech... Yet somehow, I seem to have forgotten the meaning of their words... What are they saying? I can hear them clearly, but I don't understand what they are saying. Wait... Now there's more than one. Hmm... At least three beings speaking. That pitch... If there are only three, then two must be female. What about that last one? Sounds like a male... Actually, it sounds familiar to me... That voice... It can't be...

What are you three saying? What?! I can't hear you anymore... Are you three trying to warn me about something? Something... Something... A warning about something... I don't get it: what something?!

Hang on... Yes! Your words are finally within hearing! But... No... Gaps... There are gaps within your sentences. What are you trying to tell me now? Something... Something about time... Time is changing... The wind is changing... Time... Time is changing...

Ack... If only I could distinguish my surroundings! My limbs are numb right now... If only I could reach forwards, and hiot the lights... Heh... Hit the lights... That's funny...

Warning... What are you trying to warn me about? Hang on... Something... Something about time changing... History isn't the same... Hope? What hope? What history? About to clear her name? Who?! Who is about to clear their name? A pony... A pony of Sparkle blood... A pony with limitless potential... A greedy pony... A future Angel? What are you saying about Angels?! That doesn't make any sense!

What the heck is going on here?! Why can't I see?! What is this babble about Angels?! Who is "she?" This feeling... Something about history changing... Something about a pony clearing her name... What's the 'Sparkle bloodline?' Fake Elements of Harmony? Clones?

"What the crap is all this junk about?!"

***

"Are you alright back there?"

Huh? Wait... What?! Where am I? What the heck is this?!

It took some time for me to come back to my senses. I inspected my surroundings. Apparently, we were in some kind of high-speed train, traveling very fast somewhere underground. I turned to the side, only to bounce back startled by the presence of those two masked equines. Their getup seems unchanged, and so are their proportions. I think it's a safe bet to assume they are the same ones as earlier.

"Sorry about that!" interrupted the engineer. He bore a traditional outfit: some sort of v-shaped royal blue vest, buttoned around his neck. The colt also wore a typical pilot hat.

"Earlier, there was a gas leak in the city. It must have knocked the four of you out cold. Fortunately, somepony else from the Citadel got worried about the Black Triad, and decided to go out and look for you."

"So, it seems like you are the Flames of Fate!" he commented, pointing his hoof at me.

"Don't worry, the train knows how to drive itself. Look! See the bright banners of light passing by? Ahem... Sorry about that..."

"Anyways, the others woke up before you did. You were just lying there, tossing and turning. You were also mumbling something in your sleep, but none of us understood what you said."

Woah there fella! You're talking too fast to someone who's just woken up. Wait... Then does that mean the voices weren't real? No... Can't be... The first time I heard voices in my head was when I fell through the clouds. Speaking of which, how did I fall through the Barrier in the first place? Hmm...

Also, the voice I heard the first time was far more mean-spirited. If I recall correctly, I think it was threatening me about something too. This time however, I heard multiple beings speak. None of them sounded the least bit threatening. Hang on...

"Why are we underground?" I curiously asked.

"Oh," exclaimed the engineer, surprised, "you don't know?! Well... It's because the surface is forbidden and dangerous."

Surface? What could he possibly be referring to by "forbidden" and "dangerous?" I've been there, haven't I? Unless there's more to it than what I actually saw. Hmm... The impossible sunlight! How could there be sunlight in a world covered by a cloud barrier?

"Anyways, we're almost there, Flames. Let me tell you right now: this world is filled with secrets, lies, and deceit. Most of what you saw, and what you have yet to see, cannot be trusted. The sun above out heads most certainly isn't real. So then, what could it be?"

He cleared his throat through a cough or two.

"The impossible truth, Flames. You're clueless and weak right now. You'll be very easy to fool. Two things: trust your gut, and trust us. Always, always, under any and every circumstance: trust us with your life."

"And who are you?" I demanded to know. Amidst my confusion emerged fear. He silenced me by placing his hoof over my mouth.

"In the middle of all this, there's only one thing you need to ask yourself: are you ready to change the world?"